OKW with teenage girls ... will they be bored?

[Dreamfinder2]

Boy, I'm kinda leery of mentioning OKW and "bored" in the same phrase. Anyway...

We are making our first trip home in three weeks. We're owners at WVL, but got ressies at OKW on fairly short notice. We're waitlisted for BWV. Our family used to live close to WDW, and we'd go just about every Saturday for the day, so we're veterans.

However, for this first trip home, DD, 15, is bringing another 15-year-old friend who's NEVER been to WDW (and is there anything more rewarding than taking someone on their first WDW experience?) DD is serious about making a good first impression, and she's concerned that OKW won't give them enough to do, especially (in her mind) in comparison to Boardwalk activities.

Can any of y'all give me some suggestions to take the edge off her fears? I know we'll have a great time regardless, but you know how kids are.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Lisa F]

How can you be bored at WDW? I am not a big fan of OKW because to me it felt like staying offsite, but that just means when I have no choice but to stay at OKW on short notice, I just don't spend a lot of time there. Just because you are staying at OKW doesn't mean you can't go to downtown disney or to the boardwalk.

I honestly don't think there is much in the way of nighttime activities at the resort itself... most of the activities seem to be during the day and geared toward younger kids. But it is still a beautiful resort and just being at WDW will impress your dd's friend.

My first trip to WDW I was around the same age. My parents got two very cheap hotel rooms offsite (them, two kids, grandmother). I didn't even KNOW that you could stay onsite, really, until we rode the monorail through the contemporary. I was still completely wowed even though we stayed in a dinky little offsite hotel. I honestly cannot imagine anyone not being wowed by any DVC resort, especially for their first trip.

Lisa

 

[PamOKW]

Are you staying in a studio or one-bedroom? I guess it doesn't really matter since both would be pretty darn impressive.

My teen-age niece surprised me with her comment that she actually liked OKW better than BWV -- although she loved both. Around the resort they've got swimming, tennis, bicycles, poking around the stores and arcade. And then, of course, they are very close to DD and also have all the rest of WDW to explore.

Impressed and not bored should not be a problem.

 

[DeeP]

Having a friend will definitely help alot and I am sure the 2 girls will have a very good time. True there will not be the nighttime activities right outside their door nor will they be able to just walk to 2 parks, they will not have as much convenience but it is not like they can't get to boardwalk and parks from OKW. They can just take the buses, it won't be as easy but it is not the end of the world. They might even enjoy navigating around WDW on their own. I have done it from OKW without a car and once you get the transportation system and methods of transport down it is fine. Plus they will have the boat to DTD until around 10:00 at night. Most teens enjoy DTD for Disney Quest, Virgin Mega Record Store and the other numerous shops.
Now, this is NOT meant as a putdown.......I do think DD's friend will be very impressed with the villa at OKW, but I also think she would have been much more dazzled with the atmosphere of staying at BWV because it is a more exciting, happening place and this type of atmosphere generally appeals to teenagers. But I am sure the friend will still have a wonderful time and staying anywhere on Disney property especially for a first visit is a wonderful, magical thing! Also you never know the wait list could come through even if it is only for 1/2 of the trip.

 

[Mickey4Me]

We stayed at OKW in Dec. 2000 when DD was 16 and her friend was 17. They had a wonderful time! They loved being close to DTD and spent lots of time there as well as the waterparks. We were very comfortable letting them go out on their own (with a few check in rules) and they got quite comfortable with the transportation system. After staying at BWV last year, they both said that they preferred OKW because they felt there was so much more room (we had a 2 bedroom at both). They enjoyed BWV, but the boardwalk itself didn't have a whole lot for them to do. DD even delcared that she just wanted to stay in Orlando and live at OKW. Unfortunately, we don't have enough points for that...

 

[AZKathy]

I was just there three weeks ago. Although my children are not yet teenagers, they have a wonderful time at OKW (they prefered their time at the resort vs. the parks sometimes!!). I also saw a lot of teenagers around the pool while we were there looking like they were having the time of their lives, also. I would not worry. Your DD's friend will have a great time.

 

[Candace]

I was just there last week with 3 16 year old boys. They had a ball - they had no problems with the trans. system, and at night, after coming back from a park, they would either hang out at the main pool, or go over to DTD. Kids that age love looking (and buying) all those CD's at Virgin Bookstore! We are members at both OKW and BWV. These kids have been with us before and believe it or not, they prefer OKW. They state that they prefer the size of the units at OKW, and they don't find it boring at all. Have a great time!

 

[WOW]

Our kids are now 22 and 24, but have been going to OKW since 1995.

They always loved OKW and we were always very comfortable with them going off by themselves. We have stayed at other DVC including BWV, but their preferance has always ben OKW. But, keep in mind, that we are from NJ and this area is nuts, so they enjoy the slow pace at OKW almost as much as DH and myself. Good Luck!!!!!!!!

 

[Kirk]

LOL!!!

If your teen girls are anything like my teen girls just show them this thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=220492





BTW Next weekend I'll be at VWL and VBC with my 15 YO [going on 20 ] and her friend. I can imagine them trying to ditch me so they can check out the "Hot Guys". (If I hear that again I'm gonna scream!)

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Pam, we're actually staying in a 2 BR (kind of a splurge, but there's also a chance my DW's aunt and cousin may come over from St. Pete for one evening). In retrospect, I think DD, who is all about bright lights, big city, is the one who is afraid her friend will be bored. The kicker is, though, that altho DW and myself have prowled all over all the DVC properties, DD has never seen OKW. I can't imagine her being bummed out, and there is easy transportation to Downtown Disney. As for DD's friend, she's gonna be blown away no matter what.

Kirk, I'd already read that thread and just hooted and cackled at it. When I was old enough to drive, my parents, trusting souls that they were, would let us load up the station wagon with friends and a couple of tents, and we'd spend either spring break or a week in the summer camping at Fort Wilderness. It'd be guys and girls - never, best as I can remember, couples - and it was all nice and platonic and a heck of a lot of fun. We were always the model of good behavior. About the only edgy thing we ever did, back in '76, was talk a guy who was part of the old Liberty Square Fife and Drum Corps into taking us down into the utilidors, long before there were any organized tours. No one said a thing to any of us.

Those were the days - only the Magic Kingdom, three hotels, and the campgrounds. Soft drinks were 30 cents. Admission was about $9, and you had the ticket books. Servicemen in uniform and clergy got in free (but did have to buy tickets).

Lord, I'm sounding like a real geezer.

 

[AnnK]

Do they like bunnies?


Just KIDDING!

While our teens do and always have preferred BWV, we have at times stayed at OKW. They liked it. It's a nice resort, and I am sure your daughter and her friend will have a great time!

 

[AZKathy]

In all seriousness, my kids LOVE the bunnies. Our bunnies out west here have rattles and fangs! We had very woodsy views twice on our last trip and the kids were bummed out about no bunnies or ducks to entertain them during the down time at the resort. Bunnies aren't that bad!!!!!

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Yep, they're fine with bunnies and ducks. They're even fine with the little green lizards.

But palmetto bugs - you know, the roaches on steroids that got to Florida before Walt - there's not much fellowship there. And central Florida is no stranger to snakes, either.

And, if you've had the rare pleasure of traveling by car through Florida during love bug season, you'd think you'd stumbled into some Old Testament plague. Oh, joys.

All varmits aside, we're sooo looking forward to our first trip home (or, at least, one of our "alternate" homes.)

 

[AZKathy]

Yes! There are those other creatures there. I don't like the roaches that could eat my dog for lunch! On our last trip three weeks ago, my son totally freaked out. He was out on the porch and he saw a black snake slither away from the porch into the woods. He tells me now, to ask for golf course views and pond views and no more wood views! He never went out on the porch again on our trip!!!!!!!

 

[DeeP]

Hey, I like the bunnies and ducks too and we have them at BWV also even if they are escapees from OKW that jumped ship and came to BWV to get more excercise hopping down the long hallways and the night life & food pickins are good too due to the boardwalk! LOL

 

[PamOKW]

And, if you've had the rare pleasure of traveling by car through Florida during love bug season, you'd think you'd stumbled into some Old Testament plague.

Someone joked about washing the car at OKW. A few years ago, a CM was helping a guy at OKW wash the love bugs off his car. I wouldn't wash a rental but I'd do it if it were my own. That was the only year we really saw what all the fuss is about. Drove from Orlando to Vero and had to literally stop and wipe bugs off the windshield and antenna --- YUCK!!


Dreamfinder, if you're in a 2 bedroom forget about impressing. Your daughter's friend will wonder how you were able to purchase a home in WDW, not just stay in a hotel.

 

[mikesmom]

DS and I were at OKW for a couple of nites in January 2 years ago. DS (then 17) wasn't too impressed. Claimed there was nothing to do in the evning. Of course it was January and the resort wasn't very busy and it was a record cold snap for Florida. When we moved over to BWV he was much happier.

That being said, we took our family vacation at the end of May this year - DH, myself, DS and a buddy from college. We spent a couple nites at OKW in a 2 bdrm before moving to BWV for a family reunion, then moved back to OKW for a couple of more nites after the extended family left. The boys LOVED OKW this time around. With a friend there's more to do - exploring and going over to DTD is more fun with a friend. They also spent one whole day hanging around the resort and pool area - didn't go into the parks even though they had passes! They also liked that roomy 2nd bdrm. They have a request in for me to arrange next years vacation totally at OKW.

Of course if my 19 year olds and your 16 year olds were all there at the same time, I'm sure they'd think they had an even better time, LOL.