OKW- would love all the details

[mousygirl]

we are going to disney at the end of October and are currently in OKW. It appears that the other resorts, with the exception of SSR,are fully booked.

We are totally excited for OKW, but would love to know all the details. Which building would you request if you had a 6 year old and a 2 year old. Can you walk to Epcot? How are the buses? What is the best part of OKW in your opinion?
Thanks!!!

 

[disneynutz]

Can't walk to Epcot.

If you want to be by the main building, you should have booked the "Near Hospitality House" guaranteed category.

 

[chalee94]

We are totally excited for OKW, but would love to know all the details. Which building would you request if you had a 6 year old and a 2 year old.

the area near the lobby and main pool ("near the hospitality house") is generally preferred by those new to OKW but it is a specific booking category so you either have it or you don't. you could still request something near that area, but all the buses will make their last stop there, so it's not too tough to get to, regardless.

Can you walk to Epcot?

nah. OKW is pretty spread out and while epcot is close in google-map terms, there are no walking paths to epcot - crossing the highways with youngsters would be ill-advised. while you could theoretically walk to DTD, it's a long haul and the path is closed after dark. i definitely recommend taking the boat from the lobby/HH area to DTD if you are going to DTD.

How are the buses?

i like them. they've worked well for me. but YMMV and some people would rather drive to save a few minutes...

What is the best part of OKW in your opinion?

i like the peace and quiet. the golf course and age of the resort makes for a lush beautiful landscape. i like that the studios have 2 real queen beds.

some may prefer large statues of mickey and a food court if they are with kids, but hopefully you'll enjoy it for what it is...

 

[Mickeygolf]

Here is a map of OKW: http://www.wdwinfo.com/resortmaps/okwmap.htm I would suggest buildings 62, 63, 64, 16, or 15 if you don't have the Hospitality house booking category. These are all great buildings.

Buses at OKW are great as far as I'm concerned. We've always had good luck and use them exclusively when we're there. You might run into the occasional long wait, but overall they are awesome.

The best part about OKW is the relaxing atmosphere while still being on property and close to everything. My family loves the pool area (great slide), the dining and recreational opportunities, and the villas. The villas all have great balconies with lots of room inside and out. We've been DVC members since 97' and always say we're going to another resort, but we always end up staying at our home away from home. I'm not sure the rest of the crew will ever get me to actually try another DVC resort.

OKW ROCKS!!!

 

[chepic]

we are going to disney at the end of October and are currently in OKW. It appears that the other resorts, with the exception of SSR,are fully booked.

We are totally excited for OKW, but would love to know all the details. Which building would you request if you had a 6 year old and a 2 year old. Can you walk to Epcot? How are the buses? What is the best part of OKW in your opinion?
Thanks!!!

We've been there during October, and it is a great resort during that time. I have young ones too, so ask to be near the Hospitality house to be closer to the pool. The turtle pond pool is also nice, but the shack isn't always open. You have to take a bus everywhere, but they really do come every 20-30 minutes, so you don't really have to wait that long. You can take the ferry over to the Marketplace, which then you can pick up a bus to another resort and pool hop/or head to dinner.

Olivia's is very kid friendly and their food is good. The Food's to Go is a bit limited compared to some of the other resorts, however my kids never complained about the food we got.

As the others have stated, the best part is the relaxing atmosphere. You really do rest while there, and leave the parks behind. We own there, and stay there all the time because we prefer it over the others. Have a great time. And don't forget to go to Mickey's Not so Scary Halloween Party.

cheryl

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would recommed buildings 15 or 16 for you since it will be easy walking distance to The hospitality House and close to two different bus stops (HH and Miller's Road) as well as the pools at both those locations.

 

[jmminarik]

How are the buses?

i like them. they've worked well for me. but YMMV and some people would rather drive to save a few minutes...

It's not just about saving time....it's about having a seat, its about not having to stand in a cattle chute at park closing waiting for a bus, it's about freedom and convenience. We'll take the bus to the magic kingdom if it's just us or we're with people who have been to park, but otherwise we drive to all parks. Then again, we're usually there in early december...it's easy to park near the gate then at park opening.

 

[jmminarik]

What is the best part of OKW in your opinion?
Thanks!!!

The large rooms and parking outside the front door. The parking is mostly just a silly affectation since living in the city there's never any parking close to the front door....and the rooms just feel comfy and airy, not cramped like the hotel room style villas.

 

[Redbudlover]

I found the buses and the boats to be the big selling points for me. I have never seen so many buses coming so often as they did there. We never had to ait for a bus! And the boats to DTD were equallyu abundant and fun and scenic. We stayed there because of the two queen beds. I loved the balcony and the room was very large. I was very surprised by how much I liked it.

 

[shortypots]

We love OKW. The quiet pools, the abundant busses, the great Florida feel of the rooms. Even Olivia's was good for breakfast!

I personally like bldgs 23-27 but those are not near a quiet pool, but the kids would probably like the main pool which is easy walking distance and Miller's Rd is the 1st stop.

My favorite bldgs all time for quiet and wonderful views are 45, 46, and 55, and 55 is even close to the walkway to SSR/DTD. Although, probably wouldn't pick these bldgs with children.