Our 1st OKW Stay

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

Well, we're back from our first visit to OKW, July 9th to July14th. We spent 3 nights at POR (July 6 thru 8th) and then 5 nights at OKW.

We checked in early Sunday morning around 9am at OKW. No wait at check-in, lots of Welcome Home greetings, and there were 3 2bds ready. The very nice CM showed us where they were and allowed us to pick. There weren't any near the HH but it turned out fine. Our choices were building 44, 46 and 56. We picked 4612 because it was a first floor room. My Mom was with us and we thought that was the best choice even though building 44 looked closer to the bus stop.

What a great choice. The bus stop was an easy walk, (South Point), and it was the second stop. We really enjoyed sitting on the patio watching the boats. So, we had our coffee out there in the morning and cocktails later.

HH was about a 10 to 15 minute walk. The pool is very nice and the slide reminds me of the volcano pool at the Polynesian. We liked it.

We ate breakfast at Olivia's our 1st and last day. Very good.

Overall opinion. We really liked it. It's a very relaxing resort and the rooms are amazing. I couldn't believe the extra room. The only thing I really missed (BW)is being able to walk to Epcot and the scary clown pool. We would definitely stay there again.

Miscellaneous Stuff:

Dining
We didn't make any ADR's until we arrived and we didn't have any problems getting our choices. Now if had been over July 4th we would have had a problem.

We had lunch at the Kona Cafe (Poly), Brown Derby (MGM), Tony's (MK), Crystal Palace (MK) and the Teppanyaki (EPCOT).

We had dinner at Boatwrights (POR) and Flying Fish (BW).

Since we have annual passes, I purchased the DDE card. We have already covered the cost of the card and more. And since it's good until next July, we can use it in December and our summer trip next year. We did compare what we spent using the DDE card versus the Dining Plan and we came out cheaper with the DDE card.

POR
After our initial problem, rooms hadn't be cleaned, our stay at POR was nice. We were in the mansions and the walk to the bus was kind of long. Of course we hit some downpours which made it seem longer.

I do like their pool bar. It's covered and we had no trouble finding a table. We also tried the River Roost Lounge. We've been meaning to get there and we finally did. It's very nice.

Pirates of the Caribbean

We waited 40 minutes ride it on July 7th. And then we caught the show with Capt Jack Sparrow. The changes to the ride are very cool. Jack looks amazing. The show outside POTC is good, too. And Disney got it right this time. They have lots of POTC merchandise.

Expedition Everest

We went over to the AK on their EMH evening. We waited about 30 minutes to ride. It was very cool. I thought it was a very smooth ride. I'm sorry we didn't get to ride it during the day.

But that's okay, there's always next trip.

 

[disneymama73]

Wow, sounds like you had a really great trip! Glad you enjoyed it!

 

[eeyoresmom]

My family loves POR and we just recently purchased DVC. Could you compare OKW and POR for me(never stayed DVC) TIA

 

[eliza61]

Thanks for the trip report, glad you had a good time! i always love to read the one's where some thing doesn't go wrong.

 

[Holly]

Thanks for the review.
We had such a great stay at OKW last December, I can't wait to go back.

 

[pjadtl]

We stayed in a 2 BR at OKW this Spring also. The room was gorgeous and very roomy! I was impressed. The walk to the pool was long but good exercise. My kids loved community hall. We spent good quality time with our kids just playing games. It was a great memory!

 

[HUFF590]

Great report, sounds like you had a awsome time.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. I love that every time we've been to OKW, they give us a choice of rooms. Did you get to Gurgling Suitcase? I think that's such a neat little place.

 

[JackDiznee]

We stayed in a 2BR in the building next to you (4513) 12 years ago next month. Were not members when we arrived and were not considering it .

It was the best OKW view we ever had, even though we were farther from the bus stop than you were and not very close to the pools or much else.

The kids never tired of waving to the passing boats when we were in our unit. I was we glad we had a first floor ( I had no idea there were no elevators, and we had a rented extended van full of luggage, and then bought groceries for the week).

After that stay, it was hard to think of a reason not to join, so we did.

 

[byoung]

Thanks for the report. sounds like you had a great vacation.

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip. I love that every time we've been to OKW, they give us a choice of rooms. Did you get to Gurgling Suitcase? I think that's such a neat little place.

We did get there. Unfortunately the afternoon rainstorm hit. DD11 was in the pool. My Mom and I had gotten our afternoon cocktails while my DH was getting the car fueled up for the trip home. I went into the pool and when I got out it started to pour. So I got dd out of the pool and we met my Mom and dh at the bar. I wanted to go back in the evening, but we ran out of time.

Actually the joke in our family is when DH comes to the pool the rain starts.

 

[almousefan]

I'm curious what is a DDE? I have heard of the Disney Dining Plan but not sure what the DDE is. Thanks for any info that any one can share.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm curious what is a DDE? I have heard of the Disney Dining Plan but not sure what the DDE is. Thanks for any info that any one can share.

Disney Dinine Experience, and it is a discount card available for purchase for annual pass holders. It gives a 20% discount at most table service places, and several counter service as well. The cost is $60, but we found one nice dinner at Artist Point for 5 of us recouped that price and still saved us above that. All the savings beyond that were gravy.

BTW, OP, so glad you enjoyed our "home"! We love it too!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm glad to read about your great stay! I hope to try POR someday, but I have a feeling that we should have done that before DVC.

Bobbi

PS. We also use the DDE, it's what works for us. We tend to only eat lunches at table service places, with Artist Point being a notable exception.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm glad to read about your great stay! I hope to try POR someday, but I have a feeling that we should have done that before DVC.

Bobbi

PS. We also use the DDE, it's what works for us. We tend to only eat lunches at table service places, with Artist Point being a notable exception.

Definitely, Bobbi! We stayed there pre DVC and stayed there 2 nights this past March. I had forgotten how small the rooms and bathrooms were!

 

[almousefan]

Disney Dinine Experience, and it is a discount card available for purchase for annual pass holders. It gives a 20% discount at most table service places, and several counter service as well. The cost is $60, but we found one nice dinner at Artist Point for 5 of us recouped that price and still saved us above that. All the savings beyond that were gravy.

BTW, OP, so glad you enjoyed our "home"! We love it too!

Do you just purchase 1 card and that's good for whoever is with you?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Do you just purchase 1 card and that's good for whoever is with you?

Yes, the discount is good for all in your party on each dining bill.

 

[ddhoeg]

Thanks for the report! Glad you had a wonderful time! We found OKW to be a beautiful, relaxing place as well.