questions about first stay at OKW

[chris4disney]

This October we'll be staying at OKW for the first time. We're staying in a studio with our two kids DS5, DD2. I've never actually been on OKW's property, but I've seen pictures and a map of the resort. VERY LARGE!!!!!

What is the bus transportation like? I see that there are several bus stops throughout the resort... does it take a long time to simply get out of the resort when you have to stop at so many bus stops? Is there any shuttles within the resort to get to the main house? Or do you have to walk to the main house regardless of where your room is located? Can you hop on a regular bus and get off at the main house before it leaves for the parks? We aren't planning on renting a car.

I've read that most of the buildings do not have elevators. With our two young children should we request a first floor room? I'm just imagining walking back to our room after a long day at the parks with two tired kids and then having to carry them up the stairs. But then are you missing out on a better view from the upper balconies?

Anything else we should be made aware of about staying at OKW to make our visit better? Thanks!

 

[MermaidJan]

What is the bus transportation like? I see that there are several bus stops throughout the resort... does it take a long time to simply get out of the resort when you have to stop at so many bus stops?

Yes - it feels like it take a long time to get out of the resort. In my experience, if your room is near the end of the bus route there is a good chance you might not get a seat.

Is there any shuttles within the resort to get to the main house? Or do you have to walk to the main house regardless of where your room is located? Can you hop on a regular bus and get off at the main house before it leaves for the parks?

Yes - there is a regular shuttle but all buses stop at the hospitality house before leaving the resort..

I've read that most of the buildings do not have elevators. With our two young children should we request a first floor room? I'm just imagining walking back to our room after a long day at the parks with two tired kids and then having to carry them up the stairs. But then are you missing out on a better view from the upper balconies?

Our first trip to OKW my son was still in the stroller. We requested a first floor but none were available. We ended up having to carry the stroller and our son up the stairs every night. The view is not impressive enough to make lugging sleeping children up flights of stairs.



My family likes OKW. I think it is our 2nd favorite DVC. My DS loves the pool and the grounds are beautiful.

I hope you have a great time.

 

[chris4disney]

Thought of another question... we are spending our first 5 nights at OKW, then we are moving over to BWV for the rest of our trip. We've never done a split stay before. I know that bell services will move our luggage to the other resort for us, but do we have to carry our luggage to the main house for them to do that? Or can we just leave them in our room by the door for bell services to come get them for us?

 

[Chuck S]

You can take your luggage to the Bell Services desk near main check-in OR call them and have your luggage picked up, but you must be present when they pick them up, you can not simply leave them unattended in your room.

To clarify on the internal bus situation...the entire internal route, depending upon if they have to load/unload whellchair guests, will take about 7 to 10 minutes. We like the area near the Turtle Pond or South Point bus stops, though these are the farthest from the shop/restaurant area. You can hop on any bus to take you to the front of the resort. To return to your room, there are two options. Wait for the internal loop bus (which also is a DtD/Typhoon Lagoon bus), which can take some time, or walk across the bridge to the Peninsular Road bus stop. It is the first stop on the park bus route, and you can hop on any bus to return to the other bus stops.

 

[chris4disney]

You can take your luggage to the Bell Services desk near main check-in OR call them and have your luggage picked up, but you must be present when they pick them up, you can not simply leave them unattended in your room.

Thanks. And I'm guessing that once you call that it may take a while for them to get to your room? Right? Is it quicker to just take them down yourself? What's the best way to do this when you don't have a car and you are far from the main house?

 

[Chuck S]

Thanks. And I'm guessing that once you call that it may take a while for them to get to your room? Right? Is it quicker to just take them down yourself? What's the best way to do this when you don't have a car and you are far from the main house?

I would say it is quicker to drop them off at bell services, but another alternative would be to contact bell services the day before you move and set up a pickup time, then call them again in the morning and remind them.

Really you're looking at an 8 to 10 minute walk from anywhere within the resort to the check-in area, but with luggage, it will seem like a much longer walk. You could also haul your lugguge onto a bus, but with two youngsters, it may be a problem.