Questions about OKW studio for first timers

[Derby4me]

Hello fellow Dissers.

We are DVC members that are slowly making our way around all of the DVC resorts, but are first timers at Old Key West. We are really looking forward to our stay, but are looking for clarification on a few things as we are traveling with small children (2 and 10 months) and want to figure out our game plan.

- Is there a free washer/dryer available for those staying in studios? All of the other resorts we've stayed at had them. Obviously not a deal breakers, just will somewhat influence how I pack. Some websites say yes, others say no.

-We are getting two rooms as my Mom is coming along. When I made my reservation, I was informed there were no connecting rooms and that they would automatically try to get us rooms close together. Again, not a deal breaker. However, the goal is to tripple team these babies and that is a bit harder when we don't have rooms next to each other. Also, if my kids cry a little at night, I feel much more comfortable knowing it's my Mom next door and we're paying for her room. Any suggestions as to how we could have a better chance at getting rooms near each other?

-Any other suggetions or tips related to OKW would be greatly appreciated!

 

[JimMIA]

-Is there a free washer/dryer available for those staying in studios? All of the other resorts we've stayed at had them. Obviously not a deal breakers, just will somewhat influence how I pack. Some websites say yes, others say no..

Yes, but they may not be that convenient. The "public" washer/dryers are located at the quiet pools, I believe, so that might not be very close to your villas. They look like pay appliances, but they're really free. Just set the washer/dryer and push the coin plunger thingee.

-We are getting two rooms as my Mom is coming along. When I made my reservation, I was informed there were no connecting rooms

I don't think there are any connecting studios anywhere in DVC. The studios are the second bedroom of a two bedroom. You might want to look at the difference between two studios and a two bedroom and see what it is for your stay. With a two bedroom you'd have a LOT more space (bring a GPS to find your way around in the villa), plus you'd have a full washer and dryer (not stacked).

and that they would automatically try to get us rooms close together.

Never, ever count on "automatically." Call a few days prior to arrival and make the request to be in the same building, and request it again at checkin.

Enjoy OKW. It's our favorite DVC resort!

 

[DMKEDM]

I've done a couple of trips to OKW where my traveling companions were a young family (4 and 18 months)...both time the studios were "stacked"...I took the upstairs one; my family took the ground floor studio...I travel with this family every year (we try different resorts) and we've always been either side-by-side, across the hall, or upstairs/downstairs...even when I don't request villas close to each other (the kids are considerably older now so there's less need for extremely close proximity)...

As JimMIA said, the free laundry facilities are near the pools...none are hugely far away from any villa, but none are in the same building, either...I found them to be just fine, convenience-wise, but certainly not as convenient as the resorts where the laundry facilities are in the same building (BCV, BWV, AKV)...

Have a great trip!

Good luck!

 

[bumbershoot]

You might want to look at the difference between two studios and a two bedroom and see what it is for your stay. With a two bedroom you'd have a LOT more space (bring a GPS to find your way around in the villa), plus you'd have a full washer and dryer (not stacked).

Yes yes yes and yes.

 

[Chuck S]

Jim is correct, there are no connecting studios at any DVC. AT OKW all studios connect to a one bedroom to make a lock-off two bedroom.

Washer/dryers are located at every pool are at OKW. 2 washers/4 dryers per wash room.

There are a few "U" shaped buildings at OKW that have studios next door to each other, but there is no guarantee you'll get them. I've often requested studios to be close to each other, and have had various configurations. Sometimes at the opposite end of the same floor/same building. Sometimes the studios have been one on top of the other, sometimes in buildings next door, but still convenient, and I've gotten the next door "U" configuration twice out of about 40 such requests.

They should be pretty convenient to one another, but probably won't be right next door.

 

[n2mm]

OP, have you considered getting a 1 bedroom instead of 2 studios? This would put mom on the sleep sofa. It would certainly solve your problems with having the extra hands around and having the washer dryer. I'm sure the points are probably the same. The 1 bedroom at OKW is HUGE and certainly enough room. The downside is only 1 bathroom, but that too is HUGE. Plus the outside patio dining area and having the kitchen are a real plus.

 

[SusieBea]

OP, have you considered getting a 1 bedroom instead of 2 studios? This would put mom on the sleep sofa. It would certainly solve your problems with having the extra hands around and having the washer dryer. I'm sure the points are probably the same. The 1 bedroom at OKW is HUGE and certainly enough room. The downside is only 1 bathroom, but that too is HUGE. Plus the outside patio dining area and having the kitchen are a real plus.

This was exactly my thought. Having that kitchen and the in-room washer and dryer would be a huge benefit for you.

 

[disneynutz]

If you booked both rooms, they will be under one travel plan number and the room assignment system should try to keep the rooms close together. Just to be sure, have MS add the request to your reservation. At the same time you can add, "close to pool" to get you close to the laundry.

Bill

 

[Derby4me]

Thank you all for your excellent advice. Unfotunatly, we don't have many points and are already borrowing next years for my Mom's room so we're stuck with two studios. Maybe "stuck" not being the right word as we're really looking forward to it.

I think it will work out fine as everyone is very good about going with the flow. However, I wanted to touch base on the boards so that we could manage our expectations.

I will be sure to call a week before our visit to request that the rooms are as close as possible....maybe we'll get lucky.

Though paying to wash laundry will not break the bank, free laundry is an added bonus. I'm sure we'll be at the pool quite a bit this visit.

Again, thank you ALL for your suggestions. Please feel free to add anything else you thing may be helpful.

 

[disneynutz]

Thank you all for your excellent advice. Unfotunatly, we don't have many points and are already borrowing next years for my Mom's room so we're stuck with two studios. Maybe "stuck" not being the right word as we're really looking forward to it.

I think it will work out fine as everyone is very good about going with the flow. However, I wanted to touch base on the boards so that we could manage our expectations.

I will be sure to call a week before our visit to request that the rooms are as close as possible....maybe we'll get lucky.

Though paying to wash laundry will not break the bank, free laundry is an added bonus. I'm sure we'll be at the pool quite a bit this visit.

Again, thank you ALL for your suggestions. Please feel free to add anything else you thing may be helpful.

I would add your requests now instead of waiting. Reservations are scanned for requests starting at 10 days before check in.

Bill

 

[castleri]

Thank you all for your excellent advice. Unfotunatly, we don't have many points and are already borrowing next years for my Mom's room so we're stuck with two studios. Maybe "stuck" not being the right word as we're really looking forward to it.

I think it will work out fine as everyone is very good about going with the flow. However, I wanted to touch base on the boards so that we could manage our expectations.

I will be sure to call a week before our visit to request that the rooms are as close as possible....maybe we'll get lucky.

Though paying to wash laundry will not break the bank, free laundry is an added bonus. I'm sure we'll be at the pool quite a bit this visit.

Again, thank you ALL for your suggestions. Please feel free to add anything else you thing may be helpful.

I think the 1 BR idea is great especially at OKW. I think you will find it is about the same number of points as the 2 studios and maybe less. If less they can use the borrowed points first and if you are within you banking deadline you can bank the current UY ones you don't need. The options you have with the 1 BR far outweigh having two studios unless of you are planning to put the children in with your Mom so you and DH have some private time. The laundry machines at the pools are free to use. They have the slots for coins but you don't need any.
Hope you have a great trip.

 

[Derby4me]

I would add your requests now instead of waiting. Reservations are scanned for requests starting at 10 days before check in.

Bill

Ok. I'll call today. Thank you Bill.

I think the 1 BR idea is great especially at OKW. I think you will find it is about the same number of points as the 2 studios and maybe less. If less they can use the borrowed points first and if you are within you banking deadline you can bank the current UY ones you don't need. The options you have with the 1 BR far outweigh having two studios unless of you are planning to put the children in with your Mom so you and DH have some private time. The laundry machines at the pools are free to use. They have the slots for coins but you don't need any.
Hope you have a great trip.

I double checked the points for each, and the Studio's are 10 points per night (20 for both rooms), while the 1 Bedroom is 24. We are 20 points short and don't have any more to borrow. We are those crazy people that only have 50 points and are using two years worth to get both rooms. Thank you for the idea though! It was worth looking into.

 

[hbehrman]

Ok. I'll call today. Thank you Bill.



I double checked the points for each, and the Studio's are 10 points per night (20 for both rooms), while the 1 Bedroom is 24. We are 20 points short and don't have any more to borrow. We are those crazy people that only have 50 points and are using two years worth to get both rooms. Thank you for the idea though! It was worth looking into.

You can always purchase up to 24 pts from DVC at the rate per point to make up the difference.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Ok. I'll call today. Thank you Bill.



I double checked the points for each, and the Studio's are 10 points per night (20 for both rooms), while the 1 Bedroom is 24. We are 20 points short and don't have any more to borrow. We are those crazy people that only have 50 points and are using two years worth to get both rooms. Thank you for the idea though! It was worth looking into.

BUT...You COULD do the one time point rental from Disney to fill out those extra points you would need (up to a total of 24) at just $15/point. We did that for our December trip because I didn't want to borrow any more from 2012.

 

[Geomom]

Laundry Tip: We stayed at a studio at OKW in 10/09 and did laundry by the main pool. We put the laundry in a suitcase and did laundry while we played in the pool. It worked for us! While the machines are free, I believe they charge for laundry detergent, so if you have some free laundry detergent samples or the 3 in 1 laundry sheets, you may want to bring them with you.