questions about Pop and OKW

[KyGirl]

I don't know if I'm even in the right forum for all these questions but here I go anyway!

We've planned our (then) 18 month old DD's first trip to Disney starting the weekend after Thanksgiving and we're so excited! We're renting points to stay at OKW. My plan all along has been for us to leave after supper one night early and drive through the night so that she will hopefully sleep most of the way and then stay somewhere off property (actually near Mary Queen of the Universe Basilica so we can go to mass Sunday morning) so that the drivers in the family can get a decent night of rest before we start our busy (and expensive for us!) stay on property. That will also give us an extra afternoon to do some grocery shopping and stuff. But now my gears are turning and I'm considering staying at Pop Century one night instead of off property. I don't know if we'll be able to stand being that close to Disney without getting a little taste of the magic. I'm really struggling to decide if it's worth it or not. Disney decisions are always so hard! Anyway I have some questions for all the experts about some things tied to that and also to our stay at OKW.

1. We're meeting my parents in Orlando and will be staying in a 2 bedroom villa once we reach OKW so the baby can run around a little. But would it even be possible for four adults and one toddler to stay in one room at Pop? I know it will be tight quarters but we'll mostly just be sleeping for one night. Are that many people even allowed in the room?

2. If we stay at Pop and then move to OKW is it easier for us to move our own stuff or let Disney do it? We'll have two cars with us because we're both driving.

3. Can you do online checkin at two different resorts? Will that cause any problems?

4. What sort of baby equipment is available at OKW (or Pop too I guess)? Do they guarantee cribs or pack n plays? What about a high chair? That's more important at OKW because we plan on eating some meals in the villa.

5. We're considering renting a stroller from one of the rental companies that deliver to Disney hotels. Ours is a monster and fills up our entire trunk. Does anybody know if they will deliver a stroller to one Disney resort but pick it up at another?

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[RJP77]

Not sure I can answer all your questions but will give it a go:

1. We just got back from Pop and 4 can fit in the room (it's snug though), when you add in the baby it will get crowded.

2. Disney can transport your luggage but they can't guarantee having it right when you arrive. It could arrive right away or late in the day. Having small kids myself I would hate to be stuck waiting for clothes after they spill chocolate milk/ketchup/juice on you and them. If it's one night, don't even unload the luggage from your trunk, just unpack an overnight bag.

3. Not sure, but I would expect its possible.

4. I've seen the Pack N Plays, but not sure about anything else. I haven't ever requested those other items there, so don't know.

5. I know its been done in the past but can't speak to the current practices of any business. Send the company your thinking of using an e-mail. I'm sure they will be happy to let you know.

Enjoy?

 

[TDC Nala]

1) It will be VERY tight but if the child is under 3 you will not be exceeding room capacity.

2) If you have cars it would probably be easier to do it yourself, unless you are good with not seeing the luggage for pretty much the entire day.

3) Yes and no. They are two separate reservations.

4) There will be a pack and play in the room. You'll need to call to request a crib and I'm pretty sure it isn't guaranteed.

5) No idea, never needed or rented a stroller.

 

[jmasgat]

If you can get a reasonable rate at Pop, then go for it. You can have four people and a crib in a room. But be advised they charge extra for more than 2 adults in the room.

I would definitely mover your own stuff. Simpler, and you guarantee you have what you want, when you want it.

You can do online checkin at both resorts. You would have two different reservations.

I know the resorts have porta cribs (or whatever you call them these days!) and I believe you can get a high chair on request.

Don't know about the strollers.

If you decide to stay offsite, I have stayed at the Fairfield Inn and SPringhill Suites at Marriott Village on Vineland--down the road from Mary, QOU. I would recommend it.

 

[spiceycat]

OKW has a king bed in the master and 2 queen beds in the 2nd bedroom.

POP has 2 double beds - so even your bed is smaller.

with 4 adults - would think your baby would be held enough that first day to even need a stroller.

so you won't have tickets that first day while staying at Pop?

then Pop is a good choice - it is pretty close to Epcot - you can even seen the fireworks from Epcot at POP. can't see them as close at OKW and you have to really look to even find them at OKW.

would definitely have the baby see the fireworks at POP from Epcot - some babies love them - others cry the entire time - it can hurt their ears. Think you have to try yours to find out.

trying to get out of a pack park with the fireworks start going off can be a nightmare... so if they upset your baby one of the adults can leave with the child before the firework start.

 

[iluveeyore]

I think most have answered your questions - we are doing the same thing next month because we got a way cheaper flight to go a day sooner, we booked a night at POP, but it's just two of us, before we move to OKW.

At OKW, there is a pack 'n play with Mickey crib sheet in the master bathroom closet, along with a wooden high chair, so you're all set there.

You might want to request a ground floor villa when you check in at OKW for two reasons - one, there is no elevator, so you might not want to haul the stroller up and down the stairs, and two, you said you wanted the little one to 'run around' - there are wood floors now at OKW, not carpet, and I have been one of those guests staying below a child 'running around' - you can hear everything, and it's not the greatest for the people below you, especially if it's in the morning and they are trying to sleep in (like us who only have grown children that sleep in too!) I'm not saying your child runs around like a herd of elephants, especially one so little and young, just passing along my experience - whatever floor you stay on, you will love the beautiful rooms, gorgeous views and relaxing surroundings, so enjoy!

If you are going to be at POP just for sleeping and you have no park passes, just visit Downtown Disney to get your Disney fix and tire everyone out before cramping into the small hotel room.

And definitely move your stuff yourself if you have a car - we are renting a car for just the check-in weekend to move from POP to OKW to be able to check the luggage ourselves if our room is not ready at OKW - that way if I need something out of my luggage, I can get it. We also have the car to get our groceries, which I think you said you are doing too.

Enjoy your stay - OKW is our favourite, that is why we chose it for our anniversary getaway next month - lots of space, love the laundry in room and full kitchen, love our full patio, and the very Florida-like feel of the resort - relaxing, and laid back. Ahhhh, can't wait!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are checking into OKW on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, don't plan on getting your villa early. I'd bet there will be a lot of people checking out with few vacancies the night before. So plan on after 4PM at the earliest.

 

[KyGirl]

Thanks for all the advice. Good answers for all my questions. You guys are the best!

We won't be planning to go to the parks the night (Saturday) or morning we're at Pop. The idea is to kind of recover from our overnight drive and then also have an extra morning to go to mass and do some grocery shopping. Our Disney plans actually start Sunday night with a reservation for the Hoop-Dee-Doo Review and hopefully some Christmas light viewing at Fort Wilderness and then head to the parks early on Monday. I'm trying to kind of ease the toddler into all this so I love the idea of letting her get a peek at the fireworks from Pop. And whoever made the point about the stroller with the four grownups, good point! Especially with Grandaddy being one of them!

After posting this yesterday I almost talked myself into switching my plans to the Little Mermaid section at AoA but for the money it seems like we could just as easily walk over the bridge and see all the character statues and maybe eat in the new food court there. That would hopefully be enough entertain the munchkin and get a little magic fix before our bedtime. Is that feasible though? Or is it worth the extra money to actually stay in those rooms?

And thanks for all the tips on OKW! I didn't make any requests when booking because I was kind of nervous about the whole points rental process and didn't want to overcomplicate it. If I understand correctly I can make a floor request when I do online checkin? And ALL the villas have a pack n play and a high chair already available? How the heck did I miss this in all my research?!?

We're really excited about OKW. We've stayed at POR twice and camped (in a tent!) at Fort Wilderness before so it should definitely be an upgrade for us. Not that POR and FW weren't awesome, but having so much room will be different. The addition of the toddler has changed a lot of my planning routines.

Thanks again to all of you!

 

[KonaKaiTom]

As crazy as it sounds, a friend of mine didn't take his two daughters, ages 3 and 5 at the time, to the MK the first day there. They went to EPCOT the first day as MK "was closed for cleaning." The kids had a ball at EPCOT. His theory was that after the MK, they would think EPCOT is completely lame. Instead, they loved all the rides and got slowly immersed into Disney World instead of being overstimulated the first day.

Just a thought.

Tom

 

[KyGirl]

I'm actually planning on AK for the first morning, an afternoon rest, and then DHS for Osborne Lights that evening. Hopefully that will get her built up because we're starting the next day at Chef Mickey's for breakfast and then onto the MK. I was afraid doing MK first would blow her mind!

So thanks for the good advice!

 

[Deb & Bill]

...If I understand correctly I can make a floor request when I do online checkin? ...

Not a floor request, other than ground floor if you won't be able to make the stairs. But you can request a section, other than Hospitality House area because HHA is a booking category.

 

[TDC Nala]

When I did the online check in for Boardwalk Villas, you could request a lower floor or a higher floor. But OKW doesn't have a lot of floors, so I think the best you can do there is request ground floor if you need it. If you want top floor you could probably call and put that one on your reservation.