Quick OKV Live Report

[4Pluto]

Just a quick report from OKV before I pull out the sofabed and hit the hay (especially since I've accidentally erased this message twice).

I'm here with DM, DD, DB, DSIL, DN4.5 and DN 2. We're in a first floor unit on Turtle Pond Road. It's wonderfully secluded but only steps away from the pool and the bus stop.

The pool is great. We haven't even been to the main pool. This one is big enough to swim laps and shallow enough for DN to show off her swimming. The Turtle Shack is great for quick lunches (like when Mom and Dad take a day off from commando park visits).

The whole family has mentioned how much this feels like a vacation home and resort. For Mom/Dad we needed somewhere that served breakfast as a sit down meal (don't ask, its just a fact). Olivia's is perfect (only I think the pancakes are better than the mango/chocolate toast which sounded good but really all I wanted was a syrup rush).

Haven't waited more than 10 minutes for a bus. The parks aren't crowded (so far, we have walked onto Splash Mountain, Thunder Mtn, Pirates, Kali River and Kilimanjaro, all after 10:30 am). Restaurants are crowded and except for Olivias, we would have been in trouble without ADRs.

We pushed the envelope on the kids and did the halloween party Sunday. The kids rebounded by Tuesday; the parents not so much . . .

A couple observations:

1. Even if its a "spread out" resort, the bus stops seem closer to the rooms than the bus stops at the hotel resorts.

2. Full size washer/dryers really come in handy with 2yos.

3. This sofabed needs replacing (or renaming as a hammock). Didn't want you all to think that its just rosy glasses here. I slept on an old style sofa bed at VWL and it was in MUCH better shape.

4. Wish the windows would open (stuffy inside, beautiful temperatures outside).

5. I'm thinking the family will be requesting this resort again in the future.

JW

 

[travelin' tigger]

My DBF and I are headed back to OKW in 2.5 weeks and it's been almost 3 years since my last visit. How did you find the condition of the room? Alot of reports on DIS of dirty and worn rooms.

TIA - enjoy the rest of your vacation!!

 

[Brian Noble]

You'll find such reports about every resort from time to time. If you find a room that isn't up to your expectations, call the front desk and ask to have it taken care of, or be moved. Should be fine.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

My DBF and I are headed back to OKW in 2.5 weeks and it's been almost 3 years since my last visit. How did you find the condition of the room? Alot of reports on DIS of dirty and worn rooms.

TIA - enjoy the rest of your vacation!!

If you take a step back and think about how many people actually go to Disney every day and week and compare that to the number of dirty room posts, I would say that the percentage is VERY VERY low. But just like in the news, bad press gets the attention.

I am in no way saying that a dirty room is acceptable, I just think it is the extreme exception not the rule.


Oh yeah, thanks a bunch for the report. Let us know how the rest of the trip is going. We aren't going to be back for another 38 days still.

 

[travelin' tigger]

You'll find such reports about every resort from time to time. If you find a room that isn't up to your expectations, call the front desk and ask to have it taken care of, or be moved. Should be fine.

I'm more curious than anything - not pre-worrying about the room at all and WILL call if there are problems. I also know about the amount of guests who pass through, wear and tear, etc. I was just asking for comment, that's all.

Can't wait to be home in a few weeks!!!

 

[WaltEeyoreWorld]

We have been in OKW twice this year. Both times the rooms have been nice and clean. I agree with the prior post though that I wish the windows opened as it was very nice a few weeks ago there and would have loved to open the place up. I also think that the bath tiles need to be replaced. They are very warn and thus appear to not be very clean. This was the case in every OKW room we have had.

In all though, it is a favorite of ours. Can't beat the size of the porches and rooms. The only draw back we find is we like to dine out each night and many times, at other resorts establishments. It can be a challenge to get there unlike resorts where I can walk to a park or down town dis. We spent a lot of time on that boat between Conch flats and Captain Jacks.

 

[bookwormde]

I agree it would be nice if the widows opened but this rare in these types of occupancies because of the potential damage from blowing rainstorms (that never happens in Florida ha ha) when people go out and forget to close them.

bookwormde

 

[4Pluto]

We didn't notice any issues with the cleanliness of the unit. We don't really use the kitchen, so I can't comment on the dishes etc., but we didn't notice anything broken or particularly worn (other than the sleeper sofa).

The famiily had a great time. The wet rides (Splash Mtn and Kali River Rapids) were the big hits with the DN4.5; 18 months ago she was afraid to go any indoor rides (they were dark and loud) or watch shows or fireworks; this time she rode Dumbo in the middle of the Wishes with fireworks going off in all directions and laughed through it all (so if any of you despair of having traumatized the little ones, apparently they grow out of it).

The family went home, I went to a conference in Miami and then snuck back to Orlando for the weekend (yes, this is a disease). I have a great studio at BWV, overlooking the "yard" in front of the boat stop (over the art gallery). For a preferred/garden view, I can see most of the boardwalk and the higher fireworks. Short walk to the elevator and then to the pool, so I pretty much feel like the luckiest guest.

It all ends tomorrow, which of course means that its time to start planning the next trip.

Best wishes to all of you traveling soon.

JW

 

[La2kw]

I'm glad you're enjoying OKW. Turtle Pond is our favorite area at OKW. The main reason OKW is our favorite resort (and has been for 14 years) is because of that "neighborhood" vibe. It's a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of every other part of WDW.