Report on first stay at OKW

[TinkerbellTracy]

Just returned from a 6 night stay in a studio at OKW on our first trip as DVC members--(instead of doing my laundry I'm doing this!) Here are my thoughts:

The Room: We were in Bldg 18 on Millers Road. I found the location to be perfect for bus riding(although we had a car my husband prefers to take the busses when possible). The bus stop was only a few steps away but we heard no bus noise from our room, and when we missed our bus we could head over to the hospitality house to catch it on the way out. We were also by a nice "quiet" pool. The room was in good condition, we had a toaster,but didn't use it. The view was not too good however, as a large tree obstructed the small pond and the only view was of 9 noisy air compressors whirring away. But, this was not a big deal for us on this trip-in December we will be in a 2 bedroom with the big porch and hope for a better view.

The Buses: Could not have had better luck with the buses. They were all coming at least every 20 min-some much quicker, even DD. They also picked us up at the parks more often than other resorts with long lines of people waiting.

The Resort: We were very pleased with the resort. Staff was ever-so-friendly and helpful to us. We felt very welcome and we enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere after long days at the parks. The food at Olivia's was good, although service was slow. The landscaping was beautiful. The only real disappointment for me was the main pool at the HH. The tile was faded and. The speakers for the music only worked in one area. Bottom of pool looked dirty and water temperature was cold. The dolphin area was drained and had towels and trash in it. My kids got bored so we pool-hopped to several resorts and had no problems at all! My kids loved the pool at the Port Orleans- it was very clean, looked great and only 3 min away. I was also dissapointed in the pool at the Beach Club--doesn't live up to everyones raves!

We visited the Boardwalk and also the Beach Club and they felt like big convention centers to us! The staff at the BC are downright rude! All in all, we are very pleased with our purchase at OKW and only hope that they do a pool rehab soon!

 

[Peddler]

Hi,
thanks for the report we are checking in on friday the 11th after a few days at VB. We stayed on Miller rd on our last trip found it to be a good location , especially for the bus's.

 

[ceejay13]

Thanks for the report. Our first trip as DVC'ers was to OKW last December. We had a 2BDR, which you will absolutely love. We had room 6430, which was on the 3rd floor overlooking the 7th green of the golf course. It was also close to the Hospitality House. We don't go again until the last of October and staying at BWV this time.
By the way, I am from Wichita, also.

 

[J.P.]

Tinkerbell tracy,
We have been members at OKW since '92, we always stay at Old Turtle pond area, it's nice and quiet, great view and it has a nice pool, hot tub and snack bar located there. It also has a place to have a cook-out while the family is swimming. The bus stop is not that far away either. JP

 

[mikek]

Saw that you said the dolphin area was out of service. It was like that our last trip in November (back then it was all taken apart). Has anyone seen it working in the mean time- or are the dolphins no longer with us?

 

[bres@westernMA]

I am pretty sure, not positive, that the Dolphins were in working order last Christmas thru New Years.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

The Dolphins were alive and well last month. The pool DID lok a bit dirty and faded - so did the pool at the Boardwalk (they really need to do a better job of cleaning the pool tiles at all the Disney pools - that is one thing that can make even clean pool 'look' dirty).

 

[Peggy Sue]

Just returned yesterday from OKW. Dolphins were not working. Suspect this may be due to the water shortage in Florida. several fountains were not working and there was a comment in the Disney info that advised some fountains would be turned off due to the drought. You can really tell they need rain badly. We were in building 35, overlooking a pond and it only had about 1/2 the water it normally holds.

 

[Peter Johnson]

Originally posted by Peggy Sue
Just returned yesterday from OKW. Dolphins were not working. Suspect this may be due to the water shortage in Florida.

We go to OKW each May, and the last two years have been drought conditions. Each time some fountains were turned off completely, and others were running only during the day and turned off in the evening. We were in building 42 both times, and the water level in the canals was so low that we could see all the concrete drainage and plumbing pipes It's pretty bad when driving through FL in May reminds me of August in Montana!