Scooter/ECV at OKW

[emerymt]

We're coming to OKW for the first time on an exchange through II.
I have to rent an ECV (scooter) for the whole week, and I'm having it delivered to OKW the morning we arrive. I have already told them I need first floor/elevator access, and I know the buildings with elevators. Is it better to be in them, or ask for first floor somewhere else?

The room doesn't have to be handicapped accessible, though. I just can't be up on my feet for very long because I have rheumatoid arthritis.

Also, do they have a sharps disposal at OKW? I can stick the needles in a pop can, but I hate to leave them in the regular trash.

Thanks!

 

[Chuck S]

I'm going to move this to the disABILITES board. There are most likely a higher percentage of posters there that have experience with this.

 

[kaytieeldr]

There are only three buildings with elevators, but EVERY building at OKW has ground-floor rooms.

Now, I have a question for you. I'm genuinely curious - I know you can only answer for yourself, but... I've always wondered why travelers who know they're going to need some piece of equipment such as a sharps container, don't just bring their own?

I don't know if Disney provides them or not - but if not, and if you don't have one, I would think a clear plastic bottle with a screw-on top would be a MUCH safer choice for disposal than a pop can?

 

[isyne4u]

Yes housekeeping will provide you with a sharps container. My mom has gotten one each time we go to Disney.

We don't use sharps containers at home but juice bottles that have lids and then we seal them with tape before we put them into the garbage. But at Disney we don't want to do that to the poor unsuspecting housekeepers!

Have fun!!

 

[emerymt]

Yes housekeeping will provide you with a sharps container. My mom has gotten one each time we go to Disney.

We don't use sharps containers at home but juice bottles that have lids and then we seal them with tape before we put them into the garbage. But at Disney we don't want to do that to the poor unsuspecting housekeepers!

Have fun!!

Thanks, I don't need it every day. I have a real one at home that lasts months. Usually I use an old water bottle or put in in a can and smash it, but as I said, I don't want to put that in the trash, either!

Does anyone happen to know about whether ground floor at OKW is better, or should I ask for a room in an elevator building? Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Define "better"?

As I said, there are only three buildings with elevators, but all 48 buildings have multiple ground/first floor rooms. Any request you make for a building will be just a request. Approximately 1/3 of the units at OKW are on the first floor, but only 1/16 of the units are in the three elevator buildings.

But, what do you mean by better? What are you looking for? What's important to you?

 

[emerymt]

For us, quiet is better!

 

[SueM in MN]

For us, quiet is better!

The buildings with elevators are 62, 63 and 64. Here's a map of OKW:
link to OKW map
Some people feel they get road noise in those buildings, especially the 2 that are on corners.
Because they are close to the main pool area and have elevators, those buildings have pretty high demand.
I'd probably suggest you just ask for 1st floor or building with elevator for medical reasons and leave it at that. If you find another area that appeals to you, then request first floor in that area.

 

[emerymt]

That's exactly what I have done. I would be happy to be on the first floor away from the HH, but don't want to be too picky.

 

[SueM in MN]

It's a really nice resort.
We are DVC members since 1993 and OKW is our home resort.
We have been in various places at the resort and there are none that we don't like. We have been there with someone who had needles to dispose of and got a container from Housekeeping as has been already mentioned.

What size unit are you staying in?

 

[emerymt]

I'm sure we will love it there- last time we were at WDW we rented a boat at DTD and ended up at OKW- I remember thinking how lovely it would be to stay there. When we put in for a match through II, I just listed all the DVC resorts, and was so pleased to see that my wish had come true!

We have a 2-bedroom unit for the week of june 2-9. We are staying at the Springhill Suites on the Wells Fargo rewards program the night before so we could maximize our time at OKW!

 

[Chuck S]

Since you have a 2 bedroom unit, if someone will be sleeping on the living room sofa sleeper you may want to consider a unit in bldgs 30 or higher, in the Turtule Pond or South Point area. There was design change during construction.

In bldgs 30 and higher there is a second entrance to the master bathroom through the laundry room. In lower numbered bldgs, someone sleeping on the couch has to enter the bathroom through the master bedroom.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have a 2-bedroom unit for the week of june 2-9. We are staying at the Springhill Suites on the Wells Fargo rewards program the night before so we could maximize our time at OKW!

You will be happy!
The 2 bedroom units are awesome.

 

[Pat]

We have stayed in a two bedroom unit at Old Key West and had a ground floor unit by the Turtle Pond. It was convenient to bring the ECV in to the room and to plug it in for the night. Our unit was quiet and backed up to the golf course. The pull out sofa bed in the livingroom was not the most comfortable bed so we took turns sleeping on it and sleeping in one of the beds.

The ECV was waiting for me at the check in at OKW.

 

[SueM in MN]

We have stayed in a two bedroom unit at Old Key West and had a ground floor unit by the Turtle Pond. It was convenient to bring the ECV in to the room and to plug it in for the night. Our unit was quiet and backed up to the golf course. The pull out sofa bed in the livingroom was not the most comfortable bed so we took turns sleeping on it and sleeping in one of the beds.

The ECV was waiting for me at the check in at OKW.

I don't know if they have switched out all the older style sofa beds or not, but the last few times we have gotten the newer style ones which are very comfortable. They pull out a different way and have a solid base to the mattress rather than the old spring base (with the uncomfy bar in the middle). They also have a really comfy memory foam type mattress.

Chuck posted the same time as me yesterday, but he brought up a good point about the bathroom door.
And, as Pat noted, you will have no trouble bringing the ECV into the room and finding a place to park it and plug it in.

 

[emerymt]

Thanks for the help! Gratefully, no one will have to sleep on the sleeper sofa since there are two beds in the second bedroom. Although I have been known to move due to someone else's snoring!

What time should we check in to be able to get our best shot at a room around Turtle Pond? Is there usually a big rush right at 4pm? We were going to go over to EPCOT for the morning, then check-in at OKW in the afternoon. My ECV is set up to be delivered there, but I am thinking of moving it up to Springhill Suites the day before so I'll have it at EPCOT.

 

[Chuck S]

Thanks for the help! Gratefully, no one will have to sleep on the sleeper sofa since there are two beds in the second bedroom. Although I have been known to move due to someone else's snoring!

What time should we check in to be able to get our best shot at a room around Turtle Pond? Is there usually a big rush right at 4pm? We were going to go over to EPCOT for the morning, then check-in at OKW in the afternoon. My ECV is set up to be delivered there, but I am thinking of moving it up to Springhill Suites the day before so I'll have it at EPCOT.

Check-in time is pretty much up to you, but, like you, we usually arrive a day before our DVC reservation and stay either offsite or at POP Century for a night. We usually check-in at OKW first thing after breakfast, about 25% of the time they will have a room ready that meets our needs, otherwise, at least we have our room key and are all "checked-in" with everything except our room number. We call from guest relations inside the park before we head back to the resort to get our room number and don't have to stop at the desk again. Also, it would give you an opportunity to restate your room preference face to face with a front desk CM early enough that a change can be made if necessary.

 

[emerymt]

That sounds like a great idea, Chuck. I have already laid it out, in no uncertain terms, that if we want to go a park, the family has got to be up early. I'm hoping that nine hours of travel time and no theme parks the night before will overcome the 2-hour time difference that is working against my plan!

Of course, the 8-year old is an early riser and not very considerate of other people's sleep needs. How unfortunate for my poor DH , he's the one who is the absolute hardest to pry out of bed & he never wants to go to bed early. Absolutely the "worst" kid of them all!