So please tell me my family will enjoy OKW and 7 month booking

[Vickis3js]

Well I decided to try at 7 months for a VERY busy time of year. I know I shouldn't have but we added on and had extra points we had to use this trip and well it kinda became an adventure. I knew going in my chances but said what the heck. SOOOO not one of my choices was available the entire trip. The only thing I could get was either SSR or OKW in a 2bdroom. I had originally booked SSR but thought since we are trying for a THV next year, using 11 month booking this time, I would try OKW. I've tried doing split stays but believe it or not only the really high point rooms were available. Like I could have gotten a MK view at BLT in a 1bd for Christmas Eve and Christmas night. I just didn't want to use 88 points a night!!! Plus I'd much rather just stay in one spot then move around a lot.

So please tell me the kids will like OKW!!!

Also if you are going at a busy time use the 11 month booking if you don't want to stay at SSR or OKW. I'm not that upset since I have a place to stay and will be in WDW just a little nervous that the family will not be happy!

 

[dmoore22]

Your family will enjoy OKW! There, I told you.

Actually it may depend upon the ages of your children. We've been going since our kids were "tweens." They love it. It seemed as the kids got older they were never at a loss for age appropriate activities. Really can't speak about activities for the very young, though we have noticed a wealth of them at the Community Hall engaged in age appropriate activities.

 

[bobbiwoz]

So, did you get a 2 bedroom at OKW? If so, you know you can't go wrong with the point savings at OKW and the large rooms, and the beautiful resort. There's a community room for the kids, you can rent bikes, take a boat to DTD and enjoy lots of convenient pools.

We don't stay at OKW very often because I do not like the fact that only 3 buildings have elevators, and I don't manage steps very well, and I don't want to spend time worrying before my trip as to whether my request will be honored. It is a beautiful resort and we've thoroughly enjoyed our 2 stays there.

I like to bike around different areas of WDW. Biking around OKW is on my "to do" list! So is renting a little boat there to ride around the waters, it really is a beautiful setting.

Bobbi

 

[Vickis3js]

Yes I did get a 2 bedroom at OKW. We actually saved 15 points by switching to OKW from SSR. So that was a plus!!

The kids are 10,9,and 8. I think they might like renting the bikes or surreys for something to do on Christmas day when we don't do a park. How is the pool? I know it could be very cold when we are there but just in case wondering if its something that could keep their attention.

Also where is the best place to request? We would like to be by a pool that is fun for the kids.

Thanks so much. I am happy we get to try something new and something that we are not planning on trying so that is good!!!

 

[dgaston]

You are going to be spoiled by the size of the rooms! If your kids enjoy slides, you might want to be the Hospitality House area (booking category), otherwise, I think the Turtle Pond pool is nice for kids. I personally would love to stay in one of the buildings overlooking the canal, 45, 46 or 55. I guess I'd request canal view for that.

I'm sure Diane will be along soon with her advice too!

 

[disneynutz]

I don't think that you can go wrong with any DVC resort. We have stayed at OKW several times and have enjoyed each stay.

Have a wonderful vacation.

Bill

 

[dianeschlicht]

Yes I did get a 2 bedroom at OKW. We actually saved 15 points by switching to OKW from SSR. So that was a plus!!

The kids are 10,9,and 8. I think they might like renting the bikes or surreys for something to do on Christmas day when we don't do a park. How is the pool? I know it could be very cold when we are there but just in case wondering if its something that could keep their attention.

Also where is the best place to request? We would like to be by a pool that is fun for the kids.

Thanks so much. I am happy we get to try something new and something that we are not planning on trying so that is good!!!

First of all, what's not to like about OKW??? It's our favorite of all the DVC resorts!

Yes, there is plenty for the kids to do, and most say the slide at OKW is second only to SAB at BCV.

As for location...We think most locations at OKW are good, but some are extra special. Our favorites are buildings 45, 46, and 55 at South Point. We also really like buildings 15, 16, 19 &20 on Miller's Road. I assume you are NOT booked in the Hospitality House booking catagory. Some really like Turtle Pond Road buildings, but we've never had one there we have liked, so I don't usually recommend that. About the only thing I can say is that we have had two locations we dislike so far....those are buildings 28 and 29. They are easy access to the main area, but are very hemmed in with little view from the balcony.

 

[Vickis3js]

I didn't realize that was a booking catagory she didn't ask what I wanted just asked what size room. She said there was plenty available. So should I call and see about that or do you think if it was available she would have said something?

TIA

 

[dgaston]

Make the call! All MS will say if Hospitality House isn't available is that there aren't any.

 

[nolanboys]

We've stayed their twice with 4 boys and we loved it. There's ping pong right by the main pool as well as basketball and tennis courts. The kids had so much fun doing those things when we were there in February and it was too cold to swim. We actually stayed in bldg 33. Good location - 2nd bus stop - nice golf course views and close to turtle pond pool. We used the hot tub nightly and the kids would jump into the pool. They even have snacks and drinks and we played a lot of shuffleboard. You and your family will have a great time! As many have said, the room size can't be beat!

 

[Vickis3js]

Well I called and I am missing 2 nights so I just waitlisted for it. THanks so much for letting me know about that. DH is happy about OKW. He is just happy that I am done calling. I've given up calling daily and am just hoping one of the wait lists come through. Either way as long as we have beds and they are located in WDW I could careless!!

 

[MinnieGi]

Wait to you see the size of your villa for the first time!!! Love it!! We've stayed at OKW several times and always enjoy our stay there including my kids!

We just did a Christmas week 7 months switch too. I had BWV BWview booked but tried and got BLT (LV) for our first four nights and now I'm on the waitlist for the last four nights for BLT. I'm hoping they come through, if not we'll switch for the last four nights to our BWV BW view. We've done split stays before and don't mind them but usually we are staying longer when we do the split stay which is why I'm hoping something at BLT opens up. I have another waitlist for BLT MK view too for our entire stay so if that comes up first we'll take it.

 

[Vickis3js]

I've been trying for BLT for 2 weeks now. I called one day and all but one night of our stay was available and it was out second night so I had to call back 2 days later to do a split stay. But OF COURSE I had a million things to do that day and couldn't call until later since I was chaperoning a field trip with my DS and when I called they only had 3 nights in our 8 nights available. I've been waitlisted for 2 weeks now with little to no hope. Honestly I'd rather stay at OKW then BLT but my kids are dying to stay at BLT.

I know when I called today st view 1bds were scattered from the 18-26 and there was only one night available for LV and MK view had the 24th and the 25th but at 88 pts a night I said no thanks.

I got lucky and got AKL CL for DH and I's anniversary at 10 months out so after that I knew I wouldn't get too lucky what our first choice for Dec.

 

[5forDiz]

First of all, what's not to like about OKW??? It's our favorite of all the DVC resorts!

Yes, there is plenty for the kids to do, and most say the slide at OKW is second only to SAB at BCV.

As for location...We think most locations at OKW are good, but some are extra special. Our favorites are buildings 45, 46, and 55 at South Point. We also really like buildings 15, 16, 19 &20 on Miller's Road. I assume you are NOT booked in the Hospitality House booking catagory. Some really like Turtle Pond Road buildings, but we've never had one there we have liked, so I don't usually recommend that. About the only thing I can say is that we have had two locations we dislike so far....those are buildings 28 and 29. They are easy access to the main area, but are very hemmed in with little view from the balcony.

Totally agree with what you've stated here Diane; as far as our family is concerned too it is a GREAT resort; far too much fretting by folks over OKW as if it is the ugly stepsister in the DVC family.

And just wait until interior renovations are complete, jmho its popularity will be on the upswing but no worries for us lucky OKW owners because we've got our 11 month booking priority

OP you'll have a wonderful time if your stay is at OKW

 

[MrDisneyphile]

I think it will be a great resort for your family - as everyone before me stated, the size of the rooms are great. The pool area is nice. The slide into the pool is very fun (even for older aged kids). The boat ride to DTD is also really nice. We love staying there because of the lower point rate. Enjoy your trip!

 

[dianeschlicht]

FYI, be aware that if you do book Hospitality House booking catagory, you will not have a door into the toilet area of the bathroom except through the master bedroom. While it never bothers us much (we don't have living room guests), it would be an issue if you had a kid who is planning to sleep on the living room pull out.

 

[castleri]

We have stayed at OKW several times for Christmas week and really enjoyed putting lights on the balcony and having a tree in the room. I especially love the poinsettias along the walkway at the HH. The pools are heated so if the weather isn't actually frigid swimming is usually possible.

 

[dbs1228]

Just returned last week 2 bdrm OKW building 46 love, loved, loved it! Third floor was challenging with luggage but it was great excerise and was worth it for the balcony! Kids of all ages were having fun. Saw 8 -12 age group doing some sort of scavenger hunt, ping pong, shuffle board, several pools with hot tubs and the main pool was my favorite. I did not go with my DH or kids but I cannot wait to take them there!

 

[Vickis3js]

Thanks everyone I am loving all your positives about OKW!! I told the kids today and they are really excited about it. They loved the fact that we can rent the bikes and the surreys and hang out around the resort. We visisted OKW on our last trip and DH didn't seem impressed at all. I thought it was beautiful. I think he didn't like the spread out deal. We are so used to AKL where its one large building. I do know he is liking the idea of staying at OKW much more then idea of staying at BLT, which is what we were trying for.

I would have made due and enjoyed it even if you all told me it was horrible. I just like to know my family will enjoy it. If I survived and enjoyed staying at Pop, nothing wrong with it just not US, then I think I can enjoy just about anything.

Thanks again!

 

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

Well I decided to try at 7 months for a VERY busy time of year. I know I shouldn't have but we added on and had extra points we had to use this trip and well it kinda became an adventure. I knew going in my chances but said what the heck. SOOOO not one of my choices was available the entire trip. The only thing I could get was either SSR or OKW in a 2bdroom. I had originally booked SSR but thought since we are trying for a THV next year, using 11 month booking this time, I would try OKW. I've tried doing split stays but believe it or not only the really high point rooms were available. Like I could have gotten a MK view at BLT in a 1bd for Christmas Eve and Christmas night. I just didn't want to use 88 points a night!!! Plus I'd much rather just stay in one spot then move around a lot.

So please tell me the kids will like OKW!!!

Also if you are going at a busy time use the 11 month booking if you don't want to stay at SSR or OKW. I'm not that upset since I have a place to stay and will be in WDW just a little nervous that the family will not be happy!

Will be able to give some feedback from a first-timer at OKW as we're staying there next week booking 40-something days out...we are really looking forward to this DVC resort!!! Was fortunate to get HH booking for a studio at the 40ish day mark.