Staying at OKW villas for first time! Any Suggestions?

[kellieflgirl]

Hi everybody!
My boyfriend and I are staying at OKW villas for our 6 year anniversary! It is our first stay there and we decided to go with a one bdrm. I don't know much about the resort and hoped that someone might have some info, suggestions, pics!?
Is there a better area/building that we should try for when we get in? We are staying 9/9-9/13 so I would think we might have a bit better chance of moving around some.
We were originally going to stay at BWV but, they didn't have any standard one bdrm villas and I wasn't going to pay for a prefered when we are only there a couple of nights. So my heart was set on BWV.
Please help me get more excited about OKW villas!!! I know we'll have a great time-I mean we'll be at WDW-just really want more info to get me pumped up!!!

 

[spiceycat]

go ask on the DVC boards for more

OKW is not like BWV at all. It is more relaxed and lay back. You can walk, boat or bus to DD if you want action.

here are some pictures
http://www.wdwinfo.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/545

here is a map
http://www.wdwinfo.com/maps/OKWMap.pdf

 

[kjs1976]

YOU WILL LOVE AN OKW 1 BDRM!!!!!!!

We got upgraded here this Spring and were AMAZED at how big the room was! It was bigger than our first apartment, which was a two-bedroom! We loved the extra space! I'm an early riser and DH loves to sleep in as late as possible before we have to be anywhere. So it was nice to go make my coffee, turn on the tv to check the weather, and then enjoy my coffee out on the balcony!!!! I LOVED THE BALCONY!!! GORGEOUS VIEW!!!! We also loved the king size bed, jacuzzi tub in a seperate room from the actual bathroom, and the washer and dryer. The only thing that we never had happen beofre is that we easliy misplaced things because there are so many rooms and areas to leave things on that we never established a routine. We had a rental car which made driving to the pool, gift shop, lobby, etc. much easier. I would never stay there w/o a car. We only used the bus to go to MK. We were there for 5 days and it was an amazing trip because of our fabulous upgrade. You'll love it there!!!!!

 

[Goofy4]

The location preferences go something like:

Close to a pool? Which pool?
Close to a bus stop, or far away (no noise)?
1st floor or doesn't matter (most buildings don't have elevators)?
Close to the restaurant/services?
Smoking?
Pond, golf course view?

I think you'll come away from an OKW vacation feeling more relaxed and maybe even rested. Take time to enjoy it!

 

[Disney Doll]

I love OKW!!!! The units are the largest of all the DVCs. I love to sit on the balcony and look out over the golf course. To the best of my knowledge, there is not a bad view at OKW. I like the Southpoint or Turtle Pond area...Miller's Road and the area near the Hospitality House (main area, check-in, gift shop, restaurant) are not my favorites.

They have a cute little boat that will take you to SSR and then on to DTD. You can also walk to SSR & DTD during the daylight hours. The walking path to SSR/DTD originates in the Southpoint area. It's a nice resort to stroll around. If you are renting a car, you can park quite close to your unit. It is condo-style rather than hotel-style, which we like.

The themeing is tropical...pastel colors, lots of Jimmy Buffet music playing in the background. The main pool has a sandcastle themed slide. There are also 3 quiet pools, one in eachof the "neighborhoods" (Millers Road, Turtle Pond & Southpoint).

You can rent boats, bikes etc....pretty much all the stuff you can rent at most of the other hotels.

I don't think you'll be disappointed.

 

[las3888]

I wasn't thrilled about staying at OKW my first time. I felt it was remote from Disney and I didn't feel like I would be "at Disney." First time's are always a "getting acquainted" phase, but I really did enjoy our first stay (and I was 4.5 mos pregnant). Now it is DH's favorite place, and in my top 5 at least for sure (maybe top 3). The PP are right...the rooms, esp. a 1BR are huge and there are so very few bad views. I really dug into researching the best place to stay, and now I really just don't request much. Try to check out some maps and be slightly prepared. When we check in, usually we are offered a choice of options. Your CM should be able to help you find what you are looking for, but again, no guarantees. There seem to be 3 views...golf course, water, and woods. They are all realy pretty nice. It seems everytime we go, we have stayed at a different area, but everytime we leave, we think THIS place is THE place to be, but the next time we go, a new area grows on us as well...

 

[Deb & Bill]

The location preferences go something like:

Close to a pool? Which pool?
Close to a bus stop, or far away (no noise)?
1st floor or doesn't matter (most buildings don't have elevators)?
Close to the restaurant/services?
Smoking?
Pond, golf course view?

I think you'll come away from an OKW vacation feeling more relaxed and maybe even rested. Take time to enjoy it!

No more smoking villas. All are non-smoking since June 1.

Only three buildings have elevators (62, 63 and 64) and they are the most frequently requested. As long as you are not handicapped, the stairs are not difficult. I used them before I got my knee replacement and had no trouble with them. Now that I have my knee replacement, they should be even easier.

There are bus stops and pools spread out throughout the resort. So you are never far from one. We like to stay in the Turtle Pond area (close to the Turtle Pond pool and Turtle Shack), but we might try Miller's Road next time Or South Point.