Staying for the first time in a 2 BDR & could use some tips

[diznyfanatic]

We recently closed on our BWV contract and became new members, so at the first opportunity, we scheduled our first trip for F&W during the third week of October.

Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, we weren't able to reserve our BWV home resort, but were grateful to get a 2 Bedroom at OKW, and are fired up to return!

We only have one DVC stay under our belt so far, in a studio at OKW and VWL, with a VB Oceanfront Inn room tacked on at the end of our trip

I know we will enjoy OKW as much we did the first time, but our studio there was in Bldg 38, which was a nice location but our balacony overlooked the highway. Didn't bother us as we spent little time in the room itself and had a wonderful time.

I was just wondering if you had any tips for a new member staying for the first time in a 2 Bedroom? Not sure what is stocked, what we'll need to bring or what we can wait to purchase there if needed.

Any special location requests that we should consider? Climbing several flights of steps being bogged down with strollers, and all of the other common necessities that are required with small children, doesn't sound appealing but no matter where we end up we'll make do and have a great time.

Does OKW have an elevator? We never checked before since we were only on the second floor, but also only had one small child with us then.

We will have a car but room while traveling will be limited with two small children traveling with us.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[spiceycat]

okw is a fairly big resort - okay spread out.

so you should get a first floor villa - just ask for non-handicapped....

with a studio I don't suggest the first floor. but a 2-bedroom should get you a good view no matter what.

your choice of views - water (my favorite), woods (what you got last time), and golf.

you can be asked to near a pool, HH or bus stop. with 2 small children I would go with the bus stop.

the problem you had was because of hurricane - before then you couldn't even see the highway - but OKW lost a bunch of trees and disney is not putting them back - it takes wild trees (and the south has several different types) around 10 years to be high enough to stop the noise not to mention the view....

 

[diznyfanatic]

Thank you for the help Spicey and we will definitely be using your suggestions and advice.

If we request a location close to HH, would any building then be close enough in that general vicinity to use the HH bus stop, or do you still recommend that we request to be close to a bus stop?

Do we need to bring any additional supplies like paper plates, cups, napkins, plastic untensils, toilet paper dishwashing detergent, laundry soap, etc or is it fairly well stocked? There will be 5 adults and 2 small children.

Thanks again.

 

[spiceycat]

you need laundry detergent and fabric softener plus food. It comes with a small box of Tide (but I am allergic to Tide)

the 2-bedroom comes with just about everything else. if you run out of dishwasher detergent just call housekeeping they will bring you more.

the problem with being close to HH is the bus stop. It is the last one. with 2 kids I think you will want to be seated....

you can get around that problem by request building 23-26 - but it is a longer walk to the main pool than 11-14 building. building 23-26 is the only bus stop without a pool close by.... it uses the main pool.

62-64 are the newer building also close to HH - but they have an elevator.

I don't like to be near HH - because it is a busy area. you can't let your kids just run to the pool in this section. you need to be carefully and watch for traffic.... I have trouble even in the cross walk. So make sure your children are with you every step if you go with HH.

my favorite section is south pointe (building 55 or 56) about as far from HH as you can get - but next to a quiet pool that your kids will love....

I also like miller road. (building 18 or 20)

always look at the map - sometimes the closest bus stop is not the one you think.

 

[diznyfanatic]

Thank you so much Spicey for all of the excellent information. I hadn't even considered the traffic around HH as an issue with small children, or that since it is the last bus stop there might be limited seating.

I did remember how limited the parking can be in the HH general area though.

I also really appreciate all of your valuable recommendations and descriptions of building location and what to expect in the way of supplies. You've helped us be better prepared and able to plan so much better for this trip!

Thank you!

 

[jodifla]

We LOVE OKW, especially the 2-bedroom units. We have a DS, 4, and we learned early on to just leave the stroller in the car. No use in dragging it upstairs. When we left in the a.m., we just stopped by the car to pick it up.

The unit comes equipped with dinnerware for 8, but if you want paper plates, you'll need to bring them. Only the studios come with those.

Have a great time!

 

[Mary Anne]

What a great idea about the stroller. We're going soon and won't have a stoller but will have a wheel chair for my MIL. I think that is what we will do rather then drag it in and out. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Judique]

We recently closed on our BWV contract and became new members, so at the first opportunity, we scheduled our first trip for F&W during the third week of October.

Unfortunately, but not unexpectedly, we weren't able to reserve our BWV home resort, but were grateful to get a 2 Bedroom at OKW, and are fired up to return!

We only have one DVC stay under our belt so far, in a studio at OKW and VWL, with a VB Oceanfront Inn room tacked on at the end of our trip

I know we will enjoy OKW as much we did the first time, but our studio there was in Bldg 38, which was a nice location but our balacony overlooked the highway. Didn't bother us as we spent little time in the room itself and had a wonderful time.

I was just wondering if you had any tips for a new member staying for the first time in a 2 Bedroom? Not sure what is stocked, what we'll need to bring or what we can wait to purchase there if needed.

Any special location requests that we should consider? Climbing several flights of steps being bogged down with strollers, and all of the other common necessities that are required with small children, doesn't sound appealing but no matter where we end up we'll make do and have a great time.

Does OKW have an elevator? We never checked before since we were only on the second floor, but also only had one small child with us then.

We will have a car but room while traveling will be limited with two small children traveling with us.

Thanks for any suggestions.

There are some buildings with elevators. Have you considered waitlisting for BWV? I just got a waitlist there for food and wine. In the process of trying to get an extra standard room, I let go a prefferred villa, so it's not an impossible thing to get, although not that easy either. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

 

[diznyfanatic]

jodifla - Thank you for reminding me about leaving the stroller in the car. That's exactly what we did on our first stay. The second child is actually an infant, so I guess I was thinking about all of the extra things like diaper bags, bottles and such and forgot we could leave at least the strollers in the car!

Judique - Yes, we are waitlisted at BWV, and hopefully something will come through, but I won't be too terribly disappointed since we love OKW too. It would just be really nice if we could walk to Epcot, but if it doesn't, we are continuing to plan around staying at OKW.

 

[scrap-n-mom]

We are just back from OKW (last night). We stayed in building 54 (south point) room 5424--2nd floor. There were 5 of us, 2 adults and 3 boys aged 14,12,6. Tons of space. I would recommend having grocery service if you are taking the ME in. We were too far from the Hospitality House to carry groceries....plus the cost is so high there compared to a regular grocery store. We pack dry goods in a suitcase (cereals, poptarts, granola bars, fruit snacks, crystal light, etc) and purchase meat, cheese, milk and juice. Typically pack the small boxes of laundry detergent and fabric softener. The washer and dryer are great to have. We end up packing only 3-4 sets of clothing because of it. Water bottles are essential and we usually freeze them the night before. Sometimes we add crystal light and freeze them--a nice refresher.
We were directly across from the private pool. Very nice location. When we checked in, they gave us a few choices for rooms. The nice thing about South Pointe is it is the 2nd stop in for bus service. It is a nice walk to the HH (when not carrying anything). The pool at OKW is nothing spectacular, so swimming at the private pool is just as good.

This was our first time staying at OKW (we are Beach Club Villa lovers), but I would definately stay there again--especially if we are bringing others with because of so much space).