Tell me how great OKW is....

[lenshanem]

I'm typically a hotel type gal who doesn't like to see our car all week and loves lots of people around. Thus, I LOVED BWV a few weeks ago.

We currently have a BCV ressie (home resort) for next spring break and I was planning on switching to OKW. (I finally decided to use those points for a Friday & Saturday night, too. Loved the suggestion I got about pool hopping. DUH! My DD really wants to stay at CSR for the "Indiana Jones" pool, but she was just as happy when I told her we could just pool hop there.)

I want to try out all the DVC resorts before I get settled into a few without even knowing how they all feel. But, I have this nagging feeling I'm not gonna like OKW. Like I'm hoping I'm not making a mistake by switching. Actually it will be nice for the fewer points as we're also gonna try to take in-laws to VB that summer, we're pushing our points here. Then I have that fear the slide won't be completed!

Anyway, please tell me how great it is! We won't get bored being there seven nights will we? I'm envisioning a deserted place. People out walking, going to pool, etc. at night?

 

[helenabear]

I've stayed at OKW exactly once and honestly it left a wonderful impression on me. I love the Epcot area resorts, but truthfully, I love a laid back kind of vacation... OKW is perfect for that. We had a towncar so all we used was the transportation around WDW, and it was perfect. It reminds me a lot of how POR feels with the just quiet tranquility of it all. Epcot area is amazing for many reasons but for me, I love how quiet and beautiful OKW is. I will admit I am a bit biased because I switched from wanting BCV to be my home resort to OKW (and just finally bought there). Just go in there with an open mind and I am sure you will love it... and for the record, I saw plenty of people when we were there, but if I wanted quiet, it was around me too... for me the perfect vacation home

 

[PamOKW]

Don't forget that you are still at WDW. All the "action" is moments away and there is still plenty to do at OKW. I don't think you'll find it feels deserted. I agree with the "open mind" idea. Go and try it for yourself and then decide what you like or don't like about the resort.

 

[fkj2]

OKW is a wonderful resort but I would say of a more subdued nature than BWV or VWL. But that's its particular ambiance: quiet, calming and peaceful. The rooms are wonderfully large and I would say decorated in a Caribbean style and using a lot of pastels.

The golf course runs through and around the property and the golfers offer a diversion in themselves. It would almost be worth staying at OKW just to take the boatride to DTD but then, I'm a shopper. I've not sampled the nightlife at DTD yet but the convenience of OKW to PI would seem to be a real draw.

 

[ILuvDVC]

I think you will love the rooms at OKW....they are bigger! I'm not sure of what type of room you booked, but the 2 bedroom is much bigger at OKW than at BWV. The studio is different, in that you get 2 queen beds instead of a sleeper sofa.

The neatest thing, for me, at OKW is the porch! You overlook a golf course (depending on your room location) and it's just peaceful! I could sit out on that porch all day long

The other thing I enjoy about OKW, is having the option to eat outside. In the 2 bedroom, they have a table with 4 chairs on the porch! All the porches, except for the ones for a studio are a nice size!

The only disadvantage of being at OKW over BWV, is you can't walk to the parks....but, the buses do work and no one has complained about staying at OKW when they are staying with me. We tried out Beach Club Villas Two Bedroom and everyone said they liked it but missed the roominess of OKW. And, they missed how close OKW is to crossroads......I think you will enjoy it.

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks. So there are areas to walk around? Do people hang out around HH area? Or no? Music playing, places to sit?

Hubby tried to drive me thru a few weeks ago, but my youngest wasn't up for it and we had to turn around. But from what I saw it looked like apartments and I just get the feeling it might be a little too quiet. Like people, go back to their rooms and don't move about the resort too much.

It did look quite lovely to me, though. Regardless, I would hate to not try it and then miss out...

Do you still feel like you're at Disney? Enough Disney references floating about the resort?

And where do you catch the DTD boat? Does it go to the market place side? Is there parking near the boat if you're not close by?

Thanks!

 

[MinnieGi]

We've been to OKW for a week long stay and a shorter stay and have enjoyed it both times. It is much quieter and laid back than BWV or BCV, but that is also its charm. We hung out around the HH house a few nights eating ice cream we bought at the OKW store and there were other people milling about. We also checked out community hall and that is also where you can pick up the ferry to DTD. So just think if OKW is a little too boring for you one night hop on the ferry to DTD and lots of people will be there!

As someone else mentioned the large balconies at OKW are awesome for relaxing and watching the golfers or just reading a book. We love the large villa area of OKW too. We also love parking right outside our villa door and hopping in the car to go to a park or wherever.

Definetly keep an open mind and give it a try - plus for the season you are going in the lower points make it very attractive!

 

[lenshanem]

Is Community Hall by HH? Anyone know what time it typically closes?


Congrats on the new baby coming soon MinnieGi.

 

[mickeymouse710]

OKW and BWV are very, very different resorts--in basically almost all aspects. Both are nice resorts, but are also very different. It al depends on which type of atmosphere, guest amenities, location, etc you want.
Some people, greatly prefer OKW; while others greatly prefer BWV and other similar DVC resorts.
It all depends on your vactaion needs and wants.
We are, very much a family that wants all the bells and whistles and THE ultimate convenience. For us, OKW is definitely-- not where it is at.
Sorry if this is a repost. For some reason, I have attempted to post this post, several times; and although it shows as posted--it is not appearing in the thread!!!

 

[lenshanem]

For some reason, I have attempted to post this post, several times; and although it shows as posted--it is not appearing in the thread!!!

Ya, I saw that! I got an email you posted, then came and nothing... Odd!
Thanks for taking the time to post again!

 

[jodifla]

We really love OKW, especially when traveling with more than just the two of us. The space is terrific. We stayed in a one bedroom at BCV in May, and while we like the resort, the room felt cramped to us. Now that we have DS, 2, we need room for his stroller/crib/toys/etc., so we really notice the space issues. Relatives and friends are astounded when we walk them into two-bedroom units at OKW.

And the patio is great! We eat meals out there a lot. That's one of the big disappointments to me in the other DVC resorts. They seem like an afterthought.

Also, if OKW pool isn't open, you can pool hop to SSR, which is close by.

 

[MinnieGi]

Originally posted by lenshanem
Is Community Hall by HH? Anyone know what time it typically closes?

Yes, HH, Community Hall & the main pool are all in the same area. Can't remember exactly when Community Hall closes.

Thanks, Shan for the baby congrats!

 

[lenshanem]

Is there a laundry near the main pool, too?

 

[wdwsos]

My son's article on the OKW:

You Don't Have to Be Old to Love Old Key West



I realize that I am biased, but after numerous visits to all but SSR, the OKW still remains my favorite resort . We recently donated points to a school auction, and the winning bidder just called me yesterday to report on her experience. They spent three nights at the OKW, followed by three nights at the BCV, and actually liked OKW the best. They said they really appreciated how much it made them slow down and get in vacation mode, after leaving their hectic lives here in Boston.

It was actually the OKW, she said, that made them buy 300 points of their own.

Anyway..all this to say that the OKW may not make it to the top of your list, but I do think you'll have a nice stay.

Dotti

 

[lenshanem]

Thanks for the link Dotti! Nice article!

 

[tiggerjan]

Hi -- I had the very same reservations about OKW when we went last year -- thought it would be too far away and too "sleepy". But I was pleasantly surprised. The Disney buses are prompt and frequent and when we chose to drive somewhere it was a quick trip. The best thing was the size of the rooms -- enormous! We even had an Academy Awards night party in our 2 BR with 20 people and had plenty of room! We liked it so much we're buying points there!

 

[FreeTime]

I actually have been wanting to kick myself everyday for the last month for changing my 11/28-12/3 BWV ressies to OKW (I don't want to put my name on a waitlist because I have a 1 & 2 br and if they don't come through, I am stuck). I did this because I thought our guests would like it better and I didn't want to hear the kids cry every dy to go down their clown slide, since it will probably be chilly. Now I don't know if they are going. I much prefer BWV, BCV, and VWL. I don't like not being able walk into Epcot or taking a boat ride to MK for dinner (we have AP's). I find it easier to push a stoller from IG to our villa at the BW or BC then to have to fold up the stroller, hop on a tram, get in the car, and then carry the sleeping kids up the steps at OKW. I have stayed at OKW several times and it is a nice, roomy, resort. But for our family, we like the ones that are more go, go, go, then relax, relax, relax. Just decide which is the best for you. Either way, I am sure you will have a good time.

 

[WKUMAD]

We love OKW for many of the reasons posted above. That said...if you are the "hotel Type" which we are not, you may not like OKW. But as other posters have said, try it , you may like it.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I would not switch if I were you. It sounds like you really enjoy the action at the other resorts. There is none at OKW thank you. It sounds like you are staying in a studio because of the laundry question, the studios at OKW can have real bad views. They are not larger either because they have 2 queens in them. Mt suggestion is stay away, I love OKW for the lack of action.

 

[cdziuba]

My husband and I are taking our youngest of 4 to Disney this September, and were fortunate enough to get an Interval exchange into OKW. I just cannot wait. I wanted a place that would be totally relaxing, after park-hopping, and if we love it there, I'm hoping to convince my husband to buy an OKW resale. We own on Sanibel, and think a DVC would be the perfect addition to our timeshare portfolio. I hope he likes it!