Thinking of OKW - Is it really far away?

[KNWVIKING]

... I open my studio door,I press the remote start button on my fob, I close the door and watch a few more minutes of Sports Center while DW is doing whatever it is DW does to kill time. My car has never been more then four stalls away from my "ideal" location. Plus, I'm not tipping a valet every time I chose to come and go or waiting for the 39 people who had called down just before I did to get their cars first.

 

[PamOKW]

Just a side note to this thread....I wonder why the question of OKW being "far from everything" comes up? You rarely hear this about any of the other hotels that are not within walking distance. That concern was expressed about AKL before it opened but I don't hear that comment very much any more. OKW is in spitting distance of BWV, POR, CBR, the Disney Institue/Saratoga yet you rarely hear people being concerned that any of these are "too far away"? Looking at a map the concern about being far away should be greater for the All-Stars, CSR and AKL but I never hear this mentioned as a drawback to any of these resorts.

Truth is, nothing is very far at WDW and OKW is in a fairly central location. The emphasis on the distance factor would mean people might not want to stay at the GF because it is "far away" from Epcot and MGM.

My guess is that a lot of people still don't really know where OKW is located. Once you see where you are, the concern about being far away should evaporate.

 

[KNWVIKING]

OKW was probably the only resort mentioned because this is the DVC board;-). I don't think there was any ulterior motive,if that was what you were implying.

Looking at an aerial map,OKW is right in the middle of everything. But Disney is very good at hiding things so that it feels far away. At BWV or BCV, you can see Epcot. From VWL, you can see MK. OKW feels remote. Even the folks who brag about OKW state that the OKW location makes it feel like you're away from it all, really on vacation.

 

[DeeP]

So the Friendship Boats at the Epcot resorts are a big negative? Being able to walk to walk to two parks is a huge negative? Being IN a park is a negative?

Huh, what are you talking about???????? I do not understand this statement at all nor do I understand what it has to do with self parking a car at OKW. I am sorry but this does not make any sense.

 

[Jimbo]

At BWV you must walk down the Boardwalk in the stifling heat, then wait on the dock in the suffocating heat for a boat to arrive. Once you've arrived at the park, you have to walk down another dock in the paralyzing heat to get to the park entrance. Or, if you'd rather, you can walk to the park in the stroke-inducing heat.

I'm just trying to point out that this is a pretty ridiculous argument. It's fine if you want to say that OKW requiring a car is a negative, but parking at my front door is a mighty good thing.

 

[Jen D]

Just a side note to this thread....I wonder why the question of OKW being "far from everything" comes up? You rarely hear this about any of the other hotels that are not within walking distance. That concern was expressed about AKL before it opened but I don't hear that comment very much any more. OKW is in spitting distance of BWV, POR, CBR, the Disney Institue/Saratoga yet you rarely hear people being concerned that any of these are "too far away"?

I have never stayed at OKW, so I don't know if this reputation is deserved or not, but I've heard the rap that the bus service is not that great. It may have been in a guidebook or two. I think the fear is that so many OKW DVCers drive, so there are fewer buses. So if this isn't true, spread the good word!

AKL does still get the "far away" rap, but its bus service is generally thought to be superior to any other resort.

I think CBR/POR don't get that rap because they are moderates and I think it is a given a moderate is somewhat isolated. People expect good access from a Deluxe or Home Away From Home.

Again, I myself have no opinions on way or the other, but I think this is why the perception exists.

 

[colleen costello]

Jen D, we normally drive and don't use the OKW buses much. This Spring, however, Mom and Dad borrowed our van to go over to Satellite Beach to visit geezerly relatives who spend the season there. So we were suddenly dependent on OKW transportation. We thought it was great. Every single bus stops at the main area/Hospitality House, so if you want to go there, ANY bus will do. We took the bus there because we wanted to ride the ferry to DD. While hanging out later at the HH area, we saw buses come by regularly and quickly, all for the different parks. To us the bus service seemed just like that at other resorts -- except there was not a crowd of people waiting to get on, perhaps because many DO drive!

 

[spiceycat]

bus service has greatly and mean greatly improved - this last trip we waited 7 minutes at the most - I was one of those that would take my car to EPcot and Studios - didn't to MK - buses are easier AK I still haven't decided - did it once on the bus and once driving.

this last trip we took the bus even to Epcot - not a problem.

Hope your trip is as pleasant.

 

[PamOKW]

Compared to the other WDW DVC resorts and to all the other WDW deluxe resorts

Well, BCV is actually quite far from the MK. You need to walk through Epcot and take 2 monorails to get there. Same for the GF to get to Epcot....or a bus ride to MGM. It is not possible to walk from OKW to a park but it is pretty much centrally located so that no park is very far.

Viking -- Good point about how walking isn't always the best option....especially in August.

 

[reneesam]

I usually stay out of the fray these days, but I can't believe this OKW bashing!!!

OKW is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. It is not the half-sister of the other resorts, and I hate hearing that people are so sorry that they have to settle for OKW.

Chech the map. OKW is smack dab in the center of WDW. Close to everything, far from nothing.

The service is outstanding. Seach for complaints regarding service, and you'll find few complaints about OKW. The same can't be said about other resorts, especially recently.

Use a car or don't. Use your A/C or don't. Walk if you want if your car is too hot. Drive if you want if walking is too hot. This is petty bickering. I walk less from my car to the room at OKW than I do from the valet to the room or restuarant anywhere else, and I like it that way. If the valet service make you happy, stay at a valet resort.

If you like your own resort better, stay there. Just don't slander mine. I love it there more than just about anywhere else on earth, and I know I'll feel that way until 2042 and beyond.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I can't believe this OKW bashing!! OKW is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. It is not the half-sister of the other resorts, and I hate hearing that people are so sorry that they have to settle for OKW.

I agree....it's utterly ridiculous the way some put it down so ? I don't get it at all ? All the DVC resorts are gorgeous imho and they all have something unique and different to offer guests and Members.

 

[KNWVIKING]

Did I miss a post somewhere or misinterprete one ? I haven't seen Rich post yet so I'm pretty certain everything is ok. Buses have been an issue in the past at OKW but seems to be fixed. OKW does have the appearance and reputation of being secluded and off the beaten path. But commenting on those fact isn't bashing IMO.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Did I miss a post somewhere or misinterprete one ? I haven't seen Rich post yet so I'm pretty certain everything is ok. Buses have been an issue in the past at OKW but seems to be fixed. OKW does have the appearance and reputation of being secluded and off the beaten path. But commenting on those fact isn't bashing IMO.

I think it's just a culmination of several posts on different recent threads in the past 2 weeks.....and there's always a negative "tone" when discussing how "far away" OKW. I really don't think it's that far away from anything......but it's this repeating underlying tone.
So, no, you didn't miss any posts KNWVIKING.....I just think there's some exaggeration when describing how far away OKW is from the World....and all the walking in the hot sun, getting in a hot car.... etc.......
At least this is the way I see it........

 

[Jen D]

Cali asked a question, and people posted their opinion here.

I must have missed the "bashing." Anyway, if you love your resort and are happy with your purchase, why be threatened by someone else's opinion? (That goes for overly-touchy BWV members as well.)

 

[colleen costello]

Good point, JenD. I posted last summer after a trip to WDW. We were thinking about BWV next time but had met a complaining family at WDW who thought the BW Villas were looking "shabby." They also warned us about mile-long hikes to elevators and some other nonsense I don't recall. So dummy me recounted this on the Boards, asking "What do you all think?" and some posters went postal on me! I just asked a question based on what I had heard from another DVC member... YIKES!

Now I take things here more in stride. Some posters strike me as cranky, but that's their right... Really, if folks think OKW is crummy, more room for ME!

 

[DeeP]

fine if you want to say that OKW requiring a car is a negative, but parking at my front door is a mighty good thing.

What I was saying is that having a car that has been valet parked and it's delivered to you at the door and the car is not only brought to you door to door, it is also cooled down with the air running and all you have to do is hop in and drive away is more convenient and you are receiving much more of a resort service than when you self park your car.
The only reason I even touched on parking/driving/ dealing with a car at OKW is because it is always tooted about what an advantage it is that you can drive a car to OKW, park in front of the building etc. To read some posts you would think that OKW is the only WDW resort that you can drive a car to, which of course is not true. My point is not only can you drive a car and use a car at ANY WDW resort, the deluxe resorts and all the other WDW DVC resorts even make having a car there very easy, and very convenient for their guests in that they have valet parking, which is a very, very nice amenitity. The argument that it costs you a $2 tip for valet is really almost an joke when you consider how much people spend to go to WDW and stay anywhere on property.
Also OKW might be geographically located smack dab in the middle of WDW but as far as convenience and easy access without relying on a car or bus to at least one major park, restaurants, entertainment etc, it can not even begin to compare to any of the other deluxe resorts nor the other DVC resorts.
The OP asked if OKW is far from things, since some are being so literal with the word "far" maybe the question should have been pharsed: does OKW have as convenient and easy access to parks, restaurants, etc. as the other DVC resorts located on WDW property have.
It is very clear that many like the real "at home--do it yourself" atmosphere when they are on vacation. They do not worry about things like restaurants close by, close location to parks, pool life gurads, etc., which is fine, BUT there are many, many people in this world that want all the amenitites while on vacation, they want valet parking, convenience etc , to them this is a BIG part of being on vacation. If the number of WDW deluxe & DVC resorts that supply full amenities and services to their guests vs the number of WDW resorts that supply the real do it yourself at home atmopshere is any indication of preferences, I would be willing to bet that a very large majority of WDW guests want these amenities and conveniences while on vacations!
Just because people find the resorts that supply these conveniences and resort amenitites a more preferrable and more convenient resort and state so when a question is asked regarding this, does not mean they are resort bashing. Geez!

 

[Snowgod]

OKW has the best bus service of any DVC resort that I have stayed at. WLV bus service has improved and BCV and BWV aren't bad but you have to share a bus to go anywhere from all but OKW with a few exceptions. The more false impressions of OKW people have, the easier it is for me to get those last minute resevations.

Using a car to go to the parks has always taken me just as long as the bus.

 

[ohiominnie]

Originally posted by CaliforniaDreaming
Thinking of OKW - Is it really far away?

Well, door to door it's about 1022 miles. But I'm coming from Ohio. Maybe it's closer to you.

 

[Richyams]

Rationalization:

it is also cooled down with the air running and all you have to do is hop in and drive away is more convenient and you are receiving much more of a resort service than when you self park your car.

Its got plenty of time to cool off while you hike the 1.2 miles form your room to the front area. After that walk, you better hope the AC is happening.

Sorry, but a trip to the park that starts with a hike from my room, aint on my list of convinient things. You can get lucky and gt a room with just a small hike, but the vast majority are far, many are VERY far from the valet.

Walking those endless corridors gets me dizzy, just the thought of that walk is enough to keep me in my room or keep me away from my room.

 

[Bojo]

Originally posted by ohiominnie
... I'm coming from Ohio. Maybe it's closer to you.

Will you stop and pick us up? We LOVE OKW!