Thinking of OKW - Is it really far away?

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I'm thinking about trying OKW next summer for our trip to WDW. Is it really that far out? We'd have a car, but are used to having monorails and boats available to the parks. Will we be missing something from not staying at BWV or BCV? We really want a unit with 2 queens in the second bedroom, if we get lucky for a dedicated 2Q at BCV that would be great, but OKW may be our only choice (with those huge units!).

Thanks.

 

[spiceycat]

Hey I think OKW is great - it is closer to the front of Epcot than BWV/BCV parking lot.

going to the MK is not far and the buses on this last trip were great - not more than a 7 minute wait - so I was very pleased or we were lucky.

I think you will like the buses to MK and probably AK more - the OKW buses only stop at OKW before leaving and going to the parks.

I drive to Epcot and ride a bus to MK - if I want to visit either parks while I am at one - I take the monrail.

stay at OKW - it is easier to relax there - my opinion - you can't see any of the parks - so kids are generally easier to get to bed (again my opinion).

you do have a boat/bus/or walk to DD.

 

[Margie J]

I don't consider OKW far from much, except for maybe the AK. It's a very quick drive over to both Epcot and MGM. I often take the monorail from Epcot to MK. OKW is also very close to DD by car, bus or boat.

It's true that you can't walk to any park from OKW but with transportation choices it isn't a problem.

 

[Pkdcoastrs]

Stay at Old Key West!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My family are not DVC members but LOVED the resort and the bus system was PERFECT!

The resort is so laid back yet has so much to do!

Nice pool, tennis courts, basketball court, arcade...all very close to eachother!

 

[Pa@okw95]

If you call 11 months out you should not have any problem getting what you want at your home reosrt. I must say OKW is not for everyone, it is close to DD but that is about it. If you like the idea of walking to Epcot and MGM I would say forget OKW.

 

[KNWVIKING]

Being able to park in front of your room sure beats wondering out to remote parking lots. The only bus we'll ever take is to MK to avoid the TTC bottleneck. If you like dinning at other resorts, the combo of OKW and car makes that very easy.

 

[PamOKW]

Can you walk to any park (except DD) from OKW? No. Is it close to everything? Yes. Is it located somewhere near Jacksonville? NO! If you get in your car at the front door of BWV and drive to your front door at OKW, you are there in about 5 minutes (7 if you get some red lights). I'm guessing that if one DVC'er left their room at BWV on foot and another DVC'er took the bus from OKW to Epcot that they would probably arrive at the dancing fountain area at roughly the same time.

 

[KNWVIKING]

"I'm guessing that if one DVC'er left their room at BWV on foot and another DVC'er took the bus from OKW to Epcot that they would probably arrive at the dancing fountain area at roughly the same time."

But if we're meeting at the R&C for a brew, you've got some catching up to do ;-)

 

[Snowgod]

But if we're meeting at the R&C for a brew, you've got some catching up to do ;-)

In which case I would drive to BCV and valet park as a DVC member and walk with you.

 

[KNWVIKING]

"In which case I would drive to BCV and valet park as a DVC member and walk with you"


There ya go,that'll work. Course, it's a long walk back to OKW if the valet won't hand the keys over to a cross-eyed driver that's talking funny.

 

[Richyams]

But he walks home and you get a DUI.....

Ever know anyone who got a DUI in WDW?

The walking to Epcot thing is nice. All the choices of resturuants right downstairs or around the corner is very nice also.

I find the fifty paces to my car at OKW, five minutes to the valet anywhere and the few steps in, to be more convinient than hiking to the BW from my room and then having only a choice of those places in walking distance. From OKW I am five minutes from anywhere in the World.

 

[colleen costello]

One of the things we love about OKW location is that it is close to "offsite" eating and shopping. When we have a 2-bedroom we use the grocery stores, and we always eat at The Crossings a lot because it is so reasonable. We go to Olive Garden, Perkins, and Pizzeria Uno and they are so close. Also "right there" is Typhoon Lagoon, Port Orleans, and Downtown Disney. It just seems to us that at Disney, no matter where you stay, you are inevitably close to some things and far from others because the property is so large.

Try it once!

 

[disneydisneydoo]

We stayed in OKW for the first time in May. We ended up driving to each of the parks after the second day. We found the bus system to be quite slow due to the number of stops within the resort. On one occasion it took as an hour from the door to EPCOT, and on another nearly 45 minutes. If you don't mind using your car, and you like a very relaxed atmosphere, you should be fine at OKW.

 

[PamOKW]

On one occasion it took as an hour from the door to EPCOT, and on another nearly 45 minutes

I'm not sure what caused the problem. The general time frame for the bus rides is about 10 minutes to MGM or Epcot and about 20 minutes to MK. I think AK would run about 25 minutes. You have to add your "wait" time to that which shouldn't be more than 20 minutes and is generally much less. The bus service is comparable to any other WDW resort. While riding around to all the stops within OKW can make the trip seem like it will never get underway, the buses at all the other deluxes also make multiple stops, just at other hotels.

 

[Disney Doll]

Well, OKW is quite close to Epcot and DD. I, like some of the other posters, like the idea of my car being right there, so I can drive to whatever park I want, or to another resort for dinner or looking around, rather than having to wait for the bus. They do have bus service though, and we usually take that to go to the MK, as the bus drops you off so close to the park, as opposed to going in by car and taking the boat or monorail over.

My thing is, when I am on vacation, I really try not to rush anywhere. I try to keep everything at a nice casual pace, and plan far ahead enough to get to where I have to be in plenty of time, if I have a PS or tickets to a show that starts at a certain time. I'm happy, if I get somewhere early, to look around or people watch. I feeel like that I sopend so much time rushing around in my "real" life, that when I am on vacation, I hate that feeling of rushing.

 

[DeeP]

Compared to the other WDW DVC resorts and to all the other WDW deluxe resorts except AKL, OKW IS far away from everything. If you are used to the convenience and wonderful location at BWV and BCV or at any of the other Epcot resorts or MK resorts, you will most likely find the location of OKW to be much less than convenient.
I have to add, people talk about OKW and having a car there like it is the only WDW resort that you are allowed to have a car at! All the resorts allow their guests to have a car and venture off property or to other resorts, restaurants, etc. The only difference is at OKW you walk down the flights of steps in the heat, get your own car, wait for it to cool off and then you are on your way, at the other DVC and all the other deluxe resorts you pick up the phone, call the valet desk and then take the elevator down to your waiting car that has been pulled up right in front of the door and has been nicely cooled down for you. It is a very nice feature to have when you choose to use your car, at OKW you almost do not have a choice but to use a car due to the location and then you go through the above ritual every time you want your car. No thanks!
The parking lots in front of every building are always tooted as a OKW benefit, but I do not think you can get your car any closer or have it be any more convenient than having it pulled right up to the front door for you to just step into an air conditoned car, as all the deluxe resorts do for their guests, except OKW of course.

 

[spiceycat]

sometimes around lunch time - OKW Epcot bus is also the typoon lagoon bus - they expect members to be at the park and not want to leave - HA!

yes this bus can take alot longer - it goes from Epcot to the T/T then it goes to Typoon Lagoon then it goes to OKW - then back to the T/T then to Epcot - so it can take a long time - but this is only around the lunch hour 11:00 am to 2pm (I think are the times)

at this time of the day all WDW resorts buses are on different schedules - the bus drivers need to eat too - so they double up - that is not uncommon no matter where you stay - they just go to other different places.

now at evening times I have not noticed a different schedule - I don't know if the poor bus drivers don't get a dinner meal - or the schedule is better and not noticeable.

 

[Jimbo]

Only DeeP could find negatives in parking outside your front door at OKW.

I'll say that if it really is a "ritual," it's one we really enjoy participating in.

 

[DeeP]

Only DeeP could find negatives in parking outside your front door at OKW.

Compared to having a car, that has been cooled down, brought right up to the front door of the resort vs walking down outdoor hallways and steps in the heat to then get in a stifling car, which hopefully you were able to get a spot in front of your building if not the walk in the heat is further, then once you get to the car you now have to wait for it to cool down before going.......... YES it is negative!

 

[Jimbo]

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?

At OKW, I can hop in my car and be anywhere at WDW in a couple of minutes. And I don't need to tip anybody for the privilege. I could give one of the kids a dollar to start it for me, if I wanted the A/C to be running when I got into the car. But so far, it hasn't been a problem.

I'm sorry, but your argument doesn't make any sense.