to the OKW lovers (or haters actually)

[fizz13]

hi guys, looking to stay at OKW our next trip. it's not a resort I've visited before or familiar with. just had a look at some you tube videos & love the look of the 1 bed villas, feel seems relaxed. my hesitation is it looks like a huge resort, buildings across a road even? so worried about bus overcrowding or being in walking distance to bus stops/ hospitality house, plus there seems to be a lack of Mickey. obviously I'm going purely by videos & the lack of Mickey May be a plus for some of you as a break from the parks.
so I'm curious to get some British perspective on OKW really. too big and spread out? crowded buses? undisney like? or am I way off? hope so.
also food options: did you find them limited? say you come in from the parks and want to grab a hot counter service meal, are the choices good?

I think I'm asking for the brutal truth here, any reasons why I wouldn't love it, I will be booking OKW regardless but I'd rather know the full story. what should I know?
thanks everyone

 

[arieliwish]

We went this August and it didn't feel as big as CBR where we've stayed before, although maybe that was just us. We were on Millars Road and were about 5 mins walk to the Hospitality House. The main area was small and never felt crowded. Olivia's restaurant was very good, we had breakfast and lunch in there, it is a table service credit on DDP, with the best steak DS has ever had - he's 15 lol!

The shop was fine and had a mix of groceries, clothes and gifts. The bar was very small and we didn't use it, and the counter service is just a counter by the river with outside tables. We bought stuff here a few times and the quality was really good. The wraps were huge and tasty.

We felt it was a very laid back resort, not as in your face as some Disney resorts, and the quiet pool near our room was rarely busy so great to relax there. Unbelievably handy for Epcot, literally 5 mins drive, with the studios, MK, and downtown disney not much further. Parking was at each building so very close to the rooms.

We will stay here again next time and the only thing I would change is the counter service, it would have been nice to have an indoor seating area and later opening times. We used the one at SSR, with plenty of indoor seating and nice setting, and really enjoyed it.

 

[Elise79]

We love OKW and have stayed 3 times and have booked again next summer it has a lovely laid back vibe. It's themed to Key West and isn't very Mickey but it's not something we miss.

Yes it is a big resort and it feels more like a community than a resort as all the buildings are along the roads. Again the community feel is something we love!

We have stayed in all if the outer sections. Millers Road this year was our favourite. Under 10 minutes to HH and we were in the second to last building. Turtle Pond Rd was just about 10 minutes walk to HH and was an OK area. South Point was a 15 minute walk and just to far.

The CS food is basically a walk up window with very limited options. The seating is half a dozen picnic benches. They will pack your food up to go so you can take it back to your room.

We are wowed by Olivas either - not bad just not amazing. It's ok if you want a TS without travelling.

The gurgling suitcase makes a good cocktail

All sections have a bus stop and there is the boat to DTD from HH. We have a car so only use the buses to MK never been crowded and not had excessive waits.

The other thing DD loves is they make things with modelling balloons in the check in building - they made DD a flower in her choice of colours one afternoon. They always have flowers, swords & dogs.

 

[bigskip]

We popped into OKW on the DME on our way home. I was shocked to see someone driving to the hospitality house to fill mugs up, it looks like it's way too big for my tastes.

Note - i have not stayed at the resort - the above has put me off booking it for next year - we are back to POFQ

 

[peajay18]

We stayed at OKW for the first time last year and are happy to go back next April.
If you put in the research and request a suitable location for you (we like Millers, building 18) then it is a lovely, relaxing resort.
The service was great everywhere, the buses never crowded (I think because it's DVC and the ample parking that's available right by your villa that a lot of people drive).
The boat ride to DTD is a great way to travel.

The only downsides I can come up with are the relative simplicity of its counter service and perhaps the lack of overt-Disney themeing.
Plus, I guess it's possible to be in a building that's too far away for your needs. but everyone will have different requirements.

I'd stay here every time, if we could afford it!

 

[Elise79]

We popped into OKW on the DME on our way home. I was shocked to see someone driving to the hospitality house to fill mugs up, it looks like it's way too big for my tastes.

Note - i have not stayed at the resort - the above has put me off booking it for next year - we are back to POFQ

That's not uncommon along with people driving to use the main pool.

We do not bother with the mugs (even when we get them free) as the beauty of having a one bedroom villa is you have a full sized fridge and freezer with ice maker We buy a few bottle of coke etc at the supermarket and they are then always on hand when we want them

Oh and Claire you won't beat the space in those 1 bedrooms they are only a tiny bit smaller than a 2 bedroom at SSR

 

[MrRomance]

I'll start with a disclaimer and say that we have never stayed at OKW but we have stayed at SSR (next door) and have visited OKW.

Both OKW and SSR are large DVC resorts. There is no escaping that fact. Having said that, the accommodation is larger and the facilities are great. We have stayed at several Disney Resorts and genuinely prefer the DVC offerings.

They are not "Disney" but for us that is a welcome break from it. They are quiet, peaceful resorts with good sized accommodation and DTD on your door step.

On the negative side, the quick service options are really limited and often complained about. The reason for that is the DVC resorts are (in the main) designed for self catering. The villas all have a kitchen of sorts, with studios having a kitchenette and the 1, 2 & 3 beds having full equipped kitchens. When you book them in the capacity of a "hotel" with the dining plan, you're kinda outside of their remit so the quick service options are not as good as they would be in a hotel resort.

On the positive side, you have space and facilities that you just don't get at hotel resorts. Bus services in our experience are much better than you'd get at a moderate hotel.

I wouldn't have any hesitation in recommending OKW or SSR over a moderate hotel (which is in the same kind of price range)

 

[Disneymad]

The thing to bear in mind with OKW is that it was the original DVC property and the concept of it being 'Home from Home' is stronger than any of the other DVC resorts built since.

That means less Mickey (in comparison to other resorts at least, he's still there ) but more character. Less commercialism and more community spirit. More chance of being recognised by a Cast Member you met last year etc etc. because many of them have worked there for years too. If you go to Olivia's you will see walls and walls of family pictures who own at OKW.

It was also built with the expectations that people, in their 'Home from Home' would treat it exactly like that rather than just a big hotel room. Olivia's restaurant is very good, but OKW's Counter Service (though you can barely call it that, it's mostly just to accommodate people who want to eat while at the pool) is bad, mainly because it was assumed most people who don't want to eat at a sit down restaurant would just whip something up in their kitchen.

It's a large resort and takes probably 10 mins tops to walk to Hospitality House from the furthest parts of the resort, but there are also internal buses (albeit you'd probably wait longer for one that it would take to walk!) if you don't want to do the walk. Obviously you can request a location though and there is even a booking category for Nr Hospitality House.

I love OKW, it's a beautiful and charismatic resort and the units are much bigger than at the other DVC resorts. But the ideology of them being 'Villas' is more literal, guests there tend to be a bit more independent minded rather than willing pawns of the Mouse so if you're looking for the full blown Disney WOW experience then a different resort would probably be a better choice.

Think of it more as an offsite villa complex that just happens to be onsite (Well, kinda!)

 

[pampat]

For us, the beauty of owning at OKW was being able to leave the madness of the parks and Downtown behind - drive through the gates and you are in an oasis of calm. We sold our DVC points and wish we could afford to stay there again, as we really miss it, but sadly, it is waaaay beyond our budget now that we are retired.

Pam

 

[marcgiu]

we have stayed there around 8 times and love it - its very relaxed and has a real "welcome home" feel (for example it seems to have great staff retention so we see the same faces 10 years on)

We are giving SS a go next Feb but I would highly recommend OKW.

One piece of advice (and I think someone else covered it) - try and get a room near the Hospitality House , the resort is large.

 

[fizz13]

ok! there is a common theme in the replies & I get it now, it's not supposed to be an immersive Disney resort & if I treat it as if I was staying in an apartment/villa offsite but with the perk of transportation & free dining I will be happy.
I'm not sure why I was stressing about the size as we will have a car anyway, and with a car if not happy with a quick service counter here what's to stop me going anywhere else, I can stock up with breakfast supplies etc at publix. but you all overwhelmingly love the feel of OKW and that speaks volumes.
I'm feeling much more at peace now. in truth, I'm the only one in my family that loves the big over the top disney feel 24/7 & they will probably love having a break from it.
thanks everyone

 

[dixonsontour]

We've stayed twice and loved it.

Stayed down at turtle pond pool area - you can get drink refills 11-5 and some snacks from the pool bar.

 

[Disneymad]

in truth, I'm the only one in my family that loves the big over the top disney feel 24/7 & they will probably love having a break from it.

Fear not, Mickey is still firmly at OKW - but just in a more understated way. I'm sure you'll love it

 

[Shazzie B]

I agree with what others have said re 'community feel' etc, however I don't think any of the moderates or deluxes are particularly 'Disney' themed anyway. We loved OKW this year with DD18 & DS20 as it gave us loads of space, loved having machine & dryer too. I can remember thinking I probably wouldn't have enjoyed it so much with young children - pushchair ages - unless you could guarantee being near HH. We were in the Turtle Pond area and used the quiet pool if at pool for upto 2 hours as too far to main pool for quik swim. We did go up to the main pool a couple of times & walked or used buses depending on how we felt.

We used buses to all parks as didn't have a car, didn't have any probs with overcrowding at OKW all (nightmare trip from Boardwalk Inn to DTD). I would say we took aprox 24 trips between OKW & parks (including reverse trips) About 5 times bus virtually straight away-with 5 mins, 3 times waited ages -30mins + rest about 10 mins max. 1st long wait was a really slow driver - so suspect that was cause, 2nd was strange issue with AK bus insisting he didn't go to BB (all the others we saw/used did so assume driver error) 3rd was return from TL at about 1:45pm on our last day so that felt quite stressful even though we had allowed plenty of time. Boat to DTD was great and runs on a 20 min schedule so you know exactly when which is handy for ADRS

I read a couple of 'negative' points before our trip;
Poor Counter Service
Yes only a 'serving hatch' with outside seating, and a bit slow, but we used for lunch a couple of times and food was good - usual CS type fare - not extensive choice. I wouldn't have wanted to use it every day but OK for odd meal.

Retirement Home Feel
I read quite a negative review about this, but it didn't bother us a bit. We went to the quiet pool one day and there were numerous 'older' couples there who clearly knew each as regular visitors rather than travelling together, but it was a nice friendly atmosphere and we didn't feel awkward at all, couple of young kids being noisy/splashy in pool as they do but no-one complained or anything like that. So I could kind of 'get' why the reviewer was coming, assumed they were a 'young' couple without kids and wanted a bit more action.

Our kids found the sofa & chairbed really comfortable & room is big enough to leave out as beds during the day rather than keep re-making. Only gripe they had was TV sits in quite a low cabinet & DD couldn't watch it from her bed (Chairbed) Teenagers !!!

We're thinking of going back to OKW in 2015 as DH enjoyed so much (before this trip he felt he wanted a break from Disney hols). We'll have a car on that trip so parking near villa will be a real asset too.

Enjoy whatever you decide

 

[jen_uk]

I'm one of the few that hated it there We stayed in a room that was a long way from main resort area, if we wanted a drink we had to drive there which seemed crazy. The quick service food options were very limited as well. Our room was old and the air con kept breaking, the internet didn't work either We stayed there after spending the first 10 nights at AKL and it just felt like such a let down after that

 

[wayneg]

Stayed there 4 times and would again if it wasn't out of my price range.
Rooms were all given a refurb about 2 year ago.
Even when staying there 21 nights we only visit the HH to check in and collect tickets. For QS food we drive elsewhere POR & POFQ are 2 mins away with far better options. Never been into the soda mugs, even when free we still refer to buy bottled, they only cost $1.38 (or less if on offer) at Walmart for 2L. The machines dispense second grade soda IMO. Also never use the main pool, we prefer to be on Millers Rd with the smaller pool.
DVC is not for us but if it was then OKW would be the resort we bought.

 

[fizz13]

thank you for all the replies, it's building up a really good picture of what to expect, good or bad

 

[Cyrano]

Hi Claire, we have stated at OKW the last 2 years and love it.
Our preference; although I know a lot of folks like Turtle Rd, is building 62 near Hospitality House.

Great that you can watch Illuminations from the resort and the shuttle boat to DTD is a great bonus

The In-laws and Grandparents were with us this year and they all gave it rave reviews

 

[magicgirl]

My balcony at Turtle Pond was my idea of heaven. We didn't use our mugs but stocked up on drinks at Walmart.

 

[disneyholic family]

we love OKW...
with a car, our favorite building is 55..

without a car, i would prefer being in one of the buildings near the hospitality house...buildings 62, 63, and 64 are the only buildings at OKW with elevators, but that's not really a deal breaker for us...
i also like 11, 12 and 13 that are near hospitality house ...

when we stay there, we take a 2 bedroom....absolutely HUGE!! 1300 square feet and more closet space than i have at home...and a much nicer laundry room than i have at home!!