We got our waitlist...oh no..

[DisneyDebRob]

Hi all,

I am in deep trouble and need your help.
My wife debra and I will be in wdw from nov.22nd to dec.6th.We can't wait for our annual holiday trip and this time it will be for 2 weeks!
We had AKL for the first week and VWL for the second.Two drop dead hotels for the holiday season.Anyway,in discussing that we should try another hotel this trip for this trip for one of the weeks,we decided to put in a waitlist for the first week(AKL) since we stayed there last year.WE also discussed how the epcot hotels would be a great change since we have never stayed at any of them.I put in a waitlist for BW and also included OKW since we have never stayed there either.Figuring if one came in,we would be staying somewhere new for the first week we are there.I didn't discuss the change(trying for OKW instead of BC and BW) with her. I thought I did..but after telling her today that we got OKW for the first week,I guess I was mistaken.She thought and rightfully so that I was going to JUST put in for the epcot resorts.I was happy to get OKW because it is somewhere new and from what I have read on the boards,people love it.She has heard from someone that it wasn't that nice.Now we both have never stayed there,been there to look around or know a whole lot about it.
I need help.She is upset that we lost the AKL and I need to do something.I have already called and put it back on the waitlist.In the meantime,I need anyone,that can tell me how great OKW is and why we will enjoy it.I plan on printing any responses out and showing her them..with some flowers.. so she can feel better about it.Thanks so much!!I am in hot water and need help!

 

[haleofafamily]

OKW was my DH's 1st DVC resort to try and he loved it so much he was nervous to try anything else.
It is the most peaceful and quiet resort we have stayed at. The villas are huge compared to other WDW villas. The resort has a mature feeling to it, but my kids loved it too. We felt like we had 2 vacations in one - the hustle and excitement of the parks, then the rest and relaxation of the resort.
As for transportation - only waited a while once then went to tell someone and they drove us to the park in the hotel van. (I think transportation is hit or miss with any resort). I have read some reports of age affecting the resort - we did not have a problem with this.
Advice - request a room close to the first bus stop like building 23, 26, 27, 28, 29.

 

[Granny]

In the meantime,I need anyone,that can tell me how great OKW is and why we will enjoy it.

I hope you have a lot of paper. Here's over 600 posts on what is great about OKW!!

OKW Lovers Thread


Don't forget you can always visit resorts during your stay...it's not like you can't enjoy them even if you're not staying there. We found resort hopping to be great when all the decorations were up!

 

[abeyst]

I'm shocked they let you waitlist at 3 hotels! Good for you!

I won't post again about OKW, cause I think I"m in the OKW Lovers Thread , but I just wanted to point out that OKW and VWL will be a nice contrast, whereas AKV and VWL are similar. That should be something to look forward to for the Mrs.!!

You can always waitlist for the Epcot resorts and if it comes through-great! If not, OKW is a very nice place. We've had good luck waitlisting in the past at BCV (although you don't say what size accomodations you're in). If it comes through-all is good! If not I'm sure you will enjoy an OKW stay. If all else fails, deliver a nice basket to the room for her before you get there!

Just a small comment abour our latest trip: We were at AKV-Kidani last week, and loved it! But I found the music around the resort/pool annoying, and after about 20 minutes I'd say "Man, I'd love to have some OKW Caribbean Music playing right now." Just goes to show you that regardless of where you stay, there is something unique to that resort that you will always like and remember.

Enjoy your trip! I wish I was going for 2 weeks!

 

[deej696]

I would just call in the morning and see if you can change it back. Trust me, I feel for your situation, as there are tons of times where I am convinced I told my wife about something, and as it turns out I did not

 

[tecodis]

Yes, OKW is a bit dated as far as the room decor goes. Not bad but just don't expect everything to be fresh like Kidani. The other major difference from most other DVC resorts is the fact that there are no inside hallways (similar to SSR).

I like OKW actually better than the Epcot resorts except for their locations. I find the Epcots resorts are cookie cutter design room layouts and OKW is quite unique much like Kidani and BLT are unique. I appreciate that factor.

Go with your waitlists - the Mrs. needs to be happy. If you have no success, don't fret - OKW isn't that bad if you aren't expecting the Taj Mahal.

Give your wife a big - she'll feel better.

 

[supersuperwendy]

I say it must be meant to be! I bet she will have a magical time at OKW! I persoanlly love the DTD resorts. It think it's great in the evenings!

 

[thelionqueen]

OKW is one of our absolute FAVORITE DVC's!!! I would choose OKW over AKV every single time, you will have a GREAT time and enjoy the extra room and peaceful surroundings. So jealous!

 

[pamjb]

I can't speak for Christmas time, but we have just gotten back from 2 trips to OKW. In June, we stayed in a 3 br Grand Villa. It was wonderful. A few weeks ago, we took a quick weekend trip at stayed in a Studio at OKW. Again, beautiful. The rooms are big, even the studio.
At first I was leery about OKW, too. I heard about the bus problems, the rooms are old, resort is so big, etc. We did rent a car in June and only used it the day we went to the water park. Otherwise, we never waited more than 15 minutes for any bus. Our studio in July was right across the street from Hospitatlity House. Because we were only there for a weekend, time was of the essence, so we used our rental car the entire weekend.
The studio could use some updating, but I couldn't get over how much room we had.
You could always take a night off and walk around the Epcot resorts. You definitely what to check out those decorations.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Last Dec. we did a split stay between OKW and BCV. We loved both and in a way it felt like two separate vacations. OKW will be different b/c it is condo style but wow - those rooms!!!!! And that balcony!!!!! Actually, you didn't say what size room your in, but if it's a 1BR or greater you are going to be shocked and pleased.

Here are a couple of pictures from around the resort - the Christmas decorations are more subtle and tropical, but still very nice. You'll find lots of guests who have put decorations out on their decks that you'll get to see on the boat ride to DTD.

 

[loveswdw]

We own at the BCV and have stayed there during the Christmas season. It was really nice...but we LOVE LOVE LOVE OKW too! We've never stayed there during Christmas but we stay there A LOT in other seasons. In fact, we'll be going back to OKW next May/June. The choice for us--BCV or OKW? Unless its F&W Fest time we stay at OKW. The villas are HUGE (especially compared to BCV) and the points are a lot lower. Gotta love that! More trips for us!

 

[Alexander]

I was just given the opportunity to stay at the Bonnet Creek Resort in a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom villa--leather furnishings, marble counter tops, really, really beautiful resort for 7 nights for $525. I turned it down because I cannot give up my OKW reservation.

I don't what more to say...I love OKW...it is not our home resort, but we spend a great deal of time there. I love the theme, laid-back, muted pastel colors, overgrown vegetation, small buildings. Granted this is very different from the darker, more rustic themes of VWL and AKV that are absolutely beautiful too, but I feel so relaxed at OKW. It truly feels like home.

I have professed many times that I would be happy to live in an OKW 1 bedroom villa.

 

[Greysword]

Makes sure to reiterate that OKW is a DTD resort, and access to Downtown is easy via the boat. You could even take the walk one evening. Maybe some Cirque tickets are in order?

 

[DisneyDebRob]

I want to thank everyone for making me feel so much better.I am sure once she see's all the love for this place,she will feel much better!We love quiet resorts so it sounds like this is a can't miss!By the way,it will be a studi at OKW then over to VWL for a one bedroom.Thanks again and on to the printing of these responses!

 

[lazydazy8]

I know you are getting plenty of positive remarks about OKW, but I just wanted to chime in again on how wonderful our OKW vacation was last October.

It was so quiet and so peaceful. It was our most relaxing WDW vacation, yet. We loved getting Jimmy Buffet to veg out with on the transportation! We loved the wildlife (plenty of happy little lizards and beautiful birds around). Our one bedroom was larger than our first condo together.

We are not really Downtown Disney people, but LOVED how handy it was to shoot down there, even for just an hour and a snack.

You both are going to love it. You can do one of the EPCOT resorts next trip!

 

[kaitlyn0616]

I'm shocked they let you waitlist at 3 hotels! Good for you!

I won't post again about OKW, cause I think I"m in the OKW Lovers Thread , but I just wanted to point out that OKW and VWL will be a nice contrast, whereas AKV and VWL are similar. That should be something to look forward to for the Mrs.!!

You can always waitlist for the Epcot resorts and if it comes through-great! If not, OKW is a very nice place. We've had good luck waitlisting in the past at BCV (although you don't say what size accomodations you're in). If it comes through-all is good! If not I'm sure you will enjoy an OKW stay. If all else fails, deliver a nice basket to the room for her before you get there!

Just a small comment abour our latest trip: We were at AKV-Kidani last week, and loved it! But I found the music around the resort/pool annoying, and after about 20 minutes I'd say "Man, I'd love to have some OKW Caribbean Music playing right now." Just goes to show you that regardless of where you stay, there is something unique to that resort that you will always like and remember.

Enjoy your trip! I wish I was going for 2 weeks!

I remember that music lol

 

[LisaS]

We love the 1BRs at OKW. They are huge and really feel like a vacation home. If we were staying in a studio however we wouldn't stay at OKW because the studios there have two queen beds. We prefer the studio layout at the other resorts that have one queen bed and a sofa. It makes the room feel more open and we like having a sofa in the room.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I think you ought to try a waitlist for an OKW 1BR so you really see what the big deal is about staying there!

 

[magicaldisney]

Well, here's our feeling on OKW!! We own at AKV and just got back from a weeks stay. We have a grand villa reserved for January at AKV and as soon as we got back I called and put us on the waitlist for the grand villa at OKW!!

Don't get me wrong, AKV was very nice, but OKW is awesome.

 

[La2kw]

Hi all,

I am in deep trouble and need your help.
My wife debra and I will be in wdw from nov.22nd to dec.6th.We can't wait for our annual holiday trip and this time it will be for 2 weeks!
We had AKL for the first week and VWL for the second.Two drop dead hotels for the holiday season.Anyway,in discussing that we should try another hotel this trip for this trip for one of the weeks,we decided to put in a waitlist for the first week(AKL) since we stayed there last year.WE also discussed how the epcot hotels would be a great change since we have never stayed at any of them.I put in a waitlist for BW and also included OKW since we have never stayed there either.Figuring if one came in,we would be staying somewhere new for the first week we are there.I didn't discuss the change(trying for OKW instead of BC and BW) with her. I thought I did..but after telling her today that we got OKW for the first week,I guess I was mistaken.She thought and rightfully so that I was going to JUST put in for the epcot resorts.I was happy to get OKW because it is somewhere new and from what I have read on the boards,people love it.She has heard from someone that it wasn't that nice.Now we both have never stayed there,been there to look around or know a whole lot about it.
I need help.She is upset that we lost the AKL and I need to do something.I have already called and put it back on the waitlist.In the meantime,I need anyone,that can tell me how great OKW is and why we will enjoy it.I plan on printing any responses out and showing her them..with some flowers.. so she can feel better about it.Thanks so much!!I am in hot water and need help!

I would much rather stay at OKW than AKV. It's much calmer, and feels like a neighborhood. Here's some pics of it dressed up for the holidays.

The decorations here are very bright and tropical.

See the fish?

Lobby tree.

Tree inside Olivia's lobby.

Even Conch Flats General Store isn't left out.

Good's Food's to Go.

Community Hall.