What are my chances of getting my choice of rooms at OKW if I check in early...

[MermaidJan]

I am stay at All Star Music Saturday but checking into OKW Sunday.

If I check in around 8-ish will my chances of getting my request be better. I want a first floor room as close to the main pool as possible.

I figured that rooms are assigned first come first serve.

I don't care if I can't get in my room till late afternoon either.

What do you think my chances are??

 

[bobbiwoz]

We've checked into OKW early twice, once on a Saturday (one October)and once on a Sunday (this June) and both times, it looked as if there was a choice of rooms and we were thrilled that the rooms were ready.

If you can go by that, your chances are good.

Bobbi

 

[Connears]

We usually check-in to OKW around 1pm and have always had a choice of villas. We only request non-smoking usually, but last christmas we needed 1st floor or elevator building so we thought we would not get a choice, but we had a choice of 3 that were ready at 1pm. We have always been lucky at OKW and also had the same early check-in at BCV twice.
Connears

 

[dianeschlicht]

We have been members for nearly 10 years and have stayed at OKW more times than I can remember, and I have NEVER been given a choice! Could that be because I request Non-smoking for medical reasons?

 

[Gymbomom]

We have never been given a choice. I think the biggest plus for checking in early is not too stand in that LONG Sunday line!!!!!!!

 

[patsal]

I was given a choice once in the seven times I've stayed there. I have found OKW the best in blocking out the room based on requests, we always have non-smoking med reasons for my son. I have checked in at 9am and had to wait for my assigned room to be cleaned. But I would much rather check in early and avoid the long line at traditional check in time!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Here are your chances:

8 am - 80%
10 am - 60%
12 noon - 40%
2pm - 20%
4pm - 0%

Go Early! What do you have to lose?

 

[bobbiwoz]

I see that you are asking for your "choice of rooms." We were not asked to pick a room, we were asked some general questions. Non smoking and first floor or elevator building is what we request.

I distinctly remember the first time the CM had a twinkle in her eye and said "I'll pick you a good one." Now, we LOVED that room, and DH and I raved about that stay. Someone on the DIS had complained about the view/room, so really views, expectations are soooo subjective. I would take that studio, building 63 ( I think, the one without it's own parking lot), 3rd floor again in a heartbeat.

Bobbi

 

[MermaidJan]

All I really want is to be close to the Main pool.

My DS loves to swim and the slides. I would hate to have to take the shuttle bus everytime. I think we spend more time at the pool then in the parks.

 

[jjohns]

The 'trick' (if there is such a thing) to room requests is to know what is really important to you and what is not... Checking in earlier will almost certainly give you more choice than checking in later, but only if you let the CM know what really matters to you.

Be friendly with the CM, and make sure they understand your desires - in your case, proximity to Hospitality House and the main pool might be most important, so make sure they know and they should be able to give you a couple choices.

FYI - We recently (end of August) were switching resorts over to OKW on a Sunday and wanted the same thing as you. I went over to the resort early (7 am) to get checked in while the rest of the family did their morning stuff. The CM found several choices that met my main requirements (near Hospitality House and non-smoking) - one on ground, one on second floor, a couple different buildings.

We ended up in Building 24, second floor - it was great. Away from the road and bus noise, only a couple minute walk over the bridge and to the pool, and it was the first stop when returning from a park. I would highly recommend this area...

Jeff

 

[MermaidJan]

We ended up in Building 24, second floor - it was great. Away from the road and bus noise, only a couple minute walk over the bridge and to the pool, and it was the first stop when returning from a park. I would highly recommend this area...

Jeff

Jeff - Thanks so much for the advice.

I try to always be as kind as possible when dealing with CM. They are just doing their job and I appreciate how hard it is.

I was thinking about trying to get a room in the 23 thru 26. I looks like a good area.

Does anyone if there is playground in that area?

 

[MiaSRN62]

We checked in around 11:30 am on Sun, Aug 13. There were about 5-6 parties ahead of me. My requests were N/S and "water view". Had a choice of 3 rooms and got right in to #34 before noon. Good luck.
Now I will say, this was the only year I've gotten a room this early at any DVC resort. Last year we didn't get into our room until 5 pm (I had the same requests). Bldg 45 was worth the wait though. In 2004, we got our room in #62 right at 4 pm. Same with BWV in 2003---we had checked in at 3pm got in around 5 pm. They were having a big electrical problem that day though.

 

[vascubaguy]

Hrmm... well this isn't good news! I mean we were originally going to be arriving mid-day on Sunday, but we switched flights and added a Saturday night stay at OKW, but we won't be checking in until late Saturday evening (probably 8-9pm)... I had asked for upper floor, non-smoking. maybe it'll happen... I mean no one is crazy enough to stay at a DVC on the weekends, right?!

 

[FOTM_Ring_Bearer]

We checked in on Sunday,July 9th this year. We had a choice of 3 rooms already available. The CM was great, she pointed us to the one that best fit our needs and it was perfect. We were in building 46, first floor, water view and short walk to bus stop.

 

[DisneylandGuy22]

I'm at OKW right now...

When I checked in on the 18th at around 2pm I had my choice of 7 different buildings that had rooms ready. I had luck with getting a Studio with a golf course view in building 14 right accross from the main building.

 

[pickles]

We checked in Sept 10th and the girl was very helpful, she showed us the map and what fit based on our requests. We had a wonderful stay in building 63 and hope to be there again.
I really was much more impressed with the staff at OKW than i was with those at VWL(we had stayed there first) They were nice and helpful, just not above and beyond as the OKW folks were. So, I bet if there is availability you will get what you request!

 

[KristinU]

OK, based on this thread I have a question...sorry to get a little OT...

We're headed down tomorrow and staying at Pop Century tomorrow night and checking in to OKW on Sunday. We have the dining plan and are meeting up with my parents who live in Ft. Myers...so no telling exactly when they'll get there (my dad can be, um, pokey )

So I was planning on DH, DS, and I checking in before my parents arrive anyway. But can just one of us run over and check in right away in the morning while the other stays at Pop and takes DS swimming etc?

I've heard of issues where all members of the party need to be at check in for the dining plan, but I think the big deal with that is free dining. We're paying ours so I'm thinking this might not be a big deal, or maybe that we can just go and take care of that piece later when my parents arrive if it is a big deal.

What do you all think?

 

[PrincessJasmine08]

I think you're exactly right. The only issue with all members needing to be there is when the dining plan is free. You won't have a problem, I can't think of any time that all members of my party have been present at check-in. Usually one or two of us go in while the rest wait in the car. Have fun!!

 

[OneMoreTry]

I am stay at All Star Music Saturday but checking into OKW Sunday.

If I check in around 8-ish will my chances of getting my request be better. I want a first floor room as close to the main pool as possible.

I figured that rooms are assigned first come first serve.

I don't care if I can't get in my room till late afternoon either.

What do you think my chances are??

At OKW we get there at around 11 or 12. We are told: your assigned room isn't ready, but you can take one of these [map shown with rooms circled] instead right now. We've always found the immediately available rooms acceptable and meeting all our requests. We've never waited and have always been satisfied.

I never got the impression that it was decided on a strictly first come first serve basis. Rather wait for your room or take what's available NOW. In that case 8 am would be no better than 11 -- and possibly less desirable as none of the occupied rooms would be cleaned by then.

At BCV and BWV we simply had to wait on the assigned room. At HH we had to choose from what was available on arrival or take what they would assign later. I have been told by at least 4 different CMs at HH that they DON'T preassign rooms unless someone simply feels like going through the requests that AM which would only happen on a VERY slow day where there is nothing else to do. (Handicap access requests excepted.)

 

[MermaidJan]

Well, I head over to OKW at 8:30 am. I was told by the CM that there was a room available in Bldg 28 on the second floor. It was about a 3 minute walk from the main pool. I really didn't want to be on the second floor but it was ready and close to the pool.

I am glad that we did during the afternoon by the pool we met people who were waiting for a room since 10 am. It was after 4 pm. They just want a room and didn't care where it was. I saw them finally walking to a room around 5:30 pm.