What is not to miss at OKW?

[twinmom108]

We are going to OKW in October for the 2nd time. Our 1st time @ OKW was in Sept 2001 for 5 nights including 9/11. We were so much into the parks back then that we didn't take time exploring the resort.

We want to make sure we explore OKW this time, so we need our disboard friends who love OKW to help us out. Thanks in advance! Please let us know what the absolutely not to miss things about OKW are.

Disney Dreamin'
Sharon

 

[heathers4um]

I havent been yet myself, although it is our 'home'...

we chose OKW due to the laid back nature, lush vegetation and the historical character - it was the 1st DVC property!

We are new englanders and wanted a totally differnt themeing and this one sounds perfect for us. First trip 'home' as OKW'ers in 95 days!

Waiting on answers too, although my guess would be soaking up the atmosphere Jimmy Buffet style at the Gurgling Suitcase!

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Please let us know what the absolutely not to miss things about OKW are.

OKW is my favorite resort. These are my personal favorite things that my family enjoys at OKW. After 50 trips to Disney, the resort and its amenities is now more important than the theme parks. I love to walk so I usually start my OKW day with a long walk around the property/golf course. The lush landscaping and the wildlife make it interesting, I always bring my camera. I get back just in time to shower, have a quiet cup fo coffee on the balcony before the rest of the brood rises!

We rent bicycles in the winter months, and almost always include a boat rental. My son loves to ride the boats and see the other properties like SSR, the Treehouses etc.

Vacation is family time so we do incorporate a little of what each of us likes to do. We love movies so we make a night of it and take the boat from OKW into DTD, sometimes it's dinner and a movie and a wonderful night time boat ride back to OKW, sometimes it's a movie and dessert at Giardelli's.

The main OKW pool has a wonderful slide that the kids don't seem to ever get tired of, so we do spend quite a bit of time there. The Guirgling Suitcase serves up tasty pina coladas!

The resort lends itself to a more relaxing time, we love having dinner out on the balcony. We often reserve a villa by a quiet pool where the bbq grills are, we take the steaks, cocktails (if so inclined), appetizers and let the kids swim while we grill and just chill out.

My son has taken up tennis so he and I usually play a couple of times. He and his buddies will go and shoot hoops or play ping pong as well. The beauty of 13/14 year olds is that they don't have to have constant supervision.

Don't forget to check out Olivia's, it's our traditional arrival night dining place, the food is good, the ambiance casual and tropical. They also make a darn good turkey sandwich for lunch and the key lime pie is to fantastic.

Our favorite villas are in Bldng. 15, 45, 46, and 55. We are going in November, and I can't wait. Hopefully you'll get a refurb. villa in October! Good luck.

 

[BeesKnees]

OKW sits on the best boating waterway at Disney. It is a quiet river that is so relaxing. Then it opens up at Downtown to give you that bit of a lake feeling. It is be the best of both experiences.

If you don't have any boating experience don't worry it is super easy and the CMs will give you all the direction you need.

 

[rentayenta]

Olivia's! Laid back with great food. Also the main pool is really neat for kids and they put on a fun pool party.

 

[DizGirl20]

I don't remember the exact name of it (I am sure someone else will!) but Olivia's serves the most amazing pineapple-coconut bread! Oh I could go for a few pieces right about now!

 

[dianeschlicht]

My favorite OKW pastime is just sitting out on the huge balcony (assuming a 1,2 or 3 bedroom villa here) and having a cup of coffee watching the sun rise or set. Our favorite villas are in buildings 45, 46, 55, 15, 16, and 20. LOVE the view from those first 3 especially!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Rent a surrey bike and bike around the resort. It's so pretty and, very important, flat. Go out and visit the bunnies and ducks. Well, actually, you probably won't have to go far for the ducks. Often we've seen them waddling right up to the first floor balconies looking for hand-outs.

 

[adminjedi]

We have never stayed at OKW -
good question and good answers. Thanks!

 

[dopeygirl76]

We have stayed at OKW twice and my DD6 LOVES that slide - she my DH, DNephew and DBIL spent MANY hours on it this past April!!!

Those balconies are amazing - DHs favorite - especially in the evening!!!

Community Hall - We all enjoyed a nice break from the heat just coloring together and plaing air-hockey!!!

 

[Candy Orlando]

Go to the Hospitality House, walk past the slide and play area to the wooden deck. I love that spot. I love watching the boats go past the row of palm trees. There is a campfire there. Ask the CM at the Community Hall about the smores campfires.

 

[heathers4um]

I have to say that this is making me wish I had stuck to my more relaxed itinerary so we could spend more time at 'home'. Back to the drawing board?

 

[twinmom108]

Wow these are wonderful ideas We are staying in a studio so I'm not sure that the patio/balcony will be very big. Is there still table & chairs out on a studio patio?

I am anxious to try the slide since it wasn't built when we stayed there in Sept 2001. Had my first Pina Colada on the Disney Wonder just this year so I can't wait to try one @ the Gurgling Suitcase. I laughed @ the Surrey Bike suggestion because I remember I did that @ the BWV with 1 DS in 2007 & we barely made it up the hills over the canal . I liked that you said OKW was level may reconsider doing it. We definitely want to take the boat to Downtown Disney.

I'm really looking forward to staying at OKW again. Please keep the ideas coming!!

Disney Dreamin'
Sharon

 

[mickey&minniealways]

When you check in their is a list of activities. There is a sauna on the property. ( It's in the lighthouse, or used to be anyway). But there is just something about the place. You come back from the craziness of the parks and its like you are in another world. It is just so relaxing and peaceful. It all starts when you arrive at the HH and hear the music. It just puts you in the rieght mood. So my best advice is while you are there to just be. I hope that makes sense.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

After reading all these posts I think I will stay with OKW. Beautiful resort, beautiful rooms, nice bus system, Boat ride to DTD is so nice. AND THE ROOMS ARE HUGE.

 

[mickey&minniealways]

Okay this was weird. I was just on another thread and my post went back to this one. Oh well. It still fits.

 

[dmoore22]

Wow these are wonderful ideas We are staying in a studio so I'm not sure that the patio/balcony will be very big. Is there still table & chairs out on a studio patio?

Disney Dreamin'
Sharon

We stayed in a studio near the hospitality house. The balcony had two chairs and a cocktail table. Comfortable and cozy enough for DW and me to sit and enjoy the sunset over the golf course.

 

[heathers4um]

I am listening to OKW's lobby music on D-COT right now...its on my favorites list!!

Its preparing me for what to expect when we arrive!

When you check in their is a list of activities. There is a sauna on the property. ( It's in the lighthouse, or used to be anyway). But there is just something about the place. You come back from the craziness of the parks and its like you are in another world. It is just so relaxing and peaceful. It all starts when you arrive at the HH and hear the music. It just puts you in the rieght mood. So my best advice is while you are there to just be. I hope that makes sense.

 

[diddldonna]

Thanks for sharing all your experiences. I am going to OKW for the first time in September and can't wait. X

 

[momx2]

We stayed in a 1 bedroom this past summer and loved it!! I loved the balcony with the ceiling fan the best!!! Do the studios also have ceiling fans on the balconies??