What to do at OKW?

[mikesmom]

We're headed down for a whole family multi person trip end of May. We decided to go down 2 days early to get a bit of vacation before the crowd shows up. For the 2 nites I booked a 2 BDRM at OKW for myself , DH, and the 2 teenage (19) boys. So, what do I do about the "What is there to do?" question I KNOW I'm going to get from the boys. I'm sure DH and I will adore the place (after all, it comes well recommended) and a couple of days a little removed from the park will help us decompress from work. BUT, I stayed at OKW for one night about 2 years ago with DS only and he was quite put out at what he perceived as "nothing to do". (He's used to "home" at BWV). Any great ideas?

Hey, Rich, especially, help me out here

 

[DeeP]

As a family with teenagers who have stayed at OKW, I am afraid you will hear "there is nothing to do" from your teens regarding OKW. Compared to all the things right outside the doors at BWV for teens to do, OKW does offer very little for this age group. They could play tennis or shuffle board, go to the pool, sit on the large porch or keep parking and reparking your car right outside your villa. Or give them each rolls of paper towels and let them have a ball cleaning the large kitchen and bathroom! When they get too bored just keep reminding them that they are staying at the only "true" DVC and should be grateful!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Hop down to Pleasure Island...Sounds like the perfect chance!

 

[Richyams]

At least two 19 year old boys can go off by themselves.

We have rented each size of the water craft thingies, you can go pretty far into some pretty nice waterways.

!9 year olds boys, maybe checking out chicks by the pool, usually not that many, mostly moms and little kids.

The jogging path to DD can be nice when it is under 90 degrees.

The golf course is right there.

One nice thing is the concienence to everywhere. Two boys can bus to anywhere, if they get up early and want to get out, they can bus to DD, the market place, a water park, and you can meet them later.

Olivia's breakfasts without the characters are very good, I am glad they put the character breakfasts on hold.

Right around the corner is the Crossroads area. Jungle Jim's is a nicely decorated, inexpensive, very good, family restaruant. There is also Gooding, expensive, but a decent market with some interesting items.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Richyams, Those are moms by the pool? I must be getting old!

 

[Basser]

Take the boat to DD and let the teens hit Disney Quest that should kill a few hours or more for them. You can also take trip over to the BW for an evening meal.

 

[EROS]

Listen to the grass grow ......

Smell the lilies .........

Look for errant golfballs ...........

 

[CaptainMidnight]

When they get too bored just keep reminding them that they are staying at the only "true" DVC and should be grateful!

ROTGLMAO

Freaking hilarious!

 

[mikesmom]

I think checking out the chicks by the pool is one of the main things they do at BWV. Last time I went with DS to OKW it was January and REALLY cold - no pool action anywhere.

Thanks for the idea about the watercraft. That will probably make a hit.

 

[nydizfan]

Hi mikes mom ... tell them to get on a bus and go to dtd. there are to many things there. ..or tell them to get on a bus and go anywere... eg.. mk, epcot , mgm. and so on....... dave

 

[Peterd]

Sorry, I wish I could help, but it seems the only suggestions your getting, (even from the Okw lovers), is what they can do away from the resort. There really isn't much to do AT the resort for nineteen year olds. I guess your' best suggestion for them is to walk over to Downtown Disney, do Disneyquest on and off during the day, and if you're comfortable with them going into pleasure island, do that.
Drop them off at a monorail resort, and let them pool hop between, the GF, Poly, and Contemp. They're sure to enjoy the younger crowds there. They can rent one of the small boats there if they want. They are a lot faster than the Okw and BW sprites, and they can actually go somewhere. Our 19 year old and his friends liked going to the contemp. to (show off) play volleyball and meet other kids their age. They had a great time at the Coronado Springs. They met some people their age, and later set up times to meet up with them throughout WDW. If you wanted to drop them off at Universal, they have a lot of things that cater to teenagers at citiwalk. Only problem is picking them up after a long day for the parents. If your' son at 17 felt there was nothing to do for him at Okw back then, he will definitely feel the same way at 19. Check out the calendar of events for House of Blues(have a lot of great concerts), Downtown Disney, Hard Rock at universal (they have nights for the 17 and older crowd, without the drinks), and whatever maybe going on at that time. If he has a chance to plan something, before he goes, it may be more enjoyable. Good luck!

 

[RobDoc]

The activities available at OKW for teens are pretty much the same as at any WDW resort. There are 4 pools, volleyball court, tennis courts, surrey bikes and boats. There is a walkway to DD (takes about 15 minutes) and bus transportation to anyplace else at WDW.

Despite suggestions to the contrary, there will even be other teens at OKW!

Enjoy!

 

[Peterd]

Sorry Doc, I guess it must be when we go. In all the times we have been there, our kids felt They couldn't find a group (their age) to play volleyball, or do anything else with. Usually the crowd was under 12 or over 35, not too enjoyable for a teenager. When I say crowd, I mean 3 to 5 other people, not the 25 to 30 something they may encounter at one of the other resorts.
To them it was, like the poster said, Boring. They enjoy the moderates or other resorts better. It wasn't meant to be a knock at Okw, just what I have noticed being a parent of a flock of teenagers and their friends. I know what my kids prefer, believe it or not, it's other kids, and more options. Just tried to offer a few other alternatives for the 19 year old to try.

 

[eva]

Our daughters are 17 and 19 and they love OKW. They take the boat to DD a lot. The driver sometimes let them drive the boat. They still get a kick out of that. At DD they shop and go to DQ. My husband and the 2 girls have spent an entire day there before. Remember, DVC members get a discount there. They might want to take in a movie at DD too. The new Star Wars movie will be out then. You may not find too many people around the resort while the parks are open, but later the pool does often fill up with kids and "chicks". My daughters have met some very nice girls (No boys of course. HA!) at the main pool in the evening. Of course they could always take a bus over to the MK and walk over to the Contemporary to partake in some watersports. DVC members get a discount there too.

 

[DeeP]

I guess we must go at the wrong times also because our teens have never seen other teens at OKW to get together a volleyball game, basketball game etc., socialize or anything else. They have met teenagers at other WDW resorts and have hung out with their new found friends, went to the parks & ESPN to watch a game etc but they have never found any teens at OKW.
I agree all the Disney resorts have pools, most have bike and boat rentals and some have volleyball courts, tennis courts, etc but there are also Disney resorts that offer more for the teenage group to do beside these basics. BWV, FW, Contemporary are just a few resorts that come to mind that offer more than just the basics for teenage entertainment. The original poster asked what was there for teens to do AT OKW and others have posted answers.

 

[AnnK]

DeeP
I am still laughing at your first post!!!!! You did however forget that they can look at/feed the wildlife from their spacious balcony!

In all seriousness, ask any teenage boy who has stayed at OKW AND at any of the other WDW DVC resorts, they will tell you which they prefer. OKW is great for those who are looking to "get away from it all" but I know VERY few ( none) 19 year old boys looking for peace and quiet . All the the reasons that some adults prefer OKW are the very same reasons MOST teens will NOT like it. They DON'T have a car, so bus transportation becomes their life, how many teens do you know want to lay around waiting for buses? Jungle Jims, PLEASE how are they going to get there? The boats at OKW are NOT cool,kinda like driving a minivan! Teenage boys getting up early, when does that happen? Certainly NOT on vacation.
I am sorry but even though OKW HAS a volleyball court, our teens have not been able to find other teens to play with. They have used the hoops, but that was to play against each other ( no other teens to be found, just an occasional Dad and maybe 8-10 yr old son ) One time ( about 4 yrs ago) our son walked to a pool that was supposed to have water b-ball, no one else showed up, it was cancelled and he was disappointed.
OKW is a nice resort, but the average teen will spend most of their time OFF resort property looking for other teens and excitement.

Mikesmom,
The good news is that it will only be two days. I am sure your teens can do DQ one night and then they only have one more night to kill. Let us know how it goes, I will be interested to hear what they decide to do while there. Hope your trip is great.

 

[ilovebwv]

DH and I are adults in our early 30's and we are bored at OKW, I can only imagine how it must be for teenagers who like to be on the go and in an exciting place with a lot going on.

 

[Disney Doll]

They're 19 and in WDW!!!! There is bus, boat,train,monorail and every other kind of transportation all over the place. Let them figure out for themselves what to do. If they don't like what they see at OKW, tell them to get a bus to elsewhere in the resort. They can get to the BW from OKW if they're so inclined.

 

[Peterd]

"Let them figure out for themselves what to do."

Sounds like Mike's mom was just looking for some suggestions to give the kids something to look forward to before getting there. I thought we gave some pretty good reccomendations. I don't think, "Telling them to figure it out themselves" is something that will make the kids look forward to something they didn't like two years earlier. I commend her for trying to make the trip more enjoyable for her kids before they get there. I still say check out House of Blues for the concert schedule. We've seen some pretty good shows there in the past.