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Post by mcd on May 27, 2023 8:50:12 GMT -5
We had a few days scheduled at BLT and AoA in July, but we found out my oldest would've missed high school soccer tryouts plus the news about Passholder discounts in June. Since I needed to move our trip anyway, I moved it to the middle of June. I could've snagged a 2 bedroom for 3 nights at Boulder Ridge or 2 nights at Grand Floridian and paired it with AoA, but we decided to just book OKW for the full stay (with basically the same amount of points!). We have never stayed there. I have seen positive comments on here about the resort. We normally like to stay on a path of the Monorail or Skyliner. My biggest worry is being really far from the hospitality house. It isn't the end of the world, but we do A LOT of walking in the parks and prefer to have what we want close by at the resort. I requested Peninsular Rd or Miller Rd because they look the closest to the HH. I booked Olivia's for dinner one night. We will probably Uber to get some groceries and order pizza a night or two as well. I assume the main pool at the HH is the best one? Any other tips are helpful. This normally isn't the kind of resort we chose, but I am looking forward to being close to DS as we end up not getting over there often, the large room, the large area for a morning run, and trying something new. And it was nice how far the points stretched. I hope my family will like it!
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Post by helenabear on May 27, 2023 9:38:33 GMT -5
Peninsular is my favorite though I have stayed all over even without a car. I even request peninsular when booking a HH room (23-26 are HHl. The bus can take you to the HH if you need. From peninsular the walk to HH is quick. First bus stop. Miller's Road is really good too. 2nd to last stop. Quiet pool there is quite nice.
South point is not to be hated on either. Nice and quiet. Still walkable to HH for the most part and path to DS is right there. Turtle pond has the best quiet pool with a bar/qs options for a few hours out of the day.
It is a big resort but everything is walkable IMO. QS isn't the best there but Olivia's is great.
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Post by Hi from RI on May 27, 2023 10:00:51 GMT -5
We try all of the resorts and like each one for different reasons. Usually, we choose for the purpose of our visit. We have stayed at OKW many times. It is a different vibe, a very chill place. We like it because it just feels less hectic, and it is great if you are wanting to go into DS a lot. I usually do not book it if a big park visit but even so, it will be a nice place to relax after the parks. We usually always book HH but have done Peninsular Road and had an outstanding view there. Most buildings do not have elevators (think very few?), but that is ok too helps with getting steps in! The CMs there have always been great. We have gone to Olivia's for dinner and breakfast. It is overall basic but good food. Again the staff are great. We usually do the main pool because we stay close to HH. We like the little boardwalk and places right there for a drink, lunch, community hall, and bathrooms. I do not like big resorts or ones that have the separate buildings usually but we do like OKW. It is one of our top favs. Let us know what you think!!
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Post by johnb on May 27, 2023 10:05:10 GMT -5
We stayed at OKW for the first time last summer and really enjoyed it. It felt like a vacation within our vacation.
We were in building 14 so getting to the pool and food was easy. We did have a rental car so we didn't use the WDW buses.
Can you waitlist for "near HH"?
Quick service food--average.
Bar--didn't go, as it was always busy/crowded.
Pool--I'm the opposite of a pool snob; if it's a hole with water, I'm good. I did like the OKW pool. We go in the afternoon, usually 2ish to 4ish, and we could always find a few empty chairs for our towels, etc.
Boat access to DS was great.
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Post by dmkedm on May 27, 2023 10:07:15 GMT -5
I vividly remember my first OKW stay--back in 2007. LOVED it then, love it now. It's very different (as most of the resorts are different from each other). It's very "neighborhood-y," but Olivia's is one of my favorite restaurants; the resort store is good; the pools are all really good, too, I actually like the quiet pools better than the main pool, but I'm not a pool connoisseur....I just use the pools to swim! I love the walk from OKW to Disney Springs (it takes about 15-20 minutes, depending on your starting and ending points)--the South Point section is best if you want the shortest walk to DS. The boat ride from OKW to DS (where you can transfer to other boats to "tour" the areas around the SSR Treehouse Villas or Port Orleans) is really pleasant, too. I find I miss OKW if I go too long between my stays there. I feel sure you'll love it. Have fun.
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Post by nrspepe on May 27, 2023 10:20:13 GMT -5
We recently added on points at OKW so that we could more reasonably stay in a GV with extended family every few years. As the contract came with some points ready to expire, we planned a 1 bed stay this past February. We were not expecting anything special as we prefer the convenience of the Epcot and MK resorts.
Much to our surprise, we loved it! The size and layout of the unit was perfect. The porch was huge and the views were beautiful. We could see HH across the golf course. At Miller Road, the busses were very convenient, dropping us off right across the way from our unit. There is one bus, I forget which, that will drop you at HH. We used it a few times. The weather was a little cool for us to swim, but there were a few folks enjoying the pool right to the left of our villa. We did take the boat ride to dinner at DS one night…that was fun.
It is a little bit more of a low key vacation. Much more relaxing than many of the other resorts. We looked forward to returning from time at the parks. I hope that you, too, will be pleasantly surprised.
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Post by simbasmom on May 27, 2023 11:25:34 GMT -5
Order groceries! We’ve stayed at OKW about 10 times, and although we enjoyed it, we were always disappointed in their limited accessibility to a variety of dining. Then this last trip we went with another family who wanted to order groceries. Once we did that, I felt like “why have we never done this before? Otherwise, loved it!
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Post by disneyteach on May 27, 2023 17:11:00 GMT -5
Following along, as I booked OKW for a few days during the week before Christmas. We're starting out at BLT, then moving to OKW when our APs are blocked out and going to Universal. We likely won't be spending much time at the resort, but we might have to try Olivias!
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Post by Adelard of Bath on May 29, 2023 19:31:41 GMT -5
OKW is our jam. We consider it the vacation, and there happen to be Disney Parks nearby.
We prefer the quiet pools vs the main (HH) pool; the main pool is where the (small) waterslide is and the bar and the QS food and the restaurant and the office, but it also is where the crowds and the "unce unce unce" music are, along with pool games involving somebody with a microphone yelling something about bingo or doing the YMCA. The music played at the main pool trends toward Top 40. Our personal favorite is the Turtle Pond pool - the OKW music loop plays, the "locals" hang out there, and if you are lucky (and you said June so you should be) the "Turtle Shack" will be open from like 11am until 3 or 4pm serving simple sandwiches and pizza and some things to drink. The Turtle Pond pool can get somewhat crowded, depending...if you happen to go the other neighborhood pools of South Point or Miller's Road, usually very quiet. No OKW music loop plays, however.
The walk from the very furthest room up to the store at the front clocks in (for me, by myself, leisurely, no luggage) at about 12 minutes, ymmv
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Post by mcd on Jun 12, 2023 20:04:41 GMT -5
Well, I feel like a heel after asking for the advice on OKW, but I was able to snag a 2 bedroom standard view at Bay Lake for next week. It popped up last night. I was very surprised because the standard view rooms are usually long gone. We prefer the monorail resorts or BWV/BC. I am sure OKW is nice. We will try it sometime for sure.
I have asked and have seen others ask about finding rooms last minute. I have done something similar with BWV just a couple months out. If you check diligently, I think you have a good shot at finding what you are looking for if you are willing to do split stays sometimes. I also have The Boathouse, Steakhouse 71, and Beaches & Cream booked. Our family has never been to any of these and are excited to check them out.
I would be interested in hearing what you would pick between The Boathouse and Steakhouse 71 if you only picked one.
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Post by Brian5581 on Jun 12, 2023 21:08:54 GMT -5
Steakhouse 71 burger for me each and every time.
Enjoy BLT!
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Post by helenabear on Jun 13, 2023 9:08:48 GMT -5
Steakhouse 71 burger for me each and every time. Enjoy BLT! Kid tried the new Signature Burger at Grand Floridian Cafe a few days ago. Loved it! Said best burger so far. But he's a brie lover and such. He picked it over SH71  |
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Post by FessParker1 on Jun 13, 2023 11:01:48 GMT -5
Sci-fi Drive-in BBQ Burger is the best I've found.
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Post by swat08 on Jun 13, 2023 11:10:52 GMT -5
The Boathouse for Tuna Poke and Truffle Fries!
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Post by Brian5581 on Jun 14, 2023 3:13:52 GMT -5
Steakhouse 71 burger for me each and every time. Enjoy BLT! Kid tried the new Signature Burger at Grand Floridian Cafe a few days ago. Loved it! Said best burger so far. But he's a brie lover and such. He picked it over SH71 Lobster removal does not please me but I do like brie, and their burger has always been amongst the best. Will definitely give it a try. Thanks! Sci-fi Drive-in BBQ Burger is the best I’ve found. They lose me with BBQ. I don’t do tomato. |
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