Okw

[chellnjr]

What are some of your favorite aspects of OKW? We will be staying in a studio. I only wish we could get a 1 or 2 BR. But, no one wants to sleep on the pull-out sofa if we get a 1 BR. And we just can't afford the 2 BR.

Anyway, I have heard that this is a quiet resort. That will be good for my sisters, since they like to relax.

How is the food from Good's to Go and Olivia's? It doesn't seem like they are very popular. How is the gift shop? Does it have more items that the ones at POR and the All Stars? Thanks for your help!

 

[lt-hambone]

OKW - Great !!!

This is Walt Disney World’s best kept secret for a resort! My wife and I stayed here on our honeymoon last November, and we loved the place! My review will be based on a 1-bedroom villa, since this is what we had during our stay.

Pros –
1) Large, large, large room! This is one of the biggest rooms on site, measuring over 1,000 square feet! Compare that to a moderate resort where you only get 314 square feet!
2) Park in front of your door! No need to slog your way through a general parking lot, then walk to the other side of the building – you get out of your car, and in a few steps, you’re in the front door!
3) Nice screened-in patio with a fan, with table and chairs!
4) Two-person Jacuzzi in the master bath – very romantic!
5) Washer and dryer are included, and if you get the right mouse-keeper, unlimited laundry detergent!
6) Fully stocked kitchen – eat some or all of your meals in your room! Keep snacks and cold beverages handy for mid-day snacks or late night munchies. Of course, there is a dish washer, so dirty all of the dishes!
7) Two TVs in two separate rooms. Does a member of the family need to take a nap? No problem – send them to the bedroom, close the door, and watch TV in the other room without disturbing them!
8) A TV with a VCR, if you need to watch a movie (which can be rented in the main building).
9) A very quiet, low-key resort.

Cons –
1) Average theming – nothing spectacular, but coherent.
2) Not very kid friendly.
3) Because the resort is sprawling, most buildings are a long hike to the main building for provisions, front desk, food, etc. But there are numerous bus stops and three extra pools strategically placed around the resort so you don’t have to walk very far for those services.
4) A stand-alone resort – you can walk or boat to Downtown Disney, but that’s all. You’ll need to use either the bus or your own car to go anywhere else.
5) The age of the resort is showing through in a few places.
6) Can be expensive – prices range for a 1-bedroom from $340 to $510 depending on the time of the year. This is almost $200 more than a moderate, BUT, you get a whole lot for the money.

Overall, this is a great place to stay. You get an awful lot for the money – more room, more amenities, more room, and some peace and quiet. Our honeymoon here was outstanding, and we will be back but maybe not with our kids. Having seen how other resorts cater to the kids (two words – Stormalong Bay), there is not a lot to keep young kids occupied. But if you are on a budget, a family of four could stay here comfortable, and the use of the kitchen for dining would save a lot of money. Also, having a free washer and dryer available meant we brought less clothes, and went home with only clean clothes. And did I also mention how big these rooms are?

As for Olivia's - we ate there for breakfast, and it wasn't too bad.

And if you do get a 1 bedroom, alternate who gets the sofa bed. For the extra money, you'll get more of everything for the small price of having to sleep on a sofa bed.

Give Old Key West a try, you won’t be disappointed!

 

[dreamer]

I agree for the most part with hambone's review. A studio won't have some of the amenities of the 1 BR. We stay in a 2BR because we have so many kids, and the rooms are huge. Keep checking for bargains. Unless you're going at a busy time of year, you probably won't have to pay rack rates if you're diligent, and then you may be able to afford a 2BR. Check out mousesavers.com, and also call the central reservations at DW every once in a while to see if new specials are available.

One of my disagreement's with ham is that I think the theming is fantastic. I love the Old Florida atmosphere. (But then I'm always homesick for Florida, which is where I grew up.) Amazingly my older kids did too. It's wonderfully laid back and it's a great hideaway from the hustle and bustle of DW. This year we will be spending a lot more time at the resort so we can actually relax on vacation.

The boat to Downtown Disney is a real plus, too. You may have to wait for it, but it's a great leisurely ride and I like Downtown Disney. I hear they have new toy store there.

Olivia's is good, but not five star. Although I don't care to eat five star very often. Very attractive inside. Definitely a morph of Disney and Florida Keys. The snack shop is a snack shop. Definitely nothing special. Didn't try out the bar because had all five kids there and alcohol and taking care of kids don't mix. Likewise, I didn't try out the exercise facility.

The pool is quiet and attractive. Again, I think the theming is great. However, I agree that it is not the best for kids due to lack of slides, etc. But you can pool hop to other pools if you want to from OKW (except Stormalong is closed to hopping right now).

 

[lt-hambone]

Let me rephrase that part...

Originally posted by dreamer
One of my disagreement's with ham is that I think the theming is fantastic. I love the Old Florida atmosphere. (But then I'm always homesick for Florida, which is where I grew up.) Amazingly my older kids did too. It's wonderfully laid back and it's a great hideaway from the hustle and bustle of DW. This year we will be spending a lot more time at the resort so we can actually relax on vacation.

The theming at OKW is there, and it is wonderful, but it is subtle when compared to other resorts. Walk into the Wilderness or Animal Kingdom Lodge and you slammed hard with the theming - heck, even just the drive to the front door is amazing! Step out the backdoor of the Boardwalk Inn and you are immersed in the atmosphere of a real boardwalk. Stay at All stars ad you are constantly reminded of the theme, in very LARGE ways.

OKW is different - it doesn't overwhelm you, but let's you know you are not at a Holiday Inn. For example, look at the sidewalks - you'll see an occasional shell imprint. Look at the plants - pretty tropical. Look at the colors of the buildings - light pastels of different shades.

And dreamer has hit the nail on the head - OKW is very laid back. stay there you will completely forget you are on WDW property - until you see a Disney bus go by!

We will return to OKW, when our kids are ready to go!


Hambone

 

[kwt10]

We have stayed at OKW many times and I would have to agree with the other members. We love OKW and our favorite part is the layed back attitude. We come to WDW for a relaxing vacation and at OKW you are able to relax.

 

[FanofDinsey1981]

OKW is really nice. I have only had the character breakfast at Olivia's , and it was nice. it is smaller seating, so more interaction with the characters.

the theming is lacking, but otherwise a verrry nice place to stay. quiet, big (which can be a con as well) but because of the less number of people, the pools are much less crowded (they have smaller pools every 10 buildings or so) and the tennis,bball courts are ususally free. the general store is not too exciting, they do have groceries to buy, though at disney prices. and they have DVC and OKW merchandise, but nothing that one of hte stores on main street in MK wouldn't have.

have fun, and enjoy the quiet after a full day at the parks.