OKW Lovers Thread. Part 2

[dvc at last !]

Like the water bottle.

 

[Jacoby 46]

I did the 3k run in April. It is called the Southern Most Point fun run. You get as water bottle and some granolas bars when you finish, and you get a medal. It was a nice run. Yes to tennis courts, you will run around them during the run. Rackets are at the community Hall. Have fun. I think there was about 10 people who did the run.View attachment 417910

Sweet water bottle!! Thanks so much for the information!! I appreciate all the help!!

 

[The Jackal]

Sweet water bottle!! Thanks so much for the information!! I appreciate all the help!!

Thank you, I think the cost to the run was $20-$25. If I remember correctly it was at 7:30 in the morning. 7:30 in the morning is early for us when we are at WDW. We usually at the parks when they close. I do not handle hot weather and running well, so it was only about 70F out so it wasn't bad. Sign up is at the Community Hall.

 

[CableKC]

I just pulled the trigger and switched from Port Orleans Riverside to stay at the Old Key West Resort because of a last minute DW Summer Special that popped up.

Is there a FAQ for the Old Key West Resort on more general information?

I booked the lowest cost room I can find, so all I could get was a Deluxe Studio Room for my Party of 4. I have no clue where we will end up when it comes to which building that we will stay at.

Going through all of this with the Disney Reservation Specialist over the phone, I had requested that we stay in Building 19, 20, 56 or 11 to 13. These are buildings closer to a pool ( which my kids love cuz they like to hit the pool late in the evening ) but also close to the Laundry ( so I don't have to drag huge bags of laundry too far ).

I know that this is simply a request and that they can end up assigning us to any room that is available. But does anyone have any recommendations on which is the best Buildings to request to stay at?

How far of a walk is it from one part of the resort to the main Hospitality House where everything is?

I am looking at the size of the Resort. I know that it's a DVC Resort, so it's HUGE ( unfortunately, something that I didn't realize until AFTER I made the change in reservation ). Unlike the Moderate Resorts that I've stayed at, there aren't any quick walkways to connect the different parts of the resorts. I look at the Resort Map and it looks like it could take FOREVER to walk from one section of the Resort to another. Unfortunately, I do not have a car Rental. So I have no clue how much of a walk that we are in store for.


The last time we stayed at DW, we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. I initially booked our reservation for this trip at the same place. But I really wanted to try and stay at some place different. Given that this is a DVC Resort, is there any differences ( good or bad ) that I should expect when staying here as opposed to a regular Moderate Resort or Deluxe Resort?

I am hoping that I didn't make a mistake. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I just pulled the trigger and switched from Port Orleans Riverside to stay at the Old Key West Resort because of a last minute DW Summer Special that popped up.

Is there a FAQ for the Old Key West Resort on more general information?

I booked the lowest cost room I can find, so all I could get was a Deluxe Studio Room for my Party of 4. I have no clue where we will end up when it comes to which building that we will stay at.

Going through all of this with the Disney Reservation Specialist over the phone, I had requested that we stay in Building 19, 20, 56 or 11 to 13. These are buildings closer to a pool ( which my kids love cuz they like to hit the pool late in the evening ) but also close to the Laundry ( so I don't have to drag huge bags of laundry too far ).

I know that this is simply a request and that they can end up assigning us to any room that is available. But does anyone have any recommendations on which is the best Buildings to request to stay at?

How far of a walk is it from one part of the resort to the main Hospitality House where everything is?

I am looking at the size of the Resort. I know that it's a DVC Resort, so it's HUGE ( unfortunately, something that I didn't realize until AFTER I made the change in reservation ). Unlike the Moderate Resorts that I've stayed at, there aren't any quick walkways to connect the different parts of the resorts. I look at the Resort Map and it looks like it could take FOREVER to walk from one section of the Resort to another. Unfortunately, I do not have a car Rental. So I have no clue how much of a walk that we are in store for.


The last time we stayed at DW, we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. I initially booked our reservation for this trip at the same place. But I really wanted to try and stay at some place different. Given that this is a DVC Resort, is there any differences ( good or bad ) that I should expect when staying here as opposed to a regular Moderate Resort or Deluxe Resort?

I am hoping that I didn't make a mistake. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

FYI - all park buses stop at the hospitality house before they exit the resort. There's also an internal resort bus so getting around isn't that difficult. I've never walked from one end to the other but I believe more than one person has said it's maybe 15 minutes?

 

[CableKC]

What's your purpose for getting as close to HH as possible? You can hop any bus from any location and stop last at the HH. You can walk over to the Peninsular Rd bus from the HH and take a bus back to your area.

FYI - all park buses stop at the hospitality house before they exit the resort. There's also an internal resort bus so getting around isn't that difficult. I've never walked from one end to the other but I believe more than one person has said it's maybe 15 minutes?

I guess that's not too bad.

None of us are golfers, so we're not going to enjoy the golf course. Is there any part of the resort where we should visit that has stuff to see or do ( other than HH )?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I just pulled the trigger and switched from Port Orleans Riverside to stay at the Old Key West Resort because of a last minute DW Summer Special that popped up.

Is there a FAQ for the Old Key West Resort on more general information?

I booked the lowest cost room I can find, so all I could get was a Deluxe Studio Room for my Party of 4. I have no clue where we will end up when it comes to which building that we will stay at.

Going through all of this with the Disney Reservation Specialist over the phone, I had requested that we stay in Building 19, 20, 56 or 11 to 13. These are buildings closer to a pool ( which my kids love cuz they like to hit the pool late in the evening ) but also close to the Laundry ( so I don't have to drag huge bags of laundry too far ).

I know that this is simply a request and that they can end up assigning us to any room that is available. But does anyone have any recommendations on which is the best Buildings to request to stay at?

How far of a walk is it from one part of the resort to the main Hospitality House where everything is?

I am looking at the size of the Resort. I know that it's a DVC Resort, so it's HUGE ( unfortunately, something that I didn't realize until AFTER I made the change in reservation ). Unlike the Moderate Resorts that I've stayed at, there aren't any quick walkways to connect the different parts of the resorts. I look at the Resort Map and it looks like it could take FOREVER to walk from one section of the Resort to another. Unfortunately, I do not have a car Rental. So I have no clue how much of a walk that we are in store for.


The last time we stayed at DW, we stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. I initially booked our reservation for this trip at the same place. But I really wanted to try and stay at some place different. Given that this is a DVC Resort, is there any differences ( good or bad ) that I should expect when staying here as opposed to a regular Moderate Resort or Deluxe Resort?

I am hoping that I didn't make a mistake. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks

You won't get 11, 12 or 13 because those are a special booking category. But the others might be possible. Be aware that most of the buildings at OKW do not have elevators. So if you get a second or third floor, you'll be taking the stairs. Most studios are located at the ends of the buildings, except for four buildings, Buildings 18, 35 and 38. Those have studios in the corners (they are three sided square buildings. Those studios tend to be a bit darker since they don't have a window, only the patio door. No matter what studio you get, you'll get two queen beds, no sleeper sofas, no murphy beds. There is a small kitchenette with a microwave oven, toaster, drip coffee pot and undercounter refrigerator.

This thread is pretty much the OKW thread. You can hop any bus from any stop to get to the Hospitality House. Then hop the Internal bus back (it stops first at HH, then Millers Road, Next Peninsular Road, next South Point, then Turtle Pond and finally the HH again. Or walk over to Peninsular Road and take any theme park bus from there back to your area. Even if you walk from South Point to HH, it will only take about ten minutes max unless you have dawdling kids walking with you. Just stay on the sidewalk (sometimes you have to cross the road to stay on the sidewalk).

We just returned from a short two night weekend trip, we have a five night Sept/Oct trip, three night Dec trip and four night May trip planned all at OKW. Our only non-OKW trip that is booked is our Jan three night trip at BLT. We really enjoy OKW.

 

[CableKC]

Deb & Bill, thanks for the response.

I was watching some of the OKW resort tour videos on YouTube and I am wondering if it would be better to stay in the southwest corner of the resort over by the Turtle Shack Pool Snack Bar in Building 40, 41 or 44. I look at the location and see that it's not too far from the Bus Stop on Old Turtle Pond Road and they aren't too far from the pool and Laundry.

That was one of the requirements that I was hoping to fill when trying to figure out where I can request to stay:

1 ) Close to a Pool / Laundry
2 ) Close ( or not too far ) from a Bus Depot ( so that we don't have to walk too far to take the bus to one of the Parks or to HH )

Do you ( or anyone else ) has any recommendations on which Buildings and areas to stay at?

Other than the Turtle Shack Pool Snack Bar, is there any between the Buildings around the pool areas?

Any reason to stay in one area over another?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Deb & Bill, thanks for the response.

I was watching some of the OKW resort tour videos on YouTube and I am wondering if it would be better to stay in the southwest corner of the resort over by the Turtle Shack Pool Snack Bar in Building 40, 41 or 44. I look at the location and see that it's not too far from the Bus Stop on Old Turtle Pond Road and they aren't too far from the pool and Laundry.

That was one of the requirements that I was hoping to fill when trying to figure out where I can request to stay:

1 ) Close to a Pool / Laundry
2 ) Close ( or not too far ) from a Bus Depot ( so that we don't have to walk too far to take the bus to one of the Parks or to HH )

Do you ( or anyone else ) has any recommendations on which Buildings and areas to stay at?

Other than the Turtle Shack Pool Snack Bar, is there any between the Buildings around the pool areas?

Any reason to stay in one area over another?

Turtle Shack tends to be seasonal. So shorter hours during the day, not open at night. But you really aren't that far from anything at OKW. Bus stops are scattered throughout the resort. Laundry is at the pools. What's nice is that if you miss the bus, another will be by in about 20 minutes or less. And you can check the buses on your cellphone.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Deb & Bill, thanks for the response.

I was watching some of the OKW resort tour videos on YouTube and I am wondering if it would be better to stay in the southwest corner of the resort over by the Turtle Shack Pool Snack Bar in Building 40, 41 or 44. I look at the location and see that it's not too far from the Bus Stop on Old Turtle Pond Road and they aren't too far from the pool and Laundry.

That was one of the requirements that I was hoping to fill when trying to figure out where I can request to stay:

1 ) Close to a Pool / Laundry
2 ) Close ( or not too far ) from a Bus Depot ( so that we don't have to walk too far to take the bus to one of the Parks or to HH )

Do you ( or anyone else ) has any recommendations on which Buildings and areas to stay at?

Other than the Turtle Shack Pool Snack Bar, is there any between the Buildings around the pool areas?

Any reason to stay in one area over another?

I'd think that no location at OKW is going to be as far from the pool/laundry/bus stops as what it can be at Port Orleans-Riverside. I do like the Tutle Pond area and I also like building 16, 62-64 area although those last 3 are the only buildings with elevators and are often set aside for those who need some assistance so they might be less likely to have a request met. But they are a close walk to Hospitality House. Turtle Pond area feels more quiet and secluded to me though.

 

[CableKC]

I will have to call back to make a special request to see if I can get a ground floor Deluxe Studio in one of the buildings that hopefully meets my requirements.

I think that I will try to request a ground floor deluxe studio at ( in this priority )

1 ) 40, 41, 44 on Old Turtle Pond
2 ) 19, 20 on Miller's Road
3 ) 46, 56 on South Point Road

How does that sound?

Just out of curiousity, how long does it take to walk from the Turtle Pool to HH?

I would often want to make a drink run with the refillable mugs and was wondering if it would be worth it to get one ( as opposed to just buying some 2 liter bottles of soda at Target ).

 

[Deb & Bill]

I will have to call back to make a special request to see if I can get a ground floor Deluxe Studio in one of the buildings that hopefully meets my requirements.

I think that I will try to request a ground floor deluxe studio at ( in this priority )

1 ) 40, 41, 44 on Old Turtle Pond
2 ) 19, 20 on Miller's Road
3 ) 46, 56 on South Point Road

How does that sound?

Just out of curiousity, how long does it take to walk from the Turtle Pool to HH?

I would often want to make a drink run with the refillable mugs and was wondering if it would be worth it to get one ( as opposed to just buying some 2 liter bottles of soda at Target ).

Skip the refillable mug. just fill your refrigerator.

 

[CableKC]

Skip the refillable mug. just fill your refrigerator.

Given that it could take up to 30 minutes total to go back and forth to get to HH, I am considering buying soda earlier in the week and doing what you are suggesting.

 

[CableKC]

I have a question about the Buses.

Do all bus stops eventually leave the resort to go to the Theme Parks?

Do all buses stop at HH before leaving the Theme Park?

When it comes to any of the Bus Stops at OKW, is there a particular route that the Buses take? When staying at POR, I recall that depending on where your bus stop is that you board, you may be the last stop and therefore not get a seat if its crowded.

 

[CableKC]

I thought I read somewhere that there is some Disney App that tells you where the buses with Real Time updates and where they are going from stop to stop within the OKW Resort?

 

[Deb & Bill]

I thought I read somewhere that there is some Disney App that tells you where the buses with Real Time updates and where they are going from stop to stop within the OKW Resort?

I have a question about the Buses.

Do all bus stops eventually leave the resort to go to the Theme Parks?

Do all buses stop at HH before leaving the Theme Park?

When it comes to any of the Bus Stops at OKW, is there a particular route that the Buses take? When staying at POR, I recall that depending on where your bus stop is that you board, you may be the last stop and therefore not get a seat if its crowded.

The MDE on your phone or tablet will tell you the time for arrival for every bus at OKW at every stop. You just click on your resort (while you are staying there) and it will show you the next bus to your destination. I just did it last weekend and it was very accurate. When a bus is going through the resort, it will show arrival times for all stops except the one it just left. So you can tell that it is coming your way (as long as you weren't at Peninsular Road bus stop). If you aren't there yet, you don't get the bus information. Once you arrive at the resort, it gives you the bus info.

The bus order for theme parks is Peninsular Road, South Point, Turtle Pond, Millers Road and Hospitality House. For the internal or Disney Springs bus, it stops at HH first, then Millers Road, Peninsular Road, South Point, Turtle Pond then back to HH. If you are getting on the Internal/DS bus at HH, you just need to ask them where it is going next, DS or Millers Road.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Given that it could take up to 30 minutes total to go back and forth to get to HH, I am considering buying soda earlier in the week and doing what you are suggesting.

Plus, if you are a Pepsi fan (including Dr Pepper), you can enjoy those at OKW. Otherwise, you won't be able to until you get home. You can buy exactly what you prefer to drink and not just what Disney offers.

 

[CarlyMur09]

You can refill at the Turtle Shack, but it is only open seasonally with shorter hours. If you get back from a park at night it will be closed and the only other place to fill up is Goods to Go. You may just want to fill your refrigerator with your favorites instead.

Actually the arcade next to the shack has a refillable mug station now. We’ve used it even when the Shack was closed at night, as recently as May of this year.

 

[jerseygal]

Actually the arcade next to the shack has a refillable mug station now. We’ve used it even when the Shack was closed at night, as recently as May of this year.

Thanks! We will be on DDP, so we will get refillable mugs.

 

[CableKC]

Actually the arcade next to the shack has a refillable mug station now. We’ve used it even when the Shack was closed at night, as recently as May of this year.

Is the refillable mug station at the Turtle Shack outside or inside where access may or may not be locked?

I won't be going at 3am in the morning, but ( like always ) we will probably be back to the room after 11pm. It would be nice to be able to go grab some soda at the refillable mug station if it's close by ( which is what I did at POR as well ).

This is one of the reasons why I maybe leaning towards trying to request a Building that is near the Turtle Pool House. I like that it has a little arcade, a snack bar and shuffleboard to play. What time does the Shack close when serving food? We will be here at the beginning of August.