OKW Not what it used to be!

[drise]

We were at OKW 4/16 to 4/22 in a 2 Bedroom unit. We started noticing items missing and wrote a list of problems. There were no frying pans (should be 2) no handtowels, no pot holders, wash rags or rug in the studio side, ice maker was broken, metal toy car left in the garbage disposal, switch on floor lamp in living room was off, no throw pillow in LR or Master bedroom, and did not supply toiletries at hot tub area or replace them on T&T day.

I will say, the missing items were replaced quickly by housekeeping when we called. And the manager gave us a credit when I took my list to the front desk. But I'm just amazed at the issues that we had on this trip. Even after I spoke to them and received a credit, the very next day was trash and towel day and they hung "new/clean" towels in the studio that had brown marks/stains on the hand towel and wash cloth!:confused3

The parks were also way too crowded for me. I thought Spring break was over but apparently not.

[disneynutz]

We were at OKW 4/16 to 4/22 in a 2 Bedroom unit. We started noticing items missing and wrote a list of problems. There were no frying pans (should be 2) no handtowels, no pot holders, wash rags or rug in the studio side, ice maker was broken, metal toy car left in the garbage disposal, switch on floor lamp in living room was off, no throw pillow in LR or Master bedroom, and did not supply toiletries at hot tub area or replace them on T&T day.

I will say, the missing items were replaced quickly by housekeeping when we called. And the manager gave us a credit when I took my list to the front desk. But I'm just amazed at the issues that we had on this trip. Even after I spoke to them and received a credit, the very next day was trash and towel day and they hung "new/clean" towels in the studio that had brown marks/stains on the hand towel and wash cloth!:confused3

The parks were also way too crowded for me. I thought Spring break was over but apparently not.

Please report your issues to DVC Member Satisfaction Team.

dvcmembersatisfactionteam@disneyvacationclub.com

We are taking April off of our time to go months, way to crowded.

[PamOKW]

Many of the schools in the Northeast get a week's vacation in February (over President's day) and another week in April (usually near Easter but not always, as was the case this year). And Florida is a BIG destination for both weeks.

[maciec]

We were at OKW 4/16 to 4/22 in a 2 Bedroom unit. We started noticing items missing and wrote a list of problems. There were no frying pans (should be 2) no handtowels, no pot holders, wash rags or rug in the studio side, ice maker was broken, metal toy car left in the garbage disposal, switch on floor lamp in living room was off, no throw pillow in LR or Master bedroom, and did not supply toiletries at hot tub area or replace them on T&T day.

I will say, the missing items were replaced quickly by housekeeping when we called. And the manager gave us a credit when I took my list to the front desk. But I'm just amazed at the issues that we had on this trip. Even after I spoke to them and received a credit, the very next day was trash and towel day and they hung "new/clean" towels in the studio that had brown marks/stains on the hand towel and wash cloth!:confused3

The parks were also way too crowded for me. I thought Spring break was over but apparently not.


Out of curiosity, what did they "credit" you?

[Saratoga Souris]

When people ask??

because..... if things aren't the way I want them.... they get fixed!

Sounds like you "got fixed"!

[Buckeye Fan]

Sorry things were missing. Makes me sad when people (even if they rent) don't take care of a place. We've rented for years and years, and mine or not, I have always respected and have taught my kids to respect others' property and not to take things just because you can. :headache:

Anyway...one thing I will say is that sometimes people don't report something here or there missing. If we don't, then if one thing goes missing this week and something the next, by the time a few visits go by, there are bigger issues.

Thanks for the post. It's a good reminder to all of us to let the front desk know when things aren't as they should be! :goodvibes

[dianeschlicht]

Item number one on our agenda when we get into our DVC room is to check that everything is there that should be, and everything is in working order. Things have a way of walking off in public places like hotel accommodations etc, so I always check. I'd rather do that when we first get in and be able to call and rectify it than find I am missing an important kitchen item right when I want to use it! That happend only one trip, and after that I made sure to always check. It's a little hard to flip pancakes when they are in the pan and the pancake turner is missing!

[Disneyhappy]

Item number one on our agenda when we get into our DVC room is to check that everything is there that should be, and everything is in working order. Things have a way of walking off in public places like hotel accommodations etc, so I always check. I'd rather do that when we first get in and be able to call and rectify it than find I am missing an important kitchen item right when I want to use it! That happend only one trip, and after that I made sure to always check. It's a little hard to flip pancakes when they are in the pan and the pancake turner is missing!


This sounds like a smart idea and I have to admit, I do not check and am not sure if I would know if something is missing because I am not sure what should be in our units to begin with (other than TP, things in working order, etc). Do you use a checklist or do you just go from memory? I do recall one time the remote control for the TV was missing but DH noticed that within 60 seconds of being in the room! One was delivered to our room quickly.

[Buckeye Fan]

This sounds like a smart idea and I have to admit, I do not check and am not sure if I would know if something is missing because I am not sure what should be in our units to begin with (other than TP, things in working order, etc). Do you use a checklist or do you just go from memory? I do recall one time the remote control for the TV was missing but DH noticed that within 60 seconds of being in the room! One was delivered to our room quickly.

Can't remember seeing this in other resorts, but when we were at SSR, inside one of the cabinet doors was an itemized list of all of the items that should be in your room with a number to call if items were missing. I thought that was really nice. I'm going to start asking at check-in if they have a list or if it's already posted somewhere in the room.

[drise]

Our credit was for $150 to take the family to dinner, we were a party of 8. The credit was put on our account and could be used for any items, of course we spent way more than that for the week. But it did help and we appreciated it. I really just wanted to make people aware of checking for all the items that should be included. I believe the toss pillows for the couch and master bed are gone for good.

[Arthur27]

Just an FYI, Spring break down here last two months easy. We get people from all over the country. Also the parks are pretty popular during these months for special events. For example they had the cheerleading competitions at Epcot this past weekend. And had gradnight over at MK last night as well. That's why I love May; it's much slower.

[spruce]

$150 credit because things were missing from the room. Wow. That's amaizing.
I wonder if a portion of my dues goes to this satisfy the customer fund with cash?
I'd rather see management fix the problem then to compensate me, since you know, I've prepaid for a certain experience anyway.

[Kim&Chris]

$150 credit because things were missing from the room. Wow. That's amaizing.
I wonder if a portion of my dues goes to this satisfy the customer fund with cash?
I'd rather see management fix the problem then to compensate me, since you know, I've prepaid for a certain experience anyway.

Great point.

[DaveH]

We have been members since 2001. I have this kind of thing has been hit or miss. We do not cook, only use fridge, coffee maker and on occasion the microwave. We have just started using 1 BR more recently. I have started to look at everything in general. Mostly to see where things are. I guess I should be checking the list closely more now. Just to make sure things don't go too far with missing stuff. The over whelming of the times we have gone things have been clean and things are there. I have had a couple of trips when the shampoo and stuff was not all replaced on Trash and Towel days.

[SuzanneSLO]

Item number one on our agenda when we get into our DVC room is to check that everything is there that should be, and everything is in working order. ... It's a little hard to flip pancakes when they are in the pan and the pancake turner is missing!

I apprecaite your effort, but I must admit that I am not willing to spend my vacation time looking for things that I don't need or won't use during my stay.

When I stay in a vacation property, I am aware that you can't leave things until the last minute, so I might check for the pancake turner the night before I planned to make pancakes. But if all the breakfast this trip will be done in the toaster, the pancake turner may continue to be AWOL until the next guest checks in.

On our first visit as owners, we had lots of problems with the internet connection. First, the connection wasn't "hot", so we had to wait for the phone repair guy to come the next morning before we got service. Then, after a few days of service, it went on the blink again and I spent several hours on the phone with tech support getting access restored.

So I do understand how less than perfect or fully stocked can be a problem. And a credit (which I received for our internet problems) often doesn't solve the issue: it was my vacation time lost, but my employer's dollars saved.

So, as a DVC owner, I report problems and missing items as we find them, but I don't go looking for trouble. -- Suzanne

[SusieBea]

I apprecaite your effort, but I must admit that I am not willing to spend my vacation time looking for things that I don't need or won't use during my stay.

When I stay in a vacation property, I am aware that you can't leave things until the last minute, so I might check for the pancake turner the night before I planned to make pancakes. But if all the breakfast this trip will be done in the toaster, the pancake turner may continue to be AWOL until the next guest checks in.

On our first visit as owners, we had lots of problems with the internet connection. First, the connection wasn't "hot", so we had to wait for the phone repair guy to come the next morning before we got service. Then, after a few days of service, it went on the blink again and I spent several hours on the phone with tech support getting access restored.

So I do understand how less than perfect or fully stocked can be a problem. And a credit (which I received for our internet problems) often doesn't solve the issue: it was my vacation time lost, but my employer's dollars saved.

So, as a DVC owner, I report problems and missing items as we find them, but I don't go looking for trouble. -- Suzanne


Ditto!:cool2:

[a Really Bad Egg]

Seems to me that the expectation should be that Mousekeeping ought to be checking that list rather than the guest.

:confused3

If the stuff isn't there, the guest should not be getting compensated, the Mousekeeping staff should be reprimanded.

:thumbsup2

However...now that I know there may be some monetary benefit, I am going to go over that list with a fine tooth comb and if that pancake flipper isn't there, I'm gonna fuss until I get dinner somewhere!

:lmao:

[DisDaydreamer]

I apprecaite your effort, but I must admit that I am not willing to spend my vacation time looking for things that I don't need or won't use during my stay.

When I stay in a vacation property, I am aware that you can't leave things until the last minute, so I might check for the pancake turner the night before I planned to make pancakes. But if all the breakfast this trip will be done in the toaster, the pancake turner may continue to be AWOL until the next guest checks in.

On our first visit as owners, we had lots of problems with the internet connection. First, the connection wasn't "hot", so we had to wait for the phone repair guy to come the next morning before we got service. Then, after a few days of service, it went on the blink again and I spent several hours on the phone with tech support getting access restored.

So I do understand how less than perfect or fully stocked can be a problem. And a credit (which I received for our internet problems) often doesn't solve the issue: it was my vacation time lost, but my employer's dollars saved.

So, as a DVC owner, I report problems and missing items as we find them, but I don't go looking for trouble. -- Suzanne

I appreciate your approach as well. However, you must understand that Diane has made soooo many trips to OKW that she can spot problems like she has x-ray vision. She can probably tell you in a 3 minute tour exactly what's missing and/or wrong. And I know we pay for things to be right, but if we don't point out the problems, even if it is not necessarily a problem for us at the time, then it will likely get pointed out by someone when it is really an inconvenient problem for them. I like to make a list of everything I think needs attention and pass it on to the front desk the night before we depart to give maintenance an opportunity to shedule repairs for when the unit is unoccupied.

:)

[AKV707]

For those of us who are relatively new to DVC, how will we know what should be there? Are there lists in the rooms themselves in all resorts? My next trip is to AKV in a 1 br. Anyone know if there is a list of what should be in the kitchen there?

[lenshanem]

They used to put a list on the back of the cabinets. I guess they don't do this anymore??? :confused3

[SuzanneSLO]

However, you must understand that Diane has made soooo many trips to OKW that she can spot problems like she has x-ray vision. She can probably tell you in a 3 minute tour exactly what's missing and/or wrong. :)

Reading this, I think my new room request will be "I understand that its not a guarantee, just a request, and I don't care about view, but I want a room just vacated by Diane or DisDaydreamer!" i do apprecaite all your efforts. --Suzanne

[Disneyhappy]

They used to put a list on the back of the cabinets. I guess they don't do this anymore??? :confused3

I honestly do not remember a list on our stays but then again, I don't usually cook while on vacation so I could have simply not had an oportunity to notice. We do use the glasses and dishware for continental breakfast in the room though.

[Brian Noble]

The OKW unit I was in in February had a very detailed list of what was expected to be there on the inside of one cabinet door.

Thinking back on it, we had *no* sharp knives. I probably should have said something but never needed them for breakfast.

[nikkistevej]

This sounds like a smart idea and I have to admit, I do not check and am not sure if I would know if something is missing because I am not sure what should be in our units to begin with (other than TP, things in working order, etc). Do you use a checklist or do you just go from memory? I do recall one time the remote control for the TV was missing but DH noticed that within 60 seconds of being in the room! One was delivered to our room quickly.

That would have been the one thing my DH would have noticed too. LOL

[Caskbill]

............. I believe the toss pillows for the couch and master bed are gone for good.

That's correct. Those items have been removed for 'sanitary' reasons.

[dianeschlicht]

I apprecaite your effort, but I must admit that I am not willing to spend my vacation time looking for things that I don't need or won't use during my stay.

When I stay in a vacation property, I am aware that you can't leave things until the last minute, so I might check for the pancake turner the night before I planned to make pancakes. But if all the breakfast this trip will be done in the toaster, the pancake turner may continue to be AWOL until the next guest checks in.

On our first visit as owners, we had lots of problems with the internet connection. First, the connection wasn't "hot", so we had to wait for the phone repair guy to come the next morning before we got service. Then, after a few days of service, it went on the blink again and I spent several hours on the phone with tech support getting access restored.

So I do understand how less than perfect or fully stocked can be a problem. And a credit (which I received for our internet problems) often doesn't solve the issue: it was my vacation time lost, but my employer's dollars saved.

So, as a DVC owner, I report problems and missing items as we find them, but I don't go looking for trouble. -- Suzanne

Doesn't take much time at all. There's a list of items somewhere in every DVC kitchen. If I'm not using the kitchen on a given trip, I don't check that, but there can be other things missing or malfunctioning as well. Once we found our fridge in a 2 bedroom unit was turned off and the ice in the ice maker had melted and was running all over the floor. Called maintenance ASAP, and they came up only to tell us someone had inadvertently turned the fridge off. Was it housekeeping or the previous occupant??? Who knows, but I'm glad we noticed it when we did.

[lenshanem]

That's correct. Those items have been removed for 'sanitary' reasons.

We had throw pillows at BCV just a couple weeks ago. What is the difference? Are BCV owners more sanitary than OKW owners? ;) :lmao:

[dianeschlicht]

For those of us who are relatively new to DVC, how will we know what should be there? Are there lists in the rooms themselves in all resorts? My next trip is to AKV in a 1 br. Anyone know if there is a list of what should be in the kitchen there?

We have always had a list available somewhere in the kitchen of every DVC unit we have stayed in. If you are concerned about it, just print the list off from the website before you go.

[Debbie H]

We've been members since 92 and we can spot in an instant what is missing or different. As far as the throw pillows being removed for "sanitary reasons", give me a break! If they did that, then they would have to remove the couches, the mattresses, chairs, etc. Also, there should be a list of items inside a cabinet door, however, it's been quite a while since it was updated.

We have been saying for quite a while that OKW is not like it used to be.

[dianeschlicht]

Yes, I don't get that "throw pillows removed for sanitary reasons" either!!! Good grief, they went and put nearly a dozen of them in the AKV villas! There are 4 on the master bed alone!

[GGOOFY1]

I feel it is our responsibilities as owners to report what is missing. We have been members since '93 and have never had any problem getting maintenance or mousekeeping up to correct the issues. We were at OKW last summer in 2 Villas and both had the laundry baskets missing, we contact mousekeeping and they brought them right up. We always prepare breakfast and dinner in the villa, so it is important that the kitchen supplies are accounted for. I have a list of items that are not in the villas that I bring from home and expect the rest to be there. Like Diane said I don't want to find out something is missing when I need it. I have never been compensated for any missing or broken items. I would have to question whether or not the OP was staying on a cash ressie.
Not to make excuses for mousekeeping, but I know they have a short time to turn around the villas and have they ready for the next guests. So, I would prefer to have my villa spotless and have to report a missing glass then come into a dirty room.

[dianeschlicht]

I feel it is our responsibilities as owners to report what is missing. We have been members since '93 and have never had any problem getting maintenance or mousekeeping up to correct the issues. We were at OKW last summer in 2 Villas and both had the laundry baskets missing, we contact mousekeeping and they brought them right up. We always prepare breakfast and dinner in the villa, so it is important that the kitchen supplies are accounted for. I have a list of items that are not in the villas that I bring from home and expect the rest to be there. Like Diane said I don't want to find out something is missing when I need it. I have never been compensated for any missing or broken items. I would have to question whether or not the OP was staying on a cash ressie.
Not to make excuses for mousekeeping, but I know they have a short time to turn around the villas and have they ready for the next guests. So, I would prefer to have my villa spotless and have to report a missing glass then come into a dirty room.

Absolutely! It only takes a minute, and I really don't understand why anyone would be compensated for missing items unless they were creating a scene at the front desk. Then I think sometimes CM's give people things just to get rid of them.

[thelobstershanty]

We have been DVC members almost since day one and have more DVC/WDW trips than we can count; we also can spot a missing item in a minute because we know what is supposed to be there even without the list that is usually on the door of a kitchen cabinet.
However, I have to agree with who ever posted it is housekeeping's responsibility! I agree 100%. We as DVC members know we have to wait longer for a DVC unit to be cleaned and ready than a regular WDW hotel room--due to the size of the units. One of the steps in cleaning and readying a villa for occupancy-- should be inspection of what is supposed to be and what is really in each villa; and to replace items accordingly. This is a part of a villa preperation/cleaning. It is not the guest's responsibility, it should not even be an issue. We do pay dues, remember! And they are dues that increase every year, with a very few and isolated exceptions.
As members that have owned for many years, we've seen a slow but steady decline in the DVC resort services, amenities, etc., over the years and yet still see an increase in yearly dues.

[JESW]

Just got back from our first stay at OKW and I do remember there being a list of items on the inside of one of the kitchen cabinets. I am not sure if we had anything missing since we didn't use a lot of the items - mostly bowls, glasses and silverware. We were in a 2-bedroom in building 50. Busy, busy week!

Jill

[rbuzzotta]

We just returned today from a weekend stay (DD was in a cheering competition at WWoS). We stayed in a studio. Bldg. 37. Normally we tend to stay closer to the hospitality house but it was a short stay so it was no big deal.

I did notice that they were refurbishing bldg 28 and 29 (or 27 not sure). I was happy to see that as we stayed there last summer for 2 weeks and it surely needed refurbishing. They were also painting the check in area and around Olivias when we left at 4 AM today!!

Our room was fine. We enjoyed seeing our friends at Hanks (Ted is still out with his total knee and hopes to return in a few weeks!!). The girls had fun and my DD did great in her routine.

It was hard to leave being such a short trip.............countdown is on until August!!