Who is the young woman at OKW Gate?

[dvchuck]

Does anyone know the young woman security guard who is at OKW front gate?

We just got back from a 12 day stay at WDW. This young lady always had a smile and a wave when we entered either by car or bus. She was the only security person to give us a big "Welcome Home"!

I would like her name so I could send a letter to OKW and compliment her.

[Shadeaux]

We just got back from 12 days at OKW too. I know exactly which young lady you're talking about, but we never did get her name either. My daughter called her the "Happy Lady". My husband commented that she was the only one who seemed to be actually doing the job they were supposed to do; coming out of the guard house to actually look at the parking pass. Most of the others seemed bored or were on the phone.

[PamOKW]

Don't special CMs make all the difference?

You can write the letter without knowing her name. Just give the dates of your stay (and the time of day you would see her, if possible) and I'm sure they'll be able to figure out which person you are talking about.

[DebbieB]

I know who you're talking about, she is very nice. The last 3 years, we've had the same guy at the gate when we arrived to check-in. In 2000, it was our first DVC trip and I was waiting for the "welcome home", I pulled up and he waived us through. I stopped and said "checking in", he said "enjoy!". :rolleyes: Last year, nothing again. Nothing at Boardwalk the last 2 Decembers. Last month arriving at OKW, I totally forgot about it and wouldn't you know I got the "welcome home" :) .

[OKWgolfer]

Our family also just returned from a relaxing week at OKW. We also enjoyed "Happy Girl"; it is truly nice to see someone who enjoys her job with such dedication. I believe she makes a great ideal for what most of us have come to expect from Disney and especially our DVC cast members. I am going to try and also send a note to DVC with my expression of thanks for the enthusiastic joy she portrayed.

[Caskbill]

We saw her too last when we were there (see count-up timer below) and she was always so pleasant. It actually felt that SHE felt happy for us because we were there. Now that makes you feel special.

I'll send a message too. It seems like there's always time to complain, but we tend to forget to something good about someone. Thanks for the reminder.

And to the Disney CM who's job it is to monitor these boards....Please pass on this thread to DVC management. There aren't that many CM's who will get a thread started about them.

:D

[str82thdr]

We were at OKW three weeks ago and that has to be Cat - we asked for her name and complimented her on her outstanding enthusiasm.

[Lew]

I agree! She was one of the few actually doing her job the way it is supposed to be done.

When she was on duty during our April trip, she was always standing outside the guard house with her clipboard checking parking permits as cars drove through.

I just love the guards who stay inside the guard house and all you see is a hand sticking out the door to wave you through. There's just no way they can see your parking permit...especially at night.

I was so upset with the non-performance of security personnel at the guard house that I made it clear to the front desk manager that we were not getting what we were paying for. When I told him that I had just been waved through the checkpoint while the guard was inside on the phone, he told me he would walk over there immediately to have a talk with her.

I did mention the young girl with the clipboard and the great job she was doing.

I don't know why OKW can't have on-the-ball guards like the ones we have seen at BWV, PO, Poly, GF, and Corronado. We have always been greeted in a professional manner at these other resorts.

[DiznEeyore]

As soon as I saw the title of this thread, I knew it had to be Cat. She was just delightful! The other security guards we encountered at the gate (mostly older men) were less than enthusiastic, but she was awesome. Thanks for reminding me that I wanted to send a note commeding her. :)

[Grateful11]

We also just got back Friday from OKW and she really made an impression on us. Always a big smile and took the time to say a few words. My wife asked her one afternoon if she worked all the time because it seemed like everytime we went thru the gate she was there.

[Cris]

as everyone else said she is the only one that really make sures you belong at the resort, and very friendly demeanor. -Cris

[twinglefam]

We had a similar experience while at OKW May 6-9, but it was an older man. He came out of the booth each time to check our pass, and when we first arrived he gave us a big WELCOME HOME! Don't know his name either but just thought I'd mention my good experience as well! It's nice to see a thread that focuses on the positive!

[Jimmac]

We returned 10 days ago and only encountered this pleasant woman twice. But her terriffic smile and demeanor is unforgettable! :D I must admit that during the 8 days at OKW about 80 % of the time the guard at the gate checked the pass. Although, this pleasant woman was the only one who welcomed us home both times.

[JackDiznee]

Just returned from a trip last week and saw her. She waved at every window on our passing bus. Received my survey and I will mention her.

[DVC-Don]

Originally posted by twinglefam
We had a similar experience while at OKW May 6-9, but it was an older man. He came out of the booth each time to check our pass, and when we first arrived he gave us a big WELCOME HOME! Don't know his name either but just thought I'd mention my good experience as well! It's nice to see a thread that focuses on the positive!

This sounds like the fellow we met last January. Very pleasant

[ncligs]

When we were at OKW July3-6, she was there 1 day and was very friendly and always said "Welcome Home". The older gentleman was there a few times also and always had a very nice"Welcome Home" also.:D

[Chris125]

We were at OKW in May for a week. I have been a member since 1993 and have seen and heard all the good and bad about security..but this guard had that something special. She not only gave that greeting of Welcome Home with a great big smile but she was always a delight to talk to . I usually dont give out kudos but she certainly deserved one. As a matter of fact I singled her out on a survey report from DVC..

[sgtdisney]

We were at OKW last week and the friendly lady seemed to be there every evening... I was wondering if she was once a character in one of the theme parks... She had that 'Disney wave' down pat! ;) ;)

[Richnj]

Last month we got THREE Welcome Homes from the guards in one day. This was a big improvment from our last trip, and I also know the young Lady you are talking about. Seems like she has a "DISNEY DAY" every day. Hope she stays on the job, she's very good.

[RumpleMom]

The same young lady was at the OKW gate when we were there in June. She enthusiastically welcomed our bus as we entered the resort. A gentleman on the bus spoke up and said she was a great CM and that everyone should give her a tip when checking out.

[goofymomof2]

We were there in June also & she was great. What address do we need to send to. I would love to write in about her.
Thanks

[DiznEeyore]

I sent a note to the following address (supplied by someone else here on the DIS, I believe):

Sonya Deese-Byrnes
General Mgr.
Old Key West Resort
1510 North Cove Road
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830


I just sent off a letter to her today commending Cat, something I'd been meaning to do since our May trip, but had neglected to do.

[goofymomof2]

Amy....Thanks for the address I will also get a letter off soon about Cat.
Shannon

[DiznEeyore]

Glad I could help! :)

[slc224]

I am amazed how she (Cat) can keep her enthusiasm the entire day. I know when we were there in June we saw her around 3:00 pm and then again around 10:00 pm smiling and waving both times. I hope she is contagious!:D

[NJParkhopper]

We stayed in early May and she was beaming then. Funny you should post this. We thought the same thing.

[Alice Sr.]

I haven't had the pleasure of being greeted by Cat, but I can't remember ever having an inattentive security guard at OKW, but maybe that's my selective memory happening again;)

If someone is sending in a letter on Cat they could print this thread and include it so the GM could hear the many good things being said about her employee.

Alice

[DiznEeyore]

Originally posted by Alice Sr.
If someone is sending in a letter on Cat they could print this thread and include it so the GM could hear the many good things being said about her employee.

I did just that on Monday. ;)