Hospitality House Booking Category for OKW -- UPDATE

[n2mm]

I just returned last night from my WDW trip and wanted to post this. I booked OKW "Hos. House" category and was shocked when we were sent to room 16. I had a new person checking us in and when I pointed out that building 16 was not part of the "hos. house" designated areas, she said they recently changed and added more buildings. So she called the manager over and the manager also circled the areas on the map and told me that they have now added buildings 62, 63, 64, 15, and 16 to the Hos. House booking category (along with 11-14 and 23-26). This was the first time I had heard this and wanted to share this with you. I don't know if this is official or if the manager was making this up. I plan to drop a line to DVC to confirm this.

UPDATE: I just got a call from DVC Satisfaction Team and this is NOT TRUE! She called and talked with the manager at OKW and said they don't know why the night manager told me this, but it is not true and these buildings are not part of the "near Hos. House" designated areas. The CM pulled up my reservation and it showed that someone at OKW modified it and changed my booking catategory. She didn't know why they did it. I told her it was probably because it was 7:30PM and my room was given to someone else, though she said there could have been a maintenance issue too. Anyway, the only buildings that are considered the HH areas are 11-14 and 23-26. The CM kept apologizing for the actions of the CMs at OKW. I just told her I just didn't liked being lied to, and while the CM who checked me in was just earning her ears, the manager is the person who told me that building 16 was now added to the Hos. House location. I had no reason not to believe her.

 

[saintstickets]

Frankly I always wondered why building 62 wasn't included since it is actually closer to the HH than some of the others. I'll be interested to see if this is a permanent change. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[magicaldisney]

This is interesting news. Please let us know if you confirm this to be true!

 

[Dean]

Frankly I always wondered why building 62 wasn't included since it is actually closer to the HH than some of the others. I'll be interested to see if this is a permanent change. Thanks for the heads up.

I think they kept the elevator buildings separate so they could use them for either group that have access issues.

 

[OKW Lover]

I think they kept the elevator buildings separate so they could use them for either group that have access issues.

I'm not sure I understand this. All the buildings have at least 1/3rd of their units on the ground floor where having an elevator doesn't matter.

 

[WebmasterDoc]

I think this is a logical addition. IMO, those buildings should have been included from the start. The HH category has been very popular and this now adds the ability to have a HCA GV included.

Great modification!

 

[Dean]

I'm not sure I understand this. All the buildings have at least 1/3rd of their units on the ground floor where having an elevator doesn't matter.

There's more than just ground floor, there's also distance. Regardless, they have routinely and purposefully held those buildings for medical related issues.

 

[dmoore22]

I'm not sure I understand this. All the buildings have at least 1/3rd of their units on the ground floor where having an elevator doesn't matter.

There are units with handicapped accessible features built in, eg. show stalls, counter heights, door frames and thresholds, etc. Not all ground floor units, or elevator buildings, are equipped with handicapped accessible features.

 

[n2mm]

This is interesting news. Please let us know if you confirm this to be true!

I did write, but am waiting to hear back. I will post back if this was an isolated change (summer overflow) or new one.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Wow, if that's true, it would be nice if they would communicate it BEFORE we book. I too have often wondered why those were not considered HH, but still..... If I did NOT book HH category but requested building 15 (which I often do), I would be pretty bummed about the category change after the fact.

 

[DizGirl20]

Wow, if that's true, it would be nice if they would communicate it BEFORE we book.

 

[Dean]

Wow, if that's true, it would be nice if they would communicate it BEFORE we book. I too have often wondered why those were not considered HH, but still..... If I did NOT book HH category but requested building 15 (which I often do), I would be pretty bummed about the category change after the fact.

Diane, since request are not guaranteed, does it really matter if they make a 2 building adjustment? IMO, it doesn't change the principles involved.

 

[kristenrice]

Since our reservation is a combination of cash and points nights, we were unable to book the HH category. So, we'd love to be in Bldg 27, 28 or 29. If we couldn't get one of those, Turtle Pond is our second choice. What would be the best way to request this? Right now, we have it as "Turtle Pond" because we weren't sure if you could request specific buildings. We have (2) 2BR's booked and we'd like to be as close together as possible, preferably in the same building.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Since our reservation is a combination of cash and points nights, we were unable to book the HH category. So, we'd love to be in Bldg 27, 28 or 29. If we couldn't get one of those, Turtle Pond is our second choice. What would be the best way to request this? Right now, we have it as "Turtle Pond" because we weren't sure if you could request specific buildings. We have (2) 2BR's booked and we'd like to be as close together as possible, preferably in the same building.

Well, I must say, you are one of the few I have seen who would request 29!!! That is by far my least favorite building at OKW. You are actually less likely to get two 2 bedrooms in 29, since that is a GV building and has less 2 bedrooms in it. Also, be careful what you wish for. If you do get two 2 bedrooms in 29, you will likely be under a GV with more noise.

In this case, I would just request 27,28 or 29 and your two 2 bedrooms will be close even if they aren't in the same building.

 

[mgroshans]

We are staying at OKW for the first time in October. We are getting a studio. For all the OKW people, where should we request? It's me, DH, DS12 and DS 10.
Thanks!

 

[dianeschlicht]

We are staying at OKW for the first time in October. We are getting a studio. For all the OKW people, where should we request? It's me, DH, DS12 and DS 10.
Thanks!

Take what you get...You'll love it.

 

[kristenrice]

Well, I must say, you are one of the few I have seen who would request 29!!! That is by far my least favorite building at OKW. You are actually less likely to get two 2 bedrooms in 29, since that is a GV building and has less 2 bedrooms in it. Also, be careful what you wish for. If you do get two 2 bedrooms in 29, you will likely be under a GV with more noise.

In this case, I would just request 27,28 or 29 and your two 2 bedrooms will be close even if they aren't in the same building.

Thanks for the heads up on bldg 29! I loved bldg 12 the last time we were there. We would take the bus from the HH to go *to* the parks and then we'd get off at the first stop on the way back and make the short walk back to the room. So, in looking at the map, bldg 29 seemed like it was the closest to the first bus stop (coming from the parks) and the HH to go to the parks. We are all big soda drinkers so the short walk to the refill station is also a bonus.

 

[dmoore22]

Take what you get...You'll love it.

HOME!!

 

[n2mm]

I just updated post #1 to let you guys know what the DVC CM told me this afternoon when she called about my concerns.

 

[WebmasterDoc]

Thanks for the update.