I think we need to look at the complaints . . .
1) Bus lane.
. . . the inner lane is used for DME
. . . the outer lane is used for internal WDW buses
. . . there is no car lane
I looked before I drove in - and - I double checked after. The Lane said "Check-In / Bag Drop-Off", or something to this effect.
2) Bell Services
. . . there is limited bell service at most
DVC's
. . . this was the vote by OKW-DVC members, not a DVC budget issue
. . . because you park at the room, members don't want to pay extra bellmen
. . . if we want full bell service, then we need to pay for it (yep, I own, also)
. . . with limited service, there are not enough people to room deliver
Did not know about the vote regarding bellmen! Never heard of it, and, have never recieved any correspondance stating that. Nor, did they tell me that when I checked in. So, how was I to know? How would anyone else know?
I will say that is the first time anyone raised that point in the week this post has been on the board.
. . . it is also possible no bellmen were available
. . . you might have only seen the scheduler/dispatcher
. . . they are not people who handle luggage
I saw three of three CM's with the Blue and White striped Bell suit on. I have stayed at OKW on 6 occassions. I am certain they were Bell personnel.
3) Grumpy CM
. . . maybe the bus was actually around the corner or at the stop sign
. . . timing is an issue
It was not - I looked. I looked at the time, and, the bus was not there or in site as we circled out of the parking lot.
. . . many people don't move with just pleasant conversation
. . . lots of folks would rather argue
. . . maybe the CM got this impression
Maybe she did, but, I think you have this impression I may have walked in barking demands! You need to meet me - nothing is further then the truth! I have never in my life made demands to people - I ask nicely. And, after she told me to move I simply rephrased the request in an other manner! I felt "Maybe she did not understand?" Never did I raise my voice!
I only got miffed (internally) the third time she addressed me. That third time was like the first two: "Here sir, is what I cannot do for you!" Ok, in her defense she was probably in charge of getting those folks on the bus and getting their bags loaded! I can understand that!
While I am certain was not argumentative, I just now triple checked with my wife. I asked: "Did I ever raise my voice or portray myself in those terms?"
She said: "No, you just acted utterly confused?"
Frankly, I was embarassed at how the CM acted. And, I could have gone out of my way to see her attitude was changed. And, maybe I should have! But, I have not. Nor will I.
She was young, she was having a bad day. Who knows what occurred 5 minutes before I got to her?
. . . this could have also been the airline CM and not a WDW CM
Perhaps she was, but, she was wearing the Bell suit and had a WDW name tag. So, by defacto she was a WDW CM and represented DVC, OKW and WDW. That is not an excuse in any way, shape or form. I think you would agree with that.
4) Room Delivery
. . . the DVC bellmen deliver DME bags
. . . they usually don't deliver self-tote bags
. . . if you need help, they can come to your room
. . . many folks can't tote bags three flights of stairs
On two occassions we have moved from one DVC to another and in all cases they delivered big bags, small bags, tote bags and food containers.
Bell people, are, in my opinion in the business of Bag Management. That is their roll and how they make a living! I have used the exact same service in the past with no issue. Why would I have thought that service was discontinued?
Had she said: "Despite outward appearences and the fact that my title is Bell Person - We dont do bags" I would have walked away happy. Confused, but happy!
5) Room Unpacking Yourself
. . . as another stated, I don't know why you didn't unload luggage
. . . you were at the room freshing up
. . . you probably had time
. . . especially since you checked-in at 5:00am
. . . the parks don't open until 9:00am
If you read through all of the posts I think you will see what my intention was. To get the bags secured and out of a hot car so we could move along for the day. I was trying to save time.
We were at an off-site hotel. I checked in at 5:00, but, I was the only one awake at that moment. The other bags were not packed! I said in previous posts that the entire crew got to OKW at 9:00 (or a bit after). Not OKW's fault, our fault.
A large part of the time (between 5 AM and 9 AM) was going to pick up a friends car! That car is used by my friend when he is in Florida (5 times a year). The car was at a Bar his brother owns. In addition to owning the bar, my friends brother is also a parttime Bellmen at POR (and occassionally OKW).
I called him 2 nights ago to see if I had made a mistake. He was laughing when he heard the story! His direct quote was: "That is unacceptable! Why didn't you demand to see a manager? They would have gotten things done!"
I asked: "What would you have done had you been there?" His response was: "I would have said: Sure. Would you mind moving the car to the lot? And, it may be 5 or 10 minutes before I can get to you as we have a DME bus coming any second now and I have to help load it so these folks can get to the airport!".
If that had been done, we would not be discussing this now!
NOTE: I know you felt disadvantaged, but DVC is not like a hotel. I also travel internationally (a great deal), and DVC does not compare in service. This is a timeshare and not a hotel. The level of service is dictated by the members and for what level they wish to pay (eg, OKW members voted to not have bell service on third shift, and they voted on how many bellmen to have during normal hours). On this issue, I think DVC-WDW was correct.
. 
While the parks were empty all week, BB was PACKED on Thursday. On Wed my daughter and I caught the Bus from OKW to AK at 1:00 PM. That Bus go's to BB first then on to AK. The Lot was 1/3 less full on Wed then Thurs.
I forgot that they charge you $1 a towel at the Water Parks (same towels as at the resorts). Next time I will definately lift a few towels from the Resort and take them with us (and of course return then). Of course, all towels probably end up in the same general Towel place in the end. I am not cheap - it is just the principle of the matter!
Not sure I like the Wave Pool at BB. It is too shallow and is all cement at the bottom (what else would it be Bom? - Duh). I am looking forward to trying the one at TL next time!
The Family Raft Ride (name escapes me) is just awesome. We had a 60 year old with us - it was a bit bumpy for her - but - she enjoyed it and was none the worse for wear!
We also had a 3 year old and she got a big kick out of the Wave Pool, Raft Ride, Lazy River and Kids pools! NOTE: If you take a young one you can get a small life-preserver! Not sure if they charge you - and they have smaller tubes at the Lazy River.
They only have one main Food place! And, it was packed by noon (about 30 deep in all lines). I will remember to pack a lunch next time! You only get 8 or 9 hours there - so why wait in line for an hour to get lunch?
Hey, do not kid yourself - if you are not in average shape the walks up those mtns are not easy. They do have the Ski-Lift though!
and huge parking lots, those trips to carry our own bags can be tiresome 
Anyway, I do know that LOTS of folks use bell services at OKW, and often see folks bell service folks running golf cart type vehicles of bags and sometimes guests too, to their rooms. We usually rent a car, so seems redunant to us to expect bell services to come tote our bags for us when we are driving to the room anyway.
