Changes at OKW seem better

[Pa@okw95]

We just got back and there seems to be a change for the better at OKW. They really seem to be trying harder. Olivia's once a place that I avoided now seems to be really coming back. I would eat breakfast and lunch there anytime now. They even went so far to add cheese to their potatos for breakfast, tastes good. Everyone seemed more friendly then they have in the past. The music at the pools has changed to a more swing type music, I expected to see Ginger Rogers bounce out of the bushes at the pool with Fred Estaire. The music did not seem to fit but I did not mind. The bus service of course was bad but that will never change. I waited 20 minutes for a bus at AK when it arrived I waited another 10 minutes to leave, then it stopped at one of the swimming holes, I arrived 45 minutes at OKW. I know better and drove the rest of the trips to where ever I went. The first come first serve check in seemed to work ok and it was a little more like it was when I first joined. I don't really know if in the long rum it will work but it seemed ok for now. The weather was great, first 2 days in the 90's the rest in the mid 80's. Just nice to be there.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
I don't really know if in the long rum it will work but it seemed ok for now.

I am glad you enjoyed your trip....rum, and all!

 

[Simba's Mom]

IMO, OKW was awesome already! DH would say, "How can you improve on perfection?" However, I admit we haven't tried the buses yet. I'm really looking forward to hearing the new music on our next trip, although after that, I may want to return to the old. But on the next trip, DS is coming with us, and he plays Big Band music. Sounds like he'll love this.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

We are staying at OKW next week, I have a few questions, we won't get to the resort until almost midnight, what do you think are pick of rooms will be, its friday November 1?? second if the buses are that bad, is it quicker to take the boat to downdown disney and pick up a bus from there???

 

[Pa@okw95]

Since it is the weekend you should have some choices left. Don't ever take the boat ride to DD and then get a bus, that would take forever. Just get your bus at OKW and go directly to where you wish. The bus service all over WDW has slowed over the years, at OKW it never was very good. I assume you do not have a car with you??I would still take the boat to DD if you intend on going just to DD. It is a great trip and is one of the best attractions at WDW.

 

[BigTigger]

Regarding the late check-in, we arrived at 10:30PM on 10/10/2002 and had no problems in getting the room we requested. Our reservation was made at the 11 month in advance window and we had asked for:

1) Non smoking
2) Upper Floor
3) Near pool

I had also mentioned we really liked the room we were in in October 2001.

At check-in we got everything we asked for, and even better, we got the same room (2024). I asked about first come, first served, and the CM said that was never a policy. She said they do everything they can to get early arrival in their romms, but they do not re-allocate rooms to early arrivals or do a first come first served policy. She mentioned that they have more flexibility when the resort is at 75% capacity as it was last week.

Regarding the buses, the complaints aren't just for OKW anymore. I heard numerous people complaining about bus service at Port Orleans and at the Yacht and Beach Club. I also noticed that the water shuttles to Downtown Disney from Port Orleans are pretty sparse these days. When we stayed there in 1995, they ran from 9am to almost midnight. They now run from 4:30PM to 10:30PM and service both parts of PO - DL used to have it's own boat service. My read on all this is that Disney is saving money where they can in buses and transportation.

 

[Joe T.]

We also just returned from OKW. It was as great as ever. Housekeeping was not quite as responsive. We were short some glassware that they never did replenish. I just called once as it was not a big deal. We were informed that the new practice is not to include place mats. We called, and had mats within a few hours. Apparently they are phasing out mats, but have some still in stock. The housekeeper thought that heavy pilferage was the reason. In our many trips in the gate the guard only failed one time to say "Welcome Home."

Just an aside, but we thought that EPCOT appearance was not up to Disney standards. The waterways were particularly "scummy". Perhaps because of the amount of rain this year.

I'll try to post a restaurant report in the next few days. Mostly very satisfactory with just one letdown.

Oh Well, as soon as I get over the letdown of returning to the real world, I'll start planning the next trip.

 

[sumessefui]

We were at OKW the last week in Sept. and first week in Oct. Any problem with the room was taken care of within 20 minutes of calling housekeeping. The buses were no worse than other resorts. The only problem was that the bus stops at the parks had been moved to the most distant locations. The bus drivers said the bus stops were being changed to make room for new ones when Pop Century opens next year.

 

[Doctor P]

Gotta second the positive comments on Olivia's. We had one of our best breakfasts ever at WDW at Olivia's a few months back. The quality and taste of the food was truly excellent.

 

[dianeschlicht]

And yet another contradiction to the first come first serve saga! As I reported before, MS told me this was NOT a policy. It seems like some castmembers think it is and others don't. I sure wish they would make up their mind BEFORE we get down there in January!

 

[Disney Doll]

Have had OKW as our home resort since 1997, and have never had any problem with the busses. I must be lucky !

We love it so much we just bought a resale there!