Differences in Service at DVC vs Non-DVC resorts?

[Rebd40]

In a couple of weeks I will be staying for my first time at a DVC resort (OKW studio-I rented points) and am wondering if there are any differences in services (e.g. maid service, room service, etc)???

(Sorry if this has already been asked and answered a million times.) Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[PamOKW]

There is a difference in maid service when you rent points. You do not get daily housekeeping. On the fourth day of your stay, the maid will come in and take out the trash and dirty towels. She'll replace them with clean towels. She'll also give you the same coffee set-up you had at check-in (enough for one pot). There is also a $6 charge to provide you with a complete set of towels (basically 4 of each component and a bath mat). Sometimes, housekeeping will give you a towel or two without the charge but you should be aware that it does exist. You can do laundry free of charge in the laundry rooms near all the pools (you provide your own laundry soap).

If your stay is for eight nights or longer, you will get a full cleaning, including making the bed, on the 4th day and then the "Trash & Towel" described above on the 8th day. This cycle repeats for the length of your stay.

There is no room service at OKW for anyone beyond ordering in pizza.

 

[Rebd40]

PamOKW-Thanks for the info. By the way, regarding maid service, how much tip do you leave for a maid at a DVC resort when the service is clearly different (lower) than that of a regular hotel?

 

[CaptainMidnight]

We should also probably add that the reduced maid service is one way DVC members can help save some $$$ in dues. Many of us including myself prefer that lack of interuptions, etc. But, if you would like daily maid service, that option is available to you for a fee, I believe it is $25 per day. So, if you want your room cleaned everyday, or every other day, or whatever you choose, you can simply request the service and pay the fees. It's really a nice flexible way to handle this fairly expensive perk. For us, we have little ones who still (thankfully) take naps in the afternoon, so no maid interruptions are a blessing for us.

Hope this helps. Enjoy your stay. Oh, has anyone mentioned what you should do with your trash? There is another thread that might be helpful.

 

[PamOKW]

Each building at OKW has a trash closet on the first floor where you can empty trash. There are additional plastic bags at the bottom of the wastebaskets/trash cans in your unit.

If any supplies run out -- trash bags, toilet paper, kleenex, paper towels, etc. -- you can just ask housekeeping for more. In fact, if there is anything you need, ask housekeeping first to see if they have it. I'm not sure what items this might be but things like extra coffee mugs, corkscrews, etc. come to mind. Some of these things should be in the unit but might be overlooked.

As for tipping -- opinions are all over the place from folks who feel no tip at all is needed based on the housekeepers salary to those who may be too generous in their tipping. My recommendation for a studio would be to leave $5 on the T&T day and $5 on check-out.

 

[Rebd40]

CaptainMidnight and PamOWK: Thanks for the info. That helps a lot. I hadn't thought about how nice it might be NOT to have housekeeping bugging you everyday so I think I'll stick with the regular trash and towel service. The tip info is useful too - having been a waitress in my lean years, I'm going to leave a tip but probably not as much as I normally would.

 

[PamOKW]

I forgot to wish you a great trip! If you think of any other questions feel free to fire away. Lots of folks here will help answer them for you. Also, give us a "report" when you get back. We'd love to hear your impressions of OKW. I hope you love it as much as I do.

 

[Rebd40]

PamOKW: Thank you for your help and kind words. Folks are so helpful in the DIS forums. I've been debating about buying into DVC so this experience at OKW will help my decision. It'll also be my first solo trip to WDW! I can hardly wait!

 

[MikeScott8]

Originally posted by Rebd40
PamOKW: Thank you for your help and kind words. Folks are so helpful in the DIS forums. I've been debating about buying into DVC so this experience at OKW will help my decision. It'll also be my first solo trip to WDW! I can hardly wait!

Let me warn you now My DW and I rented points (Sun-Fri) in Jan 2002 at OKW and the Wednesday of that trip we took the DVC "tour" and we joined that day!

The relaxtion we had in just the two days before that convinced us DVC was great. We have already done an add-on!

The relaxtion of our honeymoon trip to VWL was so great. It was incredible. I woke every morning and went out on the balcony, watched the woods lake beyond, and listened to the birds waking up to the sunrise.

If OKW pushes you over the edge (in a good way) I don't think you will be disappointed.

Mike

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Originally posted by PamOKW

If any supplies run out -- trash bags, toilet paper, kleenex, paper towels, etc. -- you can just ask housekeeping for more. In fact, if there is anything you need, ask housekeeping first to see if they have it.

Do you know if they will give you more coffee packs? Or, if we have to pay for extra ones, how much they cost? I don't drink coffee but DH does. It might not be worth packing it, if I can get it from housekeeping. Thanks!

 

[PamOKW]

Sharon, you are probably better off bringing some coffee or purchasing it either offsite or at the OKW General Store. They list that you can purchase additional packets from Housekeeping but it is $3 for 1 package of coffee, 8 sugar and 8 creamers. The coffee is also not always the best.

The coffee filters you need are the regular Mr. Coffee type. You might want to throw some of these in your luggage even if you don't bring the coffee. Maxwell House also makes coffe in the filter packages (2 needed for a full pot). OKW used to sell these.

 

[Dopey Sharon]

Thanks!

 

[Rebd40]

Originally posted by MikeScott8
My DW and I rented points (Sun-Fri) in Jan 2002 at OKW and the Wednesday of that trip we took the DVC "tour" and we joined that day!

MikeScott8: I'm a little bit worried that I'm going to do the same thing! I have no self control! (Ha)