Early check-in?

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Cruelladeville
Nice example of "patience pays off" and you showed a lot of class by calling and thanking the mgr. Good for you!!!!

 

[colleen costello]

Hi guys. Thought of you all this week as we enjoyed a truly magical time at OKW. I didn't see any lime green ribbons, even though I wore mine some, subjecting me to the mockery of my husband!

Anyhow, we checked into Riverside for a lovely night last Saturday after driving down. I was so excited the next morning that I hightailed it over to OWK at 7:30 am. There was only one other person waiting -- it looked like the staff was just waking up -- and the nice CM who helped me said that while we were assigned a room in #56 (which I had requested; we like the quiet), she would see if another room was ready. She went in back for a few minutes and came back offering a room in #55. I was thrilled! I drove down there immediately -- couldn't even wait to go fetch my family, still snoozing at Riverside. The 2-bedroom was glorious. SO big -- I literally couldn't believe all the space. The room was perfect. Cool and clean and the verandah had a view of the canal. My kids spent a big part of this past week lobbing bread bits into the water and watching the fish eat them up! The flowers were blooming and everything was green and lush. A wonderful break from winter.

I will post more soon (after a good night's sleep) but I can definitely attest to the wonderful powers of arriving early! #5512 was a perfect room for us. I have already called and re-arranged our next trip this summer. You were right -- no way I am doing a studio again! Instead of a studio at BCV we'll take one night less in a 1-bedroom at OKW and add on a cash night or two. Guess I need to go check out the codes... Anyway, I am a real Key West junkie now. The place has magical powers of relaxation and wonder... My parents loved it as well and the room was very accessible for Mom with the van right outside.

 

[Chuck S]

Glad you had a great time! Did you have a dedicated 2 bdrm or a lock-off? Now that you've stayed in a larger unit than a studio, I predict an Add-On in your future

 

[colleen costello]

Our room was a dedicated 2-bedroom,,which was very nice. My family of 4 was in the 2nd bedroom and there was an extra "bathroom" sink instead of the kitchenette area, plus an extra closet where the front door is if it was a studio. TONS of storage space. All the kids' junk went right in that extra closet.

Dad and I did have a few conversations about add-ons. We originally bought 330, then added on another 60 a few months later. This DVC belongs to my parents and my family "together," although the names on the deed are dh and myself. We mainly bought for a week all together at Spring break every year, and any "extra" points can buy a second trip once in a while. Right now Dad thinks it's a better deal to buy a cash night or two to supplement DVC nights, because the deals are so good. We stayed at Riverside the first Saturday for about $130 with tax. That's only the "equivalent" of 13 points. When the economy picks up, room rates might not be as good, so maybe there is another add-on in the future. Dad feels like the fees on the existing points are high enough, and since he is currently footing THAT bill, I have to agree!

My husband and I are going back in June, just us and the kids -- too hot for the grandparents. Mousesavers is offering great codes right now. For $139 we'll add on the first Saturday night at the beautiful Wilderness Lodge. I'll be over to OKW early the next morning to ask about getting into a room that's ready!