I am going to apologize now.... TRIP REPORT OKW

[calypso*a*go-go]

Okay -- fair enough. But are you seriously considering selling your DVC membership over this one stay (especially after you enjoyed the other resorts)?

 

[UConnJack]

This should hoefully settle some of the dust!! I just got off the phone with one of the Directors for the transportation group and indeed IT WAS OKW's FAULT this week. The explained the whole process of how they work together with the resorts:

The resorts send information to transportation daily on guest check ins and check outs and the information that was being sent was incorrect therefore the extended delays.

In addition I did speak with someone from OKW and they also informed me that they had a bunch of new recruits on the resort last week for training which may have resulted in the negative reactions of the guest. By the way one young lady at the snack bar was from France and never spoke a word of english.

Anyway they apologized both from OKW and transportation.

As far as the parks they were not even remotely close to be crowded and the longest line we waited in was 45 minutes.

If you go back and review the post I am NOT bashing OKW. I am bashing the people that work at OKW and the transportation group. You never saw me write anything about the grounds, food, etc. It's not an OKW issue, it's an OKW personnel issue.

As far as other resorts yes I did stay at BWV (Loved it), and VWL (Loved it). Just something to think about, it's not me it's OKW personnel.

Glad to hear you got some explaination and closure regarding the problems you experienced.

Your mistake in this thread is/was faulting OKW specifically ("WE WILL NEVER STAY AT THIS RESORT AGAIN!!!!") Sure your problems happened there, but transportation issues (whether because of the transportation dept or the resort) can and do happen at all the resorts from time to time. As does staff training leading to sub-par service. Most everyone here agrees you have legitimate gripes, but what they take issue with is the implication that OKW is a sub-par resort and the inherent reason for these problems. Trust me, it wasn't, it was the wrong place at the wrong time, nothing more.

I personally don't care for SSR, and have my criticisms of it as a resort, but I doubt I would ever criticize it or any other resort for check-in time, bus times, or CM friendliness unless they were persistent and well documented issues specifically at that resort (which they aren't). I have experienced and/or read reports of these issues at every DVC and Disney resort, and while some resorts may be slightly more prone to some issues, there are no resorts that deserve the kind of blame you are assigning.

 

[Chuck S]

Did transportation explain how it was OKW's fault that there was a fight on the bus, and that the driver didn't call for security? I don't understand how the fight, and lack of action by the driver, had anything to do with OKW personnel.

I also don't understand why someone at a resort would have to send an occupancy report to transportation. If transportation truly relies upon an occupancy report for each resort, you'd think the computer systems would automatically generate and send such a report. It really wouldn't be a major programming problem to generate something like "450 guest rooms occupied, 100 expected departures, 137 expected arrivals. Expected resort occupancy percentage 97.167%."...That is a very simple database call up for most systems. And surely Disney tracks occupancy at each resort for any number of reasons. They generally have a ballpark figure days, if not weeks, in advance.

 

[Sammie]

Did transportation explain how it was OKW's fault that there was a fight on the bus, and that the driver didn't call for security?

I also don't understand why someone at a resort would have to send an occupancy report to transportation. If transportation truly relies upon an occupancy report for each resort, you'd think the computer systems would automatically generate and send such a report. It really wouldn't be a major programming problem to generate something like "450 guest rooms occupied, 100 expected departures, 137 expected arrivals. Expected resort occupancy percentage 97.167%."...That is a very simple database call up for most systems. And surely Disney tracks occupancy at each resort for any number of reasons.

It was OKW's fault because the OP spoke to someone from Transportation. Disney is so large it is very easy to blame the other department and make the guest feel like they are in sympathy with them.

Talk to someone at OKW and I am sure it will be Transportation's fault.

And the intresting thing is that SSR and OKW share personnel so it is, hit or miss, with getting a friendly CM versus a non.

Alot of it right now is that upper, upper management is not listening to the little people at Disney and that includes most of the CMs that come in contact with the guests and even the guests themselves, and the frustration level is building. For one thing each resort GM has 2 major jobs or 2 resorts and that does not lead to efficient management of either locations. I understand after 9-11 jobs were combined when tourism was off, but now with record crowds at the resorts and parks I think they need to loosen the pocket books some.

And people thought the Eisner days were bad.

 

[pcparamedics01]

I will first apologioze for everything I am going to say in this posting. First I have to say for the first time I was humiliated, mortified, upset, embarressed, etc. to be a DVC member. Reason being: OKW!!! We brought another family with us this past week (returned last night) and I could not tell you how embarressed I was all week and our friends kept asking "why would you buy a timeshare here, this is awful!"

I will get to the good things in a minute..

BAD:
Buses from any park back to OKW was at least 40-60 minutes and we even waited 1 hour and 13 minutes just for the bus to arrive at Typhoon Lagoon to bring us back to OKW. One night at DTD we waited 50 minutes for a bus and we got seats but before we left we had standing room only. The had the nerve to go to PI and pick up additional people which would never had fit and of course there was a fist fight on the bus because of over crowding. One guest actually pushed the beus driver because the bus driver was trying to load more people. Moving on, we began to track buses at this point and most resorts had 2-3 bus arrivals to every one that OKW had.

In addition this was the first time that the bus drivers were so nasty also. A guest could not get on a bus and asked when the next bus was coming and the driver replied "when Disney decides to send one" and closed the door.

Back to OKW, service here is no where near as good or friendly as SSR. SSR cast members are so much more friendly and ensure your vacation is "magical".

Believe me our friends never complain about anything but they said they would much rather go somewhere else or stay at another property. They were extremely disappointed in OKW and for our first time we were also.

WE WILL NEVER STAY AT THIS RESORT AGAIN!!!! I have already called into member services, our guide, DVC management, transportation, etc. to find out if we can get out of DVC just because of this experience.

Those that have reservations booked there, good luck! Go to SSR, you'll be treated as you expect not like a low life as you will be treated at OKW.

Good things:
WE HAD A GREAT TIME EVERY MINUTE WE WERE AWAY FROM OKW

I apprecriate your post! I cannot believe the amount of people that criticized you! These boards are ment to give valuable information and to hopefully have Disney change there flaws!

 

[rapisano]

This should hoefully settle some of the dust!! I just got off the phone with one of the Directors for the transportation group and indeed IT WAS OKW's FAULT this week. The explained the whole process of how they work together with the resorts:

The resorts send information to transportation daily on guest check ins and check outs and the information that was being sent was incorrect therefore the extended delays.

In addition I did speak with someone from OKW and they also informed me that they had a bunch of new recruits on the resort last week for training which may have resulted in the negative reactions of the guest. By the way one young lady at the snack bar was from France and never spoke a word of english.

Anyway they apologized both from OKW and transportation.

As far as the parks they were not even remotely close to be crowded and the longest line we waited in was 45 minutes.

If you go back and review the post I am NOT bashing OKW. I am bashing the people that work at OKW and the transportation group. You never saw me write anything about the grounds, food, etc. It's not an OKW issue, it's an OKW personnel issue.

As far as other resorts yes I did stay at BWV (Loved it), and VWL (Loved it). Just something to think about, it's not me it's OKW personnel.

Douglas let me first apologize for all the folks that think that they own OKW and Disney and that it is just fine with them and the transportation is doing the best they can because it just the time of year thats a bunch of crap! Let me state my self again when you go on vacation and especially a DVC resort we "expect to have a great vacation" The customer service you experienced at OKW is UNEXCEPTABLE especially when the cast members were curt and rude to you. There is a problem as far as the transportation and the amount of time you waited clearly they were not staffed to handle the "busy season". That is not your problem that is the transportation issue to not provide enough buses to accommodate the resort guests. If I was in your situation this would have a impact on our vacation experience!! If you had a great time any place else other than the DVC resort that is a issue!! You and all of us had paid our money to ensure a great resort with a 5 star experience..
We all try to of course make the best of any situation and have a great time however why should we have to make our self feel that its just ok and not to dwell on the negitive factors.. Unfortunately many of us work hard to be able to spend lots of money on our vacations and the parks and the buses and I feel that they dropped the ball.. I hope they do something for you and I commend you for stepping up to the plate on behalf of all DVC members and tell them the problems you have experienced..We thank you for your candid info and we wish you luck and hope you get rewarded in some.

 

[Muushka]

I just gathered some statements that the OP made:

Back to OKW, service here is no where near as good or friendly as SSR. SSR cast members are so much more friendly and ensure your vacation is "magical".

WE WILL NEVER STAY AT THIS RESORT AGAIN!!!! I have already called into member services, our guide, DVC management, transportation, etc. to find out if we can get out of DVC just because of this experience.

Those that have reservations booked there, good luck! Go to SSR, you'll be treated as you expect not like a low life as you will be treated at OKW.

Good things:
WE HAD A GREAT TIME EVERY MINUTE WE WERE AWAY FROM OKW

I am going to say it again, OKW is horrible and good luck to all those that have never experienced this place. My recommendation is to stay away!!!

I have stayed at other resorts and in our opinion this is the bottom of the barrel and we would never stay here again.

A lot os people love OKW and that's great, it's just not for us and I was warning those that have not stayed there yet.

There are reports that have constructive criticism and then there are the other kind.

 

[DebbieB]

I didn't realize that the bus service depended on how many people check in or out on a day. So if the resort is not full, you can expect to have to wait longer for busses?

 

[Chuck S]

You and all of us had paid our money to ensure a great resort with a 5 star experience..

Uhh, the highest rated Disney resort (including the Grand Floridian) is three stars, OKW is two stars (and presumably SSR will be, too) since it lacks in-room dining and valet parking services. DVCs with in-room dining are 3 stars according to Mobil.

 

[rapisano]

Uhh, the highest rated Disney resort (including the Grand Floridian) is three stars, OKW is two stars (and presumably SSR will be, too) since it lacks in-room dining and valet parking services. DVCs with in-room dining are 3 stars according to Mobil.

My point is..... that we have paid a lot of money and we expect good service and a quality resort you took my 5 star rateing literal that is not my point chuck.. Its about the over all product that DVC is puting out Chuck.

 

[Chuck S]

My point is..... that we have paid a lot of money and we expect good service and a quality resort you took my 5 star rateing literal that is not my point chuck.. Its about the over all product that DVC is puting out Chuck.

Again, how is a fight on the bus, and the driver's lack of action by not calling security, in any way related to OKW or DVC? Neither have control of individual busses, that is transportation.

As far as rudeness from the store personnel, people perceive different situations and responses differently. It may indeed have happened, but an isolated incident of rudeness certainly does not warrant compensation from DVC (AKA our dues/operating budget)

 

[pcparamedics01]

My point is..... that we have paid a lot of money and we expect good service and a quality resort you took my 5 star rateing literal that is not my point chuck.. Its about the over all product that DVC is puting out Chuck.

I agree RA Pisano,

I would think it would be a 5 star resort, if people that rent them pay 600.00 per night for a two bed room.

 

[rapisano]

I agree RA Pisano,

I would think it would be a 5 star resort, if people that rent them pay 600.00 per night for a two bed room.

Yes exactly PC!! They can charge $600 A NIGHT for a 2 bed villa at SSR and I know that for a fact! They are not considered 5 star?? I just assumed that is was based on how much they charge wow then perhaps we are getting ripped off for the accomodtions we are paying for! I cant believe that they can charge that much money for a non DVC guest and say it a 2 star thats a slap in the face of reality!! I like you PC you and I think on the same level..

 

[rapisano]

Again, how is a fight on the bus, and the driver's lack of action by not calling security, in any way related to OKW or DVC? Neither have control of individual busses, that is transportation.

As far as rudeness from the store personnel, people perceive different situations and responses differently. It may indeed have happened, but an isolated incident of rudeness certainly does not warrant compensation from DVC (AKA our dues/operating budget)

Well I guess that I have thaken the thread knowledge and I will not be staying at OKW and that being said I believe the OP that had the issues and the problems that has been encountered and will call it on my terms that OKW is not a place that I will stay any time soon

 

[Chuck S]

Four Seasons Chicago, a 5 star, is $535 a night for a unit that sleeps 3 people. To accomodate 8 people, that is $1605, plus tax, of course.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Perhaps these people would be interested in your points.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1490785

Sorry for your experience. It might be wise in the future (if you keep your points) to take visitors to resorts you have already been to and know. Not trying to sound snarky (thanks for the word starbox).

 

[loribell]

rapisano - Personally I think it is rediculous to expect some sort of compensation every time something goes wrong yet it looks as if you think the op should get something.

I still don't see how the bus probelms were in any way OKW's problem. It was a transportation problem during one of the busiest weeks of the year for Disney.

Statements like this are not in any way constructive. OKW was blamed & the op is contacting all kinds of people to get out of DVC?:

WE WILL NEVER STAY AT THIS RESORT AGAIN!!!! I have already called into member services, our guide, DVC management, transportation, etc. to find out if we can get out of DVC just because of this experience.

Those that have reservations booked there, good luck! Go to SSR, you'll be treated as you expect not like a low life as you will be treated at OKW.

Good things:
WE HAD A GREAT TIME EVERY MINUTE WE WERE AWAY FROM OKW

I am going to say it again, OKW is horrible and good luck to all those that have never experienced this place. My recommendation is to stay away!!!


Sorry but I feel these boards are to inform people with accurate & constructive information and it is the responsibility of those of us that have stayed at the resorts muiltple times to give that information.

I would bet that every resort had people that were unhappy with check in times & bus waits last week!

 

[Database]

I love my DVC and would purchase more points in a NY minute.

That being said, let me state that we had a very un-impressive visit to OKW last January. We won't be going to OKW again.

 

[Chuck S]

Well I guess that I have thaken the thread knowledge and I will not be staying at OKW and that being said I believe the OP that had the issues and the problems that has been encountered and will call it on my terms that OKW is not a place that I will stay any time soon

Again, as others have pointed out, the bus incident could have happened at ANY resort, I fail to see how it is OKWs, or DVCs, responsibility that the driver didn't call for security.

 

[abk96]

I could not tell you how embarressed I was all week and our friends kept asking "why would you buy a timeshare here, this is awful!"

Why would "friends" ask this over and over again. If I was staying with friends I would never in a million years say this to them because it just might be hurtful.

I'm sorry to hear you had a less than perfect stay.