Just back and what a wonderful change to OKW.

[GAIL HAYDEN]

We just returned Thursday. We stayed in a studio at OKW. I was totally thrilled with the Cast Members' change in attitude. They were upbeat and very friendly. The guard even gave me a PVC Goofy!!!! Also a very warm and lovely "welcome home". Check in was a breeze, we got the unit we had requested. It was spotless and the one time we needed maintenance, they were there in 10 mins. and fixed the problem. Housekeeping filled our requests within the same time frame.
We asked to speak to the manager and told him of our pleasure at the changes. He said that they had been doing some "surveys" and applying them.
Trust me, they seem to be working.
We managed to see a unit at Wilderness and they are really nice. I liked the studio there.
We only had a couple of complaints, and the major one was that for the entire week we were there there was a beer can on the ground. Also, an incredible amount of cigarette butts. I did not say anything mainly cause I wanted to see if they would pick them up. Well, they did not. We mentioned it at check out. Obviously not something major at all.
As nice as the unit was I don't think I would select building 19 for a studio again as it was a bit noisy because of the busses. Ah, live and learn.
It is nice to see that they do listen when the "Magic" starts to tarnish a bit. It was a GREAT visit.

Gail

Offsite - 88
CBR - 89 & 90
PO - 91
OKW-92,OKW-93,OKW-96, OKW-97 2X'S,OKW-98 2X's
OKW-99 2X'S,OKW-00 2X's OKW-01 1X
Jamaica-SandalsInn 98&00

 

[PamOKW]

Glad to hear you noticed a difference and that you let management know. Hopefully, they'll keep on the upswing.

I'm sorry you missed this week's snowstorm suffering in OKW!

 

[WDWMom]

It seems like we always get a survey a couple weeks after we get home. I am glad to hear our time put into them is paying off.

1976 off site
1982 Fort Wilderness
1985 off site
1994 Dixie Landings
1995 Dixie Landings
1996 Dixie Landing
1996 Wilderness Homes
1997 Caribean Beach
1998 OKW/BWV
1998 OKW
1999 OKW
2000 OKW 2x
2001 OKW

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Hi Pam,
It was a tad chilly until Monday. And, yes, we did miss the snowfall, but, the driveway still held some for us upon our return.
I, too, am glad that management is listening and I was delighted to compliment them on the changes, BUT, this change was all over WDW. It was really nice.
The only thing that really bugged me was the smoking in the parks is almost back to where it was before the designated areas. The CM's don't do too much, if anything, at all. I am a smoker (as most everyone knows) and I was really not pleased to see the lax attitude towards the new policy. I smoked in the designated areas only. There are many. Guess I did not realize what a mess some smokers make, ie: smashing cigs. on the ground within inches of the ashtray thingie. Sort of like the morons who toss trash on the ground within inches of a trash can. Guess I have a problem with sloppy people and broken rules.

Gail

Offsite - 88
CBR - 89 & 90
PO - 91
OKW-92,OKW-93,OKW-96, OKW-97 2X'S,OKW-98 2X's
OKW-99 2X'S,OKW-00 2X's OKW-01 1X
Jamaica-SandalsInn 98&00

 

[Gail Reale]

Hi Gail - thanks for the news about cast members' attitudes changing at OKW! It's good to hear. We had 2 "almost really ugly" attitude incidents with front desk CMs the last 2 times we were there, and I was beginning to wonder if the training has changed. If I spoke to a guest while working my shift at TDS the way some front desk CMs did to me, I would have been reprimanded/fired. It's good to hear of a turn-about. Maybe by August when we go back, they will have it completely right again!! Glad to hear you had a good time and missed our snow.

 

[DisneyMim]

Glad to hear you had a great vacation!! I too am happy to hear that Disney management is really listening to the members. Hope you didn't have much shoveling to do to get into your driveway. I hate when that happens!!

 

[jcodespoti]

Gail,
Glad to hear they listen. We had a great time in November and I let the "manager" know. (at the time we checked out the manager was in a mickey mouse costume...doubt you would find this in any other resort outside wdw!!) He said that they look over those survey cards that we fill out. I got one in the mail about 2 weeks after we got back(from WDW not from DVC though).
Anyway glad you had a good time and missed out on the 15" of snow(well..not really).

Joe In CT

 

[Melynny]

Hi Gail.. we were in bldg. 20 from the 31st. to the 10th. Got to our other home yesterday.. Yes we noticed the change in attitude. Everything in our studio was up to snuff too. We were missing a shampoo and the dirty clothes bag at check in, a kitchen towel and there was great inconsistancy in the # of washcloths, hand and step off towels after our initial, full clean and trash and towel. I did the same as you, I waited to see how long it would take for them to clean our trash in the "ashtray urn" (fulled with sand) outside our unit. It took them quite a while to remove it, almost a full 7 days. Housekeeping was right there everyday because there were many checkouts for that period of time. I was concerned about noise, but it did not interfere with my sleeping although we were on the road side of the bldg, Second floor. I wonder if that made a differece? Oh one small point.. our studo had recently been repainted and although it looked great, I did notice that the beds were not moved and the repainting stopped about 12 inches from them, as if they beds were made and they just quit when they got close. great shape otherwise.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Hi,
Joe, we didn't miss out on the removal of snow. Drat!!!! The person who watches our cats and house did some removal, but, the snowblower failed, so, we had about half a driveway to clear, not too bad. BTW, Dee's store is in Milford.
Melynny,
We were on the roadside also, right across from the bus stop. The busses were not too bad, and neither was the road traffic, but....what really bothered me was the things that blow leaves and stuff away at 6am!!!!
As to the rude CM's, there is one that still has an attitude, but, we did not have to deal with her. I cannot say she is rude, but, she has that "air" about her and she does not like to listen before responding. We simply avoid her.

Gail

Offsite - 88
CBR - 89 & 90
PO - 91
OKW-92,OKW-93,OKW-96, OKW-97 2X'S,OKW-98 2X's
OKW-99 2X'S,OKW-00 2X's OKW-01 1X
Jamaica-SandalsInn 98&00

 

[Richyams]

Other then that one arrogant French dude playing cm behind the front desk when my wife checked in several years ago, everyone has heard that story, when he wouldn't let her have a key to our room, he was rude and abstinate. Other then him, in all my trips to OKW, I have never had an expereince with a cm that I wasn't happy about. I have been welcomed home at each and every check in....except for the one at BWV.

I am glad you were happy, but I have never noticed a problem.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs", Karl Marx, pretty sick, huh?

 

[disneyokw]

We have always had a warm Welcome Home at our home base at OKW. Everyone has always been great since 1996. We had talked to several CMs at other resorts and they have all told us that the CMs at OKW are nicer than the ones at BWV. We have found this to be true from our talks and questions. We love them and we always feel like we are home when we see the same friendly faces.

The only problem I ever had at OKW was two years ago when I was purchasing a Park Hopper Pass for five days on the day I arrived. The CM behind the desk kept on messing it up and over charging my credit card and then had a tough time to take it out. By the time she was able to put in the right amount my card was charged over $1,700 and I was told don't worry about it we have taken the other purhcases out and you have been only charged $$$ for the card. I was leary about this and I was told that I will have no problem using the card. Low and behold when I tried to purchase a x-mas ornament at the store at MK my card was over the limit. I called my credit card company and they said that it would take five business days until the error was corrected. Therefore I had to live on $400 in cash for a whole week at WDW. I did not saying anything in person but only wrote out the story in the response card. No I did not get any reply back. Last year I checked to see if she was still there and found out she is no longer at OKW.

 

[POLLY ANN]

Gail, we've never had any problems with CM's ever. I guess we've just been lucky!

Matter of fact, I couldn't have asked for nicer CM's AND guests the day we checked in a few weeks ago. My ds, 2 1/2, was running around while we were waiting outside by the boats for our room to be ready. My dd, almost 4, decided to give him a little extra push as he was running, and he fell flat on his face. Needless to say, blood was pouring all over the place from his forehead, but I couldn't tell at the moment how severe it was. We rushed him into check-in (I didn't know where else to go!), but everyone crowded around trying to help. One of the CM's even went and got him a stuffed Goofy. The paramedics were called and they confirmed that he would not need stitches, thank Goodness. It was just a small cut. Amazing how much blood can come from such a small cut! My dd was absolutely horrified by the whole thing, so needless to say, I didn't have to reprimand her for pushing him. The rest of the trip she was actually very protective of him!

Since our room still wasn't ready, the front desk manager offered to let us use a 2BR for all of us to get cleaned up in, which I found a very generous thing to do. That helped my son get away from the hustle and bustle of the HH area, and have some quiet time. Our GV was ready at exactly 4pm.

DVC Member since 1995

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I guess I should be more clear in writing.
With the possible exception of a few CM's at check in, they were always nice, but, this was better. It was more like it was back in the early 90's.
There is one CM there that ALWAYS gives Dee and I a Welcome Home hug. Cannot beat that!!!!
She is a peach and I always ask for her.
The guard we encountered when we first arrived was absolutely wonderful. I believe his name is Brian. The welcome was outstanding. Sometimes you just get waved through.
The server at Olivia's, Tara, was fantastic. Could not do enough for us. Another favorite there is Kato (sp?). He is wonderful.
I guess what I have been trying to say is that OKW has always been nice, but, this time it was wonderful.
Pollyanna, they did do a fantastic thing for you and that is great. Head wounds always bleed like crazy, and make MOMS really edgy. Glad it was not too serious.
Rich, I am always happy in FL. I really don't like CT at all, and would like to be in FL. forever.

Gail

Offsite - 88
CBR - 89 & 90
PO - 91
OKW-92,OKW-93,OKW-96, OKW-97 2X'S,OKW-98 2X's
OKW-99 2X'S,OKW-00 2X's OKW-01 1X
Jamaica-SandalsInn 98&00