N
Niagara2
Guest
Hi, home from a week at OKW. We got there as the cold snap came in but it warmed up nicely. Alot of sunshine! Also - a lot of people in the parks. We were there for Thanksgiving and Christmas week and feel the parks were as crowded as then. We worked fastpass and went early. We even did Universal this trip (bought the 2 year AP for $169!!) All the fastpasses were gone in early afternoon there too. Even the pool at OKW was busy. Can't figure that out as it is always high occupancy. Maybe it was us members staying out of the parks.
Went to Tuesday DVC meeting in Community Hall. The format changed and it lasted over an hour. Many pictures of SSR. Looks great. Renderings of new sales center shown. A train will be on a track at the ceiling and run between the Ice Cream Parlor, which is very large, and the children'd play center. One CM said that the children's Play Center looks and feels much like the one on the Disney Ships. For those who have never done a cruise, go check that out. It is a great play center. You now fill out a card and list a favorite DVC memory. They pull them for a few gifts and read your card. If going, think of what you want to write before hand. They also hand out great info in a big packet. Lists all the trades we can make and SSR points etc. We all got new DVC member laynards and 10 year pin. The web site was discussed. We will be receving two mailings very soon per place of ownership. If you own at 3 DVC's epect 6 mailings...what a waste. Anyway, one will have a new Pin number for the DVC site and the second mailing will have a user name. Alot of numbers and such to keep track of. This is part of the new upgrade and these upgrades will take years. It will look better first, then become more functional for looking up your account and hopefully in years to come, to be able to book.
Also, the new bigger boat to Downtown Disney started on Monday. Now I got this info from my DH and kids, but they said they were told that the boat will be run by a water taxi service and will service at least 3 resorts - OKW, SSR AND Port Orleans!!!!! The OKW recreational staff will not have anything to do with it anymore. They will be offered jobs elsewhere. The new boats were making the two stops yesterday - OKW and Port Orleans then Downtown Disney. I guess our boat trip will be longer, but I always have enjoyed it anyways.
We received a memo in the room about the DSL service. It is being tested now and if you are going bring your cables. It was working sporatically. They suggested you use dial up for now as you could be cut off at any time. I tried it for half an hour and it worked great. I am sure that the fee's will start soon.
I did pay a moving fee as we arrived late and the first one bedroom had a view of a parking lot. It was an end unit at Turtle Pond. We waited a few days, but it just didn't seem like OKW to us with that view. To the side you could see the end of a pond, that was a bit muddy at the ends. Would of enjoyed turtle pond area but we packed up and moved. Desk was very kind in helping us get a great room. We were in one of the new buildings and loved being close to HH. The unit was in great shape. Rugs just washed and they put in the new couch and loveseat just prior. The pillows were delivered a few days into our stay. They were a deeper green and Rustic Orange to match new colors in the couch. They have Blue in them too now. The best part is the fold out couches. The mattresses are a foam like three piece pull out without the metal rods running underneath. They are very comfortable. I would love one for my house.
Well, back to the real world.....work and all, Sorry this was so long, but new things are happening. I think DVC is setting itself up to be even better in the years to come for all of us. Oh, and yes, we got all out Welcome Homes!
Went to Tuesday DVC meeting in Community Hall. The format changed and it lasted over an hour. Many pictures of SSR. Looks great. Renderings of new sales center shown. A train will be on a track at the ceiling and run between the Ice Cream Parlor, which is very large, and the children'd play center. One CM said that the children's Play Center looks and feels much like the one on the Disney Ships. For those who have never done a cruise, go check that out. It is a great play center. You now fill out a card and list a favorite DVC memory. They pull them for a few gifts and read your card. If going, think of what you want to write before hand. They also hand out great info in a big packet. Lists all the trades we can make and SSR points etc. We all got new DVC member laynards and 10 year pin. The web site was discussed. We will be receving two mailings very soon per place of ownership. If you own at 3 DVC's epect 6 mailings...what a waste. Anyway, one will have a new Pin number for the DVC site and the second mailing will have a user name. Alot of numbers and such to keep track of. This is part of the new upgrade and these upgrades will take years. It will look better first, then become more functional for looking up your account and hopefully in years to come, to be able to book.
Also, the new bigger boat to Downtown Disney started on Monday. Now I got this info from my DH and kids, but they said they were told that the boat will be run by a water taxi service and will service at least 3 resorts - OKW, SSR AND Port Orleans!!!!! The OKW recreational staff will not have anything to do with it anymore. They will be offered jobs elsewhere. The new boats were making the two stops yesterday - OKW and Port Orleans then Downtown Disney. I guess our boat trip will be longer, but I always have enjoyed it anyways.
We received a memo in the room about the DSL service. It is being tested now and if you are going bring your cables. It was working sporatically. They suggested you use dial up for now as you could be cut off at any time. I tried it for half an hour and it worked great. I am sure that the fee's will start soon.
I did pay a moving fee as we arrived late and the first one bedroom had a view of a parking lot. It was an end unit at Turtle Pond. We waited a few days, but it just didn't seem like OKW to us with that view. To the side you could see the end of a pond, that was a bit muddy at the ends. Would of enjoyed turtle pond area but we packed up and moved. Desk was very kind in helping us get a great room. We were in one of the new buildings and loved being close to HH. The unit was in great shape. Rugs just washed and they put in the new couch and loveseat just prior. The pillows were delivered a few days into our stay. They were a deeper green and Rustic Orange to match new colors in the couch. They have Blue in them too now. The best part is the fold out couches. The mattresses are a foam like three piece pull out without the metal rods running underneath. They are very comfortable. I would love one for my house.
Well, back to the real world.....work and all, Sorry this was so long, but new things are happening. I think DVC is setting itself up to be even better in the years to come for all of us. Oh, and yes, we got all out Welcome Homes!
Ahhh...so they 'lure' you in with balloons and sugar, get you all 
jazzed up
Mickey Mouse operation! 
