Just back from 1st OKW visit - awesome villa but.....

[treloarf]

This was our first time as DVC members and stayed in a 1 bedroom at OKW for 5 nights - beautiful villa in Bldg. 62. Very convenient to bus stop and hospitality house & pool. But after visiting the Boardwalk for a day, I was a little disappointed in the level of service at OKW. There seems to be hardly anyone working there! I found it strange to have to wait in line at the check-in to ask any type of guest services questions or to get an extra map. The people working there hardly knew anything about the various programs around Disney (i.e. when I asked about the campout at Fort Wilderness with Chip & Dale, they had to actually call them to found out anything). Also, they were not friendly with the kids either.

Now when we went to the Boardwalk, walking in they gave our kids 2 lollypops, 2 balloons, they had their own guest services area and knew everything. Gave my kids coloring books, crayons and the DIsney magazine. Very friendly with the kids. Oh, their community hall had free video games, arcade games, and everything was so much cleaner and newer than OKW. I felt OKW's hall had nothing in it!!! THe kids did enjoy the "unbirthday party". Please don't get me wrong, we had a wonderful time, but I thought something "magical" was missing at OKW. Was it just me or does OKW seem almost too "quiet". I guess that's what happens when you buy site unseen. I probably would have spent the extra to buy at Boardwalk.

 

[rsinj]

It must depend when you check in and how busy things are.

When we checked in at OKW 3 weeks ago there were 3 check-in folks at different terminals. At the time, we were the only ones checking in (Sunday late afternoon). Our 4 year old was given balloons, the person that checked us in gave us a whole packet, maps, explained what was going on over the next few days and took the time to explain everything and answer any questions we had. They also noted it was our daughter's birthday and told her they would be sure to tell Snow White. Sure enough a couple days later Snow White found her way into our unit leaving a signed personal picture birthday card with a whole bunch of balloons.

 

[PamOKW]

I agree that it may be timing and whose on duty. Sometimes we've heard stories about the rude BWV CM's and the great ones at OKW and vice versa. Unless things have changed, there is a Guest Services desk at OKW. It's to the far right of the check-in desk. It's possible they don't have it staffed all the time as they pick up the slack for check-in when they are busy.

 

[Richyams]

Some people have the opposite desires and get different experiences. I checked into BWV once, it took a very long time and the cm must have been having a bad year, I couldn't say day because she seemed to have the whole dark cloud thing down pat. I felt as if I was asking her to give up Saunday dinner with her parents while she checked me in.

Compounded by the 1.2 mile hike to the room from check in, made me happy I didn't own in a nasty hotel. It did have its good points...I got to tip a valet every time I left or entered the hotel. I drive everywhere and the marathon to the room was enough to make the valet worthwhile.

Then to think that owners there are paying 25% higher dues, 25-100% higher points per night and all this for tiny rooms with no dining area, man, am I glad BWV didn't open first, I might have bought there and regretted it my whole life.

OKW on the other hand, is just as perfect as perfect gets. Friendly CMs, plenty of activities for the kids, luxurios, spacious units and a great view from just about every room.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs", Karl Marx,This has failed every time it has been tried, why do we still have liberals?

 

[Peterd]

Wow, I knew we would have to hear about 25% more this and that. The long walk, (some of the long winded could use it),and those darn free Valets. Haven't heard all of this in a week. If only those 25% bigger rooms would have been nicer.
Treloarf, sorry to hear about your stay, Don't consider it the norm. Must have been a bad day for some. This being your first trip, I would still give OKW another shot. There's one or two of these BW experts on the boards, who went to the BW all of ONE time, and still compare a two bedroom there to a Grand villa at the Okw. One bad experience, and they think it must be like that all the time. It must be a sad world this person lives in. I can tell by his posts. I wonder if they spill their coffee in the morning, or someone cuts them off on the road, the first thing they yell, "OKW has 25% bigger rooms than the Boardwalk". Remember with all the money you save on dues, you can always spend the $50 at the Hotdog stand.
Treloarf, I would suggest you email your concerns to guest services, they may be a little more helpful. I know they won't tell you about the 25% larger rooms and higher dues at the BWV. Hope next trip is better.

 

[pluto109]

well said pete.. i dont think he has much of a life...boardwalk rules!!!!!!

 

[AnnK]

Is that a fact or more of YOUR speculation? Did you measure the walk? Someone has too much time on their hands
NASTY hotel? Just say what you feel. Have you ever heard of couth? Geez, and they kicked Calbay off? He at least had couth, and never said such slanderous remarks.
I 'm paying 25 % more dues? Why didn't they tell me this when I bought. Oh right ,BECAUSE THEY DID and I CHOSE BWV anyway! 100% higher points,( when is that?)well anyway it's WORTH EVERY POINT.
No, you would NOT have bought at BWV. I saw OKW many times and passed it up, buying only after they built the BWV's, (which is the ULTIMATE timeshare resort.)Check the TUG ratings BWV is NUMBER 1
Perfect FOR YOU! Many of us think differently. The CM's are ALL JUST people. They all have good and bad days and it doesn't matter in what of Disney they work. If you don't like BW continue to stay at OKW, but stop bashing BWV just because OTHER PEOPLE LIKE IT BETTER.
BWV has MANY activities for children, and they even have a slide at the pool. OKW has spacious laundry rooms and a great view of nothing special..........

[This message was edited by AnnK on 03-27-01 at 10:17 AM.]

 

[Richyams]

I think that I effectively showed that there are people that prefer OKW. Some, like me, feel very strongly about it. Some, like me, are very happy to own at OKW. Some, like me, don't need to take to personal attacks when their favorite resort is maligned.

"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs", Karl Marx,This has failed every time it has been tried, why do we still have liberals?

 

[AnnK]

Some people should not attack another person's favorite resort! ( NASTY HOTEL???? NOT AN ATTACK?)

 

[JAH]

I do not view the term nasty hotel as a personel attack on anyone. I own at OKW love it and felt the same way after staying at the boardwalk. The CMs at OKW are always nice warm and friendly. The CMs we encountered at Boardwalk were cold, rude etc. however this is from only one experience I am sure there are plenty of great CMs at both resorts and some below par.
We do not need to go in to the OKW/BW debate again. It is probably 50/50 in preference and that is fine. I would much rather have bigger rooms, more value , a decent size kitchen you can cook in,park outside your room etc. These are the things that turned me away from Boardwalk not the Cold CM at check in. Less than 1% of my WDW time is spent interecting with resort CMs.

 

[Geubux]

Awww, leave richyams alone. He's just a grumpy old man, kind of like Hook. He's got his 25% bigger is better mantra, so there.

76 - offsite
98 - Ft Wilderness Cabins
99 - CBR
00 - HH DVC
4/01 offsite
12/01 BWV

 

[KyBill]

The level of services at any resort can differ based on a number of things. That is no reason to condemn the resort. We spent five days at BWV in 1/2000 in 1 BR with no "welcome homes" a toaster that wouldn't work(which was replaced) and a terrible "view" of the roof of the Leaping Libations bar. But we enjoyed our stay. Based on that stay I would not condemn the resort.
While there we went downstairs and did an add on at OKW(our home) as the overall experience and comfort of the Villas did not compare with OKW. Also we don't like the hotel atmosphere. But that's why there are more flavors than vanilla.
We just returned from a 2 BR at OKW last week. While there we twice drove to the BW and used the valet park and ate at the FF on two nights. Love that restaurant.

 

[AnnK]

Jah,
I never said it was a personal attack, I said not to attack another person's favorite resort.( ie NASTY HOTEL).
I think it's great if your happy with OKW. Some people like larger rooms, some people like location. I have no problem with that at all.It's wrong to go around BASHING a resort just because you don't like what SOMEONE ELSE EXPERIENCED on their last trip. Just because someone STRONGLY prefers OKW doesn't give them the right to call another person's favorite resort NASTY.
I have stayed at both OKW and BWV resorts MANY times, and I have encountered both friendly and unfriendly AT BOTH, which is why I say CM's are people, they all have good and bad days.

[This message was edited by AnnK on 03-27-01 at 12:28 PM.]

 

[Tommy]

Do you know how long a walk it is from my home resort to the parks? 313 Miles! Even if I drive it, it's a 5 hour and 17 minute drive. And to think, I gave up all that park hussle, waiting on busses, bumping into people in crowded lines, all to just sit on my porch at Hilton Head and watch the sailboats on Broad Creek!

Is there no equality in DVC?

ttowery@memphis.edu
DVC Hilton Head Member since 1997
My DVC Hilton Head Resort Page

 

[pluto109]

rich arent you the one calling members thief for 5 in a one bedroom ...that is akin to being pigheaded

 

[baileybrad]

Why do folks get drawn into DVC resort bashing? All 5 properties have something that distinguishes them in a positive light. Consider the source, some folks love their home resorts so much that they like to jab others in the ribs a bit when making their points, while others seem to feel that just because their resort is within walking distance to a park that others are somehow missing out on something. The original poster somehow thinks because they saw something different at one resort and not their "home" that they may have made a wrong choice. As PamOKW clearly points out, a big part of your experience depends on timing. Others have noticed just the opposite at other times at other resorts. Can someone honestly say that they have firsthand knowledge of more than a dozen or so folks who have ever had a bad visit at any DVC resort? And lets face it, that would be out of hundreds of thousands of visits and dealing with all types of personalities.

As for the magic that this guest somehow felt was missing at OKW, that is really more a state of mind isn't it? Maybe the more quiet setting does seem a little less magical to some but just as many others believe that is what makes their vacations so wonderful at OKW. Conversely, some who enjoy more action probably love BWV or VWL and do so because they are more "active" places. Not knowing the personality of the original poster, only they can decide if maybe they should have chosen more active over laid-back. But the last thing that I would do is make this decision based on 1 visit. I would give OKW another try and definitely try the other resorts and I am sure as most of us have found, there are pluses and minuses to be had at each one. But as we all know the minuses are so very few. My edit was for left words, not content. It took me awhile to get back in due to the fact that I was making an October reservation at OKW .

[This message was edited by baileybrad on 03-27-01 at 02:25 PM.]

 

[Dennis the WDW Menace]

Boy such hostility on these boards as of late, maybe some of us need a WDW tune-up. I realize that everyone has a resort that they feel is special but variety is what makes WDW interesting. All three resorts have their drawbacks and good points and this gives us a choice when we make reservations. OKW has parking close to the rooms, BW is more convienent to EPCOT and has food and stores close to the rooms, VWL is close to MK and the campground. When I bought into DVC I like the fact that parking was available at what is now OKW, I drive often and rent cars when I fly. The best thing is that it feels like "home" to me and we do go at least 3 or 4 times a year. CM's sometimes are not as attentive as they should be and these times are the ones that we remember the most. I have seen and experienced those bad attitudes at all three of the resorts but this has not discouraged me from returning to all DVC properties. If you don't like one then don't go there, but to express these negative attitudes and to call each other names on these boards is becoming a little to commonplace now. I thought these boards were to offer information or discuss issues not to be a outlet for people to constantly write insulting comments.
I feel sorry that someone has had a bad experience at OKW and I would encourage Treloarf to call or write OKW to report this and tell them how much that this bothered you. I have had a few occassions to call them and report items and they do respond.

 

[CarolAnnC]

I'd like to remind everybody that this is a discussion board. If you would like to debate, please visit the Debate Board. If you would like to post here, keep it friendly and polite. Whether or not we all agree, we need to stay respectful and courteous. Thank you everyone for your anticipated cooperation!

<font size=4><font color=purple><font face=BrushArt>Carol</font></font></font>

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[treloarf]

We had a fantastic time at OKW and can't wait to go back again. You're probably right about visiting 1 time - I do need to give it another chance (I did notice there was construction inside the lobby which maybe they were adding a guest services area or updating it).

I just thought BWV was cleaner, newer and had more to offer for the kids (my son loved the pool slide). But, I can always stay there if I want (at a 7 month window), right? So I feel the best of both worlds is to be had as a DVC owner.

Please don't fight over the resorts - it beats staying offsite!

 

[WALLSTREET]

Whew!!! Everybody got their claws pulled back in nice & tight? Good. Now I just have one thing to say. Are we having fun yet? No, really, I just wanted to say that I for one am GLAD there are so many different types of DVC properties because there whenever someone posts his/her perspectives about one of them, there is always something that appeals to me. I can't wait to stay at ALL of them. I hope that as a new mood strikes I'll be able to choose a new favorite each time I go. We're not your neighbors yet, but it looks like SOON!!