Just Back OKW 8/11-8/24 (long)

[turtlekrawl]

Just back from another wonderful stay at OKW. We stayed in a third floor, two bedroom (2831). Weather was hot, and rained heavily every day except for the last two. Most days it only lasted for an hour or so. I won't bore you with all the details, but here are the highlights:

No "welcome home" from any of the guards, except for Cat. She always came out of the guard shack to check the parking permit, and gave a big wave to everyone on the busses.

The first week we were there buildings in the 23 - 26 circle were being refurbished. From what I could see this included painting, new mattresses and appliances. The second week building 27 was getting the treatment.

Building 28 was scheduled to get the makeover shortly after we departed. It was none too soon, as we had several problems with our room, including a leaking dishwasher, and a major flood from the hot tub. Thanks to Dennis in Engineering, the crisis was averted (tilecutters, plumbers etc...).

We signed up for the boating family plan at the Wilderness Lodge, $210 including tax, which paid for itself in no time.

We poolhopped to the WL and Boardwalk, both pools were fairly busy, but we were never asked for ID. Also, at a Stormalong Bay, there was quite a bit of maintenance being done around the pool area. The usual white walls and "please pardon the appearance" signs were up.

For those of you who were tired of Jimmy Buffett and "Peanut Butter and Jellyfish Sandwiches", by the pool, the music has recently changed! IMHO, I hate the new music!! It is swing music that is meant to evoke the period of the 1930's and 40's in Key West. The old music, to me, was calming and soothing which is what I want when lounging by the pool. The swing music is more upbeat and has bleating horns, and is quite jarring, again, IMHO. You can all decide for yourselves.

One day while sitting at the Gurgling Suitcase, I mentioned to someone who identified himself as a "manager" that I didn't like the new music and asked why it was changed. He rolled his eyes and gave me the spiel about "Key West and the 1930's" etc... Then he started the next sentence with "Don't take this the wrong way, but you members are always asking for things...". Then he told me that if I didn't like it I could write Guest Relations and I might get a response in about four months. It was at this point that I realized that he wasn't having a Magical Day and that he didn't really care about my opinion.

Sorry if this was too long.....

Jim

 

[jcanary]

thanks Jim. It was great to hear about the family boat plan. Do you recall if only 4 could sign up or was it possible to put 5 on the sheet? We are going next summer and really looking forward to this. We were thinking about doing it at the Poly. thanks for the info.

 

[dcmmgw]

We did the family boat and bike plan at WL in July. There are five of us, myself, DH and 3 DS's. We all signed up, no problem, there's space for five on the form. The boys certainly got their money's worth on those water mice! I don't know how it works at the Poly. Don't even know if they have it there.