Just returned from OKW...news to report

[Lew]

We just returned from OKW. Here are a few new things we noticed (since our March 2002 trip) and heard during our visit. If they have been mentioned previously, please excuse me.

We were in building 24, not our favorite, but it had been refurbished within the past 30 days.

• New refrigerator with clear bins...nice when you're looking for something. You don't need to open each bin to find it.
  
• New solid cook top stove
  
• New chair with different fabric in living room of one-bedroom unit.
  
• New wicker chair with different fabric in bedroom of one-bedroom unit.
  
• Teapots are no longer a standard item although they are still listed on the inventory sheet as a provided kitchen item. You can call housekeeping if you would like one. Also, tea is not provided.
  
• There was new bedding in the one-bedroom. The mattress is quite high...I measured it as 30" from the floor to the top of the mattress. I felt like a little kid getting into bed. Getting in and out of this bed might prove difficult for a senior.
  
• We were quite surprised to receive a list of off-property restaurants that deliver to OKW when we checked in. There were pizza and Chinese restaurants listed along with their phone numbers.
  
• We can order from Olivia's by phone between 5pm and 9pm for takeout orders. Orders are picked up at Good-to-Go.
  
• There has been some discussion recently concerning how early we can check in. According to Alberto, one of the front desk managers, 6am is a safe bet. Computers go down between midnight and 2am for updating and usually come back up between 5am and 7am. You cannot check in before computers are updated.
  
• There is a new Publix located on Vineland exactly 3.5 miles from the Exxon station across from Downtown Disney. Take Hotel Plaza Boulevard to RT 535, take a right on RT 535, take first left after going under I-4 overpass...that's Vineland, follow Vineland past the outlets, Publix will be on your left...you can't miss it. It's brand new...a very nice store.

As always we had a wonderful time. We dodged a few hurricanes and it was unbearably hot some days with the temperature in the 90s and the dew point in the high 70s. We’re thinking of going a little later next fall.

 

[ncligs]

Lew,
Thanks for the updated info at OKW!!

 

[RoutemanDan]

Thanks Lew!

What's the reasoning for not having teapots in the room anymore?

 

[Kacey]

Thanks Lew!!

It's always good to hear about HOME


Hope we get an updated room when we go in Dec!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Ok, I will ask again. Is there an ice maker in the new fridges?
What sort of a solid cooktop are we talking about here. One without burner elements?
Tea pots, hmmm, maybe they are taking them out of the refurbs, cause there sure was one in our unit in Sept. I have a feeling these are one of those things that "grow legs" and follow guests home and maybe FINALLY they are tracking items.

 

[RoutemanDan]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN

Tea pots, hmmm, maybe they are taking them out of the refurbs, cause there sure was one in our unit in Sept. I have a feeling these are one of those things that "grow legs" and follow guests home and maybe FINALLY they are tracking items.

You know, that just sucks!Isn't that the same reason the plush colored towels are gone too?
It amazes me people spend all this money for DVC,then steal items,thus causing higher dues and loss of the little niceities that make it feel more like home.

 

[shelbyjosh]

Thanks for the detailed report, Lew! I can see why they leave various phone #s for off-property restaurants...Olivia's isn't the greatest and Disney food is, well, boring! We like to cook about 2 meals a day in our room just because we get tired of eating out and the same stuff. Anyways...I am looking forward to seeing the refurbishments!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

It amazes me people spend all this money for DVC,then steal items,thus causing higher dues and loss of the little niceities that make it feel more like home.

It is not always the members that do this.

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for the updates Lew!