Lots of Questions about Orange Lake.......

[square pond]

Hi We have a Two bedroom Villa booked at Orange Lake for April 10-16th. Does anyone know when the new pool in the East section will be done? Also does anyone have any info or tips for getting a newer unit. Should we email ahead or request at check-in? Our stay is a sun-sunday, will this make any difference? We have heard the best sections are the New East and the North. I would love some input from someone who owns or has visited. We are staying on an Rci swap. Thanks.

 

[square pond]

Anyone??

 

[KerriMc]

Hello

We stayed at OL last February and were very happy. We booked through a friend who swapped for us. We stayed in the East Village (the newest section). We were next to the pool (just a regular pool ... not the new waterpark they are putting in). The pool for us was just enough as our oldest was not quite 3 yrs and she loved the zero entry. The North Village also has Splash Lagoon which is a nice pool area especially for children. We had a two bedroom as well. I emailed to customer service ahead of time with my request for a highchair and playpen. I also mentioned that we had allergies to cigarette smoke, asking if there was such a thing as non-smoking units (there aren't), but they replied saying that they would be sure to mark it as having to be cleaned thoroughly. This may be why they put us in a newer section ... I dont' know? I also was on check in for Sunday to Sunday. I did call ahead and ask if I could request a non-ground floor (my own paranoia) and they told me they couldnt' guarantee, but they would mark it down as a request. If you are an RCI owner, you can request according the person I spoke with.

We had a lot of fun and are returning in 2006 for a week. We booked this through the timeshare presentation ... now looking back I don't feel we got a "deal", but at least it will be paid for well in advance and we won't have to worry about it at the time. By then the new water park will be in as well, which is closest to East Village.

Have a great trip!

Kerri

p.s. Use the search forum and you'll get tons of stuff from others who have posted about OLCC!

 

[reddixie]

The new pool area in the East Village is coming along nicely but won't be ready until almost the end of the year. As for request they don't do them. You will be happy to know that most of the West Village just went under a major redo. You don't have the whirlpool tub but the rest of the unit is very beautiful. Any specific questions just post away.

 

[square pond]

Thanks for the great info!!

 

[goofyforlife]

We stayed in the North Village last year and the units were nice....

My husband liked that he was close to the nine hole course.

Watch the dryers though.....they ruined some of our clothes.

The pool is nice in that section, however, if you have children just be aware that there are no lifeguards on property.

As for the new pools/waterpark:

We were scammed into buying a one week vacation at OL thinking the new water park would be open. (in truth they hadn't even broken ground yet for it last November.) Don't think anyone will see it for another year or so.....

 

[square pond]

Thanks for the tip about the dryer. Did you get holes in them??

 

[goofyforlife]

The edge of the dryer (where the door seals to the dryer) caught various items. (a towel in one load, a coat in another, and a sweater)

Once caught they twisted and twisted until it ripped holes....

(and the sad part i've had GE dryers in the last couple places i've lived and never have I seen it do such a thing.)

 

[bunny213]

Hi - We own there too....I would also caution you to be aware that if you take your computer (Laptop?) - and you need to plug it into the phone line - they will charge you a dollar each time you "dial up". The first time this happened to us...we didn't realize it and wound up within a two week time frame with an extra charge of $150.00 in phone fees. They were in the process of setting up some kind of "internet room" the last time we were there, and I don't know if it's been accomplished yet. Just a "heads up" so you're not surprised!
Have a wonderful time.....it's my favorite place to be......if I can't be at Disney!!!! Barb in Texas

 

[poohbear2]

We own also and love Orange Lake. I had traded weeks last year and I was told that they do not give requests on rooms. However, when I finally checked in, they had placed us in my requested area. Maybe a coincidence? I am sure that want to put people in the newer areas so they may try to sell timeshare weeks. You will have a super time!

 

[reddixie]

The internet cafe is finished and I am not sure about the cost to plug in your own laptop. It's 5.00 per half hour to use theirs. If you need to check a few things and clean out your e-mail it is worth the cost. As for the new pool area Most of the buildings are up and they were beginning the roofing process at Christmas. I can see them open within the year. HTH

 

[DianeV]

FYI from what owners on TUG have stated owners get first priority for their requests for the new sections and probably exchangers and renters after that..

 

[js]

DianeV-are you a member of tug? I own a 3 bedroom in one of the new buildings at OLCC. We will be using our weeks (my mom has the week right after ours) both at OLCC and exchanges. I've been on tug but not sure if it will be worth the $25(?) or so to join. It looks like it has a wealth of info. but hoped to "meet" someone that actually belongs and uses it.
Thank you.

 

[DianeV]

Hi, yes I do belong. I think its actually $15? I like it because I do get to read reviews of lots of resorts and I also like to read the bulletin boards. They get about as heated sometimes as these boards do!

I think its worth it personally

 

[js]

Thanks DianeV. I think I will sign up