Never, ever - OKW room issues

[Sandisw]

Good advice regarding doing a room sweep prior to settling in to your villa.

We do a quick Look but I never thought to check outlets if we didnt use them…chances are we probably wouldn’t either.

 

[Bearval]

The resort was empty. The DAS ( for the child - I bought all the LLs so we used it twice. It's only good for 4 now anyway; we were 5) cast member said the parks and resort was empty.

Old/new issue. The water flooded fromthe shower into the bathroom. Whoosh in just a few minutes. It was coming between the door on the hinge side. The plastic door seal was hanging by 4 inches - the rest just dangling.

The first few days - and it may still be happening but we are out of the room daily now - the shower randomly would turn on for 20 seconds and then stop.

OKW is showing its age and lack of TLC.

Maybe DVC should do another 15 year extension for OKW.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

If a shower randomly turns on and off, the room is haunted.

Probably followed me home from the Haunted Mansion

 

[DVC Gma]

Before we unpack, we always conduct a visual inspection of the room and check everything we may use, including appliances, fixtures, and outlets. If there is anything that is not in working order, we call to report it upon arrival, so that resort Cast Member are aware that it was not something that we had done. At VGF, for example, we had a studio with a missing floor lamp and another with a missing refrigerator. Calls were immediate as we did not want anyone to think we took either as a souvenir. In a AKV - Jambo House Value Studio, someone must have left their child unattended for an extended period of time as the wall alongside the bed was covered in blue crayon drawings. Not a few lines, covered. The child must have stood on the bed and leaned against the wall to create their masterpiece.

While not helpful now, I always recommend doing a sweep of the room, calling to inform Cast Members of issues, and, if absolutely needed, requesting a room change. A noticeable smell and/or mold certainly warrant a room change.

I will definitely be doing the check now. And who would think of checking outlets, but I will.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

We stayed at OKW 2 years ago for our 1 and only time there. It's definitely not aging well and just not a place we will stay at again. I hope the rest of your trip improves.

It's been my favorite for 30+ years. It's really, really sad.

 

[LadybugsMum]

I've come across too many USB outlets that don't work; so I always have the wall plugs for charging my electronics. My assumption is that they don't work and then I'm pleasantly surprised when they do.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

While I totally agree that your complaints were valid, at least about the room issues, they offered you another room and you refused. It seems like they were making attempts to fix things and when they couldn't fix them they offered you a new room. I'm not sure what more you expected them to do at that point. Idk if they were aware of the issues with the plugs or the dryer prior to your stay in that room, but they replaced the outlets and the dryer. At that point, the only other option they really had was to move you to a different room. I get that that would have been a nuisance with all the stuff you apparently had, but you were given a choice and chose to stay in a room with issues rather than move. That is on you. You could have chosen to move to a new room and moved on about your trip, but you instead chose to stay and complain about it.

Quite honestly, I don't see what the issue with the dogs is. I get that OKW isn't a resort that typically allows dogs outside of service dogs. But where are dogs supposed to do their business if not in the grass? Even service dogs have to go to the bathroom. This whole comment about "if they were service dogs" is very much like questioning if someone should be parking in a handicapped spot. Do you also question if people in a scooter really need one? There is no law or requirement that service dogs wear a vest, so just because they weren't wearing one, doesn't mean a dang thing. It's 5000 degrees in Florida right now. There's no reason to force a dog to wear a vest just to make other people happy. Those dogs didn't affect you in any way other than "I saw them pee!!" The horror! There are probably lots of other animals around there peeing in the grass too.

There's a difference between service dogs and emotional support dogs. Service dogs wear their vests. Service dogs have to be able to stand to do their job and not be tottering and teetering because they are of advanced age and barely able to relieve themselves.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

They should have had a crew of people in there the help you move the moment they thought it was a dead animal.

The dogs- vests are not a real service animal thing. Anyone can put a vest on a dog. It doesn't mean they are a service animal, and not having one means nothing. Most of those vests at this point are sold to people faking service dogs because there's this weird stereotype that they need a vest to be a service animal.

I'm sorry about your trip. Last/only time we stayed at OKW we came home and started shopping for more points at other places.

I could see the support dog vest under another vest on a dog that was allowed to eat in Teppan Edo. Everybody knows service animal trumps emotional support dogs which are not even allowed in the supermarket thank goodness here in Florida at least by Publix. They very clearly make the distinction between emotional support and service dog. It really wasn't just about the vests as I said before the dog could barely walk. While we can't make assumptions about people in wheelchairs, a service dog has to function it can't be disabled to do and do its job.

 

[Mle8308]

I've come across too many USB outlets that don't work; so I always have the wall plugs for charging my electronics. My assumption is that they don't work and then I'm pleasantly surprised when they do.

Same! At CCV last year and out of all the USB outlets in the room, only one worked. And that was even pushing it, it was so loose that the cord would fall out of the outlet if not propped up. We reported it at check out. I always bring a USB/USB C power outlet for my rechargeables. Good thing, too!

 

[Chuck S]

I've come across too many USB outlets that don't work; so I always have the wall plugs for charging my electronics. My assumption is that they don't work and then I'm pleasantly surprised when they do.

Unfortunately, that happens everywhere. The USBs when I stayed at Kidani were hit and miss, too.

 

[LadybugsMum]

Same! At CCV last year and out of all the USB outlets in the room, only one worked. And that was even pushing it, it was so loose that the cord would fall out of the outlet if not propped up. We reported it at check out. I always bring a USB/USB C power outlet for my rechargeables. Good thing, too!

I keep several wall plugs and cords in my Owner's locker so I don't have to remember to bring them every time. I need to add some chargers for the MB+.

 

[Mle8308]

I keep several wall plugs and cords in my Owner's locker so I don't have to remember to bring them every time. I need to add some chargers for the MB+.

Good idea! I need to add one to my "owners locker" AKA a large Disney tote bag loaded with stuff kept in the closet at my brother's house in Orlando!

 

[Brian Noble]

It's been my favorite for 30+ years. It's really, really sad.

I know this trip was a big bummer, but that doesn't mean that future ones will be too! One of my spiritual advisors says this all the time when something happens that I don't like: "This is not setting precedent."

"Next time is next time. Now is now."
--Hirayama, Perfect Days.

 

[mistysue]

I could see the support dog vest under another vest on a dog that was allowed to eat in Teppan Edo. Everybody knows service animal trumps emotional support dogs which are not even allowed in the supermarket thank goodness here in Florida at least by Publix. They very clearly make the distinction between emotional support and service dog. It really wasn't just about the vests as I said before the dog could barely walk. While we can't make assumptions about people in wheelchairs, a service dog has to function it can't be disabled to do and do its job.

No - I take the service dog thing very seriously. I know what I am talking about when I tell you there is no such thing as an official service dog vest.

There is no requirement, there is no registration, there is not ANY official rule AT ALL requiring vests, nor is it in any way appropriate to make a call on whether a dog is a service dog based on a vest. The comment "service dogs wear their vests" is bull.

If you had other reasons, that's fine, but judging based on vest or not is complete poppycock. Saying you "saw it under another vest" tells me you are under the impression that service dogs are supposed to have vests. That is not a real thing. That is something people did so others won't ask questions and you have misinterpreted it as some sort of official signal, but there is no requirement there. You can go buy a "service dog" vest on Amazon - it has zero bearing on whether an animal is a service animal.

 

[ILoveMyDVC]

I've come across too many USB outlets that don't work; so I always have the wall plugs for charging my electronics. My assumption is that they don't work and then I'm pleasantly surprised when they do.

I am very stalked with electronics but it shouldn't have been an issue. Also, there appears to be no USB outlets in the guest bedroom. A quick count shows eight ports in thid OKW two-bedroom Villa of which six ports did not work.
The toaster still doesn't work and there is still one more broken outlet in the kitchen.

It's not my job to check everything in the room and quite frankly I find it exhausting to have this be part of the vacation. I feel good now no less than 11 phone calls including one first thing in the morning where housekeeping is checking to see if everything is okay. We should expect more.

 

[Chuck S]

I am very stalked with electronics but it shouldn't have been an issue. Also, there appears to be no USB outlets in the guest bedroom. A quick count shows eight ports in thid OKW two-bedroom Villa of which six ports did not work.
The toaster still doesn't work and there is still one more broken outlet in the kitchen.

It's not my job to check everything in the room and quite frankly I find it exhausting to have this be part of the vacation. I feel good now no less than 11 phone calls including one first thing in the morning where housekeeping is checking to see if everything is okay. We should expect more.

I also don't remember there being any USB Ports in the living room area of the OKW GVs the last time I stayed in one, just for the record. Thats why I always bring a. a/c charger along. I really would have packed up and had Bell Services move me when offered a different unit. Especially if the shower was turning on and off. Welcome, Foolish Mortals...

 

[MICKIMINI]

It's been my favorite for 30+ years. It's really, really sad.

Us too. Since 1996...

 

[eandt]

While I totally agree that your complaints were valid, at least about the room issues, they offered you another room and you refused. It seems like they were making attempts to fix things and when they couldn't fix them they offered you a new room. I'm not sure what more you expected them to do at that point. Idk if they were aware of the issues with the plugs or the dryer prior to your stay in that room, but they replaced the outlets and the dryer. At that point, the only other option they really had was to move you to a different room. I get that that would have been a nuisance with all the stuff you apparently had, but you were given a choice and chose to stay in a room with issues rather than move. That is on you. You could have chosen to move to a new room and moved on about your trip, but you instead chose to stay and complain about it.

Quite honestly, I don't see what the issue with the dogs is. I get that OKW isn't a resort that typically allows dogs outside of service dogs. But where are dogs supposed to do their business if not in the grass? Even service dogs have to go to the bathroom. This whole comment about "if they were service dogs" is very much like questioning if someone should be parking in a handicapped spot. Do you also question if people in a scooter really need one? There is no law or requirement that service dogs wear a vest, so just because they weren't wearing one, doesn't mean a dang thing. It's 5000 degrees in Florida right now. There's no reason to force a dog to wear a vest just to make other people happy. Those dogs didn't affect you in any way other than "I saw them pee!!" The horror! There are probably lots of other animals around there peeing in the grass too.

Service dogs, vest or no vest, are easily recognizable due to their many hours of training … there is no mistaking them for a common house dog or vice versa Agree with the OP we are tired of seeing peoples pets at our hotels, in our shopping carts, and in our restaurants etc …as usual you give people an inch and they take a mile ..

 

[eandt]

I am very stalked with electronics but it shouldn't have been an issue. Also, there appears to be no USB outlets in the guest bedroom. A quick count shows eight ports in thid OKW two-bedroom Villa of which six ports did not work.
The toaster still doesn't work and there is still one more broken outlet in the kitchen.

It's not my job to check everything in the room and quite frankly I find it exhausting to have this be part of the vacation. I feel good now no less than 11 phone calls including one first thing in the morning where housekeeping is checking to see if everything is okay. We should expect more.

Love the post … surprised you haven’t been hit with a ‘You only paid for a room, not perks like working outlets, appliances, and being free of dead animals’ .. you are a better person than I for not expecting compensation for what has happened to your ‘deluxe’ vacation accommodations .. we pay a lot of money for these points and certainly should expect the accommodations to be in top shape when we visit. Disney needs to be accountable for this

 

[2010dvcfan]

I am very stalked with electronics but it shouldn't have been an issue. Also, there appears to be no USB outlets in the guest bedroom. A quick count shows eight ports in thid OKW two-bedroom Villa of which six ports did not work.
The toaster still doesn't work and there is still one more broken outlet in the kitchen.

It's not my job to check everything in the room and quite frankly I find it exhausting to have this be part of the vacation. I feel good now no less than 11 phone calls including one first thing in the morning where housekeeping is checking to see if everything is okay. We should expect more.

Absolutely agree, it is not our job to be sure the room is in working order before our arrival. I understand minor issues will occur sometimes but I agree 100% when I arrive to my room I spent thousands of dollars to be able to reserve it needs to meet the standards expressed to me that would be there in the sales pitch. I'm there to enjoy DVC high quality amenities not to inspect them and formulate remedies when they are not being met.