OKW Disappointment

[Sammie]

Just to be fair, if you were at WL and ask for luggage transfer they are the resort responsible for your luggage being late. Even though you were told 3:30 anytime you transfer luggage with Disney its a guess as to what time you will actually get it.

 

[Peggy Sue]

As an OKW owner since 1997 it's my belief that the "wow" factor at OKW is found in the 1, 2 and 3 bedroom villas. The studios are nice - they are larger and they have 2 beds which is great for families. We've never stayed in a Studio as we like a place to sit and relax other than a bed ... so we've always stayed in a 1-bedroom or larger depending on how many guests we bring along. The size and layout of the 1,2, and 3 bedroom OKW villas is terrific.

We've encountered cleaning issues at several DVC resorts .. including mold issues at OKW. We called immediately and all were corrected within hours of calling. A previous poster mentioned a central call area .. if this is the case, I can understand how calls can get dropped. Sometimes the effort to save cost has a negative impact on quality and service!

No one likes to stay in a room with mold and cobwebs and I certainly understand your disappointment ...but I do hope you give OKW another try some day .. perhaps when your reservations may call for a larger unit.

 

[charvel67]

Originally Posted by Melynny
OP, by the way, did you ever think that maybe your luggage was broken at VWL?

I don't believe my post ever mentions blame on anyone at OKW about the damage to luggage, so yes I assumed it could've happened anywhere. Look, I understand many coming to the defense of a resort they like, and that's fine. The fact is all rooms should be clean and it is the responsibility of the resort and their employees to make sure things are clean and that things work at every resort. That is their job. This is the first time this has happened to us at Disney, having multiple stay experiences, and it was a let down. It's that simple. Disney projects a top tier service level and sometimes they can't live up to it. That doesn't make me dislike going to Disney. I'll be back again in May. As a DVC owner I especially look for a quality stay every time. So yes, it can happen to anyone, at any resort, but it shouldn't. By the way, did I mention the iHome radio/clock didn't work either (LOL)?

 

[Sammie]

Truly no one should accept a room in less than clean and working condition.

Honestly I don't know why anyone would, we don't. I don't like walking into a room that is not clean and not working but after that I put the blame on me if I accept it.

Disney is more than willing to move you to an acceptable room.

 

[edk35]

Truly no one should accept a room in less than clean and working condition.

Honestly I don't know why anyone would, we don't. I don't like walking into a room that is not clean and not working but after that I put the blame on me if I accept it.

Disney is more than willing to move you to an acceptable room.

YEP I agree.

 

[edk35]

We stayed at SSR for the first weekend of October. We were surprised at the poor condition of the paint, the mold in the bathtub tile grout, and the worn carpeting in the traffic areas considering this is one of the newer resorts. We have stayed there twice and found the bus service frustrating to say the least. We did enjoy the Artist's Palette. In spite of that we would probably stay there again though it would not be our first choice. I pass off many of these issues as normal wear and tear requiring routine maintenance. That being said, we've not had any issues at OKW. We love the ability to park close to our villa and find the bus service the best of all the resorts. Of course I'm not including the monorail at the Contemporary.

We always request Grandstand area when we stay at SSR. That stop is the first stop for all buses coming into SSR and also the first drop off on the way back in. We stayed in Congress Park for our first SSR visit and it was more worn.

 

[ugadog99]

Some problems that I didn't care for included, cobwebs all over, hair dryer didn't work, phone didn't work, moldy shower curtain, and you could hear every toilet flush through the walls and ceiling. I mean crazy loud. The main pool at hospitality house was always way overpacked too. I know this resort is older and they are refurbing rooms but I don't see staying there again. Anyway, I hate to be a complainer when at WDW, but OKW just didn't cut for us and was amazed at the lack of service or room quality. I know it doesn't happen all the time, it just happend to happen to us this time.

This is exactly how we feel. We were at OKW for four nights in July and that was way more than enough for me for a lifetime! There were way too many problems for us.

 

[disneygrandma]

Last Dec, we stayed in a ground fl studio. It was so musty smelling, and A/C units right next to the patio made it too noisy to be outside. The bathroom was not in very good shape. We were not impressed by the room layout, either. It was just my husband & I, and was only for our last WDW night. (A last minute extension of our trip.) We won't return to an OKW studio, however if we have kids/grandkids with us, we would try OKW again in a larger villa. By then all of OKW will be refurbed & hopefully that will eliminate the musty smell. I agree with others that have said the larger villas are where OKW shines.

 

[TisBit]

I don't believe my post ever mentions blame on anyone at OKW about the damage to luggage, so yes I assumed it could've happened anywhere. Look, I understand many coming to the defense of a resort they like, and that's fine. The fact is all rooms should be clean and it is the responsibility of the resort and their employees to make sure things are clean and that things work at every resort. That is their job. This is the first time this has happened to us at Disney, having multiple stay experiences, and it was a let down. It's that simple. Disney projects a top tier service level and sometimes they can't live up to it. That doesn't make me dislike going to Disney. I'll be back again in May. As a DVC owner I especially look for a quality stay every time. So yes, it can happen to anyone, at any resort, but it shouldn't. By the way, did I mention the iHome radio/clock didn't work either (LOL)?

We actually had our luggage damaged during transfer between resorts when we moved from SSR to BWV. The Bell Services manager really tried to help and was going to get it repaired, but we weren't there very long, so they gave us a room credit with more than enough to get it repaired at home. I just don't think the guys doing the luggage transfer are being very careful with them.....

We stayed at SSR for the first weekend of October. We were surprised at the poor condition of the paint, the mold in the bathtub tile grout, and the worn carpeting in the traffic areas considering this is one of the newer resorts. We have stayed there twice and found the bus service frustrating to say the least. We did enjoy the Artist's Palette. In spite of that we would probably stay there again though it would not be our first choice. I pass off many of these issues as normal wear and tear requiring routine maintenance. That being said, we've not had any issues at OKW. We love the ability to park close to our villa and find the bus service the best of all the resorts. Of course I'm not including the monorail at the Contemporary.

The bus service at SSR is not frustrating at all to me, but I think it has to do with expectations. The busses at BCV/BWV were much more irritating to me, but it was also my first stay at those resorts. I am sure that I have become accustomed to the SSR busses and even stayed there when they weren't so great. This last trip the bus service was oustanding and they seemed to have worked a lot of the problems out compared to our first stay.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Truly no one should accept a room in less than clean and working condition.

Honestly I don't know why anyone would, we don't. I don't like walking into a room that is not clean and not working but after that I put the blame on me if I accept it.

Disney is more than willing to move you to an acceptable room.

I totally agree. If the room isn't up to par, I am right down there making sure I either get another room or get the one I'm in fixed. I've never been disappointed doing that except for one trip where the mousekeeper just plain didn't understand English enough to get the point across. it wasn't a big deal thing, so I just did it myself, but that was my choice.

In 30-40 OKW stays (most of them in 1,2 and 3 bedroom villas), I've only had a few issues, and none of them as bad as what you spoke of. If I did have any issues, they knew about it immediately. I do remember once having to wait for maintenance to come shortly after we arrived because the fridge had leaked water all over the living room carpet. He came and quickly fixed it though, and they even wet vaced the rug.

 

[Coach81]

We got spoiled for our first trip for DVC. We messed up and stayed in a one-bedroom at OKW.. WOW.. all the room was fantastic, the laid-back, relaxed atmosphere was wonderful as well. We really enjoyed our stay there, and will probably stay there again someday.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

As an OKW owner since 1997 it's my belief that the "wow" factor at OKW is found in the 1, 2 and 3 bedroom villas.

No one likes to stay in a room with mold and cobwebs and I certainly understand your disappointment ...but I do hope you give OKW another try some day .. .

Why?

OKW is my favorite resort, it's why I bought DVC, I didn't buy into OKW because it was the cheapest, I bought with the intention of it being my primary WDW destination.

So OKW is not for everyone that's O.K. In more than 30 stays I never encountered a villa as described by the poster, but I too only stay in 2br's.

I don't need to talk people into staying there again or trying it one more time. All of the DVC'rs who truly dislike OKW and will "never" stay there again, here in lies the problem, "although not our favorite, we will probably stay again at times to save on points" . If you truly dislike it and "will never stay there again" , it's o.k. maybe then there will be more availability for those of us who absolutely, categorically love it!

 

[dmoore22]

Why?

OKW is my favorite resort, it's why I bought DVC, I didn't buy into OKW because it was the cheapest, I bought with the intention of it being my primary WDW destination.

So OKW is not for everyone that's O.K. In more than 30 stays I never encountered a villa as described by the poster, but I too only stay in 2br's.

I don't need to talk people into staying there again or trying it one more time. All of the DVC'rs who truly dislike OKW and will "never" stay there again, here in lies the problem, "although not our favorite, we will probably stay again at times to save on points" . If you truly dislike it and "will never stay there again" , it's o.k. maybe then there will be more availability for those of us who absolutely, categorically love it!

Ditto!!! But I think it can't hurt to repeat: "If you truly dislike it and "will never stay there again" , it's o.k. maybe then there will be more availability for those of us who absolutely, categorically love it!"

 

[puntagordabob]

we love OKW

 

[dianeschlicht]

Ditto!!! But I think it can't hurt to repeat: "If you truly dislike it and "will never stay there again" , it's o.k. maybe then there will be more availability for those of us who absolutely, categorically love it!"

I have no problem with people staying away from my favorite buildings at OKW!

 

[danall]

I strongly recommend Disney' Animal Kingdom resort. We were there in early September in a studio unit with Savana view and was fantastic. I really enjoyed spending some time in the morning sitting on my balcony and wathching the animals. It is a really great resort.

 

[mamaprincess]

OP I'm sorry you got a lemon but it could happen at any dvc as evidenced by the amount of threads similar to yours. I have seen so many really yucky complaints about every DVC so I wouldn't go into your next reservation thinking it's impossible to get a sub-standard room or service simply because it's not OKW. You could go back to OKW and have a completely different experience or go some place else and have the same experience you had at OKW. The most important thing you need to know is if you get a lemon don't accept it, make them do what they need to do to get the room up to par or have them put you in another room.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I have no problem with people staying away from my favorite buildings at OKW!

I totally agree. And I won't bother with their BLT studios or any of the villas at BWV.

 

[SusieBea]

I totally agree. And I won't bother with their BLT studios or any of the villas at BWV.

Ditto! Or any units at AKL.

 

[dmoore22]

I totally agree. And I won't bother with their BLT studios or any of the villas at BWV.

Per chance should we rename this thread "OKW Disappointment (OKW Lovers go Undercover)"?