OKW Hospitality House Upgrade (and other tidbits!)

[RobDoc]

For those unaware, the check-in area at OKW is undergoing a rehab which will include an expansion of the storage area and an extension of the reception desk space.
Long time OKW members will experience a slightly different change in check-in services. Right now we are spoiled by the one CM does-it-all policy, where the same CM can check us in, provide keys, make dinner reservations (PS) and provide park passes. Newer members, who have have experienced a Guest Services desk in addition to the check in line, are more accustomed to the Service desk to answer questions about programs, tours, ticket information, etc.
Sonja, the OKW manager, is reinstating the service desk at OKW to provide a different level of experience for OKW guests. Now, guests won't have to wait through the check in line to get change for a traveler's check or to buy E-nite tickets.
OKW is also undergoing extensive exterior refurbishment- paint crews are busy daily sand blasting old paint from stairway beams and repainting the resort exteriors. Roadway resurfacing appears to be complete at this time.

The Members meeting (now called DVC Network Meeting) was very informative this morning. The host covered all of the aspects of the DVC program and provided an update on the new changes to come. (Not much which has not already been posted here however!)

The price increase will indeed occur on June 3 ($75) and on April 1 MB will change to $5 per point at VWL and HH. VB will drop to $10 per point. The price increase will affect all 3 resorts. VWL is anticipating a Nov sell out- at current sales pace. BCV is still projecting a fall, 2002 opening. No word today about early sales- except that nothing will occur until VWL is sold out and all approval is gained after an occupancy permit is provided for the resort. Stay Tuned!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[Dreamfinder2]

This may be the most boneheaded question you get for a while ... but what happens in the interim between the sellout of VWL and the Beach Club property? What will our precious guides do> <IMG SRC="/infopop/emoticons/icon_confused.gif" alt="confused">

Remembering when ... The Contemporary had those bizarre looking orange and yellow transparent "trees" in the atrium.

 

[pluto109]

everybody with point sickness better buy some now

 

[DebbieB]

Doc,

Great scoop!

Which buildings are they painting right now? I'm going in mid-May and requested the Peninsular Road area. Last year when we stayed in bldg 26 they were painting the porches.

 

[RobDoc]

Building 44 is being painted right now (Turtle Pond area). Happens to be the building we're in! No problem though, we don't even know they're here- just see the equipment.

If they sell out VWL before BCV is ready to sell, they'll just have to concentrate on HH and VB- although HH is expected to go this year also. Stay Tuned!

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for the info Doc. Sounds like they need to announce the "next" DVC or our guides will have to start looking for new positions.

 

[RobDoc]

It would seem that IF they can do any presell at BCV- it may be sold out before it actually opens!

(Please note that my tongue is firmly planted in cheek!!) (The information this morning indicated that BCV cannot begin sales until they have an occupancy permit- so presales sound pretty far-fetched!)

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com

 

[jennybobenny]

Thanks for the info Doc!
It's convenient having someone onsite to get all the inside scoop. Maybe Pete should consider making this a permanent position...

<font face="Class Garmnd BT"><font color="ff69b4"><big>Jennybºoº benny</big></font>
<font color="9400d3">~~DVC Member~~
Onsite: Poly '76, Contemp '98, BWV '99, CBR '00, BWV '00, CBR '01
Offsite: '74 '80 '82 '88
Next trip: BWV~June '01, ASM/BWV~Nov '01</font>
<a href="http://people.ne.mediaone.net/jsmith12/jillian&kylecharacterpage.html">Jillian & Kyle's Disney Character Website</a></font>

 

[spiceycat]

thank you - have changed my reservation from VWL to OKW for December. (from a 1-bedroom to a 2-bedroom also).

 

[kem330]

Doc, thanks for the reports- Could you check on SSPL? As per my previous post, I was told that they were cancelling this program. Maybe CM was just confused.

 

[kem330]

bump?

 

[disynut]

Well, Doc&Jennybobenny, if Pete does make it a permanent position, I would like to apply as Doc's assistant!LOL!

 

[Mousefanz]

Hi All,
We're brand new DVC members (at VWL) and have been reading these boards and getting tons of info.
Some questions though, if anyone could help? Some of these abbreviations are a mystery.. for example:
DH (everyone refers to their "DH") and in the original posting here you discussed the upcoming price increase and the abbreviation MB was used? What is that? Also, could you offer some more info on this increase?
Many, many thanks !!

S and D
DVC 2001

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Welcome to the boards, and "Welcome Home!"

DH stands for "Dear Husband", so you can probably figure out DW, DS, and DD.

MB would be "Magical Beginnings", a deal that Disney offers when you buy DVC through them; sell back points to them, or something (we bought resale); someone else could help you more with this, but...didn't you learn about that when you purchased VWL?

I just wanted to be sure you didn't go to bed wondering what DH was for.

[This message was edited by MaryAnnDVC on 03-28-01 at 12:04 AM.]

 

[bunnymkc]

There is a search engine on this site for abbv. DH means Disney husband,DW is Disney wife and so forth and so on,MB is Magical Beginings, which VB and HH are offering when you buy into the resort they give you so much money a point back if you want to sell your points back to them for the year..there are better qualifed people here that can answer it in more detail just thought I could help a little...Marianne

 

[disneyokw]

Doc, correct me if I'm wrong. I have not had my morning cup of coffee yet. My family only have used the front desk to check-in. We do love checking in, getting our room key with our park passes on the same card, get the folder with the information and then we are off. Do we now have to check-in, get our room key and go to a different desk to get our park pass on a different or same card? Also, do you know if they have done any painting, etc at buildings, 23, 24, 25, and 26? Also I hope they do not change the color of the buildings to pink. We did not like those.

 

[JAH]

Doc ,

I find it stange that you are in 44 and they are painting. We stayed in #44 in December and they were painting it the whole trip. (Seemed that they were only doing the trim and staircases). Are they painting the "main" part of the buildings.

 

[Allan]

Hey Doc,

When were there in January they were doing building 37 (we were in 39). I sure wish we were there right now!!!!! Have fun.

 

[wdwnut]

hi to all: doc-thanks again for posting such neat info. disneyokw- they will probably have the check-in cm put your passes on your room key, but you'll need to use guest services for things like ps and other info. this works fine at bwv and does help to speed up the check-in process.

 

[RobDoc]

No apparent changes (or painting) currently in the Peninsular area. At building 44, they are painting stairwells- they are removing old paint down to metal and then repainting. The paint crew truck is parked in front of the building.

Passes (like UMP) which are encoded on room ID's will likely still be handled at check-in, but other services will be managed at the Guest Services desk. I have no information about how long the desk area will be under construction.

Doc
doc@wdwinfo.com