OKW Lovers Thread. Part 2

[jdmccon7]

Not sure this is the thread to post this but I can't find the answer searching the other boards...

Reading the fine print on the Disney Vacation Account, it lists included hotels but Old Key West isn't included. We are staying at OKW in June with a package, paying cash.

#1 Does the fact we have a package vs hotel only mean I can pay via DVA?

#2 In case I go ahead and open the DVA only to find out later I can't use it for my trip because of our hotel choice, has anyone asked for a refund? How quickly did you get it?

I plan to call Disney and ask the same questions. I will post what they tell me...but I expect there could be conflicting answers depending on which CM I get.

 

[Chuck S]

Not sure this is the thread to post this but I can't find the answer searching the other boards...

Reading the fine print on the Disney Vacation Account, it lists included hotels but Old Key West isn't included. We are staying at OKW in June with a package, paying cash.

#1 Does the fact we have a package vs hotel only mean I can pay via DVA?

#2 In case I go ahead and open the DVA only to find out later I can't use it for my trip because of our hotel choice, has anyone asked for a refund? How quickly did you get it?

I plan to call Disney and ask the same questions. I will post what they tell me...but I expect there could be conflicting answers depending on which CM I get.

Assuming you are paying cash for a package reservation through Disney, I see no reason why OKW would be excluded. Probably an oversight on the website.

 

[leholcomb]

Your request for HH will not be granted as that is a very specific booking catagories. However I believe Bldgs 27-28 and 29 are pretty close, and/or 15-16 and the three 60's bldg, but those have elevators and they try to keep them for person who have physicals needs.

I've been in bldg 22 and 37, and while definately not close to HH was only a ten minute walk in the beautiful Sunshine. And yes, I would walk right past the bus stops

15 and 16 are pretty close to the HH area. If OKW is a host hotel, make sure you catch the bus at the Hospitality House. The race buses do not make the bus route at OKW, just stop at HH.

I'd agree with 28, 15, and 16, and also add 17 as close. I have back issues and walking is pretty difficult for me, so when I say they're pretty close so that even I can walk there, they're close!

Thanks to everyone for the input. What would you suggest as the two criteria for Online Check In? For buildings 15/16/17? I want/need to be as close to HH as I can. That walk at 3AM will be a long one regardless of where the room is. No need in making it longer. haha

 

[jd65]

Hi all. Just giving quick rundown on my stay at OKW in September 2014. Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.

Pros: Location to HH (building 62 was amazing), Main pool, beauty. It wasn't too bad when you think of it in just those senses.

Cons: Front desk liars (100% capacity? In late September? I know F&W but I saw empty rooms), staff only wanted to help DVC members (we weren't but we probably paid more sooo), transportation absolutely sucks. Crowded bus stop on day of MNSSHP, resulted in 12+ families at HH bus stop for over 30 minutes. Couple that was just married in their wedding attire with whole family was late to reservation and the front desk did nothing about it.

Would not stay again unless it was extremely cheap. Sorry OKW lovers, I thought I would love it but I was unpleasantly surprised.

 

[gray52]

Hi all. Just giving quick rundown on my stay at OKW in September 2014. Rating: 2 out of 5 stars. Pros: Location to HH (building 62 was amazing), Main pool, beauty. It wasn't too bad when you think of it in just those senses. Cons: Front desk liars (100% capacity? In late September? I know F&W but I saw empty rooms), staff only wanted to help DVC members (we weren't but we probably paid more sooo), transportation absolutely sucks. Crowded bus stop on day of MNSSHP, resulted in 12+ families at HH bus stop for over 30 minutes. Couple that was just married in their wedding attire with whole family was late to reservation and the front desk did nothing about it. Would not stay again unless it was extremely cheap. Sorry OKW lovers, I thought I would love it but I was unpleasantly surprised.

Staff only wanted to help DVC members? Really? The only person that knows you are/aren't DVC are those standing in front of a computer. I honestly think it was how you perceived the service rather than the reality.

You saw empty rooms? SMH

If you had issues with transportation, you need to contact Disney Transportation... OKW is not at fault for something they do not control. You might or might not have issues at any resort you stay at. Flip a coin. Sometimes you get great service, sometimes you don't. The resort you stay at doesn't increase/decrease the probability of good service. In fact, in all my years of coming to WDW, I've had one year that the busses were dreadful all week... And that was at the CR/BLT (and I've had weeks there that were great).

For the "just married" folks... Im thinking they should have built in more than a 30-minute cushion to get to your reservation.

 

[Wenny]

For the "just married" folks... Im thinking they should have built in more than a 30-minute cushion to get to your reservation.

Exactly. Or maybe prearranged private transportation for such an important event.

 

[jdmccon7]

Assuming you are paying cash for a package reservation through Disney, I see no reason why OKW would be excluded. Probably an oversight on the website.

Yes we are paying cash. I did a test run with a small amount of money in the DVA and was able to apply it to my package. No idea if it would work with a room only at OKW.

Sadly I just created my DVA and am 15 days short of the required 120 day to get the $20/$1000 deal. So I am ignoring the DVA option for now. Maybe next time it can save me some $.

 

[jd65]

Staff only wanted to help DVC members? Really? The only person that knows you are/aren't DVC are those standing in front of a computer. I honestly think it was how you perceived the service rather than the reality. You saw empty rooms? SMH If you had issues with transportation, you need to contact Disney Transportation... OKW is not at fault for something they do not control. You might or might not have issues at any resort you stay at. Flip a coin. Sometimes you get great service, sometimes you don't. The resort you stay at doesn't increase/decrease the probability of good service. In fact, in all my years of coming to WDW, I've had one year that the busses were dreadful all week... And that was at the CR/BLT (and I've had weeks there that were great). For the "just married" folks... Im thinking they should have built in more than a 30-minute cushion to get to your reservation.

I understand OKW lovers would do anything to defend their resort, I was just giving my review. I didn't HATE it, I liked it but it wasn't my style. That's what actual Key West is for.

In response to the married couple, it's not the full experience without Disney Transport. They had allotted themselves plenty of time yes, the resort can call to see if a bus is coming and get it sent, especially with over a dozen families at the bus stop. They should want to accommodate their guests as much as possible. Every resort is different though, I guess.

 

[Dee77]

Hi all. Just giving quick rundown on my stay at OKW in September 2014. Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.

Pros: Location to HH (building 62 was amazing), Main pool, beauty. It wasn't too bad when you think of it in just those senses.

Cons: Front desk liars (100% capacity? In late September? I know F&W but I saw empty rooms), staff only wanted to help DVC members (we weren't but we probably paid more sooo), transportation absolutely sucks. Crowded bus stop on day of MNSSHP, resulted in 12+ families at HH bus stop for over 30 minutes. Couple that was just married in their wedding attire with whole family was late to reservation and the front desk did nothing about it.

Would not stay again unless it was extremely cheap. Sorry OKW lovers, I thought I would love it but I was unpleasantly surprised.

I understand OKW lovers would do anything to defend their resort, I was just giving my review. I didn't HATE it, I liked it but it wasn't my style. That's what actual Key West is for.

In response to the married couple, it's not the full experience without Disney Transport. They had allotted themselves plenty of time yes, the resort can call to see if a bus is coming and get it sent, especially with over a dozen families at the bus stop. They should want to accommodate their guests as much as possible. Every resort is different though, I guess.

As a defender of OKW I am curious about a couple of points you made- How do you know there were so many empty rooms that the front desk was lying? Also what interactions did you have with staff that caused you to believe they only cater to the DVC members?

And as for the married couple- it does not seem like they gave themselves enough time at all. I believe they should have ponied up the cash for a cab or van if it was that tight time-wise or that important to get there.

 

[goofy4tink]

I understand OKW lovers would do anything to defend their resort, I was just giving my review. I didn't HATE it, I liked it but it wasn't my style. That's what actual Key West is for.

In response to the married couple, it's not the full experience without Disney Transport. They had allotted themselves plenty of time yes, the resort can call to see if a bus is coming and get it sent, especially with over a dozen families at the bus stop. They should want to accommodate their guests as much as possible. Every resort is different though, I guess.

There are many here that feel that Disney transportation is a bad part of the Disney experience!! That if you can get around not using it, you're better off.
As far as the resort calling to see when a bus is coming? Doesn't happen very often. In fact, over on the Transportation board, we recommend that guests don't bother talking to anyone inside the resort about buses!! They have no clue!

If, and that's a huge if, a CM called to get a bus just for these families, it would be a huge disservice to the other people needing the buses. More often than not, if a wedding group needs to get from point A to point B at WDW, they arrange special transportation. Disney buses are run for everyone...no one gets special treatment. I don't think it should be any different at any resort.....those staying at a WDW resort get to use the bus/boat/monorail, just like everyone else.

I have to ask though...if you loved the villa you were given, great location, what did it matter whether the resort was at 100% capacity or not? Sure, you may have seen some empty villas, but you have no idea if that villa is going to be given to someone arriving later in the day, or the next day. Also, what did the front desk lie about? Was it the resort capacity issue? How were others treated better than you...as a non-DVC guest? How the heck did you know if someone was a card carrying DVC member?
Not to mention that all resorts have incredibly busy buses in late afternoon when there is a special party that night! Everyone needs to plan on it taking an hour to get to a park....from any resort. It once took me 2.5 hrs to get from the front of Epcot to the front of MK!!!! Actually closer to 3 hrs. There was a monorail issue, so buses were called in, with thousands, seriously, thousands, of guests needing to get to the TTC. Then, the boats from the TTC to MK were packed...again, way too many people needing them due to the monorail issues. You just never know what is going to happen when traveling around WDW. If you're in a hurry, or have to be somewhere at a very specific time, you are better off using a cab. Yes, you have to pay for them, but peace of mind would be worth it, I would think.

 

[carlbarry]

I am currently at Jambo, and drove over to OKW to take the boat to Downtown Disney.
Along the waterway, there are construction barriers for a large number of OKW units, and some have scaffolding. It was apparent that all these units were unoccupied, although interior and exterior lighting was on.
Might it look from the "land" side that these units are merely unoccupied and not closed for refurbishment, giving the poster the wrong impression?

 

[Chuck S]

I am currently at Jambo, and drove over to OKW to take the boat to Downtown Disney.
Along the waterway, there are construction barriers for a large number of OKW units, and some have scaffolding. It was apparent that all these units were unoccupied, although interior and exterior lighting was on.
Might it look from the "land" side that these units are merely unoccupied and not closed for refurbishment, giving the poster the wrong impression?

Oh, I'm surprised that extensive of a construction is going on, considering the buildings at OKW went through a full refurb about 5 or 6 years ago. I wonder what's going on? Inquiring minds want to know.

 

[carlbarry]

Oh, I'm surprised that extensive of a construction is going on, considering the buildings at OKW went through a full refurb about 5 or 6 years ago. I wonder what's going on? Inquiring minds want to know.

Yes, it's quite extensive. Many buildings along the water.
The scaffolding is on parts with siding, so perhaps they are replacing the siding.

 

[Dee77]

Since there hasn't been an official announcement of a refurbishment, I am thinking that maybe there was damage from a storm. That of course if just a guess and I would like to second that inquiring minds would like to know for sure. If anyone is there, please pass along any info you can. Thanks!

 

[Brian Noble]

Lots of possibilities come to mind: repainting the exterior, repairing siding or gutters, etc.

My DS14 and I are headed down for his spring break week in a 1BR. We plan to take a golf lesson, spend a morning fishing, and are trying to come up with other things we might do besides wear out our APs.

Has anyone gone on a fishing trip out of OKW? I was planning to drive up to a Bay Lake resort for the trip, but noticed that it was possible to also fish Crescent Lake (and possibly World Showcase Lagoon if you do the 7AM trip) from the close by EP area resorts, or the DTD lake chain from OKW itself. Anyone have any thoughts about where to head?

 

[okw2012]

Was there last week and they seemed to be working on the handrails, replacing whole sections. The handrails look as though they're made of wood, but they are really metallic, and there's quite a bit of rust under that paint. When I was there all of the buildings on Peninsular Road that are not in the hospitality house section were closed. We were in Old Turtle Pond, not far from the construction work and never heard a thing (but we were not at the villa during most of the day).

 

[Disney_Mama]

So excited Our ROFR passed for our OKW purchase.
We have stayed at OKW many times and love it. Can't wait to own a little piece. Planning our next trip for May. Just me and DH.

 

[Pirate Granny]

Congrats and welcome home

 

[AHawkins80]

Tomorrow we will start our 30 day count down until we are at OKW! This is our first time using our DVC points, can't wait to hear Welcome home we will have a 2 bedroom villa near the hospitality house, so excited!!!

 

[evilqueenmindy]

We'll be at OKW a in a 2BR villa next week! I'm really excited to be back, I adore the resort. Quick question though, I thought I recently read that the pools at OKW close at 10pm. Is this ALL of the pools or just the main one? I seem to remember swimming much later than 10pm in the not too distant past (sep?)