OKW lovers thread !!!

[SAT887]

I recall seeing a map on this site that had the buildings labeled according to the type of villa (i.e. grand villa), and hoping that someone may be able to redirect me to it ... just realized that we can make requests with the online check in earlier than I had originally thought. We are going in March, staying in Grand (3 Bedroom) Villa ... want to be near a bus stop ... but don't want to hear the traffic from the outside road. Travelling with wide range of ages (2 1/2 - 75) ... so building request is key for keeping everyone happy I think the post also indicated the bus route through the resort?

Hope it helps! Also just stayed in building 4822, close to bus stop, quiet pool and I didn't hear road noise. We traveled with a similarly aged group (1.5-61) and we all LOVED the building. Even my mom who hates staying away from the HH area. Peninsular RD is the first stop and HH is the last.

 

[OKW Lover]

Try the third post in this thread

 

[Chuck S]

Hope it helps! Also just stayed in building 4822, close to bus stop, quiet pool and I didn't hear road noise. We traveled with a similarly aged group (1.5-61) and we all LOVED the building. Even my mom who hates staying away from the HH area. Peninsular RD is the first stop and HH is the last.

Just a reminder that the GV in bldg 48 is a first floor level entry H.A. unit. Based on my experience with room types other than a CV, I think the quietest non-H.A. locations would be bldg 15, 16, 19, 43 and 53, though 53.

 

[MarkF0wle]

Hope it helps! Also just stayed in building 4822, close to bus stop, quiet pool and I didn't hear road noise. We traveled with a similarly aged group (1.5-61) and we all LOVED the building. Even my mom who hates staying away from the HH area. Peninsular RD is the first stop and HH is the last.

I think I am missing something incredibly basic. But on this map what does the red boxes indicate. The legend says M.A.?

I cannot for the life of my fathom what it means.

 

[Chuck S]

I think I am missing something incredibly basic. But on this map what does the red boxes indicate. The legend says M.A.?

I cannot for the life of my fathom what it means.

It is H.A., meaning that those building have some handicap modified units in them. (Roll-in showers, lower counters, less cabinet space, etc.) All of those units should be on the first floor; 2nd and 3rd floor units would be unmodified. Except for bldg 63, as it has an elevator for access.

 

[MarkF0wle]

It is H.A., meaning that those building have some handicap modified units in them. (Roll-in showers, lower counters, less cabinet space, etc.) All of those units should be on the first floor; 2nd and 3rd floor units would be unmodified. Except for bldg 63, as it has an elevator for access.

Thank you! That makes complete sense, just as I knew it would be a simple answer. I just couldn't connect the dots.

 

[SAT887]

It is H.A., meaning that those building have some handicap modified units in them. (Roll-in showers, lower counters, less cabinet space, etc.) All of those units should be on the first floor; 2nd and 3rd floor units would be unmodified. Except for bldg 63, as it has an elevator for access.

4822 is on the second floor. It was not HA

 

[Jennifer16]

Just got off the phone with a Cast Member at OKW. I was told that ALL GVs have an elevator. Can someone confirm that this is correct ... I do not recall seeing this listed anywhere. We are thinking of getting my Mom a scooter and we were not sure about where to store it ... this is when I was told about each GV having an elevator. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[chepic]

Just got off the phone with a Cast Member at OKW. I was told that ALL GVs have an elevator. Can someone confirm that this is correct ... I do not recall seeing this listed anywhere. We are thinking of getting my Mom a scooter and we were not sure about where to store it ... this is when I was told about each GV having an elevator. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Unless they added them in the past 2 years, the GV we had did not have an elevator. If you look at the map that they just posted above you can see where the Grandvillas are (in yellow) and which ones have an elevator.

cheryl

 

[Pirate Granny]

No, Only Bldg 63 has a GV and an elevator. There is one I believe by South Point road that is on the 1 and 2 floor, but no elevator to that second floor.

 

[Chuck S]

Just got off the phone with a Cast Member at OKW. I was told that ALL GVs have an elevator. Can someone confirm that this is correct ... I do not recall seeing this listed anywhere. We are thinking of getting my Mom a scooter and we were not sure about where to store it ... this is when I was told about each GV having an elevator. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

There is no elevator access to any GVs except those in bldg 63. There is first floor entry GV in bldg 48.

None of the GVs will have an elevator for access to the the upstairs sleeping areas, anyone requiring a wheelchair or ECV will be limited to the master bedroom and bathing area, dining room, living room, kitchen and balcony.

Even if you called the resorts direct number, it is unlikely you actually spoke to anyone at the resort...those calls go to a central virtual front desk call center, which may not even be located on property.

 

[gray52]

We just returned from a week at OKW! Our first home just keeps getting better and better. This was our first time in a 2BR (8 people) and i must say, it felt HUGE!

The week didn't start out very well... there's some rehabbing going on in building 13 and when we arrived, they tried to put us in building 29... "You're in building 29, near the hospitality house". When i said i had booked HH, her response was, "Oh yes... look here... you are right near the HH and next to a bus stop too." After a brief pause, I kindly explained that i booked at 11-months... and did the online check-in at 10-days. While i knew that really didn't guarantee anything, i pushed the fact. She brought in her supervisor and i explained it all to her. I let her know that i booked HH and i wanted a 2BR in the HH area... or i would accept two 1BR in the same building anywhere. We compromised with a 2BR in building 62... which is our favorite building at OKW anyway, so it all turned out well. I am still a little annoyed that we could have ended up in building 29... i mean, they know a rehab is going to take place months in advance.
Anyway... OKW is still the great place we have grown to love. Considering skipping BWV next year and returning to OKW.

Oh... and NEVER again during marathon weekend.

 

[dianeschlicht]

We just returned from a week at OKW! Our first home just keeps getting better and better. This was our first time in a 2BR (8 people) and i must say, it felt HUGE!

The week didn't start out very well... there's some rehabbing going on in building 13 and when we arrived, they tried to put us in building 29... "You're in building 29, near the hospitality house". When i said i had booked HH, her response was, "Oh yes... look here... you are right near the HH and next to a bus stop too." After a brief pause, I kindly explained that i booked at 11-months... and did the online check-in at 10-days. While i knew that really didn't guarantee anything, i pushed the fact. She brought in her supervisor and i explained it all to her. I let her know that i booked HH and i wanted a 2BR in the HH area... or i would accept two 1BR in the same building anywhere. We compromised with a 2BR in building 62... which is our favorite building at OKW anyway, so it all turned out well. I am still a little annoyed that we could have ended up in building 29... i mean, they know a rehab is going to take place months in advance.
Anyway... OKW is still the great place we have grown to love. Considering skipping BWV next year and returning to OKW.

Oh... and NEVER again during marathon weekend.

It sounds like the person checking you in was trying to pull the wool over your eyes and "hoping" you didn't really know which buildings were in the HH category. That makes me a little sad that our great customer service we have always gotten from the desk workers at OKW is waning.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

We just returned from a week at OKW! Our first home just keeps getting better and better. This was our first time in a 2BR (8 people) and i must say, it felt HUGE! :

We always travel with 6-8 and I have to tell you since 1st booking a 2br, 11 years ago, we've never looked back! OKW/DVC has spoiled us!

I was just sitting here, looking out of the window, thinking, "Gosh I'd love to be on my villa balcony at OKW, sipping coffee! Time to book another trip!

 

[Chuck S]

It sounds like the person checking you in was trying to pull the wool over your eyes and "hoping" you didn't really know which buildings were in the HH category. That makes me a little sad that our great customer service we have always gotten from the desk workers at OKW is waning.

I wouldn't say there was any wool being pulled. If building 13 was down for renovation or repair, and knowing that they often try to hold the 60s buildings for those with mobility issues because they have elevators, then bldgs 15, 16, 27, 28 and 29 would seem to be reasonable alternatives. Not all rehabs and renovations are scheduled months/weeks in advance. There could have been a major unscheduled last minute problem with bldg 13, like a water leak, A/C and heating failure or a room could have been pretty much trashed by a recent occupant and it needed repainting.

Bldg 13 does have some HA units, so it is reasonable to assume that they were trying to reassign the people needing wheelchairs and ecvs to the 60s buildings, rather than the building with stairs.

 

[gray52]

I wouldn't say there was any wool being pulled. If building 13 was down for renovation or repair, and knowing that they often try to hold the 60s buildings for those with mobility issues because they have elevators, then bldgs 15, 16, 27, 28 and 29 would seem to be reasonable alternatives. Not all rehabs and renovations are scheduled months/weeks in advance. There could have been a major unscheduled last minute problem with bldg 13, like a water leak, A/C and heating failure or a room could have been pretty much trashed by a recent occupant and it needed repainting.

Bldg 13 does have some HA units, so it is reasonable to assume that they were trying to reassign the people needing wheelchairs and ecvs to the 60s buildings, rather than the building with stairs.

The work going on at building 13 didn't look to be minor. Orange barricades around the entire building and scaffolding isn't something that is usually a minor or last minute issue. 15, 16 and 27 i could see... but 28 & 29 are a stretch at best.
I didn't mind that i was re-assigned as much as i did the fact that they tried to switch it and hope i didn't realize. It wasn't until she realized i wasn't going away that she brought in help.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I wouldn't say there was any wool being pulled. If building 13 was down for renovation or repair, and knowing that they often try to hold the 60s buildings for those with mobility issues because they have elevators, then bldgs 15, 16, 27, 28 and 29 would seem to be reasonable alternatives. Not all rehabs and renovations are scheduled months/weeks in advance. There could have been a major unscheduled last minute problem with bldg 13, like a water leak, A/C and heating failure or a room could have been pretty much trashed by a recent occupant and it needed repainting.

Bldg 13 does have some HA units, so it is reasonable to assume that they were trying to reassign the people needing wheelchairs and ecvs to the 60s buildings, rather than the building with stairs.

I understand that, Chuck, but the attitude of the front desk person to act as though building 29 WAS in the HH booking category is what I was referring to. Frankly, one of my favorite buildings is 15, and I always HOPE I get that one.

 

[LGithens]

Just an update to my previous post about booking a HH villa, and it not being available at check in.

I sent an email to Member Services, explaining what had happened and just wanted a clarification as to what "booking category" actually meant. IE, actual booking category or merely a request that is usually met.
I received a call from member services, and as I had requested, they researched our reservation, spoke with manager, back office, and front desk CM, to try to determine what went wrong. First off they assured me that it is actually a booking category and we should have had a room in the HH area. From their investigating, it appears someone in the back office had removed the HH category, putting us in a standard. The front desk only saw us as being in a standard booking, so when we questioned the room placement, she thought we were trying to get an upgrade, which was not available. They of course apologized for the error and we did receive compensation.

I've learned that at check in, we should have been a little more demanding of an explanation to why we weren't able to get what we booked. I felt that I was being difficult enough as it was, but actually, I should have pressed the issue a tad more. But at the time, I wasn't 100% sure the booking category Really meant that much. But I've learned it is.

DVC is genuinely sorry that this happened, and they made it right.

 

[Pinkocto]

I have always found Disney customer service outstanding. I'm so glad they figured out what happened.

 

[DizDragonfly]

The front desk only saw us as being in a standard booking, so when we questioned the room placement, she thought we were trying to get an upgrade, which was not available. They of course apologized for the error and we did receive compensation.

Glad you were compensated, but there's no reason for them to have thought that you were trying to get an "upgrade". HH is the same cost in points as non-HH is. If anything it's a side-grade. Good to hear that you are satisfied with the resolution. Hopefully, they will learn from this and not make the same error again.