OKW lovers thread !!!

[dianeschlicht]

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.

Glad you at least got a good explanation.

 

[gonecrusin]

"guide" is just the DVC word for "salesperson."

they are really just your contact if you want to buy more pts directly. that's all.

(and adding more pts on a cruise probably meant that the commissions went to someone else, not your "guide.")

Of the 19 years we have been members the first 15 years our guide has been in touch with us many times just to check in. The last few years and the new generation of sales people don't consider themselves anything other than that. What can I do for them. Very sad! I asked when we purchased an additional contract and our 'guide' assigned to us gets the commission.

 

[gonecrusin]

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.

I don't know if you were compensated with a return of points (if you are a DVC member) but if you were beware. Had a big mix up a few years ago and they gave us our points back and they originally did and than after about 8 months they took them back no explanation and could not get it resolved.

 

[Dee77]

Just booked OKW this week for our stay in August!!! My family could stay there every time. We love it!!!

 

[Disfanx4]

Just booked August trip and started official countdown 208 days and counting! Love love OKW. Friends think I'm nuts but oh we'll lol

 

[mlittig]

I am also staying at Old Key West in August

 

[Candy Orlando]

I'm sitting by the pool. I love OKW!!

 

[Belle5]

I'm sitting by the pool. I love OKW!!

Lucky!

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'm at OKW now, my sister checked in yesterday & I'm joining her for the night. It's the second floor, a bit hard for me, but my sister didn't realize I requested first floor or elevator building, so when they told her second floor, she said fine.

We're in building 20, never would pick it as the turn around for the busses is right here, BUT we are on the water side, in most area and our view is wonderful!!

Tonight is my last night go DVC staying since December 30th. I have a few days with family until hubby flies down to drive home with me.

It's been a great stay overall! I was upgraded to pool view from standard view at BWV. Otherwise, it's been an ineventful, wonderful stay!

Bobbi

 

[ercrbc]

We just got back from a long weekend at OKW. We stayed in bldg 14 in Sept 2010, right before that area was renovated. We loved it so much we bought a resale contract. We have been trying other resorts the last few trips (BWV, AKV, HHI, WLV) and it was so nice to come back 'home' to OKW.

We stayed in bldg 19. We liked the renovations, and really enjoyed the Millers Rd area. It was an easy walk to the HH, we walked several times to the main pool, CH, Olivias, and to the boat to DTD. I forgot the baby's swim diaper and made the walk back to the room and then back to the pool in under 15min. We rode a bus to the MK and to Epcot and our 1yo LOVED the bus. She was not happy when we loaded her into the car to go to HS one morning. She kept pointing to the bus stop and made her 'angry face' lol

My big kids (7 and 4) had a blast at the pool, enjoyed seeing ducks and other birds outside the balcony, and were so excited about making shark tooth necklaces at the CH one afternoon.

DH and I both said we will be crazy to stay anywhere but OKW in the future. Nothing beats getting out of the car 10ft in front of your room to unload. Not to mention the room size for the pts. We just love OKW

 

[Candy Orlando]

I'm sitting by the pool again today. It's a beautiful day at OKW. I love the music playing and the sun is so warm. I love, love, love OKW.

 

[boundfordisney]

we are staying 2 nights before our cruise in March, first stay and am sooo looking forward to checking it out. We have a 1 bedroom booked and have requested 3 rd floor building 32 any thoughts on this? Havent seen anyone commenting on this building that I can recall. Any input is welcomed!

 

[Chuck S]

32 will be behind the bus stop, but there is usually not too much noise. I like buildings 30 to 33, as well as 35.

You are aware that there are no elevators at OKW, except in buildings 61, 62 or 63? You will have stairs. OKW was designed and built before the ADA required as much access for wheelchairs as it does now. Buildings 61, 62 and 63 were added later, so they have elevators.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm at OKW now, my sister checked in yesterday & I'm joining her for the night. It's the second floor, a bit hard for me, but my sister didn't realize I requested first floor or elevator building, so when they told her second floor, she said fine.

We're in building 20, never would pick it as the turn around for the busses is right here, BUT we are on the water side, in most area and our view is wonderful!!

Tonight is my last night go DVC staying since December 30th. I have a few days with family until hubby flies down to drive home with me.

It's been a great stay overall! I was upgraded to pool view from standard view at BWV. Otherwise, it's been an ineventful, wonderful stay!

Bobbi

Bobbi, I think the views from building 20 are some of the best at OKW. That is especially true when the sun is coming up. FYI, I have never noticed the bus noise in the bus turn around buildings, and we have stayed in 20/21 and 51/52 several times.

FYI, you are actually lucky to be on the second floor of 20, since that building has GVs in it, and it's much better to be NEXT to a GV than it is to be UNDER a GV.

 

[okw2012]

we are staying 2 nights before our cruise in March, first stay and am sooo looking forward to checking it out. We have a 1 bedroom booked and have requested 3 rd floor building 32 any thoughts on this? Havent seen anyone commenting on this building that I can recall. Any input is welcomed!

Building 32 is fine. I like building 35 as well in that area. Further away from the buses (but about as close to the bus stop), and slightly closer to the quiet pool! Walking to HH is of course faster from building 32.

In addition to requesting 3rd floor building 32, you could add requests for old turtle pond, near the bus stop. So if building 32 is not available, you'll still be in this general area (maybe in 35!)

I'm sure you'll have a great time at OKW, I can't wait to be back!

 

[boundfordisney]

Thank you for the info didnt think about the bus area but even if there is some noise it wont bother me, 2 teen grandkids and a dh who can sleep through anything so noise isnt a issue. Im sooo looking forward to our stay here but Im thinking it just may spoil us as far as future trips and booking somewhere else. Having a 1 bedroom will sure be nice to have more space, did have the poly booked but changed to okw for more room, we have stayed at cbr. the yacht club and poly on past trips but this is a first for the 1 bedroom.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thank you for the info didnt think about the bus area but even if there is some noise it wont bother me, 2 teen grandkids and a dh who can sleep through anything so noise isnt a issue. Im sooo looking forward to our stay here but Im thinking it just may spoil us as far as future trips and booking somewhere else. Having a 1 bedroom will sure be nice to have more space, did have the poly booked but changed to okw for more room, we have stayed at cbr. the yacht club and poly on past trips but this is a first for the 1 bedroom.

Okay, so if you are in a 1 bedroom, you will have NO issues with bus sound. It's mostly the studios (or second bedrooms) that hear the bus noise.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Bobbi, I think the views from building 20 are some of the best at OKW. That is especially true when the sun is coming up. FYI, I have never noticed the bus noise in the bus turn around buildings, and we have stayed in 20/21 and 51/52 several times.

FYI, you are actually lucky to be on the second floor of 20, since that building has GVs in it, and it's much better to be NEXT to a GV than it is to be UNDER a GV.

Thanks for the info. There was no 3rd floor above us, we were very lucky!!!

 

[boundfordisney]

Okay, so if you are in a 1 bedroom, you will have NO issues with bus sound. It's mostly the studios (or second bedrooms) that hear the bus noise.

oh sounds even better thanks for letting me know this!

 

[SueM in MN]

32 will be behind the bus stop, but there is usually not too much noise. I like buildings 30 to 33, as well as 35.

You are aware that there are no elevators at OKW, except in buildings 61, 62 or 63? You will have stairs. OKW was designed and built before the ADA required as much access for wheelchairs as it does now. Buildings 61, 62 and 63 were added later, so they have elevators.

Elevators are still not required under the ADA unless a building is more than 2 floors, so since most of OKW is only 2 floors, they would be exempt from needing elevators anyway.

Buildings 61, 62 and 63 are 3 stories.