Shadeaux
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 612
We were at OKW from 5/30-6/10 in a 2BR lock-off #4710 + 4711
So I don't forget to add it at the end, here's the link to my pictures from our trip:
http://www.pbase.com/shadeaux/wdw_june_2004
We checked in around noon;our room was pre-assigned but not ready. I requested the same thing I've requested for 10 years (we've always gotten our requests met): no smoking, second floor, water or golf view, then I have a list of about 8 buildings I like. I asked if anything was available so we wouldn't have to wait. I said as long as it wasn't a woods view, I'd be happy. The CM checking us in said, uh oh, they have you assigned to a first floor building 11 which is totally woods view. We were assigned to a building that was exactly the opposite of what I requested.
A first floor room lock off, 4710 + 4711 was available, so we took it. I always assumed first floor rooms would be the most requested, so I was surprised that's what we got. The view (or non-view as my husband called it) was of the bottom of a hill on the golf course. The unit was at the end of the building right next to the road. The CM checking us in said it was a good thing we didn't check in later or we'd be stuck in the unit in 11.
When we walked into the 1br section, the first thing I noticed was a stale tobacco smell. The studio part didn't smell. I have asthma, but given what we were told at check in about availability, I decided I'd rather the smell than building 11. I thought since it wasn't an overpowering smell that turning up the air for several hours would help. Wrong! I ended up having to take extra asthma meds. Usually that only happens when I've been around cigars, so I'm assuming whoever smoked in that room was smoking a cigar, not cigarettes. I called housekeeping and arranged for them to bring their ionizer machine the next morning while we were out. It must have worked because for the most part the smell was gone & I no longer had asthma. I really wish they wouldn't have reduced the number of smoking buildings because they seem to be needed.
I found out that other than it being easier to bring in luggage, I definitely prefer 2nd floor. We really missed not having ducks and birds hanging around because we weren't near any water. Even though it's right next to the road, the unit is relatively quiet and it was definitely better than being in building 11 (we were there once and I hated it) I've decided that next time I'm going to become one of those obnoxious guests we've seen at check-in; I'll whine & cry until I get a room to my liking.
I was determined to enjoy my stay despite the non-view. I spent a lot of time watching the clouds and there were also quite a few very pretty skies at sunset that I was able to see from down on the first floor. http://www.pbase.com/image/30163318
The odd thing was there weren't very many birds. The first couple days it was just too darn quiet. I'm used to the birds waking me up when I'm at OKW. And the only wildlife we saw were three bunnies. Even though we were right next to the road, the bus noise didn't bother us. The second bedroom was occupied by my 16 yr. old daughter and her 17 yr.old friend. As many of you know, teenage girls can sleep through anything.
They weren't bothered by the busses either. I do admit that being on the first floor had its advantages when carrying in 2 weeks worth of luggage for 4 people! Also after a tiring day at the parks, it was kind of nice not having to drag myself up what usually seemed like ten flights of stairs.
We only ate at Olivia's twice; once for lunch, once for dessert. Enjoyed it both times. OKW looked as immaculate as always. Our unit had a new loveseat, but an old sofa. I like the colors of the new loveseat better; they are almost the exact colors of the plaid on the backs of the dining chairs. http://www.pbase.com/image/30122417
It's been mentioned many times that OKW is rather remote from the parks. If you have a car, this just isn't the case. It took us just over 15 minutes from walking out the door to getting in the gate at both EPCOT and MGM. I didn't pay attention to how long it took to get to the MK and we didn't make it to AK this trip.
Another thing that's been mentioned is the lack of bell services at OKW. In case there's any question, check out this picture:
http://www.pbase.com/image/30152469
The day we checked in there were at least 6 CM working bell services.
We checked out SSR; not anywhere we'd want to stay, but that's just our personal opinion. My daughter & her friend did enjoy the pool but I think that had more to do with the "cute" lifeguard than anything else.
(We called about pool hopping and they said 'come on over') As has been mentioned, the main pool is very small for a resort the size SSR is going to be when finished. What really surprised me considering SSR only opened a couple weeks prior to our visiting was the condition of the pool towels....they were thread-bare with holes in them. Evidently they didn't open with new towels, but recycled stuff from elsewhere.
I thought the check-in area & adjoining sitting area were kind of blah looking. I liked the food court area, but the cake we bought from there was on the stale side. Probably because they weren't busy & it had been sitting longer than normal. Just my personal opinion, but I didn't like the decor of the rooms at all. Reminded me too much of the type of furnishing my grandmother had 40 years ago. The enclosed concrete walkways were no where near as dark and depressing as I thought they would be from some of the reports on the forum. I would guess the reason they built them the way they did was to correct the goof up they made at OKW. When it rains, the completely covered walkway makes a whole lot of sense!
I'm sure as soon as I hit the send button, I'll remember some other stuff, but for now, this is long enough!
So I don't forget to add it at the end, here's the link to my pictures from our trip:
http://www.pbase.com/shadeaux/wdw_june_2004
We checked in around noon;our room was pre-assigned but not ready. I requested the same thing I've requested for 10 years (we've always gotten our requests met): no smoking, second floor, water or golf view, then I have a list of about 8 buildings I like. I asked if anything was available so we wouldn't have to wait. I said as long as it wasn't a woods view, I'd be happy. The CM checking us in said, uh oh, they have you assigned to a first floor building 11 which is totally woods view. We were assigned to a building that was exactly the opposite of what I requested.
A first floor room lock off, 4710 + 4711 was available, so we took it. I always assumed first floor rooms would be the most requested, so I was surprised that's what we got. The view (or non-view as my husband called it) was of the bottom of a hill on the golf course. The unit was at the end of the building right next to the road. The CM checking us in said it was a good thing we didn't check in later or we'd be stuck in the unit in 11.When we walked into the 1br section, the first thing I noticed was a stale tobacco smell. The studio part didn't smell. I have asthma, but given what we were told at check in about availability, I decided I'd rather the smell than building 11. I thought since it wasn't an overpowering smell that turning up the air for several hours would help. Wrong! I ended up having to take extra asthma meds. Usually that only happens when I've been around cigars, so I'm assuming whoever smoked in that room was smoking a cigar, not cigarettes. I called housekeeping and arranged for them to bring their ionizer machine the next morning while we were out. It must have worked because for the most part the smell was gone & I no longer had asthma. I really wish they wouldn't have reduced the number of smoking buildings because they seem to be needed.
I found out that other than it being easier to bring in luggage, I definitely prefer 2nd floor. We really missed not having ducks and birds hanging around because we weren't near any water. Even though it's right next to the road, the unit is relatively quiet and it was definitely better than being in building 11 (we were there once and I hated it) I've decided that next time I'm going to become one of those obnoxious guests we've seen at check-in; I'll whine & cry until I get a room to my liking.
I was determined to enjoy my stay despite the non-view. I spent a lot of time watching the clouds and there were also quite a few very pretty skies at sunset that I was able to see from down on the first floor. http://www.pbase.com/image/30163318
The odd thing was there weren't very many birds. The first couple days it was just too darn quiet. I'm used to the birds waking me up when I'm at OKW. And the only wildlife we saw were three bunnies. Even though we were right next to the road, the bus noise didn't bother us. The second bedroom was occupied by my 16 yr. old daughter and her 17 yr.old friend. As many of you know, teenage girls can sleep through anything.
They weren't bothered by the busses either. I do admit that being on the first floor had its advantages when carrying in 2 weeks worth of luggage for 4 people! Also after a tiring day at the parks, it was kind of nice not having to drag myself up what usually seemed like ten flights of stairs. We only ate at Olivia's twice; once for lunch, once for dessert. Enjoyed it both times. OKW looked as immaculate as always. Our unit had a new loveseat, but an old sofa. I like the colors of the new loveseat better; they are almost the exact colors of the plaid on the backs of the dining chairs. http://www.pbase.com/image/30122417
It's been mentioned many times that OKW is rather remote from the parks. If you have a car, this just isn't the case. It took us just over 15 minutes from walking out the door to getting in the gate at both EPCOT and MGM. I didn't pay attention to how long it took to get to the MK and we didn't make it to AK this trip.
Another thing that's been mentioned is the lack of bell services at OKW. In case there's any question, check out this picture:
http://www.pbase.com/image/30152469
The day we checked in there were at least 6 CM working bell services.
We checked out SSR; not anywhere we'd want to stay, but that's just our personal opinion. My daughter & her friend did enjoy the pool but I think that had more to do with the "cute" lifeguard than anything else.
(We called about pool hopping and they said 'come on over') As has been mentioned, the main pool is very small for a resort the size SSR is going to be when finished. What really surprised me considering SSR only opened a couple weeks prior to our visiting was the condition of the pool towels....they were thread-bare with holes in them. Evidently they didn't open with new towels, but recycled stuff from elsewhere. I thought the check-in area & adjoining sitting area were kind of blah looking. I liked the food court area, but the cake we bought from there was on the stale side. Probably because they weren't busy & it had been sitting longer than normal. Just my personal opinion, but I didn't like the decor of the rooms at all. Reminded me too much of the type of furnishing my grandmother had 40 years ago. The enclosed concrete walkways were no where near as dark and depressing as I thought they would be from some of the reports on the forum. I would guess the reason they built them the way they did was to correct the goof up they made at OKW. When it rains, the completely covered walkway makes a whole lot of sense!
I'm sure as soon as I hit the send button, I'll remember some other stuff, but for now, this is long enough!
