OKW trip report (long)

[dsmith]

Well it’s been a few days since we got back but I finally have time to sit down and right a trip report!

The folks on this trip were me, my Bride, Son (13), Daughter (11), Mother in Law, Sister in Law and her three kids (6, 5, and 2). NorthWest recently added direct flights from Grand Rapids, MI (an hour from home) to Orlando so that’s what we took down on Friday the 26th. We returned on the 31st. We’ve gotten into the habit of flying in late on a weekend night and staying at the Hyatt right at the airport. It’s very convenient and works well for us. We got adjoining rooms and the fun began.

The next morning we took a van from Tiffany Towncars to Old Key West. I learned about towncar services right here and now I’m very grateful. We’ll never take Mears or a cab again towncars are just way better. For large groups they’re much cheaper and the service can’t be beat. Our driver, Marcus, was very friendly and polite. He showed up a few minutes before our scheduled pickups in both directions.

We prefer staying in the South Point area at OKW and as usual our request was honored. We had hoped for next door rooms but the best they could provide was rooms in the same building. We got 5312, a first floor left handed (master bedroom & kitchen area to the left on entry) two bedroom, and 5324, a second floor right handed one bedroom. They were kind enough to give us enough keys so everyone in our party could have one for each room. Check in was quick and efficient but I didn’t get a single “Welcome home!” the entire trip. Both rooms were very clean with all new appliances including washer and dryer. I didn’t notice anything missing from the kitchen, or any place else for that matter. The only under par thing I found was a dirty switch plate in the master bathroom. A quick wipe with a wash cloth took care of it.

We arrived about 9:30 AM for check in and got keys but no room numbers. They provided us with a phone number to call after 11 AM to get our room numbers. Once we were in the room a quick call to bell services got our bags delivered promptly. At check in we requested a full service after our second night but it didn’t happen. I called mouse keeping but they said the front desk never notified them. The lesson learned is to always deal directly with the department that will be performing the service.

We ate at Olivia’s several times. The food and service were good as usual, not outstanding but our group was happy, and that’s saying something. We had dinner at O’Hana one night. A couple people in our group were not happy with the waitress’s performance and really let her have it on the little survey card provided. The kids enjoyed the activities and we got lots of cute pictures of them. We managed to get a dinner PS for all 9 of us at the Sci-Fi Drive In at MGM. The kids enjoyed it but the food was overpriced for the quality we got. They did manage to seat us in adjoining cars though! My daughter and I have a tradition of eating at Alfredo’s. The wait on the WDW DINE line was long but indicated that the front desk could make the arrangements. I tried to do that by phone but was told by the front desk I’d have to be there in person. Anyone know why that might be?

I think my favorite day was our MGM day when my son and I ditched the rest of the group after entering the gate and snuck off to Typhoon Lagoon for the day. We thought maybe we would get off scot-free but we were busted when we went back to OKW to change back into street clothes.

My SIL and I did the Segway at EPCOT. It was Very Cool! I’ve been working hard to slim down to the 250lb limit and was almost disappointed that they didn’t weigh us. They make a big deal about the weight limit but never asked how heavy we were and there wasn’t a scale in sight. A fellow DIS member and her son were also on the tour. I’m sorry but I’ve forgotten their names. If you did the tour on March 30 and were wearing a lime green DIS pack please speak up! One lady on the tour crashed in front of the US pavilion. She was down for a couple minutes but got back up un-injured and finished the tour.

I had a moral dilemma this trip. Our family gets Premium Annual Passes. This time when we paid for them the amount didn’t seem right but since we were in a hurry to get into the park I didn’t investigate. Latter that day while getting Fast Passes I noticed that the PAPs said “FL RESIDENT” on them. The first question the cast member asked was “Are you a Florida resident?” and I distinctly remember clearly saying “No.” During the registration process we also gave him our Michigan address. My wife talked me out of exchanging them for non-resident passes and paying the difference with a short discussion about how much money we’ve been (and will continue) giving them over the years. I also rationalized it by thinking “We own a part of SSR so that makes us residents right?”

This is getting long so if anyone has questions please feel free to ask! Like most DVCers I love talking about our trips!

 

[jaysue]

I tried to do that by phone but was told by the front desk I’d have to be there in person. Anyone know why that might be?

That is a good question - same thing in my case as well at BWV - had to be at the front desk. It actually made it faster there since the CM let me see the whole screen and pick a time that worked for me.

As for the PAP FL mixup, I think it is one thing to be honest up front and another thing to correct a mistake made by someone else. If it was a mom and pop store or community store of some type I would advise the person who made the mistake. Since it is WDW, they can afford to make a mistake - I am prepared to be flamed for this apparent double standard

Glad to hear you had a great trip with such a diverse crowd

thanks
jaysue

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for the great report. Glad you had a good time.

Here's my guess as to why you have to be at the Front Desk for them to make dining reservation -- it seems like every time a convenience is put in, someone finds a way to "beat the system". Maybe they're concerned that people will be phoning in to the front desk from home to have them book PS i.e, not actually current guests at the resort.

 

[dsmith]

Hm.m.m... I don't think that's it. They addressed me by name and I never said who I was. They knew I was calling from my room.

 

[Jillpie]

Great report! Can you please give me some details about the Segway tour? My 16 yr. old is interested for next April...is there an age limit? What exactly do you do on this tour? I know its in the countries, but what do you do? thanks.

 

[MJTinNH]

Great report! Thank you for posting!

 

[dsmith]

Can you please give me some details about the Segway tour?

Guests must be at least 16 years old. If they are under 18 a parent must accompany them to sign the waiver form. There is a limit of 10 people per day. The tour begins before the park opens but at the gate they have a list of people that are signed up so they'll let you in, you must already have a park ticket, as admission is not included. The tour begins in the Guest Relations lobby to the left of Spaceship Earth. It’s clearly marked, you can’t miss it. Once everyone has arrived and signed the papers you’re taken to “Segway Central” where you watch a short video and get a introduction to how the Segway works. Then you get on and start practicing. They start out very slow, getting on and off, moving forward and stopping, rotating left and right. It’s much easier than it looks, if you can ride a bike you can ride a Segway! After about an hour of practice they take you outside. By this time Future World has opened so it’s single file to the World Showcase that is still closed. You get a nice hour long tour through the countries while cast members are getting them ready for the day. On our tour there was one CM leading and two following just incase anyone had trouble. About half way through there’s a short stop for a rest and pictures. The rest is a welcome break because while riding a Segway your body is just standing still. Try standing in one position for more than 20 minutes sometime, it can be tiring.

 

[wisbucky]

Thanks for the great report. It was very interesting to read.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Great report! I think my DH would be interested in doing the Segway Tour. Thanks for the details.

 

[PamOKW]

Just an aside -- DVC members now get a discount on the Segway Tour

Around the World at Epcot®
Members receive a 15% discount. This 2-hour Segway Human Transporter experience gives Guests an introduction to using the Segway and a ride around Epcot World Showcase. Theme Park admission is not included, but is required. Offered daily at 8:45 a.m. Safety restrictions apply. Ages 16 and older. For reservations or more information, please call 407-WDW-TOUR (939-8687)* and identify yourself as a Disney Vacation Club Member.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Regarding dinner reservations--the front desk can not really take the time to make dinner reservations-you just have to push 55 on your phone to do it. The reason they ask you to come down in person is just there way of saying it is best to do it yourself. If you did go down you would have to wait in line to see a front desk clerk anyway. Some of the front desks are not really front desks anymore, they are a phone bank not at the resorts. Enjoyed your report.

 

[Pinnie]

Thanks for your report! Welcome back to Michigan!
(Does that make up for the lack of "Welcome Home" at OKW?

Didn't think so.

pin