Orange Lake Country Club - tell me all you know, please!!

[iwannago!!]

I am so excited! We are going back.. and we traded our time share to stay at OLCC. I have heard good things.. so now I am looking for more good things from those of you that have stayed there. We have a 2bdr checking in on Friday, May 31st for a week. I THINK that I want the North Villages? Is that the best section nearest the splash lagoon pool/slide area? Can someone please tell me what to expect at the resort. It will be myself and my daughter along with my friend and her daughter (both girls are 7). I am hoping for information on location request, dining choices (cheap good fast breakfast). Transportation to and from WDW.. I know there is a short cut.. how long does it take door to door? How are the pools at OLCC? Crowded?

Thanks for all you can tell me about Orange Lake!!


May 31- June 7, 2002 - OLCC
November 2001 - Wyndam Palace Resort & Spa
June 2000 - Boardwalk Villa's 1bdr
May 1992 - offsite
June 1987 - offsite

 

[tednvon]

Gosh, there is lots of good stuff on this board about OLake..we were there a couple of months ago in a nice two bedroom in the north section by the par 3 golf course and new pool...I would ask for north end, but all are nice, these are little newer....Now, this place is HUGE...not just big...HUGE!...it took us as long to drive from the front entrance to the far north end as it did to get from Disney to the front gate....If you are in the north end you can exit and enter until 10 PM at the Publix store and not have go through the entire resort and lots of stop signs.........There is so much stuff to do...they will send you a copy of weekly events if you call the toll free number at orangelake.com....there is a shuttle that runs all over the resort and stops at corners and the pools and the golf course and registration......the putt-putt golf is fun and for 24 dollars you can get a weekly pass for the family....the condos are very nice...big king bed in the master, big master bath with whirlpool tub, separate shower, lots of room...2nd bath had a small walk in shower, no tub and the bedroom has two queen beds...living room is adequate with a big TV under the kitchen counter facing the living room, both bedrooms had TV, limited cable about 30 stations....small dining area with a restaurant style booth with built in seat for 3 or 4 by the wall and 3 chairs..kitchen is small but adequate for a rental condo...we did no cooking but stocked up on milk, snacks, cereal and beverages....pullout couch was "great"according to our 6 foot son...W/Dryer is nice....I think you will be very pleased..Disney is just east on 192, and with the completion of construction on 192 a nice easy ride to the parks, about 10 tops.....grandpa Ted

 

[Kevs mom]

I also have a 2 bedroom suite booked for January 2003 and would love to hear your opinion of it when you return! I picked that place for the very reason that my parents stayed there this past January and could not say enough good things about it - they had a wonderful time and were very impressed with their room - I can't wait

 

[iwannago!!]

Thanks for the reply Grandpa Ted! This place sounds great, I can't wait! Our girls are so excited to go! They are jumping up and down because they get to share a room and each have their own beds! Gotta love 7 year old girls... they are so funny!

Alright.. I now have some more pointed questions....

Grills - do the condo's have these? Or is there a place on property that you can grill out and picnic? We were thinking about doing this one afternoon for lunch.
Shuttle - Is there a shuttle to the parks? I didn't think so, but figured that I should ask.
North Section - what EXACTLY do I need to request to get a newer unit (2bdr) close to the splash lagoon pool? - Do I just request "North"???

Any other input or reviews on OLCC?

thanks!



inkbounc

 

[tednvon]

Hi ...I just don't remember seeing grills, but Imay have missed them...I would go to orangelake.com call the 800 number and ask......You can also ask for a room in the north end... they assign units based on the day you arrive....we got there Sat. and got the north....but you can sure ask.......There are shuttles to disney, but count on them to be inconsistant and a real waste of a lot of vacation time....Drive if you can...very easy trip on 192 and much less time wasted..enjoy....Ted

 

[jeff968]

I've considered visiting this resort in the past but I'm nervous about getting stuck in an older unit. When we visited the Vistana Resort we were lucky and were set up in the newest development. As I looked around and saw the other sections you could see big differences. I won't return because I'm afraid of getting stuck in an older unit. We stayed at the Hilton Grand Vacation club this year. The oldest unit was 1995 and they all looked the same and were beautiful and new. Vistana and Orange Lake both date back to the early eighties. Are you worried about this?

 

[emmalgin]

Yes older units are my worry also. Going at the end of April and I want a newer unit. Do we call 2-3 days before and request a unit? Do we specifically ask for the North or Tennis villas?

Help. I really want this trip to start on the right foot.

Thanks,

 

[iwannago!!]

That is EXACTLY what I am worried about! Our timeshare is in Cabo and is Gold Crown and Red time.. so as far as trading goes, it holds its own for value. BUT we (I) have traded for OLCC and we check in on Friday - I have heard not such good things about unit assignments with Friday check in - any help out there for me?

 

[tednvon]

My memories of negative posts about OLake were never the two bedrooms no matter what the building or location, but the negatives were about the one bedroom studios..hope Iam right...Ted

 

[iwannago!!]

Thanks Ted, I think that I have read the same about the studios & some 1bdr's... I am crossing my fingers on the 2bdr. I read somewhere that if you check in on a Friday you are assigned a golf villa.. even in the 2bdr.. I really want one of the newer units and REALLY want to be close to the splash lagoon pool area.. two 7 year old girls, they really aren't interested in golf.

SO. here is me crossing my fingers. I am going to request a North unit and hope for the best!


Thanks again Ted, you have been a huge help!

inkbounc

 

[tednvon]

You're welcome...I am a firm believer that there is a time and a place for begging, tears, and totally humbling oneself before the god or godess of room assignments at a large hotel or condo resort............this sounds like the time!!!!!!!.... Final thought...our first time to Disney was in 1973 with a 5 year old and a 2 year old.... drove in a 1968 Pontiac....we stayed in a little dump of a hotel with two single beds......I have absolutely no bad memories of that trip....only these little munchkins on old 8 millimeter movies having a ball....so a great trip to Disney happens at the parks and the magic of all the fun stuff has nothing to with where we stayed.....I am still convinced I could bring the grandkids, Now 6 and 4 to disney and stay in the some little obscure motel and they would have a ball.....it's us adults that want the perfect stuff........ Peace........Ted

 

[reddixie]

Ok here goes. I am an owner at OLCC. Have been for one year. As far as check in day as what area you will be in whoever posted that info was wrong. I own in the brand new East Village. It has a 2200 sq. foot heated pool and spa. A new Golf clubhouse. All within walking distance of our villa. It will be open this summer. May not be when y'all go. Ok check in on Sat. is for building 86100 and 86400. Friday is 86200. Sunday is 86300. There are a total of 72 units for Sat. 48 units for Sun. and Fri. This is how the whole resort is done. There are check ins for all villas each day. You are assigned your villa before you get there. NO amount of pleading will help. I own 86122 therefore when I go I get that villa. So whoever you traded with ( which you don't know) that is the villa you get. If I bought 86122 got there and was in the West Village I would be mad. I get my villa period. This Christmas I exchanged I cannot be guaranteed any Villa. That being said. I stayed in the West Old ones. They were great. The new ones are a little nicer but I loved both. These are the best condos I have stayed in on vacation period. Just about all villas with the exception of some of the North Village are within walking distance of a pool and hot tub. The West Village Pool area is the only one without a mushroom kiddie pool for kids. It has a reg. pool and hot tub. But you can go to the Olympic pool so it is not a big deal. You will not walk around this resort. It is 1500 acres. As far as best villa's I bought East because you can see Disney fireworks really well from your enclosed balcony. You can see them in the West Villa we watched them. But they are closer in ours. You will have a great stay no matter where they put you. You will not be disappointed. HTH. Any specific ?'s e-mail me at reddixiebelle@aol.com. One other thing. Publix is on resort property. They own the land and lease it to the businesses. You go out the East gate which is secured also and you don't have to get on I-92.

 

[emmalgin]

Who would've known..... Got back last week and had no idea about the East Village or how to get to Publix from there (and we went maybe 6-7 times).

But to reiterate, I did enjoy the resort, the amenities and everything.

I however did call prior and got a new property in the North Property. Did drive everyday to the North Pool, but that certainly was not a problem.

 

[iwannago!!]

I am so excited! Thanks everyone for the info! I called OLCC today to confirm our reservation - made sure they had my name on as well as hubbies (his name is on rci stuff) - they put it on and gave me a conf #. I asked if they had a unit assignment for us.. she said that they were not allowed to give out that information. I said 'OK, I understand.. is there anyway that you can tell me if we are in the North Villages near the Splash Pool.. she checked and said 'YES you are! I said YEAH, our girls will be so excited!

May 31st.. here we come!

 

[emmalgin]

I liked the north and with young kids you feel very safe in the north area. I will admit that we could have made more use of the resort, but we truly enjoyed the room and could stretch out. If the girls are older I am sure they will also love the main building.

My spouse says she does not like organized activities so the North was just right for us......

But if you like activities there are plenty....