Orange Lake - Just returned.....

[emmalgin]

It was very, very nice. If questions, please post and I will respond.....

Interesting was the drive to Universal was done in 30 minutes and that is a long drive.....

 

[SNOWBOARDER]

Hi emmalgin and welcome back!! We'll be arriving this Sunday!!!! We'll be in a 2-br villa, and I do have some questions. (sorry there's so many!) Here goes:

1)Where did you stay, and was it in close proximity to a pool?
2)Did they let you check-in early?
3)How was the transportation within the resort?
4)Did you go to the Luau, or any of the parties at the resort? If so, how'd you like them?
5)Did you golf?
6)Did you eat at the resort, and how was it?
7)How long of a drive was it to the Disney parks?
8)Did you use any of OLCC transportation to the Disney parks? (I plan to golf, a morning or two, then use OLCC to meet everyone at the parks.)
9)THANKS!!!!
Any suggestions that you can make, about OLCC would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, again!!!

 

[emmalgin]

I was hoping you hadn't left..... Knew you were going and will try to answer.

1)Where did you stay, and was it in close proximity to a pool?

We were in the North Villas..... Pool was a half mile around winding road, though we saw it from the patio. Were on 7th hole of the 9 hole walking course. Drove everyday, but not a problem.

2)Did they let you check-in early?

Were there at 1:30 and room was ready.

3)How was the transportation within the resort?

Didn't use it as I don't like to wait. Doesn't look great, but we didn't need it.

4)Did you go to the Luau, or any of the parties at the resort? If so, how'd you like them?

Many were at the main pool. The pools there include an Olympic pool, a huge pool with a bandshell if entertainment, a smaller pool, kids pool and 2 spas. Also there was the miniputt and exercise room.

The North Pool nad the waterslide, kids area, waterfalls and no deeper then 4 feet. Very nice, also very hot water.

Did not do Luau or C&W BBQ, though checked the buffet in the restaurant and it looked quite good.

My spouse calls it 'organized fun' and is not into it.

5)Did you golf?

Yes did the 9 hole walking course. Ran around in 1 hour as it was empty considering the 95 degree temps at 5:00 pm. Cost $8.

Did the new Legends course $34 after 3:00, included cart, no surcharge playing alone. Caught up and played with couple after 7 holes. Very nice course. Played in under 4 hours.

I play 2-3 balls when alone and thus get in 2-3 equivalent rounds. Hate driving ranges, so great practice for me.

I think the special is 3 rounds for $112, so if playing at 7:00 am, that is a great bargain too.

6)Did you eat at the resort, and how was it?

Well for me the key was they had Krispy Kreme Donuts at the breakfast buffet and on the presentation breakfast if you do it.

Did not eat there, as there are too many other places. Kids wanted to eat in room, so we had Chinese takeout from Publix plaza (1 light from resort) and microwaved mac and cheese 2 nights. The kids get drained too and want to relax.


7)How long of a drive was it to the Disney parks?

No time (15 minues maybe). I made it to Universal Monday morning in 30 minutes. Seaworld was 20 minutes.

8)Did you use any of OLCC transportation to the Disney parks? (I plan to golf, a morning or two, then use OLCC to meet everyone at the parks.)

I'd golf in the afternoon. They have transportation, but it is probably overpriced. May also look at afternoon break for family and a swim if temps are as high as last week. We couldn't last 6 hours at the parks. Spouse gave me the look often that she had had enough.


9)THANKS!!!!

Rooms are huge and comfortable. Three TV's including 36" in living room. Hue sectional and nice kitchen. Froze gatorades and water and they were slushies by noon, perfect. Plenty to do, no where near enough time. If in Tennis Villas near main building, may be more to do. But frankly, we were tired.

No timeshare presentation was required.

Any suggestions that you can make, about OLCC would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, again!!!

As for eating...... Go to Outback for steak.... We really like it (and I have discerning tastes). In LBV we found a place called Romano's Macaroni Grill, which I thought was outstanding Italian at a great price, nice decor and large portions (one of the very very few times I did not finish my meal).

Crowds were light. Seldom a wait. Fastpass, while good, not great, long wait to use and still some lines at times. I.e. I went to Epcot at 3:00 and could not use Fastpass on test track 'til 5:00. At Universal, I got Express Passes that were valid immediately. Walked on MIB and ET.

Let me know if anymore questions.

 

[SNOWBOARDER]

Thanks for the great info! We've been to WDW a couple of times, and have never stayed off-site, but couldn't pass up on OLCC. This is the 1st time I'll have a chance to golf. Did you make tee times, or pretty much just walk on? This may seem a silly question, does the resort supply coffee filters? Thanks, again!!!!

 

[emmalgin]

Coffee filters provided, along with dishwashing detergent and others cleaning stuff (also tide for the washing machine). I had a pot made every morning. Also ice maker in freezer.... Just bring soap and shampoo..... Towels are plentiful and very thick. Towels at pool.

Course is not crowded. Better call when you arrive to make morning tee times (especially early). I'd tee off alone at 7:00 (first tee time) or before. Otherwise I did call (extension 1050).

I stay offsite and this was about the best. Just be prepared it is a big resort and lots to do if you want.

Save tons if you have breakfast in room or go on the way..... Kids happy with cereal.

 

[SNOWBOARDER]

Thanks, again!!

 

[iwannago!!]

Sounds like you had a great time! Fantastic!

I have a couple of questions for you...

1. Did you send in a room request in advance?
2. Which would be the 'ideal' location to request if we want to be close to the splash pool/slide area?
3. Did you have daily maid service? If so, how much was it and what did they do? If not.. did you have a midweek visit? Did they bring you clean towels every day or did you have to wash yours?


Glad that you had a great time!

Thanks!

 

[emmalgin]

I called the 800 number that is in an earlier thread (approx. April 23rd).

Maid service is extra and I think it was expensive $27.... Outside beds, our rooms are clean.

They have towels at the pool, but do not replace in room (I think it is $7). However they include Tide detergent in the room and with a washing machine, washing is not exactly work. I also swear there must have been 8 large towals in the room and 10 smaller ones.....

Ask for North complex in the highrise if you want by the pool. However for me, driving was no big deal. When all is considered, if you have young children, they are not there alone and you all go together.

More goes on at the main building, but didn't effect us.

 

[disneydreamerinny]

What great info! Thanks very much. We will be checking in on the 17th.
We are so psyched. We will also have the two bedroom. We would prefer 3 but there were none available when we reserved.
We will definitely be calling 1 week ahead to try and get requests.

Sounds like you had a great time, thanks for posting.
Oh, how long does it take once you park your car to get to the main gate of MK? I wasnt sure with security and all.
I want to try and get there for opening, so I wonderd how much time to allow..

 

[emmalgin]

It takes too long...... Once you park, it is 5 minutes to get to Monorail, 5-10 minutes on monorail to gates.... % minutes for check and in.

Only delay is getting out of OLCC if in North Villas (like us) and behind cars driving 20 mph. Can take 5-7 minutes to get to 192 and then it is another 10 minutes.

However when we went to Blizzard Beach or MGM it was under 15 minutes door to door.

As for a three br????? How many are you? There is a huge king in master and 2 queens in the other room. Also the sectional I think pulls out.....

One note... My spuse uses a neck pillow at home and we ended up buying one there for her neck..... May want to think about it. Pillows were fine for me....

Also I wouldn't expect huge crowds the week before Memorial Day.

The only crowds we found were to line up for character pictures......

 

[emmalgin]

One other question that has been asked....

There are no bbq's to use at the units. The porches/balconies are screened.

There is a Walgreens at the entrance and cheaper gas if you go west (turn right) out of complex.

Good restaurants nearby include Carrabba (Italian), Outback (steak, happy hour before 7:00), Golden Corral has a very good breakfast buffet. Also all the fast food you need. The chinese takeout in the Publix mall is also very good if staying in for the night.

Made mistake by going to the Super Walmart for groceries when we arrived. Yes it is big and decent prices, but it is at the other end of 192 and really not worth that long a drive unless others to see that direction....... Thus if you want to get to hotel and pool just go directly (under 40 minutes from airport).

 

[emmalgin]

Bumping up......

 

[hawt1]

Thanks for bumping this up as we are headed to Orange Lake in the spring courtesy of skyauction....gotta get some of that offsite magic!!!

We are going to be a party of four families all with young children. Where would you recommend that we stay...by young I mean some that are not walking yet.

Do you remember how much the various buffets or theme parties cost?

What were they giving out for the timeshare presentation? I am good at saying NO quickly and effectively so can live thru the pain...

Any other tips or interesting points would be appreciated. We drove by a month ago when we were staying down the road but they would not let us on property. We found the prices at the Publix to be quite expensive ad thought that we may make the extra long drive to Walmart...especially if our room was not ready when we arrived. We found the Walmart prices much lower.

Thanks,

 

[emmalgin]

Buffets and theme nights were not expensive (under $15).

With young kids you want the north property. It is farther away however it also has the better pool for kids. Most of the activity however is at the main pool.

I'd call a week before and explain the situation (young children and 4 families) and ask what they can do. They're not supposed to do anything but did for us.

As for Publix, I found the prices much the same as Walmart. We did the long drive to Walmart and frankly did not find a whole lot. I usually look for specials anyways, and it is only a week. There is another Publix or something right at I4, which is newer. Room was ready when we arrived at 2:30.

Timeshare not my thing and offer I think was standard (tickets or the like). They called twice, but no pressure.

You'll like it, there is a lot do and decently organized.

 

[reddixie]

Hi OLCC is a timeshare resort. Therefore if you don't own you are not guranteed any villa. You can request but they usually don't take them. I own and exchanged my week and am going to OLCC and I can't be guaranteed a villa in either the East or North Village. As for not being allowed on the property I am very thankful you weren't. I always take kids and feel comfortable turning them loose as I know it's a gated community. The Publix is a nice store and I use it during my stay. Hope you have a great vacation.

 

[jeff968]

We'll be visiting for the first time in February. I'll be there with my family of five (kids 13, 10, 3). What do you recommend for building location? We won't be golfing. I would like to be near the pools so we don't have to drive. Is that possible? How do they assign units? Thanks

 

[Pooh Girl 71]

What does OLCC stand for and do they have a website? Thanks

 

[emmalgin]

Orange Lake Country Club

 

[poohbear2]

Ask for the North Village and the website is www.orangelake.com

 

[cdntowdw]

Is there a hot tub at the pool by the North Village?