OWW: "New" booking category...that's news to me!

[KathyRN137]

Okay, just got off the phone with MS and once more, they've got me scratching my head.

My family will be staying at OKW next week. I'm happy that our waitlist for this resort came through; the studios are just a bit roomier there. We stayed at OKW in 2006 and it was wonderful. Only thing was, we were located a bit far out from the Hospitality House and it was inconvenient to get to the Main Pool.


This trip, we plan on spending a bit more time relaxing at the resort. So, I decided to call MS this morning and put in a request to be close to the HH if there is availability. I was of course expecting the standard, "Requests will be noted but are not guaranteed, yada yada yada" from the reservationist, but she surprised me by informing me that villas close to the HH are now considered a

"different booking category" [end quote] and she would take a moment to check for availability.

Huh?

She came back on the line and informed me that none of these villas were "available", but that she would note my request, yada yada yada....

I asked when this new "booking category" went into effect and was told "about a month ago."

"You need to specify that you want to be close to the Hospitality House when you make your reservation, because these are now in a different category," she stated. Again with this "different category" thing.

"You mean, they are preferred villas now?" I asked, thinking of BWV and VAKL. "Are they more points?"

"No," she replied, "The points are the same."


Well, I don't really know what this means...."different booking category"....but the same points. Seems to be no different than making a room location request the way we always did. She really didn't (or couldn't) elaborate further.

So, FYI (for what its worth), if you really want or need to be close to the HH at OKW, try to request it at the time of your reservation and note it on your waitlist request.

Good Luck! If you're going to be at OKW next week, I'll see ya there!!


Kathy

 

[Lady V]

Actually it has been more than a month. I booked mine in that category back on feb 19 for my July trip.

 

[gppnj]

I like this. That way the owners who want this booking category have the first shot at it. As opposed to both owners and non-owners having an equal chance.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It was announced last year and went into effect January 1st I think. It's really no different than Boardwalk view catagory at BWV...no additional points, but a need to specifically book it. Unfortunately, I think that request is most often made by newbies and renters and those kinds of requests will mostly be out of luck, since I expect them to mostly be filled at the 11 month booking window. Frankly, I don't always think being near HH is an advantage. We really don't like the main pool since we have no small children, and when we are in the rooms of the HH catagory, it is difficult to get to one of the smaller neighborhood "quiet" pools for hot tub time etc. We are in our 60's so sometimes quieter is better. When we have guests, we do prefer that area so the kids can take in the pool, and so we can "catch the bus" easier. It is so easy to see when the buses come into the resort, and that gives us about 5-10 minutes to get over to HH for the last bus stop. Often we have had large groups where a couple of people head out to the bus stop and when the bus comes into the resort, they call the villa to let the rest know they need to get to the bus stop soon.

 

[ldo]

in fact, it was one reason we decided to stay at OKW. I (mom) am arriving later in the day with 3 kids and no car, and was worried about getting a location far from the pool, CH, etc. Last year we got a great location at SSR, but realized that if we had a distant location, the trip would not have been nearly as good. So, I was delighted to read on disboards about the HH category (ps-laso saw it on dvcmember.com).
Also, I think it owuld be great if that they did the same at SSR--esp. for those traveling without a car, being close to Springs, Congress Park or Grandstand is a big plus.

 

[Desnik]

I didn't know about it when I made my ressie either. Then when I called back I was told the same thing. That category wasn't available. They still noted the request on the ressie but told me I wouldn't get it!

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

From the DVC Member website:

As reported in the fall 2007 edition of your Member magazine, Disney Vacation Club is creating special room categories at Disney's Old Key West Resort to identify the limited number of Vacation Homes located near the Hospitality House.

The new categories include Vacation Homes in buildings 11-14 and 23-26. (In order to accommodate special-needs reservations, buildings 62-64 are not included in the Hospitality House category.) This new designation is designed to help Members secure this high-demand location based on availability at the time of reservation.

 

[Nanajo1]

The new categories include Vacation Homes in buildings 11-14 and 23-26. (In order to accommodate special-needs reservations, buildings 62-64 are not included in the Hospitality House category.) This new designation is designed to help Members secure this high-demand location based on availability at the time of reservation

Are these villas the ones with the only entry into the bathroom is through the MB?
I found that to be a pain when we had little ones napping in the MB.
But for those that aren't bothered by it is great to be able to make that request.

 

[Chuck S]

Are these villas the ones with the only entry into the bathroom is through the MB?
I found that to be a pain when we had little ones napping in the MB.
But for those that aren't bothered by it is great to be able to make that request.

Yes, all buildings below #30 have the single bathroom entrance in one bedroom/two bedroom units.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Are these villas the ones with the only entry into the bathroom is through the MB?
I found that to be a pain when we had little ones napping in the MB.
But for those that aren't bothered by it is great to be able to make that request.

Yes, and that's why I think newbies and renters who request it might be disappointed once they find that fact out. We rarely have anyone on the sofa, so it's never much of an issue for us.

 

[DVC Mike]

Well, I don't really know what this means...."different booking category"....but the same points. Seems to be no different than making a room location request the way we always did.

A booking category is guaranteed whereas a room location request is not.

 

[ALBA]

We called to book OKW a few months ago and requested a room nearer to the HH as we have a DD of 2, so it suits us being nearer the main pool. To our surprise he offered us three building numbers to choose from, we chose what we thought was best just across the bridge from the HH.

I didn't know that buildings below #30 had a single bathroom entrance but as it's only DH, me and DD it will be fine.

Alba

 

[Tigger7570]

We are happy almost anywhere and I just booked our next vacation this week and I usually give a whole list of buildings we like and I do happen to like the 23-26, but I'm not a fan of 11-14, it's just a personal preference. So, when she explained about the booking category being guaranteed and that it did include all of the buildings and that you couldn't request just the 23-26, I explained about not liking 11-14 and I told her I would opt not to do the booking category because if we were assigned to one of the 11-14 buildings I wouldn't feel right because I would be taking it from someone who wanted it and I didn't want it. So, we went with our usual building requests excluding the 23-26. I have to say the CM I spoke with was great. I'm sure they're bombarded with questions because I know I had a lot and I have no problem with the new booking category. I could have taken my chances and hoped for the 23-26, but there are so few buildings I don't like, again personal preference, that I'm sure I'll be happy with whatever building we get. We always are.

 

[dvc at last !]

We have our OKW reservations and a confirmation
Hosp House for October.

 

[NUHuskies#1]

Hi- I was on the waitlist for OKW Studio or 1 bdrm for June for a couple of days last week. Yesterday, I checked the member's website and low and behold the 1 bdrm came through with "HH" next to the reservation. I had no idea they were catgorizing the reservations. Thanks for letting me know!

 

[KathyRN137]

Thanks, Guys!

I have to admit that I rarely, if ever, utilize the DVC Member website. It always seems to have problems.... As far as the DIS, I usually stay on the TR Boards. Sometimes its good to check out other boards; I might have found out about this sooner!

Kathy

 

[kddlm]

Kathy: We'll be at OKW next week as well! We actually prefer Turtle Pond area and will requst that location! Can't wait......will be there in 4 days!!! Maybe we'll see you there!