Please help! Arriving w/no ressie.

[BEASLYBOO]

What I am speaking about are: stains on furniture and rugs, subpar bedding, fixtures not working etc. Gina

Luckily, I've not experienced anything like what you describe. The worse with regards to wear and tear I've reported were the wood floors in the last GV we stayed in, it looked like ice scaters had used it for hockey practice. I've read horror stories and maybe I would feel different if I continually felt that my investment wasn't up to par! So far, I'm just as happy with OKW as I was the 1st time I stayed in a villa back in 1998. Purchased in 2000, we've stayed at all of the resorts, exc. BLT, HH & THV, and have loved them all for their uniqueness. Thankfully, DVC continues to meet my expectations!

 

[ascardino]

Luckily, I've not experienced anything like what you describe. The worse with regards to wear and tear I've reported were the wood floors in the last GV we stayed in, it looked like ice scaters had used it for hockey practice. I've read horror stories and maybe I would feel different if I continually felt that my investment wasn't up to par! So far, I'm just as happy with OKW as I was the 1st time I stayed in a villa back in 1998. Purchased in 2000, we've stayed at all of the resorts, exc. BLT, HH & THV, and have loved them all for their uniqueness. Thankfully, DVC continues to meet my expectations!

Any tips for OKW? This is the first time that we will be staying there.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Any tips for OKW? This is the first time that we will be staying there.

Gee! It's my favorite resort!

My son (12) and his Pals love the arcade and the Main Pool w/ the castle slide. I notice you have a 16 year old, our group of boys love to play basketball, even when it's hotter than sin! From time to time we rent boats. Another family favorite is to take the boat to DTD, for ice cream (Ghirardeli's) and/or a movie. Of course, OKW's proximity to Disney Quest causes continuous begging and pleading from the boys!

Olivia's has good food, they have really nice burgers and a great turkey sandwich at lunch time. It's not 5 star but we've never had a bad meal nor bad service and most times you don't need ADR's.

I like to walk so I do a few laps around daily, maybe one day I'll build up to running!

 

[ascardino]

Gee! It's my favorite resort!

My son (12) and his Pals love the arcade and the Main Pool w/ the castle slide. I notice you have a 16 year old, our group of boys love to play basketball, even when it's hotter than sin! From time to time we rent boats. Another family favorite is to take the boat to DTD, for ice cream (Ghirardeli's) and/or a movie. Of course, OKW's proximity to Disney Quest causes continuous begging and pleading from the boys!

Olivia's has good food, they have really nice burgers and a great turkey sandwich at lunch time. It's not 5 star but we've never had a bad meal nor bad service and most times you don't need ADR's.

I like to walk so I do a few laps around daily, maybe one day I'll build up to running!

Thanks for the tips. Yes, my son is looking forward to taking the boats out which I did with my girls in April when we stayed at BWV. DTD is also a good one for us. I was going to see if I could figure out a building request for the room close to the main pool because that is where my girls will want to be most of the time. Also looking forward to try Olivias.

 

[M5ward]

OKW is lovely; it's quiet, relaxing, and laid back. We stayed there last October when we took our son and his family; we had a two-bedroom that opened onto the golf course. Every morning my one year old (at the time) grandson and I would sit out on the patio and watch the fountains. Our home resort is SSR, but there is just something so soothing about OKW.

 

[Deb & Bill]

OKW is lovely; it's quiet, relaxing, and laid back. We stayed there last October when we took our son and his family; we had a two-bedroom that opened onto the golf course. Every morning my one year old (at the time) grandson and I would sit out on the patio and watch the fountains. Our home resort is SSR, but there is just something so soothing about OKW.

Yep, sitting out on the porch is one of the great pleasures of OKW. It's not a little narrow ledge with a couple of chairs and a tiny square side table. You get four chairs and a large patio table, big enough for breakfast outside. Last summer I sat on our porch watching the otters swim up from the Trumbo Canal.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Check back after the 30 day mark. I was on a waitlist for my niece for a studio at AKV for two months - 6/14 & 15. The waitlist came through 29 days out. I've had great experience within 7 days also. Good luck!

 

[murphy t]

I second Disneyhappy's advice. Keep checking, you hopefully will get a MS person that will get a room to "fall" as they call it so you can book on points.
Murphy

 

[ascardino]

I second Disneyhappy's advice. Keep checking, you hopefully will get a MS person that will get a room to "fall" as they call it so you can book on points.
Murphy

I have kept trying and several times have been asked to "please hold" which makes me think I might luck out....then they come back and say "sorry" no luck. Makes me think they are trying to check or work something out as it is not a 30 second wait but more like a few minutes.

Tomorrow is the actual cutoff for me to cancel w/o risking my points going into a holding account.

Still not 100% sure if I want to keep OKW and pay over $350 out of pocket. Since I have to rent a car to drive down south anyway, I am contemplating just renting offsite for less than $150 per night for a 2 bedroom in Lake Buena Vista.

Still keeping my fingers crossed though!

 

[gkrykewy]

I do agree with you and we also have changed the way we are vacationing at Disney in the same way. In fact, when we were there in April we did not enter one park and still had a fantastic time. I didn't mention the towels or turn down service as I am not even taking that into consideration. What I am speaking about are: stains on furniture and rugs, subpar bedding, fixtures not working etc. I have family with a timeshare close by as well as friends with one at Sheraton Vistana that do not have the issues for the cost that we do.

Gina

Of all the minor complaints you mentioned, this is the only one that would concern me. I haven't experienced it yet (own at AKV, so it's new), but it seems that DVC is massively renovating BWV right now, so hopefully that bodes well for future standards.

In the future, I humbly suggest booking your room *before* you book your airfare

 

[jmurphy625]

For anyone who might be following: Here's the latest update.

I called yesterday and today and still no luck with anything opening up for those three nights.

I've been following your thread because I'd been waiting for ANYTHING for the night of 6/25!! I've had good luck with my waitlist for the other nights and I booked my trip not long before your original post (maybe a week). I ended up calling today and a 2 bedroom opened up. Good Luck.

 

[ascardino]

Called again today and still nothing for 6/24. Not a studio, one bedroom or anything. So, now I am within the 31 days and we decided to keep our fingers crossed that something opens up. Since we are on property and at least have the three nights in a row in the same room category so we will not have to move we will pay the extra cost if we have to.

 

[DISNEYMOMx5]

I had the opportunity to go with DH last year on business last minute. We decided to use points for the hotel to justify my airfare. Wouldn't you know, everything was booked...it was Memorial weekend (of course, I didn't realize that until the CM told me). Anyway, a couple of weeks out, our waitlist came through at SSR. Within the 7 day window, I called to see if anything else opened up, & we had all kinds of choices! We ended up staying at the BWV in a studio. Hang in there!

 

[ascardino]

I had the opportunity to go with DH last year on business last minute. We decided to use points for the hotel to justify my airfare. Wouldn't you know, everything was booked...it was Memorial weekend (of course, I didn't realize that until the CM told me). Anyway, a couple of weeks out, our waitlist came through at SSR. Within the 7 day window, I called to see if anything else opened up, & we had all kinds of choices! We ended up staying at the BWV in a studio. Hang in there!

Thanks for the words of hope....I am keeping my fingers crossed!

 

[ascardino]

Called just before and found out my waitlist came thru for 6/24 at OKW in case anyone following wanted to know.

Very happy not to have to lay out $$$ when I have so many points and the cost of renting them wouldn't cover the cost of the ressie with the DVC discount.

OKW here we come!

 

[Disney Spaz]

I am so happy to hear your waitlist came through. We are waitlisted for NYE at BLT and I have my fingers crossed but no unrealistic expectations.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Called just before and found out my waitlist came thru for 6/24 at OKW in case anyone following wanted to know.

Very happy not to have to lay out $$$ when I have so many points and the cost of renting them wouldn't cover the cost of the ressie with the DVC discount.

OKW here we come!

I'm glad that happened! Enjoy your trip!!!

Bobbi

 

[DISNEYMOMx5]

Congrats!! Have a wonderful trip & do something fun with the $$$ you saved!

 

[ascardino]

I am so happy to hear your waitlist came through. We are waitlisted for NYE at BLT and I have my fingers crossed but no unrealistic expectations.

I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

 

[ascardino]

Congrats!! Have a wonderful trip & do something fun with the $$$ you saved!

That $$$ will go toward the DDP!