Some OKW observations

[Coach81]

We will be staying at OKW for our first visit "home" in February. You guys are making me very nervous. I still have my "Disney glasses" on, and I can't wait to see our new home away from home!

 

[SusieBea]

We will be staying at OKW for our first visit "home" in February. You guys are making me very nervous. I still have my "Disney glasses" on, and I can't wait to see our new home away from home!

I'm sorry you're feeling nervous. My guess is you'll love OKW; I still do. It's just that for those of us who've owned for awhile (1993), there are noticable cummulative differences - a little something each time we return. It's what Kevin Yee would call "declining by degrees." I'm not ready to sell, but declining by degrees certainly applies at OKW from my experience.

 

[DVCDebb]

Agree maintenance the last couple years has been shakey but I have no problem calling out maintenance day or night if major problem. Worst was last visit when water faucet would not shut off in tub and flooded the place with hot water and it took several phone calls and more than 30 minutes to get it stopped. It was after midnight but I had it fixed and while they were at it suggested they fix both which they did but soggy carpet was no fun. They did clean and dry carpet next morning. Still this was maintenance that housekeeping should have caught when cleaning the tub. Faucets wear out so fix them and not let this happen. Thankfully in master bedroom and not in other bedroom with kids and hot water. Call resort manager if needed but don't just let it go and assume someone will fix or leave for the next guest. We all end up paying for the damages that can be done. Voice your problems immediately. Still love OKW since 93 and prefer to stay here. Great place to relax and kids prefer OKW over other resort too.

 

[dvc at last !]

subscribing to read later...

 

[Chuck S]

Agree maintenance the last couple years has been shakey but I have no problem calling out maintenance day or night if major problem. Worst was last visit when water faucet would not shut off in tub and flooded the place with hot water and it took several phone calls and more than 30 minutes to get it stopped. It was after midnight but I had it fixed and while they were at it suggested they fix both which they did but soggy carpet was no fun. They did clean and dry carpet next morning. Still this was maintenance that housekeeping should have caught when cleaning the tub. Faucets wear out so fix them and not let this happen. Thankfully in master bedroom and not in other bedroom with kids and hot water. Call resort manager if needed but don't just let it go and assume someone will fix or leave for the next guest. We all end up paying for the damages that can be done. Voice your problems immediately. Still love OKW since 93 and prefer to stay here. Great place to relax and kids prefer OKW over other resort too.

I had a bar sink faucet in a studio that wouldn't turn off a few years ago. Maintenance came right away and fixed it, and also replaced the bathtub faucet that wouldn't "stay put" at the desired temperature. The sink worked fine most of the trip, then "wham" it just wouldn't shut off. Sometimes I think those washerless faucets are worse than the old fashioned ones with gaskets.

 

[Sammie]

Hopefully DVC bills "guest" if items are missing from the units after check-out. Of course, that means housekeeping has to complete a checklist of items after each cleaning. Fat chance that's going to happen!

Sadly, no they don't. Unless the damage is major. They simply take the path of least resistance and make everyone suffer for the crimes of others.

 

[diznyfanatic]

At some point in the future, we are ALL going to be facing some of the issues and challenges that OKW is facing unless members voice our concerns with DVC.

Since we consider ourselves DVC members first, and VWL & BWV owners second, any problems that one resort has should be of concern to the rest of us.

Every member should be carefully watching what transpires at OKW from now on as an early indicator of DVC's general attitude and willingness to maintain these properties for at least the next 35 - 50 years and beyond.

In our opinion, lack of upkeep and general maintenence at any resort may ultimately devalue the entire DVC program.

I fear the problem may only worsen since what the general maintenence schedule does not catch, housekeeping should.

However, due to the severe shortage of houskeeping staff at Disney, coupled with all the new DVC resorts being added or planned, DVC has had a hard enough time keeping up with the daily housekeeping duties, let alone asking them to spot additional maintenence issues.

This is why it has become so important for DVC members to report any maintenence issues and concerns.

 

[dianeschlicht]

As for mismatched hardware and blinds, I agree - if the original stuff can no longer be matched, then replace all items with new.

My point exactly, Doc! It would not have bothered me at all if they would just use the same color metal everywhere. Having brass hinges and escution and chrome handle just looks worse than bad! At least keep things true to the theme. The one green blind in the living room looks bad too. It wouldn't bother me if they made them all green, but one green and others tan just looks like someone doesn't care.

 

[dianeschlicht]

This is why it has become so important for DVC members to report any maintenence issues and concerns.

We do always report maintenance issues, and they are usually fixed before we leave, but what I addressed with this thread is not that maintenance isn't done, but rather that it isn't done true to theme or style. I truly think that DVC does a fantastic job for the most part of keeping these units as well as they can, given the number of guests and turn over year after year. I just miss that the "quality" seems to not be as it once was.

 

[diznyfanatic]

We do always report maintenance issues, and they are usually fixed before we leave, but what I addressed with this thread is not that maintenance isn't done, but rather that it isn't done true to theme or style. I truly think that DVC does a fantastic job for the most part of keeping these units as well as they can, given the number of guests and turn over year after year. I just miss that the "quality" seems to not be as it once was.

Diane, I was speaking in more general terms regarding many of the complaints I've read here and elsewhere. I certainly wasn't directing my comments towards you at all.

In fact, your DVC insight and willingness to share that knowledge, was so helpful when we were deciding to finally buy into DVC. We love our membership and expect to enjoy it for many more years to come.

 

[lizziepooh]

We had an issue with a dead rat at OKW on our trip in October. We saw it on the sidewalk outside our room in bldg 27 and called maintenance around 10am. When we came back at 6pm it was still there. We had guests with us on this trip and DH was NOT happy. He went to the front desk, they apologized and the rat was gone when we returned around 11pm. I know maintenance is busy, but I really think this should have been taken care of quickly as dead rats could be a health issue.

We also had issues on trash and towel day. They didn't empty the trash in the kitchen or replace any toilet paper, paper towels, soap, shampoo etc. They only left 3 bath towels in the studio portion of the 2 bedroom unit. I called husekeeping and they brought 2 rolls of toilet paper and one bar of soap the next day. I took out the trash myself as I just did not want to call housekeeping again and spend my time dealing with it. Two of our bath towels ripped as we were drying off from showers, so they needed to be replaced. I'm sure the chemicals are hard on towels and linens.

We really love OKW and don't mean to sound negative. We had a great time on our trip, but we were a little disappointed in the maintenance and housekeeping issues.

 

[jemiaule]

I wonder if only some of the throw pillows are missing? I am at OKW now in the 56 building and assure you there are throw pillows in our room...I am bumped up against one right now.

I have to agree on the towels. While none are ripped some have certainly seen better days. When my towels at home get looking like this we send them out to the garage to use for washing cars.

The unit we are in looks to be in good repair. The only issue we found at check in Friday was a burnt out light in the 2nd bedroom. We called and it was replaced very quickly.

Yesterday was supposed to be our Trash & Towel but we got a full cleaning. I wasn't about to complain but sure thought it was odd that they did that on day 4. I wonder if they will do a full clean on day 8 like they are supposed to.

Someone mentioned no pot holders in an earlier post. We have some green ones in our unit. Maybe I misread the post?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

The throw pillows were also missing from VB on our recent trip. On our trip prior to that one, the pillows were looking a tad gross..

MG

 

[Caskbill]

Most of our points are at OKW and it's still our favorite, mostly because of the size of the 1-B/R villa.

I do miss the little things that have gone away over the years. I'm sure a lot was pilfered by guests and that has caused some changes. I remember getting a unit in the mid 90's (when the resort was still pretty new), and one of the shells on display was missing. They were fastened down with silicon seal, and you could see the knife marks where someone had dislodged it so they could 'steal' it.

OTOH, FWIW, we also own Marriott in Palm Desert, CA. We were there just this past July.

1. Throw Pillows: check
2. Placemats: check
3. Napkins: check
4. Dining room table centerpiece: check
5. All window treatments matched: check
6. All hardware items matched: check
7. Free, Wireless Internet Access: check

 

[Pootle]

Diane what really is my problem is that AKV has a bunch of pillows on everything....

so why is DVC making a mistake again - if people are stealing the pillows?

AKV has lots of pillows because they make it look plush and very attractive and it was one of the first things I noticed when touring the AKV models and thought 'I wonder how long they will last based on the OKW experience?'.

I too love OKW and it's painful to write anything even remotely negative about it, and I too have had minor issues over the past few years (which I did get resolved) but the disappearing pillows is one of my persistent niggles.

I really hope that these threads are monitored by DVC.

 

[Happy@OKW]

No sofa/loveseat pillows in 45....and I'm one of those who remember when we had six. I miss them.

 

[Chuck S]

Yesterday was supposed to be our Trash & Towel but we got a full cleaning. I wasn't about to complain but sure thought it was odd that they did that on day 4. I wonder if they will do a full clean on day 8 like they are supposed to.

On stays of 8 nights or more, full cleanings are on day 4, with Trash & Towel on day 8. Your written confirmation from Member Services should show the full cleaning and T&T dates.

 

[disney54us]

At some point in the future, we are ALL going to be facing some of the issues and challenges that OKW is facing unless members voice our concerns with DVC.

Since we consider ourselves DVC members first, and VWL & BWV owners second, any problems that one resort has should be of concern to the rest of us.

Every member should be carefully watching what transpires at OKW from now on as an early indicator of DVC's general attitude and willingness to maintain these properties for at least the next 35 - 50 years and beyond.

In our opinion, lack of upkeep and general maintenence at any resort may ultimately devalue the entire DVC program.

I fear the problem may only worsen since what the general maintenence schedule does not catch, housekeeping should.

However, due to the severe shortage of houskeeping staff at Disney, coupled with all the new DVC resorts being added or planned, DVC has had a hard enough time keeping up with the daily housekeeping duties, let alone asking them to spot additional maintenence issues.

This is why it has become so important for DVC members to report any maintenence issues and concerns.

Well said, we are all DVC owners first, where our 'home' is doesn't matter. We were presented with a certain standard and expect it to continue! There are no excuses. I will present it this way, the Grand Villa which I believe Diane stayed in.

10/4 - 11/24 $1,265 p/nght
11/25 - 12/19 1,135
+tax. 2bd villa runs $515.00 - $850 p/nght.
These are 07 prices if you paid cash. Anyone who is paying $1,000 + per night would expect nothing less then a beautiful, detailed, immaculate villa.
That sums it up, just b/c we are using pts. for our stay does not make it acceptable for things to not be what they are suppose to be.

 

[disney54us]

We had an issue with a dead rat at OKW on our trip in October. We saw it on the sidewalk outside our room in bldg 27 and called maintenance around 10am. When we came back at 6pm it was still there. We had guests with us on this trip and DH was NOT happy. He went to the front desk, they apologized and the rat was gone when we returned around 11pm. I know maintenance is busy, but I really think this should have been taken care of quickly as dead rats could be a health issue.

We also had issues on trash and towel day. They didn't empty the trash in the kitchen or replace any toilet paper, paper towels, soap, shampoo etc. They only left 3 bath towels in the studio portion of the 2 bedroom unit. I called husekeeping and they brought 2 rolls of toilet paper and one bar of soap the next day. I took out the trash myself as I just did not want to call housekeeping again and spend my time dealing with it. Two of our bath towels ripped as we were drying off from showers, so they needed to be replaced. I'm sure the chemicals are hard on towels and linens.

We really love OKW and don't mean to sound negative. We had a great time on our trip, but we were a little disappointed in the maintenance and housekeeping issues.

Unacceptable!

 

[Simba's Mom]

I'd like to bring these maintenence issues up at the Annual Meeting. However, can people bring up issues about one particular resort even though it's a "group" meeting. Also, I couldn't find anything in the agenda for the 2:00 meeting that even allows for any kind of question/answer period by the members, or even any public comments. From the moment I found out that a DVC Annual Meeting is being held at a non-DVC location, I've been a little cranky about it.