Some OKW observations

[LovinOKW]

Just returned from a very unexpected and quick trip. I'll try not to ramble, but here's a few things I noticed, experienced, and heard.

Our first 2 days were in a studio in the 35 building.

Seems to me the top hutch part of the "armoire" was missing. You could even see paint marks. Not a big deal, but I noticed it just looked weird. Also, a really small tv which leads to this... We were at the village, ahem, Downtown Disney, lol, walking past the DVC kiosk and noticed they had a very nice plasma type tv hanging on the wall with some interactive information being displayed. I said to my husband, "look at the nice tv they have", just teasing him some and he said to the men there that we had a really tiny tv in our room and he couldn't wait to move into the 2BR for the rest of our trip. That was when the men said "Well, don't worry, OKW is due to undergo a major renovation shortly and that will be fixed" So, I know, take it with a grain of salt, but maybe this will happen and it will fix the shades, which I've seen, the hardware, which I haven't noticed and maybe nice tv's like other resorts or getting. But with a resort that's 15 years old, how major can a renovation be? I realize that there is heavy traffic but it seems too soon.

So on to our 2BR in the 44 building for 6 days.

Yep, no pot holder which I noticed after putting the pizza in the hot oven. Then, and I know not a big deal, but just more of that carelessness, the mirror frame in the master bath must have been painted recently (I hope anyways) and the green paint was spilled down the backsplash and still there.

Now we normally stay for 2 weeks, so this was a one week trip and pretty short compared to what were used to , so I really didn't pay attention to the T & T schedule or full cleaning but I'm guessing we were supposed to at least get a t&t. What we got was no trash take out, the towels were left in a pile on the living room chair and on the bar sink in the studio part, as this was a lockoff. The dishwasher was not run, which actually was to my relief because this really bugs me when they do this, lol.

We did have throw pillows in the MBR, but not in the living room. We were at OKW in September and didn't have throw pillows anywhere, so who knows the rhyme or reason.

Now, I really do consider these pretty minor things in the big picture, and I do love OKW and probably will never stay anywhere else, but how many of these little things will turn into big things and fall on deaf ears? That's what worries me.

Now here's my big peeve and it has nothing to do with the resort: My refillable cup with my name on it, GONE. Not once, but twice. Gross, gross, gross. $26 bucks shot in the butt, those are my souvenirs, lol.

 

[Chuck S]

Seems to me the top hutch part of the "armoire" was missing. You could even see paint marks. Not a big deal, but I noticed it just looked weird. Also, a really small tv which leads to this...

I think those are the same size TVs the studios have always had. The hutch was replaced with the chest of drawers last year or so, to allow the addition of DVD players in the studios. You're right, without the top of the hutch, the TVs look smaller.

 

[dwelty]

That was when the men said "Well, don't worry, OKW is due to undergo a major renovation shortly and that will be fixed" So, I know, take it with a grain of salt, but maybe this will happen and it will fix the shades, which I've seen, the hardware, which I haven't noticed and maybe nice tv's like other resorts or getting. But with a resort that's 15 years old, how major can a renovation be? I realize that there is heavy traffic but it seems too soon.

I heard the same thing in California. OKW is going to have a major renovation. I think the reason for this renovation is so DVC can start selling the extended OKW contracts to the general public. (Just speculation on my part)

 

[mickeysgal]

We just returned Sunday from a 5 night stay at OKW. In the unit we were in, we did have throw pillows on the bed in the master.

 

[dianeschlicht]

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?

If you are staying more than 8 days, your full cleaning will be day 4 and your T&T will be day 8. You can request this to be reversed if you like, but it often is difficult to get it changed.

We were a bit surprised to find we did NOT get soaps and shampoos replaced with T&T day. I was really hoping the first week that it was a fluke that we didn't get new soaps etc, but we didn't get it this week in our new unit either. It looks to me like replacing soaps and shampoos have been discontinued.

 

[dianeschlicht]

BTW, just to let you all know...Several OKW buildings were getting new AC units this week.

I'm going to ask tomorrow when we check out if we were SUPPOSED to get shampoo and soap replaced on T&T day. It didn't happen in either unit we were in this trip. We were 6 nights in one and 5 in another, and neither T&T day got us additional soaps/shampoo etc. Didn't even get a new sponge in the kitchen, and they left one kitchen towel instead of the two we started with.

 

[Chuck S]

We were a bit surprised to find we did NOT get soaps and shampoos replaced with T&T day. I was really hoping the first week that it was a fluke that we didn't get new soaps etc, but we didn't get it this week in our new unit either. It looks to me like replacing soaps and shampoos have been discontinued.

Odd, we got soaps and shampoos at OKW on T&T earlier this month.

 

[LovinOKW]

I can confirm that in September, we got soap, shampoo, shower gel and 2 hard soaps with the T & T's and full cleans for the two weeks we were there. Plus the extra's in the outer master bath.

 

[dvc-NE]

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.

Maybe OKW could organize a few car washes
with all their old towels and raise some money for upkeep.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Thanks for all of the detailed info., Diane.

We stayed in OKW in August/Sept. this year. While we did have throw pillows, my dh's comment was "OLD Key West is right...." Our villa was clean, no problem there. But we noticed many of the same type of thing...while nothing was broken or in need of repair, you could easily tell what items HAD been repaired or replaced over time...and it just made OKW show its age.

Just one example....there had been a patch on one of the walls that must have been repaired at one time. Ok, this makes sense...with that level of traffic, there are bound to be accidents and someone is going to put a dent in the wall. And the way you could tell it had been repaired? They had re-painted the repaired are a DIFFERENT SHADE. It was two or three shades lighter than the original. Now, if it had been darker I might think that it was because the original paint may have faded over time, etc. But upon closer inspection, it was clear that it really was a different color entirely. I mean, come on...you HAVE to match paint correctly.

Here's hoping OKW gets the love and attention it deserves....

 

[mickeysgal]

Funny...

We just came back Sunday from a 5 night stay at OKW. We checked in very late on Tuesday and Wednesday when we returned from the parks, there was a stack of towels, extra bedding, and a clear bag full of soaps, shampoos, and Tide on the counter. I guess that was our T & T since we never did get service for it on the 4th night. Never before had we gotten extra bedding (an extra sheet and blanket). Go figure.

 

[dwelty]

BTW, just to let you all know...Several OKW buildings were getting new AC units this week.

I'm going to ask tomorrow when we check out if we were SUPPOSED to get shampoo and soap replaced on T&T day. It didn't happen in either unit we were in this trip. We were 6 nights in one and 5 in another, and neither T&T day got us additional soaps/shampoo etc. Didn't even get a new sponge in the kitchen, and they left one kitchen towel instead of the two we started with.

Maintenance is one thing, houskeeping is another. We have been to SSR twice since becoming owners there. We have yet to receive T&T service. Had to call both times the day after to get it. Then basket was just left at the door. (Do not disturb was NOT on door handle) The housekeeping problem is a DVC resort wide issue.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Okay, so when I checked out, I went and reported some things to the front desk. I also asked about the lack of new soaps and shampoos on T&T day, and told them we did not get it in either unit. The desk worker said that was probably because the same housekeeper would have done both rooms. She did write it down, including unit numbers, because she said that is the only way they know if an individual is slipping up or not. DH says he thinks she keeps them for herself instead of distributing them on T&T day. Makes sense, because the new soaps are very nice! So if you are in building 46, be sure to check if you get soaps etc on T&T day!

I also reported that the front door didn't latch well and that there was a burned out light in front of the master closet. Hope they got those fixed for the next occupant of 4615! I forgot to mention the green blind in the living room. The funny thing is that while they replaced that one with the wrong color blind, it also was broken!!

 

[Chuck S]

Maintenance is one thing, houskeeping is another. We have been to SSR twice since becoming owners there. We have yet to receive T&T service. Had to call both times the day after to get it. Then basket was just left at the door. (Do not disturb was NOT on door handle) The housekeeping problem is a DVC resort wide issue.

Depending on the resort, the basket sitting outside may be normal.

At OKW, on housekeeping and T&T days, the baskets are distributed first thing when the housekeepers come on duty for the day, then they begin working the units. So a basket may be sitting outside a room for several hours, even until mid-afternoon, before the room is actually serviced.

 

[doc428]

We just returned from OKW. Even though we love our home, one thing really upset us! NO POTHOLDERS! We didnt notice until after we placed cinnamon rolls in the oven. My DH, not finding a potholder, grabbed the pan with some paper towels. Unfortunately not thick enough, he burnt his hand. This is a safety issue. I do not consider a potholder a luxury in a full kitchen! I dont care about the place mats, napkins or throw pillows but POTHOLDERS!!! I had hear my DH complain about his fingers the whole week!

 

[Chuck S]

We just returned from OKW. Even though we love our home, one thing really upset us! NO POTHOLDERS! We didnt notice until after we placed cinnamon rolls in the oven. My DH, not finding a potholder, grabbed the pan with some paper towels. Unfortunately not thick enough, he burnt his hand. This is a safety issue. I do not consider a potholder a luxury in a full kitchen! I dont care about the place mats, napkins or throw pillows but POTHOLDERS!!! I had hear my DH complain about his fingers the whole week!

I agree pot holders should be provided. But I also see how keeping them clean would possibly be a fairly high "expense" for DVC. Some people are just naturally messy cooks, and even those that aren't normally messy have their "moments" . And cleaning them, or replacing them, with all those food stains, could be costly.

I have a solution. Find a large company, like GE, or Jennair, or Amana, to be a "sponsor" and provide them, with their advertising boldly printed on them. Many of our household pot holders are advertising items. No one would mind, then, if some went home as souvenirs...they would be replaced. And having the sponsors logo and advertising on them would not, for me anyway, lessen the quality of my DVC experience.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree pot holders should be provided. But I also see how keeping them clean would possibly be a fairly high "expense" for DVC. Some people are just naturally messy cooks, and even those that aren't normally messy have their "moments" . And cleaning them, or replacing them, with all those food stains, could be costly.

I have a solution. Find a large company, like GE, or Jennair, or Amana, to be a "sponsor" and provide them, with their advertising boldly printed on them. Many of our household pot holders are advertising items. No one would mind, then, if some went home as souvenirs...they would be replaced. And having the sponsors logo and advertising on them would not, for me anyway, lessen the quality of my DVC experience.

I like that idea!!! They will provide potholders if you call and ask for them (just like the mixer, and now it looks like measuring cups and measuring spoons are on that list as well), but it's kind of a pain to spend part of your vacation waiting for things like that to arrive. I like the idea of "sponsored" potholders!!! Heck, I wouldn't care if GE put their name on them, since their appliances is what we use them in!

 

[dianeschlicht]

dwelty, I agree with Chuck. If the basket was outside your door, housekeeping had not yet been there to do it...it was just delivered so the housekeeper would have it available.

 

[Chuck S]

Heck, the pot holders wouldn't even have to be sponsored by an appliance manufacturer. Corningware, Farberware, Sunbeam, Le Creuset, Baker's Secret, Crisco, Baker's Chocolate, anything at all related to cooking or food would be a good match, and probably a pretty inexpensive way overall for the company to "advertise" to and be "associated" with Disney.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree! So who's going to bring that up at the member's meeting next week???