RoyalCanadian
03-21-2006, 04:29 AM
Just the Facts
Departed Kitchener, Ontario on 9 MAR @ 1330h
Checking in @ OKW on 12 MAR As Early As Possible.
The Check-In Procedure
We spent the night of 11 MAR at the Red Roof Inn on Kyng's Heathe Rd. Simple, basic, but a clean and cheap place to rest one's weary head after a long drive from the Great White North. Breakfast was purchased at the Publix store across the road -- very fresh turnovers, OJ not from concentrate, and a jello parfait for DD6. 'Twas but a short drive to OKW and I figured we may as well try to check-in as soon as we could.
We arrived at OKW at approx. 1000h. Received a hearty "Welcome Home" from the Disney Security at the gate. Short line in the lobby and was immediately checked-in by a lovely young German lady. Another "Welcome Home." Our only request was non-smoking and I mentioned to her that we would prefer non-HA "to leave those rooms available for other guests who might need them" and she immediately gave us 3923, a dedicate 2BR in Turtle Cove. Perfection. DD6 was standing beside me at check-in and a very kind front desk CM asked her what her favourite colour balloon might be (the place was decorated with helium balloons) -- since there were two different kinds of purple balloons she received both. Disney magic!
Our non-DVC friend needed park admission tickets and Rusty took care of us at the concierge desk. Another "Welcome Home." More Disney magic was showered upon us by Rusty. Another "Welcome Home" from the bell services CMs and I knew I was definitely home.
The room was wonderful -- no deficiencies to report. Bus service all week was timely and quick. 99.9% of the CMs were caring, kind and efficient and I went out of my way to thank them for the work they were doing -- especially the poor transportation CMs driving the buses from PI loaded with drunken spring break students.
On Thursday evening, as we drove home from AK to OKW, DW suggested we show our friend our real home @ SSR. Once again, a friendly "Welcome Home" from the Disney Security at the front gate who immediately suggested we find our way to the DVC Open House located in the Springs. We ran into a DVC guide (Marshall) preparing to show a young couple (also from Canada -- Barrie, Ontario to be precise) with infant the DVC models, explained our situation, and we were immediately "Welcome Homed" again and told to take our time showing our friend the SSR models. The DVC CM stationed in the Grand Villa, Sharod, was very friendly and spent time answering some of our friend's questions about the accommodations. More Disney magic!
The weather was beautiful all week long -- the line-ups were quite manageable -- the parks not overly crowded despite the presence of so many Spring Break guests. We loved our accommodations at OKW and would definitely return -- but we are looking forward to our New Year's Eve trip with DD's godparents and hope to see our good friend Rusty when he's working @ SSR.
Departed Kitchener, Ontario on 9 MAR @ 1330h
Checking in @ OKW on 12 MAR As Early As Possible.
The Check-In Procedure
We spent the night of 11 MAR at the Red Roof Inn on Kyng's Heathe Rd. Simple, basic, but a clean and cheap place to rest one's weary head after a long drive from the Great White North. Breakfast was purchased at the Publix store across the road -- very fresh turnovers, OJ not from concentrate, and a jello parfait for DD6. 'Twas but a short drive to OKW and I figured we may as well try to check-in as soon as we could.
We arrived at OKW at approx. 1000h. Received a hearty "Welcome Home" from the Disney Security at the gate. Short line in the lobby and was immediately checked-in by a lovely young German lady. Another "Welcome Home." Our only request was non-smoking and I mentioned to her that we would prefer non-HA "to leave those rooms available for other guests who might need them" and she immediately gave us 3923, a dedicate 2BR in Turtle Cove. Perfection. DD6 was standing beside me at check-in and a very kind front desk CM asked her what her favourite colour balloon might be (the place was decorated with helium balloons) -- since there were two different kinds of purple balloons she received both. Disney magic!
Our non-DVC friend needed park admission tickets and Rusty took care of us at the concierge desk. Another "Welcome Home." More Disney magic was showered upon us by Rusty. Another "Welcome Home" from the bell services CMs and I knew I was definitely home.
The room was wonderful -- no deficiencies to report. Bus service all week was timely and quick. 99.9% of the CMs were caring, kind and efficient and I went out of my way to thank them for the work they were doing -- especially the poor transportation CMs driving the buses from PI loaded with drunken spring break students.
On Thursday evening, as we drove home from AK to OKW, DW suggested we show our friend our real home @ SSR. Once again, a friendly "Welcome Home" from the Disney Security at the front gate who immediately suggested we find our way to the DVC Open House located in the Springs. We ran into a DVC guide (Marshall) preparing to show a young couple (also from Canada -- Barrie, Ontario to be precise) with infant the DVC models, explained our situation, and we were immediately "Welcome Homed" again and told to take our time showing our friend the SSR models. The DVC CM stationed in the Grand Villa, Sharod, was very friendly and spent time answering some of our friend's questions about the accommodations. More Disney magic!
The weather was beautiful all week long -- the line-ups were quite manageable -- the parks not overly crowded despite the presence of so many Spring Break guests. We loved our accommodations at OKW and would definitely return -- but we are looking forward to our New Year's Eve trip with DD's godparents and hope to see our good friend Rusty when he's working @ SSR.