Orange Lake Units for Exchangers

An loyal owner announced today:

timetraveler said:

ALL RCI external exchangers will now be placed in the West Village. Policy should be in place very shortly.

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It should be pretty easy for us to keep track. Let's use this thread to make a record of where exchangers get placed, both external and internal exchanges.

When you post, let us know if you are an owner or non-owner and if you contacted OL to make a placement request in advance.

I'll post ours in December. A three bedroom in the Tennis Villas would be my last choice, but since we have never been placed there, it will be different. I can give the OL Pedo a workout, seeing how far it is, by walking, to River Island.

JLB said:

An loyal owner announced today:



It should be pretty easy for us to keep track. Let's use this thread to make a record of where exchangers get placed, both external and internal exchanges.

When you post, let us know if you are an owner or non-owner and if you contacted OL to make a placement request in advance.

I'll post ours in December. A three bedroom in the Tennis Villas would be my last choice, but since we have never been placed there, it will be different. I can give the OL Pedo a workout, seeing how far it is, by walking, to River Island.

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yes....that owner would be me.

OL is in the process of implementing some major changes. Alot of meetings took place, this past week.

I will not go into it any further than that. I cannot say exactly when the policy of external exchange placement will take effect, as I posted earlier today. But it won't be long. And as I said in a different thread, the new golf villas are going to be beautiful! Who knows....they may become so popular that owner's will start requesting those and external exchanges will open up in other areas. (we'll just have to see)

The bottom line is that OL is very owner loyal.....and will continue to treat them accordingly.

Don't Exchangers Get Exactly What The Owners Deposited?

OK, here's what I don't get about assigning timeshare exchangers into just certain parts of the resort.

Orange Lake is old school, right? That is, fixed-week & fixed-unit ownership?

That being the case, if I own (say) Week 22, Unit 586, Building 13, Rock Candy Section & I deposit that with RCI, then sombody else asking for Orange Lake during Week 22 on exchange should get exactly the unit I deposited, no? That is: Unit 586, Building 13, Rock Candy Section.

I can understand a certain amount of switching around when a resort is on a floating system, but even then before I can deposit my floating timeshare week, I have to un-float it by making a specific-week reservation, then depositing with the exchange company the particular no-longer-floating week that I have reserved. I can't do a timeshare exchange in the abstract, only in the here & now. Even if I own something general, I can only deposit something specific. And that specific something that I have turned over to the timeshare exchange company is the spcific thing that somebody else should get assigned to on timeshare exchange. Or am I missing something, bigtime?

Timeshare resorts on a fixed-week & fixed-unit system should assign exchange guests into the actual units that the individual owners deposited, not just 1 certain section or building of the resort.

Otherwise it's all just too confusing.

-- Alan Cole, McLean (Fairfax County), Virginia, USA.​

Re: Don't Exchangers Get Exactly What The Owners Deposited?

OL has always assigned their units, and will keep doing so, that way the resort maintains control.

We all know that timeshare exchanging has changed drastically. Long ago....you couldn't even get into a GC rated resort unless you used one as a trade. The exchange company changed the rules. But that's not a Florida thread discussion.

I expect there are many changes on the horizon.....not just for OL.....but for several other properties as well.

Vickie was correct about exchangers getting being put into the West Village. I was told this when I was there but since there were some other proposed changes as well, I never made mention of this. I was told this would take place starting June 1. It is also important to understand that OLCC makes unit assignment and not RCI. One of the proposed changes should lower internal exchange fees. There is also an interesting rumour about the East Village that should make all OLCC owners happy if it occurs. Additionally, I was told that there will be another pool built in this area.

Alan:

We've had quite a few discussions about this. I'm surprised you missed them.

I'll repeat what I said the last time we had one of these discussions.

I called Orange Lake to ask them why it is they assign units to exchangers, why don't they just have RCI give the/a specific unit that was deposited. I mentioned that it seems like a lot of extra work for the resort staff having to assign units every week.

They gave a number of exchanges each week, 600 or something like that, and then we debated whether that was 600 a day or 600 a week.

Anyway, the nice lady at OL said RCI is in charge of all of the exchanges and they are responsible for how they are done (which we all know is BS), and she gave me an number for the Orange Lake RCI rep .

So I played the game and call the number.

That person ansered the phone, "RCI." I asked if she was the OL RCI rep and she said she was with RCI and answered OL questions. I asked her why OL assigns units to exchangers, rather than just RCI giving them spefici units that had been deposited. She said because that's the way they do it.

She said OL is in charge of exchanges into OL. Well, isn't that special? That's what the OL lady said about RCI.

This discussion is all fine and dandy, but I hope it doesn't go on and on, so that as information from exchangers comes in, reporting where they get assigned, that we have to sort through the idle chatter to find it.

gjw007 said:

Vickie was correct about exchangeers gettting being put into the West Village. I was told this when I was there but since there were some other proposed changes as well, I never made mention of this. I was told this would take place starting June 1. It is also important to understand that OLCC makes unit assignment and not RCI. One of the proposed changes should lower internal exchange fees. There is also an interesting rumour about the East Village that should make all OLCC owners happy if it occurs. Additionally, I was told that there will be another pool built in this area.

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It's a great day at OL, Gary!

Yeap, and is was really a great week, the week of 26 May.:whoopie:

What is the reason for isolating timeshare exchangers from owners? Is the West Village oldest or just less desirable? Is it further from River Island? I am surprised they would not want exchangers to experience the best that OLCC has to offer, since exchangers are more likely to buy than a cold lead from the local Denny's.

Are these updates to the one-story buildings? Is so, do those have large whirlpool tubs? Are they going to put larger tubs in the units at South Magnolia Court? When is that going to happen, or has it already?

It's not isolating owners from exchangers, Cindy. Alot of OL owner's of west village units I'm sure will continue to stay in them.

One of my units is in the tennis villas (west village). I alternate between them and other areas. We stayed in the North Village last week, and used Splash Lagoon and River Island. Plus we visited the West Village clubhouse and enjoyed Paizan's as well. You can use the amenities in all 3 villages.

A significant number of OL owner's don't even belong to RCI. They use their fixed week(s) each year. So there will definitely be OL owner's in the West Village. And the new West Village unit design is beautiful. I will be posting a link to photo's of them later this week.

And your right, OL doesn't depend on "cold leads" from a local Denny's. LOL

rickandcindy23 said:

What is the reason for isolating timeshare exchangers from owners? Is the West Village oldest or just less desirable? Is it further from River Island? I am surprised they would not want exchangers to experience the best that OLCC has to offer, since exchangers are more likely to buy than a cold lead from the local Denny's.

Are these updates to the one-story buildings? Is so, do those have large whirlpool tubs? Are they going to put larger tubs in the units at South Magnolia Court? When is that going to happen, or has it already?

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First, exchangers are not isolated from owners. With roughly half the units being in the West Village, it has the most owners of any one section. Owners and exchangers are together in the same section, next to each other, in the West Village. In addition, owners and exchangers are not seperated when it comes to activies such as swimming, golf, etc. Also, rather than being less desirable, some of us like these units. Second, it is the furthest section from River Island but guests and owners there are closer to the Olympic-sized swimming pool, the activities around the clubhouse, and the lake. There are plusses and minuses to the location of activities in each location. Third, they are putting in regular-size tubs with whirlpool jets. Like Vickie, I have pictures of the new renovations and I will post those sometime in the future. There is a schedule of the number of units that will be done during each year but I don't remember which section is going to done when.

ajsmithtx said:

Yeap, and is was really a great week, the week of 26 May.:whoopie:

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Tony, did you happen to see the new West Village unit?
Even though I don't cook on vacation.....the kitchen was very inviting.
The new flooring, radiant cook surface, granite counter tops , fixtures, etc are just beautiful.

Granite in the bedroom baths as well. And a whirlpool in the master bath now. It is just normal tub length....they obviously couldn't knock out the outside walls, but it is a whirlpool tub none the less. And the new tile flooring is gorgeous as well.

Well JIm, I guess what you are wanting here is where exchangers were put.

We exchanged for a 2 bedroom unit, Thanksgiving week 2.5 years ago, We were put in the tennis villas which at the time seemed to be one of the recommended areas. I believe at the time I requested 2 areas - don't recall what they other was but the tennis villas was one, so I was perfectly happy.

I am not an owner - traded in through RCI

Thanks, but I guess I did not word things properly, because what I meant is from this point forward, since the West Village-only policy has been announced.

I started a new thread for that information, so the LOLs can talk about all their other stuff in this one.

As long is we all discussing other stuff here, our last two visits have both been in 3-bedroom units, the East Village and the North Village.

It will be like Deja Vu all over again, going to OL and being in the West Village. That's the same as it was 20 years ago.

chellej said:

Well JIm, I guess what you are wanting here is where exchangers were put.

We exchanged for a 2 bedroom unit, Thanksgiving week 2.5 years ago, We were put in the tennis villas which at the time seemed to be one of the recommended areas. I believe at the time I requested 2 areas - don't recall what they other was but the tennis villas was one, so I was perfectly happy.

I am not an owner - traded in through RCI

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I think it is great that there is actually a specific, written policy, so exchangers will know exactly what to expect.
My biggest complaint with ol, after our August 2005 stay, was their inconsistent, verbal only, policy. Both RCI and OL both stated that exchangers are placed in whatever village has openings and that it was a gamble. Requests are taken, however it is just a request. That sounded reasonable to me. It basically was what I read here.

I even phoned OL on my way over to see if we could check in early (10am) and was told that rooms were assigned at check in and we could be placed in any village.

Once we got there the front desk as well as the "other across the room desk" all stated that is was OL's policy to only place exchangers in the west village. Their reason was that they needed other villages open to accomodate internal exchanges between OL owners. I was told just an hour ago a different policy. I find that annoying!!!!

That policy is fine if it is adhered to and is what is translated to rci. It should be listed right in the notes section. I was told differently on several occasions by several different people. Now that OL is being upfront, exchangers may make an educated decision as to whether or not they wish to go.

My experience with OL right at the onset was based on deception and lies. I think this move to have a clear policy will benefit their customer relations.

timetraveler said:

Tony, did you happen to see the new West Village unit?

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Vickie

We didn't get a chance to see the new West Village unit, but I saw Gary at OLCC just before he left and he describe it fro me.

until they fall down---we (owners) will continue to requets tennis villas!!

we stay with parents (owners) and have loved tennis villas--couldn't ask for better location, esp. with young kids! I will take formica and a great location over granite in East Egypt anyday. Being in tennis villas added 100% to our enjoyment--everything we wanted putt-putt, theater, campfire, West pools, playground, crafts, ice cream/pizza (except Splash lagoon) was within 5 minute walk. Esp. great location for young teens to be able to get some freedom, but be close-by.

Which ones are the tennis villas? Are those the ones on S. Magnolia Ct.?

Do those have smaller turquoise tiles, or the large off-white tiles on the floors?

Do any units in the West Village have a whirlpool tub big enough for two?

tennis villas have large jacuzzi tub in MB

I am guessing that 2 (not too large) people could fit. I bathed all 3 of my kids in it with plenty of space. To me, tennis villas are like typical condo/TS high rise and work fine for us. Interior space is very large and easily fits 6-8 people--large TV, sectional sofa, etc.

Cindy

The Tennis Villas are not in Southern Magnolia Court. They are the 6 story highrises next to the Clubhouse, pool complex.

ajsmithtx said:

Cindy

The Tennis Villas are not in Southern Magnolia Court. They are the 6 story highrises next to the Clubhouse, pool complex.

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The multi story units at the front of our resort on S. Magnolia Court are called "the highrises", and all are 2br. They were built with 2 different floor plans, however.

The tennis villas are also located in the West Village and they sit right beside the west village clubhouse. All of the 2br tennis villa units have identical floor plans.

The tennis villas were rennovated within the last 2 years. So they do not have the new granite and appliance upgrade. But they are only 8 years old, so the appliances are fairly modern anyway. Tennis villa master bedroom jacuzzi's definitely comfortably fit 2 average adults. Ok.....so what's average you say? We can. My brother and wife can. I can't speak for anyone else.

According to this new policy, if you exchange into a 3BR, you would be guaranteed the Tennis Villas. My recommendation for OLCC, as always, is to book nothing smaller than a 3BR since those units exist only in relatively nice sections. If they truly plan to eliminate exchangers from the North Village, East Village and River Island sections, then all 3BR exchanges would have to be in the Tennis Villas. I suspect that may be hard to accomplish, given that some owners likely prefer that section and there will be an inadequate supply. In any event, if you always go with 3BR units at OLCC, you can't go far wrong. I won't book anything smaller there. I don't want an old villa or one without a jacuzzi - no matter how well maintained it may be. That's just my preference. Some actually like the old buildings because of direct parking access to their unit.

Cindy

Yes, I am LOL, because, really, actually, and literally, for our first tour at OL we signed up at the information kiosk at Denny's on 192.

timetraveler said:

And your right, OL doesn't depend on "cold leads" from a local Denny's. LOL

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It is inevitable that the policy will be breached, for reasons already stated, that owners of West Village units will be there to stay in them. Unless OL moves owners staying during their owned week to one of the other villages, there are bound to be more exchangers than available West Village units. I doubt that OL would do that, since those West Village owners love their units so much!

Although some owners return to stay in their owned units, many do not. It is Orlando and a significant number of people buy in Orlando during an occasional Orlando visit, because they believe what they are told while they are there. But they do not go to Orlando very often, or never again, and perhaps never see their resort again.

That is precisely why I started this thread, and now another one if it is still around, to keep a record of where exchangers actually get placed, to see if it is possible to restrict them to the West Village.

I've got $20 that says an exchanger will report being placed somewhere other than the West Village, eventually.

JLB said:

Yes, I am LOL, because, really, actually, and literally, for our first tour at OL we signed up at the information kiosk at Denny's on 192.

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And if memory serves me that was 20 years ago?
Not much of anything is as it was 20 years ago. Including OL.