Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--Part II

[spoody]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

I did not attend a presentation; however, my cousin did and I will ask her to give me the details and I will let you know later.

 

[lizard]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

We are now back for our experence from OL ,had a good time. Got there early 10am for check in was to be in west asked for RI no luck asked for north close to pool got 3511.Unit was clean did find used cooler behind couch.
a couple of days in master bath was invaded with black ants,call GS 10pm some showed up 1015 pm sprayed.A day later kitchen had smaller ants , call GS someone showed up sprayed unit.We were never called but one message on phone for tour whitch was nice.The people that said exchangers treated not as good as owners, we never saw any of that .All staff were great to all that I could tell.RI was nice I do hope that there will some day have smaller tubes for younger ones.Besides the ants , had a great time.

Paul

 

[JLB]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

Paul, Spoody:

Although this thread got off to a rocky start, I want to thank you for hanging in there and picking it up. It can be a valuable source for factual information regarding the placement of exchangers, a topic of interest on this forum for a long time.

It looks like you lucked out Paul, but just these two posts point out the inconsistencies that have been reported.

Let's try to keep it going. If it is still here, I know I will when we visit there Christmas week.

 

[Bernie8245]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

We exchanged into OL 4th of July week and were placed in the West Village. Our unit was 2125 which was not the most desireable location. Our patio had a great view of Hwy 192. I had no complaints with the unit though although there were a few cobwebs hanging from the ceiling and we had a few minor problems and it took them several hours to respond. My grandkids would rather hangout at the pools then go to Disney. All in all we had a good time.
Bernie

 

[JLB]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

Good job Bernie.

 

[JLB]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

To illustrate that where exchangers get placed and the fact that the consumer has the right to be informed about unit placement when they make an exchange, Jenny and the girls in her family just checked into Fairfield Nashville for Aunt Jenny's Girls' Week Out.

Her mother, in her 70's and who has had both hips replaced this year, fell trying to navigate the curb at the resort's Welcome Center. The paramedics had to be called and a report had to be made.

To add insult to injury (literally) when they checked in, they found out they were placed on the second floor despite both Jenny and me calling in advance, requesting a first floor unit.

This topic is about more than just resort sovereigntry, discrimination based on ownership, and resorts doing things the way they want to just because they can.

I know there will likely be a reply from an owner or two saying this is about Fairfield Nashville, not OL, and OL does everything they can to accomodate special needs, but if the consumer knew what they were getting when they made the choice to buy it, this would not be a problem of the resort. It would be a bad decision the consumer made.

 

[timetraveler]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

well all I can say is that OL has ADA units, and all one has to do is call the resort ahead of time and inform them they are traveling with a disabled individual who needs an ADA unit. One will definitely be supplied, unless all those units have already been requested. Then the ressie dept will inform the caller that the ADA inventory has already been allocated.

So the exchanger will know in advance what to expect.

 

[gjw007]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

JLB:

Sorry to hear about the accident. Rather than OLCC, I will use DVC as an example. You can make requests at DVC but there is no guarantee that they will be honored (sounds familiar). I believe that they make an attempt to honor them but they aren't always honored. Hopefully Aunt Jenny is okay.

I'm curious if there was an elevator at the Fairfield units. Some resorts have them, some don't and I'm not familiar with Fairfield Nashville. Treetops in Tennesse is a resort that doesn't have an elevator. I've seen ADA rooms on various floors with resorts that have ADA units, including OLCC in the East Village, not just on the first first floor.

 

[akfoss]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

We just returned from a week at OLCC. We were there on the Latitudes program which we purchased in Aug 2004. We had to use the week within 2 years. We were told in advance that we would be booked into the East Village, and that is where our unit was -- in building 864.

We have now stayed there 2 of the last 3 years. We absolutely love OLCC. We had two very minor problems, but called maintenance, went to River Island for a few hours and returned to find everything addressed.

In reading this thread for awhile, what we were told on our sales meeting seems to confirm some of what is here. We were told that OLCC is moving to a points model - what they call the "Go Global" marketing campaign. Number of points for River Island will be substantially higher than other parts of the resort, but any owner can rent more points, or save for multiple years to qualify. We were told that OLCC will be making all exchanges, not RCI. Therefore, they will be placed in the least desirable locations, giving preference to owners. We were also told that there is a plan to refurbish all west village units within 3 years, and that they have nearly 100 completed so far.

For what it is worth, 2 bedroom units were supposedly being sold for $27,995 while we were there. Our guaranteed price from 2004 was $14,995, so there has been a significant increase now that River Island has opened.

Finally, I personally loved the lazy river at OLCC. It is huge, easily taking 20 minutes from start to finish if you just float the whole way. We also visited Fairfield Bonnet Creek since we own FF points, and the lazy river there is only about 1/10 the size. There is no comparison really.

We just used an RCI exchange and guest certificate to send our friends to OLCC in 2007. According to the sales person, once the current RCI inventory is used, OLCC will only be putting vacant weeks into RCI 3 months in advance, thus restricting external trades. He said they would try to rent units directly instead.

Overall, we really liked OLCC, but would not buy there since we would not use it often enough. It sounds like you can buy resale and pay to convert to their Global points program and get many of the same benefits too.

Allan:

 

[JLB]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

Thanks Allan. I saw your comments on another thread and I'm glad you found this one, too.

I could add my 2 cents worth, but that would take this thread off-topic again.

 

[JLB]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

Some pertinent info from another forum:

http://www.timeshareforums.com/showthread.php?t=15378
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#1 07-29-2006, 10:12 AM
bigfrank
Administrator

I told my cousin last year to book OLCC when they asked me what resort to go to in Orlando. Well they checked in yesterday and they love the place. They also have friends who booked it also. My cousin at first was getting the North Village by the lake. I told him to try to get into the Splash Lagoon but OLCC was not being to cooperative. They ended up with the west village. There friends are in the Tennis or Golf villas.
- - - - - -

07-29-2006, 01:34 PM
senorak
Jr Member

My brother and his family were in OLCC in June (on my recommendation). They were placed in the West Village (no whirlpool tub in unit).

 

[timetraveler]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

I told my cousin last year to book OLCC when they asked me what resort to go to in Orlando. Well they checked in yesterday and they love the place. They also have friends who booked it also. My cousin at first was getting the North Village by the lake. I told him to try to get into the Splash Lagoon but OLCC was not being to cooperative. They ended up with the west village. There friends are in the Tennis or Golf villas.

I'm alittle confused by Frank's description of the location.

There's no lake in the North Village. It's built in the middle of a golf course.

The West Village is the location of the lake.

But then he say's they (his cousin)was originally going to stay in the North Village, but that he told them to try to get Splash Lagoon, which IS in the North Village. Maybe he told them to try to get into R.I., but called it Splash Lagoon??

Glad Frank and they love the place.

 

[ajsmithtx]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

Finally, I personally loved the lazy river at OLCC. It is huge, easily taking 20 minutes from start to finish if you just float the whole way. We also visited Fairfield Bonnet Creek since we own FF points, and the lazy river there is only about 1/10 the size. There is no comparison really.

Allan

Yes the lazy river is nice, you can just take your time and float your way around it.

 

[lawgs]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

from a posting on tripadvisor for a stay jul 06/2006

Just got back from a week at O.L. We were put in a 2 bedroom Villa in the West Village but quickly walked over and asked to be put in the New River Island area. At 1st they told us their was no way, that it was booked solid but when she plugged something in the computer, surprisingly a room became available. We think the place was actually half empty as this is where they take the timeshare tours. The pool/lazy river wasn't that crowded at all, not like some of the reviews made it out to be.

We were put on the 7th floor directly above the lazy river.


further in the review, they did mention they were owners ( not sure if they meant OLCC owners or just timeshare owners) who had traded into OLCC via RCI

there might still be hope for getting around the new policy ( nothing seems to be absolute ) if you know or have the "right connections" at OLCC ( there really is "magic" at that lil desk across from Main check in )


on a side note, from the same posting, people floating on and in the lazy river were not the ONLY things that floated ......

 

[JLB]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

Thanks Lawgs:

That's the kind of factual information I was hoping for.
- - - - - -
So as to not encourage taking this thread off topic again, comments concerning the Fairfield Nashville incident can be found here:

http://www.timeshareforums.com/showthread.php?t=15503

 

[timetraveler]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

there might still be hope for getting around the new policy ( nothing seems to be absolute ) if you know or have the "right connections" at OLCC ( there really is "magic" at that lil desk across from Main check in )

that lil desk across from the main check in is the lattidudes pkg program area. It has counters, desks and computers. When lattitudes guests check-in they are sent over to the lattitudes dept for further instructions regarding their package.

Owners have their own separate check-in area, so this seems to suggest that the reviewer was not an OL owner. One exception could be that if they were OL owners, they had spoken with their personal rep, and had expressed a desire to upgrade one of their existing units but wanted to "stay" in RI before they committed. And were then instructed to go over to the lattitudes service area for re-assignment.

Of course this is just a guess at best, since the reviewer did not make it clear in their OP.

 

[lawgs]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

from a post by timetraveler

so this seems to suggest that the reviewer was not an OL owner.

near the bottom of the review from which the quote in post #64 was obtained, they did state the following:

As a matter of fact, my brother and his wife bought a vacation special [that they can use in the next 2 years and their timeshare offer is frozen until they come back in case they decide to buy. My husband and I (40+) are already owners and traded through RCI to go to Orange Lake..

1. it looks like the people travelling with them did buy into the LATITUDES package, thus the need to have gone to the "LATITUDES desk" at check in ...

that lil desk across from the main check in is the lattidudes pkg program area. It has counters, desks and computers.When lattitudes guests check-in they are sent over to the lattitudes dept for further instructions regarding their package.


seems unlikely, unless of course the check in clerk could foresee into the future, prospective purchasers of "Latitudes Packages"

2. the implication is that the poster is an OWNER, but from what is posted it is agreed there is some interpretation that can occur "owner where"


One exception could be that if they were OL owners, they had spoken with their personal rep, and had expressed a desire to upgrade one of their existing units but wanted to "stay" in RI before they committed

It would seem that this must be another "factual" perk, since it is posted here, that owners can look forward to taking advantage of, just by contacting their personal representative. But, then again if the personal rep is in sales they just might not be in the "loop" and making up "stuff" as they go along, in an effort to "drum" up their sales outlook. Guess is, we just might need a clarification of what a "personal rep" is, before we can "take this one" to the bank.

on another post at trip advisor from a May stay

We stayed at the new River Island complex. Our unit over looked the new River Island water park which was amazing.........

near the end of the review they gave this insight:

Our family will definetly stay here again - for anyone looking to stay here - when you check in and they assign you a room - go across the hall to the reservations desk and ask to be reassigned to the River Island Complex - they will do it with no hassle and your family will LOVE it!



Cannot understand for the life of me why such a "myth" could be posted on the internet for all to see, such that, anyone can take advantage of it, without it being labelled as being "a factual distortion".... of OLCC policy.

Perhaps we need a review on tripadvisor to refute these myths, which keep popping up, in order to protect our interests.


one final observation:

Owners have their own separate check-in area

this must be something new ( wish questions could be asked ....sigh !!!)

in all the years we have been owners at OLCC, we have always lined up with all the other people who had arrived for check in, the most recent check ins were december 2005 and january 2006. We did not see any "special" signage for "Owners" perhaps we will have to be more observant next time so we can separate ourselves from the "common" folk. Of course, now we have access to river island we no longer have to go the front clubhouse to check in, aren't we "special" .......

the lil desk we refer to, remember it being down a step or two and overlooking open atrium space below with very comfortable chairs and that "magic computer" sitting there waiting to be accessed ( granted now we think about it, they have done some "makeover" of the upper level so it might not be there anymore)

however, the point is, we once used it when we were placed in a unit different from what we expected since we had specifically asked the check-in personnel whether or not the unit we were being placed in, had the jacuzzi option. We were assured it did. When we checked into the unit, we found that clerk had been mis informed and proceeded to go back and stand in line again to tell her about the mistake. She directed us to the "lil desk" across the way where the nice lady was able to search inventory and come up with an alternate placement which was satisfactory to all.


It just brought back a memory of personal experience when we saw this...


Our family will definetly stay here again - for anyone looking to stay here - when you check in and they assign you a room - go across the hall to the reservations desk and ask to be reassigned to the River Island Complex - they will do it with no hassle and your family will LOVE it!

 

[timetraveler]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

lawgs....yes OL owners have there own seperate check in.

Guests check in to the right as you enter the building, owners check in to the left. Read your quarterly publications. This information was included.

They have remodeled the atrium. The lattitudes area is directly across from the main check in desk. Very nice kiosk/cubicle type area. We were there in early June.

I see you have not visited in several months. Alot has changed. We travel to the resort several times each year. I'm amazed at how much things change from visit to visit.

As far as "the personal rep" statement. Yes this is new along with Global Access. You see all OL owners now are assigned to a member services specialist. His/her job is to contact you on your visit, make sure your unit is ok, and ask if you have any comments and or suggestions to improve the resort. And yes, ask if you are interested in upgrading or purchasing additional units.

If you want to know who your personal rep is just call the resort, ask for member services and tell them your name. They will connect you or give you your rep's number directly.

 

[gjw007]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

lawgs;

I think they started the separate check-ins around late March. When I was there in May, there was a separate line to the left as you check in. There have been some complaints that the employees in the owners check-in area have left this area early (7 or 8 PM or so) and owners have had to check in at the checkin section on the right with other guests. There was no problem checking in at the same section with guests other than the fact that employees left the owner's check-in area much to early. I don't know if has been corrected or not but they shouldn't have been able to just close it down because they thought it wasn't busy enough. Shame on them.

 

[lawgs]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

As far as "the personal rep" statement. Yes this is new along with Global Access. You see all OL owners now are assigned to a member services specialist. His/her job is to contact you on your visit, make sure your unit is ok, and ask if you have any comments and or suggestions to improve the resort. And yes, ask if you are interested in upgrading or purchasing additional units.

If you want to know who your personal rep is just call the resort, ask for member services and tell them your name. They will connect you or give you your rep's number directly.

oh sigh.... when orange lake is called like suggested in the above post, first off it feels like you are in the inside of a pinball machine, since you getting bounced from person to person, and then no one really seems knows anything about this "personal rep stuff" for all OL owners

the final gist from the phone call is this

if you are a GLOBAL ACCESS Orange Lake Owner when this additional aspect rolls out on September 01, 2006 you will probably be assigned an "owner support specialist" through Global Access Owner Support Services who will deal with you offsite as well as perhaps onsite.

There will be two "member services departments" existing at OLCC

Owner Support Services for Global Acces

Member Services ( for onsite ) for those NOT involved in Global Access eg the regular weeks owners

Anyone staying there might get the sales initiative phone call but that would be separate from any "owner support/member service" contact.

alas, at the moment, contray to a "factual" stated above in the bold, there is no personal rep assigned to my name by member services nor will there be according to Owner Support Services with whom contact was made this afternoon, unless we happen to become a Global Access client

finally,

the guess about another post which brought this post into being:

One exception could be that if they were OL owners, they had spoken with their personal rep, and had expressed a desire to upgrade one of their existing units but wanted to "stay" in RI before they committed

"flies" out the window since "reps" do not exist at this moment on any "level" of the OLCC hierarchy

credibility where is thy compass......

 

[lawgs]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

gary,

thank you for your clarification about check in, that explains the situation [much better for me].

 

[timetraveler]

Re: Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--II

lawgs...when I was there just 6 weeks ago, MY PERSONAL REP called and introduced herself, came by our unit and did exactly what I described. She gave me her contact information, and said in the future, if I need anything answered, to just call the direct line number she had just given me, as we were now assigned to her. I spoke with her 2-3 times that week via phone.

 

[suekap]

We just returned from OLCC as an owner referral and we were place in river island.:whoopie:

 

[rickandcindy23]

Good for you!

Suekap, wow, that is great!

 

[timetraveler]

We just returned from OLCC as an owner referral and we were place in river island.:whoopie:

That's great Sue! I remember telling you in early July, that you had a very good shot at being placed in one!

Did you family have a good time?