Orange Lake Units for Exchangers--Part II

[rickandcindy23]

You were probably in one of the South Magnolia Court units. That was our unit assignment as well, unit #2624, on the fifth floor. A Vacation Guide at RCI was going on and on about how nice the resort was, so I took the exchange, but it was definitely not what I was led to believe, and not GC quality, which I expect in Orlando because why accept anything less?

If you read the thread from last year from above, you will see that those units are not twenty years old. I was very surprised to find out they were only eight years old when we stayed at OLCC in 2003. I am very surprised they did not include oversized whirlpools when they built those because the bathrooms are very large, with plenty of room for something that would fit two.

What unit were you in?

 

[Jimster]

OLCC

I'm with timetraveler on the activities and facilities at OLCC. They are certainly better than almost every where else I've been. The West Village units are older. That's a given. There is nothing that can be said to change that. They are also bigger in many cases. The studio I stayed in before I was an owner was bigger than some 2 bedrooms I've been in at other places. To me, what the West Village lacks in newness is compensated for in convenience to so many activities. At Vistana you may get an older unit with no corresponding trade off of convenience.

How difficult is this to understand! If you stay at OLCC you may not get the nicest unit there. That's because its a huge resort with different phases and some of those units are older. If this is unacceptable to you, don't go there. If the unit you own is so much nicer or if there are so many other nicer places in Orlando, GO THERE. I'm sure your beautiful unit that you keep comparing OLCC to in Minnesota, New Jersey, Orlando or Timbuktu is great at Spring break. Go there instead. Or if you just can't stand that there are nicer units at OLCC and you're not in one and the envy of everyone else, then stay at another resort. No one made you accept OLCC as a trade. Personally, I just like to be there in almost any unit because it is a great place to have a vacation and the activities and facilities are great and I am only going to spend a small part of my time in the unit itself anyway.

 

[AllenWoodruff]

I have confirmed a trade into OLCC for June 2008. I have one 3 bedroom and two 2 bedrooms. I have read many times on this thread where OL does not accommodate unit location requests. My question is do you think they will honor my request to have all three of my units close together, preferably in the same building? If so, which section do you think they would put us. I am not really that picky, just would prefer to have the family close by.

If so, how far ahead of time should I make the request.

Thanks,

 

[timetraveler]

I have confirmed a trade into OLCC for June 2008. I have one 3 bedroom and two 2 bedrooms. I have read many times on this thread where OL does not accommodate unit location requests. My question is do you think they will honor my request to have all three of my units close together, preferably in the same building? If so, which section do you think they would put us. I am not really that picky, just would prefer to have the family close by.

If so, how far ahead of time should I make the request.

Thanks,

Hi Allen

Here's what you do. A couple of weeks before you arrive, call the ressie dept and tell them you have 3 units booked. Your family will be sharing transportation, and it would make things hard if you were sprinkled thruout the resort.

Since you have a 3br unit and 2 2br units.....then you could request the tennis villas. They have both within the same building. The North Village would be second....but with it being summer break.....owner requests are going to trump you for that area.

The ressie dept is very accomodating regarding keeping families together. They will do everything possible to keep your 3 units within close proximity!

 

[Mel]

In fact, the West units standing alone probably don't rank Gold Crown...
If OL is doing internal points for owners, it seems that the resort recognizes that parts are not desirable. They should do the same for exchanges. The West units should be a weak trade while the better truly Gold Crown units should be a tougher trade. This can't be hard. Look at Westin. Everytime they build a new phase, it is a new resort code even when the entire property is similar quality. If I were an owner at OL and I paid to be in the newer section with more amenities, I would want more trade power than the owner who bought in the lower price less desirable West section. Is the new OL policy to place the less desirable inventory owners in the newer sections and the exchangers in the West? If so, doesn't that dilute the trade power for all? To call all inventory the same at this resort is just not right. For that reason, I won't trade back to this resort again unless I can ensure placement in the better unit

OLCC does things the same way as most other resorts. While you like the newere units better, there are many exchangers who would much rather bei in the older units, closer to the main clubhouse or the Golf Courses. As for Gold Crown status, I've been to plenty of GC resorts that don't come even close to OLCC. The status is NOT based on individual rooms - look at resorts where the larger units are wonderful, and the smaller units are cramped. The resort as a whole is still gold crown. Look at resorts that only give oceanview or high floors to owners, relegating exchangers to lower floors in buildings farther from the beach, with lousy views.

If OLCC consistently put exchangers in the absolute worst units, they might deserve to be dinged - but they don't. A large percentage of OLCC owners return to the resort, whether using their own weeks or doing internal exchanges. Those using their own weeks are almost always out into their owned unit if it is available. Now think about which owners are more likely to use their own units, and which are more likely to exchange.

The original golf villa units were built 20 years ago. Original owners bought them to use with their families. Their families are now grown, and they may be more likely to exchange out to travel. They are far more likely to exchange than owners of new units.

The new units - you've just spent $25,000 on a new River Island unit. Is it a good value to exchange it? probably not - you bought it to use it, just like DVC members. Even without a policy of putting only owners into RI units, those units would rarely be available. I know a few RI owners, and they plan to use their units the first 3 or 4 years. Those units that are not yet sold will NOT end up at RCI. They will be rented to people OLCC thinks might buy a new unit.

 

[gnipgnop]

Vicki

We have the same situation as Allen. We are traveling with my two daughters, their husbands and all six grandchildren. We were assigned 1 - 3 bedroom unit and 1 - 2 bedroom unit. When you say call the "ressie dept." but........what in the world is the ressie dept.???? about 3 week prior to our visit and ask for the units in the same section. I will gladly do that but what section do you think is best for us to ask for? My grandchildren are ages 9 thru 14. All swim like fish so pools are important to us. Incidently, we are going first week of May, 2008. Thanks for any light you can shed on this for us.

 

[gjw007]

We have the same situation as Allen. We are traveling with my two daughters, their husbands and all six grandchildren. We were assigned 1 - 3 bedroom unit and 1 - 2 bedroom unit. When you say call the "ressie dept." but........what in the world is the ressie dept.???? about 3 week prior to our visit and ask for the units in the same section. I will gladly do that but what section do you think is best for us to ask for? My grandchildren are ages 9 thru 14. All swim like fish so pools are important to us. Incidently, we are going first week of May, 2008. Thanks for any light you can shed on this for us.

I would request a Tennis Villa unit as they are right next to the West Village pool complex (as well as the lake and the activities there). I love the Olympic-size swimming pool at the West Village Clubhouse so if the children love to swim, this might be the best location. I'm not quite sure what the reservation section is either as I've always called owners services since I am an owner.

 

[timetraveler]

When you say call the "ressie dept." but........what in the world is the ressie dept.????

Sorry about that. Internet speed writing.
Ressie dept=reservation dept.
Call about 2 weeks before arrival, explaining extended family with multiple units. And that you want to be placed close to each other. Since the children love water so much, and that's where the families will be spending the bulk of their time, you'd also like to be placed close to pools.

Have fun, even though it's quite some time before you go.

 

[Mel]

Sorry about that. Internet speed writing.
Ressie dept=reservation dept.
Call about 2 weeks before arrival, explaining extended family with multiple units. And that you want to be placed close to each other. Since the children love water so much, and that's where the families will be spending the bulk of their time, you'd also like to be placed close to pools.

Have fun, even though it's quite some time before you go.

Before you ask for both units together, consider the advantages of having them in different area, if the kids want to try different pools. The 3BR unit will be Tennis Villas, or one of the newer sections of the resort. The other unit could be almost anywhere. I suspect you would have a better chance of the units being together than being in a specific area - the 3BR units in West Village are the end units of the Tennis Villas only, and there are far more 3BR units in the newer areas.

 

[gnipgnop]

We were at OLCC in 2004 and stayed in the West Village, 2 BR. They were not what I consider GC but they were quite acceptable. (at least our unit was)

What are the Tennis Villas like? I didn't notice that area. Have they been referbished or are they older like the West Village?

 

[timetraveler]

We were at OLCC in 2004 and stayed in the West Village, 2 BR. They were not what I consider GC but they were quite acceptable. (at least our unit was)

What are the Tennis Villas like? I didn't notice that area. Have they been referbished or are they older like the West Village?

They are located within the West Village. They sit beside the main clubhouse in the West Village.

4 buildings, they started occupancy in 1998. They have received soft good refurbishing, they are 6 story buildings. The end units on each floor of all 4 buildings are 3br units. They have stairs and elevators.

 

[gnipgnop]

Thanks Vicki for the information. If we do not request units to be together ahead of time and accept seperate units when we arrive ....... do you think it would work for us if we accept the 3 Br unit they assign and then ask that the 2 BR unit be in the same building. I really want to be by my daughters and grandchildren........but would love to be in one of the new areas this visit. I know it would really be taking a chance at the last minute but is it worth the risk?

 

[timetraveler]

only you ultimately will know whether it's worth the risk. That's a decision/risk only your family can make.

I personally have taken many trips with extended family. I have always requested our units be in the same building and was granted that request. I do realize that as an owner, I'm given priority treatment.

But, that said, over the years, I have yet to have a tugger come back and tell me my advice did not work and their family was scattered thruout the resort. These people DID notify the reservation dept ahead of time though.

 

[gnipgnop]

O-k and thanks. I'm convinced, I'll call ahead and ask for the units to be at least in the same section and hope they come through for me.

 

[Jeni]

We exchanged a 2 BR lock-off, red time, at Kings Creek in Williamsburg, VA, for this trip to Orlando, arriving 8/26 for 1 week. We exchanged through RCI. Upon arrival, we were placed in the North Village, unit 3822. We were happy not to be placed in the West Village, as the amenities there did not appeal to us. The North Village was perfect for our toddler, with the pools nearby. We will not return to this resort; too many problems throughout our stay. We did purchase at Marriott Cypress Harbour a couple of months ago, with trading/stays beginning in 2007, and we look forward to staying there, or returning to the Grande Visita, for future Orlando visits.