posted 05-19-2005 20:22            

We've been lucky so far and have always avoided the older single-story villas. As mentioned in a previous post, some people actually prefer those units for their easy access to the grounds and parking immediately in front of the villa. Guess that's why God made chocolate and vanilla.

posted 06-01-2005 21:54               

We are not picky exchangers, especially in the Disney area because we go just for Disney and Universal, but this place was just not pleasant. To top it all off, on the day of our checkout, they disabled the elevator and we had to climb four flights of stairs, up and down, over and over, to get our stuff to the car.

posted 06-03-2005 09:01               

Mother can't walk very well. So I was hoping to near the parking lot and it sounds like these are the worst rooms.

I can also see mother trying to walk down 5 flights of steps - she has a problem with one.

I got a great rate so we are going regardless.

posted 06-03-2005 10:39               

When was this exchange? I'm alittle confused about your referring to the whirlpool tub as "small". You could fit a hippo in one of them. And as far as it "spewing" black water....did you call maintenance? Did you give them an opportunity to make things right? Where exactly within the resort were you staying? The highrises at the front of the property or in the tennis villas located next to the clubhouse?

I'm also confused about the "ugly" comment. The decor is done in gorgeous treasure blues, and peach, and pale yellows.

As far as the yellow lights being on all nite. It's a liability issue. I mean if it were pitch black...someone could go right over the hand railing, and fall several stories, you know? They use yellow so it won't attract those little flying pesky uninvited guests.

posted 06-04-2005 09:58               

We had to park a great distance from our building when we got back every night from the parks. We had a few impromptu meetings with other exchangers (in the elevator and parking lot) who told us that they were very disappointed with Orange Lake because they heard it was nice.

I just went to my vacation records to look up the information. We were in unit #2624, February of 2003. You see, I see no value in a resort that does not maintain their owners' investments by keeping the buildings and units maintained and clean. The black stuff that came out of the small bathtub's jets was bacteria, and the tub was just the size of an ordinary bathtub that would not fit a newborn hippo.

posted 06-04-2005 10:09               

I would hardly consider my experience discounted because I am a new "tugger."

We have visited the Orlando area at least 30 times and have stayed in some older resorts early on, before we had choices via the RCI and II websites. Of all of the resorts we have visited, Orange lake is ranked toward the bottom.

posted 06-04-2005 16:48               

Ok....let's make some corrections. First of all....if you stayed in building 5 at the front of the resort....those did NOT start occupancy until 1995. So your statement about the unit being at least 20 years old is totally incorrect. If you stayed in it in 2003....the unit was 8 years old. And I personally have stayed in building 5 many many times since 1995, and the whirlpool is large.....(fellow tuggers)....it's the same size whirlpool as in the tennis villas, North Village and brand new East Village. Now if you want to call that a "small" whirlpool...then we just need to agree to disagree.

OLCC has a highly aggressive refurbishing schedule. Every 7 years all soft goods are totally replaced. I too would have a problem with a timehare property that did NOT have a strict refurbishing schedule.

The tile pattern Rick is referring to as "ugly", tugger's....is the same pattern that is in the foyer of the tennis villas, and North Village units, (the units fellow tugger's come back and post glowing reviews about). The parking lot for the highrises at the front of the resort is just like the parking lot for the higly coveted tennis villas. And I believe Rick felt the parking was unacceptable, because he couldn't park at his front door.

And now the "bug" issue. Well...there's another thread going right now about HGVC and roaches. You see Rick...and if you have exchanged into Orlando as many times as you say you have....then you know this is a common problem, and not an excuse to call a resort dirty, or a dump. Thankfully....I have never seen a roach within any of the units I have stayed in at OL...but IF I did...I'd just call maintenance. The bugs are as common as the little lizards are. I think they're kinda cute, (the lizards), not roaches!

And if you have written for a timesharing magazine...then you surely know about OLCC's multiple timeshare awards. Like the ARDA awards? I doubt OLCC would be receiving all these awards if it was nothing but a bacteria, bug infested timeshare, do you?

------------------
Vickie

posted 06-04-2005 17:47               

We've stayed at OLCC three or four times in our ten year timeshare experiment and we've always been very happy there. Sure there are sometimes problems - I think we had a stopped up toilet at OLCC once, but if you look for them problems can be found at most any resort - even the higher end places.

We've always stayed somewhere in the West Village - once on Kem Way and despite some pretty lousy reports on that area we had a nice unit and a great vacation.

OLCC is worth the trip.

posted 06-04-2005 20:21               

The bathtub in that unit was small, the type that they put in houses as a standard feature, but it was jetted and the jets had black gunk in them. The tiles were about 6" square and were a turquoise color, the grout was white at one time, but the grout was mostly gray but not evenly because it was very stained. There was a tile, right in front of the entry that was loose and moved when we walked on it. The furniture did not look like the furniture in the pictures, it was worn, and the kitchen was old and dated. I have no idea where we were in relation to the tennis courts or any other amenities. I know that we were not close to the clubhouse.

I cannot remember if this was an RCI or II trade for us. I know after staying at Vistana twice that resorts keep traders in different parts of the resort, based on the trading company used.

No, we did not complain about anything, but I did request a hair dryer because the bathroom did not have one and I have gotten used to hair dryers as a standard amenity.

Of our trades to Orlando, 30 resorts in all, I would rank this stay as 27th. Again, I want to reiterate, unit #2624 is the only unit we saw, we did not go on a timeshare presentation, so that is the experience upon which I am judging Orange Lake.

posted 06-04-2005 20:43               

I am 5'3" tall. OL's jacuzzi tubs depth, come up to my shoulders. My home garden tub definitely is NOT that deep. Nor is a standard house bathtub shaped like an OL jacuzzi tub. Uhm...should I admit that my husband fits comfortably in it with me?

Why didn't you at least give OL the opportunity to address the things that made you unhappy? It's not really fair to bash the resort, when you didn't give them an opportunity to address your concerns, you know? And if you didn't tour the facilities to see all it has to offer, how can you rate it 27th on your list? How can you rate it at all? Didn't you say you have written articles for a timeshare industry magazine?

Did you even visit Splash Lagoon, over in the North Village? Did you take advantage of the free movie theater? Try any of the onsite restaurants? Take advantage of pizza delivered directly to your unit from Paisan's?

------------------
Vickie

posted 06-04-2005 21:54               

I did have to ask for a hair dryer, there was no hair dryer in the unit. I had instructions from the desk to call someone to pick it up before I checked out that day, and the non-English speaking gentleman mumbled something about the elevators being turned off.

Really, believe me, we were in an old unit that needed work. The more you describe the unit you think I was in, the more I am convinced that you are mistaken. I just called my husband at the firehouse and he remembered the unit very well because he likes a whirlpool bath. He has back problems, and this tub was tiny and had black stuff coming from the jets. He decided to discontinue using the tub for that reason. We did not try the spa by the pool because we were far away from those amenities.

We are very sorry that our experience is upsetting you. We are sure by the other posts that our experience is not typical, but not isolated, either. It seems as I look at redweek.com that either people love or hate the resort.

I am definitely not wrong about this unit. I keep a travel journal and referred to my writings for the unit # earlier today.

I stayed at two different resorts, Resort World and Spas and Cypress Pointe Grandevillas, just before they started refurbishments. I thought the units were very nice and that refurbishments were unnecessary. I wrote that in an article published by Timesharing Today. I was impressed that they would replace furniture, counters, cabinets and carpet that were barely in need. I do not always stay in Gold Crown and Five-Star units because I think the ratings are flawed.

posted 06-05-2005 04:08               

quote:

---

Originally posted by timetraveler:
Hi Tony. Yes it is. It's the building that has the golf course and woodline patio views.

---

Thanks Vickie. I thought it is was in Southern Magnolia Court, but I wanted to be sure. We used to owned in Southern Magnolia Court, it was either bldg 3 or 4, facing hwy 192 and the golf course. We must have had an earlier model unit, because we didn't have a jetted tub (unless my memory fails me ). We had a standard tub with a shower, we sold it last year and bought in the East Village which is where we stayed in May 2005.

posted 06-05-2005 06:22            

I have a Sunday check in, but will not be arriving 'till Tuesday since we will be coming off a cruise. Being an exchanger and arriving two days beyond check in do you think I will pretty much be left with a "less than desirable" unit? If people are unhappy with their unit and request a move I think by the time I get there all's that will be left is what everyone else didn't want.

posted 06-05-2005 07:35               

quote:

---

Originally posted by rickandcindy23:
I don't care about those amenities because I am old, I don't want to sit with little children and watch a movie (unless they're my grandchildren), play in a swimming pool in February or eat at the on-site restaurants. I just want a clean, nice unit to sleep, bathe and eat breakfast.

I did have to ask for a hair dryer, there was no hair dryer in the unit. I had instructions from the desk to call someone to pick it up before I checked out that day, and the non-English speaking gentleman mumbled something about the elevators being turned off.

Really, believe me, we were in an old unit that needed work. The more you describe the unit you think I was in, the more I am convinced that you are mistaken. I just called my husband at the firehouse and he remembered the unit very well because he likes a whirlpool bath. He has back problems, and this tub was tiny and had black stuff coming from the jets. He decided to discontinue using the tub for that reason. We did not try the spa by the pool because we were far away from those amenities.

We are very sorry that our experience is upsetting you. We are sure by the other posts that our experience is not typical, but not isolated, either. It seems as I look at redweek.com that either people love or hate the resort.

I am definitely not wrong about this unit. I keep a travel journal and referred to my writings for the unit # earlier today.

I stayed at two different resorts, Resort World and Spas and Cypress Pointe Grandevillas, just before they started refurbishments. I thought the units were very nice and that refurbishments were unnecessary. I wrote that in an article published by Timesharing Today. I was impressed that they would replace furniture, counters, cabinets and carpet that were barely in need. I do not always stay in Gold Crown and Five-Star units because I think the ratings are flawed.

Don't worry, I will not write to the magazine about my experience.

---

I'm not the least bit worried about your writing to the magazine.
And I certainly know where the unit and building you said you were located in is at. And 2 people can "sit" in that whirlpool tub.....unless your quite large. I stay at my home resort several times each year, am active in the annual meetings, and have owned there since the early 90's. Prior to the building you say you stayed in was even built.

And just so you know? The movie theater rarely has children in it for the 9pm shows. Now if you want to go see Winnie and Tigger, in the middle of the day....well....sure.

Complaining in an open forum, when you didn't give management a chance to address your concerns, is totally unfair.

And give me a break, the hot tub is located right in the middle of the parking lot!!! In your OP,you said you spend your days at the parks. But yet a 2-3 minute walk to the middle of the parking lot is taxing?

Ouy Vey.....I give up.

posted 06-05-2005 08:51               

The above person wrote that he owned a unit that just had a standard tub and shower, and that is probably exactly the unit type we were in, except he does not remember that the tub had jets because he probably takes showers. You insinuate that we are large people that cannot fit into a decent-sized whirlpool together, but that is not true at all. We have a whirlpool at home that is much larger than the standard-sized tub in unit # 2624 that fits us both. That is why we purposefully choose resorts with whirlpool tubs, because we use that amenity every day, both at home and while on vacation.

You cannot change my memory and convince me that I am wrong. I have my journal that was written during and after our stay to remind me of the good and bad things about the resort. I said that they bed was comfortable, but that the yellow light kept us from knowing whether it was morning or night.

I never said that a walk to amenities would be taxing. Keep in mind that the weather in February is very cold for swimming and walking back, soaking wet!

You said: "And I believe Rick felt the parking was unacceptable, because he couldn't park at his front door."

We don't care about the parking situation until we have to walk from another parking lot, which we did several times. We are not lazy. We walked the stairs for exercise because our unit was toward the end, so it was a good excuse to get the heart going for a few minutes.

I am not trying to make you angry at all, really I am not. I am just trying to relate our experience with Orange Lake, based on our experience.

posted 06-05-2005 09:53               

quote:

---

Originally posted by ajsmithtx:

We must have had an earlier model unit, because we didn't have a jetted tub (unless my memory fails me ). We had a standard tub with a shower,

---

Umm, perhaps it was a jetted tub. Guess my memory is going.

posted 06-05-2005 10:18               

quote:

---

Early February is winter and we did not want to go to the spa/whirlpool, no matter where it was, we did not even seek out the pool and spa. We could tell that none were by our unit and did not care that we were a distance from the amenities. I did not see a hot tub in the parking lot????? That would be strange, to have a hot tub in a parking lot.

---

Again...the yellow corridor lights are to prevent someone from falling several stories to the ground. I wouldn't want to walk a corridor in the pitch black.

I'm not trying to change your memory, or convince you of anything, I don't need to convince you. It's my home resort, I'm the involved owner, and make it a high priority to know my resort. I just responded to and corrected any errors in your OP. As the facts need to be correct.

And you know...elevator problems happen, it's called life. Annoying well yes....but that's about it.

------------------
Vickie

posted 06-05-2005 13:21               

You have accused me of calling the place a dump and I never used those words. The grounds are nice, the resort has positives, but our experience with unit #2624 was not a positive one. Unless you were there at the time we were there and saw the unit, you cannot possibly know what problems we encountered.

Whether we see fit to complain about a unit's problems to the front desk is a decision that we have to make. We know there are roaches in Florida and have seen them in many of our trades, so we figured that the excessive number of roaches was probably due to the previous traders' personal habits, which you mentioned in an earlier post as a possibility. The tub was pretty small and old anyway, so we decided we have the luxury of a large whirlpool at home, so why bother?

The black gunk is probably partly due to the lack of use (the size of the bathtub would keep most from using it) because the hard water sits inside the jets and collects. Of course, proper maintenance of a whirlpool tub (especially that is used weekly by different people) would be a combination of bleach and dishwashing detergent run through the jets for at least 15 minutes during the regular cleaning of the unit. Hopefully the resort staff is taking care of that. We clean ours less often, about once a month, but we are the only ones using the tub.

We did ask if the yellow light could be turned out and their response was negative.

posted 06-05-2005 16:46               

In my opinion, to judge any resort negatively in such a bold fashion...when you didn't even base it on the resort as a whole, is unfair. Not taking anything else into account, and not giving the management the opportunity to address your issues, is grossly unfair. But that's your perogative. At least now the tug community has the whole picture.

In my 4 year membership to TUG, I have never slammed, ragged, or belittled a fellow tugger's home resort. Have I had less than stellar stays at some of them....you betcha.

Sorry the elevator repairman did his maintenance and inspection the day you were checking out...but again...life happens.

posted 06-05-2005 17:59               

Cleanliness and lack of proper maintenance is actually what my post was about. We could not use the tub because it was not maintained and cleaned properly, which allows bacteria to build up in the jets. The housekeeping staff obviously does not take the time to clean the jets every week, which is a little disconcerting because a jetted tub has tubes that hold water, so it's like taking a bath with the last person who used the tub.