OLCC: How far is it from Australia to Over Yonder?

[Aussie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Aussie]

Aussie, if you don't mind sharing with us, where do you own? We've stayed at only a few Victorian resorts but are looking forward to staying at a few more while we're in Melbourne.

We actually own in two resorts, Murray Valley Resort (2W) and Lake Edge Resort (2W) both are located in Yarrawonga. I did own a week at Tangalooma Resort but got rid of it after a few years.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

]BTW : Is your comment re: me sounding like yuor hubby a good thing or bad thing?? ... (LOL)

Usually that's a good thing...

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

We actually own in two resorts, Murray Valley Resort (2W) and Lake Edge Resort (2W) both are located in Yarrawonga. I did own a week at Tangalooma Resort but got rid of it after a few years.

Thanks. We've stayed at Tangalooma and enjoyed the dolphins and beach.

I've also been tossing up between Lake Edge or Murray Valley for July on our way to Sydney from Melbourne to visit family. Thought it'd be nice to have a week to ourselves. Do you have an opinion on which would be better for a family with young kids? Friends stayed at Murray Valley and enjoyed it saying it had free video games. I'm sure that would tip things in its favour for my boys.

[Aussie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Aussie]

Thanks. We've stayed at Tangalooma and enjoyed the dolphins and beach.

I've also been tossing up between Lake Edge or Murray Valley for July on our way to Sydney from Melbourne to visit family. Thought it'd be nice to have a week to ourselves. Do you have an opinion on which would be better for a family with young kids? Friends stayed at Murray Valley and enjoyed it saying it had free video games. I'm sure that would tip things in its favour for my boys.

Personally I like Murray Valley ... even though if you do elect to stay at Lake Edge try to get room 12 ... the breakfast table down stairs over looks the lake and sunshine every morning.

[Aussie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Aussie]

It goes without saying that I am impressed with Australian benefits.

Actually, when we met you I believe you were toward the beginning of your five weeks at OLCC. I'm curious as to whether things got better or worse.

And a lot of folks here don't really know about the problems you had, just that there were some. So, if you could take the time, I think others would appreciate it. You might notice I made a few posts when we got back this year.

I guess it started upon arrival, OLCC couldn't find all the five weeks I had confirmed in their system. It was discovered after 30mins that they did and somehow my name was mis-spelled 3 different ways. Then to my surprise I found out that for the first time in the 23 years (at that time) I could stay in the same room over consecutive weeks. We had to change rooms every on 3 Friday's in the 5 weeks .....very annoying as each time we felt we couldn't leave our stuff (remember 5 people atayinf in the U.S from Aus for 7 weeks in total) so we felt we were losing a day each move since we had to wait until around 4:00pm before we were allowed to go to our rooms..

Then, while waiting in queue to see an RCI rep. I listened while the two people in front of me had their respective holidays in chaos. The first arrived to late the night before and their room was given up ... to renters !!, they were advised to find an Hotel. The other was a father and son who had flown across from the carribean to find his room hadn't been booked even though he had a confirmation.

It took me nearly two hours to check-in (after been sent from one counter to anorher to complete different stages of check in...what a joke).

Another I clearly remember was that we had booked elves tuck in (at christmas eve for my kids) first of all the resort denied it had such a service BUT after pointing them to the Web Site, they then adm itted they had and booked me in - and promptly forgot to send them - AND CHARGED me for the service at check out -----"NOT"

Because we were in one room for two weeks we booked a clean and change of towels - you guessed it .... it didn't happen .. then they wanted to charge me for a re booking.

The telephone charge for a use of a 1-800 number I thought was unusual since (at least back home in Aust it is a free call) I ended up being charged around $20 for 1-800 numbers alone. (Lessons learned I guess).

In our third week in the second room we had a electrical circuit problem .... every time we attempted to use the washing machine the lights went out ... we were not to use the lights or TV etc when using the washing machine until a electrician could be organised - nearly 2 days later.

It was at some point that the Management stepped in (probably because of a annoyance of the entire stay) and had me deal with the Manager directly. At that stage things did improve and I personally received calls asking if everything was ok etc.

One other point I was amused about was not only the charging for Internet access ... but the amount per hour. I guess it is all business even though other resorts (eg Silver Lakes that I recall) had internet access for free.

That is a taste of my experience .. there was more but I dont want to bore ... BUT I do have it written down in my travel diary which I kept. Some things I guess trivial BUT none the less can spoil a holiday if not
taken care of by Cutomer Service. Had I given a mark out of 10 during my time there I would have given it no more than 5.

he best thing was the room configuration it was definatrely first class and the kids always watched the fireworks from Disnay from our room.
.

ps. sorry for any spelling mistakes

[Aussie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Aussie]

Usually that's a good thing...

Thats good ... my wife L O V E S to shop and the old CC gets a pounding. We usally end up buying an additional suitcase to carry back the bargins that didn't fit in the cases we bought - no kidding. She saves up just for the Orlando shopping and she knows all the locations of the best shoppin g - like a pro.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

Personally I like Murray Valley ... even though if you do elect to stay at Lake Edge try to get room 12 ... the breakfast table down stairs over looks the lake and sunshine every morning.

Thanks Aussie.

Re: shopping, next time we go to Orlando, maybe in a couple of years, I'll have to get a few tips from your wife. When we were there last in Jan 05, I had no idea where to go. So I hope you stay around, at least for another couple of years.

By the way, if you're looking for good airfares, Bestflights have Star Alliance mini round-world tickets for $1579 all year upto 31st Jan 08. Just got it in my inbox today.

[JLB Please excuse me, I'm a Dick. Not a moron just a Dick Find all posts View Profile Close JLB]

Wow!

it sounds like you heard many of the same things at check-in that I heard. It was a mess, and very sad that folks were being turned away.

As I think someone else said, I think it is big of you to give them another chance.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

I guess it started upon arrival, OLCC couldn't find all the five weeks I had confirmed in their system. It was discovered after 30mins that they did and somehow my name was mis-spelled 3 different ways. Then to my surprise I found out that for the first time in the 23 years (at that time) I could stay in the same room over consecutive weeks. We had to change rooms every on 3 Friday's in the 5 weeks .....very annoying as each time we felt we couldn't leave our stuff (remember 5 people atayinf in the U.S from Aus for 7 weeks in total) so we felt we were losing a day each move since we had to wait until around 4:00pm before we were allowed to go to our rooms..

Then, while waiting in queue to see an RCI rep. I listened while the two people in front of me had their respective holidays in chaos. The first arrived to late the night before and their room was given up ... to renters !!, they were advised to find an Hotel. The other was a father and son who had flown across from the carribean to find his room hadn't been booked even though he had a confirmation.

It took me nearly two hours to check-in (after been sent from one counter to anorher to complete different stages of check in...what a joke).

Another I clearly remember was that we had booked elves tuck in (at christmas eve for my kids) first of all the resort denied it had such a service BUT after pointing them to the Web Site, they then adm itted they had and booked me in - and promptly forgot to send them - AND CHARGED me for the service at check out -----"NOT"

Because we were in one room for two weeks we booked a clean and change of towels - you guessed it .... it didn't happen .. then they wanted to charge me for a re booking.

The telephone charge for a use of a 1-800 number I thought was unusual since (at least back home in Aust it is a free call) I ended up being charged around $20 for 1-800 numbers alone. (Lessons learned I guess).

In our third week in the second room we had a electrical circuit problem .... every time we attempted to use the washing machine the lights went out ... we were not to use the lights or TV etc when using the washing machine until a electrician could be organised - nearly 2 days later.

It was at some point that the Management stepped in (probably because of a annoyance of the entire stay) and had me deal with the Manager directly. At that stage things did improve and I personally received calls asking if everything was ok etc.

One other point I was amused about was not only the charging for Internet access ... but the amount per hour. I guess it is all business even though other resorts (eg Silver Lakes that I recall) had internet access for free.

That is a taste of my experience .. there was more but I dont want to bore ... BUT I do have it written down in my travel diary which I kept. Some things I guess trivial BUT none the less can spoil a holiday if not
taken care of by Cutomer Service. Had I given a mark out of 10 during my time there I would have given it no more than 5.

he best thing was the room configuration it was definatrely first class and the kids always watched the fireworks from Disnay from our room.
.

ps. sorry for any spelling mistakes

Yikes. Hopefully, OLCC will be much better this time for you and your family.

The Houses at Summer Bay are wonderful but I've read in Marti's posts re: her recent stay that they need a bit of attention as well. When we stayed there, we asked for a change as the one we were allocated originally had a broken cupboard door and the blinds in one of the bedroom didn't open. The one we ended up with was perfect. HAd our own pool and spa. Pool temp was wonderful as you could heat it to your liking.

If you're still in the U.S. in January, maybe you can join the TUG cruise and meet some of them if the cruise ends up being in Jan. I know kids have to go back to school late Jan.

[Aussie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Aussie]

Yikes. Hopefully, OLCC will be much better this time for you and your family.

The Houses at Summer Bay are wonderful but I've read in Marti's posts re: her recent stay that they need a bit of attention as well. When we stayed there, we asked for a change as the one we were allocated originally had a broken cupboard door and the blinds in one of the bedroom didn't open. The one we ended up with was perfect. HAd our own pool and spa. Pool temp was wonderful as you could heat it to your liking.

If you're still in the U.S. in January, maybe you can join the TUG cruise and meet some of them if the cruise ends up being in Jan. I know kids have to go back to school late Jan.

Can you tell me if there is internet access in the "houses" or do you have to go to the library.

Also, do all the houses have pools?? ... we are staying in the 3 bedroom that on the info sheet states that all have pools. but I am hearing to the contri.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

Yes, all the houses have pools. Some have a pool and a spa attached to the pool. That could be the reason for the confusion.

Re: internet access, at the time, they didn't but I don't know about now. Maybe you can email them and ask? Who knows, they might even plan to have it by the end of 2007.

Summer Bay also had a free shuttle to Disney World.

There are some photos of the Houses at Summer Bay in our Photo Server.

[Aussie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Aussie]

As we will not be arriving until late (10:00pm), do you know if the resort (Houses) is "open" or will we have to make other checkin arrangements.

[Sydney Contributor - Bronze Find all posts View Profile Close Sydney]

As we will not be arriving until late (10:00pm), do you know if the resort (Houses) is "open" or will we have to make other checkin arrangements.

It should be fine as we arrived after midnight for our first week at Summer Bay. However I emailed/called (can't remember which) them in advance to let them know and sorted something out with them.

[Aussie Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Aussie]

It should be fine as we arrived after midnight for our first week at Summer Bay. However I emailed/called (can't remember which) them in advance to let them know and sorted something out with them.

Thanks 'Syd', I am hoping that we dont end up with the room closet to the activities centre and noise but if we do then so be it.