OKW Pool questions

[marianne]

I have two teenagers and they love the pool at BW, but our next visit will be at OKW . Can someone direct me to either a good view or describe the big pool to me. I am thinking that it may be similar to the BC but really not sure. Also any comments on dinning will be great . Thanks :smooth:

[WDWMom]

The big pool at OKW is nothing great. It is just a big pool. It is shaped in a round "T" for the lack of a better description. There is a bridge that goes over the point of the intersection. Your teenagers may not think it is that cool. My DD is 10 and is bored without a slide and lack of theme. If I were you, I'd plan to pool hop if they want to swim lots.

As for eating, your choices are Olivia's and Good's. I have never eaten at Olivia's - too pricey and not our kind of food. Good's is great if you want fast food. They have a great chicken salad croissant, nachos, super burgers, hot dogs, fruit. The food tastes great and is reasonable for Disney.

Have fun!!!

[spiceycat]

no water sliding board or life guards at OKW pools. since dvc members can pool hop, okw has say it does not need a fancy pool. I like the quiet pools myself - closer to your door and generally less crowded.

[^^^ SnowBunny ^^^]

We found the pool at OKW to be quite lovely actually. No fancy slides or waterfalls or the like, but definitely pretty. The hot tub was fabulous. The pool hopping that is allowed for DVC members certainly would allow for a fun time at Y&B club in SAB and also the BW too.

[mzzbuzzlightyear]

We go to OKW with our grandchildren. The oldest, 10 year olds, were satisfied with the pool and enjoyed it. The little ones loved the pool, as well as the large, beach sand area. It is really very pretty....and don't forget the sauna in the "lighthouse', in addition to the large jacuzzi!
June:pinkbounc :pinkbounc :pinkbounc

[dianeschlicht]

The main attraction at the main OKW pool is the sauna in the lighthouse. We prefer all the quiet pools. The hot tubs are good sized, and all the pool areas have small playground/sand areas.

[PamOKW]

The Turtle Pond area pool is quite nice, too.

[baileybrad]

The main pool is a basic, over-sized pool. The weakest main pool of any of the DVCs. I think that it was just a victum of timing....if OKW were being built now the main pool would have some kind of hook. We pool hopped to the Poly in February and enjoyed their volcano slide. My 4 year old really enjoyed it. We just utilize the quiet pool nearest our building when staying at OKW.

[wdwoldtimer]

Teenagers won't be thrilled with the OKW main pool nor the quiet pools. They are all pretty much "quiet" and very family oriented. There is no comparison to the pool at BC....although it doesn't get that crowded either!

I agree with bailybrad, if they were to build OKW now, we'd probably have a slide. But being the first...ah well. Being so "quiet" definitely has it's advantages.

[Regina]

It is shaped in a round "T" for the lack of a better description

Actually, I think that it's more of an amoeba shape.:D :D

Seriously though, from what I can recall, sometime within the last couple of years the members were asked about adding a slide. The vote was "no."

My kids have grown up with the OKW pools, and they've always liked them.

[wdwoldtimer]

I thought it was a kidney shape?!?:D :D

[AnnK]

Marianne,
I think your teens will be bored with the pool at OKW, and I would plan on pool-hopping.

[beachbuzzard]

Can anyone tell me... are the pool hopping privlenges only for DVC Members or is it extended to anyone staying at a DVC Resort? We are not members but are renting a 2 BR villa at OKW in 2 1/2 weeks. Just wondering if I have any choice with my agressive 10 and 13 year old DS's. It sounds as though the OKW pools will hold their attention for all of 10 minutes (although they sound perfect to me!!) :D

Thanks in advance... BUZZ

[beachbuzzard]

Bumping up to try again for an answer....

Buzz :D

[KimOhio]

my DD is only 8 and hates the main pool plan on pool hopping. Contemporary has a nice pool w/ slide

[dianeschlicht]

Pool hopping is for members or guests staying with members on points.

[beachbuzzard]

QUESTION??????

Pool hopping privileges... only for DVC members or can renters at a DVC resort also pool hop????

Thanks. BUZZ

[Peterd]

The book we were sent, only mentions that it is for DVC members. I couldn't find renters mentioned anywhere in our member books. Maybe some renters on the boards could tell you if they were able to pool hop or get any of the other DVC benefits when they rented, or you could ask when you check in. Good luck.

[dvcHammer]

reliable but not first hand information...

when you rent points your room key still says "DVC Member" on it. It will allow you to pool hop.

[PamOKW]

According to the rules, anyone who pays a member for the use of points is not entitled to the member perks. In reality, as DVCHammer says, you will get a room key/ID that says DVC Member.

[Peterd]

You're so correct Pam, but that leads us back to Rich's thread about some rules are followed and some aren't.
"reliable but not first hand information", Hammer, I didn't originally post that it says DVC Member on your room key because I don't feel renters should get all the perks associated with being a member, and didn't feel like telling them how to get around the little rule about the perks for members only. So yes first hand info. but selectively given out.
Yes, we all know it does SAY member on the renter's keys and you could probably get away with pool hopping, but it does also state pool hopping is for DVC members only. So what is it? Are the renters temporary members entitling them to all the benefits of DVC ownership? or are they treated like someone who is just staying on cash who got a great deal on rooms? I guess soon to be debate topic.
I was wondering if they give the renters the same DVC package at check-in, that they give us telling us of our monthly discounts and which pools are closed to pool hopping at that time?

[PamOKW]

So what is it? Are the renters temporary members entitling them to all the benefits of DVC ownership? or are they treated like someone who is just staying on cash who got a great deal on rooms? I guess soon to be debate topic.

I agree this is a topic that usually ends up in a debate. However, I do think renters should NOT be given the perks and Disney should figure out a way to control that. Not only is it unfair to members, it is very unfair to people who are paying rack rate to Disney to stay at DVC resorts.

[beachbuzzard]

Wow!!! What a can of worms I opened here!! :D

I certainly can see both sides of the coin on this issue. On one hand, Disney might want renters to enjoy the benefits in order to show them the value of owning. On the other, they probably should protect a owner's investment. The thing I'd like to know... do you all feel it's an infringement on your ownership if a renter receives the same benefits? As long as you receive them, isn't that good enough? Or does it mean more to be considered special and receiving more for your ownership?

Anyway, it appears that I'll just have to play it by ear when I get there. If they give us a "standard" package, as I saw mentioned here, and it contains pools that may be hopped to, we'll do it. Otherwise we won't. I'll figure that if I'm given the info at check in, then it's OK.

Sorry to have gotten such a debate started... but thanks everyone for the info.

BUZZ

[PamOKW]

Buzz -- I almost came back before to post something to the effect that you were just asking an innocent question. The "debate" is really seperate from your question. It's one of the loopholes I'd like DVC to address. In the meantime, you can take the info you've been given and do with it what you will.

[CarolA]

I can't comment on renters, but I did ask about pool hopping for my best friend. She was staying on my points (but no money exchanged hands!) They said she could pool hop if there was room at the other pools. Since it was President's Day week they told me they thought YC was off limits. It turned out they did not pool hop. Her kids were satisfied with the OKW pool (Hey coming from Boston, they were just thrilled it was warm enough to swim!)

[Halle]

I Have to jump in here with my two cents regarding non-members receiving member perks when they are staying at a Vacation Club resort as a guest. I don't know whether or not it's fair but......I bet it'll cost us DVCers more $$$$$ in maintenance fees to differentiate between non members and members.

[BuzzandWoody]

I've only stayed with our points 1 time so far.
VWL in Dec 2001. Never was given anything about member info.
Is that the norm?

At first thought I was thinking no they shouldn't then the thought came to me. I have 210 points. Whether I rent them or use them myself I am still paying fees and maint expenses. So what's the difference if it's me or someone I may rent to. Renters won't give the same respect? That may be true.

How many renters bought DVC after renting?
Hey that would be a good poll.


DVC member 5/2001 VWL