A Trip Down DVC Memory Lane

[Simba's Mom]

In the 2011 reallocation thread there has been discussion about the early change in the BWV points to add the standard view category. My recollection is that the point charts were changed very early after sales began and others think they were not changed until 1998. BWV opened in July, 1996 and I think the points were already modified before it opened.

Were the different categories at BWV done that early? We joined in January, 2002, and I thought it was done shortly after that. It seems that I remember people talking about being disappointed because they really wanted a view of the Boardwalk, but didn't get one. Is it that they added the standard view category in the 90s, but broke up the Preferred View and Boardwalk view later? I thought they went from one viewing category to the three at the same time.

 

[KirstenB]

We joined in December of 93. We toured the models, they were on the right as you drove into the resort, past the gate. I remember the peach towels. I also thought the kitchen had a lot more pastel colored linens, potholders, etc. I can remember wanting to do our house in the same colors as OKW.

We did the 1994 marathon a month later. We booked an OKW GV for our friends and us. It was amazing!! Only time we've ever stayed in a GV.

 

[Sammie]

Were the different categories at BWV done that early? We joined in January, 2002, and I thought it was done shortly after that. It seems that I remember people talking about being disappointed because they really wanted a view of the Boardwalk, but didn't get one. Is it that they added the standard view category in the 90s, but broke up the Preferred View and Boardwalk view later? I thought they went from one viewing category to the three at the same time.

They had SV and PV at BWV in 2001, I have those charts. So it was some time before that.

 

[mrsswat]

I HAVE that white sweatshirt in Doc's pics!! To this day I wear it proudly. We also joined in 1993, remembering the THICK peach towels, and also remember the napkins and napkin RINGS in the kitchen. AHH, the little things that make a difference are sadly the things that seem to disappear as resorts get close to selling out or when we run out of money to replace them because of people "borrowing them" for their own homes and not returning them. How rude!

 

[Goofy DVC]

Here's one for you. We bought in 93 and I still have an original VHS movie of the vacation club and how it works.

 

[mrsswat]

Thanks Doc!

 

[RobDoc]

Here's one for you. We bought in 93 and I still have an original VHS movie of the vacation club and how it works.

We still have that video and have converted it to DVD for our kids to enjoy!

 

[Peggy Sue]

Joined in 1997 .. OKW ... I remember OKW had placemats and napkins on the table .. and I think there were salt and pepper shakers in the unit as well. The plush towels in the bathroom were already gone .. I don't recall having those at all.

Doc..love the thread. thanks for starting it!

Those purchasing early got a great incentive with park tickets .. our incentive back in 1997 ..they gave us a $500 discount off the price .. I seem to recall the discount was based upon what we paid for our room ..we were staying at Dixie Landings at the time.

 

[mac_tlc]

We bought in March 1992, after a November 1991 tour at the Commodore House The model unit was in Building 13 (I think) No Hospitality House yet, no pool.

Bought 230 pts at $51/pt with free park passes through 1999. Later, added on 25 pts @ 57.50 and 30 @ 61.

I still have the picture they took of my wife and I after the tour the one with the DVC backdrop, like you are in a hot air balloon. Also have every issue of Vacation Magic, back to the Premier Issue in April 1992, although there is no date on it.

mac_tlc

 

[wdwnut]

Found the 2000 points chart for BWV and it has the SV/Preferred view breakdown in it. If I remember correctly, I believe our guide said it had just happened before we bought. Took a bit to find the old 3 ring binder.

 

[RobDoc]

Found the 2000 points chart for BWV and it has the SV/Preferred view breakdown in it. If I remember correctly, I believe our guide said it had just happened before we bought. Took a bit to find the old 3 ring binder.

I have charts from 2000 and after (and SV is included as you found), but want to find charts from at least 1999 to verify and possibly need charts from 1996 when it opened to get a better idea when the change was made.

 

[Shadeaux]

I have charts from 2000 and after (and SV is included as you found), but want to find charts from at least 1999 to verify and possibly need charts from 1996 when it opened to get a better idea when the change was made.

I probably have all the charts you're looking for. I hate to admit it, but I think I've saved everything we've received from DVC since joining in '94. I'll try to look for the charts later.

 

[RobDoc]

... I hate to admit it, but I think I've saved everything we've received from DVC since joining in '94. ...

Welcome Home! I know just how you feel.

 

[saintstickets]

Not exactly DVC - but this was about 1997 and DW, oldest DD and myself were seated behind Drew Carey and his date-du-jour on Tower. We just had to buy the photo . They were whisked away by a CM immediately when the doors opened and did not exit thru the gift shop - same thing when they were seated on the elevator - they were brought in from backstage and seated just before the doors closed.

Hey Doc...was this in early June, 1997? We were there then and saw Drew Carey walking around EPCOT. It really is a small world!

ABC was having a meeting at WDW and Carey was the entertainment at one of the functions. He poked fun of ABC and Disney and it was not well received.

 

[pinnocchiosdad]

I had heard that original DVC contracts included park addmissions during your stay. It that perk still good for you "old timers"? If not how and when did it expire?

 

[RobDoc]

Hey Doc...was this in early June, 1997? We were there then and saw Drew Carey walking around EPCOT. It really is a small world!

Yes, that's when we were there and got the photo! Small world indeed!

I had heard that original DVC contracts included park addmissions during your stay. It that perk still good for you "old timers"? If not how and when did it expire?

Yes, early buyers at OKW and also VB got free admission to the original 3 parks (AK was not included) thru the end of 1999. DVC members who purchased after that incentive were wtill able to get a 10% discount on parkhopper tickets and that perk ended when the DVC AP discount began a few years ago.

Those staying in Studios and 1BRs got 2 free passes, guests in 2BRs received 4 passes and those in GVs got 6 passes. These were LOS passes for the number of nights of the reservation and only stays on points at OKW were included.

The original intent was to only include stays using points from 09 and earlier, but DVC backed down and allowed stays using borrowed points for dates thru December 31, 1999. On January 1, 2000 you were on your own for park admission again.

In this case, the membership did not pay for those passes - DVD (the developer) paid Theme Parks division for them. I was told it cost DVD about $35 every day one of those passes was used.

 

[RobDoc]

I found our arrival packet from our first trip to OKW as DVC members in October, 1993.

Included in that information was a Welcome message to members from the "Hospitality League" - - as well as many of the same items still received by guests at arrival.

Keynotes - - - is the sheet with general information about the resort including an activities schedule.

A map of the resort was included - please note the abscence of buildings 62 - 64 and the notation identifying the Commodore House sales center which was right on the lake and now occupied by Building 62. At that time the model villas were located in Building 16 next door to Commodore. Also notable on this 1993 map is a broken line identifying the areas of the resort still under construction at that time. Building 29 was the last building open then - all buildings in Old Turtle Pond and South Point areas (30 - 55) were in various stages of the phased construction of the resort. -

Those familiar with OKW from those days will also recall the Bus Schedule. - It was posted at each stop (only Peninsular, Miller's and Hospitality House - although Old Turtle Pond opened a short while later) as well as each guest getting a printed copy. The schedule was valid from noon thru 6:00pm and was about a 40 minute schedule between buses during those hours. Before noon and after 6, the schedule returned to the about every 20 minute service. There was an internal bus then just as now, but it did not go to Downtown Disney, it instead went to Village MarketPlace - the pre-cursor of DD - and Pleasure Island as well as Typhoon Lagoon - basically the same route run now. There was also boat transportation between OKW and the MarketPlace. It was a smaller, very comfy houseboat as compared to the current Sassagoula Steamships. It was provided by the OKW recreation staff and ran about every hour between 11am and 4pm and then every 30 minutes until it ended for the evening (11pm I think). One of the drivers was Rufus, who carried a conch shell when he was captain and he would periodically "Honk his Conch" to the amusement of those riding with him.

Lastly was the special DVC "All Three Parks Passport" which gave OKW guests staying on points free Theme Park admission thru the end of 1999. The passes were provided for up to one-half the stated occupancy for the villa in which you were staying - 2 passes for those in a Studio/1BR, 4 passes if in a 2BR and 6 for those in a GV. - -

I also discovered a brochure with the 1993 Room Rate Information for OKW. Our 1BR would have been $230 per night (plus tax) and the point cost was 14 points (with no additional tax). -



(Click on any image for a larger view.)

 

[Shadeaux]

I have charts from 2000 and after (and SV is included as you found), but want to find charts from at least 1999 to verify and possibly need charts from 1996 when it opened to get a better idea when the change was made.

I found some BWV point charts; one dated 1996-1997 which didn't have any preferred views and one dated 1999 which also didn't have any preferred views listed. I also have another chart which must have been sent out as a revision because it has 1998 & 1999 charts which both include standard and preferred views. Are these what you're looking for? If so, I can scan them for you.

 

[RobDoc]

I found some BWV point charts; one dated 1996-1997 which didn't have any preferred views and one dated 1999 which also didn't have any preferred views listed. I also have another chart which must have been sent out as a revision because it has 1998 & 1999 charts which both include standard and preferred views. Are these what you're looking for? If so, I can scan them for you.

Thanks. BCV92 just sent the same charts to me and they are posted in the first page in this thread with other BWV information. We do have the charts now for 1996/97, 1998, 1999 and 2000 plus revised charts for 1998 and 1999 when the Standard View category was first added with different points.