Can DVCers staying at BWV use the DTD boat from OKW?

[DVCindy]

We will be staying at BWV in 2 weeks. We have never been to OKW so I was thinking of driving over for a dinner at Olivia's and checking out the resort . Are DVC owners permitted to use the boat to DTD from OKW if they are not staying at that property ?

If so, does anyone know the approximate schedule and what time the last boat leaves DTD for OKW ?

Thanks in advance ! Cindy

 

[TIdoublegaER]

I don't know why not. No one checks room keys or anything. Just realize that the last boat leaving DTD for OKW is at 9:40pm and the boats only hold about 12 people. Although I haven't ever not been able to catch the boat back to the resort. I have had to wait for the boat going from OKW to DTD.

The boat ride from OKW to DTD is one of my favorite things to do.

 

[ncligs]

Yes you can use the boat to DD. It starts at 12:00 noon and runs to around 9:30 pm. It has 2 boats running and they run about every 20 minutes.

P.S. You have a very nice name.

 

[RobDoc]

While you are welcome to ride in the OKW boat, if there are OKW resort guests waiting, they may be given preference over non-guests. I have seen the CM's check ID's in the past at both OKW and the DD dock.

The boat is not part of the WDW transportation system, but is part of the OKW recreation program, thus not really included in multi day pass transportation allowances.

If there is room on the boat you won't have any problem at all riding in either direction. It's a relaxing trip.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[DVCindy]

Thanks for the replies and schedule info. I think we'll give it a try ... sounds wonderful !

Cindy

 

[Pa@okw95]

The boat is for OKW guests only. It is paid for by OKW members for their use. I have seen too many OKW guests not use the boat because their were more than 12 in line. We have had problems with people in the past parking at DD and using the boat so they will not have to pay for parking at the parks. I would ask the person not to use the boats that asked this question. I hope they check ID's and refuse to let the person that brought this up. I am sorry enough of this kind of stuff is going on all over the place, but here we have a right to stop it. Period.

 

[colleen costello]

DVCindy, if in doubt, ask at the dock. Pa, I disagree with you here. Disney/DVC has never, as far as I know, claimed that only OKW folks can use the ferry. I would think it open to any DVC member.

 

[DVCindy]

Uhhh .... sorry to have offended and obviously upset you, Pa.
I just asked a question .. I did not board the boat yet.

This is precisely the reason why I asked the question ahead of time. If it is not permitted, I will not do it. Period

 

[Rob_b]

I took the boat from DTD to waste some time on our last day in 1999. We were staying at the Dixie during this vacation. I didn't even know what DVC was and just wanted to check out the resort. Upon walking into the OKW lobby we were greeted by the DVC sales team. The next moment I am on a van to BWV for a DVC tour.

One month later I joined DVC. It all started with an innocent boat ride from DTD to OKW!!!!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
The boat is for OKW guests only. It is paid for by OKW members for their use. I have seen too many OKW guests not use the boat because their were more than 12 in line. We have had problems with people in the past parking at DD and using the boat so they will not have to pay for parking at the parks. I would ask the person not to use the boats that asked this question. I hope they check ID's and refuse to let the person that brought this up. I am sorry enough of this kind of stuff is going on all over the place, but here we have a right to stop it. Period.

Really?????

I didn't know this was a problem.

So, your suggesting that because of crowding on the boat, that boat use be restricted to the guests of the OKW resort only. Some would see that as outrageously unfair!!! Can't non-OKW DVC members who all flock in large hoards to OWK to pool hop take the boat over to DD to shop and get something to eat between their OKW swims?

Seriously, crowding by non-resort guests causing the loss of this perk for OKW guests is a good reason to place restrictions on it. But I thought non-resort guests would be screened out of OKW by the guard at the gate, reducing this problem.

DVCindy, nothing wrong with your question, after all you asked it to find out before using the services, which seems pretty considerate to me. I wish others were as considerate. Keep on posting.

 

[MiaSRN62]

Can't non-OKW DVC members who all flock in large hoards to OWK to pool hop take the boat over to DD to shop and get something to eat between their OKW swims?

I would think this was ok also ? I recall a couple years ago, on another wdw board, a similar (non DVC) transportation issue arose. People were complaining that anyone not staying at the Contemp, Poly or GF had no rights being on the "resort" monorail. At that time, I was a guest of Dixie Landings and questioned why I couldn't use the "resort" monorail from the MK to go catch a bite to eat at the Poly. I had alot of upset posters on my tail. I just couldn't understand why this was so upsetting to some and the issue of overcrowding came up ? I still don't know if this is allowed or is set in policy ? I mean, as a WDW guest desiring to patron the restaurants of the Poly, I would think I'd be welcome ?

But I thought non-resort guests would be screened out of OKW by the guard at the gate, reducing this problem.

I think (and I might be mistaken here) the poster hinted that there might be a tendency of non-resort guests to park at DD, then board the OKW ferry to the resort and then take an OKW bus to the parks in order to avoid the parking lot fees ? They don't always check resort ID's on the busses, so some people may be getting away with this ?
But my feelings are that any DVC Member should be able to use the OKW ferry. I'll admit that I've used the Friendship boat to get back and forth to Epcot and the BWV while I was a guest at OKW. Was I wrong to do this ?

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62

I think (and I might be mistaken here) the poster hinted that there might be a tendency of non-resort guests to park at DD, then board the OKW ferry to the resort and then take an OKW bus to the parks in order to avoid the parking lot fees ? They don't always check resort ID's on the busses, so some people may be getting away with this ?

Yes, this would be frustrating. People taking advantage of Disney trying to provide nice services. Restrictions are probably in order.

 

[WDWLVR]

It would be a shame if restrictions were put on. I could see it in very busy times, but the time we went on it there was only 2 other people on the boat with us. We were leaving Animal Kingdom one day and the OKW bus was there and the BWV (where we were staying) wasn't. We gpt pm the OKW bus, walked around the resort a little and then took the boat over to Downtown Disney. After shopping we boarded a bus back to BWV.

So sorry if I offended any OKW people. I thought the boat was for anyone - no one asked us for any id's.

 

[bcvillastwo]

Yes, Cindy your question was innocent and there was absolutely nothing wrong with asking. In my mind it was the the right thing to do. As to the response that it's just for people staying at OKW, well I'm not sure that the responder is an "authoratative source". He may be correct but we will never know until someone actually checks with OKW CM's to ask about their policy regarding who can use the boat.

I think it would be a service to all for someone to call, or several someones to call, OKW CM's to get the official word.

People get so touchy about things on these boards. As I've said before these boards are certainly interesting and real commentaries on how we as humans interact with each other. Isn't it fun?

 

[mjstaceyuofm]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
...We have had problems with people in the past parking at DD and using the boat so they will not have to pay for parking at the parks...

You're kidding, right? You mean to tell me someone would add up to an hour onto their trip to a park to save the $6 it takes to park your vehicle at the WDW parks???

DVCindy, I own all my points at OKW and personally don't care if you use the boat - especially since you're a DVC member and having dinner at Olivias. Heck, I don't even care if your staying at the All Stars, spending time at DD and at the last-minute decided to catch the boat to OKW to get dinner at Olivia's...

There are so many people out there who feel that everyone else is out there to take away their piece of the magic it's almost laughable. The list seems to get longer and longer all the time:

• DVC and OKW members are taking away the "Magic" because they won't put a slide at the OKW pool...
• Monorail resort guests are having the "Magic" taken away from them by other guests who use the resort monorail to get dinner at a monorail resort...
• DVC and Disney are taking away the "Magic" from non-BCV DVC members because you can't pool hop to SAB anymore...
• Non-OKW guests take away OKW guests "Magic" by using the exclusive OKW-DD boat...
• Etc., so on, and so forth....

Everytime you turn around there's a thread or a post about how either Disney, DVC, other guests, etc. take away from the "collective pool of Magic" out there as if there's only sooo much "Magic" to go around.

For me and my family, the "Magic" is something that just happens; it's not forced or scheduled or gobbled up by someone else. Sometimes, if you try too hard to find the "Magic", it will elude you to the fullest...

 

[dianeschlicht]

I thought all Disney transportation was for all Disney guests. The friendship boats are part of the transportation system just as the buses are. On my AP, I am allowed to use the "Disney Transportation System". We occationally use the Friendship boats for a liesurly trip from MGM back to Epcot (but only if we aren't in a hurry), and note that they stop at ALL the resorts on the lagoon, not just BWV. Why would the pontoon be a ny different? We always stay at our OKW home, and usually take the boat to DTD at least once. I have never noticed it to be over crowded when we have been there. Of course, we usually go during low seasons.

 

[Granny]

DVCindy...you asked a perfectly legitimate question...and should not feel badly about asking it!

I don't know the OKW rules, having never stayed there. But, IMHO, I think WebmasterDoc gave you some sound advice. He has only stayed there about....oh, let's see....a meeeeeellion times!

 

[Doctor P]

Obviously, some posters have not read the entire thread, especially Webmaster Doc's post. The boats are NOT part of the WDW transportation system, but rather part of the OKW recreation system (big difference in terms of this discussion) and are not paid for by anyone but OKW owners. The analogy is closer to pool hopping than anything.

 

[DEH3rd]

DVCindy,

The one piece of advice I can give you is to ignore anything that PA@OKW95 has to say. He is trying to turn WDW into the Unhappiest Place on Earth. just read his other posts, & you will see. Have fun!

 

[sumessefui]

We own at OKW and have been there many times and love to take the boat to DD. Yes the boat is paid for by OKW owners, but I see no problem with non OKW people at the resort using it. As Doc said if it is not crowded, what's the problem. There are times when you can't get on the boat, but other times it goes DD with no one on it. As with other things, it only becomes a problem when abused and CM's should check ID's at busy times.