Concern--OKW!!

[littlestar]

I had an unusual experience today when talking with Member Services. I was looking for a couple of days in July in a studio and OKW was SOLD OUT! VWL had "limited availabilty." Member Services sounded surprised when they saw no availability at OKW.

I was shocked VWL was available as it's the smallest of the onsite DVCs.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Dean
As mentioned, the resorts are supposed to be full once sold out, if not, there is a problem.

Exactly right!

At a sold-out DVC resort like OKW, the members own around 96% of the total capacity of rooms nights — and CRO can rent out the remainder if they're not "off-line" due to refurbishment or mechanical problems.

So, in theory, OKW should be nearly 100% full each night. In fact, that's not always the case because some DVC members fail to use all their points some years, or members turn in their points for a cruise or use at one of the Collections, but CRO is unable to rent out the corresponding room capacity to paying guests. And some OKW owners will stay at other DVC resorts, but that opens up capacity for owners at other DVC reosrts to stay at OKW.

When everything works as out should, OKW will be nearly 100% full every night.

The only question then is whether OKW fills up more slowly or more quickly than other DVC resorts, but that's not a problem for OKW owners who enjoy the 4-month lead over others.

If the pools are crowded, it just means it's a hot day.

 

[tiggerfan03]

Hey is it just me, but being a new member to these boards, I have read several posts and it seems that Pa@OKW95 never has anything positive to say!!!!!! Just an observation!!!

 

[msdis]

 

[Sammie]

It's all Rich's fault, he finally brainwashed us all, chanting OKW, OKW, over and over.

 

[Uncleromulus]

We go down each May and September and so far, OKW has never seemed anywhere near "capacity".
As for the pools being full, I doubt that would ever be a problem. I can't imagine anyone from any other DVC resort coming to OKW for just a swim, and the OKW pool hoppers (like me) will probably be swimming somewhere else.

 

[Regina]

I'm surprised that you've experienced problems with it being crowded. We've been staying at OKW for the past 11 years, and I can't recall a single instance when I felt that it was too busy. It's always been a peaceful refuge from the hustle and bustle of the parks.

We've been there every month with the exception of March and April. That includes President's week, Columbus Day, the summer and you can't get any busier than Christmas/NYE which we've done 3 times.

We've never had a problem with the pools being crowded or being unable to get chairs. We've never had a problem with the ferry. The only time that bus crowding was an issue was 12/31/99.

On the rare occassions that our room wasn't ready before 4:00, we'd simply check in early, head to the parks and call the number that they provided to let us know our room assignment.

I'm not discounting your experience, all I'm saying is that I've also stayed there during peak times and I have yet to feel that the resort is too busy.

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
To Lisa R---I have been going to OKW for 8 years, just because you haven't experienced things there does not mean they do not exist or that I am having irrational fears.

Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't after me!

I agree with Pa about a full resort making it harder to use the services comfortably. I can see now that Saratoga Springs is opening that there will be even MORE DVC members trying to get to WDW during the many popular times of the year (and even some less popular because of the lure of lower points) and failing to get their home reosrt ressie, will book OKW at 7 months, filling it quickly. This is a real concern.

I also think no matter which DVC you stay at during busy times, (and I can speak personally about BWV and OKW) the buses are full, the pools are packed and you can't find a chair, and check-in can be a nightmare! But we deal with it because we WANT to be at WDW!

 

[WDWMom]

We have been to WDW 15 times in the past 8 years and have seen the OKW pool packed more times than not in the middle of the day. What I mean by packed is there are little or no chairs to be found and there are tons of people in the pool. (This is the main pool. We have never used any others.) We usually go in the fall (Oct or Nov) and in March.

We have also pool hopped to BW and not seen it busy. I think it all depends on the time of year, day of the week and other happenings in the "World".

For those of us who own OKW and stay at only OKW, there is nothing we can do if we feel it is too busy, except to tell everyone how "bad" it really is.

 

[PamOKW]

Okay, time to stir the pot. If the resort is at capacity, could it be that it problems arise when it is "beyond capacity". A full resort with the "extra" one or two people in too many units could cause crowding at the pools, restaurants, etc. Let's not get this thread locked. If you want to debate this comment we can go over to the Debate Board.

That said, even when a resort is full, like at Christmas it usually still feels awful quiet during the day. However, I haven't been there at peak times when pool use is in demand....like the summer.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by tiggerfan03
Hey is it just me, but being a new member to these boards, I have read several posts and it seems that Pa@OKW95 never has anything positive to say!!!!!! Just an observation!!!

I've been reading/posting on this Forum for quite some time and I don't agree. I think Pa helps to bring at least a "semblance of balance" to many of the discussions here. Without Pa and a few others, this Forum would truly be nothing but a "love fest" (i.e., very boring)!

I don't always agree with Pa's posts, but I do appreciate that he continues to add his perspectives. Occasionally, they make me think through my own opinions a little more carefully, LOL.

In this case of this thread, my opinion is that the DVC resorts are supposed to be sold out all year round and that his expectations are unrealistic. However, I absolutely understand the desire to stay at a resort that isn't mobbed with other guests, especially if one is used to staying at a time when there are fewer people around. It's no different than all the people who post asking if the parks are crowded or hoping for longer park hours, etc.

tiggerfan03 - please keep posting (Welcome to the DVC Forum)and please don't take my post as any kind of slam directed towards you. I just hate to see posters that express opinions that differ from the majority/board norm be discouraged from posting.

 

[spiceycat]

I find the pool is busier lately - but I think the weather is hotter - in December - no one was using the pools at times.

What I find upsetting - okay I got spoiled - is all the cars - I mean I use to be the only one driving - now boy there are alot of people and mean far away - last time we saw license plates from Ohio, Texas, California, Oregon, Canada (several from Canda), Minn and Wisconsin - so I know that these are members too and deserve to be parking there - but as I say I got use to being able to park at my door and the lot being most empty.....

So did anyone else notice how many more cars were at OKW on their last visit?

It was so bad that I had to park at the swimming pool lot one day - and the parking lot in front of 17,18,19 is not that small.

 

[kgkmom]

OK, it seems like a lot of folks missed the key sentence in Pa's last post. S/He said that they usually vacation President's week and mid-April. School vacation times!!!! Couple this with the fact that OKW has larger rooms than the other DVC resorts, and it makes sense that more families would vacation there during school vacations.

If Pa can adjust their vacations by a few days here or there, the crowds s/he is concerned about, might not be a problem.

Just my two cents.

 

[spiceycat]

alot of people can only go when school is out - and don't want the hot weather and the crowds that are in summer - and spend Thanksgiving with their families.

Of course you still need to make your reservation early for Thanksgiving (unless you are lucky) but I think it is a great time to visit WDW. the pools aren't generally as busy - because the weather is perfect (most of the time) for visiting the parks. although the hours are probably shorter than spring break.

 

[colleen costello]

Sorry I confused PamOKW and PaOKW95. Yikes... those 2 are tricky...

I did notice the parking lots were full this past trip. Mom has a handicapped placard and I said "Good thing, Grammy, because all the other spots are taken!" I believe the airlines are still in some chaos since 9/11. Flights are cancelled and there are fewer flights available. If folks are not too far away it may just seem easier to drive. I know I will get to Florida even if I have to take a mule train...

 

[Pa@okw95]

I prefer to zig while others are zagging. My concerns about OKW was that it seems to be getting a little difficult to figure when the zagging is going on so I can zig. Thanks for your replies. PamOKW by the way must be a female on the other hand PA@okw95 is a male, PA is what my little angel calls me, short for grandpa. Men my age in some areas of life are called grumpys, we are hard to please. Well sometimes anyway.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by joepoe
Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't after me!

I agree with Pa about a full resort making it harder to use the services comfortably. I can see now that Saratoga Springs is opening that there will be even MORE DVC members trying to get to WDW during the many popular times of the year (and even some less popular because of the lure of lower points) and failing to get their home reosrt ressie, will book OKW at 7 months, filling it quickly. This is a real concern.

I also think no matter which DVC you stay at during busy times, (and I can speak personally about BWV and OKW) the buses are full, the pools are packed and you can't find a chair, and check-in can be a nightmare! But we deal with it because we WANT to be at WDW!

Just be glad you are not staying at the Polynesian. There you have to contend with the resort being sold out due to it's popularity and then all those that don't actually stay there coming over to view the fireworks due to the great view.

Absolutely no way to get a hammock anymore without staking it out and reserving it by leaving a few meaningless personal items or towels on it

 

[colleen costello]

These crowds are part of the reality of WDW. This is nothing new! When I was a kid, my Mom always made reservations over a year out, because with only the Contemporary, Polynesian and Ft. Wilderness to pick from, everything booked up really quickly. I don't think we ever went when everything WASN'T full!

Everyone loves Mickey.