Concern--OKW!!

[Pa@okw95]

I have seen a trend that has been going on at OKW. Very often you will read on these boards things like I just bought into BWV our first trip home is at OKW. Or you will read what do you think about a 7 month window at OKW and my chances of getting a ressie. Or I have a ressie at BCV what do you my chances are of changing it to OKW 7 months. Just examples--I know that people make changes in the other direction OKW to XXX at a 7 month window and I also know OKW is bigger but here is my concern: I FEAR OKW WITH BE AT OR NEAR CAPACITY ALL YEAR AROUND, THAT MEANS POOLS WILL BE FILLED, WAIT FOR ROOMS AT CHECK-IN WILL BE LONGER, THE BOAT RIDE TO DD WILL ALWAYS HAVE MORE THAN 12 WAITING FOR IT, ETC. What do you think of this situation and is there anyting really that can be done about it??

 

[dbond]

OKW members need to stop talking about how great it is. We need to just keep this little secret to ourselves

 

[Scott H]

Following dbond's lead:

OKW is just a so so resort, nothing really to do there, too far away from the theme parks, the buss system is very ineffcient, the pools are poorly themed, rooms in need of repair, AC is a block of ice, and there are wood stoves for heat, etc......


IMO, In reality there is not much that can be done, I think Saratoga Springs may take up the additonal more of the laid back DVC members who like OKW.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Actually, right now at least, OKW is the last resort to ever be full. I called at 10 1/2 months the other day for early December and only OKW and BCV had availability (fortunately BCV is one of our homes so I booked it). We love OKW best, but it seems to be easiest to book at 7 months, so we've kept our home elsewhere, doesn't seem to be a need for the 11 month booking at OKW. You constantly hear stories here on these boards of people being able to get ressies at OKW on very short notice. Our guide said on the tour that if we didn't make ressies until 3 or 4 months out, there'd probably be something at OKW at least. Hope that doesn't change!

 

[RWishbone]

OKW is not as popular as you think. It is and will always be the easy resort at which to get a room. Rich

 

[CarolMN]

I don't understand the concern. The way DVC works, the resorts are supposed to always be full. If members use their points at non-DVC options, the rooms are rented to the general public for cash. If rooms are unreserved at 60 days, trooms are rented to the general public for cash. Neither DVC nor Disney wants there to be empty rooms. We shouldn't want them to be empty either.

If the resort isn't pretty much full all the time, some combination of these will occur:

1) some members will lose points,
2) the cost of non-DVC options will continue rise significantly
3) member dues will rise.

In summary, the DVC "plan" is for the resorts to operate at very high occupancy for the entire year.

P.S. I've never read any complaints about pools being too crowded at OKW. Have got to believe that OKW has been booked to the max many, many times since it opened.

 

[colleen costello]

PamOKW, we were there last July 4th and it was completely full. We had been at BCV for the opening but on July 4th there was no availability so we moved over to OKW. This is the visit where I fell deeply in love with OKW! It never seemed "crowded." The quiet pools had swimmers but a few times it was just us. No hordes of people by any means... We never waited long for a ferry or bus.

I think the layout of the resort makes it feel "private" even when it is at full capacity. This is part of OKW's charms -- you sort of feel like you have it all to yourself!

 

[SlyHubby]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
What do you think of this situation and is there anyting really that can be done about it??

Maybe you need to re-read your offering statement, what it is that you purchased, and what is permissible within DVC guidelines.

If you are complaining about something which is within the guidelines of what you've purchased, then I really can't understand what it is that you have a complaint about?

And, why shouldn't OKW be at full capacity year round? Is that not the goal in selling the memberships and/or cash reservations? If rooms are empty, someone is losing money.

Do you ever stay anywhere but OKW? Is it not the case that you can only make a reservation elsewhere at 7 months? What's the problem?

We own at OKW and stay there about 1/3 of the time. We make good use of our RIGHT to stay at the other resorts reserving at the 7 month window.

 

[LisaR]

Originally posted by Pa@okw95
[ I FEAR OKW WITH BE AT OR NEAR CAPACITY ALL YEAR AROUND, THAT MEANS POOLS WILL BE FILLED, WAIT FOR ROOMS AT CHECK-IN WILL BE LONGER, THE BOAT RIDE TO DD WILL ALWAYS HAVE MORE THAN 12 WAITING FOR IT, ETC. What do you think of this situation and is there anyting really that can be done about it?? [/B]

Have you ever had a time where you were NOT able to get into OKW in a reasonable window of time? I am guessing that answer is "no." Why would you be concerned about something that is not an issue and at this point doesn't look like it is going to be an issue anytime soon (or ever). Have you EVER seen the pools at OKW FULL? I never have. Have you EVER seen a line for the boat? I haven't. I really think your "fears" are irrational. JMO

Lisa

 

[KNWVIKING]

Whenever you have concerns about pool capacity at OKW just remember these two simple words: NO SLIDE

Also remember OKW has four pools.

 

[PamOKW]

PamOKW, we were

Hey Colleen, I'm not the poster. It's Pa@okw55. But I can see how you get us confused.

In theory, the idea that OKW will be more popular could be a concern. In theory, I worried that adding on additional DVC resorts (especially offsite ones) would be a problem. So far, so good. I don't have a concern with people switching to OKW. Just gives us more opportunity to book other resorts, too.

 

[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. First, I have seen the boat ride to DD many many times filled up and they had turned away people. The pools when I have been there have been full up that being there are no chairs left to sit in-that to me means the pool is filled. Three times in a row I sat waiting for my room at 4 o'clock when someone at the front desk came out and said who hasn't got there room yet only to pass me the key at 4 PM. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE THAT ATTACKS SOMEONE THAT HAS A CONCERN RATHER THAN JUST GIVING A CIVIL ANSWER, CALLING MY CONCERNS IRRATIONAL. THIS IS THE REASON YOU DO NOT GET A BALANCED REPORT ON ANYTHING ON THIS SITE. PEOPLE JUST ATTACK ANYTHING NEGATIVE. I for years have been going President's Week, and in mid-April before 9/11 and even though you may think this is some irrational view, the place was filled especially President's week. If it were this way every week of the year I doubt the place including all of WDW would be very popular with most DVC people. I just hope it does not get this way all year long-irrational as that concern may seem.

 

[new_yawka]

Pa...I think yours is a reasonable question, although I believe that (as compared to the other resorts) OKW will likely be less crowded.

I am one of the others (an owner from BWV) who happens to love the charm of OKW. That said, my guess is that the convenience of the other resorts to all that is happening will likely fill them up quicker. Most people are not looking for all the relaxation that OKW has to offer, when coming to WDW.

The one reason I may very well be completely wrong, however, is that OKW is by far the best overall value. Given the lower point chart and the larger rooms, OKW is a great value.

Overall, will it be full....I imagine so. But I think that it is a charming place even when busy and will likely remain a great resort.

 

[LisaR]

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. First, I have seen the boat ride to DD many many times filled up and they had turned away people. The pools when I have been there have been full up that being there are no chairs left to sit in-that to me means the pool is filled. Three times in a row I sat waiting for my room at 4 o'clock when someone at the front desk came out and said who hasn't got there room yet only to pass me the key at 4 PM. HERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF SOMEONE THAT ATTACKS SOMEONE THAT HAS A CONCERN RATHER THAN JUST GIVING A CIVIL ANSWER, CALLING MY CONCERNS IRRATIONAL. THIS IS THE REASON YOU DO NOT GET A BALANCED REPORT ON ANYTHING ON THIS SITE. PEOPLE JUST ATTACK ANYTHING NEGATIVE. I for years have been going President's Week, and in mid-April before 9/11 and even though you may think this is some irrational view, the place was filled especially President's week. If it were this way every week of the year I doubt the place including all of WDW would be very popular with most DVC people. I just hope it does not get this way all year long-irrational as that concern may seem.

Calm down. I didn't think I was issuing a personal attack against you. Your taking it way to personally.

The reason I felt your concerns were not rational is because I have NEVER experienced any of the problems you talked about. I have NEVER seen the pool at OKW even close to being crowded. While I do try very hard to go during the off season, I have been over President's Week at least 4 different times. I didn't go this Feb but I was there last Feb. The parks were jammed (compared to January) but OKW felt very uncrowded. I have been in May and have had the same experience. I went for a quick trip just before Thanksgiving. Again, saw the parks starting to fill up but NOT OKW. Not getting your room key until 4pm has nothing to do with the resort being full. It has to do with YOUR room not being ready.

Okay, those are just my experiences. Obviously, you have had a different experience then me. However, I read these boards on a regular basis and I can't recall anyone complaining that the pool at OKW was FULL!

I also don't see what the problem is if someone buys at one resort and decides to stay at another. That is everyones right as long as they book at 7 months or less. In all honesty, I think it is very irrational to think people buy at BCV with the sole intention of staying at OKW. I love OKW. It is our home and our favorite. However, MANY people do not like it. I see people that switch FROM OKW to the other resorts on a regular basis. Which is their right.

And by the way, I am NOT someone that would "attack" anyone just for saying something negative about a resort. Everyone has their own opinion and should be allowed to speak it. However, I am someone that is willing to give the other side, if I feel it is necessary. In this case, you and I obviously have VERY different OKW experiences. I am 110% completely satisfied with the way OKW is in reference to your concerns. I do not see any current problems and I do not see anything happening that causes me reason to be concerned.

Lisa

 

[dvc guy]

Some very good points on OKW being very crowded.
1. I don't think there is anything we can do about it.
2. We have been going over X-mas for the past few years and the resort has been at capacity.
We never felt crowded and saw very few people around, unless waiting for the bus.

 

[JOC]

Very often you will read on these boards things like I just bought into BWV our first trip home is at OKW.

Sometimes, when people buy resales that have banked points that need to be used, they don't have the advantage of booking at the 11-month or even the 7-month window and have to take what they can get on short notice, which is usually OKW. For what it's worth, we won't be changing our reservations to OKW so that's one less family you have to worry about!

 

[DebbieB]

I called at the end of February this year to see about possibly switching my May reservation to the last week of April and they still had availablility at the 2 month mark (I didn't end up switching). I've stayed there 4 times in either March or May and it did not seem crowded anytime. I don't think you have anything to worry about. What can they do about it anyway? Leave some units empty?

 

[Granny]

Pa@okw95....I understand what you're saying, but I don't think it will become a big problem with people overcrowding OKW.

There are a ton of OKW resales on the market which are still less expensive than purchasing other WDW on-site DVC properties. Also, OKW dues continue to be the lowest. So if people were interested in staying at OKW time after time, it wouldn't make sense to pay more per point and higher dues to have a home resort that wasn't OKW. Not to mention that they wouldn't have the 11 month advantage.


I think you notice those comments from posters because OKW is your home resort....just like I tend to home in on the VWL posts. I don't think it's a big trend.

And I think JOC has an excellent hypothesis on why someone with another home would be looking for OKW for their first stay.

IMHO, you don't have to worry about the situation.

 

[Dean]

This is not a major problem at any of the DVC resorts. The system is designed so that owners at that resort have first dibs, by four months. Anyone that waits until after other members can book at their home resort waited too late and should plan farther ahead. I know there are situations where this isn't possible for an owner but that is not the fault of responsibility of DVC. Even at 11 months out there are certain choices that are limited (GV, standard view at BWV, HH in summer).

As mentioned, the resorts are supposed to be full once sold out, if not, there is a problem. OKW will likely be the easiest to get overall due to the somewhat isolated location, less amenities, owners have owned longer and more likely to try other resorts and limited transportation issues.

 

[ncligs]

Pa@okw95 and LisaR ....go to your corners now.........