Could OKW use a new bridge?

[dianeschlicht]

As far as the actual length the bridge from bldg 29 across the canal and up to the pool would save less than 1000 feet of walking, less than 1/5 of a mile, at least according to the pathing feature on Google Earth. Pool area to bldg 29 using the current bridge (Yellow path) is about 1456 feet. A bridge crossing at bldg 29 (Red Path) 746 feet, so the costly proposal would cut off 710 feet.

Well, since most people have a stride of about 3 feet, my "100 steps" wasn't that far off either. Well, almost double, but still....200 steps is nothing. I wear a step counter every day. I routinely get 8-10,000 steps a day. Last week at Disney, I got up to 22,000 one day! That extra 200 steps isn't going to kill anyone.

 

[La2kw]

OK, we own at OKW, 400pts.
Yes, we would welcome a bridge.
Lucky you that gets near the HH. Many times we have made this request at the 11 mo. window and have been way back on Old Turtle Pond or South Pointe. Hate it just because of the walk.
No, we don't go to the parks as much anymore.
We also paid for the extended contract, by the time our use years are over our children will be grandparents too and will get many years of use of the bridge.

As mentioned, HH is a booking category, not a request anymore. I just booked a studio for July this week in the HH category. That's just 5 months ahead. Last year I got HH category at 3 months out. I own at OKW, so I could have booked earlier but we didn't.

Oh and Turtle Pond is our second favorite area and I have walked many times form Turtle Pond to HH as well as from South Point to HH. If it's too hot, we might take a bus, but I enjoy walking through my OKW neighborhood.

I also don't mind hauling my luggage up three flights of stairs. I'm just so happy that I don't need to use an elevator or a wheelchair. I'm gonna use these legs as long as I have them. My points expire in 2042 and I'll be 80 years old and God willing I still plan on walking to HH and up stairs as long as I can.

 

[Simba's Mom]

How about a Huck Finn type raft?

That would be kind of a cute idea-like the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island. Don't know about practicality, but it sounds cute!

 

[dianeschlicht]

That would be kind of a cute idea-like the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island. Don't know about practicality, but it sounds cute!

Hey, I wouldn't mind those people who think 200 steps is more than they can handle just waiting around for a raft! I could be at the sauna and back in my villa by the time they get to HH!

 

[Lost boy]

Chuck, your a pistol! Thats great info on the actual distance not that it makes a difference to me,I don't think we need a bridge either. I'm a new owner at okw, originally bought at ssr and am in my mid 50's and try to walk as much as I can to keep fit. We get top floor units when we can and use the stairs even if there is an elevator. If more people walked our country would'nt be in the shape it's in. If your unable to walk that distance take the bus or get a scooter.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Chuck, your a pistol! Thats great info on the actual distance not that it makes a difference to me,I don't think we need a bridge either. I'm a new owner at okw, originally bought at ssr and am in my mid 50's and try to walk as much as I can to keep fit. We get top floor units when we can and use the stairs even if there is an elevator. If more people walked our country would'nt be in the shape it's in. If your unable to walk that distance take the bus or get a scooter.

Ah, someone after my own heart! We are in our mid 60's and totally agree with your philosophy! As I said earlier, the extra 200 steps is nothing at WDW!

 

[WDWDad]

Chuck, Thank you so much for the graphic ! I would like to offer two changes;

1) The walkway could angle over after the bridge rather than go into the wooded area as it currently shows. This would shorten the route as well.

2) The walk would actually be shorter and the proposed savings more if you stop the line at the pool entrance between the kiddie pool and the sand castle slide. At this point you have entered the pool area at the closest point as was the goal of the proposal.

Diane, Please remember that 200, maybe 300 steps may not be challenging for you, but for others could be a distinct challenge. Also please don't forget that we are talking 2-300 more steps, not total steps, as well as being only half of the round trip total. The proposal could save 500-600 steps per trip. That is significant for many people in many different situations.

We should try to be discussing that, rather than discuss our own specific circumstances. Can we explore the idea as a concept? Can we examine what could be learned rather than rejecting the idea because it doesn't fit our own lifestyle?

Why can't we look at ways that OKW can grow, and evolve? In the long run wouldn't it be better for the resort to stay current, or even change a bit to ensure that future generations of owners, and guests can continue to enjoy the resort without growing tired of the same amenities for the next 40+ years? And ask ourselves if the theming that many of us love can not only be maintained,but even improved upon?

 

[Chuck S]

Chuck, Thank you so much for the graphic ! I would like to offer two changes;

1) The walkway could angle over after the bridge rather than go into the wooded area as it currently shows. This would shorten the route as well.

2) The walk would actually be shorter and the proposed savings more if you stop the line at the pool entrance between the kiddie pool and the sand castle slide. At this point you have entered the pool area at the closest point as was the goal of the proposal.

Diane, Please remember that 200, maybe 300 steps may not be challenging for you, but for others could be a distinct challenge. Also please don't forget that we are talking 2-300 more steps, not total steps, as well as being only half of the round trip total. The proposal could save 500-600 steps per trip. That is significant for many people in many different situations.

We should try to be discussing that, rather than discuss our own specific circumstances. Can we explore the idea as a concept? Can we examine what could be learned rather than rejecting the idea because it doesn't fit our own lifestyle?

Why can't we look at ways that OKW can grow, and evolve? In the long run wouldn't it be better for the resort to stay current, or even change a bit to ensure that future generations of owners, and guests can continue to enjoy the resort without growing tired of the same amenities for the next 40+ years? And ask ourselves if the theming that many of us love can not only be maintained,but even improved upon?

There are currently 3 bridges that cross the canal. Two for the golf course and one near the treehouses. All of those bridges are built over an area of the canal far narrower than the canal section at OKW. I really don't see Disney designing a much more expensive longer bridge that would diagonally cut across the canal.

And don't forget, any newly constructed foot bridge and paths would need to meet ADA requirements for width and rise per linear foot. There would need to be considerable additional path length on either side of the bridge to meet those requirements, just ending the bridge into the main pool area would not be possible, they need to allow room for those longer rampways. Have you tried pushing a wheelchair up those steep ramps to the monorails? If built today, those stations accesses would be different, or elevators added.

For the bridge and bridge access ramps/elevators, it would be at OKW owners expense.

You also would not get any sort of true idea how much of a walk the bridge would save, unless you have the same beginning and ending point for both path measurements. I tried to pick a popular final ending destination, the Turtle Crawl near the snack bar/Community Hall.

 

[dianeschlicht]

PLEASE....Let's NOT let this become a viable idea. 90% of us on this thread do not want it. The more we talk about it, the more DVC will think we need it, and there goes the neighborhood!

 

[granmanh603]

Chuck, Thank you so much for the graphic ! I would like to offer two changes;

1) The walkway could angle over after the bridge rather than go into the wooded area as it currently shows. This would shorten the route as well.

2) The walk would actually be shorter and the proposed savings more if you stop the line at the pool entrance between the kiddie pool and the sand castle slide. At this point you have entered the pool area at the closest point as was the goal of the proposal.

Diane, Please remember that 200, maybe 300 steps may not be challenging for you, but for others could be a distinct challenge. Also please don't forget that we are talking 2-300 more steps, not total steps, as well as being only half of the round trip total. The proposal could save 500-600 steps per trip. That is significant for many people in many different situations.

We should try to be discussing that, rather than discuss our own specific circumstances. Can we explore the idea as a concept? Can we examine what could be learned rather than rejecting the idea because it doesn't fit our own lifestyle?

Why can't we look at ways that OKW can grow, and evolve? In the long run wouldn't it be better for the resort to stay current, or even change a bit to ensure that future generations of owners, and guests can continue to enjoy the resort without growing tired of the same amenities for the next 40+ years? And ask ourselves if the theming that many of us love can not only be maintained,but even improved upon?

Sir have you heard the term"beating a dead horse", we have discussed this for 4 pages and the majority do not like the idea. A bridge over that beautiful canal would not be and improved visual look and I agree with Chuck with the wetland rules it probably would never get built anyway.

 

[WDWDad]

Wow you people really fear open discussion don't you? DVC will no more consider this thread being discussed by 4-5 people a useful review of the issue than I do. Is this how all ideas are to be handled on the Dis? If 4, or 5 people don't like it then we have to kill the discussion lest it possibilly reach 1 or 2 more people who might like it. And if 4 people like it then JL, and DVC, will undoubtably build it.

The discussion could have led somewhere and we have made some discoveries into other issues, but no let's go back to some other more important issue like the next occupancy discusssion, pool hopping, or the proper usage of pool towels.

I'm done here.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Better yet, how about moving the hot air balloon ride from DTD over to OKW and we could move people from the pool area over to Turtle Pond on the hot air balloon.

Or we could have a Styx River ferry boat that could take people from one side to the other.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Wow you people really fear open discussion don't you? DVC will no more consider this thread being discussed by 4-5 people a useful review of the issue than I do. Is this how all ideas are to be handled on the Dis? If 4, or 5 people don't like it then we have to kill the discussion lest it possibilly reach 1 or 2 more people who might like it. And if 4 people like it then JL, and DVC, will undoubtably build it.

The discussion could have led somewhere and we have made some discoveries into other issues, but no let's go back to some other more important issue like the next occupancy discusssion, pool hopping, or the proper usage of pool towels.

I'm done here.

If you are referring to my comment, did you miss my I posted after it? Things said with smilies like that are meant in jest.

 

[dvc_john]

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember that DVC/DVD was thinking of 2 'enhancements' way back in the early days (1993-94?).

One was a bridge like being discussed here. Obviously, nothing came of that.
The other was retro-fitting a door from the laundry area to the bathroom in buildings 11-30. Nothing came of that either (I think because of structural issues.)

Anyone else recall this?

 

[Chuck S]

Hmmm, now that you mention it, I do seem to recall some sort of discussion about a bridge, but I don't remember any specifics as to location. I just thought they were talking about widening the existing bridge to add sidewalks on both sides. I don't remember hearing any discussion of retrofitting 11 to 30 for the door...but it is certainly possible it was discussed.

Either way, it was a long time ago and I may be wrong.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Hmmm, now that you mention it, I do seem to recall some sort of discussion about a bridge, but I don't remember any specifics as to location. I just thought they were talking about widening the existing bridge to add sidewalks on both sides. I don't remember hearing any discussion of retrofitting 11 to 30 for the door...but it is certainly possible it was discussed.

Either way, it was a long time ago and I may be wrong.

Hmmm, Chuck and John, do you think the original question was a planted one?

 

[Chuck S]

Hmmm, Chuck and John, do you think the original question was a planted one?

I doubt it, I think the OP of this thread genuinely feels a bridge would be a great addition to OKW, while the majority of members here feel differently.

I doubt Disney (which is what I assume you meant as being planted to get owners reactions) would really have any interest in building such a project, considering the busses provide what IMO is an adequate alternative...and those busses would be running anyway to/from the parks.

 

[Chuck S]

Mod Note:

Some posts have been removed from this thread. Please keep the discussion on the topic of the bridge. It is fine to discuss pros and cons of building such a structure, and everyone is welcome to post an opinion on that subject.

 

[tor]

It's still a crazy thing to put in because a few people want to save 100 steps. What do all those people do in the parks????

Have you seen all the electric wheel chairs???

Actually, no. DVC surveyed OKW members early on, asking if they wanted the pool slide at the members expense. The survey said no, DVD/Disney picked up that tab because Disney wanted the slide as a better marketing tool for cash rentals. Members dues did increase some for the maintenance and lifeguards, but construction was out of Disney's pocket.

In the case of the bridge, why would Disney see a need for one, as it has been nearly 20 years since OKW opened, and bus transportation is available? If members want this bridge, members will pay for it.

As far as the actual length the bridge from bldg 29 across the canal and up to the pool would save less than 1000 feet of walking, less than 1/5 of a mile, at least according to the pathing feature on Google Earth. Pool area to bldg 29 using the current bridge (Yellow path) is about 1456 feet. A bridge crossing at bldg 29 (Red Path) 746 feet, so the costly proposal would cut off 710 feet.

Seems like the costly proposal would cut the walking distance in half. Saving half of the distance is considerable. It could be the BOGO bridge.

If you like the walk through the neighborhood don't use the bridge. Take the long way around and be healthier for it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Okay...200 steps is about equal to me walking from one end of my house to the other twice. PLEASE don't tell me THAT is too much!! Bedsides...all the ECV owners don't care how far it is...THEY are riding.