Marina comments.

[RobDoc]

We had opportunity to ride the OKW/DD boat twice today and got to spend the time chatting with both the OKW boat driver CM's as well as the "River Cruise" CM at the DD dock.

Just some interesting (to me anyway) comments:
The OKW boat is entirely funded by member dues. This week, the boat has rarely been filled. I have seen several times when it was empty and when we rode, 6 was the greatest number of passengers (once there weas just the 2 of us!)

The Sassagoula Steamship Company- which runs from PO to DD- is owned and operated by the DD merchants assoc and is NOT paid for by PO guests.

The DD/Mktpl to West Side boat has been discontinued. It was originally planned to get guests who park in the Cirque lot to head over to Mktplace and shop- but they found that the majority of riders were going from Mktplc to West Side- just the opposite of the intent- as those riders were bypassing the shops along the way. This boat was also funded by the merchants.

The River Cruise CM's do a good job of screening guests who wish to ride. They are effective at "discouraging" those NOT staying at the resorts from just joy-riding- in a very nice way.

OKW has only been at about 60% occupancy this week and all resorts are down a bit- heading into the busy summer season.

There are about 20 OKW CM's who have been there since opening. They are planning a 10 year anniv party to celebrate their tenure. Several of the long-timers are in recreation- some in housekeeping, a few from the front desk and some from Olivia's. Still an enthusiatic bunch!

Enjoy!

 

[Dumbo]

>>OKW has only been at about 60% occupancy this week and all resorts are down a bit- heading into the busy summer season.<<
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Doc,

Very interesting statistic! Especially for a resort that is sold out. That's a lot of points that have to be used elsewhere. I wonder if this will raise some eyebrows to those at DVC who ponder reallocating the points during differant seasons. Possibly the points required at OKW for this time of year may go down to increase occupancy while another season may go up to compensate.

Any thoughts, Doc?

Dumbo

 

[Gary K. D.]

My question would be why are we as owners paying for the boats to DD and not the merchants. It would seem to me that the number of guests at OKW would represent a sizable buying force that should be cultivated by the merchants at DD. In fact many of the owners might enjoy a day of shopping at DD if they were given a greater incentive (discount coupons) beyond what is presently available. After all most of us are regular visitors and a break from the parks would be welcome.

 

[RobDoc]

Dumbo- That is a good question. The "low occupanccy" seems to only last about 2 weeks- in early May- as late May appears to be solidly booked. The occupancy now is WDW-wide and not just specific to OKW. (Not sure about BWV). I doubt a reallocation would be done just for a 2 week period, but it could happen!

Gary- Another good point. However, in this case I suspect that the merchants have done their homework and discovered that the number of guests traveling by boat and or bus from OKW to DD does not warrant their involvement at this time. If most OKW guests insist on driving their personal vehicles (as suggested often on this board) no transportation incentive may be indicated.

The PO guests sure aren't getting any discount incentive to go there. They're just enjoying the ride.

 

[BobBrazeal]

Since the owners at OKW fund the boat service, how much control of it do we have? For instance, can we request a drop off over the West Side dock?

I know that dock isn't used much and it may or may not make sense to stop there on every trip back to OKW. It would be nice however, if the only return was from the DD dock, to have the option of getting dropped off and start at West Side and walk all of DD and end up at the DD dock for the return trip.

 

[bicker]

I suspect we're not seeing a seasonal phenomenon but rather a cyclical economic one. The problem it poses is that if what's happening is a lot of OKW owners banking their points this year to avoid the other costs of a vacation, due to the economic down-turn, then what will it be like next year?

 

[ILuvDVC]

<<The problem it poses is that if what's happening is a lot of OKW owners banking their points this year to avoid the other costs of a vacation, due to the economic down-turn, then what will it be like next year?>>

Don't have that problem here, I've borrowed all but 40 points from my 2002 use year, and I have already started borrowing from my 2003 use year. It's been so long since I've actually used that banking option

 

[PamOKW]

If things are slow at all the WDW resorts, it may not be members banking points that is the problem at OKW. It could be OKW members have used their points to do or go somewhere else. DVC may not have been able to find cash customers to use those rooms at this time. Not sure how that all plays out in the end since I'm sure DVC get the money from somewhere.

 

[LIDisneyFan]

We tried to use the OKW/DD boat during our last stay, and stopped trying for 2 reasons.

1) During 'prime time' (around 5 - 7 when peopple are traveling over for diner) we had to wait for 3 boats to get on. It was necessary to driev over to make reservations on time. We rarely saw anyone waiting during the day at the dock.

2) The return boats stop at 9:40 - way to early since the shops are open until 11.

Maybe if they ran the boats only during the evening, but the larger ones, it would make them more attractive. Poeple at the dock who stay at OKW frequently said this was the primary reason they choose to drive over at night.

Just an observation.

 

[Denine]

I love the boat to DDinkbounc The only problem is it is usually so busy, we don't want to wait. This trip we walked the path several times and drove a couple of times. We took the boat once.