Member Update at OKW

[RobDoc]

We just returned from the weekly Member's Update at OKW.

Dave hosted the event and, as always, did a great job of enthusiastically presenting an overview of the entire DVC program. He especially emphasized the World Passport Collection in his presentation.

Of interest to some may be that DVC is currently selling OKW points for Use Years March, August, September and October. They have between 1,000 and 3,200 points in each of those Use Years available. They are selling at $84 per point and MB is available for those interested. All other Use Years are sold out at OKW. He also mentioned that the OKW slide is under consideration and that many members have expressed their feelings regarding that addition.

He also mentioned that the first sales for OKW were at $51 per point in 1991. (That was one of the trivia questions)

This meeting was standing-room-only and Dave covered some interesting points and nuances about the program. Many of the trivia answers generated "Oohs", "Aahs" and "Really- I didn't know that" from those in the audience who were unaware of some of the subtle points of the DVC program. ("How far in advance can a World Passport request be made?" Ans- 2 years -- Ooh, Ahh, Really? )

The slide at SSR will be 180' long. (Ooh, Aah, Really?)

VB has only Oct Use Years remaining. (Really? ... but no Ohhs or Aahs.)

Prizes ranged from DVC logo visors, to drink DVC Cozees and the door prize was a nice DVC photo album - like that given on the cruise.)

Weather is sunny and in the 70's today. We have checked out of our 1BR and into a 2BR (didn't have to move, however) for the remainder of our trip. Our oldest DD and 2yo grandson join us in a few hours!!!!!!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
We just returned from the weekly Member's Update at OKW.



Of interest to some may be that DVC is currently selling OKW points for Use Years March, August, September and October. They have between 1,000 and 3,200 points in each of those Use Years available. They are selling at $84 per point and MB is available for those interested. All other Use Years are sold out at OKW.

Thanks very much for that information! Thanks to you, our guide will definitely get a phone call today.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for the report Doc! I hope to go to next weeks update. Did they say if the slide at OKW was producing positive or negetive comments?

See you Friday! I am READY for a warm up!

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
... Did they say if the slide at OKW was producing positive or negetive comments?

Yes ... both positive and negative! Strangely, it seems some owners would like a slide, some do not want a slide and others aren't interested at all.

I'm looking forward to meeting Diane and Caskbill on Friday!!

 

[BillM]

Doc
Is it difficult to have MS book you a 2 BR and go to 1 BR for weekend points and back to 2 BR and not hve to move ?
We are thinking about doing this at OKW for 2 weeks or longer in January-February.

 

[PamOKW]

So, now it sounds like they are still considering the slide rather than going ahead? Did he give any detail at all about what they are considering? Did the folks at the meeting indicate pro/con or ho hum?

Thanks for sharing the update --- I hope you have a blast with your grandson and don't worry about taking notes while you are having fun.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by BillM
Doc
Is it difficult to have MS book you a 2 BR and go to 1 BR for weekend points and back to 2 BR and not hve to move ?
We are thinking about doing this at OKW for 2 weeks or longer in January-February.

Good question!!

We have often started with a 2BR and then dropped the studio to have a 1BR. MS can do that very easily.

When I reserved this trip, I wasn't very optimistic and merely made the request knowing the chances weren't very good. MS confirmed that expectation when I made the request and said they'd note the request, but it probably wouldn't happen.

I asked again at check-in and was told they were able to schedule the rooms so we wouldn't have to move and I reconfirmed that yesterday at the desk. Everything went smoothly today but I was prepared, even today, to move to another room.

In this case, dropping the studio for the weekend should be simple, but getting it back on Sunday will meet with the same uncertainty. It will depend on the occupancy rate when you will be going. (I was apprehensive since OKW has been at 98% this week). You'll never know until you ask and get here! Good Luck!

So, now it sounds like they are still considering the slide rather than going ahead? Did he give any detail at all about what they are considering? Did the folks at the meeting indicate pro/con or ho hum?

The quote from Dave was "There is a rumor that DVC is considering adding a pool to OKW." He did not dwell on the comment and there was no opportunity for discussion. He even originally asked it as another trivia question (What is one difference in OKW from all other DVC resorts?)

I asked hom about it privately after the meeting and he said he even asked for permission to mention that in the update. He did say that MS has had many comments about the pool- both favoring and opposing the addition. If anyone feels strongly one way or the other- a comment to DVC might be worthwhile.

Stay Tuned!

 

[Jimbo]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
The quote from Dave was "There is a rumor that DVC is considering adding a pool to OKW." He did not dwell on the comment and there was no opportunity for discussion.

Did you mean to say "adding a slide" instead of adding a pool? Or are they considering adding a pool with a slide instead of retrofitting one of the existing pools?

 

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc



The quote from Dave was "There is a rumor that DVC is considering adding a pool to OKW." He did not dwell on the comment and there was no opportunity for discussion. He even originally asked it as another trivia question (What is one difference in OKW from all other DVC resorts?)

I asked hom about it privately after the meeting and he said he even asked for permission to mention that in the update. He did say that MS has had many comments about the pool- both favoring and opposing the addition. If anyone feels strongly one way or the other- a comment to DVC might be worthwhile.

Stay Tuned!

That phrase "there is a rumor" about the slide kind of bothers me. It's no "rumor"-they announced it very proudly at the annual meeting that it was going to happen. Sounds to me like they might be back-pedaling because of an outcry of negative feelings. Perhaps they should have said "We're considering it", rather than now calling it a "rumor" when many of us heard them say it. Maybe it doesn't bother anyone else, but it just kind of bothers me when someone says they'll do something, then back-pedals on it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The "rumor" comment bothers me too. Looks like it's time to voice how I feel to them. I was thinking it was a done deal, so no point.

 

[Dean]

It sounds like their backtracking which means either they were overly optimistic initially or they are reconsidering based on the comments.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by Dean
It sounds like their backtracking which means either they were overly optimistic initially or they are reconsidering based on the comments.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Jimbo
Did you mean to say "adding a slide" instead of adding a pool? Or are they considering adding a pool with a slide instead of retrofitting one of the existing pools?

Yeah ... my error. It should say "adding a slide" and NOT another pool.

I heard no backpedaling in the comments today- but that is the way it was phrased. I did ask him why he needed permission since it was announced at the annual meetings and he said he wanted to verify that it was OK to mention it at these updates. I suspect, since there is no timetable as yet, that they are proceeding caustiously with any public announcements until something concrete can be sent out to owners. He volunteered that they have gotten many comments- pro and con- from OKW owners.

Even though this was announced at the annual meeting, it was still not included in the budget for 2004. That suggests to me that the "plan" is a very recent decision and has no definite schedule as yet.

Stay tuned!

 

[Chuck S]

As one who attended the annual meeting...I agree "rumor" is probably a poor choice of words on the part of the CM...
"re-considering the decision" would probably have been better...but the results are the same...

I have to wonder if the folks on the raised stage could see a lot of stunned faces in reaction to the announcement? It certainly wasn't something the members were expecting to be announced.

They are probably getting a lot more responses (for and against) than they anticipated. I just sent an email.

 

[lillasmom]

Thanks for the info. It's nice to be kept informed.

 

[Richyams]

It will be nice if that slide doesn't happen. I really wasn't looking forward to the noise and really couldn't see where they would put that dopey thing anyway.

 

[PamOKW]

It may be that the CMs at the meetings haven't been given "clearance" to discuss it, especially since no renderings or timetables have been announced. Disney can be very strict on what can be discussed. They couldn't say that BW would be part of DVC until about an hour before it opened. They just "hinted" that it might be. A few years back when the development of Celebration was already well known, you would have had to tie up a CM and torture them to get them to "spill" as to where it was under construction.


It'll be interesting to see what if any reply folks get to e-mails.

 

[RLevy29]

Thanks for the update, Doc. Is the MB the same? Do you give back your year of points and pay $74 a point? Do you need to buy 100 points?

 

[RobDoc]

Yes, the OKW MB is $10 per point (bringing the price to $74) and you'll forfeit the first year of points. I didn't specifically ask about a minimum, but would be surprised if it was available on purchases less than 100 points.

Dave indicated that he expects these points will not last more than a week and he urged anyone interested to call their guide quickly.

He did not mention any other onsite resort availability specifically, so I don't know anything about others being available.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Well, like I promised, I did talk to my guide this morning, and it is a minimum of 100 points, he said. As of this morning, there were about 1000 points available at OKW, probably at least 100 less now (in August specifically), since he's planning on buying some for himself.