New clubhouse, no mention of OKW slide...

[Sabor]

Just adding my 2 cents.
I agree Disney should have listened to the original poll or at the very least did a new one. If they had their mind set on a slide maybe they could have come up with options to vote on.
I have mixed feelings about the slide issue. In some ways I am in favor (mostly my kids talking) and in some against.
I agree that an "obnoxious" slide at the main pool near the HH that You would have to look at as you drove by everytime would definitely affect the beauty of the resort.
I think the Turtle Pond Pool would be a great spot for a slide. The pool is big enough , there is a snack bar and decent play area for kids. And most of all it is tucked away out of sight from those who do not like the atmosphere of the slide. Yes there would still be the cost of maintenance (but it looks like were getting that anyway).

 

[lenshanem]

I agree that an "obnoxious" slide at the main pool near the HH that You would have to look at as you drove by everytime would definitely affect the beauty of the resort.

What makes a slide "obnoxious"? I have asked this before on this board and was told by several that Disney wodul add a slide that fit the surroundings and not an eye sore. From what i've seen all the slides at the other resorts ahve been very nice. I imagine they are going to add a slide similar to AKL. Short and sweet and not obnoxios to look at in any means. Watching kids line up in an orderly fashoin and ride down with smiles on their faces.... I don't see anything wrong with that. Even after my kids are grown I wodul enjoy sitting poolside, sipping a drink and watching everyoen have fun.
I really just don't get it. The only thinhg I can see that is a valid complaint si the raise in dues.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by Scoootch
Anyway, my point is -- we do own at OKW and although we bought in knowing they didn't have the slide, we would still love to see one put in (and for the record, no one ever surveyed or polled us to ask our opinion on the subject )

You may have become members after the original poll or right around that time. To be honest, I don't recall the exact timing of when the first poll was made. Disney also had a similar poll at that point asking members about certain perks that used to be a given at OKW and the members voted then too. That is why extra towels cost money now as well as other things that used to be freebies in the beginning. It was either raise dues or make the people who use them pay for them.

Anyway, since you DO own points, it would have been your opinion that should have mattered, along with all the other OKW members. That's all I would have hoped from Disney. But as Pam put it, DVC/DVD has decided what to do, and the members will have to live with the decision. I am another one who wishes they would put this slide at the Turtle Pond Pool. I like the pool by the HH the way it is now, but I guess my opinion doesn't matter, at least to Disney.

 

[WDWMom]

I need to come to this board more often. I am missing so much action.

I am an OKW owner with kids who use the main pool daily. We even pool hop every trip. I am in favor of the silde. I am probably even one the the whiners Rich is talking about. Ask my DH, I can whine with the best of them.

That said.... A slide does not make a pool obnoxious. OKW's main pool is not any quieter than BW, the poly's, PO or the GF pools with slides. As long as there are people in the pool, it will be noisy. I think using the arguement that a slide is obnoxious is a personal opinion that has no factual basis.

I say if you do not like a pool with a slide...GO TO THE QUIET POOL and let the rest of us have fun.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Personally, I find it amazing that we no longer have placemats, napkins, coasters or salt and pepper in the units because, as I was told, of financial concerns, but, we can have a slide and lifeguard.
The soap and shampoo that are in the units have shrunk in size, why? Because of cost.
The insurance is going to be costly, because we all know that some fool ( who does not believe signs apply to him/her and the kid really wanted to slide and would not stop whining ) with their precious child is going to have to use that slide when the pool is closed and the child is going to be hurt and bam, lawsuit.
There are tennis courts right next to the pool, why should someone playing tennis (which is a game of concentration and QUIET) need to hear kids screaming?
A pool would look horrible from the road.
I joined in 92 and was delighted that there were no slides. There was also no other DVC resort to choose from and even if there had been, I doubt I would have chosen it.
Contrary to popular belief, children don't rule the world, it is nice to have things for them, but, you don't need to meet their every demand. If they cannot be content being at WDW and having a lovely resort to stay at and beautiful pools to swim in, then you have some major issues that will not be solved by a pool slide at OKW. I guess you will have to actually go into the water and play with them.
Sorry for the tirade, but, I am getting awfully sick of hearing that my kid wants this, my kid wants that, seeing commercials that tell me this vehicle has all the things you child could want. Great, are they paying for it? Until they do, I buy the vehicle that I want with all the extras I want. The same thing applies to the pool slide issue. When the kids start paying for it, then I might actually listen to the demands. Until then, I would like to see the majority rule.
I was, btw, polled and I said NO. I feel another poll is indicated and I doubt it will change much at all.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Unlike most other timeshare resorts, DVC resorts are not controlled by boards that the timeshare owners elect. Disney retains complete control, within the constraints of the POS and Florida state law.

So, Disney is under no legal obligation to let OKW owners vote for or against a water slide and the new expenses for lifeguards, additional insurance, and ongoing maintenance. Tomorrow, Disney could add a skateboard park and a bungee tower, and we we would again have no say in it. That's what we agreed to when we bought under the current POS.

Now, having said that, it would be good business for Disney Vacation Development and DVC Management to communicate changes to DVC members. The OKW slide was announced to members who attended annual meetings (including non-OKW annual meetings), but the slide has never been never mentioned in any official DVC mailing, e-mailing, or Web site.

I would feel better about the slide if I had learned about it directly from DVD/DVC. I would like to see what it will look like. I would like to know the ongoing cost per OKW point. I would like to understand the reason for the decision — and how those OKW owners that won't use the slide personally might still benefit from it.

I'm still waiting.

 

[BWVDee]

Talk about whiners!!!
Why would anyone think Disney would build anything onto their resorts that will be obnoxious, an eye sore, etc.?? Disney maintains all their resorts to very high standards and especially is very concerned about keeping with the "total theme" of the resort. They are most certainly NOT going to build anything at OKW that will detract from the atmosphere. Based on their past history with how they build/maintain etc their resorts, I would venture to guess that would be the exact opposite of their plans!
I think the real underlying reason for the whiners is the impact on dues the slide will create. Horrors, now the % of dues difference between OKW and the other DVC resorts will now have to lowered! God forbid!! LOL!
As far as Disney having a lot of nerve for doing this without the OKW members permission!!! Hello! They do not need owners permission, THEY own the resorts NOT the members.
I agree that with the DJ at the main pool now, a slide is really not going to make that much difference noise wise and a remodeled main pool will greatly enhance and better the main pool.
Who knows some of you may very well be whining for nothing, with a possible takeover happening...a pool slide at OKW will probably be the last thing on anyone's mind.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Personally I don't care about the slide either way.
That being said, from a DVC business stanpoint, I can not figure out why a business would want to do something that the majority of it's customers do not want.
I know they have the legal right to do this, but why would they want to? It just does not seem like a smart business move to make 40% of your customers happy, while making 60% mad.

MG

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
Personally I don't care about the slide either way.
That being said, from a DVC business stanpoint, I can not figure out why a business would want to do something that the majority of it's customers do not want.
I know they have the legal right to do this, but why would they want to? It just does not seem like a smart business move to make 40% of your customers happy, while making 60% mad.

MG

A BIG assumption that is being made is that the majority of owners do not want the slide. No one knows this!! The one poll that was conducted was done years ago. The results of that poll do not mean that is still the way the majority of owners feel! First of all on the DIS is a very small % of actual OKW members being represented, no one knows what the OKW members that do NOT read the DIS want (which is the vast majority of OKW members btw), secondly I am sure there have been quite a few new members added and old members selling, add ons, etc since that poll was conducted--these people may very well feel completely different towards the slide then the group that was orginally surveyed and lastly there could very well be many members who did participate in the first survey that feel exactly the opposite about a slide now then they did when the survey was conducted.
Nope, to just assume the majority of OKW owners do not want a slide is making a big assumption based on an outdated survey, changing stats and the claims of a very small representative group of OKW members on an internet discussion board!!
I am sure Disney has it's reasons for doing this and they are very much based on the bottom line. My guess is two fold: there is too high of a % of unoccupied rooms at OKW and they want to enhance this resort somewhat to make it appeal more to guests that choose not to stay there; and the end of pool hopping is coming very soon and since OKW is the only DVC resort without a slide and probably most certainly the DVC resort that has the most pool hoppers--they are getting a slide.

 

[lenshanem]

YIKES Gail! I woudl estimate from your post that you hate kids?!? This is WDW after all... I'm guessing you were once a kid?

I really don't see how kids are gonna scream anymore than they already are if a slide is put in.
I don't recall on my last two trips to AKL kids sliding down screaming??? Seemed liek a peaceful enough pleasure. No "extra" noise coming from that area. And I might add I was in the pool waiting for them at bottom, not using the slide as a babysitter like you were implying. WDW is a "family vacation" for us.

As far as tennis courts beside the pool, does the DJ interupt your game of concentration? Sounds liek a busy and loud pool aready.

I think the only reason I keep posting is cause I find the "quiet" pool debate makes no sense. Tell me you don't want your dues to go up and I'll go with that...

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
Personally I don't care about the slide either way.
That being said, from a DVC business stanpoint, I can not figure out why a business would want to do something that the majority of it's customers do not want.
I know they have the legal right to do this, but why would they want to? It just does not seem like a smart business move to make 40% of your customers happy, while making 60% mad. MG

My guess is they want to do it to make OKW more competitive with the other WDW resorts. When members trade out, they have to rent OKW rooms to the general public to cover it, this will make it easier. Anytime I have checked for rooms through CRO's website, OKW almost always has empty rooms.

When the survey was done, the question asked if you would want to add a slide at member's expense. By picking up the cost of the initial construction, my guess is that they are not considering the results of that survey valid to what they want to do.

 

[BWVDee]

OKW's main pool is not any quieter than BW, the poly's, PO or the GF pools with slides. As long as there are people in the pool, it will be noisy.

Actually when the DJ is at OKW's main pool it is much louder then
BW, Poly, PO, etc pools are with slides.

 

[BWVDee]

Anytime I have checked for rooms through CRO's website, OKW almost always has empty rooms.

This is the same experience I have had for years but it is not only through CRO but also true with MS. Others may have had different experiences but this has been mine, MANY TIMES. I have gotten so tired of MS always telling me of openings at OKW that I now start off the phone call to MS with listing excatly which resorts I would be willing to book in my order of preference.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by DebbieB
When members trade out, they have to rent OKW rooms to the general public to cover it, this will make it easier. Anytime I have checked for rooms through CRO's website, OKW almost always has empty rooms.

This is the best argument for how non-slide users at OKW might benefit from an OKW water slide. Somewhere, under the covers, there's a hidden points-to-dollars "exchange rate" for how much CRO pays to DVC per point when DVC members use the Concierge Collection and the Disney Collection (including Disney Cruise Line); after all, DVC has to pay the resorts and cruise line. This "exchange rate" is determined by how much CRO takes in from paying guests staying at DVC resorts.

If, in fact, CRO is successful at achieving a higher yield per point (based on occupancy rate and room rate) because of the OKW slide, then the value of DVC points to CRO will go up — and the "exchange rate" will become more favorable to DVC members. That would mean fewer points for a Disney Cruise or non-DVC resort stay. And that would be good.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by BWVDee
Talk about whiners!!!
[and]
I think the real underlying reason for the whiners is the impact on dues the slide will create.

Friendly suggestion to BWVDee: Calling those with a differing opinion "whiners" is unlikely to win them over to your position.

In fact, the people you call "whiners" bought at a DVC resort without a slide. They didn't want a slide then, and they don't want it now. They don't see it as an improvement to the OKW feature pool, and, yes, they're disappointed that they'll have to pay year after year for something they don't want. They expected DVC to continue to provide the OKW experience and cost structure for which they made a long-term commitment. Expressing that point of view does not make them "whiners."

It's also clear that some OKW owners want a slide. And some don't have strong feelings either way. But the folks who don't want a slide really have the strongest case.

It would be very different if the issue were the removal of the slide at BWV. There are undoubtedly some BWV owners who would love to see the clown slide removed, resulting in a more peaceful and "classy" pool, as well as lower dues. But the slide was part of the resort when the DVC memberships were sold. Again, owners would legitimately expect the BWV experience for which they made a long-term commitment.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by BWVDee
Talk about whiners!!!
Why would anyone think Disney would build anything onto their resorts that will be obnoxious, an eye sore, etc.?? Disney maintains all their resorts to very high standards and especially is very concerned about keeping with the "total theme" of the resort. They are most certainly NOT going to build anything at OKW that will detract from the atmosphere. Based on their past history with how they build/maintain etc their resorts, I would venture to guess that would be the exact opposite of their plans!
I think the real underlying reason for the whiners is the impact on dues the slide will create. Horrors, now the % of dues difference between OKW and the other DVC resorts will now have to lowered! God forbid!! LOL!
As far as Disney having a lot of nerve for doing this without the OKW members permission!!! Hello! They do not need owners permission, THEY own the resorts NOT the members.
I agree that with the DJ at the main pool now, a slide is really not going to make that much difference noise wise and a remodeled main pool will greatly enhance and better the main pool.
Who knows some of you may very well be whining for nothing, with a possible takeover happening...a pool slide at OKW will probably be the last thing on anyone's mind.

One, I am not whining. Two, the DJ is not playing constantly.
Screaming from the slide would be a pretty constant thing.
Do I think that Disney would build or allow an eyesore to be built?
Ah, yes. Think Swalphin, think All Stars, think Pop Century, the new budget resorts look like the Partridge Family Bus run amok.
I am acutely aware that they don't need our permission to do anything. I am also under the impression we can have an opinon without being called whiners.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by lenshanem
YIKES Gail! I woudl estimate from your post that you hate kids?!? This is WDW after all... I'm guessing you were once a kid?

I really don't see how kids are gonna scream anymore than they already are if a slide is put in.
I don't recall on my last two trips to AKL kids sliding down screaming??? Seemed liek a peaceful enough pleasure. No "extra" noise coming from that area. And I might add I was in the pool waiting for them at bottom, not using the slide as a babysitter like you were implying. WDW is a "family vacation" for us.

As far as tennis courts beside the pool, does the DJ interupt your game of concentration? Sounds liek a busy and loud pool aready.

I think the only reason I keep posting is cause I find the "quiet" pool debate makes no sense. Tell me you don't want your dues to go up and I'll go with that...

Hate kids, not at all. yep, a long time ago about the time dirt was invented I was a kid, I have had three kids and now have 3 grandchildren.
Just because it is WDW does not mean anything to me. Lots of childless people go there. It is touted as the number 1 family destination for vacations, but, that does not mean it is only for families.
Yes, the DJ does break concentration, however, we don't play when the DJ is there.
I don't know if you play tennis, but, a good scream or screech from anyone can break the concentration. Much like golf when in the middle of a swing someone yells or talks.

I sincerely don't want it more noisy than it already is and I definitely don't want my dues raised.

To the poster that mentioned that the occupancy was/is down.
When we were there a week or so ago, they were at 100% occupancy. I doubt a slide is going to make a bit of difference in any occupancy rate. Look at PORFQ, they are totally shut down and they have a pool with a slide.

 

[sgtdisney]

It is pretty amusing that the people who actually own points at OKW and have to pay for the maintenance of the place are whiners if they don't want the slide, whereas people who don't own points at OKW, and actually have expressed a strong dislike for the resort have every right to express their delight in the slide being installed. Why do you care?

Everyone here is painfully aware that Disney owns the property and can do what they want with it. Of course this means they can dismantle that eyesore at BWV too without asking the members there either. This also means that if Disney is sold, someone else will own the place and who knows what they will put in.

 

[Scoootch]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN

A pool would look horrible from the road.
I joined in 92 and was delighted that there were no slides. There was also no other DVC resort to choose from and even if there had been, I doubt I would have chosen it.


When we joined, there was only 1 other DVC on property to choose from and chose to buy between the beauty and the value as we knew we would still be returning year after year (which I'm sure is the same for most of us) . It wasn't due to the fact that OKW didn't have a slide. We would have loved it back then. And as to a slide looking horrible from the road--I can't see Disney putting in one that wouldn't look nice but I am also not oppossed to it being put in over by the Turtle shack pool.



Contrary to popular belief, children don't rule the world, it is nice to have things for them, but, you don't need to meet their every demand.

I guess you will have to actually go into the water and play with them.

Sorry for the tirade, but, I am getting awfully sick of hearing that my kid wants this, my kid wants that,

Great, are they paying for it?

When the kids start paying for it, then I might actually listen to the demands. Until then, I would like to see the majority rule.The same thing applies

My kids don't rule the world - but this is our FAMILY vacation and they deserve to enjoy just as much as we do. And we are always either in the water with them or completely within earshot so the slide being a babysitter is just not an issue for us. And as for "are they paying for it?" No , but I am. And my dh and I bought into DVC knowing we'd want for them to enjoy it as much as we do. And as for what the majority wants -- how can you know that? You certainly don't speak for me - and I'm sure the majority of OKW owners are not on the DIS.

 

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by Scoootch
And as for what the majority wants -- how can you know that? You certainly don't speak for me - and I'm sure the majority of OKW owners are not on the DIS.

This is exactly the point. Most OKW members aren't here. We don't know their opinion on this. But all of that is of no concern to Disney. They don't care what the membership wants, because they haven't taken the time to ask. They made a decision and we have to love it or leave it. They don't even have the respect to inform the entire membership and explain why this was something they felt was needed. I would be happy to accept this if the facts behind this were explained to us and they if they made business sense.

Keep this in mind though. If Disney can (and they do apparently have the right to) do this on a slide, what will be next? What if it is something you wanted or really didn't want?