New operating hours at Hank's...

[Lew]

We just returned from two wonderful weeks at OKW...

One change at OKW that concerns me a bit is Hank's new shortened operating hours. On April 1st Hank's started closing at 7:30pm...it formerly closed at 10:00pm. Pool towels are still available after 7:30.

My concern is that videos and other rentals (life preservers, etc.) are now not available after 7:30. Now, members returning from parks or elsewhere in the evening will not be able to rent a video, etc.

I spoke with the recreation director who was understanding and told me this was just a trial. I would urge any members who feel as I do to express their feelings to the recreation director while you are at OKW.

Incidentally, all services at Community Hall at BWV are still available until 10:00pm.

 

[Werner Weiss]

I assume the change in hours was done to save on the labor costs of staffing Hank's. For DVC members at OKW, this means lower annual dues than if Hank's were open the old hours.

If the main reason for Hank's to stay open late was to "rent" free videos to DVC members, then perhaps there's another way of doing this -- such as a VHS tape rental machine (as I've seen at several hotels) that would take the DVC member resort ID as "payment." In the long run, such a machine is undoubtedly cheaper (though less personal) than staffing Hank's all year long from 7:30 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

Childrens' floatation devices (swimming vests) are a more serious issue. DVC has made it very clear that members may not bring their own floatation devices for their children, but that floatation devices are available at no charge for sign out at the pool. Now what?

This raises the old question of what's more important? Keeping dues under control? Or providing a high level of services (even if it means higher dues)?

-----
Werner Weiss, Curator of Yesterland, featuring discontinued Disneyland attractions

 

[RAD]

Yep, maybe it saves some money, but how much money would it actually save a member, we're probably talking a few cents here, not something to worry about. I'd rather have my dues raise a but each year then have services cut back. We purchased DVC until 2042 expecting a certain level of service. Cutting back services to save a buck here or there isn't acceptable. I don't want to see service approaching what we'd get at a Days Inn, I didn't join for that.

 

[Firefighter Mickey]

I'm sure the resort tracks the usage patterns of various things, and I doubt they would be doing this unless Hanks didn't see much activity after 7:30 p.m. at night. If only one or 2 people stop in to Hanks each evening after 7:30, does it really justify staffing it with 1 or 2 people for those additional 2.5 hours?

On the other hand, I don't know that I entirely like the trend I'm seeing develop with this ongoing reduction in amenities and services. Maybe what DVC needs to do is expand what Hanks has to offer, and to "advertise" to resort guests what is available, thus drawing in additonal members and maybe even creating a small additional revenue stream from non-members.

 

[Zimbubba]

You can get flotation devices early in your stay and keep them for the duration. You just need to return them prior to check-out. We even used them in the water parks.

 

[AnnK]

Who said that you couldn't use your own personal floatation devices ( swimmies, vest)? Is this only at OKW? Our daughter has used her own many times at BWV and no one has ever said anything to us. Did someone actually say this? Just wondering for future reference.

 

[Patricia]

Years ago, when my younger daughter was small, they would only let us use the floatation devices given at Hanks. THe past 4 years, while swimming with my son, we noticed people using various things brought from home. I haven't asked for an official answer but have used our swimmies for him and no one has said a thing. This includes the pools at OKW, BW, HH, and Vero.

 

[baileybrad]

we have always gotten the vest on arrival and kept it throughout our stay...we were encouraged to do this by the staff. And our little ones have used their own swimmies on occasion without a word being mentioned. I would think that with a little planning that most could get their videos earlier in the day with a bit more planning. It must have gotten really quiet for this cutback to occur. I am in favor of doing away with something if it is not being utilized in a reasonable fashion. Maybe now they will break ground on a slide at the main pool with this massive cost savings Yeah right.