ok.. here we go again

[nydizfan]

Here I ask all of the 'old time members' Who were members when OKW was.. The Disney Vacation Club ? . when did you join and do you agree with this condo or hotel discusion..sp...dave

 

[sgtdisney]

We purchased in early 1992.. I remember when OKW was just called The Disney Vacation Club. In fact many times when I refer to OKW, I still call it that. Old habits die hard I guess. I remember when we got to vote on a name for the resort. I can't remember now what the other choices where. OKW seemed to be the perfect fit of the ones they listed. I have to say, I personally, prefer the condo style of units at OKW. We had been used to staying at what was last known as The Villas at Disney Institute before 1992, so the villas at OKW were a perfect fit for us. Honestly, I am not sure if the 'first' DVC had been something other than OKW and had been set up more like a hotel that we would have bought. In 11 years, I have yet to stay anywhere other than OKW.. We talk about trying a new DVC resort at WDW from time to time but have yet to do it. For us, we just prefer the Condo style units as opposed to the hotel style units and always go back to OKW.. But I say, to each his own, that is the beauty of DVC, there is something for everyone.

This summer we will be trying VB for the first time and I am looking forward to that. It will also be our first time in a studio (actually an Inn room) so it will definately be something different.

 

[RobDoc]

We joined in early 1993 and purchased at the Disney Vacation Club Resort, later to become Old Key West. On our last several visits to WDW prior to that time, we had stayed in 1 and 2BR Townhouse Villas at Disney Village, which later came to be the Disney Institute.

Had DVC offered a hotel atmosphere resort, we probably would not have joined, since we had come to enjoy the condo-style atmosphere provided by the townhouse villas.

DVC learned much from the way members used the OKW facility and that knowledge has shaped the more recent resorts. DVC found that most members did not use their kitchen- thus the more compact styling in all other DVC resorts. With the ADA act, the need to provide elevator access shaped the room size needs of future resorts. Placing elevators in individual buildings became an expensive addition, so complex styling created the "hotel-like" atmosphere with minimal elevator access and the need for interior hallways. With those hallways came the need to downsize the room sizes to maximize the number of villas in each resort.

All of this served to create a timeshare network unique to the industry. It has certainly served to raise the bar for the way timeshares are presented.

Enjoy!

 

[Tagrel]

Wow Doc, what great insight into how DVC has changed over the years - and why. And when presented like this it all makes sense. How many members want to finance all those elevators in tons of different buildings. Those OKW dues would definitely go up if each building had an elevator or two to buy and maintain.

I just wish Disney would explain decisions the same way, instead of try to 'blame' the members.

From the poll about condo vs hotel style it is pretty obvious (at least around here) that most people DON'T like the hotel style best. But if they SAY its true, well then that should make it OK.

Guess it reminds me a bit too much of the "People WANTED Character Caravan more than they wanted Early Entry". This is a Disney trend I'm not too thrilled with. I'd be much happier if they would just state the business reasons behind a decision.

Anyway, thanks for the great post. To get back on subject, we are in the minority of members that like the hotel style best. I like having things closer together and being able to get everywhere inside the building (or at least under cover).

Our first stay at WDW was at a 'condo' in Disney Institute, while very nice - it didn't feel 'part' of the Disney Magic. Too spread out. We never even SAW a pool. From there we stayed at YC, and loved the hotel atmosphere and perks. Buying at VWL and BCV was a no brainer for us. But the best thing about DVC are the many choices we have. I can't wait to try all the DVC resorts including OKW! We thought it was beautiful when our Disney Institute bus used to drive through there.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I joined in Feb. 92 and I am not sure I agree with the discussion.
I love OKW and it is my preferance, but, there are others out there that enjoy the hotel type. As stated before, that is the beauty of DVC: choice. I probably would have joined, at that time, regardless of the set up. However, having spent 11 years a a member and only going to OKW (well, Vero once), I would have to think long and hard about joining if it were in the hotel configuration.

 

[iluvdisney]

We joined in June 1992 - we luv it! We usually stay at OKW - we luv the atmosphere and relaxation mode there not to mention the size of the rooms. We have stayed at BWV, WLV and BCV and find these to be enjoyable also but OKW will always be our favorite on property resort.

 

[TwirlerGirl]

This is a great question! We joined in 1997, at that time my husband and I worked very intense jobs, putting in an avg. of 60 hrs a week. Selection between OKW and BWV was a tough one. At the time, we thought the quiet of OKW fit our needs more than the hussle/bussle of BWV's. We needed more down time and less activities. As life has a tendency to do, nothing stays the same; taste change, jobs change, families change, needs change. Last year, we took our DS and family ( DDIL, DGS - 2 yrs & 4 yrs) to WDW. We stayed at WLV & BWV to take advantage of the easy and quick access to the parks. This allows us to come home for lunches and naps for the children/ swim time for the family. It also allowed the families to do things on their own easily, like DS & DDIL went dancing one night after the kids were in bed and a quick trip to EPCOT one evening just to see the fireworks. This is the beauty of DVC, we get to pick what we need for each visit. A quiet, slow paced vacation or a do everything we can vacation. I prefer OKW went it is just us, having the car close, more home/condo like quality is a plus vs bellmen or valet service hitting a limited budget, a more luxury style envirorment. When I can afford and want those extra luxuries of a hotel, I can take advantage of them by booking a hotel style accommodations.

Went we purchased, I never really thought about needing anything else. Now that I've stayed at 4 of the resort, I see how each have their own charm and value. Aren't we lucky! We get to pick according to our wishes for each vacation.

Sandy B.

 

[Regina]

We signed our contract on 12/1/91, with a use year that started on 2/02.

Over 11 years, OKW has become our second "home." My family knows what to expect. The surprise is that it each trip seems to be better than the one before.

We also added a second membership at VWL. It was based on MB, but it's also fun to have a completely different resort experience.

I don't mind respectful discussions regarding preferences. It's unfortunate that it sometimes deterioriates into a slam fest. That's where the problem comes in.

 

[Caskbill]

We signed the contract on an early June day, 1993, about 1:00 pm, right there at the DVC Commodore House sales office, and....

checked into our 1-B/V DVC villa 2-hours later for a 3-day stay.

We had been staying off site, so we saved some outside hotel costs, plus we then had free passes into the parks for our 3-days. We put the 5-day park hopper passes that we had already purchased, away, and because of free passes till Jan 1, 2000, didn't wind up using the last 3-days of that park hopper pass until 10 years later, this past NYE and January, 2003. (We had bought annual passes after Jan 1, 2000, but wound up staggering the years such that we could use that old Park Hopper pass and not renew the annual right away)

 

[Pa@okw95]

I would never had gone for a hotel style DVC. We always try and stay in a condo style rather than a hotel, the noise in the hall ways is good enough reason to say no to a hotel style situation. I was in Washington DC at the Embassy Suites the last time I was there and a couple of kids were kicking around a soccer ball in the hall ways, it was bouncing off the walls etc. The parents knew about it because when I opened the door to complain the parent opened his door and told the kids to stop. Such is life today. Even when there are no kids there is noise, my wife and I stay about 24 nights a year in a casino hotel and I am always woke up by somebody going down the hall to his room. No thanks to those hotels whenever possible. Give me OKW any time.

 

[mrsdon]

We bought in April of 94.
The best thing for me at OKW is no matter what unit Im in when i walk through the front door I AM HOME!!!!!
I've stayed at all the DVC's and enjoy them all, but nowhere else says HOME to me as well as OKW.

 

[ronw]

It wasn't until they built the BWV that they even got our attention. We were used to the YC and BC and liked the location. We saw the kiosks but the idea of staying somewhere
"way out there" didn't appeal at all. And the thought that Disney would sully itself with (gasp) timeshares. Since joining (after a regretably long delay!), we have stayed at OKW and thoroughly enjoyed it and plan on staying again. In fact, we have now stayed at all of the on-site resorts and there is not one to which I would hesitate to return.

 

[BillPA]

We joined in mid '93. Be bought sight unseen. We had been making yearly trips since '79. My DW wanted to go see the DVC on our '92 trip, but I was a little "gun shy" of timeshares, from the horror stories going around were I worked. Not about DVC but timeshares in general.

Well we sent for the video, ran the numbers, and said "Disney will do it right, so lets give it a shot" We sent a check for our first purchase. We just finished doing another add on, BCV. You can't beat OKW for a long relaxing vacation, with the gang along.

We're able to get away more now that the "kids" are older, youngest is a Jr in college. We find the studios at BWV, VWL and BCV work fine for us. We get a little more milage out of our points with a studio over a 1BR. We do go to OKW and VB in 1 or 2 BR when we "have to bring" others along. LOL.

I wish OKW had an option to have a studio with 1 bed and a sofa. Being vetrans of over 30 trips, we spend a fair amount of time in the rooms now, and I just can't sit on the bed and relax. So the hotel style resorts work better for the 2 of us. We also go out to eat more when it's just 2 of us, so the big "stove decoration" doesn't do much for us now.

2nd best decision I ever made, DW was the best, by far.

 

[rpink58]

We joined in 1994 and have stayed at OKW every year since and love it. I let my brother stay and he ended up joining. I have also taken my parents and they also love OKW. In Dec. we took my 2 children and three of their friends , we stayed in the villa. This Dec. will be the first time we will not be at OKW , we decided to do AKL conciege.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by BillPA
2nd best decision I ever made, DW was the best, by far.

 

[jcodespoti]

Since I live in a Condo. I prefer BWV over OKW (Those steps hurt my knees). However, OKW is a great relaxing resort. my .0231112555211 cents worth.

Joe in CT

 

[nydizfan]

thanks everyone for the great replys. We( my future wife and me) stayed at the disney village in 1992. we stayed in the , what they called then the vacation villas, which was just torn town. On our bus ride home we shared with what was dvc. I was facinated with it. so we bought at a florida home show in long island. We have now been members for 10 years . it only been great and now its paid off... ..thanks dave