okw boat

[rpink58]

Hello,
Well I just got back from WDW did the AKL conciege, what a time... I had to go over to OKW just to ride the boat to DTD, on the ride I ask Eddie(boat pilot) if Saratoga was going to have boats. He said that our 12 person boats will be a thing of the past. They plan to redo the dock at OKW and then use the 50+ boats , ala Port Orleans . The boats will then be stopping at both stops with later in between times. It's going from a guiet boat to a people mover.
Ray

 

[dianeschlicht]

THat's too bad! I really like the nice quiet little private feeling pontoons!

 

[CarolA]

Well I have always thought the 12 person was too small. I have never even tried to ride the boat because every time I go by the line is longer then 12 people which means I would have to wait or at least one round trip. I can drive or bus faster then that and I have heard stories of people getting upset when a family of 4 joined thier waiting family member effectively kicking people farther back in line off the boat.

 

[PamOKW]

I'm very sad to see the boat go but it was impractical to carry so few people. This rumor had come up before and I think I also read confirmation in some "official" DVC publication. There was also a rumor that Eddie would not be piloting any of the new boats. I hope that can be corrected. Even though the boat is getting bigger, it shouldn't lose it's personalilty.

 

[Disneyaholic]

I asked our pilot about that when we were there a week or so ago. She (obviously not Eddie) said that they would be replacing the boats with larger ones, but didn't think that they would be the ones like Port Orleans has.

The Trumbo Ferry pilots are paid out of DVC dues; since SSR is also exclusively DVC, she thought that the pilots would still be paid by dues. I hope she's right, but I guess we'll have to wait and see.

 

[DVC-Don]

We have never gotten on an OKW boat. Not from lack of trying. Always more people waiting than seats.

 

[jaysue]

Same here, whenever we have wanted to take the boat during our May and Nov 03 trips, the line has been too long

thanks
jaysue

 

[rpink58]

Pam,
You are right about Eddie not piloting the boats. He said that they wanted the pilots to switch among all the DTD resorts and Eddie said he did not want to do that, so he probably go and do recreation instead. I guess as DVC gets bigger changes will come and all of us origonal owners will have to adjust wether we consider it good or bad.
Ray

 

[joepoe]

Originally posted by CarolA
Well I have always thought the 12 person was too small. I have never even tried to ride the boat because every time I go by the line is longer then 12 people which means I would have to wait or at least one round trip. I can drive or bus faster then that and I have heard stories of people getting upset when a family of 4 joined thier waiting family member effectively kicking people farther back in line off the boat.

I'm with you, for the same reasons. We have never taken the boat,either. We may if they go to a larger fleet.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I was just wondering if anyone thinks that this might be discussed at the OKW annual meeting? If so, I'd love to hear that one!

 

[JudithM]

Originally posted by Simba's Mom
I was just wondering if anyone thinks that this might be discussed at the OKW annual meeting? If so, I'd love to hear that one!

You are always welcome to ask about the boat service during the Q&A time during the meeting . I know you own at other DVCs, but you have stayed at OKW.