OKW Owners Against Cool Pools

[rinkwide]

I read in another thread that Disney is footing the bill to have the OKW main pool refurbished to Deluxe resort status and "most" owners aren't happy about it.

Can this be right?

Even if that raises dues by a nickel wouldn't you be happy to pay the $10 to $20 a year for such an attractive improvement to the property?

Please educate me because from where I'm standing, this has to be the ultimate NIMBY.

 

[Disney Doll]

I'm an OKW owner..2 contracts...and I have no problem with the pool renovation.

 

[RLevy29]

We own at OKW and we have no problem with the pool renovations even if it raises the dues. When OKW was first built slides were not as popular as they are now. DVC is just bringing the main pool up to date.

 

[DVC-Don]

Owners are going to pay for the increased operating costs once the pool is rehabed. When the pool reopens there will have to life guards and their salaries will come out of OKW dues. Having said that, I'm looking forward to the upgrade.

 

[JudithM]

I find it interesting that several years ago OKW members voted against a slide in a survery we were sent. Then last December at the OKW annual meeting it was announced a slide would be built this year. I realize there is more to OKW, more to DVC than just the relatively few members on the DIS bbs, but I think we should have had a voice in the decision.

 

[Chuck S]

I think they may also vary depending on the total number of OKW points an individual own.

For example, if you own the current "minimum" of 150 points, the renovatin will probably add $ 300 to $400 to your dues over the course of the contract. However, if someone owns a couple thousand point, their portion of the upkeep, for something they may never use, could be substantially higher - upwards of $4000. Really, I think before major impovements that have an affect on our duesare deided upon, they should be voted on, with the votes being on a "per point" owned basis.

Plus, is anyone considering the already tight parking situation in the hospitality house area?

 

[cheyita]

I realize my opinion counts only as far as a DVC owner, not as an OKW owner...

But I think it would be nice to have the main pool upgraded. We were just at OKW last week, and stayed near one of the "quiet pools". There is virtually nothing to differentiate the main pool from a quiet pool, other than it being bigger. It would be nice to have more variety in the swimming options for the kids.

 

[rinkwide]

Since Disney owns the property I suppose it's moot. Such improvements are contractually theirs to decide upon and they're going to do what they feel is best for the long term value of their property.

Regardless, if it would have been put before the owners, do you think the remodel would have been voted down?

 

[Chuck S]

Since the first survey was worded in such a way that Disney obviously thought the owners would approve it, and it still failed...I would think a new survey would fail also, but that is purely speculation.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by rinkwide
Regardless, if it would have been put before the owners, do you think the remodel would have been voted down?

Yes, I do think they would have voted it down.

The issue had previously been put to a vote and the vote failed. Through all of DVC's subsequent focus groups, member meetings, annual meetings, surveys, questionnaires, etc., DVC should have had SOME idea as to whether the feelings of the owners had changed.

Instead of even bothering to put it to another vote, DVC used a loophole in the contracts and decided to foot the bill themselves. I don't believe for a second that they are paying all of the development costs out of the goodness of their hearts. Rather DVC/DVD wanted a slide and they had a very strong suspicion that putting it to another vote would just be an exercise in futility. Besides, DVC would have taken an even bigger PR hit if they put it to a vote and then weeks later said "well, the owners voted against the pool renovation...but we're going to do it anyway."

This is one of my few gripes with DVC. They could, directly or indirectly, do a LOT of things that would impact the cost and quality of our DVC experience over the next 50 years. We all put a lot of faith in DVC and Disney as a whole to operate the resorts and parks in a reasonable manner.

This particular decision should have been put in the hands of the folks who OWN all of the points at OKW. But, DVC decided to flex their muscles and found a way to get it done anyway.

If you want to read more...a LOT more...about this topic, I'd suggest this thread. Not sure what more needs to be said:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=476628

 

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by JudithM
I find it interesting that several years ago OKW members voted against a slide in a survery we were sent. Then last December at the OKW annual meeting it was announced a slide would be built this year. I realize there is more to OKW, more to DVC than just the relatively few members on the DIS bbs, but I think we should have had a voice in the decision.

This is the one thing that bothers me too. Personally, I don't care one way or another about a slide. However, it does make me VERY uncomfortable that "the powers that be" are making a change that has such an impact on Members' dues without consulting the members first. And from what I understand (because any previous imput predates our membership), it seems they're doing it IN SPITE OF what the members said they wanted. So why ask our opinion if you're going to do what you want anyways, then we're going to have to pay? Maybe a pool slide is a good idea, but it would have been nice to discuss it with members first.

 

[MomsGoneGoofy]

We're OKW members since '92 and would love to see a slide added. We're not as concerned about a small dues increase as to whether they will also increase the number of points per night.

 

[rinkwide]

...increase the number of points per night.

Can they do that?

 

[kweaver]

They cannot arbitrarily increase the number of points needed per night. What they can do is rearrange the total number of points on the *whole* points chart.

The impression I have is that as long as the total number of points on the chart is the same...they can do anything they want. However, it is very unlikely that they would do this. I believe it has happened once in DVC history? I'm sure someone here has a link to the details.

 

[wisbucky]

Originally posted by Simba's Mom
This is the one thing that bothers me too. Personally, I don't care one way or another about a slide. However, it does make me VERY uncomfortable that "the powers that be" are making a change that has such an impact on Members' dues without consulting the members first. And from what I understand (because any previous imput predates our membership), it seems they're doing it IN SPITE OF what the members said they wanted. So why ask our opinion if you're going to do what you want anyways, then we're going to have to pay? Maybe a pool slide is a good idea, but it would have been nice to discuss it with members first.

I agree with you 100% ...................................

 

[DebbieB]

It seemed like many OKW owners on this board were against the slide until the model of the slide came out and then many were for it once they saw how nice it was.

http://130.94.75.33/showthread.php?s=&threadid=519832

If they had another vote and included a picture of the proposed slide, I bet it would pass. The original survey question said dues would pay for both the construction and the upkeep. DVC is paying for the construction, so it's not the same question as the members turned down. If it's only 3 to 5 cents per point more on dues, I don't think that is enough to require a vote of the members, that's only about 1%.

Another thing to think about - it may increase the value of OKW resales.

 

[KNWVIKING]

.... In regards to the old survey about a slide: IMO the only survey,poll,vote,etc that would mean anything to me is one that every OKW owner got to take, not a select few.

While many of the earlier - see,I didn't say older - owners may not want a slide, I think all new buyers and prospective buyers are looking for a resort with a slide. While I currently have no plans to sell my membership I believe a slide would increase my chances of selling it if I ever decided too.

 

[PKS44]

Originally posted by Simba's Mom
So why ask our opinion if you're going to do what you want anyways, then we're going to have to pay?

You are asking this about a company that just ignored the largest no confidence vote in history regarding its management...they are executing their strategic plan...to be fair- I think alot of DVC owners misunderstand what they own..what we own and what we pay for is a right to use the property..we do not own the property itself--Disney is the sole property owner and as such is in charge of any changes to it...and they would never execute such a plan unless it was going to make them money in the long run--in this case presumaby they are improving the pool in order to increase the market willing to pay cash at OKW --which should improve the value of our Reservation Points (for nonDVC hotels, Concierge Collection, etc.)...stay tuned!

Paul

 

[PamOKW]

Part of the problem with the original "slide/no slide" question was that's all anyone was asked. I didn't want to see a slide just stuck onto the existing pool. If they had shared the plans and then asked whether owners thought it was a good idea, they might have gotten a different response.

 

[Tinkmom]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
[B...While many of the earlier - see,I didn't say older - owners may not want a slide, I think all new buyers and prospective buyers are looking for a resort with a slide. While I currently have no plans to sell my membership I believe a slide would increase my chances of selling it if I ever decided too. [/B]

As already discussed, when this was put to a vote previously, the majority of members did NOT want a slide. I don't know why new and prospective members would ALL be looking for a resort with a slide. As a newer (and yes, younger ) member, I generally would prefer a pool without a slide. I associate slides with rowdy kids and someone getting hurt. I like an attactive pool but not really one with a lot of activity! And I think that a lot of people think the same way. It would not surprise me if a majority of members would still vote against a slide if given the choice.