OKW Owners Against Cool Pools

[Desperado]

"when this was put to a vote previously, the majority of members did NOT want a slide."

This is not an accurate statement. It was not put to a vote, there was a survey some 6+ years ago, prior to some additional DVC resorts.

Anyway, it's moot. A new slide is being added. And the plans for is look great, and well done. It is not being done half hearted, it will be a nicely done slide.

The results of this poll sure tell the story, it's out of the ballpark toward one side.

 

[Chuck S]

Originally posted by Desperado
The results of this poll sure tell the story, it's out of the ballpark toward one side.

Not necessarily, all of those voting or expressiong their opinion here may not be OKW owners, they may not even be DVCers.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

I'm not an OKW owner but it seems to me that OKW and its owners deserve a slide worthy of a great resort and it seems like they are getting that.

HBC

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by Happy Birthday Cat
I'm not an OKW owner but it seems to me that OKW and its owners deserve a slide worthy of a great resort and it seems like they are getting that.

HBC

Nicely said. Personally even if others dissagree, I think it goes beyond just OKW owners, any DVC owner who may choose to stay at OKW deserves a slide worthy of a great resort.

Originally posted by 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.

I agree. That ancient no information poll is worthless, it's silly for anyone even to reference it, and it (the poll) lacks any credibility. The pictures look fabulous:
http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=519832&perpage=15&pagenumber=1

 

[rinkwide]

Originally posted by PKS44
...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...

I guess that's the crux of the matter, do you see yourself as an "Owner" or a "Club Member".

A lot of opposing arguements I'm reading seem to be from people who feel like they actually own part of OKW. To me it's obvious, all I've done in joining DVC is prepay my vacations. I'm at the whim of Disney but I'm fine with that because it was clear going in. Of course there's nothing wrong with wanting to have some control over changes at the resorts either but it seems an off-property timeshare that's member owned would be a better place for such ambitions.

 

[KNWVIKING]

***"As already discussed, when this was put to a vote previously, the majority of members did NOT want a slide."***

Who were the majority ? I didn't get to vote. How many members got to vote ? How were they selected ? My point is that the vote/survey means nothing to me because it didn't include everyone.

***"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."***

You're right, I shouldn't have used the word ALL. But I still believe you are in the minority. Look at every other DVC resort, look at all the Disney Mods & Deluxe resorts. If people didn't want slides, why do they all have them. Kids love slides. And if kids love them, then dad's get to use their kids as an excuse for going down the slide.... you know, that bonding,quality time thing. And for those that don't want a rowdy pool, all the resorts offer quiet pools where moms can sit back with a good book and the melodic sounds of MARCO POLO MARCO POLO MARCO POLO ;-)

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

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.

And the nice thing about DVC is the availability of the quiet pools which give you exactly that. The slide pools give others what they want too. Now OKW owners/guests will also have that choice as well which IMHO is long overdue.

HBC

 

[kweaver]

Disclaimer: We're not OKW owners.

With the addition of the slide, OKW has moved up on the list of DVC resorts we want to regularly go home to in the future.

I agree about the availability of the quiet pools for those who do not want a more boisterous (sp?) swimming experience. That said, we were at BWV last week...and while all of the chairs were taken and the area was full of kids...I found it pleasantly relaxing.

 

[Cris]

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 totally agree with you!!!

 

[Lew]

Originally posted by kweaver
Disclaimer: We're not OKW owners.

With the addition of the slide, OKW has moved up on the list of DVC resorts we want to regularly go home to in the future.

My feeling has always been that Disney is adding the slide, not for the enjoyment of DVC members, but to make OKW more saleable to non-DVC members. There must be enough resistance to staying at OKW due to no pool slide to prompt Disney to install the slide.

Think about it:

If OKW were used only by DVC members, how would the addition of a pool slide benefit Disney? It wouldn't!

Do you think Disney would spend the money to constuct the pool slide if there were no monetary return? It wouldn't!

 

[JimC]

Voted do not care. We own there and it is a non-issue with us. It will probably increase our dues because the pool will require life guards, but the cost across such a large resort should be minimal.

 

[mickeymouse710]

Originally posted by Lew
My feeling has always been that Disney is adding the slide, not for the enjoyment of DVC members, but to make OKW more saleable to non-DVC members. There must be enough resistance to staying at OKW due to no pool slide to prompt Disney to install the slide.

Think about it:

If OKW were used only by DVC members, how would the addition of a pool slide benefit Disney? It wouldn't!

Do you think Disney would spend the money to constuct the pool slide if there were no monetary return? It wouldn't!

I totally agree!

 

[DebbieB]

I've thought that all along, the reason DVC is paying for this slide is to make OKW more desirable for cash reservations. How often do you see a post on the resorts board by someone who wants to stay at OKW by other than points? When members trade out, that leaves DVC with rooms to rent.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by DebbieB
I've thought that all along, the reason DVC is paying for this slide is to make OKW more desirable for cash reservations. How often do you see a post on the resorts board by someone who wants to stay at OKW by other than points? When members trade out, that leaves DVC with rooms to rent.

Very interesting, I didn't think of that. I also think there is a preference among many DVC members for resorts other than OKW leaving inequitable demand. The slide may not be a huge draw, but I think it will help.

By the way, please do not interpret comments about inequitable demand or lower demand for OKW resort as it being inferior or not wonderful for OKW owners and those people who love it, that's not what I'm saying. But the slide is well designed, the plans look top notch and it's a nice addition. It makes it a more attractive choice for families with "slide age" kids.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by PKS44
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

Based on conversations with friends that work for Disney, I have to agree and believe it is also tied into the possibility of pool hopping coming to an end. Or at least pool hopping to nonDVC resorts ending. I can see where Disney could very easily limit pool hoping for DVC members only to DVC resorts.

 

[rinkwide]

Thanks to all for helping me come up to speed on this issue. I can appreciate arguements both for and against but since I have an adventurous six-year-old my mind is pretty much made up for me.

As for opposed owners, it does seem like what was described as "most" should now be refered to as "some".

Also, as a new owner I can only hope that pool-hopping will remain a perk and not be eliminated as per conventional wisdom. It was a (admittedly minor) factor in our decision to buy in to the program.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by rinkwide
As for opposed owners, it does seem like what was described as "most" should now be refered to as "some".

Agreed.

A "few" may be much more accurate.

I really was impressed by the drawings of the slide. It will be nice.

 

[JudithM]

I am looking through a file of notes I have kept over the years on DVC.

I sent an email to some DVC friends regarding the December 1999 OKW Annual Meeting. I wrote:

" ... In Septemeber 1999 7500 members were sent a survery to solicit comments & to utilize the info for future plans. Of the 7500 memebers surveyed, DVC received a 33% response. These members represented a broad member base & included all four resorts. The overall satisfaction rate was 86% (excellent or very good). ... The other question concered adding a slide & lifeguards at the main OKW pool. The initial cost would be $.05 per point with an annual $.02 per point for lifeguard. 42% said yes; 58% said no. ..."

A year later - December 2000 - the issue of the pool slide came up on this bb & I contacted a DVC manager CM who wrote me the following:

"When we asked the Membership if they would like us to add a pool slide at OKW's feature pool if it meant an additional one time reserves cost to put in, and an additional operating expense yearly to operate that slide the vote was 58% No, 42% yes."

FYI that survery from 1999 was the last survery I recall ever receiving although I know from various annual meetings that surverys have been sent since Septemeber 1999.

 

[mickeymouse710]

I have to agree with some others and I am a little leary of the validity of the past surveys also. We were sent one of these surveys and did not own a single DVC pt at OKW, and never had!

 

[MDonley]

Being past the point of having little children, I really couldn't care whether they redid the pool or not. However, because I tend to be considerate of others, I think zero entry would be a big plus for HA and small children. I think the kids (big and small) sre going to love the slide .... I know I will!!!!