OKW pool slide

[crisi]

Perhaps to Disney as a whole, a slide is a revenue generator. We don't know. We don't know what percentage of rooms at OKW are available to CRO on an annual basis, or how many go unbooked and sit empty. And we don't know if they sit empty because Home Away from Home resorts are pricey, or they sit empty because OKW doesn't have a slide, or they sit empty because people don't want the location, or because people don't know what a gem OKW is, or because the business just isn't there to fill it (and its possible Disney doesn't know why either - but a slide is an easy thing to "fix"). We do know that our point value into the Disney collection isn't great, impling a supply/demand imbalance between Disney's other resorts and DVC resorts.

We also don't know how many phone calls have been made to DVC in the past three years from people (OKW members or not) saying "Gee, we wish OKW had a slide." (or comment cards filled out, or emails sent) But, human nature being what it is, I'm willing to bet its been more than people telling them "Gee, we are glad OKW doesn't have a slide."

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by crisi
Perhaps to Disney as a whole, a slide is a revenue generator. We don't know. We don't know what percentage of rooms at OKW are available to CRO on an annual basis, or how many go unbooked and sit empty. And we don't know if they sit empty because Home Away from Home resorts are pricey, or they sit empty because OKW doesn't have a slide, or they sit empty because people don't want the location, or because people don't know what a gem OKW is, or because the business just isn't there to fill it (and its possible Disney doesn't know why either - but a slide is an easy thing to "fix"). We do know that our point value into the Disney collection isn't great, impling a supply/demand imbalance between Disney's other resorts and DVC resorts.

We also don't know how many phone calls have been made to DVC in the past three years from people (OKW members or not) saying "Gee, we wish OKW had a slide." (or comment cards filled out, or emails sent) But, human nature being what it is, I'm willing to bet its been more than people telling them "Gee, we are glad OKW doesn't have a slide."

I'm sure you are right, Crisi!

 

[PKS44]

Beautifully summed up, crisi!

 

[sgtdisney]

So is Disney adding this slide because it is better for Disney and their cash sales or are they doing it because it is better for OKW and it's membership? Disney doesn't "own" OKW in it's entirety until 2042, but it doesn't look like that stops them from doing what they want to do as long as it is good for Disney.

All of your points could be very true Crisi, and if so maybe it validates the decision. But my point is it would have been nice for Disney to have presented all this to the membership of OKW prior to making a general announcement of this being a done deal. However, based on the past few years, this announcement, in this manner, doesn't surprise me.

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
I agree, Jimbo. The pool or no pool thing pales in comparison to the complaints about buses, cleanliness, front desk staff, view requests etc. that we hear about BCV and BWV. Those things are NOT broken at OKW. We have had MANY stays at OKW, and I have never had a situation like that or anything wrong that wasn't corrected to my satisfaction.

And those things are NOT broken at BWV or BCV. I have had MANY stays at BWV, and I have never had a situation like that or anything wrong that wasn't corrected to my satisfaction at either BWV or BCV!!!
I have read quite a few posts where people say they wish OKW had a more enhanced pool. Also maybe if more people stayed at OKW there would be even more complaints posted about lack of a pool slide.

 

[HumphreyBear]

Originally posted by Jimbo
It seems to me that if Disney wanted to unilaterally make changes to 'fix' a resort, they would make changes to housekeeping and bus service at the Epcot DVC resorts.

Without doing a scientific study of recent trip reports, I'd conclude that there were far, far more posts by people that were unhappy with their stay at either BCV or BWV. I honestly can't remember a single post in the last few months from someone that had a crummy experience at OKW. In fact it's just the opposite: people have been 'converted,' or say 'now I get it.'

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Especially when there <u><i>are</i></u> things that are broke elsewhere. It just makes sense to fix those things first.

If the bookings go down at the epcot resorts, there may be something to fix - if they don't, it ain't broke. Maybe they won't be offering the $159 a night cash rate at OKW in the mickey monitor when they get this fixed.

 

[crisi]

Disney "owns" OKW now. They lease it to you under very specific circumstances. They have reserved the right to add recreational facilities without consulting us and then have us pay the dues on their "improvements" provided that doesn't cause the dues to go up more than 15%.

Remember that for DVC to work, its got to be a good deal for us and a good deal for Disney.

What they could have done differently....they could have sent out a letter to OKW owners two weeks ago annoucing that because of "overwhelming demand" they were putting in a slide at OKW. They could quote the customer comments (that I'm sure they have) that say things like "We just returned from a lovely stay at OKW, its truly a wonderful place. But we think it would be even better if you added a pool slide." - Mary C., Kansas City, DVC Member since 1998. And they probably should have. Wouldn't have changed the end result, nor that they likely cooked the information to get the results they wanted, but it might have made OKW owners feel better.

 

[MelissathePooh]

Originally posted by HumphreyBear
If the bookings go down at the epcot resorts, there may be something to fix - if they don't, it ain't broke. Maybe they won't be offering the $159 a night cash rate at OKW in the mickey monitor when they get this fixed.

OR... unless its just BWV owners and BCV owners that are complaining about it - afterall - what right does anyone who owns anyplace else have to say about problems at these resorts. Since other DVC owners outside OKW owners don't/shouldn't have the right to have a say about a pool slide at OKW???

If we should only be allowed a say in what happens to our own home resorts we should only be allowed to stay at our home resorts. Thankfully, that isn't how DVC is set up!

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
I too think there is far more support on this forum now for a slide at OKW than there was in the past.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. This point was argued repeatedly and fervently by others. I agree with you.

Crisi, your right, the slide was an easy thing to fix. Why not!!!

It's just a slide, the sky is not falling.

 

[DeeP]

Maybe they won't be offering the $159 a night cash rate at OKW in the mickey monitor when they get this fixed.

Gee, I wonder why they would offer a room at OKW for almost the same price as a moderate resort during certain seasons of the year costs??? Could it possibly be that occupancy is low at OKW and Disney is tired of having empty rooms and they are trying to fill them even at such a discounted price? Could it be possible that the addition of a pool slide is also another attempt of Disney to get more people to stay at OKW????

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by DeeP
Gee, I wonder why they would offer a room at OKW for almost the same price as a moderate resort during certain seasons of the year costs??? Could it possibly be that occupancy is low at OKW and Disney is tired of having empty rooms and they are trying to fill them even at such a discounted price? Could it be possible that the addition of a pool slide is also another attempt of Disney to get more people to stay at OKW????

 

[Nanajo1]

I was told on Dec 7th that OKW was booked to 100% capacity. That's without a slide. BTW if we are casting votes on the slide I vote for it to be located at the main pool.

 

[PamOKW]

Gee, the AKL Savannah View room is discounted to $149 ($135 off rack rate) and they have a slide.

 

[DeeP]

AKL and WL are the 2 deluxe resorts that are most often discounted the highest on a regular basis. $149.00 per night is a very good rate for AKL without a doubt but great room discounts are very common at both AKL and WL. Both are very popular resorts but are also both very frequently discounted. Certain resorts are like that at Disney. Contemporary is another resort that very frequently will have good discounts for the garden wing rooms as opposed to the other deluxe resorts. Again the discounts are issued to fill resort rooms. Disney issues them where they need to.
After many years of booking many, many rooms through Disney at all levels of resorts, I know they do not give anything away any cheaper than they have to!! At least not the Disney I have been dealing with for the past 30 years!

 

[HumphreyBear]

Originally posted by PamOKW
Gee, the AKL Savannah View room is discounted to $149 ($135 off rack rate) and they have a slide.

They've been having to discount animal kingdom lodge rooms since it opened...why?....because it is never full because not enough people stay there - if it was full they wouldn't discount them. What kind of discount are they offering on beach club villa rooms?

 

[Desperado]

 

[DeeP]

In all fairness, there have been discounted rates offered at ALL WDW resorts at one time or another. The difference is some resorts have discounts offered on a far, far more regular basis (in order to fill the rooms) then other resorts do.

 

[RobDoc]

Perhaps a discussion of discount rates at other WDW resorts would be far more appropriate in it's own thread ... and on another Forum.

Please keep posts to the topic posed- "OKW Pool Slide".

Thanks!

 

[Chris125]

I can’t believe people here are arguing over slides People are willing to pay $84 a point plus yearly dues. If the little ones want to go on a slide take em over to TL or BB. Plenty of great slides and a lot of lifeguards there to protect the little ones. If the little ones want more, hop in your car and go over to Wet n Wild..


ENOUGH ALREADY !!!!!!

 

[lenshanem]

Taking a break for an hour or two at your hotel pool with two little ones is much easier than going over to BB ot TL... Plus, that requires admission. Can't really compare the two...