OKW slide latest rumor

[jekjones1558]

Just got home today (Jan. 20) and have not read this board for a week, so maybe this issue is already settled. But... I spoke with Steve at OKW and he says the slide is on for sure and will probably be built as soon as summer season is over. Hope it isn't under construction when we go in Oct. 2004, since it will mean closing down the big pool temporarily. Steve said that since the SAB pool was closed to hopping, there have been major complaints about OKW folks not having access to a slide.

 

[PamOKW]

Thanks for the update. I hope they share the actual plans for the slide. I hate to see them have to close the pool but I'd like to see them take the time to do a real nice job -- not just stick a slide on the pool.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by jekjones1558
Steve said that since the SAB pool was closed to hopping, there have been major complaints about OKW folks not having access to a slide.

OK, I don't want to start a debate because obviously the pool upgrade is coming and I never had strong feelings either for or against it. But does anyone else think that this comment doesn't make a lick of sense?

Pool hopping is prohibited at one (OK, two) resorts out of 20, and that supposedly leads to "major complaints" about OKW not having a slide??? Gimme a break.

 

[PamOKW]

I agree that the "reason" doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by PamOKW
I agree that the "reason" doesn't make a lot of sense.

Whatever the "reason", my DD's would love to have a slide at OKW!

 

[MiaSRN62]

Whatever the "reason", my DD's would love to have a slide at OKW!

I agree....I know our family will be happy to see the slide. I'm just wondering if it'll be completed by the first week of November----not sure how long it actually will take because there's no hint of how elaborate the plans are. But if the main pool is closed, looks like one more time of pool hopping for us.
That statement might have been taken out of context by the CM as he repeated it to Jekjones? I'm betting there have been complaints about not having a slide---period---regardless of SAB being closed to pool hopping. Perhaps, the restrictions to SAB were just the icing on the cake ? Isn't AKL also restricted ? Maybe the OKW Members that complained just saw a trend starting ? I read on these boards several months ago that there may be a trend to discontinue pool-hopping altogether. If this will be the case, then I feel the slide at OKW is a very positive move, because when we purchased OKW Membership, it was with the statement that we would be allowed to pool-hop. So we knew we'd always have access to a slide if we wanted it.

 

[disgirl]

Thanks for the information jekjones. I also like your new picture. You look very relaxed, like you were having a good time. Good for you!!

About the slide: I agree with MELSMICE - my DS will be a happy camper with a slide. I am surprised we have not gotten any official written word on this, though.

 

[walter]

I believe the maintenance fees that we pay are high enough with the annual increases w/o adding the cost of the slide and the required supervision for the same. It is unfortunate that the members do not have a say in the matter. A cost analysis should have been performed and the members notified of the impact on their investment. If it seemed cost effective, then maybe members like myself may not have any objections to it. Right now our maintenance fees are higher than the property tax many owners pay in the state of Florida.for a year round residence.

 

[rbuzzotta]

My DD's will love a slide but now that means more worrying for this mom!!! Glad it won't be in for our 2 week stay this summer and then our next stay they will all be just a little older!!

(yes, I am a paranoid mom when it comes to water slides!!)

 

[MELSMICE]

Originally posted by walter
I believe the maintenance fees that we pay are high enough with the annual increases w/o adding the cost of the slide and the required supervision for the same. It is unfortunate that the members do not have a say in the matter. A cost analysis should have been performed and the members notified of the impact on their investment. If it seemed cost effective, then maybe members like myself may not have any objections to it. Right now our maintenance fees are higher than the property tax many owners pay in the state of Florida.for a year round residence.

You will always get different opinions on whether it should or should not be done. Even if my dues increase a bit I vote for the slide.

I didn't buy into DVC for the wonderful monetary return I will get on my investment. I bought it for my enjoyment and to watch my DD's enjoy it. Someday I hope to watch my grandchildren enjoy it & I know that all kids love a slide. Heck, I love to go down the slide with my DD's.

Dues increase or not - count my vote as a big YES!!

 

[TheWho]

I think this is another sign that pool hopping will be prohibited entirely someday. I don't really care that much, just my 2 cents.


Dave in NJ

 

[gopherit]

Originally posted by TheWho
I think this is another sign that pool hopping will be prohibited entirely someday. I don't really care that much, just my 2 cents.

I agree -- I think that's where the slide will lead us, straight to no pool hopping. Really, when you include the high-volume seasons (no hopping then) and SAB, and AKL, it's more trouble than worth for DVC to keep the hop-option in there.

If that does come to pass, however, I'll be sad....I will miss that option! We always hop at least once during our trips!

 

[MiaSRN62]

I didn't buy into DVC for the wonderful monetary return I will get on my investment. I bought it for my enjoyment and to watch my DD's enjoy it. Someday I hope to watch my grandchildren enjoy it & I know that all kids love a slide. Heck, I love to go down the slide with my DD's.

I agree totally with Melsmice. I'm sure OKW owners will be torn on this issue for a very long time, but I'm all for a slide, particularily if pool-hopping will be sharply curbed in the future. As I said, I became a Member with the knowledge that I could use other resort pools. If this perk were to be taken away, I'd feel slightly cheated. My kids love slides, and as Melsmice commented, I'm sure my future grandchildren will also. And I'm with Melsmice----I love going down the slides with my kids.

 

[lenshanem]

Yes, I also hope they do a ncie job even if ti means they ahev to close dwon the pool for a littel while. I hope it looks themed and not just stuck on, too.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by jekjones1558
Steve said that since the SAB pool was closed to hopping, there have been major complaints about OKW folks not having access to a slide.

"Major complaints": Translation-"A few people with extremely loud voices complaining alot!" Remember, the squeaky wheel gets the grease.
Thanks for the info!

 

[shelbyjosh]

Originally posted by lenshanem
Yes, I also hope they do a ncie job even if ti means they ahev to close dwon the pool for a littel while. I hope it looks themed and not just stuck on, too.

I am sure they will do a great job. When has Disney done stuff of poor quality. I know my kids and I are looking forward to this slide. Heck, maybe they will revamp the whole pool and ditch the dolphins???

 

[crisi]

I suspect that the comment "Since SAB was closed to hopping...." is a distillation of a lot of different comments from a lot of different constiuencies. Not necessiarily accurate, but there are more stakeholders in an OKW pool than OKW members (even if the members will pay the maintenance out of their dues).

* Members complaining that SAB was closed to hopping. We know people complained about it (not just OKW owners).

* BW guests complaining that since SAB has been closed to hopping, their pool seems more crowded. True or not, the perception of BWV owners is that OKW owners looking for a slide hop to their pool - and the BW pool is convienent to hop to. (I'm sure people hop other places - POR is a convienent hop - and if you are at MK already, the Poly is a convienent hop - but complaints aren't always rational).

* Some OKW guests saying "Gee, it would sure be nice if we had a slide." People tend not to write DVC with "We had a lovely stay, and we are glad you don't have a slide at OKW." They probably have gotten letters that said "We had a lovely stay, but we wish their was a slide at OKW." It is believable that since SAB was closed to hopping, that this comment is coming more frequently.

* Disney hotels on their "pool slide improvement" project requesting a pool. GF and the Poly have both gotten new slides recently. Disney does book guests into OKW that aren't DVC members - and given the short term availablity that is common wisdom on this board, its believable that Disney gets more OKW rooms to sell to the public than other DVC resorts.

* A desire on the part of Disney to end pool hopping and make that as painless as possible. While there are certainly people who don't hop and don't want a slide, there are people who would be very disappointed if they didn't have access to a slide....Disney seems to think this an important component of their hotels - they sell "slides" in their marketing materials and when Pennywise was under repair, BW guests were allowed to hop to SAB.

They did ask, several years ago. They didn't get the response they were looking for and so didn't do it then, but their contract with us doesn't require they get our permission, or prove to us this is a good idea. (Hey, maybe the next bright idea will be an ice rink!).

OKW owners who don't like the slide can take some comfort in the fact that this may help resale values. OKW only has two downsides from a buyers perspective (and I know they aren't downsides to everyone) - location and lack of a pool slide. When we bought our resale, it was lack of a pool slide that convinced us to pay a little more for our BWV contract.

 

[shelbyjosh]

(Hey, maybe the next bright idea will be an ice rink!)


That is an awesome idea. My daughter skates 4-5 days a week and for us to be gone to WDW for 11 days is going to kill her. She has asked if she could bring her skates and was bummed when I told her there was no facility around. Could you imagine the response from members to that suggestion??? Talk about opening up a can of worms!!!

 

[DrTomorrow]

And don't forget that there have been discussions (read: rumors) that HRS@SSR will be closed to hopping, due to proximity to DTD. I could understand OKW owners starting to see a trend where DVC resorts with spiffy pools are non-hoppable.

 

[WDWMom]

When we told kids 12, 8, and 7 OKW was getting a slide, they all asked if it would be ready when we go in March. Told them sorry, but probably next time. They are excited and so is DH and myself.

We don't care why they are doing it, who complained, or what it will cost. Just happy our home resort is getting a face lift.