Pool hopping?

[Poohjan]

I have to say I am among those who think the OKW pools are just fine. We ususally stay near Turtle Pond son that is the pool I almost always use. I rarely go to the main pool, and have only pool hopped to SAB about three times. I don't like the main pool at BWV. I find the pools at OKW great for reading, relaxing (yes, with those great pina coladas), and geting wet.

Jan

 

[PamOKW]

This is not an issue of cheap, self-centered, "older" OKW owners wanting to sponge off the dues of DVC members at other DVC resorts -- and I don't appreciate the implication that it somehow is.

Well said Werner.

The survey was not sent out to all members. DVC conducted a sample survey and I'm sure it included owners of all ages. I did not even receive one.

Fact is, they could take pool hopping away tomorrow and I would not be unduly upset. I like the "idea" that we could hop if we wanted but I've never actually done it. Heck, I hardly have time to use any of the pools when I'm at WDW.

Everyone seems to think the BWV is a better pool that OKW. So, why do guests feel the need to leave BWV and hop over to SAB? What's the point of upgrading OKW if people want SAB or nothing? A slide and a lifeguard aren't going to satisfy those who want SAB. Disney has already said that SAB is a nightmare to maintain and won't be repeated.

Dean is right that we all contribute towards things we don't use. You could take away all of the children's programs tomorrow and it wouldn't bother me in the least. He wouldn't miss the buses, but I most certainly would.

I don't understand the reasoning behind purchasing something and then demanding that it be changed and being angry if that doesn't happen. When you purchased, were you told that there were plans to change the pools at OKW?

 

[ncligs]

I agree with everything PamOKW and Dean has stated!!

 

[Peterd]

Dean, issues? no issues here dude. You mean to tell me that you have never read on these boards from the Okw owners that they will not pay the extra dues associated with a slide. Most of the opposition to a slide over the years on this board mention not paying extra dues for a slide, because that would mean paying a lifeguard, etc... Look Dean, I'm not trying to sell my okw to prove a point. It's that I never stay at the Okw anymore. We still make the resv. there, but exchange to Boardwalk at the seven month window. Which is becoming more and more difficult, and makes trip planning much harder than it was in the past.
As for demanding that something be changed and then being angry that it wasn't. I never demanded anything, and no I'm not angry that the Okw won't upgrade a pool. No one promised me that they would change the pools when we bought. We bought site unseen. Mistake! At the time Ny was not selling the BW. As for the survey, I've yet to meet anyone who got one. 12 DVC members at my work, noone got one. Good Sample survey!!!
When we were first stayed at the Okw, we liked the rooms. Within minutes, our kids were bored. The kids walked up," Hey look a dolphin fountain!" Then they were like," oh boy this is fun".
I just raise the question, Is it fair for Okw members who make it well known that they don't want to pay the extra dues to update their pool, be allowed to pool-hop to other DvC resorts that pay higher dues for their pools?

 

[spruce]

We pool hop almost every trip and have only not been to the pools at GF, Poly and the all Stars. We have enjoyed experiencing the other resorts in this way. Yes, we have our favorites and SAB is one of them. That's why we intend to do a small add-on at BCV. We also own at BWV and OKW and other then the snack bar at BWV, prefer the Millers Rd quiet pool at OKW.
We bought at OKW in 98 just before its 1st sell-out, so we are not "Old" OKW owners. We did get the survey and voted for no slide at OKW. If we want a slide, we go to Blizzard Beach because that's where the best pool slides are at WDW. I'm sure the increase in dues for a slide at OKW would be less then my families admission to BB so I don't think money and being cheap is the issue. I love the water, I don't need a slide to enjoy a pool. In fact, I rarely go down pool slides. My son is 15, he enjoys slides. In a few years, we'll vacation without him, what on earth do I need a slide for? So you can have one? That arguement doesn"t convince me.......spruce

 

[PamOKW]

Pool hopping is a perk currently offered to all DVC members. DVC benefits are the same for all DVC members.

Is it fair for Okw members who make it well known that they don't want to pay the extra dues to update their pool, be allowed to pool-hop to other DvC resorts that pay higher dues for their pools?

Let's break it down to simpler terms...Is it fair for OKW members to pool hop to other DVC resorts?

The answer is yes. All members of DVC are entitled to the same benefits. In one breath you say that most DVC members were never given the survey and in another you say they all are against the slide but do pool hop. The pool decision, like all other DVC decisions, was made by DVC management, not the individual members. I'm not privy to the research that tells me who wants what and who uses the pool hopping.

I believe the survey said that the lifeguard and slide costs would be only several cents. Well, then that must be roughly the portion of BWV dues that go towards the pool. BWV members pay $.05 more than OKW members so they should have pool hopping privileges? That doesn't make a lot of sense. VWL members and the new BCV members have pools without slides but are permitted to use the pools built by the original hotels. What portion of dues will actually go towards use of the main pool....once again only cents.

Your dissatisfaction with the pools points to a danger of buying sight unseen if you don't know exactly what you want. If your family has to have a slide to have a satisfactory vacation, that should have been a question. You are correct that if you are not happy with your purchase it makes sense to sell and purchase where you will be happy.

There are lots of "unfair" things in the system but hopefully they all balance out. Is it "fair" that people purchase only enough points to stay at BWV in a studio but then count on using OKW for trips when they need a larger room? Why don't they purchase enough points to stay at their own resort in the size room they need? DVC is about flexibility. I don't begrudge them being able to do that. Why should they begrudge a family or two a day using the pool?

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Peterd
I just raise the question, Is it fair for Okw members who make it well known that they don't want to pay the extra dues to update their pool, be allowed to pool-hop to other DvC resorts that pay higher dues for their pools?

Peterd, what are you saying? Do you want to see pool hopping eliminated for all DVC members? Or do you think that pool hopping should only be eliminated for OKW owners as some sort of punishment for not having a waterslide? Or should it only be eliminated for those who took the survey and voted against a slide?

Do you honestly think that if there were waterslide at OKW, nobody would want to pool hop any more?

Pool hopping is a benefit that is available to all DVC members staying with points at any DVC resort. It's a way for DVC members to add more variety to WDW stays.

Why would any DVC member want to see the elimination of one the few benefits where DVC members are recognized as a special group of highly valued WDW guests? (Even if that DVC member seldom or never uses the benefit himself/herself.)

 

[PamOKW]

Why would any DVC member want to see the elimination of one the few benefits where DVC members are recognized as a special group of highly valued WDW guests? (Even if that DVC member seldom or never uses the benefit himself/herself.)

You put my feelings into words, Werner. I have never actually used pool hopping, but I like the idea that we are special enough that WDW invites us to use all the pools. There are many pool crashers on WDW property all the time....it's nice to know we are invited guests. If they pull up that welcome mat, it will have to be pulled up for everyone.

What would be the point of eliminating OKW from pool hopping privileges anyway? To force them into building a slide? For many members I don't think it is a matter of money. Hard as it is for others to believe, they like the pools the way they are.

Some people on these boards can never get past the small size of the rooms at BWV and appreciate the other benefits of that resort. It looks like others can't get past the "no slide at the pool" for OKW and appreciate the many benefits to be found there. To some, no slide IS actually a benefit.

 

[dvcdudes]

Now Now... lighten up a bit...
We've always stayed at BWV and like to hop over to SAB. We've done Poly and GF too.
I would be VERY disappointed if they did away with Pool Hopping, especially SAB.
I really really hope they keep it.
I have an opinion like something else everyone has and here it is. They will wait and see the impact on SAB and if it's not too bad we will keep Hopping privleges there. If they get even more complaints from the guests staying at Y&BC, they will have no choice but to take it off the list.
I wouldn't mind being turned away on occasion if the pool is too crowded but wouldn't be happy if they eliminated it all together.

 

[Dean]

Dean, issues? no issues here dude.

Sorry, your previous note seems to suggest otherwise, at least on this subject.

you mean to tell me that you have never read on these boards from the Okw owners that they will not pay the extra dues associated with a slide.

I have but think it's the minority. Besides it's irrelevant as others have pointed out.

paying extra dues for a slide, because that would mean paying a lifeguard, etc... Look Dean, I'm not trying to sell my okw to prove a point. It's that I never stay at the Okw anymore.

And that's the way I read your first post. Simply pointing out that one of the canned answers sometimes people come up with is sell if you don't like it; I hate that answer.

As for demanding that something be changed and then being angry that it wasn't. I never demanded anything

Sorry, I personally read otherwise in your first post. I got the impression you were saying OKW owners should be eliminated from pool hopping because they were too cheap to pay for a "better" pool. Maybe I misunderstood.

I've yet to meet anyone who got one.

There are a number on this BBS that received it. I thought there was a poll previously but it wasn't listed in Doc's poll links.

Is it fair for Okw members who make it well known that they don't want to pay the extra dues to update their pool, be allowed to pool-hop to other DvC resorts that pay higher dues for their pools?

No more or less so than any other DVC member who pool hops.

 

[Peterd]

If they cancel pool hopping at SAB for DVC members, where are they gonna go? WLV, BWV, Poly, and GF. No, that won't cause overcrowding. I know the BW and WL pools have been getting more and more crowded each year. This past trip, with a lot of rooms closed for renovation at the BW it was still crowded. Now when they stop the hopping at SAB it will be even more crowded.
If they eliminate Pool hopping for SAB, why not eliminate it for all the DVC resorts. BC owners will be able to pool hop to other DVC resorts, but you can't hop to theirs. Someone mentioned that people poolhop to Okw. I haven't met one yet, but I read once that they exist.
It's just my opinion, that If you don't want to spend the money to upgrade your pool, either stay at one of your 4 quiet pools, you can try the All-stars, (the last time I checked, they're the only other resort on property without a pool slide) or you can use the extra points to stay at that resort. Pretty soon, we're gonna have to have someone at a gate to make sure noone pool hops at the Boardwalk. I hope my dues don't go up. Naw never mind, it would be worth it.

 

[cswans]

We felt like the new WLV pool contrasted nicely with the original WL pool. Ie, new one quieter, smaller, no slide, so you could pick what fit your needs that day. Since YC/BC already have quiet pools, does anyone know if the new BCV pool will be a more "active play" pool or a quieter sort?

 

[PamOKW]

I'm getting confused. Now, the concern is that if they stop pool hopping at SAB that there will be more people hopping to BWV and WL? There probably will be more people at BWV since the members that are staying there who prefer to walk over to SAB will no longer be permitted to do so. They'll have to stay at their own resort and deal with the clown (I hear just about as many people complaining about the clown as complain about no slide at OKW.)

I don't follow that OKW members are the problem preventing pool hopping. I think the "problem" is that DVC is getting too big with too many members. It's one thing to tell 25,000 members and their guests to go and enjoy the pools. If 10% take them up on it, that's 2,500 families in a year. If there are 80,000 members that 10% goes up to 8,000....a signficant difference.

I'm not really following the point of the story beyond the desire to have a more active pool scene at OKW and the concern that pool hopping might be eliminated and somehow the two are connected. I do not agree with that reasoning.

I think there are lots of pools that are appealing throughout WDW that it would be nice to have the option to continue to visit. As Werner mentioned, hopping to a MK resort is one way to spend the heat of midday. That sounds appealing to me. And, as someone else also mentioned, there are fabulous water parks in WDW that are available for people to use as well.

 

[PamOKW]

Dean -- I thought there was a poll about hopping too but it's not in Doc's list. I seem to recall that the majority were of the "don't take it away but we don't actually use it much" camp.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Peterd
BC owners will be able to pool hop to other DVC resorts, but you can't hop to theirs.

Although there's been speculation on this board that pool hopping to SAB will be eliminated when BCV opens, there's been no such policy announced. Many of us hope that the current policies will continue, and that pool hopping to SAB (and any other WDW resort pool) will only be restricted when there are genuine capacity issues.

Even if pool hooping to SAB is eliminated or further restricted, that doesn't mean that other DVC members won't be able to pool hop to BCV. In fact, there's going to be a large new pool at BCV just a short walk from Epcot's International Gate. Imagine that you're at Epcot on a hot Florida afternoon. As a DVC member, you have your hand stamped, walk over to the new BCV pool, show your resort ID indicating "DVC member," change, rinse off, and enjoy an hour or two at the new BCV pool -- whether or not SAB has capacity issues that day; then you return to Epcot rested and refreshed.

Please note that in the example above, the presence of a waterslide or the lack thereof is not an issue. Although peterd somehow equates pool hopping to waterslides, many people enjoy pools for reasons other than sliding down a wet chute.

And new BCV owners should enjoy pool hopping to other pools throughout the WDW Resort. In fact, that might even provide a little more capacity at SAB. The pool hopping benefit applies to all DVC members.

Originally posted by Peterd
It's just my opinion, that If you don't want to spend the money to upgrade your pool, either stay at one of your 4 quiet pools, you can try the All-stars, (the last time I checked, they're the only other resort on property without a pool slide) or you can use the extra points to stay at that resort. Pretty soon, we're gonna have to have someone at a gate to make sure noone pool hops at the Boardwalk. I hope my dues don't go up. Naw never mind, it would be worth it.

I don't understand this fixation with OKW owners who "don't want to spend the money to upgrade your pool." The pools at OKW were designed by Disney without slides. And Disney continues to manage OKW to provide the services and facilities that members were promised when they bought. They're very nice pools.

Actually, I agree with peterd on one item. Boardwalk should "have someone at a gate" to make sure that people are using the Boardwalk Luna Park pool legitimately. But the reason to check for IDs should be to keep out the hundreds on pool crashers who are locals, or are staying at motels in Kissimmee, or anyone else who is not a guest at BWV or BWI or a DVC member staying at a DVC resort with points -- not to keep out a few cheap, evil OKW owners who would dare use the DVC pool hopping benefit even though OKW doesn't have a waterslide.

It makes no sense for a DVC member to advocate the elimination of a pleasant, no-cost, legitimate benefit that's available to any DVC member who chooses to take advantage of it.

 

[AnnK]

Originally posted by Werner Weiss



Even if pool hooping to SAB is eliminated or further restricted, that doesn't mean that other DVC members won't be able to pool hop to the BCV. In fact, there's going to be a large new pool at BCV just a short walk from Epcot's International Gate. Imagine that you're at Epcot on a hot Florida afternoon. As a DVC member, you have your hand stamped, walk over to the new BCV pool, show your resort ID indicating "DVC member," change, rinse off, and enjoy an hour or two at the new BCV pool -- whether or not SAB has capacity issues that day; then you return to Epcot rested and refreshed.

Now , let's just say you CANNOT pool hop to BCV but still want to enjoy this scenerio, what pool IS available for pool hopping? That would be the BWV pools, so now what pool is getting too crowded? ( and yes they will just have to DEAL with the CLOWN).


Actually I am not all that concerned, mainly because IF BCV and SAB are closed for pool hopping it will not be long before BWV will close too, many times it is the second to close "due to capacity", can you all imagine that, with that "clown to deal with" and that horrible 200 ft slide, the longest on Disney property??

 

[Dean]

Peterd, I think I read your post as saying that DVC owners would be able to pool hop to other DVC locations even if "pool hopping" were eliminated. I don't think this is the case. To my reading of the paperwork, no pool hopping means you only have access to the pool at the resort you are a guest at. As others have noted, especially Pam, we really don't have any real info to go by to evaluate the impact of pool hopping, OKW pool upgrades, etc. To think that BW will see a large influx of pool hoppers is giving the pool there way too much credit. Pam's point that there would be BW guests at the BW pool instead of at SAB is a good one. As I understand it BW has been checking ID's lately fairly ofter, I think this is a reasonable options and worth the minimal cost, regardless of the pool hopping program.

I'd agree that OKW should have relatively few pool hoppers but the more sedate pools is only part of the equation. OKW is off to itself and a closed environment.

I guess I did interpreted your initial post correctly that you would prefer to drop OKW from the club unless they upgrade the pool to one that would be good enough to entice you to pool hop there. You're certainly entitled to feel this way. Even if a majority of the members wanted to do that, there's no way to make it happen. The addition of a Mickey Mouse (pardon the pun) water slide is about the best that could be done at the current main pool.

As for eliminating pool hopping totally, I suspect you will get your wish eventually. If SAB is eliminated, I think you'll see the benefit die a slow and quiet death.

 

[TDC Nala]

The location and SAB are my primary reasons for buying into BCV in the first place. If I am able to pool hop, I'd probably hop over to BW sometimes, to the Poly or to CSR (I love CSR's pool!) if I have a car.

I still don't understand why they don't allow pool hopping to AKL. There's nothing particularly special about the AKL pool, except that it's large.

Maybe if DVC decides there shouldn't be any more pool hopping to SAB, they will throw in AKL as an option? I've stayed at AKL a couple of times and don't remember seeing big pool crowds.

 

[PamOKW]

They left AKL off the pool hopping because they wanted acclimate the animals (I guess DVC people would scare the poor little critters). They said there was the possibility it would eventually be added but so far it's still off limits. Remember, at first they tried to keep AKL closed to everyone but resort guests. Of course, the bottom fell out of tourism at about the same time so they are now glad to welcome anyone who wants to stop by with cash for a meal or whatever.

If I were to pool hop as Werner describes on a visit to Epcot, you'd find me laying by the beautifu pool on the BWI side of the resort. Relaxing, reading a book, sipping a drink, talking with traveling companions, are all poolside activities that don't require a slide.

 

[Peterd]

Still the overflow will go to A BW pool instead of SAB and BCV. We know it's not just a slide thing, we like the people to think the BW is a loud and undesirable place, with scary clowns and slides you're forced to go down.Please don't let our secret out about our other pools.