The Pool makes a difference

[Richyams]

Try and try as you might, you can't escape the FACT that BWV has lousy little tiny rooms, miles and miles of hallways and not enough tables or chairs to accomodate its residents.

Like I always say, some people find the location of BWV to be worth dealing with the tiny rooms, the incredibely long hallways, the high point schedule and the high dues....some don't, they prefer the spacious rooms at OKW, parking in front of their units, low point schedule and will put up with paying the lowest dues.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by sters
The only thing holding me back from OKW is the pool. My kids LOVE pool with slides. We just returned from POR, which completely eliminated my "location" objection to OKW. I'd thought OKW was "too remote" but passed it on our drive to the theme parks. I didn't feel isolated at POR, so I can't say I would at OKW. But the Old Man Island pool area, while no SAB, was exciting for my kids, and one of the highlights of thier trip. Their eyes nearly POPPED when they saw SAB and now I'd like to get BCV, but the dues and the costs per point are so high. And we were just saying... if only the OKW had a good pool area, we'd be so sold on it and would never even think to switch from home. I'm sure if you go every year, the pool area becomes more important as the years roll by.

Is there any reason you haven't considered Saratoga Springs? SSR is just up the road from OKW--walking distance to Downtown Disney. It will feature a wonderful pool with a slide. 2004 dues are second-lowest to OKW. Point chart falls somewhere between OKW and the other on-site resorts.

With the current promotion, you'll pay $84 per point. That's a bit more than a resale, but there can be advantages to buying direct from DVC--most notably the financing.

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by Richyams
Try and try as you might, you can't escape the FACT that BWV has lousy little tiny rooms, miles and miles of hallways and not enough tables or chairs to accomodate its residents.

Like I always say, some people find the location of BWV to be worth dealing with the tiny rooms, the incredibely long hallways, the high point schedule and the high dues....some don't, they prefer the spacious rooms at OKW, parking in front of their units, low point schedule and will put up with paying the lowest dues.

Richy is right.........Without a doubt, OKW is truly the "value" resort of the DVC properties.

 

[Candace]

Rich, I wondered when you would join in! You always make me laugh!

sters - tjkraz is right about SSR. they will have a slide, as I understand it and GV's as well.

That being said, all the DVC resorts are great. I have stayed at all six of them and like them all for different reasons. I love OKW the best at WDW. Even my son who is 18 prefers OKW, and he has stayed many times at BW. He has a graduation trip planned with several friends and requested that I reserve OKW. I thought it was odd considering the "quiet", but it's his preference. He said the space will be needed for all boys and they will want to be able to park outside the unit without having to either valet or park/walk a long way to BWV. As for a slide, they will go to a water park.

It's like others said, don't buy for the ages of your children now, but rather what you will want in future years. My 18 year old was almost 9 when I bought at OKW, and now he doesn't even "need" me to go!

 

[freediverdude]

DeeP, I think you're in for it now! Wait til Rich sees that post LOL. I better bookmark this one somehow, because it will get interesting, hehe. Here we go again!

 

[SleepyatDVC]

Originally posted by DeeP
The 1 BR villa is the only unit noticably larger at OKW, in all other units the few extra missing sq footage is not even noticeable, especially in the studio which appears smaller due to the 2 queen beds.

I'm just addressing the above statement and adding my personal point of view.

I've stayed at both the one bedrooms and two bedrooms at both BWV and OKW. IMO both the one AND two bedroom units at OKW seem noticably larger than one and two bedroom units at BWV respectively.

The main difference is in the living room and the kitchen area, not only in size but in configuration.

The full kitchen at OKW is spread out where 3 or 4 people can be cooking, opening the refrigerator, loading the diswasher, etc. at the same time without bumping into each other. It is the type of kitchen found in a house. There is a very spacious dining area in the corner with a large dining table. There's even a buffet area with TONS of storage. The living room is in the opposite corner with a full sofa plus a loveseat.

The kitchen at BWV (and all the other DVC resorts) is an apartment style galley type built for one person but able to squeeze in two. However, no way to open the oven, dishwasher, and refrigerator at the same time - unless you're standing outside the kitchen! Lol! No real separate dinig area. The smaller dining table is placed in the "walkway" between the foyer and the living room where there is only one sofa and an armchair.

Note: for some people, the kitchen is a decoration and doesn't get used so it doesn't matter that the layout at OKW is better - although, the openness of the entire living space is nice. l

But besides the actual differences in size and configuration, OKW Kitchen and living rooms SEEM much bigger because of all the WINDOWS. There are many more windows not only on the far end of the unit but they wrap around the corner of the living room. All the light makes the unit more bright and airy and spacious. So, yes, part of it IS perception.

The 2 bedrooms at both resorts are the exact size and configuration of a one bedroom plus a studio. Therefore, since the actual and perceived size differences in a one bedroom are in the kitchen and livingroom areas, the actual and perceived size differences in a 2 bedroom are also in the kitchen and livingroom areas. If the one bedroom living area is noticably larger at OKW, then the duplicate living area in 2 bedroom should also be noticably larger at OKW.

I agree that the OKW studio seems smaller because of the 2 beds but since I will never stay in just a studio at OKW, it doesn't affect me. For me, studios are second bedrooms and the 2 beds are good so that no one needs to sleep in the living room. At any other DVC resort other then BWV, I always request a dedicated 2 bedroom in order to get those 2 beds in the studio part. Separate studios are also for additional guests so 2 beds are good for them so that no one needs to sleep on the sofa bed.

Haven't stayed at a Grand Villa at either OKW or BWV YET, so I can't give my view on those differences.

*************

OKW and BWV are totally different vacation experiences. I own at BOTH and I love both.

Yes, OKW units do seem and FEEL bigger (I didn't even get into the laundry room differences) and BWV units do seem and FEEL much smaller whatever the actual square footage. It's in the layout and in the number of windows. But whatever the size, they are equally (somewhat subjective here) desireable and deluxe. Just DIFFERENT vacation styles.

Staying at OKW is like playing house - I feel like I actually own and live in a townhouse in a sunny Florida community with WDW in my backyard. If there were schools that I could send my kids to, I would be in paradise. When I stay at OKW, the actual resort and the room ARE the attraction. It is a vacation HOME. We tend to stay longer, spend more time relaxing in the room, go shopping more, and love to pop over to the parks whenever the mood strikes. It's actual nice NOT being right in the middle of all the action but not too far away. So what if people say it's in the boonies? I can still hop on a bus, or boat, or car and be where the action is within minutes. I could probably get to some of the parks (AK by car) faster than they can from their hotel. So what if people call OKW a retirement community? When I'm there, I'm pretending that I am retired in my 30's and have nothing to do but go to Disney whenever I feel like it! Lol!

Staying at BWV is like staying at a suite hotel or apartment in an urban city like NYC. It's right where all the action is. Having a car is not necessary - in fact, it is cheaper and more convenient not to have to deal with a car. So what if the kitchens are "so small that you could clean it with one paper towel?" Who wants to cook anyway? We love being out at all the restaurants within walking distance. So what if the villa is "so small that you could sit out on the balcony and grab a beer out of the frig without getting out of your chair?" Who wants to spend lots and lots of time in the villa? We love being out even if it is just walking around on the boardwalk or around the World Showcase. We tend to just go back to the rooms to drop off stuff and sleep. We do have to spend time in the rooms since our kids are young, but I do feel a little like I'm wasting time not being OUT!

I love being able to push the strollers to 2 different parks without getting on a bus. We love the relaxing boat ride. We love the CMs and the BWV community hall. We tend to stay at BWV for shorter trips and do more out of the room. Don't know if I would stay for a really long trip because I don't know if I can keep up the active pace with 2 young kiddies tagging along. I don't want to start feeling like the kids are on top of me or go home needing another vacation!

I love both resorts BECAUSE of their differences. And yes there are real differences in size and location but I don't see them as PROBLEMS.

Sorry, I got so long winded!

 

[eporter66]

It is interesting to read everyone's opinions as a new DVC member. Even with the discussions, the one thing I am getting is that everyone loves being there, and all the resorts have their own unique charm.

We love Disney. So that was reason #1 to buy. We bought at SSR as that was being offered at the time. We thought about it a lot, and figured it would be a deluxe resort at Disney, what could be better? You have DD for dining, nightlife, shopping and fireworks. We love golf, and it appears that SSR is perfect for golfers.

Our favorite park is EPCOT, so we figured that since DVC allows you to book at other resorts, we would stay at BWV or BCV someday.

Our trip this past October was at Wilderness Lodge, and we were so impressed with the hotel that we also look forward to VWL.

So - in short we hope to try them all. We knew SSR was not close to the parks, but we have either the transportation or a rental car.

We just love being in Disney, and think staying at any of the deluxe resorts will be great. I have read all the posts, and everyone seems to love their home resort, but for the most part, I have not heard too many complaints about any of them.

 

[spiceycat]

back to the pool issue - you do realize that the pools at OKW have a depth of 5 feet - that is all - I asked why - I was told that most adults could get a kid out of trouble at that height - even the adults who couldn't swim.

so I would not worth about the children at OKW - anyone who is 5 feet tall or taller can save them.

BCV has a bunch of lifesavers why - that pool needs them.

the lifeguard at BWV is there because of the slide.

all WDW hotels that have a slide have a lifeguard.

at other pools in the area that have a slide but no lifeguard - kids get in trouble - there have been accidents. So be happy that WDW has a lifeguard with each slide.

OKW does not have a slide so no lifeguard.

all the rooms are OKW are the biggest on property - the only one that you can't tell is the studio.

to say that only the 1-bedroom is bigger is down right silly...

BWV and BCV - were put between other places - so there was not a lot of room - same with VWL - so they made more rooms - just smaller than they could do another OKW. Help to kept the price down to the owners, while they made more villa to sell.

Yes I also like all the windows at OKW - but the constantly temperature is hard to control because of the windows - so I don't think that is likely to happen again either....

most DVC members seem to think that their resort is the only choice - silly isn't it.

You buy where you want to stay the most. I also own at VWL, BWV and I hope BCV - I have a small amount points at each place enough to stay in a studio in off season - you could consider that -buy the majority of your points at OKW - then buy a small contract at BCV - then you have the best of both worlds.

 

[Desperado]

My point was, that if OKW beefed up their pools, the choice would be much simpler for me. I'd do the OKW because I'd overcome my location issues with this resort when I stayed at POR.

Seems like the pool would be an easy area to upgrade at OKW especially since your expressing that might make the resort more attractive to members like yourself. The previous survey conducted by DVC for OKW member's opinions I believe was prior to WLV, BCV, SSR, and SAB restrictions, pretty old information to base current desicions on. The OP contends that pools are important, they have a point.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by tjkraz
Is there any reason you haven't considered Saratoga Springs? SSR is just up the road from OKW--walking distance to Downtown Disney. It will feature a wonderful pool with a slide. 2004 dues are second-lowest to OKW. Point chart falls somewhere between OKW and the other on-site resorts.

With the current promotion, you'll pay $84 per point. That's a bit more than a resale, but there can be advantages to buying direct from DVC--most notably the financing.

I hope SSR doesn't run into trouble with lots of pool crashers from the DTD resorts, who may be within walking distance, or at least DTD bus distance. That certainly wouldn't be fair to those staying at SSR.

 

[Chuck S]

Seems like the pool would be an easy area to upgrade at OKW especially since your expressing that might make the resort more attractive to members like yourself. The previous survey conducted by DVC for OKW member's opinions I believe was prior to WLV, BCV, SSR, and SAB restrictions, pretty old information to base current desicions on. The OP contends that pools are important, they have a point.

Well, in order to re-do any pool at OKW, they would have to completely rip out the existing pool. A 5' depth is not deep enough for a major slide. Major work, major $$$. Add to that increased insurance coverage and life guard salary. Now to keep the dues in check, what would you trim? Front desk clerks, horticulturists, general maintenance?

With the availability of pool hopping AND nearby water parks, why does everyone think EVERY resort has to have a pool slide?

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by sters
The only thing holding me back from OKW is the pool...

... if only the OKW had a good pool area, we'd be so sold on it and would never even think to switch from home. I'm sure if you go every year, the pool area becomes more important as the years roll by.

Since DVC hasn't actively marketed OKW for several years now, there is no sales reason to change the pool. Change will likely have to come from the member/owners of the resort.

I'm confident that if OKW owners indicate a strong preference to add a slide, it will happen. Surveys conducted by DVC showed that owners, at that time, had no such desire- by a 2/3 to 1/3 preference in the survey. A more recent done on this site yielded a similar result.

As already mentioned, only pools with a slide have lifeguards. None of the quiet pools at any of the DVC resorts have lifeguards. The pools actaully located at VWL and BCV have no guards- only the pool at the main resort. BWV has guards only at Luna Park and HH has guards only at the Big Dipper pool (none at the HH Beach House pool or the BWV quiet pool). OKW has no guards at the main pool or at any of the three quiet pools.

If a pool slide and lifeguards are important, one of the other DVC resorts will certainly be better than OKW at this time. You may be better off to prioritize your likes/dislikes and use that to make an informed decision. Things like location, room sizes and slides are fair basis to make that decision. Most members have made purchase at a location they enjoy because of one or more of these differences.

Vive la difference!

Enjoy making your decision.

 

[tjkraz]

Originally posted by Desperado
I hope SSR doesn't run into trouble with lots of pool crashers from the DTD resorts, who may be within walking distance, or at least DTD bus distance. That certainly wouldn't be fair to those staying at SSR.

It has already been rumored the pool hopping will be prohibited at SSR. Given that and the issues you pointed out, it's reasonable to conclude that SSR may utilize some guest ID system (wristbands, etc) as is the case at SAB.

 

[CarolMN]

I think that the pool hopping perk will be discontinued sometime in the future - as a result of too many members and too many complaints to DVC.

Don't know how DVC could realistically continue the perk once SSR comes on board, especially if pool hopping to SSR is not allowed. Anyway, when the perk is discontinued, I think OKW members may change their minds about a slide. No telling though, when or even if, it will happen. It's JMHO that it will end in the future.

Those who think a pool with a slide is important (and don't want to pool hop or pay to go to a waterpark) should carefully consider their choice of resorts. Buy where you want to stay the most (or wouldn't mind staying if everything else is full)!

P.S. I know there are a lot of OKW members who post on this forum that do not want a slide at OKW. Did not intend this post to generate a lot of replies stating that. Just posting my opinion that if the hopping perk ends, many OKW members may change their minds. That's all.

 

[DeeP]

As already mentioned, only pools with a slide have lifeguards.

This is not true. The main pool at the value resorts do not have a slide but they do have life guards. The only resort that has no life guards at their main pool regardless of a slide is OKW. All WDW resorts from value to deluxe and of course including the DVC resorts provide life guard service at their main pool with the exception of OKW.

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by DeeP
This is not true. The main pool at the value resorts do not have a slide but they do have life guards. The only resort that has no life guards at their main pool regardless of a slide is OKW. All WDW resorts from value to deluxe and of course including the DVC resorts provide life guard service at their main pool with the exception of OKW.

Oh no...........I think I see another battle

brewing between Deep and DOC.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by DeeP
This is not true. The main pool at the value resorts do not have a slide but they do have life guards. The only resort that has no life guards at their main pool regardless of a slide is OKW. All WDW resorts from value to deluxe and of course including the DVC resorts provide life guard service at their main pool with the exception of OKW.

You are, of course, correct if (and only if) you insist on including the All Star resorts in a discussion on the DVC Board. However, since that is off-topic for this board ... AND ... since the OP was talking about which DVC resort he might purchase, I was directing my comments only to DVC resorts ... and ... as already mentioned, at DVC resorts, only pools with a slide have lifeguards.

Except for Luna Park, there are no lifeguards at any of the other pools at on-site DVC resorts. This includes the quiet pools at BWV, VWL, BCV and all OKW pools.

Discussion of the pools at the All Star Resorts is welcome on the Resorts Board. Please use that forum for further All Stars discussion. Here is a link to the <a href="http://disboards.com/forumdisplay.php?forumid=12">Resorts Board.</a>

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
You are, of course, correct if (and only if) you insist on including the All Star resorts in a discussion on the DVC Board. However, since that is off-topic for this board ... AND ... since the OP was talking about which DVC resort he might purchase, I was directing my comments only to DVC resorts ... and ... as already mentioned, at DVC resorts, only pools with a slide have lifeguards.

Except for Luna Park, there are no lifeguards at any of the other pools at on-site DVC resorts. This includes the quiet pools at BWV, VWL, BCV and all OKW pools.

Discussion of the pools at the All Star Resorts is welcome on the Resorts Board. Please use that forum for further All Stars discussion.

LOL! Talk about rationalizing in an attempt to make things fit the way you want them to. It is really very funny because as I was typing my previous post I was thinking you were going to come back with you are only talking about DVC resorts. I just knew it, too, too funny. A pool is a pool no matter where on Disney property it is located and if anything an amenity that is provided at Disney's cheapest tier of resort should most certainly be included in one of their DVC resorts!!!!!!

 

[spiceycat]

I don't understand your hostility - this is a friendly board or it tries to be - go visit the discussion board.

I doubt that OKW will ever have a slide - slide encourage children to scream and yell - while OKW has bunch of children - they and there parents are generally a quiet bunch.

I have say before that if SSR is a closed pool - then pool hopping is definitely dead - the Polyn and GF certainly shouldn't allow DVC member to pool hop there if they can't go to SSR - which is only a DVC resort.

So I can't see the SSR pool being closed - I can see that it like SALB has a gate and will give a wrist band - but DVC members can certainly should their resort Id - which will have DVC member on it - to get the wrist bands.

As far as the All star resort having a lifeguard - hey do you have any ideals how many lawyers that WDW has - this is just a good policy - there are several families with very small children who are constantly at this resort. In some cases the small children are at the pool and I don't see a parent anywhere near - now they may be on their way - but at the time the child is at the pool - they aren't. This was very upsetting to me when I stayed at a All Star (which are really cute resorts).

WDW knew that would be the majority of their guests for this resort - plus poor college students and when they have a thing at WWoS - they use to book the highschool students here.

Now if you have little children and highschool students in the same pool - sorry you need a lifeguard - as I say this was a very good call on the part of WDW.

DVC members (because they are members) are surpose to be better behaved.

there are several resorts (besides OKW) that have quiet pool and no lifeguard in sight. these WDW resorts only have a lifeguard because of the slide. Slides are very dangerous when you are dealing with small children. In having these lifeguards WDW is protecting itself. OKW is mainly member owned - so WDW does not have a vested interest in making sure it is not sued by some parent over losing their child.

But as I say the depth of the pools is 5 feet - unless the child is swimming without anyone else around and gets into trouble.

OKW has the most dedicated 2-bedroom for this reason - the child would have to go out the main entrance and hopefully wake up their parents....

 

[DeeP]

Maybe it is because I have lived and worked my whole life in a big resort/tourist area on the eastern coast and around here the majority of pools even in a seedy motel 6 , 10 blocks from the beach has a life guard at the pool. I am sorry but having at least one pool at each resort that has life guard services available is not asking for a lot and it is something that should go hand in hand when you have a combination of pool, children, crowding possiblitlies etc., no matter what the depth of the water is! Once again I could not care less whether OKW has a life guard or not, I was just pointing out that to say only pools at WDW with slides have life guards --is not true. I also think it is a disgrace that Disney provides life guard services at their value resorts but not at a DVC resort. I don't care how anyone rationalizes it, having a pool that provides life guard services is certainly not a negative at a resort!