The Pool makes a difference

[DeeP]

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).

I certainly hope this is not the criteria that Disney employs for adding amenities to their resorts. The resorts with a bigger risk factor provides more amenities to their guests? I don't think so.
I must also add I have seen plenty of parents send their children down to the pool w/o them or have left their children at the pool unattended at DVC resorts plenty of times! It is not just the value resorts.

 

[jaysue]

Doc, you are correct in distinguishing between DVC and non-DVC resort setups at WDW - they do cater to different groups and audiences

thanks
jaysue

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by DeeP
... 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!

What good is a lifeguard at Luna Park if there is a problem at the BWV quiet pool? The same can be said for the pools at BCV and VWL. If there was some incident at any of these pools, the lifeguards at the resort would be in no position to assist since they are all stationed a long ways from those pools. Apparently, the decision to demand parental guidance at all other pools at DVC resorts has been thus far successful. Onsite, only Luna Park provides guards for that pool. HH abd VB do have guards at their main pools. None of the quiet pools at any of the DVC resorts offer lifeguards- all have placed that responsibility on the parents.

 

[Desperado]

I would hope the SSR pool would be open to members staying at OKW. It would seem a nice boatride to a kid friendly pool. Even is a ID system is used, I hop it' open to OKW guests.

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 $$$.

I also don't think current pool depths are more than 5 feet in the slide areas as mentioned above. Adding a slide wouldn't be the constructoin dilema proposed. I could see wanting to have a pool close by with a little more kid appeal, instead of needing to pack up and pay for the water parks. But that's me.

But if a current poll indicates OKW owners don't want the change, then of course there won't be change. My understanding is that poll that is often cited as the reason for not improving OKW pools is over 5 years old, and many OKW members didnt get to participate. It was also prior to BCV, VWL, SSR, and SAB limitations, but I could be wrong.

 

[spiceycat]

WDW is a business - of course they depend upon their lawyers

other timeshare and resort hotels in the area have slide and there is not a lifeguard in sight.

believe me the children have had accidents in those pools - just go check on the tug for the details.

it is like the buses - when you ask why the All Stars got such great bus transportation and then OKW did not - I was told it was a matter of the crowds - more guest at the All stars so more complaints than OKW. OKW bus transportation has greatly improved since I was not the only member to complaint.

always remember that WDW is a business - it is going to benefit itself - life guards where there are slides makes sense -

I don't understand why you would care - you don't own at OKW and you don't sound like you are every going to stay there.

you have a lifeguard when there will be crowds - slides at the resorts that have them - main pools at the others- I don't remember was there a lifeguard at the quiet pool at the All stars...

Now I have never seem the pools at OKW that crowded and yes I have gone in the summer - not like the resort pools. Of course I don't generally go to the main pool - so maybe I am a poor judge.

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
What good is a lifeguard at Luna Park if there is a problem at the BWV quiet pool? The same can be said for the pools at BCV and VWL. If there was some incident at any of these pools, the lifeguards at the resort would be in no position to assist since they are all stationed a long ways from those pools. Apparently, the decision to demand parental guidance at all other pools at DVC resorts has been thus far successful. Onsite, only Luna Park provides guards for that pool. HH abd VB do have guards at their main pools. None of the quiet pools at any of the DVC resorts offer lifeguards- all have placed that responsibility on the parents.

It is having the option of choosing to go to a pool with life guards! To many people this is a big thing and an important safety feature that they wish to employ when using a pool. I will choose a pool or beach with life guards over a non manned beach/pool anyday, just like I will choose to stay in a resort that has smoke detectors,fire alarms, bolt locks, etc--just in case! To people that do not care about having a life guard then they are free to go to one of the quiet pools. However to those that feel more comfortable having a life guard this is an amenity that many will value at a resort. And this is also an amenity that if offered at the cheapest tier of Disney resorts should most definitly also be offered at all DVC resorts!!!!

 

[RobDoc]

Obviously, it's all about choice and the option to stay at a resort that has lifeguards somewhere on the grounds even if they are not available for all of the resort pools.

As I stated in a post earlier:

"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."

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
Obviously, it's all about choice and the option to stay at a resort that has lifeguards somewhere on the grounds even if they are not available for all of the resort pools.

As I stated in a post earlier:

"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."

The funny thing is that is also basically the same thing I said way back in the beginning of this thread. I did also ask the OP if they had ever stayed at an Epcot or MK resort only because the OP made a location comparison between POR and OKW to parks etc., which is a fair location comparison for these 2 resorts but very different for say the Poly or YC to parks, etc. Other than that our responses to the OP were very similiar in thought and content.......go figure?!?!?!?!

 

[Sammie]

Having lifegaurds at pools is a huge added expense. Pools such as SAB which are in fact mini water parks require lifeguards with special training in water park safety and additional cost.

As to lifeguards at quiet pools vs. the pools at the value resorts it is strickly the legal aspect as to what is required by local laws as to why they are there. The pools at the value resorts while not having a slide are very large. Hence the need for lifeguards.

Pools with slides and large pools of a certain size require a lifeguard. The smaller quiet pools do not. Having or not having a lifegaurd is not based on any other forumla.

As Doc stated since OKW is no longer on the open Disney market I don't forsee any changes unless a majority of the present owners, not future owners, want a change.

I agree with buy where you want the amenites, location, etc that is available now. Do not buy on "maybes".

 

[Chuck S]

Ever notice that it is the people who do NOT own at OKW who are the most vocal that OKW needs a slide?

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by Chuck S
Ever notice that it is the people who do NOT own at OKW who are the most vocal that OKW needs a slide?

I just want to clarify something..........I do not know who you are addressing but I have never been vocal about OKW "needing" a slide or any other amenitity. I have never cared enough about OKW to consider what the resort would need/could use. I do however have an opinion on which resort, which resort amenitites and which resort location makes various WDW resorts higher priced, in higher demand etc. and this I have voiced on various threads; as have many other posters on the DIS.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by DeeP
I just want to clarify something..........I do not know who you are addressing but I have never been vocal about OKW "needing" a slide or any other amenitity. I have never cared enough about OKW to consider what the resort would need/could use.

Originally posted by DeeP
And this is also an amenity that if offered at the cheapest tier of Disney resorts should most definitly also be offered at all DVC resorts!!!!

Then why make statements like the above (made in this very thread)?

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
Then why make statements like the above (made in this very thread)?

Sorry but there is a BIG difference between saying OKW needs a "water slide" at the main pool(which I have not said) to saying that since even the cheapest tier of Disney resorts has "Life guards" at their main pool then at least all DVC resorts should also have this guest amenity provided including OKW!! HELLO, BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

To the original poster...

If you & your spouse don't care about slides for yourself and you don't see yourself being concerned about transportation then buy OKW. In the immediate future you have the option of staying at another location WITH a slide or you can pool hop. For example you can buy OKW and stay at SSR (BCV, VWL, or BWV).

But...I'd be careful of buying for what the kids want now unless you are planning on selling within five years. Buy in the location that best suits you, not the kids...if you don't care then buy OKW.

 

[PamOKW]

I did also ask the OP if they had ever stayed at an Epcot or MK resort only because the OP made a location comparison between POR and OKW to parks

The original poster stated that they stayed at POR, saw where OKW was located, and were no longer concerned by statements they had read on these boards about the location of OKW.

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.

I don't see why any comment at all is necessary about where any other resort is located.

Disney is very guest safety conscious and they seem to have determined that lifeguards are only necessary at pools with slides or large pools that might require "policing" of guests. I wouldn't mind having a lifeguard at a pool but it seems within Disney's guidelines that the smaller (rather than 1 large) pool and lack of slides makes the guard unnecessary. All of the pools at the other resorts are unguarded after the slide closes down so I don't see where there is a tremendous difference.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by DeeP
Sorry but there is a BIG difference between saying OKW needs a "water slide" at the main pool(which I have not said) to saying that since even the cheapest tier of Disney resorts has "Life guards" at their main pool then at least all DVC resorts should also have this guest amenity provided including OKW!! HELLO, BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!

In the quotes from the statements in this thread, someone stated:
"I have never been vocal about OKW "needing" a slide or any other amenitity." ... and

"And this is also an amenity that if offered at the cheapest tier of Disney resorts should most definitly also be offered at all DVC resorts!!!!"

It appears that lifeguards are called an amenity - exactly what you are not vocal about regarding OKW. Why mention it at all if you're not trying to be vocal.

That was exactly the reason for the question: "WHY make statements like the above".

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by PamOKW
The original poster stated that they stayed at POR, saw where OKW was located, and were no longer concerned by statements they had read on these boards about the location of OKW.



I don't see why any comment at all is necessary about where any other resort is located.

Disney is very guest safety conscious and they seem to have determined that lifeguards are only necessary at pools with slides or large pools that might require "policing" of guests. I wouldn't mind having a lifeguard at a pool but it seems within Disney's guidelines that the smaller (rather than 1 large) pool and lack of slides makes the guard unnecessary. All of the pools at the other resorts are unguarded after the slide closes down so I don't see where there is a tremendous difference.

Asking the question of whether or not they had ever stayed at a more convenient location to major parks etc than POR was a valid question. And in fact the OP did respond that they had stayed at the Dolphin resort and stated that they LOVED this location. So obviously the location of the resort to major parks, restaurants, etc and having an enhanced pool with a pool slide and life guards is important to this family. I was taking into consideration all the factors in a DVC home resort selection that would be important to this family based on their preferences. Why all the attacking???

 

[freediverdude]

Ok, now I think everyone needs to step back and take some breaths.....inhale....exhale.....inhale.....exhale.....that's good.....now let's all get into our Mickey lotus yoga positions....legs up behind our heads so our feet make the Mickey ears.....there we go......relax and say our mantra......maaagiccccc.......maaagiccccc...........ok, now do we feel better?

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
In the quotes from the statements in this thread, someone stated:
"I have never been vocal about OKW "needing" a slide or any other amenitity." ... and

"And this is also an amenity that if offered at the cheapest tier of Disney resorts should most definitly also be offered at all DVC resorts!!!!"

It appears that lifeguards are called an amenity - exactly what you are not vocal about regarding OKW. Why mention it at all if you're not trying to be vocal.

That was exactly the reason for the question: "WHY make statements like the above".

Ok, I admit I did misspell the word amenity in my previous post. Sorry. Other than correcting my spelling errors, I do not see what point you are trying to make?????????????

 

[DeeP]

Disney is very guest safety conscious and they seem to have determined that lifeguards are only necessary at pools with slides or large pools that might require "policing" of guests. I wouldn't mind having a lifeguard at a pool but it seems within Disney's guidelines that the smaller (rather than 1 large) pool and lack of slides makes the guard unnecessary. All of the pools at the other resorts are unguarded after the slide closes down so I don't see where there is a tremendous difference.

"Rationalize, rationalize, rationalize"..........it desperately tries to go hand in hand with "location, location, location". But it just can't cut it.........LOL!