Why not buy the cheapest home resort??

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Desperado
Check with MS when your making harder to obtain reservations and see for yourself. OKW availability after other resorts fill has been reported on this forum repeatedly, for many months. Unfortunately with the search feature not enabled, it's difficult to poll out some of the older threads describing this where it was never challenged. Wait lists start for other WDW DVC resorts well before they start for OKW. If you honestly think OKW fills up faster than the other WDW resorts, then nevermind. Conduct a poll about people's reservation experiences on this forum and see, I'm not going to bother. I'm also not going to provide the names of MS staff that I've confirmed this with because it ain't worth it to cause them difficulty, and I don't see the need. I also don't feel that strongly about it. And most of all, whenever I've asked for references from some of the people discussing this issue above to support thier claim inother discussions, they haven't provided any, but continue pressing thier points, so I sure as heck don't feel any obligation to provide any in this discussion. If you honestly think OKW fills up faster than the other WDW resorts, then nevermind, ain't that big a deal to me.

Seems like a smoke screen because nobody has come up with a good reason why some improvements should not be made in the older OKW. Old out of date surveys provide old out of date information that was captured before WLV, BCV, SSR and SAB restrictions. What's the harm in making some improvements in OKW?

So ... it's really only your opinion then?? If MS will send you (or me) a written statement, I'll accept it as fact. Otherwise, it's merely YOUR opinion- one not shared by everyone.

Whenever I see things at my resort(s) that I would like to see changed, I always forward my suggestions to both the resort and DVC. If enough members feel strongly about something at their resort, I'm confident change will be made. If few suggestions are made for change, it's unlikely to happen.

 

[jaysue]

So call me silly and misinformed, but I am still missing exactly what is wrong with OKW and what needs to be "upgraded"???

I find it to be a desirable property and DW even more so

I do not think OKW needs any enhancements to "compete" with the other DVC (WDW) resorts - it can compete with any of them in my opinion.

It all depends on the vacation experience you desire - I know sometimes we want a BCV/BWV type vacation and sometimes we want a VWL vacation and other times an OKW vacation and finally an SSR vacation

I do not feel that my DVC points (own at BCV) are more or less valuable than anyone else's DVC points - if I want a BCV vacation, gosh darn I will use that home resort advantage. If I am really keen on an VWL vacation, I can try my luck at 7mo window or try to arrange an exchange of BCV to VWL points with someone who is looking for a BCV vacation.

I believe all the DVC owners are adults who are able to make changes and take risk - if people really believe they can book into BCV/BWV/VWL enough times between now and 2042 to keep them happy then by all means sell your points there and buy points at OKW.

As we all know, 38 years is a long time and there is no guarantee that the cost horizon forward will remain so much lighter for OKW versus the other DVC resorts

An interesting thread as it rolls along

thanks
jaysue

 

[Jimbo]

Originally posted by jaysue
So call me silly and misinformed, but I am still missing exactly what is wrong with OKW and what needs to be "upgraded"???

Well of course you'd say that, jaysue, you own there. What's really important is what people that have never stayed there want in the resort.

 

[jaysue]

Jimbo, it's even worse, we do not own there and we have stayed there 3 times and think it is just fine the way it is

I refuse to be a DVC snob about my "home" resort - it is not as if we own shares in it or something like that

Jimbo, agreed, people need to stay before they comment on whether they like it or not

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by Jimbo
You keep saying this. Who gets to decide what's an improvement and what isn't? Someone that doesn't own there and never stayed there? Or the owners, people that ponied up tens of thousands of dollars of own a piece of OKW?

The owners were asked, and they answered: Adding a slide woul not be an improvement. What do you care? And why are we supposed to care that you care?

Of course, this doesn't address the question. The reason I keep repeating the question is nobody has been able to adequately answer it, it's not that hard a question. The survey you are referencing is how old? It was prior to BCV, WVL, SSR and SAB restrictions, right? Is it still valid? Many OKW oners reported on this board they never saw such a survey. Is this golden end-all-be-all survey 5+ years old?

What kinds of improvements would people like to see at OKW, whether they would get to enjoy them at the 11 month or the 7 month window? Sure, OKW members coudl vote it down. Why so defensive and self consious about a simple question, is OKW that inferior? Regardless of my preferences, I certainly don't think so, but the overly defensiveness is becoming a strong indication. What's the harm in improving the older OKW resort? What kinds of improvements would people like to see at OKW to improve it's destination desirability?

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
Just curious why the obsession with "the cheapest dues resort" when there is only one resort with dues MORE than BWV- and many of those owners use their points at BWV since they want to stay onsite?

Why not include ALL of the other DVC resorts in the accusation instead of singling out just one resort? There have been many, many comments from VB and HH owners who use their points almost exclusively at onsite resorts, yet there seems to be no indictment of those owners in this rant ... er ... thread.

Because that is the resort that is always the WDW DVC resort to have the greatest amount of empty rooms/availability, and also appears to also have the greatest number of members owning there but booking trips at other onsite DVC resorts as opposed to staying at OKW. The opinions and preferences of the small % of OKW DVC members here on the DIS board is not really indicative of the actual DVC booking trends or the overall resort room occupancy % in the real world of DVC.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Desperado
Let this post serve as an indictment of VB and HH owners who use their points almost exclusively at onsite resorts.

now, try to book VB during spring break or get into HH during the summer and see if there is more demand for these resorts during those peak times than OKW.

What's the harm in making some improvements in OKW?

Why not start your own indictment thread, the OP of this one chose to chastise owners at only one resort?

I have never had any problem reserving at ANY DVC resort whenever I've tried - and that includes the first week in December at BWV- made 4 weeks before. Many have successfully made reservations at HH during the summer (even Studios and 1BR Villas), many have made reservations at VB at Easter (all within 7 months).

At any sold out resort, if there are times when reservations are plentiful it indicates that the owners are using their points at other DVC options - either other DVC resorts or non-DVC options- or allowing their points to expire. In theory, at all sold out resorts, the resort should be full 365 days per year. At HH, for example, during the late fall and winter months, owners are apparently using their points elsewhere, thus creating availability at that resort.

If owners opt NOT to reserve during their Home Resort Priority Period (11-7 months), they are encouraging other owners to try the resort by providing the opportunity.

Just think if the priority was reduced to 11-10 months (as allowed in the contract).

 

[Jimbo]

Originally posted by Desperado
What kinds of improvements would people like to see at OKW to improve it's destination desirability?

None. We like it just the way it is. That's why I bought 300 points there. Simple, isn't it?

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by DeeP
... and also appears to also have the greatest number of members owning there but booking trips at other onsite DVC resorts as opposed to staying at OKW. The opinions and preferences of the small % of OKW DVC members here on the DIS board is not really indicative of the actual DVC booking trends or the overall resort room occupancy % in the real world of DVC.

What is the basis for the appearance that any resort has "the greatest number of members owning there but booking trips at other onsite DVC resorts as opposed to staying at OKW." -- Especially since that "appearance" is based on "the small % of OKW DVC members here on the DIS board" that "is not really indicative of the actual DVC booking trends or the overall resort room occupancy % in the real world of DVC."

.... Or is that again based merely on your opinon and not on any factual information?

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
Why not start your own indictment thread, the OP of this one chose to chastise owners at only one resort?

I really don't see people choosing a non-home resort at the 7 month window a big enough issue or worthy of an indictment thread.

Just think if the priority was reduced to 11-10 months (as allowed in the contract).

Wouldn't like that, glad it's 11 to 7 months.

We've had difficulty getting Vero beach reservations prior to the 7 month window for Spring Break, so I can't agree with always being able to get the reservations I want.

So is your opinion that there is just as much demand for OKW as there is for all other resorts and that wait lists start for accomodations there at the same time overall that they start for other resorts? Do you think demand for OKW is equal to demand for other resorts?

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by Jimbo
None. We like it just the way it is. That's why I bought 300 points there. Simple, isn't it?

I'm very glad you like your resort, you should there is much to like. Heck, I wish more people liked it, saw it as a more desirable location and choose OKW as thier vacation destination.

So is your opinion that there is just as much demand for OKW as there is for all other resorts and that wait lists start for accomodations there at the same time overall that they start for other resorts? Do you think demand for OKW is equal to demand for other resorts?

 

[jaysue]

I am getting more sucked into this vortex but need to ask for a recap:

DeeP and Desperado what exactly is it that you want to see "improved" at OKW?

I am very curious since as stated, DW and I like it there but maybe we are suffering from too much pixie dust in our eyes?



thanks
jaysue

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Desperado
I really don't see people choosing a non-home resort at the 7 month window a big enough issue or worthy of an indictment thread.

Then, why the statement above:

Originally posted by Desperado
Let this post serve as an indictment of VB and HH owners who use their points almost exclusively at onsite resorts.

... or are you suggesting that those owners are somehow booking at non-home resorts at 11 months?

Originally posted by Desperado
So is your opinion that there is just as much demand for OKW as there is for all other resorts and that wait lists start for accomodations there at the same time overall that they start for other resorts? Do you think demand for OKW is equal to demand for other resorts?

I have no idea and no facts to use to base that opinion. I have NEVER received any information from DVC to support any issue about your question. I don't care what the demand is for any resort and it doesn't concern me in the least when members make reservations at ANY resort. I've been glad to have the opportunity to experience all of the DVC resorts and hope to stay at SSR next year also. If I'm unable to get a reservation there, I'll use my points at another DVC resort sometime inside of 7 months prior.

 

[Jimbo]

So is your opinion that there is just as much demand for OKW as there is for all other resorts and that wait lists start for accomodations there at the same time overall that they start for other resorts? Do you think demand for OKW is equal to demand for other resorts?

I have no idea. I don't think I care. Should I? Why?

BTW - and I shouldn't do this - I also own at BWV. We specifically use those points for trips with just DW and I. Partly because of the location, of course, but also because we generally don't use the pools much when it's just the two of us. And we <i>don't like BWV's pool.</i> We find it cramped. The deck area is too small for a resort of that size.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by jaysue
I am getting more sucked into this vortex but need to ask for a recap:

DeeP and Desperado what exactly is it that you want to see "improved" at OKW?

I am very curious since as stated, DW and I like it there but maybe we are suffering from too much pixie dust in our eyes?



thanks
jaysue

I guess I'm still trying to overcome the shock that OKW owners are stating that there is absolutely nothing, not one single improvement that could ever be made to the resort to make it the slightest amount better than it currently is, it is absolutley perfect in absolutely every respect. The excessive defensiveness is amazing.

jaysue, I'm posing the question, what are some opportunities for improvement at the older OKW? I'd open that question to everyone in this discussion, especially OKW owners. Aren't there some things you'd like to see improved? I could name several things for my own home resort. What in the world is the big deal about a discussion of OKW improvements? Don't get caught up in an inferiority complex approach, it's a timeshare. Every DVC resort could be better. jeeeeeeeeeze.

 

[jaysue]

OK, I'll bite - here is our wish list for OKW (some of this might apply to other DVC resorts as well) - of course keep in mind it is a wish list and bears no link to the reality of the increased costs that would come as a result. These are our opinions....and note they are all subject to being viewed as negatives and we are not listing the positives:

*Pool Slide would be nice
*We would like to see different coloured couches/love seats - we think they are shall we say "drab"
*Ferry boat to DTD could be bigger (this one is being taken care of)
*Not on our list but I am sure some wish there were more than 3 of the buildings with elevators
*Could use more depth in the pool (this applies across WDW and not just at OKW)
*Goods to go area is a little small for it's function
*Can be difficult to find luggage assistance in the early am

So since I took a kick at the can, what about your home resort or resort you have stayed at often, Desperado?

thanks
jaysue

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by Jimbo
BTW - and I shouldn't do this - I also own at BWV. We specifically use those points for trips with just DW and I. Partly because of the location, of course, but also because we generally don't use the pools much when it's just the two of us. And we <i>don't like BWV's pool.</i> We find it cramped. The deck area is too small for a resort of that size.

Shouldn't do this? what's the big deal, you own a two resorts for different preference, more power to you.

Are you infering that Boardwalk could be improved by having a less cramped pool and a larger deck area? Oh my gawd, how could you say that about BWV!!!!! Improve BWV???!!!!???? What bastphamey to hint at such!!!!! BWV is absolutely perfect in every single respect, don't dare change a thing.
Not.

 

[Jimbo]

Shouldn't do it because it's off-topic. Although by this point it probably doesn't matter any more.

 

[PamOKW]

Just because OKW has availability and another resort does not, that does not mean that OKW owners are filling the other resort. You cannot know this unless you match the names on the list to the people at the resort.

Some people are scared by the clown at BWV. Take that down and maybe more people will go there and I'll have an easier time booking BCV. That's what you are asking to have happen at OKW.

Desperado, why do you continually refer to OKW as the older OKW rather than just OKW? BWV is also among the "old" DVC resorts.

You also seem to think there has been a sea change in OKW members' thinking that will demand a slide if asked. I wouldn't be adverse if DVC brought the topic up for discussion again but I'm not sure whether the results would be different. We've done the poll at least once here and I was surprised to see the results come out almost exactly as they had with the DVC poll. There were also a surprising number of people who were not members who liked not having a slide. Basically, the same people still own DVC that owned when the poll was done the first time. There may not be a big a shift in their desire to put in a slide now.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by jaysue
OK, I'll bite - here is our wish list for OKW (some of this might apply to other DVC resorts as well) - of course keep in mind it is a wish list and bears no link to the reality of the increased costs that would come as a result. These are our opinions....and note they are all subject to being viewed as negatives and we are not listing the positives:

*Pool Slide would be nice
*We would like to see different coloured couches/love seats - we think they are shall we say "drab"
*Ferry boat to DTD could be bigger (this one is being taken care of)
*Not on our list but I am sure some wish there were more than 3 of the buildings with elevators
*Could use more depth in the pool (this applies across WDW and not just at OKW)
*Goods to go area is a little small for it's function
*Can be difficult to find luggage assistance in the early am

So since I took a kick at the can, what about your home resort or resort you have stayed at often, Desperado?

thanks
jaysue

Jaysue, that's beautiful, breaking out of that denial wasn't so hard, was it? hear, hear, more power to you, you did it!!!

OK, my home resort is Vero, but I never stay there, I only stay at WLV and BCV. We bought at Vero because of the cheaper dues.
{Someone get DeeP some oxygen}. No, that's not true. We stay at Vero many times, and plan to. But lets compare WDW resorts so its more apples to apples and you offered. how about bcv. bcv could improve:
- pool should have been built as "0" entry for kids and handicap accomodation
- a sound proofing wall could be built between the road and those villas right next to the road (like they have on highways).
- a kids 'dry' playground needs to be built on bcv grounds for kids to play on. not expensive
- the aligator needs to go, dangerous
- a kids pool play area is needed at dunes cove, water jets or something for little ones when SAB is crowded.
- pop machines ought to be available near the dunes cove pool
- a nice outdoor smoking area could be designated
- luggage carts need to be available for guests by the back door closest to the parking lot
- pool crashers need to be kicked out of SAB
- Marina needs faster motor boats
- the top of BCV should be available as an observation deck soley for BCV guests to observe illuminations. It could be a party with drinks served and waiters
- a way to travel to SAB without going through the BCV lobby should be made available
- better breakfast options
- vcrs in the bedrooms
- improved bus service
- internet computers available for members in common area
- improve the water pressure
- change the closet door off the masterbedroom so it is more usable. Since it is too late for sliding doors, perhaps a bifold door.
- blenders for great drinks
- better patio furniture
- guaranteed non-smoking rooms (steep fines for those smoking in non-smoking rooms)
- Heck, a community room with community activities
- video games and a kids game room in the BCV resort
- kid friendly bar closer to BCV (like the green cabin room at vero)
- most of all, convert or add some three bedroom GVs.