Why not buy the cheapest home resort??

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

At least I don't have to go to the "Debate boards"

anymore.

 

[Dean]

Despardo, to quote you in another post.

A problem with having to have the last word?

 

[RLevy29]

When I woke up and checked my email I was surprised to find this topic still going. I feel that I am an objective OKW owner. I really love the resort and do not feel that it is an inferior place to stay. That said I can think of two things that could be changed.
1) Make SOME of the studios have the sofabed/bed setup like at the other resorts. (Not ALL)
2) Have an actual lounge where you can sit down and have munchies and relax. (Something like Territory Lounge )The GS is fine when you want to carry a drink to the pool or a quick bite, but it would be nice to have another sit down eating option.

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Desperado
Call MS and ask them and you'll have facts confirming what has already been reported several times.

I'll I can get by calling MS is the OPINION of one CM. I will not get any fact about occupancy percentages.

As I already stated earlier in this thread, if MS/DVC will send out a printed statement- that is a FACT. If they are only willing to make a telephone comment, it's an unofficial opinion.

If you have an official statement from DVC about this, please share it. Otherwise just label it as your opinion or a third hand report of someone else's opinion.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by RLevy29
When I woke up and checked my email I was surprised to find this topic still going. I feel that I am an objective OKW owner. I really love the resort and do not feel that it is an inferior place to stay. That said I can think of two things that could be changed.
1) Make SOME of the studios have the sofabed/bed setup like at the other resorts. (Not ALL)
2) Have an actual lounge where you can sit down and have munchies and relax. (Something like Territory Lounge )The GS is fine when you want to carry a drink to the pool or a quick bite, but it would be nice to have another sit down eating option.

Excellent ideas, thank you for sharing.

 

[PamOKW]

Oh back 8 or 9 pages, I suggested a seperate thread be started regarding what people would like to see changed at OKW or, if you like, at other older resorts like BWV. Having that discussion here is confusing what is now somewhere around 20 or 30 different issues.

However, I don't think changes at OKW willl have much of an effect on current usage patterns. I don't buy into the premise that it is OKW members not using OKW that effects usage patterns -- see tkjraz and Doc's comments above.

 

[AZKathy]

The needs of improving the resorts (like "older OKW") is off topic. Make a new thread about improving our home resorts and maybe I will bite. This has gone way too far from the post.

 

[DeeP]

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

Just for the record I never said anything about wanting anything improved at OKW. For my personal likes the biggest thing to improve at OKW would be the location and then the list would go on from there BUT I never said anything about improving anything at OKW in this thread. Just wanted to keep all the players straight and who is saying what.

 

[DeeP]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
I'll I can get by calling MS is the OPINION of one CM. I will not get any fact about occupancy percentages.

As I already stated earlier in this thread, if MS/DVC will send out a printed statement- that is a FACT. If they are only willing to make a telephone comment, it's an unofficial opinion.

If you have an official statement from DVC about this, please share it. Otherwise just label it as your opinion or a third hand report of someone else's opinion.

I do not believe even an official statement from DVC would necessarily be believed on this board. Because of the fact that when someone posted that they had an official statement from DVC with room sizes on it and the BWV GV is listed as larger than OKW GV and of course all the die heart, never dare say a negative thing about OKW people--refuse to believe it. Incredible!

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by DeeP
I do not believe even an official statement from DVC would necessarily be believed on this board. Because of the fact that when someone posted that they had an official statement from DVC with room sizes on it and the BWV GV is listed as larger than OKW GV and of course all the die heart, never dare say a negative thing about OKW people--refuse to believe it. Incredible!

Better take that up with DVC then, since it appears there is more than one "official" room size report from DVC. I know I have information (in a POS from 1996) that states room sizes at the DVC resorts as of that time that varies from what others have reported. I do feel very confident stating something that has been printed on DVC letterhead as fact vs. reporting what was said by a CM and I always try to identify my source for information shared on this board.

If it is truly something of any concern to you, I would certainly address the issue with DVC to get clarification.

 

[childsplay]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
it appears there is more than one "official" room size report from DVC.

I would agree. Issues are certain to arise when conflicting information is circulating. BTW, did we ever get "official" word on the size of the GV?

 

[joepoe]

This thread is like the Seinfeld show. A thread about nothing. We all knew the rules when we signed on, if we can't get them changed or we don't like them, we can sell and buy a Marriott...

We own at old OKW and not-so-old BWV and love them both for different reasons. Alluding to the OP question, I like the cheaper dues and lower points at OKW, and I also like staying there. If I didn't like it, I don't think I would buy just to get the 7 month window elsewhere. Too much of a hassle for us.

We also like the standard points at BWV.

 

[DeeP]

If it is truly something of any concern to you, I would certainly address the issue with DVC to get clarification.

It is truly not something of any concern to me. I am merely stating that just because something is on official DVC letterhead does not mean it's validity will be believed by some people that read this board. But thank you for your suggestion.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by PamOKW
However, I don't think changes at OKW willl have much of an effect on current usage patterns. I don't buy into the premise that it is OKW members not using OKW that effects usage patterns.

Do you think there is more availability for OKW accomodations than other resort accomodations or do you think that demand is equal?

If you discuss this issue with MS representatives, do you get feedback from them that OKW has greater availability or that there is the generally the same availability at all resorts?

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by joepoe
This thread is like the Seinfeld show. A thread about nothing. We all knew the rules when we signed on, if we can't get them changed or we don't like them, we can sell and buy a Marriott...

LOL!! Your right, Joe....my head hurts too. I think it's time to re-read this post.

Perspective

Living a bit in fear of dragging this on but, when was the "My GV is bigger than yours discussion?" I must have missed that one.

 

[goofy4dvc]

Originally posted by RLevy29
1) Make SOME of the studios have the sofabed/bed setup like at the other resorts. (Not ALL)
2) Have an actual lounge where you can sit down and have munchies and relax. (Something like Territory Lounge )The GS is fine when you want to carry a drink to the pool or a quick bite, but it would be nice to have another sit down eating option.

I agree wholeheartedly. At least once a year, DH and I go to WDW to golf and never set foot in a park. Because we're golfers, we would love to stay at OKW. But we don't like the two bed setup that OKW studios have. We like to sit on a sofa to read the paper, watch tv, etc. It would be GREAT if OKW would convert SOME of their studios to a sofabed/bedsetup that would better suit couples or singles.

OKW is a beautiful resort and we look forward to staying there sometime, but the studio room setup is definitely a drawback.

 

[MiaSRN62]

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

So, there is absolutely nothing that could every possibly be improved at older OKW to ever make it more enjoyable or appealing, it is absolutely perfect in every single flawless way, not a single possible opportunity to make it any better in any aspect? Of course, then why own at BWV as well?

Certain posts are just dripping in sarcasm. Originally, I believe it was maybe Desperado (I could be wrong) who brought up the improvement issues and compared OKW to a "retirement community". Maybe this is why you're not getting OKW owners to readily list things they'd like improved ---they sense the sarcasm ? The constant reference to "older OKW" is totally unnecessary imo. I bet all the DVC resorts could use some improving (I'd like to see more comfortable sofa beds in all the resorts & a slide at OKW), but Desperado blasted OKW as being not child-friendly and akin to an old age home practically. If he has never stayed here, and has no plans to, I just don't understand how he could make these specific statements. I had responded to this particular post of his way back several pages. And, yes, this thread is trailing off into other avenues. I went to bed last night when the post was 12 pages long. It really took off later at night !

 

[crisi]

So what happens when OKWs dues are higher than BWVs? Given the average historical increase (OKW has been 3%, BWV is 1.8%) eventually, OKW will no longer be the cheapest home resort (even if they never add a pool slide or lifeguards). If traditional increases hold, BW is on track to be the cheapest dues resort. (They may not).

Will OKW owners complain that their higher dues are paying for increased maintenance on their palatial accomodations, and BWV owners are taking advantage of it. Will they talk about how there is additional landscaping costs for that "not packed on top of one another" feeling. Or why should they pay a transportation premium for services used by other owners.

Which is one reason why buying the cheapest home resort (cheapest dues anyway) may not be a good long term strategy, there is no guarentee that cheap dues today means cheap dues tomorrow. The difference between dues at OKW and BWV has been as high as $.86 a point, and is currently at its low of $.57 a point - and OKW is trending upwards faster for the past five years than BWV. It is hightly unlikely, but within the realm of possibility that next year, OKW could see a 15% increase in dues, while BWV sees a 1% decrease and BW could cheaper. It is also within the realm of possiblity that the opposite could occur, and OKW become an even better value.

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by MiaSRN62
Certain posts are just dripping in sarcasm.

Agreed. Why is it so sacrilegious to identify some possible improvements as a solution to un even demand? After all the avoidance, posts became more extreme to make the point. Agreed, no question

Originally, I believe it was maybe Desperado (I could be wrong) who brought up the improvement issues and compared OKW to a "retirement community".

Post gone when you didn't like it, immediately responding to your concerns.

Maybe this is why you're not getting OKW owners to readily list things they'd like improved ---they sense the sarcasm

One possibility. Is defensiveness another possibility? Avoidance? Evasiveness? What is the harm in discussing ways to improve the desirability of OKW to level a potential differentiation in demand. If there's no difference in demand for older OKW, what's the harm?

All your doing is rationalizing avoidance. It doesn't have to be negative, it's about improvement and change. What's the big deal? every resort has opportunity to be made better. Shouldn't those resorts that are older and possibly have reduce demand be the first to receive those improvements? What's the harm in the discussion as a resolution to the OP's issue?

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by goofy4dvc
Originally posted by RLevy29
1) Make SOME of the studios have the sofabed/bed setup like at the other resorts. (Not ALL)
2) Have an actual lounge where you can sit down and have munchies and relax. (Something like Territory Lounge )The GS is fine when you want to carry a drink to the pool or a quick bite, but it would be nice to have another sit down eating option.

I agree wholeheartedly. At least once a year, DH and I go to WDW to golf and never set foot in a park. Because we're golfers, we would love to stay at OKW. But we don't like the two bed setup that OKW studios have. We like to sit on a sofa to read the paper, watch tv, etc. It would be GREAT if OKW would convert SOME of their studios to a sofabed/bedsetup that would better suit couples or singles.

OKW is a beautiful resort and we look forward to staying there sometime, but the studio room setup is definitely a drawback.

Great improvement opportunity, that's fixable.