WILLING TO PAY MORE DUES....

[AnnK]

Good call Joeblack, it amazes me what some people will say. It's funny I have learned so much from these boards, now I know as a BWV owner I must be a liberal, less intellingent, ( because some people feel the "intelligent choice" is OKW) and now on top of that I am a cheapskate!
Let me just explain, when I bought my vcr/dvd bose sound system,( though it's LIKE the movies,) I didn't stop taking my kids to the movies. Enjoying a pool with a slide is not quite like going to a waterpark.

 

[PamOKW]

I kind of think the people who don't want a slide probably don't pool hop either. The slide just isn't that important at OKW or elsewhere. I like the idea of pool hopping but have never used it and won't be terribly upset if it goes away. I don't really care if there is a slide or there isn't a slide. If DVC thinks it would enhance the resort then I'll pay my share. I'm not going to campaign for a slide nor complain if one goes in that fits with the rest of the resort.

My comment about Disney putting in a slide at their expense just means they will do it if they want to have it. Of course, it would then become part of maintenance fees at OKW and not a "gift" to OKW. Just like they paid for the slide at BWV and now charge members for upkeep.

 

[Peterd]

As for people not wanting a slide because of the dues, and then pool hopping for a nicer pool, I'm NOT saying it's everyone,but there are plenty of people who do just that. Who pool hops? and why? It's the people with the Borrrrrrrrring pool. When we used to stay at the Okw, our kids first saw the dolphin spurting out the water at the pool, and they ran up to the pool,said wow, let's check it out. Then they would see it, and go is that it? The pool has the feel of a pool in Saratoga NY in the late 60s or 70s, with a Jimmy Buffet greatest hits CD playing non stop.
We usually stay at a moderate or now the Hard Rock before checking into our DVC resort because they offer a nice change. The kids love the pools, and it's very relaxing their also. At the CBR in Oct,there was a nice band playing at the pool, the hard rock had radio broadcast simultaneously, the Contemp. a DJ, and so on.
I remember bringing this up three to four years ago on these boards, and the MAIN complaint WAS more dues for the lifeguards, insurance, and the slide. No one is saying that everyone feels this way about the dues, but years ago, it was the major reason.

Pam, I don't remember reading anywhere that Disney paid for the pool, and we pay the upkeep. Did Disney pay for the spitting Dolphin and okw has to pay for the upkeep? Just kidding. I figured it was what we paid for, when we bought into it with the higher prices. If you thought I was taking a shot at you for saying Disney wouldn't put a slide into Okw just to be nice, didn't mean it to sound that way. Sorry if it came across that way. I was just implying that Disney doesn't do anything for free. Why should they? They don't have to try to attract more people to the OKW. They're already sold out. If anything will change for the better at the Okw, Okw owners will foot the bill.
As for the people who don't want a slide, who don't necessarily pool hop, I would guess the majority of those people are in their late 40s to early 50s, maybe older. I would guess pool hopping at that time of my life would not be a priority either. Of the people who do pool hop, I wonder why. Now I know some just don't pool hop, so let's don't hear from the ,I never pool hop and don't want a slide people. We know you're there.
We all know some people just don't want a slide, and DON'T pool hop. If so many people don't pool hop, and we're hearing of all the overcrowding at the nice pools. Why do we still have it?
Fine, Don't put in the slide at the Okw. We know it's not gonna happen, until there's a large turnover of members, BUT You shouldn't be able to have it both ways. Don't pay dues on a slide, why should you. You can use the Boardwalk, Beach club, or Wilderness lodge, let those DVC members pay for the upkeep. It would be interesting to see how many people staying at their resorts, are not able to get a chair by their pool because non guests are utilizing the pool hopping perk. We used to like the pool hopping, but now sometimes wish it would be abolished.

 

[KNWVIKING]

I am convinced the NO voters don't want higher dues for a slide they don't want-fine,(which means it really is a money issue). Maybe an answer would be a resort-inside the-resort.Convert one of the quite pools into a world class theme pool.Allow members who want to use that pool reserve the condo units that would surround it,but charge maybe 1 extra point a weekday,2 for fri-sat.Only those guest could use all the pools.The extra points would pay the expense & not take money from those who just don't like slides.

 

[Peterd]

I think it's a great idea, but some people will go nuts over the thought of change. You could probably raise it a few more points, and lower the points that are further away from the main pool. Nawww ,it would never happen, wouldn't want to ruin their, I mean our resort.

 

[PamOKW]

I don't think age has anything to do with whether you pool hop and/or want a slide. I think it has to do with whether or not you have children who spend a lot of time at the pool. Parents come in all ages from 20's to 50's and then you have grandparents as well who are entertaing the grandkids. I honestly spend very little time at any pool whenever I'm on vacation. I enjoy it but it isn't crucial to my having a good time. But, I also don't have any small children with me, just older teenagers and other adults.

I really have no idea why people do pool hop. It seems like a lot of hassle for very little enjoyment. There is so much else to do at WDW. I don't think DVC folk are overcrowding the pools. I think it's a combination of too many non-resort guests using the pools and too many people in the rooms at the resorts. I'm guessing on any given day there are probably less than 10 families from DVC who are pool hopping.

I would be concerned about BWV's pool being accessible. They should probably put in stricter monitoring like they've done at SAB. More and more people are being drawn to the Boardwalk area and many will be bold enough to just plunk down at the BW pool for the day. Now, it's even possible to walk over MGM as well as from Epcot. It sounds like people are already parking at BW to "save" the parking fee and soon they'll figure out they can get in a swim as well.

 

[KNWVIKING]

As bold,rude and disrepectfull as people have gotten over the years,Disney has got to start checking resort ID's. With the Epcot resort areas having easy access to MGM and Epcot your going to see these parasites taking advantage of facilities ment for paying guest.I ust wonder how many people just drive & park at DD,hop on the resort of their choice bus and then spend the afternoon lounging by the pool.We used to show ID's when getting on the buses,I don't know why they stopped,( probably slowed up loading as parents had to drop kids,strollers,diaper bags,umbrellas,souveniers,etc to try and find the ID's). I think it would also educate cast members about "pool hopping",they seem to make up the rules as they go on that issue.

 

[vernon]

Viking while I admire your tanacity on the subject, I don't agree that not wanting to pay for a facility you don't want makes it a money issue, many people just DON'T WANT A SLIDE. If you were to ask would you pay more NOT TO HAVE THE SLIDE, I think you'll find a lot of people would agree to that ( although the logic of charging NOT to add something, is kinda hard to argue).

No one has actually touched on this point, WHERE WOULD YOU PUT IT?? Unless you filled in some of the canal/Marina there simply isn't the room to put a slide around the main pool (which get busy enough as it is and doesn't have the room to lose space for a "run off area" for the slide. Neither does the secondary pool ( unless you did away with the circular drive, which I guess we don't need as Rich doesn't use the busses LOL ) and ALL the "quiet" pools are far too small and inbetween buildings so no room there either.

IMHO the logistics of building a slide are too difficult, there is one possibility and that would involve ripping out the kiddies pool, sandcastle playarea and the beach volleyball court. It would be an ugly area, an ugly slide and wouldn't be in the theme of the resort.

I like slides but I don't think there is a place for one at OKW that would be in keeping with the resort JMHO

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I think a lifeguard at the pool is a good idea. They can explain to the kids who shouldn't be jumping into the pool why there is no slide....

They could also guard the pool towels .....

If there is a slide installed, those families who have 5 in a room listed for 4 should designate one person who is not allowed to use the slide...

I wouldn't have guessed this thread would get this much volume.

Kidding aside, DIS is a wonderful place....

 

[KNWVIKING]

Your right about the logistics of the slide,never really gave that much thought, I'll have to take a closer look in May. Just trying to picture the area- I'd probably eliminate the spitting dolphins nduse that area. Maybe it can't be done but it also doesn't need to be on the scale of SAB. Port & CBR have decent little slides, something along those lines maybe. The reason I said it's a money issue is because, with few exceptions, I don't buy most of the posted reasons for not wanting one. Quite area- with kids-I don't think so. Family would never use it- what kid-or parent- wouldn't use it if it were there.Don't want to pay for something I don't use-how often do you see the gym or sauna get used ? We all pay for them. I don't believe the cost per point would be that much- I asked if those surveyed were given a $$$ figure but nobody replied- and I'd vote NO if it were a buck-a-point but I'm thinking more like 0.10 - 0.20. and that would probably drop in a year or two after the slide construction was paid for. I've already got an idea for my next topic post, just waiting for this topic to die a slow death

 

[Jimbo]

You know, I'm reading a lot of theories in this topic about what OKW members are thinking. That they want to pay low dues and pool hop to somewhere nicer. Or that there's some sort of anti-kid streak running through many of us.

We weren't surveyed about the slide, but had we been we would have voted no. Here's our story: When we first visited OKW, we fell in love with the place. And that's why we bought a membership there. Anything that would change the character of the place holds no appeal for us.

And I think the reality is that the 66% of the members that voted no (both in the DVC survey and the one on this board) like OKW just the way it is. They must like it a lot, too, because they committed to the place for as much as 50 years.

 

[dznymom1]

You know, I was going to stay out of this one, but I'm tired of biting my tongue

We are pool hopping OKW owners since 1991 (save your flames please) and HH owners since 1999. I voted No for a slide simply because I don't care if they add one or not. I dislike when a resort is torn up for construction, so I'd prefer not to deal with that again after the years of waiting for OKW to be completed. When we Pool Hop, we are actually Resort Hopping. We generally choose a resort that we'd like to spend some time at including having lunch, taking a swim and enjoying whatever other amenities that particular resort offers. We do not specifically pool hop to resorts with slides. One reason we resort hop is that with my family there are times when a Food Court is what we feel like for a particular meal, and after dining the kids enjoy a swim. We have enjoyed the pools at WL (prior to VWL), Poly, Cont, SAB, PO, Dixie, CS and even All Stars. Each has their own unique feel, and checking them out and comparing them is fun.

It's funny, but we always seem to pool hop more when we stay at BWV since SAB is so convenient and we love Beaches & Cream and Hannahs. Also, we find the BW pool area to be much more congested so when we do use the pool at BW it is generally the one near Community Hall. Besides, we can't stand that nasty clown .

It wouldn't break my heart if there was a slide at OKW, but I am perfectly happy with things the way they are. Given my ambivalence, it seems more sensible to vote NO and spend the few dollars I would save over the years on MORE POINTS!

Chris

[This message was edited by dznymom1 on 04-15-01 at 10:44 AM.]

 

[Halle]

When we purchased at OKW back in 93 we were concerned about the lack of a lifeguard at the pools. Our kids were young at the time and we always watched them at the pool but it is a bit comforting to know that in the event of an emergency there is a trained lifeguard.