OLCC River Island

[BocaBum99]

Well, I believe with a little leg work you can find an entire 2br unit at OL for close to that amount.

Carl,

Now see, you are getting it. When you can easily get into a resort like OLCC for next to nothing and anytime of the year, you don't mind when they nickle and dime you death. And the expensive drinks don't seem that expensive anymore.

 

[JLB]

Isn't that the truth!

Just what I was thinking. If I take my kinfolk to RI every day and get a cabana and tubes for everyone, RI will cost twice as much as the 3-bedroom unit we will be in!

Anyway, when you hear this news, and do the math, it is disappointing.

Well, I believe with a little leg work you can find an entire 2br unit at OL for close to that amount.

 

[BocaBum99]

JLB,

What are you talking about? It is free to get into River Island. You don't need to have a cabana. I've never had one ever in my life.

The fee for the tubes did surprise me. But, even then, you don't need the tubes. Just bring your own.

The only other thing you need to pay for are drinks and food.

It bothers me more that OLCC doesn't provide soap and shampoo than free inner tubes.

 

[gjw007]

Vickie;

I was going to respond that the charge for owners and non-owners is currently the same but somebody has already responded with the answer. I do expect that to change. When I asked, another owner was there with him and the service person both agreeing when I stated that I think this polciy will change. Hopefully this will be the case. There has already been some changes during the time that I have been here.

First, I'd like to address this notion that River Island costs anything. It doesn't cost owners or guests a dime to use River Island. There has never been a suggestion that there is an entry fee to use RI in any of the literature or in the current operations. I have not heard of any proposals to charge an entry fee. The pools, spas, and lazy river are free to be used by any guest staying at OLCC or owners. This line of thought needs to be dropped now. On the other hand, there may be a charge to use some amentities that are optional such as the tubes or cabanas. I see many people using the pools and lazy river without the optional tubes and most of the people do not rent a cabana. Likewise, if you use any of the restraurants, there is a charge for the food.

Second, as I mentioned there has been some changes in policy and I expect some other adjustments. RI had been shutting down the water pumps that generate the water current and the rental shop for the cabanas and tubes at 5 PM. This didn't mean that RI was closed as you could still go swimming using the pool and lazy river but there was no current to push the tubes around. I want to restate, the pools and lazy river were still open and used by guests after the 5 PM shutoff. The change that I mention is that this time has now been changed to 7 PM. My opinion, this will change to a more reasonable time of 9 or 10 PM. I think that guests coming back from the theme parks would enjoy using the lazy river in the evening so I think that this policy will be changed.

 

[timetraveler]

So, what can you do at RI without paying a fee?

Well let's see......the huge pool, the waterslides, the spa, the hammocks, use of a state of the art fitness center, no admission fee. I've stated there would be no admission fee for over a year now. So let's drop that subject.

Let me try and grasp this......your saying a $50,000,000, 12 acre complex, that you now find only charges for (optional rental cabana's, tubes and a new goofey golf attraction), surprises and disappoints you, and makes you feel letdown?

 

[timetraveler]

I was going to respond that the charge for owners and non-owners is currently the same but somebody has already responded with the answer. I do expect that to change. When I asked, another owner was there with him and the service person both agreeing when I stated that I think this polciy will change. Hopefully this will be the case. There has already been some changes during the time that I have been here.

First, I'd like to address this notion that River Island costs anything. It doesn't cost owners or guests a dime to use River Island. There has never been a suggestion that there is an entry fee to use RI in any of the literature or in the current operations. I have not heard of any proposals to charge an entry fee. The pools, spas, and lazy river are free to be used by any guest staying at OLCC or owners. This line of thought needs to be dropped now. On the other hand, there may be a charge to use some amentities that are optional such as the tubes or cabanas. I see many people using the pools and lazy river without the optional tubes and most of the people do not rent a cabana.

Thanks Gary!! I agree with your entire post. I also believe there will be a change regarding owner pricing. We get discounts thruout the resort, with one small exception....the general store on the lower level of the West Village clubhouse. So I expect this to become the case in RI as well.

 

[ajsmithtx]

Gary, Boca, and Vickie

Well stated facts.

I am looking forward to our stay starting this Friday.

Tony

 

[JLB]

Well, excuse me LOLs.

Now that the facts have been stated clearly, that there is no charge for use of RI, just the extras that are available there, I'll stand down.

Maybe you can understand our surprise at the mention of it costing money, after all this buildup. Maybe not.

I went back and reviewed this thread, which anyone can do, and see where the misundertanding came from.

If I'm not mistaken, it was 17 hours from the first post by an owner now there, mentioning a fee for the rental of tubes, followed by the mention of a fee for cabanas, followed by other owners discussing and defending fees to use RI, with none of them saying it is free to use, before I said anything.

The discussion by owners made it seem that some fee had to be paid, at least to buy a tube to use the river pool.

Altogether I believe the owners talking in this thread went for nearly 25 hours, discussing fees to use RI, with none of them saying it could be used free, until Gary's post at 5:50 today.

Had the accurate information been given first, or in a timely follow-up, say when Cindy expressed her concern, I never would have made my comments.

So, can we bring our own floaties? That seems to be the only unanswered question.

 

[gjw007]

My comments about prices were prompted by these questions on the what the cabanas and the blue inner tubes rent for.

Also, what are they charging to rent the cabanas? There's pretty much no chance we'll be renting one, but I'm curious. Cindy

We will be staying at OLCC in December. 2. Does anyone know how much $ the blue lazy river inner tubes are to rent?

An observation. I have seen RI during the day with the blue inner tubes but during the evening I see other floatation (non-RI) devices. If I remember correctly, these are sold on OLCC either at the West Village or the North Village shops. I didn't see any in the RI shop but they are still adding stock to the store. I would guess that there would be more pool supplies in the future. Unlike the general store in the West Village, which is crammed with goodies, the RI store has plenty of space for additional items.

There is a sign at RI that states that only resort-issued floatation devices may be used. The question is whether this includes floatation devices sold by the resort at the various locations.

So, can we bring our own floaties? That seems to be the only unanswered question.

 

[Vodo]

That's disappointing to me. The lazy river portion of RI is what we find appealing, but I'm just too principled (stubborn) to pay to use it. By allowing only OLCC tubes, they are, in essence, charging to use that feature.

We're going to pack a couple of my little girl's $1.50 Wal-Mart tubes and see if they bust us for letting her use them. I wonder if they have "Tube Nazis" patrolling the area?

Cindy

 

[timetraveler]

That's disappointing to me. The lazy river portion of RI is what we find appealing, but I'm just too principled (stubborn) to pay to use it. By allowing only OLCC tubes, they are, in essence, charging to use that feature.

We're going to pack a couple of my little girl's $1.50 Wal-Mart tubes and see if they bust us for letting her use them. I wonder if they have "Tube Nazis" patrolling the area?

Cindy

I guess your "tube nazis" comment, depends on whether or not OL wants the liability of a child drowning due to use of a cheap product. I know I wouldn't put a child in a $1.50 tube among a large number of guests floating in much larger thicker material tubes.

Do you think Disney would let you use a flimsy buck/50 tube at the lazy river at Typhoon Lagoon?

 

[Vodo]

Frankly, the Wal-Mart tube is quite sturdy and my little girl would never be more than two feet away from me or her father while using it. Rest assured that my child will be safe regardless of what floatation device she uses. There's nothing I take more seriously than my little girl's safety. She's the reason I breathe. I know that to some all things OLCC must be vigorously defended, but sometimes those defenses cross over the line.

My honest opinion is that OLCC is less concerned about liability and more concerned about rental profits. That is, of course, just my opinion (to which I'm pretty sure I'm entitled ).

Cindy

 

[JLB]

I apologize for any ruffled feathers I might have caused and appreciate the clarification on points of fact.

 

[timetraveler]

Sure your entitled, just as I am, and anyone else.

I did not say you would send your 5 year old off alone. Please don't add to my posts.

My question was and still is.......Do you think Disney would permit the use of your Walmart flotation device at Typhoon Lagoon? You standing guard over your child or not.

 

[lizard]

I guess your "tube nazis" comment, depends on whether or not OL wants the liability of a child drowning due to use of a cheap product. I know I wouldn't put a child in a $1.50 tube among a large number of guests floating in much larger thicker material tubes.

Do you think Disney would let you use a flimsy buck/50 tube at the lazy river at Typhoon Lagoon?

I do believe disney has free floatation device.For the $4 dollar fee take the tub back to your room for the next day.

 

[timetraveler]

yes, disney has free floatation devices.....:rofl:, after you pay admission

 

[JLB]

Tube Fight!!! :whoopie:

I'm going to get my water balloons and Super Soaker!!!

 

[Vodo]

Sure your entitled, just as I am, and anyone else.

I did not say you would send your 5 year old off alone. Please don't add to my posts.

My question was and still is.......Do you think Disney would permit the use of your Walmart flotation device at Typhoon Lagoon? You standing guard over your child or not.

Your exact statement was: "I know I wouldn't put a child in a $1.50 tube among a large number of guests floating in much larger thicker material tubes." One could certainly infer from that comment, without the necessity of adding to your post, that my contemplated use of a Wal-Mart float could endanger my child.

Be that as it may, I'll respond to your other question. Of course Disney would not allow a Wal-Mart float at Typhoon Lagoon -- a much larger, much more intense commercial water theme park. But Wal-Mart float aside, I'm certain OLCC would not permit the use of even a top quality Typhoon Lagoon float in River Island because it would eliminate a rental fee profit.

Cindy

 

[timetraveler]

Of course Disney would not allow a Wal-Mart float at Typhoon Lagoon -- a much larger, much more intense commercial water theme park. But Wal-Mart float aside, I'm certain OLCC would not permit the use of even a top quality Typhoon Lagoon float in River Island because it would eliminate a rental fee profit.

Cindy

A lazy river is a lazy river, whether it's at disney or OL. What does intensity have to do with it? We are not talking about one of the water thrill rides, just a lazy river. So there's no difference in Disney not allowing a Walmart type float and OL having the same policy.

As far as rentals go, Disney charges a whopping admission fee, so their "rental fees" are included. RI admission is free.

 

[gjw007]

Not to add more fuel to the fire, but I talked to a lifeguard to try to get a definitive answer. I was told that the tubes were going to initally be $2 rather than $4 but that the rental tubes cost more elsewhere. I also pointed out these places were for a 1-day visit not 7. I think a nomial rental fee of $1 would be appropriate to cover the cost of the tubes. I pointed out the cost of renting a tube at $4 for each member of the family of 4 over the course of 7 days can get expensive especially compared to buying the floatation devices. I asked what does resort-issued floatation device mean. I was pointed out that there are floatation devices sold at West Village and Splash Lagoon. I got mixed reactions to the suggestion of using them in RI. I still don't know the answer to this as I gathered it depended on the time of day and whether a supervisor was around or not.

It was pointed out that by renting the blue tubes, OLCC can:

1. See through the tubes which is important for safety reasons and
2. OLCC can control the number of tubes so that it doesn't get too crowded, again for safety reasons.

This is another area where I think there will be some revisions to policy.

 

[JLB]

Well, anyway Mr. Bum, carry on. I hear the crickets too.

But you have a couple more days and you can always extend the contest passed your stay.

Maybe some guesses will come along.

Again folks, the contest is to guess how far it is, walking, from the entrance to RI to the Entry Way to Splash Lagoon, in thousandths of a mile.

Okay, I picked up a Walmart signature series pedometer and a thermometer. We should be good to go later today.

I took a drive over to River Island this morning and walked around. River Island is magnificent. Whoever said it wasn't a waterpark, should come and see it first hand. It is huge. If it had a wave pool and a few more water slides, it would rival Typhoon Lagoon. This water park is going to put OLCC on the timesharing map once again. It is bigger than most resorts I've been stayed at.

By the way, it's not far from Splash Lagoon to River Island. I think it may be closer to walk there then to walk across River Island when all is said and done. It is certainly farther to walk from the far parking lot at Typhoon Lagoon to the entrance of Typhoon Lagoon.

 

[timetraveler]

YES!!!!!!!!! Finally we can vent our frustration!!!!!!!!

Super Soakers and water balloon champions unite! Your going down Jim! :whoopie:

I accept your challenge.

 

[Vodo]

A lazy river is a lazy river, whether it's at disney or OL. Disney charges a whopping admission fee, so all of their floatation devices for the different water rides are included. RIhas no daily admission fee.

Apples to Oranges.

Cindy

 

[ajsmithtx]

This is another area where I think there will be some revisions to policy.

Again, well stated.

Just be patient, as Gary stated there will be revisions, in the meantime have fun and be safe.

 

[Vodo]

Not to add more fuel to the fire, but I talked to a lifeguard to try to get a definitive answer. I was told that the tubes were going to initally be $2 rather than $4 but that the rental tubes cost more elsewhere. I also pointed out these places were for a 1-day visit not 7. I think a nomial rental fee of $1 would be appropriate to cover the cost of the tubes. I pointed out the cost of renting a tube at $4 for each member of the family of 4 over the course of 7 days can get expensive especially compared to buying the floatation devices. I asked what does resort-issued floatation device mean. I was pointed out that there are floatation devices sold at West Village and Splash Lagoon. I got mixed reactions to the suggestion of using them in RI. I still don't know the answer to this as I gathered it depended on the time of day and whether a supervisor was around or not.

It was pointed out that by renting the blue tubes, OLCC can:

1. See through the tubes which is important for safety reasons and
2. OLCC can control the number of tubes so that it doesn't get too crowded, again for safety reasons.

This is another area where I think there will be some revisions to policy.

Thanks for following up, Gary. Unfortunately for us, we check in this coming Saturday and it's doubtful there will be any policy revisions by then.

As I mentioned before, the Fairfield properties we've visited that have lazy river pools (Bonnet Creek and Ocean Walk) do not charge for tube use. They also do not prevent guests from using their own tubes. This was a good thing for us since even their smallest tubes were too large for my little girl and therefore too easy for her to slip out of. Our own tube worked perfectly.

I'm happy that you mentioned to the lifeguard staff that the rental price is high, particularly when spread over a week's stay. Maybe they'll revisit their pricing at some point. I did notice that there was not a large number of tubes in your earlier photographs, so I suspect the cost may be deterring at least some rentals. Have you ever seen the river "brimming" with tubes? I may underestimate the willingness of families to overspend when at the peak of "vacation madness."

Cindy