Disney BEACH CLUB VILLAS - Refurbishment coming for 2014?

[TorontoJoe]

Hey DISboarders,

I've read on another site that there are carpet samples being tested in the BCV for a planned refurbishment due to take place sometime in 2014. I'm just about to start booking a multi-generational family Disney adventure for 20 of us and had targeted the BCV as our prime resort destination.

Does anyone know 1) if the refurb is happening, and 2) if so when it is scheduled to be completed?

The last thing that I want is to stay in a construction site, but if it's been newly spruced up that may make the stay even more enjoyable than expected! Last time we were at the BCV was late 2011 and the rooms were showing signs of wear and tear, so I'm a little shocked that the refurb hasn't happened already...

 

[Deb & Bill]

Hey DISboarders,

I've read on another site that there are carpet samples being tested in the BCV for a planned refurbishment due to take place sometime in 2014. I'm just about to start booking a multi-generational family Disney adventure for 20 of us and had targeted the BCV as our prime resort destination.

Does anyone know 1) if the refurb is happening, and 2) if so when it is scheduled to be completed?

The last thing that I want is to stay in a construction site, but if it's been newly spruced up that may make the stay even more enjoyable than expected! Last time we were at the BCV was late 2011 and the rooms were showing signs of wear and tear, so I'm a little shocked that the refurb hasn't happened already...

Since BCV is a DVC resort, all maintenance is paid for by member annual fees. OKW was opened in 1993 and the first hard renovation occured in 2010. BCV was opened in 2002. 2014 is even not far enough out, but they are supposed to be doing the renovations there in 2014.

They will do a small section at a time to keep the resort open as much as possible. OKW they did a building at a time. BWV, they did a small section at a time.

 

[mickeynut1]

Hey DISboarders,

I've read on another site that there are carpet samples being tested in the BCV for a planned refurbishment due to take place sometime in 2014. I'm just about to start booking a multi-generational family Disney adventure for 20 of us and had targeted the BCV as our prime resort destination.

Does anyone know 1) if the refurb is happening, and 2) if so when it is scheduled to be completed?

The last thing that I want is to stay in a construction site, but if it's been newly spruced up that may make the stay even more enjoyable than expected! Last time we were at the BCV was late 2011 and the rooms were showing signs of wear and tear, so I'm a little shocked that the refurb hasn't happened already...

I don't know about BCV, but I have read that room refurbs for the BC are supposed to start sometime next year, with the YC being done after that.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Hope so!!!! We were in a Villa 5 minutes and they moved us to a room which we are still happily in, it's time for a redo.

 

[shalom]

A refurb is woefully over due. Just about every review I've seen on a Timeshare board complains about the conditions there -- and the ones that don't, someone usually asks and the response is usually, "that's not a big deal in my book, but, yeah, it was kind of shabby."

 

[jad215]

Following along! We plan on staying here for our honeymoon in October 2014. Hopefully if there is a refurb it will be done by then since it's so popular in the fall for F&W.

 

[OKW Lover]

I'm surprised at the number of folks that find BCV is in need of a refurb. We've been very pleased with the condition of the units we have been in.

 

[TorontoJoe]

I'm surprised at the number of folks that find BCV is in need of a refurb. We've been very pleased with the condition of the units we have been in.

I think that the Magical feelings you get whenever out of the room can mask the sad reality that furniture is chipped and scratched, cupboard doors have fallen out of line due to sagging hinges, bathtubs and sinks have been noticeably recaulked, and in general the fit and finish of the rooms show wear and tear. My wife thinks I complain about it too much, but when you pay up for a Deluxe Villa, you want to feel like you're getting your money's worth for the room - not just the Disney Magic that makes everything else so fantastic!

For us, the location makes it unbeatable when comparing Disney Resorts, but no matter how well you maintain a property, eventually something that gets as much use as the BC will require a proper refurbishment. I am really hoping that the Villas are completed by October '14!!

 

[Deb & Bill]

I think that the Magical feelings you get whenever out of the room can mask the sad reality that furniture is chipped and scratched, cupboard doors have fallen out of line due to sagging hinges, bathtubs and sinks have been noticeably recaulked, and in general the fit and finish of the rooms show wear and tear. My wife thinks I complain about it too much, but when you pay up for a Deluxe Villa, you want to feel like you're getting your money's worth for the room - not just the Disney Magic that makes everything else so fantastic!

For us, the location makes it unbeatable when comparing Disney Resorts, but no matter how well you maintain a property, eventually something that gets as much use as the BC will require a proper refurbishment. I am really hoping that the Villas are completed by October '14!!

But if they renovate like they did OKW, they won't touch the bathroom at all and do little if anything in the kitchen.

BCV is fully occupied nearly 100% of the time. Taking villas out of service will need to be done a year in advance so DVC members booking on points won't have to be moved to another resort.

 

[pixie08]

BCV has had a soft refurbish in 2009. It replaced all upholstery and bedding etc. they are scheduled for stage 2 in 2014 (late 2014 is the rumor. Probably late July/August as it begins the slowest time of year). BWV just had a complete rehab and it is the same age approx as BCV. So BCV is due. They will do a floor or area at a time so it will not really impact your stay. They will do it in a really slow time when they can pull room out of circulation like they did at BWV last year.

See this thread too..
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2360864

 

[DebbieB]

BCV has had a soft refurbish in 2009. It replaced all upholstery and bedding etc. they are scheduled for stage 2 in 2014 (late 2014 is the rumor. Probably late July/August as it begins the slowest time of year). BWV just had a complete rehab and it is the same age approx as BCV. So BCV is due. They will do a floor or area at a time so it will not really impact your stay. They will do it in a really slow time when they can pull room out of circulation like they did at BWV last year.

See this thread too..
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2360864

BWV opened in 1996. BCV opened in 2002.

BWV had a complete rehab in 2009/2010.

A lot depends on how the reserve fund was setup in the dues budget. They project how many years of dues will be needed for each type of refurbishment (roof, exterior, interior, etc).

 

[DemoBri1]

BCV is just like any of the other resorts. We've had some great rooms and some clunker rooms. With the use that BCV gets because of it's proximity to Epcot and DHS, and also the fact that it is the one DVC resort which as access to SAB it really gets used up. Being an owner there since 2002 I would definitely say in the 10 years we've been down there we have seen some deterioration, but nothing that I'd say would prevent us from staying there. If you read some threads you'd think the place was ready to fall down.

Sadly some people when they stay there feel that since this is not their home they'll take a few liberties with watching how they live in the villas instead of treating them as if they were their homes. Being an owner there I would welcome a refurbishment if for nothing else that I'm a bit tired of looking at the same furniture, paint, and carpeting. Other than that we still love it there.

 

[pixie08]

BWV opened in 1996. BCV opened in 2002.

BWV had a complete rehab in 2009/2010.

A lot depends on how the reserve fund was setup in the dues budget. They project how many years of dues will be needed for each type of refurbishment (roof, exterior, interior, etc).

Yes this is true, but as a hospitality designer who deals with hotels I can tell you that things have changed drastically from 2009 in terms of finish code for fabric, wall covering, carpet etc (environmental) and energy codes ( led retrofitting) Most hotels are ona 6 year renovation schedule. If you complete before the 6 which most do at the 5 year mark the company can get a 4-10% tax credit for renovationg within that period. Some states are trying to make this a law. So I am thinking Disney might be focusing on being above the curve. Honestly 12 year renovation is despicable. Holiday inn is on a better schedule, as an owner I hope DVC starts allocating more funds to this. Of course there is a fine line between renovating and increasing fees! It is just a matter of reallocation.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yes this is true, but as a hospitality designer who deals with hotels I can tell you that things have changed drastically from 2009 in terms of finish code for fabric, wall covering, carpet etc (environmental) and energy codes ( led retrofitting) Most hotels are ona 6 year renovation schedule. If you complete before the 6 which most do at the 5 year mark the company can get a 4-10% tax credit for renovationg within that period. Some states are trying to make this a law. So I am thinking Disney might be focusing on being above the curve. Honestly 12 year renovation is despicable. Holiday inn is on a better schedule, as an owner I hope DVC starts allocating more funds to this. Of course there is a fine line between renovating and increasing fees! It is just a matter of reallocation.

BCV isn't a hotel. It's a timeshare. Members' fees pay for all refurbishments.

 

[pixie08]

Deb&Bill I agree, I am a DVC member so I am aware. The issue still is that this is an industry standard, and if DVC even wants to compete they will have to start taking this into consideration much more than ever before. If not our ownership is going to start becoming severely devalued. Especially at the older properties, and I think DVC is starting to understand this. That is why previous renovations may have took 10-15 years but going forward we may see a different model.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Deb&Bill I agree, I am a DVC member so I am aware. The issue still is that this is an industry standard, and if DVC even wants to compete they will have to start taking this into consideration much more than ever before. If not our ownership is going to start becoming severely devalued. Especially at the older properties, and I think DVC is starting to understand this. That is why previous renovations may have took 10-15 years but going forward we may see a different model.

Which industry? Timeshares or hotels? Most timeshares do renovations every 10-15 years. And they are limited to what they can raise the dues each year. If they raise them too much, they are going to get more complaints from members than if they don't fully renovate every six years. But during the 12-15 years, they still repaint, repair, replace when needed. It's just when they purchase shoddy to begin with that it wears out more quickly (see BLT furniture).

And DVC doesn't seem to have a problem competing. Even with the prices they are asking. They even ask at least twice what we paid originally (direct from Disney) for 15 years shorter time frame.

 

[Nanna24]

Do you mind me asking where you read that information about the refurbishments to BC? I'd like to read it myself. I've been trying to confirm that information. Thanks.

 

[dansdad]

Do you mind me asking where you read that information about the refurbishments to BC? I'd like to read it myself. I've been trying to confirm that information. Thanks.

Post #1 here.

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3277682

 

[DebbieB]

I thought it was mentioned at the annual meeting last year.

 

[Calle&Jakesmom]

Any more news? Just book for late April and hoping that if rooms are being refurbed it will be finished by then.
I did read on a Beach Club resort thread that those rooms are being done now and that when they are done they are planning to start on villas.