1 Bedrooms are over priced (point wise)

[Gene]

I am staying at WLV's in July of 2004. I reserved 3 studios for 5 nights (sun - thurs). The point cost per night is 14, which translates to 70 points for the week, for one room. A one bedroom for one night is 30 points, which translates to 150 points for the week. I was hoping to make one of the studios a one bedroom but I do not have enough points, so I asked if a cash upgrade was possible. I was amazed at the price difference between the studio and the one bedroom. I was told by member services that a studio goes for $209.00 per night and a one bedroom goes for $285.00 per night, which amazed me. Why is it that the points are more than double for a one bedroom but the cash value is negligible? I feel that the one bedroom is extremely overpriced (point wise). I admit it is nice to stay in but not at more that double the points. It feels as if we are almost being taken by Disney when you see what they are charging for the one bedroom.

On another note, the way I had hoped the cash upgrade would have gone is as follows. The price difference between a studio and a one bedroom is $76.00 per night. So $76.00 multiplied by 5 nights would be $380.00. That is not the case. I was told that I would have to cancel my 5 studio nights (70 points) and reserve as many nights of a one bedroom, which would be 2 nights (60 points). Then I would have to purchase the remaining three nights in cash. That would mean 3 nights at $285.00 per night instead of $380.00 total.

Anyone have any thoughts on these topics. I would love to see the point value of the one bedroom come down in the future but I don't think that will or even can happen.

sulzbach775@yahoo.com

 

[disny4ever]

we have not stayed in a studio before...only a 1 bedroom. I have no rpoblem using the points for these rooms. They are spacious and they allow us to really enjoy our vacation. This is just my point of view, others may differ with me and that's ok.
As the saying goes " to each his own ", all I know is I enjoy my time at DVC.

 

[Richyams]

Back in the begining, they really didn't expect so much demand for studios. This is evidenced by many things. The lack of safes in OKW studios, the lack of a VCR in studios, the complete lack of any dedicated studios at OKW, and a few other things.

They are stuck with the point charts and differences they made at OKW in the begining. DVC was meant as a "Home away from home". They were expecting everyone to want one bedroom and larger units. They expected people to buy points accordingly, that is why the minimum was 230 points for so long.

You think YOU are paying a premium for the larger unit?

Look at the per bedroom cost of the GV. Yes, its real high, but I wouldn't want to stay in anything else, so I bought enough points to stay in the unit I wanted. I still think its a bargain.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I too do NOT understand the interest in studios. This is a timeshare, and as such is meant to be a "home away from home" like any other timeshare. A studio at most timeshares is available as a lock off so if the person who is the owner wants to bring guests (paying or free) they can do so. Many timeshare owners use that as a way to recoup their maintanance costs , especailly of the higher end timeshares in Hawaii. I was amazed that DVC offered studios at all. Most studios are used as a way to let interested buyers try out the timeshare befor they buy. We did that at OKW, getting a special rate on a studio for a 5 night trip as an enticement to buy. Now, I must say, the 1 bedroom is a much better enticement. At OKW, the difference between a studio and a 1 bedroom is HUGE! The studio is an oversized hotel room, but the 1 bedroom is a "home". That interpretation might get lost a littel in the hotel like setting of the other DVC resorts. Since most timeshares I have been at are more "home" like than hotel like, that might be the reason DVC finds so many wanting studios.

 

[JimC]

The 1 bedroom is twice as large as the studio, comes with a complete kitchen, whirlpool tub, and washer/dryer. The points are just over twice the studio. Maybe I am missing something, but I think the points structure of the 1 bedroom versus a studio is fine.

We all knew the point structure and the rules before buying in and I would assume we must have concluded that the program had merit. I am paying less than I was even with DC and AP discounts for moderates and deluxe resorts with DVC and I am staying in better accommodations.

Richyams touched on an important point. DVC is an upsell vacation experience. That is an important concept to understanding the product offered.

As to the cash price, I expect DVC to price the units to keep them full if members are not using them and extract appropriate revenue. I trust their judgement and experience in structuring the pricing. Cash reservation revenue benefits the members.

 

[chris1gill]

I have to agree with the majority, I think the point pricing for the 1 bedrooms SHOULD be double the point cost of the studio... it's twice the room, with a kitchen, whirlpool & washer/dryer...

If anything, the cash price is TOO LOW on the 1 bedrooms. They should raise the 1 bedroom cash price to be twice as much as the cash price of the studio. Maybe they already do & the poster was just given a discounted rate at the time he asked.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by chris1gill
...If anything, the cash price is TOO LOW on the 1 bedrooms. They should raise the 1 bedroom cash price to be twice as much as the cash price of the studio. Maybe they already do & the poster was just given a discounted rate at the time he asked.

Well, it's probably supply and demand. They have to be able to rent those rooms out for cash to allow us to trade into non-DVC activities like Cruises, etc.

 

[Richyams]

I can see the argument for BWV, the one bedroom is almost the same size as the studio, it is too many points.

 

[paults]

I also think the 1 bedrooms are priced right for pts. I'd have to say IMHO that if DVC didn't have any studios for pts a lot of us DVCers would not have bought ( I know we wouldn't have).

We like the idea that we can use a studio when we want to save pts for another trip

 

[vernon]

When comparing costs (points verses cash) you could say that comparitively the cost for points looks expensive or you could say that comparitively the cost for cash looks cheap. I would tend to go for the second option, an extra $76 for a one bedroom compared to a studio looks a steal, I think twice the points for a one bedroom looks to be about right.
Looking at all 4 items I think the following

1) studio on points (10) to studio cash ($200) . Cash looks expensive
2) One bedroom points (20) to One bedroom cash ($276) looks a fair deal
3) studio points to one bedroom points looks a fair deal
4) studio cash to one bedroom cash , one bedroom looks a great deal.

Would you still feel so hard done by if a studio cost $150 a night for a cash booking and a One bedroom cost $300?

 

[Scoootch]

Originally posted by dianeschlicht
I too do NOT understand the interest in studios. This is a timeshare, and as such is meant to be a "home away from home" .

I was amazed that DVC offered studios at all.

I don't know about for others, but for us having gone for at least a week or 2 every year to WDW (and we always stayed at the Disney resorts), we realized that buying into DVC was a much better deal than paying for a regular hotel room in the Disney resorts every year.

When we first bought, we didn't buy in because we were looking for a HOME AWAY FROM HOME - condo size accomodations - we just realized how much nicer it was to have a studio that was larger and nicer than the regular hotel room and the fact that it came with the Kitchenette was just a major bonus. Now that we've stayed in a 1bdrm and larger unit of course we love it, but initially what drew us to DVC was the fact that it was just such a great deal for the studio size villa compared to spending the money every year at the regular Disney Resorts in just a hotel room.

 

[PamOKW]

You must be getting quoted discounted rates. The rack rate for that time period is $279 for a studio and $380 for a one-bedroom. A $110 difference (before tax) is hardly "no difference".

I would love to see the point value of the one bedroom come down in the future but I don't think that will or even can happen.

Careful what you wish for. The price of a one-bedroom could come down .....if the point cost of the studio goes up.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by Gene
Anyone have any thoughts on these topics. I would love to see the point value of the one bedroom come down in the future but I don't think that will or even can happen.

sulzbach775@yahoo.com

They can't reduce the points of one bedrooms without raising points on something else. Total points for accommodations for a DVC resort cannot change, by contract.

While the studio doesn't appeal to us personally, I know that the DVC sales personnel often use the studio point chart when selling DVC. That's how they justify 150 points as adequate.

And that's why people end up adding on so much!

I guess I don't see the issue here. If someone thinks that 1BR's are not worth the additional points, then don't reserve them. It's strictly a value proposition.

For many, it's worth it. For others, "it's just a place to sleep and why spend all those points when we could stay longer in a studio?". Both are valid and personal choices.

I certainly don't understand the "angry face" smilie. It's not like we were misled on accommodation point schedules.

 

[emacman]

I'll add my two cents. I think most of you are missing Gene's original point. I believe he is saying that the increase from a studio to a 1BR is 27% money wise. It is a 53% increase point wise. I think that is what he thought was disproportionate.

I would surmise that the original intent discussed by Richyams, diane, etc of points intending the home away from home concept play a roll. I would also guess supply and demand at the property also plays a roll. Whether studios were intended as the main target or not, the fact is they are very popular.

Lots of people go to WDW for a "one time shot" and are not repeat vacationers. I find this a lot when talking to friends about WDW, "yes, we took the kids when they were little." They would see studios as desirable because of limited kitchenette abilities.

I often try to stay in Studios to save points for more trips or cruises, etc. We all spend points and money differently and that is OK.

If DVC had the chance to reconsider today with a clean slate, would they do it the same way? Who knows. I do identify with Gene though in when you work to put together "the plan" so to speak and then it is short circuited by either lack of availability or moving to a different property which requires different points it can really shock you a bit. I believe that is all Gene was trying to communicate.

I could be completely wrong. As I said at the outset, just my twi cents worth.

 

[Dakota260]

I agree the cash value is negligable compared to the points, but the thing that you have to remember is that almost everything with Disney is over priced compared to other resorts or timeshares. Disney has a commodity that just about everyone loves and they price it accordingly because people like me and you are willing to pay the price.

 

[TheWho]

I can't believe $285 /nite for a one bedroom. Some deluxes cost that or more.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by Scoootch
I don't know about for others, but for us having gone for at least a week or 2 every year to WDW (and we always stayed at the Disney resorts), we realized that buying into DVC was a much better deal than paying for a regular hotel room in the Disney resorts every year.

When we first bought, we didn't buy in because we were looking for a HOME AWAY FROM HOME - condo size accomodations - we just realized how much nicer it was to have a studio that was larger and nicer than the regular hotel room and the fact that it came with the Kitchenette was just a major bonus. Now that we've stayed in a 1bdrm and larger unit of course we love it, but initially what drew us to DVC was the fact that it was just such a great deal for the studio size villa compared to spending the money every year at the regular Disney Resorts in just a hotel room.

And I think DVC has specifically marketed this way. I suspect the parks as a draw is the reason. I do think they were surprised about that point at first, because they developed OKW more like a traditional timeshare property with seperate entrances etc. I think the draw of studios caused them to reconsider that plan when they added on BWV, VWL, and BCV. That is also about the same time they started allowing the 150 point contracts. I believe these contracts were specifically engineered around the folks who see WDW as a vacation destination for parks, and not necessarily a timeshare setting. I think they price the 1 bedroom units for cash so they are competetive with the other home away from home none DVC properties on site like the cabins.

 

[JimC]

The rates the OP is quoting are with the DVC discount and are before the 11.5% resort tax. The rack rates are $279 and $380 for July (Value season) -- rack rates with tax are $311 and $424.

 

[emacman]

Rack rates, discounts rates, whatever...the point still remains, that even using rack rates, the increase is 26%. When considering points the increase is 53%. I still believe the OP's intent was to highlight the discrepancy.

Folks, nobody is slinging mud on whether it is worth the investment, questioning DVC, calling the baby ugly or whatever. I believe as loyal DVCers, we sometimes defend to a fault.

The fact that the dollar difference and the point difference is disproportionate is really the issue. I can't say why. I think there have been some very strong reasons proposed and some of us may be exactly right as to why it is that way. But it still doesn't change the incongruety. Right?

 

[crisi]

That is the current difference. The point difference will always be 53% (or very likely always - they could adjust it, but we know they wouldn't do it lightly).

The cash difference may change over time. Should one bedrooms come into demand, the cash difference in the future might be 100%.

For the past two years, Disney has offered some great discounts on their rack rates. This may change. Their rack rates may change.