1 Bedrooms are over priced (point wise)

[flexsmom]

Perhaps I learned my % differences in a different manner, but I get 285-209 = 76 and 76/209 = 36% increase in cash price from the Studio to the 1 BR, whereas 14 pts to 30pts is a 114% difference? There's obviously not a relationship between the point cost and the cash price!

On the other hand, if you rent points at $10 each, you'd only pay $140 for the Studio vice the $209 they're charging (not to mention tax), whereas you'd pay $300 for the 1 BR and they're charging $285 - pretty close, yet the 30 pts would be cheaper by the time you factor in the tax you'd pay on that $285........

 

[Dean]

Interesting topic and one that's been discussed before though I don't think in this exact contect. There are many situations at DVC and other timeshare where the cash situation doesn't equate to the points requirements. DVC was designed for full week stays and the points are structured accordingly. To take one component and use a microscope doens't give the entire picture. If you compare the weekend points vs weekday points to cash, the difference is magnified even further. The 1 Br is 60 points for a night during magic season.

There is no upgrade option of paying the difference nor should there be. Just like there may be units available for cash when none are available for points, it's a different pot of rooms.

To correct one incorrect point made earlier. DVC can increase or decrease the points for an unit if they chose. The only requirement is that they balance a UNIT for the year. Remember is unit is a group of rooms so they could increase the 1 BR and lower the studio or they could increase both for weekdays or for one time of the year. They could even increase all and decrease the GV. They could alter the split unit differential and increase it if they choose.

Also remember that the seasons for WDW and DVC in many cases DO NOT coincide. While it may be Value season for cash, it is magic season for points. DVC members usage habits are different than many that visit WDW.

As to whether the difference is appropriate, I think they are pretty close. It's already harder to get studios than everything else except GV. Look at the GV points for BWV if you want to see a premium. It's about 50% more than a 2 BR plus a studio.

If they change the studios, it's likely they'll increase them and decrease the 1 BR slightly. It is not appropriate for them to give the upgrade for a points reservation just for the cash difference and it's DVC policy not to do so. They method of doing this as explained to the OP was the correct one with some days points and other cash.

 

[Gene]

Wow,

I didn’t expect this topic to generate that much response. I believe emacman, who was my only supporter by the way, did make my point a little more clear. I am merely trying to point out the discrepancy between the price per room and the point cost per room. It just surprised me that the price was so low for a one bedroom compared to the point cost. And yes the prices that I quoted were $209 and $285, DVC discount prices. That’s because that is what I would pay when I would be staying, not rack rate.

 

[emacman]

Flexmom-
Good job! I believe I was figuring the % of increase taking the difference and dividing by the final cost. So that is the % of total price.
You took the difference divided by original number and represented the % of increase.
I lost my old and new math many years ago!
I do think the same point is illustrated both ways and that is the % of increase in points is not proportionate with dollars.
And that's ok. It just shows that everything is not simple.
Dean makes very good points as does crisi that you must consider the entire picture over time.
Gene, excellent post and observation.

 

[Sabor]

I agree with many opinions posted here.
Remember the total amount of points to stay in a resort for the entire year is a predetermined constant. Given the fact that many here often post having to wait list or non availabilty is evidence that the point structure is pretty well designed. In a perfect "timeshare" world the resorts should be full at all times. The cash price of any room is an irrelevant issue because at many times of year you cannot even get a cash room. It is great that we have this option if we are short of points, But the main purpose of the cash availabilty is to keep the resort full and generate income to help offset out annual dues. I personaaly would rather they rent out a 1 bedroom for $1500.00 for a week to an AP holder than ask $2500 and have it it sit empty. This cash price can me modified with discounts to try to fill up the resort at non peak times. The point values are constant.

To me comparing points costs to rack rates is like comparing apples to oranges.

I also do not understand the allure of the studios , if I wanted a hotel room I could stay at a deluxe or moderate. To me the value of DVC is the 1br, 2br and GVs with kitchens, laundry , tubs and all the other comforts of home.

 

[spiceycat]

If DVC (or WDW) still charged $279 for a studio - would you really want them to charge $558 for a 1-bedroom - do you really think in this enviornment that they could rent it for that amount of money.

kept in mind that any DVC resorts that is rented through CRO or DVC after WDW takes out their costs - can go into the DVC pot.

It is to your advantage.

back in 1996 when OKW was called Disney's Vacation Club
a studio was $195 and a 1-bed $265. Today it would be $254 and $340. the percentage is still very close.

most people who rent w/cash really want a studio (less cost) - if they are forced to take a 1-bedroom then they want a deal.

DVC has not changed their rules - you can not mix points and cash in one night reservations - that as Dean has say was always a rule.

I am sorry that this is a problem for you - maybe you should consider renting someone else points - that might be a much cheaper alternative for you. then have DVC link the reservations.

another thing - only if the member is staying in the rented room will you get the DVC discount. You can't have your guest stay in the 1-bedroom and you get your cash discount - it doesn't work that way. So unless you are planning on staying in the 1-bedroom then you might be better off renting points.

I am sorry that you didn't realized the price of the DVC resorts rooms before you brought.

 

[d-r]

Honestly, I think that the ratio for studio points to one bedroom points is a little too steep, because in a studio you get one bed and a sofa, and in a one bedroom you get one bed and a sofa, so they are really for sleeping the same amount of people. The one bedroom format is sort of weird if you think about it - it is really for a couple, there isn't a bed for kids. And a studio is really for a couple, too. But then we aren't ones to use the kitchen, and our kid can sleep on either couch. The one bedrooms are nicer and roomier. But over twice as much?

But the fact is I knew exactly what we were buying in to when we bought it so I wouldn't complain about it or anything, I'm just saying that when you think about it objectively it is sort of odd.

Also, I don't agree that dvc was sold on a one week model. DVC was sold to be flexible. That may mean a one week model to someone, but it might mean a couple of long weekends to someone else. Or whatever. Or it could mean different things at different years as things change in your life or whatever. It was designed to be flexible, not a certain type of accomodation or a certain length of stay, or even a certain resort for that matter. You can bank and borrow points, etc. I think it is limiting to say "this is what I will always get" when there are unlimited possibilities, that is the beauty of DVC to me.

What they are charging cash for the one bedroom is less than $10 per point, for what its worth, and that comes with maid service.

 

[crisi]

Doesn't seem odd to me, but then we vacationed in a lot of cabins over the years where the kids were on the pull out in the living room.

 

[KNWVIKING]

... I don't have time to read both pages.

Don't take this the wrong way cause it's not meant to offend, but didn't you realize the points spread prior to buying into DVC ?? I've come across a few minor complaints during my ownership years, things that you would realize only after you made the purchase. But I was very aware of the points chart and type accomodation I wanted to stay in.

Studios: DVC is not my "home away from home". It's just the best option for me to spend 3-4 weeks a year in WDW,at a great resort for a great price. My vacations are not about washers and dryers, VCR's or big screen tvs. I have them at home. A studio allows me a great place to sleep and shower while I enjoy my vacation being in the World or just outside it. I guess I don't understand why some only want a one bedroom just the same as others don't understand my attraction to studios.

 

[Richyams]

I just see studio dwelling as being quite pedestrian.

 

[jekjones1558]

I just see studio dwelling as being quite pedestrian.

It is possible to be a liberal and a pedestrian and a DVCer. At least I can't find anything in the Guidebook prohibiting membership to folks in those categories. We are even allowed to own at OKW, I think, Richyams!

 

[msdis]

I think the system is fair. The flex is great.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Originally posted by Richyams
I just see studio dwelling as being quite pedestrian.

LOL, you're always good for a laugh. Thank you! I'm assuming you don't mean for us to take you too seriously.

 

[lenshanem]

In planning a trip this week for next summer I figured we'd be betetr off getting 2 studios instead of a 1 bedroom. The bed sitauton works out better plus we have 2 bathrooms instead of 1. By doing 2 studios it is less points and my brother can now coem along. For us to get a 2 bedroom which would work for us, it woudl be 12 more poinst a night over 2 studios. The difference in the 1 bedroom compared to 2 studios is 2 more poinst for the 1 bedroom and we woudln't get the extra bathroom and woudl end up over occupancy since my youngest will ahev just turned 3. An aerobed woudl ahve to be used, too. Thsi won't work. I think they did the bedromm set ups wrong. It shodul be two queens Or a king plus the sleeper sofa in the 1 bedroom. (I think there are a few roosm liek this, not sure where, but they can't be guaranteed, right?) To me we want to max our points, we'll most likely use studios whiel at WDW. We don't spend much time in the room there. I can see going for the 1 bedroom at VB or HH, but not at WDW. I've stayed in regular hotle rooms all my life, the studio doesn't freak me out. Like my Mom said, are you really gonan cook at WDw? NOPE! The kitcheneete works just fien for us. We'll only use it for breakfast and maybe snacks or snadwichs during our mid day pool breaks. We now only ahve 200 points even with our recent add on, maybe if we had the extra money and coudl afford more poinst would we stay in the 1 bedrooms. As it is, I'm guessing as our girls turn into teenagers we'll ahev to cut our trip days to get the 2 bedroom, but for now my girls don't know the difference.

 

[Richyams]

I think there are a few roosm liek this, not sure where, but they can't be guaranteed, right?

If you mean both a queen and a sleeper or two queens in the master, NO, this does not exist anywhere.(Joyfully)

 

[PamOKW]

There is always a king bed in the master bedroom at all DVC's. The second bedroom can vary from 2 queens to a queen and a pullout sofa. BCV made "mistake" when they furnished the 2 bedrooms. They book the 2 bedrooms with 2 queens as a guaranteed room.

IMHO, DVC did absolutely the right thing making the master bedroom a master bedroom -- not a hotel room.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Originally posted by PamOKW
IMHO, DVC did absolutely the right thing making the master bedroom a master bedroom -- not a hotel room.

Agreed.

 

[disneycrazed139]

I also agree that the cash difference does not seem to compare to the actual point difference requirements between studio and larger unit. The points requirements could be distributed differently in the future, who knows? For now, I'm fine thinking of the studio as being a bargain, as opposed to the larger units being a bad deal.

 

[lenshanem]

Yes, I can see the difference and understnad why my opinion is the minority. I guess I just see differenetly since we own less points than many that frequent thsi board. If we had more points I too woudl want the luxury of the larger room along with the king bed. We could always go for the 2 bedroom giving our girls their own space, too. But, it woudl be nice if we had an option. I'm sure there are many members out there with small kids who have smaller poinst like us. By us using studios we'll be able to get about 15 to 16 nighst a year out of DVC. I prefer more nighst in a studio than less nights in the 1 bedroom. Once again, thsi won't work for us come 10 years or so when the girls will want another bathroom. I still think DVc was a deal for us. Even though we're in a studio we'll still get SAB.........

 

[Cruelladeville]

I think the one bedroom is the bargain, point-wise or for cash, not the studio. Aside from getting twice as much space in a one bedroom, I am getting a full kitchen, an absolutely wonderful bathroom WITH a whirlpool tub, a washer -dryer, and a whole lot more storage space. The object is not to stuff as many people as possible in a room, it's to enjoy the space provided, at least in a one bedroom. It's the difference between utility and luxury. A one bedroom is a luxury, and a real value too.

Cash can be an extra value since you also get maid service, if you like that sort of thing. It's great in a one bedroom, when your room actually needs a cleaning, like around day 4.