A Couple of Gripes...

[Chuck S]

that's cool, I wish I could.

But you can communicate that desire to DVC. They may not do it, but you can tell them.

The question isn't whether dues would increase...costs for employees are always going up, but by how much they will increase, and what is a reasonable, and legal. DVC has a fiduciary responsibility to maintain dues as low as possible while also having the services wanted by its owners. It is a balancing act. Just because things you may use are cut, they may be cut because other necessary costs have increased dramatically, like water, power, employees, while the amount of dues increases is limited by law.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I think one of the interesting arguements is that no one wants their dues to go up for the replacement of TVs but would rather add staff. Staff costs are on going, include other ancillary costs and are not one time. I think most people would be fine with a one time annual dues charge for a replacement of a specific item that is beyond it's years in terms of even acceptable standards for budget places, but then again, I may be speaking for myself on this one.

A dues increase for a replacement of TVs would be a one time charge. My career is in financial analysis and budgeting, and we are always more cautious with expenses related to salary items then we are with one time charges. I'd rather increase my budget for a one-time expense then an ongoing recurring, and I'd usually get my budget request from our executive management for that one-time item.

 

[disneynutz]

OKW is scheduled for a full rehab next year. Everything will be changed out from beds, to drapes, to kitchens, to appliances (including TV's), and even new color palletes.

The OP brings up a good point about OKW being outdated and rundown. I know DVC is doing their best at keeping it up, but you can only do so much. You will really notice the condition if you move from a new resort (in our case the Tree House Villas) into OKW. I was hugely disappointed with the condition of OKW.

If what we see is their best... then their best isn't good enough!

DVC isn't a 4 or 5 star experience any more. Maybe it never was, but it sure was better before.

Bill

 

[Maistre Gracey]

With all of the other issues that should be addressed, is the size, shape and style of the TV set that important? I would rather have a clean, well maintained room over a flat screen TV.

Bill

I completely agree, however I was only addressing the topic at hand.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Yep, I also totally realize that my dues are going to go up no matter what. So instead of my dues going up 20 bucks they go up $25 bucks, I'll take the rehab now.

Sorry, I'm just no longer buying the "hey you got a clean bed sheet" line. A clean room is the bare bottom minimum I will except. If that's going to be the litmus test, then please stop using words like "luxury, special, magic" in your advertisement. Simply say you'll get a clean bed and not much else.
No a tv is not "important" to me. As I said, it's more of an overall trend. out dated accomadations, take away valet parking, mediocre food, on and on and I see it continuing.
Next year, it will be no more free health club access, then no more discounts on annual passes.
I just wish they would attempt to be competitive in the time share market

Just my view that we are swallowing DVC becoming motel 6 with lousy excuses.

Yup.. Well said.

MG

 

[disneynutz]

I completely agree, however I was only addressing the topic at hand.

MG

Bill

 

[lugnut33]

If what we see is their best... then their best isn't good enough!

DVC isn't a 4 or 5 star experience any more. Maybe it never was, but it sure was better before.

Bill

I was saying that I'm sure they are doing their best to keep up those worn out rooms at OKW. Maybe a complete refurb is 2 years late?

 

[CarolAnnC]

Unfortunately, not just one item (i.e. televisions) that need replacing on a consistent basis. The dvd's that were put in, major appliances, bedding including the mattresses, carpeting and more are items that need to be purchased continually. Not just for OKW, but all the DVC resorts..

I can wait for the rehab that is scheduled, but I hope that one day we are not all hit with a one time assessment fee to capture payment for some of these updates..did happen to me years ago with a condo I once owned..

 

[KirstenB]

OP, I agree, especially about the food courts. We have young children, and own at OKW. I have been very underwhelmed with the quick service at any of the DVC resorts. At home, we might go out to dinner once a month. Otherwise, I cook everything. ON vacation, I'd love to be able to get some quick service variety at the resort where I"m staying. Instead, our family sometimes goes over to Port Orleans.

HOwever, on our trip last June, I just brought back fast food every night, from the closest Taco Bell, McDonald's etc.

 

[Doctor P]

If the demand for more elaborate quick service was there and profitable, you can bet they would have it at OKW. I have never found OKW to be either worn or unkept as compared with other hotels. Indeed, the only serious wear I ever saw was at SSR and that was less than a year after it opened. As to the TV's, I am quite willing to wait for the normal rehab. It's certainly not a make or break for me and I don't want to pay any extra for what I consider to be a luxury item that is not necessary for my enjoyment. Remember that a lot of the TV's are in built-in cabinets that may not easily or aesthetically handle the new style of TV's. I suspect that it may be necessary to completely redo the kitchen islands at OKW to get in one of the new style TV's.

 

[Deb & Bill]

.... I suspect that it may be necessary to completely redo the kitchen islands at OKW to get in one of the new style TV's.

Which would mean a floor replacement in the kitchen and living room.

 

[hakepb]

Which would mean a floor replacement in the kitchen and living room.

They could choose the biggest screensize that fit in the cabinents, but it would make for a smaller-looking TV (It will be shorter than the current, which is why you need a larger widescreen vs the old 4:3)
Or could it go in the dining hutch or behind the chair?

 

[Sammie]

With all of the other issues that should be addressed, is the size, shape and style of the TV set that important? I would rather have a clean, well maintained room over a flat screen TV.

Bill

Agreed, considering how poor the channel selection is at Disney, the size and shape and type of TV does not matter to me, there is nothing decent to watch anyway. They don't show the good channels.

 

[hakepb]

I do find the lack of CS dining at DVC very maddening. I consider time to be a luxury and CS dining gives me more time to enjoy my vacation.

That said, After a few fustrating trips, experiencing less-than ideal CS dining at DVC (vs my previous "sub-standard" value stays), I changed my typical plans to make sure I'm in a park during dining hours to use their CS dining.

The one thing I can't get over, no breakfast at Kidani. No TS, no CS, nothing

 

[jade1]

Besides.. 1/4 million divided the number of points at OKW, divided by the number of life-years of the TV, would come out to be how much??
I would bet less than a penny.

MG

hey, even the smilies need an upgrade.

 

[BroganMc]

Agreed, considering how poor the channel selection is at Disney, the size and shape and type of TV does not matter to me, there is nothing decent to watch anyway. They don't show the good channels.

I missed having a nice LCD TV last month. All you need to do to improve your channel selection is:

• bring a laptop with HDMI output
• have a slingbox setup at home
• connect laptop to LCD and have a full lineup (in our case 500+ channels)

At our cheapie Marriott we had 3 LCD TVs last trip. But move to Disney and we're back to the crap TVs. We never turned them on, opting instead for laptop watching over breakfast or dinner.

 

[jade1]

I think one of the interesting arguements is that no one wants their dues to go up for the replacement of TVs but would rather add staff. Staff costs are on going, include other ancillary costs and are not one time. I think most people would be fine with a one time annual dues charge for a replacement of a specific item that is beyond it's years in terms of even acceptable standards for budget places, but then again, I may be speaking for myself on this one.

A dues increase for a replacement of TVs would be a one time charge. I'd rather increase my budget for a one-time expense then an ongoing recurring, and I'd usually get my budget request from our executive management for that one-time item.

Agreed and what I find interesting is the "I don't want to spend the penny a point on flat screen tv's" argument, even while flat screens are going into DVC resorts such as BWV/BCV as we speak. Well nobody asked about those did they? If it's such a huge dramatic expense-how is it happening at these resorts? The point is-if they just put them in all the resorts-nobody would even have time to even wonder where the penny a point came from and we would all have a closer to "deluxe" room to go back to. Has anybody ever read on here, someone complaining that they put a flat screen in a DVC resort and they don't want to pay for it through dues?

I just found out on this thread from jekjones1558 that BCV's has been getting flat screens already. I am very happy to hear that. Hmm where did they get the money for that?

 

[Sammie]

I missed having a nice LCD TV last month. All you need to do to improve your channel selection is:

• bring a laptop with HDMI output
• have a slingbox setup at home
• connect laptop to LCD and have a full lineup (in our case 500+ channels)

At our cheapie Marriott we had 3 LCD TVs last trip. But move to Disney and we're back to the crap TVs. We never turned them on, opting instead for laptop watching over breakfast or dinner.

No offense but I am on "vacation" no way am I bringing anything extra to watch TV. A good book will suffice for me on vacation.

I don't bring a laptop either.

 

[Starr W.]

They could choose the biggest screensize that fit in the cabinents, but it would make for a smaller-looking TV (It will be shorter than the current, which is why you need a larger widescreen vs the old 4:3)
Or could it go in the dining hutch or behind the chair?

They have the flat screens at Vero Beach, the one in the living room /kitchen is in the same cabinet. It would be hard to replace that one because the top is the main counter in the kitchen.

We stayed in a BWV villa in January that had been refurbed with soft goods and furniture. Can't remember if it had the flat screen tv though. They really need to replace the appliances there first. Though I didn't cook, it would have been an adventure with the tilt on the burners. Microwave on it's last legs and the dryer died on my 2nd load. Yes, I did let maintainence know about the dryer before we checked out.

 

[Chuck S]

Of course they are adding them at BCV/BWV, as part of a scheduled rehab. The same will happen at OKW, but at the moment, those regular TV are still pretty new, and have use life left. No doubt, when the TVs reach their normal replacement schedule, OKW will get flat screens, simple as that. I find it interesting that those folks that don't own at OKW are the most vocal in demanding that OKW replace them.