A Couple of Gripes...

[Chuck S]

Aah the old "You didn't properly plan" so it must be your fault. Really not sure what the heck my advance planning, or lack of planning has to do with crappy tv's but thank you for the tip.

So...umm...who's fault is it if you don't properly plan? You own at VWL, I assume because you desire to use the 11 month window to secure reservations. If you know OKW does not have the amenities/furnishing you personally find desirable,would not the logical alternative would be...not stay there there, and plan early enough to stay at a resort that does offer those amenities? Especially considering most OKW owners seem patient enough to wait for the rehab.

 

[ClarabelleCow]

I can't say that I've ever equated Disney's timeshare with the word "luxury". If that were the case I probably coudn't have afforded to buy in. A lot of what you mention I consider to be theming

Finally, someone that agrees. I find DVC and Disney to be the farthest thing from "Luxury". Fun vacation, and I bought because I like to have space when I vacation, but "Luxury". No way!

Rome wasn't built in a day, schedules are made years in advance as to what gets replaced when, you can't just decide one day that hey lets update all the tv's at OKW and the next day they all show up. At least a year of planning goes into stuff like this.

And changing from regular TV's, to LCD/Flat, is not as easy as some may think. The cabinets all need to be removed and new brought in. Wiring may or may not need to be changed. Putting a flat in one of the existing cabinets would look stupid! (IMHO), and then people would complain.

As far as food courts, doesn't that go completely against what is considered a "luxury" vacation? If I want a high end vacation, I want to be waited on, high count sheets, etc, etc. Far cry from a Disney vacation with tired kids, tired adults, many times crying kids and crying adults!!

The original concept of the DVC was "home away from home", people would be using their kitchens, ie: OKW with their full size kitchens. So no food court necessary.

 

[casper]

It's been my understanding that in order to advertize DVC to more people, they are going to incorporate one of its rooms into the Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress attraction. I think a standard DVC room with it's TV is going to be the second to last room visited on the ride. You know, before you get to the "future" room.

 

[BroganMc]

It's been my understanding that in order to advertize DVC to more people, they are going to incorporate one of its rooms into the Walt Disney's Carousel of Progress attraction. I think a standard DVC room with it's TV is going to be the second to last room visited on the ride. You know, before you get to the "future" room.

PERFECT! They needed an 80's/90's room to bridge the gap from 1964.

 

[eliza61]

So...umm...who's fault is it if you don't properly plan? You own at VWL, I assume because you desire to use the 11 month window to secure reservations. If you know OKW does not have the amenities/furnishing you personally find desirable,would not the logical alternative would be...not stay there there, and plan early enough to stay at a resort that does offer those amenities? Especially considering most OKW owners seem patient enough to wait for the rehab.

The thread wasn't about planning or lack of planning. Who says I don't properly plan. The Op commented on how "motel 6" she felt the TV's were. No one mentioned being impatient or 11 month reservations.
I agreed with the OP. They are lousy tv's and not up to what I would considered Disney expectation (or at least my impression of it) That has nothing to do with where I stay or don't stay or how I secure reservations or how patient okw owners seem to be.

Ok, I've seemed to have drifted waaaay off what I thought was the main topic so I'll play elsewhere.

 

[BroganMc]

Apparently Disney cash reservations sees no dire need to pay for the upgrade.

Disney cash reservations also doesn't see fit to:

• provide a full TV lineup (we really need 20 Disney promo channels and 2 regular ones?)
• provide free internet

It's downright embarrassing when the cheapie Fairfield up the road gives you both. When my Guide took us on our first presentation 3 years ago I laughed when he exclaimed "And you get broadband internet for just $10 a day".

I had been getting just that for FREE at my Marriott timeshares for years.

Sometimes Disney corporate policy is really stupid and self-defeating.

 

[Chuck S]

The thread wasn't about planning or lack of planning. Who says I don't properly plan. The Op commented on how "motel 6" she felt the TV's were. No one mentioned being impatient or 11 month reservations.
I agreed with the OP. They are lousy tv's and not up to what I would considered Disney expectation (or at least my impression of it) That has nothing to do with where I stay or don't stay or how I secure reservations or how patient okw owners seem to be.

Ok, I've seemed to have drifted waaaay off what I thought was the main topic so I'll play elsewhere.

Actually, the OP specifically mentioned OKW. That certainly has to do with where one stays, no? Thus, if the TVs or other amenities there aren't to someones liking, then, again, the logical solution is to choose to stay at another resort. There are definitely things at other DVC resorts that don't appeal to me, I simply choose not to stay there. And yes, I have paid for a cash reservation at a value rather than stay at BWV with points for a last minute trip when OKW was fully booked.

 

[perfectparanoia]

Sometimes Disney corporate policy is really stupid and self-defeating.

I think it is smart. Sorry.

They know that we will want to stay onsite anyway and they are still getting lots of bodies in the beds. So, why would they change anything? They are a business and business is just fine.

Especially for DVC where dues would go up if we were to make everything 'luxury,' I am in agreement with waiting until scheduled refurbs to do things. It is cheaper, the rooms will be offline less.

 

[Disneypubgal]

Disney cash reservations also doesn't see fit to:

• provide a full TV lineup (we really need 20 Disney promo channels and 2 regular ones?)
• provide free internet

It's downright embarrassing when the cheapie Fairfield up the road gives you both. When my Guide took us on our first presentation 3 years ago I laughed when he exclaimed "And you get broadband internet for just $10 a day".

I had been getting just that for FREE at my Marriott timeshares for years.

Sometimes Disney corporate policy is really stupid and self-defeating.

I am with Chuck on this.... we expect instant gratification when technology changes.... We all signed up for the long hall so we could enjoy Disney vacations for many years to come... Which included sigining up for scheduled rehab... if you are unhappy with the quality of the product please feel free to vacation elsewhere... or book reservations at the appropriate time so you do not need to stay at the resorts that do not have the amenties you are looking for.... There is something for everyone it is just a matter of taking advantage of it when the time opens up for it.... If there isn't something to suite your needs or you are unhappy, maybe DVC wasn't really for you to begin with......

 

[BroganMc]

But this is not your home. This is a unit being used as commerce. I own a condominum in Ocean City NJ. It is a rental property and on average every 5 years I am replacing some thing. That is how I keep competitive with other properties. In fact my broker requires certain minimum standards before listing properties and she checks every feb. No way would I get away with having a 10 year old bulky small screen TV. I just replaced the washer and dryer after only 3 years due to heavy than normal usage and because it was an outdated dial knob turning model. The same goes with my furniture. Why would I expect some one to rent from me with old dated furniture?

Some things are necessary to maintain a level of standard and imo Disney level does not include 10 year old TV's

Good example. We maintain a condo in Ocean City, MD. I just spent the summer upgrading all the TVs, stove, etc. Last year it was the Living Room furniture, and the year before beds. Next year will be carpeting and painting.

The TV in the Living Room was a major pain because we had an outdated cabinet. Looked beautiful was still perfectly functional after 7 years but it just didn't work with anything new. We had one built instead and made sure it was big enough to fit our max screen size for that room. Our old stuff (if functional) went to homes that needed it.

Our condo is not strictly for rent. It is our "Home Away From Home" at the beach. We'd put cheap stuff in for renters but when we're there we want to enjoy ourselves. Makes you wonder how Disney thinks of its guests, doesn't it?

LCDs are cheap enough now I expect we'll be seeing upgrades across the industry fairly widespread over the next couple years. Travelers are coming to expect it, and like has been pointed out it is more "green". If lawmakers have there way every corporation will be looking for ways to reduce their energy footprint to save themselves from taxes.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney cash reservations also doesn't see fit to:

• provide a full TV lineup (we really need 20 Disney promo channels and 2 regular ones?)
• provide free internet

It's downright embarrassing when the cheapie Fairfield up the road gives you both. When my Guide took us on our first presentation 3 years ago I laughed when he exclaimed "And you get broadband internet for just $10 a day".

I had been getting just that for FREE at my Marriott timeshares for years.

Sometimes Disney corporate policy is really stupid and self-defeating.

Disney doesn't want you staying in your room watching TV, they want you spending money at WDW.

Disney internet is provided by a contracted outside vendor, just like the Valet service. Their contract with Disney determines who pays and how much.

Bill

 

[BroganMc]

For the record, which resorts now have LCDs?

• AKV
• BLT
• BWV?

I know SSR doesn't, except in the Treehouses. They need to ditch the crappy armoire's first to give us LCDs. (Make me happy as an owner because we'd hopefully get something with more drawer space.)

 

[BroganMc]

Disney doesn't want you staying in your room watching TV, they want you spending money at WDW.

Disney internet is provided by a contracted outside vendor, just like the Valet service. Their contract with Disney determines who pays and how much.

Bill

And you think the other off-site timeshares don't want you staying at their resort? That's why Marriott does so much with their pool bars and activities. As soon as you drive offsite, they've lost the chance to sell you something.

Think about it. Disney doesn't encourage you to stay at your resort (particularly true if we're talking standalones like OKW and SSR). What do you do instead? If you're a budget-conscious DVCer you get a deeply discounted AP and bum around a park all day. We haven't paid a lot for our park days in years. Maybe a snack mid-day. Worst thing is when you have a car and can compare your offsite amenities to onsite. Then it's very stark.

Caveat: I do love my DVC, but it's mostly for the accessible transportation and some accessible amenities (pools at SSR are fantastic for disabled). But I'm very realistic about onsite vs. offsite offerings. I suspect Disney corp is too.


The one thing Disney has to offer that the offsite timeshares don't is transportation. This is why I highly doubt we'll ever see them charge for DME. As soon as they do, they encourage people to rent cars. And with a car rental they've lost their captive audience.

 

[Chuck S]

Good example. We maintain a condo in Ocean City, MD. I just spent the summer upgrading all the TVs, stove, etc. Last year it was the Living Room furniture, and the year before beds. Next year will be carpeting and painting.

The TV in the Living Room was a major pain because we had an outdated cabinet. Looked beautiful was still perfectly functional after 7 years but it just didn't work with anything new. We had one built instead and made sure it was big enough to fit our max screen size for that room. Our old stuff (if functional) went to homes that needed it.

Our condo is not strictly for rent. It is our "Home Away From Home" at the beach. We'd put cheap stuff in for renters but when we're there we want to enjoy ourselves. Makes you wonder how Disney thinks of its guests, doesn't it?

LCDs are cheap enough now I expect we'll be seeing upgrades across the industry fairly widespread over the next couple years. Travelers are coming to expect it, and like has been pointed out it is more "green". If lawmakers have there way every corporation will be looking for ways to reduce their energy footprint to save themselves from taxes.

But, we will see the TVs upgraded over the next couple of years, during the next rehab. The point of the OP is that they aren't upgraded at this very moment.

Also, you need to keep your rental condos upgraded to attract cash renters who have a choice of other local accommodations, with DVC, we are owners, the accommodations are fully pre-paid for years in advance...a major difference between timeshares and cash resorts. If Disney cash reservations saw the TVs as a major liability to renting rooms, they have the option of upgrading at Disney's expense immediately. Just as Disney paid for the pool slide to be added at OKW. Disney felt is was a necessity for their cash business after OKW owners overwhelmingly voted not to fund it in a preliminary survey.

 

[logan115]

Disney doesn't want you staying in your room watching TV, they want you spending money at WDW.


Bill

Agreed. However I don't think part of their strategy is to make the rooms so bad that people don't want to be there and therefore head to the parks/pools or other areas where they would spend money onsite

Just kidding Bill, know what you meant.

Chris

 

[bblanch]

Actually, the OP specifically mentioned OKW. That certainly has to do with where one stays, no? Thus, if the TVs or other amenities there aren't to someones liking, then, again, the logical solution is to choose to stay at another resort. There are definitely things at other DVC resorts that don't appeal to me, I simply choose not to stay there. And yes, I have paid for a cash reservation at a value rather than stay at BWV with points for a last minute trip when OKW was fully booked.

Agreed Chuck. If food court and/or flat panel TVs are really this important to your vacation, then book at a resort that has them.

 

[dcamdad]

If the lack of HD tv's or other tech gadgets like ipod acessories are putting a damper on your vacations to WDW...... wow I sure would not want to vaction with you.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Agreed. However I don't think part of their strategy is to make the rooms so bad that people don't want to be there
Chris

For as much bashing as OKW gets, people may not want to stay there but they certainly due because of the low point structure, they put up with the old tv's etc. and book GV's and then they bash away. I agree, if you don't like OKW, stay elsewhere, then maybe I could have gotten in at the 4 month mark instead of having to stay at SSR!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

For the record, which resorts now have LCDs?

• AKV
• BLT
• BWV?

I know SSR doesn't, except in the Treehouses. They need to ditch the crappy armoire's first to give us LCDs. (Make me happy as an owner because we'd hopefully get something with more drawer space.)

The living room in the VB cottage had flat screens, but the bedrooms did not.

MG

 

[logan115]

For as much bashing as OKW gets, people may not want to stay there but they certainly due because of the low point structure, they put up with the old tv's etc. and book GV's and then they bash away. I agree, if you don't like OKW, stay elsewhere, then maybe I could have gotten in at the 4 month mark instead of having to stay at SSR!

Hey now - don't go OT and bash SSR in an OKW bashing thread

I agree that it's not like anyone is promised flat screens or shown pictures of rooms with flat screens only to find the older TVs in the rooms upon arrival.

Heck, here's a crazy idea : Given the lower point structure at OKW, maybe the people that are "stuck" there instead of one of the resorts with flat screens (and a higher point structure), could take their savings and buy a flat screen at the local electronics store in Orlando and leave it in their OKW room for the next guest.

We could upgrade the TVs at OKW over time, without it costing anything to the actual owners at OKW.

And as a SSR owner, I'm no stranger to seeing my home resort bashed

Chris