A few questions from an interested buyer....

[Anjelica]

My husband and I are looking into purchasing into the disney vacation club. I had just a couple of quick questions and more specifically about rooms/hotels that are part of the DVC at WDW vs. those that are not:

Why are the points so much higher say for AKL for the same week as the villas, SSR, etc.? I know we aren't getting daily maid service while at the DVC resorts but a 100+ or more points seems extreme (could be just me though).

Also, we are seriously looking into SSR due to the expiration date and it seems very nice - however, I noticed only one "restaurant" and it didn't seem to be full service sit down - are their plans to add to SSR? It just seems like our choices are extremely limited there.

Finally - are the rooms/resorts that are part of the DVC kept up-to-date in terms of cleaning (outside of the daily maid service), etc? I guess my thoughts on this are why spend the quality time keeping up a resort (or portion of a resort) where folks are already "locked" in vs. having the non DVC resorts kept cleaner, more up-to-date and with more options (i.e. additional restaurants) as folks are paying "out of pocket".

Thanks in advance,
Anjelica

 

[Chuck S]

Points to stay at a non-DVC Disney resort have always been high. and just like the cash price for a Disney room, the point requirement usually goes up. DVC and the WDW Resorts are seperate operating companies, just like the cruise line, and prices between them are negotiated annually. And just like the cash price for a Disney room or cruise, the point requirement usually goes up.

DVC rooms are on a rehab schedule similar to the regular Disney resorts. While just like at a Disney resort, you can occasionally get an abused room in need of some service, overall DVC resorts are well maintained (which in part is why our dues are high compared to some other timeshares). And remember, DVC resorts are also rented by Disney for cash...Disney wants them maintained.

SSR has just opened a full service restaurant, though the menu seems a little bit limited for now. It is called the Turf Club Grill. There is a thread here on the boards with some photos of the restaurant, but the serch function isn't working for me right now.

 

[Jeremy&Susan]

Anjelica,

Also remember that at SSR you are within a 5 minute boat ride or a 10 minute walk from Downtown Disney. Many different places to eat, shop and enjoy.

We really like the proximity to the Downtown area. If you go to Disney every year, the parks are still fun but you look for other things to do as well.

If you like to golf, you will be staying on one great course (not cheap though ).

 

[vonderbar]

My DH and I own at VB and SSR. We have stayed at SSR once and plan to return this winter, but haven't been to VB yet. One thing about DVC, there are so many DVC resorts to stay and plenty of places to eat at WDW. We rarely eat where we stay, except maybe for breakfast or quick snack. There are just too many other restaurants to try. We are never sorry or disappointed that we became DVC members.

In fact, we hope to allow ourselves to try other DVC places instead of always WDW.

 

[JimMIA]

Finally - are the rooms/resorts that are part of the DVC kept up-to-date in terms of cleaning (outside of the daily maid service), etc? I guess my thoughts on this are why spend the quality time keeping up a resort (or portion of a resort) where folks are already "locked" in vs. having the non DVC resorts kept cleaner, more up-to-date and with more options (i.e. additional restaurants) as folks are paying "out of pocket".

We've always had clean, well-maintained rooms. It is Disney, after all, and they have high standards. As you probably already know, however, we have a "lumpy-pillow rule" here on these boards, so if there is the slightest imperfection, you will hear about it here.

I usually assess those complaint posts by considering the actual content of the complaint, rather than the outrage of the poster. In other words, I ask, "Would that bother me?" Often the answer is no; other times, the issue raised would bother anyone. Some people simply have either low tolerances for upset, or exaggerated responses to lack of perfection...or both.

I also look for whether or not the poster complained about their issue while they were at the resort. We've had a few issues, but we've called and they've always been handled very expeditiously and courteously. I'm often astonished at how worked up people can be, but then when you ask them if they called housekeeping, they say no.

To me, frankly, that's a non-issue. If it's not important enough to call about, why go for the glory of posting it here? That's what I call "Look at me!" behavior. I'm not offended by it, but I don't pay much attention to it either.

You'll be well-pleased with the quality of the accommodations.

 

[Fitswimmer]

I made my decision to join after a member friend asked me to join her for a week at Vero Beach. Wow! We stayed in a studio with an ocean view. The room was spotless when we checked in, with towels shaped like Mickey heads on each bed! The staff was wonderful, the food at both restaraunts was very good. I compared it to Boardwalk at WDW, which I love. We really didn't miss the daily maid service. We did do laundry once, the washers and dryers were FREE-which is not the case at the other Disney hotels.
I joined in May and stayed at OKW for a couple of nights in June. I was inpressed because it was my understanding that OKW is the oldest DVC resort. We had a 2 bedroom and it was lovely. I took my parents and no disrespect intended, but if there was ever someone who can find something to complain about anywhere-it's my mother. The ONLY thing she could find to say was that she didn't like the brand of toilet paper they use!! Can you believe that? Dad and I laughed so hard.
If you love to visit WDW, would like a relaxing atmosphere for your vacation, and enjoy better quality resorts-DVC is for you.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I usually assess those complaint posts by considering the actual content of the complaint, rather than the outrage of the poster. In other words, I ask, "Would that bother me?" Often the answer is no; other times, the issue raised would bother anyone. Some people simply have either low tolerances for upset, or exaggerated responses to lack of perfection...or both.

I also look for whether or not the poster complained about their issue while they were at the resort. We've had a few issues, but we've called and they've always been handled very expeditiously and courteously. I'm often astonished at how worked up people can be, but then when you ask them if they called housekeeping, they say no.

Well said!

 

[Disney Doll]

We've always had clean, well-maintained rooms. It is Disney, after all, and they have high standards. As you probably already know, however, we have a "lumpy-pillow rule" here on these boards, so if there is the slightest imperfection, you will hear about it here.

I usually assess those complaint posts by considering the actual content of the complaint, rather than the outrage of the poster. In other words, I ask, "Would that bother me?" Often the answer is no; other times, the issue raised would bother anyone. Some people simply have either low tolerances for upset, or exaggerated responses to lack of perfection...or both.

I also look for whether or not the poster complained about their issue while they were at the resort. We've had a few issues, but we've called and they've always been handled very expeditiously and courteously. I'm often astonished at how worked up people can be, but then when you ask them if they called housekeeping, they say no.

To me, frankly, that's a non-issue. If it's not important enough to call about, why go for the glory of posting it here? That's what I call "Look at me!" behavior. I'm not offended by it, but I don't pay much attention to it either.

You'll be well-pleased with the quality of the accommodations.

I agree with this post wholeheartedly.

I consider myself a pretty "average" person. Middle class, DH & I work, have a normal Cape Cod style house, normal cars and so on. I think my level of expectation and fussiness is pretty normal too. That being said, we have always been very pleased with the accomodations, and if we did have a minor issue, we called Housekeeping/Maintennace immediately and were always pleased with how quickly the issue was resolved.

AKL is higher points because it is not a DVC resort, so you are, in effect, "trading out", just like you would be if you went to one of the resorts in say...Colorado...that are offered as part of DVC's agreement with other timeshare providers. The DVC resorts are Old Key West, Beach Club Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Villas at the Wilderness Lodge and Saratoga Springs Resort on Disney property. Off Disney property you have Hilton Head and Vero Beach.

Restaurants at SSR-currently one full service, newly opened with a somewhat limited menu. But you are within walking distance to DTD, bus distance (from DTD) to all the other resorts on property which have some woinderful restaurants.

DH and I have owned since 1997 and have never regretted our purchase.

 

[crisi]

I don't find the resort rooms and DVC resorts kept up to "Deluxe resort" standards - but do find them to be perfectly acceptable. We've had couch cushions with the zippers ripped out (but you didn't see it until you pulled out the sofa bed), drawers that have been off their rails, broken tiles, burn marks on the countertops - but in my mind none of this is worth complaining about and the only reason I bring it up is to set expectations. Add food and cooking to the mix - so you are a little more likely to get stained carpet where someone dropped the grape jelly. Once again, not worth complaining about, but setting expectations, we have had three DVC rooms and none of them have been "pristine." But none of them have been unacceptable or even worth complaining about in my opinion. (I've been in less than pristine hotel rooms at WDW as well, but the best DVC room we've had has been noticable less well maintained than the worst Deluxe resort room I've been in - then again, I didn't stay at the Poly pre-refurb).

One thing worth noting is that DVC does not guarentee non-smoking. If I had an asthmatic child or was asthmatic myself, I would seriously consider if DVC can add enough value for the risk. The risk is small, but its there.