Affordable DVC?????

[gmboy95]

I will preface this by saying I cant wait for the BLT....That being said I am concerned with the current trend in DVC resorts, both present and "rumored", that the price keeps going up markedly, and the point costs continue to rise.

With the economy the way that it is, you would think that more resorts like the original OKW, or a more stripped down on-site version that may cost less and have lower point values to possibly bring in more people, and to make it easier on existing customers. There is plenty of land surrounding other golf courses that would make for a heck of a spread out OKW style resort that would fit this bill.

I dont know about the rest of you guys but this has been one hell of a hard year with everything costing double if not more. We are making more money this year, but have nothing to show for it.....Granted I will not ***** too much as I am lucky enough to be able to go to disney every year, but I am concerned about the fact that we may end up with our own little class system at DVC

 

[thelionqueen]

As with everything in history, values will go up and go down. I'm fairly certain that in 5-10 years the economy will be booming again, and people will be clamoring to buy @ BLT when those of us did buy it at this hard time. However, that scenario may not play out.

One thing I'm sure will happen, is that my kids and grandkids will look forward to their annual WDW trip @ BLT @ Contemporary and be welcomed home...that's priceless!

 

[gmboy95]

As with everything in history, values will go up and go down. I'm fairly certain that in 5-10 years the economy will be booming again, and people will be clamoring to buy @ BLT when those of us did buy it at this hard time. However, that scenario may not play out.

One thing I'm sure will happen, is that my kids and grandkids will look forward to their annual WDW trip @ BLT @ Contemporary and be welcomed home...that's priceless!

I agree...i am looking forward as well, although I wont buy there....I guess I just have a soft spot for OKW and wish for more like it

 

[Inkmahm]

...but I am concerned about the fact that we may end up with our own little class system at DVC

What do you mean by "little class system" exactly?

 

[grimgrinnin]

this has been one hell of a hard year with everything costing double if not more.

That's a bit much to swallow.

I am lucky enough to be able to go to disney every year

Isn't it amazing that the harder you work, the luckier you get?

 

[rinkwide]

...Isn't it amazing that the harder you work, the luckier you get?

Except in Hollywood.

 

[hellerjw]

Until DVC sees a significant, sustained slowdown in new Disney-sold memberships will we probably not see any reduction in point prices. I believe they said that membership has doubled to over 350,000 members in the last 5-6 years.

As long as they can keep selling them at the current price points they will. With such a large and devoted member base they can easily weather most economic downturns, particularly since DVC members are already financially vested in making at least annual trips to make their membership worthwhile.

They basically have a captive audience and just keep sweetening the Kool Aid from time-to-time with incentives.

 

[dianeschlicht]

During "hard times" folks tend to spend more on liesure and cut back on some of the basics. The reason is that we NEED those vacations and entertainment to deal with the "hard times". It's odd, but I see DVC growing a LOT during this rough stretch of economy. Oh, and let's hope for "change" so we don't have another 8 years like the last!!

 

[eliza61]

I will preface this by saying I cant wait for the BLT....That being said I am concerned with the current trend in DVC resorts, both present and "rumored", that the price keeps going up markedly, and the point costs continue to rise.

With the economy the way that it is, you would think that more resorts like the original OKW, or a more stripped down on-site version that may cost less and have lower point values to possibly bring in more people, and to make it easier on existing customers. There is plenty of land surrounding other golf courses that would make for a heck of a spread out OKW style resort that would fit this bill.

I dont know about the rest of you guys but this has been one hell of a hard year with everything costing double if not more. We are making more money this year, but have nothing to show for it.....Granted I will not ***** too much as I am lucky enough to be able to go to disney every year, but I am concerned about the fact that we may end up with our own little class system at DVC

Definitely understand you concerns gmboy, I think a lot of what you are feeling is just general frustration at the overall economy. One of the big draws with the dvc (at least for my family) was a hedge against inflation & poor economic conditions. Now that the economy has soured we are very lucky that we can vacation at wdw a little less costly. It was a costly purchase for us (we did 1/2 down and financed the other 1/2) and definitely sacrificed a few things to buy it. I think while business may be slow now just like every thing else when the economy turns around (hopefully sooner than later) every day firmly middle class folks will once again begin to spend money again.

Disney overall is still doing very well (at least the 1st 3 quarters of the year). There's been a lot of different theories on that, every thing from foreign visitors to lots of codes being released.

No matter what the reason as long as sales are brisk and rooms are running at high occupancy, Disney is doing what any business should do. Maximize the profits.

 

[eliza61]

During "hard times" folks tend to spend more on liesure and cut back on some of the basics. The reason is that we NEED those vacations and entertainment to deal with the "hard times". It's odd, but I see DVC growing a LOT during this rough stretch of economy. Oh, and let's hope for "change" so we don't have another 8 years like the last!!

Hey Diane,


I saw an article that said the "vice" business always do well in hard economic times. Liquor, tobacco and entertainment stocks are doing well (as well as can be expected) lately.

 

[Brancaneve]

Many of us are fortunate to have kept our jobs and for those of us we are still making the same amount of money(or more) during these tough economic times. However, we face inflated gas and food prices. We all know how the story goes, right?

BUT my DH and I have found that we just don't feel like spending money on the little, insignificant things that people were consuming right and left when times were good. In fact, we have saved more money than we have saved before due to not eating out as often, carpooling and grocery shopping wisely.

As a result, our money is going to go towards memorable family vacations rather than monthly pedicures, a Starbucks run, trendy clothing, etc. Is anyone else feeling the same way?

 

[hakepb]

Remember, planning and building a resort takes years. The process for BLT either started during the last boom, or possibly started during the last slowdown before that boom..

 

[hellerjw]

As a result, our money is going to go towards memorable family vacations rather than monthly pedicures, a Starbucks run, trendy clothing, etc. Is anyone else feeling the same way?

I do. Its amazing how those little $5, $10 & $20 daily/weekly habits add up over a month's time. We used to eat out 4 nights a week, we have cut that back to 1 or 2 and see a significant savings from that alone. In fact, we added on recently mainly because of the extra savings we were able to recover from cutting out some smaller luxuries.

 

[iloveokw]

My DH always says that people "buy what they want - not what they need". That is why the theme parks are still packed.

 

[gmboy95]

That's a bit much to swallow.



Isn't it amazing that the harder you work, the luckier you get?

Not where I am from....does it make you luckier....I earn $20,000 more then i did a year and a half ago, and still have the exact same budget....maybe math is not your strong suit, but when things cost more, it means it COSTS MORE

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

During "hard times" folks tend to spend more on liesure and cut back on some of the basics. The reason is that we NEED those vacations and entertainment to deal with the "hard times". It's odd, but I see DVC growing a LOT during this rough stretch of economy. Oh, and let's hope for "change" so we don't have another 8 years like the last!!

Unless GWB & his buddy DC overthrow the government (and I wouldn't put it past them) we will have change.

 

[thelionqueen]

Oh, and let's hope for "change" so we don't have another 8 years like the last!!

Another STRONG supporter of change

 

[Monorail Purple&Gold]

During "hard times" folks tend to spend more on liesure and cut back on some of the basics. The reason is that we NEED those vacations and entertainment to deal with the "hard times".

This is the core of why DVC will be just fine, folks need that break and are willing to pay handsomely for it.

 

[kerickson]

If we follow the proposed 'change' plan, you'll have to give some of your points to me so we all have equal amounts. Can't wait!

 

[psu4glory]

If we follow the proposed 'change' plan, you'll have to give some of your points to me so we all have equal amounts. Can't wait!

AMEN to that! that idea sounds like it would fit quite nicely into the 'change' plan...and that might even be enough to get me to switch camps....