AKV dues question...cover animals?

[Crissup]

My point is that if AKL does have occupancy problems and if, as some people have suggested, the cost of caring for the animals is a significant expense, then how has Disney justified keeping AKL open at all? I think they would have had to conclude it was a failed experiment and would have turned the resort into something else, something without all those "expensive" animals. The fact that AKL is still in business indicates to me that the cost of caring for the animals is not an overwhelming burden.

Hmmm... You mean like take the concierge rooms and convert them to DVC villas? Adding on a DVC resort to the existing resort? Kinda looks to me like they're using DVC to bail them out of a problem situation.

As for comparing the cost of animal care to our pets, I'm thinking finding vets that understand giraffes, zebras, etc, is going to be a bit harder and a bit more costly than cats or dogs.

 

[AKV707]

According to the Estimated Operating Budget for Juanuary 1, 2007 Through December 31, 2007 for Animal Kingdom Villas, AnimalPrograms cost $0.0718 per point out of an overall operating expense of $3.0782 per point. This works out to be about 2.33% of the expenses. Things will change as the resort grows, but animal care shouldn't be a significant portion of the dues.

That pretty much says it all. I don't see how inflation would impact animal care and feeding any more than anything else. I think the dues are a little higher because AKV is new and there is still a ton of construction going on. Imagine what the dues will be at CRV if it goes from rumor to reality.

 

[DVCLiz]

Hmmm... You mean like take the concierge rooms and convert them to DVC villas? Adding on a DVC resort to the existing resort? Kinda looks to me like they're using DVC to bail them out of a problem situation.

As for comparing the cost of animal care to our pets, I'm thinking finding vets that understand giraffes, zebras, etc, is going to be a bit harder and a bit more costly than cats or dogs.

Yes, but the point is that those costs for more highly trained vets, etc. would be built in as an expense from the beginning. They're not going to have a vet on staff that only treats dogs and cats for a few years, then decide they need one that can do exotic animals. So it wouldn't cost substantially more in a few years than any other expense of the resort.

 

[mjy]

I am new here, how do you get the image of your home resort in your signature?

Go here and follow the step by step directions: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=15084060&postcount=8

Good luck!

 

[LisaS]

As for comparing the cost of animal care to our pets, I'm thinking finding vets that understand giraffes, zebras, etc, is going to be a bit harder and a bit more costly than cats or dogs.

I was not comparing the cost of caring for cats and dogs with that of more exotic animals but rather the amount (percent) by which those costs increase each year. The cost of caring for my pets definitely goes up every year: veterinary costs, food, cat litter, etc. But the percent by which those costs increase every year has not been out of proportion with the increases in my other expenses: my own health care, the cost to heat my home or fill up my gas tank, groceries, property taxes, etc. When I think about the different kinds of expenses incurred to run all of the DVC resorts, I'm just not seeing a reason why the cost of animal care would rocket up faster than everything else.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Are we certain that part of AK/AKL/AKV isn't somehow government subsidized? I mean, couldn't it somehow be classified as a wildlife refuge and receive funds?

I don't know how all those government programs work, but there seems to be one for everthing else...

MG

 

[AKV707]

Are we certain that part of AK/AKL/AKV isn't somehow government subsidized? I mean, couldn't it somehow be classified as a wildlife refuge and receive funds?

If that is possible, I am sure that Disney has made best use of government funds. I am just not sure if the savanna could be considered a wildlife refuge. It sure seems like it could be. Wouldn't that make huge sections of AK refuges as well?

 

[Amy5000]

Hmmm... You mean like take the concierge rooms and convert them to DVC villas? Adding on a DVC resort to the existing resort? Kinda looks to me like they're using DVC to bail them out of a problem situation.

You know...it crossed my mind too...the lodge will be much smaller than the DVC portion and probably carry a smaller burden viz-a-vie the animals. Also, AKL was often one of the discounted deluxes...but yet had the costly animals to maintain...

 

[Granny]

I tend to agree with Lisa that the cost of animal care is relatively small on the line item listing and probably won't impact dues much.

More likely to substantially impact dues is the amount of cost that the DVC units will absorb that used to be all allocated to AKL. Buses, the main pool at AKL, the front desk and all the resort amenities will be shared and if I'm not mistaken, AKV will be a substantial percentage of total rooms at AKL/AKV. Not sure how Disney divides up expenses but I've always felt that building DVC at an existing WDW resort is a great windfall to that pre-existing resort as they reduce the infrastructure costs for the WDW resort. Even more so at AKL where we see for the first time the conversion of previous hotel rooms to DVC rooms, so they can truly justify sharing almost all the infrastructure costs of AKL.

However, all that was thought out before they announced the initial dues. The fact that they aren't way out of line with other resorts suggests that Disney is not interested in soaking the DVC owners with a disproportionate part of the costs. At least, not whiile the resort is still selling!

 

[DVC Grammy]

Before we added on at AKV, DH and I were aware that the cost of caring for the animals/savannas could impact our MFs somewhat, just as if we were deliberating a VB or HH add-on we'd have to consider the possibility of a hurricane causing a similar impact. We decided it's something to accept when choosing a DVC home that comes with "special" circumstances.

 

[pilferk]

You know...it crossed my mind too...the lodge will be much smaller than the DVC portion and probably carry a smaller burden viz-a-vie the animals. Also, AKL was often one of the discounted deluxes...but yet had the costly animals to maintain...

Smaller in what respect? AKL has (after conversion) over 1000 units/bays.

AKV will end up with roughly the same number of units/bays (taking into account a 2BR = 3 bays, and there are a number of dedicated studios). And it will have fewer "doors", depending on which metric they decide to use.

 

[pilferk]

I tend to agree with Lisa that the cost of animal care is relatively small on the line item listing and probably won't impact dues much.

More likely to substantially impact dues is the amount of cost that the DVC units will absorb that used to be all allocated to AKL. Buses, the main pool at AKL, the front desk and all the resort amenities will be shared and if I'm not mistaken, AKV will be a substantial percentage of total rooms at AKL/AKV. Not sure how Disney divides up expenses but I've always felt that building DVC at an existing WDW resort is a great windfall to that pre-existing resort as they reduce the infrastructure costs for the WDW resort. Even more so at AKL where we see for the first time the conversion of previous hotel rooms to DVC rooms, so they can truly justify sharing almost all the infrastructure costs of AKL.

However, all that was thought out before they announced the initial dues. The fact that they aren't way out of line with other resorts suggests that Disney is not interested in soaking the DVC owners with a disproportionate part of the costs. At least, not whiile the resort is still selling!

The ONE thing I'd want to point out...the POS is very specific about the fact that DVC dues do NOT support the main pool at Jambo. They will support the new pool, entirely, at Kidani.

 

[Granny]

The ONE thing I'd want to point out...the POS is very specific about the fact that DVC dues do NOT support the main pool at Jambo. They will support the new pool, entirely, at Kidani.

Thanks for that clarification. I guess I assumed that since DVC would be embedded in Jambo House then owners would be charged a portion of all AKL amenities. See what happens when I assume!

 

[AKV707]

The ONE thing I'd want to point out...the POS is very specific about the fact that DVC dues do NOT support the main pool at Jambo. They will support the new pool, entirely, at Kidani.

I guess I should really read the POS!

 

[Anthony1971]

I would think the dues would be on higher side compared other resorts but that should be expected as this is the only resort with live Animals outside most windows. In the same respect BWV has higher dues to maintain the BW and all that is on it. I doubt the dues increases will be out of line as if people see this they may consider buying a resort like CV where disney could pass along some of the monorail costs once it is complete. With any of these however I would expect to pay for the unique offering.

 

[LisaS]

Thanks for that clarification. I guess I assumed that since DVC would be embedded in Jambo House then owners would be charged a portion of all AKL amenities. See what happens when I assume!

It's a very logical assumption! I was surprised when I read in the POS that the pool costs would not be shared between AKL and AKV.

 

[El&Asmom]

Hmmm... You mean like take the concierge rooms and convert them to DVC villas? Adding on a DVC resort to the existing resort? Kinda looks to me like they're using DVC to bail them out of a problem situation.

As for comparing the cost of animal care to our pets, I'm thinking finding vets that understand giraffes, zebras, etc, is going to be a bit harder and a bit more costly than cats or dogs.

As a veterinarian, I don't feel that finding a veterinarian who specializing in zoo medicine will be the problem. Disney is an employer that I'm sure many would be thrilled to work for. Zoo/exotic medicine is a specialty that may not as many diplomats say surgery, but they are out there. I have had classmates who have interned at DAK. They've noted that those animals lack for nothing. The highest quality care is provided to those animals. My assumption would be that the animals who are in need of advanced care would be transferd to the veterinary facilities of DAK. I highly doubt that they would duplicate their vet services at AKL that are already available at DAK. I don't know this for sure. It's just a guess.
My assumption for the increase in costs for animals at AKL/V will have more to do with their daily maintenence more so than veterinary care.

As for the rise in costs of veterinary care in general, I'll have to add my opinion. I work at a referral specialty veterinary hosptial. We provide CT, MRI, have specialists in most small animal fields, and can provide specialty/critical care that many veterianarians are unable to provide. Many of the services we provide are at a fraction of the costs that similar services would cost in human medicine. I can assure you, that as a whole, we are not a profession raking in the big bucks as compared to many other professionals. Yes our costs are rising, but the services we can provide to animals are also improving. Costs will increase as people expect more quality care for their pets. JMO.

 

[LisaS]

I have had classmates who have interned at DAK. They've noted that those animals lack for nothing. The highest quality care is provided to those animals.

I have always hoped that that was the case so I am happy to hear this!

My assumption would be that the animals who are in need of advanced care would be transferred to the veterinary facilities of DAK. I highly doubt that they would duplicate their vet services at AKL that are already available at DAK. I don't know this for sure. It's just a guess. My assumption for the increase in costs for animals at AKL/V will have more to do with their daily maintenance more so than veterinary care.

That's what I am assuming as well. I expect that most of the animal care staff at AKL/AKV are checking on the welfare of the animals, feeding and cleaning up after them, maintaining the savanna, etc.

As for the rise in costs of veterinary care in general, I'll have to add my opinion. I work at a referral specialty veterinary hospital. We provide CT, MRI, have specialists in most small animal fields, and can provide specialty/critical care that many veterinarians are unable to provide. Many of the services we provide are at a fraction of the costs that similar services would cost in human medicine. I can assure you, that as a whole, we are not a profession raking in the big bucks as compared to many other professionals. Yes our costs are rising, but the services we can provide to animals are also improving. Costs will increase as people expect more quality care for their pets. JMO.

All I can say in response to you and all of the other caring veterinarians who have been there when my animals needed help and care is a very heartfelt "thank you".

 

[pilferk]

Thanks for that clarification. I guess I assumed that since DVC would be embedded in Jambo House then owners would be charged a portion of all AKL amenities. See what happens when I assume!

Know how I know? I assumed the same thing in an earlier discussion on a similar subject!



But it was pointed out to me (and I double checked) that the Jambo pool is NOT supported by DVC member dues. I was a bit surprised at that too. Maybe they'll allow AKL guests to use the Kidani pool, too? And they "figure" that will even things out? I don't know....

 

[crisi]

That pretty much says it all. I don't see how inflation would impact animal care and feeding any more than anything else. I think the dues are a little higher because AKV is new and there is still a ton of construction going on. Imagine what the dues will be at CRV if it goes from rumor to reality.

Inflation affects services disproportionally (medical care and education being the two we get regularly beat up over in our economy). Manufacturing gets cheaper with technical innovation - we can make DVD players cheaper than we could five years ago. Technology also can give maintenance issues a longer life - siding may last longer in the future than it does today. However, an hour of a vet's time is only going one direction - and there aren't big productivity gains to be made there - in fact, improvement in service often mean MORE effort and therefore LESS productivity. So there is a reason inflation would impact animal care and feeding more than it will affect other items. That doesn't mean that it will - it depends on other variables.