Am I experiencing DVC letdown?

[Inkmahm]

We bought 160 points at Saratoga.
We were waitlisted for a 2bdrm, 1 bdrm & studio, or 2 studios (which ever came thru first) for 12/7-12/12, 2008. We were on the waitlists at BCV (all categories), BWV (all categories), and VWL. Nothing came thru at all.


I realize that DVC is not "about discounts at restaurants or shops, or about 'privileges'." Its just that part of the selling point we got was that DVC members get all these "perks." Most of the places that I inquired about a discount said they used to give one for DVC members but it was discontinued. I guess I just wonder why? We did use the discount on our APs and it is a great discount.

Maybe its just the resort. We DID NOT care for SSR at all. We really felt it lacked the Disney feel. That is something we really enjoy about VWL and BCV. There is a real Disney feel to the place. We have stayed at AKL, VWL, BWV, BCV and OKW in the past as either cash ressies or renting points. Our favorite is BCV and VWL. I have never been this disappointed before. We do agree that we could never go back to staying at the values. (Not to be a DVC or anything.) We did enjoy our stays at POR, and we plan to still stay at the other moderates from time to time paying cash. We do like the flexability of being able to stay at so many places. I just don't want to get stuck at SSR again like we were this time.
We won't be staying in Dec. again anytime soon. The kids are getting to the ages where we just can't take them out of school for a week at a time. Maybe a long weekend, but thats it. It will be mostly Jan. and Oct. for us.
We entertained the idea of adding on at BLT before the Jan. 15 deadline. We love the Contemporary. And then we would still have points to use and we could either sell the SSR or rent out the points. Not sure yet.

You definitely bought at the wrong resort if you've discovered you hate it. I have no interest in SSR myself, we bought at BWV, then VWL and then AKV. We wanted the 11 mo advantage at each for our various trips during the year. VWL was purchased specifically for December trips, for example.

You probably needed to do more research before you bought SSR. If you feel that staying there is "getting stuck" there then I'd suggest selling and starting over with buying someplace you REALLY enjoy. That's the number one rule I learned at the DIS before we purchased... buy where you want to stay or at least where you don't mind staying. Life is too short to "hate" the place you own.

You do know that you can still buy points at the older resorts through Disney, right? You have to insist but it is possible. SSR wasn't your only choice available. If you love BLT, that seems to be your best bet.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

You definitely bought at the wrong resort if you've discovered you hate it. I have no interest in SSR myself, we bought at BWV, then VWL and then AKV. We wanted the 11 mo advantage at each for our various trips during the year. VWL was purchased specifically for December trips, for example.

You probably needed to do more research before you bought SSR. If you feel that staying there is "getting stuck" there then I'd suggest selling and starting over with buying someplace you REALLY enjoy. That's the number one rule I learned at the DIS before we purchased... buy where you want to stay or at least where you don't mind staying. Life is too short to "hate" the place you own.

You do know that you can still buy points at the older resorts through Disney, right? You have to insist but it is possible. SSR wasn't your only choice available. If you love BLT, that seems to be your best bet.

OT....but you need a VWL Groupie's siggie!!!

 

[LisaS]

I was just very disappointed that every where we asked that was supposed to offer a DVC discount we were told it had been discontinued.

Could you elaborate on this a bit more? Were these places that were listed in the current "Portable Perks" booklet that you got when you checked in but then they refused to honor the discount?

I should also say that we had the Disney Dining Experience card a few years ago and found it to be very worth the money. I also know they no longer have the DDE card. When I first heard about the " Tables in Wonderland" card, I mistook it for the special experiences they were offering at F&WF called "Cities in Wonderland" and dismissed it. I should have paid closer attention because I totally would have gotten this card. We plan on getting it closer to our next trip.

Yes, the DDE still exists but has just been renamed the "Tables in Wonderland" card. It's exactly the same program, just with a new (and in my opinion very silly) name. The other difference is that you don't have to order it a couple of months in advance any longer. You can get it at Guest Relations at any of the parks or DTD! You still need to have an Annual Pass or be a FL resident to purchase it.

 

[DeeCee735]

Buying where you want to stay the most is the general rule of thumb for DVC purchases. Buying at a resort you don't really like to get in and then book another DVC resort at 7 months is alittle risky. There's no guarantee you'll get into any other DVC resort at 7 months, and I'd be surprised if your sales guide sold it to you like that. It's an option that you may be able to book other locations at the 7 month mark, but certainly not a definite.

We bought at BW because it's our favorite resort, and it's where we mostly want to stay. If we don't book it at 11 months out, we usually have to take another resort....i.e. OKW or SSR. This March my daughter is going for a few nights with her friends, and since I only looked into booking it in August we weren't able to get BW, we had to take OKW.

When we stayed (one night was all that was available during our stay at the 7 month mark when I tried to switch) at AKV, we fell in love with it, so we added on a small contract, enough to get a couple of nights a year there, or bank and borrow to get a full vacation there once every three years.

Good luck with your decision.

 

[Inkmahm]

OT....but you need a VWL Groupie's siggie!!!

You're right, I do!

 

[CPTJAK]

Housekeeping is not a make or break issue for me. I just miss it sometimes. Who doesn't like to come home to a room totally clean and fresh that you didn't have to do? I also like knowing that I can leave stuff where ever I like and not worry about having to pick up so housekeeping can come and clean up. We washed clothes on our last trip. It took a while as the dryer is not that great, but you know what, I never even thought about throwing the towels in! Duh.

Not sure if someone already stated this but daily Housekeeping is available, you just have to pay for it. If you want it certain days you call in advance and they will charge it to your room, its your choice.

Now I believe you should wait to sell (first off you will likely have a hard time selling for anywhere near what you paid). This is why people say to do a lot of research prior to buying as Timeshares are easy to buy but hard to sell.

I think if you pick different times you will have a lot of success at seven months. I just called for March BCV and it was available in a studio for 3 nights (kids springbreak) at 3 months. VWL was available for June when I called for a studio.

 

[grannychamp]

It seems that you are getting beat up for stating the obvious. I know that people suggest that you buy at the resort that you would like to stay, but that is not how they sell the points. They tell you about "all" the places that you can stay with your points. One problem is that too many rooms are rented out to non-DVC members. Last year I was on the wait list for the full 7 months and I couldn't get a room with my points, but I could pay for the room and get it. I've been a member for 6 years and am questioning myself if I made a good choice. The benefits that I had as a DVC members in the beginning have changed on a yearly basis and it seems that it more often is taking away.

 

[Inkmahm]

It seems that you are getting beat up for stating the obvious. I know that people suggest that you buy at the resort that you would like to stay, but that is not how they sell the points. They tell you about "all" the places that you can stay with your points. One problem is that too many rooms are rented out to non-DVC members. Last year I was on the wait list for the full 7 months and I couldn't get a room with my points, but I could pay for the room and get it. I've been a member for 6 years and am questioning myself if I made a good choice. The benefits that I had as a DVC members in the beginning have changed on a yearly basis and it seems that it more often is taking away.

What difference does it make if a member is using a villa or a non-member who has rented from a member? The number of rooms available is the same, no matter who is actually using them.

 

[MAGICX2]

Could you elaborate on this a bit more? Were these places that were listed in the current "Portable Perks" booklet that you got when you checked in but then they refused to honor the discount?

These are the ones I know right off hand:
Rainforest Cafe-no food or merchandise discount
Studio Catering Co.
Whispering Canyon-(told now only on lunch)

SSR Spa---Told discount on spa pedicure was only good Mon.-Thurs. Not valid Fri. Sat. or Sun. When I whipped out my litlle Portable Perks book to show them it did not state that, they said that it was a recent change and had not made it into the new book.

 

[LisaS]

These are the ones I know right off hand:
Rainforest Cafe-no food or merchandise discount
Studio Catering Co.
Whispering Canyon-(told now only on lunch)

SSR Spa---Told discount on spa pedicure was only good Mon.-Thurs. Not valid Fri. Sat. or Sun. When I whipped out my litlle Portable Perks book to show them it did not state that, they said that it was a recent change and had not made it into the new book.

That's not good! If it's in writing in the perks book, I think they should honor it. Thanks for the information.

 

[lisaviolet]

Hey,

I'm sorry OP. That's not a good feeling.

I didn't read the entire thread so.....

I think Lisa S already told you this but that week is so popular. With everyone - not even just DVC. No WDW CRO discounts that week (but discounts for the weeks surrounding - that one is a blackout because of special events). Mousefest and Pop Warner. Who knows if they put some, the groups, over to SSR. And there was nothing available from the CRO months earlier for that week. . I know - I was trying to change someone's reservation. So full. Full at WDW - tough week in general - including buses of course.

Okay, I've only been a member since 2005. Own at BWV and SSR. But I've had rooms at every DVC except VB - which I have for March. I'm saying this for one reason. I"m not a planner. Not at all. No waking up for 7 month call. Actually, in about gosh - ten trips - I've only used home advantage 7-11 once. And that was for NYE at BW. So nine trips six months and less. I know things are changing but I have stayed everywhere.

Also, not everyone can do this but I've got lots of great bookings on seven days and less. Once I didn't get my WL and got my WL choice less than 7 days - no WL are on so one can call daily 7 days out. Once I got my parents a AKV SV studio three days out. So not for planners of course - but if you miss your WL - do try this call in.

Best of luck. It must be awful to feel the way you do. But once again, that is one popular week. I know for a fact that WDW was at capacity. Capacity can affect many issues.

And this is aside. But I love not having maid service. No thought of someone coming through. Maybe this will grow on you over time. Maybe not.

Lisa

 

[lugnut33]

Hey Magic, if you don't like your point you can gift them to me! I'll even say please.

 

[BroganMc]

SSR Spa---Told discount on spa pedicure was only good Mon.-Thurs. Not valid Fri. Sat. or Sun. When I whipped out my litlle Portable Perks book to show them it did not state that, they said that it was a recent change and had not made it into the new book.

That one I would have questioned, with management. If it's something in the Perks book they give you in the Welcome Home packet then it should be honored. To do otherwise borders on false advertising.

I am sorry you didn't enjoy your time at SSR. I'm hoping you just had a bad experience and will bond with the resort later. It does have a different feel than the other hotel resorts. No big lobby everyone enters to get to their rooms and more of a standalone independent travel resort. But if you spend some time in the communal areas you start to feel that community spirit.

The big thing that seems to disappoint my siblings with DVC is the lack of discounts on MYW tickets. They don't go enough to need Annual Passes and never got the hang of using the DVC card for meal discounts. Now if DVC allowed all members to buy the Tables in Wonderland card, they'd see an advantage in ownership. For us, the perks were just added bonuses. No way would we spend the amount Disney charges to stay in the Deluxe resorts. We're strictly Value pricing travelers. So owning DVC means we get the perk of staying onsite in our price range.

 

[nunzia]

I agree with the Magic Wonderful Table Land cards (silly name) I don't need an annual pass at WDW (DLR..maybe) but the card would be nice for my occasional trip. I wish they'd come up with something similar at DLR (AP discount is $20.00 there..so the $100.00 for WDW is pretty great..of course AP doesn't cost that much to start with at DLR..for the Deluxe..but it has alot of blackout dates)

 

[MAGICX2]

Hey Magic, if you don't like your point you can gift them to me! I'll even say please.

Well, at least you are polite, but I must regretfully decline your request.