Any promises not kept?

[lnb1230]

We are soooooooo close to finally buying at SSR! I was on the phone with our guide for over an hour last night going through all my questions and concerns. With all the uncertainty at Disney and the "rumors" on this board (i.e. Vero Beach), I had many hard questions for our guide concerning the stability of the program and how important it was to me that the general structure of the program remain the same (i.e. points, fliexibility with time of year and resort, availability of HH and VB). He, of course, had a reassuring answer for everything. My question is, were you ever told by your guide during the sales process something that turned out not to be true, or about a benefit which was taken away?

I was really ready to sign on the dotted line yesterday, but I am afraid about signing on to something that would abruptly change in structure. I am sure we will love SSR, and it is where I want to stay primarily. However, I am buying into a program and system of resorts not just one resort. If I wanted only one resort I would purchase a timeshare elsewhere for much less money.

Thanks again for hearing me out and listening to my thought processes! All this thinking is really starting to make me nutty. I am dreaming this stuff!

 

[Disney Doll]

Not that I recall. Our guide was honest to the point of saying "If you don't think is the right program for you, then don't buy it. Disney wants people to be happy, and if you don't think this will make you happy, I won't keep calling you". He was very nice and sincere when he said, he wasn't be nasty or sarcastic.

Basically, I have always had good experiences with the integrity of the program and the people working for it.

 

[sgtdisney]

All I can say is read and re-read your contract. What is spelled out in your contract is all you are guaranteed. You are buying points at your home resort to be used for the next 50 years. That is what you are guaranteed.

There were a number of things that were 'supposed to be' when we signed up 12 years ago, that didn't pan out. Nothing major and I honestly was not overly upset about it because I purchased with the full understanding that perks are perks and are subject to change. The biggest one I can recall is the promise that after the free passes expired they would be replaced with highly discounted ticket media. We haven't seen that yet. Perks like Pool hopping, ability to use points on Disney Cruises, at Disney hotels are always subject to change. They probably won't, but make sure you are happy with your home resort just in case.

Also keep in mind that the final 12 years of your contract will only allow you access to SSR (and possibly any subsequent DVC resorts build later) OKW, BWV et. all revert back to Disney and will not be part of the DVC and will not be availble at that time.

All that being said, I am still very happy with my investment into the DVC and don't really have any regrets.

 

[wisbucky]

To be honest with you lnb1230, I dont think you have to worry at all about the program. Disney is the #1 vacation spot in the world. And there attendance has begun to increase again. The last thing Disney would want to do is begin to upset those who bought into DVC. There are 65,000 members. If the structure were to change to the point that is was causing an uproar these 65,000 members would have a lot of input in Disney's decissions. Dont buy into DVC for the perks buy into it for the vacations and location. That all being said if Disney is not where you want to be every year then DVC is most likely not for you. There are more people buying into DVC timeshare than any other timeshare in the world as we speak.

 

[thechangingtable]

when I was at one of those on site member meeting at BWV yesterday morning, they said (sr sales staff holding the mtg) that there are 80,000 DVC members now. DVC is growing as well as attendance at the parks!

christine

 

[jarestel]

As sgtdisney said, make sure you can live with what is spelled out in your contract. Your guide's promises and reassurances and opinions about what Disney may or may not do in the future are irrelevant. Having said that though, I don't have any reservations at all about Disney taking good care of us.

 

[lnb1230]

We would definately be going to Disney almost every year. That is our place!!! I just know that I like being able to go to the different atmospheres of all the Disney DVC Resorts. I would hate to lose that!

 

[crisi]

We didn't go through a guide, we went resale. But since we bought, you can no longer pool hop to SAB. Not a huge deal to us, but a lot of people were disappointed when the announcement was made.

The other thing that comes up is the occupancy situation. Some guides have told people that you can put five in a one bedroom. Officially, those rooms sleep four. Member Services has apparently never had a problem booking five people into those rooms and issuing five key cards, but that could possibly change. The flip has come up as well, some people have been promised occupancy rules will be enforced - but Disney does not seem to be interested in enforcing them.

Some OKW owners were disappointed when Disney excercised their right to add a slide to the pool without consulting them (or even really informing them).

Lastly, some guides may have lead people to believe that hard to book rooms at your non-home resorts will be available at seven months. If you buy SSR planning on staying in a BWV Standard View Room the first two weeks in December, you will end up disappointed more often than not.

 

[Beca]

Sorry if I am asking a dumb question, I am new. What is SAB?

Thanks,
Beca

 

[ripleysmom]

Storm Along Bay, the pool at Yacht and Beach Club. It is considered to be the best pool on property and was a nice perk especially for BWV owners when it was still allowed.

 

[Dean]

First, if it's not witten down, totally ignore it. Second, if the paperwork says something can change, assume it will. If DVC is still for you with all this, definitely join. I do think there are misperceptions and assumptions that guides sometimes may tell you that might affect your decision.

There are some items that I think are common misperceptions. These include that the exchange items like DCL, Concierge collection or Disney colection can't change or that they are even guaranteed to continue. I also find at times the guides play down the fact that the points can be adjusted. While the total points can't change, what you want may go up or down. While I think this is minor for most people, it is very important if one is buying an exact number of points for specific stay, especially if that stay is for weekdays avoiding weekends, or a smaller unit for one of the lower seasons.

I also find the guides at times over estimate the ease of exchanging for both other DVC resorts and Internval International options. You also need to know the dues could go up a lot though I think that's not a major risk.

 

[Cruelladeville]

Exactly what are you buy into DVC for? If it's the SSR property itself, then you are getting exactly what you are paying for. If, however, you are buying in order to use VB, then I would say, buy at VB, the prices are lower there. I, too, like the option of staying at VB, but everything changes sooner or later. It's a change for DVC to have added SSR, and I am not sure that I like that added option, either. There are going to be some things in every timeshare that you won't like, but focus on the things you DO want the most, and go for that.