Anyone going to the Annual Meeting today?

[Docmom]

Anyone planning on going to the annual meeting today? If so can you post a report? I thought last year someone posted comments real time or just afterwards. Thanks!

 

[DebbieB]

Check dvcnews on Twitter or Facebook. He posted he will be tweeting in real time.

 

[Docmom]

Thanks!

 

[LisaS]

DVCNews twitter and facebook links:

https://twitter.com/dvcnews

https://www.facebook.com/dvcnewscom

Based on the stage props, it looks like they will be discussing the Poly DVC...

 

[Docmom]

Been following on both thanks! Disappointed the rumors that the long houses will only have studios are true. Basically 360 studios and 20 bungalows. We're a family of 4 so studios work for us but we prefer the one bedrooms. Sort of the point for us buying DVC in the first place was to have the one bedroom to spread out, so the kids have their own area, and have a
full kitchen and washer/dryer. They said the studios would be connecting so you can book 2 to sleep up to 10 but still not the same as a 2 bedroom or 1 bedroom with a dedicated living area. We've entertained friends before in the 1 bedroom and having a living area and bigger dining table is more conducive to that. I don't mind not having the full kitchen as much as we mostly have breakfast in the unit but do use the washer/dryer. The bungalows sound great but no point cost has been stated yet. I suspect it'll be high. Curious tomes what other members think of the idea of essentially just having studios.

 

[DebbieB]

I liked the picture of BWV renovations. Hopefully they will finally put a coffee table in the studios. On my last trip, I pulled a chair over to set things on. Didn't specify if the 5 person sleeper will be studios only like VWL. Hopefully they will also add it to 1 bedrooms. Doesn't make sense that a studio sleeps more than a 1 bedroom.

 

[MaryLovesPoohBear]

Been following on both thanks! Disappointed the rumors that the long houses will only have studios are true. Basically 360 studios and 20 bungalows. We're a family of 4 so studios work for us but we prefer the one bedrooms. Sort of the point for us buying DVC in the first place was to have the one bedroom to spread out, so the kids have their own area, and have a
full kitchen and washer/dryer. They said the studios would be connecting so you can book 2 to sleep up to 10 but still not the same as a 2 bedroom or 1 bedroom with a dedicated living area. We've entertained friends before in the 1 bedroom and having a living area and bigger dining table is more conducive to that. I don't mind not having the full kitchen as much as we mostly have breakfast in the unit but do use the washer/dryer. The bungalows sound great but no point cost has been stated yet. I suspect it'll be high. Curious tomes what other members think of the idea of essentially just having studios.

I haven't been a member long, but from posts here it sounds like the studios are booked pretty quick.

Maybe they feel the need to have a larger supply of studios?

 

[LisaS]

I liked the picture of BWV renovations. Hopefully they will finally put a coffee table in the studios. On my last trip, I pulled a chair over to set things on. Didn't specify if the 5 person sleeper will be studios only like VWL. Hopefully they will also add it to 1 bedrooms. Doesn't make sense that a studio sleeps more than a 1 bedroom.

At both VWL and BWV, the connecting door is in the living area. I don't think a murphy bed would fit in between the connecting door and the back of the kitchen counter. Even a sleeper chair is a problem because when it was opened into a bed it would block the connecting doorway. Perhaps that is less of an issue at BWV since there are no dedicated 2BRs and that doorway is not the only way out from the "second bedroom".

We'll see what they do but I'm guessing at BWV the extra sleeping space will be a murphy bed in the studio and no changes to the 1BR.

 

[Docmom]

I haven't been a member long, but from posts here it sounds like the studios are booked pretty quick. Maybe they feel the need to have a larger supply of studios?

Maybe that's their thinking since studios do go quickly. We haven't owned for long either but it seems a lot of people like the larger units too for larger families, family reunions, and for the kitchen. With only 20 2 bedroom bungalows it's going to be a mad dash for all those people. Perhaps that's their plan...make sure people who want more than a studio buy enough points to stay at the bungalows. I just find it odd that they will have no 1 bedroom units and no regular, non-bungalow, 2 bedroom units.

 

[LauraLea]

I liked the picture of BWV renovations. Hopefully they will finally put a coffee table in the studios. On my last trip, I pulled a chair over to set things on. Didn't specify if the 5 person sleeper will be studios only like VWL. Hopefully they will also add it to 1 bedrooms. Doesn't make sense that a studio sleeps more than a 1 bedroom.

I was at the meeting and was devastated when they said BWV (one of our homes as well as VWL) would get the 5th sleeper. Somehow I missed the pictures they showed. Did they include the stupid table on the pull down bed as I now see in the BCV pics?

When Ken was telling us about how awesome these Poly studios would be since they not only sleep 5, but the bathrooms would also be larger to accommodate all 5 guess. DH and I laughed. Since we are currently staying in a VWL studio, just this morning we were talking how awful it would be with 5 people trying to get ready in the mornings with such a small bathroom setup. BWV studio bathrooms are just as small.

The rehab to our VWL studio is not the same room I bought when I purchased VWL. Since so much of our rehab money was spent on this ridiculous bed/table setup, the refinish of the cabinets was so cheap the paint is already peeling off.

After the meeting I wanted to leave, but DH encouraged me to at least look into the reception room. I told DH there is no way we would even come close to getting to talk to anyone who really matters. We stood in the very back and within a few minutes Kent Mitchell approached us.

I vented. He listened. Not sure it will make any difference. He seemed particularly concerned when I said I will not recommend DVC. Sorry, but you build beautiful resorts and we buy into them, but when it comes time for refurbishments we do not get the same product back. I did not buy a studio that sleeps 5, but now I am stuck with the decor that does.

We talked for at least 20 minutes about not just DVC, but other aspects of WDW that impacts how we value our time and money spent here. Again, may not result in changes, but I feel better that I had a chance to tell someone.

Laura

 

[LisaS]

I was at the meeting and was devastated when they said BWV (one of our homes as well as VWL) would get the 5th sleeper. Somehow I missed the pictures they showed. Did they include the stupid table on the pull down bed as I now see in the BCV pics?

You can see the photo on DVCNews' twitter page: https://twitter.com/DVCNews/status/543138308835262464/photo/1 The photo is taken from a different angle so you cannot tell if it has that camper-style table. In fact it's hard to tell whether there is even a murphy bed in the room.

I agree with your comments on the VWL studio and want to thank you for taking the time to express your thoughts to Kent Mitchell. I know many people are thrilled that they can officially put five people in a studio but then there are folks like me and my DH who like theming and the luxury of extra space on vacation and feel like we're losing what initially attracted us to DVC.

 

[disneynutz]

I was at the meeting and was devastated when they said BWV (one of our homes as well as VWL) would get the 5th sleeper. Somehow I missed the pictures they showed. Did they include the stupid table on the pull down bed as I now see in the BCV pics?

When Ken was telling us about how awesome these Poly studios would be since they not only sleep 5, but the bathrooms would also be larger to accommodate all 5 guess. DH and I laughed. Since we are currently staying in a VWL studio, just this morning we were talking how awful it would be with 5 people trying to get ready in the mornings with such a small bathroom setup. BWV studio bathrooms are just as small.

The rehab to our VWL studio is not the same room I bought when I purchased VWL. Since so much of our rehab money was spent on this ridiculous bed/table setup, the refinish of the cabinets was so cheap the paint is already peeling off.

After the meeting I wanted to leave, but DH encouraged me to at least look into the reception room. I told DH there is no way we would even come close to getting to talk to anyone who really matters. We stood in the very back and within a few minutes Kent Mitchell approached us.

I vented. He listened. Not sure it will make any difference. He seemed particularly concerned when I said I will not recommend DVC. Sorry, but you build beautiful resorts and we buy into them, but when it comes time for refurbishments we do not get the same product back. I did not buy a studio that sleeps 5, but now I am stuck with the decor that does.

We talked for at least 20 minutes about not just DVC, but other aspects of WDW that impacts how we value our time and money spent here. Again, may not result in changes, but I feel better that I had a chance to tell someone.

Laura

Been there, done that. After a few years of being told that DVC appreciated our input, I learned that it most of it was just lip service. I actually thought that maybe the powers to be didn't realize what was going on. After being told by a couple of CM's who work in the DVC offices that they really do know, it's just not an important issue. They have their own agenda and thoughts of how DVC should be run and what's important and sadly it doesn't always match how we feel.

Bill

 

[LauraLea]

Been there, done that. After a few years of being told that DVC appreciated our input, I learned that it most of it was just lip service. I actually thought that maybe the powers to be didn't realize what was going on. After being told by a couple of CM's who work in the DVC offices that they really do know, it's just not an important issue. They have their own agenda and thoughts of how DVC should be run and what's important and sadly it doesn't always match how we feel.

Bill

Yeah, I am not naïve enough to believe what I said today really matters. After all I have been attending these meetings the last 4 years where the poor deaf member has been trying to get their attention. 2 years with Claire and 2 years now with Ken. By next year we may have a new leader the poor guy will be trying to get to address his concerns.

Laura

 

[DebbieB]

I'm more excited that the BWV photo shows a coffee table in a studio! They promised one at an annual meeting over 10 years ago! I'll believe it when I see it!

 

[DougEMG]

A coffee would be nice, but squeezing 5 people into a studio is stupid, hate to see the wear and tear on those rooms.

 

[Firepath]

Laura, was there any discussion about park pass or annual pass offers?

 

[Happy99]

is it just me or is the placement of the fifth person bed (banquet bed) in a bad spot. I don't think being under the TV area is a good spot for it. What if someone wants to watch TV while the person under it is trying to sleep? It is the same issue at POR and the new Caribbean Beach rooms

 

[skier_pete]

I understand the point of "5 people in a studio is stupid", but I am not sure the INTENT is for 5 adults to be staying in a studio. There's a lot of families that have 3 kids or travel with 2 kids and a grandparent and would really like the option of being able to have 5 in a room, even a studio. We have two couples that are very good friends of ours that love Disney but rarely go because they have 3 kids and the hotel options suck so bad. (Basically POR or overprices suites at AoA.)

 

[AllyBri]

Laura, was there any discussion about park pass or annual pass offers?

Not Laura here but no mention of park or annual passes.