BCV annual meeting info

[BigTigger]

I agree that the high volume of occupancy at BCV does seem like a "rip-off" to BCV owners, because our dues will have to go up to cover the constant wear and tear (as I mentioned in another thread, all the BCV's are getting new fridges after only 4 years), but I guess that is just the price we have to pay to get the additional 4 months of booking time. I can't say that I much like it, though.

I'm not sure I understand the high occupancy logic. If DVC members don't reserve all of the resort rooms, CRO opens up the space at one month out and rents the rooms. This leads to something like 98% occupancy on all DVC properties. Granted in September it's 70% due to low season and close to 100% most other times, but I don't think any DVC property suffers from low occupancy. So using my logic, I would guess BWV, VWL, and OKW should show equal signs of wear and tear that BCV does as they are just as full most of the time.

On a related note, everything in DVC has an estimated life. On the average, DVC gets these right and your dues shouldn't go up if a TV is broken or a table ruined by a guest as DVC has an average life and replacement policy that takes catastrophic events and regular replacement into account. Big ticket items like the BWV pipes and siding aren't billed to the members as Disney COnstruction messed these up and fixes them in their budget.

 

[jade1]

I'm not sure I understand the high occupancy logic. If DVC members don't reserve all of the resort rooms, CRO opens up the space at one month out and rents the rooms. This leads to something like 98% occupancy on all DVC properties. Granted in September it's 70% due to low season and close to 100% most other times, but I don't think any DVC property suffers from low occupancy. So using my logic, I would guess BWV, VWL, and OKW should show equal signs of wear and tear that BCV does as they are just as full most of the time.

On a related note, everything in DVC has an estimated life. On the average, DVC gets these right and your dues shouldn't go up if a TV is broken or a table ruined by a guest as DVC has an average life and replacement policy that takes catastrophic events and regular replacement into account. Big ticket items like the BWV pipes and siding aren't billed to the members as Disney COnstruction messed these up and fixes them in their budget.

You make a good point, but do they rent "all" of the rooms throughout the year? I really would like to know throughout the year what the occupancy rates are at each DVC. It must be available. That would answer part of the question on the wear issue. My guess is BCV is much higher but its just a guess at this point.

Second I would like to know how many nights are used on points compared to cash. If some DVC resorts are "cashing in" from non DVC guests because it is "available" to the public-where does that cash go, does it reduce dues at that DVC or just back to WDW? They already have the dues in hand so this would be above and beyond correct? I have a coworker (non DVC) that reserved OKW 1BR many months ahead through a travel agent for last March. The available cash nights at BCV has to be less percentage wise than OKW or SSR.

 

[Beca]

I'm not sure I understand the high occupancy logic. If DVC members don't reserve all of the resort rooms, CRO opens up the space at one month out and rents the rooms. This leads to something like 98% occupancy on all DVC properties. Granted in September it's 70% due to low season and close to 100% most other times, but I don't think any DVC property suffers from low occupancy. So using my logic, I would guess BWV, VWL, and OKW should show equal signs of wear and tear that BCV does as they are just as full most of the time.

On a related note, everything in DVC has an estimated life. On the average, DVC gets these right and your dues shouldn't go up if a TV is broken or a table ruined by a guest as DVC has an average life and replacement policy that takes catastrophic events and regular replacement into account. Big ticket items like the BWV pipes and siding aren't billed to the members as Disney COnstruction messed these up and fixes them in their budget.

All I know is that you seldom hear anyone talk about getting a room at 5:30 or 6:00 where the carpets are soaking wet at OKW or SSR, but it seems to happen a LOT at BCV. While we were on vacation, a maid knocked on our door and asked what time we would be out of the room. We were VERY puzzled, and said "Why? We're not scheduled for a cleaning." She explained that because of BCV's high occupancy rates, housekeeping management seldom gets to walk the rooms before another guest is signed in. She was in our "wing" of the second floor that day, and she was trying to walk our room to see what was in need of repair/replacement. She said that if we could tell her what time we were leaving, she would just come back. At first, we were a little unsettled by this. I even thought of calling the front desk and asking if she was legit....but, then I figured it wouldn't really make sense for her NOT to be legit...she could've made up simpler stories if she really wanted in our room.

But, it seems to me that the occupancy rates at BCV are SO high, that housekeeping/engineering cannot even get in to fix the things that are broken. The rooms are always full, and members are chomping at the bit to get into them so there is no time to "fix" things or shampoo the carpets.

The other interesting thing I noted was maids knocking on people's door as early as 7:00AM...I have never seen the maids out so early trying to clean rooms. They really are trying at BCV to get those rooms made up quickly and either issued back out asap, or gain time to "fix" things.



Beca

 

[Melrosgirl]

When I was at BCV in May 2003, on the day of our checkout, at around 9 a.m., the maids were practically trying to kick us out of our rooms. We had stepped out briefly to the parking lot, came back to find the maids in our room, loading the dishwasher. I asked them to leave. I have until 11 a.m. to check out. Don't pressure me. It's bad enough I have to leave and go home, lol.

 

[debbie in Seattle]

The other interesting thing I noted was maids knocking on people's door as early as 7:00AM...I have never seen the maids out so early trying to clean rooms.
*********************************************************
Ever notice how many 'privacy please' door tags are on the doors? Learned our lesson fast on that one. 8am at the BWV did it for us. The housekeeping staff is also on a schedule as everyone else is (#'s, #'s, #'s),
so I think they're banking on most folks already being in the parks. We always make sure our 'privacy please' tag is hanging on our door nowadays before bedtime and on our last day.

 

[colleen costello]

Thanks so much for the juicy info. I would love to attend one of these events someday.

We stayed this summer and I thought the halls were in great condition. They were often touching up paint or cleaning the carpets while I was there. The room had some wear but nothing awful. The biggest "yuck" was the pullout couch. I would almost pick Old Key West next trip JUST to avoid anyone sleeping on that crappy thing again! I think getting decent bedding is a BIGGIE. Here's hoping the new sofa sleepers are in by July 2006 when we return!

Thanks again.

 

[skelooch]

Beca, Thanks for the BCV meeting report.
I definately have to attend one of these meeting they sound very interesting.

I too have a few pet peeves about BCV, but wear and tear is not one of them. I have only stayed at BCV since joining DVC in 2002. Every time I have checked in I was told the Villas were at a min of 98-100% occupancy. I don't know if that's just the Corporate line so you get to fussy with room request. I do believe that occupancy at BCV is higher than any other DVC resort, hence the wear and tear issues some have. I would however be curious to know what percentages are BCV owners vs other DVC members vs renters vs CRO reservations at different times of year.

I was also bothered by housekeeping twice before 9am on checkout day this past Thankgiving. I never expect to get into my room before 4pm (and most times don't,sometimes later ),so I didn't appreciate being asked to get out before 11am. Those are the rules if we have to live with them then so should they. If I'm going to leave early I'll let the front desk know that they can get in early, but don't be knocking on the door.

As far as the check-in policy I really don't think the is a policy, I think it is up to the CM at the front desk to be as accommidating as they choose. Over the past 2 years, since the so called new policy went into effect, I've been told everything in the book. The main thing is don't be to demanding ,make them think your flexible and they seem to be more willing to try and get you what you want. I've come up with a request system that works 80 to 90% of the time to get me exactly what I want.

My biggest peeve is People leaving garbage in the hallways, do they expect the garbage fairy will take it away or are they just too lazy to walk to the trash room. I'd like to believe that these people are not owners because I'd like to believe owners would have more respect for their own property, but who knows.

 

[donmil723]

Thanks Beca for the report on our home resort annual meeting. It was good to hear a first hand report from another owner, especially one who loves BCV as much as I know you do.

I have to agree with the poster who mentioned the poor condition of the BCV hot tub. I don't remember a trip since it was built that the jets were working correctly. When you can't tell if they are turned on or not, something's wrong. On our trip in May, there was lots of sand in the bottom and the jets were not working. We told one of the lifeguard/recreation coordinators and he said the sand filter was broken and that's why sand was in the bottom and the jets not working properly. Then in October, the jets were still not working, sand was in the bottom, and one day the water level was below the skimmers. I think it was faulty from the time they put it in and they need to see about replacing it. Also, in October, I thought the quiet pool looked like it needed repainted. Since we put in a pool at home a couple of years ago, I'm pretty picky about pools and hot tubs at the resorts we stay at and while I love BCV, I have always been disappointed with the BCV hot tub and have mentioned it to mgmt. while there and/or in a survey after returning home.

Donna

 

[TheBeast]

Thanks for the great summary Beca. We own at BCV too, and doubt we'll ever make it to the member meeting so it's great to hear what happened.

I do agree that upkeep is important. I think the entire color scheme of BCV lends itself to more maintenance. The light, beachy colors are beautiful but with high traffic, such colors do not hold up well. In our own personal business we have shops with high traffic and even though our carpets are dark blue...within 2 years they need to be replaced.

I never really thought about it before, but the above quote hit me - has anyone who complains about the state of BCV ever stayed at Cape Cod or the Jersey shore (or probably any beach house)? They're far more beat up than BCV! Just consider the state of BCV dis-repair as "ambiance"...