BCV Update

[MdmMim]

its not just appliances though, its the overall theme. The theme they are going for is completly outdated. Its a catch 22 though cause the beach club
itsself is a sold out dvc resort, has been for a long time so why would they bother updating to attract new members, they've got us in thats all that matters...though the dvc side is financed differently than the regular resorts they did a ttremendous theming upgrade to the regular resort to reflect the day and age that now resembles the beachy theme of a new era recognizing that it was out of date, They prob do feel that the DVC side is out of date but noone wants to pay for it....
take away titles, the beach club is stil the beach club, if they recognized the front resort was out dated, without the DVC name on the back resort they would have updated the DVC too

The theme is turn-of-the-century, New England inspired beach community. It is supposed to be dated, to take us back to another time. That is the point of theming.

 

[Deb & Bill]

we know the argument of we have to pay for it out of dues, was just making the point of the theming, however if you think about the dues we all pay
what are these dues really going to? Take the beach club for example.
Im sure over the last 10 years we owners have all paid millions and millions
worth of yearly dues, but what for?
ok, we got a very VERY soft rehab, once, that for argument sake, may have cost a million in itself, 200ish rooms x drapes x some new cheap dinner ware x new lights, etc....ya it prob didnt cost much
Next biggest thing we get is a paint job here and there, so say thats another million and then theres the little things, and by the looks of the rooms there arent that many little things they have done, heck, the same k-mart chairs and table are still on the balconies from day one.
So wheres all the other money going?
I dont tthink its safe to say that the anual dues we pay equal the amount
of repairs, updating, and maintenence they do.

The annual member fees also pay staff wages (which constantly increase, including the company's portion of any healthcare or other fees, like Workers Comp). They pay the utilities. Pays the taxes. Pays the transportation costs (boats and buses - their maintenance, their staff, the fuel they use). Pays for the villas share on SAB and for Dunes Cove pool.

If you have never read the annual statement that DVC sends out to the members, it might clear up why there isn't that much money left over for maintenance. Plus with BCV so popular, they have to do a lot of small maintenance, like shampoo carpets, fix the appliances that get misused. Repaint. Replace the soft goods every so often. We pay for those bars of soap and towels that people swipe off the housekeeping cart or ask housekeeping to supply them without paying for them. And for the towel animals that people think are gifts from the housekeepers. That's our linens they are taking home.

And there is a portion that we pay to DVC for managing the property which is a set percentage of the total fees. You pay for your share of the software development. You pay for your share of MS call center.

 

[sandieb]

deleted - didn't see Deb's reply.

I agree, renovations are paid by member dues and I don't think they would want huge increases for upgraded decor. You are staying there for vacation, not living there permanently. Someone mentioned upgraded appliances. If they work during your stay, what is the difference?

Debbie - I agree with the idea that we don't need upgraded appliances, but installing the cheapist, flimsiest stuff isn't good either. We had maintenance up for both the new fridge and dishwasher, and he even said they couldn't understand why the new stuff was purchased - it is breaking down within weeks of installation.

But I do believe the quality suffers overall, and that does lead to an inferior vacation experience. The design of the BCV buildings and grounds is beautiful. It doesn't make sense not to perpetuate it into the villas. When we stay at a Sheraton, Hyatt, or Hilton we find better quality than we are seeing in our villas at Disney - one notable exception are the AKV - they are really lovely designed and seem to have higher quality furnishings.

 

[Sammie]

The annual member fees also pay staff wages (which constantly increase, including the company's portion of any healthcare or other fees, like Workers Comp). They pay the utilities. Pays the taxes. Pays the transportation costs (boats and buses - their maintenance, their staff, the fuel they use). Pays for the villas share on SAB and for Dunes Cove pool.

If you have never read the annual statement that DVC sends out to the members, it might clear up why there isn't that much money left over for maintenance. Plus with BCV so popular, they have to do a lot of small maintenance, like shampoo carpets, fix the appliances that get misused. Repaint. Replace the soft goods every so often. We pay for those bars of soap and towels that people swipe off the housekeeping cart or ask housekeeping to supply them without paying for them. And for the towel animals that people think are gifts from the housekeepers. That's our linens they are taking home.

And there is a portion that we pay to DVC for managing the property which is a set percentage of the total fees. You pay for your share of the software development. You pay for your share of MS call center.

In addition we all pay for things damaged or stolen by others unless the room is a complete trashing.

Breakage of items also is covered.

 

[disneynutz]

I find this interesting since the sales guides are constantly hyping the "deluxe resort" experience even though this is your "home away from home." I wonder why DVC chose to go this route. It was the deluxe resorts that sold me on the DVC concept. I found SSR to feel very old granny in its decor also.

I don't consider a DVC stay to be a deluxe resort experience. The fact that it is the DVC causes a difference in the eyes of Disney. The cleaning schedule is different, the refurb schedule is different, the maintenance schedule is different and IMO the CM's either act or are different.

We recently stayed at the Yacht Club and from check in to check out the entire experience was truly deluxe.

Bill

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Wouldn't the OKW refurb give some indication that DVC cares a little less about a theme than may have been thought? And changing paint or linen styles during a refurb isn't going to cost anything additional to changing them out to the same old that's always been there. It may even be less expensive.

 

[sandieb]

I don't consider a DVC stay to be a deluxe resort experience. The fact that it is the DVC causes a difference in the eyes of Disney. The cleaning schedule is different, the refurb schedule is different, the maintenance schedule is different and IMO the CM's either act or are different.

We recently stayed at the Yacht Club and from check in to check out the entire experience was truly deluxe.

Bill

Gosh, Bill - I am really pretty sure that Disney markets the DVC as deluxe lodging. But I think you are correct that in actuality it is not. We bought in knowing the cleaning schedule, but I don't remember being informed that the furnishings, quality or maintenance were to a different standard.

Anyway, it is what it is. We are staying in our RV at Fort Wilderness next year, and if we enjoy that (we love our RV), then we will probably go ahead and sell our 450 BCV points, but keep those at HHI.

Thanks for an interesting discussion - and I do know that my experience and opinions may not reflect that of most of the BCV owners.
Sandie

 

[shaynar]

For many of us who regularly read this board, or those who own DVC points, we understand that the annual fees take care of the property. Therefore it is understandable that the refurbs aren't as consistent. Personally I do not believe that this should be reflected in the "quality" of the CM's, but I understand that maintenance is an issue.

However, WDW does rent these rooms out for cash. If I didn't know about the maintenance and that the theming is more "home-y" and not "deluxe" I would be very upset had I spent $500 for a night in a 1br (or 700 for a 2-br!) during value season for second rate cm's, flimsy appliances, worn out theming etc.

 

[vicki_c]

For many of us who regularly read this board, or those who own DVC points, we understand that the annual fees take care of the property. Therefore it is understandable that the refurbs aren't as consistent. Personally I do not believe that this should be reflected in the "quality" of the CM's, but I understand that maintenance is an issue.

However, WDW does rent these rooms out for cash. If I didn't know about the maintenance and that the theming is more "home-y" and not "deluxe" I would be very upset had I spent $500 for a night in a 1br (or 700 for a 2-br!) during value season for second rate cm's, flimsy appliances, worn out theming etc.

I understand that sentiment but I'm pretty sure that the villas are the cheaper of an "equivalent" room at the same resort. So you have to compare a 2 BR villa with a 2 BR suite (which would also get you club level, so...). There probably isn't an accurate comparison. We stayed in the top suite at the Beach Club in January (no, I didn't pay for it) and I think the room rate was almost $2000 per night. In value season. My expectations for that would be exponentially higher than a $700 2 BR villa. I think with DVC on cash, you are paying a premium for the square footage and nothing else.

We've stayed at the BC and BCV multiple times though and always had excellent (and more than that) service from the cast members.

 

[disneynutz]

Just because a room is a DVC room shouldn't lower Disney's or our expectation of a what deluxe level quality should be. The excuse of high occupancy causing the problem shouldn't be accepted. The fact that they are a Villa and not a regular room shouldn't matter either.

The rooms should be well maintained, clean, fully stocked and fresh. Anything less should be unacceptable. If they need additional CM's to do the job correctly, then hire additional CM's. Inspect the rooms prior to occupancy and take it out of service if there is an issue.

Disney Resorts has a budget for maintaining and servicing the cash rooms so I can see why they work hard to keep costs low, the money reduces Disney's profit. DVC also has a budget but if it is too low to get the job done correctly, then increase it, the money doesn't come from Disney, it comes from us.

Bill

 

[smidgy]

The theme is turn-of-the-century, New England inspired beach community. It is supposed to be dated, to take us back to another time. That is the point of theming.

I only stayed at BCV once, and thought everything was great. we were in a studio, so didn't have many appliances.

but as far as the theming goes, we loved it!

 

[Mick@Tink]

Just because a room is a DVC room shouldn't lower Disney's or our expectation of a what deluxe level quality should be. The excuse of high occupancy causing the problem shouldn't be accepted. The fact that they are a Villa and not a regular room shouldn't matter either.

The rooms should be well maintained, clean, fully stocked and fresh. Anything less should be unacceptable. If they need additional CM's to do the job correctly, then hire additional CM's. Inspect the rooms prior to occupancy and take it out of service if there is an issue.

Disney Resorts has a budget for maintaining and servicing the cash rooms so I can see why they work hard to keep costs low, the money reduces Disney's profit. DVC also has a budget but if it is too low to get the job done correctly, then increase it, the money doesn't come from Disney, it comes from us.

Bill

Right on, brother! Couldn't agree with you more. Sounds so simple. I'm willing to pay more if they would get it right!!! We get what we pay for.

 

[DisneyDreamingGirl]

We were at BCV in a 2 bedroom in the beginning of August. In the middle of our stay, they sent up a new couch for the living room area... I didn't notice any wear and tear in the old one, but the new couch had different colors. So I don't think they are planning on changing much any time soon. I love the theming of the rooms and I would be extremely upset if they changed it.

 

[wrighter]

We are at BCV now - our first stay here. And while there are things that I really like about it, I remembered this thread as I noticed all the wear and tear. The drawer under the stove is broken - getting to the pots and pans under there is like breaking into Fort Knox! Lol! The side rails on the inside of the refrigerator door are missing. Not a big thing, but the fridge is small to start with, and not having it for storage was actually a challenge for us. Our room is adjacent to the public laundry room, and there was a machine off balance in there for two days. The first night the walls to our room were vibrating, and we sort of freaked out. It literally sounded like a helicopter was landing on the roof of our room. We went out in the hallway to see what was going on and found the laundry room that way. The machine looked like it was part of a thrill ride! Lol! The people whose laundry was in the machine were mortified and they were trying to stop it. After the cycle ended so did the show. I figured they would have informed maintenance. Wrong! So the next night when it was happening again I called down. Hopefully tonight we're in the clear. One of the two elevators in the building has been down for two days. Etc.

These are not all huge issues necessarily - and we certainly haven't let it keep us from having a lovely time here. But it certainly does seem like BCV is due for some work.

 

[Simba's Mom]

We are at BCV now - our first stay here. And while there are things that I really like about it, I remembered this thread as I noticed all the wear and tear. The drawer under the stove is broken - getting to the pots and pans under there is like breaking into Fort Knox! Lol! The side rails on the inside of the refrigerator door are missing. Not a big thing, but the fridge is small to start with, and not having it for storage was actually a challenge for us. Our room is adjacent to the public laundry room, and there was a machine off balance in there for two days. The first night the walls to our room were vibrating, and we sort of freaked out. It literally sounded like a helicopter was landing on the roof of our room. We went out in the hallway to see what was going on and found the laundry room that way. The machine looked like it was part of a thrill ride! Lol! The people whose laundry was in the machine were mortified and they were trying to stop it. After the cycle ended so did the show. I figured they would have informed maintenance. Wrong! So the next night when it was happening again I called down. Hopefully tonight we're in the clear. One of the two elevators in the building has been down for two days. Etc.

These are not all huge issues necessarily - and we certainly haven't let it keep us from having a lovely time here. But it certainly does seem like BCV is due for some work.

Just curious-do you mean one of the two elevators that are side by side, the main elevators? Or the one at the other end of the building? It certainly sounds like an Email to dvc member satisfaction is due. That's awful!

 

[jennypenny]

One of the two main elevators is down. In their defense, I saw them working on it several times. I've always wished there were open stairs right next to the elevators like on DCL. I'd gladly take the stairs then.

Our room (345) was in good shape, better than our last couple of rooms at BCV. Noise is a problem though. Some of the appliances are old and loud. And I wish there was a soundproof door on the laundry closet.

All in all we thought BCV was in good shape. Our only real complaint was the Marketplace. The food is limited and horrible, and it always smells like burned toast.