Best way to buy dvc?

[Sharon526]

Every 3 yrs pushes the envelop of reasonableness, I'd say it's rare that a true every 3 yr plan is worth buying for. If I decided to buy and always go August, I'd buy an August UY or not buy at all. There are just too many issues that can come up for the one specific trip.

Why only buy an August UY? I'd like to go back again this August, but my husband might murder me. When we go, we stay for 7-13 days, because it's so costly to fly down, which is why we'd only be able to go every 2-3 years.

 

[Dean]

DVC charges dues on a calendar year basis so the dues for a Dec 15 UY are paid mostly in Jan 2016 (11 months). So if you didn't include dues on those points, you'd have to subtract 11/12 of the dues from the value of those. You also illustrate another major issue of DVC and the one that often leads to the fact that most people don't end up saving money with DVC though they may get increased value since many use studios to run the numbers but end up getting 1 & 2 BR. Another reason many don't save money is that they often go more and spend more on other things. Not wrong, just something to keep in mind.

 

[Dean]

Why only buy an August UY? I'd like to go back again this August, but my husband might murder me. When we go, we stay for 7-13 days, because it's so costly to fly down, which is why we'd only be able to go every 2-3 years.

You stated you were planning every 3 yrs and you always go the end of August. IF I were going to buy in that situation, I would ONLY consider an August UY. IF the information is different, the recommendations might be as well. The reason is simply that if you have to make changes, and people often do, you'd have more time if you have the best UY.

 

[MsTessP]

Not included in your figures are the current negative issues with the DVC. In theory you are saving money on a deluxe room, if you don't need a deluxe room a moderate or value may be a better fit. As far as DVC being a deluxe resort/room, while you may be at a deluxe resort, many of the rooms are in dis-repair and over due for rehabilitation. DVC also has some major website issues that seem to come and go with the wind. Some reservation functions require a phone call to MS and call wait times have been as long as 40 minutes.

Bill

While I am certainly aware of the issues which some people have, I can honestly say that I have not had any of these issues in the five years we have owned. In fact, both our stays in May this year and October last year at BWV found our rooms to be spotless, clean, and in very good order, even though they were going to be fully renovated this summer. The times I have had a minor issue, it has been taken care of very quickly. I don't use the website other than to make reservations (again, I know there have been issues, but I have not experienced them). I have called MS only once in the last 6 months, and my wait time was less than five minutes.

I just wanted to let you know what my experience has been.

 

[disneynutz]

While I am certainly aware of the issues which some people have, I can honestly say that I have not had any of these issues in the five years we have owned. In fact, both our stays in May this year and October last year at BWV found our rooms to be spotless, clean, and in very good order, even though they were going to be fully renovated this summer. The times I have had a minor issue, it has been taken care of very quickly. I don't use the website other than to make reservations (again, I know there have been issues, but I have not experienced them). I have called MS only once in the last 6 months, and my wait time was less than five minutes.

I just wanted to let you know what my experience has been.

I would buy a lotto ticket if I were you.

We have found that the more we vacation at Disney and the more we use our DVC membership the greater chance of something going wrong. That tells me that the issues are across they system and not just an isolated incident.

Things were getting so depressing for us that we took last year off compared to 2 or 3 vacations, up to 5 check ins, for 20 to 30 days per year.

Bill

 

[Eric Topp]

I would buy a lotto ticket if I were you.

We have found that the more we vacation at Disney and the more we use our DVC membership the greater chance of something going wrong. That tells me that the issues are across they system and not just an isolated incident.

Things were getting so depressing for us that we took last year off compared to 2 or 3 vacations, up to 5 check ins, for 20 to 30 days per year.

Bill

Curious as to your "issues"?

 

[disneynutz]

Curious as to your "issues"?

When we first started DVC stays if we experienced a room issue we would either fix it ourselves or contact the appropriate Disney people to take care of it. Disney would apologize, often giving us some kind of credit or gift. Some of the issues would be a bad cleaning job, burned out light bulbs, broken appliances, broken cabinets or furniture, missing kitchenware, broken HVAC, a safe that wouldn't open, a door that wouldn't unlock. The overall room/resort wear and tear has continued to increase with noticeable dings, dents, marks, carpet wear, chipped paint, mold, and bathroom tile issues.

Other issues, room keys/MB that won't open the room door, DDP credits incorrect, room charges incorrect, DVC point account incorrect, front desk canceling our reservation then borrowing points when they booked the re-placement reservation, DVC website issues, DVC MS mistakes, long phone hold times, and room categories that make zero sense.

Spread out over time we would just shrug off the issues and think that we are at Disney and on vacation, no big deal but the more time we spent there the more often that we would have a problem. As we got to know the CM's, they would break character and let us know that many of these things are common and happen more than they would like but that they don't make policy or have the power to change things.

Maybe my problem is that I was brought up being told that Disney was different, the company that others tried to be like. The reality is that Disney is like other companies.

We still love the overall Disney experience but I have a hard time understanding why they don't do a better job with the resorts/DVC.

Bill

 

[Eric Topp]

When we first started DVC stays if we experienced a room issue we would either fix it ourselves or contact the appropriate Disney people to take care of it. Disney would apologize, often giving us some kind of credit or gift. Some of the issues would be a bad cleaning job, burned out light bulbs, broken appliances, broken cabinets or furniture, missing kitchenware, broken HVAC, a safe that wouldn't open, a door that wouldn't unlock. The overall room/resort wear and tear has continued to increase with noticeable dings, dents, marks, carpet wear, chipped paint, mold, and bathroom tile issues.

Other issues, room keys/MB that won't open the room door, DDP credits incorrect, room charges incorrect, DVC point account incorrect, front desk canceling our reservation then borrowing points when they booked the re-placement reservation, DVC website issues, DVC MS mistakes, long phone hold times, and room categories that make zero sense.

Spread out over time we would just shrug off the issues and think that we are at Disney and on vacation, no big deal but the more time we spent there the more often that we would have a problem. As we got to know the CM's, they would break character and let us know that many of these things are common and happen more than they would like but that they don't make policy or have the power to change things.

Maybe my problem is that I was brought up being told that Disney was different, the company that others tried to be like. The reality is that Disney is like other companies.

We still love the overall Disney experience but I have a hard time understanding why they don't do a better job with the resorts/DVC.

Bill

Yikes as we have not been members for long but have been AP holders and resort guests for years. Only issue like that was during our first stay at Port Orleans and after that, we only did Boardwalk or Beach Club.

 

[disneynutz]

Yikes as we have not been members for long but have been AP holders and resort guests for years. Only issue like that was during our first stay at Port Orleans and after that, we only did Boardwalk or Beach Club.

Just to be clear, we have issues about 50% of the time, some small, some larger. If you vacation once per year, that means every other year you have an issue. We vacationed several times per year at Disney and sometimes 2 or 3 resorts per vacation.

Bill

 

[ell13]

Just to be clear, we have issues about 50% of the time, some small, some larger. If you vacation once per year, that means every other year you have an issue. We vacationed several times per year at Disney and sometimes 2 or 3 resorts per vacation.

Bill

Just curious and I don't mean to completely hijack the thread. But do you still own, Bill? Do you still feel things are heading "down" or have you seen any improvements?

 

[disneynutz]

Just curious and I don't mean to completely hijack the thread. But do you still own, Bill? Do you still feel things are heading "down" or have you seen any improvements?

We still own at six resorts over 1000 points, we sold several contracts, at one time we had over 26, several were small.

I see the room cleaning issues about the same, the maintenance getting worse, the wear and tear on the rooms much worse and the room rehab schedule not matching the condition of the rooms. Disney has zero incentive to make things better, DVC owners have zero power to force change. If a resort has to choose between making a cash guest happy or a DVC member, they have to choose the cash guest hoping to convince them to return for another vacation.

Several years ago we loved to invite family and friends along to share our DVC, now we are embarrassed by the condition of some of the rooms and with my luck we would get the worse ones.

Bill

 

[crisi]

Just to be clear, we have issues about 50% of the time, some small, some larger. If you vacation once per year, that means every other year you have an issue. We vacationed several times per year at Disney and sometimes 2 or 3 resorts per vacation.

Bill

We only go every other year (and haven't been for a few years - we did HH) and our experience was that ten years ago we had more issues than we have now. Broken drawers and drawer pulls, rooms that were more worn, issues with appliances. It still is far from optimal, but for us, its been more of a positive trend (not a huge trend, mind you). Though our HHI room was perfect.

But booking on the web site is horrible. After getting dropped four times, I called member services.

 

[Dean]

Just curious and I don't mean to completely hijack the thread. But do you still own, Bill? Do you still feel things are heading "down" or have you seen any improvements?

Bill is likely more negative than most but to deny or ignore that there are issues would be unrealistic. Some of those are inherent to the system, growth and obligate changes over the years. Some are by choice or lack of attention on DVC's part. Some are unrealistic expectations from some members/potential members. It's just a nice timeshare that happens to be on property for many of the resorts. I'm easily in around 10 timeshare units a year or more across Marriott, DVC, Bluegreen and Wyndham. Each have their issues. I'd say DVC is the worst at handling things at the moment they happen but likely the best and recovering at the next phase. I think one of the biggest issues is they are inconsistent and not good at establishing boundaries though I also believe they have improve somewhat in that area the last few years.

 

[ell13]

I don't want anyone to misunderstand my questions. I'm not skeptical of Bill; I just value his views and opinions (even if some may differ from mine).

My parents have been in DVC since 1994 and own over 400 points at OKW. I started owning in 2013 at SSR and just bought BLT, 250 points between the two. We usually go every other year and often with family. Starting around 2006, I've been the planner for their points as well as mine once I bought in. So I've dealt with MS, the website, etc. Of course I've experienced issues, but just not to the extent he describes. Given that, however, I still want to hear from him. It helps me be more aware, and in turn, more prepared for situations. I pay attention to what he says.

In this case, I was wondering if he would concede any improvements. I think the website has gotten better since the start. And I think MS has turned it around the last 2 years or so; it was getting bad the 3-4 years prior to that. I haven't stayed in BCV to see it fall apart. SSR has been in great shape every time we've been. OKW was fine the last two years we were there. Some missing pots last time around, but that was handled quickly. We'll be staying in BLT for the first time next year. We've toured rooms a few times now, and we're excited about the location; being able to walk to MK and monorail. That's new for us. Trying not to get too up or down over the room condition. We understand it could be hit or miss.

 

[disneynutz]

Bill is likely more negative than most but to deny or ignore that there are issues would be unrealistic. Some of those are inherent to the system, growth and obligate changes over the years. Some are by choice or lack of attention on DVC's part. Some are unrealistic expectations from some members/potential members. It's just a nice timeshare that happens to be on property for many of the resorts. I'm easily in around 10 timeshare units a year or more across Marriott, DVC, Bluegreen and Wyndham. Each have their issues. I'd say DVC is the worst at handling things at the moment they happen but likely the best and recovering at the next phase. I think one of the biggest issues is they are inconsistent and not good at establishing boundaries though I also believe they have improve somewhat in that area the last few years.

True I post it like it is, if it's negative I let readers know. IMO posting positive would mean that Disney went above and beyond just because. I won't give them credit for fixing an issue that shouldn't be there on my vacation in the first place. For some reason even the members who have negative issues won't post about them and based on posts many don't bother to contact Disney when the have an issue, they fix or clean the room themselves. I remember one post where the member packs light bulbs in her owners locker, not to replace the dim bulbs with brighter ones but to replace the burned out ones.

Bill

 

[disneynutz]

I don't want anyone to misunderstand my questions. I'm not skeptical of Bill; I just value his views and opinions (even if some may differ from mine).

My parents have been in DVC since 1994 and own over 400 points at OKW. I started owning in 2013 at SSR and just bought BLT, 250 points between the two. We usually go every other year and often with family. Starting around 2006, I've been the planner for their points as well as mine once I bought in. So I've dealt with MS, the website, etc. Of course I've experienced issues, but just not to the extent he describes. Given that, however, I still want to hear from him. It helps me be more aware, and in turn, more prepared for situations. I pay attention to what he says.

In this case, I was wondering if he would concede any improvements. I think the website has gotten better since the start. And I think MS has turned it around the last 2 years or so; it was getting bad the 3-4 years prior to that. I haven't stayed in BCV to see it fall apart. SSR has been in great shape every time we've been. OKW was fine the last two years we were there. Some missing pots last time around, but that was handled quickly. We'll be staying in BLT for the first time next year. We've toured rooms a few times now, and we're excited about the location; being able to walk to MK and monorail. That's new for us. Trying not to get too up or down over the room condition. We understand it could be hit or miss.

I'm not trying to scare anyone off, I just want them to know that Disney has issues just like any company despite what Walt taught us. Some of these issues may affect your vacation and for the life of me I don't understand why they don't do a better job.

Bill

 

[ell13]

Sorry, Bill. Didn't mean to make this about you.

But I definitely agree that I don't understand why people don't let their issues be known. We're owners. It's not our responsibility to fix things ourselves but to make sure those who we're paying to do so... do so. Communication is our only tool, whether it works or not is another story.

 

[crisi]

Sorry, Bill. Didn't mean to make this about you.

But I definitely agree that I don't understand why people don't let their issues be known. We're owners. It's not our responsibility to fix things ourselves but to make sure those who we're paying to do so... do so. Communication is our only tool, whether it works or not is another story.

Honestly sometimes I don't. A broken drawer pull that I notice on a drawer I'm not going to use is going to bring maintenance into my room - and it isn't really inconveniencing me. Yeah, it would be really nice to the next member if I had it fixed for them, but I (probably like Bill) see reporting those things to be housekeepings job - and it being maintenances job to get in their during the housekeeping period between guests to fix drawer pulls and change lightbulbs. In other words, it really isn't my issue.

 

[ell13]

Mousekeeping can't be expected to touch every knob, and not every light that goes out happens prior to your arrival. And you don't have to bring maintenance to your room for those things. But you can still call it in so they can make a note and it's more likely to be fixed for the next guest and the next and the next. Why is that above you as owner?

 

[crisi]

Mousekeeping can't be expected to touch every knob, and not every light that goes out happens prior to your arrival. And you don't have to bring maintenance to your room for those things. But you can still call it in so they can make a note and it's more likely to be fixed for the next guest and the next and the next. Why is that above you as owner?

Because I don't want the bother of maintenance on my vacation. Its my vacation, not my opportunity to work with maintenance on room issues - I do enough of that in my job.