Downside of DVC

[crisi]

DVC is overly flexible in the occupancy issue compare to most timeshares. I know of someone in HH that had to sign a certification they would not be over (and the consequences) and when they were one over were given 2 hrs to get under or leave.

IMO whether one should underbuy or overbuy depends on specifics. At the extreme, one who routinely is looking at a studio adventure season for 5 nights avoiding weekends needs a large cushion, likely 20-30% as a minimum. One who's looking at a 2 BR during Magic may not need any or maybe should underbuy. Historically I've cited the 10% cushion for most and I still think it's applicable for many but I'm increasingly in favor of people having to think about how they use their points along the way.

Someone who is counting on always getting low priced rooms (standard view at BWV/BLT for instance) should probably also buy a cushion. But cushions are less necessary now that DVC will rent you a few points.

 

[Dean]

Someone who is counting on always getting low priced rooms (standard view at BWV/BLT for instance) should probably also buy a cushion. But cushions are less necessary now that DVC will rent you a few points.

I'd agree but also feel it depend on the option in question. If they own there for BLT or BWV it's not likely to be an issue at 11 months out. For AKV standard it won't be an issue but even owning there the values are a risk. That's where the specifics of a given decision determine the course.

 

[DizBub]

Someone who is counting on always getting low priced rooms (standard view at BWV/BLT for instance) should probably also buy a cushion. But cushions are less necessary now that DVC will rent you a few points.

The low prices rooms are the fastest to fill up at 11 months. Can't do much with up to 24 extra points at 7 months for those categories since there's not liable to be availability.

If buying primarily for BLT and BWV standard and AKV value I would buy 10 to 20% more for the cushion just in case they have to move seasons or resorts.

 

[crisi]

The low prices rooms are the fastest to fill up at 11 months. Can't do much with up to 24 extra points at 7 months for those categories since there's not liable to be availability.

If buying primarily for BLT and BWV standard and AKV value I would buy 10 to 20% more for the cushion just in case they have to move seasons or resorts.

Yep, those weren't meant to be connected sentences.

If you want a lot of low points rooms, buy a cushion - or own the resort. You aren't likely to get them without owning there frequently enough to be able to buy fewer points.

If you need a small cushion, renting points direct from Disney can keep you from overbuying for those few "we need one more night" or "we switched seasons" trips.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

I am looking into buying DVC points for the first time... BUT I am really getting put off by hearing the lack of luster in what I thought was the Disney Resort Hotels in a time share form.

I can kinda understand the lack of housekeeping, when you rent a house or condo it's the same if not less.

BUT to hear the refurbishments are few and far between scares me....

I have rented 6 bedroom house in gated community less than a mile from WDW and those rates a night compare to a moderate hotel resort on property. And this place had 4 king bedrooms, 2 bedrooms with twins in them, 4 bathrooms living room, dining room, FULL kitchen, washer/dryer laundry room, game room (converted garage) and our own private pool and hot tub. And this house was spectacularly maintained and everything looked new!

(example of the house is in this link http://www.floridasunvacationhomes.com/property_vh.asp?Rooms=6&ID=17721&AD=10/7/2016&DD=10/16/2016 )

So now I am wondering why would I ever want to buy DVC after hearing all this bad stuff? Is it really worth it?

 

[CarolMN]

......(snip).........So now I am wondering why would I ever want to buy DVC after hearing all this bad stuff? Is it really worth it?

If you are happy staying off site, DVC won't be worth it to you. DVC is "worth it" for a subset of those who are willing to pay the premium to stay on site.

FWIW, I think the refurbishment issue is not as big a deal as some seem to think. I've not had any problems with the schedule or the state of the rooms we've had - and we visit 2-3 times in a 2 year period. As already stated by others, member dues pay for refurbishments, not DISNEY. I think DVC does a good job of balancing in this area. YMMV.

 

[crisi]

I am looking into buying DVC points for the first time... BUT I am really getting put off by hearing the lack of luster in what I thought was the Disney Resort Hotels in a time share form.

I can kinda understand the lack of housekeeping, when you rent a house or condo it's the same if not less.

BUT to hear the refurbishments are few and far between scares me....

I have rented 6 bedroom house in gated community less than a mile from WDW and those rates a night compare to a moderate hotel resort on property. And this place had 4 king bedrooms, 2 bedrooms with twins in them, 4 bathrooms living room, dining room, FULL kitchen, washer/dryer laundry room, game room (converted garage) and our own private pool and hot tub. And this house was spectacularly maintained and everything looked new!

(example of the house is in this link http://www.floridasunvacationhomes.com/property_vh.asp?Rooms=6&ID=17721&AD=10/7/2016&DD=10/16/2016 )

So now I am wondering why would I ever want to buy DVC after hearing all this bad stuff? Is it really worth it?

As Carol said, if you are happy offsite, probably not.

For us, the rooms are a little worn - I find Disney Deluxe hotels to be just an ok hotel experience - they are fine - but they aren't what I would consider impressive - especially given the price. DVC rooms are less maintained then that - but they are acceptable, especially given the price - I'm paying dues after all - and we've had some very well maintained rooms (our room at Hilton Head this summer was nearly perfect - of course, that was just redone.) And, for us, they are a way to get two adults and two kids to Disney, sleeping in different rooms and staying onsite. This means that now that my kids are teens, they aren't stuck with Mom and Dad for the whole trip - they can take a bus in and meet us.

If you want to try, your best bet is to rent points and make your own decision on the quality of the offering by doing a stay.

 

[The Sunrise Student]

If you are happy staying off site, DVC won't be worth it to you. DVC is "worth it" for a subset of those who are willing to pay the premium to stay on site.

I love staying on site when it’s just the two of us, I was just using a house rental as an example. Rented that house I mentioned for 6 adults, big group stay… it’s was the kind of pricing and accommodations I got that I was comparing to a DVC.

FWIW, I think the refurbishment issue is not as big a deal as some seem to think. I've not had any problems with the schedule or the state of the rooms we've had - and we visit 2-3 times in a 2 year period. As already stated by others, member dues pay for refurbishments, not DISNEY. I think DVC does a good job of balancing in this area. YMMV.

Where have you stayed using your DVC points and what locations do you like the best?

As Carol said, if you are happy offsite, probably not.
For us, the rooms are a little worn - I find Disney Deluxe hotels to be just an ok hotel experience - they are fine - but they aren't what I would consider impressive - especially given the price. DVC rooms are less maintained then that - but they are acceptable, especially given the price - I'm paying dues after all - and we've had some very well maintained rooms (our room at Hilton Head this summer was nearly perfect - of course, that was just redone.) And, for us, they are a way to get two adults and two kids to Disney, sleeping in different rooms and staying onsite. This means that now that my kids are teens, they aren't stuck with Mom and Dad for the whole trip - they can take a bus in and meet us.

As I mentioned above to reply to Carol, the office site for a house rental is for a BIG group, just used it to compare cost and quality. It’s just me and my boyfriend these days unless we do a huge family trip… My kids are grown and even have kids of their own… My boyfriend doesn’t want kids (and I have ben there done that) so there will not be any more.
I am however picturing when my kids were younger and I could have totally seen how 3 boys having their own room away from parents would have been the BOMB, but back then we rarely went to Disney because of cost… but now that they are grown and jobs have been better in years of late Disney trips are more frequent, as well as other travel.

If you want to try, your best bet is to rent points and make your own decision on the quality of the offering by doing a stay.

I think I am like this rent the points idea… I might consider doing that… And see for myself the conditions of the rooms. I know if I take the tour they will show me the best of the best with honors… so that isn't a real judge.

 

[DeeCee735]

I am looking into buying DVC points for the first time... BUT I am really getting put off by hearing the lack of luster in what I thought was the Disney Resort Hotels in a time share form.

I can kinda understand the lack of housekeeping, when you rent a house or condo it's the same if not less.

BUT to hear the refurbishments are few and far between scares me....

I have rented 6 bedroom house in gated community less than a mile from WDW and those rates a night compare to a moderate hotel resort on property. And this place had 4 king bedrooms, 2 bedrooms with twins in them, 4 bathrooms living room, dining room, FULL kitchen, washer/dryer laundry room, game room (converted garage) and our own private pool and hot tub. And this house was spectacularly maintained and everything looked new!

(example of the house is in this link http://www.floridasunvacationhomes.com/property_vh.asp?Rooms=6&ID=17721&AD=10/7/2016&DD=10/16/2016 )

So now I am wondering why would I ever want to buy DVC after hearing all this bad stuff? Is it really worth it?

Please keep in mind that this thread is regarding the downside of DVC. And since that question was actually asked, anyone who responded is giving an honest opinion of their own experiences. If you posted a thread about the upside you'd see all the great things about owning.

That said, we've been members for almost 15 years now. We've stayed in OKW, SSR, AKV, BWV, HHI over the years. I've never had a room that I would consider old or worn or in bad shape. Do things age? Of course. Have they been so bad it would be considered unacceptable? Nope. Everything was in good working order 99% of the time, the other 1%, one phone call and it was taken care of (a running toilet or an uncleaned porch). We go multiple times a year, as you can see from my signature, so this is NOT a recurring issue.

We've stayed in 5 star hotels, other timeshares and that other resort in the area , and not one place has met Disney standards in our experiences. In cleanliness, friendliness, helpfulness and personal attention, or vacation experiences.

You have to want to be in Disney. That's the entire point of owning DVC. Like anywhere else you purchase a timeshare, it's the place you should want to go to the most.

I have a co-worker that purchased a timeshare in the D.R. It's where his family goes at least once a year because it's the place they love to vacation in the most.
Another co-worker owns a timeshare in Aruba. It's where their family travels 2x a year. Trade-outs are infrequent, they bought where they loved.

It's the same with Disney. If it's where you want to go most of the time, DVC is perfect. We've traded out through RCI only once. Rented out our points only once to finance a hotel in Charleston for a 5 night stay, stayed in HHI two or three times (that's not a trade out, as it's part of the DVC resorts), and loved it enough to know we'll go again. We used the concierge collection once as well, and will use it again.

We are VERY possessive of our points and make great use of them. Disney is our favorite vacation destination, with or without kids (doing Disney as an all adult party is fantastic!)

I am the planner and make use of my points allowing for an average of 22 nights a year in different resorts, room sizes and for length of stays.

If this is the place you know you'll go again and again and again, then really, what could be bad? JMHO

 

[The Sunrise Student]

Please keep in mind that this thread is regarding the downside of DVC. And since that question was actually asked, anyone who responded is giving an honest opinion of their own experiences. If you posted a thread about the upside you'd see all the great things about owning.

That said, we've been members for almost 15 years now. We've stayed in OKW, SSR, AKV, BWV, HHI over the years. I've never had a room that I would consider old or worn or in bad shape. Do things age? Of course. Have they been so bad it would be considered unacceptable? Nope. Everything was in good working order 99% of the time, the other 1%, one phone call and it was taken care of (a running toilet or an uncleaned porch). We go multiple times a year, as you can see from my signature, so this is NOT a recurring issue.

We've stayed in 5 star hotels, other timeshares and that other resort in the area , and not one place has met Disney standards in our experiences. In cleanliness, friendliness, helpfulness and personal attention, or vacation experiences.

You have to want to be in Disney. That's the entire point of owning DVC. Like anywhere else you purchase a timeshare, it's the place you should want to go to the most.

I have a co-worker that purchased a timeshare in the D.R. It's where his family goes at least once a year because it's the place they love to vacation in the most.
Another co-worker owns a timeshare in Aruba. It's where their family travels 2x a year. Trade-outs are infrequent, they bought where they loved.

It's the same with Disney. If it's where you want to go most of the time, DVC is perfect. We've traded out through RCI only once. Rented out our points only once to finance a hotel in Charleston for a 5 night stay, stayed in HHI two or three times (that's not a trade out, as it's part of the DVC resorts), and loved it enough to know we'll go again. We used the concierge collection once as well, and will use it again.

We are VERY possessive of our points and make great use of them. Disney is our favorite vacation destination, with or without kids (doing Disney as an all adult party is fantastic!)

I am the planner and make use of my points allowing for an average of 22 nights a year in different resorts, room sizes and for length of stays.

If this is the place you know you'll go again and again and again, then really, what could be bad? JMHO

Thank you DeeCee, you made good points, all of them.

We come to Disney every year, and with our recent membership to the 501st Legion that make it pretty much 95% guarantee we will be at Disney at least once every year! It is the reason I have considered DVC now.

As you can see by my signature, we have a Disney Land and a Disney World vacation set up for 2015... But what you aren't seeing is the two 2016 trips to WDW planned, one in the May/June time frame again and one in the fall during food and wine. So in the course of next two years that is 4 stops at Disney Properties, 3 of which are at the world.

I guess you are right, I should post in another thread for the UPs... and see what the benefits really are.

I will tell you I too have stayed at 5 star resorts outside Disney (the Bellagio in Vegas being one of them) and have time and time again said Disney still does it better! Another reason I keep thinking about DVC at Disney.

I have never owned a time share of any kind, just rented out places and stayed at resorts.

We are just trying out Club Level for the first time this year and I am very interested in hearing about this concierge collection you speak of.

Thank you I will not make you all go off topic anymore, and search out a thread that tells me all the great things you folks like about DVC

 

[evenrude]

Been an owner since 1997 I can say the biggest downsides are:

1. Infrequent renovations has to be at number one. I know there is a balance between dues and upkeep frequency, but for the price paid Disney is way over on the cheap side of maintenance. I think they average once every 10 years or so, and believe me the rooms really start going downhill especially beds and carpets they are just gross in everyplace but the new resorts. And I think people must be brining anvils and plopping them down on furniture it's so beat up and scratched. My experience is if your not at a resort that opened or was renovated within a year or two, the accommodations are a total let down.

2. Housekeeping. I think the housekeeping is subpar and it's not a one off experience. In all of our trips beginning around 2006 (we go once a year minimum) there has always been a housekeeping checkin issue. Dirty dishes, porch with dirty diapers, pantry with rotten food, crumbs. Carpets filthy and dirty sheets not changed, to name a few. I'm not a clean freak but those are basics how can they miss them, and it's crazy how many times I see this stuff every time we go, and yes they come fix it but it's a hassle and sad, worse thing is to start your vacation off with a problem.

Those are really my only complaints they can be easily fixed but as others have said owners really have no say in the operation of the resort, instead of addressing the problems they throw you a bone like AP discount or the new 4-day ticket deal and that seems to stem the tide I can tell you it's wearing thin on me after years of dealing with it.

Believe me I started out a huge DVC fan talked several friends into buying over the years but about 6-7 years ago it's been pretty much off my recommendation list.

 

[Dean]

I am looking into buying DVC points for the first time... BUT I am really getting put off by hearing the lack of luster in what I thought was the Disney Resort Hotels in a time share form.

I can kinda understand the lack of housekeeping, when you rent a house or condo it's the same if not less.

BUT to hear the refurbishments are few and far between scares me....

I have rented 6 bedroom house in gated community less than a mile from WDW and those rates a night compare to a moderate hotel resort on property. And this place had 4 king bedrooms, 2 bedrooms with twins in them, 4 bathrooms living room, dining room, FULL kitchen, washer/dryer laundry room, game room (converted garage) and our own private pool and hot tub. And this house was spectacularly maintained and everything looked new!

(example of the house is in this link http://www.floridasunvacationhomes.com/property_vh.asp?Rooms=6&ID=17721&AD=10/7/2016&DD=10/16/2016 )

So now I am wondering why would I ever want to buy DVC after hearing all this bad stuff? Is it really worth it?

If you're just as happy staying nearby but off property, DVC isn't a good choice. It's really for those that value staying on property enough to pay considerably more. The downsides of DVC come under several areas. Those include the inherent issues of a timeshare, the need for planning, the costs/affordability/budgeting and the potential issues of DVC itself. IMO DVC needs to make sense in ALL of those areas for DVC to be a good choice. DVC is on property and Disney does theming very well but side by side, there are other timeshares in the area that are as nice or nicer from a unit and resort standpoint, cheaper up front and yearly and give you far better non Orlando options.

 

[mystery222184]

This may have been mentioned but as a couple who really prefers to stay club level, DVC doesn't seem to work. We started to think about DVC as we have spent enough in the last 4 years to cover the majority of that down payment, but CL is the sticking point...and possible availability issues at non home resorts during popular periods.

We may still do it one day

 

[SarahInMN]

Downsides are so variable - my downside may be someone's upside and vice versa. My DH and I are in our late 30s, no kids, love food/wine, and both can have crazy work schedules. Pre DVC we always stayed at deluxe resorts (YC, GF, Boardwalk).

We need to plan at least 7 months out for vacations: this works for us because it leads to the least amount of disruption to both my and my DH's work schedule. DVC is ideal for us because we can book the room at 10 or so months and not worry about it: versus booking a regular room and then having to play the "discount game" to get better rates. Some would consider this a downside but its a plus for us.

We love being able to get a 1 bedroom with a king bed and separate living room. Some would argue its not the best use of points but for us having the space and the larger bed is so much better than staying in a regular room.

Housekeeping/mousekeeping is only every 4 days: it would be nice to get things restocked but we wash the towels and keep extra hotel sized toiletries in our owners locked.

The rooms don't get refurbed as often as non DVC inventory. However, they still have flat screen TVs and things are clean: the woodwork may be dinged a bit.

We have never had an issue with member services BUT we prefer to do as much online as possible.

Some people consider being "locked" into disney as a downside but we bought our points so that we would have enough for 1 week in a 1 bedroom during our preferred season (fall for food and wine and late spring post spring break but pre summer rush) every other year for each resort: so 1 year we could do BCV and 1 year at the Floridian. This allows us to go to disney once a year and still travel to other places. Buy points that would allow you to do disney at your preferred frequency: if you want to go every other year, not yearly, make a guess on the point charts.

Hope that helps - we bought 1 contract off resale and 1 direct from disney and have no regrets!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Been an owner since 1997 I can say the biggest downsides are:

1. Infrequent renovations has to be at number one. I know there is a balance between dues and upkeep frequency, but for the price paid Disney is way over on the cheap side of maintenance. I think they average once every 10 years or so, and believe me the rooms really start going downhill especially beds and carpets they are just gross in everyplace but the new resorts. And I think people must be brining anvils and plopping them down on furniture it's so beat up and scratched. My experience is if your not at a resort that opened or was renovated within a year or two, the accommodations are a total let down.

2. Housekeeping. I think the housekeeping is subpar and it's not a one off experience. In all of our trips beginning around 2006 (we go once a year minimum) there has always been a housekeeping checkin issue. Dirty dishes, porch with dirty diapers, pantry with rotten food, crumbs. Carpets filthy and dirty sheets not changed, to name a few. I'm not a clean freak but those are basics how can they miss them, and it's crazy how many times I see this stuff every time we go, and yes they come fix it but it's a hassle and sad, worse thing is to start your vacation off with a problem.

Those are really my only complaints they can be easily fixed but as others have said owners really have no say in the operation of the resort, instead of addressing the problems they throw you a bone like AP discount or the new 4-day ticket deal and that seems to stem the tide I can tell you it's wearing thin on me after years of dealing with it.

Believe me I started out a huge DVC fan talked several friends into buying over the years but about 6-7 years ago it's been pretty much off my recommendation list.

I don't want my annual fees to double because someone else is tired of the look of the villa. I just want them to buy good furniture so it can stand the wear and tear to begin with. Take out all the carpet and you don't get stained carpet. Plus don't cheap out on the renovations (like painting the table and coffee table at OKW). Get rid of the expensive decorators who demand big bucks for their input. I bet member input could put those decorators out of work.

 

[Dean]

I don't want my annual fees to double because someone else is tired of the look of the villa. I just want them to buy good furniture so it can stand the wear and tear to begin with. Take out all the carpet and you don't get stained carpet. Plus don't cheap out on the renovations (like painting the table and coffee table at OKW). Get rid of the expensive decorators who demand big bucks for their input. I bet member input could put those decorators out of work.

There has to be a balance of course. IMO DVC has fallen behind the standard set by other top timeshares in this regard. My info and experience suggests that top timeshares run a 5/10 yr cycle and mediocre ones tend to be more 7/14. The first number is soft goods replacements and the latter soft plus hard items. The other thing that the better companies tend to do is test units to judge appeal & wear of various items as their nearing they're planned refurbishment.

 

[disneynutz]

IMO the DVC standards are set too low and management lets housekeeping and engineering take on a "good enough" attitude.

We pay millions of dollars per resort for these services and I'm not sure that we are getting what we pay for.

Bill

 

[Judyat]

We have been DVC members since 1997. Yes the annual dues have gone up but paying them monthly instead of yearly helps. We don't care for housekeeping often so that's not a problem. We have never had a bad experience so I don't see any real cons. We do have another time share as well and while it's also great it doesn't offer quite the variety of DVC. We have done a variety of Disney resorts, several ABD trips, several cruises and Vero Beach.
Many of these things we did only because we had the points to use. Without that we probably would not have done half the trips we did.