Dues increase

[runmommyrun]

We've only been member since March 2010, so this is only my second statement. But I must admit I was a bit shocked at it.

We own 445 pts at BLT. Our dues increased $340 this year. (That is deducting out the $51 for the underestimate of property taxes). Therefore, this year, excluding the underestimate of our property tax, our dues are increasing $340/year or $28.33/month (we pay monthly). That is quite a bit, in my opinion, when we are forking out nearly $2,000/year in dues PLUS what we paid into the club. However, I am willing to pay it SO LONG as the housekeeping (or Mousekeeping) delivers and the rooms stay at the level the should. I have not run into the same problems others on these boards have had, and I hope to never encounter such problems. Especially not for paying this price. We have made a serious financial commitment to vacationing at DVC resorts and hope that our money is well spent.

 

[connorlevismom]

We've only been member since March 2010, so this is only my second statement. But I must admit I was a bit shocked at it.

We own 445 pts at BLT. Our dues increased $340 this year. (That is deducting out the $51 for the underestimate of property taxes). Therefore, this year, excluding the underestimate of our property tax, our dues are increasing $340/year or $28.33/month (we pay monthly). That is quite a bit, in my opinion, when we are forking out nearly $2,000/year in dues PLUS what we paid into the club. However, I am willing to pay it SO LONG as the housekeeping (or Mousekeeping) delivers and the rooms stay at the level the should. I have not run into the same problems others on these boards have had, and I hope to never encounter such problems. Especially not for paying this price. We have made a serious financial commitment to vacationing at DVC resorts and hope that our money is well spent.

I have this same fear. If I continue to see the rooms in the resorts are not being kept up to stardard, it might be time to think about selling. I did not pay this much money to stay somewhere that is no better (room wise) than a super 8.

If we continue to see problems with the rooms, then clearly our dues are not being used for what they are intended to be used for, and what they told us they are being used for.

 

[RobDoc]

Are we, or are we paying for full mousekeeping for upgraded/cash guests who get it everyday?

No, DVC member's fees do not pay for cash guest housekeeping. In fact, the changes that take place form year-to-year for the ratio of DVC point and cash stays is figured into the DVC budget to maintain an appropriate balance between these expenses.

This concept was explained at the annual meeting in response to questions asked by those in attendance.

 

[lark]

I'm up about $160 for 160 points at BLT. It looks to me as though it's mostly property tax. Increase in dues was about $40.

There was a huge difference in 2010 and 2011 property taxes. They went up 300 percent. Actual 2010 taxes were $50 and this year's were $160. I really don't understand how that works -- a 300 percent plus increase in property tax?

Anyway, the major component of the price jump was that they estimate 2010 taxes in the 2010 statement at around 1.000. When the rate came in at .300, there was a big overpayment, so last year's were lower than they should be going forward.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

It sucks that they increased at certain resorts so much, but I also understand why. That said, all of us share in the responsibility of the dues, consider member requests and the effort to help match members to all their various requests (and those - not all by any means - that throw fits when all 10 of their requests are not met). To some degree, I wish DVC would impose fees for certain types of member activity (ie. more than 2 cancellations/rebookings per calendar year, etc.) to help offset the costs of providing increased services that small subsets of the members actually utilize.

 

[Mick@Tink]

If Disney continues to increase their sales prices, wouldn't that set the value for property tax purposes. Here in Texas all it takes is one idiot to sell his house or land at a higher than normal price and the tax assessor uses it to up the value for everyone. Conversely, if a property sells at a low or normal price, that is ignored.

Bill

Amen, brother!

 

[candizfan]

We own at SSR and AKV. Both resorts saw over 8% increases in Operating expenses for 2012. Taxes went up as well, but that is not Disney's doing.

I took into account any estimated tax issues when I calculated.

The room upgrades, pool upgrades etc is why they allocate a portion of to Capital expendatures and the money is set aside for that purpose and should not be reflected in the regular ups and downs of operating expenses.

As they add more ammenities and more owners, they proportion should still be about the same.

I to am hoping that we don't see large increases over the long term or we won't be able to continue to afford to own. I went based on historic when we made the decision to purchase and did not account for many large increases.

I would be sad if the day came I had to sell in order to get out from under the high cost of maintenance fees.

 

[disneynutz]

We own at SSR and AKV. Both resorts saw over 8% increases in Operating expenses for 2012. Taxes went up as well, but that is not Disney's doing.

I took into account any estimated tax issues when I calculated.

The room upgrades, pool upgrades etc is why they allocate a portion of to Capital expendatures and the money is set aside for that purpose and should not be reflected in the regular ups and downs of operating expenses.

As they add more ammenities and more owners, they proportion should still be about the same.

I to am hoping that we don't see large increases over the long term or we won't be able to continue to afford to own. I went based on historic when we made the decision to purchase and did not account for many large increases.

I would be sad if the day came I had to sell in order to get out from under the high cost of maintenance fees.

One if the issues that I can see is when Disney decides to make changes or improvements like adding the Paddock pool upgrade. Was it really necessary and did all of the SSR owners agree to the improvement?

In addition to the construction costs, all owners also pay for the staffing and maintenance of the pool and at SSR that's 100% DVC owned minus the small percentage picked up by cash guests.

Bill

 

[kimberh]

The increased dues will really make you think twice before buying more points. I was thinking it too. Grand Floridan. Not so sure now.

 

[tfc3rid]

My dues increased about $10 per month with a payment coming on 1/15 that is $50 higher than my monthly...

I have 250 at BW, 150 at BC and 150 at SSR.

 

[riatees]

My first payment is about $30.00 higher than last year and after that it is up about $20.00. Overall my payments have gone up about $60.00 since first joining. If they keep going up, I may have to consider selling some of my points. Really don't want to do that, wait and see.