DVC Beds…. Why?

[Tatebeck]

Our dogs seem to selfishly take up more than half of our king at home, so the queen sized beds in the DVC rooms actually feel pretty roomy for us, and I'm a pretty big dude

 

[Chuck S]

Hard disagree, timeshares are marketed to people with the money to spend on them. If Disney turned away singles and couples, it would be a much smaller park.

There is a big difference between turning away an interested purchaser and how something is marketed. Most timeshares are marketed as something to enjoy with family, and those that are forever contracts market them as a multigenerational "gift" of lifetime vacations to your heirs. While DVC has specific contract end dates, it was marketed originally as spending quality time and making memories with all the generations of your family. See this 1992 DVC video and how many times they mention "family."

 

[Mouseforward]

There is a big difference between turning away an interested purchaser and how something is marketed. Most timeshares are marketed as something to enjoy with family, and those that are forever contracts market them as a multigenerational "gift" of lifetime vacations to your heirs. While DVC has specific contract end dates, it was marketed originally as spending quality time and making memories with all the generations of your family. See this 1992 DVC video and how many times they mention "family."

Yes, and in the beginning what is now old Key West was marketed that way, however, the marketing has significantly changed in the past 30 years

 

[Cfabar1]

Yes, and in the beginning what is now old Key West was marketed that way, however, the marketing has significantly changed in the past 30 years

as has the product...

They must have listened to their customers a lot between OKW and the next round of resorts at WDW...

Consider OKW 1 BR square footage - 942 sq. feet...

It was a LONG time.... like close to 15 years before they came within 200 square feet of that number...

The studios tell a similar (though slightly less jarring) story...

On the other hand, Old Key West doesn't have marble real marble in the shower... You can't ride a monorail or skyline to a park... It has relatively simple pools, limited dining options... much more like dare I say, a typical timeshare of that era... Like say, the Vistana...

The "Home Away from Home" model was pivoted away from, as they realized people weren't looking for a week to sit around and have a relaxing vacation (as shown on those early videos), but instead experience Disney at a (very) long-term discount...

 

[PolyRob]

There is a big difference between turning away an interested purchaser and how something is marketed. Most timeshares are marketed as something to enjoy with family, and those that are forever contracts market them as a multigenerational "gift" of lifetime vacations to your heirs. While DVC has specific contract end dates, it was marketed originally as spending quality time and making memories with all the generations of your family. See this 1992 DVC video and how many times they mention "family."

Isn't the DVC promotional slogan "vacation you never outgrow?" WDW as a whole prides itself as a multigenerational vacation destination.

Even family suites at AoA only have a queen bed in the suite. The standard LM rooms offer some king accommodations, but if you're going for maximum space I would wager the typical guest is looking for maximum sleep surfaces and occupancy as well.

 

[Girlstar30]

I think because there are all kinds of guests, there should be all kinds of options.

Obviously couples are a thing with DVC or duo studios wouldnt exist. They tested it at Riv and it was booked enough for them to do it again at Poly and vdh. They dont have to put a lot of king rooms like they didnt with the duos, but some would be nice. The trend is going towards more people not having kids at all than ever before.

There's a great interest in this LSL premium room that is totally different. My point is things have changed and I do think a king bed studio would have a lot of interest.

Its the first thing I noticed when I walked into the bedroom and was disappointed at my first dvc stay. I know its not possible at older resorts, but going forward, I think itd be popular enough. We do have trips with family, but also as just a couple.

I hear a lot of people on here talking about how their empty nesters now and their trips have evolved and they love going as a couple. In the marketing these days I see all kinds of different situations.

 

[CarolynFH]

Reading this discussion made me wonder whether LSL might have some king-bed studios or duos, since the duos are so popular. I even had the really wild idea that maybe LSL would be all DVC, and the wing that was previously supposed to be cash hotel rooms would instead become DVC resort studios like VGF, with a large number having king beds. If DVC wanted to create a king bed studio category, LSL would be the chance to do it.

 

[Girlstar30]

Reading this discussion made me wonder whether LSL might have some king-bed studios or duos, since the duos are so popular. I even had the really wild idea that maybe LSL would be all DVC, and the wing that was previously supposed to be cash hotel rooms would instead become DVC resort studios like VGF, with a large number having king beds. If DVC wanted to create a king bed studio category, LSL would be the chance to do it.

Fingers crossed!!!!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I always remember the DVC marketing flyer…
“Save up to 70% on vacation accommodations”
(Later changed to 50%)

Seems to me it was marketed as a way to vacation for less money.

 

[muppets3d]

There is a big difference between turning away an interested purchaser and how something is marketed. Most timeshares are marketed as something to enjoy with family, and those that are forever contracts market them as a multigenerational "gift" of lifetime vacations to your heirs. While DVC has specific contract end dates, it was marketed originally as spending quality time and making memories with all the generations of your family. See this 1992 DVC video and how many times they mention "family."

That was over 30 years ago, a lot has changed. I think putting King beds in future duo studios would be a great addition to DVC. Obviously the Riviera tower studios are too small for a King, but it seems like the PIT duo studios could accommodate them in a future refurb, and perhaps the VDH duo studios as well (I haven't seen one in person).

I can definitely see the argument for a room that currently has 2 queen beds being reduced to 1 king turning away some members/buyers, but I don't see how a duo studio being upgraded from 1 queen to 1 king turning away anyone. So I think this would be a good upgrade if possible.

 

[Cfabar1]

I always remember the DVC marketing flyer…
“Save up to 70% on vacation accommodations”
(Later changed to 50%)

Seems to me it was marketed as a way to vacation for less money.

But I do think 70% can still be accurate if you're booking the right rooms... having not actually done the math.

 

[WinterSolider]

I will once again be the toddler banging on his high chair about how DVC needs to build some King Studios for married couples traveling without kids. It's the biggest gap in their inventory IMO.

 

[muppets3d]

But I do think 70% can still be accurate if you're booking the right rooms... having not actually done the math.

DVC compares against brochure rates, which lately nobody has been paying (there's always some kind of promo) and isn't even comparable because cash rates get nightly housekeeping while DVC gets a very reduced schedule of housekeeping. So the math isn't really as cut and dry as it may seem.

Lately they've stopped advertising savings altogether - it's all about "staying magical year after year".

 

[Steelers0854]

Obviously couples are a thing with DVC or duo studios wouldnt exist. They tested it at Riv and it was booked enough for them to do it again at Poly and vdh.

We are DINKS so studios and, in theory Duo Studios, align perfectly with us. And the truth of the matter is it’s Disney, they could sell a 20 sq foot box that you sleep standing up in and someone would buy it. And while I would stay in a duo, it would be a last resort for me and I wouldn’t be particularly happy about it. I’m fine with the room size, I generally could care less how big the room is (sometime I do want to splurge), but the bed is the dealbreaker for me. A Murphy bed for 2 adults just isn’t my preferred sleep surface. Shove a king bed in there and I’d be fine.

 

[Sandisw]

That was over 30 years ago, a lot has changed. I think putting King beds in future duo studios would be a great addition to DVC. Obviously the Riviera tower studios are too small for a King, but it seems like the PIT duo studios could accommodate them in a future refurb, and perhaps the VDH duo studios as well (I haven't seen one in person).

I can definitely see the argument for a room that currently has 2 queen beds being reduced to 1 king turning away some members/buyers, but I don't see how a duo studio being upgraded from 1 queen to 1 king turning away anyone. So I think this would be a good upgrade if possible.

The could certainly do the duo studios as kings vs queens since they are already a category.

But, for the other studios, unless they start new and make them all that way without compromising size…it just makes it more complicated for booking purposes.

Do the Murphy beds come with a King Bed option because that would be the only roadblock?

For us, having the extra space is more important than having a larger bed.

Then again, I’ll book a 1 bedroom at times when it’s just me.

 

[WinterSolider]

But I do think 70% can still be accurate if you're booking the right rooms... having not actually done the math.

It's been a few years but the last I did the math using a super elaborate model with time value of money, opportunity cost, etc. I think I came out to 2 bedroom villas being right around 50%, studios being slightly better, 1 bedrooms being quite a bit worse, and specialty accommodations like bungalows and treehouses all over the place.

 

[Girlstar30]

We are DINKS so studios and, in theory Duo Studios, align perfectly with us. And the truth of the matter is it’s Disney, they could sell a 20 sq foot box that you sleep standing up in and someone would buy it. And while I would stay in a duo, it would be a last resort for me and I wouldn’t be particularly happy about it. I’m fine with the room size, I generally could care less how big the room is (sometime I do want to splurge), but the bed is the dealbreaker for me. A Murphy bed for 2 adults just isn’t my preferred sleep surface. Shove a king bed in there and I’d be fine.

We are the same way. We had a poly duo studio with a premium view booked and I was excited, but I just couldnt get over the fact that wed be sharing a Murphy bed and cancelled. I also love jungle book and would love to book the vdh duo studio but again the bed situation doesnt appeal to us. It seems a little silly to me that were spending thousands and were a couple that sleeps in a Murphy bed.

If it was replaced by a king and less space, I would have kept it I would actually prefer that over 1 queen and 1 Murphy, where we always end up sleeping separately to spread out. I think its kind of ridiculous that couples dont have a king bed option tbh and in our case then choose to sleep separately. We have a king bed at home and used to the extra space.

 

[WinterSolider]

We are the same way. We had a poly duo studio with a premium view booked and I was excited, but I just couldnt get over the fact that wed be sharing a Murphy bed and cancelled. I also love jungle book and would love to book the vdh duo studio but again the bed situation doesnt appeal to us. It seems a little silly to me that were spending thousands and were a couple that sleeps in a Murphy bed.

If it was replaced by a king and less space, I would have kept it I would actually prefer that over 1 queen and 1 Murphy, where we always end up sleeping separately to spread out. I think its kind of ridiculous that couples dont have a king bed option tbh and in our case then choose to sleep separately. We have a king bed at home and used to the extra space.

I'm sorry but what exactly is the problem with a Murphy bed? I'm not being sarcastic, I'm wondering if people just haven't used one of them and are thinking it's something it's not.

Disney's Murphy beds use the exact same mattresses that their normal beds do. They're not inferior or less comfortable in some way like the sofa beds are.

 

[Girlstar30]

I'm sorry but what exactly is the problem with a Murphy bed? I'm not being sarcastic, I'm wondering if people just haven't used one of them and are thinking it's something it's not.

Disney's Murphy beds use the exact same mattresses that their normal beds do. They're not inferior or less comfortable in some way like the sofa beds are.

There's nothing wrong with it. We'd just like the king bed option to sleep together in and not a pull down bed for the price we pay for these rooms. To each their own. Id happily pay more than a 2 queen its just our preference

 

[WinterSolider]

There's nothing wrong with it. We'd just like the king bed option to sleep together in and not a pull down bed for the price we pay for these rooms. To each their own. Id happily pay more than a 2 queen its just our preference

I want a king too so that part makes sense.

I guess what you're saying is that it's more the psychological factor of "a bed I have to pull down is less-than" versus "this bed will make me sleep worse in some way."

I think some people might be objecting to the Murphy beds because they think they're literally WORSE beds, that's the part I wanted to clarify.