DVC Lost Luster, Badly Broken

[Debbie & Bill]

We’ll not happy to make this post all. We scornfully find the DVC is not maintaining our investment, and in fact looks down on the vacation club side of the Boardwalk compared to the Inn side. Checking in May 2008 second floor boardwalk view we we’re disgusted walking the corridor, finding the hall rug to be filthy dirty well beyond shopworn and reminiscent of one of the filthy dirty hotels along Rt 192 for $29.00 a night. Then we entered the room, curtains unhooked from the rood, louver door broken to the washer dryer…hanging falling down, light bulbs burnt out and the lighting so dismally lit, the dishwasher shelves missing wheels. The kitchen cabinets grease stained and garbage can’s sharing space with living quarters and the arms on the living area chair so dirty that someone wrote there name in the dirt. I could go on…..internet connector broken Etc.

So I complained, and was told that there aware some of the problems that exist on the vacation side of the building and it’s the vacation club not funding repairs and maintenance compared to the Inn side. How outrageous is this, what the use of complaining when this is the accepted culture. So I brought two supervisors to the room a picture is worth a thousand words. They we’re agreeable and not surprised, they we’re up front in the beginning being factual as to the reason for the degradation of the common areas and rooms.

So all, sadly I write this, what was once my best love and place has turned into a dump. I’ll write a letter management, for what who knows this mess is well beyond a letter. Look forward to comments sorry to not have better things to say.

 

[Tinkerdreams]

So did they get you into another unit? Did they take it the room out of service? Hopefully this was the exception. Sorry you had to experience this!!

 

[kaysmommie]

Thanks for posting this as it makes me rethink pressuring my DH to make a DVC purchase for our family. It's alot of money that you are paying and it's sad that it isn't being maintained.

 

[dianeschlicht]

So what maintenance fees do you pay per point at BWV? I'd ask for a detailed accounting of what needs to be done and why it isn't being done.

I wonder if they are trying so hard to keep maintenance costs down, that it is hurting the physical plant. I also wonder if all those "pipe" issues they have had at BWV hasn't depleted the maintenance budget. Perhaps that has something to contribute to the problem. Or maybe it's the outsourcing of maintenance and housekeeping, although I haven't heard for sure that those things have been outsourced as yet.

 

[MrsNick]

Thanks for posting this as it makes me rethink pressuring my DH to make a DVC purchase for our family. It's alot of money that you are paying and it's sad that it isn't being maintained.

And this is the result of DVC being penny wise and pound foolish. When members have such a poor trip report, DVC loses potential future purchasers. I hope DVC will get housekeeping together, if for no other reason than its own self-interest in selling new interests.

 

[DVC Mike]

Hmm, I just stayed at BWV (Room #3005) last weekend, and the room was immaculate and there weren't any maintenance issues.

 

[Inkmahm]

Thanks for posting this as it makes me rethink pressuring my DH to make a DVC purchase for our family. It's alot of money that you are paying and it's sad that it isn't being maintained.

Don't make that assumption based on one post here on this board. I stayed at BWV with family in two 2 bedroom villas in December and the rooms were just fine. So were the hallways. No complaints here.

 

[Inkmahm]

Hmm, I just stayed at BWV (Room #3005) last weekend, and the room was immaculate and there weren't any maintenance issues.

I think we had 3005 and 3007 for one of our two bedrooms and 3013 and 3015 for the other, if I remember correctly

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We’ll not happy to make this post all. We scornfully find the DVC is not maintaining our investment, and in fact looks down on the vacation club side of the Boardwalk compared to the Inn side. Checking in May 2008 second floor boardwalk view we we’re disgusted walking the corridor, finding the hall rug to be filthy dirty well beyond shopworn and reminiscent of one of the filthy dirty hotels along Rt 192 for $29.00 a night. Then we entered the room, curtains unhooked from the rood, louver door broken to the washer dryer…hanging falling down, light bulbs burnt out and the lighting so dismally lit, the dishwasher shelves missing wheels. The kitchen cabinets grease stained and garbage can’s sharing space with living quarters and the arms on the living area chair so dirty that someone wrote there name in the dirt. I could go on…..internet connector broken Etc.

So I complained, and was told that there aware some of the problems that exist on the vacation side of the building and it’s the vacation club not funding repairs and maintenance compared to the Inn side. How outrageous is this, what the use of complaining when this is the accepted culture. So I brought two supervisors to the room a picture is worth a thousand words. They we’re agreeable and not surprised, they we’re up front in the beginning being factual as to the reason for the degradation of the common areas and rooms.

So all, sadly I write this, what was once my best love and place has turned into a dump. I’ll write a letter management, for what who knows this mess is well beyond a letter. Look forward to comments sorry to not have better things to say.

You wouldn't be trolling would you? Sorry, just beyond my belief as described.

 

[gppnj]

And this is the result of DVC being penny wise and pound foolish. When members have such a poor trip report, DVC loses potential future purchasers. I hope DVC will get housekeeping together, if for no other reason than its own self-interest in selling new interests.

If this is the case, God help us all when DVC no longer has any new units on the market.

 

[MrsNick]

If this is the case, Gid help us all when DVC no longer has any new units on the market.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

So I complained, and was told that there aware some of the problems that exist on the vacation side of the building and it’s the vacation club not funding repairs and maintenance compared to the Inn side.

Of course, the operating budget of the Vacation Club side (BWV) is funded by our annual dues, while the deluxe resort side (BWI) is managed as a resort with the cash flow from $400-per-night rooms.

DVC management has a responsibility to keep our dues under control, while maintaining the quality at a decent level.

We've had some rooms in better shape than others over the years. We had one room at OKW that was in awful shape -- plumbing problems in both bathrooms, rusty refrigerator with broken shelves, inoperative dryer (that took two attempts to fix), and other problems. On a much earlier visit, we had one sofa at OKW that was so worn that there were numerous rips in the upholstery (I called, and they replaced the sofa the next day).

However, overall, I find the DVC resorts to be well-maintained. If anything, the rooms we've had the last few years have been as well maintained (or sometimes better maintained) than the rooms we had in the 1990s. And we've stayed at all on-site DVC resorts at WDW, including many stays at BWV and OKW.

Sometimes, the finishes are worn on furniture. Sometimes, the appliances are little newer than other times. And sometimes, there are indications that a child with crayons had been in the room before us.

Sure, the DVC resorts could replace furniture, carpeting, appliances, window treatments, and common area components more often if they had a bigger budget. So, we could pressure DVC management into raising our dues to fund such level. But then we'll see lots of DVC members complaining about their dues.

 

[gkrykewy]

Looks like this is the OP's first and only post EVER on the subject of DVC, with the exception of one post about being a renter of points.

Trying to shake loose some BWV contracts on the resale market, OP?

 

[global_mom]

We were at BWV this past March and our unit was delightful. The only "repair needed" issue that bugged me was the fact that the carpet in the hallway needs to be replaced. They had giant fans blowing on the ahll carpet for 3 days, must have just been cleaned or had some huge water issue (burst pipes?).

To the poster who was reconsidering DVC......dont shy away from DVC b/c of one or 2 posts of problems. The good things dont get posted as often as the bad things so please do tons of research before making a decision. You will most likely find many more happy members than unhappy members.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Just wanted it noted that I am Deb & Bill and not Debbie & Bill.

 

[Starr W.]

Looks like this is the OP's first and only post EVER on the subject of DVC, with the exception of one post about being a renter of points.

Trying to shake loose some BWV contracts on the resale market, OP?

Or keep members from considering BWV at the 7 month switch.

Notice OP's screen name very similar to Deb&Bill, who I consider a very straight shooter.

 

[Thumper4me]

I am sorry you didn't enjoy your trip. I would be happy to purchase your DVC points at the Boardwalk - for a good price.

Kelly

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Hmm, I just stayed at BWV (Room #3005) last weekend, and the room was immaculate and there weren't any maintenance issues.

Yes, I just stayed in room 2009/2007 Boardwalk view 3rd wk. of April, and it too was immaculate!!!!

 

[dan and scott]

Although we haven't been back to the BW in over 2 years, it does seem that DVC has somewhat lost its luster. BW has always sort of been the bad stepchild always needing some major repair a.k.a the outside resteration of failed paint and wood,plumbing(that took years to fix), and that yucky looking carpet with floral print in the hallways--IT Always Shows DIRT!!(no matter the room location)--The fake wood original carpet that was in the hallways seemed to not show the dirt as much. We've been members since 98 and have several hundred points-probably too many as of now. I just think DVC might be getting to big it was such a "cottage" timeshare when we joined they did not have DVC kiosks every 10 feet and castmembers did treat you special--but then "welcome home" was not listed in what we purchased.
I do think that some DVC owners expect entitlement to everything DVC (perks), or let the kids run amuck through the resort grounds/have at it with the rooms fixtures with little or no courtesey of the property-the ("since we own there attitude").
I see this all the time in the grocery store as mommy tells little 3 yr. old Jonny to pick up and squeeze everthing in sight.

Scott

 

[Mike©]

We’ll not happy to make this post all. We scornfully find the DVC is not maintaining our investment, and in fact looks down on the vacation club side of the Boardwalk compared to the Inn side. Checking in May 2008 second floor boardwalk view we we’re disgusted walking the corridor, finding the hall rug to be filthy dirty well beyond shopworn and reminiscent of one of the filthy dirty hotels along Rt 192 for $29.00 a night. Then we entered the room, curtains unhooked from the rood, louver door broken to the washer dryer…hanging falling down, light bulbs burnt out and the lighting so dismally lit, the dishwasher shelves missing wheels. The kitchen cabinets grease stained and garbage can’s sharing space with living quarters and the arms on the living area chair so dirty that someone wrote there name in the dirt. I could go on…..internet connector broken Etc.

So I complained, and was told that there aware some of the problems that exist on the vacation side of the building and it’s the vacation club not funding repairs and maintenance compared to the Inn side. How outrageous is this, what the use of complaining when this is the accepted culture. So I brought two supervisors to the room a picture is worth a thousand words. They we’re agreeable and not surprised, they we’re up front in the beginning being factual as to the reason for the degradation of the common areas and rooms.

So all, sadly I write this, what was once my best love and place has turned into a dump. I’ll write a letter management, for what who knows this mess is well beyond a letter. Look forward to comments sorry to not have better things to say.

Thought I had better jump in here. BWV owner since 99 and I have to agree totaly!!! Seems the last 3 to 4 years it has been impossible to be given a clean ( or anything close ) room. We go down twice a year and it's just getting heart breaking. We don't care about perks, we just want a clean room for a change. They did just fine until 2003 then it went down hill FAST. IMHO