DVC should really consider...

[ducklite]

We were told by our guide that they don't and won't offer rollaways for two reasons. One, the appropriate bedding is supplied for the stated capacity of the room, and two, they make a God awful mess of the halls and door jams as they are moved around. Both make perfect sense to me.

Frankly as an owner I don't want to foot the bill for the purchase oc rollaways, extra linens, and increased wear and tear on the buildings to accomodate people who knew what they were getting when they bought in. Children sharing or not sharing a bed are the types of things people need to think about before they sign on the dotted line. If it's going to be an issue for you, then buy enough points for a 2BR. If you don't want to do that, then perhaps DVC isn't the right option for you.

Anne

 

[WDWguru]

Originally posted by ducklite
Frankly as an owner I don't want to foot the bill for the purchase oc rollaways, extra linens, and increased wear and tear on the buildings to accomodate people who knew what they were getting when they bought in. Children sharing or not sharing a bed are the types of things people need to think about before they sign on the dotted line. If it's going to be an issue for you, then buy enough points for a 2BR. If you don't want to do that, then perhaps DVC isn't the right option for you.

Anne, I'm with you 100% here. I was about to post the same thing. Thank you for doing it for me!

 

[married@wdw]

Originally posted by ducklite
Children sharing or not sharing a bed are the types of things people need to think about before they sign on the dotted line. If it's going to be an issue for you, then buy enough points for a 2BR. If you don't want to do that, then perhaps DVC isn't the right option for you.

That's nice if you've had all your children when you sign. We currently don't have any, but that could change and DVC is a very long contract. You can only base your judgements on what you perceive the future will hold, but life often throws us curveballs we don't see coming. It's tough to know your situation for every vacation over a 50-year span of time. Part of DVCs selling strategy is it's flexibility. This just lends to that.

I do see your point about rollaways causing problems with damage. Maybe air mattresses then? Or some other portable (egg crates that can be rolled and removed)? Or some sort of bed that stays in the room at all times? Don't some of the resorts offer a trundle?

And I really wouldn't mind the few extra dollars it might cost to buy linens for these beds. If it makes a DVCers life easier, that's all that needs to be said!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by married@wdw
That's nice if you've had all your children when you sign. We currently don't have any, but that could change and DVC is a very long contract.

You can always add-on down the road if you need more points to accomodate your family.

I do see your point about rollaways causing problems with damage. Maybe air mattresses then? Or some other portable (egg crates that can be rolled and removed)? Or some sort of bed that stays in the room at all times? Don't some of the resorts offer a trundle?

Owners have never been told they can't bring their own air mattress and bedding from home. Again, I am not willing to pay into what would basically be a capital improvement for something that wasn't in my original contract for which I receive no benefit, but is solely for the benefit of a few who haven't properly planned.

And I really wouldn't mind the few extra dollars it might cost to buy linens for these beds. If it makes a DVCers life easier, that's all that needs to be said!

Considering we can't even get extra towels without being charged, I do mind it. If someone brings an air mattress and needs extra linens for it, they should be charged., It should not be the responsibility of the entire DVC community to provide for the few who haven't planned accordingly with their purchases or packing. I have no problem with someone bringing an air mattress to accomodate their kids as long as they don't exceed the max occupancy for the room and either provide or pay for their own linens.

Anne

 

[paults]

married@wdw
" I understand that some didn't like it because they'd have to sit on the bed to watch TV -- we've been doing that for 10 years at OKW and never minded it at all! I think a few rooms with this option would be fantastic. "

That 's one reason we didn't buy at OKW because of 2 beds in studios. Being over 50 yrs young and 3 back operations later I don't need to be watching TV sitting on the bed while on vacation.

married@wdw
"And I really wouldn't mind the few extra dollars it might cost to buy linens for these beds. If it makes a DVCers life easier, that's all that needs to be said!"

Why do some of us have to pay to make other DVC'ers life easier, if others need more space buy more pts, I don't have the money to spend on others vacations (wish I did)

Now about the responses I don't think anybody is doing anything but giving honest answers.

Bunks beds are fine in the disney resort hotels but please keep them out of the DVC's

 

[childsplay]

I think a few rooms with bunkbeds would be fine.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

. I have no problem with someone bringing an air mattress to accomodate their kids as long as they don't exceed the max occupancy for the room and either provide or pay for their own linens.

Oops, looks like this is crossing the line into the room occupancy debates, which are not allowed on the DVC boards.

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by married@wdw
That's nice if you've had all your children when you sign. We currently don't have any, but that could change and DVC is a very long contract. You can only base your judgements on what you perceive the future will hold, but life often throws us curveballs we don't see coming. It's tough to know your situation for every vacation over a 50-year span of time. Part of DVCs selling strategy is it's flexibility. This just lends to that.

We don't have kids yet but bought into DVC 4 years ago planning for them. We figure that the most comfortable way for us to vacation will be if our kids have their own room (once they are old enough), so we bought enough points for a 2 bedroom. If you absolutely don't want kids and wish to remain childfree, then there are steps that you can take to prevent life throwing curveballs at you. If you are planning to have kids then a 2 bedroom works for between 1 and 4 children without resorting to the pull out in the livingroom. DVC DOES provide a lot of flexibility but I don't think they need to have infinite room configurations to account for every possible preference of every member.

Lisa

 

[melk]

JVSJr,
Sorry about all the flaming you're getting (I was once lambasted for supporting the idea of using a wrist strap for your child at WDW, so I can sympathize).

Personally, if there were the option of a bunk bed room available at one of the DVC resorts, we would probably use it. I don't think it's a bad idea as an option in a new DVC resort.

 

[CK1]

THe thing is, we actually DO have all these options... we can use our pts to stay in a WDW hotel offering a trundle or bunk anytime we wish. Or we can travel at a time when a 2 br is more affordable. Or we can add on pts as our families grow. DVC is already full of such options. That's the beauty of it. Now of course, it may cost more (pts-wise) to excercise certain options (like using pts to stay at a deluxe or moderate), but the options do exist. Our fam of 5 has the delicate position of 2 boys, 1 girl children genders, and we have resigned ourselves to the fact that a 2BR is imperative. It is, in fact, a key reason we joined DVC (just try to fit a fam of 5 in any other single WDW room, short of a suite... and if you jump to 2 rooms, you've doubled the cost. Yowch.) So we feel like we come out ahead with our 2br use, not that we're penalized for needing more space, or that DVC has somehow slighted families.

If you put the bunk bed issue (safety, top bunk dibs fighting, etc.) aside and simply said, "what about 2 twins instead of a sleeper sofa... or even a queen", I'd bet the majority response would still be no thankya. THose who joined DVC liked what they saw, and while we all may dream of "perks" like margaritas in the fridge, a guaranteed BW view, and discounts galore, the intrinsic design is not something most folks want to see tampered with, if for no other reason than simplicity (and an easier time with MS ressies!) WIth any given change, for as many that would benefit, at least as many will cry "no fair!" In such a diverse society as DVC (from young singles to retirees and everything possible inbetween), it would be verrrrry hard (read as "impossible"?) to please everyone all the time!

So when folks get vocal, just realize you have touched a sensitive area, and step away quietly! I don't think Disers as a rule go out looking to slam anyone, though some posts do come across more assertive than others. And similarly, keep putting the ideas out there -- don't let a rejected idea stop you! After all -- that's why we're here -- to discuss a topic near and dear to us, and find ways that it can be even better.

 

[AvonWuzzer]

But it could be if they tried a little harder. I think it is rude/sad if the running retort on a thread is either "you could buy more points" and "if you don't like it, sell."

I have two friends with young families of 5. (I guess having a family was more important than limiting the size of their family to neatly fit a DVC 1 BD/Studio room type) They have not joined DVC because it is a big cost/point difference from a 1 to a 2 bedroom.

I think that more options adds value if it adds more members. It would also reduce costs slightly for everyone if fixed costs for Member Services is spread across more members. More members means more resort choices and more DVC. (perhaps another off-site somewhere down the line)

I would be in favor of trying new types in any future DVC construction. MY opinion is that more options is a good thing. There are thousands of rooms currently with the existing room types. I own at BWV but it wouldn't bother me if there were different room types or configurations at future resorts. I didn't have the greatest time when I tried OKW, (being there on 9/11 played a big part) but I think it is great that the rooms are different. I am a little disappointed that the layouts of the Studios, 1&2 Bedrooms at BCV, VWL, BWV and SSR are all virtually the same but with different colors. I don't remember DVC guaranteeing the next 15,000 DVC rooms they build will have the same room configurations. Could you imagine that at the end of your contract there were 10-15 DVC resorts at WDW with the exact same interior layouts?

Instead of posters stating that they would hate to be stuck in a bunkbed room, (and hate if anyone else has that option either) how many different configuration options could you come up with if you were to design the next DVC?

Bunkbed in Studio or 2 Bedroom
Daybed with Trundle Bed in Studio or living room of 1/2BD
Fireplace in living room or MB (perhaps a 2-sided FP to be seen from the jacuzzi)
Freestanding units (like Treehouse villas)

 

[CaptainMidnight]

....I think it is rude/sad if the running retort on a thread is either "you could buy more points" and "if you don't like it, sell."

Good point, Ohioian. The "I don't like the idea" responses seem to be going way overboard into personal slams. I'm fine without bunk beds, but it's not that bad an idea.

 

[ducklite]

I bought BCV and BWV based on what was offered to me in the public offering statement. I am not willing to pay a capital improvement special assessment or increased dues to support the idea of additional linens, outlay for bunkbeds to replace existing bedding, the cost of purchasing rollaways and then paying for the additional wear and tear they create, and the additional cost of housekeeping to take care of all the extra beds/linens. Not to mention additoinal soft costs in member services of keeping track of the whole thing!

When you buy into DVC you know what you are getting. If you don't like it you always have the option of not buying. If you are planning on adding to your family you can also plan on adding to your points if needed.

Bottom line:

It's possible that DVC will build a future DVC resort with bunkbeds, but it can't legally be done in the current resorts which have already issued a POS.

Anne

 

[Dean]

At the risk of being repetitive, having an odd ball room is not an easy task for DVC, it is costly and difficult to deal with and it will not happen. DVC is also in this to make money so they want members with 5 or 6 to buy points for a 2 BR. I’m certain they even count on it when looking at resort occupancy, pool usage and parking. I can see some people wanting it. I cannot think of a timeshare that has a sleep four with 2 bunk beds or similar. I can think of 1 BR sleep 5 or 6 units. They usually only trade for four, just like any other 1 BR unit. There are many 2 BR units in the industry that only sleep 6, I own two, one only sleeps 5.

Though not dealt with as much in this thread as in previous ones, the 1 BR sleep 6 would be only a few points less than a 2 BR, it would hardly be a savings worth considering for most people even if it did exist.

As far as this thread, it is far more tame than the last couple of times this came up. One can absolutely slam the idea without slamming the person, as it should be. Some take it too seriously if what they post is taken to task, disagreed with, etc. I can think of many threads where one posted a bad experience where the problem was the OP lack of understanding of the system or unrealistic expectations and they were called for it. This is appropriate as long as the person is not attacked personally. We can disagree without being rude but at times some people are too sensitive and can’t separate out disagreement from a personal attack. That sometimes applies to “their resort” as well. Some people can’t tolerate a negative aspect or feeling about their resort without feeling like the resort itself is being attacked and feeling a need to defend it.

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by Dean
One can absolutely slam the idea without slamming the person, as it should be. Some take it too seriously if what they post is taken to task, disagreed with, etc.

Thank you, Dean. That's all I'm trying to say. I am not saying that I'd hate if anyone else had the option of a bunkbed room, except in so far as it affects ME. If *I* got stuck with a bunkbed room, I would hate it. I had enough of getting stuck with room configurations that I did not care for (requesting a king bed and not getting it, though I do enjoy the studios with one queen and a couch because they feel so spacious) so I put my money where my mouth was and I bought into DVC so I wouldn't have to gamble on what kind of accommodations I got. IMO, adding too many different room configurations begins to make it more of a gamble and I think that's a bad idea. Sometimes good people have bad ideas.

Lisa

 

[BEACHCLUBVILLAS]

If the next DVC resort had a bunk bed configuration, I can see myself using it now and again when I have grandchildren. I hope I never get to the point where I go to Disney and don't want Disney to accomodate different family situations except mine. I also like the idea of some of those rooms ( in a new as yet to be built resort of course) having 2 queens in the 1 bedroom. And if they can be guaranteed room type, all the better. Great Ideas! Keep them coming.

 

[married@wdw]

While I know others here were mentioning a one-bedroom that sleeps more than 4, that was not my intention at all. My intention was to be able to separate people from having to sleep together on the sofa bed if the family doesn't want that. We've taken my nephews on vacation several times and DH and I have to each share a bed with one of them to get them to sleep. It's a nightmare for all of us. And while the idea of adding-on points to get a two-bedroom is nice, it's really not in the budget for us right now.

I think what I'm really looking for is some different configurations for the one-bedrooms (and maybe even some of the studios that have a pull-out sofa bed as the second bed) that could still accommodate everyone. Instead of a pull-out sofa, what would everyone think of a trundle-bed? The next time they have to replace sofa beds in the units (thereby, not adding too much to the expense -- isn't this done every 5 years or so anyway?!?!?!), why not put day-bed type trundle beds in some of the units? I'm thinking of a daybed which turn into a regular twin bed for sleeping, with a trundle underneath that pulls out for an additional twin bed. This would also leave the rooms with a daybed sofa when the trundle is not in use. The rooms would still sleep the same number of people, but the beds would be more comfortable because they have real mattresses and could be separated to avoid all the problems/issues of two people who don't usually share a bed having to share a bed while on vacation.

I know others don't like any of these ideas due to the expense they might personally incur. Don't want to get in a heated debate about that. Just an idea.

 

[ducklite]

I don't like the idea of day beds replacing sofas. They are uncomfortable to sit on, and they look like a dorm room or kids room, or maybe a guest room, NOT a living room.

The POS says how the place is furnished, and they can't legally make changes to that once it is offered to the public and sales are made. To do so would leave them open to a class-action lawsuit that they would lose. That's the law. The POS becomes a part of the contract of sale, and thus DVC is contractually obligated to not make substantive changes. Changing the colors of the dishes--that they can do. Changing the type/size of beds, that they can not do.

If you are interested in DVC furnished in this manner, contact DVC and ask them to think about it for properties not yet built/sold/designed. But you are legally too late to make changes to existing properties.

Abbe

 

[Debby7]

All the discussion in the world will not change the reality that

"If you are interested in DVC furnished in this manner, contact DVC and ask them to think about it for properties not yet built/sold/designed. But you are legally too late to make changes to existing properties."

That is why everyone needs to be very sure that what they purchase is where and what they want.

 

[JVSJr]

Wow, many of the responses I have been reading are incredible. I agree with the many reasons not to change the configuration of the rooms, especially the fact that someone might get "stuck" with a configuration they did not want. That would disappoint me as well.

I just wish posts would not be so sarcastic or "stuck-up" sounding.

dvcreg, thanks for the pm, I truly understand.

Not that I want to fire up the debate anymore, I do have one closing comment; many replies included: “you knew what you were buying” or “buy more points” or “the agreement is..”

Let me just throw this on the table:

DVC allowing someone to cancel and bank points because of a family emergency; is that in the agreement? That could inconvenience others by tying up a room that may end up vacant and then the next year more people are competing for rooms (btw, I’m not against DVC doing this but is it in the rules?)

Room assignment policies, we knew what they were when we bought, but now they changed.

Pool hopping to SAB was allowed at one point, and was allowed at all DVC resorts, but has that not changed?

Renting out points. Are DVC members following the rules?

I could go on and on but I think I made my point. I agree that changes may affect others and that there are pro’s and con’s to everything. That’s what debate and discussion is about.

Oh, and they better take out the DVD players because I bought when VCR’s were there and I expect things to stay the same!!! (just kidding)