Dwindling Value?

[sweetdana]

It would be interesting to know what, if any, impact the DVC program has had on occupancy rates. I would venture to guess none on Value and Moderate for sure. Maybe some on Deluxe - though DVC really doesn't fit any of those molds. A perpetual Value resorter would likely not lay out the cash for DVC. A frequent Deluxer likely won't be satisfied with the DVC service (non-daily housekeeping, paid towl service, etc.).
parks.

I disagree with this. We were ( and still occasionally when dvc is unavailable.). mod resort-ers. Dvc makes del rooms for mod prices. Just cause someone only really books mods doesn't mean they don't have the cash for DVC, or the $$ for deluxe cash rooms even; it could be 770$ a night is just not the same value verses 225$ a night. (Poly vrs FQ). If all DVC was full as we're all the mods, I would willingly
And happily go with 1 or 2 rooms at a value 1000 times sooner than a Del.
I personally love what I call my free upgrade. But if I needed another night or 2; I would not pay over 300$ a night for any room onsite.

As far as mouse keeping you can add 60$ a night, or cons if you needed it. It would still be cheaper then say a room at GF. ( on top of that some del just grow out of the room with extra kids or bringing friends ect.) needing say 2 Poly rooms or ... A 2 bedroom. Sometimes mouse keeping is a luxury peeps are willing to give up for space .

 

[sweetdana]

I think Disney is aware of this I think this is exactly why they're starting the fast pass magic bands. Trying to find ways to support more rides / entertainment and last waiting with more people/ attendance. Getting a better idea of how many people will be in the park might add extra parades or extra shows. Based on reservations they will have a really good # for Attendance on what day.

I think they are adding rides, lands, expansions in parks. I hope one day they will add a second-story to TSM. I also think they're adding more things to do at the resorts like splash place in pools making them bigger. Adding More things from the community center more things to do around the resort like marshmallow roasting campfire sing-along. I think the free upgrade for the premium pass for DVC this year encouraged a ton people to try the water parks DQ that might not have.

I wouldn't encourage or discour someone. I would just take it at face value. If they go to Disney once year it's probably a good deal if they don't it's probably not. Being busier than say five years ago maybe true but it doesn't mean it's not a Good value, maybe just different.

I'd Definitely Say get less points than you think you did not more. And buy small contracts that you can sell later if you change your mind. But IMO It is still a great value for our family. And we will still go even though I agree park attendance/ wait time for rides is higher than 5 yrs ago.

 

[trasor]

It would be interesting to know what, if any, impact the DVC program has had on occupancy rates. I would venture to guess none on Value and Moderate for sure. Maybe some on Deluxe - though DVC really doesn't fit any of those molds. A perpetual Value resorter would likely not lay out the cash for DVC. A frequent Deluxer likely won't be satisfied with the DVC service (non-daily housekeeping, paid towl service, etc.).

And, has DVC impacted attendance at the parks? The only hotel rooms added since AKL opened (which never sold well enough to maintain itself, hence DVC on the top floor) are value. Disney isn't drawing in more people via value rooms, they're trying to capture those people who simply stay at Marriott Village or any number of other disocunt hotels outside the property.

As far as attendance, an improving economy is probably driving that more than anything. That and the continued gap in the exchange rate tha makes it cheaper for people to travel here internationally for vacations.

We had friends who were there over Christmas/New Year's week 2012 into 2013 and they didn't think it was too bad. They didn't stay on property (relatives in the area), but were at the parks.

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[Chuck S]

A frequent Deluxer likely won't be satisfied with the DVC service (non-daily housekeeping, paid towl service, etc.).

I think the initial "idea" of not having daily housekeeping is much, much worse than the reality.

I only stayed in Deluxe (Contemporary tower rooms) prior to puchasing DVC in 1992. I think MOST new DVC owners and potential owners may find the thought of no daily housekeeping very strange. But after our first DVC stay, it became clear how very nice it really is to be able to return to your room to relax without worrying about whether it has been serviced yet, or having to "tidy up" a little before the housekeepers come, like securing all electronics and stuff. Now I just make sure all the exterior and connecting doors are locked before leaving for the parks...I leave my laptop on the table. I can leave meds handy on the counters, not stashed into drawers and so on.

It now seems more of a hassle to have daily housekeeping when I travel elsewhere.

 

[luckyman_apd]

I think the initial "idea" of not having daily housekeeping is much, much worse than the reality.

I only stayed in Deluxe (Contemporary tower rooms) prior to puchasing DVC in 1992. I think MOST new DVC owners and potential owners may find the thought of no daily housekeeping very strange. But after our first DVC stay, it became clear how very nice it really is to be able to return to your room to relax without worrying about whether it has been serviced yet, or having to "tidy up" a little before the housekeepers come, like securing all electronics and stuff. Now I just make sure all the exterior and connecting doors are locked before leaving for the parks...I leave my laptop on the table. I can leave meds handy on the counters, not stashed into drawers and so on.

It now seems more of a hassle to have daily housekeeping when I travel elsewhere.

I 100% agree. I for one do not like housekeeping. I really don't need the beds made everyday. I can pull the sheets/blankets up. As a semi environmentalist I like to hang up my towels, don't need them washed everyday. The trash is the only thing I need removed, but that is ok. The electronics....the medications....the kids toys on the floor....can't agree more. After DVC stays, I now use the do not disturb sign more often at other hotels when we stay.

 

[CarolMN]

......(snip).......It now seems more of a hassle to have daily housekeeping when I travel elsewhere.

For me, too!

 

[DVCJones]

I agree with a lot if the previous posters. We find the value of DVC in the way we have changed the way we visit. We used to be robo-visitors. Trying to make the most of the parks and trying to squeeze in everything during our visits because they were few and far between. Now as DVC owners we are so much more relaxed. If we go for a week, we only do three park days and enjoy the resorts or visit other Orlando area attractions. We always have our car, so this is easy for us. Also, we actually feel well rested after a Disney vacation!!! Something that didn't happen after pre DVC visits. I find the resorts to be very relaxing and look forward to our 'rest days' by the pool.

I'm actually looking to add more points through resale so we can stay longer or use bigger rooms in the future!!!

I love my DVC!!!

 

[Dean]

I think the initial "idea" of not having daily housekeeping is much, much worse than the reality.

I only stayed in Deluxe (Contemporary tower rooms) prior to puchasing DVC in 1992. I think MOST new DVC owners and potential owners may find the thought of no daily housekeeping very strange. But after our first DVC stay, it became clear how very nice it really is to be able to return to your room to relax without worrying about whether it has been serviced yet, or having to "tidy up" a little before the housekeepers come, like securing all electronics and stuff. Now I just make sure all the exterior and connecting doors are locked before leaving for the parks...I leave my laptop on the table. I can leave meds handy on the counters, not stashed into drawers and so on.

It now seems more of a hassle to have daily housekeeping when I travel elsewhere.

We prefer no housekeeping and often use the do not disturb sign in a hotel room or just get towels and supplies but not let them in the room when we're not there.

IMO the inherent value of DVC hasn't changed. IF DVC truly made sense when one bought in, there really haven't been any true changes on the system/resort side enough that would alter that, even the reallocation shouldn't have been enough to cross this threshold in my book but partly because if one counted on S-F rates staying the same to make it work, it really didn't make sense to start with. Obviously there are many personal decisions and situations that might change how well DVC fits in but if one made good decisions up front, it'd take fairly significant personal changes to cross over that line also.

 

[DVCJones]

I 100% agree. I for one do not like housekeeping. I really don't need the beds made everyday. I can pull the sheets/blankets up. As a semi environmentalist I like to hang up my towels, don't need them washed everyday. The trash is the only thing I need removed, but that is ok. The electronics....the medications....the kids toys on the floor....can't agree more. After DVC stays, I now use the do not disturb sign more often at other hotels when we stay.

Same here!!! We always put the 'Do Not Disturb' sign out. We never even use housekeeping. On Trash and Towel service day, we just call for fresh towels while we are there. Mousekeeping comes up and delivers the towels and takes the trash. We don't like anyone in our room when we are not there.

 

[tiggerguy2000]

We have been DVC members since 2000 and going twice to three times a year with a few member cruises has been well worth it.My $63.00 a point investment i believe has doubled since then.Yes it's more crowded these days but like others it don't bother us.Im the only one these days who still gets a annual pass and tmy family don't care about going to any parks other then the water parks.My 3 daughters are now 16 thru 24 so staying at the resort is all they want to do except going shopping outside of Disney.We are on our 14th Annual 4th of JUly trip in a few weeks and for the last 5 years another DVC family go at the same time to be with us on what we call the Follow Billy DVC Tour..LOL

 

[tiggerguy2000]

I have friends who think anything over a days inn stay is wasting money on vacation because all you do is sleep in the room. When I stay in a 1, 2 bedroom or grand Villa and they come by and they don't really want to leave.if anyone is trying to compare a moderate resort to a 1 bedroom or more Deluxe room stay is kidding themselves.

 

[jade1]

Hello..... We have been DVC members for 12 years now. We usually try and get down to Orlando 2-3 times a year. However, over the last few years, no matter what time of year we go, the parks are too crowded to enjoy them. Even with an annual pass, access to only a few attractions during a day, with hour long waits simply does not seem worth the cost any more. ?

Agree-I think that's why the 3 FP+ per day was invented. This will work perfect for us as we are way passed rope drop/commando days, but still hate waits and have a few faves.

 

[brertoad]

I have friends who think anything over a days inn stay is wasting money on vacation because all you do is sleep in the room. When I stay in a 1, 2 bedroom or grand Villa and they come by and they don't really want to leave.if anyone is trying to compare a moderate resort to a 1 bedroom or more Deluxe room stay is kidding themselves.

The room is just for sleeping, is what you tell yourself when you are being cheap. Nicer is nicer, but cheaper is cheaper. And DVC ended up being nicer and cheaper for us. Win - win!

But in all seriousness, some people don't care, my dad was like that.

 

[Castillo Mom]

I'm a relatively new owner having purchased DVC in '08 and go to WDW approximately ever other year. We've gone three times in August, once in July and once in September during F&W. i tend to plan park touring well in advance. We don't mind arriving at rope drop because we leave after lunch to go back to the resort to enjoy the pool or hang out at DTD, maybe even see a movie. We've experienced the parks during crowded periods but again, with proper planning haven't had any issues as I have a standing rule of not getting in any line where the posted wait time is greater than 25 minutes. We also enjoy have a nice dinner at the signature restaurants and usually visit one of the parks in the evening and take our time, maybe catch a show. Last summer we had a great time at Hilton Head and plan on Aulani next summer.

I feel for our family DVC has been a good value and now with several trips under our belt don't feel we have to be tied to the parks every minute of the day anymore.

 

[csharpwv]

IMHO It isn't a vacation unless it is nicer than my house.... or a bare minimum as nice as my house.

A room to sleep in is when you check into a Motel 6 at 4:00am and need to be showered and back on the road at 7:00am.... THAT is just a room to sleep in. Where a real hotel with interior corridors and such would actually cut in to your sleep time LOL Don't laugh, I had to do this recently for work.... not fun.

But 'it's just a place to sleep' is never an argument when you're trying to get away from the stress of home... the last thing I want to do is deal with the hassle of staying off site, and driving back and fourth through Orlando area traffic EVERY DAY for a week - if I wanted to commute.... I'd stay at home!

As far as the value of DVC - the value of DVC extends far beyond what we paid. We have stayed in a Grand Villa two times in the last year - once at HHI and once at BLT each for about a week, and there is NO comparison to 'a place to sleep'.

We go to WDW at least once a year, we have been up to 4 times in a year, and we would NEVER do that if we weren't DVC members.

It gives us more value than we paid for it!