Future DVC member..... MAYBE

[Mouseman11]

I have to say for someone looking to purchase a DVC package, reading some of these posts have not been all that helpful as far as wanting to get one. Now that I have figured out the points and the concept I start reading about how since your a DVC member you get treated as a second rate guest. I can't imagine Disney doing that but I keep reading more and more complaints on these boards.

Can someone please give me some messages that don't include "no toilet or tub", cracked this, broken that", or the "I requested so and so but got sent to a hotel in wherever land until whoever can fix the broken thing"

I love Disney and have trouble with this. Help before I make a mistake.....

Sorry to sound negative

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Take everything you read about DVC here or anywhere else for that matter with a grain of salt (and from DVC itself). Remember that most of the experiences are subjective. What may be a total disaster to one may be no big deal to someone else.

We have been members for many years now and have never had a bad experience at the VWL, the BCV, the BWV or HHI.

Can someone please give me some messages that don't include "no toilet or tub", cracked this, broken that", or the "I requested so and so but got sent to a hotel in wherever land until whoever can fix the broken thing"

BTW: On my last trip I requested a room with "no toilet". I opened the door to the room and found "this" cracked, "that" broken. My view of the dumpster was blocked by trees which really got me mad. When I requested that they be cut down, DVC refused, but I snuck out at night and took all of the pool towels since they wouldn't comp me on the room with the toilet and the trees. All in all it was a great trip. (If you need towels, please check e-bay under DVC towels. I'm selling them now to pay for my next cruise. Isn't DVC great?).

HBC

 

[Mouseman11]

I love when people have a sense of humor. Thanks for the laugh before I go to bed... I needed that.

 

[Sammie]

It would be no different if you only stayed at the Polynesian resort every trip you make to Disney. Most all DVC members go to WDW multiple times a year, or at least the majority go once every year.

You will always read complaints about any resort, whether it is DVC or not.

 

[Deb & Bill]

I've never been treated as a second class citizen. My family has always gotten wonderful service from DVC and CMs working at the resorts. Never a problem. We have had at least 15 DVC trips since 1998 and each one was excellent. We have two more planned and reserved and I don't expect anything less. We have stayed at OKW, BCV, BWV, VWL, VB and SSR.

It just requires a little flexibility.

 

[tjkraz]

I have to say for someone looking to purchase a DVC package, reading some of these posts have not been all that helpful as far as wanting to get one. Now that I have figured out the points and the concept I start reading about how since your a DVC member you get treated as a second rate guest. I can't imagine Disney doing that but I keep reading more and more complaints on these boards.

That's just because it's cold and dreary in most of the country and we just feel like sniping at each other because we're miserable.

Can someone please give me some messages that don't include "no toilet or tub", cracked this, broken that", or the "I requested so and so but got sent to a hotel in wherever land until whoever can fix the broken thing"

How's this:

We've been members for about 18 months now. We've had 4 vacations at DVC resorts (one of which was split between two resorts) and never felt we were treated differently than any other guest. In fact, you just can't beat hearing "Welcome Home!" from CMs a dozen times during a stay.

We have always gotten our room request fulfilled (non-smoking, sometimes a view request) and housekeeping has always been up to expected standards.

Yes, you may see some signs of wear in the rooms. But do things always look brand new at the cash resorts? Of course not.

Buying into DVC was the best thing we ever did. In fact, we didn't do it soon enough.

 

[Mouseman11]

Thats what I was looking for. I know that things aren't always perfect, nor do I expect them to be. When you read some of the posts its hard to tell if it's someone just complaing because they spent alot of money on a timeshare and they want everything perfect all the time. I do love the poly but for the sake of being able to go more often I'm thinking of getting points to the SSR. I would miss the mono but thats ok, I would be a boatride away from pleasure island.

 

[Sammie]

TJ,

Kinda figured that might affect some.

Unlike us in the land of sunshine,

 

[Caskbill]

People will post bad experiences well before posting positive experiences. I think that's because the bad experiences are so few and far in between that they merit expression.

In 12 years of ownership we've had about 50-60 different check-in's. I remember only one time when we got a smoking room (checked in at 10:00 pm and only two rooms were left, both smoking). And maybe once or twice when a non-smoking room really smelled like it had been smoked in.

I'm also thinking in all those trips I've only had to call maintenance a few times. I remember one was a bad TV picture at BCV. Bad connection on the back of the set. Don't really remember the others.

You can assure yourself by looking at the resale market. There are about 90,000 members. If only 2% were dissatisfied and wanted to sell their memberships, that would make about 1,800 resales out there. But the resales available number only a few dozen. That speaks volumes about the program.

 

[Beca]

I think people are just grumpy right now. December vacations are long past, and summer ones are too far away. Add to that that everyone just paid $$$ in yearly dues....and, they're bound to start complaining!!!

Plus...the DVC boards are SOO much like a family...people sometimes get "snippy" with each other...and, they are not really so "snippy" about DVC.

Now, are things perfect with DVC? No. Could things be improved at DVC...sure!!! But, 95% of the time you will have an AMAZING vacation!!! Peoples expectations of DVC (mine included) are SOOO high...sometimes, it's easy to lose focus.

I will be the first one on the boards to complain that smoking and HA rooms are not guaranteed, that room-ready policy should be changed to reflect the date you reserve, not the hour you arrive, and that something should be done so SSR members do not get charged unfairly for bus transportation (let's see.....did I cover all the hot topics). But, that has MORE to do with the fact that I am opinionated, and less to do with what I think of DVC.

I complain....but, it obviously hasn't affected how quickly I will pull out my pocketbook....I am in the middle of buying FIVE new contracts!!! I have a small Disney problem!!!

I am sorry if my posts (or anyone else's) have made you "concerned" about buying. DVC is an AMAZING property. And, owning at the one you love is a wonderful high...and, when you get to stay there knowing that you are an "owner" and will be back again and again....that is magic!!!!



Beca

 

[MarylandPirate]

A bad day at Disney is still way better than a great day in the real world!

 

[Laurabearz]

We have always been pleased with our stays at DVC villas.

Once a faucet leaked... it was fixed....

Once a door was sticky.... it was fixed....

We take a couple of trips a year, and are so grateful for DVC.

 

[eva]

We've owned since 1997 and have visited about twice a year since. We've had nothing but great service from CMs. Only once was the room not up to par. But they quickly took care of the problems the moment we called. We always stayed at CBR prior to purchasing and there definitely is no comparision. I can tell you, if we felt that there were any major issues with DVC we sure wouldn't have added-on the way we have. We've done 3 add-ons and are considering a 4th.

 

[WDWLVR]

We've been members since early 2000 and have stayed in studios, one bedrooms and a two bedroom. We've stayed at Boardwalk, Vero, OKW, VWL and BCV.


The only major problems we ever had were at VWL and I don't think we'll ever stay there again. Problems: checked in but when we got to our room someone was sitting on the bed. Called the front desk and was told we had to come back to the main lodge to resolve it. Cast member who took care of us the second time seemed really put out - like it was our fault there was someone in the room - don't know if they ever sent anyone to the room to see who it was. Got another room and the remote didn't work. Called and was told it would be fixed while we were out - it never was. We were only there for two nights so no big deal for us - hopefully it was fixed before the next family checked in. Went to relax out on the patio and as I was about to open the door a snake made its way on to the patio (not Disney's fault - it was with the Wilderness theme) Overall I just didn't care for the experience or the themeing (the room was a little dark for my taste as well.

Does that mean I think others won't have a good time at VWL? No ,I've heard others have loved it. That's the beauty of DVC - there are many styles that work for many people.

I do know that in our experiences at Boardwalk (our home where we have stayed the most), Vero, OKW and Beach Club have been very positive. Friendly cast members, rooms in great shape, and minor little things (missing things from the kitchen) were fixed quickly and efficiently.

 

[PamOKW]

Mouseman, sometimes the negatives take over the posts. One year I had myself nearly hysterical about what must have happened to OKW. The reports here sounded like everything was in a shambles and that I would need to do battle to be sure I got the same quality of vacation I enjoyed since 1993. I was upset and anxious. Once I got there I could kick myself for having allowed mysterious posters to get me so upset. NOTHING HAD CHANGED. Everything was as wonderful as the first day I had visited.

Will everything always be perfect over 50 years of stays? Probably not. But the majority of the time will be hassle free.

 

[JimMIA]

Went to relax out on the patio and as I was about to open the door a snake made its way on to the patio (not Disney's fault - it was with the Wilderness theme)

HA! "Themeing" doesn't get much better than that!!!

But for some people, that would have been perfect. If my DD 2 1/2 had seen Mr. Snake, she would have refused to go see Mickey! She would want to stay and play with the snake all day.

"Ohhh...he's so cute. He's not a BAD snake...no. He's a nice snake. He likes me. See Daddy? Hello, Mr. Snake."

We did that for almost an hour at Everglades National Park a couple of months ago. The only reason we're not still there is the snake got bored and left.

"He's hungry. Gonna go get a sam-ich."

I'm still trying to convince her snakes don't eat sandwiches.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

I'd have to echo much of what everyone else has already said. Some people dwell on the bad experiences because they rarely happen, but when they do it seems like the end of the DVC world.

We've had several DVC trips (studios and 2BR at BCV, BWV and SSR) since buying SSR in September 2003. So far it has been nothing but a positive experience. Sure, nothing's perfect. We had crushed cheerios in our 2BR BCV carpet and a missing remote, but hey...no big deal! I've had below par regular resort rooms before. The DVC accomodations far outweigh any imperfections we've experienced so far.

We look forward to our next visit and hopefully buying more points in the future.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[JimMIA]

I would read negative posts here in the following light.

First, people are much more apt to complain than praise - that's just human nature. You will see a lot of excited trip reports, but you are more likely to see issues.

Second, we are all prone to worry about things over which we have limited control. The anecdote for that is to sift through the posts and distinguish between those which are worries, and those which actually happened. I'm not saying people who worry don't have legitimate points, but don't mistake those for actual problems which have diminished someone's vacation, or would devalue your ownership.

Third, beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder. I often see things screamed about which would be trivial to me, and I'm sure I would scream about a few things which are trivial to others. For example, I read a couple of reviews of OKW which said the themeing was too boring, the place was too laid back. "I hate this place; I'm never going back!"

Apparently they are not familiar with Key West or the Conch mentality - haven't listened to "Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude" enough. But boring and laid back is just what I'd like - an oasis of quiet during a week-long stay at WDW. Those posters weren't nuts, they would just be happier at Boardwalk...and there is nothing wrong with that.

Fourth, although we think of vacations as peaceful, enjoyable times, in reality they are actually in the top 10 of stressful life events. Especially at WDW, especially if you have small children, and especially if you are pushing them from attraction to attraction 14 hours a day in a determined attempt to make them have fun! Because of that, we are more susceptible to disappointment and things which might not bother us at 10 AM drive us nuts at 8 PM.

And finally, there are folks who just like to stir the pot. Sometimes it's because they would like to see some changes made (although I don't think this is the most effective forum for change), sometimes it's because they just like a good stimulating discussion. And there are a very small handful of people who are just rude and obnoxious. Ignore the obnoxious ones, and join the fun if it's fun for you - otherwise, just don't read those threads.

 

[lllovell]

Great replies!

I also think that some of it is just plain old debating, which is NOT arguing or being negative, but without a tone button on a computer can be misunderstood. I love exchanging points and have learned so much from conversations here with people. I also know that my experiences on my DVC vacations are going to be 90% about me and if there is a problem with the 10% I cannot control, I can decide how it should be handled. Maintenance problem, call maintenance. Housekeeping problem, call housekeeping. A piece of trash in the bushes outside my door, pick it up and toss it in the trash, etc.... It can be a little thing or a big thing. How I handle it is what is going to make our break my vacation.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Greetings!

Hakuna Matata, Mouseman. We're at the 18 month mark owning at SSR&S and we haven't experienced one significant problem yet.

When it comes to "interpreting" some of the posts that are giving you tummy butterflies, others in this thread have correctly pointed out that negatives get trumpeted, positives are simply enjoyed.

One way I choose to look at it is this: DVC Owners are like a group of people who all eat at the same restaurant; some of the folks here on the DIS DVC forum are like epicurians, gourmands and food critics. While I - and I believe most of the 90,000 other owners - are pretty much satisfied on the whole with their DVC "meal" (and we do want to hear when "the fish has gone bad" or "the milk has curdled"), there are some who like to point out that "the sauce could have used a little more oregano" or "the cream could have been a few degrees cooler".

There are a lot of fine, outstanding people on this forum, and differences of opinion abound. IMHO, you just need to learn to give other folks' opinions the weight they do - or don't - deserve.

And add me to JimMIA's Parrothead Philosophy list: laid-back and relaxed, that's why we like SSR.