Harder to get a room?

[Jen D]

Not even sure if it's permitted blush: even though I have a RE license, I didn't read the whole contract - hey, Disney's not going to screw us over LOL) but, perhaps reducing the point requirements @ SSR would make it more popular.

Now here is an idea I could get behind!

Unfortunately, I think the points are pretty much set. They can adjust requirements for seasons and days and so forth but the total number of points per year has to remain the same.

OKW is blessed with cheap points and huge rooms because it was the first. Great for members but I think Disney won't make that mistake again! If people will still shell out the money for smaller rooms and higher point chart, they're not likely to change their ways.

While SSR is higher in points than OKW, it is significantly lower than the hotel-resorts (excepting BWV standard.) I'm looking at booking President's Week next year and switching out to a VWL or BCV would significantly increase my needed points.

 

[YoMickey]

I've read all of the fine print and remember some of it, but can DVC say, "from this day forward you can only stay at your home resort."???

yo.

 

[Dean]

I've read all of the fine print and remember some of it, but can DVC say, "from this day forward you can only stay at your home resort."???

yo.

Yes they can, but it's an unlikely scenario.

 

[Disney Doll]

On what page did they say 40% of the rooms would be in the worst location?

But b3, the "worst location" thing is your opinion.

For some folks, being located away from all the hoopla of the parks, closer to the more adult DTD and near a golf course, is a prime location.

If the OP is having difficulty booking BWV now, for a December trip, it is because all the other BWV owners are booking there. The SSR people (and us OKW people, and the BCV people and the VWL people and the VB people and the HH people) can't book at BWV yet, because we are not at the 7 month window.

I agree that as the DVC gets larger, booking at the 11 month window will be more important. There will probably be less availability at the other resorts at the 7 month window. But I understood that going in, even when I bought 9 years ago, and the DVC "family" was much smaller.

 

[Disney Doll]

I am certain that "some" feel SSR has the best location. But no one thinks 40% of the dvc owners do.

There is a reason DVC waited to build ssr...........

Actually, it doesn't seem like that long ago that we were having these same discussions about BCV & VWL.

I don't think they "waited" to build SSR so much as they decided that using the former Disney Institute land , with some existing buildings, was a smarter move than starting a whole new resort at Eagle Pines, which was the thought before SSR was conceptualized.

There was also the whole 9/11 thing in there, and if you recall, the travel and tourism industry "tanked" for a while.

 

[byoung]

I'm booking all my trips at the 11 month at BWV, If I want to go elsewhere I'll try at the 7 month. I did book VWL at the 7 month for May 7th thru the 12th with no problems.

 

[Disney Doll]

Chuck I can't imagine that in 1998 many bwv buyers had any idea at all, that someday the "club" they had just joined for 10k, would build a resort in a location such as SSR, that would DOMINATE the total ownership.

I never even considered that an option for DVC.

DVC was right in the middle of the action........heck I live in Ohio, and there are a bazzillon resorts between here and Orlando that have nice pools and are close to shopping.

DVC=WDW=PARKS.

I wish DVC would just go ahead and split SSR off into it's own seperate pool of resorts and be done with it.

DVC has obvioulsy done nothing against the law, but what they have done is a dis-service to it's other owners.


SSR wasn't built to enhance DVC.

Again b3, your logic is based on your opinion, and your belief that your "ethics" are better than everyone else's.

The building of SSR has done nothing to the owners of the smaller resorts. They have 4 months that the rest of us don't have in which they can book at their smaller resort to get the unit they desire...4 months in which their only competition is with the other owners at their home resort. The rest of the DVCers don't come into play until the 7 month window. If they choose not to exercise their 11 month booking option, they have no one to blame but themselves.

It is unfortunate that you seem to have made a purchase which you did not fully understand, and now wish to, in some way, blame Disney for what you thought, or wished, you were buying. I feel for you. It's a lot of mony to spend to be as unhappy as you are.

 

[Disney Doll]

I personally think there is some merit in what Boat is saying.

I am certain people knew what they were buying in too when they bought at SSR. How many folks bought add-ons at SSR stayed there once and said "fantastic resort, but, not for me - so I will use my add-on to stay at BCV or BWV!" It certainly is there right to do that!

In essence, every new contract means increased competition for certain resorts. Obviously BCV and BWV are more attractive to the average person or their resale contracts would not be selling for $10 to $20 more per point then other resorts!

My concern is that the next DVC resort will be at Eagle Pines. It is not close to any park or Downtown Disney - so what would be the draw? You could increase the room size - but - OKW rooms are huge and that does not help pack people in. Maybe a fabulous pool would do it?

I think it best for all existing DVC members to have the next park at AK or the CR. I just do not think a new mega resort is in our best interests.

I may be wrong - probably am - but - that is my opinion.

But again, folks who add on at any resort can only use those points at a 7 month booking window at a resort that is not their home. If they add on 700 points at SSR, they cannot book at BCV with those 700 points until 7 months before their travel dates. From month 11 to month 7, owners are only competing with other owners. I am not sure why that concept is so hard to understand.

The next resort being Eagle Pines...doubtful. The next one will probably be at the Contemporary. But what would be the draw of Eagle Pines?? Well, again, there are people who go to Disney and spend very little time in the parks. There are people who do not feel the need to see Mickey Mouse on every corner, but do like being located in a world class resort area, and close to so many of the other things central Florida has to offer. There are people who like to golf, like to build a vacation around golf. My DH & I and another couple are doing that in the fall...the boys will be golfing, the girls will be doing whatever the heck we want, which may or may not include park time. It may only include shopping, spas, and pool relaxation for the 4 days we are there. And we are staying at OKW, so you guys don't have to worry that we'll be taking up "prime" space in BCV, BWV or VWL.

The DVC needs to try and do a bit of everything for everyone. Not everyone who goes to Disney is dragging around a passel of children clamoring to see Mickey Mouse.

 

[Disney Doll]

don't allow disney to wave a watch in front of your face and get you to agree to what ever they do.

I don't b3, but I do make sure that I understand what I am buying before I buy it.

The way the DVC has evolved and been run has come as no surprise to me, because I understood exactly what I was purchasing when I purchased it.

I have also been around long enough to know that resorts are not always necessarily "finished" when construction is completed. As an OKW owner, our recent pool slide addition is a testament to that, as is the addition of the Marketplace to the gift shop at the Beach Club.

Do I envision changes to SSR and all the other DVC resorts over time? Of course I do. Perhaps when Disney has evaluted SSR for a few years, they will determine that the addition of a pool would be a good enhancement. Perhaps they will feel that the enhancement of the current main pool would be good too. Perhaps they will do both things. Will they make it an adults only resort with helipads etc, as you put on your "wish list"? Doubtful. The average person doesn't want or need that, doesn't want the dues they pay to have to support such an extravagance. Putting it into a DVC II program, where only folks who are in the DVC II system could stay within the resorts of that system...that's fine now, but would you still feel the same way if they built a resort at the Contemporary, and put it into the DVC II program, so that only SSR and CRV owners could stay there?

I like the system as it is. I have never had a problem booking a resort, except when I wanted to book one last minute during Spring Break for my nephew, before SSR was built, and couldn't. But again, my fault for not booking early. Other than that, I have always been able to get the resort I wanted, even recently, after SSR was built, when all the ::gasp:: SSR owners were in the system, taking up my valuable resort space. Even got a 2BR unit at BWV last fall during the F&W Festival. I must be living right.

 

[bom_noite]

But what would be the draw of Eagle Pines?? Well, again, there are people who go to Disney and spend very little time in the parks.[/COLOR]

Well, now I am getting in to an argument that I am not prepared nor want to wage. This is because I am THAT person you describe! My family and I are 1) Frugal and 2) Like what we like!

Traditionally we will go to WDW for 5 to 6 days and go to the parks 2 days. Last year, for example, we spend 5 days at WDW and hit 1 park and 1 water park! That is fine for us.

While I am that person that would be more then content to stay in the resort I feel the other people and I have a point:

1) If Eagle Pines was built that would mean that an additional DVC resort was built around a golf course. That would mean that almost 70% (or something close to this!) of available rooms are Golf Course communities. I love golf - love it to death! But, 70% of the people are not golfers!

2) The original post was: "Hey - am having trouble getting ressies - do you think the added SSR rooms are causing that?". Me and others have said on this post - yeah - has a big thing to do with it!

No where did I bash SSR - cry foul - or anything close! In fact - I made it clear when I said that I like SSR and hoped to stay there one day! But, I also feel that some things they can do to improve it!

[In essence, every new contract means increased competition for certain resorts. Obviously BCV and BWV are more attractive to the average person or their resale contracts would not be selling for $10 to $20 more per point then other resorts!

What I stated was not only an opinion - but also common sense! Every time you add a contract increased competition will exist at certain resorts! The rooms at BCV never increased - rather - the number of potential renters did! You simply have more people focusing in on the same limited resource! It is a numbers game!

Now, is that wrong? Well, I agree - that is what we bought in too. And, I can understand why. In essence when we all bought in it was understood that we could stay at any resort - but do to the number of ownership interests that is becoming less and less realistic!

Does that bother me? Heck no! I am dumb fat and happy in my OKW 1 Bedroom and hope everyone books at BCV, BWV, SSR, etc! But I think it is a legitimate concern for many!

And, I think they have a valid right to state that concern! And, simply put that is the service this board provides - an exchange of ideas!

 

[JerJan]

It is unfortunate that you seem to have made a purchase which you did not fully understand, and now wish to, in some way, blame Disney for what you thought, or wished, you were buying. I feel for you. It's a lot of mony to spend to be as unhappy as you are.

__________________
Disney Doll

Well said!!!!

 

[kimberh]

I am a new DVC owner, brand new, and for 3 years I have noticed DVC owners that are advertising their property for rent on different web sites. One situation that may be occuring is that one owner may be acquiring more than one space deposit in the 11 month timeframe. I'm sure this is perfectly legal but in all reality how many owners really take several vacations in a 11 month period of time? There are DVC owners on the internet with several ownerships making money by selling Sun - Fri rentals all through the year. This may be some of the problem. Just a thought. I have seen the same names over and over. I feel like I'm about to get roasted but just trying to help explain the shortage.

 

[WDWMom]

But b3, the "worst location" thing is your opinion.

For some folks, being located away from all the hoopla of the parks, closer to the more adult DTD and near a golf course, is a prime location.

If the OP is having difficulty booking BWV now, for a December trip, it is because all the other BWV owners are booking there. The SSR people (and us OKW people, and the BCV people and the VWL people and the VB people and the HH people) can't book at BWV yet, because we are not at the 7 month window.

I agree that as the DVC gets larger, booking at the 11 month window will be more important. There will probably be less availability at the other resorts at the 7 month window. But I understood that going in, even when I bought 9 years ago, and the DVC "family" was much smaller.

Well said.

 

[WDWMom]

But again, folks who add on at any resort can only use those points at a 7 month booking window at a resort that is not their home. If they add on 700 points at SSR, they cannot book at BCV with those 700 points until 7 months before their travel dates. From month 11 to month 7, owners are only competing with other owners. I am not sure why that concept is so hard to understand.

The next resort being Eagle Pines...doubtful. The next one will probably be at the Contemporary. But what would be the draw of Eagle Pines?? Well, again, there are people who go to Disney and spend very little time in the parks. There are people who do not feel the need to see Mickey Mouse on every corner, but do like being located in a world class resort area, and close to so many of the other things central Florida has to offer. There are people who like to golf, like to build a vacation around golf. My DH & I and another couple are doing that in the fall...the boys will be golfing, the girls will be doing whatever the heck we want, which may or may not include park time. It may only include shopping, spas, and pool relaxation for the 4 days we are there. And we are staying at OKW, so you guys don't have to worry that we'll be taking up "prime" space in BCV, BWV or VWL.

The DVC needs to try and do a bit of everything for everyone. Not everyone who goes to Disney is dragging around a passel of children clamoring to see Mickey Mouse.

Sounds like us. Going to spend 10 day at OKW next week and plan on 2 days at the parks. The rest laying around at a different pool everyday. I don't play golf, but I love to sit on my huge patio and watch. It wouldn't bother me if every DVC room had a golf course view. We go to relax and enjoy our family vacation in a family safe environment. No need for us to need a vacation after our vacation.

 

[JPC]

your logic is flawed.

the people who bought our points wouldn't be "suckers", they would KNOW EGG-ZACT-LEE what they were getting. A small resort, that is dominated in size by a resort that is NOT a prime location.

Anyone who buys vwl,bcv,bwv today KNOWS what they are getting. They are NOT suckers.....

Now the folks who bought 10 years ago.......... well dvc, HAS pulled one over on them.

people think I am blowing this out into something bigger then it really is, but just set back and watch these boards the next 2 years. Waitlist threads every single day.............you'll see. There are 2 new ones here since last night. 2 years ago you could call 4 mths out and almost always get a room, unless you had picked a holiday/special time.

Once SSR owners take a trip "home", and hear their kids say "but dad, they get to ride a boat to the park, oh mom can we swim in the sab pool, daddy those people get to do stuff on the board walk, why can't we stay were the parks are". You will see a MASS movement by a majority of the SSR owners to book stays at the small, great location resorts. I would love 2 years from now to see the stats on % of ssr owners, looking to book away from home vs the other resorts. I bet it will be 3/1. WDW/DVC are no fools, they built SSR last for a reason.

I remember when I took my tour, I was asking questions about how hard it was to book a room on short notice. My guide took me over to a computer and said "well let's look", she pulled up each resort and ask me to fire off dates. We were there in late may, i rattled off june, july,aug dates....... rooms of all sizes every where. Those days are over.

I don't blame my guide, and I don't blame SSR owners, heck they are just like me, parents seeking the best family vacation they can have. But I do blame DVC, they have used the small resorts to mkt a HUGE resort, that DVC knows will be the low man on the list.

Why in the world would you build the LARGEST resort in the worst location? Simple........ it was the only place with enough land. To heck with what that does to current owners.

Disney is milking the system. SSR owners don't seem worried, and are tired of hearing about it, I don't blame them. You can buy into a resale Orlando time share for 5-6 k, if you don't mind being 20-30 min by bus from the parks.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[kgkmom]

Well, getting back to the point of the OP, last week, I was able to book the first week of August (2006) at the BWV. I only need a studio for myself and my DD, and my dates were totally flexible (as in, I had the entire summer open).

When I called, I had my choice of SSR, VWL, BWV, and OKW before I said, 'Ok, I get it-there's availability!'.

So, perhaps in the OP's case, it was not specifically that there are so many new DVC owners, but it may also have been the dates, the size room, etc.

 

[waltfan1957]

I am a new DVC owner, brand new, and for 3 years I have noticed DVC owners that are advertising their property for rent on different web sites. One situation that may be occuring is that one owner may be acquiring more than one space deposit in the 11 month timeframe. I'm sure this is perfectly legal but in all reality how many owners really take several vacations in a 11 month period of time? There are DVC owners on the internet with several ownerships making money by selling Sun - Fri rentals all through the year. This may be some of the problem. Just a thought. I have seen the same names over and over. I feel like I'm about to get roasted but just trying to help explain the shortage.

just saw someone renting points on the rent & trade board (have three thousand points for rent) this type of renting has got more to do with this discussion than SSR will ever have

 

[Dean]

I am a new DVC owner, brand new, and for 3 years I have noticed DVC owners that are advertising their property for rent on different web sites. One situation that may be occuring is that one owner may be acquiring more than one space deposit in the 11 month timeframe. I'm sure this is perfectly legal but in all reality how many owners really take several vacations in a 11 month period of time? There are DVC owners on the internet with several ownerships making money by selling Sun - Fri rentals all through the year. This may be some of the problem. Just a thought. I have seen the same names over and over. I feel like I'm about to get roasted but just trying to help explain the shortage.

It is legal. Maybe it affects availability but I doubt it. I think they numbers are too small and at the very least, a points used at point A will free up more time for point B.

just saw someone renting points on the rent & trade board (have three thousand points for rent) this type of renting has got more to do with this discussion than SSR will ever have

IF you're saying this has a larger affect on the system than the entire SSR, I'd definitely disagree with that assertion.

 

[Cinderpals]

Hey, I missed the 7 month too for F& W and I own at the BCV and BWVs!!!

Well, I'm not sure what date I can go, so I'm booking in the dark!

My daughter and I just decided to go to Disney end of June-July--yeah, right! I'll be booking at the Pop Century with my AP discount!! They may have a pricey weekend studio at the BCV, but why bother!?

I was sooo good last year and for my next trip Spring Break! I have everything done! Next year, I can't decide when & where to go. We thought about trying Hilton Head for next Summer, so I'll have to book in February for the folllowing August at the 7 month mark. I'll probably want to book again during Christmas Week, so I have no idea what's available at the BWVs or VWLs.

I definitely have enough points since Disney Member Cruises are never when we have the time to go! We have already gone Christmas through New Years stay, so I'll want to do that only every other year. I'd like to stay a whole month or so during the summer!! --at different DVC resorts Fantasy for me. VWL 1st, BWVs 2nd, BCVs 3rd....end with SSR or OKW

DVCs are truly my second home!

Now, if I weren't so afraid to drive down there, I'd go more often!

 

[Bill K]

I have been a member since 99. I never had a problem reserving at my home resort BWV until this year..
I am very dissappointed about not getting my BWV request, however I know SSR will be great! I don't know if it means anything but SSR was the only place available at the time!!!