I requested an info packet, now I have a question about something I read.

[jennymouse]

I called DVC Saturday & now I am working with Jim McCoy. He seems like a very nice guy....I got to talking to him about my mother then started crying on him. I bet he thinks I'm a looney....oh, well.

Anyway, he sent me the movie, brochures, a book, and copies of the paperwork to look over. In the agreement, it stated something about if BCV ceases to be a DVC property, that I wouldn't be in DVC anymore unless I owned at another resort too. What's up with that? Can DVC just up and decide that they don't want to play anymore and take their BCV and go home....leaving us players with nothing?

I hope I misunderstood because I'm ready to do it!

 

[Nanajo1]

Was it about all DVC deeds expiring in 2042? That's all I can think of. I'm sure the gurus will respond and clear it up for you.

 

[jennymouse]

Originally posted by Nanajo1
Was it about all DVC deeds expiring in 2042? That's all I can think of. I'm sure the gurus will respond and clear it up for you.

No, it said, (I don't have it in front of me.) if BCV ceases to be DVC property before 2042. I hope I misunderstood it.

 

[Dean]

That wording is in all the paperwork for all DVC resorts. We've bantered it about in relationship to VB at times here on DIS. It's not something I'd worry about too much, even for VB but it is a possibility and you'd have no recourse if it did.

 

[disny4ever]

I asked the same question and got this response, " if there would happen to be a fire, major damage from other catastophic occurrence and it happened close to the expiration date of 2042 that DVC might not rebuild that resort. You would still have your membership, just not a home resort". I would not worry!

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by disny4ever
I asked the same question and got this response, " if there would happen to be a fire, major damage from other catastophic occurrence and it happened close to the expiration date of 2042 that DVC might not rebuild that resort. You would still have your membership, just not a home resort". I would not worry!

It can also happen if DVC or the members drop one another from a management standpoint, 39 years is a long time.

 

[crisi]

jennymouse,

If Disney were to sell BCV to a different company, you wouldn't be part of DVC anymore. But you would still own your piece of BCV and your contracted rights - the new company would be required to uphold anything in the contract. So you'd still have a timeshare at the back door of Epcot - you certainly wouldn't be high and dry - but you might not be able to use your points at OKW or VWL or VB - at least probably not with the ease you could currently (there are always II exchanges).

I think its unlikely that Disney would sell one of their onsite properties - but 39 years is a long time.

 

[DebbieB]

I also questioned my guide on the catastrophy clause, he told me that we could still book at other resorts. Of course, that wasn't what the paperwork said and they could go back on that.

 

[PamOKW]

Disney includes wording to cover themselves for just about every possibility. I seem to recall there is even wording as to what would happen if Disney itself were sold. On some points, you do need to take a leap of faith that you are dealing with a reputable company and that the will try to deal fairly with members in the event of a catastrophe.

 

[jennymouse]

hmmmm, I had hoped that I just didn't understand the wording. I think I'll see what Jim says about it too....seems awfully unfair.

 

[Nink]

I worked with Jim McCoy also. He is still assisting to this day. Just write all of your questions down and call him back. He is very patient and will answer all of your questions. I did that when purching last October and came back with about a sheet of questions and he helped me through them.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by DebbieB
I also questioned my guide on the catastrophy clause, he told me that we could still book at other resorts. Of course, that wasn't what the paperwork said and they could go back on that.

Either you misunderstood or were lied to. One needs to remember that all you're actually buying is an ownership at the home resort. The rest is included by being in the club. If your resort isn't in the club anymore, neither are you. The home resort priority, ability to book only one day (flexibility) and current points mix are also things that could change if DVC so chose to do so. 39 years is a long time but I wouldn't expect any material changes.

Marriott has parted ways with 7 resorts over the years that they were managing including 4 last year and this one. None of these resorts were owned or built by Marriott but Marriott has sold resales at 5 of them from what I can understand. The first 2 a few this happened where they had sold units, they offered the owners a chances to swap for another Marriott week. At the last 3, they said NO they would not do this even when asked to do so. Many of these owners had bought at the resort in question mainly to have the internal trading option. Now they will not have any internal trading preference through II.

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by Dean
Either you misunderstood or were lied to. One needs to remember that all you're actually buying is an ownership at the home resort. The rest is included by being in the club. If your resort isn't in the club anymore, neither are you.

I believe I was lied to. I understood the way the paperwork read is that you would be out if your home resort was out due to a catastrophy. When I questioned my guide, he said don't worry about it, you can book at other resorts.

 

[Dean]

Originally posted by DebbieB
I believe I was lied to. I understood the way the paperwork read is that you would be out if your home resort was out due to a catastrophy. When I questioned my guide, he said don't worry about it, you can book at other resorts.

As good as the DVC sales staff are, they are still in timeshare sales. Some are better and more honest than others. Still, I wouldn't worry about it and it does not change whether DVC is right for you or not.

 

[PamOKW]

I think using words like "lie" are too strong for what is happening. There are certain legal, contractual items that are in the documents. You should be aware of what they are and be comfortable with the idea that this could be the way events turn out. Because they are being laid out in the legal documents you sign, this could be the way things would happen in the future.

I do not know for a fact what your guide has said but I'll assume they are giving their opinion, based on their knowledge of how Disney has functioned in the past, as to what would actually happen. An example of this type of thing would be that the legal documents do not allow for any member to be given any leeway for trips that are cancelled at the last minute or "forgetting" to bank a year's worth of points. Legally, we are out of luck. In practice, DVC has made exceptions. Many are familiar with the "one time" exception that has helped when there is a sudden death in the family or a major blizzard that shuts down air travel in most of the country. Rules are bent and points are restored.

If your home resort were destroyed and could not be rebuilt, then maybe you would be out in the street. However, if there was some repairable catstrophe that hit one of the resorts, my guess is that DVC would find some way to allow members to use other DVC and/or WDW resorts. There is no guarantee or promise this would happen but it is a reasonable assumption based on past practice.

A smaller version of this -- Some people were using an unrealistic amount of towels. DVC instituted a rule that allows them to charge for additional towels. Do they enforce this rule for every one towel someone requests from housekeeping? No. Could they? Yes. They have protected themselves but allow common sense to rule how it is enforced.

It is also in the documents that banking and borrowing could be ended. The exchange program with Disney resorts could end. The point schedules can be adjusted. All of these things "could" happen but have not occured during the first ten years of DVC (with the exception of one adjustment of points in the early years).

For those who bought the original Disney Vacation Club, the wording about "additional resorts" and "offsite resorts" and "home resort priority" were all pretty fuzzy. Luckily, that has all worked out and is actually a bonus to our memberships.

Don't let legalese scare you....but be sure to read it all and keep the information "back of mind" for the future.