Is anyone annoyed about Disney's vacation club building?

[ZIPBAGS]

I just wonder if anyone is annoyed about Disney's plan tha focus' only on building new vacation club buildings? Now, even taking away a big chuck on the Contemporary to build more vacation club rooms. While, I have no problem with them building more DVC rooms. I do have a problem with them taking rooms away from regular visitors.

 

[C.Ann]

I just wonder if anyone is annoyed about Disney's plan tha focus' only on building new vacation club buildings? Now, even taking away a big chuck on the Contemporary to build more vacation club rooms. While, I have no problem with them building more DVC rooms. I do have a problem with them taking rooms away from regular visitors.

-------------------------

Wasn't aware they were doing that, but my guess is that they're trying to lure more folks into buying into the DVC..

 

[DVC Jen]

Not at all.. but then again I am a DVC member. Also DVC is a huge money maker for Disney. A resort on the monorail line has been wanted for a long time.

Non members are allowed to stay in the DVC resorts.. they are advertised to the general public as the home away from home resorts.

Check one out.. ya just might get hooked in like the rest of us.

 

[n2mm]

I do have a problem with them taking rooms away from regular visitors.

I'm a regular visitor, I'm also a DVC owner, and an AP holder (10+ years) and I'm thrilled with seeing a new addition to the Contemporary Resort. This new addition may be a DVC resort, but Disney will also be making some of these accommodations available for non-DVC owners not renting with points too!

 

[C.Ann]

Check one out.. ya just might get hooked in like the rest of us.

---------------------------------------

That's just plain evil... LOL

 

[SFLTIGGER]

I'm with you DVC Jen

That is exactly what happened to us. We stayed at BCV last year because we wanted some privacy from our DS4. And until this year (with AS suites)the only place we could get a seperate bedroom was at a DVC resort.

Well that did it! We made a special trip over Memorial day just to buy. If you go on a regular basis (at least every 2 years) it just make sense.

 

[ducklite]

WDW hasn't been able to keep the rooms filled at the CR for years--which is why they rented an entire wing to SoG, and are now (hypothetically) going to convert a wing to DVC.

If the rooms were always full, they wouldn't even be looking at the CR for DVC. No "cash guests" are being shut out, as the resort almost always has plenty of availability in the wing rooms.

Anne

 

[csaribay]

I just wonder if anyone is annoyed about Disney's plan tha focus' only on building new vacation club buildings? Now, even taking away a big chuck on the Contemporary to build more vacation club rooms. While, I have no problem with them building more DVC rooms. I do have a problem with them taking rooms away from regular visitors.

Like Jen suggested, DVC properties can be booked as normal hotel rooms and are operated as such, with full housekeeping and most other benefits becoming of a moderate-deluxe resort.

I'm sure that if the rumors are true, the new DVC rooms will go up for normal reservations (much like the normal CR) at the same or similar prices as Tower rooms at the resort.

 

[CarolA]

Well considering that Disney has never been very good at filling up the garden wings of the CR, IF they build this (and that's a big IF) then I don't think you can say they were taking away rooms folks were actually booking. (Remember these were SO empty they used them as the temporary home of SOG a few years ago)

Trust me if Disney was selling those rooms at rack rate they would probably not be willing to transfer the real estate to the DVC club... there are other places DVC could build.

 

[jimmytammy]

First let me say I am a DVC owner. I am glad Disney is recognizing that its DVC owners are repeat customers as Im sure many on the DIS are, owners or not. But Disney is a business and they have to operate like one to keep going. So it doesnt surprise me that they will continue to add DVC rooms. But bear in mind that there are roughly only 100,000 members of DVC right now. We do have some small effect on $$s coming into their business, but not as much as those who dont own, especially those who make numerous trips a year. And that to me is the key to them adding on to the DVC family, members and rooms. DVCers in general go at least twice a year. They know how much we travel to WDW, how much we spend, etc.

Personally, DVC has allowed my family to stay at places we probably wouldnt have otherwise. We own at VWL, but have enjoyed stays at OKW, SSR and BCV. It has enhanced our experiences at WDW so much. I can appreciate where you are coming from and somewhat understand, but WDW will never become a complete DVC resort.

 

[jennib5426]

While I don't mind them building more DVC, I don't like the idea of tearing down an original structure that was part of Walt & Roy's plans. I have looked at the rumored plans that are posted in different threads and I think it ruins the retro look of the contemporay. Where would they have parking for an addition of that size? Parking at CR is hard enough as it is.

I hope to be a DVC member soon, but I hate seeing another Disney classic being replaced. There is plenty of empty space along the monrail from TTC to Epcot, why not build there and add another monorail station.

Next thing you know they will be changing classics like POC, Tiki Room and Mr. Toads Wild Ride, oh wait they already did that.

Sorry I am a die hard for classic Disney.

 

[YoHo]

Personally, I see DVC as a get rich quick scheme that will ultimatly hurt the resorts long term. The specific CR DVC that we've accidently been shown is terrible.

I've stayed at Old Key West too, so that won't work on me.


Disney should be investing in moves to get new guests, not advanced schemes to suck more money out of the fanatics. Cause lets face it, only a fanatc is going to buy into DVC.


And does anyone have any proof that Contemporary was having problems booking rooms? I thought they loaned out the rooms to shades of green during a remodel. People staying at shades sure weren't going to stay at a resort rated below their's.

All information I've EVER heard is that the Deluxes with the exception of AKL are still maintaining the best occupancy rates, Mods are the worst, because all he people that used to book mods now book Value.

 

[Another Voice]

Trust me if Disney was selling those rooms at rack rate they would probably not be willing to transfer the real estate to the DVC club...

It's not that at all.

Fifty years of revenue up front versus collecting it slowly over time.

There's not a single manager in Disney that cares about what will happen to the company next year let alone half a century from now.

DVC is simply a "grab the cash and run" ploy.

 

[klj27]

It's not that at all.

Fifty years of revenue up front versus collecting it slowly over time.

There's not a single manager in Disney that cares about what will happen to the company next year let alone half a century from now.

DVC is simply a "grab the cash and run" ploy.

I have to agree. We love Disney and spend 12+ nights there each summer. We want to want to buy into DVC, but it just doesn't make sense for us. The amount of money we would have to pay upfront to get the points for our family of five was HUGE!!! After an hour with the DVC rep at SSR he told us that we shouldn't buy DVC because we would end up paying more for our vacations.

 

[tjkraz]

I have to agree. We love Disney and spend 12+ nights there each summer. We want to want to buy into DVC, but it just doesn't make sense for us. The amount of money we would have to pay upfront to get the points for our family of five was HUGE!!! After an hour with the DVC rep at SSR he told us that we shouldn't buy DVC because we would end up paying more for our vacations.

Sadly DVC doesn't have a great fit for families of 5. I suspect you evaluated buying enough points for a two bedroom villa. That's a substantial upgrade in accommodations from what you are accustomed, but it will likely cost you more. Two bedroom villas are 1000-1400 square feet with amenities like in-room washer & dryer, full kitchen and whirlpool tub. Still, something like connecting moderate or value rooms will cost less and still give you enough beds to rest comfortably.

I guess you can't have the best of both worlds--substantial upgrade in room quality AND money savings.

I've been tracking our DVC value since we bought in 2003. Including our planned trips in 2007, we will have paid a little under $12,000 for our points plus $600 per year in dues for a total of roughly $14,000.

Including the scheduled '07 trip, the rack rate (plus room tax) of the accommodations we've stayed in for our trips totals just under $13,000. We will almost certainly break-even on our DVC purchase in 2008--just 5 years into our ownership.

Then we'll have 45 more years of getting our accommodations for a fraction of the cost. With dues of $600 - 650 per year, the total value of accommodations we get for our points can easily run $2500 - 3000 at Disney's listed prices (plus resort tax.)

 

[dbm20th]

DVC is simply a "grab the cash and run" ploy.

That's ridiculous. DVC is a "ploy" to lock fanatics into coming for 50 years. Buying food, merchandise, tickets, and paying $600+ for a room no matter if they come or not. It has also had an very positive effect on AP numbers.

A DVC resort is just a simple way to fund a huge expansion to the monorail resorts options. Folks, by what seems to be doubling the amount of rooms at the CR, there are more optionsfor everyone, even for non-DVC members.

 

[G8RFAN]

This thread has all the seeds to turn into a DVC bashing thread. There are enough ways to spin this for both camps. The bottom line is there are some people that like staying at the garden wings at CR for it's "value" and proximity to MK. Apparently there are not enough of them to make it a viable ongoing concept for Disney. In fact, it's location should make it arguably the most valuable of all MK resort locations. Anyone opposed to the redeveloment has to ask themselves if their own consumer dollars or lack thereof contributed to the apparent decision to tear it down. If you had chosen not to stay there in the past, then you've answered your own question. I have stayed in the North Garden Wing and truthfully prefer it over WL because of location and monorail access. However, I am not opposed to a modern structure with DVC amenities AND all the conveniences that I have enjoyed in the past as an option for future family trips.

 

[tjkraz]

While, I have no problem with them building more DVC rooms. I do have a problem with them taking rooms away from regular visitors.

One thing you have to factor in is that the DVC program is systematically reducing the number of cash guests that visit WDW. DVC probably isn't creating many new Walt Disney World fans--it is best suited to people who already make regular trips to WDW and pay cash to stay in Disney's on-site resorts. All thing being equal, the steady growth in DVC membership would lead to a steady decline in cash bookings. One logical approach to addressing the lower occupancy is to convert cash rooms to DVC. And, as others have pointed out, cash guests can book the DVC rooms if they wish to do so.

 

[dbm20th]

One thing you have to factor in is that the DVC program is systematically reducing the number of cash guests that visit WDW. DVC probably isn't creating many new Walt Disney World fans--it is best suited to people who already make regular trips to WDW and pay cash to stay in Disney's on-site resorts. All thing being equal, the steady growth in DVC membership would lead to a steady decline in cash bookings. One logical approach to addressing the lower occupancy is to convert cash rooms to DVC. And, as others have pointed out, cash guests can book the DVC rooms if they wish to do so.

There is absolutely no evidence of this at all. Every DVC property is built for that expressed purpose. As a result, all of these resorts add room options for cash customers. Attendance has increased at WDW, so there is no reason to believe that cash bookings have dropped. If you are concluding that people who would normally book at a resort are now DVC members, then how do explain that resort bookings have not dropped?

Folks, the benefits of DVC to WDW are huge. It is a way for the company to bankroll the building of new resorts with a quick cash injection into the property. If each resort attracts 8,000 new members, and each new member pays 15k to get in, that is $120 mil. And that does not include the popular add-ons that current members would buy. After that, the members then pay 600-700 a year regardless of whether or not they attend. Also, DVC resorts have much smaller housekeepings staffs, so they are cheaper to run. As far as member services goes, well it really can't compare to what is needed to take ressies for resorts. Member services is a much smaller operation.

So what does the cash customer get? Spend a night in a BWV or SSF, and you'll find out.

 

[G8RFAN]

There is absolutely no evidence of this at all. Every DVC property is built for that expressed purpose. As a result, all of these resorts add room options for cash customers. Attendance has increased at WDW, so there is no reason to believe that cash bookings have dropped. If you are concluding that people who would normally book at a resort are now DVC members, then how do explain that resort bookings have not dropped?

Folks, the benefits of DVC to WDW are huge. It is a way for the company to bankroll the building of new resorts with a quick cash injection into the property. If each resort attracts 8,000 new members, and each new member pays 15k to get in, that is $120 mil. And that does not include the popular add-ons that current members would buy. After that, the members then pay 600-700 a year regardless of whether or not they attend. Also, DVC resorts have much smaller housekeepings staffs, so they are cheaper to run. As far as member services goes, well it really can't compare to what is needed to take ressies for resorts. Member services is a much smaller operation.

So what does the cash customer get? Spend a night in a BWV or SSF, and you'll find out.

Unless I am misinterpreting your post or the one you reference, logically, it is a safe bet that a large number of all DVC members have stayed on site prior to their DVC purchase. Therefore you indeed have converted a cash guest to a DVC guest. I can not see why you would need evidence of it. I'm sure if you poll members here, it would certainly support this logical assumption. If CRO bookings have increased, then it is due to either more frequent cash guests or a more robust pool of Disney bound tourists. Otherwise, I agree with everything else.