It's a bummer when you want to book a not super last minute trip and no availability.

[crisi]

And, to be fair, old timers didn't have a lot of choice in resorts. Although ever since BWV opened, there have been issues during F&W at Boardwalk. But someone who joined when it was OKW/BWV/BCV and VWL might have been able to get BWV or BCV for F&W at seven months simply because there was less seven month competition.

But we joined in 2002 and I used to go in October and would make my BWV reservation right at eleven months - because standard view and BW View would be gone if I waited until ten and a half.

 

[Dean]

We're new owners... Or... hoping to be, pending the ROFR monkeys.

Who is out there saying they expect to be able to book wherever, w/in 7 mo? I never got that, nor expect that. We bought where we want to stay. If we choose somewhere else, I don't expect availability at the BC during F&W at 6 mo. It's not sold that way. It's sold that you can book anywhere, but it's also clear that the 11 mo people get first dibbs and popular times will be taken. Salespeople will play up that it's an option and not emphasize the restrictions. They're trained to sell, break down your objections, and get your signature. Hopefully if you're buying a timeshare you can see thru their pitch in a Peloponnesian minute and know you're not going to get anything that isn't in the contract. If they say "you can book at the Beach Club" and you ask... "so you can guarantee me I can book the Beach Club during F&W?" they will turn that around and tell you about how they can't guarantee rooms, and it's first come first serve, etc. They'll skate around the obvious fact that the 11-mo owners will already have came first and booked them without telling you "no" because a buyer will latch onto that word as a reason not to buy. Dead deal.

Unfortunately Tim's sarcasm is exactly the way many look at Disney. They assume it's different than other timeshares, that the sales staff will lead them blindly in the right direction for THEM and often fail to do their due diligence. It has evolved, and it really had to as it grew and the information levels changed. Unfortunately many buyers don't have the same level of knowledge or skepticism that you attribute to them for this subject. Their job is to sell and ours is to look out for our own best interest.

 

[MrInfinity]

"But...but...but...It's Disney! I expect them to be different!"

When buying, people should just substitute the word "timeshare" where they hear "vacation club", and for "guide", substitute "the person who is trying everything to get my $17,000". Don't get me wrong... I love Disney. In every way, that's why we want to buy in. But the conversations w my guide were not much different from other timeshares we evaluated, or even buying a car. Even the way they portray Disney as different because they can't negotiate, etc, is all just a well formulated gimmick.

Sarcasm aside, a lot of the availability complaints come from long-time members who have seen trends change over the years. That point is undeniable...over 25 years, member booking patterns have absolutely changed.

So, to a newbie, what's changed for you over the years? Any regrets? On cars or other large purchases, we've had buyers remorse. But I don't really on the DVC. It just seems like we'll get so much use out of it at a big savings over where we were, renting traditional suites. I'm excited! We're around 10 days into ROFR.

You're waiting for ROFR which means you bought resale. That also means you did some research.

Yep! BLT. 30-year fan here. We did the "guide" thing, made a Poly offer a year ago... which... they refused. I think I offered a few bucks under asking to make a big commit, and they turned me down. ~shrug~.

Most new buyers hearing a sales pitch will have never heard any variant of "buy where you want to stay".

I could swear my guide pushed that. Or maybe it's just being on the Dis so much, I assumed he pushed that because I've heard it here. I wouldn't buy somewhere expecting to always transfer elsewhere. We'll keep a look, and maybe someday do the VGC, maybe BCV, but really, bought BLT because we want to be by the MK.

I doubt very many guides are out there saying, "Honestly, it's practically impossible to book at 7 months from mid-Sept to mid-Jan these days."

Yeah. They'll spin this as "availability might be limited some weeks", and then they'll make a joke about how if you want to go at Christmas week, you won't get in because everyone wants to go then, and then they'll laugh, and then you'll laugh... and then the consumer subonsciously makes the mental leap to all other weeks are not so tough. Sales. I could never do that. I'm not a salesman.

Unfortunately Tim's sarcasm is exactly the way many look at Disney. They assume it's different than other timeshares, that the sales staff will lead them blindly in the right direction for THEM and often fail to do their due diligence.

No doubt. The average consumer going into a timeshare sales meeting is outmatched by the professional trained on how to respond to every concern. On the other hand, people who have accumulated enough fortune to be looking at timeshares are not the average consumer. But still, if you're buying at SSR, you should like to stay at SSR. Not be buying SSR because you want to stay at BC, BLT, and GC. Why would anyone buy time in a place that you don't even want to go?

 

[bwvBound]

But still, if you're buying at SSR, you should like to stay at SSR. Not be buying SSR because you want to stay at BC, BLT, and GC. Why would anyone buy time in a place that you don't even want to go?

I don't entirely agree. I bought SSR in early 2004 (pre-opening) without the advantage of being able to see the property or to know its future impact on the club as it became much larger than first revealed. I bought SSR as it was my door into DVC. I felt owning DVC would be helpful as I was routinely booking BWV using other timeshare. Indeed, owning something inside of DVC has made it far easier to book BWV ... and later AKV (a favorite!), Grand Cal, Aulani, Grand Floridian, etc. I still book, now and again, via RCI -- but I'm more successful booking DVC locations using SSR. No way I'd want to be constantly buying/selling various DVC properties just because I want a reservation at each resort. My upcoming reservations (already booked) include: Aulani (Oct), Grand Cal (Dec) and Grand Floridian (Feb). Cool.

Got SSR? Things are good.
Got other timeshare, too? Rock on!

 

[Dean]

No doubt. The average consumer going into a timeshare sales meeting is outmatched by the professional trained on how to respond to every concern. On the other hand, people who have accumulated enough fortune to be looking at timeshares are not the average consumer. But still, if you're buying at SSR, you should like to stay at SSR. Not be buying SSR because you want to stay at BC, BLT, and GC. Why would anyone buy time in a place that you don't even want to go?

I've seen very smart and otherwise cautious people make every mistake in the book with timeshares. There simply appears to be something about timeshares and the salespeople that lends themselves to people making bad choices that would otherwise make good choices. With timeshares in general and esp with DVC, it's likely the emotions that over ride good common sense. As for SSR, I don't necessarily agree. One should know what you're getting into but we've seen a number of posts including recently of those who own SSR and have never stayed there. Obviously one needs reasonable expectations and have realization of the possibilities involved. One isn't going to buy SSR and stay at VGF routinely but should be able to get VGF in some situations with effort, planning and the use of the wait list. The problem with new buyers is they generally don't know what they want or what to expect so IMO it's far better to buy SSR and be unhappy than Poly and use routinely at the 7 month window if those are the extreme choices.

 

[tjkraz]

So, to a newbie, what's changed for you over the years? Any regrets? On cars or other large purchases, we've had buyers remorse. But I don't really on the DVC. It just seems like we'll get so much use out of it at a big savings over where we were, renting traditional suites. I'm excited! We're around 10 days into ROFR.

Regrets? Only minor quibbles...things like number of points purchased in a given contract or Use Year. But none of those decisions have ever harmed us.

Some of the point reallocations stung us a bit. Weekdays used to be noticeably cheaper than they are now, with Friday and Saturday nights costing 2 - 2.5 times as much. Around 2010 Disney started flattening those differences, raising the weekday cost while lowering weekends. For the first 6-8 years of our ownership, we only used points for 1 or 2 weekend nights total. We'd do Sunday - Thursday stays. After the reallocation, we were more prone to the traditional 6-8 night stays. I'm sure we did not get as many nights for our points, but the offset was that we spent less on travel expenses. Instead of three 5-night visits in a year, we were coming twice for 6-7 nights each.

More reallocations are probably the biggest thing to watch out for. Trends suggest that Studio rooms could stand to go up in costs while 1BRs go down. And there are certain seasons which are past need for adjustment--most of the fall really should be priced higher. But when/if DVC acts to address these problems remains to be seen. For as long as we have been members, early December has been the single hardest time of the year to book and DVC hasn't done a thing to change that.

While there are areas where the program has suffered over the years--minor pet peeves--for the most part it has improved in the 12-13 years we've owned. Didn't have the AP discount when we bought. No after hours parties, merchandise discount, TIW options, etc. There were only half as many destinations. Web / tablet / smartphone features were virtually nonexistent.

Biggest issue for us is the simple fact that Disney is much more expensive. At time of purchase, we had two infant children who didn't need tickets or meals. Now they're teenage Disney "adults" who need expensive tickets and expensive meals. But due to the kids' sports and other activities, we don't travel as much as we used to. And the desire to economize has lead us to destinations like Vero and Hilton Head, which are lovely places to get away for a few days.

Like yourself, we did our homework and went into the timeshare with eyes wide open. Very little has surprised me over the years. In the end, I'd do the same thing all over again.

 

[crisi]

On the other hand, when we bought there was a discount on length of stay passes - we don't go often enough for APs, the LoS discount was way better for us.

What's changed - prices have gone way up since we bought - tickets, food, airfare. Most people haven't seen their salaries go up.

Food and Wine used to start later, and Fall was an easier time to go - less crowds. Extending F&W into September has made the crowds during October pretty heavy.

Most of what has changed is us. We had two young kids when we bought. Now we have kids who are seventeen and eighteen. My son doesn't want to go any longer. We were four years between park trips this last time.

The last change to room decor - where everything got neutral, is disappointing. I don't need my Disney over the top, but I do want some whimsy in my Disney room. The Grand Villa at BW looked more like a poorly decorated suite in Vegas than a room at Disney. Ugly AND boring.

 

[Deb & Bill]

On the other hand, when we bought there was a discount on length of stay passes - we don't go often enough for APs, the LoS discount was way better for us.

What's changed - prices have gone way up since we bought - tickets, food, airfare. Most people haven't seen their salaries go up.

Food and Wine used to start later, and Fall was an easier time to go - less crowds. Extending F&W into September has made the crowds during October pretty heavy.

Most of what has changed is us. We had two young kids when we bought. Now we have kids who are seventeen and eighteen. My son doesn't want to go any longer. We were four years between park trips this last time.

The last change to room decor - where everything got neutral, is disappointing. I don't need my Disney over the top, but I do want some whimsy in my Disney room. The Grand Villa at BW looked more like a poorly decorated suite in Vegas than a room at Disney. Ugly AND boring.

Plus, Halloween parties were Oct 30 and 31, not starting Sept 1 and happening multiple times during the week. Christmas parties started after Thanksgiving.