Misconceptions About DVC

[Lexxiefern]

I was talking with a coworker today who goes to WDW every other year (she has been to disney over 10 times). When I mentioned that I owned at the BWV, she says:

"So you can't do Early Entry right?"

I informed her we could and that BWV is owned by Disney and also shares a lobby and amenities with BWI. Then she says:

"Well you would have to rent a car then."

I said why?? (we do, but it is not a requirement). She also thought we could not use Disney transportation

Ever talk to anybody this misinformed?

 

[MarkRG]

There are a LOT of timeshares that will misinform to no end to turn people away from DVC, doesn't surprise me in the least.

 

[TwingleMum]

Where did she get that impression from the people at bonnet creek??

 

[jimmytammy]

I think a lot of people think this way about timeshares. There has to be some catch. In some cases there is. Luckily DVC is not this way.

 

[JimC]

Originally posted by jimmytammy
I think a lot of people think this way about timeshares. There has to be some catch. In some cases there is. Luckily DVC is not this way.

I agree. It was a nagging question I had back in 1992 when we first toured. But when Marriott and Hilton also entered the picture in a big way, much of the phsycial and operational issues of the timeshare industry were solved. These three big names in the hotel/entertainment industries would not put their reputations on the line for something that was not first class.

Unfortunately, so far as I know, only Disney has taken the no pressure, no hype approach to selling the product. We attended a Hilton presentation and the hype/pressure was as bad as you could imagine. Never attended Marriott sales presentation so not sure of their philosophy.

Is DVC also the only developer who uses ROFR, which I gather supports the resale market value somewhat?

 

[lightningcoach]

We attended a Marriot presentation many, many years ago and the pressure was horrible. Everyone in the same room and if someone purchased they popped balloons and had a mini- parade. That was so ridiculous!Our salesman was very -well salesman looking- with the wide collar and white shoes (sorry to anyone who actually still dresses this way) . He made it a life or death decision and even bad mouthed Disney saying people get robbed at their hotels all the time and it's overpriced. We grabbed our free Universal tickets and ran.

I liked the fact that Disney is low pressure. I'm sure some salesmand are more pressure than others.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by lightningcoach
We attended a Marriot presentation many, many years ago and the pressure was horrible.

First, we've attended that kind of high-pressure timeshare presentation too. But it was in 1994 at Cypress Pointe, which is not a Marriott property. Unfortunately, there are still timeshare resorts that use this kind of sales approach, which continues to taint the reputation of the timeshare industry.

I wonder if lightningcoach really attended a Marriott presentation, or if the salesperson misrepresented things. (At Cypress Point, they claimed that Marriott had designed their sales presentation and that Hyatt was backing the resort -- both of which were lies as far as I can tell.)

That's not how Marriott normally does it.

We attended a presentation at Marriott's Cypress Harbour in 1993. It was a pleasant experience. The salesperson gave us a tour of the property and presented the Marriott program. She made a rather compelling case, making me realize that a owning a timeshare could be good thing. We didn't buy, but her presentation was one reason we bought DVC a year later.

Eventually, we bought not only DVC, but a different Marriott too. In both cases, we bought over the phone after doing our research.

Subsequently, we've attended two other Marriott sales presenations. No "high pressure" either time. (And we didn't buy.)

I think that DVC and Marriott ownership complement each other very well. If you're interested in regularly staying at resorts that have similar quality to DVC, I would recommend that you attend a Marriott presentation to learn about their program.

I don't think you need to worry about high pressure when attending Marriott presentations. Just don't buy at the presentation, even if they offer a "today only" deal. Do some more research. Consider resales. Compare the property you toured to other Marriott properties. Consider other companies such as Starwood, Fairfield, and Hilton. Then, if you still like the deal that you were offered, call your salesperson back -- and insist on the "today only" deal, even if it's a month later.

 

[spiceycat]

I have been to 3 Marriott sales presentation - none with hard sell - I told the saleperson up front I was there for the gifts - one guy even let me leave after 30 minutes (it would have been 10 - but I want to see the rooms).

Marriott sales people are generally not pushers at all.

Now Westgate - oh those people are down right......

 

[mom2alix]

Actually, I wonder if this lady was mislead by the travel information in the Disney brochures. When you look them over, they say that Disney Transportation and Early Entry are perks for those staying at Disney Resorts. It sounds like she just didn't realize that DVC resorts ARE Disney resorts so we get treated just like they do (aside from that miad service thing which I don't miss a bit!)

Now that you've educated her maybe she'll take the tour on her next trip, realize how wonderful DVC ownership is, and ask you for a referral!

 

[CRSNDSNY]

It always amazes me that some people that have been to Disney and stayed on property SO many times still do not know and understand the some of the (what I feel are) obvious things that people who spend so much time and money in Disney should know.

WOW...that was a very long run-on sentence to make any English professor blush!

 

[lightningcoach]

You know- I may have to take back what I typed earlier. It was the for the Vistana resort. That isn't Marriot is it? We also sat through a timeshare presentation in the Bahamas. That one was rather amusing because the resort wasn't even finished- and if you know anything about the Bahamas- it takes years and years to finish any building there.
Oh and we also sat through one in New Orleans. WOW- now that I think of it- I must be a timeshare presentation junkie or something.

 

[JudyS]

Originally posted by lightningcoach
You know- I may have to take back what I typed earlier. It was the for the Vistana resort. That isn't Marriot is it?

Vistana is Sheraton, not Marriott.

I haven't been to a Marriott presnetation, but I hear they aren't too bad. I did a HGV (Hilton Grand Vacation Club) tour once, and it was quite high pressure, although not as bad as some of the timeshares that aren't affiliated with hotels. I've been to a few of those that were awful.

It surprises me that anyone would think you wouldn't get Early Entry and Disney Transit white staying at BWV. A Grand Villa at BWV is about as expensive as Dinsey rooms get, and even Disney's least expensive room (the Value resorts) provide Early Entry and Disney Transit.

 

[CRSNDSNY]

We never sat through any timeshare presentations....not even DVC. We bought based on our own research and the experience of our friends. Is that strange?

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

I purchased at OKW, site unseen, based on months of research. I still haven't seen my "HOME" and won't until Dec 4, 2004. I too have never been to a timeshare presentation. So CRSNDSNY, I must say that you are not strange (or we both are...)

 

[dianeschlicht]

Originally posted by BostonDisneyKid
I purchased at OKW, site unseen, based on months of research. I still haven't seen my "HOME" and won't until Dec 4, 2004. I too have never been to a timeshare presentation. So CRSNDSNY, I must say that you are not strange (or we both are...)

Hope you come meet all of us at the Dec. 6th meet!

 

[spiceycat]

if you tell the salesperson up front that you are just there for the present - and most give some good presents - lately they have been giving Disney gift certificates (if you don't want the tickets) for $125 -which you can use at your DVC resort.

some are fun and some are plan pains - but you can learn a little (salesmen don't know alot about timeshares especially the ones they are selling.....) about how each plan works.

learned the hardway - never take a salesperson word for anything - get it in writing!!!!