Most of the DVC units look, well, just outdated

[SLJ6974]

I was really looking at the rooms of the DVC units on AllEars and almost all of them with the exception of AKVs and BLT units, the rooms look just outdated compared to their resort counterpart. Yuk. I do understand the signifigance in the cost savings of the DVC untis, vs. rack rate at the deluxe resorts, but with a discount off of rack rate I would much rather have a resort room. I think the only DVC units I would even consider renting points at would be at AKV, BLT or BCV ( because of SAB). Has any of the other resorts been refurbed lately?

 

[chalee94]

Has any of the other resorts been refurbed lately?

OKW and BWV were refurbed in the last year or so.

but they still might not be your style...and that's fine...

 

[beachclub]

yes they were uppdated, but with only minor cosmetics, though the OKW ones must look cool with the hardwood.....
The beach club refurb prob 3 years ago now, was a joke of a refurb..they have to be the most outdated ones, right next to the wilderness lodge...they could have themed those better. THe Wilderness lodge villas would look awesome with hardwood in the rooms, they are a woodsy themed resort afterall.
I agress with the OP, they are pretty outdated...Even though SSR is still only like 5 years old, the rooms seem a bit too there too.....

 

[tjkraz]

I do understand the signifigance in the cost savings of the DVC untis, vs. rack rate at the deluxe resorts, but with a discount off of rack rate I would much rather have a resort room.

That's certainly your prerogative. If you want to pay more for better headboards and wall sconces, go for it!

 

[SLJ6974]

That's certainly your prerogative. If you want to pay more for better headboards and wall sconces, go for it!

We'll as long as the economy is in the tank, I'm sure some nice discounts will help some in that area. If it ever improves, I'm sure the price difference will be even greater though. Sad about BCVs though. I guess Disney knows people will still want to own there because of SAB, so they could really just let those villas go downhill.

 

[DebbieB]

We'll as long as the economy is in the tank, I'm sure some nice discounts will help some in that area. If it ever improves, I'm sure the price difference will be even greater though. Sad about BCVs though. I guess Disney knows people will still want to own there because of SAB, so they could really just let those villas go downhill.

DVC is a timeshare. All expenses are paid for by member dues, not by Disney. Part of the dues money each year goes into a reserve fund for future repairs/renovations. I'd rather keep dues in line rather than spending money for high end refurbs.

 

[disneynutz]

Even when the rooms are refurbed they look out dated because that is the theme of the resort, they are true to a earlier time period.

Bill

 

[tjkraz]

We'll as long as the economy is in the tank, I'm sure some nice discounts will help some in that area. If it ever improves, I'm sure the price difference will be even greater though. Sad about BCVs though. I guess Disney knows people will still want to own there because of SAB, so they could really just let those villas go downhill.

The villas exist as they were originally sold to members. Designs may have changed a bit on linens but the general look and feel of the room is exactly what members purchased. The actual differences lie in the fact that Disney has upgraded many of its Deluxe hotel rooms over the past several years. But, as Debbie pointed out, the cost of such renovations on the villas would come out of members' pockets.

Disney has improved select aspects of all villa rooms. Sofabeds were upgraded within the past 5-7 years. All of the resorts now have flat panel TVs. Mattresses, comforters, carpet and other "soft goods" are replaced on a rotating schedule. But Disney is never going to spend members' money to completely renovate entire guest rooms every few years.

 

[vicki_c]

I don't think the BCV has "gone downhill." I wonder sometimes whether people look @ it that way because the furnishings are different than the resort, less sophisticated and upscale.

But I wouldn't consider any of the DVC villas to have "gone downhill", just a few might be really worn and due for rehab (and I wouldn't put BCV in that category myself).

The decor is not likely to drastically change, so if you don't like the decor or think it's not good enough, I wouldn't purchase DVC.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

the rooms look just outdated compared to their resort counterpart. Yuk.

I would disagree. I think many confuse theming/decor as being outdated. OKW just had a refurb, BWV the 2 years before, I love the theming!

I would much rather have a resort room.

Here in lies the distinction, I've always preferred a "villa" rather than a " hotel room", which is why I purchased DVC! "A home away from home.", not just a room!

Hey, timeshares aren't for everyone and if you prefer a hotel room, so be it, then DVC is probably not for you!

 

[SLJ6974]

Ya its not for me but I would like to rent some points one day at akv or blt.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

Ya its not for me but I would like to rent some points one day at akv or blt.

AKV and Kidani in particular is great! I think you would really enjoy the resort! Can't comment on BLT, haven't tried it yet! (not a fan of the "high rise")

 

[WolfpackFan]

But Disney is never going to spend members' money to completely renovate entire guest rooms every few years.

And as an owner I agree with this completely.

 

[mousefan1972]

I agree. We have stayed at BCV, BWV, VWL, AKV-Jambo, and BLT and find the decor in all except BLT and AKV outdated. So much so that I can't see us using our BLT points to stay anywhere but our home resort.

 

[disneynutz]

I agree. We have stayed at BCV, BWV, VWL, AKV-Jambo, and BLT and find the decor in all except BLT and AKV outdated. So much so that I can't see us using our BLT points to stay anywhere but our home resort.

Isn't outdated part of the theme of the resort, just like the theme of Main Street at the MK. Takes us back to a slower, simpler time.
We enjoy the looks of BWV, BCV, and VWL, that's why we bought there.

If you want a modern look, that's BLT.

Bill

 

[bobbiwoz]

Wow, I love the BCV, BWV and VWL decor! I also love horsey details of the treehouse villas!

 

[Deb & Bill]

The decor is the theming at the resort. No big yo-yos at DVC resort. No giant Mickey Mouses. Just like the Polynesian is themed to the polynesian decor and the Grand Floridian is themed to the early days of Florida, the DVC resorts are themed to their specific theme. And the part of the theming is the decor.

 

[MouseMomx2]

Wow, I love the BCV, BWV and VWL decor! I also love horsey details of the treehouse villas!

I agree. I really don't see any of the DVC decor as outdated and we've stayed at them all. It is simply themed to reach property.

 

[A&M's Mommy]

To each their own. I find BWV, BCV and VWL outdated as well. Our villa at BWV was decorated just like my grandmother's house. The kitchens have old white appliances and old cabinets. The countertops are also in need of updating. I agree the theming of VWL is superb; I just wish the actual villas were more up to date, not old and run down.

 

[tjkraz]

The themes are not outdated...at least not any more so than they were intended to be. Doesn't really make sense to create a turn-of-the-century seaside resort with a lot of brushed aluminum or animal prints.

However some of the furnishings, appliances, countertops and such could use upgrades. It will come in time--we just can't expect DVC to arbitrarily raise member dues even further so that BCV can get its granite countertops ahead of the expected schedule.

And speaking to OP's point, if you look at side-by-side photos of the Beach Club / BCV or BoardWalk Inn / Villas, it's pretty apparent that Disney has added some stylistic improvements to the hotel rooms in the past few years. It's really just window dressing. As I said in my first post, I wouldn't abandon DVC for wall sconces and better headboards--and higher prices--but others are welcome to do so if they see fit.