Most of the DVC units look, well, just outdated

[dan and scott]

I dont think any of the DVC resorts are "that" outdated. I think we tend to forget that OKW and BW once set the "gold standard" in DVC resorts without them you wouldn't have the newer resorts. They both have received updating AND keeping within their theme. I prefer the white countertops over the marble in myhome at the BW but have marble at my home at BLT. I much more prefer the non marble (corian) countertops at BW. My own personal home here in Ohio has god forbid --outdated laminate fake marble from the 70's. Yes my actual home was built in 1959 so I don't live in a McMansion in an afluent gated commmunity and I don't sip coffee on sunday morning while reading the Wall Street Journal from my library. I work every weekend to afford the simple luxury for me to stay at these fabulous "take me away from the real world" resorts.
I have stayed in both types of BW grand villas the updated 2 story last yr. was just awesome!! This yr the BLT grand villa MK view was as nice also although we had to call maintainance to change multiple light bulbs at both resorts.
Were lucky enough to have bought in in 98 when DVC was still just a "boughtique timeshare" as members were 30,000 not the 400,000 as it is today. So most all are points are paid for (quite a substantial sum) at the more reasonable prices DVC once had.

Scott

 

[princessbride6205]

I agree that some DVC resorts feel outdated - and it has nothing to do with the theme (in fact I don't want an ultra modern setting when I'm at a Disney resort). Obviously we want the theme that represents a different era or place. However, there is a difference with feeling like the resort is shabby or outdated and wanting a modern Boardwalk. If you look at period movies made in the 1970s, you can totally tell it is a 70s version of medieval England or whatever. I think the same is true in some of the resorts - they are a 1990s version of themselves. We felt this way at BCV (we totally expected to love it, but our room back in 2009 was pretty shabby).

A lot comes down to those floral bedspreads that even discount hotel chains don't use anymore!

 

[Tiger926]

The themes are not outdated...at least not any more so than they were intended to be.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.

Thanks for saying this. I had my English teacher hat on, and noticed right away that OP is talking about outdated decor or resort themes, as well as tired looking villas. Those are two different aspects altogether.

We have stayed at all DVC resorts except BLT, Treehouses and HHI, and we pretty much like all themes, but a few are tired, and in need of refurbishment in our opinion: Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club.

We absolutely have fallen in love with OKW, and prefer to stay there now as we love the 1 bedrooms! Love the refurbishment!

I can see how some of the themes/decor might seem outdated to some, if taken in isolation, but once you look at the broader theme across the resort, you can see how the villa decor fits in with that. That being said, we have felt that at BCV, BWV or VWL, that the themes were a bit oudated with the colours and decor used. We felt that way a few years back while staying at Yacht Club Concierge too, so I can understand with some of the resorts, they could use a bit of an updating to the actual resort theme, as some of those flowery bedspreads and white cabinets make for a more outdated look.

Interesting discussion, Tiger

 

[Sammie]

As long as it is clean I could care less about flat screen tvs, granite, stainless steel, etc.

Not like I am living there for the rest of my life.

 

[CarolMN]

As long as it is clean I could care less about flat screen tvs, granite, stainless steel, etc.

Not like I am living there for the rest of my life.

I agree with you.

 

[arthur06]

I don't care if it is a True 5 Star Resort.

Those places usually make me feel more uneasy then at home. I love that DVC rooms are more in line with how we live everyday.

 

[jekjones1558]

I, myself, am old and tired looking. The good part of that is this: I have had enough bumps and bruises in my life's journey that I am thrilled to be able to stay at any DVC, no matter the decor. We have had to cancel enough reservations because of health problems or deaths that being able to make it to any DVC vacation is a huge blessing. So if you see a tired looking lady with a guy in a scooter who is smiling on her BW view balcony as though she has just won the lottery, that would be me. I am just too happy to worry about corian countertops or ugly bedspreads!

 

[Caren90]

I, myself, am old and tired looking. The good part of that is this: I have had enough bumps and bruises in my life's journey that I am thrilled to be able to stay at any DVC, no matter the decor. We have had to cancel enough reservations because of health problems or deaths that being able to make it to any DVC vacation is a huge blessing. So if you see a tired looking lady with a guy in a scooter who is smiling on her BW view balcony as though she has just won the lottery, that would be me. I am just too happy to worry about corian countertops or ugly bedspreads![/QUOTE

Your perspective on this topic (and life itself) is quite refreshing. We have a tendency to scrutinize and find all that is wrong rather than emphasizing the things that are right. Your attitude and wisdom should be recognized as a valuable lesson of how we should approach day to day life.
Stephen

 

[LisaS]

We have stayed at all DVC resorts except BLT, Treehouses and HHI, and we pretty much like all themes, but a few are tired, and in need of refurbishment in our opinion: Wilderness Lodge and Beach Club.

I haven't stayed at BCV but I absolutely love VWL just the way it is. I would be quite upset if they did anything that changed the feel of the villas there. I guess beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. What some find "tired" I find charming and comfortable.

I do appreciate the flat screen TVs however!

 

[wbl2745]

An aspect of DVC that we seem to be missing is that, IMHO, there is a big difference between a hotel room and a 1 bedroom (or 2 or 3!) villa. An apt comparison may be between a hotel room and a studio, but I haven't ever stayed in a studio. We always get at least a 1 bedroom villa.

So in my mind, the comparison is between a 1 bedroom villa and a 1 bedroom suite. In that context, although the suite may have been updated more recently, the cost is exorbitant. If I could afford to always pay for Disney suites, I probably wouldn't own DVC.

Our own resort is VGC, which is quite new so I haven't felt it was outdated. We've also stayed at AKV, which I felt was very up to date, including Jambo House. I can't comment on any other resort.

 

[RooRach0906]

We recently stayed at OKW and we thought the decor/theming was wonderful in the room. It really had a relaxing/beach feel. We did feel as if they needed a splash area or zero entry pool added not much for 1-3 children but nothing else...
I also love that DVC feels more like a home than a timeshare and I think its because of the themes.

 

[pharmlivin]

Yes, the kitchen in particular is in need of updating...but a bigger concern was the condition of the bathroom floor tiles. When you walked on them they made a crunching sound. It seems there might have been water issues or the tiles were laid on a poor sub-floor...they do need to be repaired or replaced. Everything was clean though. We had a prior stay at AKL and I think the immediate switch to VWL might have emphisized its "out-dated-ness".

 

[ML_LovesDisney]

I feel that way about BCV, BWV, and SSR but they all have other redeeming qualities so it's okay. I love BLT and AKV the most though for the rooms.

 

[Starr W.]

Owning other TS's other then DVC, the older DVC resorts do have a very "1990's" feel to them.

Was just at SSR last weekend, and those printed bedspreads just scream "dated" to me.

Years ago was at a business conference at the GF, small meeting to test out Disney. The deal killer was the theme, "looked like my Gram's house". Annual meeting ended up being booked at Marriott's World Center.

 

[DVC SSR Owner]

We stayed in a studio at BCV and an inn room at VB. We thought BCV was in great condition except for several big snags in the carpet. Berber is prone to this. We thought the room at VB was great except the bathroom was horribly outdated and a lot of cracked tiles/mold. We spent very little time in the rooms though! Great grounds and facilities at both resorts.

 

[vacationclub]

Owning other TS's other then DVC, the older DVC resorts do have a very "1990's" feel to them.

Was just at SSR last weekend, and those printed bedspreads just scream "dated" to me.

Years ago was at a business conference at the GF, small meeting to test out Disney. The deal killer was the theme, "looked like my Gram's house". Annual meeting ended up being booked at Marriott's World Center.

SSR, built just a few years ago, has printed bedspreads for a reason, just like every other themed resort has something that meets it's theme. If you don't like the theme, try another.

GF is supposed to look like your grams house....some people like that. Disney is a fantasy world, so you're not going to get a vanilla carbon copy of all the modern hotels. And, BLT does look more modern because, not only is it newer, but it's designed to look.....contemporary. (it's part of the contemporary resort). But they were trying to split the difference between modern day contemporary, and be true to it's home resort that has more of a "70's" contemporary. (when it was built).

 

[supernova]

I haven't had a chance to go through every post over the three pages, but I'm glad there are others who feel this way. On one trip especially, I noticed that the condition of VWL was at an all-time low. The water fountain in the lobby of the Villas had the faucet portion removed and was left sitting there (not that anyone uses it, but c'mon, put a plant there or something), the carpet in my room was torn, and the faucet handle in the shower came off in my hand. I know it's supposed to look rustic, but that is no cause to allow the rooms to appear dingy.

Each trip, I stay four days at VWL and then switch my last day to Saratoga Springs in the Grand Stand area because I enjoy the long walk over to Downtown Disney. Although I was never a fan of the outside entrance-style hotel/motel, the room always feels fresh and clean, compared to where I stayed the previous three nights.

 

[MarshallMoore6]

To each his/her own. Disney is just different. The rooms should be clean and in working order. The 'style' must match the resort. Other timeshares are not restricted by this but you wouldn't be on-property. That is why we bought DVC. We have Marriott for other vacations.

 

[Starr W.]

SSR, built just a few years ago, has printed bedspreads for a reason, just like every other themed resort has something that meets it's theme. If you don't like the theme, try another.

GF is supposed to look like your grams house....some people like that. Disney is a fantasy world, so you're not going to get a vanilla carbon copy of all the modern hotels. And, BLT does look more modern because, not only is it newer, but it's designed to look.....contemporary. (it's part of the contemporary resort). But they were trying to split the difference between modern day contemporary, and be true to it's home resort that has more of a "70's" contemporary. (when it was built).

SSR is more than a few years old, because I've been an owner for longer than that.

How many DVC'ers find the bedspreads gross(as in are they changed after someone leaves)?

Numerous members take them off and throw them in the closet for their stay.

Hampton Inns runs a commercial with a woman pulling down a bedspread to get into bed and she's wearing a hazmat suit. Then they show pristine white duvet that they mention gets cleaned everytime someone checks out.

As for the GF, I was with a group that was 99% men that were not thrilled with the theme and to be honest the rooms were not as well kept as some of the major hotel chains that business people usually stay in.

Then some of the wives that come to the annual meeting . A few would live at the front desk demanding to see someone in authority to complain about you name it.

 

[tjkraz]

The whole duvet/bedspread issue is sort of comical to me. Yes, I'll agree that duvets are nicer to look at and more...sanitary if cared-for. But bedspreads were the norm in the hospitality industry for decades. Somehow we all managed to survive without some bedspread-borne mutant super germ wiping out humanity.

Saratoga Springs is 7 1/2 years old. When it first opened, most of the room furnishings were a clear step above other DVCs--particularly BCV which was universally panned for having sub-standard furniture and fixtures. SSR was the first resort to have the Disney custom sofabeds. It was the first with flat cooktop ranges and solid surface counter tops. The furniture and bath fixtures were a noticeable improvement over most others.

But trends are constantly changing. In 2004 flat panel TV prices were still out of reach. SSR opened with CRT televisions and was one of the last to get flat panel replacements.

Improvements in sofabeds, appliances, counter tops, fixtures, clock radios, patio furniture and others have spread to the resorts at different rates.

If Disney is to charge $400-500 per night for a hotel room, guests will expect a certain quality of accommodation. So they need to do a better job of following industry trends and upgrading where necessary, or they risk losing business.

On the timeshare side, Disney needs to take a more measured approach to help manage annual dues. It would be great if the DVC villas always represented the latest-and-greatest in hotel accommodations, but not if dues start increasing 10% per year to support more frequent upgrades to appliances, furniture and bedding.