Most of the DVC units look, well, just outdated

[dianeschlicht]

Once again Tjkraz is the voice of reason!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Once again Tjkraz is the voice of reason!

Agreed. Well said, Tim.

 

[DisDaydreamer]

We just stayed at BWV (our home) with best friends and a relative. We haven't been there in a number of years and were concerned about how it was going to present... Let me tell you, we were very relieved and impressed with how clean and fresh everything looked. Very happy with the condition.

 

[SLJ6974]

I just think that Disney could do more for the DVC resorts with Disney's money. At one time I was really interested in maybe purchasing a small resale contract someday. But no longer am I. With the clear photos of many of the DVC resorts showing just how dated they look and with all the hoopla going on right now with resale, vs. direct I will just pass. I do know that you do get a good discount on the room. But to me when you compare a resort room to a standard studio yes you get a discounted rate, but you also get a discounted room. With the exceptions maybe at AKVs and BLT. And right now and for the past few years there have been discounts on almost all of Disneys resorts rooms. But I am sure at some point I will rent out some DVC points.

 

[disneynutz]

The decor in the DVC rooms are designed to look the way that they look. I'm not talking maintenance issues or broken bath tile, but the colors, furniture, decorations. Even if Disney gutted the room and put all new in, it would still be the same design, colors, and bath tile.

If Guests don't like the motif, then pick another resort. We don't really care for BLT but be love BWV, BCV, and VWL.

Bill

 

[Hopefully]

Isn't outdated part of the theme of the resort, just like the theme of Main Street at the MK.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

I totally agree. I love the theme of my BCV Villa!!! I don't want the sterile look of the Beach Club. That's why we bought there, not for Storm Along Bay.
As others have said DVC is a timeshare. The members bear the burden of the cost of upgrades. I am very satisfied with the all the Villas I have stayed in.
When I want a "modern" resort feel, I book a resort room. When I want the comfort of my Home Away from Home, I book my BCV.
Ownership (or even renting) is not for everyone.
If it is not for you, don't complain to those of us who understand and love it.

 

[Hopefully]

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.

Thanks for articulating my thoughts Tim! I agree

 

[Deb & Bill]

I just think that Disney could do more for the DVC resorts with Disney's money. ....

Not going to happen. DVC is a timeshare and all upgrades, renovations come out of member dues. Even DVC only owns a very small percentage of the villas.

 

[tjkraz]

I just think that Disney could do more for the DVC resorts with Disney's money. At one time I was really interested in maybe purchasing a small resale contract someday. But no longer am I. With the clear photos of many of the DVC resorts showing just how dated they look and with all the hoopla going on right now with resale, vs. direct I will just pass. I do know that you do get a good discount on the room. But to me when you compare a resort room to a standard studio yes you get a discounted rate, but you also get a discounted room. With the exceptions maybe at AKVs and BLT. And right now and for the past few years there have been discounts on almost all of Disneys resorts rooms. But I am sure at some point I will rent out some DVC points.

Certainly your prerogative. I could put together figures demonstrating how DVC saves me 70-75% off of cash rates for similar accommodations (Studio vs. hotel room) over the long haul. Probably far more with a resale purchase.

When even the best cash discounts are 25-35% off rack, the disparity is simply too high to ignore.

When you look carefully at side-by-side photos of the hotel and villa rooms, the differences typically come down to minor things like headboards and wall sconces / lighting. Those things are not worth spending hundreds more per trip. Villa guests still have access to all of the same resort services (pools, bell services, room service, etc.)

BEACH CLUB HOTEL

BEACH CLUB VILLA

BOARDWALK INN

BOARDWALK VILLA

The hotel rooms are undeniably nicer in these two examples.

Are the villas dated? Not by my definition. Dated suggests that the furnishings are not up to current standards. For instance, if the DVC villas had old coil stoves, CRT TVs or the old bar-in-your-back sofabeds you could call them dated.

Here it's simply a case of Disney putting extra dollars into the decor of the hotel rooms. In my opinion, the differences are not enough to convince me to spend twice as much money year-after-year for the same amount of space at the same physical building. I just don't value headboards and wall lighting very highly.

 

[Sammie]

To me its the bedding that makes the rooms look dated. Hopefully since BLT, and Aulani went with duvets instead of bedspreads they will begin to change them out. However they did not do it for OKW so who knows.

 

[Deb & Bill]

To me its the bedding that makes the rooms look dated. Hopefully since BLT, and Aulani went with duvets instead of bedspreads they will begin to change them out. However they did not do it for OKW so who knows.

I hope they don't go with duvets. Otherwise, I'm going to have to haul a king sized blanket along with me on our trips. I just can't sleep with a duvet; they are just too heavy. And with no duvet, there is only the sheet, which is too light.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I hope they don't go with duvets. Otherwise, I'm going to have to haul a king sized blanket along with me on our trips. I just can't sleep with a duvet; they are just too heavy. And with no duvet, there is only the sheet, which is too light.

You could request a blanket or use the spare blanket for the sleeper. I don't think you would need to carry one along.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

For instance, if the DVC villas had old coil stoves, CRT TVs or the old bar-in-your-back sofabeds you could call them dated.

By your own definition several are dated then. VWL definitely has coil stoves and I think our SSR and BCV rooms have had them too.

To me its the bedding that makes the rooms look dated. Hopefully since BLT, and Aulani went with duvets instead of bedspreads they will begin to change them out. However they did not do it for OKW so who knows.

I agree - especially the floral bedspread prints.

 

[tjkraz]

By your own definition several are dated then. VWL definitely has coil stoves and I think our SSR and BCV rooms have had them too.

SSR doesn't. They had ceramic cooktops from the start.

VWL and BCV may still have them, though. Depends upon how recently the range has been replaced as they haven't done a resort-wide replacement. Many BWV rooms still had them until they were all replaced during the 2009-10 refurb.

BCV and VWL are my two least favorite resorts so those are admittedly off my personal radar. But this is a good illustration of how room condition varies from resort-to-resort. SSR has always had the flat top ranges but I believe both VWL and BCV got flat panel TVs before SSR.

All of that said, my cost to stay at BCV starts at $90 per night for dues and a share of the original contract purchase price. During the absolute cheapest season (rack $335 per night) a 35% discount get me a BC parking lot view hotel room for $240 with tax.

The improvements in BC hotel rooms over the villas are not nearly substantial enough for me to pay almost 3x what I pay as a DVC member.

 

[Sammie]

I hope they don't go with duvets. Otherwise, I'm going to have to haul a king sized blanket along with me on our trips. I just can't sleep with a duvet; they are just too heavy. And with no duvet, there is only the sheet, which is too light.

At the resorts that have duvets they also have blankets, see no reason DVC could not do the same.

 

[Deb & Bill]

At the resorts that have duvets they also have blankets, see no reason DVC could not do the same.

Good, because that's one reason I don't like to stay at Hampton Inns. Big heavy duvet with no blanket.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

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

Yes. And I've always been VERY pleased with the accomodations! Definately never walked in and though, "yuck!" Overall they are very well kept.

 

[appleorchard]

As an owner, I have no interest in spending my dollars to rehab the villas to meet the needs of people who want to rent points to save money. Just my two cents! I like it just fine and it's my second home. If renters don't like it--don't rent. Problem solved for all!

 

[Deb & Bill]

As an owner, I have no interest in spending my dollars to rehab the villas to meet the needs of people who want to rent points to save money. Just my two cents! I like it just fine and it's my second home. If renters don't like it--don't rent. Problem solved for all!

 

[DebbieB]

As an owner, I have no interest in spending my dollars to rehab the villas to meet the needs of people who want to rent points to save money. Just my two cents! I like it just fine and it's my second home. If renters don't like it--don't rent. Problem solved for all!

Totally agree . Unless you are a dues paying member, I don't think you have a right to make suggestions that will cost members more.

I also don't think items should be replaced before their scheduled replacement time just because they are "outdated". The coil stoves are not the latest thing, but do they work? Just because they are not as "pretty" as the latest model doesn't mean they should be replaced early.