New/Refurb Colored Glasses

[Bjaiken77]

When I look at videos of the new (Riviera, CC) and recently refurbished rooms (SSR), they look so modern and fresh to me. However, if you are in DVC for the long haul, all resorts will eventually appear old, and the ones that look old now are next in line to get refurbished. Do you find it hard to look past the newness of certain rooms and need of modernization on others knowing they will all go through the cycle at some point? I can just speak for myself - I find it tricky. I guess that leads me to another question: What are some of the things you look for that still allow you to be happy with your choice as your home resort starts to show some age?

 

[CarolMN]

Location, location, location!! ( And the point chart ).

We own at BWV.

 

[AliceIn]

I don’t find it hard, because even the ones that do show age are still nice. The resort amenities are more important to me, as we are in the room so little.

 

[JETSDAD]

Overall theme, amenities of the resort itself, layout of the rooms, value (both cost and point chart), location, etc. I also don't get too hung up on things maybe being dated or beat up a bit.

 

[Bjaiken77]

yeah, I guess it depends on the resort too. Like, BLT - which I think is an awesome resort - I expect it to be modern and fresh looking. When I look at the TVs and appliances, I go “that place is started to look dated.” But it’s approaching a full refurb date, and I imagine they’ll do a great job.

I feel like other resorts that start off with a classic look tend to look less in need of a refurb. Still, there something about that fresh paint and modern appliances that I love.

 

[Sunnyore]

Location, location, location!! ( And the point chart ).

We own at BWV.

This! From my most recent trip where I did a split stay between SSR, BWV and BLT, I liked my BWV room the least. It felt super old and dark and coming from a refurbished SSR room it was a huge contrast. I never got to stay in the old SSR rooms but people didn’t speak fondly of it so I assume it would be more comparable. But anyway, I still ended up buying at BWV because you can’t beat being able to walk to 2 parks. I also can picture how much cooler the Boardwalk scene will be once everything opens up too. Also at some point I’m sure it’ll get it’s refurbishment and it’ll probably be awesome.

 

[Heather07438]

One option is to buy the newly refurbed resort you love now. Then when another resort gets a fantastic update, go buy over there too.

 

[Sandisw]

I agree with @CarolMN. Location and the ambience of the resort are most important to me.

RIV and VGF top the list. Points charts and fees for RIV are higher, but I’d rather go less nights each trip and be happy!

 

[sethschroeder]

ones that look old now are next in line to get refurbished.

Theme is theme and common areas are common areas which won't change drastically. Yes certain things can change but CCV is never losing the wood and the lobby. RIV is never losing the skyliner and pool area. AKV is never losing the savanna.

Also if BWV has shown anything its that you don't exactly want to be next on a pool refurb at least

 

[sethschroeder]

But it’s approaching a full refurb date, and I imagine they’ll do a great job.

I just think its a bad theme though for some of us. I wouldn't want to really stay at Contemporary either even with the info on their new refurb.

Poly is exactly opposite great theme and the new rooms look amazing.

 

[Brian Noble]

When I look at videos of the new

As a friend at TUG often says: "There is no such thing as a new timeshare. No matter how much or how little anybody pays for a timeshare, by the time the new owner shows up & checks in, other people will already have been staying previously right there in the new owner's unit. That's used-used-used any way you shake it."

 

[Bjaiken77]

I get what some people are saying. However, I can speak for myself at least: There is something about the latest, freshest, most modern resort and rooms. But after that newness fades (and they all will), which resorts hold up in new and older versions? I agree that location holds up. I also agree that a non-age specific theme does well like Wilderness Lodge. Some will just not be that appealing as they age, though. I guess it depends on how well they are taken care and improved as needed.

 

[MomOTwins]

This thread makes a really good point. I had a hard time letting go of the idea of RIV direct, because those rooms are so lovely. My DH didn't like the resale restriction and I showed him that there are still decent resale prices on RIV, but he pointed out right back to me that it is a brand new resort, so of course the resale prices are okay now, but he's worried they'll be really bad in 20 years when the resort has lots its shiny new sheen and is no different from the other resorts appearance-wise, but stuck as the only one with a resale restriction. We definitely don't want to be paying DVC annual dues in our 90s (if we are even alive then!), so resale is an option we need to have for Riviera with its 2070 expiration date.

We may still end up there if the resale prices don't settle down a bit at our second choice (Poly), but it is a good point and made me realize I was probably a bit dazzled by the "new car smell" of the place and not appreciating its long-term value.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

Age is not as much of an issue to me as cleanliness.

I have stayed in some very dated places that were perfectly clean and some beautiful new places that were quite dirty.

Clean wins every time.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I just make certain my own home was built before any DVC resort and then they're all modern!

Joking aside though it just isn't an issue to me. I do enjoy looking at and discussing decor but I only go to Orlando for the theme parks and own DVC for Disney theme parks. I've been thru most of the really terrible themes that periodically popped up in Disney hotels and know they will eventually change too. Shiny and new is fine but walking to MK or Epcot is better. I am bothered when I see amenities such as restaurants and pools being shorted in the builds because those usually don't change as often if ever. Pink paint on the wall instead of blue? Well it's not actually my house and I'll only be there a short time.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The points needed for my stay are the most important. If I can book a one bedroom for three or four nights for fewer points at one resort over another, we take the point cheaper one. We try to stay mostly in one bedroom villas and own most of our points at OKW. So we stay often at OKW. We have one small 50 point Dec contract at OKW as well, so we usually use that for three or four nights in a studio at OKW in early Dec. What I hate about refurbishment is that they usually take away the theming instead of working with the theming at the resort. While the outside stays pretty much the same, the villas inside tend to be more and more generic. We loved the early years of OKW with peach colored towels, place mats, beautiful colors inside the villas as well as outside. Now they are bland (and sometimes ugly), towels are the standard white and placemats are gone. The artwork gets cheaper and cheaper looking with more cartooning instead of themed artwork. This past year we were able to use our points for one bedroom villas all over the place and we've pretty much stayed at most of the resorts on site, except for Riviera where we probably won't stay.

I really don't care about modern or not. I just want a clean villa, a comfortable bed to sleep on and a comfortable chair to sit on. Usually the clean villa and comfortable bed are there. Often the comfortable chair is missing. I prefer a stand alone shower over stepping over the side of the tub to get into the shower, but that happens every so often (like OKW studio).

When it comes to other resorts, they do change. For instance, VWL was more like NW US National Park, more specifically Yellowstone. When you go to Yellowstone, the rooms still look basically the same, other than slight changes to the room (we've stayed in several of the hotels or cabins there over several years). VWL went from NW US to SW US National Park with the Native American theming in the carpet and other places. It used to look more frontier, cabin-like. Now it looks more modern. Copper Creek is Ikea-woodsy. And it will all change once again when they start the renovation there later this year (or early next year). We bought our points at VWL because we used to live in Montana and went to Yellowstone often.

 

[Bjaiken77]

It kind of reminds me of Las Vegas. It’s all how you like to do it. I know people who like to get the cheapest room possible (and cram six people in there). They don’t care because they are going to spend all the time on the casino floor. The room is just a place to get a couple winks before returning to gambling.

Then there are the people who like to gamble but it’s important that they stay somewhere decent. They are going to walk around the city and see the different casinos and sites of the city.

Then there are the people who like to pick a hotel they love to stay at and the amenities they prefer. They spend all day at their favorite pool, spa, gym, restaurants etc. They don’t even gamble and never leave their hotel.

I kind of lean towards the 3rd, but I’m also a bit of the second. I guess it’s all how you plan to “do” Disney and what you prioritize. I like the sparkly hotel rooms with the great amenities. I’m more of a people watcher than a ride goer. I like the food. I ain’t waiting in any long lines for Rise of the Resistance. I don’t think there is a right or wrong, but I think there are other people like me.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

but I think there are other people like me.

Yes there are but then the question starts edging out to if owning a timeshare is the right direction. You will never have control of what the management will choose to do and you will also be semi-locked in (trades or being able to sell mean you aren't 100% locked in. In some cases just staying in the hotels is the better option as you'll be able to more easily pick and choose what you are getting. A timeshare comes with more compromises.

 

[Bjaiken77]

Yes there are but then the question starts edging out to if owning a timeshare is the right direction. You will never have control of what the management will choose to do and you will also be semi-locked in (trades or being able to sell mean you aren't 100% locked in. In some cases just staying in the hotels is the better option as you'll be able to more easily pick and choose what you are getting. A timeshare comes with more compromises.

i think so once I get settled into the right fit. I bought 225 points at SSR and plan to use them to try all the different resorts. I also have 100 at PVB because I think that stands the greatest chance of long term happiness at one resort. I’ll tell you for sure in a couple years.

 

[ABE4DISNEY]

It used to look more frontier, cabin-like. Now it looks more modern. Copper Creek is Ikea-woodsy. And it will all change once again when they start the renovation there later this year (or early next year). We bought our points at VWL because we used to live in Montana and went to Yellowstone often.

You are so right! We have never stayed at either of the VWL dvc's, but I find that I actually like the look of the "dated" BRV to the new CCV. BRV does remind me of the places we have stayed within the National Parks system. And CCV is too slick/cool for me.