OKW THUMBS DOWN

[mamaofsix]

Yes, DVC staffing is down. It's no secret. Disney/DVC themselves have openly talked about how they are running on reduced staff. They are starting to hire more staff as occupancy increases, so things will continue to get better. While there have been countless threads discussing the lack of staffing and perceived issues that the posters are attributing to that lack of staffing, there are also countless threads discussing positive experiences. These are tougher/leaner times and I was actually impressed with the level of maintenance, since I went into the stay knowing that things would be reduced and expecting a "lesser" experience. That wasn't the case.

Regarding the dues, there are a few things to keep in mind. One, dues cover a lot of things that are fixed costs. The dues for these fixed costs don't fluctuate. Two, most DVC Resorts are also part of cash resorts. Most of the cash resorts are still closed. So things like general grounds upkeep, pool staffing, restaurant staffing, etc. are going to take a hit and be noticeable because the resorts can't fully staff those areas for just DVC guests. Once the cash stay side of those resorts are reopened then I think the difference in staffing will be noticeable. Third, remember that DVC did credit members from the 2020 hit and closures. They could shave $$ of 2022 dues once the dust clears on actual 2021 costs (reduced staffing, in particular). Dues are paid based of anticipated/budgeted costs, so if staffing had to be reduced beyond what was anticipated then the excess money would be accounted for in some way.

OKW is an all DVC resort, not part cash, though.

And since member dues pay for staffing, there really is no reason at all why DVC "can't fully staff those areas." Unless they are doing something sketchy with the dues such laying off staff and dipping into those funds to pay for something else...

 

[DVCSunDevil]

OKW is an all DVC resort, not part cash, though.

And since member dues pay for staffing, there really is no reason at all why DVC "can't fully staff those areas." Unless they are doing something sketchy with the dues such laying off staff and dipping into those funds to pay for something else...

But DVC doesn’t operate in a vacuum. In normal times, “strictly DVC” resorts are supplemented by unused rooms being converted to cash rooms for non DVC members. And the restaurants at DVC resorts have a lot of guests that are non DVC members. On top of all that, less DVC members are staying in the resorts. That means less DVC members generating revenue from food and beverage and other spending. So if all these numbers are down, I could see DVC scaling back. I personally don’t think there is anything sinister or “sketchy” going on from DVC’s side. They have to account for the dues generated and where all that money is spent. Again, I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt during these very strange times we are living in right now.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

But DVC doesn’t operate in a vacuum. In normal times, “strictly DVC” resorts are supplemented by unused rooms being converted to cash rooms for non DVC members. And the restaurants at DVC resorts have a lot of guests that are non DVC members. On top of all that, less DVC members are staying in the resorts. That means less DVC members generating revenue from food and beverage and other spending. So if all these numbers are down, I could see DVC scaling back. I personally don’t think there is anything sinister or “sketchy” going on from DVC’s side. They have to account for the dues generated and where all that money is spent. Again, I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt during these very strange times we are living in right now.

The cash from villas, for the most part, does not go to cover any expenses at the resort though so it doesn't matter whether the resort has been full or not. Expenses are covered by dues and calculated on points owned by members. Any cash rentals are either DVC owned and go to them or go to cover any exchange costs. The exception is income from breakage rooms and we still haven't seen that not top out and that is the only thing that would be considered a supplement to dues.

If the restaurant isn't seeing numbers then it can cut back as it supports itself but there isn't a very good justification for reduction of other things like housekeeping as it's paid for thru dues.

 

[mamaofsix]

But DVC doesn’t operate in a vacuum. In normal times, “strictly DVC” resorts are supplemented by unused rooms being converted to cash rooms for non DVC members. And the restaurants at DVC resorts have a lot of guests that are non DVC members. On top of all that, less DVC members are staying in the resorts. That means less DVC members generating revenue from food and beverage and other spending. So if all these numbers are down, I could see DVC scaling back. I personally don’t think there is anything sinister or “sketchy” going on from DVC’s side. They have to account for the dues generated and where all that money is spent. Again, I’m going to give them the benefit of the doubt during these very strange times we are living in right now.

Yeah, I guess I'm just seeing a lot of things that don't add up. Not that I think DVC is evil or anything, but for sure I wouldn't have enough trust in them to buy a contract at this point.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

Yeah, I guess I'm just seeing a lot of things that don't add up. Not that I think DVC is evil or anything, but for sure I wouldn't have enough trust in them to buy a contract at this point.

It’s not a small purchase, so you should feel 100% comfortable before jumping in. If I felt the way you do I would definitely hold off.

 

[DVCSunDevil]

The cash from villas, for the most part, does not go to cover any expenses at the resort though so it doesn't matter whether the resort has been full or not. Expenses are covered by dues and calculated on points owned by members. Any cash rentals are either DVC owned and go to them or go to cover any exchange costs. The exception is income from breakage rooms and we still haven't seen that not top out and that is the only thing that would be considered a supplement to dues.

If the restaurant isn't seeing numbers then it can cut back as it supports itself but there isn't a very good justification for reduction of other things like housekeeping as it's paid for thru dues.

I was talking about breakage, not rentals. I understand things like housekeeping are covered via dues (although, at resorts that have both DVC and “regular” hotel the housekeeping is split between the two, from what I understand). Like I said, I was just at WDW for a week and I found the housekeeping to be impeccable. Because someone commented that they had an issue doesn’t mean DVC is cutting back housekeeping services. Sometimes issues happen, even at five star resorts. I stayed at a Ritz Carlton about 10 years ago and there was broken glass on the floor in the bathroom and used tissues in the trashcan by the desk when I checked into my room. But typically resorts are very responsive when the issue is raised, which many people on this site have discussed is the case with DVC. Where I would have a big issue is if I complained and absolutely nothing was done.

 

[crisi]

It's been a complaint for years and years with Disney.

In general our rooms have been ok but I don't give Disney big thumbs up on running hotels and the housekeeping component. As it happens up until the 2020 New Years my most unclean have come on the hotel side, not DVC, but it's all the same underlying staffing and can be mediocre or sometimes even bad. On New Years Eve my nephews studio had an unmade bed, water glass and dental floss on the bureau and who knows what else hadn't been cleaned.

Our rooms have also been ok, but the dirty baseboards from the photo is the norm, not the exception in my experience. i.e. the rooms are surface clean, but if you go looking for dirt, you will find mold stained grout, cheerios under the couch, and dirty baseboards. (I've never walked into a room that hadn't been cleaned at all like your nephew's). We've gotten used to missing drawer pulls and drawers off the rails and tears in curtains and refrigerators with dirty handles.

And yes, Hilton's are WAY cleaner.

 

[daisyx3]

I was surprised to see this as I have not been on since our return April 1. We were in 2630 at OKW from March 27-April 1, with 4 adults, a 4 year old and a 1.5 year old. We didn't have any issues at all and the shower was fine. We really enjoyed OKW. I think every stay is just dependent on the room given.

 

[La2kw]

Sorry about your experience, OP.
Disney housekeeping has been an issue for years. I've lost count of the number of times I've had to call management to my DVC unit and demand that it be cleaned again. One time, was so bad, there was burned pizza cheese dripping down from the oven rack- a lot of it as well as a bunch of other gross things. Same thing with maintenance. I've had so many light bulbs replaced and door locks and latches fixed, I've lost count.

As far as being a luxury resort- lol. Disney doesn't know how to run a hotel well enough to use that term. DVC resorts are vacation resorts, not luxury resorts. If I want a luxury type of resort theme park experience, I'll stay at the Lowe's hotels in Universal.

I still love my DVC though, and OKW remains our favorite.

 

[JWG]

What first floor construction??? We will be there in June.

It may be done. The first floor has a roof overhang and they’re cutting out and redoing the joists that support that. Maybe a little concrete work. But this work has significant scaffolding and plastic in front of the rooms, meaning they likely aren’t being used.

 

[Jelly563]

That breakfast looked delicious. I'm guessing you were never in the military....