Onsite DVC Tours?

[disneylandtour]

If you don't want to be sold to, why go to a sales presentation?

For me, it was the only way to see the Poly Tower model rooms before the Tower opened. Otherwise I wouldn't have gone on it. But, in general, I think there are many people who are curious about DVC who are thinking through a possible big purchase and who also don't want to be high pressured into making a decision on the spot. For many people, good decisions are made with thought and reflection, not with some commission-based sales person rattling off various reasons to buy right now. And with some of the new on-site guides, that's more of the feel of DVC now, compared to, oh, ten years ago. My general sense is that if you have a good product that is priced right, you don't need high pressure tactics to close deals. It's still a good product, IMO, but it's the pricing of it that's a problem. Since 2015 in the US inflation has pushed prices overall up about 32%--DVC direct prices, though, have risen 68%. Ten years ago (2015) Poly was $160pp when it opened; now it's $235. That point prices have risen significantly over the rate of inflation is the problem, IMO, hence more high pressure tactics to close contracts.

 

[eticketplease]

As mentioned above there are a number of ways of arranging a tour. I booked one in May by popping into the DVC place in Disney Springs and they arranged for me to visit their DVC location in the Canada pavilion in Epcot. They have a mock up of a Poly Tower 1 bed there but I would have a think about whether there are any specific locations you're interested in and ask what your options are.

I’m curious did they offer to show you the rooms that are right there in Disney Springs?

 

[eticketplease]

Whatever you do just don't sign anything while you're there. Say you want to think about it then just come here and ask us all your questions

Noooo don’t do this!!!

You will find us more convincing then the guide on why you should buy!!

 

[muppets3d]

For me, it was the only way to see the Poly Tower model rooms before the Tower opened. Otherwise I wouldn't have gone on it. But, in general, I think there are many people who are curious about DVC who are thinking through a possible big purchase and who also don't want to be high pressured into making a decision on the spot. For many people, good decisions are made with thought and reflection, not with some commission-based sales person rattling off various reasons to buy right now. And with some of the new on-site guides, that's more of the feel of DVC now, compared to, oh, ten years ago. My general sense is that if you have a good product that is priced right, you don't need high pressure tactics to close deals. It's still a good product, IMO, but it's the pricing of it that's a problem. Since 2015 in the US inflation has pushed prices overall up about 32%--DVC direct prices, though, have risen 68%. Ten years ago (2015) Poly was $160pp when it opened; now it's $235. That point prices have risen significantly over the rate of inflation is the problem, IMO, hence more high pressure tactics to close contracts.

I discussed this on another post here but I've never experienced a high pressure sales pitch from a DVC guide.

 

[disneylandtour]

I discussed this on another post here but I've never experienced a high pressure sales pitch from a DVC guide.

I'm not saying that they're all like this. Some of the longtime guides, I think, are great. But I certainly have seen some high pressure tactics post-pandemic.

 

[Lumpy1106]

@leebee When you do sign up, think about where you want your tour. DVC will pick you up and drop you off wherever you want on property. You can basically use this as a free rideshare before and after the presentation.

SSR has the preview center where you can view Riviera, PVB Island Tower, and SSR two-bedroom lockoffs (a studio connected to a one-bedroom). This may be easy with your husband when you stay there. If you want a feel for the entire resort (i.e. looking at Riviera's lobby, the Skyliner, a grand villa, etc) you may want to request the sales presentation there.

Epcot does have a PVB IT model, but it's a modified layout so be mindful of that.

Just got back from a stay at Riviera. They have each of the room types, including a studio tower room, set up for tours there. I would definitely recommend seeing the units there over the mock-up at SSR. I'll admit that I was prejudiced against Riviera due to the resale restrictions and the high MFs and points charts, but the resort totally won us over.

 

[muppets3d]

I'm not saying that they're all like this. Some of the longtime guides, I think, are great. But I certainly have seen some high pressure tactics post-pandemic.

That's a shame, there's really no need for that with DVC. The product sells itself in many ways. And I feel like it's against the Disney brand.

 

[disneylandtour]

That's a shame, there's really no need for that with DVC. The product sells itself in many ways. And I feel like it's against the Disney brand.

I think the sales levels for the cabins, the poly tower, Aulani, VDH, and some others suggest that these points are no longer selling themselves at their current prices. 10 years ago I would've agreed with you--that this was a product that, for the right audience, should be a fairly easy sale. But I think that's simply changed now. I know that Cabins are an outlier--they're not selling well, but let's not dwell on that. VDH is project to take about eight more years to sell out. Aulani has been open for nearly 15 years and won't sell out anytime soon. And Poly sales are lower than expected. Again, I love staying at Disney. But I think over-saturation of the product, a lack of recent investments in the parks, an expansion of a resale market that gains more visibility each year, and a direct pricing strategy that is too aggressive has made it more difficult for guides to sell direct points.

 

[coloradogal]

Hey, long time stalker of the DVC forums here. I have been thinking about buying into DVC for 20+ years (yikes!), but have yet to do it. Got the Saratoga Springs info packet back as a newlywed and been thinking about it on and off ever since...

Anyhow, to piggyback on @leebee 's question, does anyone know if there are things for teens to do/see while taking a DVC tour? Is one location better than another at keeping them content?

My family will be in Orlando during Thanksgiving break and plan to spend a day at Disney Springs. I was hoping to squeeze in a DVC tour that day - to see Riviera or Saratoga Springs units. We won't be staying on property. Any thoughts?

 

[disneylandtour]

Hey, long time stalker of the DVC forums here. I have been thinking about buying into DVC for 20+ years (yikes!), but have yet to do it. Got the Saratoga Springs info packet back as a newlywed and been thinking about it on and off ever since...

Anyhow, to piggyback on @leebee 's question, does anyone know if there are things for teens to do/see while taking a DVC tour? Is one location better than another at keeping them content?

My family will be in Orlando during Thanksgiving break and plan to spend a day at Disney Springs. I was hoping to squeeze in a DVC tour that day - to see Riviera or Saratoga Springs units. We won't be staying on property. Any thoughts?

The DVC welcome home center at SSR is walkable from Disney Springs. I'm not sure how old your teen daughter is. But if she's a younger teen, the SSR/DVC area is fairly close to the SSR arcade, community center, quick service restaurant, etc. So if you have a younger teen, they could be close by, but not bored by the tour. Also, I've seen whole families, with kids, on the tours. But consider this strategy: if you go solo on the tour, you can always say, I need to talk about this with my spouse before moving forward with anything.

Also, from a personal perspective, I'm not sure SSR is the best place to get a feel for the rooms. The mock-up rooms at SSR, with their fake views, artificial light, etc. are nowhere near as nice as the actual rooms. You might think about going to Poly instead for a room tour. They have a model room in the tower to tour, also a longhouse room in Pago to tour. And there are places at Poly (Cpt Cooks, Pineapple Lanai, various hammocks and lounge chairs, etc.) where your family can chill out for 45 minutes to an hour while you go on a tour. Added bonus: I'm pretty sure that Poly will let you park there if you have a tour scheduled. Right now security guards are super picky about parking because a chunk of the parking lot is being re-done. So this would be an easy to park and explore the Poly, which is my favorite resort in Florida.