Question: DVC- 20 years down the road

[Lawrence Cooper]

My wife and I have been thinking about buying at SSR on our trip next week (we typically go 2-3 times a year currently, although as DD6 and DS3 grow, I am sure that will go down to 1-2 times per year). Anyway, my biggest concern is how the resort will hold up over the years if I am buying something that I will be staying at for the next 20, 30, or 40 years! DW likes to stay in very clean places. I'm not trying to sound like a snob, but every time we walk into a hotel room for the first time on a trip, I look over at her to see if she has "the look" on her face and I need to call down to the front desk.

Also, I haven't been to SSR for a visit yet, but how does it compare to the Boardwalk (which we love).

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

 

[Chuck S]

OKW is 14 years old, and is holding up well. The Contemporary and Polynesian are 34 years old, they seem to be holding up OK. I just don't see Disney letting any on-site property deteriorate.

 

[spiceycat]

Disney won't!!!

remember they get the resorts back in 2042 or 2054 - they will kept them up.
(but you will pay for it)

 

[JimC]

Agree with the above two responses. There are no absolutes, but the Disney brand was built on quality and consistency and they have proven it so far in how they have managed to maintain DL and WDW. Not perfect mind you, but well run overall.

 

[MrShiny]

Nothing is guaranteed, but I'd bet that Disney would keep up it's properties more than just about any other brand of timeshare. Think about it - anyone else could close or reloacte a property - with the exception of VB and HHI, DVC has to be where it is.

 

[CHOPR]

I agree ,Disney will keep things in good condition. They seem to be good at that. And I know that "look" and do not consider us to be snobs. My dw has asked for a different room in hotels many times when I thought the room was fine. But, apparently I have low standards

 

[LodgeMan]

To answer your question about SSR versus BW, I just returned from SSR and was extremely satisfied with our stay there.

Pros:
Great, clean, new resort with ample bus service and plenty of parking.
Outstanding pools and views of Downtown Disney.
Very Clean rooms with well-lighted walkways.
Very good community hall.
Good access to DD

Cons:
Check in Bell Service was poor to say the least.
It does feel a bit remote and odd seeing other hotels at DD area so easily.

Given the choice of Boardwalk or SSR, I'd probably choose SSR for the lower points value and extend my stay, I think I aside from BW's proximity to Epcot and MGM, SSR is every bit as nice.

 

[dvc-NE]

My wife and I have been thinking about buying at SSR on our trip next week (we typically go 2-3 times a year currently, although as DD6 and DS3 grow, I am sure that will go down to 1-2 times per year). Anyway, my biggest concern is how the resort will hold up over the years if I am buying something that I will be staying at for the next 20, 30, or 40 years! DW likes to stay in very clean places. I'm not trying to sound like a snob, but every time we walk into a hotel room for the first time on a trip, I look over at her to see if she has "the look" on her face and I need to call down to the front desk.

Also, I haven't been to SSR for a visit yet, but how does it compare to the Boardwalk (which we love).

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

You may want to read the thread on this page "BWV and SSR recent trip observations". I believe SSR will hold up pretty well and one of the reasons I'm glad I own there.
Since there are numerous buildings at SSR, I am hoping that when renovations are required, that they may shut down one building at a time to renovate. Other DVC properties may not have that luxury.

 

[spiceycat]

Since there are numerous buildings at SSR, I am hoping that when renovations are required, that they may shut down one building at a time to renovate. Other DVC properties may not have that luxury.

they will - this is how they do OKW now.

 

[pbharris4]

I get "the look" too!!! I'm the same way. We were never interested in a timeshare or timeshare-type of place, but when we saw Disney had something and how everything was..we jumped on it. We're confident that Disney will keep everything decent. Now I am sure there will be a time where something isn't right. not even Disney is 100% perfect, but if it's brought to their attention, I am sure it'll get fixed or worked out.

 

[Disney Doll]

We've owned since 1997, and our experience has been that they do a good job of keeping up with stuff.

I thnk they renovate and fix all the time, and I can't see them letting it get terribly run down over the years.

 

[jade1]

Sounds like your payback (going as often as you do to Deluxe WDW Resorts) would be about 10 years, much less 20, just sell it if its not "clean" enough.

 

[WDW LOVR]

I'm fairly new to DVC also (going on 2 years), but I can't see Disney letting the properties run down. Especially since (and this is where I might be corrected by one of the more experienced DVC members, gently please) part of our Maint Fees are for just that, Maintenance. Heck, if we're paying for it, why wouldn't they keep it up so the property is just as valuable when the time runs out.

 

[dvc-NE]

One thing that has disturbed me was the failure to replace roof shingles. Beach Club was the last place I walked by that looked like it was in need of repair, roof wise.

 

[JimC]

One thing that has disturbed me was the failure to replace roof shingles. Beach Club was the last place I walked by that looked like it was in need of repair, roof wise.

After last year's (2004) hurricanes there were many roof repairs made around property. I believe they spot repaired instead of larger replacements to get everything in shape more quickly. That may be part of what you are seeing.

 

[dvc-NE]

After last year's (2004) hurricanes there were many roof repairs made around property. I believe they spot repaired instead of larger replacements to get everything in shape more quickly. That may be part of what you are seeing.

I hope that's what I saw, but it looked like missing shingles at BCV to me as well as other resorts. I understand that matching shingles would be very difficult, but what I thought I saw looked more like tar paper than shingles.