Questions about DVC Operations

[ransom]

I have a few more questions about the general day-to-day operations of DVC that I can't find answers to on the 'net. I was hoping someone here might have the answers.

- Is there a permanent storage area available for DVC club members to leave items rather than bring them back and forth each time?

- Can you use Disney's Magical Express if you're using your DVC points for your stay?

- At VWL, can you reserve a specific view? Does it cost more points for some views?

- In the case of fire or natural disaster, who is responsible for paying for repairs?

- Who is responsible for cleaning the room after each member's stay?

- Are you reserving a specific room, specific view, or is everything just a "request" until you get there?

 

[RobDoc]

I have a few more questions about the general day-to-day operations of DVC that I can't find answers to on the 'net. I was hoping someone here might have the answers.

- Is there a permanent storage area available for DVC club members to leave items rather than bring them back and forth each time?

No, there is no long-term storage available thru DVC - although there may be a private service available in the near future. Short-term storage of luggage and perishables is available thru the Bell Staff at each resort.

- Can you use Disney's Magical Express if you're using your DVC points for your stay?

Yes, DME is available for DVC stays. It can easily be reserved thru MS.

- At VWL, can you reserve a specific view? Does it cost more points for some views?

You can always make a request but, at VWL, all views are considered "Woods". Some of the villas may have a glimpse of the pool or the lake, but are still "Woods" views. There is no point variation for views at any of the resorts except BWV (which offers Standard View, Preferred View and Boradwalk View with different point costs for Standard view vs BW or Preferred).

- In the case of fire or natural disaster, who is responsible for paying for repairs?

Maintenance and repairs are the responsibility of the owners. We contribute, through our annual fees, to a Capital Reserve fund to take care of major repairs like roof, replacement of furnishings, etc. and insurance would be responsible for any damage caused by a hurricane/fire/etc.

- Who is responsible for cleaning the room after each member's stay?

The resort's housekeeping staff is responsible for preparing villas for the next guest.

- Are you reserving a specific room, specific view, or is everything
just a "request" until you get there?

All requests are just that - a request - and will be filled as available. HCA rooms can be guaranteed when reserving a villa. At BWV, Standard View rooms are guaranteed as are Boardwalk View villas - although specific villas would not be guaranteed.

 

[1000th happy haunt]

- At VWL, can you reserve a specific view? Does it cost more points for some views?

I asked for a lake view at VWL and was able to see some of Bay Lake through the trees. We were even able to watch the Electrical Water Pageant through the trees.

 

[crisi]

To clarify Doc's point, requests are requests - this includes smoking and requests for non-HCA villas. To ensure you get a HCA villa (if you need one) you should work with (there is a name and I'm spacing it - special services? - the DISAbilities board can help you out there if that is ever a concern).

Vero Beach did get a "special assessment" following the hurricane to cover items not covered by insurance.

 

[ransom]

Thank you for taking the time to answer so many of my questions!

Maintenance and repairs are the responsibility of the owners. We contribute, through our annual fees, to a Capital Reserve fund to take care of major repairs like roof, replacement of furnishings, etc. and insurance would be responsible for any damage caused by a hurricane/fire/etc.

Doc, by "owners" do you mean "DVC members"? It would appear that you do from your subsequent comments, but since I'm not familiar with DVC lingo, I wasn't sure.

If so, I'm a bit confused. I thought the DVC agreement didn't entitle anyone to ownership of any real property, only points. Points whose value is determined solely by Disney. And that it's a limited time that one owns those points - in 2042 or 2054, the 'ownership' of those points will return to Disney. So it's really more of a long term rental.

Or am I missing something?

Anyway, it's pretty scary to think that if VWL were wiped out in a hurricane and I was a DVCer, I'd have to come up with a ton of money to bail Disney out!

 

[RobDoc]

Yes, DVC members are the owners of their respective resorts. We each have a deed legally recorded with the county and a portion of our annual fees also goes to our share of the property taxes for the resort. Yes, ownership reverts back to Disney in 2042 or 2054 - but in the meantime, members do own the resorts and have "hired" DVC as the managing entity. DVC makes repairs and handles the operation of the resorts on our behalf. As owners, we do have the right to replace DVC with other management if desired - although it would significantly alter our ability to use points anyplace except our home resort and likely have other far reaching effects (like possibly higher fees, less service, fewer perks, etc.)

In most cases, our insurance (also covered by the annual fees) will pay for any damages to the resorts.

In the past few years WDW has been in the path of several hurricanes and none of the resorts have suffered any catastrophic losses. Even VB, which had direct hits from two (?) hurricanes was able to be repaired without any additional costs to those owners. HH has not taken a direct hit but has had some water intrusion repair necessary which raised the 2007 dues by about $0.13 per point.

 

[Chuck S]

DVC members points are based upon an ownership interest. Each member owns a deeded percentage of a specific building at their "home resort." That deeded interest expires in 2042 for all resorts built prior to Saratoga Springs. Saratoga Sprigs and newer resort have an ownership interest until 2054.

Disney owns the land, DVD (developer of DVC) leases the land from Disney and builds the resorts, then sells DVC members a percentage of the buildings, not the land the building sit upon.

In theory, if a resort is totally devasted by a disaster, and deemed by DVC not worth rebuilding, the people that own there will divide any insurance settlement and their ownership interest will end. They will no longer be DVC members/owners.

 

[ransom]

Thank you, Doc and Chuck, for the clarifications! That gave me a much clearer idea of what's going on.

 

[Dean]

Vero Beach did get a "special assessment" following the hurricane to cover items not covered by insurance.

I know one was discussed but my understanding was insurance covered the issues and a SA was not needed and not budgeted. It would have been interesting as the way I interpret the POS and FL statute 721, DVD would have been responsible for any shortcomings within that year which I feel would have come under this section but unfortunately it didn't get tested this time.

To expand, if a resort (or portion) became unusable they would be at a crossroads. If it were temporary and the decision was made to repair, those members could use their points at any DVC location just like any other member. However if DVC decided not to repair/rebuild, any insurance proceeds would be divided between applicable members and they would cease to be a member of DVC. An unlikely scenario at WDW but more of a risk for those more in harms way for hurricanes.

There are a few other specifics that one can guarantee (or nearly so) directly with a reservation. At HH, a large of the studio and 1 BR units are in the lodge. At BWV all of the 3 BR GV are BW view. At BCV, one can guarantee having a lockoff, 2 BR dedicated with 2 queens in the second or 2 BR with a queen and pull out queen in the second as these are all direct booking categories. At SSR & VWL one can directly book a 2 BR dedicated vs lockoff and all the dedicated 2 BR at those two location have 2 queens while none of the lockoffs do. At VB one can guarantee an ocean front Inn room (though not necessarily the view) and the Beach cottages are ocean front.

While some tip the housekeepers, Disney officially considers this a non tipped position. As noted, requests cannot be guaranteed but there are a few steps one can take to improve your chances of success.