Starting 1/08 any non DVC reservation will require a $95 transfer fee

[lisareniff]

Can you please explain what you mean about the portion I bolded? I don't quite follow what you're saying.

Hi Donaldsgal! I didn't really write that very well, did I?

We have one master contract with two sub contracts (300 pts at BCV and 150 pts at VB). The banking percentages are based on the whole master contract, 450 pts in our case. So, currently at 6 months we can bank 100% or 450 pts, at 9 months 50% or 225pts and at 10 months 25% or 112pts. However, I tend to look at our sub contracts as seperate entities and bank our VB contract every other year so we can get a BC, but DVC does not. On those years that I bank 100% of our VB contract (150pts), at 9 months I can only bank up to 75pts from our BCV contract equating to 25% of our BCV points. On the alternate year I could bank 225 BCV points equalling 75% at 9 months.

Well that's as clear as mud.

Let's just say, to me the 8 month 100% banking dealine would simplify things.

 

[dwelty]

I would think if they waived that for Disneyland hotels, then they would also wave it for WDW hotels. I can see them doing it for anything else but to use them at other Disney resorts and still having to pay a fee is nuts.

I think the argument here is that there is no DVC alternative at DLR as there is at WDW. Once they open the DVC units at DLR, I see them charging the same fee at there as well.

 

[Dean]

I agree. All of these changes are making me very nervous. DH & I just bought into SSR Aug 2. Now, I'm almost wondering if we made the right decision?? Our guide, like most everyone else's, raved about DVC's flexibility. These banking guidelines and the $95 fee for everything non-DVC doesn't sound very flexible to me. Don't get me wrong, we plan to stay in DVC accomodations most of the time, but now it almost feels like they have you backed in a corner...like "Ha Ha, we got your money...now we're going to make it a PITA to bank/use your precious points, and if you even THINK about staying anywhere non-DVC...cha-ching!" Geez, I almost wonder if we'd have been better off just using our AP discount on the deluxe resorts and not had to worry...this already seems like a headache and we haven't even been members for a month yet!

Sorry to sound so negative...it's just that I scoured these boards before our purchase, did other research on my own, and felt I "knew" what we were getting into...I guess I just feel a little duped at the moment To be fair though, I hope I'm just overreacting...

Personally I don't see this as a fundamental change in DVC philosophy or a sign of worse things to come. I've tried to preach over the years that the nature of timeshares is that they do change and DVC has been VERY sheltered in this area. One should buy DVC to stay at DVC resorts and even then, one needs to know what can happen under the rules, not what someone said or assumed. There are special situations where buying for other reasons is appropriate but they are few and far between. As for adding a fee to DC options that didn't have it, I never saw those options as reasonable anyway. Raising the price on something that is already severely overpriced really won't make that much difference and likely will do a favor for some.

 

[DVC Mike]

I bought into DVC to stay at DVC resorts. If I want to stay at the non-DVC resorts, I use the AP discount. DVC is for vacations I can schedule in advance, while the AP discount is for vacations with only a few months notice.

Thus, the $95 fee won't impact me. Now, however, if we DVC decides to "simplify" things even further by eliminating the discount on the AP, then I'll start screaming!

 

[Pooh&Minnie]

Personally I don't see this as a fundamental change in DVC philosophy or a sign of worse things to come. I've tried to preach over the years that the nature of timeshares is that they do change and DVC has been VERY sheltered in this area. One should buy DVC to stay at DVC resorts and even then, one needs to know what can happen under the rules, not what someone said or assumed. There are special situations where buying for other reasons is appropriate but they are few and far between. As for adding a fee to DC options that didn't have it, I never saw those options as reasonable anyway. Raising the price on something that is already severely overpriced really won't make that much difference and likely will do a favor for some.

As I stated in my post, we plan to stay in DVC accomodations most of the time, however, one of the reasons we liked DVC was the flexibility to stay on WDW property if a DVC accomodation wasn't available...also, I was pointing out my disappointment in the new banking guidelines. I know our contract says things can change (and probably more things will as well), but it's kinda hard to swallow when you've just joined and they've already changed less than a month into your membership!

 

[Dean]

As I stated in my post, we plan to stay in DVC accomodations most of the time, however, one of the reasons we liked DVC was the flexibility to stay on WDW property if a DVC accomodation wasn't available...also, I was pointing out my disappointment in the new banking guidelines. I know our contract says things can change (and probably more things will as well), but it's kinda hard to swallow when you've just joined and they've already changed less than a month into your membership!

I was mainly pointing out that there was no reason that I could see to be nervous about the fundamental program. All the rest should be just fluff or one bought for the wrong reasons.

 

[Eeyore77]

Well, I'm just ticked that we've got 4 nights booked at the Contemporary in June as a special treat with points. First time we have used our points to do that. Could have used that $95 towards our meal at the California Grill

I spoke to Member Services today and I asked them if people who have booked rooms already will be charged the fee as I have one night at the Poly in January. She said that any rooms that are booked before January 1 will be grandfathered in under the old rules. So there should be no surprise bills coming to either one of us in the mail.

 

[Teyedoubleguhrrrr]

Thus, the $95 fee won't impact me. Now, however, if we DVC decides to "simplify" things even further by eliminating the discount on the AP, then I'll start screaming!

I understand where you are coming from, however, I think we only have a small window of opportunity to express our displeasure loud and clear. If we don't do it now, we may not be able to. Not all DVC'ers hold AP's. I guess I kind of look at it like the UY thing. It may not affect me personally, but the fact that it affects others bothers me - and I will speak up about it because I may find myself in a situation where a different change might affect me and I would want the support of my fellow DVC'ers. (I'm not trying to flame, just giving my opinion and the thinking behind it).

 

[OntFamily]

It appears they are treating WDW resorts as the same as other non-Disney time shares (ie II). It's almost like they are preparing to sever the ownership ties between WDW and DVC.........

 

[Dis13]

I wondered about that as well. I wonder if all these changes have to with the rumors of DVC "partnering" with one of the major timeshare companies.

 

[Pooh&Minnie]

I was mainly pointing out that there was no reason that I could see to be nervous about the fundamental program. All the rest should be just fluff or one bought for the wrong reasons.

Thank you for trying to reassure me. I appreciate it. However, I respectfully disagree if you're saying that because I'm not happy with these new changes that it means I bought into DVC for the wrong reasons. DVC advertises it's flexibility...well, I think the new banking guidelines and $95 charge for anything non-DVC decreases the flexibility factor to an extent. Even though it may all be "fluff" or icing on the cake, I think it's fair to say that alot of DVCers on this thread seem to be upset about these changes. It decreases some of the flexibility. It may not make a difference to some members, but other perks (like the AP discount that another poster pointed out) would upset others.

 

[Dis13]

I bought into DVC to stay at DVC resorts. If I want to stay at the non-DVC resorts, I use the AP discount. DVC is for vacations I can schedule in advance, while the AP discount is for vacations with only a few months notice.

Thus, the $95 fee won't impact me. Now, however, if we DVC decides to "simplify" things even further by eliminating the discount on the AP, then I'll start screaming!

Don't want to burst your bubble, but there's been a lot of grumbling lately about the lack of AP rates as well...

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1559217

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I spoke to Member Services today and I asked them if people who have booked rooms already will be charged the fee as I have one night at the Poly in January. She said that any rooms that are booked before January 1 will be grandfathered in under the old rules. So there should be no surprise bills coming to either one of us in the mail.

I wonder about II searches, I have one for Hawaii 2009. I have already paid the $75 fee, but once the search is found, I wonder if I will have to pay the additional $20?

 

[CarolMN]

I wonder about II searches, I have one for Hawaii 2009. I have already paid the $75 fee, but once the search is found, I wonder if I will have to pay the additional $20?

I'm sure you won't. However, if you start a new search or make changes to yor search that would require another fee to be charged, you will very probably be charged at the $95 level.

 

[salmoneous]

Personally I don't see this as a fundamental change in DVC philosophy or a sign of worse things to come. I've tried to preach over the years that the nature of timeshares is that they do change and DVC has been VERY sheltered in this area.

I think you contradict yourself a bit here. DVC has been sheltered over the years. It hasn't acted like other timeshares. To at least some extent that is changing. That's a fundamental change.

 

[Dean]

Thank you for trying to reassure me. I appreciate it. However, I respectfully disagree if you're saying that because I'm not happy with these new changes that it means I bought into DVC for the wrong reasons. DVC advertises it's flexibility...well, I think the new banking guidelines and $95 charge for anything non-DVC decreases the flexibility factor to an extent. Even though it may all be "fluff" or icing on the cake, I think it's fair to say that alot of DVCers on this thread seem to be upset about these changes. It decreases some of the flexibility. It may not make a difference to some members, but other perks (like the AP discount that another poster pointed out) would upset others.

The advertisement, what they guides said, what we say here, or what people assumed really make no difference. One should not buy without reading and understanding at least the basics of the POS and IMO, Fl Statue 721 & 718. DVC only promised time at the DVC resorts, all the rest of that could stop tomorrow and never been seen again and DVC/DVD would have satisfied both their legal and ethical obligations. And anyone who bought retail signed a paper that said in essence that they understood that. There certainly are a group of people who are very knowledgeable about the system that bought for specialty reasons, like those that bought a small contract just for the perks, but that is not the majority of members.

My feeling remains that anyone who bought with ANY of the trading as as an issue that would have changed their decision, they made a poor choice for any one of a number of reasons. Too many risks and too little protections to look at it any other way.

I wonder about II searches, I have one for Hawaii 2009. I have already paid the $75 fee, but once the search is found, I wonder if I will have to pay the additional $20?

Extremely unlikely, DVC has always grandfathered the costs for this type of situation. Now if you totally changed your search that could be a different issue.

 

[Dean]

I think you contradict yourself a bit here. DVC has been sheltered over the years. It hasn't acted like other timeshares. To at least some extent that is changing. That's a fundamental change.

Actually I think DVC has acted like many timeshare overall. I am saying that changes should be expected and I certainly have expected them over the years. That DVC has been slower to change and that there are a number of small changes close together is very indicative or the timeshare world in general. It is not doom and gloom in my eyes like it seems to be for many. I'll bet we haven't yet seen the biggest change that will happen over the next 3-5 years.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Actually I think DVC has acted like many timeshare overall. I am saying that changes should be expected and I certainly have expected them over the years. That DVC has been slower to change and that there are a number of small changes close together is very indicative or the timeshare world in general. It is not doom and gloom in my eyes like it seems to be for many. I'll bet we haven't yet seen the biggest change that will happen over the next 3-5 years.

What might that be Dean? Care to elaborate!

 

[donaldsgal]

Dean, just curious - what are your thoughts about the suggestions from others here that DVC may be prepping to cut ties with WDW?

 

[gkrykewy]

Dean, just curious - what are your thoughts about the suggestions from others here that DVC may be prepping to cut ties with WDW?

Wait, what? Oh well, as long as they maintain bus service....