Starting to feel like a second class citizen

[snykymom]

I just came back from a pretty nice stay at SSR on cash. I thought about DVC, but no more, particularly given this information.

Frankly, I don't understand the entire concept. Have people buy into your place (and pretty much lock into future vacations), and
1) force them to spend a small fortune to get accommodations with two beds (with the exception of OKW studios), so if you're a family of three or four, someone's got to sleep on the sofa/chair beds. Why they can't put two queens in the bedroom in a 1 BR is a mystery to me;
2) deny them daily housekeeping, which is something they'd get at virtually every hotel in the world; and
3) now I learn they're treated less favorably than cash customers. Final nail in the coffin for me.

Thanks.

 

[tjkraz]

Frankly, I don't understand the entire concept. Have people buy into your place (and pretty much lock into future vacations), and
1) force them to spend a small fortune to get accommodations with two beds (with the exception of OKW studios), so if you're a family of three or four, someone's got to sleep on the sofa/chair beds. Why they can't put two queens in the bedroom in a 1 BR is a mystery to me;

It reflects customer expectations of the timeshare industry as a whole. By-and-large, DVC rooms are intended to be luxury villas...not just a simple place to sleep between park visits.

2) deny them daily housekeeping, which is something they'd get at virtually every hotel in the world; and

DVC isn't a hotel...it's a timeshare. You may be quick to gloss over that but it's actually a very important distinction. Disney isn't selling hotel rooms, it's selling timeshare villas. And many customers will compare/contrast the Disney product with that of Marriott, Wyndham, Bluegreen and dozens of others.

DVC's housekeeping schedule is actually a step above many other timeshares.

Economically member dues pay the costs of providing housekeeping services. So expanding to daily service would cost each of us more money. Absolutely no question about that.

Members can purchase additional services if they wish. In fact, I can guarantee that...in the long run...a DVC member paying for additional housekeeping services will pay far less than a cash guest paying discounted rack rates for similar accommodations.

3) now I learn they're treated less favorably than cash customers. Final nail in the coffin for me.

Bear in mind you're hearing the opinion of one member. I think it's reasonable to conclude that there are tens-of-thousands of others who have never had any sense of being treated differently based upon DVC ownership status.

Wow, I read through a couple of pages of this thread and was suprised that not one post suggested that this is baloney. Do you really think there are CMs running around with lists in their hands showing which used points and which used cash? You guys are very naive if that is the case. Yeah, sure, Disney is paying people to check these fantasy lists and training their CMs to make sure that point users are put last in line, don't give them any nice rooms, you have to save those for cash members.

The resorts can pretty easily tell a member from a non-member but like you I'm skeptical about this alleged pattern of discrimination.

In my mind, it simply reflects the manner in which different Cast Members choose to solve problems.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I just came back from a pretty nice stay at SSR on cash. I thought about DVC, but no more, particularly given this information.

Frankly, I don't understand the entire concept. Have people buy into your place (and pretty much lock into future vacations), and
1) force them to spend a small fortune to get accommodations with two beds (with the exception of OKW studios), so if you're a family of three or four, someone's got to sleep on the sofa/chair beds. Why they can't put two queens in the bedroom in a 1 BR is a mystery to me;
2) deny them daily housekeeping, which is something they'd get at virtually every hotel in the world; and
3) now I learn they're treated less favorably than cash customers. Final nail in the coffin for me.

Thanks.

Your post makes no sense at all to me. First of all, DVC is a TIMESHARE. Most timeshares are based on the idea of having a vacation "home", "condo", etc that they can guarantee for their future vacations. I dare say there are very few who would want anything less than that at most timeshares.

TWO beds in the master????? I sure don't have that at my home, and I certainly don't want it in my vacation home either.

No daily housekeeping....Well, sure, you get housekeeping at most HOTELS, but this is a TIMESHARE, not a hotel. I don't know of many timeshares that give you even trash and towel like we have at DVC, much less daily housekeeping.

Don't assume one post means that ALL members are treated less than perfectly by the front desk. We've owned DVC for almost 15 years, and I can count on one finger the number of times I've had a problem in those 15 years, and then it was resolved quickly and without issue.

 

[awilliams4]

I just came back from a pretty nice stay at SSR on cash. I thought about DVC, but no more, particularly given this information.

Frankly, I don't understand the entire concept. Have people buy into your place (and pretty much lock into future vacations), and
1) force them to spend a small fortune to get accommodations with two beds (with the exception of OKW studios), so if you're a family of three or four, someone's got to sleep on the sofa/chair beds. Why they can't put two queens in the bedroom in a 1 BR is a mystery to me;
2) deny them daily housekeeping, which is something they'd get at virtually every hotel in the world; and
3) now I learn they're treated less favorably than cash customers. Final nail in the coffin for me.

Thanks.

You are correct that you don't understand.

1. I don't see the 2 in the '1 Bedroom'. It is a 1 Bedroom with a living room, where I come from, you don't put a Queen Bed in a living room.
2. Refer back to you are correct that you don't understand. No one is denied housekeeping. You pay for it if you want it, otherwise we all SAVE money by having the choice not to have it done each day.
3. Wrong

You may not like my post but I would suggest that you educate yourself on the details before making a decision based on someone else's feedback about the same details that they also don't quite get.

 

[bwvBound]

I just came back from a pretty nice stay at SSR on cash. I thought about DVC, but no more, particularly given this information.

Frankly, I don't understand the entire concept. Have people buy into your place (and pretty much lock into future vacations), and
1) force them to spend a small fortune to get accommodations with two beds (with the exception of OKW studios), so if you're a family of three or four, someone's got to sleep on the sofa/chair beds. Why they can't put two queens in the bedroom in a 1 BR is a mystery to me;

A family of 3 or 4 are easily and comfortably housed in a 2BR unit: King bed in the master; two queen beds in the 2nd bedroom; with kitchen, laundry and living room space in between. While I do wish DVC offered a wider variety of sleeping arrangements -- having more than one bed in the master isn't on my list!

2) deny them daily housekeeping, which is something they'd get at virtually every hotel in the world; and

I'll agree with responses you've already received on this point: timeshare usually does not include daily housekeeping. I'm very ok with the level of cleaning/turnaround expected of DVC members.

3) now I learn they're treated less favorably than cash customers. Final nail in the coffin for me.

Nah, based on my really poor experiences recently on DCL -- paying cash does NOT guarantee a guest will enjoy good service. Our last two Disney cruises have had serious issues with cabin maintenance and service. We were treated very poorly and have come to expect that "Disney Standard" has fallen well below our personal levels of expectations. Points or cash -- makes no difference.

 

[Dean]

Do you mean like not having electricity and being told there is nothing they can do?
Maybe next time they're doing work they won't give the room to anyone

I believe we were talking about a patio issue for the trip in question, my understanding was your electricity issue was a previous trip and I have not addressed that issue AT ALL. As I noted, you'd have to discuss each issue on it's own merits. No electricity for an extended period of time is a MUCH different issue and far more important in general and to more people than 2 days of patio work. Did I misunderstand?

I just came back from a pretty nice stay at SSR on cash. I thought about DVC, but no more, particularly given this information.

Frankly, I don't understand the entire concept. Have people buy into your place (and pretty much lock into future vacations), and
1) force them to spend a small fortune to get accommodations with two beds (with the exception of OKW studios), so if you're a family of three or four, someone's got to sleep on the sofa/chair beds. Why they can't put two queens in the bedroom in a 1 BR is a mystery to me;
2) deny them daily housekeeping, which is something they'd get at virtually every hotel in the world; and
3) now I learn they're treated less favorably than cash customers. Final nail in the coffin for me.

Thanks.

Assuming you are already an owner, you clearly didn't understand what you were buying into. There are inherent compromises with timeshares in general and some that vary one system to another. Housekeeping is one of those that you lose out on, if that's important to you, you can still get it for extra $$$ but you would quickly erode any savings by doing so. You either knew or should have know this was an issue prior to committing. No one forces anyone to buy into a timeshare, well short of those few MX option I know where they did take people miles from anywhere and then threaten physical harm. With timeshares in general, cash customers are treated differently, whether it's better of worse depends on the system and your view of what constitutes those choices. If the set up of DVC doesn't fit your needs, you shouldn't participate, it's not for everyone.

Here's an example, take a timeshare with 3 views (Ocean Front, Ocean side and Garden view). One who owns a lower view should never expect to be given a higher view even if units sit empty. Cash customers are routinely upgraded. If you want the better view, commit to the price that is required to secure it.

 

[snykymom]

Assuming you are already an owner

Incorrect assumption; I'm not, and I don't think I will be. Yes, I know it's supposed to be a "home away from home." But in my home, I don't make my (now adult) child sleep on the sofa; I have a bedroom for her. If she can't have a bedroom, she at least has a bed!

I know that a family of four can stay comfortably in a 2 BR, but that, to me, defeats the "savings" part of buying a time share. Having to buy enough points to stay routinely in a 2 BR makes DVC more expensive than having the 3 of us stay in a hotel room, even counting the extra adult charge.

As you all say, DVC ownership isn't for everyone. Thanks for helping me solidify my decision that it isn't for me.

 

[tjkraz]

Yes, I know it's supposed to be a "home away from home." But in my home, I don't make my (now adult) child sleep on the sofa; I have a bedroom for her. If she can't have a bedroom, she at least has a bed!

I doubt that bed is located next to yours in the master bedroom, though.

Disney has chosen to go with the model which allows for greatest flexibility. A couple staying in either a Studio or One Bedroom villas likely has no use for two beds. Particularly in a Studio, the presence of two beds is unnecessary for many guests.

Disney has invested a lot of money in designing custom sofabeds which are much more comfortable than what you'll find at any furniture store. These designs are not available elsewhere and many people have opined that they are just as comfortable as a standard bed. YMMV.

Equipping villas a sofabeds gives guests the flexibility to use the piece of furniture as a sofa during daylight hours and a bed at night. A standard bed may be marginally more comfortable but it has zero flexibility.

I know that a family of four can stay comfortably in a 2 BR, but that, to me, defeats the "savings" part of buying a time share. Having to buy enough points to stay routinely in a 2 BR makes DVC more expensive than having the 3 of us stay in a hotel room, even counting the extra adult charge.

IMO, all that means is you can't have your cake and eat it too. No you won't get a 1100 sq ft Two Bedroom villa for the same price as a 350 sq ft hotel room. But I would hope the benefits of 3x as much space, two private bedrooms, full kitchen, in-room washer/dryer, whirlpool tub, 2-3 bathrooms are self-explanatory.

I didn't buy DVC to save money--I bought so that I could get all of those villa benefits for prices comparable to a traditional hotel room.

 

[castleri]

I doubt that bed is located next to yours in the master bedroom, though.

Disney has chosen to go with the model which allows for greatest flexibility. A couple staying in either a Studio or One Bedroom villas likely has no use for two beds. Particularly in a Studio, the presence of two beds is unnecessary for many guests.

Disney has invested a lot of money in designing custom sofabeds which are much more comfortable than what you'll find at any furniture store. These designs are not available elsewhere and many people have opined that they are just as comfortable as a standard bed. YMMV.

Equipping villas a sofabeds gives guests the flexibility to use the piece of furniture as a sofa during daylight hours and a bed at night. A standard bed may be marginally more comfortable but it has zero flexibility.



IMO, all that means is you can't have your cake and eat it too. No you won't get a 1100 sq ft Two Bedroom villa for the same price as a 350 sq ft hotel room. But I would hope the benefits of 3x as much space, two private bedrooms, full kitchen, in-room washer/dryer, whirlpool tub, 2-3 bathrooms are self-explanatory.

I didn't buy DVC to save money--I bought so that I could get all of those villa benefits for prices comparable to a traditional hotel room.

ITA. - well said

We used a 1 BR at BLT and adult daughter and her two children thought it was just fine.

Snykymom
It really sounds as if regular hotel rooms with two beds and without the other amenities are best for your family. Hope you have as many wonderful trips as those of us who find DVC to be exactly what works for us do.

 

[Dean]

Incorrect assumption; I'm not, and I don't think I will be. Yes, I know it's supposed to be a "home away from home." But in my home, I don't make my (now adult) child sleep on the sofa; I have a bedroom for her. If she can't have a bedroom, she at least has a bed!

I know that a family of four can stay comfortably in a 2 BR, but that, to me, defeats the "savings" part of buying a time share. Having to buy enough points to stay routinely in a 2 BR makes DVC more expensive than having the 3 of us stay in a hotel room, even counting the extra adult charge.

As you all say, DVC ownership isn't for everyone. Thanks for helping me solidify my decision that it isn't for me.

Better to know now that way if the inherent risks and compromises are a deal breaker for you, you won't spend a lot of money on something that doesn't work for you. It doesn't sound like single hotel rooms will fit your needs very well either but if they will, OKW studios will even better. If you're looking at 2 hotel rooms, then you're not far off a 2 BR for moderates or above. Another consideration might be off property timeshares which might be cheap enough to allow you to justify a 2 BR and some might have different arrangements that better fit your needs.

We've had discussions over the years where some suggested that DVC should generate a configuration that fit their needs such as a 1 BR sleep 6 or 1 beds in the Master. I wouldn't hold my breath on either, even the sleep five 1 BR units are a stretch. In general studios are actually designed for 2 people, 1 BR for 3 or 4 but not more than 2 adults and 2 BR for 4-6 but not more than 4 adults sharing 2 beds.

 

[kevmag]

My post is not related to the original post, but just to show an example of how CMs might handle things differently. We are currently at BLT finishing a five night stay. We started our trip a week ago with a 2 night stay in a savannah view studio at Kidani (friday and saturday night). Here's what happened:

1. 3:15 PM - Stopped at the front desk, and asked if our room was ready. As I always do, I asked with a smile on my face if I had any luck with my requests (which were..Sunset savannah...lower floor...close to lobby..). The CM said that luckily all our requests were met, but the room was not ready yet. We said no problem, and we would stop back after 4.

2. 4:30 PM - Stopped again, room was not ready. They took our cell number, and said they would text us soon. All still OK.

3. 5:15 PM and 5:45 PM (approx) - Stopped 2 more times at the front desk, still not ready, they are still not sure why. But we wanted to wait for the room, since the original CM told us it met all our requests.

4. 6:20 PM - Stopped one more time, they said it would be ready any minute. A supervisor came out to the front desk with lots of apologies, followed by an unsolicited offer to credit us $100 for 'a nice dinner'! I said thank you, and asked if i could meet the person at the room who was 'signing off' on it being cleaned and ready. (My reason for doing that was simply that i was concerned it was taking awhile to clean a studio, and i just wanted to make sure there were no major issues with the room).

5. 6:30 PM - I went to the room (it was num 7300, the very first room off the elevator on the 3rd floor). Couldn't get any closer to the lobby and room was in great shape!

6. Finally when we checked out on Sunday, there was a $100 credit on our account in my name PLUS another $50 credit in my wifes name! Mind you, at no point had i been a squeaky wheel, so I am assuming this credit was at the supervisors discretion.

Sorry for being long winded, but I guess my point is, that perception of a situation can depend a lot on individual CM or supervisors handling of a situation.