Studios lack of DVD players

[jorodopo]

Just returned from a great trip at BWV. Found out that none of the studio units have DVD or VHS players. I was told this is true at all of the DVC resorts. Since they advertise that the community centers have dvds for loan it would be nice if all of the rooms would be able to use them. Seems like this wouldn't be that expensive for Disney to fix. Am I being petty or does anyone else feel like us studio owners deserve our DVDs?

 

[JCPollyanna]

I agree!

 

[jdvm]

I don't disagree. With four kids, we don't use a studio but even in a two bedroom unit, only the main TV has a DVD player. So, the issue is really the same. Yes, it would be nice to have DVD players on all the TV's, but of course, this comes with a cost...one we'll all have to share via increased dues. It's a tough one. Just where is a DVD player on the list of necessities? Every room has a phone. Every bathroom has a hair drier. How willing will members who don't want to watch DVD's be to help pay for the people who do? Sorry, I've answered your question with more questions... my kids say it drives them nuts!!

 

[crazywig]

our 1br at VWL last month only had a VHS!

 

[jorodopo]

I don't disagree. With four kids, we don't use a studio but even in a two bedroom unit, only the main TV has a DVD player. So, the issue is really the same. Yes, it would be nice to have DVD players on all the TV's, but of course, this comes with a cost...one we'll all have to share via increased dues. It's a tough one. Just where is a DVD player on the list of necessities? Every room has a phone. Every bathroom has a hair drier. How willing will members who don't want to watch DVD's be to help pay for the people who do? Sorry, I've answered your question with more questions... my kids say it drives them nuts!!

Gosh that would be annoying. Glad I'm not your kids. But I think I will start using it on my kids.
To answer your questions - We didn't use the phone or the hair drier at all but of course they need to be there. I expect that buying in bulk Disney could get DVD players for less than $30/unit. I agree that in larger units it would be nice to have them on every tv but to not have them on even one tv was really annoying. To just supply the studios with a DVD would probably add very little to the dues that we already pay.

 

[Beth]

The Inn Rooms at Vero Beach used to have VHS players... (I assume the studios did, also - but I've never stayed in one of those.)

...I'm not sure if they've been replaced with DVD players, or not.

 

[bicker]

The conversion from VHS to DVD will take some time. I think it is fair for the association to do it in phases, so we're not hit with a big fee increase in one year for something that is ancilliary to our real estate interest. Since there is no such thing as "studio owners" versus "one-bedroom owners" (all owners have access to any size unit they wish, if they have enough points), there is no concern in that regard, either.

 

[CarolMN]

The Inn Rooms at Vero Beach used to have VHS players... (I assume the studios did, also - but I've never stayed in one of those.)

...I'm not sure if they've been replaced with DVD players, or not.

Last time I was at VB (12/2004), the Inn Rooms had a combo VHS/DVC player.

Best wishes -

 

[bobbiwoz]

Last time I was at VB (12/2004), the Inn Rooms had a combo VHS/DVC player.

Best wishes -

We were in VB 8/05 and there was only a VCR in our inn rooms. We had connecting OV inn rooms.

I'm pretty sure that the store was only renting VCR's at the time as well.

Bobbi

 

[jorodopo]

I agree that updating from VHS to DVD can be done over time. The studios (at least at OKW and BWV) do not have EITHER. Maybe they could put the VHS into the studios as they upgrade to DVD in other rooms. Currently in the studios there is no option but tv and in the evening with little ones there really is nothing on that is appropriate.

 

[DebbieB]

I heard part of the problem is that studio TV cabinets do not have room for a VCR/DVD. I stayed in a studio at BCV last week and there wasn't a spot to put a DVD. They would have to redesign the cabinets.

 

[katallo]

That's hard to believe. I was hoping that we would at least have a VCR in our studio at the BC.

 

[jarestel]

For another $10,000 or so, you can buy enough points to stay in a 1-BR or 2-BR where dvd players are standard in most ( not all ) DVC living rooms. Or for $100, you can buy a portable DVD player and hook it up to the tv in your room, as well as use it on the plane to Florida. Notebook computers with dvd players work just as well, though the cost is a bit higher. If having a dvd player is important, there are many options to choose from.

 

[Alexander]

We always have our portable DVD player with us for DS to use on the plane so this really hasn't been an issue for us. Anyways, I don't think we've even ever used it once we were in WDW. Do you think maybe they thought those using studios wouldn't be spending as much time in the room since they are so similar to "regular" hotel rooms? Whereas, in a 1 or 2 bedroom more people would be using the kitchen facilities, etc. and spending more time in the room? Since it's truly more like a home away from home. Just a thought.

 

[rogerram]

you can buy dvd palyers at retail for less than $30 now. If DVC bought them in bulk, they would probably pay less than half of that. I can't see it affecting the dues by very much. I also bring our portable player, but it would be great to have them in the rooms. They are less expensive than vcr's are now.

 

[bicker]

You're forgetting the cost of installation.

 

[dianeschlicht]

These posts about the amenities of studios always puzzle me. DVC is a TIMESHARE! Timeshares in general are supposed to be condo type accommodations, and all timeshares I know of only have studios available as lock-offs from 2 or 3 bedroom units. I don't personally know of ANY that have a DVD or VCR in the lock off unit. DVC seems to be very unusual in that many folks use the lock-off rooms soley instead of the expected complete units. I have to agree with one of the earlier posters who said, "if you want a DVD/VCR, get a full unit, and not just the extra bedroom.

 

[bobbiwoz]

These posts about the amenities of studios always puzzle me. DVC is a TIMESHARE! Timeshares in general are supposed to be condo type accommodations, and all timeshares I know of only have studios available as lock-offs from 2 or 3 bedroom units. I don't personally know of ANY that have a DVD or VCR in the lock off unit. DVC seems to be very unusual in that many folks use the lock-off rooms soley instead of the expected complete units. I have to agree with one of the earlier posters who said, "if you want a DVD/VCR, get a full unit, and not just the extra bedroom.

We visited Hilton Grand Vacation club, and we went to the model of their studio. It had real dishes and a dishwasher and definitely was first class. This was a time share as well. I didn't check the TV, but I imagine that it was more than what we had in DVC. There was nothing second class about that studio! I don't particularly care, (because I do not watch TV, but DH does and he does care) but I can see that if people have experienced some of the other very nice timeshares they would be disappointed in their studio accomodations at DVC.

Bobbi

 

[dianeschlicht]

Bobbi, I have never stayed in any other timeshare that had a DVD or even VCR in the second bedroom, and some didn't even have a TV in the lock off room!

 

[bobbiwoz]

We stayed in a 1 bedroom of Hilton GVC by Sea World, but we got a great deal on the room because we agreed to do the tour of the new GVC that's closer to WDW. It was a gorgeous building and the ammenities were fabulous. I did note that the point structure was similar to what we have at WDW, but they had Sundays down as "weekend nights" so higher point values. We were there the first weekend in February, '05.

If anyone else has stayed in GVC by Sea World, maybe they can comment on the TV in the bedroom of a 1 bedroom. I think it had a DVD player in it, but I don't know for sure. I don't remember if DVC has something to show movies on in the bedroom of the 1 bedrooms.

Bobbi