The Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Owners & Lovers Group - 3.0

[PortlandFan]

The new Florida laws regarding condo associations that were passed in response to the Surfside condo collapse required them to split up the meetings for the Florida D.V.C. condo associations and hold them quarterly. I think the non-Florida condo association meetings are still being held annually.

Can confirm

 

[VGCgroupie]

It's not entirely unprecedented. The first major refurbs at many resorts only had cosmetic updates to bathrooms. OKW, BWV, I think Beach Club and Boulder Ridge as well. Most they got was a new coat of paint and new light fixtures.

The reserves funds can only be spent on refurbishment. So if they aren't spending any money on the bathrooms, it's still in the account for future use. IMO, the most likely scenario is that the impact of inflation over the last several years has left the reserves with insufficient funds to cover a more extensive project. I don't have first hand knowledge of construction costs in Socal, but the aftermath of the Palisades and Eaton fires certainly didn't help. Literally tens-of-thousands of structures that need to be rebuilt, all battling for the same skilled laborers.

If there isn't enough money to update the bathrooms, the choices are:

1) Issue a special assessment to bring in additional dollars. That's asking owners to pay even more, owners who have themselves been hit by inflation, or
2) Delay

Projects like this are literally paid for by owners. There's no reason for Disney to delay if the funds are available and the work is needed.


I get the frustration, but I doubt there's anything illegal about how they acted. There aren't any explicit written guarantees regarding refurbishment frequency or scope. As long as Disney isn't siphoning the money off for something else, the project planning is entirely in their hands.

All they have to do is say something like: "We completed a thorough evaluation of those facilities and felt that the current condition warranted not immediately drawing additional reserve funds or issuing a special assessment to fund a complete makeover." That would pretty much be the end of it. Albeit with a little more closure than we have now.

There is a way to regrout and recaulk if replacing tile isnt in the budget. This "refurb" looks sloppy.

 

[ajiuo]

It's not entirely unprecedented. The first major refurbs at many resorts only had cosmetic updates to bathrooms. OKW, BWV, I think Beach Club and Boulder Ridge as well. Most they got was a new coat of paint and new light fixtures.

The reserves funds can only be spent on refurbishment. So if they aren't spending any money on the bathrooms, it's still in the account for future use. IMO, the most likely scenario is that the impact of inflation over the last several years has left the reserves with insufficient funds to cover a more extensive project. I don't have first hand knowledge of construction costs in Socal, but the aftermath of the Palisades and Eaton fires certainly didn't help. Literally tens-of-thousands of structures that need to be rebuilt, all battling for the same skilled laborers.

If there isn't enough money to update the bathrooms, the choices are:

1) Issue a special assessment to bring in additional dollars. That's asking owners to pay even more, owners who have themselves been hit by inflation, or
2) Delay

Projects like this are literally paid for by owners. There's no reason for Disney to delay if the funds are available and the work is needed.


I get the frustration, but I doubt there's anything illegal about how they acted. There aren't any explicit written guarantees regarding refurbishment frequency or scope. As long as Disney isn't siphoning the money off for something else, the project planning is entirely in their hands.

All they have to do is say something like: "We completed a thorough evaluation of those facilities and felt that the current condition warranted not immediately drawing additional reserve funds or issuing a special assessment to fund a complete makeover." That would pretty much be the end of it. Albeit with a little more closure than we have now.

I would actually question who evaluated the bathrooms and made that determination… because based on some of the pictures I’ve seen posted in here they don’t look very good… I mean aside from ripping the tile out they could’ve at least redone the grout and put some new wallpaper in… it’s just going to cause more damage overtime.

Regardless, everything you’re saying is just speculation on their reasoning… I think the main point is that we deserve and are owed answers from Disney Vacation Club… this is not normal compared to anything in recent history.

 

[that1jeff]

One last picture of the pool.

Also, a CM was passing out complimentary popsicles at the porte cochere while we were waiting for the valet to bring our car around. Very nice touch on a very hot day. I thanked her and asked if this is something they usually do. She smiled and responded, "It's a surprise and delight situation."

 

[ClaraOswald]

It's not entirely unprecedented. The first major refurbs at many resorts only had cosmetic updates to bathrooms. OKW, BWV, I think Beach Club and Boulder Ridge as well. Most they got was a new coat of paint and new light fixtures.

The reserves funds can only be spent on refurbishment. So if they aren't spending any money on the bathrooms, it's still in the account for future use. IMO, the most likely scenario is that the impact of inflation over the last several years has left the reserves with insufficient funds to cover a more extensive project. I don't have first hand knowledge of construction costs in Socal, but the aftermath of the Palisades and Eaton fires certainly didn't help. Literally tens-of-thousands of structures that need to be rebuilt, all battling for the same skilled laborers.

If there isn't enough money to update the bathrooms, the choices are:

1) Issue a special assessment to bring in additional dollars. That's asking owners to pay even more, owners who have themselves been hit by inflation, or
2) Delay

Projects like this are literally paid for by owners. There's no reason for Disney to delay if the funds are available and the work is needed.


I get the frustration, but I doubt there's anything illegal about how they acted. There aren't any explicit written guarantees regarding refurbishment frequency or scope. As long as Disney isn't siphoning the money off for something else, the project planning is entirely in their hands.

All they have to do is say something like: "We completed a thorough evaluation of those facilities and felt that the current condition warranted not immediately drawing additional reserve funds or issuing a special assessment to fund a complete makeover." That would pretty much be the end of it. Albeit with a little more closure than we have now.

I just wonder how we know if any of our money went to refurb stuff to rooms on the hotel side.

 

[tjkraz]

Regardless, everything you’re saying is just speculation on their reasoning…

Yes, you are absolutely 100% correct.

I think the main point is that we deserve and are owed answers from Disney Vacation Club… this is not normal compared to anything in recent history.

Based upon nearly 20 years of attending condo meetings and interacting with DVC execs, it is very, very, very unlikely that you receive an answer that you find to be satisfying. (Unless there is a specific plan to address the bathrooms in the near future.) They will look concerned...tell you that member feedback is always important...remind you to contact the resort if there are specific issues with your room upon arrival....and promise to forward your comment to the resort GM for consideration. That's about it.

You can ask...just don't expect anything more than sanitized corporate speak.

Yes, to a certain extent, DVC is required to respond to members. They just aren't obligated to give you an answer that you'll like. That's the harsh reality of participating in a condo association with thousands of members, over which the board and Disney-appointed "member representative" have 100% decision-making authority.

Appealing to government oversight wouldn't do any good because, again, there aren't any rigid refurb standards for bathrooms. Unless DVC has somehow mismanaged the capital improvements--which is such a small amount of money in the scope of TWDC that it's silly to contemplate, and something that's easily fixable if discovered--they have every right to decide which issues are attended-to now and which are left for later.

I'm not trying to be combative. Just realistic.

 

[AZMermaid]

We are just checked out of 3509! Anecdotally every time I’ve requested a quiet view studio we’ve gotten x509. Probably 4-5 times now.

We thought the refurb overall looked nice but…..

The bathroom sink faucet wasn’t caulked and could easily be moved opening up the hole in the countertop. The conditioner dispenser wouldn’t work. It was full but nothing came out. We reported both things when we checked out and she did write them down… who knows if anything happens!

The cabinets did look at least refaced/refreshed which was my fear after my last few stays. Oh! Pretty sure there are new cushions on the patio chairs. But look at the table- blah.

 

[cruisehopeful]

popsicles at the porte cochere while we were waiting for the valet to bring our car around. Very nice touch on a very hot day. I thanked her and asked if this is something they usually do. She smiled and responded, "It's a surprise and delight situation."

The cynic in me is imagining the people who got a Popsicle complaining on their next visit that they didn't get a Popsicle like last time.

 

[VGCgroupie]

Well it's still not okay in my book, and they will hear about how I feel about regardless if they care or not. And TBH the way they treat me on this issue could really sour my taste for DVC overall, yes I know I am nobody and they probably dont care how I feel. But if everyone just accepts it because they wont care and dont legally need to care they will just keep doing things like this moving forward. So I urge everyone to voice their disapproval even if it results in annoying canned responses because they legally can

 

[tjkraz]

I just wonder how we know if any of our money went to refurb stuff to rooms on the hotel side.

How do you know that 100% of funds earmarked for "Front desk and administration" go toward that? Or that dollars they're collecting for Housekeeping, Transportation, Utilities and every other budgetary item go toward those services?

At the end of the day, if you don't trust DVC management and/or the independent auditors whose job it is to confirm the numbers, there's really only one decision to make.

 

[ClaraOswald]

I'm excited about the murphy for our December stay.

But why, oh way, couldn't have they added light on that upper trim piece??

 

[ClaraOswald]

How do you know that 100% of funds earmarked for "Front desk and administration" go toward that? Or that dollars they're collecting for Housekeeping, Transportation, Utilities and every other budgetary item go toward those services?

At the end of the day, if you don't trust DVC management and/or the independent auditors whose job it is to confirm the numbers, there's really only one decision to make.

Did I say anything about "trusting" these people I know nothing about?
No.

I simply said...how would we know exactly where the money went?
And based on your post, I guess the answer is that we never know.

 

[AZMermaid]

Oh this was nice!!

 

[tjkraz]

Well it's still not okay in my book, and they will hear about how I feel about regardless if they care or not. And TBH the way they treat me on this issue could really sour my taste for DVC overall, yes I know I am nobody and they probably dont care how I feel. But if everyone just accepts it because they wont care and dont legally need to care they will just keep doing things like this moving forward. So I urge everyone to voice their disapproval even if it results in annoying canned responses because they legally can

It's not that they don't care, it's that no decision will satisfy everyone. Even now, there are people who dislike the flooring. People who dislike the beds. People who dislike the cabinets. There are people who would have been upset at a mediocre bathroom refurb and others who would have been angry if they used a special assessment or or higher dues to fund a bigger project.

By all means share your feedback. I don't think you're going to get a satisfying answer about why they made the decisions they did. But I DO think that additional feedback could lead to different decisions next time.

That said, at the end of the day, every single refurb generates criticism because you can't please 100% of the people 100% of the time. We may think that our own personal feelings reflect the majority of members but often that's not the case. And Disney still has the right to see things differently.

 

[tjkraz]

Did I say anything about "trusting" these people I know nothing about?
No.

I simply said...how would we know exactly where the money went?
And based on your post, I guess the answer is that we never know.

Other than "trust", what other verification mechanism would exist?

Even if DVC opened up the books and showed you bank statements, invoices and work orders, you either believe them to be accurate or you don't.

 

[nalababybear]

I wish we have you folk in our home walk throughs .

Mid refurbish for the heavy traffic is sufficient. Bathrooms don't look touched at all and would benefit in quick maintenance work for regrout and faucet valves. These aren't biggies, but does annoy for daily grind and cosmetic looks....like lack of USB ports and plugs.

 

[AstroBlasters]

We are just checked out of 3509! Anecdotally every time I’ve requested a quiet view studio we’ve gotten x509. Probably 4-5 times now.

We thought the refurb overall looked nice but…..

The bathroom sink faucet wasn’t caulked and could easily be moved opening up the hole in the countertop. The conditioner dispenser wouldn’t work. It was full but nothing came out. We reported both things when we checked out and she did write them down… who knows if anything happens!

The cabinets did look at least refaced/refreshed which was my fear after my last few stays. Oh! Pretty sure there are new cushions on the patio chairs. But look at the table- blah.

Please report every detail to DVC and also fill out the resort survey. Those F’n shower heads…..

What happens if I buy my own and just leave it in the shower….

 

[VGCgroupie]

I wish we have you folk in our home walk throughs .

Mid refurbish for the heavy traffic is sufficient. Bathrooms don't look touched at all and would benefit in quick maintenance work for regrout and faucet valves. These aren't biggies, but does annoy for daily grind and cosmetic looks....like lack of USB ports and plugs.

I don’t need a USB port I can solve that issue on my own dime. I do however want to shower in a shower that is clean and sanitary. I don’t want to feel like at motel 6 after I spent almost $50,000. Yes the floor looks sloppy but that just the labor you get these days. I don’t care about that I care that the bathrooms were untouched.

 

[VGCgroupie]

I don’t need a USB port I can solve that issue on my own dime. I do however want to shower in a shower that is clean and sanitary. I don’t want to feel like at motel 6 after I spent almost $50,000. Yes the floor looks sloppy but that just the labor you get these days. I don’t care about that I care that the bathrooms were untouched.

Also to add it’s a slap in the face that the hotel side got the bathrooms updated.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Also to add it’s a slap in the face that the hotel side got the bathrooms updated.

Honestly, I always liked the hotel side more than the DVC side. Moving from the hotel to the villas in a split stay always felt like a downgrade to me. The cost of the standard hotel rooms is ridiculous, though.