USA Today........questions and answers on WDW and DVC.

[Regina]

negative comments on this site are never welcome that is why this site never presents a balanced position on anything

With all due respect, this "experts" summary of DVC shows a complete lack of knowing how the system works.

DVC is not for everyone, but at least get the facts straight. Telling people that the annual dues are equivalent to a week's stay, and that it's a 20 to 30 year commitment is false and misleading.

 

[golfnut1264]

dvcreg

did i post something negative..i think just the opposite..i dont follow your quote about posting somehting negative.

 

[Regina]

Not at all golfnut.

It was a quote taken from another's comments. I just wanted to point out that the negative comments were false and deserving of the criticism that ensued.

Maybe we can share a bottle of water someday.

 

[sandieb]

I was disappointed in the sarcastic tone of the article and unflattering, untrue statement about DVC. Here is my response to the editor:
Dear Sir: I believe that author, Jim Tunstall, presented a biased and deliberately unflattering view in his travel article on 12/3 concerning Walt Disneyworld and the Disney Vacation Club. I have had many completely enjoyable vacations at various times of the year. Disney makes a tremendous effort, and almost always succeeds, in producing well-managed, well-designed experiences that all ages can enjoy. The parks and resorts show a sensitivity to the environment and other cultures. Fianlly, the Disney Vacation Club is a great idea and value that allows us to be able to afford more frequent vacations to the "World" and stay in beautiful resorts on the property. I hope the next "expert" you choose to write on Disneyworld is more knowledgable of what joy it brings to so many families, thus making this a very popular vacation destination.
Thank you.

 

[golfnut1264]

Dvcrg

Sorry I misunderstood..I'll bring the water..last time down I brought 4 cases..because I drive it is easy to bring with me and staying in a 2 bedroom i got the big fridge to keep it cold...

Greg

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by erikthewise
Granny, perhaps it was <I>"WDW <B>by</B> Dummies"</I>.
Hey, what a great idea! This could lead to a whole new line of books...

LOL, erik....although since your countdown timer is just under 5 hours at this point I guess you'll never see this post!


Personally, I think the guy who wrote the article and books is like a lot of self-styled experts these days. It seems that you can only get noticed on TV, radio or newsprint if you have an extremist view. This guy would probably never sell anything if he just gave solid, unbiased information!

Such is the society we live in that rewards the "shock" approach to everything!



Whew...I feel better now. Thanks for allowing the vent!


Granny

 

[CRobin]

Originally posted by sgtpet
Relax folks the man is allowed to express his opinion.

Not sure I agree.

Was this in some "Opinions" section of the USA Today, or in the travel section, where one would expect to find some informed knowledge ?

I've got no problem with anyone expressing a negative opinion of Disney, DVC, or anything else as long as it is reflected in the context of an opinion, and not as expert knowledge, i.e. coming from an author of a book on the subject.

Everytime I see that paper it reminds me of the "Think and Do Page" of Highlights for Children that I read 40 years ago.

 

[joepoe]

This guy was touting all the things that make going to Orlando a pain IMHO. Staying off property, driving in traffic, staying at average hotels. He also dissed the condition of the Disney Parks, which was sheer bull-poop.

I did agree with him on the coffee. I hate it!

 

[crisi]

Originally posted by dvcreg
DVC is not for everyone, but at least get the facts straight. Telling people that the annual dues are equivalent to a week's stay, and that it's a 20 to 30 year commitment is false and misleading.

It is a commitment, and more than 20 to 30 years - 40 years! Yes, you can sell. Or you could not pay your dues and default. But it IS a committment. And the dues are equivalent to a weeks stay. My dues on 150 points will be $600. I can certainly stay in a cheap offsite room for $600 for a full week. I'm willing to bet someone on the Dis has managed to do a week at a moderate in the past two years for $600 - certainly the All-Stars. Neither of these statements is false. They are a little misleading in they don't say that DVC is a good deal for a few people.

DVC is only a good deal if you are going to Disney regularly (every other year at least) and will continue to do so for around half a dozen trips or so (at which point you could sell and probably more than break even). And you choose to stay on site for all of your trips - at deluxe hotels or, argueably, moderates. Its a really good deal if you want to stay on site in a suite or home away from home unit - because multi room units at Disney are nearly always very pricey. And you are going to use the majority of your points for stays at the DVC properties, not trading out, not staying at the Poly or taking cruises. Its a good deal if you can afford to tie up a minimum of $10k+ in a timeshare, and if your future looks stable enough that Disney will continue to be a regular vacation destination. This describes nearly everyone here, but does not describe the average family going to Disney.

 

[Jollymon]

I don't think he was too far off base.

Overall the parks do need some TLC; the globe in Illuminations is still whacked and I do remember the parks in much better shape.

DVC is an expensive timeshare. There is no question there. It also has significant value. Some people (myself included) equate that the value offsets the price and therefore it is a great deal. Others like the author, do not. I am sure you can stay in the Orlando area for what I pay in dues (I infer that the author is referring to hotel cost when he refers to taking the annual vacation for what we pay in annual fees).

Is the place a zoo during season? I don't know but I can tell you that I am not about to find out as my gut feeling mimics that of the author.

Is Disney greedy? As greedy as any other for profit venture. Does it smack of profiteering? I think it does. But it is my choice to go or not and I choose to go. I also bring in a cooler with water, Gatorade and other goodies, use a Florida Season Pass, and do other things to equate the money spent with the value received.

Are we POD's for owning DVC? How can you refute that? Of course we are. If you don't think so, think of the hassle to go out for a non-Disney dinner while on site (Downtown Disney is considered a Disney Dinner). The whole thing is engineered to get every discretionary vacation dollar out of you.

The author is not too far off. He should realize though, that some of us do not mind shelling out money for the experience or being a POD.

Andrew

 

[anniet]

Without getting into the "good deal/bad deal" debate again, I think the DVCReg's comments are very accurate, especially when this article is most likely being read by people who may know NOTHING about DVC. I just bought in March and I must confess while I was reading the comments in this article, all I could think was if I had read this prior to my tour, I wouldn't have bothered taking it.

Sure we may "know what he meant" but I think a good journalist should assume that the reader knows NOTHING about the topic, and report the facts. He easily could have given some basic information and dollar ranges for dues and let the readers DECIDE FOR THEMSELVES whether it's a good deal or not.

 

[TexasAggie]

I do not think that this "person" has any fun and I would not like this "person" to be my tour guide anywhere.

 

[Pig Pen]

Well said, TexasAggie.

 

[pwwhitehead]

DVD only good if you intend staying at WDW for the next 30 yrs.

Utter rubbish.What about the exchange program.I suppose a list of location exceeding 300 all over the world is a waste.

On my visit home October this year I took two friends. We stayed at BVW,my home.They loved the quality and the location.They are gonna buy into the DVC.They also believe the exchange program gived excellant choices.Plus you now get a points listing for a week taken at timed of the year.

The reporter should either report fairly or not at all.
Sorry about letting of steam.Will shut up now