Value DVC Timeshares Coming?

[Chuck S]

Why is that a "Hmmm..."?

Disney added refrigerators to the Moderate resorts a few years ago. If anything, it seems (to me) to further diminish the value of a DVC purchase to budget-minded guests.

Purchased in bulk, those mini fridges probably cost $100 per room. I'm surprised Disney hasn't done it already just to rid themselves of storage & handling from the "fridge swaps."

What's your take?

Mini-fridges seem to be becoming a standard hotel room item in most hotels/motels. It seems Disney is catching on that people are looking for certain "standard" items to be in every hotel room, including the Value resorts. In this economy, just being "onsite" for many travelers is no longer enough of a "draw" to keep them from straying to offsite accommodations.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

In this economy, just being "onsite" for many travelers is no longer enough of a "draw" to keep them from straying to offsite accommodations.

This is my thought. What if a microwave is added next? The only thing then separating a deluxe studio and a value standard room would be the sink.

 

[Chuck S]

This is my thought. What if a microwave is added next? The only thing then separating a deluxe studio and a value standard room would be the sink.

Given the room size, and queen beds at OKW, I would still consider a studio over a small standard Value room for a stay longer than 1 or 2 nights. I have stayed at POP century occasionally for 1 or 2 nights if we arrive early for DVC, I like POP fine. But I just wouldn't be comfortable at POP for a longer stay. I like the extra "elbow room."

 

[Brian Noble]

those mini fridges probably cost $100 per room.

I bet it was even less.

(It's also not entirely "not-rumor" just yet, though I would not be surprised if Disney eventually went this way.)

 

[tjkraz]

Agree with all of the last few comments. Refrigerators and even microwaves are becoming the norm. They are also relatively cheap additions to include in a room.

But I don't really see how this is bringing a Value DVC closer to reality. If anything, it seems to be moving Value guests closer to a DVC-style experience without the up-front investment and long-term commitment.

Taking a step back I would also question what sort of market exists for people who want to make repeated, week-long stays in Value suites for a period of up to 50 years.

Part of the appeal of DVC lay in their ability to up-sell guests to 50 years of Deluxe accommodations at prices which are somewhere between Value and Moderate. Guides take the approach of "for about what you are paying at All Star Sports, you could spend the next 50 years staying at BoardWalk or Animal Kingdom Villas or Bay Lake Tower."

The Value suites are very nice, but they also strike me as an accommodation of convenience rather than a dream destination. They are great for young families--but as we all know, those families don't stay young forever.

When we bought into DVC my kids were 2.5 and .5 yrs old. Today they are approaching 11 and 9. Our purchase was made with the idea that our point usage will change regularly as the kids age and eventually stop vacationing with my wife and I.

Could DVC really believe that there is a substantial untapped market who dreams of spending the next 50 years vacationing in Value Suites?

 

[hakepb]

There is an appeal to "locking in" a price.
I started to stay at values on a PIN code deal for $59 a night. In a few years that got up to $79 or more.. We enjoyed our Disney trips, so we bought DVC before Disney got too expensive.

I think the base rate on Values is now up to $189?

In the long run, I'm very happy I have a "deluxe" DVC, and that upgrade was part of the appeal, but I may of considered a cheaper product if it were offered.


However, now that the 2042 resorts will only have 29 or less year lives, I think it would be better for Disney to actively market those resorts for $99 or less a point while newer contracts go for more. (I know I will always want to go to WDW, but some people think: You only have kids so long..) The main factor with a "value" buyer is initial cost (for a stay's points) and cheaper points fills that niche. The existing system can fill that niche.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Could DVC really believe that there is a substantial untapped market who dreams of spending the next 50 years vacationing in Value Suites?

Yes, if the "Price Is Right'! (I was on that show by the way!)

 

[tjkraz]

In the long run, I'm very happy I have a "deluxe" DVC, and that upgrade was part of the appeal, but I may of considered a cheaper product if it were offered.

But how seriously would you have considered a Value Suite, knowing that several years down the road it will be obvious overkill to stay in an accommodation which sleeps 6?

The more I think about this, the less sense it makes.

There was a period in the last couple of years when DVC toyed with selling 50 point initial contracts. That didn't last long as Disney wasn't satisfied with the margins. Sales overhead is largely the same regardless of the size of the contract sold. Deals which only netted $5000 - 6000 in revenue were deemed not worth their time.

 

[Disjunky]

maybe this is snobbish but i feel if you buy dvc, you have the money to do so. i think that is you want dvc you get it, if you cant afford it you dont. period. this is why i think it wont happen.

 

[hakepb]

But how seriously would you have considered a Value Suite, knowing that several years down the road it will be obvious overkill to stay in an accommodation which sleeps 6?

The more I think about this, the less sense it makes.

There was a period in the last couple of years when DVC toyed with selling 50 point initial contracts. That didn't last long as Disney wasn't satisfied with the margins. Sales overhead is largely the same regardless of the size of the contract sold. Deals which only netted $5000 - 6000 in revenue were deemed not worth their time.

The value suite is really not more overkill than a BLT or Kidani 1BR.
At least from pictures, the Value suite looks like 1 real bed in the bedroom, and a few pull-outs in the living room, plus 2 bathrooms.

To most buyers, 50 points is mostly useless, too. It works for a select group of 1 weekend a year or 1x every 3 years... Otherwise most users would be dissatisfied. A value suite would be desirable if it were 50 points a week most weeks...but Disney prices value suites 25-33% lower than a deluxe room, not 67-75% lower, so I agree a value DVC just does not make business sense.

 

[sweetdana]

If the suite was comparable per night points to a studio say at SSR, I can see picking this option over a studio. IE is the price was the same say 150 per point * to buy you would need less points for a week stay.

It costs 98 points for a week there, verses 98 points in a studio at SSR. Or 182 in a 1 bedroom. A family of 4 would really benefit, in that the kids dont have to share a bed. A family of 6 would be in heaven in this resort vrs a 2- bedroom price. IE a fam of 6 may never be able to afford 250 points to stay 7 nights without it.

Also having a fantastic QS rest save a ton of $$ over TS, (even more with TIW as you would be able to use it there). You would really be picking space, and more fam suited layout, and cost, instead of location, amenities, IE hot tub in pool area, community center, and pool towels easily found ect. .. I guess they could add these to the mix, but the cost of the resort would have to go up and MF too. So I assume they will not.

I would also assume that to make it more attractive MF would have to be very very low, and maybe even a min stay required to help with mouse keeping costs, and keeping them lower.

I am not sure I would buy there, but I would proabbly stay there. For a Deb 24- Jan 1st stay your points would go much further with space.



(Est between 2 costs of 2011 point chart for cheapest season.)

* This would be for new buy in guests as those that know about resale will realize that the 65$ a point for BW standard, or 70$ a point for AKV Value 1 bedroom resale prices, is still cheaper per night. There are always new buyers, who pay sticker, and only compare it to say BLT.

 

[Dean]

If the suite was comparable per night points to a studio say at SSR, I can see picking this option over a studio. IE is the price was the same say 150 per point * to buy you would need less points for a week stay.

It costs 98 points for a week there, verses 98 points in a studio at SSR. Or 182 in a 1 bedroom. A family of 4 would really benefit, in that the kids dont have to share a bed. A family of 6 would be in heaven in this resort vrs a 2- bedroom price. IE a fam of 6 may never be able to afford 250 points to stay 7 nights without it.

Also having a fantastic QS rest save a ton of $$ over TS, (even more with TIW as you would be able to use it there). You would really be picking space, and more fam suited layout, and cost, instead of location, amenities, IE hot tub in pool area, community center, and pool towels easily found ect. .. I guess they could add these to the mix, but the cost of the resort would have to go up and MF too. So I assume they will not.

I would also assume that to make it more attractive MF would have to be very very low, and maybe even a min stay required to help with mouse keeping costs, and keeping them lower.

I am not sure I would buy there, but I would proabbly stay there. For a Deb 24- Jan 1st stay your points would go much further with space.



(Est between 2 costs of 2011 point chart for cheapest season.)

* This would be for new buy in guests as those that know about resale will realize that the 65$ a point for BW standard, or 70$ a point for AKV Value 1 bedroom resale prices, is still cheaper per night. There are always new buyers, who pay sticker, and only compare it to say BLT.

I think people are over estimating the savings and under estimating the fees. I think a reasonable comparison is about 60-70% of the points for SSR and possibly up to 80% for a the same size unit, around the same per point buy in price as BLT and roughly the same per point maint fees as SSR. Of course the value then comes down to the rest of story as far as specifics of the resort and units and the potential access (or lack of) to the rest of DVC.

 

[cj9200]

Sorry but I don't think they should do it. Not that they are asking me for my opinion. Too many opportunities for either the owners at a value or the owners at the deluxe resorts to get shafted when it comes to booking at other resorts. I think there are other ways to offer opportunities to others, especially young people to own DVC. Lower point minimums is just one.

 

[tjkraz]

The value suite is really not more overkill than a BLT or Kidani 1BR.
At least from pictures, the Value suite looks like 1 real bed in the bedroom, and a few pull-outs in the living room, plus 2 bathrooms.

I admit I'm beating this to death so forgive me.

In my mind, the eventual step-down would be from a Value Suite to a Deluxe Studio Villa...not a One Bedroom. Aside from the sleeping accommodations, Value Suites are pretty close in amenities to a Studio. Neither has laundry facilities or a full kitchen.

At best, a family with young children might get 10-15 years' use out of a Value Suite purchase. After that the kids are grown and either the family no longer fits into the value suite (with its double sleeper sofa, sleeper chair and sleeper ottoman??) and has to upgrade to a Two Bedroom anyway, or the kids out of the picture and the parents can easily get by with a Studio.

From my own perspective--which I acknowledge is biased--a Value Suite seems like a rather short-sighted purchase. I cannot imagine that there are many people who would feel the emotional attachment to the Animation Suites which many express for current DVC resorts. AS strikes me as an accommodation of convenience--not a "home away from home" or future winter retirement destination.

In short, from the buyer's perspective it would be extremely unwise (IMO) to purchase a location with only one villa size available and thus sorely limited future flexibility. Even if DVC doesn't impose additional booking restrictions on "value" owners, it seems foolish to go into a situation where you could be trying to book outside of the Home resort for 40+ years after the family has outgrown the ideal target market for a Family Suite.

I suppose Disney could try to sell buyers on the concept, but these are all aspects which I'm sure they would take into account. Either way I think 99% of buyers would prove to be poor matches for a Value Suite purchase in the long run, and would ultimately regret choosing that location as a Home resort.

 

[dwelty]

Source on this rumor? I have been on the boards since 2006 and have seen this rumor pop up about once or twice a year.

 

[BeccaG]

I have skimmed not read every post on the thread, but it is definitely an interesting topic to me. I could see Disney using it as a way to lower the cost to first time buyers and then once they have sold them on it, they could "up-sale" to deluxe points or something of the like.

 

[BEASLYBOO]

I admit I'm beating this to death so forgive me.

At best, a family with young children might get 10-15 years' use out of a Value Suite purchase. After that the kids are grown and either the family no longer fits into the value suite (with its double sleeper sofa, sleeper chair and sleeper ottoman??) and has to upgrade to a Two Bedroom anyway, or the kids out of the picture and the parents can easily get by with a Studio.

I agree with you for the most part, however, there are many DVC owners who strictly utilize studio accomodations to maximize points, and would never and have never considered staying in a 1 or 2br in all of their years of ownership.

Now, I don't fit that model and we're a family of 2. I've booked a studio, maybe 4 times in 11 years of ownership but studios are the 1st to go in the booking catergories and that speaks to a value category.

Just my 2 cents!

 

[Anal Annie]

I admit I'm beating this to death so forgive me.

In my mind, the eventual step-down would be from a Value Suite to a Deluxe Studio Villa...not a One Bedroom. Aside from the sleeping accommodations, Value Suites are pretty close in amenities to a Studio. Neither has laundry facilities or a full kitchen.

At best, a family with young children might get 10-15 years' use out of a Value Suite purchase. After that the kids are grown and either the family no longer fits into the value suite (with its double sleeper sofa, sleeper chair and sleeper ottoman??) and has to upgrade to a Two Bedroom anyway, or the kids out of the picture and the parents can easily get by with a Studio.

From my own perspective--which I acknowledge is biased--a Value Suite seems like a rather short-sighted purchase. I cannot imagine that there are many people who would feel the emotional attachment to the Animation Suites which many express for current DVC resorts. AS strikes me as an accommodation of convenience--not a "home away from home" or future winter retirement destination.

In short, from the buyer's perspective it would be extremely unwise (IMO) to purchase a location with only one villa size available and thus sorely limited future flexibility. Even if DVC doesn't impose additional booking restrictions on "value" owners, it seems foolish to go into a situation where you could be trying to book outside of the Home resort for 40+ years after the family has outgrown the ideal target market for a Family Suite.

I suppose Disney could try to sell buyers on the concept, but these are all aspects which I'm sure they would take into account. Either way I think 99% of buyers would prove to be poor matches for a Value Suite purchase in the long run, and would ultimately regret choosing that location as a Home resort.

I agree with you for the most part, however, there are many DVC owners who strictly utilize studio accomodations to maximize points, and would never and have never considered staying in a 1 or 2br in all of their years of ownership.

Now, I don't fit that model and we're a family of 2. I've booked a studio, maybe 4 times in 11 years of ownership but studios are the 1st to go in the booking catergories and that speaks to a value category.

Just my 2 cents!

This is us. We are a DVC family of 3 and only use studios. We have zero interest in staying at any "value" type property. We purchased DVC so we could stay at "deluxe" properties which offer better dining and recreational facilities. We like the pools and the various other quality amenities at the "deluxe" properties... A "value" property in no way compares to a "deluxe" property. You can't just compare the studio aspect. There are other factors involved for us concerning the rest of the property.

Yes, we use studios to maximize our points. Beyond a quick breakfast I am not going to cook on vacation so I don't need a full kitchen. (We don't want to spend the time schlepping "home" to our villa at meal times. Once we're at the parks we're there to stay.) I'm also not going to do laundry on vacation. So I don't need to have a W/D in my villa. IF I want to do 1 load of laundry I'm certainly capable of finding the laundry room. To me, a 1 bedroom uses a LOT of points and still doesn't provide a "real" bed for our DS. THAT would be the only reason for us to upgrade in size to a larger villa - to get him a "real" bed. But a 1 bedroom only eats up valuable points IMHO. A 2 bedroom villa is overkill for 3 people while consuming 2x as many points. Not worth it for a family who's only looking for more "real" beds.

(BTW, don't bring up OKW studios - we had a bad experience there on our first ever DVC trip in 2007 and I'm in no hurry for a repeat!!)

 

[dvcbrad]

(BTW, don't bring up OKW studios - we had a bad experience there on our first ever DVC trip in 2007 and I'm in no hurry for a repeat!!)

I'd suggest giving OKW another try, Annie. It's lovely there ... really!

 

[DisDaydreamer]

So now we'd have new members, with both low purchase price AND low dues able to use their value points at existing DVC resorts, basically much cheaper than long time owners. Bad idea, in effect the Deluxe DVC owners would be subsidizing the ability of value owners to stay at deluxe DVCs at 7 months. Unless the Value DVC and Deluxe DVC are totally separate and the points are not able to be used between resort classes.

Yep, this is the rub. And frankly, even if they could separate them... I don't want any association being made in advertising between value and regular DVC, and you know the value marketers would make that association.... "Designed, built, and managed by the same DVC folks... at a fraction of the price to you".

I'm not comfy with the thought of that.