VGF2 Big Pine Key Bldg Resort Studio - No Microwave email Campaign

[havoc315]

If the new resort rooms are to be part of the same association they should “all” have the same amenities included.

That’s not the way any of the associations work. Different room categories have different amenities in every association. 1 bedrooms have full kitchens, studios don’t. CCV cabins have hot tubs, not their other rooms. Riviera deluxe studios have regular queen beds, but their Tower studios only have Murphy beds.

Every association, amenities vary based on room category. All the rooms in the same category have the same amenities.

GFV2 introduces a new category: Resort Studios. Deluxe studios get microwaves and kitchenettes. Resort studios don’t.

Same as every association — different amenities in different categories.

 

[RoseGold]

This thread has me rethinking my ideas on the chart. If theses new VGF not-villas have no kitchens/microwave/fridge, they have to have their own category, or it will be chaos.

BUT, if that category costs more than the original villas, it will make the original villas even harder to get for VGF owners. That's an outcome that will piss off original owners.

I thought charts would be through the roof and exceed all VGF, but now I think it will be more subtle. I still think theme park view will be through the roof, and maybe they throw out a cheese plate and charge through the both nostrils for a few club level rooms. But maybe some of these not-villas might be cheaper than the original VGF studios. That would be an obvious win-win for everyone.

I bet even OP would be happy with a few not-villas with a cheaper point cost.

 

[havoc315]

This thread has me rethinking my ideas on the chart. If theses new VGF not-villas have no kitchens/microwave/fridge, they have to have their own category, or it will be chaos.

BUT, if that category costs more than the original villas, it will make the original villas even harder to get for VGF owners. That's an outcome that will piss off original owners.

I thought charts would be through the roof and exceed all VGF, but now I think it will be more subtle. I still think theme park view will be through the roof, and maybe they throw out a cheese plate and charge through the both nostrils for a few club level rooms. But maybe some of these not-villas might be cheaper than the original VGF studios. That would be an obvious win-win for everyone.

I bet even OP would be happy with a few not-villas with a cheaper point cost.

They already announced it will be a new category.

As to the point difference, arguments can be made both ways.
They lack kitchenettes— so they should be cheaper then the deluxe studios!
But they are bigger than the deluxe studios and closer to the main GF resort amenities, so they should cost more than the original deluxe studios!

Or maybe these factors will balance out, and they will end up costing the same.

But I’d be weary of making predictions about the demand for the units. Most of the people in this thread are already owners, are used to having kitchenettes. So see the loss of the kitchenette as a significant negative.

But when the units actually launch, with lots of new buyers who never had a studio kitchenette, it’s quite possible the demand for the new units is much stronger then the old units. Bigger units with 2 queen beds and arguably a better location.

And I’ll also bet we see a lot of posts that say “I was upset about the loss of the kitchenette at first. But now I love the new resort studios. By my second day, I totally forgot about the loss of the kitchenette, it really didn’t negatively impact my trip. My family loves the second real bed, the larger size, and being closer to the dining.”

It’s really impossible to predict the demand.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

That’s not the way any of the associations work. Different room categories have different amenities in every association. 1 bedrooms have full kitchens, studios don’t. CCV cabins have hot tubs, not their other rooms. Riviera deluxe studios have regular queen beds, but their Tower studios only have Murphy beds.

Every association, amenities vary based on room category. All the rooms in the same category have the same amenities.

GFV2 introduces a new category: Resort Studios. Deluxe studios get microwaves and kitchenettes. Resort studios don’t.

Same as every association — different amenities in different categories.

If some studios have microwaves and mini fridges, ALL studios should have them. I’m not comparing studios to Grand Villas….jeez…. I mean where do we draw the line? Next will be some rooms have bathrooms, some don’t……?

 

[RoseGold]

If some studios have microwaves and mini fridges, ALL studios should have them.

Why? I actually read my VGF documentation and that's not in there.

I understand the argument about the bungalows. They introduce so many points and up pressure on regular rooms. That's not what's happening here --assuming the chart is reasonable.

So why do all rooms have to have identical amenities? They don't have identical views (theme park view) or location (SSR preferred) or accessibility. Why would more diversity in reasonable room types hurt your ownership interest?

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Another update….received a “survey” request based on my communications with Kristen Townsend. It even referenced my reply email to her. Well, I answered dissatisfied experience. Of course they want to know why. I wrote that while appreciated the reply, it was uninformative and gave no time line as to when my questions would be answered. I cant even believe they sent that survey out……

 

[BWV Dreamin]

Why? I actually read my VGF documentation and that's not in there.

I understand the argument about the bungalows. They introduce so many points and up pressure on regular rooms. That's not what's happening here --assuming the chart is reasonable.

So why do all rooms have to have identical amenities? They don't have identical views (theme park view) or location (SSR preferred) or accessibility. Why would more diversity in reasonable room types hurt your ownership interest?

Because those amenities are at the core of the DVC model.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Because those amenities are at the core of the DVC model.

DVC is a timeshare. Are there many or any other timeshares out there that don't have such basic amenities? From whenever I've done some looking at others what I've seen is that DVC typically has already been towards the bottom of room design/amenities. I thought they were striving for that industry standard?

However there is one thing that having no kitchenette nor microwave nor toaster does. It leaves the rooms in that building virtually the same as always for the GF food service. No heating up left overs doing grocery orders that might reduce eating at the existing facilities.

 

[RoseGold]

Because those amenities are at the core of the DVC model.

You keep saying that, but are they? DVC already has hotel style rooms at Aulani, and they're among the most popular in the system.

 

[havoc315]

If some studios have microwaves and mini fridges, ALL studios should have them. I’m not comparing studios to Grand Villas….jeez…. I mean where do we draw the line? Next will be some rooms have bathrooms, some don’t……?

Why?!? Different room categories have different amenities.

Should VGF2 rooms get shrunken down to match the deluxe studios?

Should the tower studios at Riviera have a queen size bed squeezed in?

If a VGF deluxe studio is 30 points per night, but a VGF resort studio is 20 points per night, why should they be identical?!??

Different categories have different costs and have different layouts/amenities.

This isn’t unique to VGF. VGF is just the first to have a “resort studio” category.

If DVC wants to introduce a category without bathrooms, they can go ahead. Nobody will buy it. And if nobody buys resort studios, then Disney will make a change.

 

[havoc315]

Because those amenities are at the core of the DVC model.

Then you have nothing to worry about. If they are that critical to DVC, then not a single person will buy the new VGF points, nobody will book the new rooms, and Disney will be forced to make a change.

But if people do buy and book the rooms — then it means that those amenities are NOT the core of the DVC model. It will mean that there are plenty of DVC owners/buyers who just want a resort room.

 

[nuhusky123]

Why?!? Different room categories have different amenities.

Should VGF2 rooms get shrunken down to match the deluxe studios?

Should the tower studios at Riviera have a queen size bed squeezed in?

If a VGF deluxe studio is 30 points per night, but a VGF resort studio is 20 points per night, why should they be identical?!??

Different categories have different costs and have different layouts/amenities.

This isn’t unique to VGF. VGF is just the first to have a “resort studio” category.

If DVC wants to introduce a category without bathrooms, they can go ahead. Nobody will buy it. And if nobody buys resort studios, then Disney will make a change.

I tried logic with this group. Doesn’t work

give me my microwave or death. Get out the pitchforks

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Why?!? Different room categories have different amenities.

Should VGF2 rooms get shrunken down to match the deluxe studios?

Except those rooms have more square footage and all that some of us are talking about is a microwave. VB Inn rooms were the first "hotel" type room have them. Actually, one might say an OKW studio with its 2 beds was the 1st. Tower studios have them. The only one that has finally been found that doesn't is in a resort that has been for sale for over a decade with no end in sight.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I actually do have a very large concern about the pared down amenities in the new rooms vs what is in the existing studios. There are too many points being sold for them and their stripped down amenities with no second shower compared to a studio that has all of those things. And with the studios getting the improved murphy bed/couch? The points will have to be a lot different but that isn't really what DVC wants - they want more to sell, not less.

When owners complain about resorts how much has been about any "excessive" things that they have or is it almost 100% about the lack of things? DVC consistently underbuilds not the opposite. At least a microwave is something that could be added vs some of the other things they've failed on. BLT is an excellent example where the square footage was kept so small that once the complaints came in about no sheers on the windows they realized they didn't even have room for them in the studios but they were able to get them up in the larger villas.

 

[havoc315]

Except those rooms have more square footage and all that some of us are talking about is a microwave. VB Inn rooms were the first "hotel" type room have them. Actually, one might say an OKW studio with its 2 beds was the 1st. Tower studios have them. The only one that has finally been found that doesn't is in a resort that has been for sale for over a decade with no end in sight.

And RIV tower studios were the first studios without a dedicated bed.

New categories get introduced over time, with new pros and cons.

For you, it’s “how can it be DVC without a microwave?!?”

For someone else, the kitchen sink may be the breaking point. Or the lack of a freezer. Or the inability to fold away the second bed.

If I personally have no use for a microwave, maybe I am thrilled to see a lower-point studio that excludes the things I don’t need.
I guarantee you— lots of people would rather spend 25 points on a room without a kitchenette than 30 points on a room with a kitchenette.

Why shouldn’t DVC owners get the choice?!??

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

And RIV tower studios were the first studios without a dedicated bed.

New categories get introduced over time, with new pros and cons.

For you, it’s “how can it be DVC without a microwave?!?”

For someone else, the kitchen sink may be the breaking point. Or the lack of a freezer. Or the inability to fold away the second bed.

If I personally have no use for a microwave, maybe I am thrilled to see a lower-point studio that excludes the things I don’t need.
I guarantee you— lots of people would rather spend 25 points on a room without a kitchenette than 30 points on a room with a kitchenette.

Why shouldn’t DVC owners get the choice?!??

Because it's a point based timeshare and if amenities are too off or unappealing to the majority it skews things. Similarities in a non-fixed week system will help prevent that. And the tower studios were very minor in count. When categories like that are introduced it doesn't affect the demand of the larger categories. Big Pine will far outnumber the existing studios and if the majority of owners at VGF don't agree with you it will turn booking the existing studios into more of a similar situation to booking concierge. The entire system needs to be considered not just a single or even a handful of owners wishes and I haven't seen too many people ever putting out there that they wish DVC would put less in a villa.

 

[havoc315]

Because it's a point based timeshare and if amenities are too off or unappealing to the majority it skews things.

Ahh.... So it seems you are making a huge assumption. You're assuming that the Resort Rooms will be unappealing to the majority because of the lack of a microwave.

While, I suspect that 99% of DVC owners and buyers won't make their booking decisions about the presence of a microwave. (some may be swayed by the presence of a kitchenette and murphy bed, but I don't believe the microwave will be the breaking point for more than a handful of people. And by the way --- Anyone can request a microwave in a regular resort room, I'm sure GFV2 will work the same way.)
Much will depend on the point charts ---
For example, if the resort rooms are a ridiculously low 5 points per night while the deluxe studios are 30 points per night, do you really think the resort studios will sit empty as everyone clamors for their kitchenettes?

Now, I don't think the resort studios will be 5 points per night. But I do suspect they will be fewer points than the deluxe villas. At fewer points and more space, I'm guessing any skewing is the exact opposite of your assumption. I suspect the skewing will be excess demand for the new resort studios, making the older deluxe studios easier to book.
That's what we see at Aulani -- Where the regular hotel rooms book MUCH faster than the deluxe studios.

I haven't seen too many people ever putting out there that they wish DVC would put less in a villa.

I've seen LOTS of people say they never use the kitchenette. I've seen lots of people saying they do want larger units. I've seen lots of people saying they wish rooms were fewer points. So yes, I believe there are LOTS of people who couldn't care less about the loss of the kitchenette, and will gladly take extra square footage at a lower point cost.

 

[Epcot Forever Forever]

I tried logic with this group. Doesn’t work

give me my microwave or death. Get out the pitchforks

Logic? They disagree with your opinion.

 

[nuhusky123]

When I travel I stay exclusively in four or five star hotel rooms. They do not have microwaves

these rooms are exactly what I as a traveler am looking for and guess what, there are lots of travelers like me

the sky is falling all, dvc demographics are changing. Run for the hills

 

[La2kw]

When I travel I stay exclusively in four or five star hotel rooms. They do not have microwaves

these rooms are exactly what I as a traveler am looking for and guess what, there are lots of travelers like me

the sky is falling all, dvc demographics are changing. Run for the hills

A hotel room is not a timeshare unit, so that anecdote is irrelevant and not logical. I’ve stayed in plenty of hotel rooms myself without a microwave, but that has nothing to do with removing amenities that have traditionally been included with the DVC studios.