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

[nuhusky123]

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.

according to Merriam webster to my absolute shock it says nothing of a microwave being required.

Legal Definition of timeshare

: an agreement or arrangement in which parties share the ownership of or right to use property (as a resort condominium) and that provides for occupation by each party especially for periods of less than a year

 

[Lorana]

according to Merriam webster to my absolute shock it says nothing of a microwave being required.

Legal Definition of timeshare

: an agreement or arrangement in which parties share the ownership of or right to use property (as a resort condominium) and that provides for occupation by each party especially for periods of less than a year

Since your argument above was about using logic, I'm curious as to why you think the Merriam Webster dictionary would list "amenities that have traditionally been included with the DVC studios."? That's a bit of a strawman fallacy, since the point was that microwaves were traditionally included in DVC studios - even the studios that are like traditional hotel rooms.

Also, if you're going to say that you're trying to use logic as the basis of your arguments, you might want to not make statements like "Get out the pitchforks" and "the sky is falling, run for the hills." ;-) Those border a little more on personal attacks than logical arguments; I'd say that you are expressing your opinion that you do not care for microwaves in a hotel room - which is perfectly fine - but the logical point that others have been making is that DVC studios - even the hotel-like studios at OKW, VB, etc - have previously all offered microwaves, and that Disney is now offering less amenities with VGF2 by not including microwaves or full mini-fridges in the studios.

As we don't know the cost of VGF2 or the point charts for these new studios, we don't yet know the impact it will or will not have on the existing Deluxe Studios, but I think people here are just expressing concern that Disney seems to be continuing the trend of offering less and concern that this will have a negative impact on existing owners who want Deluxe Studios, not these new Hotel Studios.

 

[nuhusky123]

We are literally arguing over a microwave. I do think we need a reality check

but…. I was responding to the prior comment “A hotel room is not a timeshare unit”

legally a timeshare does not need a microwave, or fridge and yes a hotel room would qualify under the legal definition. The makeup of the room is not what defines a timeshare but rather fractional ownership

and on the less argument. Yeah I agree Disney is changing and not for the better. But these rooms have two real beds and are bigger.

it’s not less, it’s just different. Why is different so bad

 

[Judique]

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……

Ha! Surveys. I ignore all of the ones sent after stays.

 

[quandrea]

I’ve started my own campaign in staunch support of no microwave. Will share results here shortly

You do realise you could just NOT use the microwave, right?

 

[nuhusky123]

You do realise you could just NOT use the microwave, right?

much to the same degree people who MUST have a microwave could stay somewhere else and not throw a hissy fit

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

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'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.

You ignored the rest and focused on the one thing you wanted to.

 

[RoseGold]

You do realise you could just NOT use the microwave, right?

And you could just use the microwave in the laundry room, instead of thinking everyone wants one, which isn’t true.

 

[quandrea]

And you could just use the microwave in the laundry room, instead of thinking everyone wants one, which isn’t true.

What are you talking about? Laundry room?

Those of you not wanting kitchenette amenities, be them fridges or microwaves, etc, are seeking hotel rooms, although I fail to see the issue with the presence of an amenity. DVC has always been marketed as home away from home. This is a downgrading of amenities that detracts from the home away from home characteristics.

A previous poster mentioned always staying in 4 or 5 star hotels. Dvc has never been even close to 4 or 5 star. It is a home away from home. If one is seeking a 5 star experience, one would do better at the Four Seasons Orlando.

 

[RoseGold]

What are you talking about? Laundry room?

Like the laundry, it doesn't have to be in your room to have access to it. The obvious solution to OP's problem is to have a microwave in a common area. Or just request a microwave, like you can at most hotels. Or, don't book this particular room category out of many.

 

[Sandisw]

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

I think the differences is the reason they have not called them deluxe studios. Being a resort studio allows them to have different set ups, even within the same condo association. Now, personally, it makes no difference one way or the other for us because its very rare we use the microwave. However, maybe they have done surveys and found that many people don't use it enough to put it in every unit, but have it something that can be requested?

I certainly think those who would like to see them should let DVC know so they can pass it along to DVD. While different resorts, we have studios and 1 bedrooms that have a 5th sleeping space while others do not. So, it already exists within the system that not every single room has exactly the same of everything. This is just the first time its the microwave vs a bed.

 

[quandrea]

Like the laundry, it doesn't have to be in your room to have access to it. The obvious solution to OP's problem is to have a microwave in a common area. Or just request a microwave, like you can at most hotels. Or, don't book this particular room category out of many.

You said, “use the microwave in the laundry room.” Your statement did not make any sense whatsoever.

 

[RoseGold]

DVC has always been marketed as home away from home. This is a downgrading of amenities that detracts from the home away from home characteristics.

Except when it hasn’t. Aulani hotel room category is booked at 11 months and walked.

While we are enforcing “home away from home”, I’d like to get rid of the leaf blowing at 9AM. That is not the kind of behavior I tolerate in my home.

 

[Lorana]

much to the same degree people who MUST have a microwave could stay somewhere else and not throw a hissy fit

You seem to think that people disagreeing with your opinion is “throwing a hissy fit” but I’d note you’re the one making disparaging comments.
Stating that DVC is offering *less* amenities than previously, and then contacting DVC to express concern that these amenities be included, is not throwing a hissy fit. Particularly as the OP wasn’t asking DVC to change the room configuration or add a kitchenette; just include a microwave. This can be done without impacting what you want: two queen beds, no kitchenette.

Why do you think including a microwave is so bad?

Allowing Disney to continue to make changes that reduce amenities traditionally included without speaking up about it just makes them feel entitled to continue to take away amenities. It’s a disservice to all members not to speak up: we’re okay with different, but we’re not okay with less. People weren’t complaining about the room configuration (two queens); they were literally just complaining that the amenity of a microwave was missing and requesting Disney include it so it’s there for those who want it.

 

[CarolMN]

From the Disbaords.com Posting Guidelines:

"While we'd like to think that a Disney fan site is always lighthearted, there are times when there are disagreements. Let's face it, there are certain topics that can transform any of us into a raging "Donald Duck." When you sense this is happening, we ask that you step away from the discussion before it escalates into a fight. Just like Mom always said about fighting, we don't care who started the argument and we don't want it on the DIS. (Okay, she didn't say the part about the DIS, but you know what we mean.) No attacking others and no sarcasm please. Either will result in an infraction"

 

[Madame]

You said, “use the microwave in the laundry room.” Your statement did not make any sense whatsoever.

I’m over here having a flash-back to my all-girls 4 year university dorm experience. Communal microwave…. In a laundry room…. Garlic/fish/whatever mixed with fresh laundry smells…

 

[jo-jo]

One of the reasons we bought into DVC was having a sofa and a kitchenette area. DH was getting tired of only have a bed or a slippery plastic chair to sit on. I was tired of making the 4 mile hike to get coffee and bagels in the morning. We love staying in the bigger villas, but a studio has most of what we need. If I could add something, I would love to have something like a toaster oven/ air fryer in them.

 

[havoc315]

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.

At Aulani, hotel rooms actually are part of the DVC timeshare.

Nothing is being removed from any units. The Deluxe Studio Villas are not having their microwaves removed.

A NEW unit is being added.
By your logic, every DVC should be identical to OKW. After all, it was the first. Therefore, it was the “traditional” DVC. How dare they make DVC properties with BBQ’s, that was traditional! How dare they make units smaller than OKW, that was traditional! How dare they stop including VCRs, those were traditional!

I get that some people don’t like the new units — so don’t book them.
But lots of other people actually love the new units.

Should I petition that kitchenettes be removed from DVC units in order to create more open space?
Or maybe… everyone should just book the units they like. Instead of trying to force their preferences on other people.

 

[Matty B13]

See all the different posts, makes me really think that DVC should have added this new building on as a separate DVC Resort instead of adding it on to VGF 1.0. As a current owner I'm not happy to have all these hotel rooms added on to the existing Resort, I bought VGF 1.0 because it had 1 & 2 bedroom categories. I could have bought Poly if I wanted just studios (bungalows don't count).

If people want access to 1 & 2 Bedrooms, than could either wait for resale points through a broker or buy direct from DVC after they ROFR points.

 

[RoseGold]

I book a lot of accessible rooms, so I kind of see this whole discussion differently. I recognize I have different needs than most, and there are a lot of rooms that will never work for our family. I was disappointed in RIV's accessibility -- no elevator in the lobby? Hallways that don't fit a wheelchair and a double stroller? But, I don't think every room category should work for us, or that everyone else should also have an accessible room/hotel because I want one. I mean, DVC has whole buildings that are walk-up, THAT'S inconvenient. I don't want the walk-up, so I don't book it.

For what it matters, I would bet DVC is really going to up the accessibility while they are doing this flip. That's good news for those that need accessible rooms. Taking away ME was a big blow. I would bet that this is a great canvas to put in some accessible rooms. That's a win for me as a VGF owner.