What would you change about DVC if you could?

[paults]

as long as our dues doesn't go up. They get enough from us now.
Anyone that doesn't mind dues hikes is welcome to pay mine.

I think AP's should (at least) go back to the way they were.

I agree with a fine for smoking in a non-smoking room even if mousekeeping is doing it.

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
Reading another thread about a ruined vacation stay, probably a worthwhile addition would be a substantial financial penalty for those who smoke in a non-smoking room.

This would be very easy for CM and MS to enforce.When you check in they have your credit card authorization, then you sign a waiver that if you cause smoke damage or smoke in a non-smoking room, you will pay a penalty($100-$200) for a "complete cleaning".Other major hotels have started to do this.
I would think this would stop some smokers from lighting up

in the room.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

How about that idea of firework observation decks on BWV and BCV resorts? At one time I thought there was an area with a railing on the top of the BCV building off the the central elevator. Perhaps it's reserved for VIP functions.

Ore reserved viewing areas for parades or illuminations? Just show your room key. This wouldn't cost much. I think it would end up being good advertisement when people asked about it.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by CaptainMidnight
...(snip)....Ore reserved viewing areas for parades or illuminations? Just show your room key. This wouldn't cost much. I think it would end up being good advertisement when people asked about it.

I would love this, but I wonder if it is doable. It may not cost much (that's a good thing), but IMHO, there is a significant downside potential.

Given the number of on site DVC rooms, it would have to be a very big area, as I anticipate this being a very popular perk. I suppose it could be limited to the first xxx number of DVC members that show up on any particular night, but that could result in a number of disappointed members. I don't think Disney/DVC would be anxious to offer any perks that have the potential to generate lots of complaints/bad feelings.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by JimC
....(snip)....
7. Preferred check-in and check-out times (say two hours earlier and later respectively than cash guests get)....

We're all just daydreaming on this thread, right??? If so, please ignore the rest of my post - not sure why I immediately jump to figuring cost/practicality of every suggestion. Sorry if it's bothering anyone. Don't want to spoil the fun!

So, anyway, that would make check out at 1 p.m. and check in at 2 p.m. That leaves an hour for housekeeping to get the room ready for new occupants. FWIW, I believe that most rooms at DVC resorts are occupied by members or their guests.

Not sure how many people it would take to thoroughly clean a unit in an hour, but surely it would take more than one for the 1, 2 & 3 bedroom units. Anyway, it would seem that the DVC resorts would need hundreds, maybe thousands, of housekeepers for just an hour or two every day and just a skeleton staff for the rest of the time. Anyone care to manage that work operation, let alone PAY for it???

I love to daydream. Mine is for DVC to let me stay for free in a 2 bedroom unit or a Grand Villa/Beach Cottage:

at OKW, every day in January and February,
At VB every day in March, April and May,
at HHI, every day in June, July and August
at BCV every day in September and October
at BWV every day in November and December.

 

[rae519]

CarolMN - girl, when you dream, you dream REAL BIG! I like that!!

Rae

 

[Disney Doll]

I like the idea of the DVC member being able to have the same discount on passes as a Florida resident. After all, technically, don't we own property in Florida?

 

[colleen costello]

Access to meal packages would be great. A friend of mine is going down in a few weeks, same time as my family, and she has all sorts of great plans made via her "Silver" package. She is getting a great rate on lots of fun things and it kind of bums me out that we DVC'ers don't have a shot at this package because we already have "a place to stay!" Disney would get a lot more of my meal dollars if I could get the package and budget ahead of time. As it is, we eat off-property A LOT. Pizzeria Uno, Olive Garden and Perkins are getting my money! These places are as close to OKW as any Disney resort restaurant and the prices are much more reasonable. How about special meal and ticket packages specifically for DVC members?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Colleen,
They had a meal plan a few years back. Yet another thing that did not fly. Right up there with the catalog of DVC merchandise they used to have, the placemats, the napkins, salt and pepper shakers, coasters, teapots, hand mixes and etc. (Well, actually, the placemats, napkins, the S&P shakers etc. did not literally fly, they grew legs and walked.). Now you have to call for a teapot and mixer. More often than not you have to call for pot holders and broiler pans. This is nuts, I spend a lot of time calling for stuff that is missing when it could be checked on a checkin/out spread sheet, signed by the person in the unit and charged to that person when they leave and it is missing. I guess this has been one of my major laments since I joined.

 

[Regina]

Are you talking about a teapot or a teakettle? We've always found a teakettle, but I can't remember having a teapot.

 

[WDWMom]

Sounds like alot of great ideas. How about more member activities in general, and poolside in particular. The current line up from hank's has gone stale.

Something like;

Poolside Disney trivia for pins

exclusive DVC parks and resorts tours

Jellyrolls, or PI nights.

semiformal dance/evening out poolside with live band

character led acvtivity for the kids...ie have Alice do unbirthday party, belle's story hour, peter pan treasure hunt.

inner tube movie (JAWS) in the pool

progressive Hot tub party ( LOL)

We enjoyed being at the pool for sunset celebration in the past, but on our last two trips this activity around the pool at night had disapeared.

 

[colleen costello]

Gail, I believe you are a real DVC veteran... Please tell me more about the meal plan AND the catalog of DVC stuff. I went nuts last summer trying to find a nice baseball-type hat with "DVC" on it... settled for a Beach Club Villas" one for my Dad.

I agree entirely that they should stock the rooms fully and charge for whatever is missing. It's a hassle to have to pack things like a teapot!

What can you remember about the meal plan? I can't believe it wasn't popular. The more I think about my pal and all her "Silver Plan" goodies, the crankier I get! They are going to Mickey's BBQ and a few character meals, as these can be redeemed as her "magical wishes" each day. WE need some "magical wishes" for DVC'ers!

 

[CarolMN]

Since the DVC resort rooms have kitchen facilities (even if they are limited in the studios), I think the vast majority of DVC members were not/are not interested in the meal plans. You usually have to eat a lot (every day) to take advantage of them. I think it is a better value to "pay as you go". Those who want to pre-pay for meals can always buy Disney Dollars or open a "vacation savings" account. Anyway, that's why I think the DVC meal plans were discontinued - not enough people wanted them.

 

[colleen costello]

That is what is SO nice about this "Silver" plan. It doesn't include too many meals -- just 2 "wishes" a day per person, which can be a meal or something else like photographs, a boat rental, etc. I agree that many of the old packages included too much and my family, for example, would never use a complete meal package. But SOME meals for a discount would be great!

 

[CaptainMidnight]

That is what is SO nice about this "Silver" plan. It doesn't include too many meals -- just 2 "wishes" a day per person, which can be a meal or something else like photographs, a boat rental, etc.

Sounds interesting. Seems kind of funny that a package like that offerred to other guests is specifically unavailable to DVC members, although I doubt we'd probably use it.

How about a playground close to BCV as an additional item. Some small equipment that kids could jump around on while waiting on something.

Concerning the crowds that would be trying to use a DVC observation area, a simple lottery as they do with the turtle watch might take care of that problem. You get a telephone call in the morning offering you a ticket at the front desk if you were selected after submitting your name the night before. Wine service could be offerred at the observation area and shirley temples for the kids. Every once and a whiel you'd be randomly selected and would get to enjoy the perk. Have you seek that cool boat they have with the bar service in the middle for entertaining on Crescent Lake? I also wondered what the large cabin cruiser was in the 7 seas lagoon, is that for entertaining VIP guests? Anybody ever been on it? How many points does it take?

 

[TDC Nala]

I've been on the Grand 1 yacht, that's the one on the 7 Seas Lagoon. This was last year's yacht; they just got a new one. It costs something like $350 an hour to rent. A friend had tried to book it for a fireworks cruise and the Grand Floridian marina lost his reservation somehow, and by the time they found it they'd booked someone else for the fireworks. They gave him use of the boat for an hour, just to cruise around the lagoon, so he brought along a bunch of people and some pizza. It was an enjoyable outing.

I don't know about the Crescent Lake boat, though. I've been on one of the pontoon boats but it didn't have a bar.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I believe I saw the Crescent lake boat over by the Swan and Dolphin, but I could be mistaken. It was larger than a pontoon boat, wooden style with a striped canopy, It looked like it would seat about 25 -30 people. If was more the style of the boat going from GF to MK. I was very nice looking, with a pretty well stocked bar. I don't know if it was brought in for a special occasion, like a wedding or what, but it was on crecent lake at the time. The lakes are all conected by canals, right?

Your Grand 1 yacht trip sounds like fun. Only $350 per hour, huh?

 

[ncligs]

Originally posted by WDWMom
progressive Hot tub party ( LOL)

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by colleen costello
What can you remember about the meal plan? I can't believe it wasn't popular. The more I think about my pal and all her "Silver Plan" goodies, the crankier I get! They are going to Mickey's BBQ and a few character meals, as these can be redeemed as her "magical wishes" each day. WE need some "magical wishes" for DVC'ers!

The meal plan was the same "food and fun plan" that could be added to regular WDW packages. You paid like $50 per person per day for a $55 food credit per person per day. It also included some recreation activities. When it was cancelled for regular WDW guests (I'd say about 3 years ago), it was also cancelled for DVC. I don't think it was that popular. After that they started the plan with "magical wishes" but DVC did not pick it up.

I think the silver plan with "magical wishes" is $67 extra per person per night (added to the resort magic plan package). I wonder how many DVC members would want to put that much out when you have cooking facilities in the room. We always have a quick breakfast in the room, we rarely go out for breakfast. Alot of lunches & dinners we have leftovers that we put in our fridge and eat later. We usually combine lunch & dinner into a late lunch/early dinner, the portions are so big.

It wouldn't hurt though to offer it to DVC members who may want it. I'd rather see them push for a pass discount.

 

[RLevy29]

I know that this would never happen, but have a separate point chart for staying seven nights that would be less than paying nightly points. This might encourage people to stay at DVC on the weekends instead of moving to another resort.
I would also like to see them add another category of accomodations for families of 5 or 6. I always thought it was strange how they have 2 different sized rooms that allow 4 and if you have a family of 5 you need to use so many more points to rent the 2-bedroom. This is not an occupancy debate!