Why are maint fees so high for non Disney locations

[chrisaman]

I noticed that Vero Beach, Hilton Head, and Aluani have much higher maint fees per point than the resorts located on Disney property. Anyone have any insight as to why this may be?

 

[rlovew]

I believe some of them are supported only by DVC members (no cash hotel) and they require a lot more activities than the WDW/DL resorts since they don't have the parks for activities. They also don't have the other resorts near them to keep some of the costs down- all the WDW resorts laundry is sent to 1 general location. They also have higher insurance costs due to location. I have no idea if property taxes are higher as well since I don't own any of them.

 

[MiramarQE]

Don't forget the proximity to the ocean - salt and sand will be hard on the structures, paving and flooring materials - anticipated wear and tear would be much higher, much more continuing maintenance, more frequent refurbs

 

[Sammie]

I believe some of them are supported only by DVC members (no cash hotel) and they require a lot more activities than the WDW/DL resorts since they don't have the parks for activities. They also don't have the other resorts near them to keep some of the costs down- all the WDW resorts laundry is sent to 1 general location. They also have higher insurance costs due to location. I have no idea if property taxes are higher as well since I don't own any of them.

Disney owns the same percentage at all DVC resorts, so they do offer cash reservations. Also they offer them when a member that owns there trades out.

Higher insurance for hurricanes and such things as beach erosion. Also HHI and Vero are small resorts.

 

[bakerworld]

Assuming that all sales guides tell the truth, we were told that Vero and Hilton Head started out fairly even with OKW maintenance fees until both sustained substantial storm damage several years close together. She said both would have to go 10 years without a substantial storm before any reduction in insurance libility would occur.

Just what we were told when buying our first contract direct and asking advice on which venues to look at for resale.

 

[Pea's Mom]

We were once told that everything, including toilet paper, paper towels, etc is factored into maintenance fees. With the number of resorts in one area in WDW, the company can order these kinds of things in bulk with lower pricing spread out amongst the various properties. I assume toiletries and such are included too. Add all of that to general maintenance, etc it certainly can get pricey.

 

[crisi]

Assuming that all sales guides tell the truth, we were told that Vero and Hilton Head started out fairly even with OKW maintenance fees until both sustained substantial storm damage several years close together. She said both would have to go 10 years without a substantial storm before any reduction in insurance libility would occur.

Just what we were told when buying our first contract direct and asking advice on which venues to look at for resale.

I think higher insurance for being potentially in the path of hurricanes and more wear and tear from seawater probably sum it up. There is also probably some minor overhead involved in being away from central Disney support services (i.e. on property I'm sure Disney gets quite the deal on trash hauling - off property at - say Hilton Head - they are a smallish contract for a local provider), on property if a front desk computer breaks, local IT swings by - off property its probably contracted on a per call basis.

 

[wdrl]

In Aulani's case, I think there are far more amenities offered to guests than what is offered at other DVC resorts. The Starlit Hui show, Auntie's Beach House, the Lazy River, and the Lagoon don't come cheap. Also, if I'm not mistaken, Aulani and the soon-to-open VGF are the only two DVC resorts that offer robes to their guests.

 

[tjkraz]

For Vero and Hilton Head, some of it has to do with the small size of the resort. Minimum staffing levels have to be maintained in all areas. They probably could have built many more villas at each location, and kept operating costs about the same. That would have lowered the burden for everyone. Unfortunately buyer demand wasn't there.

HHI has two pools--one at the resort and another at the beach house--a Community Hall and a pretty diverse activity program for what is a smallish resort.

Vero has high insurance premiums & beach erosion issues.

Aulani has all of the added perks that wdrl mentioned, plus the expensive Hawaiian economy. Aunty's Beach House is basically a staffed child care center. There's no comparison for that at any WDW resort.