Why do owners sell?

[Dean]

Let me see if I understand the majority should pay for internet because you want it?? would you feel better if everybodies dues were raised 9.99 a year for internet access or do you just want those of us that don't use or need it to subsidize your internet use?
Second we should reserve the best room for you whenever you may stroll in or do you just want to reserve the right to throw someone else out of their room. Compensate you? They took a room out of maintenance and cleaned it just for you, do you feel entitled to the CM's first born as well?
New towels every 4th day, you want the luxury of new towels every day I agree you should have new towels so PAY FOR THEM call the front desk and tell them you want daily towel service.
The DVD player can be bought at walmart for $29 so buy one and throw it out on your way out the door it will be just like renting it. Or maybe just have fun with your spouse alone in the room maybe that will make it a better vacation.

You're in Disney I would suggest you try to enjoy yourself

Every timeshare charges the members as a whole for things that not everyone uses or that many use disproportionately compared to others. You have to decide where to draw the line and have a pay as you play vs the economy of scale and simplicity of having everyone participate. Pool's, game rooms, even buses fall into those categories to name a few of the many areas this could apply to. And actually many resorts, timeshares and hotels offer high speed wireless included and many charge as much or more than Disney does. Given the widespread nature of demand, I think it's one that would be reasonable to spread across the masses. But it doesn't truly cost $10 per day over time to provide the service. If you did it for the entire resort, you're likely looking at in the ranges of $1-2 per day per unit actual cost. There would be an initial startup cost then ongoing costs including maint, tech support and hardware replacement/upgrades over time.

 

[DVC-Don]

We had 3 DVC contracts and found over time we did not really need all those points anymore. So we sold our smallest (70 points) contract this past summer.

 

[lisareniff]

Terry, sorry to hear that you need to sell your BCV. You were a great help when we were purchasing a few years ago. May the pixie dust be with you!

 

[dumbo71]

Let me start by saying EVERYONE is entitled to their opinions. Based on yours I'd say you should sell as soon as you get home.

I've had issues with DVC for sure but nothing like you have. My issues were about reductions in services offered or out and out CHANGES.

Now, you want to use 1 towel a day? Go ahead, either pay for extra towels so you can do that or book a one bedroom and once or twice during your stay run a load of towels.

Want daily housekeeping? You can get that as well, just pay for it or book a cash room at DVC or a WDW Resort.

Free dining??? As Sammie pointed out nothing is free.

Want to go home already? Then go, nothing is stopping you. Call the airline, change the flight, notify DVC you are leaving and go home.

Despite encountered problems I've NEVER been ready to leave. A bad day on vacation is better than any at home. See Sammie, I'm not that hard to please.

You have every right to sell and I'd suggest you give Tom a call and list your points. DVC doesn't seem to be for you.

Expecting ALL members to subsidize your wants is a little selfish. At least the things you want are available to you, albeit at a small fee.

 

[MommaX03]

DVC isn't for everyone. It's too bad that some of these issues (TV, internet, towels, best point usage) were a suprise to you before you purchased. The best advice I got here on the DIS when we considered purchasing was: "do your homework." Most of us who really like DVC are first and foremost lovers of going to WDW and find the larger rooms a really big plus (at least I do for my family of of 5). Some of things you listed are actually a plus in my mind---we prefer not having daily housekeeping, and no pay per view concerns. We hang up towels at home....if everyone in my family used a new towel each day I'd be washing 35 towels a week---yikes! Do you really do that?

As a mom to three, I totally agree with this quote!

Thanks to the OP for a very interesting thread!

As for Ms. SharkBait, I welcome your comments as a fresh perspective. I know there are many lurkers out there who are pondering the DVC as an option for them. For me, the issues that are causing Ms. SharkBait to sell are, as many prior posters correctly pointed out, things that can happen unfortunately even for the cash-paying public at the general WDW resorts.

I agree with many posters that if one wants the internet, they should pay for it. Some of us go to WDW computer free because we do not have a laptop or simply prefer to be "unplugged" while on vacation. I spoke to two fellow vacationers about this issue while staying at the All-Star Music. One was going on about the fee for the internet and how it should be free. When I mentioned that offering "free" internet access may mean the base price of the room going up, the other person said, "Well, I don't want that." The same thing is going on with the DVC internet fee.

As a person who traveled on the "free" dining option twice, I, in retrospect, could have purchased APs instead and paid a lot less for the three trips of park hopper tickets that I got with the full-price rooms. But I did not anticipate going to Disney three times over 12 months. As the old economics adage goes, there is no such thing as a free lunch, or dining plan in this case.

I hope Ms. SharkBait has a more enjoyable remainder of her vacation. Relax!!!

 

[Sammie]

Despite encountered problems I've NEVER been ready to leave. A bad day on vacation is better than any at home. See Sammie, I'm not that hard to please

or are we wearing you down.

 

[tor]

actually many resorts, timeshares and hotels offer high speed wireless included and many charge as much or more than Disney does. Given the widespread nature of demand, I think it's one that would be reasonable to spread across the masses. But it doesn't truly cost $10 per day over time to provide the service. If you did it for the entire resort, you're likely looking at in the ranges of $1-2 per day per unit actual cost. There would be an initial startup cost then ongoing costs including maint, tech support and hardware replacement/upgrades over time.

You are assuming Disney owns and manages the network and would then in an un Disney like manner only charge cost. I believe the network is provided by an outside supplier that I am sure passes something back to Disney.

 

[Dean]

You are assuming Disney owns and manages the network and would then in an un Disney like manner only charge cost. I believe the network is provided by an outside supplier that I am sure passes something back to Disney.

The system is currently outsourced, I seem to recall it was a 5 year contract. Disney could have done it in house or hired instillation and set up. Rather they opted to out source this as a for profit venture to a third party. That could change in 3-4 years and I expect it will but we shall see. I think wireless broadband is quickly becoming an expected amenity just like a pool or fitness room. DVC is catching up on DVD's at present and soon they will be in all DVC units. We shall see.

 

[MsSharkBait]

Wow. I never expected so many responses!

I think that my #1 problem was the bad start to our vacation. I do not think it is right/fair for me to book a non-smoking room in advance and not get it. We got off the airplane and went straight to resort just after 4pm. We live in AZ and that's the only Non-Stop flight to Orlando for the day.

That just set us off to complain about everything. I am very happy to hear tht studios will be having DVD players soon.

As for the Internet, I don't think everyone should pay for it if they don't use it (though, I don't use the Bus and I am sure somewhere I pay a fee for that). I have been to many hotels that have free internet or cheaper internet. I just don't know why Disney can't do this for us - or maybe I can have the option to pay $25-50 a year myself for internet. That's a lot cheaper than $9.99 a day on a 9-day trip. But, I knew this - it was just something to rant about when I was mad. Same with the Trash and Towel service. It's not that bad, I was just irritated with DVC for the day.

We bought into DVC because we do come to WDW once a year, if not twice. We have been now 4 times for at least a week each time in less than two years. On top of that we are Disneyland CA annual passholders, so we *at least* go there 4 times in one year for a weekend at a time. Between all of that, we are Disney'ed out. Now, I couldn't live without my Disney fix for more than 3 months, but I only need 1-2 days in DL CA or 3-4 days in WDW to be satisfied. I think that this 9 day/8 night trip was just a little much for us this time. Plus on top of that, this is the first time I have been away from my Cockatoo Sonny for more than 3 days or so and I miss him terribly.

As of now, we have decided to keep DVC. I think we may change to a WDW trip every other year. Or, if we go every year we would just go for a shorter time. But, in the long run DVC is a great save for us.

 

[MommaX03]

If you want, you could do some Vero Beach on your next WDW trip, or (gasp) check out the other Orlando offerings like Universal Studios, Sea World, etc. So once you are over WDW for the first couple of days, you could do other stuff to keep it fresh for you.

 

[Cruelladeville]

I agree that Disney should offer internet access, although offering it for free might be too much to hope for. $9.95 per day, however, is excessive, and is probably a money-maker for them. Many cheap motels offer it for free, so I don't imagine that much cost is involved, especially since it's dial-up, and a very slow dial-up at that. Marriott charged us $9.95 for the week, which is reasonable.

Getting a smoking room is not fun for a non-smoker, although many smokers smoke in non-smoking rooms. When I was at SSR at Thanksgiving, a pipe smoker was in the room next to us, and a cigar smoker was in the building across from us. Granted, both smoked on the balcony, but I always wondered if they smoked in the room, too. Neither one was on the balcony enough to support their habit. I do think that cleaning costs for smoking in a non-smoking room should be a cost that's not borne by the entire DVC membership, but is charged to the individual member. But towels every day??? No way! Why would you throw away a towel after one day, when all it did was wipe clean water off a clean body??

 

[DVC-Don]

You are assuming Disney owns and manages the network and would then in an un Disney like manner only charge cost. I believe the network is provided by an outside supplier that I am sure passes something back to Disney.

It is an outside company that provides the service. We had a problem that required a tech come to the room and the fellow did not work for WDW or DVC. He did come very fast and was very polite but he did tell me the company he works for but I can not recall it now.

 

[Starr W.]

I agree that Disney should offer internet access, although offering it for free might be too much to hope for. $9.95 per day, however, is excessive, and is probably a money-maker for them. Many cheap motels offer it for free, so I don't imagine that much cost is involved, especially since it's dial-up, and a very slow dial-up at that. Marriott charged us $9.95 for the week, which is reasonable.

Getting a smoking room is not fun for a non-smoker, although many smokers smoke in non-smoking rooms. When I was at SSR at Thanksgiving, a pipe smoker was in the room next to us, and a cigar smoker was in the building across from us. Granted, both smoked on the balcony, but I always wondered if they smoked in the room, too. Neither one was on the balcony enough to support their habit. I do think that cleaning costs for smoking in a non-smoking room should be a cost that's not borne by the entire DVC membership, but is charged to the individual member. But towels every day??? No way! Why would you throw away a towel after one day, when all it did was wipe clean water off a clean body??

I feel sorry for some of these "I need a clean towel everyday" people. I think clean towels everyday in hotel rooms is going to end up the norm. It saves a lot of water. Better not go to Europe because this has been going on for at least 15 years in a lot of hotel chains(business class & up). Wouldn't be surprised if the EU passes some "green" law that forbids clean towels everyday.

 

[dumbo71]

or are we wearing you down.

No just the truth and a little faith restoration.

 

[Pootle]

I feel sorry for some of these "I need a clean towel everyday" people. I think clean towels everyday in hotel rooms is going to end up the norm. It saves a lot of water. Better not go to Europe because this has been going on for at least 15 years in a lot of hotel chains(business class & up). Wouldn't be surprised if the EU passes some "green" law that forbids clean towels everyday.

This clean towel daily issue fascinates me as a European. For years now many of the hotels I've stayed in (all over western Europe) have notices about doing your bit for the environment, the amount of water, energy and detergents used etc. and asking you to consider whether you really *do* require clean towels daily. If you do, you are simply required not to hang them up and then they are replaced.

To the OP, I recognised that your 'rant' was an initial response to your disappointment and I hope things continue to improve for you.

 

[crisi]

Wow. I never expected so many responses!

I think that my #1 problem was the bad start to our vacation. I do not think it is right/fair for me to book a non-smoking room in advance and not get it. We got off the airplane and went straight to resort just after 4pm. We live in AZ and that's the only Non-Stop flight to Orlando for the day.

That just set us off to complain about everything. I am very happy to hear tht studios will be having DVD players soon.

As for the Internet, I don't think everyone should pay for it if they don't use it (though, I don't use the Bus and I am sure somewhere I pay a fee for that). I have been to many hotels that have free internet or cheaper internet. I just don't know why Disney can't do this for us - or maybe I can have the option to pay $25-50 a year myself for internet. That's a lot cheaper than $9.99 a day on a 9-day trip. But, I knew this - it was just something to rant about when I was mad. Same with the Trash and Towel service. It's not that bad, I was just irritated with DVC for the day.

We bought into DVC because we do come to WDW once a year, if not twice. We have been now 4 times for at least a week each time in less than two years. On top of that we are Disneyland CA annual passholders, so we *at least* go there 4 times in one year for a weekend at a time. Between all of that, we are Disney'ed out. Now, I couldn't live without my Disney fix for more than 3 months, but I only need 1-2 days in DL CA or 3-4 days in WDW to be satisfied. I think that this 9 day/8 night trip was just a little much for us this time. Plus on top of that, this is the first time I have been away from my Cockatoo Sonny for more than 3 days or so and I miss him terribly.

As of now, we have decided to keep DVC. I think we may change to a WDW trip every other year. Or, if we go every year we would just go for a shorter time. But, in the long run DVC is a great save for us.

Sounds like you are in a better mood. A LOT of people agree on the smoking thing - it just isn't the way DVC works for right now, there is no guarentee. A lot of us would like to see a guarentee or the resorts to go non-smoking. I think one of those things will happen before my contract expires - but we have to live with what IS now (or sell and this one isn't worth selling over). (You can, of course, always write a letter, or two to hurry what I think is an inevitable change).

And I agree about Disney burnout. We only own 150 points - enough for seven days in a two bedroom every other year. For us, that is all we need to get our Disney fix. My sister got Disney burnout, it was sad to watch, and so I'm going to try and avoid it. She went from being a HUGE Disney fan with multiple trips per year, lots of resources towards Disney to someone who hasn't been in a decade. I'd rather put smaller resources towards Disney over a longer period of time. (Though many DISers are immune to Disney burnout, I don't think I'm one of them). I think its easier to get Disney burnout when your expectations are high and frequent trips give Disney plenty of chances to not live up to them (i.e. smoking rooms when you had a non-smoking request).

 

[tor]

I feel sorry for some of these "I need a clean towel everyday" people. I think clean towels everyday in hotel rooms is going to end up the norm. It saves a lot of water. Better not go to Europe because this has been going on for at least 15 years in a lot of hotel chains(business class & up). Wouldn't be surprised if the EU passes some "green" law that forbids clean towels everyday.

I would hate to do the laundry in these peoples' houses with all those towels. In my house that would be 28 towels a week. I don't think we own 28 towels.

 

[aclov]

I currently have two contracts and I'm thinking of selling but keeping the smaller one, only 50 points which was an add-on. My reason for selling was because we purchased DVC primarily to take our future children, which after 6 years of trying we have been unable to conceive. For us, it is too emotional to keep going to the parks especially MK without children. DH doesn't even want to visit the parks anymore. We love Orlando and have good friends that live there, so maybe purchasing a different timeshare would be better but I do love DVC that's why I would keep a small amount of points.

 

[Granny]

And I agree about Disney burnout. We only own 150 points - enough for seven days in a two bedroom every other year. For us, that is all we need to get our Disney fix. My sister got Disney burnout, it was sad to watch, and so I'm going to try and avoid it. She went from being a HUGE Disney fan with multiple trips per year, lots of resources towards Disney to someone who hasn't been in a decade. I'd rather put smaller resources towards Disney over a longer period of time. (Though many DISers are immune to Disney burnout, I don't think I'm one of them). I think its easier to get Disney burnout when your expectations are high and frequent trips give Disney plenty of chances to not live up to them (i.e. smoking rooms when you had a non-smoking request).

Interesting perspective, crisi. I think DVC has helped us avoid WDW burnout by providing a great place to relax, eliminating any tendencies towards commando touring (we'll be back next year!) and letting us think about other things that WDW and the area have to offer. We still enjoy the parks, but they don't drive our daily itinerary like they probably would if we didn't go so often, or if we didn't have AP's.

But I can see for some how it could happen. Hopefully your sister will recover someday and join you on a trip!

 

[Donna]

We had 4 contracts (452 points) and sold 3 out of the 4 because we bought an RV, plus husband recently retired. We can do alot more in the RV and still not give up disney. In fact, our disney vacations will extend to 2-3 weeks (luckily, he loves it as much as me, lol) starting next summer. I kept enough points to pay for 2 weeks and then Ft. Wilderness is pretty reasonable (expensive as camp sites go, but cheap as disney goes, lol). This will give us alot more vacations, more time at disney, can take our dog, and a drastic reduction in dues and all the while still keeping our dvc perks.
I never DREAMED we'd sell any of those points EVER but i have always wanted an RV, even since i was little) so this is the best of both worlds for us.