Why only one DVC in California?

[loveglobe]

It was our vacation from our vacation.

Haha yes sometimes you need those, especially with wdw trips! : )

 

[skier_pete]

See, and to us, cooking on vacation makes it LESS of a vacation. IF I have to cook and clean and do laundry -> not vacation.

 

[franandaj]

See, and to us, cooking on vacation makes it LESS of a vacation. IF I have to cook and clean and do laundry -> not vacation.

See that is the magic of DVC! I am a person who will actually take a cooking class as part of a vacation. To me being able to cook us a meal whether it be breakfast, dinner or just save us time and money to pack a lunch, that helps me relax. On our next trip we plan to have bacon and eggs one day so we don't have to run out and make rope drop. On our last day we're going to make French Toast and bacon before going to DTD to shop. We have one night where we plan to grill steaks and just chill in the room, and our first night we are also cooking in the room.

To us it's not a vacation if we run around the whole time eating out. One of the reasons we bought DVC is that the rooms are nice enough we wouldn't mind taking a break from being park commandos and just chilling. It doesn't hurt that we can go to DL anytime we want, but still we wouldn't want to spend our whole WDW vacation in commando mode. We would drop dead from exhaustion.

It's all about the balance and DVC let's folks do it their way. Plus having the washer means we can do laundry on those nights we're in the room and not have to bring as many clothes. I hate wearing something more than once without washing it!

 

[loveglobe]

See, and to us, cooking on vacation makes it LESS of a vacation. IF I have to cook and clean and do laundry -> not vacation.

And I COMPLETELY agree, which is why I also will pay for housekeeping even though it's not included with DVC rooms (mostly, you know what I mean). But as a parent you're never truly on vacation when you're responsible for your kids, so for me it's about what will keep him content and satisfied for the longest amount of time, and in our case it's having a quick but filling breakfast before we head out, and always having healthy food in the fridge for snacks. In some ways I look forward to being an empty nester and downsizing to a studio, but that is still many years away.

See that is the magic of DVC! I am a person who will actually take a cooking class as part of a vacation. To me being able to cook us a meal whether it be breakfast, dinner or just save us time and money to pack a lunch, that helps me relax. On our next trip we plan to have bacon and eggs one day so we don't have to run out and make rope drop. On our last day we're going to make French Toast and bacon before going to DTD to shop. We have one night where we plan to grill steaks and just chill in the room, and our first night we are also cooking in the room.

To us it's not a vacation if we run around the whole time eating out. One of the reasons we bought DVC is that the rooms are nice enough we wouldn't mind taking a break from being park commandos and just chilling. It doesn't hurt that we can go to DL anytime we want, but still we wouldn't want to spend our whole WDW vacation in commando mode. We would drop dead from exhaustion.

It's all about the balance and DVC let's folks do it their way. Plus having the washer means we can do laundry on those nights we're in the room and not have to bring as many clothes. I hate wearing something more than once without washing it!

Very good points, all. Those washers also come in handy when you've got kids who are constantly getting stains on their clothing!

 

[tjkraz]

See, and to us, cooking on vacation makes it LESS of a vacation. IF I have to cook and clean and do laundry -> not vacation.

To each, their own.

It's gotten a little better now that our kids are older but typically, table service meals were the most painful part of our vacations. Disney rarely runs on time with their ADRs and service is often slow. Countless TS meals turned into 2-hour ordeals with the kids fighting boredom every step of the way.

Boiling spaghetti noodles and heating up sauce in our villa isn't really anything I would call "cooking." But, IMO, it's a lot more convenient, relaxing and a heck of a lot cheaper than the same meal at Tony's.

Today we average one Disney restaurant meal per day--combination of Table Service and Quick Service--with the others being in the room.

 

[Longhairbear]

We are off to the Villas at GC. I am cooking in all 3 nights. We didn't feel like making reservations, or spending a lot of money at a restaurant. I shopped at Trader Joe's for some fun frozen entrees, and veggies, fresh salad, steaks, and chicken baked with Shake and Bake. I have a travel kit made up for these trips to DVC. S&P, sugar, Splenda, coffee, coffee filters, Coffeemate. All going into a rolling cooler. Basically I empty my home fridge into the cooler for anything I think I might need. We're driving from Palm Springs to DLR. All leftovers, and opened milk etc. go back in the cooler for the drive home.
And again I will say that I hope Disney is not building only studios from here on out. We love our 1 bedrooms.

 

[BIgFatBalla]

The most basic principle of economics is Supply and Demand. I haven't bothered to research whether DVC puts out data on their properties but just based on availability it seems that the equilibrium for the market is way off (much greater demand than supply) and has been for quite sometime. That being the case this principle would indicate a need for more product in the market until an equilibrium is met. Obviously you cannot do so without resources but I don't think Disney has this issue. Don't forget that there is still room to build a new tower at DLH (last I checked).

I also cannot imagine DVC would base future WC expansion off of Aulani's success or lack of. I though I remember that Aulani was built more so for the Asian market which frequents both DW and Hawaii. The population of Aulani when I have been there was close to 50/50 with its ethnicity, just sayin.

As for Kitchens, I DO NOT GO ON VACATION TO COOK OR CLEAN!

Lastly, I have been to both DL and WDW many, many times. DL stays are nearly half as long as WDW, but DL is visited four times as often due to proximity and total vacation costs (even if you take out travel costs for us Utahn's). Thus I do not think the length of stay is as big of a factor into figuring in profit for DVC between the coasts.

 

[skier_pete]

The fact that GCV resales for $130+ per point, and went on sale for < $120 a point (The same price as BLT, which is resaling for < $105 a point.) indicates that the demand is greater than the supply. I do agree with the premise that they are trying to drive Aulani sales before expanding DVC in California, but I can't see them NOT increasing the DVC in California eventually. People mention the hotels sell so well, but DVC ALWAYS wins over hotel. You sell 50 years of hotel profit in about 3.

 

[chrisaman]

I would argue that another disneyland DVC would help to drive Aulani. The main reason I don't buy Aulani is because if I don't want to book there I know that most of the time I will not be able to book VGC at 7 months, there won't be the open rooms I will want. So instead I bought VGC resale and will use those points to go to Aulani since trips to Hawaii aren't generally locked into certain dates like disneyland. Just a thought.

 

[MrShiny]

It's also the fact that DL is still a day trip for most rather than a destination. While the vast majority of WDW visitors are staying at hotels, probably the majority of DL visitors are driving in.

 

[hjgaus]

We are off to the Villas at GC. I am cooking in all 3 nights. We didn't feel like making reservations, or spending a lot of money at a restaurant. I shopped at Trader Joe's for some fun frozen entrees, and veggies, fresh salad, steaks, and chicken baked with Shake and Bake. I have a travel kit made up for these trips to DVC. S&P, sugar, Splenda, coffee, coffee filters, Coffeemate. All going into a rolling cooler. Basically I empty my home fridge into the cooler for anything I think I might need. We're driving from Palm Springs to DLR. All leftovers, and opened milk etc. go back in the cooler for the drive home.
And again I will say that I hope Disney is not building only studios from here on out. We love our 1 bedrooms.

We are also close enough to tote a rolling cooler with contents from our home fridge as well & LOVE IT!!!
I'm really glad other people may be using the BBQ Grill other than us!! We love to do Costco Steaks and watch people's reaction as we ride the elevator! We mostly have breakfast in our villa and leave the back door open when cooking bacon so everyone in the parks down below can smell it!!! I agree as well that if & when they build more DVC that it will NOT be just studios!

 

[tjkraz]

I also cannot imagine DVC would base future WC expansion off of Aulani's success or lack of. I though I remember that Aulani was built more so for the Asian market which frequents both DW and Hawaii. The population of Aulani when I have been there was close to 50/50 with its ethnicity, just sayin.

Hawaii visitor statistics are readily available.

In 2014, 3.2 million guests arrived by air from the Western US. Another 500K came from Canada...some are certainly from western CA, although it isn't segregated by region.

By comparison, 1.5 million flew into Hawaii from Japan.

If you really think Aulani wasn't aimed at folks from Western North America--a group more than twice the size of Japanese tourists--then we'll just have to agree to disagree.

As for Kitchens, I DO NOT GO ON VACATION TO COOK OR CLEAN!

Roughly 2/3 of all DVC villas (One Bedroom, Two Bedroom, Grand Villa) have full kitchens and the rest have kitchenettes. (Look around and you'll find threads from people sharing their creative Studio cooking ideas involving hot plates, crock pots and George Foreman grills.) I'm sure you aren't the only one who doesn't do ANY cooking on vacation...but there's also a good chance you are in the minority.

And since DVC housekeeping schedules are limited across the board, I bet most people do some form of "cleaning" during their stay: laundering bath towels, making beds, emptying trash, running the vacuum after a spill, etc.

 

[franandaj]

We love to do Costco Steaks and watch people's reaction as we ride the elevator!

I can't wait to see people's faces when we go in May. I'm gonna have three trip tips and probably a dozen or more Brats. We're having a big g bash in the Grand Villa. There's a little more than 20 who will be there for the weekend. The first night we grill and eat "Costco" style ready to eat foods. The second night is at he private dining room at Steakhouse 55. Best of both worlds!

 

[hjgaus]

I can't wait to see people's faces when we go in May. I'm gonna have three trip tips and probably a dozen or more Brats. We're having a big g bash in the Grand Villa. There's a little more than 20 who will be there for the weekend. The first night we grill and eat "Costco" style ready to eat foods. The second night is at he private dining room at Steakhouse 55. Best of both worlds!

Sounds awesome!!! Don't forget your own grilling utensils (most helpful than the villa stuff) !
Every passer by will envious of your "Costco" meal...... enjoy!!!

 

[franandaj]

Sounds awesome!!! Don't forget your own grilling utensils (most helpful than the villa stuff) !
Every passer by will envious of your "Costco" meal...... enjoy!!!

I've got a big list of what we will need to bring and I'm already sort of putting it together. From the paper plates and plastic utensils, to the warming dishes and a huge list of groceries. I can't buy much until the day before, but I have it all worked out so everything goes smoothly. I can't wait, it will be one heck of a party!

 

[Longhairbear]

Hawaii visitor statistics are readily available.

In 2014, 3.2 million guests arrived by air from the Western US. Another 500K came from Canada...some are certainly from western CA, although it isn't segregated by region.

By comparison, 1.5 million flew into Hawaii from Japan.

If you really think Aulani wasn't aimed at folks from Western North America--a group more than twice the size of Japanese tourists--then we'll just have to agree to disagree.



Roughly 2/3 of all DVC villas (One Bedroom, Two Bedroom, Grand Villa) have full kitchens and the rest have kitchenettes. (Look around and you'll find threads from people sharing their creative Studio cooking ideas involving hot plates, crock pots and George Foreman grills.) I'm sure you aren't the only one who doesn't do ANY cooking on vacation...but there's also a good chance you are in the minority.

And since DVC housekeeping schedules are limited across the board, I bet most people do some form of "cleaning" during their stay: laundering bath towels, making beds, emptying trash, running the vacuum after a spill, etc.

When I was a kid, our family rented a cabin on a lake in NH. It was, like DVC, a vacation home. My mom cooked every meal, or dad used the charcoal grill. We rarely ate out, if ever. At the end of our stay we all took part in cleaning the entire cabin, including vacuuming, sweeping, washing the linens, and leaving them folded on the beds. You had to make your own bed when you arrived. It was left that way for you, and so you left it ready for the next guests the way you found it. That is what a vacation home used to be, as I remember it.

 

[skier_pete]

As for Kitchens, I DO NOT GO ON VACATION TO COOK OR CLEAN!

Roughly 2/3 of all DVC villas (One Bedroom, Two Bedroom, Grand Villa) have full kitchens and the rest have kitchenettes. I'm sure you aren't the only one who doesn't do ANY cooking on vacation...but there's also a good chance you are in the minority.

When I was a kid, our family rented a cabin on a lake in NH. It was, like DVC, a vacation home. My mom cooked every meal, or dad used the charcoal grill. We rarely ate out, if ever.

I know that this is somewhat off-topic, but since I started the thread, I figure I get to take it whichever way I want. I would agree a lot of people cook on vacation. Vacations are expensive and eating out can be very expensive, especially when you do it all week. Especially in these hectic days when families don't even spend meals together, I am sure there are many that enjoy cooking on vacation, and the time together as a family. And the larger the family, the more the desire to stay in for meals.

And I'll be the first to admit we do sometimes cook on family vacations. However, even on those my wife and I really dread it. Our "low budget" vacations are usually to Myrtle Beach, and what we do is eat breakfast and lunch in the room, but then dinner is typically take-out or eat-out. Our recent ski trip to Copper Mountain we ended up eating in our condo 3 out of 5 nights. But I did NOT enjoy that part of it - it was to save money.

Especially at Disney, part of my love there is getting away from the chores of everyday life. I have a 25 mile one-way commute each day, which means on a good day I spend 80 minutes in a car, and on a bad day its two hours. Going to Disney I don't ever have to sit behind the wheel of a car. That's the best vacation for me. My wife and I believe strongly in dinner at home as a family, even though a lot of nights we are tired and don't want to deal with it. The absolute LAST thing I want to do on my Disney vacation after marching around the parks all day is come home and prepare dinner.

In addition - more than anywhere else I can think of, dining at Disney World (or Disneyland) is part of the experience. Where else can you eat at the Beast's Castle, or a '50s diner, or Flo's restaurant out of the Cars movie, or a 19th century glass atrium filled with AA Milne characters. Even the counter service is something I look forward to. I guarantee the next time I get to Disneyland that I will be heading straight for the Hungry Bear for a fried green tomato sandwich. Now that we've joined DVC, we are cutting back on the TS, but I can't wait to eat at Flame Tree BBQ, Sunshine Season's, Sleepy Hollow Snacks, Tangerine Cafe, Columbia Harbor House - all places i GENIUNELY love to eat at.

So, a kitchen is just taking me away from my relaxation AND taking me away from eating food that I love. No thank you!

 

[luckyman_apd]

I prefer NOT to cook on vacation....unless i'm in a beach house on the OBX. DVC allows us to do a little of both. We have the TiW to keep eating out costs down, my kids are not big eaters so making PB&J sandwiches for lunch is easy. Breakfast foods are easy in a villa. Many times portion sizes are large enough that my wife and I can split one entree with an extra side purchase. Back in the day of the dining plan, we used to use 1 QS credit at place in tomorrowland with chicken/ribs. One portion was HUGE....more than enough for both of us. That way we were able to make our extra QS to split a breakfast.

Either way milk, eggs, bread, jelly, butter, etc.....the basics for breakfasts/lunch will fit easily in a kitchenette. For us it's all about cost vs convenience. Sometimes we splurge, sometimes we're cheap. But we have the option for both with DVC

 

[franandaj]

I'm glad that we can all agree that we have different opinions and live with that.

Especially at Disney, part of my love there is getting away from the chores of everyday life. I have a 25 mile one-way commute each day, which means on a good day I spend 80 minutes in a car, and on a bad day its two hours. Going to Disney I don't ever have to sit behind the wheel of a car. That's the best vacation for me.

I didn't know this about you. I feel your pain on this one. Before I retired, I had a 52 mile commute each way, and we don't have snow where I live, so this must be very difficult.

For me, what I love about being on vacation is not having to feed the cats twice a day. Yes we are crazy cat ladies, just like the stereotype. While it is not THAT big of a deal, opening all the cans, washing all the plates is a pain, I love not having to do that on vacation! I rarely drive other than to the grocery store or doctor, but I don't enjoy it, so it is nice to have Disney take care of that.

My wife and I believe strongly in dinner at home as a family, even though a lot of nights we are tired and don't want to deal with it. The absolute LAST thing I want to do on my Disney vacation after marching around the parks all day is come home and prepare dinner.

The last thing that I would want to do is trudge around a Disney park all day long and then come back to the Villa and cook, but luckily we don't go commando like you do. This trip to WDW we have far less in room meals. We like breakfast in the room because it's quicker and cheaper. Mostly I cook in the room to give Fran a break so she can take a nap while I'm preparing dinner.

In addition - more than anywhere else I can think of, dining at Disney World (or Disneyland) is part of the experience. Where else can you eat at the Beast's Castle, or a '50s diner, or Flo's restaurant out of the Cars movie, or a 19th century glass atrium filled with AA Milne characters.

Now in California, we have not cooked on our last few trips only because we have gone out there specifically to enjoy the restaurants, and I love the theming of many of the WDW restaurants as well. But if I had to choose between a really cool themed restaurant with a tired and cranky spouse, or the quiet of our hotel room where I prepare us one of my favorite easy dinners, I'm going with the calm meal I prepared.

On the other hand, in May I picked DVC not for going to the parks, but a place where I could invite 10 friends to come stay with me and I could cook an awesome meal while we play pool and watch World of Color out the window!

 

[skier_pete]

I didn't know this about you. I feel your pain on this one. Before I retired, I had a 52 mile commute each way, and we don't have snow where I live, so this must be very difficult.

A couple of times this year, it took me 90 minutes to get into work. I carpool with a friend, and it's a little better when we are riding together, but last Friday there was a big accident (no weather issues), and again a 40 minute drive turned into 90 minutes. BLECH!

For me, what I love about being on vacation is not having to feed the cats twice a day.

Yeah, that's a nice break too, but we miss our kitties by the end of our trips.

But if I had to choose between a really cool themed restaurant with a tired and cranky spouse, or the quiet of our hotel room where I prepare us one of my favorite easy dinners, I'm going with the calm meal I prepared.

I can see that - but I would be crankier if I had to cook! Even worse than cooking - cleaning the dishes!

Actually, we do usually eat breakfast in the room, but usually something simple we can do easily in the kitchenette. I actually tend to take advantage of Disney trips to indulge my inner child.

On the other hand, in May I picked DVC not for going to the parks, but a place where I could invite 10 friends to come stay with me and I could cook an awesome meal while we play pool and watch World of Color out the window!

Now THAT would definitely be fun. We'd love to someday be able to invite friends to Disney. (I know it's a different situation with you being "locals".) I DO hope someday that we can go with another family and kids in a two bedroom - though my stipulation would be that THEY have to do the cooking.