Sharkreef11
Well-Known Member
We've stayed at Beach Club Villas several times and have no complaints about the rooms. By far our favorite resort.
-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
Maintenance fees go where?
- Thread starter captainkidd
- Start date
GoofGoof
Premium Member
I have stayed at a number of timeshares over the years (Disney and non-Disney) and I have to say that by far the DVC units are the best kept I have ever stayed in. We actually did our last trip and split between a timeshare in Marco Island and BLT and the difference was striking (i will comcede the point that BLT is only 4 years old vs a much older timeshare). Just the master bath alone was night and day. There are always exceptions, but Disney really goes above and beyond and if you do have a problem they are very quick to fix things. Timeshares in general tend to get dated in decor and appliances. For a studio hotel room it's easy to swap out bed spreads and maybe a table and chairs. For a whole condo with a full kitchen, living room furniture and multiple bathrooms it's not practical to upgrade everything every few years unless, like the other person said, you want to pay really high fees. The unclean room thing is not acceptable in a hotel or timeshare, but I don't think it's something that is a known problem with DVC or specifically that resort.
Then what else matters?
So a housekeeper misses crumbs when vacuuming or fails to report a broken shower head to maintenance and suddenly Disney is defrauding owners by misappropriating dues funds? Seriously?!?If I were paying cash for my trips, a single hotel stay would cost me something like $4000. My dues are $110 per month. I fail to see how it's ok to report minor issues during a stay which is costing 40x a monthly dues fee, yet you expect some outrage from members when the next dues bill arrives.
Like others, we've never had a noteworthy issue which wasn't resolved with a quick phone call. One time our dishwasher broke mid-stay. It was replaced by the time we returned from the parks. Another time the cable TV service wasn't working in one room and maintenance worked on the problem for several hours until fixed.
High DVC occupancy does provide some challenges to resort managers. If BCV has 20 Two Bedroom Villas being vacated and 20 newly-arriving groups, they have to turn over EVERY SINGLE ROOM by 4pm. On the hotel side Disney tends to run around 85% occupancy so they have excess rooms to deal with any maintenance problems.
If you want to pay hundreds or thousands more on a cash room out of fear that you may get a substandard villa room, that's certainly your prerogative. Hope it's worth it.
DVCOwner
A Long Time DVC Member
It seems to me that captainkidd just is looking for something bad to say about DVC. If it is not the cost to purchase then in is the annual fees. I have used my DVC points to stay at the results time after time and I have always found the rooms to be up to standards, and I feel that my dues are well used. If I do feel there is a problem I would attend one of the annual meeting and let them know how I feel. I am also thinking about adding additional points (resale market) for a second time sometime in the coming years. I encourage captainkedd never to purchase DVC points or stay at one of the resorts, because I am sure he will not be happy.
Wow. So much for having an opinion. Though, nobody's fault but my own. It's pretty clear, if you don't praise DVC on the DVC board, you must hate it and everything to do with it, and your opinion is null.
Obviously, by my avatar, I'm a big Bon Jovi fan. They have their official message board on their website. If you say anything but positive things about the band, they delete the post. Needless to say, I fair better on the boards about the band where I'm able to express what I like and dislike about the band.
Sorry. Didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. Just the way I feel. I've lived in apartments and condos all my life, and if anything isn't working properly, it gets fixed. That's also why I've never wanted to own a home. It's all on you if something goes wrong.
As for the people asking what the difference between dues at DVC and the money you pay for a hotel room are.....Really??? You don't see any difference there? But for the record, if my hotel room is dirty, oh hell yeah I'll complain. If something is broken in my room, it better be fixed. When I lay down good money for anything, I expect good service. If I don't get it, whether it be in a hotel room, restaurant or on a new car, I'll make a stink until it's fixed.
Obviously, by my avatar, I'm a big Bon Jovi fan. They have their official message board on their website. If you say anything but positive things about the band, they delete the post. Needless to say, I fair better on the boards about the band where I'm able to express what I like and dislike about the band.
Sorry. Didn't mean to hurt anyone's feelings. Just the way I feel. I've lived in apartments and condos all my life, and if anything isn't working properly, it gets fixed. That's also why I've never wanted to own a home. It's all on you if something goes wrong.
As for the people asking what the difference between dues at DVC and the money you pay for a hotel room are.....Really??? You don't see any difference there? But for the record, if my hotel room is dirty, oh hell yeah I'll complain. If something is broken in my room, it better be fixed. When I lay down good money for anything, I expect good service. If I don't get it, whether it be in a hotel room, restaurant or on a new car, I'll make a stink until it's fixed.
flynnibus
Premium Member
No - more like.. bring something with some substance and it will be treated as such.. if not.. likewise.
No because as stated.. you are fixated on the fees instead of seeing the bigger picture.
It's not about money paid for a hotel.. it's that a DVC property has to deal with facilities needs just like a hotel does. The idea that it is a DVC does not fundamentally change that - and most are aware there are times people have checked into hotel rooms and found issues that needed addressing or asking for new rooms.
There is no smoking gun - nor inference of waste because you've found cases where a room that maintenance issues.
GoofGoof
Premium Member
Were you really expecting something different? You had to know you would anger some people with your original post. You actually got off pretty easy considering the Beach Club is one of the most popular DVC resorts and the owners tend to be fiercely loyal. I try to be pretty fair when listening to other people's opinions and I am not going to clean your clock for trying to make a connection between DVC dues and poor room upkeep even if your opinion is based on a handful of internet reviews. You really have to take online hotel reviews for what they are. You will not find a hotel or timeshare condo out there that doesn't get a negative review from someone.
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
So people can't express THEIR opinions about YOUR opinion...or how you choose to express it...or how often...and if they do, then they are the problem and not you, The Man For Whom DVC Can Not Possibly Be Worth It No Matter How Many Numbers Are Crunched...
Is it hard to type so many points with your hands nailed to the cross like yours are?
As I've admitted before, I'm very spur-of-the-moment. I tend to read something, bad or good, and want to talk about it right away. Your point about owners being so loyal was what surprised me about so many of those reviews.
Can't people do so without being rude?
I'll walk away from this now. I like a good spirited discussion more than anyone, but that last comment was completely uncalled for. If I want to watch silly and rude comments being thrown around, I'll tune into one of the debates this fall.
GoofGoof
Premium Member
Keep in mind people can rent for cash direct from Disney or rent points. No clue if the bad reviews came from BCV owners, but my gut feeling is they probably were not. If you have stayed multiple times without issue then run into a problem you are probably less likely to write a negative review. If you pay the cash rate direct from Disney and it's your first stay you have nothing to compare it to. The 2 bedroom villas are $1,000+ per night depending on the time of year. If you pay that and even something small goes wrong you are going to write a negative review.
Funfy
Active Member
Most of us (DVC Owners) get tired of being told in your not so subtle manner what idiots we are for buying in, we cannot possibly justify the purchase, why are we not outraged over the maintenance fees and we will not/have not really ever make/made back our original purchase price.
I do not worry about whether the guy that bought a Mercedes is getting ripped off by his dealership service department. If he feels he is getting a good value and enjoys his car better...then why do I care what he spends his money on.
You have made it very clear DVC is not for you. So, why do you feel the need to try to make the people that thought it was feel like idiots every chance you get. Just walk away from the DVC discussions-it is not a fit for you!
I would never call anyone an idiot for buying DVC. I wouldn't call anyone an idiot on these boards for anything.
I obviously don't do a good job at expressing my feelings on the matter. I don't think of DVC as a separate entity from Disney. I love Disney, and, believe it or not, I love many aspects of DVC. But like anything else Disney, I'll speak my mind about it's faults. If the board feels that no one should say anything but positive things about DVC, then I'll only say positive things or I'll stay away. I don't think owners are getting ripped off. Not in the least. DVC not working for me has nothing to do with the program as a whole, but with how I vacation. If I changed my vacation habits, I could obviously make it work. It's a decision that I've made to stick to vacationing my way.
I like good discussions, not just "Oh, did you see Sara's beautiful new roses outside her house?" I find DVC very interesting. Not just how it fits people, but how it doesn't fit others. But to say "Walk away from the DVC discussions - It is not a fit for you.", eh, sorry. I find that lame. I have my opinions and I'm voicing them.
But again, I am NOT calling anyone an idiot. DVC working or not working for me is about me, not about DVC.
sgtmgd
Well-Known Member
It's really rather simple... economics..if you can afford DVC's cost upfront...or the financing of the costs..then yes its worthwhile..but if you are going into a debt ratio you know will be a financial burden..than absolutely not..we make very good money..but I'm not in a position for fork over that kind of cash..even with excellent credit terms..I simply dont want another car payment or mini mortgage type payment....Id rather set several hundred dollars a side monthly and pay my trip in cash.. that's just me...I may buy into DVC at some point ..just not today..I certainly don't think Captn was stating people are idiots
Thank you. I most definitely was not.
Here's something to know about me - I loved The Dark Knight Rises, but don't like Christopher Nolan (the director). I don't waste my time on any Christopher Nolan message boards. In a round about sort of way, what I'm trying to say is, I don't dislike or disagree with DVC. I may not agree and like all the parts of the program, and in many ways it doesn't work for us, but I by no means thinks that makes any members idiots. Even if it didn't make financial sense for them, I'd have no right to say anything.
GoofGoof
Premium Member
DVC is one of the most polarizing things to come to WDW. Just for the record, I enjoy reading and hearing about how other people think about DVC. I am very happy with my personal decision to buy in, but I am not going to try to tell you it's right for you. If someone states their reason for not buying and it is not based in fact or logical I may question their thinking or ask for a further explanation, but I am not discouraging anyone from having an opinion or expressing it. I enjoy mixing it up at times in a healthy debate about the economics or merits of DVC. At times I have actually learned a thing or 2 that I didn't know. A lot of owners don't enjoy the debate and are fiercely loyal so it comes across as not wanting anyone to say anything negative. That's my opinion based on my interactions on this board.
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
I will say this about captainkidd, he never calls people idiots for becoming DVC. He may question their rationale, their economic model, but not their intelligence.
But there's always another "But then there's THIS" with him. Post after post about "I really want to buy into DVC, and I know it makes sense for some people...but then there's THIS," and a tangent about the "THIS" that suddenly makes him get the vapors...
I know, I don't have to read the posts. But what gets me is the martyr complex when he a: writes critical comment after critical comment about DVC as a concept, or specific DVC resorts, or DVC limitations or now DVC reviews, b: On a website that tends to be very pro-DVC, and then c: lumps all criticism of his comments/concerns and all praise for DVC into a lump sum retort like "Wow. So much for having an opinion. Though, nobody's fault but my own. It's pretty clear, if you don't praise DVC on the DVC board, you must hate it and everything to do with it, and your opinion is null."
Apparently, kidd wants the right to voice HIS opinion without comment, but he also wants the right to comment critically and at length about YOUR opinion. And if you disagree, you're mean.
So I figure if I'm doing the time, I'll do the crime. If he's going to act like he's being persecuted, so be it. And he apparently doesn't mind because he decided to come back after deciding to "walk away from this now."
It's kinda comical. At the risk of showing my age, kidd has become the Major Frank Burns of the forum. In an attempt at hiding my age, kidd has become the Dwight Schrute of the forum. A guy you wouldn't want wish bad news upon, but when he gets on his soap box, oh boy...
But there's always another "But then there's THIS" with him. Post after post about "I really want to buy into DVC, and I know it makes sense for some people...but then there's THIS," and a tangent about the "THIS" that suddenly makes him get the vapors...
I know, I don't have to read the posts. But what gets me is the martyr complex when he a: writes critical comment after critical comment about DVC as a concept, or specific DVC resorts, or DVC limitations or now DVC reviews, b: On a website that tends to be very pro-DVC, and then c: lumps all criticism of his comments/concerns and all praise for DVC into a lump sum retort like "Wow. So much for having an opinion. Though, nobody's fault but my own. It's pretty clear, if you don't praise DVC on the DVC board, you must hate it and everything to do with it, and your opinion is null."
Apparently, kidd wants the right to voice HIS opinion without comment, but he also wants the right to comment critically and at length about YOUR opinion. And if you disagree, you're mean.
So I figure if I'm doing the time, I'll do the crime. If he's going to act like he's being persecuted, so be it. And he apparently doesn't mind because he decided to come back after deciding to "walk away from this now."
It's kinda comical. At the risk of showing my age, kidd has become the Major Frank Burns of the forum. In an attempt at hiding my age, kidd has become the Dwight Schrute of the forum. A guy you wouldn't want wish bad news upon, but when he gets on his soap box, oh boy...
Slappy, I meant I was just walking away from you on this conversation. As I stated, I like a good discussion/debate with people who can do so without insults. In my years here, I've yet to see you do that. Precisely why I usually don't participate in discussions with you. I may be indecisive and people may not like my opinions, but I won't insult people and refuse to engage in conversations doing so. If you want to talk and leave the rudeness out, count me in. Otherwise, don't bother.
I think Goofgoof said it better than I ever could:
DVC is one of the most polarizing things to come to WDW. Just for the record, I enjoy reading and hearing about how other people think about DVC. I am very happy with my personal decision to buy in, but I am not going to try to tell you it's right for you. If someone states their reason for not buying and it is not based in fact or logical I may question their thinking or ask for a further explanation, but I am not discouraging anyone from having an opinion or expressing it. I enjoy mixing it up at times in a healthy debate about the economics or merits of DVC. At times I have actually learned a thing or 2 that I didn't know. A lot of owners don't enjoy the debate and are fiercely loyal so it comes across as not wanting anyone to say anything negative. That's my opinion based on my interactions on this board.
I think Goofgoof said it better than I ever could:
DVC is one of the most polarizing things to come to WDW. Just for the record, I enjoy reading and hearing about how other people think about DVC. I am very happy with my personal decision to buy in, but I am not going to try to tell you it's right for you. If someone states their reason for not buying and it is not based in fact or logical I may question their thinking or ask for a further explanation, but I am not discouraging anyone from having an opinion or expressing it. I enjoy mixing it up at times in a healthy debate about the economics or merits of DVC. At times I have actually learned a thing or 2 that I didn't know. A lot of owners don't enjoy the debate and are fiercely loyal so it comes across as not wanting anyone to say anything negative. That's my opinion based on my interactions on this board.
slappy magoo
Well-Known Member
Comments like this don't exactly contradict my "persecution/crucifixion" comment about you, kidd. You took criticism throughout the thread on a personal level with your "oh I guess I can't talk about DVC without singing its praise" horse hockey you trot out quite a bit when people disagree with you.
Furthermore, if you think all I do on the forum is insult other people, you obviously don't read all my posts (and congratulations for having better thing to do than read all my posts) - if all I did was insult people I think I would've been banned years ago, but again, me as some sort of force of nonstop malevolence feeds your persecution complex so well, so why fight it?
I think slappy magoo said* it better than I ever could:
Apparently, kidd wants the right to voice HIS opinion without comment, but he also wants the right to comment critically and at length about YOUR opinion. And if you disagree, you're mean.
*technically, he/I wrote it, rather than saying it, but what's some harmless colloquialisms between internet buds, amirite?