8/13: Chic or Cheap?

[davidgra]

I guess I'm coming at this particular article with an entirely different viewpoint. I'm a new DVC member, having bought into the Bay Lake Tower a couple of months ago.

(As an aside to Kevin, the DVC sales pitch is EXTREMELY low-pressure. It's a fascinating tour and very informative, and you get to see model rooms for a number of different properties. I took a tour several years ago and decided not to buy in at that time, and they were just as friendly as they were this time when I handed them my money.)

One of the big things they mentioned about the Bay Lake Tower during my sales pitch was the "exclusivity" of this property. That wasn't of any concern to me -- I don't mind if people can come in and look around. But this particular sales tactic seemed not to be aimed at me, an American tourist.

Disney has been having trouble selling the DVC properties over the past year or so, because of the economy. So they've changed some of their marketing strategies, and they're now apparently marketing more heavily to the Middle East and Asia. This is speculation on my part, but I got the feeling that the "exclusivity" aspect is meant to appeal to those markets.

Frankly, I bought at the Bay Lake Tower because the monthly maintenance fees are lower than they are at the other properties that are currently being sold. I certainly won't stay at the Bay Lake Tower every time I go to WDW -- the Bay Lake Tower is quite a few more points per night than some of the other properties. But that's the beauty of the DVC: you can stay at any DVC property. (Our first DVC trip will actually be to Disney's Grand Californian at Disneyland! We've reserved a one-bedroom Vacation Club Villa for four nights.)

I might be wrong -- the exclusivity thing might not be a new marketing ploy; it could be the beginning of a new policy. I hope not, because I enjoy visiting all the resorts. But, based on my experience with the sales pitch, it really just seems like a way to generate sales for the property.

David
Austin, TX

[BC_DisneyGeek]

Definately keep the "New to Me" section.

My one question, is it just me or is the walkway between resorts really narrow? It doesn't look wide enough to handle two strollers coming at each other from opposite directions, let alone fireworks viewers. I assume the resort can be accessed from ground level as well though?

[flynnibus]

Originally Posted by KevinYee

Easy: I'm not considered "press" by the Disney organization (they never contact me, anyway). Which is fine. I consider my role more of an essayist (maybe cultural critic or cultural analyst) rather than unbiased journalist, and it would be hard to be so honest and forthcoming if I got wined and dined at all the press events.

The tours I was referring to were not press events. They were DVC and annual passholder things. At the end of July, they were giving tours. Passholder open house at Bay Lake Tower offers free gifts, food and Disney Vacation Club discounts

Here is one user's photo album
Picasa Web Albums - Michael - Bay Lake Towe...

And another large one here
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort - a set on Flickr

A photo of the monorail art in the lounge


The lounge also has lots of backlit art of concept sketches, etc


Both of the above are from Mr. EPCOT's flickr set.

Posters on other sites have put up a ton of photos from these tours.. including lots a very great photos. I'd post and give them credit, but they'll just get yanked here by the mods

You missed out on all the best stuff..

[KevinYee]

Originally Posted by flynnibus

You missed out on all the best stuff..

Wow, I really did

I remember those events, now that you mention it. And I even remember what my thinking was. You're going to laugh, because micechat is partly to blame!

I get heat sometimes when I review things that are "not open to the public" yet, so I sometimes avoid previews. I'm inconsistent, though, and there are times when I *do* go to previews. This time, though, in consideration of the micechat contingent that wanted me to not review things in previews, I decided to wait until it was open for real. Little did I know that the preview would give access that would be denied once it opened for real! I think I'll do the previews in the future.

[Athlonacon]

Originally Posted by Kevin Yee

I'm unsure if this would be of any interest to you readers, so consider this a test. Let me know if I should continue doing it!

Absolutely! Please keep it up, these things are great... quick but informative.


As far as the DVC, I'd be willing to just let those people have their little resort. They paid enough money (foolishly, in my opinion) to isolate themselves from everyone else, I would just let them do it. It's probably frustrating having such a huge chunk of land dedicated to them, I know it would suck it Disneyland dedicated that much to it, but if they want to spend all that money then that's fine by me.

I've grown up next to some rich neighborhoods, I've learned to just ignore them because, believe me, they couldn't care less that you even exist. I'm not saying the DVCers are like that, but I'm sure that mindset is more common than the typical middle-class family going through DVC after a few financial sacrifices. These people must be left alone, and in a way, it's good to have them in their own private area so we don't have to deal with them out in the "real world". It's a win-win.

[KevinYee]

Originally Posted by Athlonacon

I've grown up next to some rich neighborhoods, I've learned to just ignore them because, believe me, they couldn't care less that you even exist.

LOL, I got a private email with an attitude just like that today!

[flynnibus]

Originally Posted by KevinYee

Little did I know that the preview would give access that would be denied once it opened for real!

Yeah, fortunately hindsight is 20/20

Its ashame because the tour is really the only way to get to see all the various style rooms.. and now with the lockouts they have on the roof and lounges, a tour is your only way to see it at all really.

The photo tours others have posted gave a pretty good look at the details.

Maybe it's time to do a DVC tour so you can hear what they pitch these days

As for 'preview vs. final' I'd say if the company is willing to show it at that stage, its close enough to the final product to be worthy of forming an opinion about it. You can't make strict arguments about waiting till it's open, because things still change after opening too.. so when is it 'ok' to actually look at stuff? Where does it end?

As long as the scenario is known - and any additional information about what may change is presented - readers need to draw their own conclusions about will things significantly change, etc.

[davidgra]

Originally Posted by Athlonacon

As far as the DVC, I'd be willing to just let those people have their little resort.

Wow, that's a seriously angry sentiment you've got going there.

Originally Posted by Athlonacon

They paid enough money (foolishly, in my opinion) to isolate themselves from everyone else, I would just let them do it.

So you think DVC members don't venture out into the theme parks and restaurants? How is staying in the Bay Lake Tower in any way "isolating" anyone from everyone else? Don't people who stay at the Days Inn on I-4 "isolate" themselves from everyone else at WDW, too?

Originally Posted by Athlonacon

It's probably frustrating having such a huge chunk of land dedicated to them, I know it would suck it Disneyland dedicated that much to it, but if they want to spend all that money then that's fine by me.

Actually, Disneyland HAS dedicated a large chunk of land to a DVC property -- there's an entire new wing of the Grand Californian Hotel that is a DVC property. It's not open yet, but it may very well be off-limits to all except those who are staying in it. We don't know yet.

Originally Posted by Athlonacon

These people must be left alone, and in a way, it's good to have them in their own private area so we don't have to deal with them out in the "real world". It's a win-win.

Again, anyone who stays in a hotel room anywhere is staying out of the "real world" while they're inside their room. What you seem to want is for DVC members to stay inside their hotel and not come out into the theme parks. I'm not sure what your resentment is against those who have more money than you do, but your anger is very apparent. Don't treat the rest of us as enemies just because you don't understand that other people do things differently than you do.

David

[flynnibus]

Originally Posted by Athlonacon

They paid enough money (foolishly, in my opinion) to isolate themselves from everyone else

Do you feel that way about anyone who pays for access to a restricted service? Like Annual Passholders? Or how about Micechat Gold?

Originally Posted by Athlonacon

I know it would suck it Disneyland dedicated that much to it, but if they want to spend all that money then that's fine by me.

Uhh.. have you looked at the Grand Californian recently?

Originally Posted by Athlonacon

I'm not saying the DVCers are like that, but I'm sure that mindset is more common than the typical middle-class family going through DVC after a few financial sacrifices. These people must be left alone, and in a way, it's good to have them in their own private area so we don't have to deal with them out in the "real world". It's a win-win.

Seriously dood.. I think you got the roles flipped here. You're the one doing all the discriminating and stereotyping. Not cool.

[AmyMarie]

Thanks for posting the pictures that you did. We just bought into the Contemporary with my parents, but I hadn't seen very much on it yet. We live in Ca and have used our points this year there but we are planning on moving to the East Coast next year so that is why we bought there. I am like another poster I plan on staying at the contemporary sometimes but hope to explore a lot of the other properties. DVC is definitely not for everyone but I like it because it is so easy to use (so far) I just call and get a room. Hopefully it is like that when we get to Disney World too. Anyway thanks so much for looking around for us. When I ever get there I would be happy to have you as a guest and show you around, LOL, it just might be awhile

Keep the new segment too it is great!

[TravisMT81]

I find it hilarious that people are upset they cannot access private property. If you want a closer look simply arrange a tour. I don't understand how someone could argue for a less secure building, you would think people would appreciate this safety feature.

[drnilescrane]

What I find amazing is nobody has said anything about this - That tower was not designed to complement the original tower, despite what the brown and grey paint job is trying to make you believe. It is designed to simultaneously match the convention centre and stick a giant middle finger to the original resort. This carries through right to the crescent shape of the tower - even the Top of the World lounge matches the convention centre's skylights more than it matches the California Grill.

It's all well known and published fact that Michael Eisner didn't care for the Contemporary and neither did Gwathmey Siegel, the architects of the Convention Centre and now the BLT.

[alan1701]

I hate to say this, and I am DVC member, but it sounds like Kevin was just a little jealous. Or at least that is the way I took it. He could not go into the pool area, well at the three hotels at Disneyland that is the case as they are key carded as well. At least to me, it was well known that if I stay there, I had to check in at the Contemporary. I do not see what the big deal is here. Again, to me just sounds like jealous opinions going on.

[FrankieD]

Having worked in resorts for 9 years...the building is locked down for the same reason that the buildings of the Grand and Poly are locked down as well - security. If you don't have a room there, you have no business being there. The property is not there for your enjoyment or pleasure, but for that of paying guests. Furthermore, locking down the buildings ensures that the only persons in the building are those that belong there thus excluding anyone who might be up to no good. It is an industry standard in place at hundreds of hotels throughout the US regardless of company, size, price or number of stars. The safety of paying guests takes priority over the enjoyment of those not paying.

How would you feel if some stranger were just walking around your backyard?

[KevinYee]

Originally Posted by FrankieD

The property is not there for your enjoyment or pleasure, but for that of paying guests.

...

How would you feel if some stranger were just walking around your backyard?

Hmm. At one point, they advertised the annual pass as your key to all the parks and all the resorts. That would make annual passholders into paying guests. On top of that, I generally only go to the resorts when I'm eating in those restaurants. A privilege for which I do pay, making me a paying guest.

How would I feel if strangers were walking around in my backyard, looking to spend money in my restaurants? Rich!