If DVC is the way to go...why are they the only discounted hotels now?

[tloolgb]

You hear about it all the time, DVC, DVC, The Disney Vacation Club. Properties so hot they sell out before they are finished. Disney loes to push them, loves to talk of how they are the wave of the future. Fans love to speculate that Disney built too many hotel rooms, so maybe they'll change some hotels over to DVC.
Disney has even reached the point where the Vacation Club is building (in three phases) their largest hotel on Walt Disney World property, the Saratoga Springs.

So these places are hot, hard to get into, and the way to go in the future...

...so needless to say boy was I suprised when I called WDW Reservations a few weeks ago looking for a hotel room. First I was very suprised to hear that there were no AP hotel room rates left for the weekend I wanted.

Wait...hotel rooms? As opposed to...?

Timeshares. These ultra-hot Disney Vacation Club resorts. These new wave hotels. They had rooms in them. Lots of rooms. In lots of resorts. In fact I was offered the option to stay at any one of the Vacation Club Resorts except for the Wilderness Lodge. Studios in the Old Key West, Deluxe Studios & 1 Bedroom units at the Beach Club and Saratoga. 2 Bedroom units at the Boardwalk. Offered all of them, at very suprising rates.

So I figured they were just having a slow time that weekend and had rooms.

But then I called again, this time for this June, looking for AP hotel room rates. With less than a month left to go, there are no AP rates. I'm rather puzzled, and so are many of the numerous Reservation Specialists I've talked to since Easter. Less than a month to go and Disney isn't offering deals. Not out of deals, not offering deals. So today I try for a different route, AAA rates. They had some.

Saratoga Springs and Old Key West.

Now this just blew me away. June. Summer. "High times" in Walt Disney World...and here they are still offering these these timeshare units, which says to me they are not being filled. Now unfortunately for me whenever I've tried to trade my timeshare unit for one of Disney's there never are any, and so staying at one of these timeshares would be nice, but for two people, that is more than we wanted to spend, and more hotel than we need.

But it got me thinking; if Disney's Vacation Club is the only thing they've seen to be doing discounts on lately it says to me that maybe the hotel rooms are back up to the capacity they should be at, 5 years after 9-11. It also says to me maybe DVC isn't as hot as they sell it to be. Maybe it really is Disney's best kept secret, maybe so much so that they are not actually selling enough units. And I have to wonder, if all their deals are for these timeshare units, do they really need to keep building all these phases to the Saratoga Springs? If their "largest" DVC resort is constantly having deals to get people to stay there, while thier other resorts sold out before opening, is this resort too large? Have they reached "build out" for Disney Vacation Club as well as resort hotels? It just doesn't make sense to me, when I have never seen them offer DVCs on AP or AAA rates before, to push the DVC resorts, to possibly "force" the DVC resorts, when they are the "way to go" and the way Disney needs to turn.

Do you think I am right? Way off?

[nish221]

tloolgb, I think you're right. I think they overestimated the growth in DVC (which
ok'ed the Saratoga Springc DVC) and now with the DVC levelling off while the
"regular" guest are coming back or exceeding pre-9/11 levels, they're "stuck".

But it's not that bad for WDC, they're still making money. it's just probably not in the "mix" that they anticipated.

[Rosso11]

Because those two are the worst DVC resorts. Try getting into Boardwalk or Wilderness Lodge. Its not that easy.

[MandaBella]

As an owner at Boardwalk Villas, I routinely call at the 11 month window to get exactly what I want. Why? Because I like to go during F&WF and early December....both peak periods for this resort and for DVC members. I dare anyone to get a room they want at BWV, BCV, or VWL during their peak periods w/o calling months in advance. It ain't easy, and if you succeed...congrats!!

As a matter of fact, I am staying at OKW next weekend because the room I wanted at BWV was NOT available and I didn't want to waitlist or switch resorts. I wanted a standard studio, but I could have had a Boardwalk view 1 bedroom...didn't want all that for a 4 day weekend. So, I opted for a cheaper place point wise, but larger, and got a studio at OKW.

[Cmash95]

every time i check into a room they have dvc rooms available at all the resorts. technically the high season doesnt start till the middle of june and goes till the middle of august. and while it may be tough, I have gotten rooms even in the busy months. now I didn't get awsome discounts but I got a room. I was thinking of trying one of the dvc rooms but I didn't want to have to deal with them asking me to take a look at the property and such. we stayed at another time share awhile bach and the entire stay we got sales calls asking us to come to meetings or would we like a tour? we turned them down each time because we live in florida and don't need a time share an hour away from the house.

[Doug7856]

One thing you are missing is that members can use DVC points for other options such as cruises, other Disney resorts, etc. These points are then converted to Central Reservations inventory and are available for reservations. The money collected from non members goes to pay for the member's "trade" to the cruise line, etc.

[Taggart]

My only problem with DVC is how people fight for everything a year in advance. I don't want to plan what I want to do next year!

[MandaBella]

My only problem with DVC is how people fight for everything a year in advance. I don't want to plan what I want to do next year!

You don't always have to do that...fight a year in advance that is. DVC is not for everyone, but it works for DH and I. It all depends on what you want and when you want to go and what size room you want and the size of your party and how flexible you are. This is why the more "last minute spontaneous" you are, the more likely you'll end up at the 2 largest DVC resorts...OKW and SS instead of at BWV, BCV, or VWL. And I haven't even tried Hilton Head or Vero Beach. And I have traded out to DCL....awesome trip!

When it comes to early December and October, I am sorta infelxible because I only want to stay at my home resort of BWV in a 1 bedroom standard view...preferable near an elevator. Because I want something so specific, I know I need to book far out to make sure I get it....why? October makes BCV and BWV very desirable to DVC members because of its proxmity to Epcot's Food and Wine Festival. Any fan of Epcot and/or F&Wf would love the ability to just be able to walk into the IG from their resort.

Early December....although generally an overall slower time for WDW....it is INSANELY POPULAR for DVC members. Why? Because the lower crowds, all the holiday stuff, and the incredibly cheaper point cost.

Learning how to work DVC takes a little bit of time I think....but it is what you make of it. And again...it's not for everyone. However, DH and I have been enjoying it immensely these past 6 years. We definitely do not regret buying in....kinda wish I knew about it sooner actually.