Originally Posted By ChiMike >>We are booked on the QM 2 next year to go to Ireland for our 30th wedding anniversary. Since I will be spending much time aboard ship, yes I want the best of everything, so that is what we booked. But when i fly I do not fly 1st class, why do that for a few hours?<< I think most people, including myself would share this POV.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>We are booked on the QM 2 next year to go to Ireland for our 30th wedding anniversary. Since I will be spending much time aboard ship, yes I want the best of everything, so that is what we booked. But when i fly I do not fly 1st class, why do that for a few hours?<< I think most people, including myself would share this POV.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>If you are spending $30K on one trip to Hawaii or Italy, I want to travel with you. We spent 10 days in Germany, Switzerland and Austria 3 years ago including a 3 day Rhein Cruise and could do it three more times easily for that kind of money...even with a crappy $ exchange. << Sure, get in a suitcase. People who want DVC and can only buy in for $15,000 are a reality. Not the majority, but a reality. With business class airfare to Hawaii, nice accomodations, dining, entertainment & recreation for 8 nights I can hit $15,000 very, very easily. I'm really trying to be honest and a good guy. I'm trying to can all sarcasm. And when I bring up pro-DVC points like $50 v. $350 or 45 years of WDW trips v. 8 days in Hawaii I still get hunted down by you and RT! Can't we all sing Makin' Memories together and smile?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Oh god yes! Imagine DVC Grand Canyon Resort, DVC Big Sur, DVC Take Tahoe, DVC Vegas (if only) DVC New York, DVC Cape Cod, DVC Windsor, DVC Barcelona. Combining world class locations with Disney theming and fun, it would be awesome!>> Exactly. It's such a no-brainer ... course who ever said Disney execs had brains. But now you have this Adventures By Disney program that offers tours world-wide at VERY expensive prices, and you just wonder what the deal is. For the amount of people served, it can't be a big money-maker ... DVC certainly is. I just view it much like anything from DisneyQuest to DisneyMobile to the Anaheim Angels ... businesses that Disney has no business being in. The Michael Eisner 'we can do anything better than anyone' mindset ... which I don't have to point out, but will anyway, is the reason Disney went astray in the 1990s.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >>If I 'win' the DVC membership, do you think I could tell the Dream Squad that my dream would be to own at DAK Lodge, not SS?<< >chuckle< Yeah, I'm sure that will go over REAL well. <<Disney knows what's best for your dreams, Spirit>> That scares this Spirit! (but I have decided I'll take the SS membership if that's their best offer!)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<We are booked on the QM 2 next year to go to Ireland for our 30th wedding anniversary. Since I will be spending much time aboard ship, yes I want the best of everything, so that is what we booked.>> You won't be disappointed ... I have friends that went and had an amazing trip! <<But when i fly I do not fly 1st class, why do that for a few hours ? >> To drink as much free booze as you can, of course ... and then not have to wait in a line to use the facilities. And, internationally, I wouldn't fly in anything but First or Business. The Spirit needs his space as other souls can scare him. <<Same goes for me at WDW, the hotel experience is not why I am there.>> For me, it is a huge reason why I'm there. Like I always say, there's only so many times I want to ride Space Mountain on a trip. But gimme a beautiful resort with great pool and wonderful dining ... This week I'll be at the WL ... I may not even hit one of the Disney parks (like MGM), but rest assured I'll spend plenty of time enjoying the lodging. Besides, I know my Disney pals are gonna make my dreams come true ;-)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Most DVC members could not afford to stay at the GF prior to their DVC purchase. Most DVC members who could've afforded to stay at the GF prior to their DVC purchase still didn't because they couldn't find the value.>> My cousin most definitely fits into the couldn't afford group. Or it would have been tough, let's put it that way. I've been sending her posts from this thread, so I wonder what she'll say about this one. My gut feeling is that most DVC members weren't staying at the GF, or any other monorail resort, on a regular basis pre-DVC purchase. Again, that's non-scientific but the result of many conversations and observations. Heck, if that were the case, why would Disney have wanted to push them into DVC? Disney could have made a whole lot more money by letting them pay the ridiculous rates the GF, and to a lesser extent, all the deluxe resorts, command.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <That point isn't nonsense for the majority of the cases. So please, like the FP debate, don't think my prose is directed at VBDad, citizen of Naperville, IL. It's not. < what I am saying from my experience and many of the people I have met at OKW is that there are more like me than I think you may think there are. No, no blanket statement covers everyone, but your original post made it sound like 99% could not stay at the GF before DVC and I think that is a gross miscalculation. Could everyone, no agreed, but let's not make it sound like the vast majority pooled their penny jars and ponied up for DVC either as I do not believe that's true. Of my relatives and friends who have bought in, 7 of 8 were Deluxe accomodations visitors before DVC, and the other wasn't only because Port Orleans was thei favorite resort of choice because it is where they spent their honeynmoon
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I'm really trying to be honest and a good guy. I'm trying to can all sarcasm. And when I bring up pro-DVC points like $50 v. $350 or 45 years of WDW trips v. 8 days in Hawaii I still get hunted down by you and RT! Can't we all sing Makin' Memories together and smile?< wasn't hunting you down but I can tell you really, that $15K for 8 days in Hawaii makes you a far larger spender than me... there are far better deals than that available.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Heck, if that were the case, why would Disney have wanted to push them into DVC? Disney could have made a whole lot more money by letting them pay the ridiculous rates the GF, and to a lesser extent, all the deluxe resorts, command. > I believe the reason for this is two fold: 1/ They wanted to lock up people like this to a longer term commitment,and a solid infusion of cash up front was great for a company whose stock has performed poorly and by being cash rich was able to keep borrowing power very high. 2/ Why not get these people and the disposable income that goes with it, on the grounds 1 - 3 times per year instead of maybe less frequently ? I believe the DVC model for Disney has been extremely successful in the 13 years they have chosen to play.....I do believe there is risk on the back 20 years of this agreement for the company though, and I have said that all along.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<I do believe there is risk on the back 20 years of this agreement for the company though, and I have said that all along. >>> I think the risk is low as long as the DVC continues to GROW and SELL. But it most certainly seems like a balloon. Can you be more specific at the risks on the back 20 vbdad? Hey Spirit: The DVC was a great deal financially for me for two reasons. 1.) I would be going to WDW anyway, membership or not for the next 20 years, twice a year. 2.) Our family is large, we stay in large suites when we travel if there is one to be had in that given city...and I'm not talking those places that have weekly rates, that eventually get filled with migrant workers living there.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad About 6 years ago I made it a goal to spend atleast one night at each resort at WDW. I have used points for some and cash for some. The only resorts I have never stayed at thus far are the Animal Kingdom Lodge, Port Orleans, and Pop Cent. I have to admit my favorite resort thus far (excluding the DVC ones) is "hands down" the Grand Floridian.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Can you be more specific at the risks on the back 20 vbdad? < The risk is that with the maintenance fees increases being capped, when ( not if) the cash flow infusion stops from new sales, you have a risk of cost of maintenance far outstripping the cash flow in those last 20 years. Hence, ths is why I believe the rumors that those of us with 2042 expirations will be offered extensions sometime in the not so distant future. More cash flow for exisiting properties and if the buildings projected lives exceed 2042 it makes perfect sense.
Originally Posted By Labuda Small point... "I believe the DVC model for Disney has been extremely successful in the 13 years they have chosen to play." 15 years according to the signage they put up on the night of Sept 29th or Sept 30th. Continue, please, gentlemen.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Hence, ths is why I believe the rumors that those of us with 2042 expirations will be offered extensions sometime in the not so distant future.<< That will make for a interesting sales pitch. I think that most current DVC members will be either very old or dead by 2042 (we're talking 36 years into the future). What will be their incentive to renew, other that passing their membership on to their heirs?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I explained this in the DVC area. For me owning a DVC makes sense. I would really like to buy a pop-up camper which would be roughly around 15K. So the price of a DVC versus camper are roughly the same. You figure if I got the camper I would have to pay annual taxes, insurance. Then while staying at WDW I would have to still pay a daily fee ( I think the current price is $35 a day for full hook up ). I asked my other half what he thought. He replied that I already knew his opinion..... DVC all the way. I might as well discuss this now. That for me a DVC at SS would make the best sense. There is no way that I can plan a vacation 11 months or even 7 months out. SS is always going to have rooms available. So waiting to buy into AKL DVCs doesn't make sense. I actually like the location of the SS. No complaints there. As for travel. Once you spend 15K on a trip to Hawaii.... you spent 15K on a trip to Hawaii. If you spend 15K on a DVC. Becides your annual fees you got a "free" place to stay the following year. I also would not consider buying property in FL. No way no how. Trust me... Florida has had plenty of hurricanes. I know.... if my work load keeps up, a few more and I can retire for life! I did 101.5 hours of overtime just during the month of September this year. And most of that work was for installs from those people who are individuals fleeing Florida. If many people leaving FL said they have seen enough hurricanes in their lifetime. How am I to argue.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Small point... "I believe the DVC model for Disney has been extremely successful in the 13 years they have chosen to play." 15 years according to the signage they put up on the night of Sept 29th or Sept 30th. Continue, please, gentlemen. < It sure is 15 - as I just received my free Giclee that is a montage of all the resorts - a thank you gift - very nice
Originally Posted By vbdad55 < What will be their incentive to renew, other that passing their membership on to their heirs?< that's exactly it, one of the reasons I bought to begin with was for my 2 girls ( and someday my grand kids) - a nice thing to leave behind. I will be one of the ones extending when it is offered.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<<if the buildings projected lives exceed 2042 it makes perfect sense. >>> I don't think, juding from how these resorts are built, that the life of the buildings will be less than the 2042, however, it may still make sense at that point to bulldoze and start over.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^ agree - that will be the call they have to make. Or else they offer 15 more years , get the cash and continue to rolling rehabs as they do today. I hope this is the case -
