Wow! Sounds like a lot of well thought out and articulated arguments about something that doesn't exist (Yet)
Hey, anyone seen BigFoot lately?
Wow! Sounds like a lot of well thought out and articulated arguments about something that doesn't exist (Yet)
Hey, anyone seen BigFoot lately?
(and please don't ask me to come up with an analogy for the mixed use building - it gets into some really weird biological stuff I don't wanna touch )
This I think you might be right about - willing to pay more than current DVC to get a few more amenities. If CRV materializes and is more expensive - even potentially somewhat significantly - we'd be in (we call it our "monorail tax", though!!). I do think that many people in that "class" are also perfectly fine with DVC accommodations as they are, though. It's a family trip to WDW - save the luxury for New York or Paris without the kids. I would worry from a business perspective how current DVC members would feel about almost a separate class of DVC...... sounds like a bit of a PR mess.
OK... so... my 2 cents...
1) the jet setters are at 4S now, or something like the Ritz in Orlando already
2) current DVC members are mostly happy with current DVC accommodations (I'm assuming?)
3) these... what... self-made mini-millionaires want something in between, BUT many are probably fine with renting current DVC accommodations for a family vacation
Not sure how much that leaves over to make suites profitable... I just don't know... it's a question of how large the market is, I guess, but I do see your point about it being there.
I'm the demographic that Budshark is talking about, and yes I would pay more for a an upscale DVC unit. Until the exchange rate improves I am not going to be making my semi-annual trips to London anytime soon, certainly not taking the whole family(about $2 buys you one British pound). We prefer 2 bedroom accomodations always(even pre DVC) and like the flexibility of the DVC point system compared to the fixed weeks. I have stayed in timeshares that were definately about 5 steps above DVC, and stayed in ones not as nice as DVC. We like nice places but don't want to be walking on eggs that the kids are going to break some fancy nicknack. So we are looking for family friendly upscale but not too upscale. And no I would not be comfortable renting points, I think most people with my net worth and time, would buy into DVC like we did, or book cash reservations. I certainly wouldn't have even considered renting a reservation.
Would you stay at the Four Seasons? I get the impression Disney is trying to accommodate a demand for a more upscale arrangement without creating an obvious class system within DVC.
Would you stay at the Four Seasons? I get the impression Disney is trying to accommodate a demand for a more upscale arrangement without creating an obvious class system within DVC.
5) Room service (Not food wise, but I expect/want clean towels, beds made, countertops wiped down - I'm on vacation! Don't try to save me some $$$ by taking away some relaxation!)
I don't think alot of DVC members are looking for upscale. I don't think WDW is the place to go for an "upscale" vacation.
Hmmm... I guess we're a bit mixed on this here. What is a millionaire crowd anymore? Where do you draw the line?
Again, I'm not talking JetSet millionaires here. I'm talking upper middle to wealthy income families (say $125,000/yr - $500,000/yr) that have vacations as a priority. They have 1-2 kids, they're in their upper 30s to 40s. They drive modest cars, live in decent houses with space, and have relatively large disposable incomes. They aren't JetSet, they're self-made, and shop at Walmart, target, Sams Club, etc. There's a huge demographic in this area.
Now, will they stay in a Suite? At $1000/night? No, probably not - its just not their 'lifestyle' and its a bit rich for their blood. 4 Seasons, Ritz's etc. - while they could afford them its not what they are used to and would take a family too.
This is the class I am talking about. They don't stay at the All-Stars, they'd prefer multiple room hotel suites, but they aren't gonna go for $1000/night. However, the typical 10 year old DVC suite might seem a bit "beat up". There's a middle market here.
The $400-$600/night 2 bedroom "suite" that isn't italian marble. You might also find this "class" willing to pay DVC $150+/pt and $7-$8 maintenance fees/pt to stay on a monorail resort and have daily service just like a hotel.
Chris
I'm secure enough to "rough it" while on vacation with suffering any permanent damage .
And no I would not be comfortable renting points, I think most people with my net worth and time, would buy into DVC like we did, or book cash reservations. I certainly wouldn't have even considered renting a reservation.
How is it a pain to pay for 4) and 5)? I'm pretty new to DVC and have only stayed at SSR so far, so I don't know about 6) yet - is it really that big a problem?Personally me? No. Because it just doesn't fit my daughter and we don't need that level of accomodation.
I am looking for certain criteria (and it sounds like Starr is similiar). I have some trade-offs with DVC, but it was the best fit. Here's what I "want":
1) Premium location (hence BWV for me)
2) Planned vacations with some cost value (otherwise I might get too busy to go and I like the value of prepaid multi-room stays)
3) Space (I stay in enough hotel rooms with work - I need space on vacation)
4) Cleanliness (I do not want a dirty room on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc day...)
5) Room service (Not food wise, but I expect/want clean towels, beds made, countertops wiped down - I'm on vacation! Don't try to save me some $$$ by taking away some relaxation!)
6) Kept up rooms. (I don't like finding broken doors, trashed carpet, etc)
So with DVC I give up 4, 5, and 6. Yes, I can address 4 and 5 with a little extra $$$ per day, but thats a pain. And the lack of 4 and 5 affect 6 in my opinion.
I'm pretty new to DVC and have only stayed at SSR so far, so I don't know about 6) [maintenance] yet - is it really that big a problem?