We loved our years staying at Disney HHI. It is a beautiful resort and a wonderful vacation place. The cast members are great. We loved our dozen trips there - but started to love them less each year. Over the two years, we have rented houses in Sea Pines instead of staying at Disney. There have been a number of evolutionary changes at DVC we have not liked - maybe we are stuck in the past?
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Point chart change around 2007? was the start of the decline when DVC shifted the point value from 33 points to 41 points per weeknight.
- Increase of dues from $3 to almost $9 per point - really destroyed the value of staying at DVC - especially when combined with the points per night shift. Definitely far in excess of the inflation rate and comparable room rate increases. $360 per night in dues (which does not include capital outlay of original point purchase) in 2019 makes it $2000 for five nights.
- Room refurbishment took a lot of the charm of the place away.
- Bike rentals prices have increased to the point where we started renting non-Disney bikes - a hassle.
- New furnishings - especially the sofas are uncomfortable.
- Replacement island is not user friendly with the double height counter.
- Designation of BBQ area as a smoking area near the boat launch - previously our favorite place to cook a meal.
- Change to hotel mentality with the daily room checks - a timeshare is purportedly a real estate ownership interest - increases costs for no reason and its intrusive.
- And now, no personal kayaks are allowed for no reason. The website recommends local boat ramps. Give me a break. There is nothing better than being able to get up, walk outside, grab the kayak and launch for a morning paddle. Now guests have to load them on their cars, drive, unload, paddle, load, and drive back to the resort. What a hassle.
When I broached selling to our kids (who are grown now but we vacation together) they both made the same comment - we've changed as we've aged, but they both said it just was not the same as it used to be. I expected a big argument, but my wife and kids quickly agreed to sell.
These are all my perspective. DVC works for a lot of people and it certainly has provided my family with many irreplaceable memories over the last 19 years.