Some members have voiced disappointment with the Disney Vacation Club lounge located in the Epcot theme park. Functionally, it provides little more than a place for owners to sit, recharge their electronics and enjoy some free refreshments. There have also been various complaints including entry delays due to overcrowding, lack of restrooms, out of the way location and so on.
Last week, Disney began charging for use of the three covered patios which surround the Oasis Pool at Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Many applauded the move pointing to guests who would plant their belongings around the chairs and tables, monopolizing the limited space. Others viewed it as just another way for Disney to extort additional dollars from its guests.
The Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort represents a DVC resort that was never supposed to happen. At least not in the minds of most owners. Wetlands restrictions placed severe restrictions on development of this property. After hosting guests for many years, the treehouses closed for nearly a decade and were used exclusively for Cast Member housing. But Disney's lawyers--and their Imagineers--found creative solutions which allowed the treehouses to be redeveloped and rolled into Saratoga Springs.
Timeshares can be a difficult concept to grasp...even Disney timeshares. All too often, members seem to misunderstand the product that they've purchased. Owners will comment about not being able to book a room until 11 months from their Use Year or assume that the RCI trading process is much more seamless than it actually is.
There are only a finite number of Disney Vacation Club villas available for every given night. Demand has been known to spike around special events like the Walt Disney World Marathon and holidays such as New Year's Eve. Small resorts like the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel leave many owners scrambling when there are no rooms available at 7 months. And DVC's recent announcement of the Magic Kingdom After Hours parties on two nights in February and March is certain to increase villa bookings on those dates.
