DVC Updates for June 27, 2021

This past week, Disney announced that its Disney Vacation Club services will experience some downtime.

Also, direct purchases have broken the $300 per point barrier at one resort, housekeeping service options have changed, and some other stuff.

Let’s talk about the latest goings-on for Disney Vacation Club members.

A Planned Disney Vacation Club Service Outage

Okay, you need to pay attention to this one. Starting at 10 p.m. EDT on Saturday, July 17th, 2021, some DVC services will go down for maintenance.

What You Can’t Do During DVC Outage

The planned outage will last until an undetermined time on Tuesday, July 20th, 2021. During this ~72 hours, DVC members cannot do any of the following:

  • Add points directly through DVC
  • Book DVC Accommodations
  • Book Disney cruises of Adventures by Disney
  • Bank DVC points
  • Contact Member Services, Member Accounting, or Member Administration
  • Pay membership dues, loans, or escrow
  • Visit the DVC website past the login screen

In other words, you’ll face a near-total service lockout from July 17th through July 20th.

What You Can Do During DVC Outage

The DVC email indicates that if you’re traveling to a DVC resort during this timeframe, you shouldn’t experience any issues.

You’ll also maintain access to the DVC lounge if you’re a card-carrying member. Plus, you can still book theme park tickets and restaurant reservations.

Having said that, I strongly encourage you to take screenshots of various confirmation numbers and itineraries for your visit.

That way, if something does go wrong, you’ll have documentation with you to show a cast member.

Another Price Increase

Given the ascending popularity of DVC, it’s unsurprising that the program has increased prices at some sold-out resorts once again.

The latest changes involve two Walt Disney World properties.

Old Key West

First, Disney’s Old Key West Resort now costs $170 per point directly through DVC, as opposed to the prices you’ll find at DVC Resale Market.

Boulder Ridge

Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge also increased the price per point to $190. You can compare that to our site’s prices as well.

Grand Californian

The headline-grabber comes from California, though. The property with the lowest inventory, Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, just broke the $300 per point threshold.

Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog

You’ll now pay $310 per point to buy directly here. Yes, that is the highest total in the DVC library, but it’s also the property with the most scarcity issues.

The new rates have already gone into effect at these three properties. Disney raised these prices mere weeks after requiring 150 direct points for a membership card.

I won’t editorialize here. Please draw your own conclusions about what this means…other than that, the DVC business is GOOD.

DVC Resort Changes

We’ve got some other news about DVC properties, including some upcoming changes.

As previously mentioned, Jambo House at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge will reopen on August 26th, 2021. We’re still awaiting word about its restaurants, though.

Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog

Meanwhile, we have some clarity about a long-rumored subject. The Wave… of American Flavors at Disney’s Contemporary Resort will close on July 16th to receive a new theme.

The Parks Blog confirmed that this change will occur. However, it didn’t indicate whether the rumored idea of The Incredibles Steakhouse will happen.

Another recent rumor suggests that Disney may turn this space into a more traditional upscale steakhouse instead.

We should know for sure soon, as the new restaurant should open in time for the 50th-anniversary celebration at Walt Disney World.

I should mention that since we’re discussing an 18-month event, the restaurant may not come back quickly, though. However, I still expect it by October 1st.

In news that may impact your summer DVC stay, two hotel lobbies will receive upgrades. Old Key West and Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa have scheduled renovations.

Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog

These projects will begin this Monday, June 28th. The current plan calls for the refurbishments to take several months and force a location change for check-ins later this summer. I’ll provide more details when I can.

DVC Housekeeping Changes

Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog

Finally, Disney has removed a popular option for DVC members. In the past, guests with Trash & Towel needs could pay extra to get the extra service.

Priced from $15-$35 per use, it helped members keep their rooms tidy and their shower towel rack full.

For $30-$75, DVC members could request a complete room cleaning, an oft-requested service that Disney finally offered in 2018.

Courtesy of Disney Tourist Blog

Alas, the pandemic has caused some staffing issues while increasing job requirements. So, it’s reasonable that Disney has removed these upsell services for now.

Is that decision permanent? We’ll have to wait and see. You should go back to hoarding towels for the time being, though.

Access all available Disney Vacation Club resale listings, or learn more about buying and selling with DVC Resale Market.

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