PDA

View Full Version : Disney announces DVC at Animal Kingdom Lodge

2angelsinheaven
10-11-2006, 11:03 PM
On local news is reporting an announcement about a new Disney timeshare (I assume DVC) being built that was announced today. The teaser clip they showed was AK Lodge. I'll report back when more is announced. It should be on this news cast, so sometime withen the next 6 minutes.
2angelsinheaven
10-11-2006, 11:06 PM
Another teaser was just aired, it said new DVD resort to be built at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
CherCrazy
10-11-2006, 11:08 PM
Rut Ro George.
2angelsinheaven
10-11-2006, 11:14 PM
Rut Ro George.
Um, ok!

Here is what was aired:

Animal Kingdom Villas was just announced on Local Channel 9 Orlando, the new DVC will feature 450 rooms, restaurants, a pool, some shops... it is expected to be open within 1 year, and finished in 2009.
crazy4wdw
10-12-2006, 06:55 AM
Disney unveils new time shares

Sara K. Clarke | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 12, 2006

Disney time shares are coming to the Animal Kingdom, with a plan for 458 units, the company said Wednesday.

According to Disney, the time shares will be a mix of new construction and renovated accommodations in part of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. They'll feature African-inspired details and most will offer views of a savannah inhabited by a variety of animals.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas will be the company's eighth time-share property -- the sixth at Walt Disney World -- and was hailed Wednesday as a smart business decision.

"It's a major plus," said Michael Hewell, a former Disney employee who now escorts guests through the parks with his company, Michael's VIPs, and owns the online Web site, TourGuideMike. "Disney's going to sell every single one of them."

As for the choice of Animal Kingdom, Hewell said, "It's the true retreat," and added, "For those people who want to rest away from the theme park madness, they now have a choice."

Time shares have long been popular in Central Florida, but more so in recent years. In 2001, 10 percent of Orlando visitors stayed in time shares. Last year, that number had increased to 15 percent.

From 2001 to 2005, the number of time-share units jumped 26 percent, from 15,157 to 19,099, according to the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Hotel-room growth, on the other hand, grew only 2 percent during the same five-year period.

Disney's entry into the time-share market was a big help to the industry, said Robert J. Webb, a veteran real estate and time-share industry attorney with the Baker Hostetler law firm in Orlando.

"Disney's entry was part of a paradigm shift" in the 1990s, Webb said, when brand names such as Marriott and Disney entered the time-share field, long dominated by small operators. "It helped bring a lot of credibility to the industry."

The expansion of the Disney time-share holdings is a reflection of the strength of the industry and Disney's commitment to its resort business, said Webb, who has represented Disney as an outside counsel in the past.

"It's an excellent example of the evolution," Webb said, of hospitality companies relying on a mix of hotels and time shares for accommodating guests.

Disney historian Michael Broggie said the new time shares are a continuing affirmation of Walt Disney's decision to build in Central Florida.

"It also is a reflection of the confidence that [Disney chief] Bob Iger has in Central Florida and investing the company's assets there," Broggie said.

Development of the Animal Kingdom Villas is scheduled in phases, with units to begin opening in fall 2007. The project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2009.

The first phase will include 134 remodeled accommodations on the fifth and sixth floors of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and additional phases will include the building of 324 vacation properties in a new building at the resort.

Jerry W. Jackson and Tim Barker of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Sara K. Clarke can be reached at 407-420-5664 or skclarke@orlandosentinel.com
pouncingpluto
10-12-2006, 07:10 AM
Woo Hoooooooo!
jimmytammy
10-12-2006, 07:22 AM
MS at DVC was closed yesterday and we were wondering why. This makes sense. Finally, a story with a little credibility. VAKL sounds like a good move on WDW part.
crazy4wdw
10-12-2006, 08:29 AM
The first phase will include 134 remodeled accommodations on the fifth and sixth floors of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and additional phases will include the building of 324 vacation properties in a new building at the resort.

Wonder if this means that concierge will no longer be offered at AKL? Aren't all of the concierge rooms located on the 5th & 6th floors?
pouncingpluto
10-12-2006, 08:56 AM
I can't imagine they wouldn't have concierge anymore... I bet they'll just move it elsewhere.
Viki
10-12-2006, 09:11 AM
I can't imagine they wouldn't have concierge anymore... I bet they'll just move it elsewhere.


Yes, when we were staying in August a CM said they would be moving concierge.
budbeerlady
10-12-2006, 10:17 AM
Disney Unveils New Time Shares

(Thursday, Oct. 12, Orlando Sentinel)


Disney time shares are coming to the Animal Kingdom, with a plan for 458 units, the company said. According to Disney, the time shares will be a mix of new construction and renovated accommodations in part of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. They'll feature African-inspired details and most will offer views of a savannah inhabited by a variety of animals. Disney historian Michael Broggie said the new time shares are a continuing affirmation of Walt Disney's decision to build in Central Florida. Development of the Animal Kingdom Villas is scheduled in phases, with units to begin opening in fall 2007. The project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2009
ArielWannaBe
10-12-2006, 02:26 PM
Testing!
2angelsinheaven
10-12-2006, 06:34 PM
Also the new resort will offer a full service table resturaunt and new water park style pool, as well as an island for kids. Sounds so very cool.
GrimGhost
10-12-2006, 08:40 PM
Wonder when they go on sale?? Byron should expect a call from me tomorrow !!
mitros
10-12-2006, 09:19 PM
Well, I guess that finally ends the rumors and speculation........
raidermatt
10-13-2006, 04:26 AM
Well, I guess that finally ends the rumors and speculation........

For a few days at least. Then its "What's after AKV?"
EpcotMatt
10-13-2006, 10:31 AM
What's after AKV?
dbm20th
10-13-2006, 11:48 AM
Anyone seen any plans yet?
raidermatt
10-13-2006, 12:03 PM
What's after AKV?


Guess I underestimated.
MyGoofy26
10-13-2006, 12:14 PM
Anyone seen any plans yet?


Tikiman posted over on the resorts board. It's the only thing I've seen released so far - looks like it'll be modeled very much on the main lodge (including the big window)

http://www.tikiman2001.net/dvc_dak_432.jpg
MJMcBride
10-13-2006, 12:46 PM
Tikiman posted over on the resorts board. It's the only thing I've seen released so far - looks like it'll be modeled very much on the main lodge (including the big window)

http://www.tikiman2001.net/dvc_dak_432.jpg

Very nice. I wondering should I join the DVC........
DancingBear
10-13-2006, 02:08 PM
Anybody figured out just where this building will be in relation to the existing Lodge?
Viki
10-13-2006, 02:14 PM
Anybody figured out just where this building will be in relation to the existing Lodge?


Well, I'm really bad at this sort of thing, but the CMs said that if you stood facing the lodge the new building would be off to your left.
mattsdragon
10-13-2006, 09:41 PM
That news just got the wife smiling ear to ear.

Guess we'll be buying more points. . .
crazy4wdw
03-09-2007, 04:37 PM
I thougth some of you may be interested in the map that's up on the DVC site regarding the AKL Villas:

http://advc.disney.go.com/media/dvc/languagespecific/eng/resorts/animalKingdomVillas/DAKVMap.pdf

It looks like DVC units will be located in all the sections of the orignial lodge. Are there going to be any standard rooms left?