DVC tens years from now....fifteen?

[rutgers1]

Let's get out our crystal balls - both real and imaginary - for a moment and conjure up images of DVC in the future.

Let's start with a practical question...and then truly dream a bit:
1) How do you think DVC will grow and evolve over the next 10-15 years?
2) In your dream scenario, how will it grow and evolve over the next 10-15 years?

[DisDaydreamer]

This is a head scratcher for me. We bought 10 years ago and I would never have guessed on the dramatic expansion of DVC during a number of economically difficult years.

My hopes would be to see a couple more beach type resorts. Particularly on the gulf shores. High MFs though to be sure.

[DisFlan]

I'm sure even DVC will have a "point of diminishing returns", but I think it still has a bit of growing to do. I'll gaze a little further than 10 or 15 years. I'm more interested in seeing how the current resorts fare as they age, especially the older resorts. Fifty years is a long time. Will they hold up well 30 or 40 years out? (50 years from now, OKW will be 65.) Things change, even in 10 or 15 years. Tastes change and evolve. Resort configurations and requirements change. Will the existing resorts compete well with newer venues, both at Disney and elsewhere? Or will they be seen as expensive dinosaurs as newer resorts come on line?

We'll be in our 90's in 2042, so we probably won't care one way or the other - our contract will likely outlive us. Our son will be dealing with whatever happens then. The current DVC is perfect for us at this time and, God willing, for a number of years to come. But younger owners might wonder about these things.

DisFlan

[twinklebug]

I'm sure even DVC will have a "point of diminishing returns", but I think it still has a bit of growing to do. I'll gaze a little further than 10 or 15 years. I'm more interested in seeing how the current resorts fare as they age, especially the older resorts. Fifty years is a long time. Will they hold up well 30 or 40 years out? (50 years from now, OKW will be 65.) Things change, even in 10 or 15 years. Tastes change and evolve. Resort configurations and requirements change. Will the existing resorts compete well with newer venues, both at Disney and elsewhere? Or will they be seen as expensive dinosaurs as newer resorts come on line?

We'll be in our 90's in 2042, so we probably won't care one way or the other - our contract will likely outlive us. Our son will be dealing with whatever happens then. The current DVC is perfect for us at this time and, God willing, for a number of years to come. But younger owners might wonder about these things.

DisFlan


I think aging and keeping up with the times is one of many reasons whey Disney chose to introduce time-limited timeshares. They knew there would come a day when they'd need to either entirely revamp or dispose of the older properties and there would be no way of doing so if there were still owners.

DVC's time extension option on OKW indicates their research and data show that resort is and will continue to hold up well in the market. It will be interesting as time goes on to see if they feel the same about VWL. (fingers crossed)


Referring back to the OPs question... My dream: I'd like to see DVC build one property near each of their theme park locations. Right now my feet are glued to the US but in the future I'd love to explore Europe, Asia etc and having a DVC home base in the area would help me feel a little more at home.

What will DVC actually do? I think they have plans, but don't think even they can predict what will actually come to pass.

[ILuvCrush]

My house is 100 years old... I think it has far more charm and interest than the "new" houses down the street. Even though by the time membership is up the resort may be 50 yrs old, I think its not really an issue. Look at the CR...Its 37!! And is still very well loved. No I don't think the current ones will become "dinosaurs" like the PP suggested:)

I think that DL is the first w/ DVC at other parks.... I expect the other parks will follow eventually, maybe after hawaii opens in 2011. I'd love to stay in Paris or visit Tokyo!!!:banana:

[Donna M]

Look how they are taking off.


With so many baby boomers out there more resorts that are not attached to parks would be attractive.

Resorts easy to get into in the Caribbean might be of interest.

[VTNuke]

In 10 years, I think DVC will have two or three resorts each in Disneyland and Hawaii. They will add DVC at the Poly and the GF and there will be a new stand alone SSR/OKW type of resort.

Sometime in the next 20 years there's a really good chance Disney may be purchased or merge with a bigger company that will change everything. I think Comcast was a lot closer to making that deal several years back then most people think. Another company stepping could be very bad for the quality of the Disney resorts and could really change everything.

[Micmaniac]

If growth remains strong, I foresee DVC at all monorail resorts using the higher point charts for BLT, thus making a true 2-tier system of resorts.

[Golden Rose]

I'd like to see more free standing DVC resort or resort-hotel combinations across the US away from parks, but I'd also like to see them add DVC units at the Grand Floridian and/or the Poly. (I find both more appealing than BLT, although we may yet buy at BLT for the MK conveniance.)

We're really looking forward to Ko Olina - I think my mom is going to want a bunch of points there. She's been talking about having a vacation home in Hawaii off and on for years, so I really wonder if we won't end up with enough points for her to stay for many weeks once she retires. I hope it does very well so that Disney is inspired to build other such resorts. (Heck, I hope it does so well that they are inspired to build another Hawaii resort on another island down the road, but I consider that extremely unlikely.)

I would also love to see a DVC resort somewhere in the mountains which could be a ski resort in the winter and a woodsy retreat in the summer. I think it would complement their coastal and beach offerings very nicely. I know there was some discussion of Tahoe as a potential site, which would work nicely, as would several locations in Utah or Colorado.

Something in the NE would be nice, maybe NYC or DC.

I would love to see something in the Caribbean down the road, but I don't know how likely it is that they'll branch out out of the US.

What do I think we'll see? Well, with AKV-Kidani, SSR-THV, BLT, GCV, and Ko Olina currently under way, I think we may see a bit of a slow down in new properties . I think that unless we see a real turnaround in the economy in the next few years, they will probably be selling inventory in the currently announced properties for quite a while. I do think that they might do at least the Poly down the road, since Disney already owns the property and wouldn't need to do a major land purchase...

To sum up, I hope we'll see more diverse locations around the country, and I don't think it is out of the question. But I worry that fears about the economy will decrease the number of new purchases, and, eventually, the number of new properties.

[WaltEeyoreWorld]

I think I would guess a little different. I think DVC will be reigned in a little by Disney and learn that they are not primarily really in the Time Share business. I think you will see them stop creating DVC's away from the park / cruise vacation combination. So I think HI will be the one and only. I think you will see another park added in WDW and thus more hotel / DVC combos for it. Maybe some in the other Disney parks around the world.

My dream however would be a shift for Disney. Make the disney vacation experience truly available. Bring Adventures by Disney into the DVC fold with more point worthy options. Turn over one of the Disney Cruise line ships to be DVC only all of the time with more point worthy options. Make the investment in DVC points count for more than just DVC properties as they do today and expand the club to be one, integrated experience from DVC park vacations to international adventures to cruising. I know, pipe dreaming again...:wizard:

[rutgers1]

I would like to see Disney expand to other resort areas around the world, but only if it doesn't take away availability at the villas attached to the parks. I would hate to see them start one in upstate New York only to find that people are buying points there and trying to use them exclusively at the resorts in Florida. I realize that someone with that intention would buy in Florida in the first place, but it is still a concern.

When I bought, I was a bit misled into believing that it was easy to trade into other timeshare systems. My guide made it sound like the best thing since sliced bread, as did the girl at the kiosk when I first expressed interest. However, after returning home and finding this message board, I now realize that trading isn't that easy with DVC. That realization was a real bummer. If anything, I thought a DVC member would be above all other timeshare owners considering Disney is such a hot vacation. Since then, I have heard of people who paid like 5K for their New England timeshare getting weeks at Disney, while I heard of DVC members having a hard time getting desirable locations elsewhere.

[ryanmilla]

Along this line, what happens if for some reason your resort is demolished before your contract ends? Like some have been saying that 50 yrs is a long time, what happens if they decide to raze your resort to add another theme park (very hypothetical here)? Since our contract is a deeded real estate contract, are they now null and void? I'm sure Disney would honor it somehow, I was just wondering how.

[spiceycat]

Along this line, what happens if for some reason your resort is demolished before your contract ends? Like some have been saying that 50 yrs is a long time, what happens if they decide to raze your resort to add another theme park (very hypothetical here)? Since our contract is a deeded real estate contract, are they now null and void? I'm sure Disney would honor it somehow, I was just wondering how.

by not tearing it down.

[dianeschlicht]

Along this line, what happens if for some reason your resort is demolished before your contract ends? Like some have been saying that 50 yrs is a long time, what happens if they decide to raze your resort to add another theme park (very hypothetical here)? Since our contract is a deeded real estate contract, are they now null and void? I'm sure Disney would honor it somehow, I was just wondering how.

Not going to happen, since we are owners of deeded timeshare property. Nothing can "take that away" legally until the contract ends.

[spiceycat]

would like fast passes to be offered when you check in.

better trained staff at the front desk check in. although SSR is fine.

oKW, VWL - needs to be retrained or something.

very tried of cm's at the front desk telling me they can't do something. there was time (not long ago) when they could do everything.

so after you wait in line to check in, - then you have to go over to the concierge line and wait there to buy and have the tickets put on your ID.

this needs to be changed BACK!!!

what should have taken 30 minutes - ended up taking way over an hour - because of this.

this is not fair to any of the WDW resorts - if it is a way to make us buy tickets before hand - then fine - make it possible to buy tickets on one person and not make us buy tickets on everyone.

okay the future - really the pass. want the excellent service and caring that the CM's showed when I first joined. Now too many of them don't care. they did their job. realize that disney is short handed - but they did have an excellent training program - what happened?

for DVC resorts in other places - well the Panhandle of Florida would be nice - but not like the Marriott - since all the nice beaches are gone. Marriott is not directly on the gulf beach

of course since I own there already (with an other timeshare) - may not buy - but the option to trade to it would be nice.

never again do what they did at HH - if you have beach property use it - then use the other property.

instead they build with the other property first.

do DVC resorts next to the national parks. yea remember the problem with Virginia - but since there are other hotels outside the national parks - really think this might work.

[Anal Annie]

I have 3 Dream Scenarios - I would love to see a lake / mountain / ski type resort (someone mentioned Tahoe) but I'm certain that would require ownership AT the property to get in during peak season unless they made it absolutely HOOGE. I would also like to see something in the Southwest...maybe like a dude ranch / spa / golf course kind of thing...near the Grand Canyon...I could see all kinds of potential with something like that as well. Mexico could be another good choice (like the Cabo / Baja area on the West Coast). These types of resorts would really help eliminate the hassles of trading out for a variety of vacations and would provide a well balanced selection within DVC.

Until the economy turns around tho I wouldn't be surprised if they hold off on any further development / announcements. I am sure they have a 10 year plan - but they may stretch it to be a 15 year plan.

[hakepb]

If anything, I thought a DVC member would be above all other timeshare owners considering Disney is such a hot vacation.

Disney is a hot vacation. You got that correct.
What DVC sales does not mention is every other timeshare company knows that, too, and has overbuilt the Orlando area with too many of their own off-site timeshares.
DVC is only "hot" for those other owners that know enough to place a premium staying onsite. I think there are larger units and/or cheaper trades available offsite.

As far as the future, I would believe most if any offsite growth will be out west, there's more untapped Disney $ out there. It may take Hawaii selling out before they start construction of the next off-site one, though.

As much as I'd love to get more points-friendly cruises and/or ABD gut feeling is it (service-centered DVC memberships) will never happen.

[eliza61]

My dreams for DVC are really dreams & wishes for WDW as a whole.

1) More CM's. Not just bodies though, I would love better paid (hey it's hard to love your job if it's barely liveable wages) better trained ones.

2) less hard ticket events. While I do love the holloween & Christmas parties do we need 47 nights of them

3) More individuality. I'm not a big souveneir shopper but back in the day you could get really cute Disney things. Now every gift shop has the POTC and the nightmare before christmas stuff. Why would you sell that in the BWV's gift shop.

4) Get rid of the DDP plan (sorry). I really feel it has also suck the creativity out of the restuarants. There has got to be a better alternative.

5) Get rid of the "freebies" (sorry again). John Q. Public cannot handle free stuff. My last few trips could have been entitled "guest behaving badly" I can't tell you the number of times I've witness guest lose it because their kid did not get a free dessert for their birthday or at the WLV last year a lovely mom (with 3 kids in tow) called the cm, mexican $%#^. Why? she had a less than desirable view and couldn't be upgrade. The cm was politely trying to tell her she paid for standard. I thought she should have called the cops.
Don't even get me started on the guest complaining at the front desk because she didn't get "towel animals"
With apologies to a Jack Nicholas but "We Can't Handle THE FREE STUFF"

[deej696]

My hope is fairly simple. I just want to be able to make reservations online:lmao:

Other than that, it would be nice to have a realistic points option at the other parks as well. We are about to make our second trip to Paris in as many years, but I would never consider using points there in present form.

The front desk agents need some work as well, but thats more Disney wide as opposed to just DVC. Granted, my standards are a little high because I used to manage a desk for a luxury hotel, but it seems I often walk away saying "Not in my hotel."

[kdepot]

I see DVC keeping in CA or FL & HI. There are plenty of resorts in NV. I think they try to stay in warm areas so NE, NYC and DC are out.

Someone suggested FL's west coast and I like that. I think they keep the resorts close to if not at the parks so there is the option of split stays.

On a dream idea Lets build the Venitian resort at the sinkhole on 7 Seas Lagoon. If it floats Venice, if it sinks Atlantis / Ariel.:eek:

Only kidding but with the technology in 15 years YOU never can tell :wizard:

[Blahnde]

Turn over one of the Disney Cruise line ships to be DVC only all of the time.

I think this is one of the most innovative and interesting ideas I've read! I do not necessarily think it will happen, but I think it is a WOW of an idea! The big problem is that I do not know how DVC would go about selling a ship vs. real estate, and how it would effect the other "properties," but I like the overall idea!

My dreams for DVC are really dreams & wishes for WDW as a whole.

1) More CM's. Not just bodies though, I would love better paid (hey it's hard to love your job if it's barely liveable wages) better trained ones.

2) less hard ticket events. While I do love the holloween & Christmas parties do we need 47 nights of them

3) More individuality. I'm not a big souveneir shopper but back in the day you could get really cute Disney things. Now every gift shop has the POTC and the nightmare before christmas stuff. Why would you sell that in the BWV's gift shop.

4) Get rid of the DDP plan (sorry). I really feel it has also suck the creativity out of the restuarants. There has got to be a better alternative.

5) Get rid of the "freebies" (sorry again). John P. Public cannot handle free stuff. My last few trips could have been entitled "guest behaving badly" I can't tell you the number of times I've witness guest lose it because their kid did not get a free dessert for their birthday or at the WLV last year a lovely mom (with 3 kids in tow) called the cm, mexican $%#^. Why? she had a less than desirable view and couldn't be upgrade. The cm was politely trying to tell her she paid for standard. I thought she should have called the cops.
Don't even get me started on the guest complaining at the front desk because she didn't get "towel animals"
With apologies to a Jack Nicholas but "We Can't Handle THE FREE STUFF"

While I'm not as adverse to #2 as the original poster, I agree overall and would suggest many of the same ideas.

I would love to see Disney get back to its customer service dominance. There have just been way too many reports (in addition to my own experiences) that tell me that Disney has stopped making service a priority. I have to tell you that I am a lifelong Disney fan, but my first immersive trip to WDW made me want to own a piece of the magic. It was my "happy place," but over the last few years I have become less and less confident in the experience. It is no longer a definite that we will get great service; sometimes we do, sometimes we don't. I did not intend to buy into so-so.

It is not entitlement (like demanding towel animals), but confidence that we will get care, not indifference, from staff at all levels. I do not want freebies, but I want common courtesey ALL THE TIME from ALL STAFF. There was a time when Disney cast members were not allowed to have a bad day. They call them cast members for a reason; it is not just to be cute, but because they are supposed to be a part of creating an unreal, fantasy experience for guests. It is almost performance art, but lately these cast members do not know their lines and seem oblivious to the production going on around them. It is truly sad because it was what set Disney apart from every other media, entertainment, and theme park conglomerates.

Okay, off service soap box!

The only thing I would add is that while I would love to see a woodsy/snowy type resort, a Caribbean resort, and a big city resort, not only do I not think it will happen, but I'm not sure it would be good for DVC if it did.

Unfortunately the DVC system does not lend itself to resorts of unequal stature. While the 11 month booking window advantage is enough to get most to, "buy where they want to stay," it has not been enough to keep off site resort prices from falling like a stone. This is why VB and HHI have been a problem and I suspect that Hawaii will be, too. The only thing that has prevented VB and HHI from being a complete drain on the DVC system is the maintenance fee differential.

What DVC has to sell is onsite locations in the number one vacation spot in the world. And they sell this for a premium because they have a monopoly on this market. However, they cannot expect to sell any other location for this same premium since they will have competition. So they currently have (and will create an even bigger) problems when building anywhere other than onsite. While I love the idea of DVC Hawaii (and Lake Tahoe, Caribbean, NYC), I know that they would be a drain on the DVC system, which puts my current ownership at risk.

How does DVC think they will be able to compete with Marriott in Hawaii when they are literally right next door and selling pretty much the same thing for much, much less??? There MAY have been a time that they could "sell" the Disney service angle, but I think that ship has sailed! And while DCL has differentiated itself in the marketplace with the kid's clubs, larger staterooms, and no gambling, I cannot see how DVC Hawaii is going to be able to set itself apart from every other timeshare resort in Hawaii. While I do believe it will be built, I cannot see DVC Hawaii being anything but a problem for the DVC system as a whole. I predict two scenarios: 1) It will be priced at onsite DVC rates, in which case I do not think it will sell well -OR- 2) they will have to sell it at a reduced cost to compete (like VB and HHI), in which case it will sell, but will put additional strain on the DVC system. I think many members like the idea, but do not see the problems and effects it will have on membership.

They need to stick to onsite properties (this would include other Disney properties like Paris, Hong Kong, etc.) where they have a monopoly and can continue to charge a premium for their plan.

Blahnde

[nickspace]

Something up North would be great. How about Disney Cleveland or Disney Buffalo!!! Am I kidding or am I serious???

[disneynutz]

Let's get out our crystal balls - both real and imaginary - for a moment and conjure up images of DVC in the future.

Let's start with a practical question...and then truly dream a bit:
1) How do you think DVC will grow and evolve over the next 10-15 years?
2) In your dream scenario, how will it grow and evolve over the next 10-15 years?

How will DVC evolve over the next 10-15 years?

Renting will be abolished.

Resales will be offered by DVD at a competitive price with other resellers, plus they will offer developer points to attract all of the buyers.

Perks will be offered to owners with 1000 points or more. Maybe a 12 month booking window?

[Blahnde]

How will DVC evolve over the next 10-15 years?

Renting will be abolished.

Resales will be offered by DVD at a competitive price with other resellers, plus they will offer developer points to attract all of the buyers.

Perks will be offered to owners with 1000 points or more. Maybe a 12 month booking window?

Not big on renting disappearing because of the flexibility it affords, although I would like to get back the "exclusivity" of ownership. Would love Disney to really get in the resale game, but I cannot see it happening.

But mostly I would love them to treat larger point owners with some perks. While the 12 month window may be nice, how 'bout letting us do a once a year point combo where resort ownership is a non-issue! In other words, once a year we can use however many points we have available (regardless of resort) to book at 11 months at ANY resort! Ooooh, that would be fun!! I'm sure smaller point owners would howl, but it would be good for us!

Blahnde

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I'd love to see a gulf coast resort as well as a really well thought out and themed resort in Gatlinburg/smokey mtns. I know that Southerners don't have the $$ of other parts of the country, but we don't have to fly to Orlando either, so we could really help balance out bad hard economic times. Plus, the state Retirement System is ALWAYS looking for great win-win investments. I bet they would jump at a joint venture with Disney in Gulf Shores. Don't laugh. You should check out the RTJ golf trail.

I know quite a few people who would jump at a chance to do 1/2 Gatlinburg OR Gulf Shores and, 1/2 WDW.

The thought of perks to 1000+ pt. members just irks me. IF anything, drop the $95 fee for them, [as long as you don't increase it for me] otherwise keep it the way it is. I'm happy that you could lay out $70k plus for DVC, but don't make it where I can't have a boardwalk or standard view. That is not the plan that signed on to when I joined. JMHO.

[TinaLampus]

5) Get rid of the "freebies" (sorry again). John Q. Public cannot handle free stuff. My last few trips could have been entitled "guest behaving badly" I can't tell you the number of times I've witness guest lose it because their kid did not get a free dessert for their birthday or at the WLV last year a lovely mom (with 3 kids in tow) called the cm, mexican $%#^. Why? she had a less than desirable view and couldn't be upgrade. The cm was politely trying to tell her she paid for standard. I thought she should have called the cops.
Don't even get me started on the guest complaining at the front desk because she didn't get "towel animals"
With apologies to a Jack Nicholas but "We Can't Handle THE FREE STUFF"

I agree. Don't get me wrong. I love "freebies" as much as the next person but I don't EXPECT something free. If we get something, GREAT!, if not that's okay too. I just don't get the entitlement thing from people anymore....and, I don't consider myself an "old fuddy duddy" saying it...I'm only 33 for goodness sake!

And so...you don't get a towel animal...well....DAMN!...deal with it. There are much worse things, you are really not paying for towel animals......are you?

[TinaLampus]

Separately.....sorry for the momentary hijack of the thread....

I would love to see additional DVC resorts....with ANY theme, as long as there is a theme.

Theme'ing is a Disney specialty, they seem to do it the best and that is what we want.

I saw on a separate thread someone talk about the notion of a "Hauted Mansion" DVC Resort. If Disney created that, my husband and I would be the absolute first to buy in.

[ead79]

The thought of perks to 1000+ pt. members just irks me. IF anything, drop the $95 fee for them, [as long as you don't increase it for me] otherwise keep it the way it is. I'm happy that you could lay out $70k plus for DVC, but don't make it where I can't have a boardwalk or standard view. That is not the plan that signed on to when I joined. JMHO.

I agree with your point above for sure. I wouldn't mind other perks, but messing with the booking window would really upset me. I bought where I wanted to stay most of the time, and I wouldn't want to lose that advantage simply because I couldn't afford 1,000 points.

Realistically, I think we'll see DVC slow down a bit in the coming years. Unless BLT sells like absolute hot cakes, then I think the economy will take its toll on DVC sales and thus new properties being built.