all this GF talk. What about the new four seasons?

[lilpooh108]

The plans call for a 444 room Four Seasons Resort, 40 "Residence Club" units and 90 "Private Residences". Four Seasons will retain 30% ownership in addition to managing the property once open. It is scheduled to open in 2014.

The Four Seasons Resort will be an "enclave located within the Golden Oak residential community, created and master-planned by Disney".

http://press.fourseasons.com/2011-n...walt-disney-world-resort-set-to-open-in-2014/

http://press.fourseasons.com/news-r...s-resort-orlando-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

This is so interesting, thanks.

Disney sold the lot in 2008? That seems like a down year to sell. Was Disney planning to develop this originally into something else and plans and/or a prior developer fell through?

 

[lilpooh108]

IMO Disney has this risk in HI.

Thanks for answering my question. What do you mean re Aulani?

 

[RobDoc]

This is so interesting, thanks.

Disney sold the lot in 2008? That seems like a down year to sell. Was Disney planning to develop this originally into something else and plans and/or a prior developer fell through?

The same site was announced back around 2001/2002 as a new DVC resort - Eagle Pines was the working title- whcih would have a hotel component for cash reservations as well as a DVC portion (a'la VB, BWV and Aulani - which were built as dual purpose resorts from the start) - unlike VWL, BCV, AKV, BLT and soon GFV which began as unique resorts to which a DVC component was/will be later added.

Within a year or so of that announcement, SSR was announced as the "next" DVC resort and Eagle Pines plans were scrapped to join other resorts originally suggested in Newport, CA (now home to Marriott), NYC and in Colorado. These resorts never reached the point of artist renderings like Eagle Pines, but were bandied about by DVC as future locations for off-site resorts to join VB and HH.

The 40 "Residence Club" units comprise the Timeshare portion of the project. These reportedly will be fractionals- 1/12 (4 weeks) shares. They are not as likely to be a points based or a weekly timeshare although I have not seen any specific definition for the nature of the Orlando Four Seasons offering. Some of the other current "Residence Club" offerings (7 in total) are 1/12 fractionals and other options may be quartershares (13 weeks per year) and 1/8 shares (6 weeks). Some are not in active sales (but resale opportunities may be available). Here is a link describing the Vail, Colorado club - http://residences.fourseasons.com/residence_clubs/vail/residence_club/ownership_use_plan/

 

[Dean]

Thanks for answering my question. What do you mean re Aulani?

Because it's a joint venture combined with a timeshare option. Apparently hasn't been selling as well as it could have and is isolated from the rest of the Disney empire. I'm not predicting it will happen, only pointing out that it's a risk.

 

[lilpooh108]

Doc & Dean, thanks for all the insight. Very interesting.

 

[Dean]

Doc & Dean, thanks for all the insight. Very interesting.

You're very welcome, these type of issues can be fun to discuss since all we have is guess and opinion.

 

[michelleiada]

Dean,
Can you say which ones of these properties you listed has the best most reliable transportation to WDW?

Or are they all pretty much rental car properties?

Thanks so much.

We have stayed at Wyndham's Bonnet Creek Resort which is located on Disney Property. My experience was it is just "ok". I may be spoiled though. You don't get all the Disney perks like if staying at a Disney owned property. No Magical Express, Extra Magic Hours, dining plan or Disney transport. Bonnet Creek offers scheduled shuttles to the 4 main theme parks. The villas are larger and more spacious than DVC but in my opinion lack the magic of Disney properties. They are nice, clean, and nicely furnished, but I personally prefer Disney! Bonnet Creek is also a huge resort and the restaurants on site were not good at all in my opinion. It is a lot cheaper than staying in a DVC resort but you can't compare the overall vacation experience. Nothing like being immersed in the magic 24/7. If given the option I'd rather spend more for the better experience and stay on site.