Any Plans for another DVC resort in California

[maggiegirl]

Does anyone know if DVC is planning or will consider to build another DVC resort in California?

or, are there plans to expand DVC @ Grand Californian?

 

[erionm]

There is not much available land at Disneyland. I believe that part of DCA was built on what used to be a parking lot.

 

[Lorilais_mommie]

I wonder if they could convert one floor or even a 1/2 of floor from the DL hotel..
They could also buy up one of close hotels.. And than run a bus between the DVC resort and DL..

 

[bwvBound]

Patiently waiting!

 

[zavandor]

Many rumors in the past pointed to a DVC tower at the Disneyland Hotel. However no official statement about it. It would be great to have more option at DLR, VGC is amazing (been there last January) but so small.

 

[bethy]

This is one of my fondest wishes! If they did it I would buy more VGC points because there would then be a back up resort if VGC didn't work out. I've learned that I really prefer to have all my points at the same resort.

The VGC sold out surprisingly slowly - most likely due to cost per point and also the fact that it opened for sale just as the recession hit in 2008 or 2009 . . .

 

[maggiegirl]

This is one of my fondest wishes! If they did it I would buy more VGC points because there would then be a back up resort if VGC didn't work out. I've learned that I really prefer to have all my points at the same resort.

The VGC sold out surprisingly slowly - most likely due to cost per point and also the fact that it opened for sale just as the recession hit in 2008 or 2009 . . .

If they build or extend at DL I will certainly buy direct! In fact, Resale purchases are great for the $$ value but I am looking forward to be able to add small contracts (25 to 40 pts) at a time at VGF and hopefully something in California as well. We plan to do this to enable us to pay cash for the add ons and not use any financing! What was the cost per point on VGC when they were selling direct? Was it more than VGF?

 

[bethy]

If they build or extend at DL I will certainly buy direct! In fact, Resale purchases are great for the $$ value but I am looking forward to be able to add small contracts (25 to 40 pts) at a time at VGF and hopefully something in California as well. We plan to do this to enable us to pay cash for the add ons and not use any financing! What was the cost per point on VGC when they were selling direct? Was it more than VGF?

Honestly I don't remember the cost per point. It was quite a long time ago so I'm sure it was less than VGF's current prices! I do recall that it was more than BLT which was also for sale at the time.

Truth be told I didn't really care about the price - I was an purely emotional buyer which is unusual. And I don't regret it for a even a second! I am on the waitlist to buy more points direct.

If I were buying at WDW then I would totally go resale just because there is so much more inventory.

 

[Dean]

Does anyone know if DVC is planning or will consider to build another DVC resort in California?

or, are there plans to expand DVC @ Grand Californian?

DVC announced then abandoned a resort about 20 miles from DL where Marriott's Newport Coast resort now sits. They have a poor track record of off property resorts and that includes Aulani in the mix. I'd love to be wrong but I don't see much likely to happen other than possibly other HI locations. For DL they'd either have to buy something existing and raze it or do the same to one of their existing hotels.

 

[kenspidey]

DVC announced then abandoned a resort about 20 miles from DL where Marriott's Newport Coast resort now sits. They have a poor track record of off property resorts and that includes Aulani in the mix. I'd love to be wrong but I don't see much likely to happen other than possibly other HI locations. For DL they'd either have to buy something existing and raze it or do the same to one of their existing hotels.

Don't you think Aulani is an anomaly? The flight distance makes this a tough sell. Didn't HH and Vero sell out and are they not a success. I don't see why another resort off property wouldn't work especially in Southern California.

 

[Dean]

Don't you think Aulani is an anomaly? The flight distance makes this a tough sell. Didn't HH and Vero sell out and are they not a success. I don't see why another resort off property wouldn't work especially in Southern California.

Not really, last I heard it was behind on sales compared to projections but I agree it's different which is why I said that if there is another, it'd likely be in the islands as well. From a sales standpoint VB & HH were a total disaster, really still are. To the point where we don't have at least 3 resorts that we should have had available to members had they worked out better. Actually it's not that I don't think they could work but rather that with DVD's approach and expectations, I don't think they're willing to take many such chances. I doubt they would have done Aulani on their own without the joint venture.

 

[disneynutz]

Don't you think Aulani is an anomaly? The flight distance makes this a tough sell. Didn't HH and Vero sell out and are they not a success. I don't see why another resort off property wouldn't work especially in Southern California.

Disney expected Aulani to sell out primarily to the Asian market. They have sales centers in Japan, have hired Japanese speaking MS and DVD CM's, and offered fixed week sales that are popular with Japanese buyers. Events and economic recovery in Japan has caused a bump in their plans.

When you compare what you get at WDW with what you get off-property, IMO WDW wins hands down. Additional evidence that Disney isn't looking at off-site DVC projects is that DVD has closed their mall sales locations and discontinued their contracted sales program.

Bill

 

[tjkraz]

It's a question of "when" not "if" another California DVC will be added.

DVC is heavily marketing Aulani on the west coast and they don't want to jeopardize those sales by offering a more appealing alternative. With 500 rooms, Aulani is a huge property to sell. I'd expect them to ride that for a few more years.

 

[sechelt]

I think Disney owns more land in California than we know about. The guide for the morning power walk at VGC, Disney Dave, said there was space for another park and 7 hotels, and that they plan to build them over the next 20 years. He'd been with Disney for 24 years so I'd expect what he says to be somewhat true.

I bought VGC resale in 2009 and direct in the spring of 2010. The points were between $110 and $120. Can't remember exactly. As for how fast it sold out, I'm pretty sure it hit the market in early 2009 and I think it sold out in 2010 or early 2011. I toured the suites in October 2008 but they weren't available to buy yet.

 

[tjkraz]

I think Disney owns more land in California than we know about. The guide for the morning power walk at VGC, Disney Dave, said there was space for another park and 7 hotels, and that they plan to build them over the next 20 years. He'd been with Disney for 24 years so I'd expect what he says to be somewhat true.

They do have a lot of land. Problem is most of it is being used for parking right now and DL is already facing a shortage of parking on its peak days. Parking is so tight that Cast Members can't even park on-site at times...Disney has a lot for them a couple blocks away and busses them over.

They have enough space to virtually double the size of the large Mickey & Friends parking structure but garages are VERY expensive. We're talking hundreds-of-millions of dollars.

So before they could even consider a 3rd theme park or additional hotels, they need to write a 9-figure check to fix the parking problem and free up some land. (However, a smaller scale project like a 4th tower at the Disneyland Hotel with DVC villas would still be feasible without other radical changes.)

Also the land earmarked for a 3rd theme park is about 1/2 block away from Disneyland and DCA...quite far from the current parking structure. There wouldn't be any room for parking near this 3rd park. Disney needs to work with the city to put together an efficient plan for moving guests over to that somewhat isolated spot (buses, monorail, etc.)

These hurdles will someday be overcome but it's going to be expensive.

If you really want to know when Disney is getting serious about expansion at DL...wait for the announcement on the parking garage expansion. It has to be the first domino to fall.

 

[sechelt]

Thanks Tim. Good to know.