Anyone else hear about Grand Floridian DVC?

[lugnut33]

BLT sales have been much slower than projected and they reduced several design elements at Kidani Village to make a larger profit.

Care to expound on that a little bit? I'm interested to know about the sales and what exactly they cut out of the Kidani design?

 

[CarolA]

Oh, I wouldn't be surprised by anything a guide said! They say all sorts of things, speculate on things, hint at inside info, etc.

Problem is, they seldom have any real clue what DVC is doing. Guides are right up there with boat, bus, and monorail drivers as shaky sources of info (although the monorail drivers were right about BLT). I'd go with info from a light-cart vendor at Epcot before I'd depend on a guide rumor!

That said, I think DVC Poly and DVC GF make more strategic business sense than DVC Hawaii. I think we'll see them...but somewhere down the line.

Personally I think they read the DIS and get lots of their "inside" info right here!

Disney is just like most places of work... rumors come and go. Just read the "Resorts" board. YOu can call and ask the same question three times in one day and the CMs will tell you three different things. (Yes, Free Dining will start very soon, Free Dining will start in 90 days or Free Dining is not going to happen this year... take your pick)

Last year I heard the "Disney is eliminating all Coke products rumor" That one was suppose to be the "healthy eating" mess. Hmm.. I was there last week LOTS of Coke products! LOL!

 

[discott71]

I doubt if it will ever happen and if it does, it won't be for several years. Disney is down sizing and cutting back to stay profitable. BLT sales have been much slower than projected and they reduced several design elements at Kidani Village to make a larger profit.

What design elements at Kidani were changed?

 

[JasonDVC]

I just heard from a reliable source that they are planning Grand Floridian DVC in the next 2 years...

It only makes sense to put DVC at Disney's Flagship hotel. They would be crazy not to build one because it would be a hot commodity.

I believe it will be small like BCV. Probably 200 rooms or less.

I know that I would buy immediately and am going to begin saving up today. If the day comes, I'll be ready, if it doesn't, I'll have a bit of money saved up anyway. Either way I'll be happy!

 

[CarolA]

How many of you who think that this is the "flagship" hotel and should therefore be a top tier have stayed there?

I did, one of the most disappointing stays ever. Unless Disney fixes those staff issues I would not even bother to stay there. (No, Dear CMs you are NOT doing me a favor by allowing me to stay in your beautiful hotel. And valet parking should NOT take an hour to get my car, where was it EPCOT?)

 

[jade1]

Last year I heard the "Disney is eliminating all Coke products rumor" That one was suppose to be the "healthy eating" mess. Hmm.. I was there last week LOTS of Coke products! LOL!

Point taken, seems like we ran into Pepsi (not that its healthier) somewhere down there last time-cant remember where though.

 

[disney dumbo]

My guess is that all the deluxe resorts will eventually have DVC units. That is just my opinion, based on nothing in particular other than knowing that when disney sees demand, they provide supply. I also wouldnt be suprised to see value dvc units (dvc pop? dvc all star?) eventually as well.

I agree... even if they convert some exsisting rooms to DVC like Animal Kingdom. I don't think it is so much a demand base... it's a financing based decision.

DVC is a win-win for Disney... especially in bad economic times. We are financing their hotels! They still get to rent some... they still get ALL our money at the parks and restaurants. AND they don't have to pay for the construction. AND they get the buildings back in 50 years!!!

It's going to be interesting...

 

[cobbler]

Disney is just like most places of work... rumors come and go. Just read the "Resorts" board. YOu can call and ask the same question three times in one day and the CMs will tell you three different things. (Yes, Free Dining will start very soon, Free Dining will start in 90 days or Free Dining is not going to happen this year... take your pick)

When I made my reservations for a one night stay in May, the CM told me that it was too bad I wasn't staying longer because free dining was going on.

And valet parking should NOT take an hour to get my car, where was it EPCOT?)

No, it was at Animal Kingdom!!

 

[ead79]

How many of you who think that this is the "flagship" hotel and should therefore be a top tier have stayed there?

I did, one of the most disappointing stays ever. Unless Disney fixes those staff issues I would not even bother to stay there. (No, Dear CMs you are NOT doing me a favor by allowing me to stay in your beautiful hotel. And valet parking should NOT take an hour to get my car, where was it EPCOT?)

I have stayed at the GF several times (it and AKL are my favorite resorts). I had wonderful stays each time. I stayed at BC once and had a bad experience with a ridiculously noisy exhaust fan (it had a short in it as it turns out) and a rude manager. But lots of folks love the BC. I think at any resort you can have a good stay or a bad stay depending on any number of things.

I would love to see a DVC at the GF, but I'm betting it won't happen for quite a while due to the economy and the number of DVC resorts currently on sale.

 

[thelionqueen]

I agree with PP re: Grand Floridian. Absolutely my worst stay at any Disney resort property (almost visited them all except AK-just do not like it). The CM's feel like they're doing you a favor by checking you in and it is very sterile. It reminds me of the Titanic, and not in a good way My first impression of it was that it looked like a hospital, white and sterile; no personality. But that is just me. I know a lot of people who don't have the vast knowledge that we do here on the DIS think it is the "flagship" property because of it's price. I totally disagree.

That said, I also agree that everyone can have different experiences regardless where it is. I personally LOVE the Contemporary and have never had anything less than a great stay there-same with BC. My first visit to Poly was nothing great and there are people who won't stay anywhere else. To each their own, Disney has many properties to entice every taste!

 

[liznboys]

I have no desire for DVC at the GF. It comes across as a feminine resort to my family... I would stay there on a solo or girlfriends trip but I doubt we'll ever stay there as a family.

The POLY however, we would all go crazy for that!!

I doubt any new DVC's will be done anytime in the foreseeable future though.

Thanks for sharing though, it's always fun to hear the rumors and stuff.

 

[DVCGeek]

That said, I also agree that everyone can have different experiences regardless where it is. I personally LOVE the Contemporary and have never had anything less than a great stay there-same with BC. My first visit to Poly was nothing great and there are people who won't stay anywhere else. To each their own, Disney has many properties to entice every taste!

I've never stayed @ GF but visited it twice, eaten their once. Felt snooty and just not my style. I like visiting Poly, but I don't like walking outside from building to building in bad weather. My favorites? Wilderness Lodge and Contemporary. I also like the monorail in and of itself. Therefore, I jumped at buying BLT!

Back to the point, I think the poster above is 100% dead on; everyone has different preferences (and price points) and Disney providing a variety in accommodations, DVC or not, is one of their best assets. I just hope they remember that and don't start making things too plain vanilla & mildly themed. I want Disney to slap me in the face (figuratively) and immerse me in a magical place, regardless of which theme it is just "plus it".

 

[Cmbar]

True! Everyone knows it's the boat captains and the bus drivers!

This is so true!! The bus drivers know more than anyone!!

 

[Dis13]

....and they reduced several design elements at Kidani Village to make a larger profit.

Which design elements have been reduced?

 

[lisareniff]

.....and they reduced several design elements at Kidani Village to make a larger profit.

I'm curious.... what did they eliminate?

 

[dbprimeaux]

I would LOVE to see DVC at GF or Poly.....I sure would LOVE to own there...

 

[corpcomp]

I would rather seem them start expanding the parks rather than just adding on more resorts. It is really getting way too crowded IMHO. And I also would prefer the Poly.

 

[tjkraz]

I'm sure there are preliminary plans somewhere for DVCs at the Poly, Grand Floridian, several Moderates, the other half of Pop Century and perhaps even the Yacht Club. Resort construction typically has a lead time of 3+ years when you take into account the legal filings and other prep work that needs to be done. And before approving any given plan, I'm sure multiple sites are considered.

The main questions are which of those plans will ever see the light of day and when. For some it could be 5 years, 20 years or never.

 

[becca-becca]

I doubt if it will ever happen and if it does, it won't be for several years. Disney is down sizing and cutting back to stay profitable. BLT sales have been much slower than projected and they reduced several design elements at Kidani Village to make a larger profit.

What design elements at Kidani did they reduce?

 

[WALTSAGOD]

It only makes sense to put DVC at Disney's Flagship hotel. They would be crazy not to build one because it would be a hot commodity.

I believe it will be small like BCV. Probably 200 rooms or less.

I know that I would buy immediately and am going to begin saving up today. If the day comes, I'll be ready, if it doesn't, I'll have a bit of money saved up anyway. Either way I'll be happy!

GF has NEVER anything for me, I have never had any desire to stay there.

Now POLY would be a different story, I personally believe that it would be the quickest DVC to ever sell out.