Anyone plan on buying DVC-Hawaii or DVC-DC?

[AuntTink]

I was just wondering who is seriously considering buying into DVC-Hawaii and/or DVC-DC (at National Harbor, Maryland) when they come available?

I don't think I would go to Hawaii much. I see that as maybe once in a lifetime trip. Doesn't attract me that much - I know what planet am I from?.

DC sound great to me. There is just so much to do there for little or no cost. A great place for families and for educational outings. I spent my teenage years there (Springfield, VA) and had a blast with my Dad, some real father/daughter bonding occured in those outings. I wouldn't want to go every year, but I wonder how hard it will be able to get in at 7 months, so maybe a small contract.

 

[disneynutz]

For us WDW is what makes DVC a winner. Outside of WDW a hotel is just a hotel. We might stay at Hawaii once but we would never buy there. I think that Disney is spreading themselves too thin and they have illusions of grandeur thinking that every resort that they build will be a success. VGC is already a sales disappointment and DVD wants to sell it out as fast as possible and move on.

 

[bwvBound]

I look forward to visiting both (assuming the new DC location includes DVC) -- but am not considering add-ons at either. I'm quite happy having only one DVC "home" resort (*). My guess is that DC will be harder to book than HI. Reasons for the guess:

• HI, while very high demand, has lots of timeshare inventory. DVC owners will be able to book DVC HI and locations across other islands through exchange company and affiliated resort relationships. Folks owning other timeshares may want to exchange into DVC HI - but have plenty of other options should their request fail. // DC, on the other hand, has very few timeshare properties in the immediate area and is already considered a highly sought-after reservation. (Kinda like NYC. Hint, hint!)
• Most DVC owners are located east of the Mississippi ... making flights to HI somewhat less attractive than continental US travel.
• Parents with school-age children will quickly justify a quick trip to our Nation's capital ... while possibly needing additional justification before carting the entire family out to see the Polynesian history of the islands. DVC in DC sounds a bit like a spoon full of sugar taken with medicine?
• HI likely to have more DVC units than DC.
• DC will likely suffer strong seasonal demand (lots of competition for small windows of time) whereas HI holds general year-round attraction (spreading the demand across wider windows of time).

Just guessing.

(*) Disclaimer: DVC is one of five different timeshare products for me ... so I feel sufficiently diversified w/out owning at multiple DVC properties.

 

[adminjedi]

We are probably going to buy HI!
We are on the west coast so it will be a quicker trip for us allowing for short stays. Although it won't have "the world" atmosphere and activities, it will certainly be a well done hotel with amenities. We like the Disney service with a smile and resort/park cleanliness. I think the pool area will be a fun addition that other hotels don't offer. Also, Waikiki has changed so much over the last decade or two that it will be nice to have a great place to stay on Oahu.

 

[DVC Mike]

Nope, not me.

 

[Crystal_27]

For us WDW is what makes DVC a winner.

Yup - that's exactly how we feel, especially given that we can drive to WDW without having to pay the additional costs of airfare. We will probably eventually get around to visiting DVC Hawaii and DC, but only after we reach a point where we need a break from the magic (and, in our family, that could take years).

 

[Dean]

DC is a scary place from a timeshare standpoint. My understanding is that the Wyndham resort there sold poorly and Wyndham is a lot more aggressive than is DVC in terms of sales. For HI they'll be going head to head with Marriott who is also more aggressive, offers preview stays, offers tour incentives, etc. This should be interesting. My prediction is that unless DVC changes their sales tactics it'll be a long time before we see any more off property options if ever and that's a shame because more choices are good for many members. It might or might not create more competition at the 7 month window, it would NOT depend on the number of units and points but rather the underlying demand of the properties in question throughout the year.

 

[Doug7856]

For us Hawaii holds no interest as a purchase, but DC will be a buy for us (assuming it is DVC).

Hawaii is a place we want to go to, but I can't imagine a commitment to 50 years of vacations there. We live in Maryland and have limits on travel times (my wife is a teacher) so off season travel is not possible.

The National Harbor location is 17 miles from our home. It would be a great short break getaway, especially if they do some sort of indoor pool/water park option that has been speculated on. We would probably focus our travel there during winter periods -- we love DC during the cooler temps. There are so many festivals and events that would make this a great location for us. I don't think the commitment to DC by Disney is real firm, so we'll see what happens. Should they build DVC, we plan to buy.

 

[Mr_Potts]

For us to buy in DC will depend on the themeing. I would love to see some animatronics there, helping to tell the story of American history. If it is a destination in itself with attractions I will add on.

As for Hawaii, we will be staying at Ko Olina this July at the Marriott Beach Club to see the construction and get a feel for whether we could imagine returning year after year.

 

[JLitfin]

No, not planning on adding on at either.

When I travel to Hawaii, I usually stay at the Marriotts on the islands. We stayed at Marriott KoOlina several years ago and it was wonderful. Can't wait to return.

DC is so close to my home, I don't need a timeshare to visit Washington and it's attractions.

Maybe once it's built I might try to reserve at 7 months, just to check out the new resorts.

 

[Brian Noble]

My understanding is that the Wyndham resort there sold poorly and Wyndham is a lot more aggressive than is DVC in terms of sales.

Alexandria is effectively sold out and has been for some time---I don't think they are in active sales there anymore. National Harbor, despite a lousy locaiton and not even being open yet (it opens in Feb 2010), was 40% sold this past summer, selling into the teeth of a nasty recession.

http://washington.bizjournals.com/washington/stories/2009/06/29/story5.html

That doesn't sound so bad to me. On the other hand:

For us WDW is what makes DVC a winner.

This is a big problem for Disney. They just haven't translated well outside RCID's boundaries. They do keep trying though.

Edited to add: I suspect they are going to see how HI moves before making a final decision on the DC property. If HI does poorly, the DC space may be a conventional hotel.

 

[hygienejean]

Does anyone know when HI will open its doors? When do you think they will start to sell points?

 

[Doug7856]

Does anyone know when HI will open its doors? When do you think they will start to sell points?

No firm date (that I'm aware of) but they are saying 2011 opening. I guess sales will start sometime next year (2010).

 

[LIFERBABE]

I have zero desire to sit on a plane that long, so Hawaii will be a once-in-a-lifetime trip for us. No add on for us.
No desire to add on in DC either.

WDW DVC is "home" for us. We can go and do nothing, just hang out as a family. The other locations have "purpose" so totally different requirement. They are more "1 and done" type places. Dont have many years left with the boys and looking more at retirement years. WDW DVC will suit us for leisurely trips and does not require long flights.

 

[eporter66]

If we ever add on it will be another WDW resort.

 

[dwelty]

I suspect that most DVC owners east of the Mississippi will not buy in Hawaii.

In a recent interview Jim Lewis expressed the desire to expand DVC to the west coast Market in a big way. Hawaii would go along way to do this. Hawaii is a huge market for the West Coast. In the east people go to Florida or the Carribbean, in the west many of them go to Hawaii.

I do not believe the Hawaii property is really aimed at the East Coast demographic. Which would explain why most of you are not interested.

See interview below:

http://www.dvcnews.com/index.php/ne...n-163/1053-jim-lewis-on-dvc-western-expansion

I have to say, for those of you who have never been to Hawaii, it is not at all like the Carribbean. No third world poverty, no trashy houses, just beautiful beaches, neighborhoods and Resorts. I have visited many tropical destinations and it is by far the best location I have ever visited. Also, you never feel like an outsider, it is just another state.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

According to some DVC people I spoke with last trip, the Hawaii project will be targeted more toward the Asian market.
This will have a secondary benefit for Disney, as they will than likely use points to visit WDW.

On another note, I find it hard to assume VGC is a sales disappointment. DVC doesn't seem to be marketing it too heavily, so perhaps it's going according to plan. Fact is, we just don't know exactly what their plan is.

Now, to the question.. No, I will not be purchasing Hawaii or DC. I will likely visit.

MG

 

[Anal Annie]

We live 25 miles out of DC and I have zero interest in a timeshare in the city. If I want to go downtown I can hop on the metro & go for the day.

We LOVE Hawaii and try to go every 5 years. Although Oahu is not our favorite island we usually spend a few nights there before moving on to better places. I doubt we will buy points there unless we find there is no availability at 7 months.

I think it is going to be cost prohibitive for us to buy points there and possibly even too point intensive to consider as a viable option to staying outside of Waikiki. I have a definite limit on how many points I will use for per night. VGC has pretty much hit that limit with me with their weekend point requirements for a studio in the summer being as high as weekend pts. at WDW. I have my own perception of the value per point. If you value the points at $10 each then a weekday night in the summer at VGC is = to $230. WeekENDS at 40 pts per night are OUT. We just simply don't spend $400 / night for a room. I anticipate Ko'Olina to be every bit as expensive per point and just as point intensive to use as VGC so we would only use it on a limited basis. I know I can book a decent enough room in Waikiki for around $200 / night. No way to know for sure about Hawaii until DVC releases more info. about the points & pricing. But definitely couldn't care less about D.C.


dwelty - it is not that I am not interested...it's just not Maui and I think it will be overpriced... I agree with your other thoughts tho about Hawaii. It is VERY CLEAN. People do not litter (fines are high), the islands are gorgesous, the weather is PERFECT, the Hawaiian language is BEAUTIFUL but certainly the fact that it's another STATE is great. No passports, no foreign currency...

 

[mickeys girl 52]

Not unless they move the Castle and Mickey there.

 

[Brian Noble]

I find it hard to assume VGC is a sales disappointment.

It is presently the least expensive property of those in active sales at which to purchase---less even than SSR. That seems like a pretty clear signal to me.