Are there any Plans on adding new DVC Resorts?

[SpaceMountain77]

I have also heard rumors about DVC building at the Moderate Resort level. Part of me doubts this will ever happen because it would be a step backwards in regards to location and hotel category. With DVC being at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and eventually the Polynesian, anything else would be going down the ladder instead of up. The only other scenario I can imagine would be a Moderate Level DVC Resort which costs less per point to purchase and requires less points per night to book accommodations.

Yes, the latter part of your post is what I have heard as well (i.e., lower point cost and less points per night).

Personally, I have often wondered why some of the Cabins at Fort Wilderness are not converted to DVC. The cabins have kitchens, living rooms and can sleep 6.

 

[tjkraz]

I have also heard rumors about DVC building at the Moderate Resort level. Part of me doubts this will ever happen because it would be a step backwards in regards to location and hotel category. With DVC being at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and eventually the Polynesian, anything else would be going down the ladder instead of up. The only other scenario I can imagine would be a Moderate Level DVC Resort which costs less per point to purchase and requires less points per night to book accommodations.

It doesn't have to be a "Moderate Level DVC Resort." As I said in my post, the grounds of a resort like Coronado Springs could be repurposed as a DVC with the guest rooms actually being all new construction. That's essentially what they did at SSR.

Coronado already has an impressive pool facility, conference center, and ample front desk / dining / recreation facilities to support DVC villas just as it does hotel rooms today.

Repurposing an older property means they can utilize utility lines, paved roadways, landscaping and other infrastructure already in place.

The most logical type of development for any of the Moderates would be a condo-style resort like OKW and SSR with small stand-alone buildings. That's likely one strike against such a project. DVC had its struggles selling SSR in the latter years. Also none of those resorts could offer boat / monorail / foot transportation to a theme park.

 

[David Raguso]

I really hope after Grand Floridian they build more at Disneyland, its insane that Grand Californian books on the first day of the window, you dont have a shot in hell in getting a room after that, Ive waitilisted too and that hasnt helped.

I know theres rumors of Polynesian but I hope it comes after something new on the west coast where theres a major shortage of hotel rooms. The last time i was there I had to stay off site even thought I had DVC...i couldnt get a single room of any kind in any of the 3 hotels.

 

[SpaceMountain77]

It doesn't have to be a "Moderate Level DVC Resort." As I said in my post, the grounds of a resort like Coronado Springs could be repurposed as a DVC with the guest rooms actually being all new construction. That's essentially what they did at SSR.

Coronado already has an impressive pool facility, conference center, and ample front desk / dining / recreation facilities to support DVC villas just as it does hotel rooms today.

Repurposing an older property means they can utilize utility lines, paved roadways, landscaping and other infrastructure already in place.

The most logical type of development for any of the Moderates would be a condo-style resort like OKW and SSR with small stand-alone buildings. That's likely one strike against such a project. DVC had its struggles selling SSR in the latter years. Also none of those resorts could offer boat / monorail / foot transportation to a theme park.

Tim, this is a great perspective! I had always assumed a conversion and/or annex, but this idea makes much more sense.

 

[jerseyduke]

The primary reason for a decline in occupancy, expressed as a percent, is the addition of new units.

In 2012 the number of Disney-owned hotel rooms at WDW increased 8.5% from 22,000 to 24,000 with the debut of Art of Animation.

Disney combines figures for the 18 Walt Disney World hotels and 3 Disneyland hotels in its annual report. Total occupancy was reported as having dropped from 82% in Fiscal Year 2011 to 81% in FY 2012. But when you factor in the growth in capacity, overall room nights still increased.

That said, consideration has been given to the eventual conversion of a Moderate to DVC. Coronado Springs is the most likely candidate given that it has the best infrastructure in place to support DVC villas. Size-wise the rooms are on par with Value villas at AKV. Although given DVC's recent gravitation toward more plush accommodations, I suspect they'd be looking at tearing-down existing buildings and rebuilding, similar to how Saratoga Springs as developed.

Poly certainly seems to have the most wind behind its sails right now but thus far no permits have even been filed, much less construction begun. In 2010 a Fort Wilderness DVC was much further along than the Poly is today, and that project was delayed indefinitely.

Also, consider that higher occupancy does not equate to more revenue/profit. When the economy was lower than it is now, Disney was offering deeper discounts during the off season. As things have gotten better, Disney is not discounting them as much.

I.E...if for every 100 people that booked at say 35% off, 98 still book at 30% off, occupancy will drop, but profits (at least for hotels) will rise.

As for a moderate DVC, it would not surprise me. After all, there are a ton of potential DVC members that simply can not afford what is available.

If they do a poly, I will be buying.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It doesn't have to be a "Moderate Level DVC Resort." As I said in my post, the grounds of a resort like Coronado Springs could be repurposed as a DVC with the guest rooms actually being all new construction. That's essentially what they did at SSR.

Coronado already has an impressive pool facility, conference center, and ample front desk / dining / recreation facilities to support DVC villas just as it does hotel rooms today.

Repurposing an older property means they can utilize utility lines, paved roadways, landscaping and other infrastructure already in place.

The most logical type of development for any of the Moderates would be a condo-style resort like OKW and SSR with small stand-alone buildings. That's likely one strike against such a project. DVC had its struggles selling SSR in the latter years. Also none of those resorts could offer boat / monorail / foot transportation to a theme park.

I'd wonder if they would like to lose the convention capability of CSR. It seems to have conventions every week that make certain the hotel rooms are booked. I know the one convention that I attended there had no rooms left when I tried to book.

It might make more sense to close POFQ and convert that to new DVC resorts.

 

[Dean]

I have also heard rumors about DVC building at the Moderate Resort level. Part of me doubts this will ever happen because it would be a step backwards in regards to location and hotel category. With DVC being at the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and eventually the Polynesian, anything else would be going down the ladder instead of up. The only other scenario I can imagine would be a Moderate Level DVC Resort which costs less per point to purchase and requires less points per night to book accommodations.

I'm not sure there have ever been credible rumors about a value or moderate associated DVC. I think all the talk I've seen has been on boards such as DIS as pure speculation.

 

[Chic]

I'm not sure there have ever been credible rumors about a value or moderate associated DVC. I think all the talk I've seen has been on boards such as DIS as pure speculation.

Dean- I agree. The information I've heard regarding the possibility of DVC at the Moderate level has all been speculation. It really doesn't make any sense to me for Disney to move in that direction. In my opinion, guests who stay at Moderate resorts probably aren't interested in spending the money required to be a DVC member. If they were willing to drop the big bucks, they would most likely be staying at Deluxe resorts right now.

 

[tjkraz]

I'd wonder if they would like to lose the convention capability of CSR. It seems to have conventions every week that make certain the hotel rooms are booked. I know the one convention that I attended there had no rooms left when I tried to book.

It might make more sense to close POFQ and convert that to new DVC resorts.

That's all part of the tug-o-war between various operations departments and DVC. I'm sure you realize, DVC doesn't have the clout to strong-arm most other departments into ANY action. Over the years, DVC has been ALLOWED to build at locations like Contemporary, Grand Floridian, Animal Kingdom, etc.

Several other departments would have to approve a DVC Coronado Springs, DVC Ft. Wilderness or even DVC Poly before any of those projects come to light.

Dean- I agree. The information I've heard regarding the possibility of DVC at the Moderate level has all been speculation. It really doesn't make any sense to me for Disney to move in that direction. In my opinion, guests who stay at Moderate resorts probably aren't interested in spending the money required to be a DVC member. If they were willing to drop the big bucks, they would most likely be staying at Deluxe resorts right now.

We stayed at Moderates before buying DVC. In our case, DVC ended up being a manageable vehicle for UPGRADING to Deluxe accommodations.

But that upgrade component is important. Someday DVC may run out of buyers at the high end and may consider a more economical product. But in every way I can conceive, DVC loses if they decide to go down the budget road. Purchases are smaller...closing rates are lower...defaults will be higher...

Every aspect of the Grand Floridian suggests DVC is still trying to milk the higher income earners.

 

[tjkraz]

I really hope after Grand Floridian they build more at Disneyland, its insane that Grand Californian books on the first day of the window, you dont have a shot in hell in getting a room after that, Ive waitilisted too and that hasnt helped.

I know theres rumors of Polynesian but I hope it comes after something new on the west coast where theres a major shortage of hotel rooms. The last time i was there I had to stay off site even thought I had DVC...i couldnt get a single room of any kind in any of the 3 hotels.

Construction at WDW and DL is not mutually exclusive. There's no reason why DVC couldn't build at both locations at once.

There was a time not so long ago when no less than FOUR resorts were under construction simultaneously (Kidani Village, BLT, Treehouses, Grand Californian.) Aulani may have even broken ground around that same time, too.

As long as sales remain strong, I don't think we will ever see a period where DVC intentionally has nothing to sell at Walt Disney World. That's their bread and butter. (And given the fact that it takes 2-2.5 years to build a new resort, I suspect we'll see something else start up at WDW soon. May or may not be Poly...but they need to start another construction project soon after VGF is completed due to its small size.)

As for another Disneyland DVC...I still believe that all rests on Aulani. With nearly 500 villas to sell, that resort was a huge gamble. And I don't see Disney risking cannibalization of Aulani sales by offering buyers another west coast alternative. At least, not until they've passed some magic number for total Aulani sales.

There certainly is demand for another west coast DVC...but those buyers aren't going anywhere. They don't have the other options that WDW buyers have (resale at 8 different properties.) There's just no urgency on Disney's part to build another Disneyland DVC.

 

[Jousey]

Also, consider that higher occupancy does not equate to more revenue/profit. When the economy was lower than it is now, Disney was offering deeper discounts during the off season. As things have gotten better, Disney is not discounting them as much.

I.E...if for every 100 people that booked at say 35% off, 98 still book at 30% off, occupancy will drop, but profits (at least for hotels) will rise.

As for a moderate DVC, it would not surprise me. After all, there are a ton of potential DVC members that simply can not afford what is available.

If they do a poly, I will be buying.

Very good insight. The business of discount travel is a very interesting game. They increase there profits while maintaining a lower occupancy rate. The rates listed to me seem high occupancy for a typical hotel, I thought most hotels operate at a much lower occupancy rate like 60%.

I too will add on at Poly if and when it happens.

 

[Jousey]

Dean- I agree. The information I've heard regarding the possibility of DVC at the Moderate level has all been speculation. It really doesn't make any sense to me for Disney to move in that direction. In my opinion, guests who stay at Moderate resorts probably aren't interested in spending the money required to be a DVC member. If they were willing to drop the big bucks, they would most likely be staying at Deluxe resorts right now.

I agree in part. I think DVC at some point will have a lower point resort, now I don't think that is anytime soon. Now about guest staying at moderates not wanting DVC or they would stay at a Deluxe, before DVC I only stayed in moderates and I liked it. From staying in Deluxe style rooms I can not see going back to that room.

 

[Breyean]

I agree in part. I think DVC at some point will have a lower point resort, now I don't think that is anytime soon. Now about guest staying at moderates not wanting DVC or they would stay at a Deluxe, before DVC I only stayed in moderates and I liked it. From staying in Deluxe style rooms I can not see going back to that room.

I shudder to think what this would do to the current system.

I bought OKW in 1993 for $57/point - I can get a studio there sometimes for 10 points/night, and I've gotten GVs that are actually affordable, esp compared with my other home resort at VGC.

Whenever I get to use my OKW points for a BLT or VGC room I feel like the cat who swallowed the canary. What a deal!

Now, if they add lower cost resorts, what will be the impact? Will the cost per point be less than the recent WDW DVCs built? Probably - they are "moderates" after all. Will the points per night be less than at current resorts? Maybe - again, they are "moderates". Will they be the size of OKW or SSR or smaller like VGF or VWL? I would guess they w/b on the large size like the moderate and value hotel resorts on property.

So wouldn't it make sense that some people, maybe a lot of people, would buy at these new "moderate" DVCs, esp if the cost is lower than at VGF or AKL (the currently active resorts being sold), and then look to use those points to book at 7 months at BLT or VGF or BWV or... take your pick.

Lots of people lament how much harder it seems to be to get a non home resort stay now at 7 months than it was a few years ago. Some blame SSR (I know people who have owned there for years and brag how they have NEVER stayed there, using their points at other DVCs instead). Some think Aulani is having an impact (I subscribe to this theory).

But if/when they add "moderates', buying where you want to stay will probably become even more important, and booking at 7 months at non home resorts will become more difficult.

 

[holula]

I would love a Poly DVC, but I would equally love them to build a completely new resort in the Epcot/DHS etc area. Near Hollywood Studios you could make a case for a 1920s style Hollywood Hotel or a Tower of Terror based hotel, or have a European hotel with each building themed like a different country as an extension of Epcot. I don't know where these hotels would go though.

BF has agreed that if they build anything else at DLR we can add on for a once every two year trip. Building the Tomorrowland Tower makes perfect sense.

I don't think DVC would go and add on to a moderate resort now. With prices the way they are they are clearly targeting the higher end clients. If they were to do a moderate resort I think they would need restrictions in place to when they can add on to the deluxe resorts. Maybe have a 5 month booking window instead of 7.

 

[Msmithmd]

Where would you put it at Epcot- that's easy! You'd put the entrance in on that empty pad between China and Germany (where the little Africa kiosks are) and have the hotel behind it, themed to and directly attached to whatever the new country is, in line with the way GC attaches to DCA! If you look at the satellite view of the site, there is definitely room so long as it had either vertical or remote parking for the guests.

New country pavilion to make the repeat park customers happy, plus a new billion dollar Disney profit attached to it via a dvc that would sell fast. Less need to have restaurants dedicated inside the dvc hotel, since it would be attached to the world showcase. And more likelihood members staying here would always get theme park tickets so they could use the world showcase.

Oh, if only...

 

[holula]

I like that idea. Maybe have a South American themed area so we can have an Argentinian Steakhouse and a Churrascaria.

 

[nkosiek]

I like that idea. Maybe have a South American themed area so we can have an Argentinian Steakhouse and a Churrascaria.

If it's going to be South America, wouldn't Brazil make the most sense as they could do some Sugarloaf replica?

 

[dizfan]

I did not see anyone mention the rumored large California themed DVC resort that was supposed to be located between DHS and BB. This was Oman architecture firms web site. Doubt it will happen until Disney makes as much money as possible from the Fantasyland expansion with resorts on the MK area.

 

[Jousey]

I shudder to think what this would do to the current system.

I bought OKW in 1993 for $57/point - I can get a studio there sometimes for 10 points/night, and I've gotten GVs that are actually affordable, esp compared with my other home resort at VGC.

Whenever I get to use my OKW points for a BLT or VGC room I feel like the cat who swallowed the canary. What a deal!

Now, if they add lower cost resorts, what will be the impact? Will the cost per point be less than the recent WDW DVCs built? Probably - they are "moderates" after all. Will the points per night be less than at current resorts? Maybe - again, they are "moderates". Will they be the size of OKW or SSR or smaller like VGF or VWL? I would guess they w/b on the large size like the moderate and value hotel resorts on property.

So wouldn't it make sense that some people, maybe a lot of people, would buy at these new "moderate" DVCs, esp if the cost is lower than at VGF or AKL (the currently active resorts being sold), and then look to use those points to book at 7 months at BLT or VGF or BWV or... take your pick.

Lots of people lament how much harder it seems to be to get a non home resort stay now at 7 months than it was a few years ago. Some blame SSR (I know people who have owned there for years and brag how they have NEVER stayed there, using their points at other DVCs instead). Some think Aulani is having an impact (I subscribe to this theory).

But if/when they add "moderates', buying where you want to stay will probably become even more important, and booking at 7 months at non home resorts will become more difficult.

I don't know if the per point cost could be lower but the amount of points needed to stay would be smaller, I could see a smaller contract point.
I dont know.
But when DVC started it was a hard 160 point for the lowest contrat now you can ussaly get away with 100 points being the lowest. So is it un-realistic to think they could lower the minnumum again to get more sales. I think this is a conversation for the execs and the bean counters. I can not even think of how a "low cost" sysytem would work. I for one would not like to see this happen. During the speculation around GF there was talk of a tiered system and that bothered me. At this point I dont want to stay at GF but some day i may want to. So to lose the chance because I bought in at a lower tier is sad to me. I like the cost point they have know and hope they contiue to stay aound that point. It took a lot for me and DW to have the finacial stability to make the purchase and I would hate to see the DVC loan defaut rate go up because a lower price point brings in a less finacialy stroung client base.

 

[Jousey]

I would love a Poly DVC, but I would equally love them to build a completely new resort in the Epcot/DHS etc area. Near Hollywood Studios you could make a case for a 1920s style Hollywood Hotel or a Tower of Terror based hotel, or have a European hotel with each building themed like a different country as an extension of Epcot. I don't know where these hotels would go though.

BF has agreed that if they build anything else at DLR we can add on for a once every two year trip. Building the Tomorrowland Tower makes perfect sense.
QUOTE]

What an Idea, build a hotel with a diffrent country theme. i think I coul dget on board with that. Even a Hollywood style theme would be nice as well.

I would echo the fact if DLR gets a new DVC we will look to add as well, especially if it is park of the DisneyLand Hotel.