Bay Lake Tower#2?

[Sammie]

I think the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian will be next.

I mean they are the only deluxe resorts left without a DVC to support them. Especially now that both these resorts will have major competition for deluxe vacationers with the Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek and the new Four Seasons.

As to where they will put them, well DVC is known to build in parking lots and other less than desireable locations.

 

[tomandrobin]

I think Disney will take a break from building in WDW for a while. SSR has 1-2 years to sell, AKV and BLT have about 2-3 years to sell.

DVC is heavily invested in Hawaii and I think there will be a DVC component to the Washington DC resort. Remember Disney was researching other offsite locations in the past year, doing member surveys and such.

If the off-site locations fail, then we will see another WDW timeshare sooner.

 

[spiceycat]

think with the GF - it was the valet parking lot?

with the Polyn it was the area near the show - but that would not be big enough these days. DVC is thinking a whole lot bigger.

for Polyn would love one where the Tahiti is now - there is plenty of land - even if they only build a 3 story building - and so far - DVC has kept the DVC building to the same height as the WDW resort.

guess we can wish.

that say very, very happy with BLT. the monrail and being walking distance to the MK - was the reason that I brought.

location!

 

[dizfan]

If the South Garden land will hold it, I could see DVC building there. Seems like DVC keeps building in the same areas (SSR has multiple buildings despite the original plan being only one building, AKV has some Jambo and now a large Kidani building).

While it won't have MK views, they could sell the points for a Lake view and standard view.
Add a pool to BLT II that has the WOW factor of Stormalong Bay and it will be more popular than BLT I. Ask the kids, which would you rather have, a view of the castle and fireworks or a mini-water park for you pool area?

 

[GoofItUp]

If anything, a second tower with more rooms might make DVCers think there is a greater chance of booking at the 7-month window, so it could actually lessen the demand for having the BLT as a home resort.

I think it would be more appealing to build a second tower in a place where it could have its own identity and could be marketed as a new resort. Addonitis would be much more contagious if there was a Poly Tower or GF Tower, or my personal fantasy favorite, a Hollywood Studios Tower.

ITA with your thoughts on a 2nd tower causing people to think they have a better chance of getting in at one of the BLTs and not needing to buy in there. While certainly not the deciding factor on which resort we wanted as our home, this one did cross my mind. If I had bought in at BLT and then found out they were going to build another tower, I wouldn't feel quite as "special" about my purchase. That's why we ultimately decided to go with BCV. When I saw someone post with a home resort there, I felt jealous....no other resort made me feel quite the same.

I understand that DVC is going for the bigger resorts, but I still think it might make sense to build a small-ish, cozier resort (if that's all that would fit) at the GF or Poly. They could charge higher points for stays and make those kind of "elite" resorts. Make owning there something really special. It makes sense to me just because that's the reason I wanted to own at BCV. (Refer to previous paragraph that actually has a in it! )

 

[Maistre Gracey]

SSR has multiple buildings despite the original plan being only one building,...

Really? One building?

MG

 

[pilferk]

Actually, we stayed in the garden rooms where BLT is now (North wing?) in 2005 and they were smack dab in the middle of a huge remodel. Remember it well because we were upgraded to the tower due to the carpet nails and smell of paint, not the mention the plastic drapes up and down every hall.

However, I've read that the "construction" on the other wing is to shore up the land but not to add another tower. I personally feel like adding another tower there doesn't make any sense. The views would be completely different than BLT and not as desirable IMHO. You never know with Disney, I would just much prefer BLT to a tower further away from MK

I don't know one way or the other but....

remember that we were all told, while BLT was still the worst kept secret at WDW, that the "construction" going on at the North Garden Wing was JUST "asbestos removal and renovations"...all while they were ripping walls down.

 

[pilferk]

The DVC gal I bumped into when I made my illicit trip to the Tower (do I sound like Ann Boleyn?) told me there is rumor of another tower going up (duh).

She also told me BLT is 3/4 sold already -- I find that hard to believe, but anything is possible -- and that there is also the possibility of adding a DVC hotel to Tokyo. Yes, Tokyo.

We've been told stuff like that from DVC sales people before, for other properties. Near as I can tell...what they ACTUALLY mean is that they've sold about 3/4 of the declared units. They don't SAY that...because they want you to come to exactly the conclusion that you did, I suspect. But that's what their estimate, when compared to the declarations on the Orange County site, leads me to believe they MEAN (or, else, they misunderstood the "briefing" they got...also possible).

 

[pilferk]

IMHO, if they build ANYTHING, it would be to expand hotel capacity and services...not necessarily DVC. Maybe DVC on the upper floors??

But the Contemp, since it's refurb, has enjoyed something of a renaissance in popularity. I just can't seem them pulling the rest of the wing hotel capacity (a popular spot for convention guests, especially) from inventory to replace EXCLUSIVELY with time share villas. In addition, the North Garden wing enjoyed some real attractive "perks" to make it a suitable spot for DVC. Unobstructed MK views, a "straight shot" for a walkway to the main concourse of the Contemp (meaning you didn't have to provide any ancillary services like gift shops and restaurants) and a good "land profile" to get the pool and building on.

The South Garden wing misses out on some of those perks. It's more shielded by the Contemp tower in relation to MK views. You wouldn't have the walkway opportunity to the concourse (without moving Chef Mickey's, etc)...though you COULD build in to directly link to the attached conference center. And your access to the DVC pool area would be more difficult...and I can't see them building ANOTHER pool.

I don't want to rain on the parade...and I'm certainly not an expert on this subject. I don't KNOW it would be a hotel expansion, just like I don't KNOW if they've got ANY plans to build there. But, IMHO, the hotel expansion (with some offerings maybe more suited and geared toward the convention market) seems more likely than an increase in DVC villas.

 

[pilferk]

I think the Grand Floridian and the Polynesian will be next.
I mean they are the only deluxe resorts left without a DVC to support them. Especially now that both these resorts will have major competition for deluxe vacationers with the Waldorf Astoria at Bonnet Creek and the new Four Seasons.
.

I agree. I think if we see more DVC any time soon, it'll be either at the Poly or GF OR it will be a stand alone (like SSR and OKW) with a completely different theme.

AS for the Waldorf and 4 Seasons...that actually is one of the reasons I'd see any Contemp expansion going the way of a hotel expansion...specifically one that would cater to the convention market a bit more. The Waldorf and the 4 Seasons aren't really competitors in THAT market....so you don't risk losing any business to them when they open. I think the Contemp might be the MOST vulnerable to the Waldorf and 4 Seasons developments...simply because, at it's essence, it lacks a differentiating "theme". What it gains in proximity, it loses on the service and luxury front.

 

[dizfan]

Really? One building?

MG

Sorry, should have said SSR was never planned to be multiple phases. After sales went so well, they kept adding phases. THV are phase 4.

 

[Greg K.]

I agree. I think if we see more DVC any time soon, it'll be either at the Poly or GF OR it will be a stand alone (like SSR and OKW) with a completely different theme.

AS for the Waldorf and 4 Seasons...that actually is one of the reasons I'd see any Contemp expansion going the way of a hotel expansion...specifically one that would cater to the convention market a bit more. The Waldorf and the 4 Seasons aren't really competitors in THAT market....so you don't risk losing any business to them when they open. I think the Contemp might be the MOST vulnerable to the Waldorf and 4 Seasons developments...simply because, at it's essence, it lacks a differentiating "theme". What it gains in proximity, it loses on the service and luxury front.

A friend of mine who works at YC/BC tells me their concierge unit is undergoing a massive tune-up right now -- redecorating, upgrading, what-have-you -- in anticipation of the Four Seasons/Waldorf competition. I wouldn't be surprised if any proposed addition to the Contemporary would also be taking that into consideration.

 

[hakepb]

IMHO, if they build ANYTHING, it would be to expand hotel capacity and services...not necessarily DVC. Maybe DVC on the upper floors??

But the Contemp, since it's refurb, has enjoyed something of a renaissance in popularity. I just can't seem them pulling the rest of the wing hotel capacity (a popular spot for convention guests, especially) from inventory to replace EXCLUSIVELY with time share villas. In addition, the North Garden wing enjoyed some real attractive "perks" to make it a suitable spot for DVC. Unobstructed MK views, a "straight shot" for a walkway to the main concourse of the Contemp (meaning you didn't have to provide any ancillary services like gift shops and restaurants) and a good "land profile" to get the pool and building on.

..if only there was a fair/workable way to move cash trade-out inventory into a "convention block" Members could then get better availability at other resorts (no point rooms available, but CRO has cash rooms situations) and DVC members get increased trading power for cruise/ABD trade-outs than the current large CRO discounts/ $199 1BR's currently going....
..although those "convention block" DVC members would need an additional perk (8 month booking window a other resorts for trade-out(current CRO) inventory?) if they see they are occasionally losing BLT inventory