Disney at National Harbor

[SnowWhite2]

Just got back from National Harbor today to visit ICE and take a look around. It is about 40 miles from my house so it is a quick hour drive and easy traffic today. I saw several signs for the new Disney National Harbor hotel. I can't wait...and hope they have a DVC portion as I would probably stay there for a few days to visit the clubs and shops. Spend some time on a boat tour...too cold today to try it out.


Crossing my fingers for a DVC at National Harbor.

 

[Robin"D"]

Just got back from National Harbor today to visit ICE and take a look around. It is about 40 miles from my house so it is a quick hour drive and easy traffic today. I saw several signs for the new Disney National Harbor hotel. I can't wait...and hope they have a DVC portion as I would probably stay there for a few days to visit the clubs and shops. Spend some time on a boat tour...too cold today to try it out.


Crossing my fingers for a DVC at National Harbor.

Might be a dumb question....where is Ntional Harbor?

Robin & Angel "D"

 

[erionm]

In Maryland just outside of DC.

http://www.nationalharbor.com/consumer/home.htm

 

[DisneyPups]

I find that the signs there are very optimistic. The latest is that the project is stalled. You wouldn't know it by all the signs. I, too, hope they decide to go through with it as planned.

 

[tjkraz]

Disney bought the land but never announced any firm plans to build there. Right from the get-go, my sense was that the developer was promoting Disney's land ownership to try and attract more businesses to the area. Nothing wrong with that...I probably would have done the same thing. If other businesses help build-up the area, you figure it can only help the chances of Disney going forward.

I'd love to see it happen but don't mistake the signs for anything but wishful thinking. Success of Aulani may determine whether National Harbor happens or not.

 

[nytimez]

I find that the signs there are very optimistic. The latest is that the project is stalled. You wouldn't know it by all the signs. I, too, hope they decide to go through with it as planned.

I don't even think it's stalled -- it was never started to stall.

 

[ssawka]

I too hope that this comes to fruition, however Disney has a long history of announcing projects that never materialize, for one reason or another.

 

[DisneyPups]

I don't even think it's stalled -- it was never started to stall.

You're right. That is a much better way of putting it.

 

[CMOORE185]

What would be the attraction for a Disney resort in Maryland?

 

[wildernessDad]

What would be the attraction for a Disney resort in Maryland?

There are many cultural and historical locations to visit.

 

[moericus]

There are many cultural and historical locations to visit.

My favorites:
National Mall - The Lincoln and WW2 monuments are incredible...
The Smithsonian museums
Mount Vernon

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

I wouldn't buy points at National Harbor, but if it became a DVC location I would definitely stay there for those very reasons.

 

[ssawka]

I wouldn't buy points at National Harbor, but if it became a DVC location I would definitely stay there for those very reasons.

Yes, I think many have the same feeling, that's why I'm doubting that there will be a DVC component. I live in the DC area, and although it's a nice place to visit, I just don't see people wanting to come back year after year.

 

[Disney Todd]

I wouldn't be surprised if DVC continues to expand to non-WDW locations now that WDW has so many options. I imagine they would be large hotels/ resorts that have a DVC component and a non. I hope they do, especially Colorado, but I wouldn't feel much compulsion to buy in there since you'd probably only want to visit every few years or so. Disney would have to be careful on pricing, as now you can get HHI on cash ( with DVC discount) for about the same price as annual dues on the necessary points.

 

[CMOORE185]

Disney would have to be careful on pricing, as now you can get HHI on cash ( with DVC discount) for about the same price as annual dues on the necessary points.

Maybe off season, but I would find this hard to believe during peak season, the time when most people want to go. During peak season you need 11month booking window to get HHI.

 

[Brian Noble]

I live in the DC area, and although it's a nice place to visit, I just don't see people wanting to come back year after year.

If DVC ends up there, this certainly won't be how it is marketed. Guides there will focus on "the Disney vacation club" and all the great places one can go. Like WDW, for instance.

More seriously, this is a real concern---just as it is for Aulani. DVC carries a premium, partly in purchase price, and partly in ongoing expenses. I can see why people wish to pay that premium for WDW resorts. It is less clear for *any* of the others, including VGC. Disney just doesn't have the same home court advantage anywhere else.

 

[Y-ASK]

I eat lunch at the harbour just about every day and there hasn't been any construction since the 1st annoucement. I'll be sure to post something if I see anything. I'm also kind of surprised that the property is pretty far back from the waterfront. It will be like a two or three block walk to get to the water's edge...

Y-ASK

 

[bookwormde]

I am not sure why anyone would "waste" there DVC points on staying at a DVC National Harbor when ther are lots of 2br villas at the Wyndom resort for 200/nt and less and sometimes you can get a 4br for that.

Bookwormde

 

[Y-ASK]

I am not sure why anyone would "waste" there DVC points on staying at a DVC National Harbor when ther are lots of 2br villas at the Wyndom resort for 200/nt and less and sometimes you can get a 4br for that.

Bookwormde

Really? That sounds kind of interesting. Can you just rent out a couple of nights or do you have to rent a whole week? Where would you find such a rental. I'm just thinking of a weekend get away for the family...

Y-ASK

 

[TisBit]

I am not sure why anyone would "waste" there DVC points on staying at a DVC National Harbor when ther are lots of 2br villas at the Wyndom resort for 200/nt and less and sometimes you can get a 4br for that.

Bookwormde

I think this goes into how someone views their DVC contract. If someone is looking to maximize their DVC contract (similar to people who look at it as an investment) and take into account renting points, etc and booking cash for things like cruises and other vacation destinations it might be conceived as "wasting".

The flip side of that is, people who use their DVC just as a prepaid vacation, might think why should I pay $200 a night when I have already paid my dues and can just use my points.

Obviously someone who is short on points probably will consider all their options, but if someone has points available, it is not necessarily "wasting" points to use them outside of WDW. I think it is the fallacy of some opinions on the boards that daring to use your points outside of WDW is just a waste and is foolish (not your post, but some people do have that opinion) and in all honesty, renting points have risks and for some even if they lost a couple dollars per point it might be worth it to them not to have to go through that...and if it is a wash, its not "wasting" them, no more than the people that feel buying DVC is a waste because you could use promo codes or go to a value/moderate, etc. Just my opinion....