Disney (finally) announced DVC Villas at Grand Californian!

[dragonflymom]

In my DVC info stuff, it says 100,000 families own memberships. That is way better 350,000 if that is the truth.

Source for 350,000 members is from Disney's press release announcing West Coast DVC:

"Disney Vacation Club, currently celebrating its milestone 15th anniversary, has grown to serve more than 350,000 individual members from more than 100 countries and all 50 U.S. states."

http://www.disneylandnews.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=234&view_id=5829

Now, 350,000 members may not be incompatible with 100,000 families, but I'm not sure how they deduce number of families as membership count is more easily available from their member database. I know many deeds are joint ownership between spouses, so I'd expect the ratio to be closer to 2:1 than 3.5 to 1, unless they also count associate members. I can't imagine such a high number of associate members though.

Anyway, more scary than the total number of members is the diversity of membership from over 100 countries!!! Apparently, international air travel is not a barrier at all. I can imagine these same international owners adding on 50 or 100 points for a change of scenery. After all, they can use the West Coast DVC as a sightseeing base with its proximity to LA, So Cal beaches, San Diego, etc.

 

[disney-super-mom]

Even members who speed dial their guides fast enough to purchase points (when they go on sale) will have a hard time making reservations outside of the 11 month booking window. Talk about being FORCED to plan ahead! Sounds like a big PITA!

Maybe we should count our blessings that we don't stand a chance of being part of such a HUGE INCONVENIENCE!

I guess we'll stick with HOJO and PP until the new hotels go up at GardenWalk. If rates are too high at the new Gardenwalk hotels, we may end up sticking with HOJO, which is fine 'cause we like the HOJO.

 

[wdw4life]

I agree (with a heavy heart).

DL lovers and West coast vacationers have been somewhat alienated (or sidelined) by DVC, and now that a DVC is FINALLY coming to DL, we're still be alienated and sidelined. Bloody Brilliant!

Trying to stay positive.....trying to stay positive.....

I believe you will have a chance to buy points. DVC is not going to go to all the trouble to remodel the preview room if GCV is going to sell out to existing members. Realistically how many members visit DLR to be able to view the model? It's probably such a small percentage that it doesn't make sense for DVC to waste time and money on something so few people will see.

I don't know anything about timeshare laws but I wonder if it is possible for DVC to open initial sales to existing members and also to non members who buy at DLR?

 

[paulasillars]

Now, 350,000 members may not be incompatible with 100,000 families, but I'm not sure how they deduce number of families as membership count is more easily available from their member database. I know many deeds are joint ownership between spouses, so I'd expect the ratio to be closer to 2:1 than 3.5 to 1, unless they also count associate members. I can't imagine such a high number of associate members though.

Anyway, more scary than the total number of members is the diversity of membership from over 100 countries!!! Apparently, international air travel is not a barrier at all. I can imagine these same international owners adding on 50 or 100 points for a change of scenery. After all, they can use the West Coast DVC as a sightseeing base with its proximity to LA, So Cal beaches, San Diego, etc.

We represent both your two points above. Our membership is made up of myself, my partner and my mother so our contract is in 3 names.

Also as you mention, international air travel isn't a barrier. There are loads of DVC members all over the world - especially the UK - just check out the UK DVC boards... I'd think there would be a lot more members from this side of the world too when DVC opens up in CA.

Disneyland is a major overseas destination for New Zealanders (and Australians) and that should be a suprise when you consider that Disney does ZERO advertising for here. And I mean zero too, zilch, nothing! We don't have and never have had a Disney store and until recently you couldn't get ANY Disney merchandise here. Yet everyone dreams of going to, or taking their kids to Disneyland.

WDW on the other hand, very few people I know, even know it exists.

I can't wait for DVC at DL!

 

[simzac]

I am optimistic that GCV is just the first DVC for Disneyland to be announced. If sales go as quickly as everyone is forecasting, they will have to open up more DVC resorts. JMO