Disney National Harbor

[Sammie]

I just think if you ask most people who live in Orlando, do you go to the theme parks often, they would say No, we don't.

I have friends who work for Disney and never, ever go to the parks.

 

[TPBChick]

I live about 1 and 1/2 hours from DC. I would love to go to National Harbor at Christmas. The Gaylord National has the ICE show like the Gaylord in Orlando. Unfortunately, with my work schedule and son's school, I never get to go to Orlando in December.

The Gaylord seems to have a lot of fun activities. They have a Summerfest going on right now. The National Children's Museum will open in 2013. I'll bet some NY DVCers would like to watch the Mets play the Nationals. Combine this with the historic sites in DC, Alexandria, Mt. Vernon, Quantico (new USMC Museum) and it could be a fun place to visit. There are a lot of DVCers who are within an easy drive of this area.

 

[edk35]

I just think if you ask most people who live in Orlando, do you go to the theme parks often, they would say No, we don't.

I have friends who work for Disney and never, ever go to the parks.

It is kinda like when I lived at Perdido Key minutes from the beach I rarely went.

 

[ssawka]

Well, after reading through everyone else's posts and having just spent several days at National Harbor here are my thoughts on revisiting the area.....our group was 3 adults (my sister, DH and myself) and 2 kids (my niece, age 14...turning 15 on 4th of July, and my grandson, age 8). Our trip happened during the hottest week of the summer so far.......D.C. temps were 96, 98 and 96, and 87 the days we were there.....the three days of mid 90 temps the heat index was about 105......great if you're planning to spend the day lounging at the pool......cooling off whenever necessary......but......not great if you're trudging around downtown D.C. with thousands of others. That said.......I think if the weather were cooler we would have enjoyed the museums much more.....even with air conditioning....the places were still very warm and very crowded. Public transportation from the National Harbor also leaves a lot to be desired.....it's only about 10 miles, but, you must take a metro bus from the Harbor to a metro station ......Branch Avenue station.......which from my understanding is not in a great area of town.....no flames, please.....I don't know this for fact......just what I heard. Once at the Branch Avenue station you need to get the green line into downtown D.C. and then transfer twice I believe to get to the Smithsonian station......according to the online metro calculator it would take approximately an hour or more to do the above. We opted to drive ourselves to Union Station, park there and use the metro from there.....still needed to transfer from the red line to orange/blue but much shorter connect time...it took us about 20 minutes to drive to Union Station with the help of our Garmin. However, I would say Disney will need to do something about transportation if they build there since right now if you are not willing to drive into the city it's not real convenient to get there. As for National Harbor......it really is still in the infancy stages, but, IMO does have great potential. I know we will go back if Disney builds and we are able to use points.......maybe not to visit D.C......but, Old Town Alexandria is right across the river and Mt. Vernon is only a few miles downriver......there are lots of things to do on a weekend visit.....and it's easy driving distance at 3.5 hours for us. I'm not so sure we would visit during the hot summer months though.
We also checked out the condo models which are being sold in the development.....very nice...small....but, nice......also very pricey.....over $400,000 for a 2 bdrm Potomac River view. Nice, but, not so nice when you take into consideration there is not even a grocery store or pharmacy in the development as of yet. CVS is coming very soon, but, I didn't see any signage for a coming grocery store. We used Peapod grocery delivery service to order groceries and had them delivered to the Wyndham....worked very well for us.
So, IMO, I do think a lot of DVC'ers would visit a DVC resort at National Harbor, but, I'm not so sure a lot would want to buy there either.

A couple of points from someone who lives about a half hour from national harbor. Sorry, can't speak to National Harbor specifically because we haven't been yet, but I can speak about the area:

1. You mentioned the Branch Ave. Metro station not being in a nice area of town (don't worry no flames!). Actually National Harbor is not in a real nice area. I'm not sure what they are doing or will be doing to keep crime down in National Harbor itself, but I would not venture too far out of the area unless you are driving to D.C. or Alexandria.
2. If you don't want to drive all the way into D.C., there are several Metro stops along I-395 that you could use. One in particular is Pentagon City. You can park all day at the Fashion Center at Pentagon City, but I'm not sure what they charge.
3. ITA on the transportation, National Harbor needs to offer more water taxis, or offer dedicated bus service into the city. Although the Metro system is fairly nice, it seems to already be at capacity and is in a state of deterioration. (Maybe Disney could build a monorail from NH to DC! )

That being said, I still think Disney's National Harbor resort would make for a quick overnight get away if we could use our points.

 

[NewDCLGuy]

The tourist district is beautiful so it will be nice to visit.

The problem with Disney's property is that is isn't in the tourist district, or even particularly near the tourist district, and doesn't have any convienent transportation into the district.

 

[Starr W.]

The problem with Disney's property is that is isn't in the tourist district, or even particularly near the tourist district, and doesn't have any convienent transportation into the district.

This is why I have Wyndham points at Old Town Alexandria. Location, Location, Location.

 

[5forDiz]

A couple of points from someone who lives about a half hour from national harbor. Sorry, can't speak to National Harbor specifically because we haven't been yet, but I can speak about the area:

1. You mentioned the Branch Ave. Metro station not being in a nice area of town (don't worry no flames!). Actually National Harbor is not in a real nice area. I'm not sure what they are doing or will be doing to keep crime down in National Harbor itself, but I would not venture too far out of the area unless you are driving to D.C. or Alexandria.
2. If you don't want to drive all the way into D.C., there are several Metro stops along I-395 that you could use. One in particular is Pentagon City. You can park all day at the Fashion Center at Pentagon City, but I'm not sure what they charge.
3. ITA on the transportation, National Harbor needs to offer more water taxis, or offer dedicated bus service into the city. Although the Metro system is fairly nice, it seems to already be at capacity and is in a state of deterioration. (Maybe Disney could build a monorail from NH to DC! )

That being said, I still think Disney's National Harbor resort would make for a quick overnight get away if we could use our points.

Thanks for your insights regarding NH area Ssawka. It does sound like a better transportation option instead of driving over to DC is going to be needed in order to make staying there more attractive. Maybe Disney will share a bus shuttle service to/from DC with Gaylord ( & other properties located there - don't know if there are any others or will be in future ).

This is why I have Wyndham points at Old Town Alexandria. Location, Location, Location.

Funny that you've mentined Wyndham Old Town Alexandria Starr; DH & I have been looking over small points resales there (less than 150,000) past couple weeks, but now are wondering if we should just wait and see if the Disney project turns out to be DVC. Don't know anythng about NH area at all, but we do like Old Town Alexandria

 

[Starr W.]

Thanks for your insights regarding NH area Ssawka. It does sound like a better transportation option instead of driving over to DC is going to be needed in order to make staying there more attractive. Maybe Disney will share a bus shuttle service to/from DC with Gaylord ( & other properties located there - don't know if there are any others or will be in future ).






Funny that you've mentined Wyndham Old Town Alexandria Starr; DH & I have been looking over small points resales there (less than 150,000) past couple weeks, but now are wondering if we should just wait and see if the Disney project turns out to be DVC. Don't know anythng about NH area at all, but we do like Old Town Alexandria

I got my points resale(308,000) late last year. We wanted a urban home resort and I love going to DC to catch some of the international ballet companies that perform at KC.

 

[lovbeinmom]

I want to book a room there (on points hopefully) for one night a year to see the 4th of July fireworks! (Don't get any ideas, folks - that room is mine! All mine!)

And thanks for the renderings - I just clicked on it and saw it bigger on your PB page.

The 4th was great. We could see several shows. The White House fireworks were a short distance, outstanding. We stayed at the Gaylord, also great. I would like to stay Disney next time.

 

[vicki_c]

The 4th was great. We could see several shows. The White House fireworks were a short distance, outstanding. We stayed at the Gaylord, also great. I would like to stay Disney next time.

Thanks! I looked online on 7/3 (great planning) and the packages at the Gaylord were all sold out, but I considered it for a minute. We're thinking about doing it next year, so thanks for the review!

 

[lovbeinmom]

Thanks! I looked online on 7/3 (great planning) and the packages at the Gaylord were all sold out, but I considered it for a minute. We're thinking about doing it next year, so thanks for the review!

This coming December they will have another ICE show, it will be the Grinch!! I think dates will post sometime around the 21s of July. The past ICE show was amazing, I can not want to go again. I am about 50 minutes (Baltimore) from NH, truly love it there. Seems like a great place to visit for the day or weekend.

 

[nordkin]

A couple of points from someone who lives about a half hour from national harbor. Sorry, can't speak to National Harbor specifically because we haven't been yet, but I can speak about the area:

1. You mentioned the Branch Ave. Metro station not being in a nice area of town (don't worry no flames!). Actually National Harbor is not in a real nice area. I'm not sure what they are doing or will be doing to keep crime down in National Harbor itself, but I would not venture too far out of the area unless you are driving to D.C. or Alexandria.
2. If you don't want to drive all the way into D.C., there are several Metro stops along I-395 that you could use. One in particular is Pentagon City. You can park all day at the Fashion Center at Pentagon City, but I'm not sure what they charge.
3. ITA on the transportation, National Harbor needs to offer more water taxis, or offer dedicated bus service into the city. Although the Metro system is fairly nice, it seems to already be at capacity and is in a state of deterioration. (Maybe Disney could build a monorail from NH to DC! )

That being said, I still think Disney's National Harbor resort would make for a quick overnight get away if we could use our points.

As someone that has a lot of family living in the immediate area of National Harbor I totally disagree with your first point about the surrounding area. It is not as nice as Old Town Alexandria, but the crime rate is not bad. The area is predominatly African American, which my family is not, but because of that it has a reputation with people from Northern Virginia as being a bad area. I can take you to the same type of areas in Alexandria and the feeling is different because it is Virginia. I happen to work in Alexandria and hear the same thing from my coworkers who live in Virginia.

The Branch Avenue Metro Station is actually in a very good commercial area very close to Andrews Air Force Base and has more parking than any of the stations in Virginia.

I don't want to throw flames, but I think accurate information should be given so people do not get turned off of a location based on the beliefs of people and not facts about the area.

 

[Cmbar]

As someone that has a lot of family living in the immediate area of National Harbor I totally disagree with your first point about the surrounding area. It is not as nice as Old Town Alexandria, but the crime rate is not bad. The area is predominatly African American, which my family is not, but because of that it has a reputation with people from Northern Virginia as being a bad area. I can take you to the same type of areas in Alexandria and the feeling is different because it is Virginia. I happen to work in Alexandria and hear the same thing from my coworkers who live in Virginia.

The Branch Avenue Metro Station is actually in a very good commercial area very close to Andrews Air Force Base and has more parking than any of the stations in Virginia.

I don't want to throw flames, but I think accurate information should be given so people do not get turned off of a location based on the beliefs of people and not facts about the area.

Don't want to throw flames either, but I don't see how you provided any more facts and not just your opinion. We assume that Disney is not stupid enough to build in an area ripe with crime, but to say DC is a safe city is just crazy. Most major cities are not and DC is not any exception because it has some nice mueseums in it. Again, I am sure some people would like to stop in DC for a night, for me it would be a nightmare but again we live so close that the lure of DC is just non existent.

But that is simply my opinion. Again, I say they need to have some good transportation options to National Harbor because driving in DC is crazy. The man who designed it was on drugs!

 

[nordkin]

Don't want to throw flames either, but I don't see how you provided any more facts and not just your opinion. We assume that Disney is not stupid enough to build in an area ripe with crime, but to say DC is a safe city is just crazy. Most major cities are not and DC is not any exception because it has some nice mueseums in it. Again, I am sure some people would like to stop in DC for a night, for me it would be a nightmare but again we live so close that the lure of DC is just non existent.

But that is simply my opinion. Again, I say they need to have some good transportation options to National Harbor because driving in DC is crazy. The man who designed it was on drugs!

I agree I was also stating my opinion and I did not say anything about DC. I was talking about the immediate area around National Harbor which is in Fort Washington, Maryland. The Branch Avenue Metro is in Camp Springs, MD and is several miles from both National Harbor and Washington DC. I was simply trying to say the area has a bad reputation with many people that live in the DC area because it is in Prince Georges County and there are many stories on the news about the crime in Prince Georges County, but as we all know there are good and bad areas in all cities and counties. Many people will not even venture into Prince Georges County because of the news stories, execpt maybe to go to a Redskins game because the stadium is in Prince Georges County as well.

I agree they need to improve the transportation options at National Harbor and in my opinion they will as it grows.



http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Alexandria-Virginia/community-info/

 

[Doug7856]

We live about 25 minutes from NH and would be interested in purchasing a few points for short getaways. We've never visited NH, but have been tempted several times. Friends have a few criticisms, particularly about Gaylord's shallow pool, but I suspect we'll venture over before long. If you live in the area, Gaylord has special resident getaways that are a nice value (I got a $69 offer over Memorial Day weekend when you purchase two nights!). You can sign up for the emails on their web site.

Like most people in the area, we don't venture into DC often enough. We'd like to set aside a few weekends each year to experience the culture and museums. Owning DVC points would help us actually do just that!

 

[AllyBri]

I just think if you ask most people who live in Orlando, do you go to the theme parks often, they would say No, we don't.

I have friends who work for Disney and never, ever go to the parks.

We go to the Parks all the time and everyone I know goes all the time too.

 

[vicki_c]

We go to the Parks all the time and everyone I know goes all the time too.

Well you're on the DIS that is more expected.

Most of my Orlando friends (who are not on the DIS) say they haven't been there in years and have no interest. Similarly, when I lived an hour away, the vast majority of my co-workers hadn't been to Disney in many years and said they only went when they had relatives coming to town. They thought we were crazy to go to Disney and Universal 4-5 times a year.

So I don't think your experience would be the norm outside the "DIS" universe that we all live in!

 

[vicki_c]

I was simply trying to say the area has a bad reputation with many people that live in the DC area because it is in Prince Georges County and there are many stories on the news about the crime in Prince Georges County, but as we all know there are good and bad areas in all cities and counties. Many people will not even venture into Prince Georges County because of the news stories, execpt maybe to go to a Redskins game because the stadium is in Prince Georges County as well.


http://www.trulia.com/real_estate/Alexandria-Virginia/community-info/

I would agree with that, my office for 2 years was about 5 minutes from the stadium and it's generally a fine area, with a few widely publicized exceptions at the Largo Town Center. (Which is not about NH, but PG county in general, but NH is even "more fine"! LOL!)

 

[DebbieB]

I just think if you ask most people who live in Orlando, do you go to the theme parks often, they would say No, we don't.

I have friends who work for Disney and never, ever go to the parks.

I've done training in our Orlando office and most of them do not go to Disney regularly. They are more Universal fans, teens love the thrill rides. One person planned to go to WDW for their honeymoon, they had not been there in like 15 years! And it's right down the road!

Just my 2 cents:

I don't think there's enough demand to sell 50 rooms worth of points. And it takes too much effort to have the support in place for a smaller number of rooms.

I do see this as part of the Disney collection - and let's cross our fingers here - maybe even without the obnoxious $95 fee.

I agree, I'm not sold on them wanting to include DVC. They had a hard time selling HH and Vero and look at their resale prices now, they are letting them go very low.

 

[ssawka]

As someone that has a lot of family living in the immediate area of National Harbor I totally disagree with your first point about the surrounding area. It is not as nice as Old Town Alexandria, but the crime rate is not bad. The area is predominatly African American, which my family is not, but because of that it has a reputation with people from Northern Virginia as being a bad area. I can take you to the same type of areas in Alexandria and the feeling is different because it is Virginia. I happen to work in Alexandria and hear the same thing from my coworkers who live in Virginia.

The Branch Avenue Metro Station is actually in a very good commercial area very close to Andrews Air Force Base and has more parking than any of the stations in Virginia.

I don't want to throw flames, but I think accurate information should be given so people do not get turned off of a location based on the beliefs of people and not facts about the area.

Perhaps I was hasty, I was talking about PG County in general and in particular the Oxon Hill area. I used to work in that area and rarely felt "safe". I'm sure the National Harbor area is quite nice and it is good it is there to help bring business into MD. I was merely stating that if you are unfamiliar with the area, you do not want to be "wandering" around given the reputation of PG County and SE DC. And, you are correct, I wouldn't want anyone to "wander" in some areas of Alexandria either, especially along the US 1 corridor.