Disney National Harbor

[Doug7856]

But would you be willing to buy points there? I would be surprised if DVC opens a resort there, I think the points would be hard to sell. Sure current members would like to stay there but they need to sell the points.

Wyndham doesn't seem to have had difficulty selling at National Harbor. We would most likely buy some points there to enjoy some of the seasonal D.C. activities we enjoy. I would also love to have points for a long weekend during Ice! held mid November to early January. I think it would probably be a smaller resort with both hotel and DVC and I wouldn't be surprised if NH would be difficult to get into at certain times. There are also a lot of convention activities in the D.C. area that could be attracted to a Disney National Harbor property.

 

[DeeCee735]

i didn't read through the whole thread, but are there any links or websites or info on DVC member site that show's artist rendering or lastest updates on the progress of this new D.C. area resort?

TIA

 

[Doug7856]

i didn't read through the whole thread, but are there any links or websites or info on DVC member site that show's artist rendering or lastest updates on the progress of this new D.C. area resort?

TIA

Sad to say, there isn't any progress. Disney announced the land acquisition a few years ago and hasn't done anything since. There is a big sign up at National Harbor "welcoming" Disney, but that's about it. This is mostly wishful thinking!

 

[lisareniff]

I love Wegman's! I try to get in there for a few things a couple of times a month also.

Another shout out for Wegmans!!

We love them here in their hometown.

 

[arthur06]

Wyndham doesn't seem to have had difficulty selling at National Harbor. We would most likely buy some points there to enjoy some of the seasonal D.C. activities we enjoy. I would also love to have points for a long weekend during Ice! held mid November to early January. I think it would probably be a smaller resort with both hotel and DVC and I wouldn't be surprised if NH would be difficult to get into at certain times. There are also a lot of convention activities in the D.C. area that could be attracted to a Disney National Harbor property.

In some ways, I think that just selling the points isn't the whole story. Disney will sell points anywhere they build. Disney would only really have you for resort dollars and would lose out on dining and theme park dollars.

Convention activities take 6-10 hours per day away from spending money at the Disney property.

Wyndham doesn't have the interest in getting your stay, dining and discretionary dollars like Disney does. So to me, a Wyndham property there makes so much more sense then a Disney property.

 

[csharpwv]

I really don't think Disney would 'just' build a 'Resort'.

I think Disney has some great plans for this property. Disney does everything 'BIG'. They didn't JUST build a hotel at Hilton Head or at Vero Beach - and they DEFINITELY aren't JUST building a hotel in Hawaii.

I really think Disney will build something that will attract people aren't staying at the hotel.

Their property at National Harbor is directly adjacent to the land that will one day become the National Children's Museum. The water being close by will be incredible - with boat tours, water taxi to Alexandria, and sight seeing.

I really think Disney could run a mile with a swamp themed Indoor Water Park.
DC attracts 15 million visitors every year. Families flock to DC to see the nation's treasures. MANY people are really intimidated by the planning of an urban vacation - DC has some NOT so great areas.

I am confident that they would base their Adventures By Disney there, a much larger variety of tours, experiences, and exclusive access opportunities. That's what Disney does!

A Disney hotel would not attract many folks - however a Disney RESORT would definitely attract locals, travelers, and destination tourists.

An overnight at a Disney Resort in the DC area would be a great half-way point (or not quite half way!) for a lot of folks in the northeast.

There are SO many things that Disney could do with a resort in that area - I'm just waiting to see what happens! I REALLY hope that Disney does not abandon the project - I think it would be a big mistake!

Until then...

 

[jjk3]

Another shout out for Wegmans!!

We love them here in their hometown.

We moved to Kentucky from Baltimore (Towson to be exact) about 2.5 years ago.

Man, I miss having a Wegmans nearby. I remember thinking that all the fuss could not be justified. One trip is all it took...

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

We stayed at the Wyndham National Harbor this weekend for the Cherry Blossom Festival. National Harbor is wonderful. We enjoyed walking around the area and found several nice restaurants.

We parked our cars and relied on the Metro to get back and forth. The Metro bus stops very close to where the Disney property will be. This is a dedicated National Harbor bus that runs within the resort and then to the green line Metro station at Branch Ave. Bus is $1.70 each way for adults. My parents got half fare as seniors. The metro was $2.40 each way to the Smithsonian stop on the Orange/Blue line. The total trip took us about 45 minutes each way.

<Wild speculation/Rumor Alert!> When my parents sat through the Wyndham sales pitch, they were told the Disney property was going to be a resort that incorporates an indoor water park. (Sounds a lot like Great Wolf Lodge to me.) Of course, something said by a Wyndham salesman during a timeshare pitch is far from an authoritative source, but I sure hope there's some truth to it. Anyone else heard similar rumors?

 

[JimMIA]

Wyndham doesn't seem to have had difficulty selling at National Harbor. We would most likely buy some points there to enjoy some of the seasonal D.C. activities we enjoy.

Wyndham's Alexandria property is much better located than National Harbor for a DC visit.

But I'd buy Wyndham somewhere else with lower annual MFs and use your points at either Alexandria or NH. I think both are easy to get at 10 months with the exception of July 4th.

 

[5forDiz]

Wyndham's Alexandria property is much better located than National Harbor for a DC visit.

But I'd buy Wyndham somewhere else with lower annual MFs and use your points at either Alexandria or NH. I think both are easy to get at 10 months with the exception of July 4th.

DH & I have been thinking on buying Wyndham contract (instead of DVC addon) and have Alexandria in consideration (it seems to pop up on ebay frequently) as it would be a reasonable drive from our home and the kids seem to have really taken a liking to DC as they're growing older; but recently we realized that it's adjacent to rail line so I think we'd have to go see it & stay there to see how that may impact the sleep factor.

 

[JimMIA]

DH & I have been thinking on buying Wyndham contract (instead of DVC addon) and have Alexandria in consideration (it seems to pop up on ebay frequently) as it would be a reasonable drive from our home and the kids seem to have really taken a liking to DC as they're growing older; but recently we realized that it's adjacent to rail line so I think we'd have to go see it & stay there to see how that may impact the sleep factor.

Yes, Wyndham Old Town Alexandria is immediately adjacent to the King Street Metro Station...which is a GOOD thing. However, at that point the Metro is above ground, so there could be some noise. I've heard noise complaints, and I've heard "I didn't hear a thing," so it probably depends on where your unit is located.

You could probably go on the TUG Wyndham forum and ask what part of the resort to request to minimize the noise. Most folks report excellent results with room requests at Wyndham resorts.

 

[metzger01]

I don't beleive that there would be the demand to "sell" ownesrhip interest there. Sure, lot's of people would love to visit, but how many like it so much that they would be willing to buy into it. My guess is few. Disney seems to prefer locations where people like to take recurring vacations to, i.e Disney World and three beach locations. I would think that if Disney were to look outside of that box, the one remaining location that they have not plugged into (and I know it doesn't fit with the Disney "image") would have to be Las Vegas, which in addition to Orlando is probably the other most traveled to vacation destination spot (and no, I'm not a gambler).

I believe this subject needs its own thread, "Where Would You Like to See a New DVC Resort--Outside of Disney World?"

 

[JimMIA]

I personally think any time DVC gets away from WDW or Disneyland, there are a LOT of other options for prospective buyers that are a) MUCH less expensive, and b) offer FAR more varied vacation options.

That's not a knock on the offsite DVC resorts -- they're beautiful, and great places to visit. But to BUY there? Naw.

 

[5forDiz]

Yes, Wyndham Old Town Alexandria is immediately adjacent to the King Street Metro Station...which is a GOOD thing. However, at that point the Metro is above ground, so there could be some noise. I've heard noise complaints, and I've heard "I didn't hear a thing," so it probably depends on where your unit is located.

You could probably go on the TUG Wyndham forum and ask what part of the resort to request to minimize the noise. Most folks report excellent results with room requests at Wyndham resorts.

Thanks Jim, good suggestion re TUG

 

[moericus]

Well if the indoor waterpark rumors were true, then... I still wouldn't add-on because I only live 45 minutes away. haha But it would be closer to me then any great wolf.

I can't imagine spending more than 3 or 4 days in the DC area. I do love Alexandria and the National Mall, but I don't think it's worth seeing every year.

 

[csharpwv]

Yes, Wyndham Old Town Alexandria is immediately adjacent to the King Street Metro Station...which is a GOOD thing. However, at that point the Metro is above ground, so there could be some noise. I've heard noise complaints, and I've heard "I didn't hear a thing," so it probably depends on where your unit is located.

You could probably go on the TUG Wyndham forum and ask what part of the resort to request to minimize the noise. Most folks report excellent results with room requests at Wyndham resorts.

I have stayed at the Hilton which is aimmediately adjacent to the Wyndham in Old Town. YES You do hear some train noise - it is not only a Metro stop, but it is an Amtrak stop as well.

HOWEVER, having stayed at the Hilton - I don't think the noise was bad at all. I actually really enjoyed all the foot traffic, and people watching!

If you are a very light sleeper, it may not be your best option - but just keep in mind that eap plugs are really inexpensive!!! HAHA

I have been saying all along that Disney needs to build an indoor water park along with a hotel/resort at the National Harbor. The DC area is only warm enough for outdoor swimming at most 5 months out of the year - and that's a stretch - and there are NO other indoor waterparks in the area.

With Disney's innovative design and execution - I think more people would be interested than what we all think.

With the harsh winters in the mid-atlantic, there is a need for a family friendly getaway, and I really think a good number of people would buy in there! We would definitely consider it, being that we live about 3.5 hours away from that site.

With all the DVC owners in MD, PA, NJ, NY, and the New England states, there are TONS of people in the target audience!

 

[Mickey'sApprentice]

I have stayed at the Hilton which is aimmediately adjacent to the Wyndham in Old Town. YES You do hear some train noise - it is not only a Metro stop, but it is an Amtrak stop as well.

HOWEVER, having stayed at the Hilton - I don't think the noise was bad at all. I actually really enjoyed all the foot traffic, and people watching!

If you are a very light sleeper, it may not be your best option - but just keep in mind that eap plugs are really inexpensive!!! HAHA

I have been saying all along that Disney needs to build an indoor water park along with a hotel/resort at the National Harbor. The DC area is only warm enough for outdoor swimming at most 5 months out of the year - and that's a stretch - and there are NO other indoor waterparks in the area.

With Disney's innovative design and execution - I think more people would be interested than what we all think.

With the harsh winters in the mid-atlantic, there is a need for a family friendly getaway, and I really think a good number of people would buy in there! We would definitely consider it, being that we live about 3.5 hours away from that site.

With all the DVC owners in MD, PA, NJ, NY, and the New England states, there are TONS of people in the target audience!

I know its a small crowd...but there are some American History junkies out there too!

 

[JimMIA]

I have stayed at the Hilton which is aimmediately adjacent to the Wyndham in Old Town. YES You do hear some train noise - it is not only a Metro stop, but it is an Amtrak stop as well.

HOWEVER, having stayed at the Hilton - I don't think the noise was bad at all. I actually really enjoyed all the foot traffic, and people watching!

The Wyndham is actually sort of around the corner of the Hilton from the station, so I'd expect the Hilton to screen/deflect some of the noise.. Hilton is directly across the street from the station, with nothing between it and the station.

I have been saying all along that Disney needs to build an indoor water park along with a hotel/resort at the National Harbor.

If, in fact, Disney builds at NH -- and IF they build a water park -- prospective buyers should know that resorts with self-contained waterparks typically have HIGH dues.

 

[Cheltenham]

A question for those familiar with the area - Would it be possible for Disney to provide water transportation (even if for a fee) from the NH up to the National Mall? (I am presuming the NH is on the Potomac.)

Having to take both a bus and the metro seems like a huge drawback.

 

[vicki_c]

A question for those familiar with the area - Would it be possible for Disney to provide water transportation (even if for a fee) from the NH up to the National Mall? (I am presuming the NH is on the Potomac.)

Having to take both a bus and the metro seems like a huge drawback.

There is a water taxi. I've read about it in the paper. It goes from the Gaylord, but it is not the Gaylord's service. It goes to Alexandria.
http://www.potomacriverboatco.com//national-harbor.php

But it doesn't run in the middle of winter of course.