Disney National Harbor

[JimMIA]

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.

Right...which is AWAY from DC. NH is in Maryland, on the North bank of the Potomac; Alexandria is in Virginia, on the South Bank of the Potomac.

Alexandria is a good place, tho. Lots of good restaurants, etc, without having to go into the District.

But the only ways to get into DC from NH are bus/metro or drive (which is not a great choice).

 

[BeccaG]

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

Count me in the history junkie category, for whatever that might be worth!

 

[JimMIA]

Count me in the history junkie category, for whatever that might be worth!

It's worth a lot, and it's not a small crowd.

Every time I've visited DC (and I lived there two years), it's been packed with people from all over the US -- every race, every section of the country, every political philosophy -- learning and enjoying the history of their country. I don't think you can go there without being moved.

The National Mall is just like Main Street in terms of crowds. Just more substantial, more serious, and a little more spread out so it doesn't look so slammed.

 

[Dean]

As noted, anytime Disney gets away from the parks, there is more competition and less demand. Unless they change tactics, they have proven themselves ill equipped to sell timeshares without the parks as a draw. One of the best things about DVC for many of us (home resort) is actually about the worst thing to sell a lower demand resort/location. I don't see NH having enough draw to sell much of a DVC component without some major incentive, something along the lines of the OKW free passes. I think HI will be the same in many ways but to a less degree, that is as noted above, a lot of people will want to visit but not stay there routinely. Now if they adopt some of the stronger sales techniques, all of that changes.

 

[vicki_c]

Right...which is AWAY from DC. NH is in Maryland, on the North bank of the Potomac; Alexandria is in Virginia, on the South Bank of the Potomac.

Alexandria is a good place, tho. Lots of good restaurants, etc, without having to go into the District.

But the only ways to get into DC from NH are bus/metro or drive (which is not a great choice).

Sorry missed the part about "to the Mall". I don't need the geography lesson though - I live here.

 

[Lewisc]

Disney bought the land for a possible family resort. Does anyone think there is even a small chance Disney will build a non-DVC resort? I agree with the posters who suggest selling DVC at this location may be a hard sell. I wonder if Disney will wind up selling the land.

 

[Brian Noble]

My sense is that they bought the land on a dip, when the recession was in full swing, in a development with promise but that was on the ropes at the time in terms of signing up new tenants. Disney had the cash, saw an opportunity, and bought to see what might happen.

Now, they are playing a waiting game. If Aulani goes well, they can do something similar here as well, though I don't think it will be exclusively DVC---even in the best of circumstances, I am guessing mixed use with some DVC and some cash. But, if Aulani does *not* go well (and that's a distinct possibility) then they can do a straight-cash resort (more hotel-style than condo-style) or just resell the land now that the pace of development at National Harbor has recovered for a nice little profit.

 

[Brian Noble]

The other thing that might be relevant: this purchase came through on the heels of Iger's stated desire to create "smaller resorts" in non-park-locations to extend the Disney brand. Since the initial push, we haven't heard much about that at all, and in the meantime the company has plowed a ton of capital into expanding the cruise line, the international parks/resorts footprint, etc.

So, another possibility is that they have abandoned the "small resort" idea, andhave no plans to develop this at all, and are just waiting for the real estate market to recover before dumping it.

 

[ssawka]

If they ever develop this land (and that's a big IF!) I forsee it being an all cash resort with a reasonable point structure for DVC members and no booking fee. Similar to how DLR was before VGC.

 

[Brian Noble]

It might be all cash, but I doubt very much the point costs will be any more "reasonable" than the other Disney Collection resorts. The cash resorts "business" is separate from the DVC "business" (in accounting terms), and the latter has to pay the former for rooms.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

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.

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.

From everything I've read plus reviews, if I were to purchase any timeshare near DC it would be the Wyndham Alexandria (hope I said this right) in Old Town Alexandria. Hands down, excellent location, wonderful rooms. I need to find a Wyndham owner that wants to trade for DVC!!

 

[Doug7856]

From everything I've read plus reviews, if I were to purchase any timeshare near DC it would be the Wyndham Alexandria (hope I said this right) in Old Town Alexandria. Hands down, excellent location, wonderful rooms. I need to find a Wyndham owner that wants to trade for DVC!!

I had a few Wyndham points left over so I'm taking the family to Wyndham Alexandria for a one night stay in June. We plan to visit Mt. Vernon. We're looking forward to the trip!

 

[csharpwv]

I think another element to a DC Metro area Disney resort would be selling it as a base for east coast historical tourism.
If Disney opens a resort, don't think for a minute that Adventures By Disney wouldn't be based there for their DC tour days.

Disney has had its eyes on the DC area for quite some time. The rumored American theme park ideas that circulated for the Northern Va area that got rejected is enough to know that the area warrants attention from the world's largest entertainment company.

Disney could build a very small but very high end resort on this site. And as I stated before - a full fledged DVC - Hotel - indoor water park would be an incredible draw for families looking for activities in the cold winter months.

DC is an incredible family vacation destination for any family that insists on quality education experiences mixed with their yearly family vacations.

I can imagine that Disney would even offer FULL DC experience guided tours and packages.

DC is a incredible to see, however it can be tricky to plan to see all that there is to see because there is SO MUCH to see.

Don't think for a minute that Disney wouldn't offer easier access to the Capitol, the White House, and other 'ticket only' sights/attractions.

I can easily see them offering an Adventures By Disney 3-5 day DC area tour package.

Disney's claim to 'fame' is the art and magic of story telling. DC has a story to tell - and I would trust Disney to bring that incredible story to life with live period costumed characters, period experiences, and truly magical encounters with historical figures both living and deceased.

So, in light of all of that - when (not if!) Disney develops this property, don't expect something ordinary. Expect something extraordinary and totally unique to the DC area!

From the monuments, to the landmarks, to the social and political movements, to the presidents, to the congress, to the Smithsonian - Disney can bring it all to life in 3 dimensions!

I'm excited - when can I book?!?!?! HAHAHAH

I'm not going to hold my breath until info comes out, but I am very hopeful for this development!

 

[JimMIA]

Don't think for a minute that Disney wouldn't offer easier access to the Capitol, the White House, and other 'ticket only' sights/attractions.

Actually, you have to get White House tour tickets through your congressman's office. I don't see them giving that up!

 

[Donut23]

I will always say, when you visit DC.....stay in DC. National Harbor is like staying near the airport in Orlando.....just about same transport time. When we visit DC we are not interested in spending 1 hour or more (daily total) traveling....especially in the hot summer months. Can you imagine being in Orlando.....watching Illuminations and facing a commute back to the airport? It's that why we LOVE staying on property - convenience.

Besides.....There are far too many fabuslous places to stay in the city. Park the car, ride the Metro 2 or 3 stops, laugh and have fun! ....long commute....forget it!


I don't see Disney spending too much $$$ here in DC anyway until Hawaii picks up with Japanese guests buying....and returning. Hawaii is going to take a while.

Grand Floridian makes tons of sense right now. People will throw down their $$$ and Disney can keep their DVC bank accounts full.

DC --- not much sense here right now.