I think this is one of the most innovative and interesting ideas I've read! I do not necessarily think it will happen, but I think it is a WOW of an idea! The big problem is that I do not know how DVC would go about selling a ship vs. real estate, and how it would effect the other "properties," but I like the overall idea!
While I'm not as adverse to #2 as the original poster, I agree overall and would suggest many of the same ideas.
I would love to see Disney get back to its customer service dominance. There have just been way too many reports (in addition to my own experiences) that tell me that Disney has stopped making service a priority. I have to tell you that I am a lifelong Disney fan, but my first immersive trip to WDW made me want to own a piece of the magic. It was my "happy place," but over the last few years I have become less and less confident in the experience. It is no longer a definite that we will get great service; sometimes we do, sometimes we don't. I did not intend to buy into so-so.
It is not entitlement (like demanding towel animals), but confidence that we will get care, not indifference, from staff at all levels. I do not want freebies, but I want common courtesey ALL THE TIME from ALL STAFF. There was a time when Disney cast members were not allowed to have a bad day. They call them cast members for a reason; it is not just to be cute, but because they are supposed to be a part of creating an unreal, fantasy experience for guests. It is almost performance art, but lately these cast members do not know their lines and seem oblivious to the production going on around them. It is truly sad because it was what set Disney apart from every other media, entertainment, and theme park conglomerates.
Okay, off service soap box!
The only thing I would add is that while I would love to see a woodsy/snowy type resort, a Caribbean resort, and a big city resort, not only do I not think it will happen, but I'm not sure it would be good for DVC if it did.
Unfortunately the DVC system does not lend itself to resorts of unequal stature. While the 11 month booking window advantage is enough to get most to, "buy where they want to stay," it has not been enough to keep off site resort prices from falling like a stone. This is why VB and HHI have been a problem and I suspect that Hawaii will be, too. The only thing that has prevented VB and HHI from being a complete drain on the DVC system is the maintenance fee differential.
What DVC has to sell is onsite locations in the number one vacation spot in the world. And they sell this for a premium because they have a monopoly on this market. However, they cannot expect to sell any other location for this same premium since they will have competition. So they currently have (and will create an even bigger) problems when building anywhere other than onsite. While I love the idea of DVC Hawaii (and Lake Tahoe, Caribbean, NYC), I know that they would be a drain on the DVC system, which puts my current ownership at risk.
How does DVC think they will be able to compete with Marriott in Hawaii when they are literally right next door and selling pretty much the same thing for much, much less??? There MAY have been a time that they could "sell" the Disney service angle, but I think that ship has sailed! And while DCL has differentiated itself in the marketplace with the kid's clubs, larger staterooms, and no gambling, I cannot see how DVC Hawaii is going to be able to set itself apart from every other timeshare resort in Hawaii. While I do believe it will be built, I cannot see DVC Hawaii being anything but a problem for the DVC system as a whole. I predict two scenarios: 1) It will be priced at onsite DVC rates, in which case I do not think it will sell well -OR- 2) they will have to sell it at a reduced cost to compete (like VB and HHI), in which case it will sell, but will put additional strain on the DVC system. I think many members like the idea, but do not see the problems and effects it will have on membership.
They need to stick to onsite properties (this would include other Disney properties like Paris, Hong Kong, etc.) where they have a monopoly and can continue to charge a premium for their plan.
Blahnde
