Future Disney Vacation Club regional resorts

[beer dave]

You're right, I was selective to make a point, but from what I can tell, the lowest category rooms at BLT are hard to get unless you own there, and the point purchase prices are different to own at BLT versus OKW as well, which DOES give you priority. I would still say those units are NOT equivalent.

Agree-- they are not equivalent-- and standard view is a bit hard at 7 mos, but not impossible. If you hit it on the day, and want more than a studio, it is pretty easy. Unless it's christmas.


You are right on most counts here. Disney really COULD use a value/mod DVC property to bring in a different crowd.

However, I don't think that Disney is much interested in the "value" traveler anymore. Have you looked at the price of rooms in there new "value" resort? (AoA) The only reason they have the single (Little Mermaid) rooms there is because the building was already built. The rest of the rooms start at $250 a night. Real "value" huh?

No I don't keep up with them-- I remember in 05 paying 79 a night at all stars. 250 is a lot... but they make up for it with free food... another story...

I am with you on your prediction. I think the most likely event to occur is expansion at one of the Epcot area resorts or if they decide they're willing to build the infrastructure for it, you could see a completely new one. I think the likelyhood of a "value" resort is very, very low. But even if they did it, I think they would more likely do something along the lines of continuing to charge the same amounts for points, but make it cost less points per night.

Yeah, I guess charging a lot less points would do the same thing.



Keeping it the way it is is a win-win for Disney. Buy opening the Poly and VGF and being able to charge $155+ per point (Up over 25 % from just 5 years ago.) they are making TONS of money on the new sales. Meanwhile, by keeping these open to ALL DVC members - they keep the RESALE values UP, which is also good for them. Could you imagine what the resale value of resorts like OKW and SS would be if you COULDN'T use them at other Disney resort locations?

For years I had resisted DVC because of the high buy-in prices they charged, but I just discovered the resale market, and part of the appeal was buying at AKV (@ $74 a point) and still having the chance to stay at all these other resorts I'd never otherwise be able to go to. I am not sure I would've bought if I was restricted to only ever staying at one location. To me, I don't mind being at my home resort at popular times, but am really looking forward to trying out as many resorts as possible.

Congratulations. I have no regrets. I have considered getting more through resale (currently all are from Disney) but am afraid of what they may do in the future as far as limiting or changing the use of resale points. Maybe I am a little over cautious, (I am) but you never know what they will change. Any future purchases for me, if resale, will be at a resort in which I really want to stay.

 

[tjkraz]

A lower-cost (class) DVC is always something they could consider far down the road if sales dictate. The big problems I see are:

1) As a separate system, you lose the appeal of having more than a dozen destinations. A buyer of Grand Floridian points is also buying access to Beach Club, BoardWalk, Grand Cal, Hawaii, etc. Start selling Caribbean Beach as a moderate DVC in a separate systems and buyers are getting exactly one resort. That would definitely hurt the appeal.

2) It creates confusion in the product. The DVC concept is often difficult enough for potential buyers to grasp today. Start introducing different levels, different resort groupings and confusing rules and it becomes more of a challenge to sell.

3) You risk losing dollars from buyers who would have otherwise bought the "deluxe" DVC but instead opt for the cheaper "moderate" DVC.

I'm also not sure if the economics of it work out. Selling a Caribbean Beach DVC for $90 per point while Poly is selling for $180 sounds good in theory...but I doubt construction costs for CB would be half of Poly.

And with numbers like that, it just makes resale look that much more attractive. Why buy CB for $90..with just one resort available..when you could get SSR or AKV points for $75-85 and be part of the full Deluxe system?

 

[Suger Mag]

A lower-cost (class) DVC is always something they could consider far down the road if sales dictate. The big problems I see are:

2) It creates confusion in the product. The DVC concept is often difficult enough for potential buyers to grasp today. Start introducing different levels, different resort groupings and confusing rules and it becomes more of a challenge to sell.

Part of the sales spiel is "buy DVC... stay deluxe at mod pricing". It would be harder for them to market a stay moderate at budget pricing" schtick. I do not see a lower tier DVC being built. esp. when they have plenty of interested at the higher end prices. I am amazed at the price jump from when I got in at the AKV in 2009 when they were first building Kidani to now... 25% no way... more like 62% increase in 5 years.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Part of the sales spiel is "buy DVC... stay deluxe at mod pricing". It would be harder for them to market a stay moderate at budget pricing" schtick. I do not see a lower tier DVC being built. esp. when they have plenty of interested at the higher end prices. I am amazed at the price jump from when I got in at the AKV in 2009 when they were first building Kidani to now... 25% no way... more like 62% increase in 5 years.

Excellent post...I totally agree

Remember that they cater to the "deluxe" crowd...and by that I don't mean a social class, but rather those that are open to spending lots of time and money annually on vacations (specifically Disney)...by design.

They're not trying to lock in "people" into to Disney...but more specifically people who either enjoy or have no issue dumping multiple thousands of dollars on the ancillary costs multiple times a year. Having a "tier two"...mucks that up.

And I hear you on the price increase in the contract. It is just about exactly 100% since we bought our contract in 2006.
It's even driven the resales through the roof...as I've been fishing for a small (50 point) add on at one of the two EPCOT sites... And those used to sell from 75-85...and now are around $100 a point.

Bread and circuses for everyone