Future resorts

[Brian Noble]

Some Kalahari resorts have an ownership component, though I have no idea how successful they are.

Wyndham has a partnership with Wilderness resorts. They have a couple of complexes that include Kalahari-like water park features in the Wisconsin Dells and the Smoky Mountains. They are quite popular, but they are also a small slice of a much larger resort portfolio.

For a time, home resort priority was very important at Wisconsin for summer and holiday weekends, though it turns out that was partly due to one very large-scale rental outfit. There were probably at least two and maybe more "anti-renter" policies Wyndham enacted that were almost entirely in response to that person.

I haven't been to the Wisconsin locations, but I did walk around the public areas of the one in Sevierville.

 

[sethschroeder]

Euro Disney

Same one about to break out tear gas to break up the storming of the castle by cast members? Disney is hardly going to invest in Paris from my point of view. They will eventually give cast enough but then point to them as the scape goat for why nothing is done at that park for the next 15 years.

Wyndham has a partnership with Wilderness resorts. They have a couple of complexes that include Kalahari-like water park features in the Wisconsin Dells and the Smoky Mountains. They are quite popular, but they are also a small slice of a much larger resort portfolio.

For a time, home resort priority was very important at Wisconsin for summer and holiday weekends, though it turns out that was partly due to one very large-scale rental outfit. There were probably at least two and maybe more "anti-renter" policies Wyndham enacted that were almost entirely in response to that person.

I haven't been to the Wisconsin locations, but I did walk around the public areas of the one in Sevierville.

I can't imagine buying in to the Dells timeshare. Just like I always say every other timeshare has a million other offering around it making it fairly mediocre.

The Dells has tons of hotels, tons of massive waterparks, and tons of deals all the time.

This is why even in the waterpark capital of the world timeshares are worthless outside of DVC that has an exclusive right to build in WDW.

Its the ONLY reason DVC holds value and if people want other locations then go buy other timeshare contracts.

Oh want ot add if you own Wyndham the Wilderness Resort is a GREAT hotel and the city is AMAZING to visit but it should never be the reason you are buying those contracts.

 

[maui22]

I'm surprised Disney never got into the Great Wolf Lodge-type destination resort business. Indoor waterpark, some sort of scaled-down interactive ride in the vein of Buzz or Web Slingers, maybe revive some of the DisneyQuest tech, character meals, etc. Personally I don't think it would cannibalize theme park business, maybe even serve as a gateway to WDW/DL for some.

I thought they might go this direction with the National Harbor property in DC. Include a modest DVC presence. I think the response to an off-site DVC would be much better if it was a true Disney destination and not just a Disney-branded hotel room. Some Kalahari resorts have an ownership component, though I have no idea how successful they are.

i have felt this way for years. DW and I were married at the original Kalahari at the Dells within weeks of them starting the ownership component. They sold extremely well and we actually stayed in on of the 3 bedroom (1 bedroom with kitchen, plus 2 adjoining studios).

I am still kicking myself for not buying in. Would have been a phenomenal investment. Parking lot is always full with people ranging from Nebraska, Dakotas, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan. Indoor pool and water rides for the fall, winter, spring. Extremely popular for birthday party weekends. It has also become a destination for families at holiday time so no one has to host the whole family.

 

[DebbieB]

If we're telling DVD where to build the next resort, I'm going to say Vegas. Disney currently has no presence there, so it may interest some buyers. And they could even go with only studios just for parents to get away from their kids.

The thing with Vegas is there are so many timeshares there, at a far less cost than what DVC sells for. Without parks, there is no incentive to pay high DVC prices.

 

[J-Dog]

The thing with Vegas is there are so many timeshares there, at a far less cost than what DVC sells for. Without parks, there is no incentive to pay high DVC prices.

I would disagree with that, just because VB, HHI, and AUL are all in demand to some extent (i.e. all of them are valued at more than $0 per point), and they are not attached to any theme parks. And there are plenty of other timeshares in Hawaii.

Vegas would be good for me because it would be West Coast (easy flight), and wouldn't require me to rent/exchange/transfer points.

But like I said earlier, I don't think that it would happen anyway. It was more of a hope than any kind of educated recommendation.

 

[maui22]

Wyndham has a partnership with Wilderness resorts. They have a couple of complexes that include Kalahari-like water park features in the Wisconsin Dells and the Smoky Mountains. They are quite popular, but they are also a small slice of a much larger resort portfolio.

For a time, home resort priority was very important at Wisconsin for summer and holiday weekends, though it turns out that was partly due to one very large-scale rental outfit. There were probably at least two and maybe more "anti-renter" policies Wyndham enacted that were almost entirely in response to that person.

I haven't been to the Wisconsin locations, but I did walk around the public areas of the one in Sevierville.

My nephew recently stayed at Wilderness. We asked why he didn't stay at Kalahari and his response was they couldn't afford it. Not sure how it is now, but back in early 2000s the pricing went Great Wolf was most expensive, Kalahari was next, Wilderness was third.

Great Wolf and Kalahari have the location advantage (can be seen from Interstate) and both businesses are smart enough to make sure people see their indoor waterparks. Wilderness is very close by (half mile or so from the Interstate). During summer, there are better water parks in the Dells, but these businesses still do well.

 

[Spivey378]

Three words: Pigeon Forge Tennessee.

 

[DebbieB]

I would disagree with that, just because VB, HHI, and AUL are all in demand to some extent (i.e. all of them are valued at more than $0 per point), and they are not attached to any theme parks. And there are plenty of other timeshares in Hawaii.

Vegas would be good for me because it would be West Coast (easy flight), and wouldn't require me to rent/exchange/transfer points.

But like I said earlier, I don't think that it would happen anyway. It was more of a hope than any kind of educated recommendation.

Aulani has been for sale for over 10 years, they are having a hard time selling it. Most resales are around $90- $100.

 

[Roughians_satchel]

Three words: Pigeon Forge Tennessee.

Thought of that, but Dolly Parton might block it!

 

[tjkraz]

Aulani has been for sale for over 10 years, they are having a hard time selling it. Most resales are around $90- $100.

In fairness, it was always going to be a 10+ year sell. It's the second largest DVC with over 11 million points. That said, I have no idea how far they've over-shot original timelines, or how pricing compares to what they projected. Disney has been renting unsold villas for cash, so it's not like those rooms are sitting empty.

IMO, any potential off-site would have to have a significant number of hotel rooms. It would have to be a destination where Disney feels it can continually draw non-members year-round. That's the main difference between Aulani and HHI/VB. I think there are a few destinations where something like that could work. But not sure that any of them have tremendous upside. Disney isn't going to chase modest profits.

 

[Brian Noble]

Pigeon Forge Tennessee.

I love me some Smoky Mountains--I go down every year or two for a week to hike and hang out with Dolly--but this seems like a stretch to me. The area is already chock-a-block with properties that are mostly okay, are very affordable, and surrounded by some of the most kitschy tourist stuff you can imagine. I'm not sure why anyone pays the Disney premium to go there, and I don't see Disney developing a resort with fundamentally different economics than the ones they have now.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

In fairness, it was always going to be a 10+ year sell. It's the second largest DVC with over 11 million points. That said, I have no idea how far they've over-shot original timelines, or how pricing compares to what they projected. Disney has been renting unsold villas for cash, so it's not like those rooms are sitting empty.

IMO, any potential off-site would have to have a significant number of hotel rooms. It would have to be a destination where Disney feels it can continually draw non-members year-round. That's the main difference between Aulani and HHI/VB. I think there are a few destinations where something like that could work. But not sure that any of them have tremendous upside. Disney isn't going to chase modest profits.

This. Selling 12 million points at a DVC resort not located at a theme park would be considered a ginormous success. But Disney could care less if they never sell it out. They’re making hand over fist booking it out with ridiculously high cash rack rates. They’re in no rush to sell there

 

[Sandisw]

This. Selling 12 million points at a DVC resort not located at a theme park would be considered a ginormous success. But Disney could care less if they never sell it out. They’re making hand over fist booking it out with ridiculously high cash rack rates. They’re in no rush to sell there

Which is why I don’t think they care about the sales rate of RIv. It’s really popular as a cash resort.

 

[zavandor]

They had flash sales for Aulani which were very popular and sold a lot of points. I think that if DVC were in a rush to sell it out they would have by now, one way or another. But they aren't, so they keep it in the background, happy to rent it for cash and sell it at their inflated rates.

 

[Yankee626]

Disney should do the Venetian resort they planned on the open area of Seven Seas Lagoon . Make it part DVC.

 

[Cfabar1]

Disney should do the Venetian resort they planned on the open area of Seven Seas Lagoon . Make it part DVC.

Yes they really should.... It's time for Disney AND DVC to return to some bold imagineering and hoteling. They haven't designed a truly innovative and interesting resort in a very long time.

 

[RoseGold]

The thing with Vegas is there are so many timeshares there, at a far less cost than what DVC sells for. Without parks, there is no incentive to pay high DVC prices.

Eh, Disney Cruise Line seems to do fine charging insane prices with a lot of competitors that have more adult offerings.

I can totally see Disney being able to make a Vegas hotel, but I can see why they would want to steer clear of Vegas and its politics.

 

[DebbieB]

Eh, Disney Cruise Line seems to do fine charging insane prices with a lot of competitors that have more adult offerings.

I can totally see Disney being able to make a Vegas hotel, but I can see why they would want to steer clear of Vegas and its politics.

The Cruise Line is part of the Disney Experience, mainly for families. Characters on board. No casino, not catering to adults without kids. People are specifically looking for Disney onboard and are willing to pay.

What would be Disney related in Las Vegas? Mostly an adult destination.

 

[J-Dog]

The Cruise Line is part of the Disney Experience, mainly for families. Characters on board. No casino, not catering to adults without kids. People are specifically looking for Disney onboard and are willing to pay.

What would be Disney related in Las Vegas? Mostly an adult destination.

I was in Vegas this last February. I agree that it isn't marketed to kids, but I can tell you for sure that there were a TON of kids there. If Disney built a resort there, then they could pretty much corner the market for those kids that are coming there anyway.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I was in Vegas this last February. I agree that it isn't marketed to kids, but I can tell you for sure that there were a TON of kids there. If Disney built a resort there, then they could pretty much corner the market for those kids that are coming there anyway.

I can agree with this. It might be high times, Vegas brings back the "family" marketing campaign they ran in the 80's. I have never considered a Vegas vacation with my kids but a Disney resort may make me think twice?