How close is SSR to selling out?

[mydogdrew]

The same way that you market the Wilderness Lodge, Port Orleans, Coronado Springs, or any other resort that isn't immediately adjacent to a theme park--you focus on the theme and amenities of the resort.

Sure, there will be some mention of the golf course access. But, based upon the limited info we have available, I wouldn't call it a "golf resort" any more than I would OKW.

I agree that the resort doesn't sound like a must-buy from the little bit that has been posted, and I won't even enter into the unending debate regarding the "damage" that many will claim it would do to the DVC program. But I also don't think that every resort needs to slap you in the face with Vegas-style theming in order to be considered attractive.

My $.02.

I agree. A first class golf resort needs more than a theme to work. My guess is that catering to golfers would sell this but they clearly did not go there with the press release. To me, if they do it right, it's the difference between being very interested and why bother. To date, they have been focused on the regional themes and not activity based so I don't hold much hope. Other than development cost, I'm not sure why they don't just build CR. That would sell out faster than BCV, depressing SSR sales for only a relatively short period.

 

[tjkraz]

Other than development cost, I'm not sure why they don't just build CR. That would sell out faster than BCV, depressing SSR sales for only a relatively short period.

I can speculate on a couple reasons:

1. If demand is high for points at SSR, DVC may have reasoned (right or wrong) that there is no urgency to link to an existing deluxe resort.

2. If the oft-rumored Garden Wing was the only site under consideration, it doesn't seem like you could get more than 200 rooms using the current footprint (which is about 300 standard guest rooms.) If DVC is as successful as they want us to believe, perhaps they simply aren't interested in such small projects anymore. (I'm assuming that the swampland there probably couldn't withstand a significantly larger structure than what is currently present without incurring excessive construction costs.)

Time will tell...

 

[lisareniff]

Don't hold your breath on that AKL/DVC. It would have too much impact on the animals. At least that is what we were told when we did our backstage tour at AK. The animals on the savannah are a seperate group from the ones at AK. To build an AKL/DVC, they would need to have a whole new group of animals and containment area.

Back to the AKL DVC idea....

Here is aGoogle Satellite Image of AKL. The only spot I could see for DVC to Build maybe near the bus stop south of the pool. The other side has the service entrance.

 

[Rozzie]

Guess I was wondering when it would sell out to see how much urgency I need about my decision to buy.

 

[RobDoc]

Guess I was wondering when it would sell out to see how much urgency I need about my decision to buy.

You've got plenty of time before the resort sells out- I doubt it will sell out until well after the final buildings open in 2007. However, the price will also keep going up in the meantime (next increase is this coming Sunday- June 19).

Good luck!

 

[Sammie]

I was told my someone in upper management, high enough up to know what he was talking about, that when AKL was built the ground work, plumbing, etc was already laid for DVC. That if and when it was built it would go up very quickly.

And I agree it would be something similar to VWL, not very large.

 

[lisareniff]

Very interesting, Sammie!

 

[nuts]

And I was told by a friend who knows a friend who has an Uncle who works for Albertsons that checked groceries for a friend who has a son who is way high in Disney who indicated, through sign language, that they prebuilt the resort at AKL. It is buried underground awaiting to be discovered.

Sorry, couldn't resist. I love these friends of friends rumors. Even though I am from Colorado, I like the Missouri saying.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I was told my someone in upper management, high enough up to know what he was talking about, that when AKL was built the ground work, plumbing, etc was already laid for DVC. That if and when it was built it would go up very quickly.

And I agree it would be something similar to VWL, not very large.

We were told virtually the same thing by more than one bus driver while AKL was being built.

 

[mochabean]

Back to the AKL DVC idea....

Here is aGoogle Satellite Image of AKL. The only spot I could see for DVC to Build maybe near the bus stop south of the pool. The other side has the service entrance.

But if the service entrance is relocated, and DVC is built where the service entrance is, then some of it would face the leftmost savannah, the Sunset Savannah.

 

[dvc_john]

Back to the original question - at the member's meeting on Wednesday, they said there are over 16,000 members who own at SSR so far (compared to about 26,000+ at OKW, and 95,000+ total).

 

[dianeschlicht]

Thanks for the numbers, John! They have quite a ways to go at SSR then.

 

[renda460]

Unless they fall behind in construction, a total of EIGHT buildings will open in 2005. That's almost 400 rooms, or just shy of 8,000,000 DVC points if you prefer.

The final 5-6 buildings aren't scheduled to open until 2007.

I'd say they will be selling at least into 2008, quite possibly beyond that depending upon a myriad of factors.

Wow, 8 million points seems like so much. And that is only the 2005 buildings. Anyone have any thoughts on what it will be like to try to switch resorts at the 7 month window in the future?

I hear many people say they have bought at SSR but have no intention of staying there. They plan to switch all their trips to other resorts. This may not be so hard right now, but how about in a few years?

 

[tjkraz]

Wow, 8 million points seems like so much. And that is only the 2005 buildings. Anyone have any thoughts on what it will be like to try to switch resorts at the 7 month window in the future?

Some resorts will be harder to get. That's a given. More members + the same amount of accommodations = increased demand.

I hear many people say they have bought at SSR but have no intention of staying there. They plan to switch all their trips to other resorts. This may not be so hard right now, but how about in a few years?

"Many people" have been doing this for years.

The topic has been debated up, down, left and right. The reality is nobody knows with any certainty what will happen.

Bottom line: Own points at the resort(s) you want to visit and book in the 4-month priority window. Anything under 7 months is, and always has been, a crap shoot.

 

[Greysword]

As for the discussion on Eagle Pines vs. CR or DL...

The family has agreed and we are on standing orders that should DVC open a resort in either Diasneyland or for the Contemporary, points will automatically be bought on the spot (how many exactly is classified ).

As it stands, Eagle Pines looks like it would be the same type resort as SSR, so we would buy additional points at our home of SSR first, however, I do not think we are interested in any more points in this type resort. Thus, if DVC wants more of our money, they will need to consider a smaller resort like CR or DL.

I wanted to chime in so everyone can see how our money will vote, and I am wondering how many of you would be willing to buy points in Eagle Pines vs. another resort we have brought up on this thread. To me, this is the most accurate way to find out.

 

[tjkraz]

As it stands, Eagle Pines looks like it would be the same type resort as SSR...

Based upon what? Two concept drawings and a 200 word press release?

It's impossible to draw any comparisons between existing resorts without having concrete details on a site like Eagle Pines.

I wanted to chime in so everyone can see how our money will vote, and I am wondering how many of you would be willing to buy points in Eagle Pines vs. another resort we have brought up on this thread. To me, this is the most accurate way to find out.

I couldn't make any comment until I saw specifics on what was being offered.