How close is SSR to selling out?

[Rozzie]

I know there is a new building opening in 2006, and 2007 but it seems like SSR is taking off. How long do you think before it sells out????

 

[tjkraz]

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.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I agree, and I doubt they will announce a new DVC project much before the last buildings open. If indeed they are planning a DVC/CR, I doubt they would announce that until they are close to sell out on SSR, because it might be counter productive to do so.

 

[d-r]

I don't think this is a violation of anything to repeat this, and take it for what you want, but our guide told us a couple of weeks ago that the higher ups in glendsdale had just approval one dvc project after SSR and that another proposal was still on the table waiting to be approved. He didn't say what they were for.

 

[dcibrando]

Animal Kingdom Lodge and Eagle Pines possibly
or the cruies line

 

[RobDoc]

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.

The schedule originally announced will have 12 buildings opened by this fall. I think there are already 7 buildings open at this time. All four in Congress Park opened in 2004 and The Springs (3 more buildings) began opening this spring. The Paddock originally had 5 buildings (due to open thru this fall) but I think a couple of the Phase III buildings may also be included in The Paddock area.

The remaining area (where the Fairway Villas used to be) has not yet been named, to my knowledge. Demolition and ground prep for the Phase III buidlings has begun and they are due to open in 2007.

 

[tjkraz]

If a new resort has been approved, we're still looking at a minimum of 2.5 - 3 years from announcement to opening. And just because a project is approved doesn't mean that it will be immediately announced and construction begun.

It will be interesting to see what DVC does moving forward. Since they need so much lead time to build a resort, they have to balance the fact that they don't want to go an extended period with NO points to sell, with the possibility that sales at SSR could be negatively impacted by a new announcement.

If the new resort is to be something like Eagle Pines, I think it would have less of an impact on SSR sales than something like CR or ALK. Either CR or AKL would cannibalize SSR sales to a much greater degree. But I can't see many people delaying a purchase because they like EP more than SSR.

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

If the new resort is to be something like Eagle Pines, I think it would have less of an impact on SSR sales than something like CR or ALK. Either CR or AKL would cannibalize SSR sales to a much greater degree. But I can't see many people delaying a purchase because they like EP more than SSR.

I would think a DVC at CR would sell out very quickly, and have a different crowd than SSR, so not have as much of an impact as a bigger resort built at the AKL could.

 

[JimFitz]

I think they could announce AKL DVC at the same time as SSR. AKL will be much smaller than SSR and would sell out very quickly. SSR would continue to sell briskly with only a slight dip in overall sales.

 

[dianeschlicht]

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.

 

[lisareniff]

DVC villas at AKL might not overlook the savannahs!! It could be adjacent to the main building on the parking lot side. I'm not sure where they would put it IF they put a DVC building there. ??

 

[dianeschlicht]

And that would make it non-appealing to me. The only reason I have ever stayed at AKL is for the Savannah view.

 

[lisareniff]

Yep! Me too! But I love AKL's restaurants!

Maybe there is a way to do it, you never know!

 

[lisareniff]

It will be interesting to see what they build next. I'm thinking it will be in DL not the Cont. Just the tone I was getting from our guide last week. I hope they don't do EP. Another big, lower themed resort right after SSR doesn't sound like a good plan to me. (how is golf a theme? ...and DH is a bigtime golfer)

 

[kylie]

My guide as just moved from WDW to DL to staff the DVC office there. Maybe its just a point of sale or maybe its advanced preperations for a complex

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm pretty sure you are right about a DL DVC. I don't think they would be setting up those sales kiosks there if they weren't planning on having a DL/DVC sometime in the near future.

 

[tjkraz]

Another big, lower themed resort right after SSR doesn't sound like a good plan to me. (how is golf a theme? ...and DH is a bigtime golfer)

The resort was never billed as having a "golf theme"...not any moreso than, say, OKW which also happens to sit in the middle of a golf course. The original press release can be found here:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dvceaglepines.htm

The golf myth probably stems from the fact that the resort has been so frequently referred to as "Eagle Pines", which is the name of a current course. A true name for the resort was never published.

What makes you think that the resort would be "lower themed"? Other than two pieces of concept art, we really have no idea what the resort was to look like.

 

[mydogdrew]

As much as SSR/OKW are adjacent to golf - it's simply not much of a golf course. I can't imagine that they would develop eagle pines without catering more to golfers. There are two great courses in the EP area and not much else. How else would you market it? As a golfer, I would be more interested in this concept than anything else being discussed. However, it would need to offer more than just a pro shop.

 

[lisareniff]

The resort was never billed as having a "golf theme"...not any moreso than, say, OKW which also happens to sit in the middle of a golf course. The original press release can be found here:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dvceaglepines.htm

The golf myth probably stems from the fact that the resort has been so frequently referred to as "Eagle Pines", which is the name of a current course. A true name for the resort was never published.

What makes you think that the resort would be "lower themed"? Other than two pieces of concept art, we really have no idea what the resort was to look like.

Touche! You are correct. I was lettting my bias create fiction instead of remembering the facts. It did state a theme or themes in the press release; "variety of motifs found in indigenous Florida buildings of this era, including Spanish, Moorish, Romanesque and Gothic forms" I guess that theme didn't appeal to me! I'm also not a fan of large resorts or complexes (this is quoted to have 600 units). I hope they create a unique resort with unique villa layout and design.

The theme of the proposed DVC resort will complement and enhance the beautiful setting found at Disney’s Eagle Pines golf course. The new resort will be inspired by the architecture of Addison Mizner, a celebrated early 20th century architect who led the renaissance of Florida resort design. The property’s design will reflect a variety of motifs found in indigenous Florida buildings of this era, including Spanish, Moorish, Romanesque and Gothic forms. The atmosphere and elegance found in the coastal communities of southeast Florida (including West Palm Beach and Boca Raton) will be found in the resort’s architecture, ranging from tile roofs to fountains to lush, tropical landscaping.

Commissioned to design the resort was renowned architect Graham Gund, who created the architectural look for such Disney projects as Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort -- another Disney Vacation Club property. Gund designed the resort to take advantage of the pristine setting found at the Eagle Pines golf course location while maintaining the integrity of the existing golf course. Guests at the resort will have views to Disney’s Eagle Pines golf course but golfers’ view of the property will be buffered, with resort buildings “stepping down” in height as they near the golf holes.

 

[tjkraz]

There are two great courses in the EP area and not much else. How else would you market it?

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.