I Believe Comcast Will Be BAD For DVC

[DisFlan]

A take by someone seriously considering DVC ownership - we'll wait and see. I'd have to know a lot more about what a new owner could, or could not, do before we put any money on the table.

A main draw for DVC has been that it's DISNEY. YOUR current contracts are with DVC. Mine might be with someone else. DVC could be spun off. Or the contract could be resold and end up with -- who knows.

I can easily envision Comcast (or whoever) not wanting to remain in the timeshare business.

I'd imagine more than a few would-be buyers will have these same thoughts.

DisFlan

 

[Nick@ VB+OKW]

Originally posted by tfc3rid
There are many questions that DVC members may have to consider in the near future. We can't just act as if this will not impact us.

I agree 100% with the above. I don't see the harm in discussing this when it concerns DVC and our investment in our vacationing future. This is a discussion board and this topic is DVC related.

I guess we will have to be patient and see how everything pans out between Comcast and Disney. But I sincereley believe there could be some changes in the future of the DVC.

But hopefully, if there are some changes it will be for the better.

 

[floridafam]

The only important issue here is if Comcast employees will get discounts at Disney.

 

[jmminarik]

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar
In fact, Comcast has said they plan to keeps the parks.

That said, it's common, after a large acquisistion, to spin off assets to raise cash and retire debt. I could see Comcast looking at the WDW lodging buildings and operations (including DVC) as a potential source of cash.

Don't forget guys, EVERYTHING in WDW is in one way or another, tied into everything else and WDW has a synergistic way of working. Breaking up the US assets of what we think of as 'Disney' (including DVC) won't work well without the rest of the pieces. While there is 'quick cash' to be made by selling acquired assets, Comcast probably won't need to do that beyond regulatory concerns. Almost certainly they'd be selling the Disney interest in the Ducks and any other sports franchises Disney might own. They might even have to sell off ABC and spin ESPN into a controlled subsidiary. But to suggest that the World and our homes in it would be dissected at this early stage is a bit premature.

Besides, if Comcast needed money, there's 21 million people who are stuck with comcast the cable monopoly to exploit.

-Joe

 

[JimC]

Some thoughts on earlier posts.

1. I don't think it is accurate to call Comcast a "local" cable company, not with over 21 million cable customers in 41 states, 18 billion in revenues and 6 billion in operating cash flow.

2. As a cable/internet customer I have been pleased with Comcast's services and their customer assistance. Pricing is high, though.

3. Comcast taking advantage of Mr. Eisner's and Disney's troubles. Good move on their part, but not certain of success. And their opening bid of a mere 10% premium has got to go much higher.

4. Shareholders' meeting in early March should be very interesting, particularly with the pre-meeting of the dissident group. Just for proper disclosure, I support Roy Disney and Stan Gold's efforts.

5. Even if the Disney Board is interested and can deliver shareholder approval, the deal would need to pass regulatory approval -- not such an easy process, I suspect.

6. Selling DVC to Marriott may be a natural fit, but it would be a very complicated transaction for the DVC assets within WDW. Probably would not happen in my view or if it did it would be the VB and HH properties.

7. My initial reaction to the deal is negative because I believe they are interested in the content and broadcasting assets represented in DIsney/ABC and in particular ESPN. I also doubt if Comcast is particularly interested in the very unique Disney corporate culture and methods. I am concerned that could be our most significant risk.

 

[Stinson]

Regarding point #6 of the previous post, Comcast would not have to "sell" the DVC assets. An uncomplicated way of disposing of DVC would be to lease the DVC assets to a timeshare operator, such as Marriot, until 2042. I believe the Swan and Dolphin are on land leases. Another example is the Town of Celebration. Disney owns the land in Celebration and leases it on 99 year leases to the homeowners.

 

[DaveH]

I think the DVC everyday stuff will not change in a major way. If it is run by someone else for a while, the phone numbers and such may change. I think the concern I have with Comcast taking over or just within Disney is how Disneyworld itself is run. Is it kept up to date clean and such. The major draw for me to DVC is WDW. If that goes down hill, my interest in DVC goes with it. The laws and such as I understand it, will not allow them to just raise the maintenance fees, because they want. They may charge DVC more for transportation and such and make our fees go up more that way. I am waiting and seeing how WDW is run in general.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Because there are two similar threads going at once and I wanted to respond here, I copied & pasted my response from the other thread:

I have said in the past that I would likely sell if Disney ever sold DVC, but this seems somewhat different. It seems as though the Disney brand would be intact (still Disney Vacation Club, not Comcast Vacation Club). After all, most items in your home probably have a parent company, and you don't even know it. Most importantly, from what I have read, Comcast would be commited to the long term excellence of Disney.

I think this may be a good thing, either way it goes. If the takeover is unsuccessful it will be a wake up call for Disney, thus things would only get better.
Kind of a win-win situation.

MG

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by JimC
Some thoughts on earlier posts.

1. I don't think it is accurate to call Comcast a "local" cable company, not with over 21 million cable customers in 41 states, 18 billion in revenues and 6 billion in operating cash flow.

So, you think that service calls are dispatched diretcly from the Comcast corporate offices in Philadelphia? With regard to customer service (which is what was being described in the original post in this thread), that component of the cable company is most definitely handled at the local level and a description of the quality of Comcast is not necessarily directly related to the cable guy who hooks up your TV or your own local cable charges.

To reiterate ... Discussion of how Comcast would affect DVC is fine on this DVC Forum, but discussion about Roy Disney, Eisner, Gold, ABC, Disney shareholders and the Disney Board will need to take place on the Disney News/Rumors Board until such time that Comcast, Disney or DVC announce plans regarding the Disney Vacation Club.

 

[BWVDee]

There are many questions that DVC members may have to consider in the near future. We can't just act as if this will not impact us.

........ the concern I have with Comcast taking over or just within Disney is how Disneyworld itself is run. Is it kept up to date clean and such. The major draw for me to DVC is WDW. If that goes down hill, my interest in DVC goes with it............ I am waiting and seeing how WDW is run in general.

I feel the same way.

 

[jcodespoti]

The glass is half-full untill proved otherwise.

 

[Sammie]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
If you have some information to support such a statement, please share it. I've seen no mention of DVC not being DVC within 18 months other than the idle speculation offered right here.

I have a contract promising ownership of a specific resort until January 31, 2042- and nothing more. To suggest that will be invalid prior to 2042 certainly deserves some supporting documentation rather than the "sky is falling" comments thus far.

Totally agree!

Lately it seems we see alot of emotional discussion and little discussion based on fact around here. Except for a few posters, yourself being one, that tries very hard to stick to the facts.

 

[BWVDee]

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc
I have a contract promising ownership of a specific resort until January 31, 2042- and nothing more.

I agree 100%!!!!!!
It is the "nothing more" part that has me a little concerned. Not concerned to the point of selling but definitely to the point of keeping a close eye on the whole situation, the resale prices, etc. And also has me concerned to the point that any additional add on of pts plans that I had, has most definitely been put on the back burner.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

The emotion filled speculation seems to have reached the "Chicken Little" status with guesses, rumours and fear-mongering coming out of nowhere -- the only basis for which seems to be a small minority's experience with dealing with one part of the Comcast company. What is even more hilarious is the apparent perception that the Walt Disney Co. is some purely benevolent company (with an equally benevolent Michael Eisner as the CEO) while Comcast is evil incarnate.
We need to keep everything in perspective as DVC members.
1. We all knew upon joining that our DVC membership was not some speculative investment. If you purchased with the idea that you would be able to make money on the resale down the road, you joined for the wrong reason. Whether a potential Comcast takeover will boost the price or cause the bottom to drop out is irrelevant. Go ahead and buy your SSR points just like you were going to before you ever heard of Comcast. Go ahead and call MS to book your January stay.
2. WD Co. is not some benevolent company out to make all our lives spectacularly happy. WD Co. is out to find out how to get us to part with hard earned $$$ and has made lots of money from DVC Members. Our maintenance dues run the DVC hotels for WD Co., we buy food from WD Co., we pay to go to the parks. Look at all the Disney kitsch around your house and the Disney clothing you are wearing (made in sweatshops for a pittance). Disney is not a non-profit charitable organization. Disney's purpose is to make money -- that's our money they now have.
3. If Comcast is such an inefficient, evil company that truly plucks the wings off flies and trips old ladies -- then how the heck is it that they have managed to survive? Your experience in trying to pay your cable bill is not the sole experience with Comcast. How about opinions from Philadelphia Flyers season ticket holders? Comcast would seem to have done rather well financially with 10 stock splits since its IPO in 1972. This is not a poorly run company with a board of directors full of imbeciles.

Let's everyone take a deep breath and realize that nothing has changed. Comcast is simply making an offer that is not guaranteed to be accepted by anyone. WD Co. is still WD Co. DVC is still DVC and nobody has stopped construction on SSR or sent Mickey and Friends off to look for other jobs.

Best wishes to all!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Go ahead and buy your SSR points just like you were going to before you ever heard of Comcast.

Well, if a new buyer wants to be sure they get a purely Disney product, why not wait a few months and see how this pans out? (Although I am not selling)

WD Co. is not some benevolent company out to make all our lives spectacularly happy. WD Co. is out to find out how to get us to part with hard earned $$$ and has made lots of money from DVC Members.

True, BUT the way they get us to part with our money is too make us "spectacularly happy".

If Comcast is such an inefficient, evil company that truly plucks the wings off flies and trips old ladies -- then how the heck is it that they have managed to survive?

I am not sure about where you live, but where I live there is NO CHOICE. If I want cable TV, the ONLY option is Comcast.

Actually though, I do agree with much of what you said.

MG

 

[disneycrazed139]

Disney is not a non-profit charitable organization. Disney's purpose is to make money -- that's our money they now have.

This is an interesting statement. No one ever said anything about charity. However, I believe that part of what has made Disney stand out in the past is the fact that there is (was?) something more in Disney's purpose, BESIDES money-making. In fact, I don't think I am kidding myself in feeling that the essence of Disney represents a little more. Perhaps this certain something can't be named, but I suppose that special something that is Disney is what so many people are afraid will be lost. In all reality, though, current management has jeopardized that anyway, not Comcast.

In any case, my DVC will still be near and dear to me. Who knows? Comcast could make DVC and Disney great!

 

[DerbyVacationClubber]

Can you all get a grip? The world will not end if Disney is (or is not) merged into Comcast. I'm so sick of people sitting around speculating about something that may (or may not even) happen. Get a life.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Originally posted by DerbyVacationClubber
Can you all get a grip? The world will not end if Disney is (or is not) merged into Comcast. I'm so sick of people sitting around speculating about something that may (or may not even) happen. Get a life.

Just curious... Why did you click on this thread???

MG

 

[disneycrazed139]

I'm so sick of reading all this garbage about the world ending...

Yes, You clearly are confused.

 

[Kick it up a notch!]

Hey Royal Canadian, ever hear of Enron??? The company that was supposed to change the face of how energy companies are run? They did pretty well for a long time before the bottom dropped out. I' sure that is what all of this panic is about. I didn't spend lots of cash to look at a ghost town 5 years from now. I appreciate everyone's opinion about the proposed takeover, but there is a real possibility that if it happens, DVC could be drastically affected if Comcast takes over. I for one hope it does not happen.

As for Disney being a company that makes money from us, I have no problem with that as long as I am receiving something of value in return (Great vacations). If Comcast takes over and does not do right by the DVC owners and anyone else who visits the theme parks, I will not be receiving the value I expected for the money I already spent.

Everyone here obviously loves Disney, and their DVC, that is why there is the Chicken Little hysteria.