Interesting Rumor on AllEarsNet...suites at the All Stars

[zulaya]

Posting this here wondering if it will affect rentals of studios. AllEarsNet is reporting that Disney *may* have plans to make some family suites at the All Stars. The relevant bit of news is that all the plans currently being considered include a kitchenette. Here's the link to the pics and the info that AllEars has.
http://www.allearsnet.com/acc/g_asuites.htm

Comments and Thoughts?

I bet Disney gets a lot of feedback from families wanting some of these convenience features, especially with the Holiday Inn Family Suites (Now Nick Jr. Suites) just outside the main gates.

 

[DisneyBill]

Wow interesting. Probably a good move for Disney.

 

[dsneygirl]

I've heard rumblings about this for a while. I think it would be a huge hit and probably sell out all the time.

 

[mbb]

how this would affect rack/discount rates for studios at CRO...

I can hear family now..."we can have the same accomodations as yours - at the *value* resort!!"

 

[Caskbill]

how this would affect rack/discount rates for studios at CRO...

I can hear family now..."we can have the same accomodations as yours - at the *value* resort!!"

Or even how it will affect the DVC point rentals that many members now offer. It'll really depend a lot on the rack rate (or discounts) that people will get at All Stars.

 

[canwegosoon]

Something does really need to be done for famlies, that have not taken the DVC plunge. I think for infrequent visitors this is a great option...I also think it will give DVC a bump too, if availbility is limited and rooms are hard to get I can see spillover (or biannual visitors) seeing the value of DVC. I think the suites really reflect the changes in current vacationing trends. I'm happy to see it. I do not think they will be that close to the value rates, probably about the price of the Wilderness cabins-perhaps a little less (if I had to guess)....but DVC is still the better value. No washers there and beds looked way smaller than DVC Queens and Kings. Not to mention the locations and ammenties.

 

[Maria395712]

looks good wonder when ressies start
maria

 

[cobbler]

Interesting. The decor IMO represents a value resort. Doesn't look horrible but definatly "cheaper" (for the lack of a better word I can't think of right now) than DVC.

It will be great for those families with 5 though and I think Disney is going in the right direction by adding these.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

Except for the fact that the footprint already exists at POP for something like this I'm surprised Disney is considering this for a value resort rather than a mod. Odds are the family will pay more for more than two value rooms in the reservation...if I pay more and get better accomodations I'd expect better amenities as well. I guess the parellel is to the FW cabins but the campgrounds have more going on in that resort than the value resorts do.

As for impacting studio rentals. I doubt that it will. Studios sleep fewer people comfortably than the existing value resorts (2 on a bed, 2 on a couch). Especially with the addition of refrigerators in mods it seems the value in the studio is in the furniture, the balcony and the resort it is attached to. I suspect what might be more problematic would be one or two bedroom rentals. People rent one and two bedrooms because they can divide up their parties when some parts of the family need to go to bed earlier than others. Now you'll be able to do that without running the risk of two front doors, or going to the expense of renting/buying DVC. Seems like that might siphon off a few rental customers.

As for the furniture...it looks like IKEA mod. I bet they don't stick with the three sets of pull out beds because that would be more mechanisms to break. A smarter bet would be the murphy bed like in the wilderness cabins and a sofa bed. Or a riser bed from under the master bed.

 

[deide71]

I am a DVC member who just recently took a 5 night trip to Pop (we just had a 50 pt contract---but added on 120pts during our stay).

When we toured SSR again (DH hadn't been with me on our first tour---golfing don't cha know) it is striking the difference between the atmosphere in a value vs. DVC resorts.

Don't get me wrong, we had a great trip, but connecting rooms @ a value don't come close to a 1br and certainly not a 2br in a DVC resort. I would imagine these "family suites" would be similar in price, space and feel to two rooms.

I think we will be much happier with DVC accomidations.

 

[Hibernians]

we just came back from Pop Century and being a family of 6, we had to book 2 rooms. This was a key motivator for me to join DVC - I just joined 2 weeks ago !!!
In fact I had never heard of DVC until I was down there and saw the kiosks just about everywhere. Aside from the benefits of more living space at a 2 BR villa,I just think of all the $$ I will save by having a fridge and a kitchen in my room. Eating anything at the hotel cafs is so expensive.

Pop Century was fine for my kids but I realized as we all get older it just won't work, the deluxe benefits of the DVC were an easy sell to me and I believe if people stay in a Value resort suite, it will only wet their appetite for the DVC.

I've read that Disney will price out the new all-stars suites at the same price as 2 individual rooms - and these are not traditional suites in the sense that they would not have a kitchen or living room(at least this is what I have read).

 

[bobbiwoz]

I think this is a good idea for Disney. Some low end motels in Florida have a refrigerator and even a microwave in the rooms. Lots of people expect these conveniences when they travel.

We've begun staying at a Value to save some weekend points, but the 2 of us wouldn't "splurge" for one of these suites before our DVC vacation. It's the "no towels at the pools" thing that really urks me when I stay at the values!

Bobbi

 

[mickeyfan2]

I heard this rumor, but it was for the unfinished PC. I could see DH and I trying these.

 

[RobDoc]

DVC has also considered adding a "value" resort to the inventory. The idea was discussed when the opening of Pop was postponed after 9/11. One of the unfinished buildings would have been converted into DVC-style units. No public mention was made - like most of the other ideas constantly tossed around within DVC.

I'd expect the suites will make a nice addition to the Pop resorts.

 

[Mickmse2002]

I think it is a great addition for Disney for families of five. Currently, there are few options for the family of five.

 

[Lesli54]

It would be good for some families who need a tad more than a room.

Personally, I don't think that it will effect DVC too much in the long run. It depends on what you call "value". To some, staying once or twice in a hotel room with kitchen accomodations for a reasonable price is "value" (and that is what these pics remind me of). To others, like myself and DH, the "value" in DVC is being able to stay very comfortably in a deluxe, have all the amenities within reach, have wonderful views of the area we are staying in, and always know that we have a place to stay with little hassle when we want to visit. Having that for the next 37 years at a reasonable price is a great "value" and IMO far exceeds the proposed suites at the All Stars.

 

[spiceycat]

I think Disney is finally coming up with something for families of 5 or more on WDW property that is not a deluxe resort.

many people on the Orlando board would like to stay at WDW resort - but for families of 5 or more - this is just not possible. So they stay offsite and learn to love staying offsite - BIG mistake for WDW.

I hate to think how many guests they missed making 'onsite only' guest because of this problem.

for a family of 5 or more that love WDW - this will be a great option.

I think it is more for these peoples.

they would have a problem even coming with the $220 a night for a 2-bedroom OKW during value season.

but I think the prices at the value resorts for that time period is $79 so $160 they might be able to manage. Of course when I can get a 2-bedroom offsite for the entire week for $211 to $300. Disney will not be able to get everyone to stay onsite.

I am glad they are finally coming up with solutions for the family of 5 that really wants to stay onsite but just can't afford the deluxes or even the FW cabins.

 

[foofanella]

room or no room, you are still at a value. Not my cup of tea.

 

[CapeCodFam]

I think it is a great addition for Disney for families of five. Currently, there are few options for the family of five.

We are a family of 5 and I like the idea of it.

It would definately be good for us to pay cash for a value suite for the weekend nights and then move to DVC on sundays. We have stayed in all-stars many times and we like them. It would definately be more affordable (I hope) than getting a deluxe room for 5.

 

[disfanmac]

but my family and I now enjoy are accomodations at our second home.
welcome home...

we stayed in two rooms at ASM last July before moving to BCV. It will never happen again though - we'll use our points and stay with DVC.

We didn't see much value in the value.