Interesting rumors heard on our trip...

[lisareniff]

Thanks for passing that along.... It's ever so fun to dream.

 

[durango kid]

"As far as Colorado many of us (French)Texans go to Colorado in the late spring through early fall to escape the Texas heat. Two summers ago we had 90+ days of 100+ temperatures."<!-- / message --><!-- sig -->


See what I mean? It's getting to the point where a guy can't swing a dead cat without hitting a Texan. My apologies to PETA and cat lovers everywhere, I have never swung a cat...dead or otherwise!

 

[trampslady]

I guess I'm gonna have to weigh in here too. As a proud native Texan, I believe Durango Kid has some deep-seated issues regarding Texans that reach far beyond anything that we can address here on the DISNEY discussion board. Oh yeah, isn't that what we were supposed to be talking about--Disney? Another off-site DVC? That would certainly be nice if the right vacation destinations were considered, and I can't imagine Disney planning for expansion outside of WDW unless they really did their "homework." Hawaii sounds nice, but do you really think they would have the buy in from folks who don't already own? Of course we Members would be interested, but minor add-on sales wouldn't begin to sell out a new resort or pay for what would prove to be an expensive location.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I do know that about 10 years ago Disney was looking at huge chunks of lake property in central Minnesota and was inquireing about feasibility of a commuter type rail system into the MOA. Now that was rumor then, but now we do have a public light rail system into the MOA! As far as I know, the Disney project here was scrapped.

 

[downontheBW]

Just dreaming... although I don't think it will happen, I would love to see them build a resort in the Kaanapali area on Maui. Westin/Starwood is developing a resort there and I think the first section was sold out before it was even completed. Not bad, and with a ~$35K developer price tag.

DVC abandoned the off-site resorts when the travel market was beginning a few year decline. It seems to be on the up-swing right now, maybe they are reevaluating their options.

 

[POOH&PIGLET]

Does this thread have anyone else missing our pal Richyams? He sure loved to "go at it" with this topic.

I sure do miss his posts.

 

[dis-happy]

I would place my bets on something in the continental US, vs. Hawaii where EVERYONE has to fly to get there (apologies to those of you who live in Hawaii, guess you have other options). Anyway, it makes more sense from a demographic viewpoint to allow people to drive, they will come more often and it pulls from a greater number of people willing to buy in. Colorado would be great IMHO---year round activities. Of course, I love to ski, too!

One thing to consider is that we live in the post-9/11 era now, which has changed the way many people vacation, so that could affect previous Disney decisions about off-site properties.



Here's one more wildcard guess on thinking big: a resort on the Grand Canyon! Of course, Disney might have to pay off the Fed. Park Service first...

 

[TnRobin]

I will remind everyone again to stay on topic. This discussion of Coloradoans vs. Texans will end. I am not sure whether it is in jest or serious, but either way it is off topic. Please feel free to communicate by email if you wish to continue. Any futher discussion related to this stream of thought on the board will be deleted.

Robin

 

[poohj80]

Even though I would absolutely LOVE Hawaii, I had a thought that I haven't seen mentioned yet that I think would be BIG. Anyone ever consider Vegas? It's close to DL and gets lots of tourism traffic.

PJ

 

[bobbiwoz]

If the vote was between Colorado and Hawaii, mine would go to Colorado! DH would be thrilled and we would do a huge add on for sure.

Bobbi

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Three years ago we were staying at a Fairfield Resort in Myrtle Beach. We were told that Disney was eyeing up a piece of property on the ocean, it was one of the campgrounds. But the owner refused to sell it? Who knows, Myrtle Beach is a year round resort, beach from April - November, and Golf almost year round, though it get's mighty hot in August!

 

[spiceycat]

I hadn't though of the outsiders that already trade to Hawaii - but can you image the annual fees of a DVC resort in Hawaii - I don't even want to consider it.

I though that was why they built in HH to attract outsiders - but they couldn't compete with the Marriott on the Ocean vs DVC island. One of the CM at HH say Disney had enough ocean front area to built there but they didn't - did they sell that land like VB?

 

[MomsGoneGoofy]

I would vote Hawaii if it was a choice of Hawaii vs Colorado. But I would really love an Animal Kingdom resort or better yet one on the monorail!

 

[rinkwide]

...he said to think BIG!

Maybe he meant physical size.

[auctioneer]
The opening bid for this DVC resort is set at nine hundred.

Who'll give me 900 units? I'VE GOT 9! do I hear 11 hundred? RIGHT THERE! How about 13? Who'll give 13? YOU SIR! Now 15, do I hear 1500? THERE IN THE BACK! Now 17. Who's gonna' bid 17? Anyone for 17? Last call for 17. 1700 HERE IN FRONT! How about 18? 1800 anyone? You sir? How about you madam, 18? 17 going once... 17 going twice...

SOLD! A 1700 unit resort to the contractor in the ten-gallon hat.
[/auctioneer]

 

[dianeschlicht]

Actually, he said OFF SITE and to think big as to location. He then added, "like Hawaii or Colorado".

 

[littlestar]

What about the Smokey Mountains? It would be neat to see something like the Wilderness Lodge/Grand Californian lodge sitting right smack in the middle of a setting like that. I'd want to go every year! And you can drive there pretty easily (at least the midwest/east/south) can.

 

[dianeschlicht]

All this dreaming is kind of fun. Hope DVC is watching!

 

[stlphil]

Hawaii would be great, and I think it would work for DVC. There is no reason to think that Disney would not be successful in Hawaii, when all the other major players do well there since it is a major destination.

The problem Disney had with Vero and HH is due to their own hubris; they thought the Disney name alone would be enough to market these resorts on parity with the WDW resorts without them being a major destination. VB resort may be great, but Vero Beach has no national buzz as a destination. Hilton Head may be known nationally, but as stated in an earlier post Disney cheaped out and didn't put the resort on the beach. (Don't get me wrong I love the HH resort, but for sales the Disney name was nowhere near enough to overcome not being on the beach.)

Hawaii is different. A resort on Maui, in the Kaanapali area (on the beach), with a Disney name would likely sell like hotcakes. Certainly more points for me. The biggest problem could be fitting what would likely be a very expensive resort into the point system of the existing DVC resorts. On the other hand, if they "cheap out" again and pick an isolated location in Hawaii, and hope the Disney name would make it a destination, then they will likely fail again.

What makes the most sense is to couple a Hawaii resort with another new DVC at Disneyland. Disneyland Resort does not (yet) have enough by itself for a week long trip every year. Maybe 4 or 5 days. (Although Disneyland would be a convenient base for exploring LA and the OC.) But the flexibility of DVC allowing alternating Disneyland and Hawaii trips, with occasional trips to WDW, would be very attractive to west coasters. (Without more substantiation it's hard for me to believe that DVC couldn't build in California, after all plans for the Newport Coast resort were far along before the problems with HH and Vero caused Disney backed out.)

DVC is very successful, and Disney is always looking for growth opportunities. SSR will take several years to build out, and at some point (if it hasn't already) new DVC resorts at WDW will canibalize the Deluxe resorts on property. The temptation to expand elsewhere will be very hard for them to resist.

 

[dianeschlicht]

snip...and at some point (if it hasn't already) new DVC resorts at WDW will canibalize the Deluxe resorts on property. The temptation to expand elsewhere will be very hard for them to resist.

I think you might be right about DVC eating into the lure of the deluxes. I know we always dreamed of staying at the GF all the time, but after our first OKW trip, we had no desire at all to stay at the GF or any other resort for that matter.

 

[MaryJ]

There'd be not much to anchor a Colorado resort for more than half the year.

I assume you're refering to the ski season half of the year. Keep in mind that there are a lot of people out there (like me) who don't ski but love to go hiking in the mountains. Therefore, I would love to go to Colorado in the summer to escape the heat we have here in southern Indiana.