I've Been ROFR'd!!

[Breyean]

Can you book at DLH or PP on really short notice..like inside the rule of 4 window? Does that apply to the DLR hotels? I know they don't charge the $95 booking fee (yet) but how would the rule of 4 thing work?

I just happened to ask about that this week while making a reservation at DLH.

MS CM told me the rule of 4 doesn't apply to DLR hotels. It used to, but she said it was changed a few years ago. It might have coincided with the opening of the VGC, thus eliminating the GC hotel rooms from bookings on points.

 

[CarolAnnC]

There is also the DVC Member Cruise in September that would be a perfect venue for any big "announcement" !!

 

[Brian Noble]

I have to wonder what their overhead is on processing and re-marketing ROFR. Got to think that buying points back and selling them for $30+ more than you bought them is a steal for Disney.

Only for resorts for which there is established natural demand---and only up to that point. Otherwise, the rule of thumb in timeshare is that 1/4 to 1/2 of the total costs of development are due to marketing costs. So, if you have a list of ready buyers falling over themselves to throw money at you (i.e. the wait list), then it makes sense. If you would have to market the points, though, it might not.

As far as possible D23 announcement-- curious if by some outside chance the DC project gets mentioned. They have the land over there at National Harbor just waiting to be developed.

I don't think there will be a decision about the disposition of that property (hotel only, mixed-use, DVC only, or quiet sale) until they get a sense for how well Aulani sells domestically, and why.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm not entirely sold on the idea that any conversions are happening at GF. The two resorts at which this *did* happen---AKL and CR-Garden Wing---were among the least in-demand rooms in the roster of Deluxe-class cash rooms. If you wanted a late discount on something in the Deluxe category, if there was availability anywhere, it tended to be at these two places.

I don't know, but I don't get the sense that the same thing is true of the GF rooms, if only because it's "the crown jewel", and a certain fraction of guests want to stay there for that reason alone.

 

[rentayenta]

The rule of 4 does not apply for the DLR hotels. On my last stay at the DLH, I booked the day before we went. After the DLH refurb, the hotel is just amazing.

Like really amazing? I have 3 nights at the GCV and then our 4th night came through but in a 2 bedroom. I hate to move for one night. The DLH is available for nights 4 and 5 of our vacation and have been debating booking it. Good to know I can book it, if still available, last minute.

 

[the donut]

Like really amazing? I have 3 nights at the GCV and then our 4th night came through but in a 2 bedroom. I hate to move for one night. The DLH is available for nights 4 and 5 of our vacation and have been debating booking it. Good to know I can book it, if still available, last minute.

How many of there are you? If it were me, despite not being fond of sharing a room with the kids. I might be tempted to stay in the DLH as I less fond of packing and unpacking. Especially as you likely wouldn't get into the 2BR until 4pm or later and you might be able to get into the hotel right away. We checked in around 11am and the room was ready.

We stayed at the hotel a few years ago and so have both a pre and post renovation experience. The hotel is unrecognizable from its former self. The CM gave us a great room on a high floor (requested) looking straight into DTD, even though it was in the standard room category (maybe that was a standard view)? The bathroom counters are granite, and the TV is the same flatscreen model as the VGC TV's. And I love what they've done with the headboards. My toddler kept turning the lights on and off and making the song play. My 5 year old daughter also really enjoyed the monorail slide and splash area--she didn't even want to go to the park the next day.

If I had a 2BR villa for both days, I'd probably stick with that as I love the VGC. But moving twice, ugh, I'd say it's a tough call.

 

[TisBit]

I'm not entirely sold on the idea that any conversions are happening at GF. The two resorts at which this *did* happen---AKL and CR-Garden Wing---were among the least in-demand rooms in the roster of Deluxe-class cash rooms. If you wanted a late discount on something in the Deluxe category, if there was availability anywhere, it tended to be at these two places.

I don't know, but I don't get the sense that the same thing is true of the GF rooms, if only because it's "the crown jewel", and a certain fraction of guests want to stay there for that reason alone.

I agree...making more DVC-lite rooms, such as Jambo doesn't make a whole lot of sense. The only way I see converting rooms at the existing GF is to make them in a categorey that is high demand, such as Concierge.

 

[RobOnDisney]

I agree...making more DVC-lite rooms, such as Jambo doesn't make a whole lot of sense. The only way I see converting rooms at the existing GF is to make them in a categorey that is high demand, such as Concierge.

Except conversion of existing space in cheaper than new build. And if you toss a small number of rooms into market, say 40 like VGC, and start selling at $140+ a point you'd make a good chunk of money.

 

[HookdonWDW]

Except conversion of existing space in cheaper than new build. And if you toss a small number of rooms into market, say 40 like VGC, and start selling at $140+ a point you'd make a good chunk of money.

And this is the key: Although it all started with a mouse, it all hinges on the greenback

 

[Brian Noble]

Except conversion of existing space in cheaper than new build.

It is. But, if the rooms are generating a favorable RevPAR, there is no need to convert them---it requires a capital expenditure, and you end up "selling" them at a net-present-value discount vs. rents.

That's why it made sense to convert Jambo floors and one Garden Wing---they were already routinely discounted, and often had poor occupancy, further depressing RevPAR. Conversion was probably more profitable.

Note that I don't know much about effective room rates at GF, though. It's not a resort I've ever tracked much.

 

[TisBit]

Except conversion of existing space in cheaper than new build. And if you toss a small number of rooms into market, say 40 like VGC, and start selling at $140+ a point you'd make a good chunk of money.

It is. But, if the rooms are generating a favorable RevPAR, there is no need to convert them---it requires a capital expenditure, and you end up "selling" them at a net-present-value discount vs. rents.

That's why it made sense to convert Jambo floors and one Garden Wing---they were already routinely discounted, and often had poor occupancy, further depressing RevPAR. Conversion was probably more profitable.

Note that I don't know much about effective room rates at GF, though. It's not a resort I've ever tracked much.

There is also the issue of the conversion, hotel rooms are not DVC rooms, so it is not an easy conversion and often times ends up with smaller room sizes and such. I doubt they will want to do a huge rehab at GF to accomodate, as Brian said, AKL was pretty dead and did not have much demand when they added DVC. Interestingly, I think DVC has helped put it on the map, seems more and more people are booking there and with less cash inventory they can help turn a profit. Prior to DVC, I just don't think there was much publicity and it was secluded on WDW property. Now that there are lots of trips reports and DVC members going and reporting back, it is creating a better image for the resort as a whole.