Major Disappointment with DVC

[Johnnie Fedora]

We purchased originally at VWL/BCV, but ended up buying HH as the bulk of our total points owned. We really like owning at an offsite for the purpose of vacationing there during times (big crowds) when we would not want to be at WDW (i.e. TG, spring break, especially when it coincides with Easter and X-mas). To date it has worked well for us. The off-sites provide flexability for our family. I would like to see another offsite. I doubt a small offsite (in a desirable location) would put that much pressure on the 7-month window, certainly only a small percentage of the 7-month pressure that a completed SSR will.

 

[tjkraz]

Regardless of the approach, if DVC does decide to venture off-site again, I have to think that this is their final shot. Recognizing that a lot of folks love Vero, I can only conclude that the resort was considered a failure with respect to its moderate size and 10-year sell-out period.

If they try another off-site location, they better hit a home run. With two failures under their collective belts, I can't imagine circumstances under which they would try yet again.

 

[DrTomorrow]

We purchased originally at VWL/BCV, but ended up buying HH as the bulk of our total points owned. We really like owning at an offsite for the purpose of vacationing there during times (big crowds) when we would not want to be at WDW (i.e. TG, spring break, especially when it coincides with Easter and X-mas). To date it has worked well for us. The off-sites provide flexability for our family. I would like to see another offsite. I doubt a small offsite (in a desirable location) would put that much pressure on the 7-month window, certainly only a small percentage of the 7-month pressure that a completed SSR will.

A question, Johnnie: would you buy at such a resort?

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

A question, Johnnie: would you buy at such a resort?

If the location was within 1200 miles from Chicago, maybe. Also depends on the point structure at holidays. HH is very reasonable at the school break holidays, and even in the summer premier season.

A Hawaii offsite would be great, but travel would not be affordable for us as a family.

 

[Dean]

I may have a solution here- Everyone seems to think that Disney can't expand to "resort only"- type hotels, and should stick to resorts around the theme parks-- I have to disagree- Disney could expand to highly sought after areas and still tie the resort to a disney theme-- For example--Disney could open a resort in Hawaii (where everyone wants to go)-- It could be named "ohana" for example, and while maintaining the high standards of a DVC property, could also cater to kids with a lilo and stitch themed area/pool/etc. It is not impossible, and if given some thought, I am sure there are several options that Disney could explore.

Thats just one man's opinion..

It's not enough to be in the area that's high demand. HH and VB are both good examples. In HH, they built in a low demand area of a high demand island. Had they built on the beach, it would have been a no brainer. VB was out of the way, 7 miles out of town in a pretty area but did anyone say they wanted to go the Sebastian prior to DVC? DVC could take a page from Marriott in this area. The other thing is they need to be more aggressive to make this type of resort work, by that I mean higher pressure.

I don't think going to HI and building a resort is enough in and of itself. They'd likely need to buy a nice existing resort and add on or a good location and older property and tear it down like MVCI did in West Palm and with Grande Ocean in HH. And it need to be in a truly good location. I think they assumed because it was DVC that people would flock to buy just like they did at WDW.

 

[threegoofys]

We are HH owners and love it!!! The reasons why we bought at HH instead of the WDW resorts is because we got more bang for our buck buying at HH and HH is closer to us than WDW. We have never had a problem getting villas at WDW and what we really enjoy about being HH owners is that during the prime times at WDW we are able to veg out at HH. I think if DVC looked at expanding they should do so on the west coast. I feel for the DVCers who live on the west coast, everything DVC is on the east coast so they have to travel quite a distance to go "home".

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

I still think a DVC in DL would fly. It doesn't have to be a sprawling resort ala OKW or SSR. Of course I also think a DVC in timessquare would also fly...the big problem with that is the sheer number of DVC'ers in NYMetro. I'd buy a NY DVC (as long as it cost the same as the ones in Florida).

 

[DrBond007]

I still think a DVC in DL would fly. It doesn't have to be a sprawling resort ala OKW or SSR. Of course I also think a DVC in timessquare would also fly...the big problem with that is the sheer number of DVC'ers in NYMetro. I'd buy a NY DVC (as long as it cost the same as the ones in Florida).

Good points, a DVC at DL would be great, even if it was a couple of floors of existing hotel.

 

[Coach Rick]

What other resort can you buy, and stay on-property at WDW? None!! I have other time shares to do that with. I personally bought DVC to stay at WDW. That said I bought my first points at VB; however, I had never planned to stay at VB. (that thought it changing). Of course this thread really points out the diversity that is DVC owners.

 

[SoCalKDG]

Mouseinfo.com Ask Marcie topic, who is in management at DLR, on DVC

Q: "My question: Are there plans to expand the Grand Californian to add more rooms?"

A: There are plans, but not sure if and when they will be acted upon. From the outset of the hotel's opening there was always a phase 2 of the project to add another 250 rooms or 125 Disney Vacation Club time share units, but there are no immediate plans moving forward to build either option at this time. Funny, the hotel maintains on average a better 90% occupancy year-round and yet no expansion has been approved yet. Only time will tell.

Q: Also you answered an inquiry with an answer mentioning the Disney Vacation Club. I have always wondered, aside from local real estate law,why the DVC was not as prominantly advertisesed here in CA as in FLA."

A: DVC is restricted from doing certain types of advertisements within states due to varying laws in each state governing time shares. If a DVC unit is built in the future here at DLR, you will see some sort of DVC presence within the Resort advertising the time share sales of the Disney units. And the idea of building DVC units here at DLR certainly has been kicked around for the past few years.

 

[wintergreen]

I, for one, would like to see additional DVC resorts outside of WDW. One of the things that we love about the DVC resorts is how well done everything is, from room layouts to activities to the level of service. However, I would prefer having any new location be nearer places with more things to do. We would like both Vero and HH better if they had golf incorporated. Would LOVE a DVC ski resort location.

However, if no new offsite resorts are built, I would settle for expanded, more reasonably "priced" Concierge Collection options. We do a lot of shorter vacations (long weekends), and trading out for a full week (II) does not often work for us.

 

[sgtdisney]

Here is my take on it all. Disney charges a premium for their timeshares. I think we can all agree on that. They have a unique product and resorts and they are (obviously) getting top dollar for the product. As others have mentioned the off-site locations, while beautiful in their own right, simply do not have the extra magic of being located at one of the most popular resorts in the world and are harder to sell at the top dollar Disney gets in Orlando. Because of this Disney has had to lower their costs to see them out in a timely fashion.

Now, normally you may think, no big deal. But consider this. If Disney has 5 onsite resorts and ended up building 10 or 15 off site resorts what do you think would happen at the 7 month window. People who own resorts at Disney World would have a much greater difficulty in getting reservations unless they used the 11 month window. There is the potential for a lot of member discontent. (Not that that has stopped Disney in the past ) Anyway, they would fill up the membership pool with points that in almost every case had to be discounted to sell quickly enough and the Disney World resorts would be filled up by people who bought off site at a lower cost simply to use the points in Orlando. I mean that is fine but could cause some problems if they had a large number of off site properties.

The only DVC I could see Disney building in the near future is one at Disneyland resort, I think that would be a welcome addition.

 

[DrBond007]

But consider this. If Disney has 5 onsite resorts and ended up building 10 or 15 off site resorts what do you think would happen at the 7 month window.

I'm really not interested in Disney building 10 or 15 offsite resorts. Maybe just 2 or 3 more offsite resorts, including one at California Adventure (which I'd have to say is really onsite).