May 2022 Direct Sales drop

[Nabas]

https://dvcnews.com/dvc-program/fin...acation-club-direct-sales-slowing-in-may-2022

Still strong overall for DVD but given this was the first month where VGF and RIV went head to head with the same pool of buyers, DVD may finally have some info to see how the resorts do in the same market.

RIV dropped quite a bit and I’d have to say DVD had to be disappointed in that result since VGF performed so well

I think this data has to be sign that DVD can’t ignore in terms of possibly reversing restrictions?

Although restrictions matter to some well-informed buyers, I'm not sure restrictions are a major factor to many casual DVC buyers. (My nephew recently bought direct and had no idea about restrictions.)

Instead, there was a lot of pent-up demand for VGF2 so we should not be surprised that DVC sales for the previous two months were outstanding, whereas RIV has been available for years.

In addition, RIV is a nice resort but the Grand Floridian remains the flagship while its proximity to the Magic Kingdom is a major selling point.

As hard as Disney might try, the Skyliner is no replacement for the Monorail.

Even without restrictions, VGF2 will outsell RIV (IMO).

 

[clarker99]

I would like to buy RIV esp with the new incentives but there is just something off putting with the restrictions. I am not sure my reasons are valid or i am being to risk adverse or that I am hoping a new boardwalk resort (Yacht Club?) will be built or modified and i would prefer that.

Anyway, if only a person had a few more $$ and it just wouldn't matter

 

[Sandisw]

Although restrictions matter to some well-informed buyers, I'm not sure restrictions are a major factor to many casual DVC buyers. (My nephew recently bought direct and had no idea about restrictions.)

Instead, there was a lot of pent-up demand for VGF2 so we should not be surprised that DVC sales for the previous two months were outstanding, whereas RIV has been available for years.

In addition, RIV is a nice resort but the Grand Floridian remains the flagship while its proximity to the Magic Kingdom is a major selling point.

As hard as Disney might try, the Skyliner is no replacement for the Monorail.

Even without restrictions, VGF2 will outsell RIV (IMO).

I actually do agree with you but just thought that having the both head to head at least allows some discussion using data from the same time period.

I think what DVD must of taken away for sure is that they needed better incentives to spark sales. Let’s see if it does.

 

[Nabas]

I actually do agree with you but just thought that having the both head to head at least allows some discussion using data from the same time period.

I think what DVD must of taken away for sure is that they needed better incentives to spark sales. Let’s see if it does.

I'm guessing that in 1-2 months VGF2 sales will settle into their norm. Then we'll get a clearer idea of how VGF2 and RIV sales compare with each other.

Still, it's obvious that the resale market has turned decidedly colder than it was 12 months ago. I really think the economy is having a negative effect on resales and direct sales.

 

[Sandisw]

I'm guessing that in 1-2 months VGF2 sales will settle into their norm. Then we'll get a clearer idea of how VGF2 and RIV sales compare with each other.

Still, it's obvious that the resale market has turned decidedly colder than it was 12 months ago. I really think the economy is having a negative effect on resales and direct sales.

I think you are right. I also doubt that VGF sales would be as high as they are if it was just BPK one was buying. We, for sure, would not have bought, let alone 300 points!

 

[Spinster Travel]

While we have all said this for the last 2 1/2 years, I'll say it again.....it'll be interesting to see what happens over the next 6 months...LOL With inflation still wreaking havoc and many economists warning of a looming recession, the trends will be interesting. ROFR is at an all time high, yet resale prices have dropped as have Direct purchases. I hold out hope that ROFR will calm down and what is left provides opportunities to score a few good deals. For now, I'm gonna sock away some funds for Poly2, and hope the resale restrictions aren't a factor.

I'm just dying to know what in the world they are doing with all those OKW, AKL and SSR points - cause they sure as heck aint selling a whole lot of 'em.

 

[Sandisw]

While we have all said this for the last 2 1/2 years, I'll say it again.....it'll be interesting to see what happens over the next 6 months...LOL With inflation still wreaking havoc and many economists warning of a looming recession, the trends will be interesting. ROFR is at an all time high, yet resale prices have dropped as have Direct purchases. I hold out hope that ROFR will calm down and what is left provides opportunities to score a few good deals. For now, I'm gonna sock away some funds for Poly2, and hope the resale restrictions aren't a factor.

I'm just dying to know what in the world they are doing with all those OKW, AKL and SSR points - cause they sure as heck aint selling a whole lot of 'em.

Wild speculation, but maybe Disney is worried about the down turn and will end up shuttering a resort if things go south…and then will use all the points to have rooms to offer for cash?

 

[Royal Consort]

Wild speculation, but maybe Disney is worried about the down turn and will end up shuttering a resort if things go south…and then will use all the points to have rooms to offer for cash?

I think you'd be giving Disney too much credit for being organised.

 

[Sandisw]

I think you'd be giving Disney too much credit for being organised.

Lol…I did say it was a wild one!!! Hahaha

 

[NVDISFamily]

Wild speculation, but maybe Disney is worried about the down turn and will end up shuttering a resort if things go south…and then will use all the points to have rooms to offer for cash?

Would kind of think that it would go the other way. Didn't Disney convert wings/rooms to DVC when resorts have lower occupancy? Would guess that people who are locked into to their ownership would be more likely to visit, dine, shop, and visit the parks and such to at keep things going and bring in some revenue?

 

[RoseGold]

Maybe all the ROFR is tied to uncertainty in Poly2…. Seems like they wouldn’t need a lot of ROFR to sell if they’ve got a giant new building to sell soon?

 

[sndral]

Maybe all the ROFR is tied to uncertainty in Poly2…. Seems like they wouldn’t need a lot of ROFR to sell if they’ve got a giant new building to sell soon?

Well they certainly have priors for announcing a new DVC resort & then poof, it just goes away…cough Reflections cough…

 

[BruinEd03]

Would kind of think that it would go the other way. Didn't Disney convert wings/rooms to DVC when resorts have lower occupancy? Would guess that people who are locked into to their ownership would be more likely to visit, dine, shop, and visit the parks and such to at keep things going and bring in some revenue?

I think the poster meant shutting down a non-DVC resort. E.g., All-Stars or Pop Century. They would have to keep DVC resorts open anyways via contractual obligations.

 

[RoseGold]

I think the poster meant shutting down a non-DVC resort. E.g., All-Stars or Pop Century. They would have to keep DVC resorts open anyways via contractual obligations.

That’s not true. They can close them or even sell them. It’s in your paperwork.

They kept VGC closed in 2020, long after they were allowed to open and other hotels and timeshares were open.

 

[Sandisw]

Would kind of think that it would go the other way. Didn't Disney convert wings/rooms to DVC when resorts have lower occupancy? Would guess that people who are locked into to their ownership would be more likely to visit, dine, shop, and visit the parks and such to at keep things going and bring in some revenue?

Not shutter permanently. Shutter temporarily because travel tanks. Like they did after the pandemic. They didn’t need to open WDW resorts as quickly because they used DVC resorts instead to move guests to since those legally had to be open.

 

[Brian Noble]

Disney has shuttered individual resorts in tough times before. 9/11 saw several resorts close for extended periods IIRC.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

In May, DVC Resale Market alone had 76 Saratoga contracts bought back in ROFR.

In May, Disney sold 27 Saratoga contracts Direct.

Disney is expanding their balance sheet.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I would expect VGF to be out performing RIV by far right now. Once it has been on sale for several more months then it will be more telling. But it is the bright shiny new toy. Riviera has been on sale for a while.

VGF opened in 2013. And I was told by people in this very thread that nobody would want VGF2 because Resort Studios are stupid and the lack of a microwave is an affront to God and the Constitution.

Nah, I'll maintain my overly-reductionist line in the sand on this one. People simply hate Riviera because it's a lifeless concrete box with no discernable theme, and they don't want to be stuck selling a restricted contract 15 years from now.

 

[Arbogast]

VGF opened in 2013. And I was told by people in this very thread that nobody would want VGF2 because Resort Studios are stupid and the lack of a microwave is an affront to God and the Constitution.

Nah, I'll maintain my overly-reductionist line in the sand on this one. People simply hate Riviera because it's a lifeless concrete box with no discernable theme, and they don't want to be stuck selling a restricted contract 15 years from now.

What is the GF's theme?

 

[NVDISFamily]

What is the GF's theme?

From what we could tell watching YouTube videos it seems to be Victorian and Merry Poppins. Also fancy/monorail per the ROFR boards (I think).