More resorts outside of WDW

[mbhoxsie]

Would anyone else like to see DVC have more HH or VB resorts that aren't located on WDW property??

I know that most new members are looking to buy points onsite, and that offsite resorts take way longer to sell out so there isn't a lot of incentive for the DVC developers to come up with them...

That being said... There is something to being able to stay on DVC property and not feel the hustle and bustle of WDW crowds and attractions..

 

[CaptainMidnight]

You make a great point, that's why we love Vero Beach. It is true that off site resorts haven't sold well, but my personal opinion is that they contribute greatly to the overall DVC sales, people thinking there are reasonable point priced alternatives to going to WDW for every vacation. The Vero Project was intended to be much larger with villas across A1A on the non-ocean side of the road, but was scaled back. Personally I'm glad that happenned, I would not want to end up staying on the non-ocean side of A1A, I'm glad the resort is going to remain smaller. With the first come first served approach to reservations, we could easily end up getting stuck over there even though we are home resort owners who made reservations 11 months out. They still have land available on the ocean side if they wanted to add some villas, both south of the resort and north of the resort where the party tent used to be for building if they wanted. I did see a map of the full building plans for both sides fo the resort on the internet, but don't have the link. One thing the plans didn't have was an additional pool for the non-ocean side.

I also saw a rumor that DVC had property both in texas and near Disneyland that they ended up selling.

My thought is that as the number of DVC members keeps increasing with additional WDW resorts, there will be increased demand for the offsite resorts like Vero, that's why we're glad we have Vero Points available for the 11 month window especially for holiday breaks.

I think the trick is to have demand balanced throughout the year. A ski resort sounds great, but who stays there during non-ski season. An example of this is how HH can be tough to get into during the summer, yet have lots of availability other seasons.

Personally, I would probably never go there, but it seems that a resort out west would make sense to give folks on that side of the country a closer option. Texas seemed like a pretty good choice.

But, there probably won't be any off-site resorts in the future because of the slow sales at HH and Vero. I'm sure glad they built both of those resorts. We haven't tried HH yet, but it is a nice close drive and the area is very nice. We toured the HH resort as our initial DVC visit whilie on a vacation there and decided on Vero. One of the deciding factors was being directly on the beach, although the HH beach house is nice. We'll go for a vacation there sometime. Of course a little longer drive (6 hours) and were back home and directly on the beach at Vero, which we really enjoy, and can do combination vacations with time in WDW and time at the beach.

Something in the Washinton D.C. area might be nice, it wasn't too long ago that Disney was considering putting a new theme park in the Maryland area, but it was rejected by the residents due to the development and offsite buildup it would bring (I think). It was going to have a more historical theme. Sounded like a neat project, I really like the patriotic approach and message several WDW attractions have. There are already plenty of timeshares around Williamsburg, it's easy enough to trade to them if desired.

I also think that off site resorts should be able to be driven to. So, since there are already two beach front resorts, maybe another resort (since we're just dreaming here) could be in the rocky mountains with year round activities.

 

[WDWguruDH]

We probably wouldn't buy into an off-site resort. We pretty much think the current locations are about right, and probably won't buy any more onsite either. We will continue to add-on at BWV and VWL, but unless they do an AKL villa or one on the monorail, we won't be interested. The current onsite ones planned we have no interest in, we will probably stay in them to try, but won't buy.
However, I would like to see DVC service in a ski resort. If they were to open one in Park City, UT, we would have to think about it, but not really interested in much else.

 

[ncligs]

I agree with CaptainMidnight's above post.He made some great points about VB and HH.I also don't think you will see any other off-site DVC locations besides VB and HH. And as more new members come on-board to DVC, VB and HH will be harder to get your first choice especially at the 7 month window.
Before Rich posts that HH and VB are failures , I am sure glad that DVC built them.We love having 2 DVC homes(on-site and ocean front

) and having the 11 month window at both.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

I am sure glad that DVC built them.We love having 2 DVC homes(on-site and ocean front ) and having the 11 month window at both.

Absolutely, well said. It's been a really great combination for us too. But, like you said, I don't anticipate any additional off site resorts.

I think the next resort will go for a golf proximity, Eagle Pines sounds like a great choice. After that, we probably don't need any more DVC resorts. There's a time to stop.

 

[mbhoxsie]

I tend to agree... Don't get me wrong.. I love WDW property.. My DW and I are Disney nuts... Since we've been apart of DVC, we either stayed onsite, or driven to a WDW park everytime we go down to Florida...

I have enough points right now for one week a year at BWV, and own enough VB points to have nice stays there....

I just personally have a hard time justifying purchasing any additonal points on any WDW property since I already own there...

I know we can use our points through II, or through the CC if we really want to stay offsite... I just love the Disney caliber of service we recieve and would like to go home to more places offsite.

CaptainMidnight made some great points about offsite resorts adding to the overall value of the Vacation Club purchases..

As more and more WDW property resorts are built, availablity at offsite resorts is going to get less and less...

 

[DVCPAT]

Is Vero Beach sales slow compared to the timeshare industry or onsite DVC locations? I remember reading an article on why Disney built Vero Beach. Many survey results told Disney most people(% - ?) who visit there onsite resorts go on to spend time at the beach. Disney decided to go after that segment of travelers and provide a DVC addition.

Many complaints (not from owners) about higher dues and slow sales never seemed fair to me. Oceanfront property value has
always been a premium ( higher taxes ) and more maintenance will always be required with a resort exposed to oceanfront elements. Insurance rates are also higher. Im sure Disney new this before construction.

I think Disney filled three markets with one nice resort.

1) They provided an ocean front DVC Resort .
2) They provided a surf & sand vacation package option.
3) They provided a Disney quality resort for anyone to visit.

I maybe wrong, but I dont think you can compare it to an onsite resorts. It's a very nice ocean front resort.

 

[CaptainMidnight]

Perhaps given the usage, DVC is finding greater success by building the Concierge Collection options. Perhaps negotiating better point values for the use of the Concierge Collection resorts helps provide a whole host of off site DVC options that allow skiing, and point of interest visits. We hope to use this to go to Hawaii, and several places. But, for example, 83 points per night for the Stien Erikson lodge for ski in, ski out seems a bit high. I'm sure it's probably nice....

 

[MulanMom]

If I recall correctly, the intention of DVD, in the early days of DVC, was to build DVC resorts all over the world. It seemed to go by the wayside after Vero and HH. Though that wasn't our focus when we bought into DVC, we were disappointed to see the Newport Beach property sold off (I believe Marriott Vac. Club bought and built there) and DVD focus their efforts on WDW properties adjoining existing resorts.

We understand the business reasons for them taking a different direction, we're just not pleased by it. Other than by exchanging or using points for Concierge Collection, which I think is rather high priced, there's really no opportunity to get free or cheap weeks as one could as a regular member of II or RCI. For example, my BIL often gets bonus weeks for depositing his timeshare week for exchanging, PLUS he gets to choose from quite a variety of II Getaway weeks.

Just my .02!

 

[Cruelladeville]

I think it would be a nice compromise to see DVC resorts at the other Disney sites around the world, in France and Japan, and perhaps California. My sister said that she had read in the Marriott member news that Mariott was teaming with Disney for timeshares by EuroDisney. I haven't seen anything about it, but she was quite positive. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

 

[CaptainMidnight]

perhaps California

Didn't DVC just sell off land in California it had purchased for a DVC resort there to Marriott? I thought that was unfortunate, there should be a DVC at DL. You make a great point about availability at all the Disney parks.

 

[Werner Weiss]

I think that Disney has decided they don't want to be in the timeshare business -- except for the WDW on-site timeshare business.

I suppose there's a small chance that Disney might still want to build an on-site Vacation Club at the Disneyland Resort in California. But they have very little land there (compared to WDW), so a Disney Vacation Club there would almost have to be a highrise structure. That's much more expensive to build.

Originally posted by Cruelladeville
I think it would be a nice compromise to see DVC resorts at the other Disney sites around the world, in France and Japan, and perhaps California.

Disney chose not to build a Disney Vacation Club in Newport Coast, California, about 20 miles from Disneyland. See my article, "Disney's Newport Coast Villas, the Disney Vacation Club that Never Happened."

Originally posted by Cruelladeville
My sister said that she had read in the Marriott member news that Marriott was teaming with Disney for timeshares by EuroDisney. I haven't seen anything about it, but she was quite positive. Has anyone else heard anything about this?

Yes. This year, a new Vacation Club is opening at the Disneyland Paris Resort, on Disneyland Paris (Euro Disney SCA) property. But once again, it's a Marriott Vacation Club, not a Disney Vacation Club. See http://www.vacationclub.com/en-us/vc/resorts/DP/default.asp. I've heard, but I can't confirm, that the site was originally supposed to be for a Disney Vacation Club.

Marriott's Village d'Ile-de-France is on Euro Disney SCA property. (Euro Disney SCA is the parent company of Disneyland Paris.) And it's quite close to the theme parks, although not walking distance. The site is located between Disney's Davy Crockett Ranch campground and the theme parks, adjacent to the Disneyland Paris Golf Course.

Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI) and Euro Disney SCA issued a joint press release slightly more than a year ago. In the press release, the president of MVCI uses the words alliance and collaboration. Here's a link to the PDF file, Marriott Vacation Club International and Euro Disney to develop new property near Paris, and the first few paragraphs:
<blockquote>MARRIOTT VACATION CLUB INTERNATIONAL AND EURO DISNEY TO DEVELOP NEW PROPERTY NEAR PARIS

ORLANDO, FLA., - November 14, 2001 - Marriott Vacation Club International (MVCI), the Vacation Ownership division of Marriott International, Inc. (NYSE:MAR), and Euro Disney SCA announced today the development of a new property near Paris, France and neighboring Disneyland Resort Paris. Scheduled to open in June 2003, Marriott's Village d'Ile-de-France at the Disneyland
Resort Paris is the first MVCI project in France.

The property, located within one mile of the Disneyland Resort Paris theme parks and the adjacent Disneyland Paris golf course designed by Ronald Fream, is approximately 20 miles east of Paris. Marriott's Village d'Ile-de-France at the Disneyland Resort Paris will consist of 275 two-bedroom/two-bath villas (proposed) providing 1,250 square feet of living space. Creating the atmosphere of the French countryside with fabrics and artwork accenting garden prints of Impressionist painters, each villa will offer a golf course view along with a master suite featuring a soaking tub and two vanities, fully-equipped kitchen and dining area, living room with fireplace, washer/dryer and patio. Sales are targeted to begin April 2002 with prices ranging from $12,100 to $23,100 per week of ownership.

"The alliance with Marriott Vacation Club International and Euro Disney is an excellent collaboration," said Stephen P. Weisz, president, Marriott Vacation Club International. "In our pursuit to provide world-class resort options to our vacation owners, we are excited to announce this addition to our portfolio of 52 resorts around the globe."</blockquote>
Over a year ago, I posted:<blockquote>According to the press release, the Marriott Vacation Club resort will be a mile from the Disney theme parks. I assume Marriott will have a shuttle bus service, probably to the rail station (RER and EuroStar).

I've been to Disneyland Paris. From the rail station, it's a short walk to Disneyland Paris, The Walt Disney Studios theme park (not yet open), Disney Village, and the Disneyland Paris resort hotels. So as long as there's a shuttle, the Marriott resort should be very convenient to "Disney."

The RER train service to Paris is reasonably good. The RER train cars are essentially similar to subway train cars; they're not comfortable intercity coaches, but you don't have to stand. As I recall, the trains between Paris and Disneyland Paris run about every 20 minutes or so. The ride is around 20-40 minutes depending where in Paris you're going. In Paris itself, the RER trains run underground, with multiple stations and convenient transfers to the regular Metro subway system. Although staying out at Disneyland Paris wouldn't be as convenient as staying in the heart of Paris for the traditional attractions of Paris, it's really wouldn't be too bad. (Even if you stay within Paris, you have to allow time for travel on the Metro subway.)

I expect to see the new Marriott resort on DVC's World Passport Collection for exchanges through Interval International (II). I predict it will be a difficult exchange in the Summer but relatively easy in the Winter. Other Marriott owners will have a higher priority than DVC owners because Marriott deposits are made available to other Marriott owners for 21 days before they're made available for regular II exchanges.

I'm looking forward to taking my family to the new Marriott Vacation Club when it's available for exchange. We'd much rather stay in a comfortable 1,250-sq-ft, 2-bedroom "villa" than all four of us cramming into in the puny Paris hotel room. (We're Marriott owners in addition to DVC members.)</blockquote>