National Harbor construction

[Donut23]

Ok, this is a rumor. The source is probably a little more accurate than a Disney Bus Driver....but still a rumor. Anyone else hear this? Our DVC travel buddy was visiting family in California and had dinner with his 2 friends who work for Disney in Anaheim.....management types.


Constuction at National Harbor is to commence very soon and completed before the Grand Floridian is done.



For all who say you MUST stay on property at WDW because of the convenience, National Harbor makes absolutely no sense. In the summer you can take a water taxi to Alexandria, walk up to the metro station and take the metro into town.....about 45 minutes - to an hour.

Shuttle into town? Well, how many people have tried crossing the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and drive into DC around rush hour? In DC traffic, this is not going to be fun either....or fast.


We just visited DC. We stayed at a hotel 1 block behind the Air and Space Museum. Now I used reward points so our stay was free....but the room at the time was about $129 p/night. We walked up to capital hill at night for dinner or just jumped on the Metro to travel all over DC. With my status, I cannot remember when I have not been upgraded...we had a fabulous room! It was a great trip.

One evening we were settled in the room, decided it was such a lovely night we went back out onto the Mall.....commute, 5 minutes.

I normally do not consider myself one of the "instant gratification travelers". However, schleping on a shuttle bus in DC traffic vs. walking one block to the National Mall.......no question what I will choose.


Anyway....anyone else hear this rumor?

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I think National Harbor would like to consider itself a destination in and of itself, rather than just a place to sleep. They offer concerts, street fairs, marina activities like charters and sightseeing cruises, the new children's museum, high-end restaurants and shopping. If the water park part of the Disney rumor is true, this will be even closer to the truth. No doubt, though, that the proximity to DC will be its biggest draw.

I can't help but compare National Harbor to Downtown Disney in my mind.

We stayed with my parents at National Harbor for a portion of their week this summer. They traded into the Wyndham using one of their Orlando weeks.

It was a nice three-bedroom villa. A little smaller than DVC rooms, but still nice. We used the bus to get to the Metro and rode the train into the city on the days we went there. (You mention walking to the Metro station from National Harbor. Technically correct, but it's a metrobus station. National Harbor doesn't have a metrorail station. You need to ride the bus several stops, then transfer at the Branch Ave station to the green line trains.) It wasn't the most convenient transport, but it wasn't awful, either. I much preferred it to the prospect of parking in town. Most of our evening meals were either cooked in the room or at one of the National Harbor restaurants. As you intimated, we weren't interested in multiple trips back and forth between National Harbor and DC.

We live in Southeast Virginia, and do 4-to-5 weekends in DC a year. We've stayed in downtown hotels many times, and do enjoy the location and the easy access. We'll probably always want to do this for some of our trips. I agree with your assessment of how easy it is to stay someplace like L'Enfant Plaza and take the elevator from your room right down to the Metro. However, if National Harbor was available to us to use on points, I'd have no hesitation to stay there for many of our trips, too.

The more important issue, though, is that I don't ever see us wanting to buy points there.

 

[supersuperwendy]

We had a great visit to DC last summer. If DVC had a resort there I'd love to stay there on points.

 

[Brian Noble]

My (totally uninformed) gut still says that they won't turn earth until there is a bit more of a sales track record at Aulani. Aulani a screaming success? National Harbor could be a mixed-use or DVC-ony property. Aulani tanks? National Harbor is either a cash-only resort, or the land is quietly sold.

I agree with the access issues---Wyndham has a resort in Alexandria right by the King Street stop as well as the National Harbor location. I'd much rather stay in Alexandria. But, some folks prefer the more sterile NH environment, and that plays to Disney's strengths.

 

[disneynutz]

My (totally uninformed) gut still says that they won't turn earth until there is a bit more of a sales track record at Aulani. Aulani a screaming success? National Harbor could be a mixed-use or DVC-ony property. Aulani tanks? National Harbor is either a cash-only resort, or the land is quietly sold.

I agree with the access issues---Wyndham has a resort in Alexandria right by the King Street stop as well as the National Harbor location. I'd much rather stay in Alexandria. But, some folks prefer the more sterile NH environment, and that plays to Disney's strengths.

IMO Aulani isn't a good comparison due to the Asian market who will be their biggest customer. They already have sales offices in Japan and they have hired Japanese speaking Guides, ASA's, MS Advisers and soon you will be seeing more Asians in their advertising.

I just don't think that other non WDW locations will have the same draw.

Bill

 

[TLPL]

Same logic for the National Harbor resort. I don't think this resort is going after the WDW customerthe goal is to explore new market.

 

[GoofItUp]

I hope this is not true. I'd much rather see a DVC resort in a ski destination. (Hello, Colorado!) I can see a huge draw for families in that sort of destination and it covers many, many years of family vacations. The DC area is not the same draw IMO. Plus, it puts a resort in the middle of the country (ok, slightly west I guess) instead of stacking more on the east coast. I'm thinking the more these are scattered around, the bigger potential market. Again, just my off-the-cuff, late-night thoughts...

 

[Donut23]

I think National Harbor would like to consider itself a destination in and of itself, rather than just a place to sleep. They offer concerts, street fairs, marina activities like charters and sightseeing cruises, the new children's museum, high-end restaurants and shopping. If the water park part of the Disney rumor is true, this will be even closer to the truth. No doubt, though, that the proximity to DC will be its biggest draw.

I can't help but compare National Harbor to Downtown Disney in my mind.

We stayed with my parents at National Harbor for a portion of their week this summer. They traded into the Wyndham using one of their Orlando weeks.

It was a nice three-bedroom villa. A little smaller than DVC rooms, but still nice. We used the bus to get to the Metro and rode the train into the city on the days we went there. (You mention walking to the Metro station from National Harbor. Technically correct, but it's a metrobus station. National Harbor doesn't have a metrorail station. You need to ride the bus several stops, then transfer at the Branch Ave station to the green line trains.) It wasn't the most convenient transport, but it wasn't awful, either. I much preferred it to the prospect of parking in town. Most of our evening meals were either cooked in the room or at one of the National Harbor restaurants. As you intimated, we weren't interested in multiple trips back and forth between National Harbor and DC.

We live in Southeast Virginia, and do 4-to-5 weekends in DC a year. We've stayed in downtown hotels many times, and do enjoy the location and the easy access. We'll probably always want to do this for some of our trips. I agree with your assessment of how easy it is to stay someplace like L'Enfant Plaza and take the elevator from your room right down to the Metro. However, if National Harbor was available to us to use on points, I'd have no hesitation to stay there for many of our trips, too.

The more important issue, though, is that I don't ever see us wanting to buy points there.

Actually what I said was - taking a water taxi to Alexandria and then walking to the Metro station in Alexandria in the warmer months.


I live in Annapolis and worked in DC for a while. DH and I enjoy history and have visited just about every part of it around DC.

Shopping and restaurants at National Harbor as a destination....I doubt it. I have checked it out and saw I needed to.....BORING compared to everythng else available in the area.

But hey.....Disney knows what they are doing. They built Aulani outside an area nobody would want to even drive through (should have heard what the ABC people were saying about the area while there for the Disney promo this week!!) I guess this means they have a captive audience and can charge whatever they want.

With all the fabulous things to do and see in and around Washington, National Harbor is a waste of space on the bucket list.....but only my opinion as a lifetime resident of the area.

 

[Donut23]

We had a great visit to DC last summer. If DVC had a resort there I'd love to stay there on points.

Actually not located in DC at all. It's outside the washington beltway in Maryland. A fast trip into DC from there would be like driving from the Orlando Airport to the Contempory.....that would be a fast ride.

Sure, I would probably burn up lots of DVC points if DVC was actually somewhere IN Washington, DC.....we spend 3, 4 or 5 long weekends there a year.

 

[Judique]

Actually not located in DC at all. It's outside the washington beltway in Maryland. A fast trip into DC from there would be like driving from the Orlando Airport to the Contempory.....that would be a fast ride.

Sure, I would probably burn up lots of DVC points if DVC was actually somewhere IN Washington, DC.....we spend 3, 4 or 5 long weekends there a year.

It is about a ten minute ride to downtown(the Capitol) in non rush hour traffic, ie after nine on weekdays. 7am to 9am on weekdays 15 minutes. You do not have to deal with Alexandria traffic (usually very heavy) to get into DC.

 

[Judique]

I hope this is not true. I'd much rather see a DVC resort in a ski destination. (Hello, Colorado!) I can see a huge draw for families in that sort of destination and it covers many, many years of family vacations. The DC area is not the same draw IMO. Plus, it puts a resort in the middle of the country (ok, slightly west I guess) instead of stacking more on the east coast. I'm thinking the more these are scattered around, the bigger potential market. Again, just my off-the-cuff, late-night thoughts...

They've had the land there for several years. National Harbor has been open since 2008. There is already a Wyndham timeshare there and since there are few to no timeshares other then that in the immediate area - other than the Wyndham (used to be Fairfield and it is small and cramped) in Alexandria, Disney may be seriously looking at the Timeshare potential here. I see it as great trade option because of the sheer volume of tourist traffic to the DC area.

If Wyndham can sell the location as a timeshare, I'm sure Disney won't be far behind.

As a local I visited the Alexandria than Fairfield location with the intent of buying in but did not like the units. I haven't seen the Wyndham rooms at NH.

 

[TisBit]

The transportation issues at National Harbor are the biggest concern about this location. There are two possibilities, the metro looking to expand into the area or WDW coming up with their own plan for transportation.

The first is actually not unheard of. National Harbor is growing and ver well might be in line to have something put in (especially if some of the developers help with costs, etc). As others have noted, NH is supposed to be a destination upon itself...which means there will be demand for transportation TO National Harbor for some fo the DC residents. This is what would make it a candidate for expansion of the metro to the area.

The other option is completely WDW 101...if the area doesn't provide it, do it yourself. They could easily run their own shuttle to the metro station and allow guest to bypass the local bus routes.

 

[supersuperwendy]

Actually not located in DC at all. It's outside the washington beltway in Maryland. A fast trip into DC from there would be like driving from the Orlando Airport to the Contempory.....that would be a fast ride.

Sure, I would probably burn up lots of DVC points if DVC was actually somewhere IN Washington, DC.....we spend 3, 4 or 5 long weekends there a year.

Oh ok..but still close enough to visit the DC sites though right?

 

[mjc2003]

IMO Aulani isn't a good comparison due to the Asian market who will be their biggest customer. They already have sales offices in Japan and they have hired Japanese speaking Guides, ASA's, MS Advisers and soon you will be seeing more Asians in their advertising.

I just don't think that other non WDW locations will have the same draw.

Bill

Except that the Japanese numbers in Hawaii are appreciably down, while other Asian countries are visiting more. The largest increase has been the Chinese, who are spending money at a greater clip than the Japanese (who spend about 1.5 times what an American spends). There has also been an increase in Korean and Australian tourists to Hawaii. But China is now what Japan was 15 years ago, so if DVD has focused exclusively on the Japanese market, they are going to be missing the boat. It's altogether possible that 5 years from now the Aulani "Asian" demographic will be comprised of more non-Japanese then Japanese.

Another consideration with the Japanese is that their economy has been hit pretty hard, and as a society their spending habits have shifted to ultra-conservative. They are cutting back on luxuries, vacations, etc...where as the Chinese are spending like crazy. Mercedes Benz can't keep up with the pace of buying in China.

One other thing to note is that the Asian market will not "be their biggest customer". Domestic visitors to Hawaii still outpaces International by nearly 3-1. The biggest customer base for DVD at Aulani is the US West coast. While the Asian market will indeed play a role, I would speculate that about 70% of the buyers will be American when it's all said and done.

 

[hakepb]

Oh ok..but still close enough to visit the DC sites though right?

Sounds like it.

Although I have no National Harbor experience,
Growing up, we visited several DC a few times driving a few hours each way to get there for a day's visit. NH sounds much easier.

I do understand the metro concerns. Our best trip started at an uncle's apartment near a metro stop and he led us around that day.

 

[TisBit]

Oh ok..but still close enough to visit the DC sites though right?

It is very much splitting hairs about being in DC or not. DC proper has a beltway (perimeter) interstate around it. National Harbor is literally just outside of this perimeter so it is considered Maryland. Most resorts are actually outside of DC (with some exceptions and mostly higher price properties) and in Norther Virginia.

It is much closer than Orlando Airport to the Contemporary to reach the sites of DC. You cannot look at time differences based on traffic....because in DC it could take you 20 minutes to go a mile...which is why most visitors will use the metro.

 

[Brian Noble]

IMO Aulani isn't a good comparison

I agree that Aulani is *easier* to sell than a DC location. But, it remains to be seen if Disney can sell it at their price point. That's why I said that if they can't get Aulani to work, it does not bode well for other "outside the berm" locations.

If Wyndham can sell the location as a timeshare, I'm sure Disney won't be far behind.

Last I heard, Wyndham's NH sales have been going well. I can't dig up the source, though, so I could be wrong.

 

[Judique]

Oh ok..but still close enough to visit the DC sites though right?

Absolutely close enough.

You could even drive your own car into DC and find parking. Not advisable on the fourth of July or during Cherry Blossoms, but people do it all the time. There are meters and parking garages. Union Station is an easy one to find, for example.

And...if you want to stay at NH to visit DC, there are already quite a few rooms to be had there. They have Gaylord, Westin, Marriott, Hampton Inn and Suites, Aloft - in addition to the Wyndham rooms.
They are not cheap. Glancing around a bit I see prices in the $200-$300 range for a weeknight in October. The prices I saw a year or two ago were half that. Guess somebody must be staying there.

 

[DonnaL]

Not a bad drive at all into DC from National Harbor....took us probably 20 minutes..however, we waited until midmorning to avoid rush hours. We stayed at the Wyndham National Harbor for a few days during the last week of June, 2010. Initially, we planned to use metro transportation.....which from NH was a combo of bus/metro.....and decided against it, but, instead drove in and parked at Union Station and caught the metro to different areas of the city from there. Since there were five of us it actually ended up being more economical to do it this way. The only issue we had during that week was the unbearable heat......it was 97/98 degrees in downtown DC....with heat index over 100....so we didn't even do as much as we had planned to in the city and it was extremely crowded. One day we just stayed at NH and caught what little breeze we could from the river, while enjoying the pool/deck area at the Wyndham.

 

[Donut23]

It is about a ten minute ride to downtown(the Capitol) in non rush hour traffic, ie after nine on weekdays. 7am to 9am on weekdays 15 minutes. You do not have to deal with Alexandria traffic (usually very heavy) to get into DC.

Were you the one who flew by me the other day on the highway. I was cruising about 75.

Google maps shows the distance between National Harbor (Maryland route) and the Capital building as 17.5 miles by the way.