New DVC resort - anyone else tired of just Orlando?

[dvcbrad]

I have been reading about all of these proposed new DVC resorts ... but they're all still in Orlando! We have had wonderful vacations there, but get tired of going there over and over. We've used our points (we now own 500) at HHI, VB and DCL, but would like to be able to go somewhere different. We've tried requesting exchanges, but those don't work, as we are generally requesting the same time period that everyone else in the country is - spring break due to school constraints! I would be interested if anyone else feels the same way, so that maybe DVC management can get the message that we would like a more diverse vacation club other than Orlando - more similar to Marriott & Hyatt's programs.

 

[doubletrouble_vb]

My first reaction is ...nope. But it would be nice if there were a DVC in every Disney resort location. Other than that if I want Marriott I'll buy Marriott.

 

[bpmorley]

Not tired of Orlando yet. We're trying to exchange for somewhere else, but if that doesn't work we'll head back to a DVC. I'd like to revisit this in couple years. We've only been members since 2004

 

[dvcbrad]

We've been members since 1998 and now have teen-aged children - not that they don't enjoy the parks, just that they (and we) feel like we need some new experiences.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

We love FL but I would definately stay at a DVC in DL or Hawaii.

 

[Par8hed]

I would gladly welcome some more offsite locations. When we're at WDW we spend so little time in the room that I don't really care what resort I end up in. But I would absolutely love more offsite options if they're the quality of VB. Hawaii, San Diego, Virginia Beach, New York (city or Long Island), Newport, Outer banks of NC, (okay so I'm a coastal guy). But yes, I'd like more options within the DVC registry.

 

[Longhairbear]

We love FL but I would definately stay at a DVC in DL or Hawaii.

Same here, staying this weekend at Grand Californian. It would cost less in points to have a DVC there.
I'd love a DVC in the Boston area.

 

[littlestar]

We bought a Marriott because of the exact thing you're talking about - Disney and Marriott together is a pretty neat combination for us.

When we bought our Marriott we were able to join II (Interval International) with an individual membership. Besides being able to trade our Marriott through II (we don't trade our DVC), we get access to Interval's reduced cash Getaway weeks - extra vacations without giving up your week. We now have the best of both worlds.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

The issue facing Disney isn't one of where we DVC members want to stay. The real question is if there's an off-site location where Disney Vacation Development (DVD) can profitably sell DVC ownerships to new buyers and existing members.

At WDW, Disney already owns prime land. But, off-site, desirable land for timeshare resorts is rare and expensive.

At WDW, Disney has the ability to market to prospective buyers at Disney's resorts and theme parks. But, off-site, Disney would have to deal with high marketing costs, including costly premiums to get prospective buyers to attend "tours" (as the timeshare industry tends to call their sales pitches).

At WDW, Disney's brand name is very valuable. But, off-site, Disney's brand names may attract some prospective buyers, but may actually turn off other prospective buyers; in any case, Disney's brand is much less valuable off-site than at WDW.

At WDW, Disney has a history of selling timeshare inventory fairly quickly. And Disney can easily rent out unsold, undeclared inventory through CRO. But, off-site, if inventory sells more slowly (as was the case at VB and HHI), Disney faces the carrying costs on unsold inventory. And off-site, depending on the location, it could be more difficult to rent out unsold, undeclared inventory.

At WDW, Disney has the best competitive position against other timeshare developers. But, off-site, companies like Marriott, Starwood, Wyndham, Hyatt, and Hilton are likely to have a competitive advantage over Disney.

Now, having said all that, I actually think we may see the DVC brand on off-site timeshare resorts — despite Disney's experience with VB and HHI. If Disney can find investors to put up the capital and minimize Disney's risk, then Disney and the investors could leverage the DVC brand. The timeshare business — and the lodging business in general — have changed since VB and HHI. Disney has a respected brand; the timeshare industry is more respectable; and there's now a large existing base of DVC members to whom off-site DVC resorts can be marketed as a starting point.

 

[3DisneyKids]

Yes, I would love to see DVC in other areas....lots of places come to mind, including California, Paris (at DLRP), North Carolina's Outer Banks, the Keys, Alaska (imagine takine an AK cruise and then staying for a week in your villa...how awesome would that be?)

My ideal would be to take two vacations each year--one to WDW and the second to a DVC in some other great location.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Yes, I would love to see DVC in other areas....lots of places come to mind, including California, Paris (at DLRP), North Carolina's Outer Banks, the Keys, Alaska (imagine takine an AK cruise and then staying for a week in your villa...how awesome would that be?)

Marriott has an on-site timeshare resort at Disneyland Paris. It overlooks the Golf Disneyland course. Unfortunately, Marriott's Village d'ile-de-France is not on the the DVC World Passport Collection list because Disney wants you to use your DVC points for the Disney resorts at Disneyland Paris.

Alaska would be problematic for any timeshare developer. The tourist season in Alaska is short — May through September, with the main demand in July and August. Even the cruise ships disappear most of the year.

Timeshares work best in locations where there is demand all year, even if there are high and low seasons. Orlando and Hawaii are good examples of all-year destinations. In desert locations like Scottsdale and Palm Desert, it's darn hot in the summer, but there's demand anyway because of school vacations (and air conditioning and swimming pools).

My ideal would be to take two vacations each year--one to WDW and the second to a DVC in some other great location.

That's why many of us own a Marriott (or other high-quality timeshare brand) week in addition to DVC.

 

[mbhoxsie]

I have been waiting for another offsite DVC resort for years... I know all of the arguements against it, but having more offsite options enchances the value of the overall plan.. As several of you have said, you own at a competitor's timeshare as well... Wouldn't DVC want to keep as many members as possible from going outside the club?

Let's also not forget that the club is in a different place than it was 3 or 4 years ago.. With SSR springing up, contracts now ending in 2054, and the number of members expanding all the time, it will get harder and harder to book the only two offsite resorts in the plan.. Without some other options in the next 5-6 years, you may have to get the advantage of 11 month booking window to go offsite..

Also, within the last year or two DVC has been marketing itself in DL.... There are more and more members on the west coast asking for a place to stay a little closer to home..

 

[DisDaydreamer]

Not tired of it, but then we're not there every year. We generally rotate between VB, HHI, and BWV, and then throw in a new one now and then. It would be nice to have another off-site. We have used the concierge collection a couple of times to go to AZ and NC for something different, but you have to do a week with concierge. I love the beach, so I would hope for another beach resort.

 

[spiceycat]

Disney is too expensive for use offsite.

You can get a nice offsite timeshare for around $3,000 - sometimes more - lots of time less.

so for a little more than a 25 point add on - you can get an offsite timeshare that you can trade for any others. - try summer months - especially offsite - and for offsite if you get a fixed week you can trade at 24 months.

floating week 10 to 13 months depending upon who you own with for that week.

Disney does NOT want to compete with these timeshares. It considered itself the best. Along with the Marriott.

you might also want to consider Thanksgiving week - more and more kids are out for that entire week.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

I know all of the arguements against it, but having more offsite options enchances the value of the overall plan..

I agree.

But as I noted earlier, Disney must be able to sell those "off-site options." Otherwise they won't be part on the DVC member inventory available to all DVC members at the 7-month point. And it has to be a viable business proposition for Disney. If high land costs, marketing costs, and carrying costs make the venture questionable, then it doesn't make sense for Disney to proceed — even if existing and new DVC members (with ownership at WDW DVC resorts) would love to have a chance at Hawaii or Colorado at 7 months, as part of the "overall plan."

 

[Laurajean1014]

I wouldn't mind additional DVC locations throughout the world. However, airfare to Orlando is quite reasonable, so it's an easy vacation.

 

[spiceycat]

I have been reading about all of these proposed new DVC resorts ... but they're all still in Orlando!

you know there is a bunch in Orlando to do besides WDW.

get the free guides from

www.orlandoinfo.com and
www.floridakiss.com

you might be surprised at how much other stuff you can do in central florida.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I keep hoping for a DVC/Hawaii! I don't even care which Island, but I'd hope NOT Oahu. That is about the ONLY thing that would entice me to add on more points. We have plenty for our WDW stays, and I wouldn't want to give those up, but I DO want to be able to more easily use my DVC for HAwaii, and the exchanges, while possible are just a bit dicey. Even though the accommodations are fine, they aren't really up to DVC standards.

 

[disneymom8589]

I would love to see a DVC at the DLR for us West Coasters!

 

[bpmorley]

you know there is a bunch in Orlando to do besides WDW.

get the free guides from

www.orlandoinfo.com and
www.floridakiss.com

you might be surprised at how much other stuff you can do in central florida.

There might be, but people bought DVC for Disney. If we go down for a week we're spending maybe 1 day outside of WDW. I guess that's why WDW keeps the ME around. noplace to go