New Family Suites at Disney vs DVC

[WithFaith50]

I just read the following from mousesavers.com:

New Family Suites at Disney's All-Star Music Resort

We've just learned that 192 "family suite" units will soon open in the Calypso and Jazz buildings at Disney's All-Star Music Resort. These 520 square foot suites include all new furniture, two full baths and a kitchenette with microwave, 4.3 cubic feet cube refrigerator, sink, coffee/tea pot and limited cabinet space.

The main bedroom in the new family suites has a queen bed and 27" flat screen TV. The second room has a double sleeper sofa, convertible twin chair sleeper and convertible twin ottoman. The units are all non-smoking and have high-speed Internet access (daily fee).

"Rack rates" (full price) for the family suites are $169 value season, $209 regular, $239 peak, $259 holiday.

The suites are not yet available for booking but it is anticipated that they will open for reservations very soon.
====================================

Do any of you think that this will make DVC a "less attractive" purchase (especially if you can get a passholder rate)?

 

[Buckalew11]

I think for some people it would but not most people who are looking into DVC. If it is space you are looking for and it is just a trip to WDW every 2 yrs. or so, those suites will be sooo nice for families. But I think people who buy into DVC are wanting a different vacation experience than a value resort experience.

BTW, I have stayed plenty of times at Values and have no problem with them. Am looking at DVC and all I can say is that I am looking for a different kind of vacation now.

 

[Chuck S]

I think for some people it would but not most people who are looking into DVC. If it is space you are looking for and it is just a trip to WDW every 2 yrs. or so, those suites will be sooo nice for families. But I think people who buy into DVC are wanting a different vacation experience than a value resort experience.

BTW, I have stayed plenty of times at Values and have no problem with them. Am looking at DVC and all I can say is that I am looking for a different kind of vacation now.

I agree, we often spend our first night at POP, as we drive and allow an extra day in case of poor road conditions, etc. While the value resorts are fairly nice, they are not the overall experience/quality of DVC villas.

While the suites at All Stars may be attractive, and nicely appointed, they are not comparable to a DVC room for most owners. They will probably appeal to those folks that may rent points for a studio, thus perhaps dropping a little point rental demand...but overall I think the impact will be negligible for DVC. I don't think DVC ownership was ever something that was overly financially attractive to families that were perfectly happy staying at value resorts - they have a different vacationing style. DVC ownership always made more financial sense to people that would usually stay at Moderate and Deluxe class resorts.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

While these new suites may have space and nice amenities, it doesn't sound like a full kitchen, and there are no washers and dryers in the rooms and you are still at the AllStars with the AllStars ambiance, or lack thereof.

The only thing they have that DVC villas don't is that 27" flatscreen, and I don't know about you, but I don't go to Disney to watch t.v.

 

[tmt martins]

While these new suites may have space and nice amenities, it doesn't sound like a full kitchen, and there are no washers and dryers in the rooms and you are still at the AllStars with the AllStars ambiance, or lack thereof.

The only thing they have that DVC villas don't is that 27" flatscreen, and I don't know about you, but I don't go to Disney to watch t.v.

Flatscreen tv I think is just a better tube TV .Flatpanel is the one you can put on a wall so thats not a real sale.

I do think this is great for the families or 4 & 5 that want a little more room with out spliting up or having to get a 2 bdrm DVC.

 

[Disney Doll]

I think for some people it would but not most people who are looking into DVC. If it is space you are looking for and it is just a trip to WDW every 2 yrs. or so, those suites will be sooo nice for families. But I think people who buy into DVC are wanting a different vacation experience than a value resort experience.

BTW, I have stayed plenty of times at Values and have no problem with them. Am looking at DVC and all I can say is that I am looking for a different kind of vacation now.

I agree with this wholeheartedly. Couldn't have said it better myself!!!

And what a great option for families who do not have the desire to go to WDW on a fairly regular basis (like DVCers do!), but when they are there, want a bit more space.

 

[Beca]

I think it will hurt the rental market a little bit. I mean, you can only put4 (or 5) in a 1bdrm, but it sounds like you can put 6 in one of these rooms. I think the kitchenette is a micro/fridge combo, and there are still no balconies in these rooms.

However, there is a certain "element" of DVC renters who really have not stayed at deluxes, and are not so adament about doing so....DVC owners who want/need to rent their points may lose these people as renters. However, there are only 192 of these rooms...I suspect they will fill quickly.

Also, people who want direct access to a park will not be satisfied with these rooms.



Beca

 

[DisneyTarheel]

Once my DD1 is too old to allow us to stay in a normal room, this could be an attractive option for those fri/sat stays.

 

[RweTHEREyet]

Oh, I do agree that these new suites are a wonderful new option. I just don't think they are any comparison to DVC villas. No matter how large the room, I would hate to think I was paying that much money to stay at the AllStars. And that is not meant to sound snobby, as I have had many, many, many stays at the AllStars and 3 stays at Pop Century so far.

I think Disney is smart in once again meeting the needs of some of their Guests that had been left out in the cold prior to this.

If these rooms had been available before I bought DVC, I don't think they would have been a factor in my decision to purchase.

 

[LisaS]

The thing that caught my attention is that they are all non-smoking.

 

[rogerram]

However, there are only 192 of these rooms...I suspect they will fill quickly.
Beca

I'm sure if these sell out, Disney would probably add more at the uncompleted section at POP to keep up with the demand. It's just waiting to get completed and this is perfect for it. Time will tell, but these rooms are a good thing for a larger family as an option.

 

[Scotch]

These 520 square foot suites include all new furniture, two full baths and a kitchenette with microwave, 4.3 cubic feet cube refrigerator, sink, coffee/tea pot and limited cabinet space.

So these 2BR units are roughly the size of two hotel units at this hotel? (Trying to imagine two bedrooms plus living/sitting area with that square footage.)

 

[Disney1fan2002]

The reason we looked into DVC and decided to buy, was the fact that once my youngest was 3yo, we would have to start renting two rooms at a value resort, or pay the higher price for the rooms that hold 5. DVC was the best value for how often we planned on going to WDW.

The rack rates quoted for the AS family suites is still more than renting two rooms. So, no, I don't think it will deter people from buying DVC, because there is no cost savings.

 

[bigsmooth]

So these 2BR units are roughly the size of two hotel units at this hotel? (Trying to imagine two bedrooms plus living/sitting area with that square footage.)

All Ears had a photo shoot of the rooms a little while back. There is not that much room in them.

http://allearsnet.com/acc/g_asuites.htm

I think the primary reason they did this was to compete with the suite hotels (like Doubletree and Embassy suites) and keep more people on property. Might impact rentals, but not sales. When I have to stay in a hotel, I prefer a suite, but I bought into DVC so I would not have to stay in a hotel when going to DW.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

So these 2BR units are roughly the size of two hotel units at this hotel? (Trying to imagine two bedrooms plus living/sitting area with that square footage.)

If I'm reading correctly the All Star family suites are not 2-bedroom (2BR) suites — they're 2-room suites. Both rooms serve as bedrooms. There's not a real living room as one would find in real 2BR.

Essentially, an interior door connects two hotel rooms with reconfigured furnishings and fixtures that pack a lot of functionality (including a kitchenette) into a small space.

These family suites should be a great option for families that want or need a little more room. But these suites won't be anything like DVC accommodations.

These suites will be the size of two small ("value") hotel rooms: 2 x 260 sq. ft. = 520 sq. ft.

In comparison, a 1BR at OKW is 942 sq. ft., and a 2BR is 1,395 sq. ft. At the other WDW DVC resorts, 1 1BR is over 700 sq. ft., and a 2BR is around 1,100 sq. ft.

 

[greenban]

If I'm reading correctly the All Star family suites are not 2-bedroom (2BR) suites — they're 2-room suites. Both rooms serve as bedrooms. There's not a real living room as one would find in real 2BR.

Essentially, an interior door connects two hotel rooms with reconfigured furnishings and fixtures that pack a lot of functionality (including a kitchenette) into a small space.

These family suites should be a great option for families that want or need a little more room. But these suites won't be anything like DVC accommodations.

These suites will be the size of two small ("value") hotel rooms: 2 x 260 sq. ft. = 520 sq. ft.

In comparison, a 1BR at OKW is 942 sq. ft., and a 2BR is 1,395 sq. ft. At the other WDW DVC resorts, 1 1BR is over 700 sq. ft., and a 2BR is around 1,100 sq. ft.

My hope and prayer, is that these suites (which sound very nice, I would have loved to have had them available before we were able to buy DVC - instead of 5 in a POR!)

Will greatly deminish the number of 'bargain hunter' renters from our midst. Persons more focused on the botom line cost of their vacation, I hope will fit well with these new Family Studios, where you do get a lot more for a lot less. Quality, Quantitly and Location are more or less important to renters on an individual basis!

-Tony

 

[dianeschlicht]

My hope and prayer, is that these suites (which sound very nice, I would have loved to have had them available before we were able to buy DVC - instead of 5 in a POR!)

Will greatly deminish the number of 'bargain hunter' renters from our midst. Persons more focused on the botom line cost of their vacation, I hopw will fit well with these new Family Studios, where you do get a lot more for a lot less. Quality, Quantitly and location are more or less importatnt to renters on an individual basis!

-Tony

And I think that would be a good thing, Tony.

 

[chris1gill]

Those pictures look great for families who need more room, but do not want to spend the extra money on a DVC accomodation.... I'm really glad Disney is finally trying to fill that niche market.

Now, if we could only get one of those pullout chairs or ottoman's in the 1 bedrooms, I'd be happy My DD is sick of sleeping with my DS on the pullout, but they're still young

 

[spiceycat]

they won't - they aren't up to DVC expectations....

I won't mind bunk beds - but DVC won't do that either.

I think they were mean to compete with the Holiday Inn - especially the new one - Nickelodeon Family Suites... when it was the holiday inn it couldn't rent at $69 the same rooms (with some updates of Sponge Bob) now rent for $266 to $569 per night....

holiday Inn showed disney there was a demand for this and that people would pay for it....

Disney has needed this for a long time. Lots of people who stay offsite - stay because Disney has nothing besides the FW cabins and DVC for them.

some people don't like the campground. others can't afford DVC. or don't want to rent from DVC members....

so I really think the demand for these things will be great!!!

plus hopefully Disney will finally complete the Pop century with these things - if they are a success with guests.

there is no reason for them not to be....

they are prices slightly lower than 2 rooms at the values... (not higher!!!)

Disney is seriously (finally) into families that can't fit into a regular hotel room....

this has been a long time in coming and hopefully will be a part of Disney forever...

now it is DVC resorts - as people have noted - these are a different type of vacation experience. It is the homes, condos, and other places offsite that might feel a letdown in their guests.

since these people are fighting for guests it will be good for the consumers...

Now if you want to stay onsite and your family is bigger than 4 - it was either pay deluxe prices - or stay in POR which I would have problems with I need my room - or stay offsite. Many were staying offsite....

disney is trying to get them back to onsite!!!

 

[DisFlan]

The new suites will probably be great for a lot of families who aren't suited to or interested in DVC. There may be a little overlap with the renting crowd, but not all that much.

I agree that they look like a totally different animal from DVC accommodations. I doubt there'll be much competition on that score. The pix don't look all that appealing to me, personally, but you never know - they might be just fine for a night or two. (I'm not a big AllStars fan to start with. And for me, 4 to 6 people in 520 sq. ft. would feel pretty crowded. But that's just me.)

These new suites will probably be a welcome alternative for many DVC families looking to save weekend points, stay on-site in the same room AND spend fewer bucks than they might at a mod or deluxe.

Looks like a win-win situation for a lot of folks.


DisFlan