NY Doorway to Dreams Review & Rumor

[apollosdad]

I was traveling through LI last week for work and decided to stop in at the new Doorway to Dreams. My wife and I were supposed to attend the grand opening event, but we couldn't make it. Here's what I noticed:
1) I don't think it's in a very high traffic part of the mall
2) During the approximately 40 mins I was there, I was the only person to come into the center and there was no one already inside when I showed up.
3) They were very well staffed but of all the people I spoke with, the guide seemed to be the least knowledgeable.

Overall I do not think it's a large success, but hopefully I'll be proven wrong.

I don't want to say when I visited or who I spoke with to keep some anonymity, but here goes the specifics and ultimately big rumor. I told them right away I was already a DVC owner and just stopped in to "see what all the fuss was about". I did get the tour of the 1BR BLT room, which was very nice. I told the guide how I recently stayed at a BLT studio and I must say, when I was in the mock room I had a weird feeling rush over me like I actually was in WDW. It was a fun feeling. The guide was very talkative and I mentioned that I have a HHI trip set up and we went over to the computer to look at pictures of that resort. I asked a few questions about the resort that he couldn't answer, and I asked about AKV points, didn't get clear answers there either. I was a little disappointed.

So here's the rumor. He knew I wasn't going to buy points so he started talking to my about the Hawaii project. I obviously asked the questions we are all thinking like if he had a point chart, any idea on how much points would be, etc. He did not know any of that. But he did say something very clear and deliberate to me. He said that the people signing up to be called by their guide when Aulani goes on sale has surpassed any of their expectations. They expect to sell out much faster than expected. He went on to say that he just got an email from corporate that they are already looking for a location for ANOTHER DVC/Hotel resort in Hawaii. He said it will be on a different island but will be going up as soon as this one is finished. I thought that was pretty interesting, and definitely not something he should have shared with me.

Any other questions about my visit, let me know.

 

[hakepb]

Interesting.
Hearing hype from a guide does not sound unusual.
Since it sounds most knowledgeable Hawaii visitors would plan to spend time on other islands, too, then a mention of another island would not really take away from the immediate sales (vs mentioning another monorail resort would reduce BLT sales, because most members would not want to stay at BLT and Poly and/or GF on the same stay)

If they are looking for more land, it might be timing (good buyers market, now) and/or planning a new resort takes 10 years so they better be investigating something, now.

 

[bwvBound]

But he did say something very clear and deliberate to me. He said that the people signing up to be called by their guide when Aulani goes on sale has surpassed any of their expectations. They expect to sell out much faster than expected.

Weren't similar things said of The Grand Californian and BLT?

 

[Quilter007]

Just because people are INTERESTED in Hawaii, doesn't mean they are going to cough up the dough. They may just be interested in going once or twice in the next few decades, just like VGC. Sigh!

 

[AnnaS]

I am wondering if they should have opened up a Doorway to Dreams in Manhattan instead of Long Island. People go there from all over the world/tri-state area.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Frankly, I don't put much stock in things like that said by guides. By their own admission, they are the last to know about details.

 

[karrit2000]

I am a local & visited the storefront to get my special DVC Christmas ornament. You are right that the location isn't in a high traffic area but it is located close to one of the most expensive Department Stores in the Mall. I'm not expecting it to last very long but time will tell. They do have a kiosk set up on the lower level of the mall in a very high traffic area. And there are numerous signs throughout the mall advertising the Doorway to Dreams location. My personal experience was that they knew I was just there for my gift but the guide I spoke with was the typical front man to get you in the door and answer questions as best he could. Personally I'll stick with my original guide as long as she is available. As for the Rumor about a new Hawaii resort, there are always rumors & given enough time some do come true. GCV was a rumor from the day the plans for The Grand Californian were drawn and it took almost 10 years for the rumor to be confirmed. The fact that it isn't sold out yet I'm sure is a big disappointment for DVC. I'm sorry I jumped to purchase as soon as it was available to me because I could have gotten a much better deal if I had waited a few months for the LI Doorway to Dreams Preview sale. Just remember, they are sales people & their job is to sell to you however they can. They'll tell you whatever rumor they think you want to hear.