Potential of a Universal Studios "DVC"

[Gary Carter]

My wife and I just had a fun hypothetical discussion. We are disney people through and through, but we do enjoy Universal. Do you think if Universal put together something similar to DVC, would you buy in? I think we would; Universal seems to be on its way up right now and it seems like we would enjoy the trips, and it is likely to be an appreciating asset, like DVC has been.

Thoughs?

 

[skeeter31]

I can’t see UO investing in any time share for at least 10+ years at this point. Since their new park is now pretty much on indefinite hold, they’re not going to be starting any new projects. Now I could see them partner with a third party time share and have that company build a property on their grounds (would probably be Loews).

But, I also wouldn’t buy. As fun as UO is, it’s not a multiple day trip for us. It’s a 1-2 nighter tops. We’re AP holders there but don’t use them near as much as we use Disney APs (we live about an hour away and are also DVC).

 

[sethschroeder]

Someone would but I would not. Universal we can do with a single night stay and hitting each park for a single day. Who knows what happens when they open up the new park.

I also feel much of Universal is gimmicky with the theme like they just smashed together completely different IP they happened to buy rights to.

Others love Universal though so I assume some people would easily invest in something like that.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Well with the new huge property... perhaps?

Haven’t heard anything about that lately (since covid). Any news on that?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Unfortunately Disney used to raise the bar to keep far above the competition.
Last several years the competition has pushed the bar up, and Disney has done minimal to stay above that bar.
It’s hasn’t been pretty IMO.

 

[Chuck S]

If,, and that is a big if, Universal decides to do timeshares, it won't do nearly as well financially as DVC. Comcast Universal just doesn't have as much appeal as the Disney brand. I would expect them to compete with Disney + long before we see a timeshare. And if they do a timeshare, it will likely be built by and part of another timeshare system, like Marriott or Hilton, with just those near park locations slapping a Universal logo on it.

 

[condorthb]

I can't remember the name, but in USO they did have people trying to get you to go visit a local timeshare. If you went they offered $100.

We politely declined.

 

[andyman8]

Back in the mid-90s, there actually were early plans to include timeshares as part of the USF expansion into what is now known as Universal Orlando. They were to be located on the very south edge of the property by what is now VB and the Universal Creative/Loews Orlando offices, and they were going to surround a small golf course. This is back when the project was known as “Universal City Florida.” They ultimately abandoned the timeshare component when they scaled down the project for economic reasons. Remember though that this was at the height of timeshares’ “popularity.”

With all the land UOR has acquired, it wouldn’t surprise me to see them at some point (10-20 years down the road) take a serious look at timeshares or some sort of vacation residence/hotel condo concept but I’m doubtful they’d go through with it. Remember that UOR doesn’t actually build or own any hotels; Loews does and, as of now, Loews doesn’t have any sort of timeshare brand. If Loews were ever to develop one (which is unlikely but not impossible, given their bullish expansion lately), I’d have to imagine UOR would be a top contender for a location. I still think it’s unlikely.

 

[kanerf]

The easy thing to do would be for Universal to contract with one of the big timeshare companies like Hilton, Marriott or Wyndham to build and operate a timeshare property for them. Theming to Harry Potter world would be a winner in my opinion.

 

[Skywalker3]

we wouldn't consider one now, but in the past we probably would have. DVC is enough timeshare for us. Don't own any others, and don't want to. But if they'd had one back in the 90s, maybe. I love Universal and love staying on site at their Loews hotels, (HR and RPH) I wish Universal would have more fun themed hotels, even something like Pop/AoA. or the Legoland hotel. If they'd do HP, or a Nintendo themed one when that park opens, that would be fabulous! Wishing we could take a universal trip now....hopefully next year!

 

[LYSE]

We would likely consider enough "points" to cover maybe 2 nights a year in a basic room but that's about it..compared to our current 375 points in DVC.

 

[miTnosnhoJ]

I think there are a lot of timeshares close to Universal. But if they could create a Timeshare that was walkable to Universal and included some of the "fast pass" features that some of their hotel guests enjoy, then I think it would be very popular.

 

[Sandisw]

Would not be something I’d buy. Just not a fan.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

We like Universal and I've had my share of season passes there but would not be buying a timeshare there. When staying at WDW it's close enough. I do know that Universal has considered it in the past. It was mentioned above that they looked at in the 90's and I know they also have been looking at it since then. Probably a never say never thing but I rate it as unlikely to be a development done by Universal. Perhaps inviting in an existing timeshare to develop a property however.

 

[Brian Noble]

it is likely to be an appreciating asset

Doubtful. Disney has an almost unique reality distortion field.

 

[cm8]

Doubtful. Disney has an almost unique reality distortion field.

If Disney keeps its up... The name will
not carry them much longer. Our kids will move on to bigger and better things!

 

[tjkraz]

More likely that Universal would sell/lease land to an existing timeshare developer. Someone like Marriott or Wyndham may pay handsomely to have a Universal-affiliated resort as part of their portfolio.

A single stand-alone Universal resort has limited appeal. It's expensive to build up a brand. And even DVC has had some costly missteps along the way. Better for Comcast to let someone else do all the hard work while they cash the checks.

 

[Brian Noble]

If Disney keeps its up... The name will
not carry them much longer. Our kids will move on to bigger and better things!

The great thing about kids from Disney's perspective is that the world keeps on making more of them.

 

[mlayman7]

My wife and I have discussed this previously. We would love this idea and treat it like we currently vacation, spend a week at Disney followed by half a week at universal. UVC us in! If they converted any of their top resorts, Hard Rock (our favorite), portofino, or Royal pacific then Yes we would be all in.

 

[eMoneyBug]

If they built a Hogwarts Resort or Transformers Resort or some theme we really like, we would definitely stay there but I still wouldn't buy!