preliminary unconfirmed pricing information for new bungalows

[wallrock]

Jim hill = useless

You know where I'm at there.

Water bungalows at wilderness...however... Would be a much lower/tougher sell.

Why?
Think about it?

No choo choo and you can't visually "stroke the castle"

Agreed. Viewing of The Precious is critical.

Now I could see a portion of the beach on the other side of the ferry dock being consumed.

 

[Laketravis]

According to the article, the first phase of the project opens April 1, 2015.

Fool's day. How appropriate.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Agreed. Viewing of The Precious is critical.

Now I could see a portion of the beach on the other side of the ferry dock being consumed.

...logistically tough...but over by laua cove? Avoiding line of sight from the princess wedding factory?

Hmmmm....

"Precious"...that's beyond perfect and I can see Sauron searching for it.
Well done

 

[lockedoutlogic]

It is not only the rich and pretentious who would want to stay there. I would suck up the point cost for a 2 bedroom, at least once. My 82 year old father has always wanted to stay in a over the water bungalow in Tahiti or Bora Bora. He is not strong enough to go to the actual place, nor could I afford to send him on a vacation there... but I might be able to get him a few nights at the Poly with my DVC. For some people that is as close as they can get to the real thing... and to make my Dad happy... it would be worth the outrageous point cost.

Wow...

You are SO the outlier.

And going to bay lake and getting shut out of Ohana on a Thursday night isn't even close to Tahiti.

It's your thing and I get it the way you explained it...

But no matter how much they overspend on theming... Walt Disney world is an amusement complex - not a substitute for anything with authenticity.

I got Married in EPCOT...but that doesn't make me think I can skip Paris, Tokyo, or Venice

I'm not trying to be mean...but this is much more about the operation of DVC and how the math behind it works... Not the poly or the huts themselves.

Please...don't spread the standard "market wants it" and "to each his own" arguments.

Some things are over the line and I don't always get what I want. Not sure anybody else should either.
Again, no offense.

 

[rteetz]

Jim hill = useless You know where I'm at there. Water bungalows at wilderness...however... Would be a much lower/tougher sell. Why? Think about it? No choo choo and you can't visually "stroke the castle"

I know I was just saying it's rumored. The conversion of rooms to DVC seems quite likely tho.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I know I was just saying it's rumored. The conversion of rooms to DVC seems quite likely tho.

You know I don't believe rumors at wdw...

But I will give "critical mass" consideration when "alot" of rumors start to match.

I think there's just too much fire behind the smoke of the wilderness lodge.
That coupled with dvcs formula...which really NEEDS to continue expansion (eloquently stated here many times by those much wiser than I).

So the poly is an easy sell... Grand will be out within weeks/months...need sumpin' to sell

And that is gonna be conversion. Wilderness in the lead... Beach club, more poly, and more grand right there behind.
I don't know the occupancy of animal
Kingdom...but don't overlook that one either.

The thing that hit me was the report of occupancy at wilderness between 50-60%. From the resort perspective... That simply won't do. Those rooms have to be filled to generate revenue in the parks and shops. Vacancy hold
No merit for operations and never has.

They simply out priced wilderness and there's no way to go back. Pretty clear.
I think they were fearful of that at poly/ grand/ and contemp too...they are just doing conversion BEFORE it hit the wall Like at WL.

 

[Suger Mag]

Wow...

You are SO the outlier.

And going to bay lake and getting shut out of Ohana on a Thursday night isn't even close to Tahiti.

It's your thing and I get it the way you explained it...

But no matter how much they overspend on theming... Walt Disney world is an amusement complex - not a substitute for anything with authenticity.

I got Married in EPCOT...but that doesn't make me think I can skip Paris, Tokyo, or Venice

I'm not trying to be mean...but this is much more about the operation of DVC and how the math behind it works... Not the poly or the huts themselves.

Please...don't spread the standard "market wants it" and "to each his own" arguments.

Some things are over the line and I don't always get what I want. Not sure anybody else should either.
Again, no offense.

LOL... no offense taken, my Dad would prefer Bora Bora too...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

LOL... no offense taken, my Dad would prefer Bora Bora too...

Good...

I'm "rarely" ever miffed or spiteful on this boards...
I just get accused of it 97.638% of the time

I tend to be raw and I've seen an economic war going on against the customers - particularly the "base" for many years now. I don't like it.

But I didnt want you to think I was on the attack against you...I really do see where you're coming from.

 

[eeyorepixie]

I have never been very interested in owning DVC. My friends and family have always been surprised by this fact, considering how often I go to Disney and how much I love it. However, I just never saw the value in it.

I would much rather put my money in real property and I can get more for my money usually with Disney Discounts, renting points or staying on Disney Property at Bonnet Creek if I really want room.

I have often said, the only property that would ever tempt me into DVC was the POLY.

However, the prices are just outrageous and especially for a modern 70's look. Gosh, can the POLY ever get rid of the Brady's go to Hawaii look.
YECK!

I do think the huts look cool on the water, but then again that is water with brain eatin critters in it...again YECK!

I know I should not be surprised, by anything Disney will charge, but now seeing what they are offering and at what price...

I will now have to say there is NO DVC property that would ever tempt me.

I actually think it is rather ridiculous the money people will shell out for something they will never really own.
Well, as the saying goes...a fool and their money, will soon be parted.
I am sure they will be happy fools, and I guess it is not a big deal for people who have money to burn, but again I just do not see any real value in it.

 

[TXAKDisneyFan]

It is not only the rich and pretentious who would want to stay there. I would suck up the point cost for a 2 bedroom, at least once. My 82 year old father has always wanted to stay in a over the water bungalow in Tahiti or Bora Bora. He is not strong enough to go to the actual place, nor could I afford to send him on a vacation there... but I might be able to get him a few nights at the Poly with my DVC. For some people that is as close as they can get to the real thing... and to make my Dad happy... it would be worth the outrageous point cost.

I think it's very admirable that you'd use your (probably hard-saved) money and other resources on a vacation for your father.

That being said, I can't imagine that the Poly bungalows come anywhere close to the ones in Bora Bora - the benefits of the overwater bungalows in French Polynesia, and Bora Bora specifically, are being surrounded by that impossibly blue lagoon, watching marine life pass under your room (we had a glass bottom floor with a light so we could watch fish, small sharks, etc day and night), and being able to step right off of your private patio into the cleanest water imaginable. I LOVE WDW, but the water has never struck me as being very clean - hard to see whatever fish might be there - and you can't swim in it (I wouldn't want to even if it was permitted). Is the view from the new Poly bungalows any better than the view someone who hasn't paid $$$$$ can get (either by staying in another castle view room, standing on the beach, or dining at some place like Cali Grill)?

Lacking the previously mentioned perks of the *real* bungalows, what is the point of the Poly ones? Why spend a king's ransom on something that, as far as I can tell, only approximates the look of the real thing without providing any of the actual benefits - the real reasons overwater bungalows even exist?

No doubt, a trip to Bora Bora is expensive, and the overwater bungalows there are not cheap. But taking a week-long vacation to French Polynesia (including RT airfare!) and staying in the most expensive room type is still cheaper than staying in the Poly bungalows for a week (not including travel, park tix, etc) - and that's INSANE.

 

[mkunichi]

As a DVC owner who often rents points in the last 4 months of my use year, I've noticed that the only consistent availability is studios and 1BR at SSR and, to a certain extent, OKW. There certainly isn't any availability at VWL, even. The jury is out on BLT and VGF because of their newness, but I doubt we'll see last-minute availability there.

I'd argue that this indicates that there *might* be a market for "high margin" DVC units available for last-minute bookings - that is, not at the 11 month or 7 month windows, to cater to families who don't want to plan 7 months or 11 months out.

Does this market really exist? Dunno. Is it ethical to exploit this market? Dunno. If it does exist I do kinda wish that these people could "fund" cheaper point rates for the rest of the market - just like the Premier Season vacationers "fund" cheaper vacations for the "Adventure Season" people.

Regarding cash buyers, I think it's a mistake to assume that all the wealthy people are like the ones with reality TV shows or are movie stars. I suspect that the majority of the wealthy - and I'd classify wealthy as a one percenter i.e. over 40 and making more than $300k a year, don't have servants or nannies or chauffeurs. They just live very comfortably and want convenience, space and quiet.

Does anyone have stats on actual central booking cash rates for 2 bedroom villas at BLT or VGF? That might give us some info on whether the cash market exists.

 

[beer dave]

You know I don't believe rumors at wdw...

But I will give "critical mass" consideration when "alot" of rumors start to match.

I think there's just too much fire behind the smoke of the wilderness lodge.
That coupled with dvcs formula...which really NEEDS to continue expansion (eloquently stated here many times by those much wiser than I).

So the poly is an easy sell... Grand will be out within weeks/months...need sumpin' to sell

And that is gonna be conversion. Wilderness in the lead... Beach club, more poly, and more grand right there behind.
I don't know the occupancy of animal
Kingdom...but don't overlook that one either.

The thing that hit me was the report of occupancy at wilderness between 50-60%. From the resort perspective... That simply won't do. Those rooms have to be filled to generate revenue in the parks and shops. Vacancy hold
No merit for operations and never has.

They simply out priced wilderness and there's no way to go back. Pretty clear.
I think they were fearful of that at poly/ grand/ and contemp too...they are just doing conversion BEFORE it hit the wall Like at WL.

Think of the new AK lodge--- within walking distance from AK, and with stilt buildings on the savanna....... feed a giraffe out your window.....

 

[Suger Mag]

I think it's very admirable that you'd use your (probably hard-saved) money and other resources on a vacation for your father.

That being said, I can't imagine that the Poly bungalows come anywhere close to the ones in Bora Bora - the benefits of the overwater bungalows in French Polynesia, and Bora Bora specifically, are being surrounded by that impossibly blue lagoon, watching marine life pass under your room (we had a glass bottom floor with a light so we could watch fish, small sharks, etc day and night), and being able to step right off of your private patio into the cleanest water imaginable. I LOVE WDW, but the water has never struck me as being very clean - hard to see whatever fish might be there - and you can't swim in it (I wouldn't want to even if it was permitted). Is the view from the new Poly bungalows any better than the view someone who hasn't paid $$$$$ can get (either by staying in another castle view room, standing on the beach, or dining at some place like Cali Grill)?

Lacking the previously mentioned perks of the *real* bungalows, what is the point of the Poly ones? Why spend a king's ransom on something that, as far as I can tell, only approximates the look of the real thing without providing any of the actual benefits - the real reasons overwater bungalows even exist?

No doubt, a trip to Bora Bora is expensive, and the overwater bungalows there are not cheap. But taking a week-long vacation to French Polynesia (including RT airfare!) and staying in the most expensive room type is still cheaper than staying in the Poly bungalows for a week (not including travel, park tix, etc) - and that's INSANE.

Everyone keeps talking about just go to the real thing... it would cost the same... Ummm no, for us at least it would not cost the same... the Poly would be way less exspensive.

Also for us it is not about replacing the real thing just 'because'... it is about substituting for the real thing because that is the only realistic option for our family... financially and physically. When I travel with my senior parents it is an entirely different travel situation than when I travel just with my husband and kids (13/19).

Reality: nonstop 3 hour plane ride from Massachusetts (BDL>>MCO) for under $300 RT per person vs a 36+ hour plane (total travel time) ride likely with multiple stops, for $1700 per person to Bora Bora

Reality: No out of pocket for room cost as I would be using DVC points (already paid for) vs out of pocket $1000+ per night for the real thing

So for the basics... for a family of 6 for 4 nights in Bora Bora + airfare (based on prices quoted already by PPs): $14,200... likely we would have to add a second room so $18,400.

For a family of 6 for 4 nights using DVC points in a 2 bedroom at the Poly + airfare = $1200

Not sure about your math... but even factoring my DVC dues, buying park tickets and food is not going to come close to $17,200

However...
My BIGGEST Reality: Handicapped senior citizen who (besides missing a foot) cannot walk more than 40 or 50 feet without needing to stop and sit due to COPD. With WDW I know we can get easily get to transportation... rent a scooter/use a scooter... handicapped bathrooms.. accessible pools etc. Unless a pool has either steps or is zero entry... it is useless to my folks and might as well be a big fountain to stare at.

Handicapped seniors (at least mine) do not do well with walking on sand (last time was a fall that dislocated a hip)... nor climbing ladders in and out of that pristine blue water with all those pretty fishies in that over the water bungalow in Bora Bora.

Seeing as the major highlight of my Dad's life recently was the Christmas Story marathon on TV over the holiday... I think sitting at WDW watching TV would be OK.... or walking outside to sit and watch the scenery and/or fireworks... or even fish for mutant bass...

My Dad was very lucky in his younger days... and he (and I) traveled to many fantastic real places... but now he is at the end stages of his life. Of course he would prefer the real thing... just like he would prefer to be 47 again with all his parts functional. But reality dictates what is possible for his travels now...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I don't think going to the "real thing" is realistic/cheaper than going to Disney world...

I think the point is that those rooms will never be worth $2100 a night or the point cost.

I go with my previous comment: it's vanity...and an outright ripoff to those (such as yourself) that aren't looking for vanity.

It's Also that going to Disney has become a "travel crutch"...me too...and that works against us all.
It's amusement parks...nice ones...but still. We need to limit our consumption of the "luxury" snake oil..
Cause it's gonna hurt the wallet.

 

[Suger Mag]

Think of the new AK lodge--- within walking distance from AK, and with stilt buildings on the savanna....... feed a giraffe out your window.....

In all honesty, I think that would be awesome... AKV is my home resort.

 

[Suger Mag]

I don't think going to the "real thing" is realistic/cheaper than going to Disney world...

I think the point is that those rooms will never be worth $2100 a night or the point cost.

I go with my previous comment: it's vanity...and an outright ripoff to those (such as yourself) that aren't looking for vanity.

Yup, but one that I might be willing to suffer.

It's Also that going to Disney has become a "travel crutch"...me too...and that works against us all.
It's amusement parks...nice ones...but still. We need to limit our consumption of the "luxury" snake oil..
Cause it's gonna hurt the wallet.

For me it is the opposite. We did a lot of international travel during the 90's and into early 2000s. The now defunct 'ClubABC International' out of your home of 'Joisey' was great in its day for airfare+hotel packages. Now just the airfare to Europe is insane. So now we have switched more to US travel and only recently (2008) added WDW to our forays (LOL can't really count going once when I was 12 in 1980).

When will the point charts for the Poly be published?

 

[nkosiek]

Yup, but one that I might be willing to suffer.



For me it is the opposite. We did a lot of international travel during the 90's and into early 2000s. The now defunct 'ClubABC International' out of your home of 'Joisey' was great in its day for airfare+hotel packages. Now just the airfare to Europe is insane. So now we have switched more to US travel and only recently (2008) added WDW to our forays (LOL can't really count going once when I was 12 in 1980).

When will the point charts for the Poly be published?

Go to the DVC boards. They've been leaked since Thursday/Friday.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Go to the DVC boards. They've been leaked since Thursday/Friday.

They're also live on the DVC website now...if you need the "officiality" to it

 

[Suger Mag]

Go to the DVC boards. They've been leaked since Thursday/Friday.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3366939

Whew ... here is the link for anyone interested. Must confess I was hoping all the bluster about how many points was still conjecture... silly rabbit.

LOL We will see how nice my dad is to me in the next couple of years ... Although watching the giraffes from the balcony at AKV is also pretty cool ... and he is a sucker for the "snacks" of club level, which is suddenly looking VERY reasonable

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Actually the studios are not "as bad" as they could have probably made them/sold
Them...

But still the trend is whack...5,6,8,+ more a night for the "view"?
The cost of a studio at old key for a night for about the first 17 years?
Jeez...matter of perspective...I suppose.

Disney has always made a ton of cash off "the view"...which is pure, above the overhead profits...
But the travel industry has also know for years that's pure ripoff.

I would never condone paying strictly for "view"...location maybe...not view.

Unless you were in actual Tahiti...might splurge for a view then maybe...