Rumor boards says DVC to be sold!

[disneynutz]

I bought in because it was Disney. If it stops being Disney I see a whole lot of people, like me, selling...

Selling to who? Who do you think would buy?

 

[disneynutz]

Like most businesses today, offered enough money, Disney would sell any or everything.

 

[twinklebug]

Let's pretend for a moment that there is truth to the concept that Disney may be looking to sell DVC to someone. Many questions arise a few of which are:


Why is Disney selling? Did the other company approach Disney or was it the other way around?

Why would Disney be developing more off site properties if they were considering selling? (HI as hotel/DVC and something in DC)

The transaction, although not impossible, will be a little complicated with the DVCs being intermingled with deluxe resorts using the same facilities and in some cases, the same hallways. How would those be separated in the cases of VWL/WL, AKV/AKL, BWV/BW and BCV/BC?

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Even if Disney were to sell DVC, I'm positive they would be sure to keep a controlling interest of the organization through either stock ownership in the purchasing company or retaining Disney's share of points (another complicated issue there not worth getting into discussion about at this time.)

What I see occurring more these days are the HUGE companies acquire the companies with more experience in what they'd like to do better (Does the purchasing company offer anything to DVC that Disney has been having a hard time with?) If the offering buyer has a set of products that intrigues Disney, it's likely they in turn might just buy the company offering to purchase

So... now another question: What if Marriott (assuming this were the company offering to buy) timeshares suddenly became Disney products?

 

[Sammie]

how did y'all think they were going to pay for Marvel comics.

I agree with Disneynutz they would sell anything if the price was right.

Lately Disney has become so unDisney, I am not even sure I would care. I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express on the way to Disney World and the level of cleaniness and service experienced there, I have not seen at Disney for many years. The beds at HI Express were heavenly, breakfast delicious, free Wifi and I was much smarter when I left.

 

[Dean]

I bought in because it was Disney. If it stops being Disney I see a whole lot of people, like me, selling...

IMO, whether a given person will sell has no meaning, the only way you can actually hurt them is to hurt yourself by not paying your dues. ASAMOF, if each member sold out every few years, Disney would likely make a lot more money than on long term existing owners.

Still, I doubt this is likely but it is not as far fetched as some would like to think it is. And if the HI resort doesn't sell well, this could be far closer to reality than some would like to think.

 

[CarolAnnC]

DVC and DCL are still the two largest money makers for Disney. It would be in their best interest to hang on to them for sure.

Rumors are just that..rumors. I am still waiting to see the monorail go through the Swan and Dolphin hotels...just as the boat captains swore was going to happen..you can even see the squares in the buildings that will be cut out some day (or so they said..) lol.

 

[jennypenny]

I could see the opposite--Disney buying a couple of Marriott timeshare properties to expand without having to build. I just don't know how they'd work out a deal with current Marriott owners.

 

[eliza61]

Like most businesses today, offered enough money, Disney would sell any or everything.

Hey DN,
You hit the nail square on the head.
Do I think this is probably just a rumor. Yes
Do I think it is entirely possible. Yes.
I have worked for enough fortune 500 domestic and international companies over my life time to know there is only 1 hard and stead fast rule, companies have in the past and will continue to do any thing with enough money thrown at it.

What, you think DVC management has some kind of "loyalty" to it's owners.

 

[CMOORE185]

I could see the opposite--Disney buying a couple of Marriott timeshare properties to expand without having to build. I just don't know how they'd work out a deal with current Marriott owners.

I agree, Disney seems to be more of a buyer than a seller. ESPN and ABC ring a bell.

 

[dianeschlicht]

DVC and DCL are still the two largest money makers for Disney. It would be in their best interest to hang on to them for sure.

BUT...Many a big company knows that the best way to get what you want is to sell your biggest asset. I've seen it happen a lot. You sell off the most profitable to make the most profit.

 

[disney0505]

The question is if Disney did sell DVC, what would the impact be for the current owners? Do the point charts go out the window for a new system? I would imagine the contract term remains the same. Are the annual dues configured the same? What about the booking windows and annual pass perk?

 

[tjkraz]

The question is if Disney did sell DVC, what would the impact be for the current owners? Do the point charts go out the window for a new system? I would imagine the contract term remains the same. Are the annual dues configured the same? What about the booking windows and annual pass perk?

Any new timeshare manager would be initially bound by the terms of the POS...although it is likely they could amend it over time if they so desired.

The POS states that we will have at least a one month booking priority but the 7/11 month windows are not specifically mandated. Our ownership percentages would remain the same but the current point system could be scrapped in favor of another.

Perks would be entirely at Disney's discretion. Right now people in the DVC offices have to negotiate with Parks and Resorts to get the discounts we presently have available. If Disney were to farm-out management of DVC, there's no way of knowing how perks might be impacted.

 

[gkrykewy]

That is the same "original" thread that I quoted. However, I chose to ask everyone to look at post #33 on page 3.

Post #33 is from an engineer who supposedly interviewed with a Sr. VP who stated that:

1) tomorrowland skyway building would be demolished
2) fantasyland would get a huge revamping AND
3) DVC would be sold

I also did not put credence in the bus driver, but thought the post by the engineer was worthy of repeating, and opening for discussion, especially since there is evidence of both #1 & #2.

Uh huh... it's really easy to claim fore-knowledge after the fact for things that have already happened, and use this alleged knowledge to back a provocative prediction of the future.

Oldest trick in the book.

 

[Brian Noble]

Balderdash.

As Tim has pointed out, this makes zero business sense whatsoever. None. Why would Disney (a very well-capitalized company) sell a major asset in a down market? Why would they dilute their current economies-of-scale in managing resorts in the Orlando area? Why would they cut the cash flow of new DVC sales off at the knees in the middle of one of their largest expansionary periods?

 

[Duckfan-in-Chicago]

I was at a meeting with my bellhop in July and he was at a meeting the previous year and he had heard that:

1) The theme for 2009 was going to be 'What will you Celebrate'
2) There would be a new fireworks/desert party at the MK
and most interesting
3) The next DVC is at the Polynesian.

I called my guide and told her to put me on the list.

 

[Chuck S]

And another question would be, if it is truly a sale of DVC and not just a personnel agreement for staff, what's in it for Marriott? The existing sold out resorts have already fulfilled their biggest profit potential...new sales. Unless Disney suddenly sells off the Beach Club, Boardwalk Inn, Wilderness Lodge, Contemporary, Grand Californian, and Ko' Olina there would definately be problems with operating "combined" resorts that are under different management teams and terms of usage.

I mean, could you imagine cash guests being "disney" guests, with a problem addressing it with Disney, and DVC guests being Marriott guests...and then Disney having to address a cash guests problem with Marriott, who would now technically operate the villas.

 

[StevesBLT]

I was at a meeting with my bellhop in July and he was at a meeting the previous year and he had heard that:

1) The theme for 2009 was going to be 'What will you Celebrate'
2) There would be a new fireworks/desert party at the MK
and most interesting
3) The next DVC is at the Polynesian.

I called my guide and told her to put me on the list.

Thanks--I really needed a laugh today!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[aDVCguy]

Sold, Huh?

Well, then let me add that...

"Mission Space" will actually start bringing
us to the Red Planet starting next month...
according to a guy who dated a girl that lived next door
to some cousin of a ticket taker once married to...

 

[Piper260]

Well let me give you my .02 worth. I was at the Marriott Aruba Surf Club in August and we went on the sale presentation for the 15000 reward points. While talking to the salesman he told us that Marriott was going to buy DVC. I told him he was out of his mind. He said he was serious and it was going to happen but he didn't know when. Well take it for what it's worth but i am starting to think that there might be some validity to this rumor.
Just in case your wondering i own both DVC and MVIC (Marriott Vacation Club International)

 

[Chuck S]

Again, though, one has to wonder what is in it for Marriott? The majority of the resorts are sold, so the major profit engine is gone. While it would be a plus for any company to have the "prestige" of the DVC Branding, Marriott really doesn't need it, it is doing fine. Again, I just don't see it, unless Disney is including the management of all of their resorts. And imagine trying to make the computer systems talk to each other.

Of course, maybe the Marriott salesman in Aruba heard it from a Disney bus driver during a visit.