Rumor Mill.... DVC @ the Grand Floridian??

[Darkside]

I understand there is construction going on near The Grand Floridian, but I read that is is supposed to be a Four seasons Hotel and another post I read was that is was going to be a GF DVC? Has anyone seen any permits for this construction? I am just curious because I saw the permits online for Bay Lake Towers before they broke ground and everyone was saying nothing was going on, even after a building was going up? I know there are some good Disney detectives out there?

 

[tjkraz]

There is some refurbishment work going on at the Grand Floridian but nothing I would call "construction."

The new Four Seasons hotel site is a couple miles away on Bay Lake. (GF is on the Seven Seas Lagoon.) Four Seasons is up Bonnet Creek Parkway headed away from OKW, POFQ and POR.

I'm sure DVC has investigated the possibility of putting units at both the GF and the Poly. But with four separate sites currently for sale, Hawaii under construction and a new land purchase outside of Washington DC, I don't think we'll see any further development at WDW in the immediate future.

 

[Anal Annie]

We have a friend who used to be a CM who told us years ago that a GF DVC was a possibility bcuz they have the land for it over there (as if it's been discussed as a future plan among the powers that be).

He also told us about BLT before anything ever was going on over there (so I trust what he said). But so it would not surprise me if ONE DAY it happened. Not saying that's what you're seeing right now. Just that it could happen. There's also some little island somewhere near WL that could be developed as well one day.... I am sure as a developer that Disney has 5 year, 10 year, 15 year & 20 year plans...

 

[monkeyknuckler]

The only way that we would buy into a GF DVC is if it had a pool on the roof.

 

[ssawka]

I do think that we will see a GF DVC long before we see a Poly DVC. Correct me if I'm wrong as I haven't been to all of them, but aren't all of the DVCs that are connected to resorts in a building that is off by itself, so GF would be able to accommodate that design far better than Poly could. Also, since I think Poly is the most popular resort, I would think it would be in Disney's best interests to add hotel rooms not DVC units.

 

[erionm]

I do think that we will see a GF DVC long before we see a Poly DVC. Correct me if I'm wrong as I haven't been to all of them, but aren't all of the DVCs that are connected to resorts in a building that is off by itself, so GF would be able to accommodate that design far better than Poly could. Also, since I think Poly is the most popular resort, I would think it would be in Disney's best interests to add hotel rooms not DVC units.

DVC took over the 5th and 6th floors of the Animal Kingdom Lodge and converted those hotel rooms in to DVC Units.

 

[Darkside]

Disney has been successful with DVC, in fact it has been a while since they have made a Disney only hotel. I remember reading somewhere that is where Disneys focus is, building more DVCs. I have noticed that even with the amount of DVCs available now that reservations can be tough to get at times.

 

[jstarcze]

The only way that we would buy into a GF DVC is if it had a pool on the roof.

 

[tjkraz]

Disney has been successful with DVC, in fact it has been a while since they have made a Disney only hotel. I remember reading somewhere that is where Disneys focus is, building more DVCs.

That's primarily because Disney over-built their own cash accommodations. When they have to offer "free dining" and other incentives, it demonstrates how there are just too many Disney rooms (at Disney prices) relative to guest demand.

I have noticed that even with the amount of DVCs available now that reservations can be tough to get at times.

I believe the main reason for that is because the point charts had gotten so far out of whack. There were more and more members--new and old--gravitating to the same seasons and the same days of the week (weekdays.) During the weekends many rooms are sitting empty. With DVC selling enough points for the resorts to be filled year-round, and demand for weekends being very soft, competition for the weekdays and popular vacation periods has only grown more intense.

The 2010 reallocation to balance weekday/weekend usage combined with a future reallocation to update the DVC seasons should fix a lot of that.

Don't get me wrong--DVC has been a big cash cow for Disney. But between AKV, BLT and SSR they currently have about 300-400 units ready to be sold. That's a pretty big pile of unsold inventory.

Hawaii will add another 450 units to the system in 2011.

In terms of the WDW resorts, that inventory could easily keep them selling for 2-4 years. Even if the Grand Floridian is the next DVC site, it would probably be conversion of existing rooms. The AKV/Jambo conversion showed us that Disney can complete a project like that in about 9 months. So they could easily announce a DVC Grand Floridian in 2012 and have it ready for sales in 2013.

If I were a betting man, I'd put my money on a second Contemporary Tower being the next DVC project. If so, the Grand Floridian could be even further down the road.

 

[DebbieB]

GF is the one place I might give up my BWV for.

 

[mjy]

GF is the one place I might give up my BWV for.

Not me. I wouldn't give up my easy walk to my two favorite parks. The resort is beautiful, don't get me wrong. But I like my BWV.

Then again, that's why there are so many different DVC's, eh? Everybody has a different set of likes and dislikes.

 

[smjj]

Gee, i seem to remember about 3 years ago people here starting threads about what is now BLT. All the banter back and forth for many months before anything ever came of it. I guess I will take a "wait and see" and consider any talk about a GF/DVC as just that, talk...smjj

 

[kaffinito]

The new Four Seasons hotel site is a couple miles away on Bay Lake. (GF is on the Seven Seas Lagoon.) Four Seasons is up Bonnet Creek Parkway headed away from OKW, POFQ and POR.

Yep. I asked and reasked, and that's the new Four Seasons. It's in a good location, and it would be a nice place to stay methinks.

But as new members, it will take a while before I run out of DVC resorts to stay at.

 

[aDVCguy]

<----Patiently waiting for the Poly DVC!

 

[kimberh]

BLT just does not appeal to me at all, BUT... DVC Grand Floridian Well, that does!!! I would have to rethink my statement that" I am finished buying points." I have " always" wanted to stay there. Just could not justify paying the money for it. We do eat there. I just love GF!!!

 

[JasonDVC]

5-6 years away. Start saving.

BTW. Poly is coming as well.

 

[Darkside]

I love it! just noticed your DVC Grand Floridian under your post

 

[ParrotBill]

If you look at the layouts with Google Maps satellite view, you can see that neither the GF or PR has good land for expansion without a major change.

The GF would need to tear down its convention center to expand north or else the DVC part would be a long walk away from everything.

The Poly can't expand east as the TTC is there.

But I have a great idea... relocate the wedding pavilion and luau cove and build a new DVC in between them. You could share facilities with both GF and PR with a new pool an hub area in the middle. Call it Grand Flornesian villas.

Actually I don't think there is enough room there either and the monorail interrupts the possible layout of buildings. Only the area north of GF has enough room. Otherwise it's a conversion of exisiting room capacity to DVC which I think is a shame.

 

[Joan S.]

5-6 years away. Start saving.

BTW. Poly is coming as well.

5-6 years?? Works RIGHT into my DH and my retirement time!! We are SO buying MORE points at DVC-GF!! Joan

 

[arthur06]

Actually I don't think there is enough room there either and the monorail interrupts the possible layout of buildings. Only the area north of GF has enough room. Otherwise it's a conversion of exisiting room capacity to DVC which I think is a shame.

The monorail goes through the Contemporary, why couldnt it go thru the Poly or GF in the future???