The DVC board official Animal Kingdom Villas discussion thread

[disneygal55]

Has anyone called their DVC guide yet about when sales for the DVC will start? I tried but my guide was off for a few days.

 

[CarolA]

We don't have a guide...yet. But my wife is going to call while the kids are napping today (around 1 PM) to see if we can get on a wait list, at least.

I'll pass along any info I get when I get it.

Thanks.
I am working at a client site and only have my cell phone and the there is only one bar showing so you get the reception picture.....

However, I will be at Disney this weekend and if I don't get details I may just drop by and find my guide. (I have never actually met the man. He seems very nice on our phone calls!)

 

[sajetto]

I'm really hoping that with the number of rooms we will be able to book at 7 months. There is no way my DF will go for selling some of our SSR points to buy into AKL, but I'm really excited that the rumor is really coming true.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I hope that the 1 bedroom will definitely accomodate 5. That would be a huge plus for our family.

Bobbi

 

[DVC Grammy]

From reading some of the non-DVC forums, it sounds as if the announcement of the new ALV will bring many, many new members who have been hesitating until now, because SSR didn't inspire them. What kind of impact do you think it'll have?
I'm not trying to ; just interested in what current DVCers think.

 

[happybratpack]

I called a bit ago, said they had no further information on it except what was announced yesterday.

 

[JimFitz]

From reading some of the non-DVC forums, it sounds as if the announcement of the new ALV will bring many, many new members who have been hesitating until now, because SSR didn't inspire them. What kind of impact do you think it'll have?
I'm not trying to ; just interested in what current DVCers think.

I don't think it really matters.

 

[DisneyAl]

From The Orlando Sentinel:

Disney unveils new time shares
Sara K. Clarke
Sentinel Staff Writer

October 12, 2006

Disney time shares are coming to the Animal Kingdom, with a plan for 458 units, the company said Wednesday.

According to Disney, the time shares will be a mix of new construction and renovated accommodations in part of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. They'll feature African-inspired details and most will offer views of a savannah inhabited by a variety of animals.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas will be the company's eighth time-share property -- the sixth at Walt Disney World -- and was hailed Wednesday as a smart business decision.

"It's a major plus," said Michael Hewell, a former Disney employee who now escorts guests through the parks with his company, Michael's VIPs, and owns the online Web site, TourGuideMike. "Disney's going to sell every single one of them."

As for the choice of Animal Kingdom, Hewell said, "It's the true retreat," and added, "For those people who want to rest away from the theme park madness, they now have a choice."

Time shares have long been popular in Central Florida, but more so in recent years. In 2001, 10 percent of Orlando visitors stayed in time shares. Last year, that number had increased to 15 percent.

From 2001 to 2005, the number of time-share units jumped 26 percent, from 15,157 to 19,099, according to the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Hotel-room growth, on the other hand, grew only 2 percent during the same five-year period.

Disney's entry into the time-share market was a big help to the industry, said Robert J. Webb, a veteran real estate and time-share industry attorney with the Baker Hostetler law firm in Orlando.

"Disney's entry was part of a paradigm shift" in the 1990s, Webb said, when brand names such as Marriott and Disney entered the time-share field, long dominated by small operators. "It helped bring a lot of credibility to the industry."

The expansion of the Disney time-share holdings is a reflection of the strength of the industry and Disney's commitment to its resort business, said Webb, who has represented Disney as an outside counsel in the past.

"It's an excellent example of the evolution," Webb said, of hospitality companies relying on a mix of hotels and time shares for accommodating guests.

Disney historian Michael Broggie said the new time shares are a continuing affirmation of Walt Disney's decision to build in Central Florida.

"It also is a reflection of the confidence that [Disney chief] Bob Iger has in Central Florida and investing the company's assets there," Broggie said.

Development of the Animal Kingdom Villas is scheduled in phases, with units to begin opening in fall 2007. The project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2009.

The first phase will include 134 remodeled accommodations on the fifth and sixth floors of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and additional phases will include the building of 324 vacation properties in a new building at the resort.

Jerry W. Jackson and Tim Barker of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Sara K. Clarke can be reached at 407-420-5664 or skclarke@orlandosentinel.com.
Copyright © 2006, Orlando Sentinel | Get home delivery - up to 50% off

 

[Tigger031266]

The really big question is will the second phase be Savanah or just a side building with a view of woods and a quiet pool? I am guessing Pool and woods. Which would make them more resonable point wise. It would also make Savanah views about as likely as a boardwalk view.

An e-mail with details would be so helpful.

 

[3DisneyKids]

I hope that the 1 bedroom will definitely accomodate 5. That would be a huge plus for our family.

Bobbi

Ditto! And since they are clearly allowing 5 in a 1-BR, maybe this will make the shift more "legal." ? Just thinking out loud...

In any case, it is all very exciting!

 

[DVC Grammy]

I was looking forward to next Tuesday anyway, but now I'm even more excited. We chose to split-stay; a few days at SSR (tryinng the DDP) and then the remainder at BWV.
I now have a MISSION..............snoop, investigate, detect........any and all clues I can find about AKV, especially at SSR, where the models are said to be!! If I find out anything, I'll report.................

SSR-10/17-10/20 (heh-heh )
BWV- 10/20-10/27

 

[diznyfanatic]

JAMBO!! WOOHOO!!!!

 

[3DisneyKids]

It's also on Allearsnet.com, and that seals it for me. There are usually pretty conservative about what they post.

Ditto. Deb is really good about rumors vs. fact. It is a go, for sure!

 

[pilferk]

I hope that the 1 bedroom will definitely accomodate 5. That would be a huge plus for our family.

Bobbi

It would be a god send for us....the difference between points on a 1BR and 2BR is pretty big. I'd want to see the layout, though, before committing. For our family, it's 3 girls (my wife and 2 daughters) and 2 boys (me and my son). It'd be nice if we could bed the two girls together on a queen sleeper and have a convertible day bed for my son..while my wife and I get our own room...but that's pie in the sky. Also...I'm not sure the bathroom situation would be ideal.

 

[CarolA]

I think I am buying at AKL just to get that 11 month window.....

(What to sell... I don't NEED anymore points. I have actually downsized about 100 points over the past year....)

 

[ralphd]

There is a thread on another forum that said Jim Lewis announced 'there is a proposed DVC at AKL, but plans were subject to change' ????

 

[sheryl0521]

Orlando Sentinel link

I really thought the Contemporary was going to be the next location. Guess I was wrong!

 

[Tabetha]

Hooboy. Gonna have to save some pennies for this one!

 

[ralphd]

Link to Orlando Sentinel article.

' http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...06oct12,0,6599738.story?track=mostemailedlink '

Note there is no info directly from Disney.

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

This is going to create some wonderful opportunities for people that want to buy into other DVC resorts as I have a feeling a lot of current members will be selling previous contracts to buy into AKV instead.