jmatias said:
I understand the thought that DVC doesn't want to take away potential buyers from SSR if they announce another WDW resort.
But.....an off site resort like say California or Hawaii may work. If the Marriotts and Hiltons can sell several locations at the same time why not Disney!
The point I'm trying to make is that there is a big difference between announcing a new resort and selling points at that resort. Press releases, legal filings, and financial filings are for announcments, approvals, and disclosures. Marketing tools, such as advertisement and billboards, are to sell things.
Regardless of whether a new resort is at WDW, at
Disneyland, or in Hawaii, there will be a gap of at least 18 months between the press release and when points for that resort go on sale.
Consider the January 24, 2002, press release announcing a DVC resort at the former Disney Institute site (which became SSR):
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 24, 2002--In response to strong guest demand, Disney Vacation Development, Inc. will expand its timeshare resort presence with its next location at the Disney Institute at Walt Disney World Resort, subject to obtaining all necessary approvals. The Institute property, with its unique amenities and urban setting adjacent to the Downtown Disney resort area, made it an ideal place to expand the company's highly successful Disney Vacation Club business.
"The proposed ownership resort expansion will combine one of our highly successful offerings with an exciting complement of existing resort amenities," said George Aguel, Senior Vice President of Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. Guests staying in the Disney Vacation Club villas will have convenient access to the Downtown Disney resort area, including the Institute spa and recreational facilities.
The new, 192-unit development is slated to occupy a unique 16-acre site overlooking the lakefront district at Downtown Disney. Initial plans call for the construction of four residential-style buildings with studio, one- and two-bedroom villas and Grand Villa units that sleep up to 12 guests.
"We had the opportunity to consider this location because expansion of Disney Institute programs throughout the Walt Disney World Resort reduced the need for dedicated Institute resort space," said Aguel. Disney Institute programming includes professional development programs, from keynote speeches, workshops and behind the scenes tours to customized programs that help groups implement successful strategies into their own organizations.
The announcement heralds a time of exciting growth for Disney Vacation Club, which is celebrating its 10th year and now boasts a membership of more than 60,000 families from over 60 countries.
Development will begin this spring with a targeted opening of spring 2004.
I don't recall exactly when Disney could sell SSR points. I think it was over two years after the press release.
