Why is SSR Selling Like Hotcakes?

[erikthewise]

When SSR was first announced there was a lot of speculation about how sales would slow once BCV was sold out, as SSR had a less desirable location, and BCV sales owed a lot to addons by existing members.

Instead it appears that sales have actually accelerated, in spite of the $95/pt price. I have no idea why this is happening. Few current members paid anywhere near this price. Where are all these sales coming from? Who are these people who are willing to pay whatever DVC asks?

I believe the reports that the theming and design are wonderful, but I don't believe this is the driving force behind the sales.

 

[MarkRG]

I would have to say some of it is location. Having Pleasure Island right next door is probably a very good enticement for some, especially due to the fact it is such a late-night venue.

Some of it certainly was getting in with the incentives currently offered, and I'm sure some of it is just the resort itself too.

 

[Mike Bartenhagen]

My parents just joined the DVC and in their case the reason that they purchased at SSR is because that is what was available.

Mike

 

[Maistre Gracey]

First, I would like to say that I think SSR is a beautiful resort... inside and out.

That being said, I am not sure it's SSR that is selling like hotcakes, but rather DVC that is selling like hotcakes.

I just think the whole DVC concept has exploded with popularity, and SSR is the current vehicle to become a member.
Since VB and HH are sold out, those previous sales are also funneled into SSR.

MG

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by Maistre Gracey
That being said, I am not sure it's SSR that is selling like hotcakes, but rather DVC that is selling like hotcakes.

I think that's exactly right. DVC does not "sell" the individual resorts. They sell the entire DVC concept with owning at a home resort being the vehicle to join DVC. I bet 99.9% of first-time buyers are totally unaware of the resale market. There is also a comfort level for first time timeshare purchasers to buy direct from Disney.

Another factor that may give sales a kick-start is the 50 years at SSR. Even to a 25 year-old, that seems to cover most of their WDW vacation span. Sure, they may want to go to WDW well beyond being 75 but when you're 25 that seems like a very old age. LOL!

 

[Granny]

I also agree with MaistreG and PamOKW....it is DVC that is selling like hotcakes, as it has for the past several years.

I think SSR specifically is selling very well for a few main reasons.

1. It's the only property being hawked by Disney. So their selling efforts are squarely behind SSR.

2. Location and theming. I think it's a great looking resort, and moving the sales office over there is a great idea to get customers right in the thick of the theming and resort amenities.

3. Longer contract life. Let's face it, the extra 12 years is a great deal if you're young enough. Even if you aren't, it can still be given to offspring.

4. Point charts. By having a point use chart that falls between BCV/VWL and OKW, they have made that 150 point minimum buy even more attractive as far as how far the points will go at the home resort.


I don't know when the sales will slow down, but for now it appears that the DVC concept fits in well with the demographics of the country and the increased desire of the baby boomers to pamper themselves while on vacation.

 

[mikesmom]

Prospective buyers think that the price could go even higher?

 

[spiceycat]

oh believe me the price will definitely increase - this resort won't be finished until 2007/2008....

 

[kweaver]

DVD almost has a built in captive "audience"...everyone who passes through DTD can see it being built! I'm sure this generates much curiosity about DVC.

 

[CarolMN]

In addition to what has already been mentioned, I think we must also consider the improving economy. People are traveling again - tourism is up! The value of vacation properties in general is tending up. IMHO, this is a major factor.

I'm glad we bought when we did.

 

[PamOKW]

I agree that visibility spurs sales, too. DVC really took off when people could walk right into the sales office while strolling on the Boardwalk. It was no longer "mysterious". Being able to "see" it from DD and to see the "DVC Ferry" may also pique interest. Many offsite people spend time at DD and they may be enticed to go over and see what SSR/DVC is all about.

I was looking for something on the Orange County site (where the deeds are) and I was surprised how many SSR sales are already appearing -- some for very large amounts. I think the bulk of sales may be new sales rather than the add-ons that drove BCV and VWL.

Also, as DVC grows, word of mouth spreads to more and more people as well. With 70,000+ members, their friends and family will become interested. In my own case, I had a friend use my points for a stay at OKW. They came home and bought SSR (also as a means to be part of DVC with plans to stay at OKW again). They have already had one of their neighbors buy and two other friends become seriously interested.

 

[disneyokw]

I was at Member Homecoming and found out that in December the price is going up to $100 per point. Ouch! My parents bought in at $62 per point.

 

[megrod74]

I think also the fact that a lot of baby boomers are retiring might help, and they baby boomers' kids are getting to a more financially secure age (I am one). My aunt, who is retiring this year, just bought another time share.

As was mentioned, I think the visibility is key, too. And the fact that the more members there are, the more people will find out about it.

 

[Pa@okw95]

I think location is a big factor and being able to see it from the DD PI area helps sales.

 

[KNWVIKING]

How many early members now have grown children who see the value in ownership ? My oldest DS, one year out of college, getting married in Sept, less then a year of employment at Rath & Strong and he's looking to buy in in about two years. And he's not even a Disney fanatic.

Young people today, IMO, aren't intimidated by debt. Credit is everywhere, interest rates are low, home equity loans for amounts in excess of actual equity, it's very easy to buy what you want. Hopefully the kids will have no problems handling all the debt and we won't see a rash of forclosures on contracts.

 

[Johnnie Fedora]

It is going to interesting to see how important the 11/7 month window becomes as the membership is exploding. The 7 month demand for the smaller resorts will be much heavier than it is now. Contrary to how DVC presents their 11/7 sales pitch, if it turns out that many DVCers are unable to secure their desired non-home reservation at the 7 month mark, they may explore the resale market for an add-on at BWV/BCV/VWL (and to some extent HH/VB). Prices could go up for resales as well, soley based on that demand.

 

[CarolMN]

Originally posted by Johnnie Fedora
It is going to interesting to see how important the 11/7 month window becomes as the membership is exploding. The 7 month demand for the smaller resorts will be much heavier than it is now. Contrary to how DVC presents their 11/7 sales pitch, if it turns out that many DVCers are unable to secure their desired non-home reservation at the 7 month mark, they may explore the resale market for an add-on at BWV/BCV/VWL (and to some extent HH/VB). Prices could go up for resales as well, soley based on that demand.

I hope that is what happens - that those unhappy with their ability to secure reservations at the 7 month mark buy resales.

I'm worried that the pressure will convinve DVC to decrease the home resort advantage to "satisfy" those unhappy members. By contract, we are only guaranteed a 1 month home resort priority.

As a very happy BWV owner, I don't want to compete with non-BWV owners for reservations at my home resort at the 10 month mark. In fact, I wish that the 7 month window would be shortened to something less than 6 months. JMHO. YMMV.

 

[disneycrazed139]

DVD almost has a built in captive "audience"...everyone who passes through DTD can see it being built! I'm sure this generates much curiosity about DVC.

I think so, too. It's the only resort that's ever been built that you can see from a Disney attraction (well, it's not the parks, but DTD does get a lot of traffic). No advertising necessary.

 

[spiceycat]

also if the Cont is in the works - they can see what the public can take with SSR - I don't think the Cont would interest DVC unless they can sell it at $125 to $150 a point.

My opinion counts for nothing.....

 

[jbwolffiv]

We bought at SSR because that is what was being offered. We bought now because we reached a point in our financial lives that it was possible. Every other time we looked into it we couldn't handle it or it was just the wrong time, and there were many of those. I agree that most people are buying DVC, not simply SSR. We probably would have bought any onsite resort.