Why only one DVC in California?

[chalee94]

Aulani is a good point. I'm sure they consider that a "west-coast" DVC. Does Disney consider Aulani a success? It's hard to tell at this stage. I guess what will tell us is if after it's sold they build another "away from Disney DVC".

Truthfully, I would be tempted by something like that were it more accessible. (i.e. if there was one in the Carribean).

you would be tempted to buy in and visit the caribbean most years? or you would like the option to go once every 6-10 years or so? for most DVCers, it seems that aulani is fun to visit but you wouldn't commit to buying in there...which is why it is looking like a disappointment at best...

 

[tjkraz]

I agree though that the main reason we aren't seeing DLR-DCV talk is Aulani. It will be interesting once they finish selling it. (Another 2 years perhaps?) if California DVC discussion resumes.

Plan on Aulani selling for much longer than that.

Sales began in summer 2010, so let's round up and say it's been 5 years now.

VGF has 100 two-bedroom equivalents and has been selling for a little under 2 years. Aulani is nearly FIVE TIMES the size of VGF, and it lacks the appeal of a theme park destination. From the time Aulani was revealed to be nearly 500 units, it looked like a 10-year project. Impossible to know exactly where things stand today, but I doubt the DVC points are half sold at this stage.

By comparison, Vero has 172 rooms (2/3 of which are Studio-sized Inn rooms), and it took nearly 10 years to sell out. Admittedly DVC was a much different product back in the mid-90s.

I don't think they will necessarily wait until Aulani has "sold out" to start another Disneyland DVC. But they want sales to be further along than they are today. Plus there's a lot more strategic planning involved in ANY construction at DL since land is such a premium. DL could free up a lot of space if they expanded the parking structure and utilized some of the surface lots, but an expansion to that parking garage is a huge investment which doesn't immediately yield any returns.

 

[skier_pete]

you would be tempted to buy in and visit the caribbean most years? or you would like the option to go once every 6-10 years or so? for most DVCers, it seems that aulani is fun to visit but you wouldn't commit to buying in there...which is why it is looking like a disappointment at best...

We did a DCL cruise last February. Overall, I thought the experience was OK, but I LOVED Castaway Cay. At the time I thought - "Boy if Disney had THIS as a week-long destination I'd be coming back quick", then I thought "Oh wait, they do, it's called Aulani. Too bad it's a $1300 plane ride away."

I do think if they built a destination resort in the Caribbean I would consider getting points there. (Though truthfully at Disney's current points rate, I might wait a few years to see where the resale price goes.) I might not go every year, but maybe I'd pick up a 50 to 75-point contract and go every other year.

I would also consider doing something like that at a California DVC down the road, enough points to go every 3rd year or so. I would never, ever consider Aulani. We did Hawaii on our Honeymoon, and it was beautiful and MAYBE I would go back there someday, but as an east coaster I don't feel that the travel is worth it for what is essentially tropical weather and beaches that are available on about 6 hours of travel as opposed to a 14-15 hours of travel. Truthfully, we don't even travel to the Caribbean because as far as I'm concerned a beach is a beach and Florida is good enough for me. But again, for a Disney resort, I might consider it.

 

[franandaj]

You have a good point about making it like the Poly with mostly studios. We no longer stay in studios as they just don't meet our needs and with the number of DVC points we own there is no need for us do so. However, that said the studios book up so quickly it's crazy. I've been able to get a one bedroom for one night two months out, rarely does that happen with a studio.

One thing about the CA DVC is that a lot of us owners live within two hours or less of the resort. Many people bought with specific needs in mind. I have friends who bought their points for NYE, Candlelight, Gay Days, and their birthdays. We bought our points to stay for 6 weeks on Th & Fri during F&W. Look where that got us!

Now I scramble to come up with "events" to use up my points. This year I'm using last years, this year's and some of next year's to hold a birthday party for two nights in the Grand Villa and I've got two studios for my family in case they crash before the rest of us. Then after that we're going to make the 25 minute drive home and continue the party on Sunday afternnon.

There's a lot of people who live close enough to make a day trip out of it, but enjoy being immersed in the Disney bubble so they buy DVC to avoid the $4-500 hotel room rates. I know that I wouldn't ever pay to stay at the VGC but with DVC, I'll stay there almost 7 days this year. Combined with my week at at WDW it makes my dyes well worth the cost, especially since I was able to rent out enough points to cover my annual dues.

But I digress, the point is plenty of folks would buy into another CA DVC, but I'm sure the unsold Aulani points are halting development.

Another thing that no one has mentioned is that I'm sure Disney hoped to tap into the Japanese Market with Aulani. Whether it was the earthquake / tsunami situation or what, but I don't think the Asian market came through like Disney had hoped either.

I don't know if I would want to stay at a DLH DVC as the Grand is just so magical, but I'm sure plenty of people would take it, especially with Trader Sams, the monorail pool and some of the other hotel amenities. If they put those magical headboards in the DVC rooms that would be a plus as well!

 

[skier_pete]

I don't know if I would want to stay at a DLH DVC as the Grand is just so magical, but I'm sure plenty of people would take it, especially with Trader Sams, the monorail pool and some of the other hotel amenities. If they put those magical headboards in the DVC rooms that would be a plus as well!

While visiting there, I was unimpressed by the location of the DLH, but honestly beyond that, I liked it a lot better than the GC. We were 3 nights in the GC, and I didn't think much of it. The hotel was dark, dark, dark (though I admit to liking the AKL by the same architech) and I thought the pool area was weirdly designed and didn't like it much. You certainly can't beat the location though - but I would never put up $500+ a night to stay there.

However, I would LOVE to get in there on DVC points. I can only hope to be able to get in there. As you already know, we hope to get in there next February for 3-4 nights. (If I can swing a studio - I'll stay 4 nights, if not I'll take a 1-bedroom for 3. If I can't get in at all, we probably won't go.)

 

[franandaj]

The hotel was dark, dark, dark (though I admit to liking the AKL by the same architech) and I thought the pool area was weirdly designed and didn't like it much.

I'll give you the pool area being weird. I can't argue that, but really the room dark? We had to shut the curtains in our Villa to get decent room shots, it was so bright in the rooms we loved it. But that was with a PP view.

I can see that the other views might have darker rooms over all. It's been so long since I stayed in a regular room I don't remember what they were like. I'm sure you will have no problem getting a one bedroom at 7 months. Probably you can get the studio as well If you look midweek and not over President's day weekend. If you book during the first week our stays may overlap.

With your mother and family I would really suggest the one bedroom if you can swing the points. Separate beds for mom and DD. Two bathrooms, jacuzzi tub for the wife, what's not to like?

 

[skier_pete]

I'll give you the pool area being weird. I can't argue that, but really the room dark? We had to shut the curtains in our Villa to get decent room shots, it was so bright in the rooms we loved it. But that was with a PP view.

I can see that the other views might have darker rooms over all. It's been so long since I stayed in a regular room I don't remember what they were like. I'm sure you will have no problem getting a one bedroom at 7 months. Probably you can get the studio as well If you look midweek and not over President's day weekend. If you book during the first week our stays may overlap.

With your mother and family I would really suggest the one bedroom if you can swing the points. Separate beds for mom and DD. Two bathrooms, jacuzzi tub for the wife, what's not to like?

Our room faced the front parking area. Even with the shades open I thought it was very dark. Dark wood, dark green carpets, dark upholstery. Maybe the DVC rooms are different. The view was awful too, but these were the rooms given to ABD so it didn't surprise me. The view certainly didn't bother me, because we were in our room awake for probably cumulative 5 hours over the 3 nights we were there. I can imagine a view out to PP would brighten up the room significantly.

I'm hyjacking my own thread here but yes my plan is to try and go during presidents week, but certainly not over the weekend. If we do a studio, I would try to come in on Monday (Presidents Day) and stay 4 nights - would cost 68 points. If we went with the 1-bedroom, I would only be able to do 3 nights as that would run us 93 points, and that is at the upper limit of the points I'm willing to use. (I have 50 - 2015 UY points, and I need enough points for a week at WDW later in 2016 - this would leave me with 117 points in my 2016 December UY, if I went much more I would need to buy more points, which I don't want to do.) In that case, we would probably still make the drive from Phoenix on Monday and just stay somewhere nearby in Anaheim for one night, and then check-in at VGC first thing on Tuesday. I don't think our trips will overlap though, because I think you usually go earlier in the month.

I do agree the 1-bedroom would be more appealing. Before my Dad passed away, we were definitely going to do the 1-bedroom, and I was going to give my parents the main bedroom. Now with just 4 of us, I am keeping the studio in the running, but I am probably still leaning slightly towards the 1-bedroom, for the exact reason you say...we could have the sofa bed for my mom and the sleeper couch for DD and a room for myself. In addition, we could bring some food from my mom's so we could eat a few meals in the room and save on other expenses there - which would make up for spending the extra night. There's no way we could swing it for a week, but for the three nights it seems doable.

Actually, I would be happy with either of the two options, because without being able to use the DVC points, I am not sure we could afford the trip if we needed to pay for the hotel along with everything else. Swinging it this way using points that are already part of our annual spending budget makes it possible.

I still can barely conceive that I could be staying in a place so nice. I'm typically a "Tropicana Inn and Suites" type of guy...

 

[Longhairbear]

That actually brings up a good point, the larger size villas aren't probably as popular at a location like DLR, where people are unlikely to devote an entire week. I wonder if they WERE to convert part of DLR in the future, if they would pull a move like at the Poly and put in mostly studios.

I do think DLH would sell as DVC. While they probably have no problem renting rooms for $400 a pop, I bet there would be plenty of people that would buy in for the cheaper prices.

The talk that DVC doesn't work for California - the more I think about it, the more nonsense that is. While DVC works really well for people coming down once a year, it works equally well if not better for people that come multiple times per year for 2-3 days, and I think there's a HUGE number of guests at DLR of that variety that come down for a few days at a time.

I agree though that the main reason we aren't seeing DLR-DCV talk is Aulani. It will be interesting once they finish selling it. (Another 2 years perhaps?) if California DVC discussion resumes.

We always go for a one bedroom to stay a few nights. We use the kitchen a lot, and especially the gas grills outdoors. Actually we are staying there next weekend for 3 nights, and bringing a cooler filled with groceries.

 

[bwvBound]

Similar to Longhairbear on this one. We prefer the 1BR unit and full kitchen for "just the two of us." Our typical stay is a 3-night weekend and we bring a cooler of groceries, several kitchen appliances and make good use of the gas grills.

We are decidedly NOT 'studio' people.

 

[tjkraz]

We've often shared a 2B at VGC with friends. In fact, I think we've only spent a single night in a studio (late arrival) vs. 30+ nights at the villas in 2Bs.

Still, I would agree that Studios are much harder to book due to relative scarcity and higher demand.

 

[skier_pete]

I think the idea of a one-bedroom is awesome if you can afford it. It's more spacious, and it's a lot easier to get at whatever DVC you want. Speaking for myself it is not something that is affordable at the moment. We bought into DVC calculating that our current stays are at moderates, and looking at a long term savings of staying in DVC studios. Can't tell you right now whether someday I'll be able to afford the points to stay in a studio regularly, but currently I don't have an option. (I can consider it for a stay at GCV because I am going (a) for only 3 nights and (b) at the lowest point season.

I think DVC studios are most popular because across the breadth of ownership, there's probably more folks that can squeak by with enough points to get a studio vs a 1-bedroom.

I also have to note at this point that the appeal of having a kitchen on a Disney vacation is very low. I'd rather spend less on my room, and spend that money on eating out. Our recent stay at SSR confirmed it for me...the 1-bedroom is a luxury I don't yet feel the need to indulge in.

 

[bwvBound]

We bought into DVC calculating that our current stays are at moderates, and looking at a long term savings of staying in DVC studios. Can't tell you right now whether someday I'll be able to afford the points to stay in a studio regularly, but currently I don't have an option.

I think DVC studios are most popular because across the breadth of ownership, there's probably more folks that can squeak by with enough points to get a studio vs a 1-bedroom.

When we first looked at DVC the minimum buy-in was either 225 or 250 points. Looking back, I think that was likely a good starting point. Perhaps they should have kept the entry point equivalent to a 1BR mid-season week?

 

[franandaj]

I also have to note at this point that the appeal of having a kitchen on a Disney vacation is very low. I'd rather spend less on my room, and spend that money on eating out. Our recent stay at SSR confirmed it for me...the 1-bedroom is a luxury I don't yet feel the need to indulge in.

For me it all depends on what the focus of the vacation is. We have never got a studio at WDW because I am NOT flying all the way across the country without a Jacuzzi tub in my room (see how DVC has spoiled me!). I don't think there has been a vacation where we didn't cook at least three meals in the room, and usually it's more.

For me it has come to the point that random strangers now approach me and ask, "are you the one who put a big hunk of meat in your suitcase and cooked it in your Villa?" We have cooked meals in both Florida and California, but the two of us are not nearly as active as your family. Having a disabled spouse, requires a lot more down time, hence the appeal of cooking meals in the Villa. Sometimes it's not that easy going out for a meal at WDW, as it can involve multiple transfers and time. Again it comes down to the "different strokes for different folks" and that's what makes the world go round!

When we first looked at DVC the minimum buy-in was either 225 or 250 points. Looking back, I think that was likely a good starting point. Perhaps they should have kept the entry point equivalent to a 1BR mid-season week?

Our first contract was 248 points at SSR, but when VGC started selling, I realized that once it was built I wouldn't get to use those points at 7 months with regular availability, so we bought 165 points. After the first year, I realized that wouldn't be enough points because I had to keep dipping into my SSR points, so we added on another 125. Now it's my biggest contract and with no F&W Festival, I have to "make up" reasons to stay there so that the points do go to waste. First world problems.

 

[luckyman_apd]

As a DVCer and a Caribbean lover.....Just curious to why anyone would need a DVC to buy into a Caribbean timeshare . At the current rate of points, I wouldn't pay that price for a Caribbean resort. St. Maarten you could buy into plenty of timeshares for a fraction of DVC prices and very easy to travel to by plane. I'm not bashing non park DVC......but I like the mouse where he is...I don't need him invading my islands.

 

[bethy]

We use the kitchen at VGC extensively and we go for a minimum of 4 nights - always over a weekend. I like eating out about one meal per day at DL and sometimes a meal consists of a Mickey Rice Krispie treat and a Dole whip . And then we do maybe 2 TS per trip.

However for many of our West Coast friends DL is either a whirlwind 2 night weekend commando trip from Park opening till closing. All meals are eaten out. Or it's a whirlwind 2-3 commando trip that's tied into a longer Southern CA vacation.

 

[DebbieB]

As a DVCer and a Caribbean lover.....Just curious to why anyone would need a DVC to buy into a Caribbean timeshare . At the current rate of points, I wouldn't pay that price for a Caribbean resort. St. Maarten you could buy into plenty of timeshares for a fraction of DVC prices and very easy to travel to by plane. I'm not bashing non park DVC......but I like the mouse where he is...I don't need him invading my islands.

I agree. People will often post things like "I wish DVC would build a location in Colorado". Not because they want to buy points there but because they want to use their existing points to stay there. I think the Aulani, Hilton Head, Vero long sale periods show how difficult it is to sell DVC points outside of the parks. They are competing with other timeshares that are cheaper without the hook of the parks. They also have the highest DVC dues.

 

[bwvBound]

People will often post things like "I wish DVC would build a location in Colorado". Not because they want to buy points there but because they want to use their existing points to stay there.

But of course -- that is the very nature of buying into a Vacation Club vs a single-property. Timeshare ownership is meant to behave as a one-time capital investment with years of use. A Club extends that thought into 'one-time capital investment with years of use across multiple locations.' I'd expect that set of locations to increase over time ... and to enjoy their use w/out spending new money.

 

[DebbieB]

But of course -- that is the very nature of buying into a Vacation Club vs a single-property. Timeshare ownership is meant to behave as a one-time capital investment with years of use. A Club extends that thought into 'one-time capital investment with years of use across multiple locations.' I'd expect that set of locations to increase over time ... and to enjoy their use w/out spending new money.

DVC isn't going to build locations that are going to be difficult to sell just to please current members. They want to be able to sell points to recoup their construction costs as soon as possible. That's why they have RCI and other collections for members to have more options at other locations.

 

[loveglobe]

Another thing that no one has mentioned is that I'm sure Disney hoped to tap into the Japanese Market with Aulani. Whether it was the earthquake / tsunami situation or what, but I don't think the Asian market came through like Disney had hoped either.

That was the next point I was going to make but you beat me to it! I also suspect the current Japanese recession could be having an impact on Aulani sales.

I thought the pool area was weirdly designed and didn't like it much.

Just want to point out that the DLH was build several decades ago before hotel pools were expected to be mini water parks so i think with that in mind they've done a pretty good job bringing this area up to our 21st century resort standards.

I also have to note at this point that the appeal of having a kitchen on a Disney vacation is very low. I'd rather spend less on my room, and spend that money on eating out. Our recent stay at SSR confirmed it for me...the 1-bedroom is a luxury I don't yet feel the need to indulge in.

I used to feel this way until I had a kid and realized how necessary it is to have at least one meal a day not in public and also a fridge to store all the milk. You may see the one bed as a luxury but I see your not needing a kitchen as a luxury as well haha!

 

[tasha99]

I used to feel this way until I had a kid and realized how necessary it is to have at least one meal a day not in public and also a fridge to store all the milk. You may see the one bed as a luxury but I see your not needing a kitchen as a luxury as well haha!

I so agree about the kitchen, and my little ones are all taller than me now. Even with teens and young adults, it's so nice to be able to just eat in on a long vacation. Our favorite meal on our VGC trip last summer was breakfast for dinner while we all watched Frozen together (had never seen it since we're all out of the target age range). It was our vacation from our vacation.