With the new DVC at the WL, no regular resorts room were available

[SL6827]

Well it seems Disney certainly did what they intended to with the resort rooms at the WL. Some friends of mine were wanting me to check on a price for a room (resort side, not DVC side) there for a few nights in early December and they were sold out! So by cutting off half the rooms on the resort side, they are able to sell those rooms out quickly and probably not with a very high discount as well. Which makes me wonder if they might end up doing this at the AKL using up the resort rooms on one side of the Jambo house and turning them into DVC?

 

[erionm]

Which makes me wonder if they might end up doing this at the AKL using up the resort rooms on one side of the Jambo house and turning them into DVC?

Most of the 5th floor and the entire 6th floor of Jambo House are already DVC units.

If DVC was to take over more rooms in Jambo House, I don't see them adding them to the existing TS that's been open for 11 years now. If they make it a separate TS, it would be really confusing to have 2 TS in the same physical building.

 

[Ben E N]

WL has always been popular around Christmas time due to it's comfy, woodsy setting. The real test of if it worked or not is whether it is sold out in the middle of April or June.

 

[disneynutz]

They did that at Jambo prior to building Kidani. Converting hotel rooms to DVC is a win win for Disney, little cost to DVD and fast cash for their books.

Bill

 

[_auroraborealis_]

They did that at Jambo prior to building Kidani. Converting hotel rooms to DVC is a win win for Disney, little cost to DVD and fast cash for their books.

Bill

And also long-term cash, since it funds maintenance and staffing on a percentage basis at those resorts. Go from "not always full" at WL to "75% of operating expenses covered by dues" is a clear instant win.

 

[SL6827]

Ya, this is exactly why last year for our trip in February I switched us over to the Wilderness Lodge from the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I knew this would happen. I got a room last year with a view of the fireworks for like $225. The resort was half empty and we enjoyed it so. But I figured that the discounts there would be harder to come by in the future.

 

[wdw4rfam]

My parents had no problem getting a room for $250 in April. They only booked in early December too. I think December is really popular at WL.

 

[Dean Marino]

Regarding the original post title.... this was more or less the whole IDEA behind converting a good HALF of the WL proper to DVC....
You see, for years, Main WL hotel rooms were getting "discounted" 30%-35% on a VERY regular basis. And Main Hotel occupancy was running around 65%.

No more. And I suspect this will be the formula for OTHER Deluxe Main Hotels that are constantly on the "discount list".
So, you see, the plan is working . Discounted WL Main Hotel Rooms used to go for about $280/night. Today? Closer to $400/night.
This trend was what drove us into buying a DVC contract at BRV, years ago. April 2018? We hit break even, vs DISCOUNTED rooms.
We make out like bandits .

 

[UrsulaTime]

My parents had no problem getting a room for $250 in April. They only booked in early December too. I think December is really popular at WL.

Wow! For this April? Mind if ask what discount/offer they used? Maybe I could look into it for next Spring...

 

[wdw4rfam]

Wow! For this April? Mind if ask what discount/offer they used? Maybe I could look into it for next Spring...

It was through a travel agent. You know- that one with the “magical” deals

 

[UrsulaTime]

It was through a travel agent. You know- that one with the “magical” deals

Haha no, I don't know the one with the magical deals! In fact, I didn't even consider using a travel agent! I rented points 11 months out (which I still feel pretty okay with). But for my next trip (or the one I plan for my parents), I will definitely look into it!

Thanks