Would you favor a DVC expansion at your home resort?

[DVC Mike]

I heard the expansion at WL was going to be a new separate association from VWL, did I hear that here? Or did someone tell me that during my recent trip to Disney World, I honestly can not remember.

As to the Polynesian, pretty sure Tikiman has hinted it is not finished.

The announcement said: "The planned project at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, when completed, will be the 14th Disney Vacation Club development and the second at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.".

People are interpreting that as meaning VWL II will be separate from VWL I.
.

 

[drusba]

Yes, the implication of the announcement was that Disney intends for there to be two separate DVC's at WL. That makes sense because no one should believe that Disney is going to create new rooms there that will have point costs per night that are anywhere near as low as the existing VWL, and the worst thing that could happen to existing owners is for all the new owners to buy points applicable to new rooms, whose points per night costs signficantly exceed the old VWL, being able to reserve the rooms in the existing VWL at 11 months out. It would be worse than the VGF studios which now often disappear even before 11 months out.

As to the posts above involving AKV and the belief that Jambo would be its own resort, I bought early at Jambo before it even opened and all the written material I was provided by DVD and saw elsewhere made very clear that there was going to be only one DVC resort which would be the combination of the rooms on the 5th and 6th floor of AKL and and those in a new buidling that was to be constructed. For example, even the original announcement for AKV stated, unlike VWL, that there was going to be only one DVC resort consisting of converted rooms on the fifth and sixth floor of the existing AKL building and a new building which would have far more DVC rooms than the existing AKL building, https://disneyvacationclub.disney.g...ber/justformembers/PressRelease_DAKVillas.pdf. No sales person told me otherwise.

 

[DebbieB]

Yes, the implication of the announcement was that Disney intends for there to be two separate DVC's at WL. That makes sense because no one should believe that Disney is going to create new rooms there that will have point costs per night that are anywhere near as low as the existing VWL, and the worst thing that could happen to existing owners is for all the new owners to buy points applicable to new rooms, whose points per night costs signficantly exceed the old VWL, being able to reserve the rooms in the existing VWL at 11 months out. It would be worse than the VGF studios which now often disappear even before 11 months out.

As to the posts above involving AKV and the belief that Jambo would be its own resort, I bought early at Jambo before it even opened and all the written material I was provided by DVD and saw elsewhere made very clear that there was going to be only one DVC resort which would be the combination of the rooms on the 5th and 6th floor of AKL and and those in a new buidling that was to be constructed. For example, even the original announcement for AKV stated, unlike VWL, that there was going to be only one DVC resort consisting of converted rooms on the fifth and sixth floor of the existing AKL building and a new building which would have far more DVC rooms than the existing AKL building, https://disneyvacationclub.disney.g...ber/justformembers/PressRelease_DAKVillas.pdf. No sales person told me otherwise.

I agree, that was definitely a different situation. They were built fairly close together, not more than 15 years apart like WL. It was all one plan.

My home resort is BWV and I don't know where they would expand. It's big enough as it is. I just wish they would find a way to build elevator banks at the far ends.

 

[wildernessDad]

Maybe they can create floating bungalows, where the lakes become full of them. Then they can have shuttles to bring guests to and from the bungalows to other bungalows, which are situated at the entrances to the parks.

 

[ludari]

I wouldn't mind an expansion at my home resort of BLT I just not sure how it would work considering the existing building/footprint.

 

[freediverdude]

Maybe they should turn the castle suite into a DVC unit for 1000 points per night or something crazy like that.

 

[DVC Mike]

Maybe they should turn the castle suite into a DVC unit for 1000 points per night or something crazy like that.

http://i235.*************************************Resorts/Logos/CCDV.png​

 

[freediverdude]

Don't give them any more ideas!! Lol. You know some people would actually purchase that no matter what the price!

 

[drusba]

Maybe they should turn the castle suite into a DVC unit for 1000 points per night or something crazy like that.

Disney will do that right about the time it raises the daily MK ticket price to $1,000 ... meaning you will likely see it next year.

 

[beer dave]

Maybe--we own at AKV, BLT and Aulani (ADR), AKV it would have to be a separate building, the hallways at both Jambo House and Kidani Village are long enough. But if DVC did add on at BLT, they would seriously have to considering the parking impact. The parking lot at BLT looks large but most nights it is very full. As to Aulani, no way, the pools get really crowded now when it is near capacity.

I think the BLT parking lot is full because of non residents parking there for MK.

 

[beer dave]

I would like if they added some club level rooms to each of the DVC resorts. It would be a nice option.

 

[ParrotBill]

I think the Poly conversion is a test case for more Deluxe hotel room conversion. They are not selling these out any more (too expensive) and converting while there is still demand to purchase DVC is sensible. But, we won't see them cannibalize successful convention locations.

Existing DVC Expansion?
BWV - no room, would overtax facilities.
BCV - could add a wing in the woods connecting the villas wing to the north hotel wing. Risk to overtax facilities a bit.
WLV - still room to expand and add facilities to avoid overtaxing.
GFV - Not really any room to build. Would overtax facilities.
CRV - would not cannibalize conventions, but could build another tower to the North and add facilities between the towers.
SSV - Yes, there is room, but would need to add facilities. Facilities already overtaxed.
OKW - here's my theory. They would, in phases, tear down the existing buildings and rebuild then 4 stories high, like SSV. Need more facilities if they do. No room to add buildings unless they close the golf course.

Deluxe Conversion?
Grand Floridian - I would say no, demand is good and conventions are successful
Contemporary - I say no, because conventions are successful and it is said the ground is not good to convert the south wing to a tower.
WL - maybe. It could go all DVC although I believe this is a more successful Deluxe location.
BW Inn - good candidate to convert rooms to studios. Conventions not held often.
BC Hotel - good candidate to convert rooms.
YC Hotel - good candidate to convert rooms. Conventions not held often, could tear down and build a Villas wing and improve pool.
PR - good candidate to convert more rooms.

Moderates?
I could see them toying with a new category of lower priced DVC attached to moderate resorts and converting buildings or adding where possible. But would anyone buy in to DVC at the ever rising rates to have only a food court and moderate class pool?

 

[DenLo]

I think if a separate association is set up it would be okay. But I think what they did with SSR was excessive.

• Phase 1: 4 Villa Buildings in one section called Congress Park opened with 184 Vacation Home units (280 guest rooms) on May 17, 2004.
• Phase 2: 8 Villa Buildings in two sections called The Springs and The Paddock started opening in Spring 2005 eventually adding 368 Vacation Home Units (560 guest rooms).
• Phase 3: 6 Villa Buildings in two sections called The Carousel and The Grandstand completed the (then) final phase of this large resort in Summer 2007, adding 276 Vacation Home Units (420 guest rooms).
• Phase 4: Treehouse Villas built in natural forest glens with 60 three-bedroom homes opened on June 1, 2009. These stand-alone structures—elevated 10 feet off the ground on pedestals and beams—are nestled unobtrusively into natural glens alongside the Sassagoula River

AKV is my home resort and I think it was fine the way they set it up. I think Jambo House was too small to be a resort by itself so adding Kidani Village made sense. There really isn't any space to expand at AKV unless they get more hotel rooms at Jambo House. But since it took forever to sell out AKV, it seems to me that adding there would not be wise as I do not think people would want to pay such high prices for AKV.

I think it would be a mistake to build another tower for BLT, my other WDW home resort, where the garden rooms are located at CR. The parking at CR and BLT is completely full each evening and overflowing when conventions are at CR. If the added to BLT on the lot north of CR I could understand it as they could add more parking. But then the building would not be attached to CR. That would be quite a hike to CR.

 

[Dean]

I think the Poly conversion is a test case for more Deluxe hotel room conversion. They are not selling these out any more (too expensive) and converting while there is still demand to purchase DVC is sensible. But, we won't see them cannibalize successful convention locations.

Existing DVC Expansion?
BWV - no room, would overtax facilities.
BCV - could add a wing in the woods connecting the villas wing to the north hotel wing. Risk to overtax facilities a bit.
WLV - still room to expand and add facilities to avoid overtaxing.
GFV - Not really any room to build. Would overtax facilities.
CRV - would not cannibalize conventions, but could build another tower to the North and add facilities between the towers.
SSV - Yes, there is room, but would need to add facilities. Facilities already overtaxed.
OKW - here's my theory. They would, in phases, tear down the existing buildings and rebuild then 4 stories high, like SSV. Need more facilities if they do. No room to add buildings unless they close the golf course.

Deluxe Conversion?
Grand Floridian - I would say no, demand is good and conventions are successful
Contemporary - I say no, because conventions are successful and it is said the ground is not good to convert the south wing to a tower.
WL - maybe. It could go all DVC although I believe this is a more successful Deluxe location.
BW Inn - good candidate to convert rooms to studios. Conventions not held often.
BC Hotel - good candidate to convert rooms.
YC Hotel - good candidate to convert rooms. Conventions not held often, could tear down and build a Villas wing and improve pool.
PR - good candidate to convert more rooms.

Moderates?
I could see them toying with a new category of lower priced DVC attached to moderate resorts and converting buildings or adding where possible. But would anyone buy in to DVC at the ever rising rates to have only a food court and moderate class pool?

My view is that very single resort has some potential and some negative for expansion and/or conversion, EVERY ONE including values. And I believe that ALL can be done without creating a separate resort system including the values. Some would be more favorable than others obviously. There are always options to expand or add infrastructure and there is land that could be used for all resorts potentially. Some might not be financially feasible. My view is that additons are more likely at GF, BC/YC, Poly (1 & 2 BR villas and ? 3 BR) and CR. Conversions more likely at GF & BC/YC. New resorts are more likely at FW, moderates esp at or near PO or at any one of a number of non associated tracts. Adding a pool, adding a restaurant, arranging parking are all fairly easy options though they could be expensive (parking decks, shuttles). My view is that the moderates already come up to the level of OKW and SSR with the addition of a DVC level structure and the the values do as well with the addition of a decent family style TS restaurant and minor infrastructure modifications. Certainly each location and option presents unique challenges.

 

[sleepydog25]

No one asked my opinion before besmirching my VWL home. Had they, I would have said "no" loudly and continuously. I'm not automatically against expansion at a resort, but I am against anything that ruins or diminishes what makes a particular resort so special. In my case, a few of the top things I love most about VWL is its intimacy, its serenity, and the ability to easily step away from the buzz of excitement by walking down the nature trail. Those will likely disappear with the new construction. . .as will likely the beach to which I have an emotional attachment. In instances such as these, I despise change, thus new construction.

 

[michelleiada]

I wouldn't necessarily object to expansion at my home BCV as long as they add other things like eateries, pools, parking, etc. I would love to see a 3 BR grand villa option at BCV. I think with all of the building of new lodging and new DVC members, disney needs to consider the effect it is having on overcrowding at the parks and seriously consider a 5th gate. You can't keep bringing in more people and not increase the parks. Also, I agree with the poster who said that creating a walkway from AKL to AK would greatly increase interest in that resort. Personally, I love the resort and am considering adding points there but if they added a themed/lit walkway to AK...I would absolutely do it.

 

[luckyman_apd]

if any moderate were to be converted i would bet Coronado....I think it's got a big layout and the pool is very nice there. The feel to me when we stayed there was far above any value resort, and it has a restaurant, not just a food court. I don't see Port of Orleans ever changing. Everyone I know that goes to Disney that is not DVC and books anything other than Value is Port of Orleans. From my perspective that seems to be the most popular moderate. My only drawback I see to that resort is the distance from the parks. It's farther from everything except AKV. And at AKV has AK park next to it.

I'm glad to see the consensus that the WL expansion will be it's own booking category separate from WL current owners. If those bungalows they build cost anything like poly, the demand for regular rooms on current owners will go through the roof. I'd sell mine now if I owned there and if that was expected.

 

[freediverdude]

IMO AKL and especially Kidani are too far away from AK to do the walking path, but I do think they should have a special peoplemover or boat or something between the Jambo building and AK. Or better yet, have safari jeeps leaving continuously from the Jambo building over to somewhere in the park.

As far as the moderates and values adding DVC, I just don't see it unless the points or buy in are a lot less. The amenities just aren't there. No health club, spa, watercraft, very limited table service restaurants if at all, feature pool, no boat, walking, or monorail access to a park or Disney Springs....there's no way someone is going to use the same number of points to stay at Caribbean Beach Villas as BCV, or pay the same $168 per point as the Poly.

 

[Dean]

IMO AKL and especially Kidani are too far away from AK to do the walking path, but I do think they should have a special peoplemover or boat or something between the Jambo building and AK. Or better yet, have safari jeeps leaving continuously from the Jambo building over to somewhere in the park.

As far as the moderates and values adding DVC, I just don't see it unless the points or buy in are a lot less. The amenities just aren't there. No health club, spa, watercraft, very limited table service restaurants if at all, feature pool, no boat, walking, or monorail access to a park or Disney Springs....there's no way someone is going to use the same number of points to stay at Caribbean Beach Villas as BCV, or pay the same $168 per point as the Poly.

I've said previously that I felt there should be some type of connection to avoid having to walk around, IMO that's true both within Kidani and between Jambo and Kidani. Maybe a small tram underground or elevated or simply an elevated walkway connecting the ends.

As for the moderates, all would be an easy adjustment to add DVC IMO. The limitations you note are easily fixable to get one up to the level of DVC for the ones that are required. ALL have a sit down restaurant and CSR has a gym I believe. All have a better food court option than any of the current DVC options that come to mind. Not all DVC resorts have a spa and I don't see the Disney Springs/DD as a major draw for SSR. They'd have to add a gym at 2 of the 3, easy. And likely keep the restaurant open for more meals, also easy. As for whether people would pay to own at a given options, I think they would making reasonable assumptions. They could create a unique option that was desirable unto itself such as 1 BR sleep 6 or a double lockoff 3 BR (1 BR between 2 studios) or just have the points in line with OKW. The reality is that it would be EASY to make such options as or more desirable than OKW or SSR which is the only bar that is required. And it would be no different than the leaked option for FW. They sold SSR, they can sell another resort that's not at the top of the food chain likely easier than SSR. The values are a larger stretch but the same principles apply, esp for the in between options such as AoA.

 

[mnra]

i would say okw no
and blt no
would not want a south tower being able to book magic kingdom view