I gotta love this thread. Seriously, 25 pages of inanity and it doesn't involve me (yet!) ...
@wdwmagic must be thrilled!
To be honest, I've skimmed quite a few pages here ... that's what happens when you're watching Tom Brady and the Patriots show what winners do. You already knew the ending, sorta like this thread. But there's still the entertainment of how you'll get there.
I quoted the two fine gentlemen above simply because I thought both points were simple and accurate, if not especially eloquent.
Now, there absolutely is jealously by some (at least folks like
@sshindel admitted that was his case). Some of us aren't jealous, though. We're sorta angry and amused at how blatantly money-grubbing Bob Iger's WDC has become and how so many people feel the need to either attack those who are bothered by this 'vision' for WDW or simply fall upon the absurd 'Disney is a business so they can do anything blah, blah, blah' line that they ignorantly feel is the answer to any critique of a company in 2015.
I have no doubt that these villas will be a huge success (I am the one who has already seen concept art of what they intend to do at the WL, so they **** well know they can do this and make lots of money by doing it.)
@Tom is right.
They will be sold and/or rented. They will become some of hardest WDW units to book. Count on it.
What I find amusing beyond belief is that many of you actually think these are for the rich. The top of the one percent bracket. People that see $2500 a night like you'd see $250 or maybe $150 a night. If you think that,well, that's where you folks are incredibly off, as misguided as can be.
I may only be a faux top one percenter (one thing this place and the Twitverse has taught me is that very few people apparently know the definition of faux), but I am related to one percenters (at the very high end) and I have worked and played and traveled with others.
Real one percenters, people who care about exclusivity and luxury? They ain't who these bugalows (yes, that was intentional because while killer amoeba is greatly exaggerated as an issue in those waters and always brings amusement to discussions of natural water at WDW, the fact they breed zillions of mosquitoes can't be shouted loud enough, are being built for or marketed to.
Most of those folks have zero interest in WDW. If they care or want to take their children, then they'll come and rent high end suites, either on property or off. Those presidential suites and VP suites. From the Grand Flo to the Poly to the Ritz Carlton and, mots assuredly, the new luxury Four Seasons. Some will wind up in Golden Oak too. That's where they'll go. Not the little shacks out on the swamp. And you guys/gals are right, money is of no concern to them. But value for that money and, much more importantly, service and standards are.
No, these villas are aimed at another audience entirely.
And that brings me to Jake's post.
The people who are being looked at for these new options are the Disney chronics, many who have some money (but are not loaded by any stretch), many who get that money from all of us be it government workers, military or folks on disabilities (real and imagined). They are aimed at folks who already own DVC, but might like more. They are aimed at Lifestylers.
There are people who will come and stay at the Grand Flo for a week while their bills go unpaid ... some of them have even put those comments on this very forum (in discussions I have steered clear of) ... Disney is such an addiction for them.
Jake used the word ''stupid'' to describe these people because it is inflammatory and likely to get reactions (as it has, as I am doing as well). Are they stupid?
Who knows? Everyone's circumstances are different. Generally, I don't find folks who buy/own timeshare to be making smart financial decisions. But for some people, it can work and be smart. I don't own DVC (I have relations who do) and I've never found Disney's sales pitches at all compelling evidence that I was missing out on something. Now, my significant other ('Angie M' for those kids playing at home in the Twitverse) bought resale DVC at the BW at quite a discount BEFORE she ever met me, and she doubled her points with a resale at WLV in the last year after we tossed it around. I recently spent a week at WDW on DVC points. ... But the idea of ever buying any at retail, from Disney, strikes me as a profoundly unwise and, yes, stupid decision.
And that's what we're here for (beyond paying for Steve's retirement by driving revenue to this site), to discuss what we think of various aspects of WDW, TWDC and themed entertainment.
Some of us are jealous. Some of us don't care at all. Some of us are amused. Some bemused. Some sickened. Some can't wait to write checks (some even credit checks!) to Ken Potrock and George Kalogridis and Co.
Like goes on no matter how we feel. But this site exists for us to express any of the above opinions and argue them and then some.
I am sure the ''Mommy Bloggers'' and the ''pixie dusters'' that Jake referenced will love them. They exist for that purpose.
I do wonder if Disney will be giving freebies any of their bloggingwhores for these. My guess is they'll all get tours before they open, so they can give DVC free advertising and publicity. I doubt that anyone in the O-Town circles will get a comped stay except for a whale like Lou Mongello. Beyond him, I'd be shocked if
@WDWFigment doesn't stay there on his own DVC points quickly and Mrs. Brigante's meal-ticket has the money to stay there on cash. The rest of the O-Towners in the circle couldn't afford it if their lives depended upon it, although I could see three couples getting together and renting one for a few nights and then they tell all their flocks how amazing they are etc ...
Will I ever stay there? Doubtful. I don't see much value in them from the DVC standpoint and none whatsoever from the cash standpoint.
Maybe it's my roots showing, but I'd much rather experience the real thing in Bora Bora myself (even without MAGIC Bands, Disney buses, chicken fingers and ECVs!)
Now ... I'll go back to my Spirited thread and wish you all good luck in getting this to 50 pages by Monday!
