A Spirited Valentine ...

Absimilliard

Well-Known Member
That's what I miss about the 'Old' Dunkin's the FRESH donuts, Now they are are centrally manufactured somewhere and not worth eating. You were so lucky to meet him and as you note from all reports he was an amazing guy with a heart of gold.

Sadly, Tim Hortons up in Canada did the same thing where all you get are flash frozen donuts that are warmed up in an oven at the location. What's worst here is that Tim Hortons steamrolled over everyone and finding a fresh donut is nearly impossible since they drove to closure 99% of the other donut shops.
 

DDLand

Well-Known Member
I would be so curious to see HKDL's occupancy numbers. It seems to me that a third hotel at a similar price point to the other two is not really warranted and will add some drain to the resort's already precarious numbers, but that's just a guess.
When it was announced and construction started occupancy was like 90%. I've heard things are in the 70s now. This slowdown was totally unexpected and couldn't have come at a worse time. We'll get updated numbers on the 27th I believe.

Anecdotally the hotels seemed full when I was there in early Jan (pre new year), but this hotel could be a disaster. They're marketing it to locals who want an escape.

At least it looks nice!
 

csmat99

Well-Known Member
Sadly, Tim Hortons up in Canada did the same thing where all you get are flash frozen donuts that are warmed up in an oven at the location. What's worst here is that Tim Hortons steamrolled over everyone and finding a fresh donut is nearly impossible since they drove to closure 99% of the other donut shops.
I miss living in Texas only donut stores there are run by Koreans and they make them fresh every morning and once they run out they run out. Amazing Apple Fritters the size of Iger's head when properly inflated.
 

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
I would be so curious to see HKDL's occupancy numbers. It seems to me that a third hotel at a similar price point to the other two is not really warranted and will add some drain to the resort's already precarious numbers, but that's just a guess.

93% in 2014, 79% in 2015. The 2016 numbers are due any day.

The new rooms were certainly justified when they pulled the trigger, now though...

I really hope the fortunes reverse, HKDL was finally heading in a really good direction.
 

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
First, a sincere thanks to @danlb_2000 and @P_Radden for their hard work breaking that crazy (but true!) gondola story and Disney's rush to get ahead of their resort plans (massive as they were described to me) and changes coming and rushing out the Coronado tower and admitting changes were coming to CBR, just not with a new transport system, a new DVC deluxe resort and reduced capacity at CBR.

All of this has allowed me to only be a dozen or so pages behind on my own thread. :D:eek::cool:

What exactly is going on you ask?

Well, the CBR is being contracted in size. And a DVC resort will be going there (I am fairly certain on theme, but am holding back for a bit because I still recall my teepee art at the WL that wound up being cabins ... I still like the teepees better!)

Why gondolas?

Because it is the absolute cheapest transportation Disney could add there beyond more buses. And they will be used to tout the area's direct connection to the SWE when it opens in 2019 ... or 2020 (no, I don't really care what Iger said as he often lies publicly, even on opening dates!) This is designed to make the area more desirable and give Disney (they hope) the ability to sell more rooms at higher price points (see those $49 rooms at the All Stars or $145 rooms at DAK Lodge right now if you think more rooms is what Disney needs).

This will also bring about the long planned idea of dropping the 'value', 'moderate' and 'deluxe' categories and allow for them to sell based on location and desire. You want direct transport to that outpost on the edge of space at whatever Disney-MGM's corpse will be called? Well, would you pay $250 a night to stay at Pop Century? $400 for CBR? Yes, this IS the thinking behind this. And it will be property wide. You can already smell those $1200 a night standard rooms at the Poly for Christmas, right?

More Gondolas elsewhere?

Down the road, maybe. Right now, no.

How does Coronado fit in?

The resort will be seeing an expansion yet again at the convention center to make up for the loss at the Contemporary (timeshare is more valuable than conventions, apparently). So a need for deluxe inventory will get moved over to this resort, which will see even more upgrades and much higher price points.

Does this mean no DVC at Coronado Springs?

Not 100% sure, but it looks that way.

But there has to be more DVC coming?

Hell yeah. At least three resorts right now, including new builds at CBR and in EPCOT resort area.

Is Coronado the only place where actual new non-timeshare inventory will be added?

No. They are looking at multiples. But the big one is that the EPCOT resort I first broke here years ago appears to be on again as a full blown, very pricey, very deluxe resort. Yes, this is the one at the entrance that was planned as DVC. I still believe the resort will be part hotel/part timeshare, but conflicting talk on that.

There also are plans for a Star Wars themed resort of some type. But it would appear to be so top secret that it isn't worth discussing yet.;) No timeshare with this one.

Should I be excited by this?

No, not unless you are such an addict to a BRAND that you want to pay 5-star dollars for 3-star rooms and services.

Why all this stuff now when we've had next to nothing for years?

Simple. Star Wars, WDW's 50th and ... Pandora.

Chappie and The Weatherman expect WDW attendance to go up BIGLY in the next 5-6 years. They believe demand will outpace supply and that you will pay Four Seasons prices for a Disney motel if it is sold/targeted correctly. They may be right with many of you. I am largely over WDW and admit that. I am excited by DAK and very little else, except CM 40% dining discounts. But if you are an addict or a newbie, maybe you will pay those prices. Even if they excite me, I'll simply use my DVC points. Barring a parks renaissance that I don't see happening.
 

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
First, a sincere thanks to @danlb_2000 and @P_Radden for their hard work breaking that crazy (but true!) gondola story and Disney's rush to get ahead of their resort plans (massive as they were described to me) and changes coming and rushing out the Coronado tower and admitting changes were coming to CBR, just not with a new transport system, a new DVC deluxe resort and reduced capacity at CBR.

All of this has allowed me to only be a dozen or so pages behind on my own thread. :D:eek::cool:

What exactly is going on you ask?

Well, the CBR is being contracted in size. And a DVC resort will be going there (I am fairly certain on theme, but am holding back for a bit because I still recall my teepee art at the WL that wound up being cabins ... I still like the teepees better!)

Why gondolas?

Because it is the absolute cheapest transportation Disney could add there beyond more buses. And they will be used to tout the area's direct connection to the SWE when it opens in 2019 ... or 2020 (no, I don't really care what Iger said as he often lies publicly, even on opening dates!) This is designed to make the area more desirable and give Disney (they hope) the ability to sell more rooms at higher price points (see those $49 rooms at the All Stars or $145 rooms at DAK Lodge right now if you think more rooms is what Disney needs).

This will also bring about the long planned idea of dropping the 'value', 'moderate' and 'deluxe' categories and allow for them to sell based on location and desire. You want direct transport to that outpost on the edge of space at whatever Disney-MGM's corpse will be called? Well, would you pay $250 a night to stay at Pop Century? $400 for CBR? Yes, this IS the thinking behind this. And it will be property wide. You can already smell those $1200 a night standard rooms at the Poly for Christmas, right?

More Gondolas elsewhere?

Down the road, maybe. Right now, no.

How does Coronado fit in?

The resort will be seeing an expansion yet again at the convention center to make up for the loss at the Contemporary (timeshare is more valuable than conventions, apparently). So a need for deluxe inventory will get moved over to this resort, which will see even more upgrades and much higher price points.

Does this mean no DVC at Coronado Springs?

Not 100% sure, but it looks that way.

But there has to be more DVC coming?

Hell yeah. At least three resorts right now, including new builds at CBR and in EPCOT resort area.

Is Coronado the only place where actual new non-timeshare inventory will be added?

No. They are looking at multiples. But the big one is that the EPCOT resort I first broke here years ago appears to be on again as a full blown, very pricey, very deluxe resort. Yes, this is the one at the entrance that was planned as DVC. I still believe the resort will be part hotel/part timeshare, but conflicting talk on that.

There also are plans for a Star Wars themed resort of some type. But it would appear to be so top secret that it isn't worth discussing yet.;) No timeshare with this one.

Should I be excited by this?

No, not unless you are such an addict to a BRAND that you want to pay 5-star dollars for 3-star rooms and services.

Why all this stuff now when we've had next to nothing for years?

Simple. Star Wars, WDW's 50th and ... Pandora.

Chappie and The Weatherman expect WDW attendance to go up BIGLY in the next 5-6 years. They believe demand will outpace supply and that you will pay Four Seasons prices for a Disney motel if it is sold/targeted correctly. They may be right with many of you. I am largely over WDW and admit that. I am excited by DAK and very little else, except CM 40% dining discounts. But if you are an addict or a newbie, maybe you will pay those prices. Even if they excite me, I'll simply use my DVC points. Barring a parks renaissance that I don't see happening.

If they want me to pay $250 for Pop, then (1) they'd better put coffee makers in the rooms and (2) they'd better find something more acceptable than that curtain to separate the vanity area from the beds. But, like you, I'll just use my DVC points.

The Bobs had better hope the economy doesn't take a nosedive, given their ticket and hotel prices. Because APs, especially locals (I'm defining locals as any FL resident within a 4-5 hour drive), will be the ones helping to keep the lights on. Again. Maybe.

Does Disney really need more room capacity? Better stated, does Disney need more timeshares? At the expense of cash rooms? Can one infer WDW is quickly becoming a conglomeration of hotels with some rides in the vicinity? Does corporate really believe this is a rational growth model? That people clamor to visit WDW because they want to stay in a $200/night Hampton Inn (without the free breakfast)?

Gondolas.....
 

MisterPenguin

President of Animal Kingdom
Premium Member
If they want me to pay $250 for Pop, then (1) they'd better put coffee makers in the rooms and (2) they'd better find something more acceptable than that curtain to separate the vanity area from the beds. But, like you, I'll just use my DVC points.

If they want me to pay $250 for POP, then they need to put a gun to Marriott's head and have them raise the Swolphin rates to be over $250 on a regular basis.

I just canceled a $107/night stay at POP because of friends coming along and they're booked. So, in two weeks, I'll be spending $84/night (before resort fees) to stay at the Best Western, just a 10 minute walk from DS.

I ain't paying an extra $140 a night for a Gondola access. I doubt the market will, but we'll see.
 

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
Chappie and The Weatherman expect WDW attendance to go up BIGLY in the next 5-6 years. They believe demand will outpace supply and that you will pay Four Seasons prices for a Disney motel if it is sold/targeted correctly. They may be right with many of you. I am largely over WDW and admit that. I am excited by DAK and very little else, except CM 40% dining discounts. But if you are an addict or a newbie, maybe you will pay those prices. Even if they excite me, I'll simply use my DVC points. Barring a parks renaissance that I don't see happening.

It's a dangerous game. Expect, as has been said, a wholescale shake up of resort catagory and pricing. A cable car linked resort is worth more, right?
 

LAKid53

Official Member of the Girly Girl Fan Club
Premium Member
Perceived competition.

From who? Four Seasons?

Am I off base thinking Disney is over building? You've got the additions to CSR and CBR, plus the potential for four more? Do Bob and Bob really think they can maintain occupancy at 4-6 more hotels to make them at least marginally profitable? Or is everything going to be DVC, so they'll get it at the front end....

The upside I can see is if they end up over building and occupancy rates drop to say 60% - 70%, they will start lowering rack rates. Nah.....
 

ryguy

Well-Known Member
Very Interesting stuff. I can say as a travel agent the least requested resort is the Coronado. So a revamp makes sense. I think the theme turns people off. Many people don't even know about it. I personally like the resort and it usually is the most cost effective moderate for Passholders/Florida residents. The pool is pretty sweet too.

CBR is also another resort I don't get a lot hits on. But I will say I think the location is prime and these additions make logical sense. It has the most potential to be upgraded to a Deluxe. The theme is one most travelers enjoy. CBR took a hit when the rooms were in crummy shape in early/mid 2000's, anyone doing research on the net would see many negative reviews of worn/dirty rooms. So many people shy away from the resort. Once you get a reputation, its hard to overcome.
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom