-
Welcome to the WDWMAGIC.COM Forums!
Please take a look around, and feel free to sign up and join the community.
The Spirited 8th Wonder (WDW's Future & You!)
- Thread starter WDW1974
- Start date
ThemeParkJunkee
Well-Known Member
Oh dear, leave for a few hours and this is what is announced. I am not the least bit surprised. The whole corporate entity does not care about the typical theme park guest. They prefer to "capture" the Orlando guest . Why not? If they choose not to improve their parks then lets create a "cool way" to be in Orlando that will, in the end, cost us nothing and subsidize the cost of our current resorts. Sad...just sad.
TinkerBelle8878
Well-Known Member
WDW of course puts nothing on the fast track ever... but isn't Avatar what they decided to do about it? After all the Spring 2011 negotiations and Fall 2011 announcement dates fall in this timeframe when they would have been made aware of the Diagon Alley plans. In fact, it's probably what forced the seemingly misguided move of Avatar.
It wasn't the right move, or remotely close to the best move, but that was their "move".
Yes, but the LucasFilm acquisition didn't come until nearly 2 years after this all went down... The theme parks were an afterthought in that purchase, the movies were the juicy steak Disney was after there.
And, at the rate Disney moves, had that happened - WDW wouldn't be getting anything until 2019... instead of 2017.
No, I meant that instead of bothering at all with Avatar, they should've tried to aquire Lucasfilm back then.
As it is, there already is a presence in the parks with the various Indy rides/show and StarTours. It seemed like a no brainer.
DonaldDoleWhip
Well-Known Member
The only reason I brought up that example from DLP was to point out how WDW's resorts are actually maintained more frequently and consistently, whether we like the updates or not (from basic work on the clapboard exteriors at Yacht and Beach Club, to the ongoing Poly changes, to the proposed Wilderness Lodge 'enhancements'). So while Disney leadership definitely deserves criticism for reasons being discussed here, perhaps they also deserve some credit for maintaining and updating the WDW resorts as they have.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
stevehousse
Well-Known Member
Doesn't suprise me that they are going after another resort to turn into DVC. however I do find the WL an odd choice as they already have DVC there and on top of that...I don't really care for WL...if I go on vacation to FL, I want to feel like I am actually on vacation rather than camping in the woods that I can do for probably 90% cheaper in my own state...LOL I never got the appeal for WL...I'm suprised they didn't go with a mod with a better "away from home" theme...
Is there more stuff to be revealed or is this it?
Is there more stuff to be revealed or is this it?
Gabe1
Ivory Tower Squabble EST 2011. WINDMILL SURVIVOR
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
Sorry @The Mom, I've made a seperate [rip-off] thread for DLP stuff here:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/magical-dlp-rumours-thoughts.887042/
maxairmike
Well-Known Member
The more I hear and dig, the more I think to myself "Why?" I've read the original Blue Ocean paper, and had to really restrain myself from tossing the keyboard across the room. I can see how in some businesses that could be seen as beneficial (although I found myself thinking "they're restating common business ideas and taking them in a ridiculous direction that should raise obvious questions"), including some ancillary operations associated with the parks, but certainly not the parks and resorts as a whole. That we view park execs actually spending time in the parks as even slightly noteworthy should tell you everything you need to know.
The whole WL situation just...when do they hit the saturation point, and will it be too late by the time they realize it? That's only semi-rhetorical, because I really fear they may not realize it until they build or repurpose rooms for DVC and they literally don't sell a single point.
The whole WL situation just...when do they hit the saturation point, and will it be too late by the time they realize it? That's only semi-rhetorical, because I really fear they may not realize it until they build or repurpose rooms for DVC and they literally don't sell a single point.
Animaniac93-98
Well-Known Member
If the rooms continue to not sell (DVC or regular), what I could see them doing is operating certain rooms/wings on a "seasonal" basis to further reduce inventory and maintenance costs.
That, to me, sounds like their last ditch effort before simply lowering rack rates.
That, to me, sounds like their last ditch effort before simply lowering rack rates.
Gabe1
Ivory Tower Squabble EST 2011. WINDMILL SURVIVOR
I have not paid the going rate or rack since the early 2000's but even with a good CM discount the Moderates are overpriced for what they are, tight with queen beds. The decor in many are hodgepodge by adding new furnishings that do not match the existing old furnishings. While the 'white bedding' was welcomed it just emphasized how poorly the interior design has become. It is some years now but when the moderates opened they were $89. I paid years ago $165 2 weeks at Christmas at POR. I can stay at Gaylords at Christmas cheaper than a Moderate with a CM discount. Ahhh Gaylords....nice.
All and all, this is making the Swan and Dolphin even more attractive or the Hilton at DTD.
Gabe1
Ivory Tower Squabble EST 2011. WINDMILL SURVIVOR
They shut Port Orleans (then named) after the 9/11 drop in occupancy so that isn't far-fetched. When I was at the same now FQ in April easily 1/3 to 1/2 of the buildings were not being used over my almost 2 week stay while Disney overbooked POR. It could be done.
The problem with that is bringing them back online and staffing when done seasonally. For 2 days there was a huge high school group at the FQ that opened the large building next to the restaurant side of FQ for a few days. The small staff in the restaurant could not handle the meals, lines out to the door. Staffing is a problem already, there just are not that many quality individuals looking for on again off again employment in the Orlando area. The percentage of CPs and Internationals has escalated and this could increase if they build additional housing however the vast majority are not seasonal CMs either, they have to earn enough to cover the rent Disney takes out of their checks.
What everybody seems to miss on the Deluxe price increases is that Disney has to keep dramatically increasing hotel prices, so that they can dramatically increase DVC prices and yet still try and make it look like a good deal by comparison in the sales pitch.
The business model is do everything possible to jack up revenue from the cash-cow DVC, and if they can also get people to pay more for regular hotel stays, that is gravy.
Next Big Thing
Well-Known Member
Now maybe i'm missing something, but I just don't see how this will make your future stays at the WL less than prior ones. Just because rooms have been converted to DVC doesn't mean you can't still pay with cash and the rooms are going to be upgraded! How is that a bad thing? And as @ParentsOf4 has pointed out multiple times, renting points can find you extreme steals.
alissafalco
Well-Known Member
We paid $700 a night (in 2008) for our REAL overwater bungalow in Bora Bora. If people have the money to pay over a $1,000 a night to stay over the creature from the black lagoon in a fake knockoff, why they wouldnt go to the REAL Polynesia is beyond me.
As for the teepees? Here's my son playing in his. That's about all I can say about that.
cw1982
Well-Known Member
Your son is too cute, but the picture in the context of this thread just made me burst out laughing.
WDW is owned by The Walt Disney Company, a US based company that has been highly profitable for the last 20 years or so.
DLP is owned by Euro Disney SCA, a company that has been on the edge of bankruptcy for at least the last 10 years.
Last edited:
Interesting rumours, @WDW1974. Not surprising though, considering that GFV and the Villas at the Poly are rather small resort, I was thinking that they must have plans on where to move next. They are just far too addicted to that quick DVC money...
As to the question of who buys into DVC at those prices: People who believe that they are creating wonderful memories for their families. I made the mistake on my last cruise to go and listen to one of those DVC presentations they do there nearly every day. It made me feel dirty. I had always been told that DVC was kind of the "nice timeshare people", no hard sales tactics etc. Well, the soft ones they applied where bad enough. Trying to guilt you into making a quick decision while on the ship because if you take everything home with you, you will just not get around to get it organised and then the prices might have gone up when you think about it next time...
And the sales argument wasn't even that you were saving money by buying DVC (I guess they have figured out that this is not really true, unless you really stay at a Deluxe resort at rack rate every time). No, it was about locking in future vacation memories. Because with DVC you have committed to go there, now you will make sure to have a wonderful vacation with your family every year... More kind of the convenience of overpaying like for the DDP which more or less stopped saving you any real money several years ago.
As to the question of who buys into DVC at those prices: People who believe that they are creating wonderful memories for their families. I made the mistake on my last cruise to go and listen to one of those DVC presentations they do there nearly every day. It made me feel dirty. I had always been told that DVC was kind of the "nice timeshare people", no hard sales tactics etc. Well, the soft ones they applied where bad enough. Trying to guilt you into making a quick decision while on the ship because if you take everything home with you, you will just not get around to get it organised and then the prices might have gone up when you think about it next time...
And the sales argument wasn't even that you were saving money by buying DVC (I guess they have figured out that this is not really true, unless you really stay at a Deluxe resort at rack rate every time). No, it was about locking in future vacation memories. Because with DVC you have committed to go there, now you will make sure to have a wonderful vacation with your family every year... More kind of the convenience of overpaying like for the DDP which more or less stopped saving you any real money several years ago.
Last edited:
Longhairbear
Well-Known Member
I placed this news about Wilderness DVC on my Facebook, where quite a few DVC members, and more than a few friends that work in Burbank, and Glendale will read it. I'd love to be a fly on the wall, in those offices when they open in the morning.
sweetpee_1993
Well-Known Member
If they would just do something with the scary It clown at the pool they could boost their occupancy.
But seriously, add more features and theme to the pool area. Make improvements to entice folks. It's not rocket science.
For years I have thanked my lucky stars we didn't bite on DVC. At this moment I can honestly say I've never been more pleased we didn't do it. Thank you, God, for making me so leary of financial commitment.