Disney Vacation Club Timeshare Sales Drop in May June 24, 2011
Posted by John Stephens in : Disney, News & Events, Timeshare Resale , add a commentIn another example of the struggles that timeshare companies are encountering, new sales for Disney Vacation Club points fell in May for the second month in a row.
According to DVCNews.com, sales for DVC resorts (that can be tracked) fell 15.6% in May compared to April’s figures, which were also down. The drop was attributed to low sales at Animal Kingdom Villas and Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
The sales figures only account for the seven DVC resorts at Disney World along with Disney’s Vero Beach FL and Hilton Head Island SC resorts. They do not include numbers for Disney’s Grand California Hotel or for the new Aulani Resort in Hawaii, which is scheduled to open in August.
The Bay Lake Tower figures alone were down 21.6% from the previous month but, to be fair, the resort is 86% sold out so slower sales were to be expected. Even so, this is a pretty steep drop for such a high-end location and is the second lowest month for Bay Lake Tower in the last year. The resort is expected to sell out later this summer.
Animal Kingdom Villas also took a nose-dive. Normally selling an average of 46,000 points a month, the resort only sold just over 19,000 points in May.
But here’s the rub, and why this stuff isn’t rocket science. Bay Lake Tower just hiked their prices to $140 per point at a time when sales are down. Huh?
Both Bay Lake Tower and Animal Kingdom Villas are more expensive than Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort, which currently sells through DVC at $99 per point. So Saratoga Springs sells at better than a 3-to-1 rate compared to Animal Kingdom Villas and they wonder what the problem is?
Are you kidding me?
When are they going to realize that it is you, the consumer, who sets the price of these things? You vote with your wallet and they don’t seem to understand this, but this wouldn’t be the first time that Disney showed their arrogance. Don’t let common sense get in the way of a good business plan.
Look, I know that Disney wouldn’t be Disney by making bad business decisions and they have done a wonderful job with their timeshare product. But, sometimes, don’t you just need to ask your customers what the problem is and try to fix it? I guess the customers have told them – through their sales.
And this doesn’t even take into consideration the timeshare resales market. Or does it?
Maybe consumers, who are much more savvy than they were a few years ago, have discovered they can go to sites such as BuyaTimeshare.com and buy Disney timeshare points at a lower cost than through the resorts?
Isn’t that always the case?
You know, or you wouldn’t be here. Take a look at the Disney timeshares for sale on the BuyaTimeshare.com website by clicking here.
Disney Timeshare Sees Decline In Customer Satisfaction May 31, 2011
Posted by John Stephens in : Disney, News & Events , add a commentNow here’s something you don’t see every day – Disney taking a hit when it comes to customer satisfaction. Even if it is only for the Disney timeshare sector, declining customer service results are still an oddity for the Mouse in whatever incarnation it manifests.
According to Disney-watch website DVCnews.com, Disney Vacation Club’s customer satisfaction score saw a decline in the first quarter of 2011 to its lowest quarterly numbers in almost four years.
Research firm Market Metrix conducts the satisfaction surveys and the DVC overall rating dropped to 87.7 for the quarter, down from 92.0 in the last quarter of 2010. The company says it measures areas such as Loyalty Program Effectiveness, Loyalty Emotions and Brand Leakage (sounds like a personal problem) to rank competitors in many segments of the hospitality industry.
To keep this in perspective, the hotel industry average was around an 84 and the timeshare industry accommodation average was about an 86, so it’s not like Disney was in the tank compared to the rest of the industry. However, this is Disney we’re talking about and it expects to repetitively crush the competition when it comes to customer satisfaction. The brand demands it.
Disney Vacation Club finished 2010 as the leader in the Timeshare Accommodations category with an average score of 91.8, so they’ll have some catching up to do if they want to keep the title.
No specifics were given as to the reasons for the drop, but a quick scan of the blog comments gave an indication of what could be contributing to the fall. Discussion was across the board, from a lack of resort-wide free wi-fi to the age of the resorts. However, many thought this was an anomaly and the resort’s proximity to the Disney parks seemed to trump the perceived problems that the commenters mentioned.
Keeping in mind that blog comments are often food for negativity, my guess is that Disney was bound to have an off-quarter sooner or later, especially when the economic challenges of the last few years have created the need for consumers to squeeze every ounce of value from their purchases.
As one commenter pointed out, “DVC was the top-ranked timeshare in 13 out of the last 16 quarters.”
That, my friends, is timeshare street-cred.
Disney timeshare still provides outstanding vacation value and you can find great deals on Disney timeshare by browsing the BuyaTimeshare.com website here.
Rumors Abound Regarding Disney Timeshare April 11, 2011
Posted by John Stephens in : Disney, News & Events , add a commentRumors about a possible new Disney timeshare development, changes to closing cost payments and progress at the new Aulani resort in Hawaii have had Disney Vacation Club in the news over the last few weeks.
According to multiple news sources in Orlando, Disney officials have submitted plans with the South Florida Water Management District for construction and other improvements on land adjacent to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The plans include the construction of a multi-story building that would be located on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon between the Grand Floridian feature pool and the Wedding Pavilion.
The plans do not state the exact purpose of the building, but such applications filed with the SFWMD have been among the first tangible evidence of previous Disney timeshare developments including the Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and the Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
Additional reports from the website MousePlanet.com state that Disney Vacation Club will also take ownership of a portion of the 900 current hotel rooms and suites at the Grand Floridian. This is similar to what DVC did at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas. The fifth and sixth floors of Jambo House were converted into Vacation Club villas during construction of the new Kidani Village facility.
Such a move makes sense on several levels. Conversion is much cheaper than building new units, the villas would be ready for sale quicker and it would leave fewer hotel rooms for Disney to market. Remember that the average occupancy rates for timeshare hover around 80% as opposed to the 60-65% average for hotel rooms.
The closing costs issue is a different matter, as existing DVC owners are now looking at having to pay closing costs for buying additional points. Traditionally, Disney Vacation Club has not charged existing members the closing costs or other fees associated with the purchase of additional points.
According to DVCNews.com, that has now changed and the exact costs vary depending upon the resort purchased, the number of points added and whether or not the add-on is financed through Disney.
New members have been subject to closing costs on their initial point purchase for several years. With this change in place, fees will now be added to all contracts regardless of member status or the size of the purchase.
A Disney spokesperson was quoted in the report as saying “in the real estate industry it is an accepted practice for buyers to pay closing costs. These closing costs can be included in the Member financing if they so choose.”
Don’t you just love it when timeshare developers refer to their product in terms of real estate when it’s convenient, but market it as a “lifestyle product” when it suits them?
All indications are that the construction on the Aulani resort in Hawaii is going well. So well, in fact, that Disney is offering tours of the facilities while they are still under construction.
The project looks to be a success waiting to happen for Disney, but the whispers around the Aloha State revolve around how much the disaster in Japan will affect Hawaii tourism. Resorts are reporting steep drops in inbound visitation from Japan, understandably so considering what the Japanese are still dealing with regarding the aftereffects of the earthquake, tsunami and radiation leaks.
Disney has the Japanese in mind as they build Aulani since they have made no secret of their desire to further inroads into Asian markets. Last week’s announcement of the new resort and theme park development in Shanghai speaks to that strategy and they have a ready-made marketing arm for Aulani through the Tokyo Disney theme park. The consequences of the natural and man-made disasters in Japan could have an impact on Aulani sales, but only time will tell just how much sales will be affected.
Even with all this attention to new development, Disney timeshare resales are still the best bargain and you can see the deals on the BuyaTimeshare.com website by clicking here.
Timeshare Industry Deregulation in Florida Appears To Be Over Before It Began March 28, 2011
Posted by John Stephens in : Disney, Marriott Timeshares , 1 comment so farWell, that didn’t take long.
Following an outcry from industry groups, language in a bill in the Florida legislature which would have deregulated the timeshare industry has been removed from the bill just days after it was introduced in committee.
We blogged about the original story last week and, while I’d like to think we played a part in the change of heart in Tallahassee, something tells me it had more to do with the involvement of Disney and the media attention it received in Florida.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, language that would have eliminated state oversight of timeshare developers has been stripped from a revised version of HB 5005. The Sentinel reported that if the language had remained in the bill, government regulators would not have been able to provide oversight, such as review offering documents by timeshare builders to ensure they include adequate disclosures for consumers or in advertising materials to ensure they aren’t misleading.
The move comes after the timeshare industry balked at the proposal. They pointed out that state oversight was first imposed to weed out shady developers who gave the timeshare business a dubious reputation that big-name players such as Disney, Marriott and Starwood have spent years attempting to overcome.
Disney had come out in public opposition to the proposal, with Disney lobbyist Brian Bibeau quoted as saying “Florida has what some people would call a colorful history of land fraud that goes back 100 years. Others would call it a lurid history of land fraud. The division (of condominiums, time shares and mobile homes) was put together to force the bad actors out of these areas of activity. We think it’d be a terrible mistake for (the state) to deregulate those areas of the division. We strongly oppose it.”
Even with the regulations in place, former Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum said state agencies ordered 137 operators to cease and desist their timeshare solicitation operations in 2010.
Now, it’s all a moot point as legislators have come to their senses. But is this really the way to govern the fourth most populated state in America? Just throw a bunch of crazy ideas into a bill and see if anyone is paying attention? I thought that type of “strategic leadership” was reserved for the U.S. Congress, not state government.
Now, developers can go back to the high pressure, arm-twisting tactics that they are known for when they sell timeshare to the traveling public. Aren’t you glad you know better and look for deals to buy timeshare on the resale market?
You can find bargains on Disney timeshare, Marriott timeshare and Starwood timeshare products on our BuyaTimeshare.com website by clicking here.
Disney Feels Effects of Tsunami in Japan March 23, 2011
Posted by JConnolly in : Disney , add a commentDisney may be a six letter word, but the institution goes way beyond such a simple name. Not only has Disney consistently lived up to its world renowned name, but it has also given back to the public as well. Disney has taken it upon themselves to close down the Tokyo Disneyland Theme Park until the park passes inspections. The park had been slated to reopen March 21, 2011. Also, Disney has closed the doors to 28 of 47 Disney Stores in Tokyo due to damage from the earthquake and it’s aftermath. Disney representatives also reported minimal damage to Disneyland and Disney Sea parks in Tokyo. Disney Cruise Lines have also suffered from the closure of the Port of Cabo due to the tragedy. Even though cast members at Tokyo’s Disney Parks are unable to work until the parks reopen, they have put together an effort to give back to the community and help those effected by the natural disasters. They have donated blankets, water and food to the guests still stranded at the resorts. Furthermore, Disney star Demi LaVato donated $1 million to help Japan relief efforts.
Disney has taken a huge drop in the stocks due to the tragedy in Japan. It is estimated that Japan’s Disney market supplies over 18% of the operating income for Disney Parks. The hit to Disney will set them back greatly, but will hopefully turn around once efforts are put in to pick up Japan’s economy after the tragedy.
Meanwhile, production in Hawaii on Disney’s newest resort Aulani is still underway! Aulani is Disney’s newest addition to the Disney Resorts Family. Aulani is set to open its doors in late August 2011. Aulani will offer many children programs as well as fun for the whole family! With a destination as popular as Hawaii and a name like Disney behind it, Aulani is sure to become one of the most visited Disney resorts year round!
Deregulation Fever in Florida Could Affect the Timeshare Industry March 22, 2011
Posted by John Stephens in : Disney, News & Events , 1 comment so farFollowing the election of Florida Republican Rick Scott to the Governor’s office last November, state regulation has been targeted as enemy number one by the new administration.
Under the assumption that too much regulation strangles business growth, Gov. Scott is making good on his campaign promise to reduce the size of government in the Sunshine State with a series of bills now making their way through the state legislature.
One bill in particular is calling for the removal of state oversight of the timeshare industry and the measure is drawing the expected public outcry – but from an unexpected source.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney has come out in public opposition to the proposal, with Disney lobbyist Brian Bibeau quoted as saying “Florida has what some people would call a colorful history of land fraud that goes back 100 years. Others would call it a lurid history of land fraud. The division (of condominiums, time shares and mobile homes) was put together to force the bad actors out of these areas of activity. We think it’d be a terrible mistake for (the state) to deregulate those areas of the division. We strongly oppose it.”
If the bill becomes law, the Sentinel reports that government regulators would no longer be able to provide oversight, such as review offering documents by timeshare builders to ensure they include adequate disclosures for consumers or in advertising materials to ensure they aren’t misleading.
No wonder there is no mention of this bill in the legislative affairs section of the ARDA website. I’m sure many developers would love for this bill to quietly slither its way through the legislature and be enacted by the Governor with as little amount of publicity as possible.
But there is a reason that some regulations are in place, and Florida’s dubious history with the timeshare industry is the reason that regulations have been enacted in the first place. To be fair, it’s not just the timeshare industry, but land ownership in general, that has led to the laws on the books.
There is a reason people laugh at jokes about slick salesmen selling unsuspecting people swamp land in Florida. Because those jokes are rooted in truth.
The industry has spent years and big bucks to change the perception of timeshare from a questionable, Wild West mentality to the legitimate vacation option that it is today.
Disney is well aware of the power of perception, as no one has a better brand in the travel and entertainment industries. They spend enormous amounts of time and money to build and maintain that brand, including the Disney Vacation Club product that is one of the most successful options in the timeshare business. They don’t want anything to threaten this, especially the unintended consequences of removing industry regulations that have stood the test of time and resulted in a terrific product enjoyed by people from around the world.
This is just one more reason to buy timeshare on the resale market. Dealing directly with an owner not only saves you money but allows you to know exactly what you’re getting for your money. It’s a straight forward transaction and the best values can be seen on the BuyaTimeshare.com website.
Changes are on the horizon for Disney Vacation Club timeshare resale points January 20, 2011
Posted by John Stephens in : Disney, Timeshare Resale , add a commentDisney Vacation Club has announced changes to its points program that will affect all purchases on the resale market.
Below is the statement released by Disney Vacation Club that spells out those changes:
Disney Vacation Club® has announced a new policy that limits access to certain Member Getaways exchanges for Ownership Interests purchased on the secondary market (also known as the re-sale market).
Under the new policy, Members who purchase from anyone other than Disney Vacation Development, Inc., on or after March 21, 2011, will not be eligible to use those Vacation Points to make reservations within the Concierge Collection, the Disney Collection or the Adventurer Collection. Those Vacation Points will instead be valid only for reservations at Disney Vacation Club resorts, as well as for RCI® exchanges, Club Cordial and Club Intrawest.
The affected collections are special Member benefits programs offered by Disney Vacation Development, Inc., and are not part of Members’ Ownership Interests. That said, Members who purchased on the secondary market prior to March 21, 2011, may use those Vacation Points for all Member Getaways.
Note that the policy doesn’t impact banking, borrowing or transferring Vacation Points. All Members will continue to have the ability make such transactions, regardless of where they purchased their Ownership Interests. Complete rules about these transactions are available in the Home Resort Rules and Regulations section of this (DVCMember.com) website.
The good news is that these points can still be used for the 11 DVC resorts, exchanges through RCI and through Club Cordial and Club Intrawest, which is the original intent of purchasing these points anyway. The bad news is that the programs which will be off-limits to resale buyers provided excellent added value for owners to gain access to cruises with Disney Cruise Line, stays at hotels at Disneyland and Disney World and international hotel access at Disney theme parks in Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
So the clock is ticking.
If you’re thinking about buying Disney Vacation Club timeshare points, now is the time to do it. For resale owners to be eligible for all programs, the purchase must close by March 20, 2011. All resale purchases before this date will remain eligible for all DVC, hotel and cruise products.
You can check out the full offering of Disney Vacation Club points on BuyATimeshare.com by clicking here.
Disney Timeshare to Benefit from New Disney Cruise Ship January 6, 2011
Posted by John Stephens in : Disney, News & Events, Timeshare Resale , add a commentMickey Mouse has a big, new boat to play with as the latest addition to the Disney Cruise Line fleet sailed into port in Florida on Tuesday. The impressive Disney Dream entered Port Canaveral from Europe as a new 14-story, 130,000 ton playground for families looking to vacation with Mickey, Minnie and the Disney gang. The Dream is spectacular and will be the third ship in the fleet, joining the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic.
But what does this have to do with the Disney timeshare product, Disney Vacation Club? Plenty, if you consider the new ship as a big, floating OPC booth.
According to an article in the Orlando Sentinel, Disney president and CEO Bob Iger has referred to the ships as “global ambassadors” that introduce the Disney brand to potential new consumers for company products beyond the cruise line. Company executives have said that sales of Disney timeshare products are “particularly strong aboard the cruise ships” according to the article.
The cross promotion is explained in greater detail in a piece on DVCNews.com, which is a daily blog dedicated to Disney Vacation Club. It explains that Disney timeshare has a big presence aboard the cruise ships, with special meetings held for DVC members and non-members. DVC members are given branded merchandise to wear while on the ship, such as baseball caps, in order to promote the brand. Of course, members understand the power of the referral program and how it can benefit their own membership.
With the new Disney Dream now ready to take on passengers and the Disney Fantasy scheduled to debut in March, 2012, the cruise line will increase its overall capacity by 150%. That’s thousands of potential new DVC members as a captive audience on board those ships. And you thought a 2-hour sales presentation at the resort was tough to get away from. Can anyone say “Man Overboard”!
Seriously, Disney timeshare is an outstanding product and Disney was one of the first major developers to see the benefits of creating a club with a limited ownership period. They want to cater to a repeat market of Disney fans who look to come back year after year and have succeeded in extending the squeaky-clean Disney brand into an industry that has not been previously known for its positive image.
That said, you don’t have to sail the seven seas aboard a Disney cruise ship to get a chance to buy into the Club. Take a look at the DVC inventory on the Buyatimeshare.com website by clicking here.
Delicious Discoveries on your Disney Vacation October 1, 2010
Posted by Bryan Connelly in : Disney, General, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel , add a commentAs the winter season approaches, BuyATimeshare.com receives a lot of inquiries regarding the annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. It is paramount that vacationers book their vacation ahead of time. This celebration attracts droves of families and aficionados from around the world. Orlando is famous for a vast selection of timeshare resorts, theme parks and spectacular celebrations.
Currently the sunshine state is enjoying the 15th Annual Epcot International Food & Wine Festival. This is an ideal way to see, smell and taste gourmet foods from over 27 nations. Visitors can sample the cuisine of each country with dozens of ‘marketplaces’ spread along the 1½ mile length of the international promenade and the Epcot Lagoon.
This year’s Festival will host several tasting events, seminars and live entertainment. Lavish dinners will be presented by Disney’s top chefs as well as renowned guest Chefs from around the world. All guests are welcome to enjoy the festival, as admittance is included with park admission. Food and beverages are affordable and designed to eat on the go. Many family vacations and couples alike visit Florida in the fall specifically for this magnificent Food and Wine Festival.
Searching for an inexpensive way to feed your love for travel? Take your palate on tour to Orlando and taste what world-class kitchens from across the globe have to offer. This year’s theme is Delicious Discoveries. Patrons can explore each marketplace and savor the featured foods, wines and beers. The appetizer-sized portions usually range in price from $3.00 – $7.00 and provide the perfect opportunity to try traditional cuisine as well as additional cuisine.
If you are interested in staying at one of the many Disney resorts during this truly unique festival, BuyATimeshare.com can start saving you money today! Each year more and more vacationers are searching for a way to enjoy new and delicious discoveries. Orlando, Florida and Walt Disney World are prepared to serve you up a delectable vacation experience.
Timeshare Pulse Helps Buyers Find Affordable Disney Vacations August 7, 2010
Posted by Bryan Connelly in : Disney, General, Hawaii timeshare, New Features, News & Events, Timeshare Rental, Timeshare Resale, Timeshare Resource, Travel , add a commentPoised in Oahu’s Leeward Coast in Ko Olina is Aulani, a new kind of Disney experience that is about to erupt from the islands of Hawaii. With the vibrant energy and character of a true Disney vacation, this will be the first resort located outside of its Florida and California theme-parks. Slated to open next summer, BuyATimeshare.com will not only inform you of when the Aulani resort is open, we will notify you the moment a suite is available on the resale market.
Few companies can offer this kind of up to date information for free. Visit Buy A Timeshare.com and read about how you can successfully market and sell your timeshare property today. Click on the Live Chat option and contact one of our experts for immediate answers about all things timeshare. The new Disney resort will be made up of 359 hotel rooms, 481 timeshare suites, and a myriad of restaurants, a spa, and a water park. Designed with family vacation and weddings in mind the convention center is ideal for any occasion. Created with the magic of Disney Vacation Club, the images of Aulani that have been released are breathtaking. Fans of Disney have already expressed interest in knowing when this enchanted retreat will be available at resale prices. Timeshare Pulse, a program that is unique to BuyATimeshare.com has helped thousands of people know exactly when a specific property and price becomes available. Let Timeshare Pulse find the timeshare you’re looking for!
Inspired by the native Hawaiian culture and the same marvels that have made Disney such a beloved world for generations, Disney Vacation Club Villas, Ko Olina, Hawaii offers a never before seen look at tropical lagoons, soft beaches and brilliant gardens. As we have already experienced several inquiries regarding this resort it is important to know that BuyATimeshare.com will be following the development as Aulani welcomes its first guests in 2011.