[soxmets]

I am a Disney Vacation Club (DVC) owner at the new Beach Club Villas, which opened in July 2002. Now, DVC is building its latest property, Saratoga Springs, on the site of the old Disney Institute. My question is this: In 2001 DVC announced a DVC resort along the Eagle Pines golf course...The press release is still on the internet...but apparently it is on the back burner....anyone know if DVC will go ahead with the Eagle Pines project?

(By the way Disney Central, time to update the Home Away From Home Resorts section, and add Beach Club!)

[yesdisneyfool]

I've seen the articles and believe that as long as DVC has some inventory (SSR) and the recent buy back through FROR that EP may be way off or not at all. In a few years (say 10) it might not be feasible to open another DVC (EP) with less than 30 yrs left (you know that 2042 end date). I believe that SSR will be a few years running before it is sold out. The resort is expected to be the size of OKW (over 500 units).

JMO. :D

[soxmets]

Thanks for your well thought out response! I think you're right, it will take awhile to sell Saratoga. Not to mention the inventory they'll be selling at Beach Club for the next few months. My thought is, once they are done with Saratoga, future DVC properties will have a different expiration date...say 2052 or 2062...because I think your point is well taken...30 years of ownership (or less) is real borderline. I think as long as Disney is making money off of DVC, which they clearly are, they will figure ways to keep generating sales. Thanks again for taking the time to repond!

[mickey]

I agree that here in the near future the expiration date will change, but don't be surprised if as soon as Beach Club is sold out they up the price of the points and change the date to 2052 for Saratoga Springs. We are now under the 40 year mark for points, and I think that will be a big draw back for some folks.

By the way, I would bet that Eagle Pines will start construction sometime in 2004. Beach Club is on pace to sell out in the next couple of months, and Saratoga Springs doesn't open until Spring 2004, which means they may be "preselling" Saratoga Springs for almost a year. Regardless of the size, it will be sold out before the middle of 2005, and Disney will want a new resort ready to open within a year of that date.

Anyone else get the feeling that the rapidly expanding DVC has had more effect on the delay of Pop Century and other possible new resorts than the economy has had?

[MickeyMac]

Anyone else get the feeling that the rapidly expanding DVC has had more effect on the delay of Pop Century and other possible new resorts than the economy has had?

Mickey, you are so right on the money... I had a great talk with someone who sells DVC through a friend of mine who lives there. She gave me some great heads up on the Eagle Pines resort (that we are interested in) They are doing very well with DVC and everything you said is on target. They will be preselling DI/SS as soon as May/June, and are pushing to finish. They have a lot of interest in Eagle Pines.

Frankly, I think it's best to get in now, and am looking at OKW, and will just book Eagle Pines when it's ready.

I'm rambling... I think you are right and Disney is wisely spending energy and effort (and revenues) on expanding a profitable venture instead of in another area that is stagnant... maybe the movie division could take a hint from them.

[soxmets]

Thanks for your input guys. I was just looking at the DVC website and it lists Saratoga as a 184 unit facility. I suspect that could go fast. Mickey, you are on the mark, as always....I suspect Eagle Pines will be pushed to the front burner in 2004 or 2005 at the latest. Your point is interesting about delays in other hotels and a DVC tie. It could be. I think DVC will thrive for years to come because these time shares nearly guarantee Disney World an endless supply of repeat customers for years to come. Thanks again! :) :D