Maleficent's Dad
04-01-2008, 09:17 AM
Released today!
The Orlando Sentinel
From the Associated Press
April 1, 2008
Standing in front of reporters at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Chief Financial Officer Nick Azzara announced this morning plans for Disney to expand their popular time-share division by converting two of their deluxe resorts into Vacation Club villas.
“The Disney Vacation Club is happy to announce that we will be converting units at both the Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts into Vacation Club villas,” Azzara said in a prepared statement. “There as been an overwhelming demand for villas at these locations. As most of you know, the Disney Vacation Club has already begun construction at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. With the addition of the Grand Floridian and Polynesian projects, we feel that our members will have more choices in which they may choose to invest in their vacation homes.”
Disney often refers to their time-share units as “homes,” giving members the false impression that they are owners of property at Walt Disney World. In fact, members sign contracts which give them more of a lease on Disney’s properties. Most Vacation Club contracts expire in 2042, with some going to 2054. When the contracts expire, Disney resumes control of these properties.
In fielding questions about the new projects, Azzara pointed out the success that the vacation club has already experienced. Indeed, Disney’s Vacation Club has had unparalleled success in the greater Orlando area, encompassing over 150,000 members since its inception in 1991.
“As Disney Vacation Club grows,” Azzara said, “we need to provide options for both new and existing members. The Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian Resorts will provide members with these options.”
But not all agree with Azzara’s assertion that the Vacation Club’s expansion is good for business.
“The Poly is our favorite!” said Mary Neubart, a guest at Disney’s Polynesian resort. “We’ve been staying here since the 70’s. It’s one of the original resorts! They can’t change it now.”
While the Vacation Club forges ahead with plans for expansion, guests like Neubart feel that change may not always be a good thing. “When we came here in 1975 for the first time,” Neubart said, “there were three places to stay – the Poly, the Contemporary, or Fort Wilderness. I like the originals; they were part of Walt’s initial concept for Disney World. Why does everything in Florida have to be a time-share?”
Azzara didn’t take questions from guests. After reading his prepared statement, he took few questions from reporters. Before leaving, however, he promised more news to come.
“The Disney Vacation Club will continue to explore what is best for its membership. Members have been stating for years that they wanted monorail access. With our current plans, we will now have three vacation club resorts on the monorail.”
Azzara continued, saying, “We will be posting initial artist renderings of our new plans on line this week. This is an exciting time for the Vacation Club and all of its members.”
Exciting for members of the Disney Vacation Club maybe, but not for all guests traveling to Walt Disney World.
The Orlando Sentinel
From the Associated Press
April 1, 2008
Standing in front of reporters at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, Chief Financial Officer Nick Azzara announced this morning plans for Disney to expand their popular time-share division by converting two of their deluxe resorts into Vacation Club villas.
“The Disney Vacation Club is happy to announce that we will be converting units at both the Grand Floridian and Polynesian resorts into Vacation Club villas,” Azzara said in a prepared statement. “There as been an overwhelming demand for villas at these locations. As most of you know, the Disney Vacation Club has already begun construction at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. With the addition of the Grand Floridian and Polynesian projects, we feel that our members will have more choices in which they may choose to invest in their vacation homes.”
Disney often refers to their time-share units as “homes,” giving members the false impression that they are owners of property at Walt Disney World. In fact, members sign contracts which give them more of a lease on Disney’s properties. Most Vacation Club contracts expire in 2042, with some going to 2054. When the contracts expire, Disney resumes control of these properties.
In fielding questions about the new projects, Azzara pointed out the success that the vacation club has already experienced. Indeed, Disney’s Vacation Club has had unparalleled success in the greater Orlando area, encompassing over 150,000 members since its inception in 1991.
“As Disney Vacation Club grows,” Azzara said, “we need to provide options for both new and existing members. The Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian Resorts will provide members with these options.”
But not all agree with Azzara’s assertion that the Vacation Club’s expansion is good for business.
“The Poly is our favorite!” said Mary Neubart, a guest at Disney’s Polynesian resort. “We’ve been staying here since the 70’s. It’s one of the original resorts! They can’t change it now.”
While the Vacation Club forges ahead with plans for expansion, guests like Neubart feel that change may not always be a good thing. “When we came here in 1975 for the first time,” Neubart said, “there were three places to stay – the Poly, the Contemporary, or Fort Wilderness. I like the originals; they were part of Walt’s initial concept for Disney World. Why does everything in Florida have to be a time-share?”
Azzara didn’t take questions from guests. After reading his prepared statement, he took few questions from reporters. Before leaving, however, he promised more news to come.
“The Disney Vacation Club will continue to explore what is best for its membership. Members have been stating for years that they wanted monorail access. With our current plans, we will now have three vacation club resorts on the monorail.”
Azzara continued, saying, “We will be posting initial artist renderings of our new plans on line this week. This is an exciting time for the Vacation Club and all of its members.”
Exciting for members of the Disney Vacation Club maybe, but not for all guests traveling to Walt Disney World.