Disney Vacation Development Inc. has applied for a license to sell timeshares for new Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort.
The license application currently shows as being “under review” and the application calls for 18,876 timeshare weeks, which breaks down to 363 units. The initial application filing was made to the state of Florida by Disney Vacation Club (DVC) earlier this month. As we write there is no additional information related to a timeline to offer sales.
The cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, a Disney Vacation Club Resort, are projected to open in 2024 and would be the 17th Disney Vacation Club resort. Additional information regarding project details, the start of sales and rental bookings will be released at a later date.
Whilst the name would imply the resort is in the middle of nowhere it’s actually located near the centre of the Disney Magic Kingdom Park in Kissimmee near Orlando. Taking a short boat ride, guests can access all that Magic Kingdom has to offer.
A few more Dollars in the Disney pocket
It as to be said that Disney Vacation Club has one of the best reputations as a timeshare developer. DVC has always been, and hopefully remain one of the most transparent timeshare organisations. From purchase costs to maintenance fees, all is published and is both clear and easy to understand.
According to our research, each of the proposed, stand-alone cabins will offer spacious accommodation, sleeping up to six adults, and feature a bedroom, bathroom, living room, full kitchen and private patio. Given these specs it’s unlikely that an entry level points purchase will cover any meaningful length of stay at this upgraded resort. That said, just to look at the potential rewards to DVC we will start with entry level costs.
Let’s start with the points. An entry level DVC membership is 150 points which will currently cost $32,500 to purchase. As stated above, this number of points is hardly likely to secure holidays in the new cabins. Just to crunch some numbers we will assume that this points level may work, though unlikely.
We have a projected 18,876 timeshare weeks, so if the entry level cost will buy a week, the total sales proceeds to DVC could be as high as $613,470,000 (18,876 X $32,500). We think that certainly adds a few more Dollars to the Disney pocket.
TCA comment
Given that this new development will be in 750 acres of scenic woodlands it sounds like a great venue to holiday. Peace and tranquillity with all the Disney theme park fun right on the doorstep, however, once again the timeshare concept is present. Expensive to get in, expensive to maintain and a long term contract commitment added in. Whist it’s fair to say that DVC do have a first refusal buy back policy and points do fare well on the resale market, all the problems associated with timeshare ownership are still present.
In the press release we read the cabins will also be available to non members to book and holiday at the resort. This now common practice amongst timeshare developers, at the end of the day, this is probably the best way to experience the timeshare product without a large financial commitment, ongoing costs and long term contract.
For more information regarding this article or assistance in any other timeshare related issues please contact the TCA on 01908 881058 or email: info@TimeshareConsumerAssociation.org.uk