Walt Disney World is running out of Deluxe hotels which could host Disney Vacation Club expansions. But according to one report, Disney may soon revisit many of its older resorts with an eye on adding new DVC capacity.
Reports have recently emerged on the WDWMagic.com discussion forums indicating that Disney Vacation Club's next project may involve older resorts which already have some DVC presence. Specifically, Disney's Wilderness Lodge may see some of its existing hotel rooms converted to DVC villas, along with the addition of waterfront bungalows similar to those under construction at Disney's Polynesian Villas.
Converting existing hotel rooms to villas is nothing new to Disney Vacation Club. Two floors of Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge were converted to villas back in 2007. Three of the Polynesian longhouses are currently under renovation and will debut as villas in 2015.
If this report is accurate, Wilderness Lodge will not be the only destination to receive additional villas. All Deluxe resorts are being considered for expanded DVC presence, with the possible exception of Disney's Contemporary Resort.
This rumor is consistent with information DVCNews.com has been given over the years, suggesting that older properties like Disney's Beach Club may eventually be revisited either with new villa construction or conversion of hotel rooms.
These espansion projects do feature a number a logistical hurdles which would need to be overcome. For instance, the existing timeshare presence at Disney's Wilderness Lodge currently has a stated expiration date of January 31, 2042. If the new units are to be rolled into that Condominium Association, owners would receive far less than 50 years' of ownership.
One possible solution would involve an extension to the Condo Association end date. Disney Vacation Club previously offered such an extension to owners at Disney's Old Key West Resort, reportedly with mixed results.
Creating a second Condo Association at the resort may also be an option, but could create complications and owner confusion with regard to 11 month reservation priority, resort budgets and other factors.
Sales of additional points at existing locations would also have to compete with the more economically priced resale market.
Other Disney Vacation Club projects under consideration include conversion of a Walt Disney World Moderate-class resort to DVC villas, a Fort Wilderness-based resort and at least one new stand-alone property.
