The forthcoming Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows took center stage at the 2014 Disney Vacation Club Condominium Assocation Meeting.
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Poly bungalow imagery projected on conference center walls
The annual condo meeting is one of the most public opportunities for Disney Vacation Club managers to interact with its members. In many ways it is a highly scripted affair with rather dry topics including external audit results and handling of excess dues collections. But a lively Q&A session and the disclosure of new Club business are worth the price of admission (Note: There is no cost to attend.)
Hundreds of owners gather for the 2014 annual meeting
Board of Directors Meeting
With Polynesian imagery blanketing the convention room at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, DVC Senior Vice President and General Manager Ken Potrock addressed owners. His opening remarks were largely a look back at 2014 with mention of the Membership Magic program, exclusive Adventures by Disney itineraries, two member exclusive trips on Disney Cruise Line in the coming year and enhancements to the DVCMember.com website. On that last topic, Potrock claims that DVC will continue to invest heavily in the member website "to get it where we want it to be."
DVC Senior VP Ken Potrock addresses owners
Immediately after Potrock's opening comments the Board of Directors meeting commenced. Board members on hand included Potrock, Leigh Anne Nieman, Shannon Sakaske and Yvonne Chang, as well as Disney Vacation Club VP of Finance Terri Schultz. Board member Sonya Deese-Byrnes was unable to attend for medical reasons.
The Board Meeting was a brief affair with members approving minutes from the last meeting and ratifying proposed resort budgets for the 2015 calendar year.
Potrock, Schultz, Chang, Sakaske, Nieman (L-R)
Members Meeting
The Members Meeting followed immediately after the conclusion of the Board Meeting. The first order of business for the Member Meeting was an annual resolution to deposit any excess dues collections from 2014 into each Condo Association's Capital Reserves account. Whenever Disney over-estimates resort dues and collects too much money from owners, the excess is put toward future renovation projects. If operating expenses are under-estimated, Disney pays the shortage with no impact to owners.
Terri Schultz took the floor to explain the 2015 dues to owners. Program-wide averages showed "lower year-over-year increases than last year" per Schultz. Operating costs averaged a 3% increase across all resorts with labor (salaries, benefits, taxes) accounting for around two-thirds of those expenses.
The highest increases were felt at a group of resorts which were subject to both the 3% operating cost increase plus an increase in the assessed tax value of the property. Those resorts included Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas, Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Old Key West Resort and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. Total dues increases for this group ran 5.3% to 5.6% over 2014.
The next group of resorts had no change in assessed value and were only impacted by the higher day-to-day operating costs. This group includes Disney's Beach Club Villas, Disney's BoardWalk Villas, the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa and the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge.
The remaining resorts saw their dues impacted by a variety of factors with Aulani, Disney Vacation Club Villas subject to a modest 1.2% increase on the low end and the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel up 4.3% on the high end.
External auditor Steven Brettholtz, CPA reported that all condominium associations received a clean audit report with no deficiencies noted.
A short budget-related question and answer period followed these disclosures. One member questioned why the Bay Lake Tower dues continue to escalate at a rate higher than other properties. Terri Schultz indicated that the main reason for the increases were higher assessed value for this prime property just outside the gates of Disney's Magic Kingdom theme park.
Another member later asked whether or not Disney questions the tax assessments for DVC resorts. Schultz confirmed that Disney is very active in working with lawmakers to challenge the assessments, claiming that the 2015 values are actually the result of a negotiation process rather than mere acceptance of the assigned values.
A question was raised regarding the first wave of contract expirations, due to hit on January 31, 2042. Schultz pointed out that owners of one resort--Old Key West--have already been offered extensions. DVC does not have a plan in place for handling the other properties but Schultz commented: "Believe it or not, we are starting to work on it."
Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
At conclusion of the Members Meeting, Ken Potrock took the stage and moved quickly into discussion of Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. Disney Imagineer Kyle Barnes, Art Director for Disney's Polynesian Village Resort joined Potrock to discuss the renovations and showcase pieces of artwork. Barnes spoke to Walt Disney's own affection for Hawaii, and stated that Disney family photographs and experiences inspired the resort's initial development decades ago. Archive footage of Disney Legend John Hench was also shown to expand upon the property's history.
New concept artwork was showcased for many areas of the redeveloped Polynesian property. Unfortunately photography was not permitted during this session. A rendering of the main pool showed a new kids water play area reminiscent of the addition to the Grand Floridian. Barnes explained that the new pool layout will clean up beachfront sight lines, allowing guests to enjoy an unobstructed view of the Seven Seas Lagoon while lounging poolside. The renovated pool area will add additional deck space to accommodate more lounge chairs, and the Polynesian will finally receive its first hot tub.
The focal point of the renovated lobby will be a new waterfall structure at the center. A circular rock enclosure approximately 10' in diameter will surround the small waterfall, with a large golden tiki idol above, welcoming guests with its arms spread.
Trader Sam's Grog Grotto is being imported from Disneyland. Reminiscent of the Adventurer's Club, Trader Sam's will serve drinks in mugs which activate effects throughout the bar. When asked if he had any advice for guests, Imagineer Kyle Barnes suggested that guests "steer clear of the thirsty squid."
Renderings of the Port Cochere were shown for two DVC buildings: Pago Pago and Moorea. Buildings feature small lobby sitting areas with flagstone-style flooring and brightly colored furniture. Hallway carpeting sports large flowery imagery inspired by the artwork of Disney Legend Mary Blair (It's A Small World.)
There will be 360 Deluxe Studio Villas and 20 beachfront Bungalows at the thirteenth Disney Vacation Club property. All of the studios will sleep 5 guests. A fold-down twin bed features "Lilo & Stitch" artwork. All in-room artwork is being created by Disney and Pixar artists.
Polynesian Deluxe Studio concept artwork
Deluxe Studios feature an interior connecting door. Owners can reserve two villas to accommodate up to 10 guests within a single unit.
A split bathroom design will be useful to larger groups. Reminiscent of the Disney Cruise Line setup, Deluxe Studios have a tile shower and vanity in one room with a separate tub and shower elsewhere.
Polynesian Studios feature the familar kitchenette with a small refrigerator, microwave, toaster and coffee maker. There will be no renovated longhouse rooms with full kitchens.
Moving on to the beachfront Bungalows, Ken Potrock referred to the rooms as "exquisite." Rear balconies have cold water plung pools and front row seats for the nightly Electric Water Pageant. Music from the Pageant and the Magic Kingdom's "Wishes" fireworks show will be piped into bungalows.
Refurbishments
Disney Vacation Club resorts utilize two refurbishment concepts in updating its villas. A "soft goods" refurbishment typically involves replacement of linens, draperies, wall coverings and floor coverings. "Hard goods" refurbishment expands to include select furniture and fixtures throughout the villas.
In 2015, Disney's Beach Club Villas will undergo a hard goods refurbishment. In addition to updates to most soft goods, the Beach Club refurb will bring the addition of the 5th sleeper to all Deluxe Studio villas and new faucets. Work is expected to begin in March 2015.
Beach Club Villas post-renovation artist rendering
Disney's BoardWalk Villas will undergo a soft goods refurbishment in 2015 "with some hard goods elements." Specifically, the fold-down 5th sleeper is also being added to BoardWalk Studio villas. No date was specified for the BoardWalk renovation start.
BoardWalk Villas post-renovation artist rendering
Further down the road, Disney's Vero Beach Resort will undergo a hard goods refurbisment in 2016 with all villas receiving new bathrooms. Soft goods refurbishment projects are planned for 2017 at Bay Lake Tower, Treehouse Villas and Grand Californian.
Final Remarks
In his closing remarks, Potrock spoke to Disney Vacation Club's commitment to bring high quality vacation experiences to members. He spoke of his affection for the Disney Springs renovation, a project he was personally involved with before coming to Disney Vacation Club. DVC's exclusive Thanksgiving Day meal was "very well received" and members can expect to see more Culinary Magic events.
Lilo & Stitch pose for photos at meeting's conclusion
The next Condominium Association Meeting will be held on December 10, 2015. Potrock called it the beginning of a "milestone year for DVC", undoubtedly a reference to the 25th anniversary of Disney's timeshare program.
Thanks to Wil & Denise Lovato for their contributions to this story!
