News

The ranks at The Walt Disney Company continue to shuffle following the strategic reorganization announced by Disney this spring.  As we reported in April, Jeff Vahle was announced as the new President overseeing Disney Signature Experiences.  Ken Potrock, the former Vice President of Disney Vacation Club under Jeff, is moving to a new role as President, Consumer Products Commercialization.

Terri Schultz will be the new Vice President of Disney Vacation Club.  Prior to becoming VP of DVC, Terri served as Vice President, New Vacation Operations & Disney Cruise Line Finance, and served as Treasurer for Disney Vacation Club Condominium Associations, Inc.

What do you think of this change?

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Copper Creek Direct Purchase Incentives

DVC Spring 2018 Direct Purchase Incentives expired on May 30.  The new Summer 2018 incentives were reduced across the board for Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, resulting in an effective price per point after incentives ranging from $163-$176 per point (compared to $156-$176 per point with previous incentives).  This is the first time Copper Creek incentives have been reduced since the resort went on sale, possibly due to healthy sales at Copper Creek.

Copper Creek Direct Purchase Incentives – New Members

Minimum Vacation Points	Developer Credit	Effective Credit/ Point	Effective Cost/ Point
100	$0	$0.00	$182.00
150	$1,000	$6.67	$175.33
175	$2,000	$11.43	$170.57
200	$2,500	$12.50	$169.50
250	$3,500	$14.00	$168.00
300	$5,000	$16.67	$165.33
350	$6,000	$17.14	$164.86
400	$7,000	$17.50	$164.50
500	$8,750	$17.50	$164.50
600	$10,500	$17.50	$164.50
700	$12,250	$17.50	$164.50
800	$14,000	$17.50	$164.50
900	$16,000	$17.78	$164.22
1000	$19,000	$19.00	$163.00

Copper Creek Direct Purchase Incentives – Existing Members

Minimum Vacation Points	Developer Credit	Effective Credit/ Point	Effective Cost/ Point
50	$0	$0.00	$182.00
125	$750	$6.00	$176.00
150	$1,500	$10.00	$172.00
175	$2,000	$11.43	$170.57
200	$2,500	$12.50	$169.50
250	$3,500	$14.00	$168.00
300	$5,000	$16.67	$165.33
350	$6,000	$17.14	$164.86
400	$7,000	$17.50	$164.50
500	$8,750	$17.50	$164.50
600	$10,500	$17.50	$164.50
700	$12,250	$17.50	$164.50
800	$14,000	$17.50	$164.50
900	$16,000	$17.78	$164.22
1000	$19,000	$19.00	$163.00

Aulani Direct Purchase Incentives

Incentives for Aulani were significantly increased, resulting in an effective price per point after incentives ranging from $145-$159 (compared to $156-$176 per point with previous incentives).  With an effective price per point after incentives as low as $145 per point, Aulani direct prices are now only a $35 premium over the average resale listing price for Aulani ($110), possibly representing an increased urgency to increase sales at Aulani, which have continued to lag behind the newest Walt Disney World DVC resort for 8 years.

Aulani Direct Purchase Incentives – New Members

Minimum Vacation Points	Developer Credit	Effective Credit/ Point	Effective Cost/ Point
100	$0	$0.00	$182.00
150	$3,500	$23.33	$158.67
175	$5,000	$28.57	$153.43
200	$5,750	$28.75	$153.25
250	$7,750	$31.00	$151.00
300	$10,000	$33.33	$148.67
350	$12,000	$34.29	$147.71
400	$13,900	$34.75	$147.25
500	$17,850	$35.70	$146.30
600	$21,400	$35.67	$146.33
700	$25,000	$35.71	$146.29
800	$28,500	$35.63	$146.38
900	$32,400	$36.00	$146.00
1000	$37,200	$37.20	$144.80

Aulani Direct Purchase Incentives – Existing Members

Minimum Vacation Points	Developer Credit	Effective Credit/ Point	Effective Cost/ Point
50	$0	$0.00	$182.00
125	$3,000	$24.00	$158.00
150	$4,250	$28.33	$153.67
175	$5,250	$30.00	$152.00
200	$6,250	$31.25	$150.75
250	$8,000	$32.00	$150.00
300	$10,750	$35.83	$146.17
350	$12,500	$35.71	$146.29
400	$14,250	$35.63	$146.38
500	$17,850	$35.70	$146.30
600	$21,400	$35.67	$146.33
700	$25,000	$35.71	$146.29
800	$28,500	$35.63	$146.38
900	$32,400	$36.00	$146.00
1000	$37,200	$37.20	$144.80

What do you think of these latest incentives?

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DVCinfo previously reported that Disney filed a permit for soil borings at the site of a formerly planned Fort Wilderness DVC.  Since that time, another permit has been filed “for land clearing, stockpiling of earthwork and construction” related to this same project.

GrowthSpotter .com reported today that the project is rumored to be a DVC resort with 300 rooms and Disney hotel having 400 rooms, costing $350M to construct, and will be led by design firm WATG (who designed the Grand Floridian) and construction manager Balfour Beatty (who is currently constructing the high-rise expansion at Coronado Spring Resort).

DVCinfo has not independently confirmed these rumors, however given Copper Creek Villas & Cabins is on track to sell out by the end of 2019, when Disney’s Riviera Resort is scheduled to go on sale, it makes sense that the next DVC resort would start development this year.

Disney had previously filed plans for a DVC Resort at the same location in September 2011, which never came to fruition, shown below:

What do you think of the potential of a new Fort Wilderness DVC resort?

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On April 13, 2018 Disney Vacation Development filed the third amendment to the declaration of condominium for Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, which is the second declaration in the last 60 days, and the fourth overall.  This amendment declares 6 Residential Units in Phase 7, which consists of 12 Villas on the Third Floor including 2 Studio, 2 Dedicated One-Bedrooms, 3 Two-Bedroom Lock-Offs (including 1 Alternate Lock-Off), 4 Dedicated Two-Bedrooms, and 1 Grand Villa.

The 6 Residential Units declared in this amendment represent approximately 234,525 points out of the total 3,321,966 points, or approximately 7% of the total points available.  This brings the total points declared for DVC Members to purchase and use up to 50% from 43% only 42 days earlier.  At this current rate, Copper Creek Cabins and Villas should be 100% declared by mid-2019.

Join the discussion on our Community Forums.

Registration for the Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic events at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon water park on Wednesday, May 30 and Monday, June 11 is now available online for DVC Members with Disney Resort reservations during the event:

https://www.eventswithdisney.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x10393131ca

Note: the registration page reloads automatically, so keep it open to keep your place in “line”

DVC Members are limited to attending one date per park.  Reservations open to all Members on Thursday, May 3 2018 at 9:00 AM Eastern Time.

About Moonlight Magic

Moonlight Magic events are complimentary after hour events at Disney Parks, where eligible DVC Members will have the park to themselves, along with complementary beverages and snacks.

Member Eligibility

Moonlight Magic events are Membership Extras offered as part of Membership Magic, therefore available to DVC Members who purchased resale prior to April 4, 2016, DVC Members who purchased 25 or more points direct prior to February 25, 2018, and DVC Members who purchased 75 points or more direct on or after February 25, 2018.

More Information

See More Moonlight Magic in 2018 for details.

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Jeff Vahle has been named the president of Disney Signature Experiences, including Disney Vacation Club, Disney Cruise Line, Adventures by Disney, Golden Oak, and Aulani.  Commenting on the announcement, Bob Chapek, Chairman, Disney Parks, Experiences, and Consumer Products said “There is tremendous opportunity to deliver magical Disney vacation experiences in new and exciting ways.  Jeff is a talented leader with a strong track record of success and I’m excited to see what he and the team will accomplish together.”  Jeff remarked “Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to be part of an incredible team that makes magic for millions of guests every day at Disney destinations around the world.  I look forward to leading this creative, dedicated and hardworking team as we build on the success of these businesses during this unprecedented era of growth and innovation.”

Disney Signature Experiences is part of the Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products Segment formed as part of Disney’s strategic reorganization, under the leadership of Chairman Bob Chapek.    Disney Signature Experiences replaces New Vacation Operations and Disney Cruise Line, previously led by Anthony Connelly, who recently took the job in  October.

In his new role, Jeff will lead Disney Vacation Club vacation-ownership program which includes 14 themed resort properties across Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, along with three beach resorts, and is preparing to launch its 15th resort, Disney’s Riviera Resort, in Fall, 2019.  Jeff will also lead Disney Cruise Line as it prepares to add three new ships in 2021-2023, Adventures by Disney guided group travel business, sales at Golden Oak luxury custom home community, Aulani, A Disney Resort in Ko Olina, Hawaii, and continue to lead the Global Facilities Operations and Sourcing and Procurement teams.

Jeff is a 28-year veteran of Disney, who began his career with Walt Disney World in 1990, and is a graduate of Auburn University, with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and Rollins College, with a Master of Business Administration.  He also serves as chairman of the board of directors for Give Kids the World.

Pixar Play Zone, a new themed children’s experience at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, opened this week.  This is a pilot to replace the Children’s Activity Centers at Disney Deluxe Resorts which are all closing on July 31.

The experience features Space Ranger Training where kids learn to master the call “To infinity and beyond!”, Woody’s Roundup sing along with Woodie and Jessie, Radiator Springs soapbox derby racetrack, and an Incredibles Super Dance Party with Mr. and Mrs. Incredible.

The experience also includes video games and dinner.  Children age 4–12 who are potty trained can participate in this experience, which is offered nightly from 6-10:30 PM.  Doors open at 5 PM.  Cost is $65 plus tax per child.  Reservations are available by calling 407-824-5437.

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After a brief pilot at Polynesian Resort, Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts will be rolling out a new mobile Digital Key for guests staying at the Wilderness Lodge.

This new technology allows guests access to their room as well as hotel entrances, pools, fitness centers, and club level lounges using just their Bluetooth-enabled mobile device and updated Disney World My Disney Experience app.

The digital key works by tapping a “Unlock Door” button in the My Disney Experience app while holding the device within close proximity to the lock, as shown in the video below:

MagicBands are still required for park entry, FastPass+, and room charges and can continue to be used for room access.

What do you think about this new option?

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Disney Vacation Development has filed the third DVC Declaration at Copper Creek Villas & Cabins, just 17 days after the Second DVC Declaration.  This Second Amendment to Declaration of Condominium declares “Phase 6,” containing 5 “Residential Units,” consisting of 10 Villas on the Fourth Floor: 1 Dedicated One-Bedroom, 6 Dedicated Two-Bedrooms, and 3 Two-Bedrooms Lock-Offs:

The 5 Residential Units declared in this amendment represent approximately 204,295 points out of the total 3,321,966 points, or approximately 6% of the total points available.  This brings the total points declared for DVC Members up to 43% from 37% only 17 days earlier.  At this current rate, Copper Creek Cabins and Villas is expected to sell out by the end of 2019.

DVC deeds are based on a fractional percentage of a Residential Unit, corresponding to the number of points purchased.  Since each Residential Unit is assigned one Use Year, DVC must maintain at least 8 Residential Units with available inventory declared to the Condominium in order to sell points for all Use Years.  Therefore, the previous declaration only extended 5 Use Years.  This Declaration allows DVC to extend the other 3 Use Years, and still have 2 Residential Units available to assign Use Years that sell out faster.

What do you think of this news?

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