Posted on September 12, 2023
The realm of magic, wonder, and enchantment – the Disney Universe – is always expanding. Whether it's their film franchises, theme parks, or the various services they offer, Disney ensures that it continually grows to meet the evolving demands of its global audience.
One such expansion that has Disney enthusiasts buzzing with excitement is the Disney Vacation Club expansion plans.
Established in 1991, the Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is a timeshare program where members can purchase points that are a deeded real estate interest in a DVC resort. This enables them to book stays not only at their “home” resort but also at other Disney timeshare destinations across the country.
Let’s take a look at the Disney Vacation Club expansion news and why members are so excited.
Recent headlines are full of expansion news for Disney Vacation Club. As always, Disney's commitment to innovation, quality, and providing a memorable guest experience remains at the forefront.
Disney Vacation Club is in the process of adding new resort inventory to the DVC portfolio. This would give members more choices and diversify the offerings.
Given Disney's development of various new attractions in recent years, such as the TRON Lightcycle Run coaster and Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind, more unique experiences are on offer for Disney Vacation Club members.
The Villas at Disneyland Hotel: This much-anticipated expansion of the Disney Vacation Club at Disneyland Resort is set to open in a couple of weeks – on September 28. Accommodations will range from Deluxe Studios to one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, with members able to enjoy the amenities of Disneyland Hotel such as three swimming pools, waterslide and whirlpool spas.
The Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa: Renovation work continues in the Main Lobby area and the hotel rooms in the main building area following the rooms in the Sugar Loaf and Sago Key buildings. However, we mention this classic resort here because of the new DVC studio units in operation in the Big Pine Key building, which expanded the Club offerings by over 200 rooms.
Disney's Polynesian Villas & Bungalows: This tropical paradise is set to receive new inventory in the form of an entirely new tower of Disney timeshares. The existing Deluxe Studios and waterfront Bungalows are still open while the new tower is scheduled to open in late 2024. Villas in the new tower will be one- and two-bedroom configurations, which will significantly upgrade the current offerings.
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground: We’re considering this as a new resort development because these accommodations have not previously been offered as part of the DVC network until now.
The resort has been around nearly as long as the Magic Kingdom, but Disney Vacation Club will be adding more than 350 new cabins to replace the existing cabins at the resort. these cabins are expected to be available to members in 2024.
While adding new resort options is thrilling, Disney hasn’t ignored its existing Club properties. Many of the current and traditional resorts will undergo renovations to modernize facilities, improve amenities, and incorporate updated Disney themes. This ensures that members who have been with the club since its inception still feel the magic of something new and fresh during their stays.
Disney Beach Club Villas: Currently in progress and due to be completed in October. The resort is undergoing a soft goods renovation, which includes items such as updating the bedding and the furnishings. One important item set to be included is the addition of smart TVs in the units.
Disney Boardwalk Villas: Set to begin any week now and extend into next year, this will be a hard goods renovation which is a more extensive upgrade to the units. Area such as updated bathrooms, new artwork, select new furniture, and refreshed flooring are in the plans.
Disney Hilton Head Resort: Now underway, this is also a hard goods renovation with all units scheduled for a full refurb along with refurbishing The Live Oak Lodge’s main lobby. The full renovation typically includes changes to appliances, kitchen cabinets, bathroom fixtures, furniture replacement and more – some would say is long overdue for this 27-year-old resort.
Disney Vero Beach Resort: Resort refresh is set to begin in October and run through January 2024. Also referred to as a "soft goods" renovation, this refurbishment is scheduled to replace the bedding and upholstery in units and suites. Changes will also see the inclusion of Murphy beds in some units, which have become a member favorite in recent projects.
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge: A full, or hard goods, renovation was recently completed a few months ago with updated Deluxe Studio Villas. The upgrade included changes to the kitchenette, new bedding, as well as updated furniture and fixtures. The units also have a new queen-sized pull-down Murphy bed, allowing for more sleeping space.
Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort: This tower set on the grounds of the iconic Contemporary Resort is scheduled for a full, hard goods renovation in 2024. While no specifics have bene made public, expect changes ranging from kitchen appliances to bathroom fixtures and décor and furniture replacement.
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa: DVC units are also scheduled for a full hard goods renovation in 2024, as the last renovation to the resort was a refresh of the hotel rooms in 2017. The prioritization of the hotel rooms over vacation club units was a point of online contention for Club members, but the planned upgrades next year should alleviate their concerns.
It is clear that with these scheduled renovations at Grand Californian and the additional units at the Villas at Disneyland Hotel, the west coast is a priority for Disney Vacation Club.
For Disney Vacation Club, this expansion and refurbishment schedule solidifies its position in the luxury vacation ownership sector. As more families and individuals become Disney timeshare members, Disney secures a loyal customer base that comes back to the resorts and the theme parks year after year.
For members, these new options mean more choices, improved experiences, and a reaffirmation of the value of their ownership. As Disney adds more properties and diversifies its offerings, the opportunities for unique vacations grow exponentially.
However, with Disney Vacation Club expansion news comes its own set of uniquely Disney challenges. The primary concern would be maintaining the high standards that DVC members are accustomed to. As they introduce new properties and experiences, ensuring consistent quality and service will be crucial.
There is also the challenge of integrating newer themes and experiences without alienating the traditional Disney fanbase, as is already seen from online comments regarding some of the changes underway at the theme parks. Balancing nostalgia with innovation is a tightrope Disney has always walked, and this expansion will test that balance further.
Disney Vacation Club ambitions are vast and promising. By broadening its horizons, adding more resorts, refurbishing older ones, and introducing newer experiences, Disney ensures that the Vacation Club remains a premier choice for families and individuals looking for the quintessential Disney vacation.
The real magic of the DVC points program is the savings you’ll find when buying Disney Vacation Club resales on the secondary market. Savings as much as 50 percent over the prices Disney charge at their resorts, retail prices which continually go up to cover the costs of these renovations.
Because club points are deeded to specific resorts, you’ll need to choose your favorite Disney timeshare resort and click onto the Timeshares for Sale button to see which packages are available and their discounted resale prices.
To begin your search, click onto our Disney timeshare page here.
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