Steamboat Bill

I wonder if this will be fractionals, timeshares, or will a Destination Club or two buy into this property?

August 25, 2008

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - The Walt Disney Co said on Monday it has sold 298 acres of land to Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts for a hotel and golf course to anchor a previously announced luxury development in Florida.

Disney did not disclose the terms of the deal but said the facility would enable the company to tap into the luxury travel market. The deal was the first for the two companies.

The plans call for a 445-room Four Seasons hotel, an 18-club championship golf course, and Residence Club time shares, as well as custom single and multi-family vacation homes.

The expansion will be located on the northeast border of Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.

Kagehitokiri

more on latest info >
http://www.laughingplace.com/News-ID10031070.asp
the way that is worded sounds to me like that is the FS development - hotel, fractionals, golf course, villas, condos/townhomes

originally >
http://www.thestar.com:80/Business/article/187279

LTTravel

There were rumors that ER was interested in this project, but who knows now.

Desties

This would definitely be a good way for clubs to get into the #1 family travel market.

The problem in the past is that there is a plethora of vacation homes and timeshare resorts practically giving away their nights. However, a high-end outfit like Four Seasons, essentially ON Disney property (like Starwood with the Dolphin-Swan), with luxury properties? It's a no brainer for the DC market.

NeilGoBlue

I agree..we'd be there every couple years..

TravelGuy

Of interest may be the review of the High Country Club Orlando Villas at ChampionsGate property.

ER Traveler

Perhaps I'll be in the minority here but I would have zero interest in using my DC nights at any Disney resort or cruise even if it's a luxury Ritz or FS. It's just so easy to book and find decent accommodations for a Disney experience just by going to the Disney website - one stop shopping for sure. When I go to Disney it's for that purpose only - in and out in 3 days or so with almost all waking hours spent at the park or by the pool. The room doesn't even matter. Now I wouldn't mind staying at a FS Disney hotel but even though it would be roughing it compared to my DC I'd still rather save my days for the more exclusive, relaxing destinations.

Desties

I don't think you're necessarily in the minority. High-density tourist magnets like Orlando and Vegas are typically underserved by the DC industry because of a proliferation of economical alternatives, even at the luxury level.

That said, since a DC often attracts large families and extended families given its plethora of space, how can it ignore the place where most families go to eventually if not often?

From the opportunistic angle, $1 million to $3 million can go a long way in the area. I rented a 6/4 pool home in Windsor Hills (not too far from the Champions Gate-Reunion resorts where HCC & UE have homes, though a bite closer to the parks). It rivaled many of the DC homes that I stayed at, down to the double-car garage that was refurbished as a 50's themed playroom with a billiards table, foosball, and air hockey. My kids still talk about the place. Homes in that development don't go for more than $600k-$700k, so a club can get a great place at the low end of the DC pricing spectrum and it doesn't have to be as fully utilized as the other homes to have a positive ROI.

Despite the obvious shortfalls, having a pushpin in Orlando in a DC map is probably a great marketing tool, just in case. It may not represent the best per night value from a member perspective, but you never know when the bug bites to have a family reunion or when unused nights would be better spent there than squandered.

DC4MS

I 100% agree with you.

I actually like the Celebration development and think this would make a fantastic addition to any Destination Club portfolio.

NeilGoBlue

couldn't have said it better my self..

NeilGoBlue

plus, it's one of those properties that would be used year around.. so for 2mm (my club averages 3mm) you get a frickin awesome home that is easy to get to an you get 365 usage... take the million you save and put it into a home where you have to spend 4mm..(aspen?)

Kagehitokiri

FS might not be DC-friendly? (ER's 3 costa rica properties were temporary)

will be interesting to see what residences they offer at disney, what sales/rental pricing is like, or even if they rent them all etc.