New DVC announced!!

[StacyPop]

Sara K. Clarke | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 12, 2006

Disney time shares are coming to the Animal Kingdom, with a plan for 458 units, the company said Wednesday.

According to Disney, the time shares will be a mix of new construction and renovated accommodations in part of the Animal Kingdom Lodge. They'll feature African-inspired details and most will offer views of a savannah inhabited by a variety of animals.

Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas will be the company's eighth time-share property -- the sixth at Walt Disney World -- and was hailed Wednesday as a smart business decision.

"It's a major plus," said Michael Hewell, a former Disney employee who now escorts guests through the parks with his company, Michael's VIPs, and owns the online Web site, TourGuideMike. "Disney's going to sell every single one of them."

As for the choice of Animal Kingdom, Hewell said, "It's the true retreat," and added, "For those people who want to rest away from the theme park madness, they now have a choice."

Time shares have long been popular in Central Florida, but more so in recent years. In 2001, 10 percent of Orlando visitors stayed in time shares. Last year, that number had increased to 15 percent.

From 2001 to 2005, the number of time-share units jumped 26 percent, from 15,157 to 19,099, according to the Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Hotel-room growth, on the other hand, grew only 2 percent during the same five-year period.

Disney's entry into the time-share market was a big help to the industry, said Robert J. Webb, a veteran real estate and time-share industry attorney with the Baker Hostetler law firm in Orlando.

"Disney's entry was part of a paradigm shift" in the 1990s, Webb said, when brand names such as Marriott and Disney entered the time-share field, long dominated by small operators. "It helped bring a lot of credibility to the industry."

The expansion of the Disney time-share holdings is a reflection of the strength of the industry and Disney's commitment to its resort business, said Webb, who has represented Disney as an outside counsel in the past.

"It's an excellent example of the evolution," Webb said, of hospitality companies relying on a mix of hotels and time shares for accommodating guests.

Disney historian Michael Broggie said the new time shares are a continuing affirmation of Walt Disney's decision to build in Central Florida.

"It also is a reflection of the confidence that [Disney chief] Bob Iger has in Central Florida and investing the company's assets there," Broggie said.

Development of the Animal Kingdom Villas is scheduled in phases, with units to begin opening in fall 2007. The project is scheduled to be completed by spring 2009.

The first phase will include 134 remodeled accommodations on the fifth and sixth floors of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, and additional phases will include the building of 324 vacation properties in a new building at the resort.

Jerry W. Jackson and Tim Barker of the Sentinel staff contributed to this report. Sara K. Clarke can be reached at 407-420-5664 or skclarke@orlandosentinel.com[/QUOTE]

[MickeyBabe]

to DWT StacyPop!

Thanks for the story... I waas about to post a link to it myself.

Are you a DVC Member?

Enjoy DWT, you will find we have a very nice little family here. If you have any questions, just ask.

[StacyPop]

Thanks! I have been lurking for awhile-didn't realize I had never joined!
And yes-DVC member-1 add-on down and looking for more

[MickeyBabe]

Well we're happy you finally made it official.


Now, go on over to the DVC board and be counted at.... Running Count of DWT DVC Members

Welcome Home!

[magikindom]

Cool.
Welcome to the site!!!!!!!

[skiyalater]

so happy about this man!!! AKL here we come!

[DisneyFREAK91]

Awesome idea!

Welcome to the site and thanks for the story

[moulds]

Thats pretty cool, what ever happened with the one thats suposed to be at the contempary

[athenna]

I was so happy when I found this out
I had no interest in the rumored one at the CR. So imagine how psyched I was to find out there will be a DVC at my favorite deluxe! Now I just got to pay off what I still owe them before I can buy more points

[DopeyDancer87]

Have you guys seen the tour of the AK Villas on the DVC website?? The grand villa is amazing...it even has a pool table in it!