:( DISAPPOINTING BLT RUMORS from DEEP CROAKER :( - The DVC Boards at MouseOwners.com - the place to talk DVC and Walt Disney World

greenban · 08-13-2008, 06:51 PM

Hey fellow MouseOwners! Sorry for being so scarce lately, but a lot of real-world irons (in the prevebial fire) needed tending to. I just had a rather disheartening discussion with DEEP CROAKER.

Remember these are RUMORS and have not been confirmed with a second source as of yet.

1) With the exception of Cruise sales, all DVC sales units have missed their goals for the year. Jim Lewis is very unhappy. Many Guides believe the problem was caused by Jim Lewis' choice of Steve Harvey (I don't know this person by name) as the lead advertising focus of last year. And guess what? supposedly, they just renewed their 'contract' with Mr. Harvey for next year!

2) NYC sales center is gonna happen soon, and may be in Northern New Jersey versus NYC proper. The IL and NY centers have been getting the best sales incentives even though it costs much more to sell at those locations than via the telephone sales-guide system. Some animosity is developing between these sales branches.

3) A bigwig on the BLT steering committee has a serious health problem that has required long hospitalizations and has thrown all schedules out the door. Guides who were told not to vacation in June and July, are again being told to vacation immediatly or not at all.

4) So, with disappointing 2007 FY sales, October 1st (Disney's next FY) is looking out to be the sales date (back to our original prediction nearly a half a year ago....... BUT many senior agents expect sales to begin on the Member's Cruise this September. DC just doesn't know. Also, BLT has *NOT* been declared part of DVC internally yet, despite the take out restaurant reported in the Sentinal.

5) Now the bad news....... Price per point *RUMORED* originally to have been $180 per point. That is not a typo. Management feels they could have sold out at that level last year (before the credit/mortgage crunch) became known. DC feels the delay in starting sales may even extend to the election. He expects points to go for $140.00pp PLUS. I hope he is wrong!

6) This is a direct Jim Lewis quote, "...Get ready because sales will be announced one week before sales start, and DVC Owners will have only one week to purchase before BLT is offered to the general public..." Now that seems to be a confirmation of BLTs DVC status to me, but hey I wasn't at this meeting.

7) Project Crystal is the current 'code' name for DVC at the contemporary.

More as I get it!

Gotta Hop!

-Tony

tomandrobin · 08-13-2008, 07:22 PM

Tony Tony Tony....Where have you been?

tomandrobin · 08-13-2008, 07:26 PM

Well, just read thru your report and that just seals the deal for me.

It will be interesting to see how well BLT will sell at those prices. It will also be interesting to see the mad rush at the 7 month mark.

Now if we can only see those point charts.....................

B'rer Karen · 08-13-2008, 07:29 PM

140-180 pp? That is absolutely insane. I didn't have any intention to buy BLT but if I did I'd be giving that up. If this is true, it makes the current AKV deal look even better.

As for Steve Harvey, I didn't realize he was involved in the advertising focus. He is a comedian, had a TV show at one point. I know he was involved with the Disney Dreamers Academy but I never saw any marketing with him in it.

mountainjourno · 08-13-2008, 07:31 PM

Welcome back Tony

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenban

Now the bad news....... Price per point *RUMORED* originally to have been $180 per point. That is not a typo. Management feels they could have sold out at that level last year (before the credit/mortgage crunch) became known. DC feels the delay in starting sales may even extend to the election. He expects points to go for $140.00pp PLUS. I hope he is wrong!

This is wonderful news! It's so ludicrious it's funny. If they raise the per point price to such a crazy level then:

1) It will be so easy to get in at 7 months, that I wouldn't need points there anyway
2) It will likely raise the per-point cost of WVL - which I'm about to buy.
3) There is no "3", but I felt only two points didn't seem worthy of my manic laughing at the idea of such a price.

I had considered buying there if the price was right, but if it's even remotely close to the $140 amount, I'll just take my chances at 7 months. And if I don't get in there...oh well, have to settle for one of my other lovely DVCs!

Thanks for the update!

TikiTwinsDad · 08-13-2008, 07:43 PM

glad to see some news, I guess, but best is at least we know Tony is alive and hasn't croaked.

I don't consider myself a likely BLT buyer, and I agree with mountainjourno's assessment, this could be good news for someone like myself who would like to stay there because of its location but the theme doesn't do it for me, so we'll survive even if we can't ever get in. We'll just try for a few nights or 2 around the 7-month mark.

I agree that the premium they are asking seems a tad insane. I just don't get that at all. It doesn't work that way with CRO rooms, why would it work that way with a DVC room. If anything DVC'ers may be less likely to use the parks than other guests. The only way I can see it making sense is if there are other perks (such as if they limit the "Top of the World" structure on top, have some great pool, concierge, something!).

My take away is, though, if they can't get the ridiculous $80 premium on the front end purchases (and have to settle for $40 b/c of the economt), I imagine the point charts will be inflated accordingly to make up for that. The economy has to turn around at some point, right?

Welcome back, Tony, again. Hope all is well.

suecait · 08-13-2008, 07:52 PM

First let me say I hope everything is okay in the real world for you. I have missed your news & insight here.

I am with others, $140/point no way. VWL is looking real nice then. So if this is true what will it do to the price of VWL & other resorts? AKV will still be on sale when this is announced (assuming is Oct), how can they sell two resorts at such a large price gap? Excluding incentives has DVC sold resorts for different prices? And if so, what was the price gap then?

Laxmom · 08-13-2008, 07:53 PM

Missed you green buddy!

Wow, interesting news, as always!! I can't imagine $180 per point. $140 maybe to some not to me. I figured Oct all along. Just makes good business sense. Very enlightening! Can't wait for the next installment.

tomandrobin · 08-13-2008, 07:57 PM

At least with BLT selling at $140 per point, it won't cut into AKV sales.

I wonder where GCV are going to cost per point? any word on them?

I also wonder is this the kind of pricing we can expect for Hawaii!

And Tony.....you are the best!

salmoneous · 08-13-2008, 07:58 PM

$180? I wasn't going to post while away, but had to drop in for a quick comment . Either

1) DVC managers are the biggestest idiots on the planet, or
2) Somebody along the chain (source -> Croaker -> Tony) is having fun and playing a joke.

08-13-2008, 06:51 PM	#1
greenban Grand Villa Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Northwest NJ Posts: 3,903	:( DISAPPOINTING BLT RUMORS from DEEP CROAKER :( Hey fellow MouseOwners! Sorry for being so scarce lately, but a lot of real-world irons (in the prevebial fire) needed tending to. I just had a rather disheartening discussion with DEEP CROAKER. Remember these are *RUMORS* and have not been confirmed with a second source as of yet. 1) With the exception of Cruise sales, all DVC sales units have missed their goals for the year. Jim Lewis is very unhappy. Many Guides believe the problem was caused by Jim Lewis' choice of Steve Harvey (I don't know this person by name) as the lead advertising focus of last year. And guess what? supposedly, they just renewed their 'contract' with Mr. Harvey for next year! 2) NYC sales center is gonna happen soon, and may be in Northern New Jersey versus NYC proper. The IL and NY centers have been getting the best sales incentives even though it costs much more to sell at those locations than via the telephone sales-guide system. Some animosity is developing between these sales branches. 3) A bigwig on the BLT steering committee has a serious health problem that has required long hospitalizations and has thrown all schedules out the door. Guides who were told not to vacation in June and July, are again being told to vacation immediatly or not at all. 4) So, with disappointing 2007 FY sales, October 1st (Disney's next FY) is looking out to be the sales date (back to our original prediction nearly a half a year ago....... BUT many senior agents expect sales to begin on the Member's Cruise this September. DC just doesn't know. Also, BLT has NOT been declared part of DVC internally yet, despite the take out restaurant reported in the Sentinal. 5) Now the bad news....... Price per point RUMORED originally to have been $180 per point. That is not a typo. Management feels they could have sold out at that level last year (before the credit/mortgage crunch) became known. DC feels the delay in starting sales may even extend to the election. He expects points to go for $140.00pp PLUS. I hope he is wrong! 6) This is a direct Jim Lewis quote, "...Get ready because sales will be announced one week before sales start, and DVC Owners will have only one week to purchase before BLT is offered to the general public..." Now that seems to be a confirmation of BLTs DVC status to me, but hey I wasn't at this meeting. 7) Project Crystal is the current 'code' name for DVC at the contemporary. More as I get it! Gotta Hop! -Tony __________________ Thanks to MissBianca from www.tagrel.com for my siggie! Thanks to Frogman from www.tagrel.com for my animation! AKA MOD-4RS Last edited by greenban; 08-14-2008 at 04:11 PM. Reason: Removal of an unclear line of text

08-13-2008, 07:22 PM	#2
tomandrobin DVC Board Guide Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,139	Tony Tony Tony....Where have you been? __________________ MOD2

08-13-2008, 07:26 PM	#3
tomandrobin DVC Board Guide Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,139	Well, just read thru your report and that just seals the deal for me. It will be interesting to see how well BLT will sell at those prices. It will also be interesting to see the mad rush at the 7 month mark. Now if we can only see those point charts..................... __________________ MOD2

08-13-2008, 07:29 PM	#4
B'rer Karen Two Bedroom Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 701	140-180 pp? That is absolutely insane. I didn't have any intention to buy BLT but if I did I'd be giving that up. If this is true, it makes the current AKV deal look even better. As for Steve Harvey, I didn't realize he was involved in the advertising focus. He is a comedian, had a TV show at one point. I know he was involved with the Disney Dreamers Academy but I never saw any marketing with him in it. __________________ DVC Member Since Sept 2003 SSR 2003 AKV 2009 WDW:Offsite '85, Offsite '90, Offsite '96, DI '00, DI '01, S/D Nov. '01, POR Sept. '02, CBR Mar. '03, S/D June '03, CBR Sept. '03, CBR Oct. '03, OKW Feb. '04, SSR/OKW Oct. '04, OKW Mar. '05, SSR Sept. '05, SSR Oct. '06, SSR Mar '07, SSR Oct. '07, SSR Oct. '08, SSR Oct. '09 DL: May '00, Mar. '06,

08-13-2008, 07:43 PM	#6
TikiTwinsDad Grand Villa Join Date: May 2008 Location: Philly Suburbs but heading to the World soon Posts: 2,065	glad to see some news, I guess, but best is at least we know Tony is alive and hasn't croaked. I don't consider myself a likely BLT buyer, and I agree with mountainjourno's assessment, this could be good news for someone like myself who would like to stay there because of its location but the theme doesn't do it for me, so we'll survive even if we can't ever get in. We'll just try for a few nights or 2 around the 7-month mark. I agree that the premium they are asking seems a tad insane. I just don't get that at all. It doesn't work that way with CRO rooms, why would it work that way with a DVC room. If anything DVC'ers may be less likely to use the parks than other guests. The only way I can see it making sense is if there are other perks (such as if they limit the "Top of the World" structure on top, have some great pool, concierge, something!). My take away is, though, if they can't get the ridiculous $80 premium on the front end purchases (and have to settle for $40 b/c of the economt), I imagine the point charts will be inflated accordingly to make up for that. The economy has to turn around at some point, right? Welcome back, Tony, again. Hope all is well. __________________ - Ryan aka TTD MOD #6 Click for TRs Contemp - 7/80 & 7/83 and Poly - 8/88 Grosvenor - 5/97, Poly - 3/99, AKL - 10/01, WL - 2/03, 7/05 & 3/06, Disneyland GC - 7/03 & 1/05, BW - NYE 2004, YC - 9/04 and GFlo- 12/05 Poly - 1/08, G Flo - 10/08, BCV & AKL - 05/09, DLRP - 5/09, VWL - 12/09

08-13-2008, 07:52 PM	#7
suecait Grand Villa Join Date: May 2008 Location: Linwood, MN Posts: 1,440	First let me say I hope everything is okay in the real world for you. I have missed your news & insight here. I am with others, $140/point no way. VWL is looking real nice then. So if this is true what will it do to the price of VWL & other resorts? AKV will still be on sale when this is announced (assuming is Oct), how can they sell two resorts at such a large price gap? Excluding incentives has DVC sold resorts for different prices? And if so, what was the price gap then? Last edited by suecait; 08-13-2008 at 07:54 PM. Reason: spelling

08-13-2008, 07:53 PM	#8
Laxmom Grand Villa Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Cincinnati, O-H-I-O!! Posts: 1,180	Missed you green buddy! Wow, interesting news, as always!! I can't imagine $180 per point. $140 maybe to some not to me. I figured Oct all along. Just makes good business sense. Very enlightening! Can't wait for the next installment. __________________

08-13-2008, 07:57 PM	#9
tomandrobin DVC Board Guide Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Maryland Posts: 6,139	At least with BLT selling at $140 per point, it won't cut into AKV sales. I wonder where GCV are going to cost per point? any word on them? I also wonder is this the kind of pricing we can expect for Hawaii! And Tony.....you are the best! __________________ MOD2

08-13-2008, 07:58 PM	#10
salmoneous Grand Villa Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,795	$180? I wasn't going to post while away, but had to drop in for a quick comment . Either 1) DVC managers are the biggestest idiots on the planet, or 2) Somebody along the chain (source -> Croaker -> Tony) is having fun and playing a joke.

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