Mouse Extra

In recent weeks, there have been 2 announcements on the issue of the Disney Vacation Club. The first was the cancellation of the project at the National Harbor in Washington D.C. In theory, this resort was the next in the “off property” line of the DVC joining Hilton Head, Vero Beach, and the most recent Hawaii resort. But Aulani has experienced numerous problems including sales and that lead to new management at DVC. It also may have killed any further attempts at stand alone resorts.

Then Disney finally announced one of thier worst kept secrets: a DVC expansion to the Grand Floridian. Although everyone and thier mother knew about the construction thanks to the internet, the expansion wasn’t officially announced until the December 9th.

Concept art for the DVC wing

The question now is what next? Where does Disney take the DVC? Will we ever see another stand alone resort? I hope so. I am looking forward to taking the Disney experience to Hawaii. I think Disney can find some potential in these types of facilities. How about a Wilderness Lodge near Yellowstone or Yosemite? I’d go. How about a ski resort? I don’t ski, but I would think this could do well with families.

Disney

But where does Disney go “in parks”? I suppose they could add to existing resorts but I would think they are starting to run out of hotels to add to. I am not sure if they could add a house or two to the Polynesian. Buzz is there is no real room, but that would be an enormous success in my opinion. Where else could they go? The Yacht Club or maybe one of the moderates? And these resorts are starting to take longer to sell out, a sure sign of over saturation, at least in Flroida. It sure will be interesting.

I have noticed that one topic that never seems to die on message boards is the refillable mug. And yes, I too fondly look back on the days of resort specific mugs. I still have my Caribbean Beach mug from my honeymoon in 98. I have Boardwalk ones and even Epcot and MGM Studio ones. But those days are gone forever. In its place are the generic refillable mugs that are the same at every resort, usually reflecting the current promotional event.

It seems the generic long unchanged mugs did do one thing. People who go back during the same event brought their mugs back and continued to use them.

Yes, its bad form but there was no way for Disney to do anything about it. For several weeks now, Disney has tested a new machine at the All Star Sports resorts. Your mug will come with an RFID chip. This means several things. One, the chip shuts off the day you leave so no more bringing back the mug. Two, you have to wait 5 minutes before refilling it.  Three, you get one minute to refill. These last two things make it more difficult to get one soda and split it by continually refilling.

I have to admit, that I have never brought the mug back with me for a trip. And I have always gotten a mug for everyone. So this really does not effect me. Disney is currently indicating that this is just a test, but since they have signed a long term deal with the company who provides these chip I expect this to be fully operational at all resorts in the not too distant future.

 Today’s article is from Mike

Disney has indicated that the Contemporary Resort will now have a Health and Wellness Floor. The entire 14th floor of the resort will become the home of the healthy. The suites will have hardwood floors, cardio equipment and massage tables.

The new suites

The floor will be opening sometime in November of this year. Disney has not yet announced when you can start booking the rooms other than to say they will likely start taking reservations in summer.

On the official Disney blog, there was an announcement of two new Disney specialty rooms coming to Florida in the fall. One is a suite located at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, called health and wellness suites. They will contain non-allergenic wrapped mattresses, 100% cotton linens, rainwater showers and special flooring. Cardio workout equipment will be in your suite, just in case traipsing all over Epcot wasn’t enough of a workout. The floor itself will have yoga sessions and there will be organic food served through the concierge lounge. I imagined this will be quite pricey.

In March, Disney will unveil the princess rooms at Port Orleans. According to the blog, there will be a staggering 512 guest rooms that will become “royal.”  We saw some concept art for these rooms awhile back, but now we know where they will be and when it will happen. The concept is that Princess Tiani (from Princess & The Frog) has invited some of her princess pals to New Orleans.

At the time Disney unveiled concept art for the Princess rooms, they also unveiled concept art for Haunted Mansion rooms. No word on when or even if these will come to fruition, but it seems this is a direction Disney is going with this announcement and the rooms coming to the Art of Animation resort, so we can hope.

DVCnews.com has released information obtained from permit filed by Disney. It calls for the construction of T-shaped building at the Grand Floridian resort. From the looks of the blueprint, the construction will required the filling in of the some of the lake. The speculation is that this new buidling will become a new DVC resort. DVCnews.com points out that similiar permits were the first inklings of the Bay Lake Tower and Treehouse Villa developments.

I have to be be honest. If I were selecting a current resort that should get a DVC addition it would be the Polynesian, my favorite resort along with the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I know if there was a Polynesian DVC house, I would desperately try to get in it. This is kind of ho-hum for me. I haven’t set foot in the Grand Floridian for some time. I think the most appealing aspect of this is the location. Being on the monorail has obvious appeal.

What current resorts would you like to see get a DVC addition? My choice is the Polynesian. How about you?

The Disney Parks Blog has released more information on the Walt Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort. It, as we all know, will be the next large value resort, much like the All Star Resorts and Pop Century. Each section will feature a classic Disney or Disney Pixar movie. When it opens, there will be sections on the Lion King (pictured below), Cars, Finding Nemo and the Little Mermaid. Personally, I was hoping for Lady & The Tramp and the Jungle Book, but, oh well.

The most defining thing about the resort are the new family suites. All 1,120 of them. According to the Disney Blog, these rooms will comprise three of the 4 wings. The suites have a living room to go along with a bedroom. These can accomodate 6 people which is ideal for families who have more than 2 kids. If you want a regular sized room, you will need to be in one of the 864 rooms in the Little Mermaid section. 

The first section to open will be Finding Nemo in May 2012 with the others to follow suit in the 6 months thereafter. Disney has not announced when you can start booking nor have they announced a price although it should be similiar to the other Value resorts. But I expect this to be popular when it does.

Today’s posting is from Mike, contributing writer to Mouse Extra