Destination Orlando: Two New Disney Attractions

If you’re planning family vacation to Orlando this winter, you’re in for a treat. Walt Disney World Resort is set to unveil two new attractions based on popular TV shows that are sure to “wow” school-age kids.

Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure at Epcot
Get set to play secret agent at Epcot with the Kim Possible World Showcase Adventure, inspired by the Disney Channel’s animated series about the teenage crime fighter.

As guests embark on this international adventure, they will receive an official “Kimmunicator,” at kiosks throughout Epcot. The interactive, handheld device is designed to help them maneuver through the mission. Using state-of-the-art technology, the interactive device connects guests with a variety of Kim Possible characters who provide clues to stop villains from taking over the world.  The highly interactive devices also allow guests to control top-secret equipment hidden inside some of the World Showcase pavilions, creating an ultra-interactive adventure jam-packed with mystery and excitement.

This attraction is set to debut by the end of 2008.

American Idol Attraction at Hollywood Studios
Meanwhile, the phenomenally popular American Idol television program - and spinoff concert series and assorted merchandise - will be brought to life at Disney’s Hollywood Studios (formerly known as MGM Studios) in January 2009.

Disney guests can experience the challenge of auditioning, the rush of performing on stage in competition, or the thrill of judging the performances in a live interactive entertainment setting with all the glitz and glamour of the distinctive American Idol set.

That experience will include an audition process, open to ages 14 and up, where guests perform in front of a Disney’s Hollywood Studios producer for the chance to be cast in a theme park show. If shown to have that star quality during the screening process and after backstage preparation — working with a vocal coach, hair and make-up — it’s lights up and showtime for the lucky guest in front of a live audience and a panel of judges.

Guest performers with the highest votes will compete in an end-of-day Grand Finale show, and the winner of the Grand Finale show will receive a guaranteed reservation for a future regional stadium audition — to ensure no waiting in long lines — for the American Idol TV show. (Since you must be 16 to compete on TV, any 14- and 15-year-old winners can hang on to the “get to the front of the line” pass until they are eligible.)
While details are still being worked out, this is not a one-time-only event. It appears as if guests will have the opportunity to audition and perform daily at Hollywood Studios.

It’s Not the Economy . . . Well, It’s Not All The Economy

I’m writing this the day after the market went up 900-some points, and so far it’s down again more than 277. At least writing this takes my mind off my retirement fund woes . . . for a bit.

As some of you know, I was quoted in a recent article in the Orlando Sentinel. The article was about the layoffs that a major independent timeshare, based in Orlando, was about to start. The president of that independent timeshare talked about the credit crunch and said that this had “come on like a heart attack,” but assured everyone that things would turn around quickly. Being the contrarian that I am, I disagreed on both counts.

This credit crunch as it applies to timeshares did not “come on like a heart attack.” It was caused by years and years of slick timeshare salespeople convincing consumers earning $35,000 that 15% or 16% or even 19% interest rates were “OK,” and that they could easily get a home equity loan or line of credit that would lower that 16% note. Then, when Mr. and Mrs. Average Consumer bought the timeshare and defaulted on it several weeks or months later, the banks that the timeshares were dealing with started clamping down.

Some thoughts:

• First of all, if you are earning $35,000 per year, you should NOT be buying a timeshare from the developer. You can’t afford it. The salesperson won’t tell you this, but I will. As some good friends of mine (I wish) sang some years ago, “You can’t always get what you want.”
• The timeshare industry should have changed its outdated and antiquated marketing techniques years ago. Had they done that, they would not have been in this mess. And this mess is much deeper than just banks clamping down. Luring consumers earning $30,000 or $40,000 to a “resort overview” by promising three nights at the resort for only $199 is just plain insane. There is absolutely no reason for that consumer to purchase the timeshare from the developer.
• Why is it that the timeshare industry, at least from the developers’ end of things, is allowed to keep consumers in the dark? The Internet is a wonderful thing. It enables people to get useful–and some not so useful–information about almost anything. If you want to research a car, a blender, a camera, or an insurance company, there is myriad information out there for you to use to make good judgments. Not so much with the timeshare industry. There are exceptions, but for the most part, timeshare developers have had carte blanche to be less than forthright about their products and services. In my opinion, one of the best things about this current economic mess is that the public will start demanding more information about timeshares.

These are not “fun” times, economically speaking, and I would not encourage anyone to purchase anything they truly cannot afford. So how does timeshare fit into this picture?

Consumers have always vacationed, and always will. In fact, I’d venture to say that nowadays, we need vacations more than ever. Buying smart, buying with the right information, buying resale, makes more sense than ever before. If you could go back 10 years and someone offered you an annual one-week vacation for only $3,000, plus $300 or $400 per year for “updates,” would you have jumped on that offer? Of course you would have. The $3,000 would have been paid off, and instead of wondering how you were going to vacation this year or next year, you’d already be planning.

The good news is that, thanks to timeshare resales, the price hasn’t really gone up. Three thousand dollars for 10 or 15 or 20 years of vacation? Sign me up! And sign me up for a vacation somewhere that I don’t have Internet access, so I can’t check on how the markets are doing every 15 minutes!

Happy Vacationing!

World’s Tallest Timeshare Tops Off in Vegas

From Timeshares Daily comes this story:

Written by Timeshares Daily Staff

The $1.2 billion PH Towers by Westgate in Las Vegas has reached a pivotal point in development with the attainment of the highest point of vertical construction. Located at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, the upscale 52-story PH Towers will be the tallest timeshare building in the world.

A Westgate Resorts project, the 3.2 million-square-foot PH Towers will also hold the distinction of being the first vacation ownership resort to be fully integrated with a major resort and casino complex. The 2,500-guestroom Planet Hollywood Resort debuted last year, having been reinvented from the former Aladdin Resort & Casino via a $1 billion makeover, and will provide direct access to PH Towers. Ground broke on PH Towers in 2006 and in 2007, Westgate Resorts closed on a $400 million construction and development loan for the project. Ultimately, the Morris Architects-designed timeshare property will feature approximately 1,200 luxury timeshare units, as well as a casino, a 35,000-square-foot convention center, a restaurant and 16,000 square feet of retail space.

Bovis Lend Lease Americas is overseeing construction of PH Towers. Completion of the first phase of the project is on schedule to take place next summer.

Headquartered in Orlando, Westgate is the largest privately owned timeshare company in the world, with a portfolio of 10,000 units at 28 resorts in 11 states. Presently, the company has an additional 4,500 units in its development pipeline.

Air Travel Trends: Looking Ahead to 2010

Rick Seaney reports:

The year 2010 sounds so far away, but - face it - it’s really just around the corner.

I was thinking about this, after being asked to participate in a panel discussion on the future of air travel - a discussion hosted by Southwest Airlines.

So will the future be all that different? To an extent. What I’ve done is isolate some of the trends I expect will continue - so take a look - and add to the list if you like, in the comments section.

14 AIR TRAVEL TRENDS: 2010

1. Decline of Human Interaction: it started with Alaska Airline’s “virtual customer service agent Jenn” and kiosks galore

* Ticket and luggage barcodes sent directly to phones, handheld devices
* Retinal scans at TSA checkpoints
* Noise-canceling headphones — for relief from the cell phones on planes

2. Airplane Cabins Resemble Subway Cars: the advertising age meets flying

* Ads on tray tables, overhead bins and boarding passes have already started
* Look for future ads on barf bags and on “free” blankets/pillows

>>Read Story

Hat tip: One Bag, One World

Destination Ski Resorts: 5 Ways to Save

Whether you’re spending your timeshare ski resort vacation in Colorado, New England, or Canada-or anywhere in between-there are ways to make your winter trip a little bit more bearable on the pocketbook. Here are some cost-cutting tips for saving money on your ski vacation:

1. Buy your lift tickets in advance. At most ski resorts, if you buy multiple-day lift tickets, the price to ski per day will decrease. Yes, it’s a bit nerve-wracking to make a commitment early on, so wait until the last minute to purchase them, check cancellation policies, and buy conservatively so you don’t end up with unused tickets. Purchase tickets online in advance directly from the ski resort.

2. Consider all-encompassing packages. If you’re not bringing your own gear, and you’re planning on taking some ski or snowboard lessons, you might save money purchasing a package of services than buying them a la carte. Again, scour the ski resort’s Web site, or call to speak to reservation staff. Spell out exactly what you’re looking to buy and ask how you can get the best deals.

3. Stop at the local visitors’ center or Chamber of Commerce. Pick up the coupon books or local magazines that give great discounts on non-skiing activities or restaurants. Some chambers may be offering fuel rebates to entice visitors - don’t hesitate to ask!

4. Eat like the locals do. Since you’re staying in a timeshare condominium, you’ll have a full kitchen for preparing breakfast and storing snacks. Hit the market on your first day in town to stock up on groceries. If you’re feeling especially ambitious (read: cheap), make sandwiches and pack granola bars to bring to the ski lodge with you; some resorts don’t like it when you don’t buy and eat their expensive lunch foods, but if you’re discreet - or eat on the chairlifts - no one will be the wiser.

5. Sit at the bar for restaurant savings. Many upscale ski-town eateries have bar menus offering entrees, salads, and appetizers for a fraction of the price of the sit-down restaurant menu. Plus, you’ll likely make friends with local residents who could turn you on to other cheap places to eat.

The Importance of Vacations, for Stress Relief, Productivity and Health

Vacations Are Important For More Than Just Fun

By Elizabeth Scott, M.S., About.com
Updated: April 28, 2008
About.com Health’s Disease and Condition content is reviewed by Steven Gans, MD

Many people don’t take vacations often enough. In fact, according to a poll on this site, around half of readers don’t take annual vacations; in fact, many readers never take them! And now with increasing frequency, when we do take vacations, we often bring work along with us, keeping ourselves essentially still in the work mindset we’re trying to escape. This is unfortunate for several reasons:

• Vacations Promote Creativity: A good vacation can help us to reconnect with ourselves, operating as a vehicle for self-discovery and helping us get back to feeling our best.

• Vacations Stave Off Burnout: Workers who take regular time to relax are less likely to experience burnout, making them more creative and productive than their overworked, under-rested counterparts.

>>read article

Also of interest: Taking a Vacation Can be a Life-Saver

More Vacation Money-Saving Ideas

Of course, one of the best ways to save money on your vacations is to start with a resale timeshare, which will save you 60% to 80% right off the top. But here are a few articles that offer other suggestions as well. Not all of the ideas are directly related to timesharing, but others can be quite helpful for stretching your vacation dollars.

Saving Money While On Vacation

Save Money for Your Family Vacation

Save Money on Vacation Dining (Also, don’t forget to utilize your timeshare’s kitchen as often as possible for making meals. Cut down on food bills by planning ahead where and when to dine out.)

Ten Money-Saving Vacation and Travel Tips

The Timeshare Industry At a Glance

A look at the history and business of timesharing, and what the future might hold for vacation ownership.

Stats & Facts

6,700,000 Worldwide timeshare owners.
4,100,000 US timeshare owners in 2006.
130,000 Timeshare units in the US.
5,500 Worldwide timeshare resorts.
1,600 US timeshare resorts in 2006.
1,200 US timeshare resorts in 1997.
378 Florida timeshare resorts (highest in US).
123 California timeshare resorts (second highest in US).
117 South Carolina timeshare resorts (third highest in US).
95 Countries worldwide in which there is at least one timeshare resort.
85 Percentage of US timesharers who own their own home.
84.5 Percentage of US timeshare owners who are satisfied with timesharing.
83 Number of units in the average US timeshare resort.
78 Percentage of timeshare owners who travel by air to reach their destination.
31 Percentage of timeshare owners who are married, with children at home.
14.5 Percentage of increase in US timeshare sales in 2002 over the previous year.
1.8 Number of vacation weeks owned by the average timesharer.
(Source: American Resort Developers Association)

Snapshots

Motivation. Timeshare owners have identified the five most important factors that motivated their purchase: (1) Flexibility of use; (2) Quality of accommodations; (3) Credibility of the sales company; (4) Exchange opportunities; (5) Resort appeal. -Source: www.arda.com

Singles nation. While most current timeshare owners are married, a recent national survey (Future Timeshare Buyers: 2004 Market Profile, Interval International) reveals that of respondents indicating an interest in purchasing a timeshare in the near future, nearly one-third were single, with the highest concentration being among GenXers.

Top dog. Cendant Corporation is the world’s top hotel franchisor. Its timeshare-related holdings include Fairfield Resorts, Trendwest Resorts, and exchange company Resort Condominiums International (RCI). It also owns Amerihost Inn, Howard Johnson, Travelodge, Days Inn, Super 8, Ramada, Century 21, Coldwell Banker, Avis, and Budget Rent A Car.

Exchange rate. The two largest timeshare exchange companies, RCI and Interval International, combined for a total 2,949,787 vacation exchanges in 2003 (the most recent year for which statistics are available).

A Short History of Timesharing

While there is some disagreement over who exactly invented timesharing, everyone agrees it began in either Switzerland or France in the mid-1960s.

Depending on how the concept is defined, the honor might belong to Alexander Nette of Switzerland, whose company, Hapimag, began selling right-to-use holiday packages at Swiss resorts in 1963. A year or so later, Paul Doumier was offering ownership interests in his company’s SuperDevoluy ski resort in the French Alps.

The first American timeshare, a leasehold program, was begun in 1969, at the Kauai Kailani resort on Kauai, Hawaii. Four years later, Innisfree, a subsidiary of the Hyatt Corporation, sold the first deeded American timeshares at the Brockway Springs condominium development, in Kings Beach (Lake Tahoe), California. It was during this venture that the term “timeshare” was coined.

In 1974, the Sanibel Beach Club, on Sanibel Island, Florida, became the first US resort designed and built as a timeshare. By the end of 1975, just a year later, there were 45 timeshare properties and more than 10,000 timeshare members in the US. Vacation ownership had arrived, and soon took a leisure-loving public by storm.

Over the next 15 years, timesharing became one of the fastest-growing segments of the vacation travel industry, though there were a few bumps in the road along the way, such as the questionable sales tactics used by some of the early timeshare retailers to lure buyers.

But such practices have become increasingly rare due to consumer protection laws, buyer awareness, and the entrance into the timeshare market of larger, more respectable vacation companies. As a result, timesharing has both matured and become more user friendly. In fact, if current sales are an indication, timesharing may just now be entering its “golden age.”

In the 40 years since it first appeared in Europe, timesharing has grown to become the premiere alternative to traditional vacationing, offering greater flexibility, more spacious accommodations, luxury amenities, and a vacation lifestyle once reserved for the “rich and famous.”

As one timeshare company executive recently noted, “We used to sell just bricks and mortar. Now we’re offering a product with all the bells and whistles.”

Trends and Directions

A lot has already changed in the four decades since the first timeshare opened its doors. Over the next ten years, we will undoubtedly see the transformation of timesharing into a total vacation experience. Here’s a look at what’s been happening of late, as well as where timesharing is headed.

Adventure resorts and theme clubs. As with most industries, as timesharing grows, it will also become more specialized. Some of the activity-based markets that timeshare developers have already considered tapping into include horseback riding, charter fishing, scuba-diving, mountain biking, even paintball. Theme clubs are another idea generating industry buzz. These would cater to buyers who share such interests as religion, health and fitness, ecology (eco-resorts), art, music, gambling, or gourmet food and wine.

All-inclusive programs. The all-inclusive concept has been around since the 1950s, when Gerard Blitz founded Club Med. But it received a big boost in the 70s when several Caribbean resorts began offering all-inclusive packages that included alcoholic drinks. Thirty years and a few hangovers later, hundreds of timeshare resorts worldwide now offer their own all-inclusive plans, to the delight of bargain-seeking travelers: A recent study determined that 60% of vacationers now look for all-inclusive packages when shopping for a vacation resort. Expect more resorts to follow suit in the near future.

Fractionals. Fractional ownerships first appeared in the mid-1990s. Today, they represent the fastest-growing and most lucrative segment of the timeshare market, with nearly 500 fractional interest resorts in North America and the Caribbean, with a combined 4,000 units. Unlike traditional timeshare resorts, where owners usually own one week a year, fractional ownerships are sold as multi-week blocks of time. When expressed as fractions of a 52-week year, purchases typically range from a 1/21 (two-week) to a 1/4 (thirteen-week) interest in a residence, though even larger fractions are not uncommon. Think of it as owning a part-time home. In recent years, the concept has also been applied to sailboats, yachts, RVs, exotic cars, and airplanes.

Hotel timesharing. Having witnessed the phenomenal growth of the timeshare industry, some of the best known hoteliers in the world, including Hilton and Marriott, are beginning to add vacation ownership to their traditional vacation rental properties, creating a new, mixed-use business model.
Non-traditional timeshares. If a condominium can be a timeshare, why not a campground, or a houseboat, or a recreational vehicle? In fact, these already exist. So what might be next? Shopping mall timeshares? Ballpark timeshares? If you can think it, then it’s probably an idea whose time(share) will come.

Points programs. While vacation points aren’t new, the concept is gaining in popularity as more and more timeshare owners express an interest in the usage flexibility that points programs afford. And timeshare developers are listening. Fairfield Resorts, for example, is the leading provider of points-based vacations, with over 50 resorts and a membership of more than 450,000 families. Recently, Marriott, Disney, and exchange company RCI have offered their own points programs. The resulting competition has been good for consumers, as points providers seek new ways to lure vacationers. For instance, some vacation clubs now allow members to redeem their points for airline tickets, car rentals, and cruises.

Private residence clubs. Also known as high-end fractionals, private residence clubs (PRCs) are the newest concept in luxury timesharing-and the fastest-growing segment of the “fractionals” market. Typically catering to wealthy buyers, PRCs are essentially a combination private club and upscale timeshare. Residences are fully furnished and feature designer décors and club amenities that can rival those of the world’s most exclusive resorts. Ownerships generally range from a 1/21 (two-week) to a 1/4 (thirteen-week) annual share, with prices averaging about $50,000 per week. In the future, we will likely see the PRC concept tailored to buyers with more modest incomes.

Urban timesharing. Except for entertainment destinations, such as Orlando or Las Vegas, traditional timesharing has sought to take folks out of the city, away from the madding crowd, and place them in settings more conducive to relaxation. Urban timeshares turn that idea on its head. Intended to appeal to buyers who want to visit the city, whether for business or pleasure, this newest trend in timesharing is quickly filling a previously neglected market niche. Call it getting away to it all.

Consider This

There was a time, back in the 1980s, when some timeshare developers began to resort to high-pressure, and sometimes deceptive, sales tactics to sell their product. Word about this behavior spread quickly. The unfortunate result was that some people became distrustful of the entire timeshare industry.

Things have changed. The last ten years have seen important reforms addressing these issues, including consumer protection laws and higher industry standards. And in recent years, an influx of respected hospitality providers has revolutionized the image and concept of timesharing: Disney, Marriott, Ramada, Sheraton, Four Seasons, Weston, Radisson, and Ritz-Carlton.

While this is good news for the retail side of the business, it’s important to note that timeshare owners who originally purchased from the resale market not only avoided these early problems (since they bypassed the developers completely), but they also paid less than half what retail owners were being charged.

Timeshare resales is the vacation industry’s best-kept secret. As a recent article in National Geographic Traveler points out, “Timeshare bargains are in resales, but most people don’t know they exist”-which obviously doesn’t apply to you, dear reader!

As the timeshare industry continues to improve its product through exciting innovations and a renewed commitment to customer satisfaction, the future of timesharing looks bright. Timeshare resales makes it even brighter.

________________

You may also be interested in: RCI Points vs. Traditional Timeshare Weeks

What the Timeshare Industry Can Learn From The Cruise Industry

Last month I attended “THETRADESHOW” here in Orlando, an annual event catering to the travel industry. Travel agents from around the world come to the show to see and hear all about the latest “hot” travel places and special deals.

Many agents choose to spend a good portion of the show attending educational and product seminars in an attempt to learn more, be a “better” travel agent, and be of better service to their clients.

I had the honor of attending the “Building Client Loyalty” session, taught by Bernie Bloomquist. The program was put on by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), and I would guess that I was the only “non-cruise agent” in the room. What an eye-opener. And what a great example for the timeshare industry.

(All information that follows is used with permission of Mr. Bloomquist.)

The seminar started with the question: “Why Do People Go To A Travel Agency?” The answer was divided into Overt and Covert Reasons.

Overt Reasons
Buy travel
Save money
Save time
Be efficient
Get information/opinions
Buy a cruise

Covert Reasons
Be treated well
Find a friend
Be listened to
Get attention
Be liked/respected
Have their dreams fulfilled

Interesting, isn’t it? If you compare these lists to the reasons why people attend a timeshare presentation, I would say that all of the covert reasons are identical. But it’s when we look at the overt reasons that the differences come to the forefront.

The overt reason that people attend timeshare sales presentations is because they have to, or because they were bribed to. Obviously, this puts the salesperson at a distinct disadvantage and the client in a defensive position from the start. And this isn’t the first time it has been pointed out by either me or other forward thinkers in the timeshare industry.

Nevertheless, after 35 years, what has the industry done to give the client another, even better, overt reason for attending the sales presentation? The answer, of course, is nothing. And this is why resale companies have a real advantage over the traditional sales process given by developers’ representatives around the world. If you visit a timeshare resale company, whether in person or online, you are there for the overt reason of buying a timeshare and saving money.

The presenter also made a point that has been lost on most traditional timeshare salespeople: Cruise agents (and timeshare salespeople) are NOT in the travel business; they (we) are in the people business. Translation: it is not about the cruise (timeshare), it is about how you are treated by the agent and how you will feel after experiencing the cruise (timeshare).

In the interest of sharing some of the great knowledge that was shared during the session, here are The 10 Fundamentals of Loyalty. (Timeshare developers read carefully!)

1. Make a powerful first impression. Make people think “I made the right decision by coming here.”

2. Keep it positive. Watch your language; change “Don’t forget,” to “Please remember.”

3. Personalize the transaction. It’s about trust, focusing on the client, and taking notes. This is directed to the thousands of salespeople who have the client fill out the “survey” while they go and have a smoke.

4. Treat clients as family. Unless you call your family “ups,” don’t use that term for your clients.

5. Deliver the best service. Be accurate, resourceful, flexible. Deliver what is promised (don’t pitch heat) and care about the quality of the clients’ travel experiences.

6. Deliver the best product. This should be EASY. Timeshare is a great product!

7. Exceed expectations. Give the clients MORE than they expect at every step of the way.

8. Respond quickly. Don’t let clients sit in the lobby while you eat a bagel. Also, return calls from your clients.

9. Turn “oops” into opportunities. Fix the customer first, then the problem. (More on this at another time.)

10. Communicate regularly, at least 4 to 6 times a year. Utilize newsletters, blogs, surveys, thank-you cards, webinars (like the one I’ll be doing on November 6th with Holiday).

CLIA also had at least 30 training seminars and/or videos and DVDs available for the agents. While I applaud ARDA for making a variety of training classes available to its members, I’d venture to say that the vast majority of the timeshare industry’s front-line staff (i.e., the salespeople) either don’t know of these opportunities or don’t make use of them. There’s room for growth there.

The biggest takeaway I got at this seminar? We are not in the timeshare business; we are in the people business!

Wyndham Vacation Ownership expands presence on Washington Long Beach Peninsula

From the Street Talk Blog:

LONG BEACH, WA: Wyndham Vacation Ownership is now welcoming guests to its newest seaside resort, WorldMark Long Beach. Nestled along the Washington coast on the Long Beach Peninsula, the 98–unit oceanfront resort offers owners breathtaking views of both the Pacific Ocean and the area’s local beaches. The resort, the company’s eighth property in the state and second on the Long Beach peninsula joining WorldMark Surfside Inn, will operate under the WorldMark by Wyndham resort portfolio of products.

“The Washington coastline with its miles of beaches and charming communities has long been a desirable vacation destination for many of our WorldMark owners. With the addition of WorldMark Long Beach, we have added another outstanding property in a classic coastal area our owners can enjoy for many years to come,” said Dave Herrick, senior vice president, Hospitality Division, WorldMark by Wyndham. >>read more

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