With the news of annual dues and point charts having already come and gone, the 2019 Disney Vacation Club Condominium Association Annual Meeting was about as exciting as expected in terms of news and information. Disney’s Riviera Resort, which is scheduled to open next Monday stole the show, but we did learn a few small pieces of interesting information about the other Disney Vacation Club properties along the way:
Refurb and Refresh Schedule
One annual highlight of this meeting is learning plans for upcoming full refurbishments and lighter soft goods refreshings scheduled for the Disney Vacation Club properties.
Executives touted the success and positive responses they have received regarding the recent Old Key West enhancements and alluded to continuing that trend moving forward. Progress is continuing with the Saratoga Springs full refurbishment, with a scheduled completion sometime in 2021. Additionally, the following resorts are on track for refurbs and refreshings in the near future:
- 2020 – Aulani (Minor Refresh)
- 2020 – Boulder Ridge (Full Refurb)
- 2021 – Grand Floridian ( Minor Refresh)
- 2022 – Hilton Head (Full Refurb)
- 2022 – Polynesian ( Minor Refresh)
- 2022 – Beach Club ( Minor Refresh)
2020 Annual Dues Approved
If you blinked you likely would’ve missed this part of the meeting, but the Disney Vacation Club board of directors unanimously approved the adoption of the 2020 budgets and annual dues projections. For members, this means it’s time to open those wallets and checkbooks because annual dues statements will be popping into our member dashboard any day now!
A brief explanation was made regarding dues and the factors that influence their annual fluctuations. The increase seen at Disney’s Grand Californian was attributed to the recent minimum wage increase within the state. It was also noted that Riviera is the only resort that has a component of the Disney Skyliner built into its operating budget.
2021 Points Charts Emphasized
It’s worth noting that Shannon Sakaske, Vice President Member Experiences and Club Management at Disney Vacation Club, spent a small amount of time pointing out the failures with the attempted points chart changes that were reversed last year. Mr. Sakaske emphasized the board’s attempts this year at listening to member feedback and creating points charts that allowed for more availability and flexibility when booking.
Epcot Member Lounge Access Continues
Probably my favorite announcement and the most exciting from this year’s condo association meeting was the continued access and operation of the DVC Member Lounge at Epcot through 2020. This lounge provides a wonderful escape to members, along with free snacks and refreshments. It would be great if one day these were added to all parks across Walt Disney World.
The meeting concluded with a brief question and answer period, followed by a reception with Disney Vacation Club executives. Members in attendance also had the special treat at the conclusion of the meeting to board a bus and receive a tour of Riviera.
Special thanks to those over in the DVC Fan Facebook Group and on DISboards who attended this year’s meeting and reported what was discussed, along with Tim Creenan for providing us with photos from the event. Join us back here on December 10th, 2020 when we hopefully can report a few more notable exciting announcements from the 2020 Disney Vacation Club Condominium Association Annual Meeting!
Imagine how magical it would be if there were a Member Lounge in California…
I wouldn’t be surprised that it will be included in the new Tower at Disneyland Hotel. If I was a DLR vacationer I’d write to DVC making the suggestion as they are still in the preliminary planning and approval stages of the project.
So next years meeting is december 10? Please let me know because I’m trying to book a cruise and do the meeting in the same trip. Thanks 🙂
Yes! They announced it at the end of the meeting.