Guests and timeshare owners at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort timeshare have the opportunity to participate in a very special way with the annual march to the sea of hatchling baby turtles. Sea turtles have been on earth, essentially unchanged, for more than 100 million years. Each summer, in a dramatic demonstration of genetic imprinting, thousands of baby sea turtles of the green and the loggerhead species hatch on the beaches of Florida’s coasts, many on the beaches near Disney’s Vero Beach Resort, a Florida timeshare just south-east of Orlando.

Because as few as 1000 hatchling turtles will make it through the trek from hatching on the beach to returning to the ocean, (that’s one hatchling surviving out of every 1000 eggs) conservationists take extreme measures to protect the baby turtles, attempting to ensure that as many as possible survive. There are very strict laws in many coastal cities regarding lighting that is visible from the beach as it disorients the baby turtles, sometimes causing them to believe they are walking toward moonlight reflecting off the ocean, when in reality they are headed in exactly the wrong direction.

Disney’s Vero Beach Timeshare for Very Special Vacation Memories

To help their timeshare guests and timeshare owners at Disney’s Vero Beach Resort share in the annual turtle migration, Disney Vacation Club offers a program called Adopt-a-Nest. Partnering with the Caribbean Conservation Corporations and the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, timeshare owners and other guests who donate $50 per nest receive a special package of Disney mementos, and the certificate for the nest number and the nest location, of their “adopted” turtles. If their turtle adoptees hatch during the participant’s vacation, then they may get to experience the event firsthand, but if not, they can track online the activities at the turtle nest site by going to this website: Disney Conservation.

Imagine how special it would be to watch the tiny turtles in their moonlit march to the sea; think of the memories your whole family will enjoy. Being part of such a momentous event, takes the magic of a Disney timeshare or Disney timeshare resale vacation to a whole new level.

Part II of a two part series:

Saturday’s The Timeshare Authority blog looked at Disney’s Vacation Club’s expansion at the Disney Tree House Timeshares at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa Timeshares and at Kidani Village Timeshares at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Today’s blog post focuses on the new Bay Lake Tower timeshares.

Bay Lake Tower Timeshares Overlooking Disney’s Magic Kingdom at the Contemporary Resort

When Disney’s Contemporary Resort hotel opened, it was met with a great deal of excitement surrounding this modernistic resort property, where the monorail runs right through the hotel lobby. Not quite the Jetsons, but certainly futuristic in feel for 1971.

In 2007, Disney began construction on the new Bay Lake Tower Disney timeshare resort that is adjacent to and part of the Contemporary Hotel, now known as the Contemporary Resort.

Offering the most dramatic views of the Magic Kingdom, some Bay Lake Tower timeshare units even have a screen you can pull aside to permit viewing the Disney fireworks while you enjoy a relaxing soak in an oversize bathtub. Another perk of this timeshare resort property is the rooftop lounge that affords some of the best views available anywhere on the Disney World property of the nightly firework displays.

Many people consider the new Disney Bay Lake Tower timeshare to offer the most spectacular timeshare accommodations among all the Disney Vacation Club resorts. With vaulted ceilings in the larger units (and all units offering a very spacious feel), the designers of these Disney timeshares take particular pride in the granite counter tops and other luxury finishes. These special touches can be found in every Bay Lake Tower timeshare unit, whether it is a studio unit (sleeping up to four), or one of the two-story grand villas designed to accommodate up to twelve happy Disney timeshare vacationers.

The Sky Way Bridge is an elevated covered walkway connecting the timeshares of Bay Lake Tower to Disney’s Contemporary Resort and from there, the rest of the park is as close as a monorail ride.

As with all Disney timeshares, one can expect these three new (or newly renovated) Disney Vacation Club resorts to remain popular destinations. Look for affordable Disney timeshare resales and Disney timeshare rental options available through Sell My Timeshare NOW.

Here’s a fun YouTube look at the new Bay Lake Tower timeshares that are part of Disney Vacation Club’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa Timeshares.

More news from The Timeshare Authority on Bay Lake Tower Timeshare:

Part I of a two part series:

Read anything about Disney vacations these days and you will find lots of excitement surrounding Disney Vacation Club’s three new or newly-renovated timeshare properties: The Disney Tree House Timeshares, Kidani Village Timeshares, (which is part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom), and Bay Lake Tower Timeshare Resorts.

All three resort areas offer the amenities and comfort you expect in Disney timeshares at Disney Vacation Club, but with individual new features that give them added personality.

Disney Tree House Timeshares at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa Timeshares

Talks of renovation at Disney’s famous “tree house” villas (now part of the Disney Vacation Club) stalled for years, as environmental engineers struggled to comply with updated watershed laws. If you remember the look of the original tree houses, the accommodations were built on pedestals in order to provide a tree house-like feel with elevated vistas. A clever new design that reduces the circumference of the pedestal while adding additional support columns has enabled Disney to make the timeshare renovations without increasing the environmental footprint of each unit.

The tree houses, now part of Disney Vacation Club’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa Timeshares, even include four handicap-accessible timeshare units. Rather than incorporating an elevator into selected timeshare units, the architects have used long—long— ramps to allow access to these Disney timeshares that sit some ten feet above the ground.

The Disney Tree House Villas are definitely the Disney timeshare property to choose if you want proximity to all areas of the Walt Disney World Vacation Kingdom, yet serene feelings of seclusion in a wooded glen that will make you swear you are miles away from the energy and excitement of a Disney vacation. The interiors have been updated with a woodsy décor, but don’t expect your Tree House Villas timeshare vacation to feel like camping—instead you’ll find upscale comfort, right down to the Tuscan bronze details in the baths. The frog fountains in and around the newly renovated pool area offer another fun touch at the Disney Tree House Timeshare Villas.

Disney Vacation Club’s Kidani Village Timeshares at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Sometimes bigger is not better. Kidani Village timeshares create an intimate-feeling resort property located in the heart of Animal Kingdom’s savanna, meaning that you can get up-close views of the animals from many of the balconies or timeshare unit windows.

All of the rooms have the fun feel of a Lion King themed décor, with standard amenities, and while they are sufficiently spacious, they are cozier rooms than you find in Jambo House, which is also part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom timeshares. Because the entire back of the Kidani Village timeshare lodge is located directly adjacent to the wild animal savanna, the pool area is in the front of the resort. The Hakuna Matata playground is a 24-hour recreation area located beside the pool, overlooking the flamingo area and the wild animal savanna. Other recreational areas and basketball courts are directly across the street. This layout maximizes the use of the property’s proximity to the animal habitat and allows timeshare owners the best views possible of the animals in a natural environment.

Be sure to check in on Monday’s The Timeshare Authority blog post, where I’ll fill you in on the timeshare resort many feel offers Disney’s most luxurious timeshare accommodations yet.

Follow these links to learn more about the affordable opportunities in Disney timeshare resales and Disney timeshare rentals:

• Disney’s Villas at Wilderness Lodge Timeshare Resales
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Timeshare Resales
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort Timeshare Resales
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Timeshare Resales
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas Timeshare Resales

Past Timeshare Authority blog posts related to these Disney timeshare resorts:

• Disney Vacation Club Timeshare Is On Schedule with New Timeshare Addition
• Disney Vacation Club Timeshare to Affiliate with Group RCI

Disney timeshare’s newest accommodations are open at the Disney Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. The new Disney timeshare, the Kidani Village, is an extension of the timeshare lodging already available at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. The timeshare resort’s name comes from the Swahili word for “necklace” and references the physical layout of the resort.

Of the 340 timeshare units that are part of the resort, approximately 60 percent are now in use. The remaining Disney timeshare units (also called Disney Vacation Club) are scheduled to be available by the end of the summer. By converting the existing rooms within the Animal Kingdom Lodge to timeshares, (a project that is already completed) the property will feature nearly 350 timeshare units at build-out.

What to Expect in a Disney Timeshare at Kidani Village

Timeshare resort amenities include a restaurant that serves African cuisine infused with the flavors of India; a water-play area; and the Samawati Springs Pool that features a 128-foot water slide and two whirlpool spas. Other onsite facilities and services include: a pool bar, merchandise shop, room service, fitness center, arcade, community hall, tennis courts, and valet parking.

Timeshare units at Kidani Village Disney timeshare offer: studios; one-bedroom timeshares, two-bedroom lockoff timeshares; two-bedroom timeshare units; and two-story, three-bedroom grand villas. Occupancy ranges from four to twelve adults.

Disney Timeshare Better than Ever with Group RCI, Timeshare Exchange

Remember that Disney timeshare is now part of Group RCI, which gives Disney Vacation Club members access to non-Disney timeshare resorts through timeshare exchange at RCI, as well as allowing owners at other timeshare resorts to exchange their timeshare weeks or timeshare points for a Disney resort.

To learn more about timeshare exchange for Disney timeshare through Group RCI, visit The Timeshare Authority post: Disney Vacation Club Timeshare to Affiliate with Group RCI

And for a YouTube video tour of the new Disney Timeshare Kidani Village, click here:

It seems the people of Ko Olina just need a little reassurance. And who doesn’t after the economic down spiral we have witnessed in this country?

Last week WKHON2 in Ko Olina, Hawaii ran a news segment in which both Disney Vacation Club Timeshare vice president Djuan Rivers, and Kapolei Neighborhood Board chair Maeda Timson reassured residents that the Disney Vacation Club Timeshare project is still full steam ahead.

Timson said, “Its been real apparent that the Disney project is probably the most exciting project that’s happening right now…” Rivers adds, “It’s my time to let people know that we are here, we are proud members of the community and we’re excited about the project finally getting started.”

While Disney Vacation Club timeshare owners are no doubt anxious to learn more about the 20-plus acre hybrid resort that will feature 480 timeshare villas and 350 hotel rooms, area residents are interested in the timeshare resort as a resource for new jobs and employment opportunities.

The Disney Vacation Club timeshare certainly means a traditional range of positions will be available, such as desk clerks and hotel services. Rivers made a point of reminding people that there will also be career opportunities, adding “…people will be able to flourish”. Timson explains, “These are jobs that our folks can have careers … and it’s in our community.”

Hawaii timeshare has long been a positive for the economy of the islands and there is no doubt that the presence of Disney Vacation Club Timeshare couldn’t come at a better time or be more appreciated.

Watch this YouTube video of Disney’s groundbreaking and ground blessing at the Ko Olina resort:

Disney Vacation Club Timeshare’s Jim Lewis to be the new Chairman of the American Resort Development Association Board of Directors.

The American Resort Development Association announced this week that Jim Lewis, president of Disney Vacation Club Timeshare, has been elected Chairman of ARDA. ARDA is the Washington, DC-based trade association that represents the timeshare and vacation ownership industries, and if you were reading recent postings on The Timeshare Authority, you know that ARDA just last week convened its annual convention and educational conference.

The Right Leader for ARDA Timeshare Association

Jim Lewis is CPA, and holds an MBA from Purdue University. A resident of Orlando, Florida, he is active in both civic and faith-based organizations. In 2007, the Orlando Business Journal named Lewis as one of the ten most influential businesspeople in Central Florida. He has served on the ARDA Board of Directors since 2004, as well as holding numerous committee and steering committee positions.

He sees his new appointment like this, “It is both an honor and a humbling responsibility to have been chosen by my peers to lead the Association at this unique time. I am confident that, together, we will work through the present economic obstacles and continue to provide the excellent family vacation experiences that millions of Americans want and deserve.”

Howard Nusbaum ARDA’s president and CEO says, “ARDA and the vacation ownership industry are fortunate to have Jim Lewis’ leadership during this particularly challenging time in our history. Jim’s passion for the product and in-depth knowledge of the industry puts ARDA in very capable hands at a time when the industry needs to work together. His personal integrity and commitment to industry excellence makes him the right leader at the right time.”

Chairman of the Board of Directors of the American Resort Development Association is a two year position. Jim Lewis replaces Jon Fredricks of Welk Resorts as chairman of the ARDA Board.

Today is the day things really get rolling at the American Resort Development Association Convention 2009 in Orlando, Florida.

The Sell My Timeshare NOW team and I will be reporting to you all week from the ARDA 2009 Convention and Exposition in sunny Orlando. We will also be providing you podcasts of interviews and other convention updates.

At 4 PM today, we will have the opportunity to hear the keynote address from Dr. Jeffrey Rosensweig, who is the director of the Global Perspectives Program at the Goizueta Business School of Emory University. Dr. Rosensweig specializes in financial, macroeconomic, and business estimations and predictions and is a professor of international business and finance. I know there will be valuable insights from him and I’ll be sharing them with you in a blog later this week.

So here’s the schedule for what to expect today, and keep reading The Timeshare Authority, where we will be filling you in on all the details.

Highlights for Monday March 30 at the ARDA Timeshare Convention

12:00 PM-3:30 PM
Industry Think Tank
Sponsored by Greenberg Traurig, LLP

4:00 PM-5:00 PM
Opening Keynote Speaker Dr. Jeffrey Rosensweig
Sponsored by Group RCI

5:00 PM-8:00 PM
Welcome Reception in Exhibit Hall
Sponsored by  Disney Vacation Club, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Hyatt Vacation Ownership, Marriott Vacation Club International & Starwood Vacation Ownership

8:30 PM
ICE Breaker Party
Sponsored by International Cruise & Excursions, Inc. (ICE)

Sell My Timeshare Now Director of Communications Steve Luba discusses the real reason why the timeshare industry is in a holding pattern these days.

 

 The Timeshare Authority Launches New Podcast Service [3:00m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Walt Disney Vacation Club timeshare has announced that it is full steam ahead for their new Disney timeshare resort destination in Hawaii. Work at the Ko Olina location thus far has included determining placement of the new Hawaii timeshare foundation and laying the underground utilities.

When complete, this new Disney timeshare resort will include 350 hotel rooms and 480 timeshare villas located on 21 acres of oceanfront property. There will be a water play area, a pool, children’s club, an 18,000 square-foot spa, a wedding lawn, and an 8,000 square-foot convention center. There will also probably be plenty of “hidden Mickeys” and equally as many Mickeys dressed in Hawaiian shirts and leis.

This new Hawaii timeshare is scheduled to open in 2011. Follow this link to learn more about this timeshare resort project: Disney Timeshare in Hawaii, But Where’s Space Mountain?

Disney Vacation Club Timeshare Resales and Timeshare Rentals

Disney timeshares are some of the most in-demand vacation ownership resorts in the world. Sell My Timeshare NOW’s inventory of timeshare resales and timeshare rentals includes many desirable deals at Disney Vacation Club timeshare resorts.

• Disney’s Villas at Wilderness Lodge Timeshare Resales
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa Timeshare Resales
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort Timeshare Resales
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas Timeshare Resales
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas Timeshare Resales

Other recent news about Disney Vacation Club Timeshares:

• Disney Timeshares Are Changing Timeshare Points Structure

This is the second in a three-part The Timeshare Authority blog. (Read Timeshare Sales and Developer Strategic Responses – Part I) Part II looks at how different timeshare developers and timeshare sales companies are adapting to meet the challenges of difficult economic times.

Marriott Timeshare, Starwood, Wyndham Vacation Ownership And Others

While not every timeshare company enjoys the depth of the Disney corporation with its worldwide network of theme parks, entertainment, and retail merchandise, many of the big dogs in the timeshare industry do have other revenue streams in addition to booking hotel room nights and selling timeshare.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, companies including Marriott Vacation Club International and Starwood Vacation Ownership are adapting to the credit crunch by reducing or eliminating certain incentives for timeshare buyers to finance timeshare through them. At the same time they are making it less inviting to use the timeshare developer as a financing source, they certainly haven’t stopped financing timeshare sales altogether.

Wyndham Vacation Ownership along with Westgate Resorts have had to dig deeper to compensate for the fact that many prospective timeshare buyers are unable to obtain financing. Both Wyndham timeshare and Westgate timeshare have laid-off thousands of employees and in some situations, closed timeshare sales offices.

Orlando timeshare company Sol Meliá, with timeshare resorts in the Europe, Mexico, and other top destinations worldwide, is responding to the credit crunch by restructuring interest rates. Sol Meliá is now typically requiring larger down payments from timeshare buyers.

Sell My Timeshare NOW – the Defacto Solution in Timeshare Resales and the Secondary Market

Already the industry leader in online advertising and marketing of timeshare resales and timeshare rentals, Sell My Timeshare NOW, continues to work to help consumers buy, rent, or sell timeshare in affordable and effective ways. We are also expanding our services, working with timeshare developers, offering proactive, business-to-business solutions for the secondary market.

We are living in challenging economic times. All of us – businesses, consumers, support services, and suppliers – need to work together, ride out the storm, and plan for the better days ahead that we know are coming.

In the final installment of this series, The Timeshare Authority looks at how timeshare sales trends and tactics at some development companies may be changing the patterns of timeshare buyers. Watch for Part III tomorrow.