In 2009 DVCNews.com published over 380 front page news stories impacting Disney Vacation Club members and those considering ownership. Topics included four resort openings, points reallocations and changes to member perks. Here is a look back at some of the more noteworthy happenings of 2009.
Shockwaves rippled across the DVC landscape early in 2009 as it was revealed that the points charts were being reallocated for 2010 with weekday prices increasing a bit and weekend nights going down in cost.
Waitlist changes soon followed with members being limited to two active searches at a time.
In February we learned that the Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort would be opening about 6 weeks earlier than projected, and were finally given dates when bookings would be accepted.
A new DVC sales center was announced for Long Island, NY. The office opened in October.
On-line check-in capabilities were granted to DVC members.
After a 60-day exclusive purchase period was extended to a select group of DVC members, sales of points at the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel finally begain in earnest.
In the spring wireless Internet service was introduced at Disney's Vero Beach Resort.
The Florida House and Senate approved a bill which would shield timeshare trades and promotional stays from being taxed. The governor later signed the bill into law.
In April, some of the first construction images emerged of Disney's future resort site in Hawai'i.
In May, Kidani Village opened at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas. The opening was heralded with a wave of blogging, photos and video from many Disney websites.
The Grand Californian villas also made an early appearance, and members began booking their trips in June.
Disney purchased 15 acres of land outside of Washington DC which it plans to develop, but there is still no word of when those plans may come to fruition and whether or not DVC will be part of the plans. (Photos)
In June the Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs Resort opened to guests. The inevitable wave of photo and video coverage followed.
Owners at Disney's BoardWalk Villas were overjoyed to learn that their Homes would soon be refurbished with brand new appliances, countertops, televisions, upholstery and more. Later in the year we would get a look at some of those newly renovated rooms.
Disney dining reservations finally entered the 21st century with on-line ADR booking capabilities.
Another month...another resort opening. This time it's the Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort.
Twin-sized sleeper chairs were added to the larger villas at Disney's Vero Beach Resort.
DVC prices hit a new high with a $120 base price for points at the Bay Lake Tower.
Courtesy of the D23 Expo we got our first in-depth look at Disney's Ko Olina resort through video of the resort model, concept artwork and other renderings.
Spoodles restaurant at Disney's BoardWalk closed mid-year to make way for Kouzzina by Cat Cora.
DVCNews had extensive coverage of opening day at the Villas at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel, including a photo tour of one of the resort's elite three bedroom Grand Villas and a video tour of a One Bedroom villa.
In October came the news that Disney Vacation Club members would no longer receive complimentary valet parking at Walt Disney World resorts.
It's inevitable: death, taxes and DVC Annual Dues notices.
In December, the 2009 Condo Association meetings were held. The event brought word that The Paddock pool at Saratoga Springs was scheduled for a substantial upgrade, and that rooms at Disney's Old Key West Villas were scheduled for a refurbishment in 2010.
And as the year came to a close, we learned of some technology upgrades headed to DVC in 2010 including the ability to receive reservation confirmations via email instead of the current paper distribution system.
