LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 27, 2004) -- Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, the latest Disney Vacation Club property, opened Thursday with resort membership sales so brisk that officials announced plans to expand the property by another 276 units.
The newest resort in the Walt Disney Company's highly rated vacation ownership program, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa opened with its first phase already three-quarters sold out, said Walt Disney World Resort President Al Weiss.
"The guest response to Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa has been so overwhelming, we have decided to add a third phase of development to the resort," Weiss said.
The third phase of 276 units will be available in 2007 and will increase the resort room count to a total of 828 accommodations. The resort is opening with 184 units in its first phase and previously announced a second phase of 368 units in 2005.
"Guests increasingly want opportunities for ownership in our unique vacation experiences, and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa is our latest entry in this exciting new market," Weiss said. "We bring together unparalleled guest service, outstanding attractions and accommodations second to none to create an experience that is perfect for every member of the family. Our member families have made a long-term commitment to Disney and their dedication is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Disney brand to all generations."
The seventh and largest of the growing collection of popular Disney ownership properties, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa lies just across the lake from Downtown Disney and is near the four Walt Disney World theme parks.
"The tripling of DVC's membership to more than 81,000 member families in just over five years underscores the growing popularity of the company's vacation ownership program," said Jim Lewis, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Vacation Development, Inc. "By offering our most loyal and frequent guests a special way to enjoy our properties, we continue to generate demand for DVC and, in fact, we expect to completely sell out of the first phase by fall 2004."
All previous DVC properties are now sold out. Pre-opening membership sales for Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa began in August 2003, following the record-breaking 13-month sell-out of the Company's previous project, Disney's Beach Club Villas at Walt Disney World Resort.
From its colorful Victorian architecture to the influence of horse racing, Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa recaptures the heyday of upstate New York country retreats in the late 1800s. The resort features a full-service spa, a neighborhood eatery and market, and a spectacular rockwork theme pool.
Earlier this month, Disney Vacation Club opened its new sales headquarters located at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. This state-of-the-art facility doubles the Company's current guest tour capacity, which was needed to meet the growing demand for Disney vacation ownership.
The current collection of Disney Vacation Club Resorts includes five locations at Walt Disney World Resort (Disney's Old Key West Resort; Disney's BoardWalk Villas; The Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge; Disney's Beach Club Villas and Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa), as well as Disney's first resorts beyond the theme park locations -- Disney's Vero Beach Resort located on Florida's Atlantic Coast and Disney's Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina.
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