As most of you already know by the very obvious construction that has been going on for over a year next to the Contemporary Resort, something is going on over there.  However, no matter how much one pesters Disney about it, their lips are sealed to this secret building’s details.  However, luckily for us Disney fans, we got a sneak peek at what exactly is happening next to the Magic Kingdom through various filings with Orange County regulatory agencies last month. 

Before we get started, let me start off by giving a little background on the Disney Vacation Club.  The Disney Vacation Club is the Disney version of a vacation ownership program, offered by places like Hilton, Wyndham and Marriott.  It was created in 1991 by Disney Vacation Development, Inc., a subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company.  Unlike a traditional timeshare where owners buy a specific size unit in a set time of year, the DVC works on a point system giving owners the flexibility to travel when they want, as often as they want, for however long they want, and in whatever size unit they choose.

Also, unlike traditional timeshares, your Disney Vacation Club membership, for most properties, ends on January 31, 2042.  Membership at Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa will end on January 31, 2054 and membership at the Animal Kingdom Villas will end on January 31, 2057. Although you are buying a "real-estate interest" and your purchase is actually deeded, your ownership ceases to exist after these dates.

With the preliminary stuff taken care of, let’s take a look at what Disney is trying to keep secret from us, shall we?

According to these filings with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the Walt Disney Company has received approval to begin selling time shares in a 15-story tower Disney is constructing next to the expensive Contemporary Resort, a $110 million addition that Disney has named "The Kingdom Tower."  As mentioned previously, Disney has for months refused to provide details as to the purpose or even existence of the hard-to-miss, half-built tower.  When the announcement ran in the Orlando Sentinel, a spokeswoman for the Disney Vacation Club, would not discuss prior to the story’s publication.

Despite the denials, the filings state that the Disney Vacation Club will "add a ninth component site to be known as Kingdom Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort."  Disney says in the documents that it will sell the time shares in phases, beginning with an initial 75 units. The Kingdom Tower, which will connect to the existing Contemporary via a fifth-floor pedestrian bridge, will ultimately contain 281 units.  Disney has now been cleared to start selling units at any time.

Don’t start digging for coins in your sofa cushions jus yet though, because Disney appears to be in no rush. The company says in the documents it doesn't expect to finish the Kingdom Tower until the fall of 2009.  As you can probably imagine, however, the Kingdom Tower, they say, will most likely be a huge seller for Disney, as it will be the closest to the Magic Kingdom be built directly alongside Disney's monorail.

It is pretty easy to guess why Disney is keeping mum on the Kingdom Tower project.  It has only been a couple of years since Disney announced its Animal Kingdom Villas DVC Resort.  In fact, it only recently completed Phase One of the project, and is currently still constructing the larger Kidani Village next to the Animal Kingdom Resort.  Disney probably does not want to undermine time-share sales at Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas or even at the Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, both of which are still selling units.

No matter the reason, looking deeper within the Disney filings, we can get a clearer picture about the Kingdom Tower's amenities.  A new swimming pool, for example, will be large enough for 180 people, will go as deep as 4 feet, 11 inches, feature two hot tubs and a 104-foot-long water slide.  Moreover, there will be two boccie ball courts, two tennis courts, two shuffleboard courts, and a barbecue pavilion with about 490 square feet of covered area and a pair of picnic tables.

Despite Disney’s secrecy, many people are looking forward to the Kingdom Tower’s construction and sale of timeshare units.  I for one will have to save immensely to try and afford a DVC membership when units are finally offered for sale.  But mark my words, if I have to sell the family cat, I will do it if it gets me in to the Kingdom Tower (just kidding Fluffy…for now anyway). 

Until next time!