1979 Preview Center??

[Niagara2]

Another thread on the Theme Park Board had a link to a 1979 WDW map. Now remember that the MK was the only park way back then. Right near Lake Buena Vista Hotel area is a building marked Preview Center. Also, it looks like the area that is now OKW is a resort area named Fairway Villas and where the new Saratoga Springs is being built is a resort called Vacation Villas. Now I know we all regret not buying DVC in 1990, but what were these villa's and preview center in 1979? The hotels were the Contemporary, Poly and Fort Wilderness. I was actually there in 1976 and remember thinking how big it was then. I would never have imagined that it would grow to four parks and all the other amenities that we have grown to love. And.....we even own a small piece of it through DVC!! Now what was the preview in 1979 that we missed?

 

[poj7]

Hi.

Can you get us the link?

Paul

 

[Niagara2]

Sorry - do not know how to put link here, but it is a post by SandraC that is entitled 1977 park map and it has a link to an E-bay listing for this map. Anyone feel like looking on theme park board to link to here? Sorry I am so computer dumb! But I know how to read these boards!!!

 

[joepoe]

If I had to guess, the Vacation Villas were the later-named Disney Institute Villas that are being torn down/re-furbuished for Saratoga Springs...

 

[CarolMN]

Here's the link to the thread on the Theme Parks Forum:

http://disboards.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=337014

 

[Regina]

You're exactly right joepoe. The Vacation Vllas became the DI.

The Fairway Villas are still there. We used to stay in them prior to joining DVC.

The earliest that I went to WDW was in 1978, and I don't remember the Preview Center. My inclination is that it was to highlight the growth of WDW and was not related to DVC.

 

[JudithM]

Originally posted by dvcreg
My inclination is that it was to highlight the growth of WDW and was not related to DVC.

Regina, that was my thought, too.

 

[Chuck S]

There are two small buildings along that road that could be the old preview center - if it hasn't been torn down. Reedy Creek Improvent District (although it looks like a much newer bldg), there is also some sort of sport center HQ (don't remember the exact name) - something like Junior American Athletic Assoc or something - it is tucked between two of the hotels.

 

[spiceycat]

All of the DI - Fairwalk VIlla, Lake buena Vista CLub (now the Spa) and Vacation Villa are all now DI.

Preview Center was for Epcot (remember it did not open til 82) and I think where you checked in for all the villas (DI).

could be wrong - but that is what I remember. You know I think the AK was mentioned? I don't remember studios - being mentioned.

 

[Regina]

From the Official Encyclopedia, Disney A to Z:

WDW preview exhibits; open from January 10, 1970, until September 30, 1971. Because of the interest in the project that was under construction in Florida, Disney opened a preview center whre guests could learn about the project firsthand. Besides the displays of models and drawings, there was a short filmed presentation, along with a snack bar and merchandise shop. The Preview Center itself had a higher attendance during the short time it was open than many major attractions in Florida.

While the dates don't match, the concept does.

 

[RobDoc]

The Preview Center is still there, but houses some athletic association now, as ChuckS mentioned.

At one time, it was the check-in for the Walt Disney World Village Resort- which later became DI. There were also some WDW offices in the building.

Later, another check-in area was opened right across from the Townhouse Villas and that building still stands- although surrounded now by green construction barricades. The bungalows extend down the road alongside that building.

The mentioned Preview Center sits about a mile from the SSR construction site, but never had any relationship to DVC.

Here is a link to the <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2162869491&category=1380">map.</a>

 

[spiceycat]

Doc do you remember the AK being mentioned in the preview center - or was that my imagnation?

 

[Tommy]

Here's some information on the Preview Center

http://home.cfl.rr.com/omniluxe/prvwctr.htm

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by spiceycat
Doc do you remember the AK being mentioned in the preview center - or was that my imagnation?

My memory of the Preview Center was to check in at Townhouse Villas and a few conceptual drawings for MK and Epcot. To my knowledge, there was never any mention of MGM or AK, but I haven't been in the building for many years now. The last time we stayed in a Townhouse Villa was 1991 and the check-in area had been moved to the entrance of the villas by then. I can remember using the Preview Center to check in only twice- probably in the early 80's. At that time, it was mostly WDW offices and was not being used actively for previews.

The building in Tommy's link is the one. Thanks for providing that, Tommy!

 

[spiceycat]

Yes thanks Tommy - lots of old memories!

 

[Niagara2]

Wow guys - thanks for the information! I guess I jumped the gun when I saw preview center and villa in the same area and just thought DVC. I enjoyed looking at all the changes. I remember the Commador House at OKW as the offical DVC preview center. New members might post a thread one day asking what was the Commador House building at OKW in the 1990's map. Well - we have great memories of that building, the grand yellow car, the tour, the ice cream and the picture taking at that location! I am sure we will see many more changes in the next 39 years we currently have as members of DVC.

 

[sgtdisney]

One other thing to remember is that map is very stylized and extremely out of proportion to the real Disney World.

I will confirm what Doc is saying. The 'Preview Center' was located between the current Grosvenor and Lake Buena Vista Resort. It was also the location that you would check in for all the villas in what was last known as the Disney Institute. It is now that Youth Sports Building. We stayed in the Villas numerous times in the 80s and we used to check in at that building. They had conceptual drawings in there as well as a model of Epcot (before it opened) if my memory serves me. We would check in at that building and then drive up to what is now known as Community Drive. They used to have a guard house there and you had to show your paperwork or room key to pass there. That was the only way into all the Villa complex at the time. This was long before OKW was probably even a thought, and I think community drive dead ended after the Treehouses but I am not sure, we never went farther than the treehouses back then.

 

[Niagara2]

Sgtdisney - what were room prices for these villas back then?

 

[sgtdisney]

You know, I don't recall exactly. It wasn't me who was paying for it back then My Dad was footing the bills...

I do know I have a room price sheet in a box in my basement somewhere. I saved all my old Disney World and Disneyland brochures, even from my first trip as a three year old. If I get a chance I will try to dig one out and let you know. I want to say mid 100s range for a treehouse villa in the early 80s but I will see if I can find that sheet...

 

[RobDoc]

Originally posted by Niagara2
what were room prices for these villas back then?

I have a Birnbaums from 1987. Pricing for the Club Lake Villas (Bungalows) was $115 for the 1BR (sleeps 5 plus 1 under 3) and $200 for the 1BR Suite (sleeps 5).
At the Fairway Villas it was $185 per night (sleeps 6 plus child under 3). Vacation Villas (Townhouses) it was $150 for a 1BR (sleeps 4 plus child) and $195 for a 2BR (sleeps 6 plus child) and the Grand Vista Suites were $575 for a 2BR (sleeps 6) and $625 for a 3BR (sleeps 8). Treehouse Villas were $185 (sleeps 6).

Contemporary was $130-160 for Garden Wings and $180 for Tower. Poly was $130-170 ($195 for Lagoon View). Disney Inn (SoG) was $105 -140 and $250 for a suite.

Ahh- the good old days!

I'll have to dig out my old info from the 70's sometime. This has really piqued my interest now!