And the Theme of the New DVC Resort at Downtown Disney Is...

[Werner Weiss]

a timeless rural American town.

Originally posted by WebmasterDoc in the thread Disney Insitute Progress
Since there is an existing "resort infrastructure" in place at DI, it will be much faster (and cheaper) for DVC to put a new resort in place at that location.

Since BCV will apparently be gone quickly, leaving DVC with nothing to sell, the existing pool, spa, check-in, golf and restaurant facilities make the DI location a quicker completion than EP. Granted, they still need a design and theme, but everything else is already there.

Here's my prediction: These existing facilities will dictate the design and theme. In other words, the new DVC resort already has a theme. It's the theme of the existing facilities, designed by renowned architect Thomas Beeby. If you're not familar with these buildings, click here.

So just what is the theme?

Here's how WDWMagic's WDW History page describes the theme of the Disney Institute core complex: "The entire area is themed as a 'quintessential' rural American town, with tree-lined streets and many garden areas. Architect Tom Beeby used specific country building architectural styles to create a quiet, relaxing atmosphere."

Here's how it's described in the book "Building a Dream," by Beth Dunlop: "The Disney Insitute in Walt Disney World was designed by the Chicago-based classicist, Thomas Beeby, a former dean of the Yale School of Architecture, to look like a collection of 'straw hat' summer theater buildings, as if they were an aggragation of barns and farmhouses. Beeby took the peculiarly American rural imagery and recast it in a sequence of strikingky simple pastel buildings that will house classrooms, studios, workshops, and fitness and spa facilities."

One of the problems of the old Villas at Disney Institute was that the beautifully designed core complex was surrounded by the unthemed, rather unattractive 1970s residential structures of the former Disney Village Resort. They didn't match the core complex at all. Now that the old townhouses will be bulldozed to be replaced by the first phase of new residential DVC buildings, Disney Vacation Development has the opportunity to do it right.

And doing it right means having a cohesive theme that ties together the "residential villas" and "town center" parts of the resort -- just as the residential buildings harmonize with the Turtle Krawl (check-in, restaurant, community hall, recreation) area at Old Key West.

Actually, I like the idea of a timeless rural American town theme. This restful rural "suburb" would play nicely off the more hectic Downtown Disney on the opposite shore.

Will DVD bring back Thomas Beeby as the architect for the residential DVC buildings? (After all, they brought back Robert A.M. Stern, famous architect of Disney's Yacht and Beach Club, to design Disney’s Beach Club Villas.)

And what would be a good name for this DVC resort?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

How about Mayberry?

 

[Regina]

And what would be a good name for this DVC resort?

Let me guess, let me guess......CELEBRATION II!!!!

 

[Beth]

Sounds like Walt's hometown ... what's it called?!?

 

[PamOKW]

Born in Chicago but grew up in Marceline, Missouri.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by Werner Weiss
Actually, I like the idea of a timeless rural American town theme. This restful rural "suburb" would play nicely off the more hectic Downtown Disney on the opposite shore.

When I think of a rural American town, I think of detached buildings, such a farmhouses, other detached houses, churches, and small businesses.

Look at the plan for the new DVC resort at http://www.resortdeveloper.com/home/viraj02rn.htm

That plan shows four very large buildings. With a total of 192 villas planned, I assume each building will have 48 villas. Perhaps these each building will be 4 stories stories tall, with 12 villas of various sizes on each floor. Those are big buildings!

How in the world would anyone design such buildings to look like a rural American town? Even the esteemd Mr. Beeby?

 

[Lesley]

It seems like the existing buildings are quite large themselves....and themed to look like multiple buildings. If you notice, one of the buildings looks like a barn, silo and farmhouse all in one. I think this could be worked out pretty well.

As for a name....I have no idea!