Attack of the Lakeshore Lodge

[dvc lover 1970]

If they put LSL as part of CFW I would never buy there. But I fear they will combine it, otherwise CFW will never sell. That is the only reason I can see for the landtrust they created with CFW. Also if all dvc going forward is part of the landtrust then that sucks too - what is the advantage to buying your home resort? Also does that then negate the resale restrictions? if the resorts are part of the land trust then you can stay at any resort in the land trust correct?

 

[Mouseforward]

That is the only reason I can see for the landtrust they created with CFW.

It avoids the timeshare falling under the 718 Florida regulations for condos. I think that is the main reason.

 

[juliebee]

It was also speculated that CFW are evaluated as trailers/modular units which is different than condos/timeshares so they had to go about the sale in a unique way so created the trust.

I am potentially interested in purchasing LSL but think combining it with CFW will be saddling LSL with an undesirable product. LSL owners having to bail out CFW does not seem fair and absolutely diminishes my interest.

 

[samsp99]

Bringing it back to LSL, it is definitely possible that they have a plan for CFW, such as combining it with a massive resort like LSL to reduce maintenance fees. It would make me less likely to buy LL though, because that would drive up the dues. But I would still want to swap in to try it at 7 months at some point.

Combining CFW with lakeshore lodge would be rather similar to the cabins at Wilderness Lodge and the TreeHouses at SSR. Combining with the larger resort creates more opportunities for 11mo guests to pick the type of accommodation that they want. It may be that the cabins were always intended to be part of LSL's larger DVC play, and planning for LSL had obviously been going on well before and into the planning/building of the cabins. It could be that timing meant that the cabins came first, and they weren't ready to give the game away for LSL, so that's why the created the trust. It enabled them to start selling the cabins sooner, and once LSL is finished, they can be combined without having to go through a complex legal process that adding a new different property might endure.

The extra maintenance fees of the cabins will be ammortized with the room options at LSL. There appear to be steel A-Frames going up around LSL - I wouldn't be surprised if those where more Poly/Copper Creek style cabins. Having a resort with a range of room options beyond the studio,1,2 3 beds would probably be good, both from a cash guest and DVC perspective.

 

[RuntheMouse]

I am potentially interested in purchasing LSL but think combining it with CFW will be saddling LSL with an undesirable product. LSL owners having to bail out CFW does not seem fair and absolutely diminishes my interest

Same thoughts. I was all in on LSL but after the last conversation with my guide I don’t think it’s going the way I want it to. I felt like it was tell me something without telling me something IYKWIM.

 

[team bradfield]

Only miss with those spacious decks is we need rocking chairs!

We have them at Crockett's, but our view is obstructed by that eyesore LSL

 

[Tatebeck]

Combining CFW with lakeshore lodge would be rather similar to the cabins at Wilderness Lodge and the TreeHouses at SSR. Combining with the larger resort creates more opportunities for 11mo guests to pick the type of accommodation that they want. It may be that the cabins were always intended to be part of LSL's larger DVC play, and planning for LSL had obviously been going on well before and into the planning/building of the cabins. It could be that timing meant that the cabins came first, and they weren't ready to give the game away for LSL, so that's why the created the trust. It enabled them to start selling the cabins sooner, and once LSL is finished, they can be combined without having to go through a complex legal process that adding a new different property might endure.

The extra maintenance fees of the cabins will be ammortized with the room options at LSL. There appear to be steel A-Frames going up around LSL - I wouldn't be surprised if those where more Poly/Copper Creek style cabins. Having a resort with a range of room options beyond the studio,1,2 3 beds would probably be good, both from a cash guest and DVC perspective.

It would actually be kind of the opposite of the Wilderness Lodge, SSR, and Poly unique rooms. The WL Cabins, Treehouses, and Bungalows are higher priced rooms that tend to stay available for booking because they cost substantially more than the other room types. This allowed DVC to sell a larger amount of points, and increase the booking competition for the cheaper, more popular rooms. This arguably did have some benefit, even for members not wanting to stay in the expensive rooms. The high point chart that increased the number of points sold lowered the dues for the average member. So if the average member is good enough at booking/choosing their dates to still get the cheaper rooms, they benefit from savings.

If LSL and CFW are combined it is the opposite. The abnormally low point charts for the CFW may make members want to book there, whether that is at 11 months or 7 months. But the low point charts made the CFW dues skyrocket. And if that is combined into the LSL resort, it punishes any members who are interested in only staying in the LSL portion with higher dues, while benefiting members who only/primarily want to stay in the CFW by effectively lowering their dues.

 

[CarolynFH]

Regarding the trust, let me just point out that Marriott converted from deeded ownerships to a trust model some years ago, and I suspect that DVD is working toward a DVC 2.0 that will be structured as a trust rather than as a collection of condominium associations. From what I’ve read here and elsewhere, it sounds like a timeshare trust is overall easier to administer. So I expect LSL to be added to the trust as well as any new resorts built later, plus the near-park members of the O14 as their respective condominium associations expire. The trust wasn’t created solely for CFW and LSL.