CR and assorted comments

[RobDoc]

I had the opportunity to take a few photos of the CR North wing while dining at CA Grille. That area is now cordoned off with 8' fencing as well as water barricades in the lake around that section of the resort. There are large industrial dumpsters in place in the parking lot and apparently some activity going on inside the building at this time.

IMO, the barricade and construction permits might suggest something more involved than merely an interior rehab, so it will be interesting to follow what goes on there in the next few months. The views from the top of the CR are wonderful - and if a multi story building were to be built where the North Wing now stands, the views would be equally impressive.

From conversations with contacts within DVC, the new AKV will have Studio, 1BR, 2BR and GVs. Apparently the 1BRs will accommodate 5 with a recliner that converts into a single bed. The 1BRs will also have 2 bathrooms (and 2BRs will have 3 bathrooms). At this time, there are no point charts, floorplans available for public inspection at this time and no word on any sales date.

We hope to visit the SSR sales center tomorrow and will see if any other information is available. There are some exciting things coming that I'm not at liberty to share at this time too! Stay Tuned!!

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thank you Doc!!

Your photos made me kind of sad to see the NGW all abandoned and gated off

I think a demolition is in store. Who gates off a whole wing for rehab. Im sure the screens attached to the fencing will be next.

We visited the CR Sept 15 because every trip we visit the NGW and I take photos of the boys in front of that "Watch Me Grow" chart that is part of the playground you have a shot of in the courtyard.

I told them that this would probably be our last photo there and we would have to find another "Grow" spot to take photos.

I wish they would relocate that little playground, but its not really futuristic enough. Sorry to go on.........

Thanks again for taking the time to post.

 

[Mama2Matthew]

Thanks so much for the info and for the pics! I also expect the North Wing to be demolished... Can't wait to find out more!

 

[BCV23]

I agree...bye bye North wing. It makes me sad that we never got around to staying there. We love the Polynesian so but on boat rides always thought the North wing rooms that faced Bay Lake looked wonderfully peaceful.

Since even the parking lot is barricaded off, I think CR DVC is on the way. Entire buildings at the Polynesian were closed for rehab at once but just with barriers around the buildings themselves.It appears they are making room for much more than that!

Thanks for the pictures, Doc and have a great vacation!

 

[jemiaule]

Oh I hope they demo it. My mom, kids and I stayed there in June. After spending only a few hours in the room we called the front desk and begged to be put in the main tower. The view we had was lovely (we were at the end and facing the lake) but the musty smell of the room and the vibrations thru the walls anytime we (or anyone near us) closed their door got annoying really fast.

 

[Tinkaroo]

Thanks for the detective work!

 

[Sammie]

There are some exciting things coming that I'm not at liberty to share at this time too!

You just had to tease us.

Thanks for the photos. It does look like a major project, I wonder if anyone remembers what they did around the South Wing while they were working on it.

 

[lisareniff]

From conversations with contacts within DVC, the new AKV will have Studio, 1BR, 2BR and GVs. Apparently the 1BRs will accommodate 5 with a recliner that converts into a single bed. The 1BRs will also have 2 bathrooms (and 2BRs will have 3 bathrooms). At this time, there are no point charts, floorplans available for public inspection at this time and no word on any sales date.

Thanks for the info Doc. Sure is exciting! Do you have any clue as to what types of units will be in the lodge and if they will be using the whole 5th floor or only part?

There are some exciting things coming that I'm not at liberty to share at this time too!

Tease!

 

[Sammie]

Lisa, I was told that concierge will be moving, so maybe they will have the entire top floors. I was told 5th and 6th.

 

[cocoswife]

Hi Doc,

I hope you are enjoying your vacation . Thanks for keeping us up to date with all the latest news

 

[spiceycat]

thanks for the great report.

we have stayed in the Cont tower and yes the views are beautiful. It definitely looks like something bigger than just a rehab.



hope so!!!

how do you get on the roof - I though they stopped people from visiting any higher than the 4th floor. Unless you are going to the restuarant?

 

[Muushka]

2 bathrooms in the 1 BR!! Whoohoo . That means that if we book a 1 BR we can invite guests for a couple of days! Now we have to book 2 BR in order to have guests!

 

[riggins]

Thanks for the pictures Doc. I've been dying to see what they're doing. We are huge CR fans and I've been kind of depressed since the AKL announcement, but this gives me new hope!!

We stayed in the South Wing last December while they were rehabbing. Parts of the wing were closed and some parts had a fence around it, but nothing as major as this. From our room, we could see into the rooms across the grassy area that were being rehabbed. There was a small fence just outside the patios- about 5-10 feet out from the building and 6-8 feet high. It was chain link and had black "fabric" on it. The hallway in our part of the building had been remodeled, but our room hadn't. So, they were definitely able to keep sections of the building open while they were doing work. The fact that they've fenced off the entire north wing, plus a huge part of the parking lot would lead me to believe they are doing a lot more than just replacing paint, carpet, furniture, and fixtures. Or maybe, I'm just dreaming!

Anyway, thanks again for giving me new hope!!

 

[disneymagic316]

Great pictures,Doc! Thanks! I hope you're enjoying your vacation. I can't wait to hear about the exciting things coming!

We,too, were disappointed whern AK was announced. We love the Contemporary and are our keeping our fingers crossed for CRV announcement soon. It look like things are pointing in that direction.

 

[Olaf]

We stayed in the North Wing a couple of years ago, when they had the Shades of Green occupying it, and it was horrible. Everything was icky. The noise from the people upstairs, the carpets, bedding, etc--very run down.

 

[MarieA]

We love the CR too. We have stayed there numerous times. We were there in Aug. 05 when they were rehabbing the South Wing. There were only gates up - no booms. From your pictures it appears that there is something bigger in store for the North Wing (demolition).

 

[isyt]

I can't wait to stop by in November!!! Although you really are teasing us! Isn't there a press conference today in NYC? Anyone heard anything???

I am still planning on buying CR DVC !!

 

[spiceycat]

I am still planning on buying CR DVC !!

you aren't the only one and a date of 2009 would be much better than now....

 

[jekjones1558]

There are some exciting things coming that I'm not at liberty to share at this time too! Stay Tuned!!

You dirty dog!

 

[RobDoc]

Well, we went to a couple of wine seminars this afternoon (both were excellent - Chateau Ste. Michelle from WA and Rosenthal from Malibu, CA) and then headed over to SSR for the Member Update - only to discover that it was being held at Atlantic Dance on the BW - My bad!

Sooo, we went over to the DVC Sales center and were able to meet with our guide, Ken Bradshaw. Ken will be on the Member's Cruise next week along with about 40 other DVC staff including Jim Lewis. It was good to speak with Ken again (if anyone needs a great guide, don't hesitate to contact Ken).

A little more information about AKV. I cannot confirm any of this with any official publication - so it is definitely still a rumor - but, the AKV 1BR villas will be larger than those at the other onsite resorts and still smaller than OKW. Perhaps along the lines of HH or VB size-wise? There will be at least some 1BR villas which will accommodate 5 - with bedding provided. I would assume (rumor, rumor) that this could be a confirmable reservation rather than a request and that there may also be some 1BRs at AKV that will still accommodate 4 (rumor, rumor). In addition, it may still be fun to speculate about a possible off-site (at least non-WDW) DVC as the next DVC to be announced.

Stay tuned!