Deb Wills sez Disney Institute to be next DVC

[sgtdisney]

Originally posted by DC7800
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...f.graphic?coll=orl-business-headlines-tourism

But, are all the Vacation Villas to be demolished? That Sentinel graphic (red circle) seemed to point only to units situated toward the west end of the Vacation Villas area; perhaps units #80-133? Anyone know how many acres total the Townhouses currently occupy?

Thanks for the graphic! If you look at it closely, while only a small part of the townhouse complex is circled, you can see a faint red line going around the whole complex. I am willing to bet that the whole townhouse complex will be removed to make way for the new DVC resort. The townhouses were never as popular as the other DI villas so it makes sense, financially to replace them with something more viable. I agree, I will be a little sad to see them all go. From what I remember they were actually quite nice and rather large on the inside.

 

[DC7800]

Originally posted by sgtdisney
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/busi...lines%2Dtourism


Thanks for the graphic! If you look at it closely, while only a small part of the townhouse complex is circled, you can see a faint red line going around the whole complex.

I just noticed something about this graphic - it may be of the new resort, not the Townhouses! It's appears to be a representation showing the layout of the new resort buildings. I first thought it was a picture of the existing Townhouses (Vacation Villas), but it isn't. Look closely (I had to save the picture and zoom in) and you can see four main guest buildings, just as described in the Disney announcement. Looks like "C" shaped buildings; I think I am also seeing parking areas and other, smaller structures. The Townhouses don't look like this, and there are a lot more of them.

There is also some writing on the graphic in three places (above the "Disney Institute" label), but I can't make it out. What puzzles me is that "Disney Institute" label being there at all. It's actually covering the area of the new development; I'm guessing it was added by the Orlando Sentinel.

Now, I should point out this is all based on what I think I am seeing in this fuzzy graphical image. Is this a Disney graphic, or the Sentinel's? We may not be looking at the new resort at all, or it could be just a rough sketch for the newspapers benefit. My only point is that this does not appear to be a representation of the Townhouses as they exist today, and does seem to occupy the entire Townhouse area.

Looks like all the Vacation Villas are indeed slated for demolition. Had I known this, I'd have stayed there one last time during last month's trip!

 

[chris1gill]

DC7800, VERY GOOD observation! You are indeed right... the area of construction is represented with "C" shaped buildings, not townhouses... I could only locate 2 of the "C" shaped buildings lakeside (but I didn't zoom in)... Of course now this gives the age old problem of Standard vs. Lake View, I certainly hope the views are different point levels!

 

[mistermouse]

A close inspection of the image shows 4 "C" shaped buildings, the layout is intriguing - it looks like the rear view of each will be water view - could be a very nice alternative.

The townhomes were nice (but you could always tell the age of the buildings). The "Bungalows" were in a state of disrepair IMHO, and not up to Disney lodging standards, they should have been bulldozed first....

The noise from PI has been a complaint in the past, but never bothered us

 

[Simba1]

This is great news no matter how you look at it from both a Member standpoint, as well as from Disney's management standpoint.

With BCV becoming available in a few weeks, combined with the announcement of Disney Institute, this clearly indicates that DVC AND WDW are enjoying better than average financial times, even in this somewhat shaky economy. In speaking with my Guide, you can see that it took them under 15 months to sell-out Wilderness Lodge.

I suspect that Beach Club will sell fast, too...with the amenities of the Y&B Club, the views of EPCOT and the adjacency of Boardwalk...this location offers great reward for add-ons and new members. Makes even more sense that they considered DI, afterall that property has an infrastructure already in place. I'm sure that they will rebuild the villas to DVC standards, but everything else is in place SHOULD BCV sell-out at the same pace as Wilderness Lodge. And why shouldn't it...location is everything for DI. Seems like a smart interim step while Eagle Pines continues to be developed, but at a more manageable (and likely less costly) construction timetable.

I don't believe that there is any reason to think that Eagle Pines has been scrapped. If anything, the DVC management is probably looking at many scenarios to ensure the greatest return for both Disney and the Members.

 

[kem330]

Simba1, Are you a cast member? Please don't take offense but it sounds like you are spouting the company line. Eagle Pines was already scheduled for 2004 (until Sept 11th anyway). How will DI help? In just my personal opinion, it seems like a bandaid. After OKW, all resorts were located somewhere special - BW, BC, WL and the new Eagle Pines with a beautiful mediterranean design and golf resort theme. I hope I'm wrong, but if there is no WOW factor theming and these are just condo type buildings, what will make them special? Disney has already overbuilt on property and to just build something at DI because DVC is successful and DI was not just doesn't make sense. I think Disney is subject to a lot of criticism right now because there is the perception that they are not putting in the quality they used to. Personally we had fantastic service and a great trip last month, but they really do need to improve park attractions and quit building hotels/dvc, because without something to draw people in - they will never fill them. I love Disney (or I wouldn't have become a DVC Member), but unfortunately I think we have been spoiled by the high standards we have grown to expect over the years . It is important for Disney to realize this. Well I hope I'm just being too cynical and the plans will be fabulous - it just disturbs me that no model/artist rendering has been revealed as in the case of BCV and EPV. Personaly that area does not appeal to me- I feel like I might as well be off property- we rarely go to DD or PI. You are indeed a lucky person to live in Celebration- what a charming community!

 

[minster22]

My DH, who sells timeshare for a living showed me this link about the plans for DI....www.thetimesharebeat.com. I can understand how you would not be excited about this location for DVC. The company my husband works for here on Cape Cod buys existing resorts amd converts them to timeshare and each resort has turned out beautifully. When I read this press release I could visualize a great DVC resort capitalizing on the Spa aspect and the Downtown Disney area. I remember way back before the Boardwalk was built and thinking what a garish concept it was. Now it is my favorite place at WDW!!

 

[kem330]

Good point, Minster- I really need to wait and see the plan. I felt the same way about BW- when they built it across from Y & BC, I really thought it ruined the peacefulness of the area (although it's hard to ruin it more than the garish swan and dolphin do). But now I really enjoy all it has to offer (still wish they'd get rid of that clown face at the pool, though!) Well no one appointed me minister of esthetics LOL!

 

[Simba1]

kem330...no offense taken...

I guess my enthusiasm and excitement comes from a life-long appreciation for Disney's quality standards and trust. I have absolutely no reason, other than speculation, to believe that Disney will not put it's greatest minds together to ensure that the same quality that I've come to expect will be delivered into the Disney Institue project. I'm also encouraged by Disney Vacation Club's leadership and their ability to be "innovative" as a result of September 11 (if that had anything to due with DI becoming available before EP).

As for the fact that there aren't any renderings, again, I have not been let down by Disney to date, so I'm not sure where this is alarming!?! or concerning!?! The Imagineers have done a great job perserving the magic with every new structure that has been added to Disney, so I don't see any cause for worry that the same consideration won't be given to this project.

As for the location...don't they say that location is everything in real estate development? Being directly across from PI will certainly appeal to some vs. others, but I'd say that this location is prime real estate!!

And yes...Celebration is a wonderful community!

 

[PKS44]

I think Disney has already tipped it's hand as to the theming....in the press reports they talk about the great URBAN setting of DI near DD and PI...therefore the theme is likely to follow that line of thinking...The theme will be "downtown/metropolitan." Something like the New York Hotel at Disneyland Paris. Maybe a pool like Rockefeller Plaza's rink...Or Art Deco ala South Beach in Miami...

Paul

 

[sumessefui]

I love the idea of having a DVC at DI. Everyone has different likes and dislikes, and we like the OKW condo concept and not the hotel type DVC. To have another on site choice of the condo type is a plus to me.

 

[Dean]

I don't consider the DI that great of a location but in some ways it's certainly a better location than OKW is/was and I love OKW. If DVC puts those special touches that include quality and the something extra we expect from Disney, who knows. The sky may be the limit. Question is what's the price going to be compared to the overall situation and desirability.

The thing that gets me is that I see this project and Eagle Pines as having a lot of similarities. They are certianly going to be different in many ways but both are somewhat away from the action, even if you can see it from DI. The resorts should appeal to the same type of members. They will also be selling at the same time IF (and I mean if) Eagle Pines actually happens at least on time. My guess is that DVC has put EP on hold and will see how BC and the new resort go over before making a final decision. This could delay it by as little as 6-12 months or permantently. Don't expect both to open and begin sales in 2004 though.

There are many good rumors from reliable sources that say EP is on hold indefinitely. I don't put a lot of stock in what the guides say about this type of situation, I don't think they know any better than we do. Many times I don't think they know as much until the actual information is distributed to them all. That puts them very good on short term info and poor on info more than say 6 months out. Just the nature of the beast as DVC doesn't tell them too much up to a certain point. It's certainly a project that makes more sense to me than the EP does. Don't be surprised if DI ends up being a replacement for EP.

 

[Betty X]

We just got back from OKW and a CM told us that DI will be bulldozed because they have sunk into the ground. In its place a new DVC resort will be built. This CM had mentioned she worked at WDW since 95 and her husband was in management since 91.

 

[Toxicesq]

There could be some benefits to DVC in selling DI and EP concurrently. It seems to me that EP's primary attraction is golf, and as a confirmed non-golfer, I can tell you that if that if I were looking to buy DVC at a time that only EP was available, I would be out the sales office door ina minute and shopping around for a resale at one of the other DVC properties. DI may offer non-golfers an attractive home resort alternative.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Betty X
We just got back from OKW and a CM told us that DI will be bulldozed because they have sunk into the ground. In its place a new DVC resort will be built. This CM had mentioned she worked at WDW since 95 and her husband was in management since 91.

The DI Townhouses will be bulldozed according to the press release and articles. It doesn't matter whether the reason is that the Townhouses are physically sinking in the ground or are financially sinking because they lack appeal a quarter century after they were built.

I wouldn't go so far as to agree that, "DI will be bulldozed." There's no reason to believe the four announced DVC "residential-style buildings" won't leverage the current spa, restaurant space, check-in facilities and other public DI spaces. In comparison to the obsolete Townhouses, the DI core complex is new and attractive. It just happened to provide the space for an unsuccessful business initiative, the Disney Institute. I believe the "Disney Institute" name will go away in the process.

 

[larry_poppins]

Werner, I too think that DI will replace EP. It just makes more sense than clearing all that land around the golf courses. Already they have a vacant Pop Century, POFQ, and the vacant DI. If they build without addressing these vacancies WDW will have a slum/low rent district without guests! I say leave those trees on those golf courses.

Once the first section of DI, or whatever they call it, sells out they will start a phase 2 at the Institute.

Just my thoughts...

Larry

 

[teri]

It is about time. I have been saying for 2 years that DI should be converted to a DVC property.

As others have mentioned, I hope that they bring back some of the enrichment programs and provide good kid-camps and child care services. A place that has the family atmosphere of Vero Beach, the greenbelt of Ft. Wilderness, Downtown Disney a quick shuttle or walk away, an excellent spa, nice restaurant, a super pool with features, and spacious accomodations, with the rest of WDW at the back door - sounds lovely to me. I do hope they make the rooms larger than those at BWV and VWL.

 

[DVC-Don]

It just makes more sense than clearing all that land around the golf courses.

On our 1/16 to 1/27/02 trip, I saw some work going on out by EP. It looked like a new entrance road and bridge going up.