Do we really want Eagle Pines? Another Golf area?

[MisterDisney]

Just giving my opinion here...

The last thing I want to see is a DVC resort having anything resembling/close to a golf course. It just seems when there are possibilities of Villas at the Cotemporary and Animal Kingdom, etc , with very rich themes/history/LOCATION, why would they build near a golf course? <I think of caddyshack> Esp. when OKW is right near a golf course.

In fact, I think having golf courses on Disney property is a severe waste of valuable property (sorry golfers!), I mean seriously, cant someone build a golf course anywhere??? I can see maybe one golf course, but doesnt Disney have 3 golf courses on property already? Does is make them that much money? Isnt DIsney running out of room as it is?

 

[Chuck S]

I'm not a golfer, either. But I do have some friends that spend $$$ to golf at Disney, they are obviously very profitable and I don't have a problem with them being located on Disney property. With so many other choices of activities at WDW, just stay where you want to stay and do what you what to do. If being located near golf courses makes DVC properties attractive to owners, that's where they should be located.

Personally I love OKW, and the golf views are pretty and peaceful, except when the occasional errant ball strikes the side of your villa

 

[Mickmse2002]

Just a couple of thoughts..........

I don't believe WDW is running out of space.

You can't just build a golf course anywhere you want.

BUT, I do agree 100% with you on the Eagle Pines thing. I would rather see a different location for a new DVC resort.

 

[DVC-Don]

I'm not a golfer and love the golf course views at OKW.

 

[esulerzy]

and I would LOVE to see the next DVC at Eagle Pines. I currently own at SSR but ever since I heard of the possibility that Disney could build at Eagle Pines I have been anxiously awaiting that resort. Disney has 5 18-hole courses and 1 9-hole course - not enough in my opinion!

I'm all for Eagle Pines and will gladly purchase an add-on there if and when it occurs.

 

[disney-super-mom]

We're not even DVC members yet (we will be very soon), but my DH would think the more Disney golf course properties the better.

I on the other hand think that the more DVC golf properties there is, the less I'd see my DH while we're on vacation.

 

[caverill]

I am an avid golfer...I think Disney's has a great selection of courses and they must be profitable with all the play they get. I don't think they have too many or too few.

I personnally would rather see the next DVC resort on the monorail (Comp) or at AK. I think that would generate additional interest and bring in more members.

I agree that another "golf" resort isn't needed at this time. SSR and OKW provide excellent options for members to be near a course.

Just my opinion....

 

[DisFlan]

My DH would LOVE to see the Eagle Pines DVC built. He likes them all, but Eagle Pines is his favorite course. The only thing that upset him about hurricane Wilma a couple of weeks ago was that it wiped out one of his golf days (Eagle Pines, of course). The courses were closed for a WHOLE day! We thought we might have to start anti-depressants.

DisFlan

 

[crisi]

I used to think it would make a difference, and I did like the idea of Eagle Pines (we are golfers). A lot to me depends on how its executed, loved the SSR drawings, don't find the reality appealing. Don't like the "Spanish" theme I've seen for the original EP announcement. However, if they made a Japanese themed resort (with a garden - Asian contemporary room decor), I'd probably love the idea.

But, honestly, we did end up in a resort that meets our needs well at BWV. We spent one night last trip at AKL and enjoyed our stay, but it was really far away from everything and (I really think this complaint is funny coming from a BWV owner) the hallways were too long. I wouldn't want VAK unless it were convienient to the main resort (the pool and Mara) and had savannah view rooms - and I don't see where there is room for such a thing. I was initially excited by the idea of VCR, but, as my husband says "you stay at the Contemporary to be in the tower - why would you want to stay in the wings." He's right, we will book the CR when we can do a tower stay and its just him and me for a weekend - when the kids are teenagers or in college. The Poly would be great, but I don't think that's likely to happen. Since we bought where we are happy to stay, and I don't see an add on in our future to get the 11 month window, it really doesn't matter to me where they build.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Well, when it comes to being fanatical, golfers as a group are pretty much dead even with Disneyphiles. And pardon my sexism, but I can easily see a DW using the proximity to another golf course to convince a (golfing) DH to buy into DVC!

Crisi's comment also brought something to mind: maybe it's just me, but to me, the appeal of the theming of a resort really fades over repeated visits. We go to Las Vegas regularly, and while I do appreciate the interesting designs of the resorts there, after a short time every casino / buffet / pool starts to seem alike. I don't think that there's any WDW resort where I've said "Oh, I'd love to stay there, but the theming is just wrong...." (But of all WDW resorts, I think I like the GF the least - too filigree & upper-crust for moi....

 

[Doctor P]

I hope they build Eagle Pines. Think its a great concept and think its a great location. Think it will be very, very appealing.

 

[dvc_john]

Not a golfer here - but would much rather have a new DVC at Eagle Pines rather than AK or Contemporary!

 

[KLEONARD]

Eagle Pines would probably be a good fit for DVC. Enough of the members would welcome a golf resort.

 

[NMW]

Eagle Pines does not really interest me. I like the idea of DVC resorts attached to Deluxe resorts, but that's just me. At least SSR has the DTD location thing going on, and OKW has the larger room thing. Eagle Pines would just have a golf course. No park proximity, larger rooms or DTD proximity, just a golf course?? It really would not matter to me how beautiful the themeing was, although Crisi's idea sounds really pretty.

 

[Simba's Mom]

One of the (minor) reasons we bought into DVC 3 years ago was the lure of the possibility of Eagle Pines (like DH needs more encouragement to golf!) Now we're very happy we bought, regardless of Eagle Pines or not, but since we saw the artist rendering of it, it kind of seems like DVC really should keep to it. However, if they don't, we don't care since we love DVC anyways. Actually, I'd prefer to see the next one in a cool climate-Colorado, New York, New England. Everywhere is so HOT in the summer.

 

[jade1]

Would pick something else if we had a choice, but dont really care at this point. We have priority at the smaller resorts so we will be able to stay there if we want, or any of these mega resorts that rarely sell out. If EP has a boat to MK (like VWL) we would have some interest. Otherwise if its a bus or drive to all the parks, it may as well be Bonnet Creek as far as we are concerned. Good luck getting into the smaller resorts if this happens and you dont own at them.

 

[cobbler]

I think I would be intrigued by it if I saw it. Is there a link anywhere to what they are projecting it would look like if it was built??

I honestly am not to picky about location, it wouldn't bother me if it was near a gold course or not. If the resort is pretty and it appeals to me I would probably buy into it.

However if I had my wish I would be all over a Poly DVC like no ones business.

 

[lisareniff]

Here are a couple drawings

Here is the offical press release. Note that they define the style as "Spanish, Moorish, Romanesque and Gothic" forms of architecture.

Disney Vacation Development, Inc., operators of Disney Vacation Club (DVC) -- Disney’s innovative vacation ownership program -- announced today that it will expand its timeshare resort presence at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida by building a seventh DVC property (subject to obtaining necessary approvals). This latest development for the growing Disney Vacation Club product marks the Company’s largest ownership resort project to date.
The announcement heralds a time of exciting growth for Disney Vacation Club, which now boasts a membership of nearly 60,000 member families from over 60 countries.

The proposed 600-unit ownership development is slated to occupy a 61-acre site along the award-winning Disney’s Eagle Pines golf course at Walt Disney World Resort. All rooms will feature either a pool, golf course or forest view. Initial plans call for the construction of a main Inn building encompassing a check-in area; accommodations; restaurant/lounge; theme pool with feature slide; retail space; arcade; common living room area and a health club, as well as Villa buildings containing vacation home accommodations. Development will begin this fall with an estimated opening in spring/summer 2004.

“We are very excited to expand the Disney Vacation Club concept to an entirely new resort area here at Walt Disney World Resort,” said George Aguel, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Vacation Development, Inc. “I am confident that this new offering will be a successful addition to the dynamic vacation options we provide.”

The theme of the proposed DVC resort will complement and enhance the beautiful setting found at Disney’s Eagle Pines golf course. The new resort will be inspired by the architecture of Addison Mizner, a celebrated early 20th century architect who led the renaissance of Florida resort design. The property’s design will reflect a variety of motifs found in indigenous Florida buildings of this era, including Spanish, Moorish, Romanesque and Gothic forms. The atmosphere and elegance found in the coastal communities of southeast Florida (including West Palm Beach and Boca Raton) will be found in the resort’s architecture, ranging from tile roofs to fountains to lush, tropical landscaping.

Commissioned to design the resort was renowned architect Graham Gund, who created the architectural look for such Disney projects as Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and Disney’s Vero Beach Resort -- another Disney Vacation Club property. Gund designed the resort to take advantage of the pristine setting found at the Eagle Pines golf course location while maintaining the integrity of the existing golf course. Guests at the resort will have views to Disney’s Eagle Pines golf course but golfers’ view of the property will be buffered, with resort buildings “stepping down” in height as they near the golf holes.

The new resort is scheduled to open in phases, with the first phase consisting of the Inn building and five Villa buildings for a total of 360 units. The Inn and one Villa building are expected to open in spring/summer 2004, with the four additional Villa buildings opening throughout the remainder of that year. The final phase of five additional Villa buildings containing 240 units are anticipated to open by spring/summer 2005.

As Disney Vacation Club approaches its decade mark on Oct. 1, 2001, the Company is celebrating a number of achievements, including the expansion of its resort collection through the proposed addition of the new resort at Disney’s Eagle Pines golf course and the completion of Disney’s Beach Club Villas, which is currently under construction at Walt Disney World Resort next to the popular Disney’s Beach Club Resort (expected opening in September 2002).

“These latest expansions of our successful vacation ownership program will allow us to provide still more magical experiences for our guest and member families,” added Aguel.

The current collection of Disney Vacation Club resorts includes Disney’s Old Key West Resort; Disney’s BoardWalk Villas and The Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge -- all located at the Walt Disney World Resort -- as well as Disney’s first resorts beyond the Disney theme park locations; Disney’s Vero Beach Resort on Florida’s Atlantic Coast and Disney’s Hilton Head Island Resort in South Carolina.

 

[cobbler]

Thanks for that info. It seems weird to me that they wouldn't do this one and just go ahead with SSR instead of the other way around. Does anyone know why this never went through instead of having SSR just take over?

Did they make an announcement for SSR like this as well?

When I signed my contracts they have this statement in them

Disney's resort at Eagle PInes is only a possible component site which my never be added to the DVC Multi-site timeshare plan.
Wonder what that means exactly.

 

[lsutigger2]

When they first announced Eagle Pines DH and I decided we would work hard and pay off first contract and get points there (DH is BIG golfer! 2nd love of his life - I'm #1). We paid off first contract and just did an add-on at SSR, since there is no Eagle Pines yet. I can see us buying points at Eagle Pines. I envision it as peaceful and quiet, except for the golfers on a bad day, since it would not be close to the parks. It would certainly appeal to a certain group of DVC'ers. We like the quieter resorts. VWL is our favorite. Haven't stayed at BWV yet and may not, (flame shields up!) too busy for our taste. But that is one of the wonderful things about DVC - the variety it affords everyone to select what is best for them.