dvc at the institute!

[kgillum]

On the News and Rumors board they said the Disney Institute is being sold to the military to become something like a "Shades of Green II". That makes a little more sense, as I'd heard they wanted to expand the military resort capacity. I still wouldn't say any of it is the gospel truth yet.

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by kgillum
On the News and Rumors board they said the Disney Institute is being sold to the military to become something like a "Shades of Green II". That makes a little more sense, as I'd heard they wanted to expand the military resort capacity. I still wouldn't say any of it is the gospel truth yet.

Partially correct. SoG IS going to be expanding, right at SoG! They have the approval and funding to almost double the number of rooms at the resort. What I've heard, and it makes sense to me, is that during construction at the current SoG resort, AFRSC is going to use part of the DI to house SoG eligible people.

At the same time, the DI is rethinking it's program offerings. While programming for the public was not well received, many corporations used their services. It's likely that a revamped DI will reopen in the future with a more B2B course outline.

For a number of legal reasons, it would be difficult for the DI to become a DVC property. Estimated life remaining of structures, etc., etc. would all fall under srutiny by the DCA, and I'm not sure it would fly.

The DI does have a use, it just hasn't yet been found. The property has been there for a long time, the DI concept was Eisners idea, but the property was all there long before.

BTW- I attended the Annual meeting of BW owners the other day, and saw the architectural renderings of BCV and Eagle Pines, which looked absolutely stunning. I think that the idea of WDW building cash resorts at the best locations and DVC at the off the path one can be quickly disproven by Animal Kingdom Lodge and Pop Century. Add that a lot of people like to stay at OKW because it is a little out of the way (compared to BWV) and the idea quickly deflates. Face it, there is a finite amount of land. More than likely the next deluxe will be built a little more out of the way simply because there's no place left to put it in a prime location.

Anne

 

[KNWVIKING]

.... When I mentioned the prime locations I was refering to Deluxe resorts,not the likes of POP CULT. As for AKL, it was designed for the savana views with the live animals so I would consider it prime. There is still room for a couple more deluxe units I believe with easy access to MGM,AKL and maybe MK and EPCOT. I just don't think we'll see new DVC construction along the lines of BWV's.

 

[kamgen]

In response to the original idea of DI becoming a DVC resort, part of me believes this may be a possiblity.

Based on information I received from a reliable DVC person ( I will not go into further detail), there MAY be another DVC resort introduced BETWEEN the BCV and Eagle Pines dates.
Eagle Pines is a full go and MAY be completed by 2004.

The DI is a good location and could be expanded and refurbished into a DVC property. Remember, all the DVC resorts are different, some with Grand Villas, different lay-outs, etc. There is no reason why any future DVC resorts need to mirror those we have now.

This is my opinion.

As for the info I received this past week, I am excited about the future of DVC and what is in store in the next few years. For those of you cynics out there...if you don't like what they offer...don't buy into it. There are some of us, me included, we have NO interest in BCV. It is a matter of taste and a matter of location.

Kamy

 

[KNWVIKING]

.... I thought I read on a previous post that Eagle Pines project was on hold due to the economy. I think the post had a link to a news article,but not positive.

 

[kamgen]

KNWVIKING-
I thought so too. We spoke to a person connected to DVC who said it is still on track for 2004 and that DVC is still doing very well.
We were pleased to hear this.
AND, we were clued in on the possibility of another big announcement soon.

We don't count our chickens too early, but it is nice to hear positive information.


Oh, by the way, we were also told NOT to believe everything you hear in the media. SHOCKER, huh?? LOL!
Kamy

 

[DVCDAVE]

I am NOT trying to start a rumor, or make any predictions about Eagle Pines. But during our Thanksgiving stay a few weeks ago, we went over to Fort Wilderness for the Trails End Buffet, and the Campfire Program. We passed an access road with a sign that said 'Eagle Pines Construction Access', but it had been blocked with a steel gate that was chained and locked. We stopped to look further, but couldn't see anything, and there were worn dirt paths on the grass that the vehicles did, but there were no fresh tracks in the dirt.

I wish we can have someone who is going soon, and playing golf at Eagles Pines give us an update on any activity.

 

[RobDoc]

When we were at WDW 10 days ago, the entrance to the Eagle Pines site was still under active construction. So, in spite of rumors to the contrary, there is certainly something still proceeding at that location.

Stay Tuned!

 

[Pluto4President]

I also noticed activity a couple of times there while we were taking the back road home.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Think of the Disney Institute (training programs & facilities) and the Villas at Disney Institute (a mish-mash of various suite- and condo-style accomodations) as two different things. Sure, someone could stay at the Villas while attending a training program, but that's all.

All it would take to "divorce" the two from each other would be to rename the Villas to something else.

Furthermore, the Villas at Disney Institute are actually five different kinds of accomodations that were brought together under one name. They could be split up again. Some could be sold to another lodging company, or could be torn down so the land could be redeveloped, or could remain branded as the Villas at Disney Institute -- or could be turned into timeshare accomodations.

Imagine if the Treehouse Villas were turned into a small Disney Vacation Club resort. After all, a Treehouse Villas DVC resort would offer unique 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom villas with kitchens -- just the sort of accomodations that timeshare owners with families enjoy. Under this "what if" scenario, Disney Vacation Development would take title to the Treehouse Villas, bring them to tip-top condition, and sell them as DVC points. To keep expenses reasonable, check-in could be at the adjacent Old Key West Resort. Even the access road could be rerouted behind the Old Key West security gate.

Maybe this is a good idea. Maybe it's a bad idea. But the purpose of this posting is just to point out the the Disney Institute is not a single, monolithic entity, but a collection of at least six major parts, each of which could have a different long-term fate. And maybe, just maybe, one or more of those parts could see a DVC logo in the future.

 

[DebbieB]

BTW- I attended the Annual meeting of BW owners the other day, and saw the architectural renderings of BCV and Eagle Pines, which looked absolutely stunning.

Anne,

Do they have any plans for renovations at BW next year? Any other notes of interest from the meeting?

Thanks,
Debbie