Ft. Wilderness Expansion?

[Napria]

I just saw a posting on another thread that Disney is starting to demolish River Country. There's been speculation for years, but seems like SOMETHING is going to happen!

Am I too optimistic to hope for a Ft. Wilderness expansion of some sort?

 

[North of Mouse]

I just saw a posting on another thread that Disney is starting to demolish River Country. There's been speculation for years, but seems like SOMETHING is going to happen!

Am I too optimistic to hope for a Ft. Wilderness expansion of some sort?

Sorry, but you are being too optimistic There has been speculation, talk, plans (?) around for quite some time on building something (?) but *what*, *when* is the question!!

 

[pigletto]

If they were to use that space at all for anything I'd bet my last dollar it would be for more DVC. That seems to be their main focus now.

 

[Napria]

If they were to use that space at all for anything I'd bet my last dollar it would be for more DVC. That seems to be their main focus now.

When we were DVC members the salesperson told us that the plan is to eventually have a DVC at the Fort. Maybe this is finally happening? The Fort seems to book faster than any resort, so maybe...

EDIT: here's a quote from the other thread regarding what's happening in the old River Country...

"Yeah there has always been speculations, but lately they have been doing something back there. Seen activity first hand of CMs most likely Imagineers walking around doing their thing."

 

[bama_ed]

They might be getting ready to do something back there, Napria.

The Grand Floridian DVC is well under way so it's about time for the DVC folks to start lining up the next project. They have picked off many of the easy projects (as in easy to sell) with BLT and GF around the Seven Seas Lagoon. That leaves some makeover/takeover of the Poly as a possible next target (they have in the past flown the big balloons on ropes to test line-of-sight at the Poly for a possible DVC). I also wonder if they might ever build something between the TTC and Contemp along the monorail. There is a big grassy space available there that in an old master WDW property plan was supposed to be a monorail hotel themed after Atlantis. It never got built, though, because the ground was too soft at that particular spot to support a structure. However, building techniques may have developed over time that such a structure could now be supported.

Two years ago Disney filed some paperwork with the South Florida Water Managent Division indicating they were going to move the current Horse Barn/stable in the back there by Pioneer Hall up to the front of Fort Wilderness right behind the old Fort Kennel by the main parking lot. They were also going to move the Blacksmith shop.

A second plan was also filed to move the Mickey's Backyard BBQ pavillion to a new facility behind the Settlement Trading Post along the beach on Bay Lake. They also included a whole lot of paving/expansion of golf cart parking where the current GC parking is between the Settlement TP and the marina that would probably spill over and wipe out the current playground across the sidewalk from the Trails End porch.

I have those plans around here somewhere if anybody wants to see the pertinent parts.

What caused a stir with those two filings was the barn/stable one for some reason included a site print/drawing of the area behind Pioneer Hall with what looked to be multi-story pods of buildings strung together and a few that even looked like they went out over the shoreline over the water and had patios that faced the lake from there and the rooms on either side. They showed staircases, elevators, etc. But again master plans are dreams that usually change alot before they are finally (if ever) built.

But think about it - there is a lot of infrastructure in place (roads, transportation boats/busses), a restaurant (Trails End) and entertainment (HDDR and BBQ). Years ago there was a rumor of a project between the Fort and Wilderness Lodge called Buffalo Junction.

Last thing I will add is there is also some rumor of a plan for Discovery Island right across from River Country. Maybe its development will be related to whatever goes in the old RC spot.

We'll see.

Bama Ed

 

[SinceDay1]

I have heard several plans tossed around over that the last few years, so who knows. Much of what Bama Ed said is in line of the same things I've heard. I recently spoke with a friend who is a manager at the Fort and he said in time he could share some things that are going to happen, but he couldn't tell details, but did say it would benefit the Fort and campers, so we shall see. I just might have to make a trip down sooner then plan to snoop around!!

 

[Napria]

I have heard several plans tossed around over that the last few years, so who knows. Much of what Bama Ed said is in line of the same things I've heard. I recently spoke with a friend who is a manager at the Fort and he said in time he could share some things that are going to happen, but he couldn't tell details, but did say it would benefit the Fort and campers, so we shall see. I just might have to make a trip down sooner then plan to snoop around!!

Thanks Bama Ed! I thought I had remembered some of what you just posted. Just couldn't remember who posted it or what all was posted!

SinceDay1, I'll be at POR just down the road from the Fort in less than 3 weeks. I'm definitely taking a trip over there to check it out!

 

[SinceDay1]

Thanks Bama Ed! I thought I had remembered some of what you just posted. Just couldn't remember who posted it or what all was posted!

SinceDay1, I'll be at POR just down the road from the Fort in less than 3 weeks. I'm definitely taking a trip over there to check it out!

Good deal, take a trip to the Fort and post what you see/hear. I am trying to get down there too, not just for this, but a good friend just moved there and was going to help them settle in.

Richard

 

[TBoss68]

Some interesting information here:

http://www.disneydrawingboard.com/WDW/MKArea/Wilderness Junction/WildernessJunction.html

 

[RVMH]

That is interesting! Not sure how it benefits campers at the Fort, but it's always fun to speculate on what's going to happen next.

 

[bama_ed]

Thanks for the link Tboss. That second drawing in that link was the one I was referring to with the units out over the shoreline.

Napria's original post that she read was probably accurate that design and/or construction folks most likely were back in the area. But they probably left only footprints at this point.

I'm betting a DVC project whenever it comes - it won't be a true Fort expansion (as in sites and loops) IMO. Lakeshore property along Bay Lake is too precious to spend on more loops and sites.

I'm hoping for a nice themed DVC with entertainment and more dining options that we campers could use as we wanted. (The lobby would be an air-conditioned place to get out of a bad rain storm too).

When and if something is every leaked about that location it will spread over the internet quickly. But like I said earlier, a Poly DVC would be a safe bet as well and might come first.



Bama Ed