Have you heard about the new project next to FW?

[Tri-circle-D]

I got a "Mouse Mail" from WDW yesterday. Somehow I am on an e-mail list for business and community leaders. Any way, here is an excerpt from the mouse mail:

LUXURY RESORT AND GOLF COMMUNITY

Along the northeast border of Walt Disney World Resort, Disney plans to convert its Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge golf courses into a luxury resort and golf community. The development will include a luxury hotel, 18-hole championship golf course, single- and multi-family vacation homes and fractional ownership vacation homes.

Disney entered into a letter of intent with Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts to bring these two complementary and respected brands together to anchor a new world-class family resort destination.

Four Seasons is dedicated to perfecting the travel experience through continuous innovation and the highest standards of hospitality. Currently with 74 hotels in 31 countries, and more than 25 properties under development, Four Seasons continues to lead the hospitality industry with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding. The deeply instilled Four Seasons culture is personified in its employees – people who share a single focus and are inspired to offer great service. Four Seasons currently operates two properties in Florida, Four Seasons Hotel Miami and the Four Seasons Resort Palm Beach.



"The Resort will have all the ingredients needed to create memorable vacations: gracious and caring staff; beautiful surroundings that are thoughtfully designed; and services and amenities that make every experience one to cherish," said Kathleen Taylor, president and chief operating officer, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. "It's an honor to collaborate with Walt Disney World Resort on this project. Walt Disney's reputation for service excellence and exceptional family entertainment amenities is an ideal complement to the values of Four Seasons. Central Florida will be a valuable addition to our family of resorts, particularly since this is a destination our guests already enjoy."

Once terms of the project are finalized, site work could begin later this year, with a hotel opening forecasted for 2010.

In case you don't know, this is right next door to FW!

There were a couple of photos, too:

I wonder if any of this is going to infringe on some of the green space between FW and the Eagle Pines golf course? You can see the fairway for one of the holes from the overflow parking lot. I can also see them developing some of the shoreline of Bay Lake.

If I am reading this right, you will actually be able to buy a home on WDW property- and live a stone's throw from FW!


TCD

 

[nbodyhome]

I didn't realize it was going to be so close to FW (I wasn't even thinking, I thought it'd be elsewhere - places that were totally undeveloped on the property).

 

[ynottony99]

Thanks for sharing this. I would think they would want to take advantage of the lake in their design, but who knows.

 

[Live4FW]

I can't see how this would be anything but bad for the Fort. If for nothing else, it will limit where FW could expand in the future and I really don't like the idea of reducing greenspace next to the Fort.

I also don't like the direction they are going in partnering with others to build. It would seem to indicate a reluctance to build themselves unless it is DVC. The other part of the annoucement was that 3rd parties would build "value" hotel rooms at Western Way. This when they have unfinished sections of Pop Century.

Not a good trend in my opinion.

"Soap Box" off

 

[nbodyhome]

I'm concerned also that they can't fill all the CM vacancies they already have (not to mention that I do really like the FW area, and that it feels rural). It won't feel so remote anymore.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I'm concerned also that they can't fill all the CM vacancies they already have (not to mention that I do really like the FW area, and that it feels rural). It won't feel so remote anymore.

That's how I feel too.

It is an amazing thing to stand on the bank of Bay Lake at the FW Marina, and look all around that lake, and see nothing but trees! And, you are standing in the middle of the busiest vacation spot in the world!

I can't blame Disney if they want to use Bay Lake as a selling point for another resort. I am sure that it will be attractive. But, it isn't going to be natural and pristine, the way it looks now.

I also would think that they will use a boat to transport folks from this resort to the MK. A lot more traffic on the lake in front of FW.

On the subject of concerns- have you ever noticed how much space there is between FW and WL? That also would be the perfect place for another resort.

TCD

 

[nbodyhome]

On the subject of concerns- have you ever noticed how much space there is between FW and WL? That also would be the perfect place for another resort.

TCD

Please don't say that!

I would prefer to see them add more campsites, no more resorts there! I guess I'll just enjoy FW for now - I am concerned it's kind of getting pushed aside with this new hotel. I really enjoyed the Swamp Walk, and would hate to think that some of this new resort could be right there. Even without the SW, I love the quietness. Think of a new hotel so close - I don't see that area as being as quiet anymore.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Please don't say that!

I would prefer to see them add more campsites, no more resorts there! I guess I'll just enjoy FW for now - I am concerned it's kind of getting pushed aside with this new hotel. I really enjoyed the Swamp Walk, and would hate to think that some of this new resort could be right there. Even without the SW, I love the quietness. Think of a new hotel so close - I don't see that area as being as quiet anymore.

Yes, it will not be as quiet any more, but the sky is not falling.

After all, WL is a good sized resort, and it really does not negatively impact FW at all. The golf courses that are going to be redeveloped are still a considerable distance from the campsites at FW.

TCD

 

[ynottony99]

I thought it was intersting that the resort they list on the map, I guess as a point of reference is PO, not FW. My first thought is maybe they do not consider it an advertising point that this new resort will be next to a 'campground'??? If that is so, I imagine that the design of it will keep the 2 quite seperate from each other. Hope so anyway.

 

[drag n' fly]

This is what was written up in the Canadian press yesterday.




LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) - Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts (TSX:FSH) will build a luxury hotel and 18-hole championship golf course along the northeast border of Walt Disney World, theme park officials said Thursday.
The Toronto-based luxury hotel chain is part of two expansion plans that will take eight to 10 years to fully develop and will include single-and multifamily vacation homes, fractional ownership homes and a 180-hectare retail, dining and lodging district, said Meg Crofton, Disney World's president.

"This is a first-of-its kind development for our company," Crofton said. "Four Seasons is a world-renowned brand known for its luxury and appeal."

The number of jobs the two developments will bring to the area is unknown, Crofton said. Disney currently has 60,000 employees.

Four Seasons, with 74 hotels in 31 countries and two locations currently in Florida, will anchor a 365-hectare development which already houses two golf courses. The hotel planned to open in 2010 could break ground later this year, Crofton said.

One of the existing golf courses will be upgraded into a championship course and the other will be renamed after the Four Seasons brand.

The second development will be roughly the size of Disney's Animal Kingdom and be located just outside the western entrance. About 4,500 time shares and hotel units will surround a pedestrian-friendly retail village that includes restaurants, shops and small-scale entertainment venues. Construction is slated for later this year.

"We chose this area because it's a great opportunity to further enhance the western entrance of our resort," Crofton said. "We're currently putting the finishing touches on the design and then we will give this development a strong brand name."

Walt Disney Co. stock rose nine cents to $34.34 in afternoon trading on the New York Stock Exchange.



© The Canadian Press, 2007
__________________

 

[clkelley]

Actually, I like the idea of the budget area over by Western Way. I'm really hoping they will market that area heavily to the groups like Pop Warner, Cheerleaders, Magic Music Days, all of the sports tournaments over at WWoS, etc. That will leave the Values open for families. While I LOVE Ft. Wilderness and will live there several months out of the year "someday", I also stay at the Values quite often.

I'm also hoping that as soon as the family suites at Music are finished they will move those crews over to Pop and finish the 2nd half of Pop as Family Suites.

 

[Mystify]

I'm not so concerned about the noise as there are so many buses that run through the Fort making tons of noise already and the golf courses seem to be staying making kind of a boundry between the two. What does concern me is the traffic this will cause for turning into the Fort. Currently the road in front of the Fort usually does not have alot of traffic but, as soon as that resort opens they will be coming right down that road to get to the MK. It does take a trailer or motorhome more time to turn, especially left turns so, I really hope they consider a signal or some sort of traffic change.

 

[ynottony99]

I knew the golf course was close, but didn't notice just how close until I was looking at Google Earth!!! No wonder someone finds a ball in a campsite once in a while!!

 

[bama_ed]

I've been following these threads for some time hoping that WDW would expand FW North along the edge of Bay Lake sandwiched in between it and the Eagle/Osprey golf courses. Maybe put some "premium" big lots or do a DVC campground. The problem with that and any FW expansion plan is that you can't build "vertically" with a campground. You can't (if you are Disney) get more "bangforyourbuck" by building a 2-3-or-6 story hotel over the same piece of real estate. The math is pretty simple.

Part of me can't believe that WDW would let this new development gain a view of Bay Lake. A non-Disney hotel with a view over the MK is something that would cost a heck of a lot of money. I would think WDW would keep access to Bay Lake itself (or the view of it). It looks, though, like there is a lot of land around the golf courses that could take the condo's and timeshares.

I think it more likely that the future of FW lies over in the direction toward Wilderness Lodge. I just wish they would move on it soon!

Bama ED

PS-and I plan to find somebody in charge to tell them so when I am down there in 2 weeks!

 

[stillh2o]

I’m sorry to burst everyone’s bubble but today’s Disney is not like Walt’s Disney. Today guest are just people that spend all their money at their parks. Disney is all about big business and only answer to it stockholders. it is not about families having a great vacation it is putting the most money in stockholders pocket.

 

[aLitlGoofy]

I can understand more bang for the buck but why would they allow another hotel to come in that would compete directly with their deluxe resorts. Will this be an exclusive area for the "super" rich?

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

I can see fractional ownership vacation homes but I'm skeptical that there will be anything where a person could live full tiime. Currently both the incorporated cities of Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista are run by the Reedy Creek Improvement District and the only people who actually live within the city limits of either city are a few Disney management employees who of course "vote the right way" when it comes to approving projects. How in the world would they late outsiders (like you and me) live inside because we'd have the right to vote in city/district affairs. They would never let that happen!

BobK/Orlando

 

[AuburnJen92]

I’m sorry to burst everyone’s bubble but today’s Disney is not like Walt’s Disney. Today guest are just people that spend all their money at their parks. Disney is all about big business and only answer to it stockholders. it is not about families having a great vacation it is putting the most money in stockholders pocket.

I tend to agree. Disney is also selling off acres of land to boost its stock prices in short term solutions. This is part of that sell off. Walt bought 27K acres in Florida so that what happened in Disneyland would not happen here. It is ashame that if this becomes the trend, that we will just have a bigger Disneyland in Florida. I have been going to Disney since I was 3yrs old. 34 years later, I find that stillh2o has a very valid point. Many of the things Disney did to make themselves what they are today in the service industry are gone. It is really sad to see them selling off real estate when they worked so hard in secret to get it in the first place. I am a stockholder and don't agree with this line of business tactics. Disney made the standard of service, and should keep it a Disney standard, not sell it off and expect someone else to keep it for them. (ok, off my soapbox)