I haven't kept with the news, but when did the Treehouse Villas return??

[4orm]

I was just playing around on a travel website and they have rate for next May for the Villas at the Disney Institute! This might be old news and if it is please let me know any info! I'm thrilled if these are back! Were they renovated? Check the broucher link and you'll see these are not SSR. I'm not sure if it will work but check this looong link:
http://www.res99.com/nexres/reserva...s=1&dod_mm=05&dod_dd=07&doa_mm=05&dod_yy=2005

 

[KNWVIKING]

Something is very wrong about that site. There is no DI any longer. Also the treehouses were no the Villas at DI.

 

[Deep-Thots]

If you click on "overview," the following comes up:

Disneys Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
from Its Colorful Victorian Architecture To the Historic
Influence of Horse Racing, This Idyllic Lakesidecommunity
Recaptures the Heyday of Upstate New York Country Retreats
of the Late 1800s. Rolling Hills, Fragrant Gardens,
Gracious Promenades and Gurgling Springs Combine To Relax,
Reconnect and Rejuvenate the Spirit. And , When the Mood
For a Little Excitement Hits, the Magical Metropolis of
Downtown Disney is Right Across the Lake.


So, it appears that they are indeed talking about SSR, not the Treehouses or Villas at DI.

 

[4orm]

Its so weird! The broucher link is all about the Treehouse Villas and other DI Villas...but it does say SSR. I just thought I'd share incase there was any hope.

 

[laceemouse]

I just saw the tree houses last Saturday on the boat ride from OKW to DTD and SSR. They look VERY rough. Lots of trees down, some on roofs, overgrown shrubbery, ect... Interesting though that it looked like some of them had lights on in them when we went by after dark. I would love for the tree houses to re-open, but I don't see that happening anytime soon.

 

[KNWVIKING]

In May we walked thru the treehouse complex. Some had been renovated, others in sad shape. We came to one of the pools. The pool house was new, the pool full of crystal clear water, clean lounge chairs and tables out,beautifully landscaped. There was even a CM there spraying something on the ground. We talked to him for awhile, he wouldn't reveal too much but we came away from there very optomistic about the future of the treehouses and DVC.

 

[kpk89]

When we went for our tour at SSR, the transportation CM who brought us from AKL to SSR said something about the treehouses perhaps being brought online as DVC property in the future.

That would be pretty neat ...

 

[wbc99]

Our boat driver a few weeks ago said that the treehouses were on federally protected land and could not be torn down. He said that the word is that they will all be renovated and brought into the DVC. Now, of course, I dont know if any of that is accurate. Just what I was told. I have found in the past that you can't always believe what you hear from them

 

[laceemouse]

Viking, things may look a little different to you after the hurricanes! Go by if you can this trip! I hope they will clean them up though. I stayed in one in 1978 with my folks and it was great. (I was in High School at the time, so yes, I AM older than dirt!)

 

[KNWVIKING]

*** " federally protected land and could not be torn down." ***

I'm not sure about the federal part, but the land is considered "wetlands". As for tearing them down: It's not that Disney CAN'T tear them down, it's that they NEVER will. That tract of land is grandfathered so to speak. Anything already on it can stay, but if you remove what's there you can never put anything elseback up. Disney right now is probably just doing the minimum to maintain them hoping the future brings a need for them.

Even the hurricane damage that is there is probably a lower priority on the "things to do" list.

 

[newholiday]

We passed by them when going on our tour this past Sat 10/9
The CM said all 3 Saratoga Springs sections will be the same distance from the main pool. I dont understand how this can happen since Disney Institute seems farther away?

 

[DrTomorrow]

Back to the OP's travel link:

If you click on Brochure, you get:

Whatever your needs, chances are The Villas At The Disney Institute can fulfill them. With all of its amenities - including fully equipped kitchens in most villas - this resort is ideal for families and small groups. Located in a quiet community setting, The Villas At The Disney Institute offers guests a relaxing environment where they can take advantage of the Disney Institute Spa, the Lake Buena Vista Gold Course and lighted tennis courts, as well as all the culinary, photography, gardening and animation programs.

Dining
Seasons Dining Room - Full-service restaurant
Seasons Lounge - beverages, lunch
Seasons Terrace and Bar - lunch, beverages
Reflections Coffee and Pastries Tea Shop


Almost makes me want to call up and ask about those culinary programs!

 

[bears163]

what is the whole story with the treehouse area? like how long has it been since it ws used? how long have they been around? i also saw allthe damage last month.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by bears163
what is the whole story with the treehouse area? like how long has it been since it ws used? how long have they been around? i also saw allthe damage last month.

The Treehouse Villas were built back in 1972, not long after the opening of the Magic Kingdom in 1971. Along with other vacation villas in the area, they became available to the public as part of Disney's Village Resort. Around 1996, when the Disney Institute opened, Disney's Village Resort was rebranded as The Villas at Disney Institute.

After September 11, 2001, the The Villas at Disney Institute closed because Disney didn't need the capacity. The relatively new and attractive Disney Institute main campus became the hub of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, with the spa, check-in lobby, restaurant, shop, and sales center. The old Villas at Disney Institute are giving way to the newly constructed residential buildings of Saratoga Springs.

There are still plenty of websites that will tell you that The Villas at Disney Institute resort is still around. For example, see http://www.disneyvacationguide.com/disney-world-resorts/villas-at-disney-institute.html

The Treehouse Villas are still standing, but you can't book them. No new residential buildings are planned for their location.

It remains to be seen what happens to the Treehouses. I really don't think they'll ever be sold as DVC units.

 

[rinkwide]

Oh, to wake up in the Tree House Villas, head over to ride 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and then pass the afternoon at River Country.

sigh...

 

[4orm]

I didn't think I'd be so luck to book it, but that website DOES allow it. SSR is a different link on their site. It's probably just a mix up but I am temped to book it and see what they say.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

Originally posted by DrTomorrow
Back to the OP's travel link:

If you click on Brochure, you get:
--snip--
as well as all the culinary, photography, gardening and animation programs.
--snip--
Almost makes me want to call up and ask about those culinary programs!

DW, adult DS, and I did a number these programs at the DI during my spring break in March, 2000. We did various combinations of culinary, photography, gardening, and animation programs over a week-long stay. It was worth every penny. Well conceived, well taught, and a lot of fun. Too bad these programs are no longer available.

Ralph

 

[NancyDVC]

We stopped by WDW just before our 9/11 cruise and went by the Treehouses. (That was after Charley and Frances but before Jeanne.)
We saw lots of trees down all along DVC way, especially on the golf course and backstage areas opposite the golf course. I always remember seeing lights on in the treehouses whether or not they were occupied including after they were closed. Whether this is for security or something else I can't say.
On our first stay at OKW (then known as DVC) we shared a bus route with the Treehouses. During the week we were there (at Easter) we never picked up or dropped off anyone at the Treehouses. We never saw anyone at the pool. We did occasionally see someone walking around the area and people in the treehouses but it was a very quiet area.

I still enjoy seeing them from the boat to DTD. And who knows maybe somewday they will reopen them.

 

[TOMAR@SSR]

Originally posted by rinkwide
Oh, to wake up in the Tree House Villas, head over to ride 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and then pass the afternoon at River Country.

sigh...

Yep, that`s exactly what we use to do in those days, we would go over to FW for breakfast ( always excellent ), stay most of the morning @ river country ( got the best sun all day over there ), sat on the rocking chairs having icecream in the afternoon.
Then, we used to go back to the Tree Houses, ( or Fairway ), or (Townhouse), which ever villas we were in that year, rest, and get ready for the park ( only magic kingdom ) until Epcot opened.
I think we used to stay later @ the MK. It was open `til 12 am or 1, sometimes.
Talking about older than Dirt!!

 

[Desperado]

Originally posted by Deep-Thots
So, it appears that they are indeed talking about SSR, not the Treehouses or Villas at DI.

OK, that explains it.