Meadows Expansion

[littlejoe]

 

[amcc]

Or I have another idea.

I did a Google Earth measurement of the MBY BBQ building behind Pioneer Hall and it was over 12,000 ft^2.



Way too big. But do you know what is about 5,500 ft^2? The Bike Barn space (both covered and fenced).

View attachment 960039

So maybe the Bike Barn will be relocated (yet again) and that space will become additional golf cart parking for movie night and pool time.

Just another idea.

I still believe that this will become a type of replacement of the former Mickey's Backyard BBQ. People don't remember that when a DVC resort was initially planned behind Pioneer Hall, the drawings indicated that the original Tri-Circle-D Ranch would be demolished as would the MBY BBQ.

...snip...

Anyway, that's my idea. It's replacing what was lost when River Country area was bulldozed, tweaked with improvement like an indoor building, and centrally located for DVC cabins, campers, Eyesore DVC guests, and even maybe WL folks who bus over. Those are the target customers (although someone could travel there from All Star Music if they wanted to pay for it and attend).

Or I could be completely wrong. Which is much more likely.

Bama Ed

Ps - and they could offer 2-3 shows per evening/afternoon.

I think its one of these two. Moving the bike barn would make sense with the staking that seemed to be for widening of the road behind the pool and to make space for more cart parking. Although, I can also see them just getting rid of the bike barn and making the operation smaller or eliminated. However, the enormous amount of impervious (which is a crime!) doesn't make sense if its just for a rental building.

In that case, I agree with your other idea of a destination character meal.

You know what is the most annoying to me? There is so much unused vacant land throughout the Fort that can be used instead of taking the one remaining green space used for impromptu outdoor activities. Florida developers figured out a century ago how to build on unsuitable "swamp land" which makes the encroachment on the Fort even more egregious with the amount of land still available between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness. There is actually very little completely unuseable land; there is just a higher (not that much higher) cost for land prep. All of the Fort used to look like the swampy areas that are between Loop 1500 and 1400 (or 1300) and they managed to build pools, restaurants, and the reception building.

One more thought, sorry so long, but so many people go to the Fort to just hang at the Fort. Maybe the plan is to reduce the amenities that keep people at the campground - no bike rentals, no ball / racquet loans, less areas to hang out, no pony rides so that it pushes people to visit parks where the $$$ is.

 

[4077]

Because they CAN.

I believe I read somewhere that the actual answer to all these questions is $

 

[bama_ed]

I believe I read somewhere that the actual answer to all these questions is $

And it doesn't REALLY matter what the question is, does it?

 

[MagicCat]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1934568412262338596

 

[team bradfield]

well that ruins 1300 loop, the old pool was loud, but tolerable, this new one is too close, gonna be noisy

 

[bama_ed]

This is strange - it doesn't add up....

 

[team bradfield]

This is strange - it doesn't add up....

agree, 2 pools next to each other? they must be taking the original out, @bama_ed your gonna be there next month, need some intel, corner a bus driver!

 

[StormyCA]

Does anyone have boots on the ground now?

 

[proudmomof4]

Announcement from Disney

https://disneyparksblog.com/wdw/disney-world-pools-summer-2025/?CMP=SOC-DPFY25Q3wo0612250021G

 

[bama_ed]

agree, 2 pools next to each other? they must be taking the original out, @bama_ed your gonna be there next month, need some intel, corner a bus driver!

Nah, not going till next spring (see my signature).

I guess I put too much faith in the word "building" on the drawing in the other thread.

Our family was not a big pool family based on when we visited the Fort but I did enjoy the slide.

Wonder if this new pool will put more demand on those Full Loops 1600-1900 for their proximity to the pools (just over the bridge at the1500 loop bus stop).

Bama Ed

 

[MICKIMINI]

I do remember my guide saying there would be a new laundry facility built. That was last year when I asked about W/D in cabins. He's pretty seasoned and honest. We shall see!

 

[proudmomof4]

I do remember my guide saying there would be a new laundry facility built. That was last year when I asked about W/D in cabins. He's pretty seasoned and honest. We shall see!

The DVC laundry facilities are completed and open, they are by the Wilderness pool in the cabin area of the campground.

 

[MICKIMINI]

The DVC laundry facilities are completed and open, they are by the Wilderness pool in the cabin area of the campground.

Shows you how often we go to The Fort (once in 30+ years!)

 

[VAfamily1998]

well that ruins 1300 loop, the old pool was loud, but tolerable, this new one is too close, gonna be noisy

Pickleball courts are very noisy too.

 

[BaymaxFan78]

(This was originally written two weeks ago but I kept getting sidetracked and lost the original post)

Hi everyone.

The last time I camped at the Fort was last July, and I will be camping again this July so I will certainly have updates to share. However I did pop in for a few hours last week and I wanted to share some updates. Some of this may have already been discussed so my bad if I repeat something.

I want to start by saying I am seeing a lot of improvements to the campground rather than things being taken away / changed.

The Settlement bus stop is back open. Great news since the temporary parking lot bus stop was... less than magical.

A new DVC Welcome Home Center has been built next to the bus stop. It features two cabins. My understanding is they are the new model cabin and DVC office and that the two cabins in the 100 loop will be bookable, but I've heard people say otherwise. The cabins share one large deck and have a nice patio to sit on between the two. Interestingly they are numbered. 4354 and 4356. I don't know why they even have numbers and why those were the chosen numbers. The whole area looks pretty nice, it's a fair addition.

Trails End. As much as I miss the buffet I have to move on and take it for what is, a quick service. When it first opened as a quick service I wasn't too fond of it but that surely has changed. The place has improved greatly. The food quality is better, food was hot and tasted fresh, the half chicken meal is better than the 2 piece since now you're guaranteed a breast and wing (never could request it before) sides are good, they have a BBQ sauce dispenser now where the condiments are. Previously you had to ask them for sauce unless you wanted the packeted heinz sauce. Overall I really like it.

Now let's talk about the Meadow construction. It seems like nobody knows for sure what's happening but I promise it will be for the whole campground and not just DVC, and it is an addition rather than a replacement (more on that later) Currently due to construction the normal golf cart path to park near the pool is closed, so is the bridge that crosses from the 1500 loop to the pool. You have to drive through the 1400 loop to get to golf cart parking. Or park at the trading post.

(I had written a bunch about the meadow construction here but due to some new developments you can read more about it below)

I made a visit to the front desk to discuss some site preferences and they noted everything and we're very helpful and friendly. Past experiences I felt like the front desk really didn't care.

The new resort is there, unfortunately. It looks scary, it's huge, around 9 floors tall, I am not a fan one bit but I continue to have faith that the final product will look decent. Considering Disney reportedly canceled the original and this is a "new" resort, I really really hope the theming fits in more than Reflections did. There's still no concept art of this new resort. The footprint is the same, presumably since it's easier to use the original construction plans and permits rather than making new ones, but that could still mean different (better) theming. The A Frame cabins along the water are being built. So far two have taken over the old clementines beach. Many people say the construction is ugly but to be fair, it is a construction site, it won't look pretty until it is finished.

---Updated Today 6/17---

Disney finally announced what is going on next to the pool, another pool.

I had written about this originally but deleted most of it. You may remember a permit from early last year, it showed a building with a large lift station, a retention pond, and a large hardscape area. They marked out some of the area last year but quickly removed all the markers and the area sat as normal until last month. New markers popped up and Disney said there would be construction but never disclosed what was happening. Multiple people online said they spoke to cast members, managers in the area, and CMs at the front desk and all were told it was going to be a new pool. I was even told that myself. Now Disney Parks Blog has officially confirmed it. It will be a new zero entry pool with a new deck area connected to the current pool. Essentially two pools next to each other when everything is said and done.

Here is my rumor that I've had for a while now. On the permit there is a 2 foot deep dry pond, the area shown on the permit has been dug out and certainly looks like a shallow pond. I think the “handscape” area is where the new pool will be, and the building will house the pumps and restrooms. I know it was talked about that maybe it would be a new quick service, and it definitely could be another snack bar, some said a new spot for backyard BBQ, but this makes more sense to me. People aren't going to want to walk from the new pool around the old pool just to get to the bathroom. And nonetheless Disney always puts their pumps inside a building.

 

[BaymaxFan78]

Well just read the Blog Mickey article. Guess my rumor is true lol

 

[MagicCat]

I hope they add pretty decor of some kind around the new pool like all the other resorts have.

 

[jaredjohn4]

I'm heading to the Fort in late October. I don't know if I'm going to be surprised, disappointed, or what. Between the construction at the Fort or the parks, I just don't know what to expect.