News Update

[mash]

Here's the latest news reported on Mouseplanet (http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd090112mg):

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground's – Construct the expansion of 600 Loop.
Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground's – Visual display complex – Build-out and set-up eighteen modular trailer units.


TCD already reported the first item. What is the second item?

 

[2goofycampers]

I am curious also as to what this is.

 

[Colson39]

Almost sounds like what they call the cabins, that's strange :/ Considering all their DVC pushing, I think it's a safe bet it has something to do with DVC

 

[2goofycampers]

I wonder if they will put cabins on the expanded 600 loop.

That will make for alot of unhappy campers.

 

[auntie]

There are campers with their own RV's that camp at FW with family or friends that use the cabins. Having a loop with a mix of regular camping sites, and cabins might be a good way to accomodate those people. While we enjoyed the cabins when we rented them, I did think they were a bit removed from the numerous campground amenities.

 

[Colson39]

I agree with Auntie, lots of times people have friends visit that stay at the cabins, but sometimes you almost feel like you're in no-man's land when you stay at a cabin. Always had kind of wished they had some cabins closer for those that wanted to stay closer to campsites.

We noticed a couple sites over Halloween and Thanksgiving that we hadn't noticed before (probably because of the tree clearing), that were campsites basically backed up to cabins. But there were probably only 3-4 of them.

 

[DisneyBishops]

Here's the latest news reported on Mouseplanet (http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=wd090112mg):

Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground's – Construct the expansion of 600 Loop.
Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground's – Visual display complex – Build-out and set-up eighteen modular trailer units.


TCD already reported the first item. What is the second item?

ok i guess i am dumb, but i didn't see anything about the fort expansion.

 

[vick]

Click on Walt Disney World Park Update. Then look under construction.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

18 modular trailer units?

Where in the world would these go and why?

I think Denise might be on to something. Maybe these two items are related.

I am not against having some cabins in the camping loops, but I will not like it if they are putting cabins in this prime spot.

TCD

 

[DaveInTN]

I wouldn't like it either, but cabins with decks overlooking the lake would probably command a premium over the already high price of the existing cabins. Cha-ching. Plus, Disney could advertise that they are within walking distance of the Snake Bar!

 

[Colson39]

You can't walk home after a night at the Snake Bar

 

[Shan-man]

I have to say, "visual display complex" sure sounds to me like it is a DVC sales center with model units. Maybe they are thinking of doing deluxe wilderness cabins for DVC at Fort Wilderness? Who knows, but it sure is interesting.

 

[FlaFortCampster]

I would guess the cabins and DVC are involved in this. I've noticed that many, many of the cabins remain empty day after day. Cha ching.
Additionally, DVC is definitely Disney's darling right now. Upgrade a loop of cabins, run their own bus to and from the loop to Outpost and Settlement. Bet you all are on to something.

 

[DaveInTN]

No large company these days is going to pour money into a venture like FW unless they feel the improvements will provide an enhanced revenue stream. Look at the money spent on upgrading some of the loops to Premium sites; those sites command a higher rate so in somebody's spreadsheet at corporate they projected the cost of the enhancements against a projected payback period where the work will not only pay for itself but will ultimately generate additional revenue above and beyond.

However, the pool and some of the other upgrades that are more aesthetic do not, on the surface, enhance revenues other than a possible marginal increase in occupancy. But if Disney plans to offer DVC facilities within the existing Fort complex, an upgraded resort pool would seem to be a necessary amenity to sell those memberships. So would enhancing the overall look such as the landscape improvements. Even the move of the cart facility might have been in anticipation of the higher volumes that may come with DVC facilities.

So, I think the DVC angle may be a very real possibility. The pool upgrade is overdue and will be great, but I would hate to see the Fort become "mega sized" and more crowded, so hopefully whatever they are up to is context sensitive and doesn't change the overall ambience. We all love the Fort as it is for the most part. They better not mess it up!

 

[Cdash]

So, I think the DVC angle may be a very real possibility. The pool upgrade is overdue and will be great, but I would hate to see the Fort become "mega sized" and more crowded, so hopefully whatever they are up to is context sensitive and doesn't change the overall ambience. We all love the Fort as it is for the most part. They better not mess it up!

Seems to me that Disney is the definition of "Context Sensitive". Does that mean everybody will be happy with the results? Not necessarily, but I bet what ever they build will fit in nicely with the area and the theme.

 

[des1954]

No large company these days is going to pour money into a venture like FW unless they feel the improvements will provide an enhanced revenue stream.

The plans for the reno's were made & started way prior to the economy going into the dump. Once money is budgeted for particular projects, it takes God Himself to stop it. I saw GTE (now Verizon) do this many times over the 30 years I worked there.

Plans of this magnitude are usually made 5 or more years ahead of time.

Therefore - whatever this "modular" idea is has been in the making for a long time. If the idea fails, it will be another tax write off - no skin off Disney's nose.

I remember back in the late 80's and early 90's they "planted" a few chalet type cabins around FtW that were basically one room cabins with water, sewer - no bath facilities, no cooking arrangements - just one room cabins with a couple of bunks. While they were darling to look at, they never went over & were removed within 5-6 years.

This is the price Disney pays for placing college grads into high management positions (thus sparing the cost of high salary) instead of starting them in positions of less responsibility & letting them work their way up thru the business.

 

[VACAMPER]

Interesting, wait and see i guess.

 

[Colson39]

I know that if we could get DVC at the Fort (for the couple times we stay at the cabins a year), our interest in DVC would definitely raise a few notches.

 

[daddyphat808]

I could see the cabins fitting the DVC style real easy. They are almost the same arrangment as most of the DVC's they have. Now I wonder if or how they could DVC a camp site?

 

[ftwildernessguy]

The plans for the reno's were made & started way prior to the economy going into the dump. Once money is budgeted for particular projects, it takes God Himself to stop it. I saw GTE (now Verizon) do this many times over the 30 years I worked there..

Oh contrar, Deb. Disney can put the brakes on development really fast. Cruise on over to Pop Century sometime and take a look at the abandoned construction project over there. That was killed almost overnight after the drop in attendance following 9/11.