No FW-WL DVC Yet For River Country - Looks Like Next DVC Might Be At Poly

[bama_ed]

Folks, back in this thread not long ago http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3132652 we wondered about a future build of some kind, maybe DVC or FW expansion, at the old River Country site. In post #11 I speculated Disney might go after a Poly DVC first - it's easy money.

Looks like a Poly DVC might be lining up. I'm speculating here, but I found a permit filed this week with the South Florida Water Management District (sfwmd) #130729-2 named "Polynesian Resort Rehab". It contains the following description:

Describe in general terms the proposed project, system, or activity.

The work to be conducted on this site includes new parking, vehicular circulation, pedestrian pathways, utilities, and fire access. It also includes the installation of pilings along the neighboring lagoon that will support future structures, redesigned landscaping, and new amenity areas to serve the building expansions for this resort hotel. The proposed improvements are all located within the grounds of Disneys Polynesian Resort on 1600 W Seven Seas Drive in Bay Lake, FL.

Some pictures would help, right?



Let's look at the part of the Poly near Sunset Point:



And finally let's zoom in on the tip of the Point itself:



Look at the pattern of the pilings:



The pattern of the pilings is repeated. If I had to guess, they are probably for bunglows out over the water with a view of the MK.

How does this relate to our beloved Fort? If Disney next moves on the Poly DVC, it will be a while yet before anything happens over at the old River Country site and towards the WL.

Bama Ed

PS - I'll have to count them but there doesn't appear to be dozens and dozens of pylons/bungalow sites. So maybe it's not a DVC per se but just an addition to the Poly resort?

 

[Teamubr]

Interesting... again. I wonder if these might be along the line of the tree top villas at SSR? Water top villas?

j

 

[tiggerdad]

18" pilings on the outer perimeter, and all in the same design pattern is looking supportive of structures. The upper right corners of each of these sets looks like a possible boat docking location on each one of them. The smaller 14" pilings closer to shore would probably be for less weight bearing walkways?

 

[massmickeypal]

Disappointed that the old River Country looks like it may be pushed off. We are waiting for it to be built before we buy more points. I get why the poly may be a better business decision.

 

[bama_ed]

There is the main rectangle pattern of the pilings that occurs 20 times in the lagoon. Using the scale of the drawing, I measured one and it was approximately 40 x 70 feet.



That's 2800 ft^2. Given that the BLT studios are 300 ft^2 and the 1BR are 800 ft^2, you could fit several units on each piling set. Who knows they might be two story also although they are set awfully close to shore it might block the view of the MK from the water's edge.

The drawings posted here in the past behind Trails End were multi-story and extended out over the water on pilings. Maybe they will build it first at the Poly then they can work out the kinks and build it better at the Fort!

Bama Ed

 

[Nature Mom]

Do you follow the Tikiman's Unofficial Poly fan page on FB? He says the Poly DVC is all but official. The huts on the water do sound awfully cool...that would be so awesome at the Fort! They could make them like swamp shacks out on the bayou to fit the rustic theme. I would so buy into that.

https://www.facebook.com/Tikimanpages

 

[jw50]

18" pilings on the outer perimeter, and all in the same design pattern is looking supportive of structures. The upper right corners of each of these sets looks like a possible boat docking location on each one of them. The smaller 14" pilings closer to shore would probably be for less weight bearing walkways?

The permit documents indicate no docks.

 

[bama_ed]

Do you follow the Tikiman's Unofficial Poly fan page on FB? He says the Poly DVC is all but official. The huts on the water do sound awfully cool...that would be so awesome at the Fort! They could make them like swamp shacks out on the bayou to fit the rustic theme. I would so buy into that.

https://www.facebook.com/Tikimanpages

Thanks Nature Mom, however I don't FB.

But I did post a link to this thread in a Poly DVC thread on the Resorts Board and Tikiman responded not long after.

I agree with you some (very nice) huts or bungalows on the water with maybe a little fog or mist on the surface at night with crickets and frogs in the background would be super sweet. Sounds like something out of the PoC movies.

Bama Ed

 

[disney4metoo]

There is the main rectangle pattern of the pilings that occurs 20 times in the lagoon. Using the scale of the drawing, I measured one and it was approximately 40 x 70 feet.



That's 2800 ft^2. Given that the BLT studios are 300 ft^2 and the 1BR are 800 ft^2, you could fit several units on each piling set. Who knows they might be two story also although they are set awfully close to shore it might block the view of the MK from the water's edge.

The drawings posted here in the past behind Trails End were multi-story and extended out over the water on pilings. Maybe they will build it first at the Poly then they can work out the kinks and build it better at the Fort!

Bama Ed

You might want to check your scaling. Printed out a D size drawing and scaled it carefully-the pile foot print measures out 1550 sq ft ( 29.5' x 52.6')

 

[disney4metoo]

It is also good to note that the construction plans are 50% complete (the utility, structural details, architectual and electrial plans have not yet been submitted). Disney will need to add more details to complete the construction drawings.

These plans distinctly indicate an earthen based walkway loop that forms a lagoon within the lagoon. Then from this walkway, over the water walkways will be established on the 14 x 14 piles and these walkways lead into what appear to be 20 structures that will be on the 18 x 18 piles-these measure out to be roughly a 1500 sq ft foot print.

Disney will have to submit additional plans to move onto construction, but the grading, paving and storm drain plans are submitted. Basically they are getting the ball rolling.

DH printed our the drawings and connected the piles/walkways so it is easier to view how the plans are conceptualized.

 

[bama_ed]

That's cool. I noticed the circular pattern for the pilings in front of the "bunglow" right at the end of the point.

My measurements were approximate and I'm not going to spend a lot of time on this (we are on the Camping Board after all) but I note that your measurement, disney4metoo, is about the size of a BLT studio plus 1BR. That's important because they offer the 2BR as a combo of the studio and 1BR. So the bungalows could be offered as studios, 1BR's or 2BR's.

I hope ya'll get the Poly DVC done quickly because it looks like it will be about 2016 before we get anything over at the old River Country site. Who knows, by that time I might have won the Powerball!

Bama Ed

 

[disney4metoo]

I note that your measurement, disney4metoo, is about the size of a BLT studio plus 1BR. That's important because they offer the 2BR as a combo of the studio and 1BR. So the bungalows could be offered as studios, 1BR's or 2BR's.



Bama Ed

Thanks Bama_ed that is great info and a very reasonable assumption.

 

[bama_ed]

Disney formally announced the Poly DVC construction today.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-disney-polynesian-vacation-club-20130917,0,3846096.story

So rest easy, camper friends. Nothing will probably happen between the Fort and Wilderness Lodge for another two years.

Bama Ed

 

[articfox676]

Since they are in the process of replacing the roof on the horse barn I doubt they will be moving the horses up front.

They can add more camp sites anytime!!!

 

[tiggerdad]

Since they are in the process of replacing the roof on the horse barn I doubt they will be moving the horses up front.

They can add more camp sites anytime!!!

Or they could convert the stalls to camping spots. Sleeping in the hay, waking with the chickens...

Personally I don't have a problem with a closer dvc being put on hold for now. I know it might bring more food options or other opportunities to the Fort guests, but to me the thing about the fort was the "different from everybody else" feeling. I am concerned about a dvc bringing more crowds, making transport harder or something else. This might not be the case, but for now I like the Fort and the area around it just the way it is. Even if some of it is a needlessly abandoned water park that is slowly turning into a future Indiana Jones adventure.