Planned DVC resort on Bay Lake

[walt2187]

Will Disney restart construction on the proposed resort between Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness?

 

[jbreen2010]

I’m sure it will at some point but I haven’t heard a thing. We stayed at copper creek about a month ago and I didn’t see any activity in that direction. They are also going to be selling grand Floridian again now too, so maybe it pushes that reflections project back from 2022 to 2023-2024?

 

[DisneyOutsider]

The Reflections resort isn't happening. Much like the previously announced Main Street Theater, it's been scrapped for the time being.

They may build something there eventually and they may even dust off the Reflections plans, as they've completed much of the site prep, but for now you can consider it shelved indefinitely.

If they do eventually build there, it will likely be different than what was previously announced.

 

[HIRyeDVC]

I hope not as the concept seemed very bland and generic. I also don’t wanted it disrupt the peaceful nature vibe of WL and FW. If they end up building something, it should have a similar theme or vibe IMO.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I hope not as the concept seemed very bland and generic. I also don’t wanted it disrupt the peaceful nature vibe of WL and FW. If they end up building something, it should have a similar theme or vibe IMO.

That's just a bad spot, top to bottom. Too much development crammed into to tight of an area. Many regular users of Fort Wilderness were unhappy with the potential intrusion into what is currently a very quiet and peaceful area.

The previously planned fourth resort on Seven Seas Lagoon, between the TTC and Contemporary would have made better sense, had they not found out that the ground is complete garbage there (which isn't in itself as surprising as the fact that they found so much other developable land in the middle of a swamp).

 

[HIRyeDVC]

That's just a bad spot, top to bottom. Too much development crammed into to tight of an area. Many regular users of Fort Wilderness were unhappy with the potential intrusion into what is currently a very quiet and peaceful area.

The previously planned fourth resort on Seven Seas Lagoon, between the TTC and Contemporary would have made better sense, had they not found out that the ground is complete garbage there (which isn't in itself as surprising as the fact that they found so much other developable land in the middle of a swamp).

Agree! I honestly don’t know why we’re even talking about another resort when what we REALLY need is another park!

 

[wfjny]

Agree! I honestly don’t know why we’re even talking about another resort when what we REALLY need is another park!

They are done with the “5th gate idea”

As I was saying back in 2019, what Disney is doing is moving forward with more and more “Hard Ticket” events.

In short, why build a new park if we can just empty out one of the existing ones at 7:00PM, and charge people $125 each to come back in. If demand drops, easy to cancel those events. Much easier than say mothballing an entire park.

In 2018, Disney had 34 separate evenings for MNSSHP. They also had 22 MVMCP. By my rough count, they also had at least 14 Disney After Hours in the Magic Kingdom for 2018. So realize the numbers, The Magic Kingdom was essentially open 435 days in 2018. Once again, Disney has done the impossible. They have literally added days to the calendar. Well, ok, perhaps not literally, but you see where I am going.

Over the course of the next few years, I can easily see where there is at least one hard ticket event somewhere each day. An evening at Magic Kingdom, a morning at Hollywood. In effect, they do not need to build a fifth park if they can just do 365 hard ticket events at the existing parks each year.

And, as I said, if covid taught us anything, it shows that things can change in an instant.

 

[drusba]

A little point of history in a similar situation. In July 2001, Disney (DVD) announced that it was going to build a new DVC resort called Eagle Pines to be located in the area where the Osprey and Eagle Pines golf courses were. Drawings and plans were provided. Then 9/11 happened and the WDW economy tanked for some time. After 9/11, DVD never again mentioned the Eagle Pines resort. The next announcement about any new resorts came in late Jan 2002, when Disney announced that it would be constructing the new Saratoga Springs Resort.

Many still had thoughts that some day Eagle Pines would come back despite never being mentioned by Disney after 9/11. Those thoughts were finally put to rest in 2007 when Disney announced that the applicable Osprey/Eagle Pines area was going to Four Seasons.

 

[The Jackal]

That's just a bad spot, top to bottom. Too much development crammed into to tight of an area. Many regular users of Fort Wilderness were unhappy with the potential intrusion into what is currently a very quiet and peaceful area.

The previously planned fourth resort on Seven Seas Lagoon, between the TTC and Contemporary would have made better sense, had they not found out that the ground is complete garbage there (which isn't in itself as surprising as the fact that they found so much other developable land in the middle of a swamp).

They knew the land was bad back in the 70’s for that resort. They will eventually build there with new building technology. Let’s also not forget there was supposed to be a 5th monorail resort on cleared land above BLT. They use it for storage right now. There is good build able land between the Grand Floridian and the MK. I’m going to bet that will be a 5 star Disney hotel, no DVC.

 

[Simba's Mom]

A little point of history in a similar situation. In July 2001, Disney (DVD) announced that it was going to build a new DVC resort called Eagle Pines to be located in the area where the Osprey and Eagle Pines golf courses were. Drawings and plans were provided. Then 9/11 happened and the WDW economy tanked for some time. After 9/11, DVD never again mentioned the Eagle Pines resort. The next announcement about any new resorts came in late Jan 2002, when Disney announced that it would be constructing the new Saratoga Springs Resort.

Many still had thoughts that some day Eagle Pines would come back despite never being mentioned by Disney after 9/11. Those thoughts were finally put to rest in 2007 when Disney announced that the applicable Osprey/Eagle Pines area was going to Four Seasons.

Yes, I remember that. We joined DVC in January 2002, and one reason DH was onboard with it was because he's a big golfer and was really looking forward to that.

 

[kenchilada]

Reflections looked like an upscale retirement home, glad to see it canned. I wish they’d go back to fun immersive theming.

 

[NeedMoreMickey]

I would rather see a resort go near GF and have a entrance into MK like in California.

 

[macman123]

I guess its supply and demand.

If they have the demand and the cash - they will.

Look at VGF2 - its cheaper to convert an existing building and sell for a ton of money, rather than build a new resort all together.

They will also make a fortune on it.

 

[CraigInPA]

I would rather see a resort go near GF and have a entrance into MK like in California.

Or in the area they currently use for storage near Tomorrowland. How cool would it be to be able to step out of your hotel and walk into the carnival area!

 

[The Jackal]

I guess its supply and demand.

If they have the demand and the cash - they will.

Look at VGF2 - its cheaper to convert an existing building and sell for a ton of money, rather than build a new resort all together.

They will also make a fortune on it.

Yes, but the question is, why are are they giving up a building at WDW’s most prestigious resort? The answer, not enough cash bookings. Just look at how many buildings they have given up at their deluxe resorts to DVC in less than 10 years. 3 at Poly, 1 at WL and now 1 at GF. Disney is struggling to fill deluxe resorts, but can easily fill deluxe DVC Villas. My guess will be more and more will be converted. It’s cheaper than building new, but I hope they don’t follow the VGF2 design of only studios and no kitchenette.

 

[kanerf]

With DVC resales recently going through the roof and Disney actively exercising ROFR and doing buy backs, I think they may start running low on inventory and begin thinking about new resorts (other then VGF2). I would not expect to seeing anything announced until 2023, depending on how the economy is doing at that time.

 

[Brian Noble]

Just look at how many buildings they have given up at their deluxe resorts to DVC in less than 10 years. 3 at Poly, 1 at WL and now 1 at GF.

...and if you go back just a little farther, one of the CR Garden Wings plus the top two floors of Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I think sagging demand is only a part of that story, though. I've written about this before, but I think 9/11 put the fear of The Deity of Your Choice into the hearts of TDO.

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

I would still like for them to build the Washington D.C. DVC that had been announced.
drusba, do you know what happened with that?

 

[Brian Noble]

I would still like for them to build the Washington D.C. DVC that had been announced.
drusba, do you know what happened with that?

Not @drusba, but IIRC they sold their interest (or let it expire) on the land in the National Harbor plot.

Edited to add: Werner wrote about it some years ago.
https://yesterland.com/harbor.html

 

[wishicouldgomoreofte]

Not @drusba, but IIRC they sold their interest (or let it expire) on the land in the National Harbor plot.

Edited to add: Werner wrote about it some years ago.
https://yesterland.com/harbor.html

Thank you, Brian. That was really interesting.