Plans for WL Cabins found

[cbnsoul]

WDWmagic.com published an article this morning discussing the rumored over the water cabins at WL:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/dis...illas-at-disney's-wilderness-lodge-resort.htm

While the cabins don't interest me much, I would be very interested in buying points at VWL, assuming they extend the expiration date. I guess we'll see if they also convert rooms to DVC as we saw at the Poly. If they do, it will be interesting to see how the combine the new villas with the originals with a 2042 expiration date.

 

[LauraLea]

While the cabins don't interest me much, I would be very interested in buying points at VWL, assuming they extend the expiration date.

As a VWL owner this concerns me. If DVD sells points for these point excessive units, it will just mean more competition to secure an 11 month reservation for the rooms using less points.

Laura

 

[davidl81]

I would only hope they are closer in point requirements to the THV relative to a 2BD then the Bungalows are priced. If they are priced in that ball park it would not be a bad deal. I wonder when those points would expire compared to VWL?

 

[deedisneydream97]

I thought this was another April fool joke. Guess it wasn't too far off the mark. I have a small contract there but have not used it during busy DVC seasons. And have used those points for Aulani. I remember the THVs at SSR were a great bargain until they readjusted the points for the whole resort. Will probably be quite a few years before we know anything for sure.

 

[cbnsoul]

As a VWL owner this concerns me. If DVD sells points for these point excessive units, it will just mean more competition to secure an 11 month reservation for the rooms using less points.

Laura

I would feel the same way if I were a current owner and they didn't convert current rooms to DVC thereby increasing the number of studios, 1 bdrm and 2 bdrms. Otherwise you have the same issue as the Poly with a ton of points being sold for bungalows that most people can't afford, increasing competition for the studios.

 

[DVC Mike]

http://i235.*************************************NewVWLPoolDM_1.png

 

[DVC Mike]

I thought this was another April fool joke. Guess it wasn't too far off the mark.

Hah! My April Fools joke about the Wilderness Lodge wasn't far off. Well, except no teepees!

 

[mvndvm]

Very curious to see how the old points would fit in with the new points. I did read about the 2 bills in the Florida House and Senate and the possibility of removing the cap of the special assessment amounts on timeshares. I don't know the legalities of requiring current VWL members to pay a $50 per point assessment to lengthen their current 2042 expiration 25 more years or so, but it is intriguing. It would limit those of us that may want to buy more VWL points, because we'd have to pay the special assessment for the same points rather than buy new points. Purely dreaming here, it would be nice if they would offer to extend our old points expiration if we bought X amount of new points (at new prices direct from Disney). That would be a very attractive incentive for current VWL members and would solve Disney's problem of trying to get the most money out of this project as possible (more points bought direct with a longer expiration date equals more trips per VWL member equals more revenue for Disney).

 

[4evryoung]

http://i235.*************************************NewVWLPoolDM.png

So, from that map it seems that nobody apart from the beach villas guests can access any beach, watch the water parade in comfort etc. it would also seem there is no marina to rent water mice etc. The pool expansion will not adequately provide room for potentially 234 extra DC guests - 26 rooms housing max of 9 guests. Plus more competition for the studio and one-bedroom villas. Seems like a lose-lose scenario for existing DVC members....

 

[DenLo]

Wow are you psychic Mike?

Interesting, I wonder if they will end up as DVC Cabins? I noticed the plans include a second smaller dock west of the current dock. Are they moving the marina to accommodate these changes? It looks like the construction area includes the DVC quiet pool, in fact the plans show that the construction area is butted next to the VWL building.

I noticed that the plans all say it is a Wilderness Lodge Rehab. Nothing mentions the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. Is Disney trying to be less than forthcoming again like they did with VGF and BLT?

Has anyone stayed in the Ft. Wilderness Cabins? Should these new cabins be similar or modified?

I will miss all of the wooded shore at Wilderness Lodge.

 

[DVC Mike]

Wow are you psychic Mike?

I think it's funny that my April Fools Day post has the news breaking on WdwMagic, and that's exactly what happened.

 

[twinklebug]

Wow are you psychic Mike?

Interesting, I wonder if they will end up as DVC Cabins? I noticed the plans include a second smaller dock west of the current dock. Are they moving the marina to accommodate these changes? It looks like the construction area includes the DVC quiet pool, in fact the plans show that the construction area is butted next to the VWL building.

I noticed that the plans all say it is a Wilderness Lodge Rehab. Nothing mentions the Villas at Wilderness Lodge. Is Disney trying to be sneaky again like they did with VGF and BLT?

Has anyone stayed in the Ft. Wilderness Cabins? Should these new cabins be similar or modified?

I will miss all of the wooded shore at Wilderness Lodge.

The Fort's cabins are nothing more than fancy Mobile homes. These will be actual cabins, most likely on raised platforms in the event of flooding.

The dock may or may not be moved. That could be a new access point for the lake patrol.

 

[wdrl]

Very curious to see how the old points would fit in with the new points. I did read about the 2 bills in the Florida House and Senate and the possibility of removing the cap of the special assessment amounts on timeshares. I don't know the legalities of requiring current VWL members to pay a $50 per point assessment to lengthen their current 2042 expiration 25 more years or so, but it is intriguing. It would limit those of us that may want to buy more VWL points, because we'd have to pay the special assessment for the same points rather than buy new points. Purely dreaming here, it would be nice if they would offer to extend our old points expiration if we bought X amount of new points (at new prices direct from Disney). That would be a very attractive incentive for current VWL members and would solve Disney's problem of trying to get the most money out of this project as possible (more points bought direct with a longer expiration date equals more trips per VWL member equals more revenue for Disney).

Keep in mind that the proposed legislation to which you refer would permit developers to extend the life of a timeshare that has been in existence for a minimum of 20 years. VWL opened in November 2000 and its condominium association was formed on September 19, 2000. Thus, VWL won't turn 20 until September 19, 2020.

The VGF project took about 31 months from the time its SFWMD permits were filed in March 2011 until it opened in October 2013. The Poly DVC project took about 21 months from its initial permit date in July 2013 until it opened in April 2015. If this Wilderness Rehab project is anything like those projects, then it should take until around February 2017 to December 2017 before the WL project is completed. VWL would still be too young to permit DVD to automatically extend it under the current language in the proposed legislation.

Another thing to keep in mind: DVD has already extended OKW using the existing timeshare laws. Thus, it seems to me that Disney could execute an extension of its existing timeshares regardless of whether the proposed legislation is passed.

Edited to Add: Date the VWL condo association was formed

 

[CarolMN]

Keep in mind that the proposed legislation to which you refer would permit developers to extend the life of a timeshare that has been in existence for a minimum of 20 years. VWL opened in November 2000 and I suspect its condominium association was formed only a few months before then. Thus, VWL won't turn 20 until some time in 2020.

The VGF project took about 31 months from the time its SFWMD permits were filed in March 2011 until it opened in October 2013. The Poly DVC project took about 21 months from its initial permit date in July 2013 until it opened in April 2015. If this Wilderness Rehab project is anything like those projects, then it should take until around February 2017 to December 2017 before the WL project is completed. VWL would still be too young to permit DVD to automatically extend it under the current language in the proposed legislation.

Another thing to keep in mind: DVD has already extended OKW using the existing timeshare laws. Thus, it seems to me that Disney could execute an extension of its existing timeshares regardless of whether the proposed legislation is passed.

But they didn't (or couldn't) force OKW owners to buy the extension. I wonder if that will still be true if the proposed legislation actually become law. I would not be happy if Disney forced me to buy an extension.

 

[DVC Mike]

http://i235.*************************************NewVWLCUDM_1.png

 

[wdrl]

But they didn't (or couldn't) force OKW owners to buy the extension. I wonder if that will still be true if the proposed legislation actually become law. I would not be happy if Disney forced me to buy an extension.

I admit I don't know exactly how the proposed legislation may alter how developers will be able extend or terminate qualified timeshare properties. But I do know the existing laws already give developers some leeway in this area. For example, the VWL Master Declaration has this clause dealing with the merger of one condo association into another:

Section 19. Merger

This Declaration, the Association and the Common Elements of this Condominium described in this Declaration may be merged with the declaration of condominium, condominium association and common elements of another independent and separate condominium to form a single condominium with the consent of majority of the total number of voting interests and with the approval of all of the record owners of liens on the Units and Ownership Interests in the Units. If such consent and approval is obtained, a new or amended declaration of condominium, articles of incorporation and bylaws of the Association will be recorded and contain such provisions as are necessary to amend and modify the appurtenances to the Units and the percentages by which the Owners share the Common Expenses and own the Common Surplus and Common Elements in order to create a consolidated single condominium.​

I am in no way saying that Disney could or would make any material changes to the existing VWL condo association. But I'm curious why a clause like this was inserted in a master declaration in the first place.

 

[4evryoung]

Here's a closer look at the new pool and restaurant.

http://i235.*************************************NewVWLCUDM.png

Assuming the pool doubles in size, where is this expansion coming from? is it because all of the trees are cut back, do you think, or is it because they have cut back on the space taken up by sunbeds and tables? also, I think the area where the plan shows a food place is currently chairs and tables next to the beach in a quiet area. This will be lost if replaced by a food outlet. Is there anyone out there with better Google mapping skills than me who can overlay the current with projected layout and show how much is projected to be lost?

 

[beer dave]

The Fort's cabins are nothing more than fancy Mobile homes. These will be actual cabins, most likely on raised platforms in the event of flooding.

The dock may or may not be moved. That could be a new access point for the lake patrol.

The limited amount of information in the drawings shows the buildings to be on a stem wall footing. it typically would contain compacted fill and a concrete slab floor.

 

[DVC Mike]

This gives an idea of the possible size of the cabins:

http://i235.*************************************CabinSizeDM_1.png

 

[DVC Mike]

The exterior dimensions would imply 1750 - 1810 sq feet - which is larger than the Polynesian bungalows, but smaller than a Grand Villa.