Plans have been filed for DVC expansion at Caribbean Beach Resort

[Madonna3]

Perfect..."reality based" response.

Your insight has helped keep me grounded

I was in crystal river on Monday.

We were at the Plantation Inn

 

[rteetz]

See this is where I've been wading too far into something I don't fully understand (I'm far from an architect/engineer). But my point with that first part has just been they could easily be buildings for a completely different reason as far as I have seen. It makes a lot of sense (especially with the shapes of the buildings) that they would be for a form of transport, but the permits don't completely verify that. I just wanted to make sure I was interpreting what we were seeing correctly.

All the permits state is there will be work done in certain areas and give shapes of buildings on those areas. The permits have nothing more than an Imagineering label on them with the title parks and resorts project. When it comes to permits for the South Florida Water Management district that's about as good as it gets. Sometimes when it's a notice of commencement we get a little more info but not much. Right now I'm not sure what else it could be other than transportation.

 

[Madonna3]

So I was right......sort of, and by accident.

If you ignore the sarcasm and cheap canal talk.

Yeah I thought about your photoshopped gondola in the POP pool as soon as I read the news broke lol

 

[rteetz]

View attachment 220513

The red is where the new DVC building is being built, right?

Just seems that given the location of the load/unload, it's not really a DVC exclusive type thing.

Are they sectioning off that whole side of CBR for a DVC resort, where the red circle is? Just looks, as it is now, with just the tower, that CBR has better access to the new system than the DVC tower would.

Here this will give you a better look at the set up.



The big red circle is where the DVC tower will go. The second big circle is where the station is assumed to be. My guess is you have the internal bus drop off right by the station as well as being able to walk there. Unless they allow loading at the turn point which is right next to the DVC tower.

 

[dlavender]

I almost think they have to let them load at the turn point to keep the deluxe model going. Otherwise, seems almost everyone else has a better or similar path to the load/unload. See the green. Perhaps they are gonna build a canal, and you can gondola to the gondola (sorry couldn't resist ).

 

[LSLS]

The big red circle is where the DVC tower will go. The second big circle is where the station is assumed to be. My guess is you have the internal bus drop off right by the station as well as being able to walk there. Unless they allow loading at the turn point which is right next to the DVC tower.

I think they would have to have some sort of a service at that smaller building by the DVC. Just quick using Google Earth, you are talking around a half a mile from that DVC building to the main station.

 

[sachilles]

It doesn't line up. The turn station doesn't line up with the other building in CBR, it lines up with the edge of the lagoon. It's close, but not quite right.

 

[rteetz]

It doesn't line up. The turn station doesn't line up with the other building in CBR, it lines up with the edge of the lagoon. It's close, but not quite right.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Given the posts here, people seem to be happy with access and a bed. Seems to be the threshold for paying premium prices. Nothing else matters.

Sales presentation will go like this:

Salesman: New CBR DVC will be $25k buy in
Potential buyer: Isn't that what BLT/Poly went for?
Salesman: Yes
Potential buyer: Is there direct access, and does the room have a bed?
Salesman: Yes
Potential buyer: What a deal! Give me 2.

DVC members aren't all about running to the park for rope drop...

Sure most go...that is part of it. But that's just a part...a lot of it is the atmosphere and familiarity...the "home"

If it is just a room and a park ticket...then it's just another low quality timeshare at high cost.

 

[skier_pete]

This appears to be an elevated closed circuit transit system that looks to be linking that area conveniently to studios and also looks to be something that can be expanded to animal kingdom, springs and beyond if successful and cheap...

It is not a dredged canal through the service areas or a foot bridge.

So yes...this doesn't validate any of the points that were discussed...this is different...and if you look at it logically...it's the shorter distances being tested that could expand both east and west from that axis.

Everyone know why it was called "Epcot center"?

Well - I will say there was quite a bit of argument between those that were saying "there's no way they can connect it" and those of us (including me) that said "if they feel the money's there, they WILL find a way". Admittedly NOT ONE of us came up with aerial tram.

So, let's talk point chart. Does this warrant VGF or Poly Points? I'd say no. BLT points, I'd say sorta. AKV points, now we might be onto something there. If they put the points between AKV and BLT, they may have a decent resort here. The savannah rooms at AKV are mostly the same PPN as the Standards are at BLT. Figure they could probably get away charging the Lake Room costs for the fireworks view (sorry, just can't think of a view of EPCOT's small display of pyrotechnics as worthy of the same cost as Theme Park View at BLT) and the rest at the BLT standard/AKV Savannah rate and I don't know if they'll face too much backlash.

I agree. No way Poly/VGF point levels - they can't get away with that. I do think that we are looking at SIMILAR to BLT, at least they will be "Theme Park View" rooms will probably be on that leve. I would think most of the rest of the rooms would be closer to the "Standard" view point than the "lake" view at BLT, which is pretty comparable to say the "pool" view at Boardwalk or regular Beach Club.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Short of being on the Magical Express, nope. I take your word for it. I also didn't say I wanted to pay for anything over there. I've got my BLT points and am quite happy with them. I also said it wasn't worth VGF/Poly level of points. I don't think it will be WORTH BLT points but I see them trying to charge that level and many people sorta being okay with that. People will say, "Hey, look, new property and it costs less ppn than any of their other properties they've built recently." I have no idea what they will put with that tower, but I believe they'll try to charge somewhere between BLT and AKV point levels.

As for the last part, no, I haven't. That said, some people complain about the "Theme Park View" from BLT with the parking lot below but many others don't even notice the parking lot from the castle/Space mountain. Not sure how the backstage buildings would be any different to many people.

If you like poly/contemp/grand Floridian...
...you'd HATE a Caribbean DVC attachments.

The atmosphere just isn't there...no matter what's outside the window.

That was the secondary point of this entire back and forth - not that they "can't" or even "won't" do it...it's just a product that isn't up to snuff...even if it has a lounge that people use for 13 minutes like bay lake.

The narrative is "off".

 

[skier_pete]

DVC members aren't all about running to the park for rope drop...

Sure most go...that is part of it. But that's just a part...a lot of it is the atmosphere and familiarity...the "home"

If it is just a room and a park ticket...then it's just another low quality timeshare at high cost.

Well, while i agree that it isn't about running to the park - it's about "access". Why are Boardwalk and Beach Club is such high demand every fall? It's about access. My wife wants me to consider BW if we ever had on, but the value just isn't there. Beach Club is the most expensive DVC in value for your dollar. Stormalong Bay may play a small part in that, but it's all about location.

There's a reason the routing station to Epcot is near the DVC tower.

DVC people = F&W customers (and the 10 other Epcot festivals) = DVC sales. Look at the map on this page - a 200 foot walk to the CB Tower "Magic Skyway" access point, which will have you at the International Gateway in 3.5 minutes. CB Tower is now "closer" to Epcot than Boardwalk.

You keep talking about CBR isn't good enough - but it's not going to be the same resort. It'll be two resorts. CBR and CBT (and it might not even be "Caribbean")

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Well - I will say there was quite a bit of argument between those that were saying "there's no way they can connect it" and those of us (including me) that said "if they feel the money's there, they WILL find a way". Admittedly NOT ONE of us came up with aerial tram.

The fact that it's completely off the grid - which don't get me wrong I applaud - makes the first 45 Pages of this null and void.

This doesn't look to me to be a connector for Caribbean...it looks more like a "monorail 2" type way of creating a contained system of transport...this time with 2 parks, 8 hotels, and land for more. It also is a big distraction from bonnet creek...which has a lot going on back there.

 

[skier_pete]

I had earlier said no-one predicted the gondola - but actually I DID!

It was joking, but I did say the new tower would be Brazil themed and would have a gondola ride from the top of the tower down into Epcot! January 26th..Page 32 of this thread if you don't believe me...

Hey I just thought of a solution.

New DVC resort themed to Brazil/Rio/Carnivale, then add Brazil in WS. Then you just run a gondola from the top of the resort down into the park.

Park access - SOLVED
Seeing resort from inside park - SOLVED


(BTW - I am just joking - please don't anybody devote any time to tearing apart my silly idea.)

.

 

[mcd2745]

I had earlier said no-one predicted the gondola - but actually I DID!

It was joking, but I did say the new tower would be Brazil themed and would have a gondola ride from the top of the tower down into Epcot! January 26th..Page 32 of this thread if you don't believe me...


.

from page 6...

Looking at that picture, my initial thought was something like the Roosevelt Island tram here in NYC (anyone remember the old Sly Stallone move "Nighthawks"?) would be ideal, not to mention pretty darn cool. However, I quickly thought of a major problem with that - the clear aerial views of backstage areas. So any direct access would likely have to be at ground level somehow.

 

[momandmousefan]

Here's a REALLY crazy thought. Could they potentially be thinking of connecting it more easily to the STUDIOS? With the expansion of Star Wars on that side and the revamping of the entry to the Studios being done to move it to Osceola Parkway/Victory Way, perhaps they are working on ways to connect Caribbean Beach and Art of Animation. I thought there were plans to fill in wetlands between the park and those resorts.

I'm still gobsmacked. I definitely never thought of GONDOLAS when I said this. And I thought I had a crazy idea. Ha! Now I'm trying to imagine just what kind of theming this would have.

It's a unique enough idea the free marketing buzz if it's ever officially announced ought to be worth a few bucks right?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Well, while i agree that it isn't about running to the park - it's about "access". Why are Boardwalk and Beach Club is such high demand every fall? It's about access. My wife wants me to consider BW if we ever had on, but the value just isn't there. Beach Club is the most expensive DVC in value for your dollar. Stormalong Bay may play a small part in that, but it's all about location.

There's a reason the routing station to Epcot is near the DVC tower.

DVC people = F&W customers (and the 10 other Epcot festivals) = DVC sales. Look at the map on this page - a 200 foot walk to the CB Tower "Magic Skyway" access point, which will have you at the International Gateway in 3.5 minutes. CB Tower is now "closer" to Epcot than Boardwalk.

You keep talking about CBR isn't good enough - but it's not going to be the same resort. It'll be two resorts. CBR and CBT (and it might not even be "Caribbean")

You kinda invalidate your own argument when you say it's gonna be a deluxe tower...

Have you been watching What they have built recently? It's 100% about shaving costs...not building "new deluxe"

Beach club and boardwalk were built a hell of a lot nicer than anything built by DVC recently...

Actually since animal kingdom lodge...

Hmmm. Wonder why?

I'm not implying that it's about regime change. I'm 100% saying it's about regime change.

Like it or not - they've been building some cheap condos these days. Almost no amenities.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm still gobsmacked. I definitely never thought of GONDOLAS when I said this. And I thought I had a crazy idea. Ha! Now I'm trying to imagine just what kind of theming this would have.

It's a unique enough idea the free marketing buzz if it's ever officially announced ought to be worth a few bucks right?

I thought the only reason this might make sense a year ago when it was first kicked around was direct access to MGM...

Epcot is a half mothballed park...it costs a fortune and they don't feel like investing much in it...

...this isn't about the silly food and wine festival booths.

 

[momandmousefan]

I thought the only reason this might make sense a year ago when it was first kicked around was direct access to MGM...

Epcot is a half mothballed park...it costs a fortune and they don't feel like investing much in it...

...this isn't about the silly food and wine festival booths.

Seriously, they have to do something to monetize lodging in relation to the studios more. It's the only park without any "Deluxe" associated with it. With Star Wars coming that would seem like it should be a priority.

 

[dlavender]

The fact that it's completely off the grid - which don't get me wrong I applaud - makes the first 45 Pages of this null and void.

This doesn't look to me to be a connector for Caribbean...it looks more like a "monorail 2" type way of creating a contained system of transport...this time with 2 parks, 8 hotels, and land for more. It also is a big extraction from bonnet creek...which has a lot going on back there.

Especially given the locations of the load/unload, where they look to be currently. AoA/CBR get as much use out of this as that tower will.

And this is no 1000 ft access line to a manned 3rd gate by Germany.