Proposed DVC next to Wedding Pavillion

[kjg5]

I don't know if anyone's heard this, but a member on wdwmagic found plans for a new DVC that will occupy the stretch of beach next to the wedding pavillion. The MK view will not be effected, but you will be able to see the new building out the NW windows. Although I'm not getting married at the WP, part of it's charm is the seclusion, which will be gone. I wonder how Disney plans to handle weddings right next to a construction site? I don't mean to upset anyone, but word is these plans are final. This info came from a VERY reliable source, but as always, I take a little salt with my rumors.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/showthread.php?p=4499459#post4499459

 

[Deb loves Disney]

My DH told me about this last night. I have two feelings about it.

1. Unless they change the plans, it will ruin some of the amazing"ness" of the WP. In the plans it looks like the WP/Franck's parking lot will now be used partially for DVC parking. It looks like the building will be situated right next to the WP, kind of jutting out into the water.

2. As a DVC member myself, I can now stay at the GF without selling a kidney to afford it.

I'm just thankful that I already had my wedding at the WP because if I was planning one in the upcoming future I would be going insane with worry about construction, view blockage, parking issues and noise.

If this does happen I hope that Disney can come up with a way to keep the special, seclusion that the WP now offers for couples and their guests.

Here are the pictures if anybody is interested....

 

[Princess SarahK]

I just called DFTW to see what they knew or could say. This is what I got. "We dont know anything for sure yet. We are aware that it has been leaked. As soon as we know something we will share it with you."


WAAAAHHH!! I wonder if construction will have started by November. Do you all think ground will be broken by then? It will seriously RUIN a bunch of my wedding pictures and cut down my list of must have photos...this SUCKS!

 

[leonix8238]

My DH told me about this last night. I have two feelings about it.

1. Unless they change the plans, it will ruin some of the amazing"ness" of the WP. In the plans it looks like the WP/Franck's parking lot will now be used partially for DVC parking. It looks like the building will be situated right next to the WP, kind of jutting out into the water.

2. As a DVC member myself, I can now stay at the GF without selling a kidney to afford it.

I'm just thankful that I already had my wedding at the WP because if I was planning one in the upcoming future I would be going insane with worry about construction, view blockage, parking issues and noise.

If this does happen I hope that Disney can come up with a way to keep the special, seclusion that the WP now offers for couples and their guests.

Here are the pictures if anybody is interested....

Thanks for posting the pictures. You're right it is exciting that there will be a new DVC but a little sad that it will intrude so close to the WP. I'm quite surprised by this tbh. Let us hope for the sake of all future weddings at the WP that disruption is kept to a minimum and that the charm of the WP remains in tact.

 

[Harley_Quinn1986]

I just called DFTW to see what they knew or could say. This is what I got. "We dont know anything for sure yet. We are aware that it has been leaked. As soon as we know something we will share it with you."


WAAAAHHH!! I wonder if construction will have started by November. Do you all think ground will be broken by then? It will seriously RUIN a bunch of my wedding pictures and cut down my list of must have photos...this SUCKS!

I feel the same way! Our wedding is a yr from now which very well could mean construction could be well under way by then...

 

[Queenofthecastle]

Wow. I'm glad we haven't signed any papers yet. We were 95% sure of going with WP in August 2012, but this changes things.

 

[donald&daisy]

Ugh, depressing. I sent our consultant an email, but I'm sure I get the same response.

 

[GreenDisneyBride]

Ugh, depressing. I sent our consultant an email, but I'm sure I get the same response.

This is quite depressing, I hope construction won't have started by our date Let us know what they say.

 

[Sccrmnky2005]

Man!! I'm going to try if I can get any information tomorrow, surely someone knows about it, as us disney brides that plan on us WP should def be close to the firsts in "line" to know about this as it will change many that really love the WP like myself. Surely they won't do this to us, Disney you've got so much land why stick it snack dab in the muddle of a resort and wedding chapel??? Very disappointing if this starts soon!!

I remember a disbride had to change her location to SBP or something like that because of wedding pavilion "refurb" around the date she wanted, wonder if this is when construction will begin. I believe it was in July 2012 maybe. if this is the case it's after my wedding but I'm still not going to be satisfied knowing other disbrides will be affected!!!

 

[DisneyShamrock]

Man!! I'm going to try if I can get any information tomorrow, surely someone knows about it, as us disney brides that plan on us WP should def be close to the firsts in "line" to know about this as it will change many that really love the WP like myself. Surely they won't do this to us, Disney you've got so much land why stick it snack dab in the muddle of a resort and wedding chapel??? Very disappointing if this starts soon!!

I remember a disbride had to change her location to SBP or something like that because of wedding pavilion "refurb" around the date she wanted, wonder if this is when construction will begin. I believe it was in July 2012 maybe. if this is the case it's after my wedding but I'm still not going to be satisfied knowing other disbrides will be affected!!!

I sure as heck hope this is 'sometime in the future project.' As in, about three years from now with lots of warning to future brides. That beach is beautiful. And making the walk from the GF to the WP, and seeing the WP coming over the hill, it's priceless. They're going to kill the view. Not to mention it would be the death of all good views of the GF from the WP. Why would you ruin two of the most amazing views on property?

I'm January 2013, and I'm going to be supremely PO'ed if I can't have my wedding at the WP after waiting almost three years to get married. January is about the only time my family has the vacation time for a wedding trip. I might not be ably to contain my anger if I have to push this wedding off another year...

 

[mjshorses]

Why can't they build that on the other side of the grand floridian? it's such a small piece of land anyway. This is a nightmare. I don't want construction going on right outside of my wedding. The wedding I've been planning for forever!! Come on Disney! There has to be a better option.

 

[gemmybear83]

I guess this is why you can't get married on the Grand Floridian beach anymore?

I don't like it plus its quite cut off from everything else if you were staying there.

 

[Gareth& Hayley]

To say this displeases me is an understatement! I'm getting married at the WP in September. I called my planner yesterday and she said that this rumour has been flying around since last year, but she said not to rule it out. As far as she is aware, nothing has been briefed to the CMs nor has it been officially announced. She did say she would make enquiries to the director to see what is going on.

 

[elleinad16]

I just called DFTW to see what they knew or could say. This is what I got. "We dont know anything for sure yet. We are aware that it has been leaked. As soon as we know something we will share it with you."


WAAAAHHH!! I wonder if construction will have started by November. Do you all think ground will be broken by then? It will seriously RUIN a bunch of my wedding pictures and cut down my list of must have photos...this SUCKS!

I'm so sad!

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Hopefully it won't effect any of your weddings!!!

 

[kjg5]

A little more info about the proposed building:

From Ellie on wdwmagic:

"Here's an interesting tidbit from the Geotechnical Report submitted with the permit documents:

'The building will be six to seven stories tall (T-shaped) with construction being concrete columns and post tensioned slabs. The building will extend into Seven Seas Lagoon. A small portion of the lagoon is to be reclaimed to accommodate the facility.'

In other words, now we know the height range of the building. It would appear that Disney is still making a final determination as to whether it will be 6 or 7 stories, which in either case is taller than the main GF building. Views of the MK should be possible from those upper floors."

I don't know if it's against the rules to post things from other forums, but given the impact the construction will have on many of you as you plan your weddings, I thought in this case it was warranted.

From discussion with insiders on magic, it appears that Disney does not plan on publicly announcing this expansion any time in the near future (remember how far along BLT was before they officially announced it?), yet these plans are supposedly final. Engineers have said that getting the plans to this final stage is the longest part of the process, and that theoretically, building could commence at anytime. That said, as of yet WDW has not filed any building permits for this expansion. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but since it hadn't been mentioned here, I thought you all had the right to know, so I started this thread. I'm not a fan of rumor-mongering, but in this case, I felt it's better to relay the info so you can plan accordingly. Again, take all this info with a grain of salt, but I felt I should share it with you ladies since it may impact your weddings.

Edit: a tweet was just posted, suggesting that this expansion may not be just for DVC. The proposed expansion may include bridal suites and banquet/reception space

 

[elleinad16]

Edit: a tweet was just posted, suggesting that this expansion may not be just for DVC. The proposed expansion may include bridal suites and banquet/reception space

That would be pretty cool, to say the least. I feel that all Disney wedding locales always get pooped on. If there was another place to expand and promote the experience would be sort of exciting...however, I still don't like them ruining the already beautiful setting of the WP.

 

[disprincessatheart]

A lot of this info was posted on the dvc boards too. From what I've seen there's no confirmation of the building being dvc at all. If it's built it might just be more gf rooms. Other than the existence of the plans, I'm not sure there's any real info yet. Good luck to all future wp brides - just having to worry about this possibility is a mess!

 

[Princess SarahK]

I just found this the other day, it looks pretty final. I wonder when groundbreaking will be?



March 7, 2011, Disney filed an application with the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) for the construction and other improvements on land adjacent to Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa.

The project is simply named “Project 2011-1” and includes the construction of a multistory building that would be located on the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon between the Grand Floridian feature pool and the Wedding Pavilion.

According to the detailed plans filed with the SFWMD, the proposed building, in the shape of an upside down “T”, will have a circular driveway leading to the building, as well as a covered walkway from the building to the Grand Floridian. The existing Grand Floridian tennis courts, which are located just north of the existing Health Club, will be demolished.

The plans do not state the exact purpose of the building, but its highly unlikely that Disney would use such prime estate to build a warehouse for theme park merchandise. In its permit application, Disney states the following as its reason for the request:

“Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. is seeking Construction Permit Approval for 14.80 acres of proposed improvements in Section 11, Township 24 South, Range 27 East, in Orange County, Florida. The project area is 13.10 acres and is located adjacent to and south of south of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort feature swimming pool and bar facilities on the west shore of Seven Seas Lagoon. Improvements proposed with this application include a new building, an access roadway, parking areas, hardscape, landscape and irrigation, utilities and surface water management system. The project will also include 1.70 acres of 100-year floodplain compensation areas for floodplain impacts caused by construction of the proposed building, for a total project area of 14.80 acres.”

The plans submitted by Disney to SFWMD address new construction and modifications to or destruction of existing structures. They deal with water usage, drainage, impact to the environment, habitat loss, and many other issues. The plans even address the possible impact on the water table if a pool is constructed on the site.

The South Florida Water Management District oversees all projects which impact water resources in the southern half of the state. Permit applications filed with the SFWMD have been among the first tangible evidence of past Disney Vacation Club developments including the Bay Lake Tower at Disney's Contemporary Resort and the Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.

 

[PartofDisney'sWorld]

I don't understand why they are even building another hotel in the first place if they are having trouble filling the rooms they already have!!