Question about BLT/CR

[BeesKnees]

We have batted around the concept that the biggest reason for a 50 year contract is because that is the typical lifespan of building such as these and that really makes sense.

But wouldn't you say that BLT is heavily dependent on its 40 year old neighbor and that if the CR had to be demolished and re-built it would make staying at BLT less desirable for the term of construction? I realize that could still be years away but will the CR stand for the entire time of BLT ownership which would make it an 85ish year old building?

Just a random thought.

 

[Sammie]

At this point, honestly I think think the way BLT is showing it's age already, it won't matter.

 

[rock_doctor]

The Contemporary will never be torn down. With the way the building is built they can just pull the facade and slide out the old rooms and slide in new ones. The Contemporary is the center piece of WDW being one of the original hotels. None of the main monorail buildings will ever be touched except for minor face lifts. With that said, BLT is dependent on the contemporary. Effectively it is nothing more then an oversize version of the north garden wing of the Contemporary. The reason they have a time limit on the contracts is so they can replace the building in X number of years and sell it new again with out any responsibility to the old BLT owners. I own at BLT and am not even remotely concerned. The buildings at WDW do not need to be current designed structures... Certainly the Poly is not a current design nor is the Floridian. So a 85 yr old contemporary is not an issue. I am sure they will redo the building several times in the next 50 yrs. More likely the south garden wing will be replaced in that time frame...likely with another DVC building.

 

[mecllap]

All the BLT is lacking is a full restaurant and "store" -- which could easily be added. It wouldn't be too hard to have it continue without CR (not that that is at all likely -- there are functional buildings in the world that are hundreds of years old, just not ADA compliant). It is more tied to MK, which has plenty of restaurants and service areas. I've happily stayed at timeshares which have much less to offer than BLT has now.

 

[ssawka]

All the BLT is lacking is a full restaurant and "store" -- which could easily be added. It wouldn't be too hard to have it continue without CR (not that that is at all likely -- there are functional buildings in the world that are hundreds of years old, just not ADA compliant). It is more tied to MK, which has plenty of restaurants and service areas. I've happily stayed at timeshares which have much less to offer than BLT has now.

ITA, although BLT gets many of its services from CR, it is not really dependent on CR. BLT has a lobby, all the would need to do is add a desk. Also, ToTW could easily be converted to a full service restaurant. The only thing missing is a store, but that could easily be added. I really believe that Disney built BLT so it could be a free standing building. In fact, I think it is less dependent on its parent resort than other DVC resorts (BCV, VWL, etc.)

At this point, honestly I think think the way BLT is showing it's age already, it won't matter.

What do you mean "BLT is showing it's age already". I agree there's been complaints about the aging of the furniture, but that has nothing to do with the soundness of the structure.

 

[chalee94]

The Contemporary will never be torn down. With the way the building is built they can just pull the facade and slide out the old rooms and slide in new ones.

not exactly:

http://www.yesterland.com/contemporary.html

 

[ssawka]

not exactly:

http://www.yesterland.com/contemporary.html

Thank you chalee94! I always thought the concept of removable rooms was quite crazy!

 

[BeesKnees]

The Contemporary will never be torn down. With the way the building is built they can just pull the facade and slide out the old rooms and slide in new ones. The Contemporary is the center piece of WDW being one of the original hotels. None of the main monorail buildings will ever be touched except for minor face lifts. With that said, BLT is dependent on the contemporary. Effectively it is nothing more then an oversize version of the north garden wing of the Contemporary. The reason they have a time limit on the contracts is so they can replace the building in X number of years and sell it new again with out any responsibility to the old BLT owners. I own at BLT and am not even remotely concerned. The buildings at WDW do not need to be current designed structures... Certainly the Poly is not a current design nor is the Floridian. So a 85 yr old contemporary is not an issue. I am sure they will redo the building several times in the next 50 yrs. More likely the south garden wing will be replaced in that time frame...likely with another DVC building.

It was designed to pull out the rooms but that is not possible anymore due to settling. Even if that were still possible there would be long periods where the CR would be unavailable.

It is really not a matter of being a current design even though it is called the Contemporary as much as reaching a point where it may be more cost effective to start over than to keep patching and remodeling. Or it may come to a point where demand for those rooms declines so much they are forced to start over.

But you may be right. Maybe it will stand the test to of time. This is just idle speculation.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I am surprised no one has mentioned the Resort Monorail which is only built to stop inside the Contemporary, so anyone staying at Bay Lake Tower needs to go there when wanting to use it. So it would be impossible for WDW to re-design the Monorail to stop inside Bay Lake Tower. Plus all other transportation options such as the WDW buses along with the boat to the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness is all located at the Contemporary, so once again Bay Lake Tower guests need to go there when using them.

 

[BeesKnees]

I am surprised no one has mentioned the Resort Monorail which is only built to stop inside the Contemporary, so anyone staying at Bay Lake Tower needs to go there when wanting to use it. So it would be impossible for WDW to re-design the Monorail to stop inside Bay Lake Tower. Plus all other transportation options such as the WDW buses along with the boat to the Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness is all located at the Contemporary, so once again Bay Lake Tower guests need to go there when using them.

If BLT had to go standalone for a period of time it would probably be bus only.

Also, everyone is assuming the monorail will still be there 15-20 or more years from now. Granted it is a DW icon but at some point it might get replaced or taken out of service.

When the CR first opened people were making reservations with rotary phones. Black and white TVs were still being sold. Gore hadn't invented the interwebs yet and to have essentially free long distance conversations like this we would need shortwave radios.

 

[dizfan]

If BLT had to go standalone for a period of time it would probably be bus only.

Also, everyone is assuming the monorail will still be there 15-20 or more years from now. Granted it is a DW icon but at some point it might get replaced or taken out of service.

It is possible that the monorail may not be around in 15-20 years.

1) The monorail is a big draw for the monorail cash resorts. If there is no monorail, Disney may have to drop the price of rooms for GF, Poly, and CR.
2) Additionally, Disney would have to develop transportation to/from TTC since tens of thousands of guests arrive by car and ride the monorail (faster than the ferry) to/from MK.

Something like removing the monorail would detract from the Disney experience.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

All the BLT is lacking is a full restaurant and "store" -- which could easily be added.

Correct me if I am wrong but I remember reading a post where someone mentioned that Bay Lake Tower could add their own stores and a check-in area inside their lobby, however it would cost more for DVC members when staying there on points and etc. So is that true or not?

 

[BeesKnees]

It is possible that the monorail may not be around in 15-20 years.

1) The monorail is a big draw for the monorail cash resorts. If there is no monorail, Disney may have to drop the price of rooms for GF, Poly, and CR.
2) Additionally, Disney would have to develop transportation to/from TTC since tens of thousands of guests arrive by car and ride the monorail (faster than the ferry) to/from MK.

Something like removing the monorail would detract from the Disney experience.

They might develop something better. We might be flying through tubes Futurama style. We might not ever even leave our homes we might be able to experience Disney virtually.

Setting sci-fi fantasies aside though we really don't know. All we can know is that those structures are not getting any younger and there's a great big beautiful tomorrow. I am sure if there comes a time for something to change they will do it in such a way that minimizes the damage to their ability to rake in the money.

 

[ssawka]

They might develop something better. We might be flying through tubes Futurama style. We might not ever even leave our homes we might be able to experience Disney virtually.

I wouldn't count on it! We were suppose to have flying cars by now.