The Rumors Are True! Goodbye River Country and TCD Barn!

[ftwildernessguy]

I think this would be a most excellent idea, for a couple reasons. First of all, campers have been asking about this for a long time, so there is a demand. Second, it would really tick the other DVC people off.

Tapping into a different market would really make sense for Disney. It sure would help prevent the saturation I have been predicting re. DVC properties.

 

[HockeyKat]

No need to apologize for butting in.

The more the merrier.

Despite what you may have heard, we are a friendly bunch here.

I have to ask you something, though.

You have commented both in this post and in a previous one that the Kidani Village (AKL DVC) pool is small.

I don't undertand how you can say that.

I think the Kidani Village pool is amazing. It has nice slide, hot tub, zero entry, and a great water play area. It also has a bar, and a self serve place to refill your refillable mugs. If anyone wants to take a look, here's a link to some photos: Kidani Village Pool Pics

I don't know if you have ever been to FW, but the Kidani Village pool pones the FW pool.

And, the BLT and SSR pools are nice too.

These nice pools seem to be a major DVC selling point.

TCD

Thanks!! I loved your RC pictures, as well.

I have never been to FW other than when the WL bus or boat has stopped there. I'm sorry to hear that the pool there isn't as nice as it could be. Hopefully that will change as they are putting more emphasis on developing the area.

Most of my pre-DVC experience was at the moderate resorts. I have stayed at all of the DVC resorts at least once. SSR, OKW, BWV, WL, BCV (of course) all have great pools.

All of my comments about pool size are based on actual swimming area, and are just my personal opinion.

I felt that both the Kidani Village and BLT pools were small, almost moderate quiet pool sized in that regard. The bar and play areas at Kidani Village are quite nice, but neither really apply to our way of travel (no kids, and drive so bring our own adult beverages). Both are well-themed and very nicely landscaped, but I also felt they didn't take advantage of the selling point at BLT, which is the Bay Lake views.

My main beef with Kidani Village is the lack of access to Jambo House and its amenities. We walked over there and they have no clear path, really... at times you are walking through parking lots and on the road. It's a good 15-20 min walk, and in such a well-themed resort, I would think they could come up with a creative way to make it pleasant.

My wish would be a seamless transition between WL, new resort, and FW, but I doubt that will come true.

Oh, and the selling point of DVC to me was the living room area, kitchen, and king bed of a 1-bedroom, for roughly the same price over time as a deluxe room, and the flexibility of choosing different resorts. We are completely WDW fanatics, go 2-3 times a year, really don't vacation anywhere else, and it didn't kill the budget, so it made total sense for us to buy in.

 

[BradyBz12]

I know they could make a killing renting golf carts by the hour during the holidays.

TCD

Alright I need you all to put your right hands on the nearest bible and SWEAR to never divulge Kenny to anyone else not camping at the Fort. EVER.

Should we be revisiting our speculation/dreams from a year ago about super-Premium, DVC campsites in the old RC space?

I can honestly see their being a VERY big market for these.

"Hi I'd like to reserve one of your super deluxe waterfront campsites?"

CRO: "I'm sorry ma'am but there's a 5 year waiting list for those"

And can you imagine what the holiday rates would be? I'd be willing to bet you'd be in the $300-$400/night range.

I may find some time for more "graphic speculation" over the weekend.

Ooh - yes please! I'm going camping locally this weekend and wasn't going to bring the laptop, but now I just might!

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Here was my little speculation of what a DVC campground might look like:

Of course, this didn't take into consideration the relocation of the barn, horse operations, and the MBYBBQ! Who'd have thought?! I may find some time for more "graphic speculation" over the weekend.

Now that is what I call some top notch speculation!

If only!

It is good to have you back dude.

I think this would be a most excellent idea, for a couple reasons. First of all, campers have been asking about this for a long time, so there is a demand. Second, it would really tick the other DVC people off.

Tapping into a different market would really make sense for Disney. It sure would help prevent the saturation I have been predicting re. DVC properties.

Yes it would make sense. But, it seems like they have tried hard to make DVC properties interchangeable/comparable. That would be a major challenge here. It seems like they would need to create some type of new division or category of DVC.

Thanks!! I loved your RC pictures, as well.

I have never been to FW other than when the WL bus or boat has stopped there. I'm sorry to hear that the pool there isn't as nice as it could be. Hopefully that will change as they are putting more emphasis on developing the area.

Most of my pre-DVC experience was at the moderate resorts. I have stayed at all of the DVC resorts at least once. SSR, OKW, BWV, WL, BCV (of course) all have great pools.

All of my comments about pool size are based on actual swimming area, and are just my personal opinion.

I felt that both the Kidani Village and BLT pools were small, almost moderate quiet pool sized in that regard. The bar and play areas at Kidani Village are quite nice, but neither really apply to our way of travel (no kids, and drive so bring our own adult beverages). Both are well-themed and very nicely landscaped, but I also felt they didn't take advantage of the selling point at BLT, which is the Bay Lake views.

My main beef with Kidani Village is the lack of access to Jambo House and its amenities. We walked over there and they have no clear path, really... at times you are walking through parking lots and on the road. It's a good 15-20 min walk, and in such a well-themed resort, I would think they could come up with a creative way to make it pleasant.

My wish would be a seamless transition between WL, new resort, and FW, but I doubt that will come true.

Oh, and the selling point of DVC to me was the living room area, kitchen, and king bed of a 1-bedroom, for roughly the same price over time as a deluxe room, and the flexibility of choosing different resorts. We are completely WDW fanatics, go 2-3 times a year, really don't vacation anywhere else, and it didn't kill the budget, so it made total sense for us to buy in.

OK- I get what you are saying now.

And, I agree with your observations about the configuration of Kidani Village vis-a-vis Jambo House. It is most peculiar indeed. I know they needed space for the DVC savanna, but there has to be a better way that this could have been done. In this instance it seems like they intentionally made it difficult for DVC guests to get to the main property. This is not the case with the other DVC's adjacent to WDW resorts.

Oh, and the Fort pool is nice. It has a slide, hot-tub, and children's splash zone now. I'm just saying it isn't as nice as the Kidani Village pool.

Ooh - yes please! I'm going camping locally this weekend and wasn't going to bring the laptop, but now I just might!

Hooray! Shan-man is back!


TCD

 

[HockeyKat]

Yes it would make sense. But, it seems like they have tried hard to make DVC properties interchangeable/comparable. That would be a major challenge here. It seems like they would need to create some type of new division or category of DVC.



OK- I get what you are saying now.

And, I agree with your observations about the configuration of Kidani Village vis-a-vis Jambo House. It is most peculiar indeed. I know they needed space for the DVC savanna, but there has to be a better way that this could have been done. In this instance it seems like they intentionally made it difficult for DVC guests to get to the main property. This is not the case with the other DVC's adjacent to WDW resorts.

Oh, and the Fort pool is nice. It has a slide, hot-tub, and children's splash zone now. I'm just saying it isn't as nice as the Kidani Village pool.

I for one would actually like to see different categories of DVC accommodations. I like the deluxe resorts of course, but I also like the moderates and can see where other guests would like to be able to use points for less-expensive accommodations, and/or campsites. Not to mention, it would stretch out points a bit more.

They recently changed the studios (except value VAKL) to "Deluxe Studios" so maybe it is in preparation for some other changes?


I somewhat give the benefit of the doubt to Kidani, as I imagine it was difficult to plan/build around the existing savanna. I would have really liked to see the connector of the two resorts as an elevated glass-walled bridge through the savanna itself, but I imagine that would have caused too much disturbance to the savanna, not to mention lost revenue from the temporarily non-savanna-view rooms on that side of Jambo house.

However, I still just don't see how hard it would have been to pave a nice, lighted path between the two.


Glad to hear the pool is nice. Hot tub gets you one better than Poly!

 

[lisaviolet]

Second, it would really tick the other DVC people off.

Not this DVCer. I have a permanent smile just finding this thread. I ADORE the FW/CR/WL triangle.

I'm always over at FW.

They recently changed the studios (except value VAKL) to "Deluxe Studios" so maybe it is in preparation for some other changes?

Hmmmm. Interesting Kat - interesting possibility.

 

[PatsMom]

As a DVC member, I would love to see some sort of DVC at the Fort. We have said for years that the only thing we regret about buying into DVC is that the option to stay at the Fort is pretty limited. Technically we could use points to rent a cabin but its not a good value. And we were always cabin people because of the length of time it would take to drive to Florida. We always took my daughter out of school so adding four days of driving just wasn't an option.

Of course, now that she is grown my husband already sort of tries to figure out how many nights we could stay in a camp site using points!

 

[TiggerinBama]

I personally like the idea of the DVC since I'm a member. But I can use my points instead of paying cash when I'm there.

I have to pay a 95.oo dollar fee to use the cabins, because they go thru a different collection, that's one night of camping. I can use my points for the campsites, but they only release so many to be used by DVC members, so it's hard to get a ressie on my points so most of the time, I just pay cash. It's nice to decide on a whim to come to disney when we get a chance and not have to worry about paying for it, except gas and food. it fits me. But with that being said I love the Fort, my friends/ fiends, my golf cart, I can smoke in my camper and I caan bring my dog. It's more relaxing and during Christmas I love decorating and the people and kids getting to see the lights.

I just wanted some pads that we could use our points on.

On the bad comments don't worry about it, people just don't know about the campground and what a fun time we all have, BUt I've heard the comments from castmembers at the parks too, and being a former cast member I've heard it all. The Fort is a treasure so don't be telling people about it, Just let them think we are tralier trash, and have the 4 and 5 star resorts. I've only stayed at the cabins(1 time) and SSR( to many to count) and AKL(1 time) and Boardwalk(1 time). We love the cabin, and we normally stay if using points at SSR, because we like how far it is away from everything, not a lot of hussle and bustle, and we love going to DTD, but not so much now. AKL, I loved all of the animals and waking up seeing them, but I didn't like how far I had to go smoke, and how far the buses were. When we stayed at the boardwalk we love being so close to the options of different food, but I was sick for that trip so I just didn't get to enjoy it at all. We own at SSR, BLT,and AKL. I perfer the fort and I'm looking forward to this.

 

[Shan-man]

I'm hardly a maven when it comes to DVC, but from the little I know I don't see why a DVC campground would have to be treated any differently than a DVC resort... it costs so many points, the points in your plan have "X" value when used at other DVC properties. Seems like it would work with the current system. I would expect, however, to expand the marketability of such a property they might add in some "cabins" to the new resort... perhaps along the line of the Treehouse Villas, just on the ground and in a wilderness theme?

Some of my earlier speculation was based on the idea that this property would have to stand on it's own since it is too far removed to be associated with WL, and sharing transportation and vehicular traffic with the Fort is difficult. But, if the new resort is a campground, sharing the FW gate and roads is a natural... perhaps with a DVC lane, right next to the online check-in lane

. DVC guests could be directed left at "the" intersection down Frontier Way, and past the 2000 loop (the only camping loop they'd see) and past the group camping area down the cast member only road to the new resort. Very little clothesline exposure possible there.

If it really is a doctrine of DVC that they will NEVER do another SSR (i.e. standalone DVC resort) then it seems quite likely that this resort, given it's location, will be either a campground or something akin to Treehouse Villas, or both.

Enjoying the speculation (and the smattering of folks glad to see me posting again)

 

[dburg30]

We're one of those evil DVC'ers also, and I think it would be great to have some sort of cross between WL and FW made into a DVC. I like to camp, but at this point, not at WDW. I dont like to drive so getting and driving my own recreational type vehicle or pulling a camper aint gonna happen. I suppose you could rent one down there? But I dont see the point in that either. But I do love hanging out at the fort. Watching fireworks from the marina, HDDR, trails end, just the whole thing. I guess for me right now, FW is a nice place to visit, but I dont want to live there. WL is a great place, but as bad as le cellier for getting a reservation if you arent a purchaser there. I hope they make some very fitting DVC complex that compliments both the camping nature of FW, the lodge feel of WL while still keeping as much of the 'wild side' as possible.

I love the idea of some sort of DVC cabins, but I just dont know how they could pull it off and make it worthwhile growing 'out' instead of 'up'. Have a feeling, since all the others have been offshoots of other DVC properties we will be seeing a WL part 2, which isnt the worst thing that could happen...

 

[mikmouse]

I'm hardly a maven when it comes to DVC, but from the little I know I don't see why a DVC campground would have to be treated any differently than a DVC resort... it costs so many points, the points in your plan have "X" value when used at other DVC properties. Seems like it would work with the current system. I would expect, however, to expand the marketability of such a property they might add in some "cabins" to the new resort... perhaps along the line of the Treehouse Villas, just on the ground and in a wilderness theme?

Some of my earlier speculation was based on the idea that this property would have to stand on it's own since it is too far removed to be associated with WL, and sharing transportation and vehicular traffic with the Fort is difficult. But, if the new resort is a campground, sharing the FW gate and roads is a natural... perhaps with a DVC lane, right next to the online check-in lane

. DVC guests could be directed left at "the" intersection down Frontier Way, and past the 2000 loop (the only camping loop they'd see) and past the group camping area down the cast member only road to the new resort. Very little clothesline exposure possible there.

If it really is a doctrine of DVC that they will NEVER do another SSR (i.e. standalone DVC resort) then it seems quite likely that this resort, given it's location, will be either a campground or something akin to Treehouse Villas, or both.

Enjoying the speculation (and the smattering of folks glad to see me posting again)

We are annual Fort Wilderness campers (14+ years) and DVC at the Boardwalk. We absolutely love and look forward to our annual November/December camping trip. I don't think the rumored DVC would be for camping since we can already use our points for camping at the Fort, we just choose not to. I would love it if they just increased the size of the Fort for more campers. Don't you think that may be a possibility? Must less expensive for them to expand the fort then build another DVC. We also have not heard anything over on the DVC owners board about another resort. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

 

[mikmouse]

We're one of those evil DVC'ers also, and I think it would be great to have some sort of cross between WL and FW made into a DVC. I like to camp, but at this point, not at WDW. I dont like to drive so getting and driving my own recreational type vehicle or pulling a camper aint gonna happen. I suppose you could rent one down there? But I dont see the point in that either. But I do love hanging out at the fort. Watching fireworks from the marina, HDDR, trails end, just the whole thing. I guess for me right now, FW is a nice place to visit, but I dont want to live there. WL is a great place, but as bad as le cellier for getting a reservation if you arent a purchaser there. I hope they make some very fitting DVC complex that compliments both the camping nature of FW, the lodge feel of WL while still keeping as much of the 'wild side' as possible.

I love the idea of some sort of DVC cabins, but I just dont know how they could pull it off and make it worthwhile growing 'out' instead of 'up'. Have a feeling, since all the others have been offshoots of other DVC properties we will be seeing a WL part 2, which isnt the worst thing that could happen...

We love the freedom of camping at the Fort, even though we also like our DVC at the Boardwalk. Nothing can compare to the Fort!

We also had no trouble staying at the WL and BLT even though our home resort is BW, so I'm wondering why you can't get in? Also, we have two reservations for our Dec. trip at le Cellier. Guess you just have to know how to use the system they have in place.

 

[mdoc]

Thanks TCD for all the info - awesome as always.

I'm intrigued by the thought of a DVC campground. It's the one thing that would get my family to buy into DVC. We've looked into DVC, but since our favorite resort is the Fort, we didn't see ourselves using the DVC resorts every year, or even every other year, as that would cut back too much on our Fort vacations. If we could use points at a DVC luxury campground sometimes, and points at other DVC resorts other times, that'd be a great situation. My checkbook is poised and ready.

 

[mikmouse]

Thanks TCD for all the info - awesome as always.

I'm intrigued by the thought of a DVC campground. It's the one thing that would get my family to buy into DVC. We've looked into DVC, but since our favorite resort is the Fort, we didn't see ourselves using the DVC resorts every year, or even every other year, as that would cut back too much on our Fort vacations. If we could use points at a DVC luxury campground sometimes, and points at other DVC resorts other times, that'd be a great situation. My checkbook is poised and ready.

Do it! You can already use your DVC points to camp at the Fort.

Therefore, I don't see a need for a separate resort.

 

[Donna]

Do it! You can already use your DVC points to camp at the Fort.

Therefore, I don't see a need for a separate resort.

eh, i really don't either. What scares me is if it IS attached to the fort in any way, unless you buy in exclusively at this new DVC, we will no longer be able to use our points for the regular campsites as we do now.

I have owned DVC for 14 yrs and always loved it UNTIL I stayed at the fort, which i love even MORE! I've never really experienced any "look downs" from other guests but I have had questions asked about my DVC purse and why am I staying in an RV when I can stay at a DVC resort! um, cause I can sleep in my own bed, take my dogs along...so many reasons! If i can no longer use my points at the fort, i really see no reason to own dvc!

 

[PrincessNP]

I like the Fort just the way it is. No need to change it by adding this "resort" or new area. The Fort is something unique ---- for those of us who get it....we love it. For those that don't......move along.

I think this is going to be a mess. Sure hope I am wrong.

 

[WannaBeImagineer]

Is there any significance to the color of all the ribbons? I haven't seen red, white and blue ribbons hanging in trees like these were. What is that all about?

TCD

Sorry for the slow response, there's no significance that I know of, I asked around too and no one I know has any ideas about red, white, and blue ribbons all together like that, it must be an internal marking system they use.

On another note, I get daily emails on permits in Orange county and I still haven't seen anything come out about this project, I wonder if they have a really old permit they are using to clear and build this??

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Sorry for the slow response, there's no significance that I know of, I asked around too and no one I know has any ideas about red, white, and blue ribbons all together like that, it must be an internal marking system they use.

On another note, I get daily emails on permits in Orange county and I still haven't seen anything come out about this project, I wonder if they have a really old permit they are using to clear and build this??

Thanks for responding.

To me, it looks like the red, white and blue ribbons are there to catch the attention of other workers who will be doing additional work in the area. They seem to mark the place of stakes and small flags that would be hard to see through the foliage.

Is it possible that what we are seeing now is being done in order to prepare the permits? Things like soil sampling, utility location, etc? I can't imagine that there is some big permit that has already been approved but not noticed by anyone.

I believe that everything we are seeing around the Settlement area is more related to preparing the plans and permit applications. I don't think they will start anything major around the Settlement until the new barn has been built and everything has been relocated out of the area.

The sign in the very first post on this thread says information about the location of next year's Haunted Carriage Rides will be available on-line in July, 2011. I am guessing that the new barn construction will begin before then, and that all the horse operations will be moved some time over the summer.

January seems to be when major projects begin at the Fort (I am thinking of the pool renovation in January, 2009). I'll bet that's when ground gets broken for the new barn.

TCD

 

[Shan-man]

I've never really experienced any "look downs" from other guests ...

At the risk of beating a dead horse, I just wanted to clarify. I have never been the recipient of "look downs" either. The bulk of the snooty comments I have heard have been when folks are talking and don't know that a camper is in their midst. Most frequently when folks are getting on the launch at WL and finding out they have to stop at FW before going to CR (or vice-versa). In this case we are getting on with them at their resort and they assume we are deluxe resort guests also. I wouldn't say it's an epidemic of ill-will, but it's also not a once or twice isolated-event kinda thing either. Okay, I'm done. Sorry for the last little derailment.

 

[Lil' Lisa]

At the risk of beating a dead horse, I just wanted to clarify. I have never been the recipient of "look downs" either. The bulk of the snooty comments I have heard have been when folks are talking and don't know that a camper is in their midst. Most frequently when folks are getting on the launch at WL and finding out they have to stop at FW before going to CR (or vice-versa). In this case we are getting on with them at their resort and they assume we are deluxe resort guests also. I wouldn't say it's an epidemic of ill-will, but it's also not a once or twice isolated-event kinda thing either. Okay, I'm done. Sorry for the last little derailment.

I think that next year you should put coal in their stockings!