The Theme for the New DVC at Disney Institute

[Werner Weiss]

It's interesting that the official announcement of the new DVC development at the Disney Institute didn't include an artist's renderings or even a description of how the new buildings would look. Allow me to focus on one paragraph from the January 25 Orlando Sentinel article:

Construction on the new time-share apartments that will displace part of Disney Institute will start in the spring, said George Aguel, senior vice president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. The new resort, scheduled to open in 2004, doesn't yet have a name. "We're still working on a theme," Aguel said.

(I added the bold highlighting above.)

As I noted earlier in another thread, the main Disney Institute buildings were designed by noted architect Thomas Beeby, dean of the Yale School of Architecture from 1986 to 1991. This complex includes the Spa & Fitness Center, Seasons Dining Room, Cinema, Performanence Center, and Amphitheater. This is really the only "new" part of the Disney Institute, having opened in 1996. (And, I seem to recall that even this complex involved some recycling of existing buildings on the site). The various guest villas that constitute the Disney Institute resort were built during the very early years of WDW and were rebranded when the Disney Institute was launched.

For a Themeparks.com picture of the main Disney Institute buildings, see http://www.themeparks.com/wdwlibrary/institute/institute02.htm

There are additional Disney Institute pictures at http://www.themeparks.com/wdwlibrary/institute/default.htm

Because a major architect designed this complex, it's unlikely that it will be changed much. I assume a few buildings will be used differently, but I don't foresee that the buildings will get a new style or theme. After all, architecture is Art, at least when a famed architect is involved.

To me, the archtectural style is an idealized interpretation of classic small town America buildings, suggestiing schools, farms, and civic buildings. I like it.

The old Townhouses don't match the main Disney Institute buildings at all. Take a look at the Orlando Sentinel's picture of the current Townhouses. The picture includes the caption, "This area of the Disney Institute will be demolished. Much of the resort, which opened 5 years ago, is shuttered." That caption is somewhat misleading. Although, the Disney Institute "opened 5 years ago" (actually almost 6 years ago), the Townhouses opened over a quarter century ago.

So what am I leading to? Here's what... It will be interesting to see whether DVC's "four residential-style buildings" will be built in a style that matches Thomas Beeby's designs. After all, the new DVC buildings will be adjacent to Beeby's complex. Perhaps, the DVC building will be the residential neighborhood that complements Beeby's "town center," with similar colors and styles, and the facades broken up to look like attached houses rather than large apartment buildings. I'd be happy with that.

I have a few predictions:

• The new DVC resort not include "Disney Institute" as part of its name.
• To avoid confusion, the "Disney Institute" name will disappear entirely.
• The current group and corporate training programs that are offered by Disney Institute will be rebranded to "Disney University," a name that had been around until a few years ago when its programs were incorporated into the Disney Institute.
• The as-yet-unnamed DVC resort at Eagle Pines won't open in "spring/summer 2004" because the new DVC at Disney Institute will open in spring 2004, as scheduled. Eagle Pines will open eventually, probably in 2005 or 2006.

Of course, my predictions could be completely wrong.

Do you have any thoughts about the theme or name for the new DVC at Disney Institute. Any predictions?

 

[IslandHap]

How about Disney's Downtown Villas (DDV), or Disney's Villas @ Downtown (DV@DT)?

The themeing could be similar to Celebration.

 

[chris1gill]

I would love to see theming similar to Celebration, but I don't see how they can make that work with 4 story buildings... I would expect to see something more similar to the bungalows if the Celebration theme were to work... I don't know, now I'm not sure what the condo buildings in Celebration look like... But I agree that theme would work well with the Beeby design...

 

[RobDoc]

I agree with Werner's enthusiasm for the project. The Beeby design was inspired by the <a href="http://dcw.dcwi.com/~josette/cauthist.htm#FIRST">Chautauqua movement <a/>which began in 1874 in western NY.

A DVC resort can easily be built to compliment the style of the nearby existing buildings. I would like to see the DI name changed to provide a new start for the complex with none of the stigma attached to previous concepts. (The body of negative comments from DVC members on this site alone should encourage a new name for the revitalized resort.)

The actual construction of the resort is certainly enhanced by the infrastructure already in place in the area. There are several buildings already suitable for check-in and restaurant - as well as pool, golf course (same course which OKW is built around) and the added plus of the possibility of offering classes in the true Chautauqua tradition.

The close proximity to DD is also a plus, with numerous shopping and dining options within close proximity (location, location, location ).

While the EP project could be pushed back slightly, DVC could be without ANY resorts to sell within a short while, as BCV is likely to sell quickly and HH (Sales office will close in March- June sell out projected) and VB nearing sell out also. The addition of the DI site provides another option for an onsite DVC resort without a lot of costly lead time.

I think the project has great merit and possibility.

Stay Tuned!

 

[Richyams]

(Sales office will close in March- June sell out projected)

LOL, that's a good one.....

I guess eventually it has to happen, but we have been hearing of this "projected sell out" for years.

I believe BCV is a good deal larger than VWL, right? I also suspect that they will begin to raise the price aggressively once HH and VB actually do sell out. They will be able to stretch out the sales period for BCV and the higher prices they will need to slow the sales at BCV will have the added benefit of raising revenues.

I suspect an accelerated opeing for VDI, most of the infrastructure is already there. I think that brining back some programs or something utilizing the Institute itself could be a real great thing. They will need to figure out a better way to seel the activities. I think that if they really do some research, they may be able to get something happening that will be a big hit.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by chris1gill
I would love to see theming similar to Celebration, but I don't see how they can make that work with 4 story buildings...

I agree. Four stories would seem too tall for Small Town America buildings to work well with the exisiting Disney Institute core complex.

As far as I know, there has been no announcement regarding the number of stories that the new buildings will have. The press release mentioned "four residential-style buildings," not "four-story residential-style buildings."

Another recently announced timeshare resort, Marriott's Village d'Ile-de-France at the Disneyland Resort Paris, will have a residential French countryside village look. I'm certainly not suggesting the same style for the new DVC project, but I do think that the Marriott project shows how facades can be broken up to suggest a small town residential village.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Richyams
I believe BCV is a good deal larger than VWL, right?

<dl><dt>From the Aug. 27, 1998, press release about Disney's Villas at Wilderness Lodge:</dt>
<dd>Initial plans for the proposed DVC resort call for the development of a 136-unit free-standing, five-story vacation ownership resort consisting of studio, one- and two-bedroom vacation villas on a 4-acre site adjoining Disney's Wilderness Lodge. All units will feature either a pool, water or woods view. Development plans further call for the construction of connecting walkways and full access to Disney's Wilderness Lodge and its existing parking area; the addition of a quiet pool and health club, as well as the expansion of existing retail space, quick-service dining and other select public areas.

<dt>From the May 25, 2000, press release about Disney's Beach Club Villas:</dt>
<dd>Initial plans for Disney's Beach Club Villas call for the development of a 205-unit, free-standing four & five-story vacation ownership resort consisting of studio, one- and two-bedroom vacation villas adjacent to Disney's Beach Club Resort. All units will feature either a pool, garden or courtyard view. Further development plans call for the construction of connecting walkways and full access to Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts; the addition of a pool, as well as enhancements to the existing lobby/retail space and other select guest areas within Disney's Beach Club Resort. </dd></dl>

So BCV has 50% more units than VWL.

 

[DaveH]

I am curious on what and how they do the themeing at DI. When they started DI I wanted to do several of thier courses, but 1 small problem. IMHO the cost was 50% too high. The cost of 1 1/2 day class, I could do 2 days at a theme park. I was watching my pennies and I still do. I could not justify in my mind the cost over what I gained. I would love to have done 2 of their photography courses and some others. IMHO they priced them way too high. I for one would consider staying at DI when done. I personally prefer to be closer to the theme parks, but I am willing to give them a chance.

 

[Ralph&Pam]

We too are enthusiastic about the possibilities for this DVC property and the possibility of some form of continuing educational enrichment opportunites with a Disney touch. We spent 5 days at the DI during spring break 2000 (stayed in a bungalow, which was really pretty nice; more space than a DVC studio with similar microwave/wet bar but in a separate living room area). At that time, the DI was still offering courses to the public in addition to the corporate training focus. I took two photography classes, two cooking classes, and a computer animation class. Pam did one cooking class, one photography class, one gardening class, and two animation classes. These were selected from a "choose-five" menu of classes being offered during the time of our stay rather than focusing on a single area (like cooking or photography). I would like to have gotten into a wine and food pairing class but it was already fully subscribed when we made our reservations.

The instruction and teaching facilities/equipment were first rate. The cooking classes wrapped up with a nice luncheon or dinner where the class got to eat the meal which they had prepared during the class using the expert instruction and supervision of the teaching staff. The photography classes wrapped up with a visit to one of the parks to practice what we'd learned, again with plenty of hands-on instruction while at the park. During one, I got to visit the World Showcase at Epcot for an hour prior the the 11 am opening time, receiving field instruction on how to select, frame, and expose images suitable for a vacation photographer. The other went to Animal Kingdom to photograph flora and fauna in natural setting. I must admit that I still apply some of the things I learned from these two sessions when shooting pictures with my simple APS camera.

Ralph

 

[PKS44]

I already posted this on two other threaeds, but this thread addresses the same question-

I agree that the name will likely be Disney's Downtown Villas...
The site may be currently part of the DI but other than allowing access to the spa I doubt there will be any thematic connection whatsoever to the DI and it's atmosphere...they have said so much in the press release wherein they refer to the sites "URBAN" location...I predict and would welcome one of the following...

a)A "metropolitan theme" like the New York Hotel at Disneyland Paris

b)Miami's South Beach/Art Deco theme- would look great on the waterfront tie in with the PI/Downtown Disney area very nicely...

Paul

 

[PKS44]

For some reason my first post is not registering so BOUNCE! inkbounc

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by PKS44
The site may be currently part of the DI but other than allowing access to the spa I doubt there will be any thematic connection whatsoever to the DI and it's atmosphere...they have said so much in the press release wherein they refer to the sites "URBAN" location...I predict and would welcome one of the following...

a)A "metropolitan theme" like the New York Hotel at Disneyland Paris

b)Miami's South Beach/Art Deco theme- would look great on the waterfront tie in with the PI/Downtown Disney area very nicely...

Paul

I suggested that the theme would tie in (and should tie in) to the existing Disney Institute (DI) core complex, which would get a new name and a new mission.

In contrast, Paul expects and welcomes an urban theme for the new DVC villas, without any thematic connection to the current DI core complex.

I guess the question is whether the current DI core complex will become the core of the new DVC, serving a role similar to Conch Flats at OKW -- the place with the restaurant, spa, check-in facilitiy, general store, and public spaces for the new DVC resort. If that's the case, it would make sense to unite the core complex and the new villas with a common theme.

It would be very strange to have two entirely different themes. It would be as if Conch Flats had a Key West theme but the OKW condo buildings had a completely different theme.

Yes, Paul is correct that the press release uses the word "urban." In the opening paragraph, a sentence reads, "The Institute property, with its unique amenities and urban setting adjacent to the Downtown Disney resort area, made it an ideal place to expand the company's highly successful Disney Vacation Club business." I read this as referring to the Downtown Disney setting, not the specific theme of the new DVC buildings.

This isn't meant to be an argument with Paul. It's fun to speculate, and that's what Paul and I are both doing. And it's even possible that the new buildings will have an urban residential feel, while still blending harmoniously with the old DI core complex.

 

[Granny]

Originally posted by Werner Weiss
This isn't meant to be an argument with Paul. It's fun to speculate, and that's what Paul and I are both doing. And it's even possible that the new buildings will have an urban residential feel, while still blending harmoniously with the old DI core complex.

So the theme would be suburban America? So much for escapism at WDW!

Seriously, I think Disney must be looking at the entire complex. I think that DI name and concept carries too much negative baggage to try to salvage, so I am inclined to agree with Paul. I have no idea how they intend to blend the new theme with the older buildings they won't be renovating at this time. Hopefully, Disney has thought this out thoroughly. They still have some time to figure out how to market this.

While it is fun to speculate, Paul and I are both from Missouri, so I guess Disney will just have to "show us" something besides a press release!

 

[PamOKW]

I could see something along the lines of the way Celebration has been developed fitting in quite well. I'm not sure that it excites me but it would work.

 

[PKS44]

Originally posted by Werner Weiss
To me, the archtectural style is an idealized interpretation of classic small town America buildings, suggestiing schools, farms, and civic buildings. I like it.

...

So what am I leading to? Here's what... It will be interesting to see whether DVC's "four residential-style buildings" will be built in a style that matches Thomas Beeby's designs. After all, the new DVC buildings will be adjacent to Beeby's complex. Perhaps, the DVC building will be the residential neighborhood that complements Beeby's "town center," with similar colors and styles, and the facades broken up to look like attached houses rather than large apartment buildings. I'd be happy with that.

4 buildings and 192 units/in 16 acres- that is 43 units per building. I would think that will be hard without going up --as in multiple stories. That makes it difficult to see how it could match Beeby's small town look.

If you look at where this site is, it is close to but separated from the DI complex by water. It makes sense for them to offer the use of the spa to the new Downtown Villas complex but I just don't see how you tie it all up architecturally. As I have said, they call the site "urban." It will sit opposite Downtown Disney and probably have friendship-like connection to DD. Perhaps the tie in will be that DI will be the suburbs of this new URBAN creation-Disney's Downtown Villas...or it will be the "nearby Disney University complex" just outside "town." OR there will be no connection whatsoever with DI and this is just a different use for nearby land...It could have it's own facilities for check-in, pool, etc...

Paul

 

[dianeschlicht]

Does anyone find it odd that we have not heard this information from DVC yet? I have not recieved any email or standard mail about this, and we usually do when there is an annoucement of this type. I am wondering if this "timeshare" is really a DVC element or something else. The rumor at WDW as late as Tuesday was that it was going to be part of Shades of Green.

 

[PamOKW]

There's a announcement in today's Orlando Sentinel about SOG's plans. They are shutting down the resort to build the previously announced addition that will double the size of SOG. While the resort is closed, Disney is offering rooms in the Contemporary wing at comparable prices. The original rumor was that they might use PO. The unfortunate thing is that all 265 employees of SOG are going to be out of work. They are not Disney employees. Disney will try to work some of them into slots they have open.

I agree that it is odd that there's still no mention on the Member Site and that there was no "artist's rendering".