Three Fort Wilderness Nuggets From MousePlanet This Week

[bama_ed]

All,

I was perusing the latest WDW update from the MousePlanet site. The 9/6/11 WDW update had three mentions of the Fort.

http://www.mouseplanet.com/9733/Walt_Disney_World_Resort_Update

1. Under the "Refurbishment and Attraction Closure" section, the following nugget: front entrance path of travel and traffic flow changes September 13–30. I don't know what it means but if anyone is there during this time let us know if something is different.

2. Under the "Quick takes....." section, the second nugget: The Hoop-Dee-Doo Revue has replaced two of the songs within the show due to copyright issues, including the Hoop-Dee-Doo Polka. We had heard there was the copyright issue. But it sounds like two songs were dumped, two were added, and the issue settled. A review of HDDR from late July on allears.net mentions two new songs and says they weren't very good. Again, if anyone goes and hears new songs, tell us what you think about them.

3. Under the "Work on Grand Floridian Villas evicts weddings from Disney Wedding Pavilion" section, our third nugget: We've begun to see reports of Disney Weddings contacting brides about the Wedding Pavilion near the Grand Floridian being closed due to the construction work on the Grand Floridian Villas (which still have not been announced). Dredging work will be starting in a couple of weeks to build out the shoreline for the new building's foundation, and that will interfere with weddings at the pavilion.

On this third nugget you'll say, "Ed - what has this to do with the Fort"?

Remember early this year folks found plans with the Water Authority for the relocation of the TCD barn up to the front/checkin area of the Fort and the drawings around Pioneer Hall showed large structures where the barn, BBQ Pavilion, and old River Country is. The speculation was that these building were some new Fort/Wilderness Lodge in-between DVC property. The drawings (which I still have BTW), showed buildings on pilings out over the water of the current shoreline (sort of what's described above) near what today is called Clementine's Beach. Speculation was that after Bay Lake Towers was built, the next DVC would be over at GF. And after that, the next DVC would be between the Lodge and the Fort.

So it sounds like another shoe is about to drop.

Bama ED

 

[rapriebe]

Ed, thanks for the updates. I think it is only a matter of time before they start construction on a DVC at Ft. Wilderness. Personally, I hope this never happens.

 

[proudmomof4]

never mind

 

[luckycharm19335]

Ed, thanks for the updates. I think it is only a matter of time before they start construction on a DVC at Ft. Wilderness. Personally, I hope this never happens.

I would not be opposed to some more campsites being added.
Maybe we wouldn't have to play so many games to get the reservations that we want.

 

[bama_ed]

I would not be opposed to some more campsites being added.
Maybe we wouldn't have to play so many games to get the reservations that we want.

Unfortunately, luckycharm19335,

I don't think there are more plans for more campsites.

The focus in most of business today is on the high end business (which has a greater margin).

So while the land is already paid for in that area, the Disney bean counters with their slide rules, abacuses, and green eye shades, will try to maximize revenue (and minimize costs) by building a business case, get it approved, get promoted, then blame the missing revenues on somebody else (typically Marketing). I work for a Fortune 10 company and this is typically how it goes.

Meanwhile we on the consumer side try to minimize cost, maximize the experience, and fight the good fight.

Bama ED

 

[wobblez]

If you look at it like this the space that a campsite has will only produce what that campsite rents for but if they build a DVC or hotel resort there are many floors on that same space producing money from many floors of hotel rooms. so for us that so much love camping and the Fort we are out of luck on more camp sites.

 

[luckycharm19335]

I do see your points.
A girl can dream, right?

 

[wobblez]

Something I have been thinking about since I was told about the DVC at River Country is what is going to happen to all the parking for the new DVC does this mean there are going to be hundreds of cars driving thru the fort to get to the new resort and driving thru the fort to look at all that is going on. I think that will make it very very bad for the golf carts and loopers as well as the bikers. Something to think about all that traffic could be very bad.

 

[rapriebe]

Something I have been thinking about since I was told about the DVC at River Country is what is going to happen to all the parking for the new DVC does this mean there are going to be hundreds of cars driving thru the fort to get to the new resort and driving thru the fort to look at all that is going on. I think that will make it very very bad for the golf carts and loopers as well as the bikers. Something to think about all that traffic could be very bad.

Someone had posted some time ago about the proposed DVC and showed the projected layout of the buildings. They would not have the traffic for a DVC resort coming through the campground. There is another access point between WL and FW so they would have their own dedicated entrance off the main road.

 

[sbnewhampshire1]

Walt are you hearing this! Don't let them destroy your dream!!!

 

[Karenj2]

I don't get it - the Wilderness Lodge already has a DVC - what would be the theme of the River Country DVC???

 

[Bearikens]

I was reading this post and wondering...what if Disney is contemplating a high end DVC campground similar to those high end exclusive members only campgrounds around the country? Talk about maximum profitability and minimum effort. A luxury campsite has got to be a lot cheaper to build and maintain than a hotel room/suite and Disney could charge higher end rates. The buildings could simply be a restaurant, bar, shopping, clubhouse or a combination of all four. At the very least, this is something to consider as a possible option.

 

[DISNEY24/7365]

Was riding over to WL today on the bike path, and saw stakes with pink ribbons on them out in the vegetation on the left. These were right at the beginning of the path. I also saw tire/tractor tire marks going through the brush where these stakes had been placed. Some surveying being done I assume??

 

[bama_ed]

Was riding over to WL today on the bike path, and saw stakes with pink ribbons on them out in the vegetation on the left. These were right at the beginning of the path. I also saw tire/tractor tire marks going through the brush where these stakes had been placed. Some surveying being done I assume??

Personally I DO wish it would be more campsites even if they were DVC-flavored or more high-end. But the ability to drive more revenue by building vertically is what we campers are up against. The land between the bus road and Bay Lake is well wooded and would make wonderful spots. I wonder if they will do anything with the land on the other side of the bus road/bike trail. The roads there are built up/higher which makes me think that area on the far side would be classified as lowlands or wetlands.

Dunno but we will see. Thanks for the update DISNEY24/7365.

Bama ED