Timescales for Eagle pines+Disney Institute?

[Dean]

While I see the thinking, I don't think this would work at all for a number of reasons. They couldn't just incorporate the entire DI resort into OKW, even at BW, the BWI and BWV are technicallys separate sharing and paying for common amenities. Also, the portion of DI that will be a timeshare is about as far away as it could possibly be. Legally, I don't think they could add the resorts together either. From an OKW owner standpoint, no way I'd want to be responsible for the older buildings at DI. OKW is spread out enough without adding another mile or so to a portion of it.

 

[Werner Weiss]

I agree with Dean. It's extremely unlikely that a 16-acre site a half mile from OKW will somehow become part of OKW. And it's even more unlikely that the entire DI property will somehow be incorporated into OKW.

OKW is a completed, sold out timeshare resort. Regarding the comment, "This way they could make a better pool for those at OKW, along with other additions that people would like at that resort," The Walt Disney Company has no business motivation to provide a new pool or other major capital improvements to OKW. The overwhelming majority of OKW is owned by OKW DVC members until 2042 -- and until 2042, those members are responsible for any capital improvements, operating expenses, and reserve funds for major repair work.

What is expected is that the new DVC resort will leverage the existing Disney Institute core buildings, including the Spa, the former Seasons restaurant space (which could once again become a restaurant), the check-in facility, and the other structures (some of which could continue to be used for the corporate training programs that DI still offers). It wouldn't make sense for these buildings to be declared part of OKW. If you're not familar with these Thomas Beeby-designed buildings, see http://www.themeparks.com/wdwlibrary/institute/institute02.htm

 

[JonHM]

of what would be appealing about a new DVC resort at DI, YES we know that the room *size* will be the same as VWL and BCV, *BUT* consider the possibility that the points per night may be considerably less than the theme park resorts, much like OKW. The combination of DTD atmosphere and views with substantial points savings over BWV, VWL and BCV, IMO may well be enough to draw people in. (Depending, of course, on what kind of job they do with the overall theming)

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

My prediction: At the new DD/DI DVC location, the room size and points per night will be the same as, or at least very similar to, BWV-preferred, VWL, and BCV.

The justification will be the great views (unlike VWL and BCV), the great location (dining, shopping and entertainment choices offered by Downtown Disney), and the proximity to one of WDW's two major spas.

DVD has used the same point structure at three resorts in a row, and I have no reason to believe that this structure will change.

 

[JonHM]

I see what you see, but they WERE three *theme park* resorts in a row. Also, at least half of the villas wouldn't have the great views, right? Wouldn't you think they would at least have a lower 'standard view' option?

 

[Dave M]

I guess we will have to wait and see what happens. Disney has done many strange things in the last few years.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by JonHM
I see what you see, but they WERE three *theme park* resorts in a row. Also, at least half of the villas wouldn't have the great views, right? Wouldn't you think they would at least have a lower 'standard view' option?

When VWL opened, there were people on this board arguing that VWL should have a lower point structure then BWV-preferred because VWL doesn't have views, you can't walk to a theme park, and the location is isolated. But VWL had the same BWV-preferred point structure anyway.

There's no reason to assume that, "at least half of the villas wouldn't have the great views." My assumption is that the new resort will not have interior hallways. Instead, as at OKW, the doors will be on the parking lot side and all units will have view of Downtown Disney. Of course, some views would be somewhat better than others, but there's no reason to assume that half the units will have parking lot views.

Marriott often builds Vacation Clubs with doors on one side and views toward the other. See the floor plan for Marriott's Villas at Doral at http://www.vacationclub.com/sales/rd/da/villa.asp where all units are supposed to have good views.

I don't think DVD/DVC wants to get into the awkward business of having separate point structures for standard and preferred views. I think they learned their lesson at BWV. They didn't repeat this mistake at VWL and BCV.

 

[downontheBW]

I guess we are some of the unusual DVCers that will love (I hope) the DI location and I'd expect it will become our resort of choice. When we vacation at WDW, we spend 15%-20% of our time at the parks - and when we do, it's for the day. So, while it is great to be able to walk to a park, I'd rather be able to walk to DD. We go there every day either for shopping, dinner or to go to PI.

We used to spend most of our time at the parks. Now we don't have the kids with us, but this routine may be temporary, once our kids are out of college and they have their own families and we can do extended family vacations.

We love the theming at the resorts we've stayed at: BWV, VWL and OKW. I hope that DI doesn't disappoint. I strongly agree with the Art Deco idea; I feel that would be a logical choice. Since it's a more urban location, I wonder if they've considered a European theme, like London or Paris. It's fun to speculate. I, too, expect that they won't mess with the point structure that they've settled on with VWL and BCV.

 

[caverill]

I have to agree that DI might be an interesting location. OKW was not next to anything when it was built.

Now I just can't let my DW know she can be closer to World of Disney. I sure hope they have some kind of package transportation .

As far a the points go, it may be the first time the points go down due to its location and the length of time left until 2042. Only time will tell.

 

[Peter Johnson]

I think it would be neat to stay in a DIV one-bedroom treehouse

 

[Jen D]

Just need a clarification on Eagle Pines, I found the description a little confusing-- is it entirely Villa units, or is there also an "Inn" section that will be a deluxe?

I agree that a great enticement for DI would be an OKW-like pricing structure; but I think the higher structure is probably here to stay.

 

[yesdisneyfool]

Originally posted by caverill
Now I just can't let my DW know she can be closer to World of Disney. I sure hope they have some kind of package transportation .

We love the quaitness of OKW and we always spend a good deal of the evenings in DD. So DIV may be our next addon and with Just a Hop, Skip and a Jump closer to DD, DW will be doing flips.

 

[PamOKW]

is it entirely Villa units, or is there also an "Inn" section that will be a deluxe?

The original plans presented did include a luxury hotel and restaurants (and I think a spa) in addition to the villa units.

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by Jen D
Just need a clarification on Eagle Pines, I found the description a little confusing-- is it entirely Villa units, or is there also an "Inn" section that will be a deluxe?

The way that I read the July 19, 2001 press release, "Disney Vacation Club Announces Plans For Largest Ownership Resort to Date at Walt Disney World Resort," the resort at Disney's Eagle Pines golf course will be strictly a DVC ownership resort -- like OKW or HH. Eventually there will be 600 units, making it even larger than OKW. Unlike BWV, VWL, or BCV, there will not be an adjoining deluxe resort hotel.

The idea that there will also be a deluxe resort hotel may come from the lines in the press release about an "Inn building" being part of the resort. But please read this quotation from the press release:
<DL><DD>"Initial plans call for the construction of a main Inn building encompassing a check-in area; accommodations; restaurant/lounge; theme pool with feature slide; retail space; arcade; common living room area and a health club, as well as Villa buildings containing vacation home accommodations."</DD></DL>
In other words, the Inn building is where guests will check in, dine, swim, excercise, shop, play, visit, and exercise. And the Inn building will also contain some accomodations, with more accommodations in separate villa buildings -- this would be similar to Disney's Hilton Head and similar to Marriott ownership resorts such as Grande Vista and Newport Coast Villas.

There is absolutely no mention of a deluxe resort hotel.

Also, the announcement didn't call for a spa, just an excercise room. However, given how large the resort will be, I imagine the excercise room will be large and impressive, with many spa services.

Of course, as the first page of this thread indicates, the DVC resort at Eagle Pines is on hold, so the plans could change before construction ever begins. After all, DVD will learn lessons from BCV and the DVC resort at Downtown Disney. And the timeshare business continues to evolve.

 

[PamOKW]

I guess I should clarify what my understanding is. I do think the plans call for an Inn which would be on the scale of a luxury hotel but unlike the BWI it will also be part of the DVC structure. I would expect it to be like Vero where members have a choice of accomodations.

 

[Debs Hill]

I agree! I really like the idea of a treehouse.....obviously refurbished and jazzed up for us DVCers! I'm really concerned that DI won't have a theme as such and that they'll use the spa as the main draw and expect it to be more of an 'adult' resort. Maybe a 'European Spa resort' theme? There was once talk of them building a mediterrainean hotel near the GF, so maybe they'll use that idea and it will rival Pontifino Bay? Just specualting!

I think the points will be exactly the same as VWL and BC!