Tree House Villas in use again?

[Sea-Donkey]

I was doing some digging and can't find anything on the current status of the Tree House Villas on the Sassagoula River between Downtown Disney and Port Orleans-FQ/RS. We took the water taxi by them in March at night and the lights were on and it appeared people were staying there...I think we saw a person in one, but not sure...didn't know the history of them being closed at the time.
If they are back in business, what resort are they listed under?
FYI, here's some info from a real old thread:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885371&highlight=villas+river

 

[schwaa]

They are used to house mainly international workers at Disney.

 

[PudgetteD]

Hmmm...I have a 2006 Econoguide that lists them in the resorts section.

 

[eeyoresnr]

on our boat trip to DTD we passed and the boat CM told us they are used for CM's from around the world

 

[Sea-Donkey]

Maybe I need to get a job at WDW if they provide housing...in the woods too.

 

[klmall]

Hmmm...I have a 2006 Econoguide that lists them in the resorts section.

Wouldn't be the first guidebook error

 

[Pixiedust34]

I was meaning to ask about the Treehouse Villas! We rode the boat to DTD last week, and we saw people at the Treehouses. I am glad they are being used for something instead of rotting away like the other section of Pop Century.

 

[smileyk8]

We were also told that the tree house villas house international students. I believe there are 5 ppl in each 3 bedroom villa- have heard that they're not the nicest places to stay, but haven't seen them myself so could be very wrong!

 

[Davefrompgh]

We rented a boat at POR and took a ride down (or up) the river and passed these. It also looked like they were being used, however, they look VERY run down and the greens were totally overgrown.

 

[alldiz]

A CM told me that when the law changed regarding
handicap accessible....the land is protected and they
couldn't build accessible ramps.

That is why international CM's from epcot stay there.
Kerri

 

[Quinn222]

We were taking the boat from DTD to POR late one evening as as we got to the area where they are the captain went into his patter about how they are used to house international college program workers and happened to notice one through a window watching his TV, he (the captain) said, "Look, there's one now!", which was very funny since he made the poor guy sound like an animal in the zoo. The joke was on the captain though because the young man in question was in his underwear...or less. I'm not sure because I looked away very quickly!

 

[boomhauer]

Hmmm...I have a 2006 Econoguide that lists them in the resorts section.

I have the 2006 Econoguide. It is the worst, most inaccurate, outdated guide book there is.

 

[eeyoresnr]

Maybe I need to get a job at WDW if they provide housing...in the woods too.

If I remember correctly they rent them to them...it isn't free...hopefully Disney gives them better rates than they give us

 

[anaraya]

i just finished my summer program at WDW and i stayed at the tree house villas... i can tell you that when i knew i was going to stay there the only thing i wanted was to go back home or move to any of the other housing complex which seem much better... But, by the end of my program i loved that place, the best parties for CM's are there and you get to know most of the people who lives there, it was great because security people is so cool and they never spoiled our parties (as in vista way)... And... only people who works at Magic Kingdom and comes from international programs lives at tree House... CM have to pay to stay there (its not that much, but its a little expensive compared to what you get paid..)... The last thing i knew is that we were the last "generation" that stayed there because they will be reopened as a Disney Resort again for the next year and actually the new housing complex for cast members is almost ready...

 

[Disney Lifeguard]

Reopened as a resort ?

Not in the current shape they are in now, I have heard of no plans to reopen them to the public, and the wetlands issue is a problem for any new construction...

 

[anaraya]

mmm... i dont know... at least that's what we were told while we stayed there, that after january tree house wont be a ICP housing anymore... and actually by the end of our program they tried to close the pool for refurbishment but they couldnt as all of us complained because we didnt have a "real" gym and we really enjoyed the pool...

And you are right, they cant do any new construction but if it is true they will reopen i guess they wouldnt change much the appearance as they have that ecologist concept...

Anyway it would be great if TreeHouse stayed the way it is and continue as a housing complex for ICP's

 

[kribit]

Last trip we were able to see inside of them. Um...I would not stay there. They are used as "dorms" for the international student employees and they look like "dorms."

Someone posted pics a while back of their current condition (it may have been another board though).

 

[Sea-Donkey]

Anyone have those pictures?

 

[kribit]

There are a few videos on YouTube. One of them gives you a walk-through.

 

[lauran cameron]

There are a few videos on YouTube. One of them gives you a walk-through.

ohhh yay! finally im gonna go search for that one!