Tree Top Villas razed

[DotF]

The OKW boat driver told us Disney is building condos accessible to anyone where the tree top vilas used to exist.
Does anyone have more info on this?

 

[Ratpack]

Disney has applied for the permits to work on the area, but I haven't heard exactly what they are doing.

 

[CraftyMouse]

The Treehouse Villas were taken down earlier this year. There has been a lot of speculation as to what will be built there. The most consistent rumor I've heard is that they will be replaced with new raised (treehouse-style) villas.

It is yet to be seen whether they will be a part of either SSR or OKW or if they will be independent. One rumor also had them as part of POR, but I don't see that being realistic. My gut feeling is that they will be made part of OKW or SSR, since they are so close. Making them an independent entity would mean building a check-in area and other services for them.

We'll just have to wait and see!

 

[doconeill]

Disney filed plans for rebuilt, updated treehouses that are still pedestal style. I expect that is what they are building. I don't think they are "condos", but the driver could be confusing it with the whole Eagle Pines development, which includes "fractional ownership" homes, etc.

As for what they will belong to, I remember hearing that the land is currently listed as part of SSR (legacy of the Disney Institute?), but that doesn't mean it will become more DVC villas - although they do fall in to that sort of model.

 

[Claire L]

Looks like the new units are arriving soon as there are road closures around the SSR and OKW area in September to allow for the delivery of the new units.

Claire

 

[figaromeetsmarie]

Looks like the new units are arriving soon as there are road closures around the SSR and OKW area in September to allow for the delivery of the new units.

Claire

OOOHHH cool!!

 

[Disney_Villain]

The Treehouse Villas are on SSR land and DVC intends to have them for another DVC resort - but apparently WDW hotels want them too.

No one is really 100% certain what is going to come of it, but it does have "DVC" stamped all over the intent (esp. with the permits being filed).

 

[lugnut33]

I took the boat by them a few days ago and they are currently installing what appears to be a concrete footing for elevators in each unit. I doubt they would be stairs. The steel I-beam that will support the units are all painted and ready for something to be put on top. Sorry I didn't take a photo.

 

[CraftyMouse]

I took the boat by them a few days ago and they are currently installing what appears to be a concrete footing for elevators in each unit. I doubt they would be stairs. The steel I-beam that will support the units are all painted and ready for something to be put on top. Sorry I didn't take a photo.

I doubt they would put an elevator in each one. They used to have stairs down the center of them so maybe that's what it is. The old units had two bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom, a small kitchen and a wrap-around porch on the upper floor with a third bedroom and laundry room in the pedestal base.

 

[jb.brooks]

Try this link http://dvcnews.com/.

 

[manning]

I think anything built there has to have the same foot print. It is in a protected area (wetlands).

In order to build in a wetland you have to mitigate recontruction of wetlands in another area and it has to be bigger, I think 25% larger, than the original. I also understand this can be quite expensive.

 

[tjkraz]

I think anything built there has to have the same foot print. It is in a protected area (wetlands).

In order to build in a wetland you have to mitigate recontruction of wetlands in another area and it has to be bigger, I think 25% larger, than the original. I also understand this can be quite expensive.

The concrete slabs are no larger than those used on the old treehouses and the square footage of the structure that's actually resting on the slab is SMALLER in the new design than in the original. That's how Disney got around the wetlands issues. Going by the letter of the law, Disney is actually adding to the wetlands with the building redesign.

 

[bookwormde]

Being installed as modular units also decreases the impact on the sensitive area. It also accelerates the completion. They could well be available before BLT or the new building at AKV. If they are DVC they could start selling as soon as the modules are dropped on the foundations.

I am not sure but I thought the drawings showed ramps, anyone know?

This sort of makes you think that at least initially they may be CRO.

bookwormde

 

[georgemoe]

From some of the articles I read earlier (sorry can't find link) the new villas have a smaller footprint to the ground therefore increasing the wetlands. This is how they got approval to rebuild.

Everything is on the upper floor. All three bedrooms and laundry.

 

[Claire L]

Here is the original thread with some plans of the new villas.

Claire

 

[MBELSANTI]

It is interesting that they are doing all of this other construction, yet leaving the Legendary Years at Pop Century remain like a old ghost town.

 

[tjkraz]

It is interesting that they are doing all of this other construction, yet leaving the Legendary Years at Pop Century remain like a old ghost town.

The common belief is that Disney overextended itself in the Value resort category. Right now there is no need for an additional 3000 low-priced rooms.

 

[SoonipiLady]

Here's a few blurry pics from the boat.

We saw lots of workers around so they are definitely well underway. We saw at least 3, maybe four that had the tyvek-covered walls up.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

Thanks for the pics. I am hoping to book one for late next year or 2010.

Finally we SSR owners will have our own "special" to brag about.