Treehouse Rumors???

[Buckeye Fan]

Any new info on the treehouse units? Before we bought at SSR, we would stay at OKW a lot. I could see them when I walked, and I think it would be fun to stay in them! Just curious if anyone has heard anything since the plans were filed? I'm also really curious if they will be part of SSR and considered DVC?

Thanks for any more news/gossip you may have heard!

 

[Caskbill]

We were at SSR last week and took the boat to OKW. The treehouse villas that we could see were all torn down, mostly just a pile of rubble.

They have the entrance off of Disney Vacation Club drive all boarded up so you can't see anything when driving by in you car.

Don't know for sure when they'll start building the new buildings.

 

[tjkraz]

Don't know for sure when they'll start building the new buildings.

Disney contracted with a manufactured housing firm to build the new structures. They may be under construction as we speak, and Disney could (conceivably) finish the project in pretty short order if they wished.

Still no word on how they will be used. If we apply the same logic many applied to the Contemporary, it sure seems like Disney would have made an announcement if they are to be cash rooms. After all, they announced the Four Seasons partnership and Flamingo Crossing projects years before either will be a reality.

If they are to be DVC, my money is still on adding them to SSR. OKW has (IMO) too many geographic barriers.

I can't see it being feasible to make them a stand-alone DVC--there's a pretty limited market for a Home resort that ONLY has Grand Villas. Plus the dues would have to be pretty darn high when you consider the minimum services necessary for such a small property.

SSR makes the most sense. The only thing I can't figure out is (again) why Disney would be waiting on an announcement. It seems like revealing that the Treehouse Villas are to be part of SSR would only help the remaining sales there.

 

[FLYNZ4]

I can't see it being feasible to make them a stand-alone DVC--there's a pretty limited market for a Home resort that ONLY has Grand Villas.

I agree that SSR would be the most likely "home" for THV... but I do NOT think they would be considered GVs. While they technically have 3 bedrooms, they only have the same sleeping capacity as a 2BR... with one bed in each of the two extra bedrooms.

/Jim

 

[tjkraz]

I agree that SSR would be the most likely "home" for THV... but I do NOT think they would be considered GVs. While they technically have 3 bedrooms, they only have the same sleeping capacity as a 2BR... with one bed in each of the two extra bedrooms.

You're right. Guess I should have looked at my own diagram again.

Even so, with the three private bedrooms, huge deck and overall unique nature of the structures, DVC would be justified to charge more per night than any other current Two Bedroom villa--probably somewhere between a 2B and a 3B. And there's still the issue of limited appeal--how many people want 11-month access exclusively to Two Bedroom villas?

 

[FLYNZ4]

You're right. Guess I should have looked at my own diagram again.

Even so, with the three private bedrooms, huge deck and overall unique nature of the structures, DVC would be justified to charge more per night than any other current Two Bedroom villa--probably somewhere between a 2B and a 3B. And there's still the issue of limited appeal--how many people want 11-month access exclusively to Two Bedroom villas?

I actually do not think they would be that popular... especially after the honeymoon period. I think they would have an enormous amount of "nastalgic appeal"... but I think the lustre would wear off quickly.

/Jim

 

[DisDaydreamer]

IF... they turn out to be DVC, they might not call them GVs, but you can bet they will cost like a GV (maybe they'll be TV's). Depending on how high the points were for one the appeal might wear away, but I don't see them ever having occupancy difficulties.

 

[starbox]

I think they are going to be part of SSR.

Reasons:
1. The Grandstand facilities are way too nice/elaborate compared to every other comparable section. It makes much more sense to have that bice of a pool and etc. if it's meant to be shared with TV.

2. There's a clear (and new) walking path built with Grandstand, connecting it to the villas.

3. The last merchandising we received about SSR selling out was worded funny. It was something along the lines of SSR almost being sold out of "declared inventory" or "currently declared inventory" . Odd since SSR is completed - other than the treehouse villas.....

 

[spiceycat]

hope they are not with OKW - those maintence fees are going to high - individual building...

 

[Chuck S]

I don't think they'll be DVC, I think they will be cash villas that share the front desk with SSR.

I think as far as Disney announcing the Flamingo and Four Seasons projects, that would have been public knowledge soon anyway, as it involved de-annexing property from Reedy Creek Improvement District.

 

[tjkraz]

I actually do not think they would be that popular... especially after the honeymoon period. I think they would have an enormous amount of "nastalgic appeal"... but I think the lustre would wear off quickly.

/Jim

Perhaps that would be the case if they were a separate property, but as 60 out of 800+ SSR villas (not to mention the 3000 in the entire program), I don't see them having any problem filling the Treehouses.

 

[jdg345]

I don't think they'll be DVC, I think they will be cash villas that share the front desk with SSR.

I think as far as Disney announcing the Flamingo and Four Seasons projects, that would have been public knowledge soon anyway, as it involved de-annexing property from Reedy Creek Improvement District.

Even if they aren't formally DVC, do you think that they would allow Point Ressies (like you can use points for the Poly, POR, etc)?

 

[Chuck S]

Even if they aren't formally DVC, do you think that they would allow Point Ressies (like you can use points for the Poly, POR, etc)?

If they are a cash resort, I see no reason why DVC points could not be used through the Disney Collection, though it would likely take a lot of points, and a cash reservaton, depending upon season, AP discounts, etc., may be a better way to book them.

 

[jdg345]

If they are a cash resort, I see no reason why DVC points could not be used through the Disney Collection, though it would likely take a lot of points, and a cash reservaton, depending upon season, AP discounts, etc., may be a better way to book them.

Excellent Points! ty!

 

[Buckeye Fan]

Thanks for all of the posts. Interesting food for thought.

For those of you who know the contractual side of DVC, could they be added to SSR without any issues? Is there language that would have to be amended or is the contract vague enough that they could build another entire section at SSR (treehouse or not) if they chose to build? Just curious.

Also, I think it's an interesting concept that the TH people would share certain amenities with SSR. Would Dis then kick a small percentage back to SSR for the upkeep? Granted, I know we're talking about a VERY small amount of people, but I would think there may be some agreement between Dis and DVC.

Again, thanks for the new info! I still want to stay there sometime!!!

 

[tjkraz]

For those of you who know the contractual side of DVC, could they be added to SSR without any issues? Is there language that would have to be amended or is the contract vague enough that they could build another entire section at SSR (treehouse or not) if they chose to build? Just curious.

Any of the "condo associations" could be expanded with little difficulty. It's already happened a number of times at SSR. When the resort was first announced, they only committed to 4 buildings (Congress Park.) Another 8 (The Springs and The Paddock) were under consideration but there was no guarantee of them being built. The remaining 6 buildings (The Grandstand and The Carousel) were announced a few months after the resort opened to guests.

In fact, the land on which the treehouses sit was once classified as being part of Saratoga Springs. That may or may not have any bearing on its future, though. It would be very simple to annex the land for other uses.

Also, I think it's an interesting concept that the TH people would share certain amenities with SSR. Would Dis then kick a small percentage back to SSR for the upkeep? Granted, I know we're talking about a VERY small amount of people, but I would think there may be some agreement between Dis and DVC.

Yes, if the Treehouses reopened as cash-only accommodations and services were based out of SSR, Disney would pay for those services. It would become similar to resorts like the BoardWalk and Beach Club which share transportation, front desk, housekeeping, etc. between cash rooms and DVC villas.

 

[cincinmouse]

I think they are going to be part of SSR.

Reasons:
1. The Grandstand facilities are way too nice/elaborate compared to every other comparable section. It makes much more sense to have that bice of a pool and etc. if it's meant to be shared with TV.

2. There's a clear (and new) walking path built with Grandstand, connecting it to the villas.

3. The last merchandising we received about SSR selling out was worded funny. It was something along the lines of SSR almost being sold out of "declared inventory" or "currently declared inventory" . Odd since SSR is completed - other than the treehouse villas.....

It is odd that eveyone is saying SSR will be sold out in weeks and is backed up by SSR not being part of the offers at this weekends DVC event at DL. If there was a ton of SSR points to be sold I am sure they would have been part of those deals.

So what is to become of the treehouses? I think they will be CRO Remember the permits were all filed by Walt Disney World Co. not DVD. Also since these are being built offsite and demo has already begun these could be ready by spring of next year even before the new AKV section so I would have thought we would have an announment by now. The family suites over at the value resorts have been very sucessful so these could be a more upscale version. Only time will tell but no matter what they end up being I believe they will be a "drain" on SSR especially if they are CRO.

 

[spiceycat]

when they moved the sales to BWV - they just torn down the building and put up new units to sale. this was done I think when OKW was close to being sold out.

so the dvc contracts allow dvc alot of flexibility.

the thing that makes me mad - members were promised a say so in what the building would become. did they kept that promise - NO!

Disney did what is best for Disney - sold more OKW contracts.

the suggestions that I heard
Kennel (okay mind)
beauty salon
spa
food court
a bar/lounge (there is one but is pretty small) w/entertainment
sports bar with many TV's
pool tables
bigger community hall with computers

okay know that there were more suggestions.

 

[Chuck S]

when they moved the sales to BWV - they just torn down the building and put up new units to sale. this was done I think when OKW was close to being sold out.

so the dvc contracts allow dvc alot of flexibility.

the thing that makes me mad - members were promised a say so in what the building would become. did they kept that promise - NO!

Disney did what is best for Disney - sold more OKW contracts.

the suggestions that I heard
Kennel (okay mind)
beauty salon
spa
food court
a bar/lounge (there is one but is pretty small) w/entertainment
sports bar with many TV's
pool tables
bigger community hall with computers

okay know that there were more suggestions.

Actually, I think bldgs 62, 63, and 64 at OKW were part of the original POS. Just that points couldn't be sold until those buildings were nearly completed.

 

[paults]

If they are all 3 bedroom TH's , that would leave DW and I out for pts use. I wouldn't want to spend all those pts for just the 2 of us if the are DVC. I think a lot of other people would have the same problem. If they make them DVC it will be mostly for families I would think. We would love to stay in them but not just for 2 of us.