VWL Expansion pics, Castle View?

[Friendlyadvice2]

Photos from a different perspective. Lake view at the Lodge.......

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Photos from a different perspective. Lake view at the Lodge.......

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Lakeview until the new restaurant goes up......

 

[Friendlyadvice2]

Lakeview until the new restaurant goes up......

Yup, but unless the restaurant is 4-5 stories, I think at least the 4th and 5th floors will have some view.

 

[DVC Mike]

Most of the area included in the plans now seems to be under the knife, so to speak:

Wilderness Lodge DVC Construction Aerial Photos

 

[La2kw]

So sad to the the wilderness being ripped away from the Wilderness Lodge. The beach and woods were so perfect there. I am sure the final result will be nice, but the wilderness feel will be missing I'm sure.

 

[sleepydog25]

Here now and can tell you that on the opposite side of the south wing of the main Lodge (courtyard/pool rooms), scaffolding covers the entire breadth of the wing. And as long as we're speculating, I will tell you that when I asked a DVC sales rep (met with him for grins and FPs) about new DVC rooms in the south wing, he replied, "DVC learned their lessons about just putting in studios only." The implication, of course, is that some of the rooms will be 1 and 2 BRs. Take that with a shaker of salt. We also noticed no construction on weekends, apparently, and since the nature trail has been shut off, we took the paved path toward FW where we noticed large conduits poking out of the ground on both sides of the access road about a third of a mile down the trail. In fact, one patch was on the right side of the trail itself (as you head toward FW) while the other one (slightly larger) sat opposite it across the road (which would be on your left walking toward FW).

Finally, I'm with you, La2Kw. I'm certain the final result will look lovely in a few years; however, they are ripping away the wilderness from the Wilderness Lodge. I fear it will be just Kinda in the Woods Lodge. One other note of bean counter importance, all the topiaries at the Lodge are now gone. First, it was DVC Mickey several months ago, followed by the buffalo in front of the main lobby a few months ago, and now the geese right before you drive through the arches at the entry. They were there a mere six weeks ago when we visited. My uneducated guess is that they were considered too expensive to maintain, taking too many work hours and extra staff or two. Get rid of them and save a few dollars.

 

[Sammie]

If someone is age 50 or over, current VWL with 25 more years may be a good fit at a huge price discount. But I agree that eventually all the 2042 DVC resorts will have minimal value.




I agree with KAT4DISNEY since they have closed the South wing of WL. Not something they would need to do for a room updating (which they did not all that long ago at WL). I don't know why Disney won't tell people something that is obvious. And yes, Kathy, it does remind me of BLT going up and the DVC reps saying "new building? what new building?".

There are laws that govern when they can officially announce even though they are actively building. They will officially announce as soon as they are legally able.

 

[BWV Dreamin]

I guess I'm in the minority. I'm looking forward to a "cleaner" look. It was getting a little overgrown IMO.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I guess I'm in the minority. I'm looking forward to a "cleaner" look. It was getting a little overgrown IMO.

I don't know about minority as it seems like quite a few are happy about that. I did like the more wilderness, deep woods feel though myself. One thing that crossed my mind as I walked around there today was that they probably needed to clear out the trees between the lodge and the boat dock in order to keep it in line with the thinning out they had to do for the cabins.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Apparently the files on my phone today are too large to upload directly, I'll have to host them.

 

[LauraLea]

I guess I'm in the minority. I'm looking forward to a "cleaner" look. It was getting a little overgrown IMO.

I understand. The area that has been cleared had a serious aggressive grape vine growing all over the trees. I am hoping a cleaner looking woods will appear when this is over.

Laura

 

[keishashadow]

Doesn't slow down BW View demand, and they actually honk right there, and have the BW crowd traffic and games.

the main reason i book standard when staying at that home resort. The point savings more than makes up for the parking lot view, which is fine if on upper floor down the hallway. Along same vein, i'd be happy to see point reallocation for new category of standard rooms at VWL.

The mickey topiary spot was our 'growth' picture spot with my kids, sigh. Now to see so many of the trees come down is disturbing, they certainly added to the theming of the resort. Here's hoping they replant green areas.

 

[sleepydog25]

the main reason i book standard when staying at that home resort. The point savings more than makes up for the parking lot view, which is fine if on upper floor down the hallway. Along same vein, i'd be happy to see point reallocation for new category of standard rooms at VWL.

The mickey topiary spot was our 'growth' picture spot with my kids, sigh. Now to see so many of the trees come down is disturbing, they certainly added to the theming of the resort. Here's hoping they replant green areas.

My wife will tell you I'm often not agreeable to change, but even I will admit that they'll put greenery in during the build of the new VWL II, which I've decided to pre-name the Wilderness Villas & Cabins (WVC). Now, will it all be a bit too manufactured and manicured for my taste? Likely. However, i do think it will look nice if still a milder, tamer version of what I first grew to love.

 

[DVC Mike]

My wife will tell you I'm often not agreeable to change, but even I will admit that they'll put greenery in during the build of the new VWL II, which I've decided to pre-name the Wilderness Villas & Cabins (WVC). Now, will it all be a bit too manufactured and manicured for my taste? Likely. However, i do think it will look nice if still a milder, tamer version of what I first grew to love.

Yeah, that would work.
http://i235.*************************************Resorts/Logos/VWL2c.png

I still think it should be called:

http://i235.*************************************Resorts/Logos/VWL2d.png

http://i235.************************************************************* DVC Mike - *******.com

 

[keishashadow]

My wife will tell you I'm often not agreeable to change, but even I will admit that they'll put greenery in during the build of the new VWL II, which I've decided to pre-name the Wilderness Villas & Cabins (WVC). Now, will it all be a bit too manufactured and manicured for my taste? Likely. However, i do think it will look nice if still a milder, tamer version of what I first grew to love.

Hmmm, mild & tamer, eh? When I think 'wilderness' those words sure don't come to mind. This is more akin to the old song: "...they tore down paradise and put up a parking lot..."

I am determined to try and embrace it. When we bought in, it was the MK resort. Our 2nd purchase but, even after adding on again, it still seemed just a bit more special to us.

My DH's favorite DVC resort, don't think there is anything he doesn't like about it. When I showed him the above construction photos he was stunned and not in a good way. I don't plan on staying there until construction is completed, hoping that the finished product will truly wow us.

 

[rfc0001]

I still think it should be called:

http://i235.*************************************Resorts/Logos/VWL2d.png

What happened to Wilderness Lodge Villas and Teepees?

 

[sleepydog25]

Yeah, that would work.
http://i235.*************************************Resorts/Logos/VWL2c.png

I still think it should be called:

http://i235.*************************************Resorts/Logos/VWL2d.png

The second version will be the truth when it comes to price. Thanks, Mike!

Well, keisha, you're gonna have a long wait. To be fair, we've had a wonderful week here, and most of the things we love about the Lodge still exist: the lobby, the smells, the music, the flickering lanterns & chirping crickets, Artist Point, and our room was exceptional--a 1BR on the corner that used to overlook the courtyard and pool. Therein lies the issue right now, of course, as the view is of the construction, though the lake is easily visible now. I'm sure the WVC will be beautiful; I just hope it can still be "wilderness."