VWL formerly Mediterranean Resort????

[joepoe]

We were looking at an Orlando map from 1998 and it had the area that we know of as Wilderness Lodge and VWL listed as the "Mediterranean Resort". Any of you old time DVC buffs know what that was?

 

[Crissup]

As I recall, the Mediteranian Resort was supposed to go on the Monorail line between the Contemporary and the TTC. However, a problem with sink holes nixed the project. I believe those plans have been hanging around Imagineering since long before the conception of DVC.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I remember when WL and VWL were first built. I never heard of the Mediterranean thing.

Interstingly enough, while on the WL tour we learned that WL/VWL are on Fort Wilderness property.

MG

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Crissup's post did jar my memory, but as Crissup alluded to, it was not part of VWL/WL.

MG

 

[Disney Doll]

I believe it was to be another resort, in addition to WL, on the monorail line. Construction issues derailed it.

 

[PamOKW]

The Med resort would be kind of "across the road" from where WL is built -- in between Poly & Contemp closer to the water. I also heard that problems with the ground for building put this project on hold.

 

[Dreamfinder2]

Facinating stuff. In an old early 70's guidebook full of "artist's conceptions," there was also an Asian and a Venetian resort shown on the monorail.

 

[floridafam]

there was also an Asian and a Venetian resort shown on the monorail.

Sign me up for the Venetian resort. I'd love it.

 

[RoyalCanadian]

Originally posted by floridafam
Sign me up for the Venetian resort. I'd love it.

The Venetian Resort and the sink holes would make for a perfect match!

 

[Beth]

Does anybody remember a rumor about there being some sort of "train" connecting WL/VWL with Ft. Wilderness... circulating while WL was being built?

 

[ClarabelleCow]

According to my BIL, there was a train at the Campground, they rode it as kids, not sure where it went or why it was discontinued, kind of like the steam trains at WDW, wonder if it was the same trains.

 

[Crissup]

There used to be a train that circled Fort Wilderness years ago. My understanding is that too many guests complained of the noise (remember, it's a campground without a lot of sound insulation in those tents and RVs) so it was removed. My guess was that cost also factored in to removing it.

 

[wdwstar]

I do recall what the other posters said about the Mediteranian Resort, and yes it was suppose to have built by the poly having access to the monorail, about 6 years ago, i had read it in some info that i had received and thought that it would be a cool idea, later today i will find that info and post. thanks for bring back the memory of the Mediteranian Resort

 

[wdwstar]

info:


This has been a long-planned, long-rumoured resort for which we may see plans finalised soon. The resort will be themed around the sparkling splendour of the Greek Isles and promises to be very large, featuring luxury room and suites, a marina, an extensive selection of recreational facilities and large meeting and convention facilities. The resort is planned to be located on the Seven Seas Lagoon between the Ticket and Transportation Center and the Contemporary Resort. Land survaey have been made at teh proposed site, but no construction has started, this has been blamed on theland in teh area being unstable. Rumour extends to a new monorail station being built, however no rumours have been confirmed or dates announced

 

[slimplaw]

Ranger Stan talks about the train on his WL tour. I believe he said they had planned for the train to operate between WL and FW. If you take the tour, ask him about this. He also said that Walt Disney had originally talked about a lodge type structure when WDW was being planned.

 

[garylpn]

what i was told from cast members about 5 years ago was that it was to be a mediterranean themed resort, on the monorail line right across the waterway from the contemporary
i was also told it was going to be super luxury type resort, that your room key was going to be needed just to access exit from monorail, this was supposedly later ammended to allow non-hotel guests into shopping dining area, but strictly controlled so as to allow the super rich and celebrity guests privacy of pool and room areas
i understand the nightly rate was anticipated to be the highest on property, dwarfing even concierge rates
"if you have to ask, you can't afford it"
gary
son of a son of a sailor

 

[ClarabelleCow]

Is there land available where maybe they would add on to VWL, may Grand Villas!!! Kind of like the Beach Cottages! Wouldn't that be nice!

 

[MrShiny]

There wer also rumors of the return of the train and of two moderate resorts in the area - one I think was "Buffalo Junction." You can still see a couple of the FW train cars today - as the ticket booths for Pleasure Island.

 

[Doug Wolfe]

I find it very interesting how many different concepts have been on the drawing board, or even introduced, that never take place.

DVC announced a California location in the 1990's and even bought the property. It never happened and the property was later developed into a Marriott timeshare.

I have seen an artist concept drawing of a New York City location for DVC. It never happened.

And in October of 2001, DVC put out news releases on its new Eagle Pines resort. Anyone see Eagle Pines? Nice golf course, but no DVC. This project of course made way for SSR.

 

[ArnyVee]

Originally posted by slimplaw
Ranger Stan talks about the train on his WL tour. I believe he said they had planned for the train to operate between WL and FW. If you take the tour, ask him about this. He also said that Walt Disney had originally talked about a lodge type structure when WDW was being planned.

I hadn't heard about a Wilderness Lodge tour.

Any additional info on whether it is worth the time and how to get signed up for it?

We'll be headed to VWL in less than a month and wanted to maybe do a few things that we haven't before.