What resort did we see?

[DisneyHoneyMoon]

We rode the boat from POFQ to disney downtown, on the way we passed by what appeared to be a pretty cool resort. They almost looked like little tree house cabins. Any idea what we saw?

Thanks!
DisneyHoneyMoon

 

[nile455]

We rode the boat from POFQ to disney downtown, on the way we passed by what appeared to be a pretty cool resort. They almost looked like little tree house cabins. Any idea what we saw?

Thanks!
DisneyHoneyMoon

Sounds like the treehouse villas at the old Disney Institute.

 

[DisneyHoneyMoon]

Sounds like the treehouse villas at the old Disney Institute.

Good call! I did a google search for treehouse villas and sure enough, the picture popped up and it was exactly what we saw.

These look very cool and fun to stay in. Do they get regular Disney transportation? I don't recall ever seeing a bus with Treehouse Villas on them.

If anyone wants to see it, here's a link to a website that talks about it
http://www.mouseplanet.com/dtp/wdwguide/4_Accommodations/VDI_photo_tour_treehouse_villas.htm

 

[2angelsinheaven]

Not certain but I thought I heard they were no longer in use.

 

[TandCmum]

The treehouse villas were closed in 2001/2002, apparently (according to our POFQ boat driver) this was because they were no longer deemed to be accesible and for fire safety as they have a spiral staircase, and the only entry into the villas is from the second floor. Apparently though they are re-doing them and they will be used for college students.

 

[bicker]

See below.

 

[Lynn4Mel]

I saw them while riding the bus. they were neat but I wouldn't want to have ever stayed there. Too me looked like the cabins at my daughters summer camp. That will be great if they use them for the college students. Will save them from finding somewhere to stay and the cabins wouldn't "waste" away....

 

[DisneyAdamUK]

As told by many boat drivers from riverside/fq last week, the treehouses have been shut down for a few years now, but they are not possible to be used as part of a resort, they don't have disabled access and they're built on protected land, meaning they can't change the build design to make them accessable for disabled people. However they have been re-furbished and are going to be used to house the college students, which is pretty cool, they look nice, i'd like to stay in one. One of the boat drivers seemed to think some of the villas are being used already.
And now for one of those usless facts - The lights of the treehouse villas are left on to help the boat drivers navigate the waterways.

 

[bicker]

Disney's transportation CMs are notorious for providing unreliable rumors. I think it is something of a game between them. However, we'll know for sure soon, since the first SSR condominium meeting is next month.

 

[4theloveofdisney]

During a stay at OKW, we rented a boat and drove it to DD. On the way we passed the old Treehouses. We noticed a ton of damage from one of the hurricanes (Charley I think?) Trees had fallen on some of the units and we saw several walkways that were broken and so on. In the past, we had also heard the same rumors as previously mentioned.

 

[nicdanh]

We just returned from SSR & every night and day we would pass by the Tree House villas entrance. There is always a guard at the gate and at night there where lights on in some of the villas & it was not always the same villa. So I am thinking there are people staying in them already.

 

[Morganpics]

We stayed at OKW early November and were told by one of the ferry drivers that employees of the different worlds at Epcot are staying there.

 

[maryliz]

We stayed here in 2000, and it is one of our BEST stays at WDW ! The villas are huge, and absolutely beautiful surroundings. There is a door at ground level, but you can only use it to go OUTSIDE, you can't enter into the villa from that level.

I'm very sad that they cannot use them anymore as a guest resort. For one thing, they slept 6 people, had full kitchen, laundry and 2 full bathrooms. They were great for people with 3 or 4 kids, and gave everyone lots of room for some private space

MaryLiz

 

[BethC1952]

Last Thursday afternoon we saw a bus (just a plain white one, not marked as Disney Transport) which had a computer-lettered sign which said "MK - Treehouse Villas" on the road where the Treehouse Villas entrance is. I guess they're starting to use it to house someone!

Beth

 

[SueM in MN]

Here's a link to another recent thread on this board about this resort and a link to a recent thread on the DVC Board.