Why did DVC abandon the Eagle Pines plans?

[keys2kingdom]

So Dean, do you think they will ever build a DL DVC? I seem to have noticed a lot more members from California on the boards lately. Do they have any room out there to build something on property? My former guide moved out there to sell and I can't help but think they are planning something for out there. It would make sense I just don't know where they'd put it!

I agree about the EP plans having more appeal than the SSR ones. I think the golf aspect would have sold well. From the looks of the press release they planned to have both an inn part and the villas. I think that would have worked nicely. Oh well, I'll be staying put at BCV anyway.

 

[Dean]

So Dean, do you think they will ever build a DL DVC? I seem to have noticed a lot more members from California on the boards lately. Do they have any room out there to build something on property? My former guide moved out there to sell and I can't help but think they are planning something for out there. It would make sense I just don't know where they'd put it!

I agree about the EP plans having more appeal than the SSR ones. I think the golf aspect would have sold well. From the looks of the press release they planned to have both an inn part and the villas. I think that would have worked nicely. Oh well, I'll be staying put at BCV anyway.

Not unless they can build it within walking distance. I'm sure they'd like to and would be easy to sell out. I know there is a small spot or 2 of possibility but it doesn't sound like there's enough room to build a large enough structure to justify it. I'm sure the sales move was to sell SSR, just another reason to think the sales weren't going well.

 

[Kevin&Randall]

I don't mind adding DVC Villas to an existing Deluxe Resort. I think the BCV and VWL are great extensions of a theme. I have heard to the rumors of the Contemporary Villas, but this quote is new:

I think because this is easy money for them, DVC Contemporary will be next then AKL DVC.

I have never heard the rumor of Animal Kingdom Lodge (what? VAKL, AKLV?). When do you think that might happen? And where?!? I love Animal Kingdom Lodge, but they'd have to expand the restaurant options. I can never get into Boma.

I would like to see DVC build from the ground up though. An all DVC property like OKW has an energy different from Deluxe/Villa combos. Disney has talked for a long time about a Mediterranean themed resort on the Monorail between TTC and the Contemporary. Now that would be an excellent DVC-only location. But even Eagle Pines has an appeal.

Randall

 

[popsmensahbonsu]

I'm doubting EP will ever be built or if it is, it'll be a long time. However, from what I know about both projects, this was a cost issue as the driving force. And to be honest, I suspect they would have had more demand for EP than SSR. OF course it does depend on the specifics but it had more appeal to me than does SSR.

Dean, well we agree on one thing here. Seems the Doctor disagrees with us. Why was the EP project more appealing to you than SSR? Theme, location, other? Why was the cost so much higher? Because they used existing Disney Institute buildings for SSR ? Thanks.


pops

 

[Chuck S]

I think the cost difference had to do more with the fact that utilities were already in place at the SSR location...water, electricity, phone. For the Eagle Pines site those utilites would have to have been new installations to that site...new lines, new transformers, new pipes. Running underground utilities to a location is an expensive initial cost, though the long term upkeep is often cheaper.

 

[Dean]

Disney has talked for a long time about a Mediterranean themed resort on the Monorail between TTC and the Contemporary. Now that would be an excellent DVC-only location.

I'm guessing you've heard about the original plans for the Bay Lake area which included the Venetian in the area you note, the Asian which would have been at the present site of the FG and the Persian, which would have been essentially the other side of Mickey's Toontown on the lake. All would have been on the monorail which means the route would have been different for the Persian. The other 2 resorts in the plans were the CR, then called the Tempo Bay, and the Poly.

The Venetian would have had a mediterranean look.

 

[Dean]

Dean, well we agree on one thing here. Seems the Doctor disagrees with us. Why was the EP project more appealing to you than SSR? Theme, location, other? Why was the cost so much higher? Because they used existing Disney Institute buildings for SSR ? Thanks.


pops

I'm not sure why it was more appealing. I guess I simply liked the theming and lodge concept. The space gave them the chance to "do it right" rather than try to fit into the existing area. As noted by others, I'm sure it was cheaper due to the roads, utilities and existing buildings. Plus sit was sitting empty so I'm sure the higher ups gave them little choice. Much like selling a vehicle to a relative rather than trading it in. Hopefully a win win for both sides though I guess that's what we're debating. The EP project was also not quite as large as SSR though I guess they could have expanded it as well.

 

[Doctor P]

I will put it another way to make my point clearer--IMHO, EP will be developed before any other new WDW DVC resort that is not attached to an existing hotel, and I do expect that the time will come that EP WILL be built. However, I agree that that may not be for many years.

 

[PinotFan]

I'm not sure why it was more appealing. I guess I simply liked the theming and lodge concept.

What was the theme of EP going to be?

 

[goofy4dvc]

EP's architecture was to be the Mizner-type buildlings. The artist rendering of it that DVC put out when announcing it was beautiful. I was really excited, because DH and I always golf when it's just the two of us. In fact, we hardly ever go to the parks. When we take family trips, he golfs in the morning and joins us at the parks late afternoon and evening. We really liked the theming of EP and liked the location (golf course). I hope they build it someday.

 

[Rozzie]

I also hope they build it one day. I like the resort destination feel to SSR and OKW, and I know we would enjoy EP. I have really no interest in owning at CRV......now AKV, I would sell vital organs for that one!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dean]

What was the theme of EP going to be?

Here's the Press Release from ************* with pictures. After rereading, I think the main issue that got my attention was the Inn concept and the "vacation home accommodations" concept. I was hoping these were individual homes or duplexes or something akin. And I much prefer the Inn concept to where SSR ended up. I also preferred the renderings and architectural elements to where SSR ended up. I do realize it's hard to compare a concept to reality. And while I don't think EP will ever be built, or if it is, it'll be FAR into the future; I certainly hope I'm wrong.

Well, for some reason apparently that site is blocked from posting here, I wonder why. Email me privately and I'll give you the URL for the site with the press release.