Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 The intrepid geeks at Mouseplanet are reporting that the Contemporary DVC won't be happening soon at all. That first will be a resort at DAK Lodge and that a mockup is being created at the Saratoga Springs Resort. MP then goes on to say that a DVC resort will be built in SoCal before the Contemporary gets wrecked. Any CMs know anything about this? Anyone? It sounds fishy to me ... not the building at DAK Lodge or in SoCal ... those are givens ... just the timing of it all. The North Wing of the Contemp. hasn't (and won't be renovated) and one has to wonder how Disney will be able to charge people the same price to stay in those rundown units as in the South. One also has to wonder why this would have been done to begin with ... this isn't the first time DVC has made changes on resorts ... they began clearing land and built an entrance bridge to a resort they were planning near Bonnet Creek golf courses ... this one was even announced to the press only to have Disney change its mind and turn the Disney Institute into Saratoga Springs. So who knows what's up?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <they began clearing land and built an entrance bridge to a resort they were planning near Bonnet Creek golf courses ... this one was even announced to the press only to have Disney change its mind and turn the Disney Institute into Saratoga Springs. < I remember the builing shown for this one - it was similar in looks to the Atlantis resort which is why I remember it
Originally Posted By tonyanton was it that tall? I thought they were 4-5 stories tops...not unlike what they SHOULD be doing at the Contemporary.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I remember the drawing showing it , I would say approx 15 stories at least --anyone else remember that view ?
Originally Posted By leemac <<this isn't the first time DVC has made changes on resorts ... they began clearing land and built an entrance bridge to a resort they were planning near Bonnet Creek golf courses>> Do you mean the Graham Gund Partnership buildings? The terraced buildings overlooking the courses? If so this is still going to be built. It is just that the opportunity to use the existing infrastructure of that hellish Saratoga Springs Resort was too good an opportunity to miss. Wing Chao still has this one as the next new-build for DVC.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <The terraced buildings overlooking the courses?< That would be the one I remember....
Originally Posted By leemac ^^ It is a beautiful design. Isn't intrusive into the courses but providing good views (and terraces) for every room (all of them faced on to the course). It was to be the most expensive DVC resort (by points) and I still think there is a huge demand for a more upscale DVC resort rather than OKW and SSR.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^ I remember I really liked the design, and although I love OKW ( my home resort for 12 years) - a choice of a more upscale contained offering also, room service etc. would be nice too.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I love OKW>> I'm glad you do, vbdad55 as I absolutely despise the place. And SSR. So much so that we are this close (cue very small gap between fingers) to sell out of the DVC.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Maybe for us it's because we are from Chicago...and having been to Key West it reminds us of warmer places the 6 months a year it is horrid here, or maybe it's because from a living space standpoint - the 2 bedroom units there are outstanding, especially if you bring another family with you -- I also like the relative quiet of the resort. I know some people prefer Boardwalk for the activity, it is not what I am seeking at night when I am there... Like you, I travel -- a LOT for work, and stay in many very very nice places...and appreciate each for it's own merits. For what I seek at WDW when there, OKW does it for us. I also like the Vero resort ( we stay in the Inn portion when there) - for different reasons.... Everyone sees something different. My sister just bought into SS and loves it....and yet took tours before and didn't join until SS.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I'd be interested to know what about OKW you dislike to that extent, and maybe why you think it is. It's always interesting to get others opinions....
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Do you mean the Graham Gund Partnership buildings? The terraced buildings overlooking the courses? If so this is still going to be built.>> Yep. That's the one. <<It is just that the opportunity to use the existing infrastructure of that hellish Saratoga Springs Resort was too good an opportunity to miss.>> Why do you feel Saratoga Springs is hellish? I am no big rah-rah DVC supporter, but I was quite pleasantly surprised by the place when I stayed there. It has a very nice, very peaceful, community-ish vibe. I don't like motel corridors, but that's my only real complaint. <<Wing Chao still has this one as the next new-build for DVC.>> I truly hope this isn't the case. That wooded area is one of the last major wilderness buffers between resort areas at WDW. Nothing should be built there let alone another giant timeshare resort. When Walt said 'We have enough land here for anything we can imagine' I don't think he was thinking about 20,000-plus timeshare units ... or Stepford .. I mean, Celebration either. It's amazing how crowded and overbuilt WDW feels now. Just the fact it can take 20 minutes (or more) to get from DD to World Drive because of all the traffic AND BUSES on Buena Vista Drive shows that. And Leemac, do you know what the deal is as to what DVC resort will be pimped next? Or is that information classified?
Originally Posted By leemac <<Why do you feel Saratoga Springs is hellish? >> I just hate those big sprawling messes. I like my resort hotels to be in one building with all of the facilities off of the lobby. That is why I like the Peter Dominick structures (DAK and Grand Californian in particular). SSR is just too big. Love the architectural styling and how it fits the old Institute but the interiors and common areas are pretty bland and dull. Plus it is about the only place you can get <6 months out now. I can rarely get the BoardWalk unless I plan 11 months out. Crazy. I also don't like not having a decent restaurant on-site. OKW I detest. Too many noisy families (reminds me of the All Star) for that. And it is too sprawling. A zillion motel-style buildings. Not nice. I like to be able to park up and not need to use the car to go pick up the newspaper or a drink.
Originally Posted By leemac <<And Leemac, do you know what the deal is as to what DVC resort will be pimped next? Or is that information classified?>> I wouldn't sweat too much right now. They are looking at a LOT of different alternatives in the DVC Master Planning area. SSR is adding a lot of capacity and that will be it for a little while I suspect. The issue with add-ons at existing resorts is trying to work it out with Resorts. The cost sharing etc. is attractive but it is also the additional burden on existing facilities (and I believe DAK Lodge has the highest occupancy rate at WDW and so this would be a big issue for Resorts). I'm not sure if there is the desire to continue in this model. It doesn't add that much capacity (look at BW Villas, Beach Club Villas and WL Villas). If DVC is expanding as quickly as they claim they will need another big resort soon. It wouldn't surprise me to see an older existing resort turned 100% into DVC.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <OKW I detest. Too many noisy families (reminds me of the All Star) for that< Interesting as my kids always complained there were too many adults and not enough kids, and in well over 20 stays there have not been by a noisy family ? Luck of the draw maybe, not sure. As far as the architecture, that is a style either one is comfortable with or not -- I guess once inside the spacious suites with golf course views - I pay little attention to the rest. Also for me, we drive down anyway and use the van for most things - and I would hate having to park as far away as one does in Boardwalk, and as far away as I used to in the GF again. So different priorities.
Originally Posted By leemac << would hate having to park as far away as one does in Boardwalk, and as far away as I used to in the GF again.>> BoardWalk is my favourite hotel by far. But then I valet everywhere so don't use self-park. I think I have just morphed into someone that needs full-service amenities and not having your trash removed for three days is starting to really bother me. It just doesn't feel like being away on vacation. But as you say different horses for different courses.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I just hate those big sprawling messes. I like my resort hotels to be in one building with all of the facilities off of the lobby. That is why I like the Peter Dominick structures (DAK and Grand Californian in particular).>. well, we share that. I love his three resorts and would hope Disney would use him in the future. There's something that just makes me feel at home and relaxed as soon as I step inside. <<SSR is just too big. Love the architectural styling and how it fits the old Institute but the interiors and common areas are pretty bland and dull.>> No more so than the two resorts that preceded it on the same site. <<Plus it is about the only place you can get <6 months out now. I can rarely get the BoardWalk unless I plan 11 months out. Crazy. I also don't like not having a decent restaurant on-site.>> The Turf Club opened recently and everything was quite tasty, although the menu is way too limited. <<OKW I detest. Too many noisy families (reminds me of the All Star) for that. And it is too sprawling. A zillion motel-style buildings. Not nice. I like to be able to park up and not need to use the car to go pick up the newspaper or a drink.>> OKW is about the only WDW Resort -- other than Beach Club Villas and ASMovies -- that I've never spent a single night in. As a Floridian, the theme doesn't do anything for me. I have always enjoyed dining at Olivia's though, until they dumbed the menu way down.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I wouldn't sweat too much right now. They are looking at a LOT of different alternatives in the DVC Master Planning area. SSR is adding a lot of capacity and that will be it for a little while I suspect. The issue with add-ons at existing resorts is trying to work it out with Resorts. The cost sharing etc. is attractive but it is also the additional burden on existing facilities (and I believe DAK Lodge has the highest occupancy rate at WDW and so this would be a big issue for Resorts). I'm not sure if there is the desire to continue in this model. It doesn't add that much capacity (look at BW Villas, Beach Club Villas and WL Villas). If DVC is expanding as quickly as they claim they will need another big resort soon. It wouldn't surprise me to see an older existing resort turned 100% into DVC.>> Interesting. I'm trying to figure what resort would best suit this ... one would assume a deluxe ... the Boardwalk perhaps. But I still can't believe Disney is going to leave the North Wing stuck in the mid-90s while the rest of the place looks so great while awaiting a master plan. Something smells funny. Who would pay/accept a room in North Wing? Anyway ... time to get Lost!
Originally Posted By Labuda Maybe they plan to eventually demolish the north wing and put the DVC units in there?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<I love OKW>> Me too. I've only stayed there once, but it shot right to the top of my list of favorites. My wife prefers Boardwalk, but if it were up to me we would spend every WDW vacation at Old Key West. <<OKW I detest. Too many noisy families (reminds me of the All Star) for that. And it is too sprawling. A zillion motel-style buildings. Not nice. I like to be able to park up and not need to use the car to go pick up the newspaper or a drink.>> The kids thing is the opposite of my experience. The fact that most folks there seemed to be our age and that there were very few young children was a big plus for me. Man, if those are motel buildings give me motels!! I thought they were styled and furnished very nicely -- especially the one bedroom units. I don't see why people have such a thing about outside entrances unless you are a woman traveling alone. Even there, WDW security is good enough that I wouldn't worry about it. I kind of like the convenience and privacy of not having to walk down endless corridors and go out through a lobby like you do at the Boardwalk. I love the quiet relaxed feeling of OKW. I love the landscaping -- it always reminds me of Dixie Landings which was far and away my favorite pre-DVC resort. I love the fact that we were treated better than we have been at any other DVC resort. I think the CM there know that OKW is last on many people’s list and do everything they can to make up for it. I love Olivia's and the fact that OKW has a table service restaurant where I can get breakfast. Boardwalk has a zillion places to eat (well, almost) but NOT ONE PLACE where you can get a table service breakfast. As far as having to use a car to go anywhere... that was not our experience. We asked at check-in for a room close to the hospitality house and they said if we were willing to take a third floor room we could have one right across the street! We were certainly willing and it was great!! The only complaint I would have about OKW at all is that it is so large and there are so many cul-de-sacs that the busses take a fair amount of time getting to your stop once you arrive at the resort. With many of the building areas ending in cul-de-sacs, the bus has to spend a lot of time back-tracking. Being right across from the Hospitality House meant that we got on the bus at the last stop in the resort when we were heading out. Of course that meant we were the last stop returning from the parks, but that is really no big deal. Having a cool place to sit for awhile after a day in the parks is a GOOD thing.
