Originally Posted By jmuboy I've been wondering that since it seems like the Contemporary DVC and DAK DVC switched places (all rumors pointed to Contemporary being announced and opened first). So I was thinking that maybe a modified / smaller version of the Contemporary DVC tower that was leaked online will be built instead - because of the negative reaction online. So they had to announce the DAK DVC first to give them more time to plan and prep for the Contemporary DVC building. just a guess. What do you guys think?
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom While I was staying at the DAKL two weeks ago. I asked some CMs about the plans for DAK DVCs. You want to keep in mind this is information FROM Cast Members NOT official work from Disney. The CMs said that all the DVC will be in a seperate building from the Lodge. None of the 4th or 5th floor Savanah rooms will be dedicated to DVCs. And actually after staying at the DAKL this makes sense to me. Disney is doing a lot of activity with the land around DAKL. They have pretty much have cleared out the land south of the lodge so that only small bushes and scrubs remaining south of DAKL butting up against off property. From the VERY entrance ( where the sign is for DAKL ) you can actually see the other off property hotels and stores. I'm not sure where the plans are for the DAK DVC's yet.. but its a done deal according to the CMs. I thought perhaps all the property cleared out is for the proposed " Downtown Disney West" project. I know its not officially called that.. just not sure at the moment what the correct name of that project is. Disney has also been diligently running new fiber optic cable ( going on during the entire duration of my trip ) along the road that goes from DAKL to the rest of the property. Sorry don't know the name of the road that feeds into DAKL. Disney was also working on buried power boxes. I don't know if that was routine maintainence or expanding their current facilities. The CMs had no work about the Contemp DVC. They behavied as if that was just some vicious rumor. DAK DVC are definately going to happen.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros That would be really nice. I have been wondering why they are so slow to take the old part down and begin construction. If they had already gutted the inside, there would be no big rush to finish the demolition if they are still working on the plans for the building. I have no idea if that is what is actually going on, but I kind of hope so.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Work is going on at the Contemp but word is again from the Cast Members that Disney is removing asbestos. No word about any DVC contruction at the Contemp.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom To me the most telling "sign" I saw was Disney laying down Fiber Optic cable. Its expensive to run and can provides enough bandwith for a huge, huge project ( or multiple projects for that matter). Much greater expense than needs to be done for just the DAK DVC project. Disney definately is putting in enough facilities for something big for that area.
Originally Posted By Fe Maiden <<The CMs said that all the DVC will be in a seperate building from the Lodge. None of the 4th or 5th floor Savanah rooms will be dedicated to DVCs.>> I'm not so sure of that. I'm looking at the DAK DVC mailer I got in the mail a week or so ago and in it states: "Begin enjoying the resort's first vacation homes this year, along with the dining and recreation options os Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge." Sounds like they will be reserving some rooms at AKL for DVC. I don't think they're going to have new villas up and ready this year. Unless they're farther long than I thought.
Originally Posted By Fe Maiden Here's some more info I found on the member site: "You can experience Disney's Animal Kingdom Villas in fall 2007, when the Resort welcomes its first Guests to superb new accommodations located at Jambo House, the existing Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. At Jambo House you will enjoy amenities such as the stunning Uzima Pool and two popular restaurants, Boma — Flavors of Africa and Jiko — The Cooking Place. In early 2009, the new Kidani Village will bring: Vacation Homes where most of the rooms offer more spacious floor plans than those found in other Disney Vacation Club Resorts and all one-bedrooms will sleep up to five people A brand-new full-service restaurant where you can enjoy savory meals An additional savanna that you can view from your room A feature pool and water play area — fun for children, tots and teens "
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom DAKL is going to have to do something about their parking lot. It looked to me as if they had just expanded the parking lot area as there was an area that was newly paved. Trying to drive into DAK was the most difficult of any Disney resort during my vacation and I was staying at the DAKL. We had to show a room key to get into the parking area our "paper pass" on the dashboard stating that we were staying at the DAKL and the duration of our stay was NOT good enough. And this was OFF season. The parking lot was fun especially at night when many people were coming over to the DAKL to dine at Boma and Jinko.
Originally Posted By Fe Maiden ^^^No problem, I had been carrying the mailer in my briefcase for a week and hadn't looked at it yet. Your post prompted me to take a look at the details.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Personally I think you have the more up to date information Fe Maiden. But, and I asked a few times and was consistently told that NO DVCs would be in the DAKL. I also don't see how the DAKL lends itself to having DVCs and folks getting an upscale Savanah view room all in the same area and sharing the same lounges. To me that cheapens the value of having a DVC.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Is that mailing the one that opens and has the animal silhouettes? I really thought they did an excellent job with that and i like the new DVC website announcing DVC AKL.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I also don't see how the DAKL lends itself to having DVCs and folks getting an upscale Savanah view room all in the same area and sharing the same lounges. To me that cheapens the value of having a DVC.>> To me, it cheapens the value of a deluxe resort. But the CMs you spoke with were ill-informed ... there will be DVC units in the current lodge building on the 5th and 6th floors and construction has already begun. And DVC at the Contemporary is a done deal, that is why the North Garden wing building was demolished.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<But the CMs you spoke with were ill-informed ... there will be DVC units in the current lodge building on the 5th and 6th floors and construction has already begun.>> There was no construction going on at AKL while I was there two weeks ago for an 8 day stay. <<And DVC at the Contemporary is a done deal, that is why the North Garden wing building was demolished.>> The North Garden wing appeared to be still standing while I was at WDW two weeks ago. The area was closed off and taped off but still standing.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> The North Garden wing appeared to be still standing while I was at WDW two weeks ago. << Demolition is happening a section at a time. I'll be visiting the Contemporary tomorrow (Friday) and I'm going to check on progress then. (If it's proper to use the word "progress" for taking something down)
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp <<And DVC at the Contemporary is a done deal, that is why the North Garden wing building was demolished.>> We went past it on Sunday (from the Fort Wilderness ferry), and the wing is indeed gone. But the question we had was: are they planning to keep the remainder of the North buildings? The wind looked like it was sawn off in the bridging corridor between the wing and the main part, and it appeared that they were taking care not to harm the main North Garden building. So is this going to stay, or are they just being methodical?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<There was no construction going on at AKL while I was there two weeks ago for an 8 day stay.>> There is now. <<The North Garden wing appeared to be still standing while I was at WDW two weeks ago. The area was closed off and taped off but still standing.>> It's not standing anymore.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> It's not standing anymore. << I'm going to see it on Friday. I'll get some updated pictures. I hope my monorail beam is still there.
