News Disney Lakeshore Lodge (Project 89 - Development near Fort Wilderness)

[Calmdownnow]

This will have its own boat dock, but I'm guessing you're right and that they will share boat transportation.

So, the next logical question is: if they share boat transportation, will they need new bigger boats to service these resorts? With potentially 3,500 extra passengers a couple of times a day, you would hope so or there will be a considerable decline in service for guests. Anyone know if any new boats are on order?

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

There are 6 launches (the smaller outdoor only boats with the really cool captains wheel!) and 4 cruisers which are ADA and have both indoor and outdoor seating.

One cruiser has to be on each route to accommodate ADA.

 

[peter11435]

SSR on the other hand cannot even muster indoor hallways or out building elevators. That’s something even travel lodges in Canada can do.

All of the buildings at SSR have elevators

 

[peter11435]

So, the next logical question is: if they share boat transportation, will they need new bigger boats to service these resorts? With potentially 3,500 extra passengers a couple of times a day, you would hope so or there will be a considerable decline in service for guests. Anyone know if any new boats are on order?

The tradewinds was specifically built in anticipation of Reflections.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

The tradewinds was specifically built in anticipation of Reflections.

And for those unfamiliar with the geeky transportation stuff - the Tradewinds is one of the larger, ADA accessible cruisers.

 

[peter11435]

In theory they should be able to run one launch and one cruiser for FW-MK, LL-MK, WL-MK, and GF/Poly-MK. With the remaining two launches being used for the Bay Lake Resort circle. LL will complicate the timing and capacity of the resort loop though.

 

[rogerrabbitfan9]

In theory they should be able to run one launch and one cruiser for FW-MK, LL-MK, WL-MK, and GF/Poly-MK. With the remaining two launches being used for the Bay Lake Resort circle. LL will complicate the timing and capacity of the resort loop though.

Last time we were at the Fort a few years ago Disney had eliminated the Bay Lake Resort circle. (That being removed was honestly a big part of why we started only doing Universal.) I could see them just not bothering with the loop and using the smaller boats that frees up to handle overload traffic for the bigger boats.

 

[peter11435]

Last time we were at the Fort a few years ago Disney had eliminated the Bay Lake Resort circle. (That being removed was honestly a big part of why we started only doing Universal.) I could see them just not bothering with the loop and using the smaller boats that frees up to handle overload traffic for the bigger boats.

The Resort loop did not return right away after reopening from Covid. However it has been back for about two years now.

 

[HauntedPirate]

It drives me wild FYI that the onus of proof is not on the fact Disney has never said they won’t include both (and we both know they’ll include both).

But that the bad musings of the internet holds more weight. So many communities have convinced themselves there are no cash rooms, despite Disney having never once said otherwise. Nor actual evidence that they ever deviated from the first plan.

Yeah it’s just bizarre. If this ends up being DVC only, I’ll eat my hat. But literally everything I’ve seen has shown the mix of cash and DVC rooms. This is one thread where the information I’ve posted is from plans I have seen with my own eyes. No speculation on my part unless it’s a question around something not in the plans.

 

[esskay]

So, the next logical question is: if they share boat transportation, will they need new bigger boats to service these resorts? With potentially 3,500 extra passengers a couple of times a day, you would hope so or there will be a considerable decline in service for guests. Anyone know if any new boats are on order?

Given the poly didn't really get any increase in services for the new tower, probably not. They'll just leave it as it is until enough people complain, and might throw in an extra boat when it gets busy.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

The Grand Floridian looks nothing like its adjacent property the Polynesian, which looks nothing like its adjacent property the Contemporary. There was no attempt to have an overarching theme/look to the original MK hotels, why would you think they would attempt to do so now?

I think meant by the DVC additions within existing resorts, not the resorts each as it's own individual self.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Have you stayed at a Fairfield? Come on now, unless you have some deluxe Fairfields where you are, you can't compare the two.

I completely get that the theming of Disney hotels is poor compared to the heyday of the 1980's and 1990's, no doubt about that, but I think they are still much better as a whole compared to a run of the mill Marriott.

Those reference comparisons are based on the exterior boxy looks and maybe the lobby also of the newer DVC resorts that have come right after Gran Destino Tower. Now is Bay Lake Tower a success or that too considered like a Marriot"

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Now is Bay Lake Tower a success or that too considered like a Marriot

Bay Lake Tower is certainly similar to a Mariott / brand name hotel but it gets a little bit of a pass because of the contemporary itself.

The tower blends with the contemporary.

The poly tower does not blend with the Polynesian and this project will most likely be worse.

 

[Chef idea Mickey`=]

Bay Lake Tower is certainly similar to a Mariott / brand name hotel but it gets a little bit of a pass because of the contemporary itself.

The tower blends with the contemporary.

The poly tower does not blend with the Polynesian and this project will most likely be worse.

Which is a bummer for Poly because Villas at Grand Floridian and Bay Lake Tower are such astonishing additions as DVC additions.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Which is a bummer for Poly because Villas at Grand Floridian and Bay Lake Tower are such astonishing additions as DVC additions.

Yes, what seemed to get lost on my comparison to the Anaheim Westin - there is no charm to the Polynesian lobby. It’s similar to the Westin (owned by mariott).

The grand tower has the fountain and Mary Poppins details all over the place. It feels Disney.

 

[MisterPenguin]

The tower blends with the contemporary.

Blends as in grey concrete next to grey concrete? Yes.

Blends as in architectural style? No.

 

[Starship824]

Ya know it's funny comparing all these hotels to a Marriott when the two actual Marriott hotels on Disney property (the swan and dolphin) look better than the modern Disney hotels like this and the poly tower.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Ya know it's funny comparing all these hotels to a Marriott when the two actual Marriott hotels on Disney property (the swan and dolphin) look better than the modern Disney hotels like this and the poly tower.

But why is that? Not because of Mariott. Because of Eisner.

The mariott built tower is equally bad.

 

[nickys]

I think meant by the DVC additions within existing resorts, not the resorts each as it's own individual self.

It hasn’t been announced whether this will be part of the Cabins at FW DVC resort.

The fact that this is a “hybrid” resort makes that less likely IMO.

Quite apart from the downsides from a DVC point of view (the main one being that the maintenance fees will be higher than would be expected, due to the cost of replacing the cabins mid way through), it would also mean all 900 rooms would have access to the FW amenities.

 

[nickys]

Bay Lake Tower is certainly similar to a Mariott / brand name hotel but it gets a little bit of a pass because of the contemporary itself.

The tower blends with the contemporary.

The poly tower does not blend with the Polynesian and this project will most likely be worse.

How does a A frame tower blend with a curved tower?