CastAStone
5th gate? Just build a new resort Bob.
Why wouldn’t you count Aulani, which is in its 14th year of sales, likely to have 38 more, and if anything is a screaming red flag of what happens when they spread themselves too thin?
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News Disney Lakeshore Lodge (Project 89 - Development near Fort Wilderness)
- Thread starter danlb_2000
- Start date
SpaceMountain77
Well-Known Member
There may be a more recent article, but I am familiar with this one from DVCNews:
Aulani Sales Progress, Late-2021 Edition
At the time, it was projected that Aulani would approach sellout sometime in 2029, 18 years after its opening. Roll it in and you have 6 properties in active sales.
Personally, I think we will see another cash grab along the monorail beam with the addition of a Seven Seas Lagoon Tower at the Contemporary Resort before something is built next to Pioneer Hall.
CastAStone
5th gate? Just build a new resort Bob.
I don’t see an update to that but I looked at the Aulani dues for 2023 and it’s based on 330 rooms, so another 3% of the resort has sold.
I do think that as Aulani ages it will be less attractive as a purchase proposition just due to years remaining, but
. I would bet heavily on the over of 2029 for a sell out, but perhaps I’m being a bit negative to say it will never sell out.
flyerjab
Well-Known Member
Seeing reports that a permit extension was granted (5 years) for project related to the ‘Reflections’ Resort. I recall this being on pause. Does this indicate it may move forward again, or might something else be in the pipeline for this location? It would surprise me if this was still happening, especially the DVC portion since the cabins are being converted and the build at the Poly is currently underway. Not to mention Riviera is still halfway undersold.
nickys
Premium Member
This surfaced a couple of months ago IIRC.
But a permit is really just for work to be carried out. At this point there’s no knowing whether they intend to continue with the original plans.
Even if they do, this was for a combined resort, not just DVC. For some reason that was often forgotten.
Could also be they’re cancelling the DVC cabins at FW and going back to Reflections having decided DVC didn’t fit at FW.
flyerjab
Well-Known Member
I remember that there was a resort and DVC section proposed. If they want to continue with the resort portion, by all means please do. The DVC section seems like overreach at this point if the cabin DVC conversion is still happening.
CastAStone
5th gate? Just build a new resort Bob.
My guess is they’re simply maintaining flexibility for the future. An extension is a LOT easier to file than a new permit application.
aladdin2007
Well-Known Member
Hopefully they have gone back to the drawing board for something more fitting in that location from a design standpoint. A retirement condo city block building was not the answer, but after looking at the polynesian mess, these areas are just getting more and more ruined.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Building permits are for specific work. They can be amended but for a completely different design it’s doubtful you’d be allowed to maintain the existing permit.
nickys
Premium Member
For an actual building permit - fair enough.
But as @danlb_2000 has said, these “permits” that he tracks are really a notice for commencement of work. Which is why I assumed this was just extending that notice, not an actual building permit for the structure previously proposed.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
They come after a building permit and are tied to that scope of work.
In this case it was not a notice of commencement, but a South Florida Water Management District Permit that was just for setting up an area near the STOL Port to stockpile earth for use in the Reflections project. It was extended for 5 more years but that is the default expiration on SFWMD permits.
Here is what the area looked like in April of 2022.
The permit in question wasn't for actual construction of the resort, but for a construction stockpile area, so I wouldn't read to much into it.
scottieRoss
Well-Known Member
While many did not like it, it was very fitting for a lakeside resort and spa. Modern, bright, and a reflection of the area.
CastAStone
5th gate? Just build a new resort Bob.
I agree. The design was perfectly fine.
aladdin2007
Well-Known Member
It wasn't, it belonged in a downtown city office block, not situated between the campground and lodge, just as bad as the tower going in at the polynesian.... but just opinion we can agree to disagree.
CastAStone
5th gate? Just build a new resort Bob.
The tower at the Poly is also fine.
The only recent hotels I’ve hated are the Swan Reserve and CSR tower.
Bocabear
Well-Known Member
it's the location...between a resort based on the American National parks lodges, and a rustic Wilderness themed campground, the hotel building should have taken it's design cues from what was on either side to make the whole are feel more harmonious. The Reflections Resort buildings did indeed look like a modern apartment complex in any city USA.
These non-themed resort buildings are eroding the very thing that made Disney special to begin with.
nickys
Premium Member
This ^^^^
The actual design is fine but not when it’s immediate neighbouring resorts have a rustic theme. Now if it was on the northern side of the lake, nearer to BLT, then maybe it wouldn’t be so incongruous.
trainplane3
Well-Known Member
At the most, limit it to 4 floors. That way it's at least lower and more hidden. Ideally the giant log cabin approach would be the best but you know, it's easier to toss up concrete walls with some paint rather then put effort into it.