Fort Wilderness DVC Resort plans for former River Country land

dgp602

dgp602

Well-Known Member
Unplugged said:
A quick reply to a few things I've seen in this thread (I'm not going to overload this with each person) and a few new thoughts.

  • Quick note on the naming reference, it's "Wilderness Lodge" & "The Villas at Wilderness Lodge" (often referenced as WLV), not "Fort Wilderness Lodge". No big deal, but it can get confusing when we start talking about the actual "Fort Wilderness".
  • The problems regarding GF's snack bar & shop were mentioned and references to other resorts with separate shops for DVC were noted. I wanted to point out from an operational point that WLV does NOT have it's own separate snack bar or shop and the resort operates very well (disclaimer...it's my DVC home resort). I do not know the total room count comparison between GF/WL and GFV/VWL, but assume there is some operational changes to all facilities at GF that will take some tweaking to get inventory right or even the next big remodel to enlarge the facilities. I'm sure it will work out when you have that much $$$ at the resort and in points raising a fuss about quality & service.
  • IMHO, while we don't stay at the Fort Wilderness campgrounds (we aren't the camping type), I think there is a LOT of value in the maintaining the natural experience. We've been there for the campfire shows, Hoop-dee-doo, and just to hang out. It's a great place and would be a terrible environmental/thematic loss to change it by adding DVC. While I find DVC a great thing, it should NOT impact FW. If DVC were perhaps simply dedicated RV spaces or cabins through DVC points for those that are long stay regulars, that would make far more sense, but I don't think the financial model would meet the margins they want.
  • IMHO - Looking at the WL grounds from Google Earth and having been there for years, it makes more sense to add an additional WLV building there, perhaps on the East side (towards the campgrounds on the East side of the WL pier) and add a small snack stop there. That would maintain both resort themes, increase DVC room count around the lakes, and not impact the camping.
But alas, I know the decisions we've seen as of late. Why take the logical path?
Click to expand...
Excellent post! Thank you
 
D

Donfan

Active Member
There are no separate gift shops or food facilities at with the Beach Club Villas or the Grand Californian Villas. The ones at the main hotels are very near and easy to get to and provide a decent selection of foods. There are probably others as well, but I just don't know about them.
 
Unplugged

Unplugged

Well-Known Member
dgp602 said:
Buffalo Junction....for those of us who had no idea what this was!! lol

Kind of a cool backstory and theming..

http://www.disneydrawingboard.com/WDW/MKArea/Wilderness Junction/WildernessJunction.html
Click to expand...
I never saw that (in all the useless knowledge I have of Disney, the parks, and resorts), so thanks for the info! I actually like that idea. Certainly a great way to clean up that between-resorts area with a great opportunity to enhance the walking & riding paths in the area & lake front usage. Almost a woodsy nature-centric Boardwalk.
 
dgp602

dgp602

Well-Known Member
Unplugged said:
I never saw that (in all the useless knowledge I have of Disney, the parks, and resorts), so thanks for the info! I actually like that idea. Certainly a great way to clean up that between-resorts area with a great opportunity to enhance the walking & riding paths in the area & lake front usage. Almost a woodsy nature-centric Boardwalk.
Click to expand...
If they have to develop that area, then this would be more appealing than a cookie cutter DVC with an extra large parking lot!

But my vote would be to keep the trees!! lol
 
raymusiccity

raymusiccity

Well-Known Member
Unplugged said:
A quick reply to a few things I've seen in this thread (I'm not going to overload this with each person) and a few new thoughts.

  • Quick note on the naming reference, it's "Wilderness Lodge" & "The Villas at Wilderness Lodge" (often referenced as WLV), not "Fort Wilderness Lodge". No big deal, but it can get confusing when we start talking about the actual "Fort Wilderness".
  • The problems regarding GF's snack bar & shop were mentioned and references to other resorts with separate shops for DVC were noted. I wanted to point out from an operational point that WLV does NOT have it's own separate snack bar or shop and the resort operates very well (disclaimer...it's my DVC home resort). I do not know the total room count comparison between GF/WL and GFV/VWL, but assume there is some operational changes to all facilities at GF that will take some tweaking to get inventory right or even the next big remodel to enlarge the facilities. I'm sure it will work out when you have that much $$$ at the resort and in points raising a fuss about quality & service.
  • IMHO, while we don't stay at the Fort Wilderness campgrounds (we aren't the camping type), I think there is a LOT of value in the maintaining the natural experience. We've been there for the campfire shows, Hoop-dee-doo, and just to hang out. It's a great place and would be a terrible environmental/thematic loss to change it by adding DVC. While I find DVC a great thing, it should NOT impact FW. If DVC were perhaps simply dedicated RV spaces or cabins through DVC points for those that are long stay regulars, that would make far more sense, but I don't think the financial model would meet the margins they want.
  • IMHO - Looking at the WL grounds from Google Earth and having been there for years, it makes more sense to add an additional WLV building there, perhaps on the East side (towards the campgrounds on the East side of the WL pier) and add a small snack stop there. That would maintain both resort themes, increase DVC room count around the lakes, and not impact the camping.
But alas, I know the decisions we've seen as of late. Why take the logical path?
Click to expand...

For what it's worth....we were returning by launch to The Cabins at Ft. Wilderness 2 nights ago and saw bright work lights inside River Country. There are also markers behind Pioneer Hall. There seems to be constant preliminary work for something in the near future. I don't think DVC would impact the campgrounds if placed adjacent to the old River Country site.
 
D

doctornick

Well-Known Member
Regarding "stand alone" DVC resorts and this River Country space.... Is it possible they might build DVC units there and have them be part of VWL? So, it can have their fees associated with maintaining the common areas of Wilderness Lodge.

Distance wise, it wouldn't be any worse than the Treehouse Villas being part of SSR, would it?
 

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