Is Bay Lake Tower Really That Bad?

[Edisto Pluto]

I like the design. Although I'm not a student of architecture I do feel they kept the integrity of the original contemporary design. First class design, first class view, first class location.

 

[VillanovaBlue]

Agreed. It dwarfs the old tower which used to be the main focus of the resorts design. Even if another were built, the exterior view would look far less dramatic than it originally did. Still wondering if it can be seen from Main Street.

If you look at some of the pics linked above, you'd see that they are basically the same height...the new tower doesn't "dwarf" the old one by any means...and I haven't thought to look, but I doubt you can see it from Main St...

 

[DMC-12]

Its no more of an eyesore than the building its adjacent to.

I was just thinking... it makes the concrete 1970's toaster next to it look REALLY DATED now. :lol:

Not that I am a "hater" (because, I'm not). The Contempo has some charm... and it has a freaking monorail running through it! lol The refurbed rooms are pretty sweet... I totally dig the bathrooms!

 

[hokielutz]

I do like the design myself after seeing it with most of the scaffolding off of it in mid January.

But maybe the size of it, especially if a second tower is built, will close out any view of Bay Lake, unless you are staying in the resort.

There is also a major problem with adding another tower.... that south tower would not have un-obstructed views of the MK park.... only a few rooms would have the view because the A-Frame main building would be in the way.

 

[DVCOwner]

I just do not understand "I just object to more DVC". DVC is making big bucks for Disney and more than paying its own way. It provides continue attendence at the parks and helps with paying the bills. I see DVC as nothing but a plus all around; unless you do not want to see expansion of WDW.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

the big complainers would have no clue how to design anything better.
.

Thats a good idea lets limit posts to things we are qualified to comment on. Should cut down on the chaff.

Though the concept of design in public spaces is an interesting one, especially for someone like me who grew up in a town with award winning buildings, which are now rated as the worst in the UK. Bay lake is what it is, I just cant see the need to dress it as something else because it has a Disney label, still its better than the carp and duck.

 

[steve2wdw]

I don't mind the look of the new tower, but as a resort goes, I feel very little warmth when I visit there. As a DVC member, I'm very happy at the Villas at Wildnerness Lodge. Atmosphere oozes there and I find arriving at MK by boat is far more magical than by monorail.

Just a bit off topic, but we DVC members could have quite a bit of clout if we started acting like the AP-ers of DL. We've spent a good deal of money with Disney and should be demanding better upkeep of our Tragic, I mean Magic Kingdom and the rest of the World. Don't get me wrong, I still love the place, but I miss the MK of the mid-70's.

 

[Ausdaddy]

I just do not understand "I just object to more DVC". DVC is making big bucks for Disney and more than paying its own way. It provides continue attendence at the parks and helps with paying the bills. I see DVC as nothing but a plus all around; unless you do not want to see expansion of WDW.

I think a lot of people would like to see them build resorts for the public rather than DVC. Personally, nothing wrong with a Disney Time Share. I'm sure I'll buy it some day. The BLT models almost got me a few weeks ago.

 

[jt04]

I think a lot of people would like to see them build resorts for the public rather than DVC. Personally, nothing wrong with a Disney Time Share. I'm sure I'll buy it some day. The BLT models almost got me a few weeks ago.

DVC is built for the "public". :shrug:No secret decoder ring required.

 

[MKCP 1985]

Thats a good idea lets limit posts to things we are qualified to comment on. Should cut down on the chaff.

Though the concept of design in public spaces is an interesting one, especially for someone like me who grew up in a town with award winning buildings, which are now rated as the worst in the UK. Bay lake is what it is, I just cant see the need to dress it as something else because it has a Disney label, still its better than the carp and duck.

and even if the complainers had design credentials from a to z, still other complainers would complain they don't like the complainer's alternative designs either.

so yeah. you raise a good point. Being Disney, some would say "design something that doesn't look like the condos at the beach," and you come up with the carp and duck, as you call them, and people complain about their design as well. :lol:

gotta love that free speech.

 

[tirian]

It`s not a bad design at all.

Just the wrong location.

Ditto. A bit too tall, but I've never really complained about it. I can't wait to stay there.

However, there is too much DVC around the resort; and Disney's focus on DVC instead of attractions is going to come back to haunt them as more repeat Guests visit and demand new rides.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

gotta love that free speech.

Thats a concept limited to the former colonies.

Duck

Carp

The case for the defence rests.

Large lump of concrete with a train through it

Large lump of concrete next to train.
You have to agree the themeing is consistent. Nice inside if you like that sort of thing

 

[tirian]

I just do not understand "I just object to more DVC". DVC is making big bucks for Disney and more than paying its own way. It provides continue attendence at the parks and helps with paying the bills. I see DVC as nothing but a plus all around; unless you do not want to see expansion of WDW.

I'm waiting for the DVC owners to start behaving like the DL APs by demanding constant improvement.

That would actually be a good thing, BTW.

 

[tirian]

I don't mind the look of the new tower, but as a resort goes, I feel very little warmth when I visit there. As a DVC member, I'm very happy at the Villas at Wildnerness Lodge. Atmosphere oozes there and I find arriving at MK by boat is far more magical than by monorail.

Just a bit off topic, but we DVC members could have quite a bit of clout if we started acting like the AP-ers of DL. We've spent a good deal of money with Disney and should be demanding better upkeep of our Tragic, I mean Magic Kingdom and the rest of the World. Don't get me wrong, I still love the place, but I miss the MK of the mid-70's.

I agree. Monorail=Epcot for me.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

I'm waiting for the DVC owners to start behaving like the DL APs by demanding constant improvement.

That would actually be a good thing, BTW.

See Im not a moaner, just ahead of the game

 

[Animaniac93-98]

If you look at some of the pics linked above, you'd see that they are basically the same height...the new tower doesn't "dwarf" the old one by any means...and I haven't thought to look, but I doubt you can see it from Main St...

It may not dwarf the tower but it takes away from the impact and impressiveness of the size of the A-frame building, both up close and from afar by having something just as big next to it.

 

[GothMickey]

BLT doesn't look that bad at all. However, if another tower goes up on the other side of the A frame, it may balance it out a little better.

 

[EpcotServo]

Yes it is that bad.






a thousand times, yes.

 

[GothMickey]

Yes it is that bad.






a thousand times, yes.

DVC hatrer. :ROFLOL:

We know. It is ok.

 

[Missing20K]

Out of curiosity, does anyone know who the architect of record for the BLT is? Disney has a storied history of using preeminent architects to design some of their buildings, and the results more often than not, spoke for themselves.

I understand people don't like the Swan and the Dolphin (I'm an architecture student, and I don't like them) but they were designed by Michael Graves, one of the best alive, and there is some really neat architectural playfulness that is lost on non-architecture people, which in my opinion, makes it fail as a design. The same playfulness can be seen in the Team Disney Building in Anaheim. Frank Gehry (don't get me started on him, he is such a paradox) designed Festival Disney at DLP and while I have never been there, it looks like an extremely neat space. He also designed the Disney Concert Hall in LA (which looks eerily similar to the Guggenheim). Peter Dominick did an amazing job on the WL. Robert A M Stern designed a few of the best themed hotels in the world in the Yacht and Beach Clubs and the Boardwalk Hotel. Charles Gwathmey did the convention center at the Contemporary, which I know most people don't like, but I find it interesting. Cesar Pelli, Graves, Robert A M Stern, Venturi Scott Brown, all did buildings for Celebration. PHILIP FREAKIN JOHNSON, for crying out loud, (for anyone who doesn't know the guy was a stud, he was every bit as good if not better, than Frank Lloyd Wright) even designed for Disney, completing the Town Hall in Celebration.

I guess my point is, that if Disney can get Pritzker Prize (the Nobel Prize of architecture) winners to design buildings for them, who allowed the BLT to be built in it's current location and configuration. While it does provide a nice counterpoint to the A-frame, it's location, size, material choice, orientation, among many other issues, were choices that do not seem to be made in the best interest of the design.

Based on their past, TDC has usually been very proactive when it came to groundbreaking, innovative, and "absurd" (I use it in a good way) architecture, and employing those architects who are able to provoke and summon such amazing and awe-inspiring built spaces.

I am extremely curious as to who the architect of design and architect of record are for the BLT.

Martin, I'm guessing you know.