What is "The Tree House Villas"???

[sweetpee_1993]

Yes, I just looked it up. Charlie hit August 2004. The first time we rented the boat at DTD was in January 2005. There was a lot of trees down and damage at the treehouses then. The 2nd time we did the boat in February 2006 is when the above pics were taken. You can see some of the patching and repairs but for the most part, the downed trees and noticable damage was cleaned up. I'd have to really do some digging to see if we have pics from the 2005 ride. That was before we got this laptop. I'm not sure where I stored the files electronically.

 

[LizziePooh]

My family and I stayed at the Disney Village Resort in 1987 and 1989, but we stayed in one of the townhouses. I remember driving by the Treehouse Villas and thought they were really cool and kinda begged my parents to let us stay there, but that never happened. It's kinda sad to see the condition they are in now, but on the other hand, I think it's the only, or at least one of the only parts of the Disney Village Resort that is still there, so I'm glad they haven't destroyed them (yet). It's nice to see that part of that original resort still exists.

 

[PhilharMagician]

Yes, I just looked it up. Charlie hit August 2004. The first time we rented the boat at DTD was in January 2005. There was a lot of trees down and damage at the treehouses then. The 2nd time we did the boat in February 2006 is when the above pics were taken. You can see some of the patching and repairs but for the most part, the downed trees and noticable damage was cleaned up. I'd have to really do some digging to see if we have pics from the 2005 ride. That was before we got this laptop. I'm not sure where I stored the files electronically.

From what I remember the Treehouses were not shut down because of Charlie. They were closed after 911 and when things slowed. Then DVC came into the picture and they completely closed down the Disney Institute which then mothballed the Treehouses. About a year or so later they were reopened for either CP of ICP and remain open today. Charlie did do some damage on WDW property including the Treehouses, but not enought to render them condemned. If they were considered condemned then Disney cast would not be able to stay in them.

 

[Yoop33]

The pictures look kinda cool. I dunno if I would wanna live in them but maybe stay for a night or two. I can see how room service would be a problem there.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

From what I remember the Treehouses were not shut down because of Charlie. They were closed after 911 and when things slowed. Then DVC came into the picture and they completely closed down the Disney Institute which then mothballed the Treehouses. About a year or so later they were reopened for either CP of ICP and remain open today. Charlie did do some damage on WDW property including the Treehouses, but not enought to render them condemned. If they were considered condemned then Disney cast would not be able to stay in them.

I never thought they were condemned. You should've seen my parent's house after Hurricane Ivan and the monster bull pine tree that pierced thru 2 stories. It wasn't condemned. They just didn't look too terribly inhabited and I knew at the time we saw them they were not open to guests. I thought they were originally part of the Disney Institute but wasn't sure of the history. I may have missed it but did someone say what year these were built? When you look at them they definitely look "dated" or "retro". Maybe 1980's earth-conscious? I can't find the words to describe it... :shrug:

 

[ClemsonTigger]

I never thought they were condemned. You should've seen my parent's house after Hurricane Ivan and the monster bull pine tree that pierced thru 2 stories. It wasn't condemned. They just didn't look too terribly inhabited and I knew at the time we saw them they were not open to guests. I thought they were originally part of the Disney Institute but wasn't sure of the history. I may have missed it but did someone say what year these were built? When you look at them they definitely look "dated" or "retro". Maybe 1980's earth-conscious? I can't find the words to describe it... :shrug:

I think that sums it up well, and was indeed the intent.
....now where are those Ewoks...:lol:

 

[Yoop33]

....now where are those Ewoks...:lol:

lol You know I thought they reminded me of something. I just couldn't put my finger on it. Good call!! hahaha

 

[LowesChevy]

The villas that were where SSR is now were called the Fairway Villas. They were really nice when they were first built in the '70s, but as time went on they became harder to rennovate. We stayed at the Institute in 2000 before it was torn down in the next few years. They were defintely nice for a larger group of people as the villas at the vaction clubs are now, but I remember they being larger and having more living space.

 

[Figment82]

I never thought they were condemned. You should've seen my parent's house after Hurricane Ivan and the monster bull pine tree that pierced thru 2 stories. It wasn't condemned. They just didn't look too terribly inhabited and I knew at the time we saw them they were not open to guests. I thought they were originally part of the Disney Institute but wasn't sure of the history. I may have missed it but did someone say what year these were built? When you look at them they definitely look "dated" or "retro". Maybe 1980's earth-conscious? I can't find the words to describe it... :shrug:

The Tree House Villas opened in October 1975 - but they were part of an earth-conscious movement, read my post from earlier.

 

[SpenceMan01]

I remember hearing that the reason they couldn't update them to be ADA compliant was that since they were so close the water, they were in "wetlands", which made it next to impossible to do any improvements to the Treehouses. I remember seeing pictures of these in the brochures as a kid and this was my #2 place I wanted to stay at WDW, right behind the Contemporary.

 

[PhilharMagician]

I remember hearing that the reason they couldn't update them to be ADA compliant was that since they were so close the water, they were in "wetlands", which made it next to impossible to do any improvements to the Treehouses. I remember seeing pictures of these in the brochures as a kid and this was my #2 place I wanted to stay at WDW, right behind the Contemporary.

Do they or would they have to be ADA compliant?:shrug:

 

[DisneyEverest]

is this the Disney Villas at the Disney Institute? Beacuse in 2001 i stayed at the Disney Villas at the Disney Institute

 

[Figment82]

is this the Disney Villas at the Disney Institute? Beacuse in 2001 i stayed at the Disney Villas at the Disney Institute

It became a part of the Institute, yes, but they were originally built in 1975 for the Disney Village Resort. When the Village Resort was integrated into the Disney Institute, the Tree Houses became a part of that complex.

 

[Figment82]

I remember hearing that the reason they couldn't update them to be ADA compliant was that since they were so close the water, they were in "wetlands", which made it next to impossible to do any improvements to the Treehouses. I remember seeing pictures of these in the brochures as a kid and this was my #2 place I wanted to stay at WDW, right behind the Contemporary.

Yes, due to their unique location and layout it is almost impossible to make them ADA-compliant. Apparently the land they occupy is so fragile, that it would not be possible to tear them down and build something else. Either they stay and remain ICP housing or nothing else can exist there.

Because they can not be made ADA-compliant, there is no way Disney can offer them to WDW guests.

 

[MeTa]

Anyone have interior pics? I never stayed there and this thread got me curious

 

[fillerup]

Just a little further history.

I became a cast member in early 1973 and was assigned to Front Desk\Guest Services with Lake Buena Vista Communities, i.e. The Townhouses.

We were headquartered in what was then called the Preview Center - now I believe headquarters for the Amateur Athletic Union.

At the time, we had a huge model in the lobby of Walt's vision of Epcot Center. If I knew then what I know now - I'd have pictures.

Anyway - there were originally 72 townhouses, almost all of which were on multi-year lease to corporate sponsors\participants at MK. Examples would be companies such as Kraft, Welch's, General Electric, Borden's, Martin Marietta, Kodak, etc etc.

The townhouse number was eventually increased to 133. Some of these newer units were leased as well, but most were used for short term rentals.

No room service, but when the companies sent their VIPs, they would usually phone ahead and have us arrange grocery delivery from the Fort Wilderness General Store.

The Village was under construction at that time. The LBV Golf Course operated from a trailer. The 60 Treehouses opened in 1975.

I have a fondness for this area and was saddened when the Townhouses were torn down. That's because working there is how I met my wife.

She's fond of telling people that Disney marriages work. And in two days time we'll celebrate our 34th Wedding anniversary.

:sohappy:

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Wow! Very interesting. Thanks for your information and insight. And, of course, happy anniversary. ((the hubby and I made 14 years yesterday ))