Wilderness Lodge DVC additions - Copper Creek Villas & Cabins

[LAKid53]

That's how they afford to stay at BLT. I think your statement goes back to what the DVC critics site often. The Deluxe DVCs are filled with folks who may not be able to afford to stay at Disney every year if they weren't paying it off via a 10 year mortgage.

And some people really do like to have home cooked meals even on vacation.

And I would be one of them (home cooked meal, not 10 year mortgage as I paid cash). Unless the resort had a TS restaurant open for breakfast (or we did character dining), I always bring a small tub with us that has the items necessary for breakfast, plates, utensils, mugs, water pitcher, electric tea kettle, cereal, tea, etc., since I dislike eating breakfast in a high school cafeteria atmosphere (and we like to sleep in). It's silly to me to stay in a resort room and not take advantage of the kitchen provided. But I've never brought a slow cooker. Nor would I drag a turkey fryer through the lobby of a deluxe resort

 

[Mammymouse]

Are the villas going to be a different floor plan than the Polynesian? I haven't seen the Poly's yet in real life but I'm not sure I like the set-up as portrayed in the advertising.

 

[RR 88]

I was at WDW three weeks ago and visited the Wilderness Lodge for the first time since 2009, and completely forgot how much I adore it's main lobby. There are so many rich details and hidden nooks and crannies to discover. I also visited the villa's common area and was extremely impressed by its atmosphere. I hope that whatever changes they make are done in a way that maintains the current overall ambiance of the resort. It and the Animal Kingdom Lodge are two of the most beautiful properties at WDW.

 

[RR 88]

Sounds about right to me. Given the choice of pleasing my poor customers or my rich customers, I'm going to opt for the rich customer every single time.

It's not like providing these high-end options in any way diminishes the experience of those with a more modest budget. If anything, it helps everyone. High-end guests will demand high-quality public amenities, dining, and customer service.

My wife visits DVC boards quite often and has been reading stories of Poly studio guests who are upgraded to bungalows at check-in because they are able to fill enough of them with DVC or cash guests. I know it is completely anecdotal, but if true, I wonder if DVC has finally found the ceiling of its luxury market.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

My wife visits DVC boards quite often and has been reading stories of Poly studio guests who are upgraded to bungalows at check-in because they are able to fill enough of them with DVC or cash guests. I know it is completely anecdotal, but if true, I wonder if DVC has finally found the ceiling of its luxury market.

More likely (IMO) is that they haven't been open long enough to book up. DVC members will need to bank points for years to save for a stay there. I believe they WILL, they just haven't had the time to do so yet. Same with cash guests. It's not exactly the same, but Cast Members and others got crazy good discounts when DAAR first opened simply because it hadn't been open long enough to clear the inventory.

Points-wise, how does a BBB compare to a grand villa at something like BWV?

 

[RR 88]

More likely (IMO) is that they haven't been open long enough to book up. DVC members will need to bank points for years to save for a stay there. I believe they WILL, they just haven't had the time to do so yet. Same with cash guests. It's not exactly the same, but Cast Members and others got crazy good discounts when DAAR first opened simply because it hadn't been open long enough to clear the inventory.

Points-wise, how does a BBB compare to a grand villa at something like BWV?

I'm kinda thinking the same thing in regards to just needing a bit more time to sell. The bungalows cost the same amount of points as the three bedroom suites at the Grand Floridian, which is 1174 right now for a full week. The same week costs 800 points at BWV. I'm assuming most of the big point members that can swing a bungalow have bought into DVC with the intent of using their points on three bedroom grand villas, and may not be as eager to use them on two bedroom accommodations; even though it comes with the added luxury of a romantic fog horn blaring outside one's window every fifteen minutes

 

[Horizons1]

I can't wait for the Port Orleans bungalows or the All Star bungalows.

 

[LAKid53]

I'm kinda thinking the same thing in regards to just needing a bit more time to sell. The bungalows cost the same amount of points as the three bedroom suites at the Grand Floridian, which is 1174 right now for a full week. The same week costs 800 points at BWV. I'm assuming most of the big point members that can swing a bungalow have bought into DVC with the intent of using their points on three bedroom grand villas, and may not be as eager to use them on two bedroom accommodations; even though it comes with the added luxury of a romantic fog horn blaring outside one's window every fifteen minutes

Don't forget that plunge pool.....

 

[LAKid53]

More likely (IMO) is that they haven't been open long enough to book up. DVC members will need to bank points for years to save for a stay there. I believe they WILL, they just haven't had the time to do so yet. Same with cash guests. It's not exactly the same, but Cast Members and others got crazy good discounts when DAAR first opened simply because it hadn't been open long enough to clear the inventory.

Points-wise, how does a BBB compare to a grand villa at something like BWV?

Except your banked points expire if not used the following year. I thought the same thing when I first bought DVC. "I'll just bank some points each year until I have 500 points!" Banking doesn't work that way. But there are members who have over the years purchased a total of 1,000 points.

 

[LAKid53]

I can't wait for the Port Orleans bungalows or the All Star bungalows.

Rumor is that Caribbean Beach is converting a building to DVC studios, so you might just get your wish.

 

[note2001]

Rumor is that Caribbean Beach is converting a building to DVC studios, so you might just get your wish.

"Off the record", as they're not allowed to tell us anything that's not been announced (VWL conversions and additions included), a guide told me Disney has 3 new DVCs in the works. The Fort Wilderness DVC concept is still very much alive and one of them. If they can add a DVC to a campground, I don't see why they can't add one to a moderate. The amenities will need to be substantially upgraded in order to make them DVC "homes" which are known for space, kitchenettes or full blown kitchens and balconies on every unit. The latter would be the most impossible to add to any current moderate building styles so it would have to be new construction.

 

[LAKid53]

I just looked closely at both pictures provided. I don't see how Disney, even with careful planning, can construct the new villas without removing a substantial portion of the woods on the north side of WL and the side of the villas facing the lake. Which is unfortunate, because that is one of the many charms of WL - the feeling you are in a lodge in the middle of the woods. And not in a Disney resort.

 

[LAKid53]

"Off the record", as they're not allowed to tell us anything that's not been announced (VWL conversions and additions included), a guide told me Disney has 3 new DVCs in the works. The Fort Wilderness DVC concept is still very much alive and one of them. If they can add a DVC to a campground, I don't see why they can't add one to a moderate. The amenities will need to be substantially upgraded in order to make them DVC "homes" which are known for space, kitchenettes and balconies on every unit. The latter would be the most impossible to add to any current moderate building styles... so it would have to be new construction.

But the cabins at Fort Wilderness already have said amenities - full kitchen, living room, one bedroom (can sleep 6), a nice deck outside. In essence, the cabins are a single wide one bedroom mobile home (and that's exactly what the structure looks like). I would hate to see Disney destroy the natural beauty of Fort Wilderness to build some more DVC rooms when they already have them in the cabins. The cabins need a serious updating inside, but they would fit fine in the DVC family as a rustic option. Not that I am advocating Disney make the cabins DVC.

 

[note2001]

But the cabins at Fort Wilderness already have said amenities - full kitchen, living room, one bedroom (can sleep 6), a nice deck outside. In essence, the cabins are a single wide one bedroom mobile home (and that's exactly what the structure looks like). I would hate to see Disney destroy the natural beauty of Fort Wilderness to build some more DVC rooms when they already have them in the cabins. The cabins need a serious updating inside, but they would fit fine in the DVC family as a rustic option. Not that I am advocating Disney make the cabins DVC.

There are several problems with turning the mobile-home "cabins" in existence at the Fort into DVC. The first would be real estate laws. I am a far cry from knowing anything about law, but it seems to me that a mobile home does not equate 1 to 1 to proper real estate and would not be eligible for DVC. (please don't misunderstand me, I love those "cabins" and have fond memories of my family staying in them too.)

The second issue with them is they just don't have the footprint DVC units are known for. The kitchens are trailer kitchens. Fully functional, but very tight. The bathrooms don't have the space for a jacuzzi tub the 1 bedrooms and up are known for, and there's no place for a washer/drier as is standard in the larger units too. They fall somewhere between a studio and a 1 bedroom, and I don't think Disney wants to start creating more categories.

Besides, have you seen the plans for the Fort DVC? It's drop dead gorgeous. The grounds are on par with the Wilderness Lodge itself.

I'm also heart broken any time Disney takes down a tree. But population is exploding, people are doing better financially, and there are more DVC members all the time. It makes sense to build, and building over what was already destroyed (the old River country in this case) makes sense. Minimal impact to nature makes me happy. Cleaning up the garbage makes me just as happy.

 

[LAKid53]

There are several problems with turning the mobile-home "cabins" in existence at the Fort into DVC. The first would be real estate laws. I am a far cry from knowing anything about law, but it seems to me that a mobile home does not equate 1 to 1 to proper real estate and would not be eligible for DVC. (please don't misunderstand me, I love those "cabins" and have fond memories of my family staying in them too.)

The second issue with them is they just don't have the footprint DVC units are known for. The kitchens are trailer kitchens. Fully functional, but very tight. The bathrooms don't have the space for a jacuzzi tub the 1 bedrooms and up are known for, and there's no place for a washer/drier as is standard in the larger units too. They fall somewhere between a studio and a 1 bedroom, and I don't think Disney wants to start creating more categories.

Besides, have you seen the plans for the Fort DVC? It's drop dead gorgeous. The grounds are on par with the Wilderness Lodge itself.

I'm also heart broken any time Disney takes down a tree. But population is exploding, people are doing better financially, and there are more DVC members all the time. It makes sense to build, and building over what was already destroyed (the old River country in this case) makes sense. Minimal impact to nature makes me happy. Cleaning up the garbage makes me just as happy.

Actually, the kitchens are more roomy and open than those in SSR and VWL. The tub in the cabin's bathroom can be switched out to a Jacuzzi tub/shower combo.

No, I've not seen the plans for the Fort Wilderness DVC. If the plan is to build in the abandoned River Country property, then I agree, that is a good thing since that abandoned park seems to be a magnet for idiots of a certain age group to explore.....

Additional comment: As long as the cabins fit the definition of a leasehold condominium in Florida real estate law (owner doesn't own the land but has the right to use it for a specified period of time [the contract period]), then Disney is free to DVC the cabins. I don't believe the structure is nearly as important as how the title to the land on which the structure is built is conveyed. But I'm not a real estate attorney.

 

[note2001]

Actually, the kitchens are more roomy and open than those in SSR and VWL. The tub in the cabin's bathroom can be switched out to a Jacuzzi tub/shower combo.

No, I've not seen the plans for the Fort Wilderness DVC. If the plan is to build in the abandoned River Country property, then I agree, that is a good thing since that abandoned park seems to be a magnet for idiots of a certain age group to explore.....

Additional comment: As long as the cabins fit the definition of a leasehold condominium in Florida real estate law (owner doesn't own the land but has the right to use it for a specified period of time [the contract period]), then Disney is free to DVC the cabins. I don't believe the structure is nearly as important as how the title to the land on which the structure is built is conveyed. But I'm not a real estate attorney.

Not trying to divert the conversation here, we should stick to the VWL as the topic, but since you mentioned you hadn't seen the Fort DVC plans: http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/other--proposed-resorts/2480-ft-wilderness-dvc-plans-leaked

 

[LAKid53]

Not trying to divert the conversation here, we should stick to the VWL as the topic, but since you mentioned you hadn't seen the Fort DVC plans: http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/other--proposed-resorts/2480-ft-wilderness-dvc-plans-leaked

Thanks for the link. That's an amazing property, based on the plans.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Except your banked points expire if not used the following year. I thought the same thing when I first bought DVC. "I'll just bank some points each year until I have 500 points!" Banking doesn't work that way. But there are members who have over the years purchased a total of 1,000 points.

But you can borrow from future years too, right? So in 2016 you could use 2016 points, banked 2015 points, and borrowed 2017 points. Or is that wrong?

 

[LAKid53]

But you can borrow from future years too, right? So in 2016 you could use 2016 points, banked 2015 points, and borrowed 2017 points. Or is that wrong?

True, but you'd continually be borrowing points from the next year in that scenario. I just thought I could bank points and they wouldn't expire. My initial DVC sales person didn't do the best job in explaining how points are banked. He was more interested in getting the sale than explaining the details, even with all my questions. Which is why I walked away and didn't buy into DVC until nearly a year later. When I got a much better salesman.

 

[Horizons1]

Not trying to divert the conversation here, we should stick to the VWL as the topic, but since you mentioned you hadn't seen the Fort DVC plans: http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resorts/other--proposed-resorts/2480-ft-wilderness-dvc-plans-leaked

God, that is depressing.