mm121
Well-Known Member
and what is the theme there? gold bars and hundred dollar bills?
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Wilderness Lodge DVC additions - Copper Creek Villas & Cabins
- Thread starter danlb_2000
- Start date
wdwgreek
Well-Known Member
To quote Bernie Sanders ITS A MESS. When is it supposed to be completed?
So the pool is completely gone? Do they plan on replacing it, because that was one of the nice things about staying at the villas - that pool was for, supposedly, villa guests only.
The first post on this topic was last May and that was shortly after the permits were filed with SFWMD. If I remember correctly, no construction can begin until those permits are reviewed and approved. And that can take months. So I can see why nothing was mentioned when you made your resort reservation. However, I've received both emails and a letter regarding the construction at WL several months before my check-in date. My daughter's staying at Vero Beach prior to their honeymoon cruise next March and we just received a letter regarding renovations at the resort.
While it's sad to see so many trees gone, other than no beach access (and that lovely see through fence - the fabric is sheer on a sunny day), we didn't have an issue with work bothering us during the day. Nothing starts before 9 am and most people are up and getting ready to head to the parks by then.
Tuvalu
Premium Member
Yes the pool is completely gone. It is a large area of sand. There will be a new pool eventually.
FWIW, the Hidden Springs pool (the villas pool) was available for Lodge guests too. We had many nice swims there over the years.
Umm, I remember seeing a notice that the pool was for villas guests only. Doesn't matter now since it's gone.
If I remember from the permit filing, the cabins/villas will be not just on the beach behind the DVC villas, but also on the beach over by the Lodge. Which explains the tree removal on the North side (Magic Kingdom facing) of the Lodge. The view from our balcony at the Vilas gave us a good view of the access to the construction area. Looks like access is from Timberline Drive or thereabouts.
Unplugged
Well-Known Member
While it is all the details that makes the theme what it is, without the trees, it's not the same. In fact, while I genuinely appreciate the poster's photos, they leave me feeling sick to my stomach. Yes, I'm sure the additions will look great, and yes trees grow fast in Florida, but for the time being, it makes me ill. We were supposed to schedule a trip for next year, and after some evaluation decided not to go Fall '16, but June '17. After looking at this, I think I'll be renting out my points and going else where. The WL Villas were truly like a second home, and seeing that just isn't the same. I'll have to wait until the work is done in '18 before I return.
optjay
Well-Known Member
While it is all the details that makes the theme what it is, without the trees, it's not the same. In fact, while I genuinely appreciate the poster's photos, they leave me feeling sick to my stomach. Yes, I'm sure the additions will look great, and yes trees grow fast in Florida, but for the time being, it makes me ill. We were supposed to schedule a trip for next year, and after some evaluation decided not to go Fall '16, but June '17. After looking at this, I think I'll be renting out my points and going else where. The WL Villas were truly like a second home, and seeing that just isn't the same. I'll have to wait until the work is done in '18 before I return.
I feel the same way!
And am truly disgusted about the trees! the seclusion made the resort special. Sorry, but all resorts don't need fireworks views.
Unplugged
Well-Known Member
While it is all the details that makes the theme what it is, without the trees, it's not the same. In fact, while I genuinely appreciate the poster's photos, they leave me feeling sick to my stomach. Yes, I'm sure the additions will look great, and yes trees grow fast in Florida, but for the time being, it makes me ill. We were supposed to schedule a trip for next year, and after some evaluation decided not to go Fall '16, but June '17. After looking at this, I think I'll be renting out my points and going else where. The WL Villas were truly like a second home, and seeing that just isn't the same. I'll have to wait until the work is done in '18 before I return.
Seriously? You won't return until 2018? I could understand if you don't want to stay in the resort due to construction, but to bail for over two years due to tree removal is, IMHO, a tad silly. While our view from our DVC villa included the now treeless mud pit, we also got something we've never gotten before - an amazing view of the Lake.
Instead of bailing totally, why not use those points at another resort? Or, if you are really serious, I could use a few more points next year.....
note2001
Well-Known Member
While I'm sure Disney will do a decent job overall of making this area beautiful again, I think there is a war constantly going on between marketing and imagineering/design. Marketing wins all too often, and the only ones we have to blame is ourselves (the customers) for sharing information online regarding the "best view" and causing others to demand it, even pay a premium price for it.
Imagineering is well aware that Wilderness Lodge, by name alone, should not have an MK view, a fireworks view, or a view of traffic of any sort for that matter. But money speaks volumes.
Imagineering is well aware that Wilderness Lodge, by name alone, should not have an MK view, a fireworks view, or a view of traffic of any sort for that matter. But money speaks volumes.
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Most of the trees removed were Southern pines. Which have shallow roots and have a tendency to remove themselves by falling (and hopefully not on your house). I've removed several 30-40 foot pines on my property because (1) they were too close to the house (kept trying to hit one every time I backed out of the garage) and (2) my house was too shaded (if you live in Florida, especially North Florida, you know what that means..that damp musty feeling in your house year round). And several others have removed themselves by falling..during storms, because they have shallow roots and just want to fall, etc. And neighbors aren't really happy when for a second time one of those damn pines trees took out their fence. The pines will grow fast, trust me. Plus, now that my property has fewer pines, my two Live Oaks have plenty of room to spread. And so does my Magnolia. Two tree species which are more prized here in Florida than the old southern pine, quite frankly.
Now if Disney had removed a stand of 200-300 year old Live Oaks, I'd be in Iger's office giving him a piece of my mind.
In case you don't know what a Live Oak looks like, here's a picture...
note2001
Well-Known Member
Oh yes they do.
If anyone has ever wondered why the pine woods one sees from the side roads are planted in rows, or what the random orange tree may be doing in under the tall pines:
Pines grow so fast that the old orange groves when shut down were typically torn out and replaced temporarily with pines to keep the soil healthy until sold to developers.
Liked for the pictorial contentNow if Disney had removed a stand of 200-300 year old Live Oaks, I'd be in Iger's office giving him a piece of my mind.
In case you don't know what a Live Oak looks like, here's a picture...
Oh yes they do.
If anyone has ever wondered why the pine woods one sees from the side roads are planted in rows, or what the random orange tree may be doing in under the tall pines:
Pines grow so fast that the old orange groves when shut down were typically torn out and replaced temporarily with pines to keep the soil healthy until sold to developers.
Liked for the pictorial content
Yeah, we here in the South love our Live Oaks. Outside of the NW firs, sequoias and redwoods, I don't know of a more beautiful tree. Which explains why the Auburn fans went crazy when that idiotic 'Bama fan poisoned that grove of 200 year old Live Oaks. Very few southern pines live to the age of a Live Oak.
I'm not worried, nor will I let the lack of pine trees deter me from staying at my home resort. But like I said, if Unplugged wants to get rid of some of his points, I will be happy to help him.
