Walt Disney World resort Files Permits for Expansion to Disney's Wilderness Lodge

Wowzers! Those are some fairly big changes ... interesting to see how WL changes.

Did they mention any proposed timeline / start date to this abomination?
Are these DVC bungalow's or WL?

I truly think the powers that be have lost their minds with this.

REALLY REALLY didn't they just finish upgrading the pool...like last December???? Why didn't they do it RIGHT the last time....sadly, I see expensive bungalows...two bedrooms with people sleeping in the living room..SIGH...we own current points and I was hoping the CM rumors were wrong. I hoped for converted resort rooms into GVs...

Pirate Granny;2456925 wrote: REALLY REALLY didn't they just finish upgrading the pool...like last December???? Why didn't they do it RIGHT the last time....sadly, I see expensive bungalows...two bedrooms with people sleeping in the living room..SIGH...we own current points and I was hoping the CM rumors were wrong. I hoped for converted resort rooms into GVs...

It's evidentally the quiet pool that they're expanding and adding buildings to. Look at the size of the pool behind the villas on the diagram. There's a color coded closeup on DVCNews that DVCMike posted.

I was also hoping for the possibility of some GVs being added not this cabin style bungalow nonsense at 150+ points per night. :(

So much resort expansion. Why not use that money,time, and imagineering to upgrade the parks at a quicker pace. I would have rather seen or also seen WL added to the monorail loop.

I wonder if this decision is in lieu of adding a DVC resort and cabins to Fort Wilderness.

I don't quite understand the units that are West of the main lodge. It seems like those will be out on the water, but your view would be right into that small island.

The way I see it Disney executives are being really smart with this. They know there is a market for these kind of exclusive bungalows (after all the number of points required makes them exclusive) and having the view on the water is nice. While I don't see most people being able to afford these bungalows (myself included) there are enough around who can. Disney probably has enough grand villas for that market and now they have these bungalows, just another way to get those who can afford it to buy large amounts of points. Don't get me wrong I am not for or against them, just making an observation. :mickey:

I have to admit, I'm stymied. I just checked on availability for Poly bungalows at the seven-month mark, and there is wide availability for the second half of December. Executive perks maybe?

Aurora;2457112 wrote: I have to admit, I'm stymied. I just checked on availability for Poly bungalows at the seven-month mark, and there is wide availability for the second half of December. Executive perks maybe?

Does that really surprise you? The points during that time of year are ridiculous. Even more so than normal ridiculousness. I think Disney really missed the mark on pricing these.

BrerGnat;2457124 wrote: Does that really surprise you? The points during that time of year are ridiculous. Even more so than normal ridiculousness. I think Disney really missed the mark on pricing these.

No, but that's why I can't believe they're building the ones at WL. Last I read, only 10 of the 20 Poly bungalows were declared into DVC inventory, and they're not filling those few units at seven months.

Is there some kind of crazy luxury market for these that they're going after? Celebrities? Hedge-fund managers?

And I just thought of a REALLY BIG PROBLEM with selling even more bungalow units at sky-high point levels. Maybe an owner will buy enough points to stay in a Poly bungalow for just one or two nights and then use the rest of their points to fill out the week at another DVC resort. Fair enough, for that stay.

But maybe next year he wants to use all of his points at a different resort. Suddenly those two nights in a Poly bungalow add up to 15 nights in a studio at the Beach Club.

Ew, I really don't like where this might be heading.

BrerGnat;2457124 wrote: Does that really surprise you? The points during that time of year are ridiculous. Even more so than normal ridiculousness. I think Disney really missed the mark on pricing these.

I agree with you. Most DVC owners I know (myself included) will book a 2 bedroom at VGF or VWL, which are larger units but cost half the points.

Aurora;2457370 wrote: No, but that's why I can't believe they're building the ones at WL. Last I read, only 10 of the 20 Poly bungalows were declared into DVC inventory, and they're not filling those few units at seven months.

Is there some kind of crazy luxury market for these that they're going after? Celebrities? Hedge-fund managers?

Nope, those people will book at the Four Seasons . They get much more personalized service for their money at the Four Seasons than any of the Disney deluxe resorts.

I had a good view of the bungalows when I stayed at studio last month and they do not scream "luxury" to me. Yes, there is a plunge pool, but it is really small. People who have stayed in accommodations with plunge pools would not be impressed.

DonaldsBFF;2456945 wrote: So much resort expansion. Why not use that money,time, and imagineering to upgrade the parks at a quicker pace. I would have rather seen or also seen WL added to the monorail loop.

Because attractions don't make WDW money... DVC does... ;)

Glad they didn't do the teepees out on the water like someone had one mentioned... That would have been really hideous...

Truth is, DVC is the only thing keeping resort occupancy up around 85-90% at the moment... If this annoys you, wait until they move to yet another resort, taking guest rooms offline and converting them to DVC too...

When will DVC hit the moderates??? Only a matter of time...

Resorts make the money. The more people Disney can get to lay their heads on Disney pillows means more profits for The Mouse. Would I prefer the money be spent on rides? Absolutely. However, I see the business side of this.