Leaked River Country DVC Plans

[Memphis 105]

If this get built and done came you imagine what Halloween night will be like.  Campers will be required to bring 150 lbs of candy each to give to the DVC kids. We went through 40 lbs last time we were there and we were on the 2000 that a lot of people don't bother to come to because of its location. 

[Starbuc71 162]

I could see adding a deluxe motor home resort area to the Fort with additional services for a higher price.  To me what do all those building have to do with the Fort and camping???  Just give us more camp sites so we don't have to play the reservation game.

I totally agree. I think one of Disneys moto's is " if you don't pay, not to worry, the next guy will". Put up some nice upgraded lakeside campsites and hell, even put in an awesome theme pool for the people who will pay for these expensive sites. It will be like us staying at the CR. I can't always afford it but will try from time to time. But why build a timeshare lakefront campsites where you can maybe squeeze in 40-50 sites or build an abomination and get at least 500 rooms. Who is the smart one...lol

[The Troll 67]

Fast forward 40 years.  Screw the Fort.  Let's make some money.  Hide the giant parking lot in the corner of the new project, over by the Fort.  The new guests won't have to look at it- they're going to look at Bay Lake and the river pool.  Maybe walk around the quaint Settlement and stop for a drink at Crockett's Tavern.  No problem.

 

 

Excellent point. I suppose we can't knock them for wanting to continue making profits. It is what Disney World ultimately is for, after but. But! I cannot fathom why they'd put that parking lot there. I've said it before and so have you, Andrew -- why not just put it in that wooded chunk of land west of River Country?

 

I do think this DVC is a done deal. It's coming. Those plans look too detailed and way too well thought out not to be something seriously being planned.

 

Let's list the pros and cons, just for the sake of the discussion. I'll start with the cons, as I see them:

 

CONS

- Parking lot. Although Disney can be pretty doggone good at using foliage and berms to conceal parking lots.

- Increased traffic. But hey...it's Disney World.

- Encroachment on classic Fort attractions. Personally I don't care a bit if the barns or the pony ride thing get moved somewhere else. I would hate, however, to see the Settlement Trading Post or Pioneer Hall messed with. The unseemly backside of Pioneer Hall remains an issue. I have to look at the plans again, but don't some of those DVC buildings look out on the backside of Pioneer Hall? If so, does that mean some modification to Pioneer Hall to conceal it?

- Looks like they're going to move the dock. Boo! For 40 years I've walked along the path from Pioneer Hall, passed the Lawnmower Tree (RIP), and then broken out into a sprint down that dock to catch the about-to-depart boat for the Contemporary. I hate to see that change.

 

PROS

- The plans for the new DVC suggest it's going to be gorgeous.

- It would be awesome if some of the amenities (gym) would be open to us.

- More food and shopping alternatives.

- More DVC suckers for me to lampoon on the Internet.

- Awesome swim pool/park thing. Although I doubt we'll be allowed to use it.

- Theming spillover. Clearly Disney would want the theming to be of consistent quality. That means I might get my moose topiary! I love the Fort, but the theming has slipped.

- Perhaps a real bar? Something along the lines of the joint Yee Haw Bob plays in at PO? Crockett's is great, but let's face it -- it's an afterthought in a buffet.

 

So...bottom line -- if they would move that parking lot further west and promise not to touch Pioneer Hall, the dock, and the Settlement Trading Post, I'd be all in.

[Lou... 3,118]

overall, I think there are more pros than cons if it is built.

 

Troll has 4 Cons, and 7 Pros, I rest my case. It's a done deal.

 

As for the parking lot being where it is, maybe they had no choice?

In engineering, sometimes you're forced into doing things that come about as a result of other things that are out of your control.

I doubt that the designers decided to put it there just to annoy the campers. There had to be a reason.

[WannaBeImagineer 98]

As for the parking lot being where it is, maybe they had no choice?

In engineering, sometimes you're forced into doing things that come about as a result of other things that are out of your control.

I doubt that the designers decided to put it there just to annoy the campers. There had to be a reason.

I'm pretty sure it was to minimize impacts to wetlands/preserve that is between the Fort and Lodge.

If you look at RCID's land use map it shows that area as reserve/recreation and explains that it can be impacted if mitigation is provided within RCID property. So they could impact it but it would require more work so the easy way is to put the parking lot where they show it.

They do show lots of landscaping and a large berm near the parking lot to help minimize the interaction of cars and campers walking on the pathway.

There are lots of pros for River Country DVC, I just hate to see the Fort change so much.

WBI

[WannaBeImagineer 98]

Here's the future land use map I was referring to.

 

 

A zoom of the Fort area:

 

 

You can see the light green color is the area to the west of River Country.

 

Also there is a brown line cutting through the light green, I'm assuming that allow them to develop a separate entrance to River Country DVC if they didn't want to use Wilderness Way.

Also on another topic, notice all the dark green areas that are conservation (preserved) that are going to stay conservation.  I think I read that there is 51% if the property that will never be developed, that includes that property south of Celebration though. 

 

 

Here's a zoom of the legend.

 

 

 

WBI

[Gots2pitt.. Jeff 64]

Troll has 4 Cons, and 7 Pros, I rest my case. It's a done deal.

 In engineering, sometimes you're forced into doing things that come about as a result of other things that are out of your control.

No, never, politics never overrides good engineering design.

[Lou... 3,118]

No, never, politics never overrides good engineering design.

 

What's the name of that planet you live on again, Jeff?

[Gots2pitt.. Jeff 64]

No, never, politics never overrides good engineering design.

  

What's the name of that planet you live on again, Jeff?

What I said is true, but that doesn't mean politics doesn't dictate poor design. :)

[Lou... 3,118]

I doubt politics was involved here. WDW is RCID, and RCID is WDW.

[caveat lector 181]

I wonder when the original leases for DVC begin to expire? I think they were 40 or 50 years. Do they think there is enough demand to not only be selling memberships to a new DVC site completed in 10 years, at the same time they are trying to resell memberships that have expired at OKW. I can't imagine it's easy to get someone to re-up that is at such a dift stage in life.

My only point is that I believe they are approaching critical mass on DVC. Maybe in the next 10-15 years. Then again, who knows

[Starbuc71 162]

Disney can do whatever they want as long as they keep the sites to park our RV's and don't over price out to the point we can't afford to rent a concrete pad.that would force me to hang it up as far as RVing goes

[LONE-STAR 370]

I think the Troll covered it pretty good. I haven't really studied the plans very close but it would be nice if the new resort was like a junction between the Lodge and the Fort.

[The Troll 67]

Looking at the color map WBI posted, I'm left wondering, What does 'Resource Management/Recreation' actually mean? And is that self-imposed?

 

But Lou makes a good point. There are many variables we're just not aware of. Who knows? Maybe the land west of RC is too wet (or something) for a parking lot.

 

On the matter of DVCs reaching critical mass -- I tend to agree. It's something I rant about often in my trip reports. I can't help but fear that Disney is building itself into a tidy little DVC bubble.

[Lou... 3,118]

I don't think it's self imposed. And the last thing Disney should want to do is upset the apple cart by abusing what they have.

Even though RCID works hand and glove with Disney, they are still a government entity, and have to abide by Florida state, laws, rules, and regulations.

I think it's as Nick, WBI, wrote.

[arthuruscg 34]

I am surprised there is not a DVC Fort Wilderness. With sites designed for the massive HM. The river country area would be a good spot. Maybe the land on the other side of the dam would work too.

Sent from my Moto X using Tapatalk

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

If this is a topic that interests you, don't leave this thread just yet.

 

There's more.

 

Such as this- the demolition plans for the old River Country and Settlement area of the Fort.

 

There are 36 structures identified to be demolished, in addition to pavement which is to be removed:

 

 

If that photo is too small for you- click on it, and then click on the symbol at the bottom right corner- it should give you a larger image.

 

The scope of what would be lost if this project were to be built is astonishing.

 

TCD

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Here's a couple more interesting drawings to look at.

 

You won't see these anywhere else on the interwebz.

 

Just here.

 

One of the topics which has been discussed a lot is what the theme of this resort would be.

 

Would it be Wilderness?

 

But how would they distinguish that from Wilderness Lodge?

 

Nope.  Not Wilderness.

 

River.

 

Like River Country.

 

Check out this drawing of the entry building.  They call it the Grand Lodge on the plans:

 

 

Hmmm.

 

Look at what they've got up there on the roof:

 

 

A decorative water tower.

 

Very interesting.

 

TCD

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Very cool stuff, TCD!!!

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Here's some more.

 

These drawings are interesting because they show not just the plans, but also, with lighter lines, what exists now.

 

This helps to figure out exactly where the new stuff is going:

 

 

A lot of you have mentioned the parking lot.

 

But, look at what's going to happen to Clementine's Beach.

 

See that old sidewalk?

 

The demo plans show it being ripped out.

 

I like to drive my golf cart to the end of it and look at Bay Lake.

 

No more.

 

Look where that new building is going to sit.

 

Fireworks from the beach aren't going to be so great either.

 

Not only does that new building block a big part of the beach, but think about the impact of all the light pollution coming from that building too.

 

Boo!

 

I like how the Grand Lodge is going to sit smack dab on top of the old Upstream Plunge pool.

 

TCD

[arthuruscg 34]

The more I see/ read, the more we need to convince them that luxury DVC loop is a more porfitable way to go.  An area for the Tiffany, Prevost, Anderson, ect. away from us low class popup and under $1mil MH owners. With pads designed for 60+ ft rigs.

 

You know, people that would bring their own horse to ride around bay lake and are willing to pay for private escort around WDW and fastpass every ride.

[The Troll 67]

Great find, sir.

 

I'm not surprised by how much would have to be demolished. It makes sense. All of RC and its surrounding supporting property and infrastructure would go.

 

Makes sense.

 

I don't like the idea of losing the pathway out to Clementine's Beach, either, but, hey, some things have to go. Notice that the old dock is NOT marked for demolition.

 

I also don't like the idea of the old path to Pioneer Hall from the bus stop being ripped up, either, but that makes sense, too. I suppose the foot/cart path leading there will now become the main drag to get to Pioneer Hall from the loops. If so, that wet land would serve as a respectable buffer between guests and the parking lot. But all the other demolition looks logical to me. Personally, I don't care about losing the horse barn or the goat barn.

 

And...they're theming the new DVC after River Country?

 

I'm all in.

 

Proceed, Mr. Disney.

[Starbuc71 162]

With all these plans you dug up, I really think this will be ago as soon as the poly DVC project is complete. But just telling my wife about this I agree with her that this resort will be on lockdown just like BLT. So I would think having access to more quick service or restaraunts will be out of the picture. I'm sure it will even be locked down more since the fort knows that local freeloaders enter the fort and if DVC members complained about locals it would b a huge to do

[The Troll 67]

I'm not sure I understand the lockdown policy.

 

The Bay Lake Tower thing is locked down, but why?

 

I would think you'd want guests walking through. It's good for sales.

 

The Wilderness Lodge DVC is not locked down.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

With all these plans you dug up, I really think this will be ago as soon as the poly DVC project is complete. But just telling my wife about this I agree with her that this resort will be on lockdown just like BLT. So I would think having access to more quick service or restaraunts will be out of the picture. I'm sure it will even be locked down more since the fort knows that local freeloaders enter the fort and if DVC members complained about locals it would b a huge to do

 

I think you're right.

 

They need to sell a lot of units.

 

One thing that will help sell is if the buyers are assured that these great amenities are exclusively for them.  That's what they did at Bay Lake Tower.  Only guests of the DVC can use that pool-not even guests of the Contemporary can use it.  And the bar on top of Bay Lake Tower is off limits to non DVC members.  You can't even walk in to the BLT building on that bridge from the Contemporary without a BLT room key. Closing off the new restaurants to non-DVC guests would be a first.  I'm not sure if they would go that far.

 

It bothers me how they show the Pioneer Hall and the Fort waterfront all the way over to behind the Settlement Trading Post as part of the project- like they are taking this away from the Fort and making it a part of the DVC.

 

But, they do show a lot of golf cart parking, which means us scummy campers will at least have access to the stuff that currently belongs to the Fort.

 

I guess.

 

TCD