The Rumors Are True! Goodbye River Country and TCD Barn!

[des1954]

des1954- sorry but the exercise trail was there long before the WL.

Yes, you are sorry! The trail wasn't as it is now. Originally, it was just mulch and was much shorter than it is now. It also had exercise stations on it. If you were brave (like I was) you could ride your bike on the "Cast Member Only" road to get to the main roadway that goes to the CR & PR from the MK toll plaza. The road that now exists between WL & FtW was there long before WL was built, but it took a slightly different direction. It was used as the means to get the horses to the MK from the TCD Ranch. You forget...I'm old and have been going to FtW since '74. (Where's the old codger smiley? )

 

[HockeyKat]

So what will the experiece for the customer be? Why would someone want to be a member at this new resort instead of over at the Wilderness Lodge? Other than theming, what do they plan to offer the guest with this new resort that will differentiate it from other properties?

If they intend to utilize the Fort's infrastructure, it would seem that there would need to be improvements in dining and shopping on that end of the Fort. Private pools are a DVC cornerstone, but at other properties they have the option of visiting the primary resort pool also. These resort guests would have to walk or take a bus to use the Fort pool. Perhaps there are plans to create an experience that would make this DVC property more inclusive. It will be interesting to see how the plans shape up, given that there may be some divergence from the typical DVC creation model.

You would think that, but Kidani Village is a pretty good example of limited dining and resort amenities with a long walk or bus ride to the "primary" resort pool and dining options. They do have Sanaa. but no quick service options and the villa pool is small.

Tree House Villas are another remote, recent DVC addition.

 

[BradyBz12]

Gotta admit my first reaction was...



But I'm gonna try hard to reserve judgment and see how things shake out. It won't be easy for me. I have a soapbox on standby at all times.

I'll try and focus on the possibility that the Fort might at least get some better food out of the deal!

10-4. I will bring my commando gear. Looks like it's last call. We will join forces for a final mission.

Good luck and godspeed gentlemen. Come home safe.

 

[stacktester]

We walked over to the barn Friday night after grabbing a getty up and go. There was a lady there who claimed to be the barn manager who was somewhat supervising the carriage rides. She was very nice because the barn was actually closed and she opened up the door that has all the WDW Horse info in it. We had some friends who had never been there who wanted to see it. The Calliope was visible but she said it was turned off and she couldn't turn it back on.

She confirmed what TCD was told. I don't know why everyone is so surprised because it's obvious the new power cables coming behind 300 and the survey flags by RC. Demoloshing RC is not new news. It's been said for years the rebar and other structure is way to far gone to rehab. My biggest regret is I didn't get to go there.

It seems that by putting the new resort between the existing resorts could make sense if they will incorporate some shopping and food there. I think everyone who's ever gotten a survey has complained about food courts. Hopefully this is the answer.

 

[We4mickey]

I have very mixed emotions about this. I know we should keep an open mind, but I really like the wooded areas up near Pioneer Hall.

 

[bama_ed]

TCD, did your CM source tell you what the theming of the DVC would be? It might be an extension of the Wilderness Villas or the theme of the project planned there several years ago (the Wild West theme or whatever it was).

I hate that they're going to cut down the trees between the 100 loop and Pioneer Hall. I hope they leave as many as possible; some of them are pretty tall.

Thanks for the update. I'm sure the Orlando Sentinel will follow up with an article in a few days based on your recon information.

Good job as always!

Bama ED

 

[Magicbus]

It's expansion of the "Wilderness Region".

 

[kazlac4]

So how long do you think it will take before the info that TCD has shared with us starts to show up in Orlando newspapers and other web sites with reporters claiming to get the info from their "sources"?

 

[m1tchells]

Gotta admit my first reaction was...



But I'm gonna try hard to reserve judgment and see how things shake out. It won't be easy for me. I have a soapbox on standby at all times.

I'll try and focus on the possibility that the Fort might at least get some better food out of the deal!

I agree! My initial feeling was of huge sadness! We also love, love, love the path to the Lodge for biking and deer spotting! And IF we were allowed...I'm sure we would also have loved late nite runs on the golf cart to the hot tub (pre pool rehab)...but I guess now we will never know. I guess now that will all change...and I'm not a huge fan of change. But I am a huge optimist so here's hoping TPTB know what they are doing and they do it right.

Thanks TCD for your top notch reporting once again!

 

[retired and happy]

Where will the BackYard BBQ go if the Pavilion is gone? Or is it on the way out too? We go there every year or every visit.

At any rate, it is good to see a post from Shanta. I haven't seen one in months.

 

[TheLug]

... No comment!!

 

[LONE-STAR]

Just give me more places to drive my cart and I will be happy.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

My very best memories growing up were at the Fort. My parents brought into DVC in '98 and we have not been able to stay at the Fort since; when we visit WDW, we use their points and generally stay at their home resort (Boardwalk).

My brother and I both have commented time and again how much we loved the Fort and missed it! I am very excited to be able to stay so close to our happy memories once more!

I kind of think that campers and DVC people are a lot alike. They want more than just a hotel room. They like to cook and do laundry while on vacation. Well, maybe not like...who likes that stuff?

I would imagine a new DVC would probably include an exclusive pool. It seems that all the new DVC resorts have been doing that to get away from the pool hopping feature. But if it is a stand alone place, I can't imagine that it would be locked down like Bay Lake Towers is.

Thank you TCD for your info! You are awesome!!!

 

[thegoofyfamily]

Wonder how this will impact the wildlife in the area......the demo and building involved. One of the highlights of our Fall and Winter trips are who spots the most deer in the area between the Fort and WL.

Hey Disney! Make it right! We'll be watchin'!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Explains the surveyors in the area between Pioneer hall and the pathway I saw 2 weeks ago.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Where will the BackYard BBQ go if the Pavilion is gone? Or is it on the way out too? We go there every year or every visit.

At any rate, it is good to see a post from Shanta. I haven't seen one in months.

1. Agreed- it is good to see you post again Shan-man!

2. The word is that the Fort Wilderness Pavilion is going to be reconstructed along the lake to the East of the Settlement Trading Post. Based on some new stakes, which I will post photos of on my TR thread, I believe that the new pavilion will be in the area circled in red on this photo:

TCD

 

[KristinU]

I kind of think that campers and DVC people are a lot alike. They want more than just a hotel room. They like to cook and do laundry while on vacation. Well, maybe not like...who likes that stuff?

Thank you TCD for your info! You are awesome!!!

Great observation, and I find that to be true - at least with us...we were DVC owners for about 8 years then sold it and bought our little camper with some of the proceeds, and you summed it up well: that we tend to want more control during vacationing and travel than a plain hotel room affords.

And ditto in the TCD kudos!

I take this news as a good thing, the RC leveling is extremely overdue. To let it get to the level of degradation it is at right now is disrespectful to the fond memories, to current guests, and to the environment. And the real estate is way to prime for Disney not to want to take advantage of it. I'm hoping for some better food options for the Fort to come out of the whole thing!

 

[KimIce]

Wonder how this will impact the wildlife in the area......the demo and building involved. One of the highlights of our Fall and Winter trips are who spots the most deer in the area between the Fort and WL.

Hey Disney! Make it right! We'll be watchin'!

I agree with you!!! That is one of the best things about the Fort, seeing all the wildlife. We always go looking for the deer while we are there.
Unfortunately, big companies like this normally don't care about the wildlife. They are more interested in making money.

Thank you TCD for the info.!!

 

[TheLug]

I agree that one of my favorite areas is the wooded cart path near 100. I will truely miss that. I remember when it was first starting to be used!

 

[Shan-man]

As TCD has already said, there is PLENTY of room here to handle a pretty large resort. I was just playing around and discovered that the ENTIRE Wilderness Lodge and WL Villas can fit in the proposed site... including all necessary parking and recreation grounds, see:

Yes, these are really in the same scale! The roads even line up... Disney could save a ton in architects and just flip their old plans!

Some further thoughts on the whole project: loops 100 and 200 are going to get a lot louder with the MBYBBQ in their backyard. And 100 even more so as it looses the tree buffer between them and the Pioneer Hall bustle. I seriously doubt that the new development will be done in an old west theme as that would likely limit it to small, single-story buildings to carry off the theme. And the more I think about it, the less likely I think it is that traffic to and from this resort will come through Fort Wilderness... the DVC folks don't want to drive by us trailer-trash to get to their resort!

But, this is bound to result in improved transportation options between FW, this new resort, and WL. Which means better access to good dining options and shopping. I would be surprised if there is not a paved and lighted walking/cycling/cart/surrey bike path in the plans, probably within view of the water (the nature trail, for instance). And possibly hourly cart rentals at the other two resorts? Either that or carts will continue to be disallowed at WL which is a huge missed opportunity IMO. I expect that the sizes of the launches will increase, but FW will be the last stop of the route (so bummer for us there).

So other than the noise, the loss of Pioneer Woods, and longer launch times to MK I think there are several good benefits coming as a result of this project. Or, I guess they might just relocate the RC fence to completely segregate us and we get none of the benefits I mentioned! DOH! (not that the RC fence ever proved that effective against some of us fat morans)