Here's an expanded version of something I posted on the DVC board.
There's been much written about the Disney Institute on the DIS boards lately. Too many postings blur the distinction between the Disney Institute (training programs & facilities) and the Villas at Disney Institute (a mish-mash of various suite- and condo-style accomodations). These are two different things. Sure, someone could stay at the Villas while attending an Institute training program -- which is what was originally hoped -- but that doesn't tie the fate of the Institute and its Villas together forever. The Instutute has already completely changed it focus since being launched, and the Villas represent essentially just another on-site hotel.
First, let's look at the "rumors of it [Disney Institute] just closing." When it comes to the Villas, that's not just a rumor -- it's news. The closing appears to be partial and temporary. (However, who knows when and in what form the Villas will reopen?)
From http://www.orlandosentinel.com/
"DISNEY INSTITUTE IS LATEST VICTIM OF TOURISM SLIDE ; THE RESORT WILL STAY OPEN, BUT MANY OF THE ROOMS WILL BE CLOSED IN JANUARY."
[METRO Edition] Robert Johnson, Sentinel Staff Writer; Orlando Sentinel; Nov 29, 2001;
Abstract:
[Bill Warren] said the cutbacks at Disney Institute aren't an indication that more resorts will face major room closures. He said the Disney Institute and Port Orleans resort were targeted after the Sept. 11 travel slowdown as likely spots to close large numbers of rooms because of especially low guest demand.
The educational program at the Disney Institute has changed from one that caters to individuals to one that caters to groups, such as groups of corporate executives. Along these lines, the Disney Institute merged with Disney University. However, I'm told that if you can get fifteen people together who want to take a cooking class, you can still sign up -- but they're going to expect once check to cover everybody. They no longer schedule classes that have to proceed whether one person or twenty sign up. Yes, this means the Disney Institute, as originally envisioned, was a failure -- but it doesn't mean it's out of business.
Next, let's look at the "rumors of the DI being changed into a DVC resort."
Someone originally attributed the source of the rumor to a WDW bus driver. (They know everything, right?)
The rumor was rejected on the basis that Disney Institute is a failure, and it has too much baggage, and the training program wouldn't fit in, and it just won't work as part of DVC. These arguments assume that the Disney Institute is a single entity which can't be broken up.
But the Disney Institute and the Villas at Disney Institute can be broken up -- and not just into two entities.
The Villas at Disney Institute are actually five different kinds of accomodations that were brought together under one name. (Remember the old Fairway Villas and Treehouse Villas?) They could be split up again. Some could be sold to another lodging company, or could be torn down so the land could be redeveloped, or could be renamed, or could remain branded as the Villas at Disney Institute -- or could be turned into timeshare accomodations.
Imagine if the Treehouse Villas were turned into a small Disney Vacation Club resort. After all, a Treehouse Villas DVC resort would offer unique 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom villas with kitchens -- just the sort of accomodations that timeshare owners with families enjoy. Under this "what if" scenario, Disney Vacation Development would take title to the Treehouse Villas, bring them to tip-top condition, and sell them as DVC points. To keep expenses reasonable, check-in could be at the adjacent Old Key West (OKW) Resort, and there might be other opportunities to leverage OKW services.
Maybe this is a good idea. Maybe it's a bad idea.
The purpose of this posting is just to point out the the Disney Institute is not a single, monolithic entity, but a collection of at least six major parts, each of which could have a different long-term fate. And maybe, just maybe, one or more of those parts could see a DVC logo in the future.
Quick, what was the name of that bus driver?