Attack of the Lakeshore Lodge

[MarkNC2Disney]

LOT of boats gonna be crisscrossing Bay Lake when LL comes online…

 

[VandVsmama]

I'm following the Lakeshore Lodge saga with interest because we might want to buy add-on points there. BUT I kind of hope that FW & LL don't have to share busses all the time AND I hope that LL guests won't have to take a bus to the FW depot & then transfer to one of the internal loop busses. If I'm going to pay $$ to stay at a deluxe resort, I'd prefer for the busses to LL to be direct and not shared.

Hope springs eternal, though.

AND when there's lightning, what do you want to bet that they don't run boats from LL to MK and/or TTC? That will be frustrating. Frustrating like the time I & my family were toward the front of Epcot a couple of hours after a downpour if the Skyliner was operational. We were told yes. Great, so we walked ALL the way to the BACK of Epcot (since we were staying at Pop Century)...Skyliner gondola cars were running but NO GUESTS allowed on. So we had to do the march of death all the way back to the front of Epcot in order to get a bus to Pop. My feet hurt so bad that night and I was so tired that I actually cried when a CM told me I couldn't sit and rest and had to keep walking since they were clearing out the park (park had just closed).

I can laugh about it now but in the moment, it was agony.

 

[Boosterman]

View from a water taxi from FW to Contemporary.

 

[BrianLo]

I have been thinking about Lakeshore Lodge, and it feels like it's going to be a bust. My general sentiment is that Copper Creek was the last of the unrestricted resorts, and is still pretty new. It seems unwise for DVC to make something so similar as their next resort, especially while the resale restrictions were introduced in between:

1. Copper Creek is a great resort, but its resale value is hampered by location/transportation. Lakeside Lodge will be a similar situation, but worse.
2. Redundant theming. Why would a resale buyer want to buy Lakeshore Lodge with restrictions when Copper Creek is unrestricted? Copper Creek will also have a better points chart, most likely.
3. If Lakeshore Lodge gets rolled-into the Cabins at FW, deed expiration will become 2075. For reference, Copper Creek is 2068.
4. Maintenance fees would also have to absorb the $14/pt currently required for the Cabins at FW.

There's a ton of landmines for them to step on still and we've seen the wind exit on almost all their new products late in the game. I'm sure something will happen we aren't anticipating as it has in during most of the last 5 product launches.

That said, I anticipate the DVC component as originally presented to be on the modest end. Only about 1/3rd of the Reflections site plan space was DVC earmarked and with larger unit sizes I expect the room count somewhere around 250. Not a small DVC, but not a huge one.

I hope the standard views match Copper Creek and surmise there will be view distribution. Hopefully they contain themselves to standard and lake (preferred) and don't think they can eek out fireworks views. The bottom end will be somewhat cheaper thanks to the pod rooms (or Duos or whatever they end up calling them).

The pool complex is an upsell if they move forward with it. Nothing really suggests plans have changed one way or the other, which is good and bad if you are hoping for a lazy river.

But on the flip side, resale will not hold its value as strongly, though we'll be comparing to the forthcoming free-fall of boulder ridge.

From a sales perspective however, Magic Kingdom is about to have a pretty substantial investment cycle. They are also building "the boardwalk" of Bay Lake with both resorts nestled together, so I certainly see this resort being perceived on the more desirable (but not most desirable) end of the portfolio. Throw in a lazy river and it's a product people are willing to consider all of a sudden.

 

[Lorana]

The lazy river is definitely one of the reasons I’m considering buying, even though I already own Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge. Wilderness themed AND lazy river?? Yes please!

 

[tidefan]

While I think the Island Tower is beautiful, I don't think it fits in with the existing Polynesian Resort theming. I really think they need to be consistent across that the entire resort and be seamless. I was there a when the tower opened and I felt that that it was two properties. I am in the camp where two styles can't co-exist.

With that said, I saw how close Lakeshore Lodge is Ft. Wilderness. They are literally next door to one another. It is like Beach and Yacht Club close. I really hope Disney themes Lakeshore Lodge to the existing Ft. Wilderness. Even if they are separate resorts and/or condo associations, their proximately must have similar theming. It will look so out of place if there is rustic in one place and modern rustic boho in another.

I think that a lot of people share this concern. Like the Polynesian, Fort Wilderness is a 1971 original to the WDW complex (though it opened in November of that year - the 19th to be exact for those who've noticed the artwork over the bunks). Like the Poly, FW has a huge dedicated fanbase around that resort. It will be interesting to see how this is incorporated.

One thing to note is that there is supposed to be a lot of work on the Meadows area in the campground (where the pool, tennis courts, etc, are) adding a 5,500 sq. foot building. I have no idea what may come of that, or what it may be for, but it will be interesting to see. Also, Paul mentioned in an article last month that there were also plans to enhance the existing Wilderness pool area.

I think that the Yacht/Beach club analogy is appropriate here and what I was trying to get at. These may be separate entities, but they are essentially on the same ground. I have many questions beyond if CFW gets wrapped up into this. First, how are people going to access the resort and parking? Will they enter via the Wilderness Lodge side, or will it be via the Fort? Will it have it's own dock, or will it share the Clementine Beach dock with FW?

One thing I can say is that to the person who wondered about parking for CFW people at LL if they are joined, I think that based on our stay this past week, most of the folks at CFW will have golf carts, so you'd have some sort of golf cart parking over there as well.

It will be interesting to see how this shapes up.

 

[tx911]

Am I the only one who dislikes LL as an abbreviation?
LL means lightening lane to me.
How about LSL?

 

[davidhr]

I have been thinking about Lakeshore Lodge, and it feels like it's going to be a bust. My general sentiment is that Copper Creek was the last of the unrestricted resorts, and is still pretty new. It seems unwise for DVC to make something so similar as their next resort, especially while the resale restrictions were introduced in between:

1. Copper Creek is a great resort, but its resale value is hampered by location/transportation. Lakeside Lodge will be a similar situation, but worse.
2. Redundant theming. Why would a resale buyer want to buy Lakeshore Lodge with restrictions when Copper Creek is unrestricted? Copper Creek will also have a better points chart, most likely.
3. If Lakeshore Lodge gets rolled-into the Cabins at FW, deed expiration will become 2075. For reference, Copper Creek is 2068.
4. Maintenance fees would also have to absorb the $14/pt currently required for the Cabins at FW.

Those are good points. But it's been shown time and time again that the only thing that matters (well, not the only one, but the one that overwhelmingly matters) is price. People will be ok with some things if the price is great.

And I know I'm being pedantic because I understand what people are saying when they use this, but we should stop saying unrestricted resorts. There's not a single unrestricted resale contract being sold today.

 

[Brian Noble]

First, how are people going to access the resort and parking? Will they enter via the Wilderness Lodge side, or will it be via the Fort?

I dimly recall from...somewhere...that the plans included some roadwork from the existing WL entrance towards Lakeshore Lodge. So I think this will be the former. But, don't quote me. Literally.

 

[Mikey15]

I dimly recall from...somewhere...that the plans included some roadwork from the existing WL entrance towards Lakeshore Lodge. So I think this will be the former. But, don't quote me. Literally.

So far this does seem to be the case.

And it makes sense too. In theory it could even share buses with WL but with the number of guests at each maybe they’d stay independent. Could be similarly arranged to GF+Poly though where it varies, rather than the always-shared Jambo+Kidani.

 

[VandVsmama]

Wait...there's going to be a lazy river?!

 

[MarkNC2Disney]

Wait...there's going to be a lazy river?!

It won’t be large enough and will be stupid crowded. Sorry to predict the future and burst bubbles but I’d love to be wrong

 

[Electron_si]

It won’t be large enough and will be stupid crowded. Sorry to predict the future and burst bubbles but I’d love to be wrong

Even better it will be 7 ft deep so if you fall of your tube there is no touching the bottom.

 

[mabucco]

I think there already is a road between Wilderness Lodge and the area where Lakeshore Lodge will be. Currently it’s only for cast members to use but I guess that could be used for main access?

 

[BrianLo]

First, how are people going to access the resort and parking?

The parking lots exit into west wilderness way routed towards Wilderness Lodge. You can turn back into Fort Wilderness, but it definitely structurally routes you towards The Wilderness Lodge side.

Will it have its own dock, or will it share the Clementine Beach dock with FW?

It has its own new dock. No clue on dedicated boats, but I’d suspect they are motivated to start running the resort boat all day.

It has its own bus loop that appears to be a terminal stop with bays. I don’t know if that guarantees it doesn’t share with Fort Wilderness and is treated as the new terminal or it’s dedicated. I strongly suspect personally it’s dedicated as having to route through multiple Fort Wilderness loops and stops feels distinctly like a bad decision… which they can certainly make.

VGF and Poly still have the fall back of the monorail, but I’d argue they really shouldn’t be sharing buses anymore either… Disney will Disney.

It won’t be large enough and will be stupid crowded. Sorry to predict the future and burst bubbles but I’d love to be wrong

The resort is bigger than Aulani so you certainly aren’t wrong to be dubious. It will mostly be a push and pull between nearly every guest using Aulani’s facilities all day versus a fraction of WDW guests staying only at their resort for the day. Further done by Aulani still has more clear facilities.

 

[tidefan]

It has its own new dock. No clue on dedicated boats, but I’d suspect they are motivated to start running the resort boat all day.

It has its own bus loop that appears to be a terminal stop with bays. I don’t know if that guarantees it doesn’t share with Fort Wilderness and is treated as the new terminal or it’s dedicated. I strongly suspect personally it’s dedicated as having to route through multiple Fort Wilderness loops and stops feels distinctly like a bad decision… which they can certainly make.

There are 2 main bus areas at Fort Wilderness. First, there is the Outpost Depot, down by the FW entrance. The second main bus area is the Settlement bus area, which, if you look at the map, it is right next to Pioneer Hall, which is immediately adjacent to the new Lakeshore Lodge area. I can't see how you would not have folks in the Cabins at FW use the buses here. I would imagine that they may integrate the area here to serve both.

There are already dedicated buses (Purple, Orange, and Yellow) that traverse the FW property, so park buses would not need to do so. Most at FW will take the boat to MK (I suppose that most at LL will do so as well). If LL has its own dock, I assume that it will be added into the Blue Line rotation, which is currently FW -> CR -> WL -> FW..

It will also be interesting to see if LL guests are allowed to go to the campfires with Chip and Dale at the Meadows area.

 

[CarolynFH]

It will also be interesting to see if LL guests are allowed to go to the campfires with Chip and Dale at the Meadows area.

I think the campfires are open to the public, not restricted to FW guests. In that respect It’s like Hoop Dee Doo as well as many activities at other resorts.

 

[tidefan]

I think the campfires are open to the public, not restricted to FW guests. In that respect It’s like Hoop Dee Doo as well as many activities at other resorts.

They currently are, however, I do wonder if they have enough room if it gets more popular.

 

[eticketplease]

Redundant theming. Why would a resale buyer want to buy Lakeshore Lodge with restrictions when Copper Creek is unrestricted? Copper Creek will also have a better points chart, most likely.

Since DLL will most likely be the same trust association or whatever we are calling it, CCV will not beat it on points if you have 5-6 in your party.

Anything over 4 in CCV and you are down to 2 bedrooms the cascade cabins or a GV. Or if really lucky maybe you can grab 2 studios.

The cabins provide a great point chart and you don’t have to hear your neighbors next door. On top of that the cabins provide an opportunity for adventure while doing laundry. No where else do you have to guess after pulling the clothes out of the dryer if they will still be dry after walking/golf carting during a thunderstorm back to your cabin.

 

[eticketplease]

They currently are, however, I do wonder if they have enough room if it gets more popular.

We did s’mores at RIV before eating at Topolino’s since we couldn’t do them at VGF and they didn’t care.