Attack of the Lakeshore Lodge

[Brian Noble]

is even only OK compared to what Disney themselves did at Aulani...

I suspect that's partly because Aulani is more of a destination unto itself. (Guests who treat it that way are missing out, but that's another rant for another time.)

 

[tidefan]

I suspect that's partly because Aulani is more of a destination unto itself. (Guests who treat it that way are missing out, but that's another rant for another time.)

Fully agree with your rant, which is why after your first time there, you quickly realize that you have to build in both resort and island days (and probably some days on a neighboring island - we like the Big Island, but they are all great!)

 

[Paul Stupin]

Agreed, I would definitely blow some points on it if it has a really nice pool area. If it's as big as was originally proposed I don't think it would be hard to book here either. Would potentially be a nice getaway from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks.

I’d bet the one bedrooms will be pretty small, ala the Island tower.

 

[Mikey15]

I’d bet the one bedrooms will be pretty small, ala the Island tower.

Even if the measuring tape says IT 1beds are small, the layout looks excellent, IMO. I’d take the two bath layout and ample seating area over a “bigger” 1 bed with an awkward single bathroom and a bunch of odd doors. Or the ones where the bedroom door is awkwardly at the balcony, past the Murphy.

 

[Paul Stupin]

Even if the measuring tape says IT 1beds are small, the layout looks excellent, IMO. I’d take the two bath layout and ample seating area over a “bigger” 1 bed with an awkward single bathroom and a bunch of odd doors. Or the ones where the bedroom door is awkwardly at the balcony, past the Murphy.

I think we’re spoiled by the one bedrooms at the Riviera and Grand Floridian. They’re huge and comfortable, and we haven’t seen anything close in subsequent new construction.

 

[BrianLo]

The deeper discounts on the cabins this cycle is causing me to tea read further that they landed on going for separate resorts.

They seem to be actually attempting to sell them for once.

 

[Hubalorian]

The deeper discounts on the cabins this cycle is causing me to tea read further that they landed on going for separate resorts.

They seem to be actually attempting to sell them for once.

I think they’d like to sale some regardless, no basically 0. Even now 200 points:
PVB - 217 per point = 43,400
CFW - 198 per point = 39.600
RIV/AUL - 207 per point = 41,400

Dues on 200 points:
PVB - $1584
CFW - $2,374
RIV - $1,810

At $800 per year difference I make up the buy in difference from CFW and PVB in 4/5 years? Riv and CFW in 3/4 years? I think they will still have difficulty selling this product even at the reduced price if you look one layer deeper into the comparisons then what is the ab solute lowest PPP I can pay. Not even factoring in the differences in amenities, the cost of a golf cart, etc.

 

[Sandisw]

The deeper discounts on the cabins this cycle is causing me to tea read further that they landed on going for separate resorts.

They seem to be actually attempting to sell them for once.

Except now that the lodge has been announced, maybe they are hoping people jump in hoping it will be combined.

Given the sales, it’s still not rocket incentives.

 

[disneylandtour]

Except now that the lodge has been announced, maybe they are hoping people jump in hoping it will be combined.

I'm having trouble imagining that more than 10% or 15% of potential buyers know that this might be a possibility, unless guides tell them (which I don't think is happening). And the 10% or 15% of potential buyers who know about a possible consolidation of the lodge and the cabins into the new trust are also the ones that know how terrible the dues are. I still contend that people who will be swayed are: (1) mostly those who want to bring their pets to the resort, even if there's a premium to do so and (2) those who camped at FW for years and years, love the holiday displays, but are now feeling too old for the RV (but then, why would people in this group want a 50-year contract?).

 

[BrianLo]

Except now that the lodge has been announced, maybe they are hoping people jump in hoping it will be combined.

Given the sales, it’s still not rocket incentives.

I’m literally standing beside the construction site with guides being shown the cabins right now and they are pretending it doesn’t exist. There was no mention of Lakeshore Lodge either at the general meeting.

It’s a very, very savvy (or gambling) buyer who’d be making that connection. Which is basically just the dozens of us.

Now that said the resort is sooo close to fort wilderness… but so is Poly island to VGF

 

[Sandisw]

I’m literally standing beside the construction site with guides being shown the cabins right now and they are pretending it doesn’t exist. There was no mention of Lakeshore Lodge either at the general meeting.

It’s a very, very savvy (or gambling) buyer who’d be making that connection. Which is basically just the dozens of us.

Now that said the resort is sooo close to fort wilderness… but so is Poly island to VGF

Then maybe the incentives were kept low to ensure enough cabins were done?

Or, at this point it doesn’t matter? I guess we will see in the new two years!

 

[patm95]

I'm having trouble imagining that more than 10% or 15% of potential buyers know that this might be a possibility, unless guides tell them (which I don't think is happening). And the 10% or 15% of potential buyers who know about a possible consolidation of the lodge and the cabins into the new trust are also the ones that know how terrible the dues are. I still contend that people who will be swayed are: (1) mostly those who want to bring their pets to the resort, even if there's a premium to do so and (2) those who camped at FW for years and years, love the holiday displays, but are now feeling too old for the RV (but then, why would people in this group want a 50-year contract?).

I agree with this 100%. Even being aware and wanting to buy points, I would not take the risk of a lifetime of higher dues on the chance that it might not happen.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Moving right along, the rest of that parking lot poured, general outline of buildings taking shape…

https://twitter.com/x/status/1874594071567913469

https://twitter.com/x/status/1874595123096625491

 

[MerlinandtheMouse]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1874593172418174981

What are the chances Disney would create a little bridge/overpass connecting LSL and WL? The last cascade cabins looks as close to the main building as they do to the area of the new build. That would be amazing if they connected that whole area like that

 

[crvetter]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1874593172418174981

What are the chances Disney would create a little bridge/overpass connecting LSL and WL? The last cascade cabins looks as close to the main building as they do to the area of the new build. That would be amazing if they connected that whole area like that

If I'm not mistaken there was 2 different walking paths at one point in time. One along the water and one deeper into the woods (that basically still exists to this day but close for construction). The water one I believe was removed years ago. I definitely thing the one that is more in the woods will definitely re-open once the construction is done.

I can't see any reason not to make these resorts more connected than they already look to be (FW and WL already have a continuous bus between them).

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Yeah, the walking path has actually had work done on it in the last year and it's in good shape ready to go - just still closed. We took both the MK bus and a Minnie Van that takes that road along the path a few weeks ago so had a good view of things. I'm of the opinion it will reopen once construction traffic is complete (years from now, lol).

 

[tidefan]

We are at CFW right now and the new construction is literally right behind the Trail’s End/Hoop-de-Doo building and adjacent to the FW boat dock. It is essentially part of FW.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

Is it crazy that I was just there and I had no idea this is where Lakeshore Lodge would be going?

But also.. I really have no idea where anything is in relation to Fort Wilderness because it feels so secluded once you're there. I was admiring a horse at the Tri Circle D ranch when something caught my eye... it was Contemporary and Bay Lake Tower.

I was like wait... what are you guys doing here?? I'm in the wilderness.

 

[tidefan]

The speed at which the Lakeshore Lodge is commencing is really something else. We were at CFW over Labor Day, and there were some construction vehicles over there, but not much was being done other than ground prep. Fast forward to today, and the building is already going vertical, well on it's way to getting completed. Having now been able to get over by the site, I have a few thoughts on it that I couldn't quite put into perspective earlier:

1). In my mind, I had originally pictured LL being closer to the Wilderness Lodge, but that is not the case. The Lodge parking is DIRECTLY across from the Tri-Circle D ranch and the current building structure is IMMEDIATELY adjacent to Pioneer Hall. I knew that this building was going to be close to FW, but not literally right on top of the main area of FW, which leads me to...

2). I am now pretty convinced that Lakeshore Lodge will not only incorporate CFW, it will be integrated somehow into FW. The building is literally on Fort Wilderness ground. I don't see any way that it won't be accessible to all of the campers here at the Fort. In return, Trail's End, Hoop-de-Doo, and Crockett's Tavern will be easily walkable by Lodge guests. You are going to get A LOT of FW traffic at the Lodge, which would be OK if they build the infrastructure to handle it. It will be interesting to see what they do from a restaurant perspective as well as a guest handling perspective. I know that a lot of people that would want to buy would want "limited access" to the grounds, but I just don't see that flying here. Disney has a golden goose with the campsites (if you don't think so, go look at how much golf carts are to rent), and I don't think they want to upset that. Plus, the Pioneer Hall area is so frequented by FW guests that they are naturally going to be wanting to walk the extra 100 yards or so over to LL.

3) I am pretty sure that guest at LL will have access to golf cart rentals. I mean, why not, you're right at the Fort. Who wouldn't want to go "looping"... This would also make LL (and CFW) the property to stay at during Halloween. It will be interesting to see if Disney allows LL guests to bring their own golf carts like FW guests can.

4). I wonder if the the pool areas will be open to FW guests. In that, I also wonder if the existing FW pools will be accessible to LL guests. It would not surprise me if that is the case. I seem to remember someone stating that someone at DVD mentioned that they were looking at enhancing the existing FW infrastructure. I could really see them completely renovate the existing 2 FW pools in addition to whatever they build at LL and all of that being open to either LL or FW guests.

5) Before people get too offended by that idea (of FW guests using LL facilities), I don't think that you will see people at LL being too hung up on going to the nightly FW campfire with Chip n Dale or using all of the Fort facilities (archery, fishing, canoeing, Tri-Circle D, etc.), so if that's the case, I would think that the access would have to extend both ways. Currently, members staying at CFW on points have full access to all the Fort amenities, and those staying at FW have access to the pool over by the Cabins. The only think that is behind an access point is the free laundry by the Wilderness pool.

This will be an interesting one to see how it progresses...

 

[Sandisw]

The speed at which the Lakeshore Lodge is commencing is really something else. We were at CFW over Labor Day, and there were some construction vehicles over there, but not much was being done other than ground prep. Fast forward to today, and the building is already going vertical, well on it's way to getting completed. Having now been able to get over by the site, I have a few thoughts on it that I couldn't quite put into perspective earlier:

1). In my mind, I had originally pictured LL being closer to the Wilderness Lodge, but that is not the case. The Lodge parking is DIRECTLY across from the Tri-Circle D ranch and the current building structure is IMMEDIATELY adjacent to Pioneer Hall. I knew that this building was going to be close to FW, but not literally right on top of the main area of FW, which leads me to...

2). I am now pretty convinced that Lakeshore Lodge will not only incorporate CFW, it will be integrated somehow into FW. The building is literally on Fort Wilderness ground. I don't see any way that it won't be accessible to all of the campers here at the Fort. In return, Trail's End, Hoop-de-Doo, and Crockett's Tavern will be easily walkable by Lodge guests. You are going to get A LOT of FW traffic at the Lodge, which would be OK if they build the infrastructure to handle it. It will be interesting to see what they do from a restaurant perspective as well as a guest handling perspective. I know that a lot of people that would want to buy would want "limited access" to the grounds, but I just don't see that flying here. Disney has a golden goose with the campsites (if you don't think so, go look at how much golf carts are to rent), and I don't think they want to upset that. Plus, the Pioneer Hall area is so frequented by FW guests that they are naturally going to be wanting to walk the extra 100 yards or so over to LL.

3) I am pretty sure that guest at LL will have access to golf cart rentals. I mean, why not, you're right at the Fort. Who wouldn't want to go "looping"... This would also make LL (and CFW) the property to stay at during Halloween. It will be interesting to see if Disney allows LL guests to bring their own golf carts like FW guests can.

4). I wonder if the the pool areas will be open to FW guests. In that, I also wonder if the existing FW pools will be accessible to LL guests. It would not surprise me if that is the case. I seem to remember someone stating that someone at DVD mentioned that they were looking at enhancing the existing FW infrastructure. I could really see them completely renovate the existing 2 FW pools in addition to whatever they build at LL and all of that being open to either LL or FW guests.

5) Before people get too offended by that idea (of FW guests using LL facilities), I don't think that you will see people at LL being too hung up on going to the nightly FW campfire with Chip n Dale or using all of the Fort facilities (archery, fishing, canoeing, etc.), so if that's the case, I would think that the access would have to extend both ways. Currently, members staying at CFW on points have full access to all the Fort amenities, and those staying at FW have access to the pool over by the Cabins. The only think that is behind an access point is the free laundry by the Wilderness pool.

This will be an interesting one to see how it progresses...

BLT has a pool that is restricted to just BLT guests…CR guests are not allowed to use it.

It all depends on whether or not the pool becomes a common element for LL or not.

The pool at PVB tower was not added that way but it could be because the other pools were not part of it so it made sense.

So, there is a way to limit the pool from FW guests who are not LL guests.

As far as the amenities? Those won’t be restricted just like they are not at any other resort!

It will be interesting to see to see how it plays out but my guess is we won’t have any idea of whether it will become part of the trust with its own vacation plan, part of the CFW action plan or neither before its close to opening!!