No Happy Campers at Walt Disney World
Many Fort Wilderness regulars will be headed to other camping grounds after hearing about the gigantic new lakeside DVC resort that will be taking over part of what was River Country. The lake is going to be lined with bungalows, plus more along the River Country side. PLUS the unpleasant surprise DVC members received in their inboxes:
“Update to Disney Vacation Club Resort Access for Contracts Not Purchased Directly from Disney
Effective January 19, 2019, only Members who purchase directly from Disney will be able to use their Vacation Points at the 14 existing Disney Vacation Club Resorts or future Resorts—such as Disney’s Riviera Resort or Reflections – A Disney Lakeside Lodge. Resale contracts purchased for the existing 14 Disney Vacation Club Resorts will only be able to exchange Points into those 14 Resorts.
This change does not apply to contracts purchased prior to January 19, 2019. Contracts gifted to family members will continue to have the same Resort access as before the ownership transfer.
The eligibility rules for Membership Extras and RCI access remain unchanged.
The Buena Vista Trading Company Disclosure Guide has been amended accordingly.”
What this means is, if you don’t purchase Riviera/Reflections/beyond… points directly from Disney, (at a much higher rate) you can’t stay in the other 14 DVC Resorts mentioned above. This is a way to stop resales by companies like DVC Resale Market so that Disney makes a much bigger profit from direct sales. Resale companies often buy points on the verge of foreclosure, saving the member’s credit from taking a huge ding. Under Disney’s new rule, these folks would be forced into foreclosure, ruining their chance to save their credit. It’s definitely not a popular new rule.
The red parts are the buildings. The huge parking lots tell us that cars will now be allowed all the way into Fort Wilderness, and Tri-Circle D ranch will be relocated to where the trail rides kick off. Rumor has it that Pioneer Hall will be reimagineered to handle larger crowds, but I wasn’t able to get any confirmation on that one.
It definitely looks like there will be more bungalows, with a rather tent-like profile, but most definitely not tents. Although, “glamping” very well might be a thing here. As for the buildings, Imagineering promised “something unique”, and a few people have speculated that they might be houseboats. I don’t see them on the plans nor on this photo:
Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge‘s other problem, according to Fort Wilderness and DVC regulars, is that its design, while based on “nature”, has absolutely nothing to do with the rustic design of Fort Wilderness. It’s always been understood that Fort Wilderness is the “Frontierland” resort, Disney’s Polynesian Resort is the “Adventureland” resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the “Tomorrowland” resort and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa is the “Main Street, USA” resort. Understood until now, it seems. The lush, green forest will be replaced by a hotel that looks very much like the Riviera and the cancelled hotel for Disneyland. Clean, modern lines make for a very attractive hotel – but one that you can find from any hotel chain, not the spectacularly-themed resorts that put Disney World on the map.
I mean, look at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, heck, even Pop Century – then look at the above image. At this point, it just looks generic and not at all fitting with the Fort Wilderness theme that’s been there since 1971.
Does the new resort hit the mark for you?
Disneyland New Fantasyland Rumors
Last week we pondered the future of tomorrow. You certainly had a lot to add to the discussion. But it appears that you overwhelmingly support the idea of a TRON coaster taking the star position in Tomorrowland:
In that update, I mentioned that the Motorboat Cruise area (and likely the Subs, Autopia, and parts of the Monorail path) would give way to a Fantasyland expansion.
Everyone’s been speculating about Tokyo DisneySea’s Frozen area coming to Disneyland. It’s a huge hit with a gigantic fan base. Speculation has it replacing the Motor Boat Cruise or the Fantasyland Theater. If this is what you’re guessing, well, maybe later, but what I’ve seen are plans to take a little bit of Florida, a little bit of Tokyo, and a little bit of Disneyland originality to create a Beauty and the Beast area that will become an annex of Disneyland’s Fantasyland. Note: this can change. Pirates of the Caribbean had its steel up when it was completely reimagined, so take what I tell you with a grain of baguette.
We’ll also see Gaston’s Tavern, and, it is to be hoped, Be Our Guest restaurant. Disneyland’s going to need it for the Galaxy’s Edge crowds.
Of course, I say build both Arendelle and Beauty and the Beast Village. One where the Fantasyland Theater sits and the other across the way. It would be a spectacular way to balance out all those big boy thrills coming to Galaxy’s Edge and Tomorrowland. Alas, I don’t make the decisions, I just gossip about them!
Galaxy’s Edge Passholder Previews
“But Fab,” you protest, “there aren’t any Passholder previews for Galaxy’s Edge!” au contraire, mon frere. Before Rise of the Resistance opens to the general public, there are going to be hard-ticket preview events and limited-time Passholder events…as of this week. Ask me again next week!
The as-yet-announced new parade going into Disneyland will help alleviate the upswing in guest numbers, as will the new 50th anniversary nighttime parade at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.
So, what do you think? Should Fort Wilderness be modernized? Will Beauty… be enough for New Fantasyland? Are you going to wait for Rise of the Resistance to pay a visit to Black Spire Outpost? Let me know in the comments below!
Next week: a luxurious new fleet for big Disney Cruise Line spenders and more!
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