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Reflections: A Disney Lakeside Lodge

It looks good to me and some of you guys are being a little over the top with your comments it fits right in with the other resorts. Holiday Inn... reaching for the stars with that statement.

Actually Holiday Inn does use the stone and steel with wood overhangs quite a bit. I would say it's a very fair comparison.
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Is Disney overbuilding hotel rooms? It seems at this point they are building more rooms then there will be demand for... and for too many people for the parks to absorb.
When signing up for DVC they told us they plan to continue to open new DVC resorts/expansions every 2 years. I’m guessing since they’re technically “selling” the rooms to members they do run out and will always need new ones to sell.

The joke was we own a doorknob of one room at Copper Creek, our home resort. But we do technically own something. So, unless they want to stop getting new members, they’ll never stop building DVCs.
 
Good read. Critical but fair in most respects. And glad I’m not the only one comparing the Coronado tower a Vegas casino.

In the end, more concept art could be released that’s really good. The project could employ a deft hand when developing around Fort Wilderness in a way that doesn’t damage that landscape. (Disney, just think of how much you could pat yourselves on the back by utilizing eco-friendly and sustainable construction practices–it’d be worth it in the PR alone!) It could end up being really good–a true tribute to both Walt Disney’s love of nature, but the spirit of River Country, which was never coming back anyway.

Color me skeptical. I think it’s far more likely that we’ll get a generically modern and vaguely rustic design that would be at home in Holiday Inn’s portfolio. It’s also more likely that instead of eco-friendly construction that preserves the natural beauty and wilderness of the area, we get excessive tree clearing for the construction, and an end product akin to Copper Creek and Boulder Ridge in terms of wide walkways and bare grounds. But don’t worry! It’s likely that the interior will be decorated with photos of Walt in nature, nods to the True–Life Adventures, and perhaps a clever reference to River Country…and fans who don’t know the difference between superficial decorations and actual theme will eat it all up.
 
The toning down of hotels is interesting, perhaps they believe crazy theming = outdated in the hotel world

I honestly don't know what they think
 
The toning down of hotels is interesting, perhaps they believe crazy theming = outdated in the hotel world

I honestly don't know what they think
They would be correct in that assessment. Nobody is doing excessively themed hotels anymore. Minimalist is in, in-your-face theming is out.

Of course Disney has the power to do whatever they want, but they seem to want to follow current hotel trends right now.
 
They would be correct in that assessment. Nobody is doing excessively themed hotels anymore. Minimalist is in, in-your-face theming is out.

Of course Disney has the power to do whatever they want, but they seem to want to follow current hotel trends right now.
I think it is less expensive to omit the fine details and we have seen they are all about saving money in this era. They are billing this as a deluxe yet stripping the details down to bare minimum. Universal did it but they went with the value designation or prime value. For what this will run per night I want some theming. It's Disney after all who set the standard for themed vacationing.
 
I think it is less expensive to omit the fine details and we have seen they are all about saving money in this era. They are billing this as a deluxe yet stripping the details down to bare minimum. Universal did it but they went with the value designation or prime value. For what this will run per night I want some theming. It's Disney after all who set the standard for themed vacationing.
I'm not excusing the hotels becoming more homogenized or generic. My favorite Disney hotels are Wilderness Lodge, DAK Lodge, and Aulani - all extremely detailed. I do think that cost certainly is playing a role in it to a decent extent, but the industry trends seem to be what they're following. I'm fine with the rooms themselves modernized, but a hotel Resort should definitely have a defined theme to it.

Riviera is an example of a DVC Resort that is bland as can be and the Coronado Tower is very similar. I do think that this hotel can fit into the area where it's going, but if it will be themed enough (on it's own, not compared to the surrounding Resorts) is definitely up for debate.
 
I'm not excusing the hotels becoming more homogenized or generic. My favorite Disney hotels are Wilderness Lodge, DAK Lodge, and Aulani - all extremely detailed. I do think that cost certainly is playing a role in it to a decent extent, but the industry trends seem to be what they're following. I'm fine with the rooms themselves modernized, but a hotel Resort should definitely have a defined theme to it.

Riviera is an example of a DVC Resort that is bland as can be and the Coronado Tower is very similar. I do think that this hotel can fit into the area where it's going, but if it will be themed enough (on it's own, not compared to the surrounding Resorts) is definitely up for debate.
Yeah, that is what I was getting at. People go to Disney expecting something different you can't get elsewhere. If they want bland modern they can find it for much less than what it will cost here. Maybe it won't have a theme park attached but it may be in a nicer setting than the swamps.
 
Then again, at the opposite end will be the Star Wars hotel, which will probably be too themed to be enjoyed as just a hotel. So, Disney is still building highly themed hotels, they’ve just gone so far to the ends of the spectrum that we have bland or over the top to choose from.
 
They would be correct in that assessment. Nobody is doing excessively themed hotels anymore. Minimalist is in, in-your-face theming is out.

Of course Disney has the power to do whatever they want, but they seem to want to follow current hotel trends right now.
I honestly think Cabana Bay is an example of how to merge whimsical and simplistic...It nails the feeling of the 50s/60s, while drawing on simplistic styles of modern hotel design

Disney's themed hotels can often feel like an extension of the park a bit

Also, it is not cheaper to be minimal necessarily

Again, I think they may have missed the point, but why is this even a thing that they are building?
 
They would be correct in that assessment. Nobody is doing excessively themed hotels anymore. Minimalist is in, in-your-face theming is out.

Of course Disney has the power to do whatever they want, but they seem to want to follow current hotel trends right now.
Was in-your-face theming ever in? Vegas did it briefly, but I can’t think of anywhere doing real themeing.

Theme park hotels always seemed to buck that trend because it fit well with the parks and it was a great differentiator.
 
Was in-your-face theming ever in? Vegas did it briefly, but I can’t think of anywhere doing real themeing.

Theme park hotels always seemed to buck that trend because it fit well with the parks and it was a great differentiator.
Not necessarily, but interior design in the 80’s and 90’s was weird, man.
 
Was in-your-face theming ever in? Vegas did it briefly, but I can’t think of anywhere doing real themeing.

Theme park hotels always seemed to buck that trend because it fit well with the parks and it was a great differentiation.
For Disney yes...although, I always felt the theme as an overlay...now it's just less overlayed haha

Ironically, Universal just re-did HRH to be a bit more themed to the rock mansion look they are going for
 
I'm more intrigued by the word "Proposed" that keeps coming up when they talk about the DVC part of the resort. To me it sounds like they are going to build a Hotel, and they have plans for DVC additions somewhere... maybe... in the future?

No, but I've spoken with a lot of folks and everyone agrees that area will not be affected. Only Mickey's Backyard Barbecue has to close for construction (and they want to bring it back as soon as they can cause it makes money without much effort and they like money). No word yet on whether Backyard BBQ gets a new location or will remain where it is now though.

EDIT: Here's the full press release, since no one's posted the entire thing yet:

Hotel and Proposed Disney Vacation Club Property, Three Other Previously Announced Resort Projects to Add More Than 1,700 New Hotel Rooms, Villas at Walt Disney World Resort

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (Oct. 18, 2018) — A new nature-inspired, mixed-use Disney resort will welcome families in 2022 along the picturesque shoreline of Bay Lake. Located between Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, this resort project joins three others underway at Walt Disney World Resort, bringing a total of more than 1,700 new hotel rooms and proposed Disney Vacation Club villas online over the next four years.

The deluxe resort, which will be themed to complement its natural surroundings, will include more than 900 hotel rooms and proposed Disney Vacation Club villas spread across a variety of unique accommodation types.

“Walt Disney World is in the midst of our most significant expansion in the last two decades and the combined 1,700 new hotel rooms and proposed Disney Vacation Club villas we are building at four different resorts will create thousands of new construction and permanent jobs and will drive economic opportunity and incremental revenue for Central Florida,” said George A. Kalogridis, president of Walt Disney World Resort. “We continue to add new attractions, new lands — and these beautiful accommodations will be right in the heart of all that magic.”

The soon-to-be named resort is slated to be Disney’s 16th Disney Vacation Club property and it will continue to build on the value and flexibility of a Disney Vacation Club membership.

“This resort experience will be a celebration of Walt Disney’s lifelong love and respect for nature, with some fun and even surprising accommodation types that families will find irresistible,” said Terri Schultz, senior vice president and general manager of Disney Vacation Club. “It will give our members and guests yet another opportunity to stay in close proximity to all the newest attractions and experiences in our theme parks, and with the flexibility, value and world-class service families expect from Disney.”

Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort will debut completely reimagined in 2019, featuring a new 15-story tower overlooking Lago Dorado, the resort’s centerpiece lake. Offering an additional 545 new guest rooms and suites, the tower also includes a two-level entrance lobby, concierge lounge, new meeting spaces and more. Guests will also be able to enjoy rooftop dining at a specialty table-service restaurant with panoramic views. The existing 1,800 guest rooms have all been fully updated with new fixtures, furnishings and a color palette that ties the entire resort together.

Also currently under construction near Epcot and anticipated to open in 2019 is Disney’s Riviera Resort, the 15th Disney Vacation Club property. With plans for approximately 300 units across a variety of accommodation types, this much-anticipated property will connect to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and the International Gateway at Epcot via the Disney Skyliner. This new resort will be the first all-Disney Vacation Club property at Walt Disney World since Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa opened in 2004.

Seamlessly connected to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, an immersive Star Wars-inspired destination will also be built at Walt Disney World Resort. This first-of-its-kind resort will be a completely immersive experience into an authentic Star Wars story as guests depart together for a multiday adventure aboard their starship. Guests will interact with characters as they become active citizens of the galaxy, dressed in proper attire as stories unfold all around them.

These resort projects join a flurry of expansion at Walt Disney World Resort, including the highly successful Pandora – The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and the recent debut of Toy Story Land at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. In early 2019, Walt Disney World will unveil a collection of shows, parties, Disney character interactions and more that will allow guests to cherish time with family and friends. And later in the year, guests will be able to travel to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, where they can live out their own adventures in a galaxy far, far away. Guests will realize now more than ever is the perfect time to experience all of the fun and magic of a Walt Disney World vacation.
 
I'm more intrigued by the word "Proposed" that keeps coming up when they talk about the DVC part of the resort. To me it sounds like they are going to build a Hotel, and they have plans for DVC additions somewhere... maybe... in the future?
I think there’s some wacky rules about when new DVC locations can start booking/sales once it has officially been announced, so they usually wait as very long as possible before officially releasing DVC details.
 
I think there’s some wacky rules about when new DVC locations can start booking/sales once it has officially been announced, so they usually wait as very long as possible before officially releasing DVC details.
Yeah. Basically they don’t want to eat into the sales of other resorts, so they try not to announce too far out much of the time.

This is why Riviera won’t go on sale until Copper Creek hits a certain sales benchmark.
 
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