Tree House Villas Returning?

[disneyfanatic101]

I got this from Screamscape. Not sure if it's true or not. Anyone heard anything?

Longtime Disney World fans may remember an odd Disney resort offering, not far from the Marketplace area, that just sort of vanished several years ago. I’m talking about the old Treehouse Villas, a series of small round buildings set into a forested area that you can still see if you take a boat ride from Downtown Disney over to Port Orleans. According to DVCNews.com, Disney has received approval for a plan to refurbish and rebuild the Treehouse Villas, replacing the structures with a new design that will actually take up less ground space and look even more like a Treehouse. Make the jump to read all the details and see the artwork.

[GalPal]

Apparently so. Lou talked about it in his podcast last week as confirmed. The show notes have a link to a permit.

[Thumper10]

Wow, I think that would be really cool! I've seen the villas on our last two trips on the boat from Port Orleans to DTD, I think they are really neat. Our boat driver told us both times that the villas are currently being used to house for students in the Disney college program...you could tell that they were being lived in even though they definitely need a good refurb. Some had lights on or grills/patio furniture out on their balconies...if this is true I wonder where they are going to move the students too??

[disneyfanatic101]

Apparently so. Lou talked about it in his podcast last week as confirmed. The show notes have a link to a permit.

I didn't see that. I'm going to look now...

[HauntedGabe]

Wow, I think that would be really cool! I've seen the villas on our last two trips on the boat from Port Orleans to DTD, I think they are really neat. Our boat driver told us both times that the villas are currently being used to house for students in the Disney college program...you could tell that they were being lived in even though they definitely need a good refurb. Some had lights on or grills/patio furniture out on their balconies...if this is true I wonder where they are going to move the students too??

There are multiple housing apartment complexes for the CP Students. All newer than these. The Tree Houses held some of the International CP students. I believe the treehouses are the only housing for CP's that is actually on site. Disney owns the other complexes that were actually built on off site properties nearing DD area's. I believe they moved the students out just after the New Year into existing housing sites. Rumors are that a new complex of Apts. are to open soon, indicating the Treehouse's transformation back to resort status has been in the works for sometime. Understand most CP's were happy to move to more modern facilities and in a more campus like arena that the other CP's were staying in along with grounds and buildings that are maintained a bit better.

[HauntedGabe]

In a previous post I mentioned moving the International CP's to other housing and hearing they were mostly happy. If you read this article from the
Orlando Sentinel near the end you'll hear how they were in poor condition.
No wonder these International students were happy to move. Lou is also quoted in this story.


Walt Disney World to rebuild Treehouse Villas -- OrlandoSentinel.com

[biblioadonis]

I did a post looking at the history of the Lake Buena vista Resort area. I included some scans of each type of housing that was available at the complex, like the Treehouse Villas, the Fairway Villas and the Club Lake Villas.

I hope you enjoy it!

Imaginerding: We're Bringin' Nerdy Back!: Daily Figment 164: Lake Buena Vista Resort Community

[princessariel]

So will it be considered a resort? What level?

[coasterfreak516]

Not sure, I think it was a Vacation Club Villa if I am not mistaken so it could possibly become it again.

[HauntedGabe]

So did you wind up Rep'ing the CP Program?

[coasterfreak516]

So did you wind up Rep'ing the CP Program?

OOC: Found out about it, thought about it, went to the presentation, got the interview and then accepted into the program.

Now for a link between the program and the Villas, some of the Villas are used as a special international program housing location.

[biblioadonis]

Not sure, I think it was a Vacation Club Villa if I am not mistaken so it could possibly become it again.

It has never been a Vacation Club property. Those are deeded and an ownership interest is sold to individuals. Since it is a 40+ year contract, they villas would have been maintained and annual meetings would have been held for the owners.

Near the end of the Treehouse Villas' life, so to speak, they would have been used as Disney Institute Lodging and then CM housing.

[biblioadonis]

Lou was quoted in an article from yesterday!

Walt Disney World to rebuild Treehouse Villas -- OrlandoSentinel.com

Go Lou!

[HauntedGabe]

I did a post looking at the history of the Lake Buena vista Resort area. I included some scans of each type of housing that was available at the complex, like the Treehouse Villas, the Fairway Villas and the Club Lake Villas.

I hope you enjoy it!

Imaginerding: We're Bringin' Nerdy Back!: Daily Figment 164: Lake Buena Vista Resort Community

I have some books with these golden oldies days of this resort. The pool/rec center club house are still there along with a Guard Shack (Disney does secure their CP's from sight seeing guests.) which may not be manned since they moved the CP's. Lou wondered if it was going to be guests or CP's in the future. My gut, Disney isn't going to pour that kind of money into CP Housing on-site. Balance off-site. Plus they no longer have to pay guards, security, and run multiple CP buses to this out of the way complex. When rebuilt it could be a draw for a different type of resort, it is very rural back there and quiet. The golf course if so pretty or the river view. My guess is it will be tied to the existing amenities of SR.

[biblioadonis]

HauntedGabe--which books are they?

Do you have photos or other memorabilia from that area?