NEWS: Disney Clarifies Position of BLT-CR Bridge

[administrator]

In today's Orlando Sentinel, via Jason Garcia:

There's been some confusion about the footbridge that will link Disney's Contemporary Resort to the still-rising "Bay Lake Tower" next door. The company described it as a fifth-floor bridge in initial time-share filings with the state, even though it is designed to connect with the monorail station on the fourth floor of the Contemporary's main A-frame building. Disney clarifies the discrepancy in new filings: The bridge will link the fifth floor of the Bay Lake Tower with the fourth floor of the Contemporary. The discrepancy could be because a lower level in the Contemporary is larger than a typical hotel floor because it houses big ballrooms used by conventions.

One new detail about the bridge: Disney says in its most recent filings that access to it will be controlled by key-card locks.
For the complete link, go HERE. (http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/There%27s%20been%20some%20confusion%20about%20the% 20footbridge%20that%20will%20link%20Disney%27s%20C ontemporary%20Resort%20to%20the%20still-rising%20%22Bay%20Lake%20Tower%22%20next%20door.%2 0The%20company%20described%20it%20as%20a%20fifth-floor%20bridge%20in%20initial%20time-share%20filings%20with%20the%20state,%20even%20tho ugh%20it%20is%20designed%20to%20connect%20with%20t he%20monorail%20station%20on%20the%20fourth%20floo r%20of%20the%20Contemporary%27s%20main%20A-frame%20building.)

[PolyColleen]

Thanks for the info. I love hearing all this stuff as Mickey still isn't talking. I am going to Orlando on 6/8 and can wait to get a look at the construction!

[tomandrobin]

What is most interesting, is the card key swipes. That makes no sense at all. You can walk in the front door of any hotel and resort on WDW property. I would imagine that during the day, there would be too much foot traffic. The doors will be constantly open.

[Ransom]

I wonder if there will be no entrance to BLT other than by bridge (other than emergency exits, of course).

That would certainly drive a lot of traffic past the shops.

[lenshanem]

So the bridge goes directly to the monorail level as opposed to the level where Chef Mickey's is at???

[NYDVC]

It sounds like the card swipe requireemnt is for security. the front of the BLT will have security guards and/or front desk. my guess is disney is not going to have security at the bridge which would provide direct acess to the room floors of BLT.


I think it will go directly to the concourse floor NOT the monorail level.

[SSRFred]

Not so sure of the security need aspect. The only time I've been required to use key access has been to access concierge. Hmmm....

[NYDVC]

Not so sure of the security need aspect. The only time I've be required to use key access has been to access concierge. Hmmm....

You may be right, I was thinking that you walk by certain security or front desk usually, but thats not the case with the contemporary, via monorail. maybe to prevent non CRV/CR people from using the pool?

The other thing I was wondering was if there is a resteraunte on the top of KTV/BLT how would non resort guest get to it. what a bother to have to go outside and around from the monorail.

[spiceycat]

So the bridge goes directly to the monorail level as opposed to the level where Chef Mickey's is at???

no this is the chef mickey floor - so we have to walk by all the gift shops to get to the monrail - you know see it buy it....:Pokepoke:

[spiceycat]

I couldn't see the complete link - said I was 'forbidden'

somebody doesn't like me....

did it say exactly where the connection would happen.

was thinking the door - but when I was there last week the range was not toward the door but the glass in the middle.

if this isn't just a DVC resort or worst not one at all - then security is one of the reason that AAA mentions as not giving Disney 5 stars (a heck alot more in my opinion).

they couldn't security the other building - but this one they can definitely. Of course that means the gift shops that is surpose to be - would DVC surported only.
Not sure about that one.

[carolina_yankee]

In today's Orlando Sentinel, via Jason Garcia:


One new detail about the bridge: Disney says in its most recent filings that access to it will be controlled by key-card locks.

For the complete link, go HERE. (http://www.mouseowners.com/forums/There%27s%20been%20some%20confusion%20about%20the% 20footbridge%20that%20will%20link%20Disney%27s%20C ontemporary%20Resort%20to%20the%20still-rising%20%22Bay%20Lake%20Tower%22%20next%20door.%2 0The%20company%20described%20it%20as%20a%20fifth-floor%20bridge%20in%20initial%20time-share%20filings%20with%20the%20state,%20even%20tho ugh%20it%20is%20designed%20to%20connect%20with%20t he%20monorail%20station%20on%20the%20fourth%20floo r%20of%20the%20Contemporary%27s%20main%20A-frame%20building.)

Again, I'm intrigued - this extra security is interesting. Coupled with the name change, I really wonder if this will be a typical DVC or something else.

However, isn't Kidani Village also supposed to be DVC exclusive? Lodge guests won't be able to access the facilities?

Dirk

[JimP]

What is most interesting, is the card key swipes. That makes no sense at all. You can walk in the front door of any hotel and resort on WDW property. I would imagine that during the day, there would be too much foot traffic. The doors will be constantly open.

Tom,

It is quite common in hotels to enable key card access after a certain hour. For example... I was at a Westin in Washington DC earlier this week... and the side doors required a key card access after 11PM.

Possibly they are doing similar things to prevent late traffic at BLT to keep noise down. They may also feel it is important to prevent BLT from becoming a spot to watch the fireworks... at the expense of the guest's privacy and solitude.

/Jim

[lenshanem]

That makes sense, I would assume it would become a hot spot to watch the fireworks from, especially since there is supposed to be an observation deck?

As far as the Kidani building, if you are DVC and staying in the Jambo house will you still be able to use the Kidani building?

[JimP]

That makes sense, I would assume it would become a hot spot to watch the fireworks from, especially since there is supposed to be an observation deck?

As far as the Kidani building, if you are DVC and staying in the Jambo house will you still be able to use the Kidani building?
Shan,

The more I think about it... the more I think it is to prevent fireworks watching by the GP... especially if there is an observation deck! Thanks for pointing that out.

I would be very surprised if anyone could not enter Kidani. I think Disney likes people to visit the various resorts... to oogle, awe, and develop that urge to visit again!

/Jim

[carolina_yankee]

That makes sense, I would assume it would become a hot spot to watch the fireworks from, especially since there is supposed to be an observation deck?

As far as the Kidani building, if you are DVC and staying in the Jambo house will you still be able to use the Kidani building?

I can't remember where I saw the info - most likely someone talking to their guide - but I think the idea is to keep AKL guests from using Kidani pool and other recreation features. Since there will be a restaurant and gift shop, they are going to want outsiders to come and spend money. I'm sure people could still visit the same way you can any resort.

As for DVC members, it might depend on pool hopping status. As it is now, the Uzima Springs pool is off limits for pool hopping. I suspect the Kidani Village pool would be, too, but hopefully only for off-site DVC members and not those staying at Jambo House.

Part of me really likes the main building as a place to stay, but I'm eagerly anticipating the features of Kidani village for visiting.

Perhaps the footbridge to BLT is strictly for DVC guest convenience? That would make sense - anyone can visit by going through normal front door access - but the bridge (at least in the CR - BLT direction) could be for guest access only.

Dirk

[tvwalsh]

Wow! It sounds wonderful to me, for us, the very excellent DVC owners, to have our very own entrance to our newest home! Ain't we something special! :woohoodan:woohoodan

[tomandrobin]

:Pokepoke:

How do you know its not the other way around? The locks are there to keep the DVC members on thier side.

[Blue&Gold]

I believe the POS for AKV says that DVC members staying in either building will be able to use the facilities at both Jambo and Kidani.

This may be a method to keep BLT facilities (pool, obs deck) available to BLT owners rather than the GP or CR guests.

[asianway]

The footbridge is going to hook into the existing door on the NE corner of the Tower outside BVG. There were new markings this week on the balcony for temporary walls which will be framing in the gap between the end of the foot bridge and that door.

spicey cat, a question...the blueprints you saw, you said showed a 16 story building. Does that include a "13th floor"? They just wrapped up the 13th and 14th floors and they look to be Grand Villas by an "open to below" section in the front of the rooms. They are now starting on the 15th vertical floor, and assuming that will be GVs too, this builiding may be 2 stories taller than the main tower. Just curious.

[Tapestry]

Given that the Contemporary is one of their convention hotels and there is a lot of foot traffic from folks not staying at any Disney resort, I think it's a great idea. I would vote for more of the same. I don't want the magic "locked down" like a prison ... but in today's muggle world, safety is a concern. Its not like having to show a passport. Heck, they take your fingerprint to get in the park.

I'm too excited about the DVC at the Contemporary anyway. :clappingh