New Disney Vacation Club Treehouse Villas Blend Modern Luxury with Nostalgic Appeal Amid Forested Glens

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(News Source: Walt Disney World Resort)

(LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL) -- The latest Disney Vacation Club (DVC) property, Treehouse Villas at Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, has opened its doors.

The new resort area includes 60 three-bedroom villa "treehouses," which are built on pedestals amid forested glens, giving guests great views of surrounding nature.

According to Jim Lewis, president of DVC, the Treehouse Villas add new character to the vacation properties available in the DVC portfolio.

"Our founder Walt Disney was well-known for having one foot in the past and one in the future.  This new resort development shares that dynamic sensibility, blending modern luxury and design with the nostalgic spirit of one of the most storied resorts at the Walt Disney World Resort," he said.

"Each project we've undertaken at Disney Vacation Club is unlike anything previously available in our resort portfolio, and the Treehouse Villas are proudly built on that tradition."

Treehouse Villas replaced original treehouse accommodations that debuted on this property in 1975 and closed in 2002.  Designed in a style called "cabin casual," the new Treehouse Villas each offer three bedrooms and two baths, and can accommodate up to nine guests.  An open kitchen boasts an island sink and a counter area offering seating for three, while a separate dining table will seat up to six.  Other amenities include flat-panel televisions and a barbecue grill.

The property also features its own pool area, in addition to sharing all that the main resort has to offer, including boat transportation between the Downtown Disney area and the Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa dock, tennis courts, bicycle rental, a children's playground, a nearby spa and fitness center and High Rock Spring Pool.

"The Treehouse Villas blend our resort's heritage with the luxury and multifamily experiences guests want," said Al Weiss, president of Worldwide Operations, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. "And when you consider the environmental aspects of the project, the villas are an incredible example of how heritage and innovation can fuel our growth."

When constructing the villas, environmental sensitivity was extremely important to Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI).  Imagineers were able to reduce the villas' encroachment on the surrounding wetlands by 70 percent for each individual home site.  They also were able to recycle 5,178 tons (65.22 percent) of concrete and metal materials from the old structure's demolition.

"The Treehouse Villas are a really amazing place," said Imagineer Todd Thomasson.  "Being surrounded by wetlands, we went to great lengths to work within the original resort's footprint, building only on the previously developed land and not encroaching on the wetlands.  We also used an innovative construction process that has never been attempted with a Disney Vacation Club resort."

Crews constructed all 60 vacation homes onsite, utilizing machinery to move pieces of the different villas into place like a giant 3-D puzzle.

Sonya Deese-Byrnes, general manager of Disney's Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, said the Treehouse Villas are an exciting addition.

"Seeing the Treehouse Villas open again is like welcoming home an old friend," she said. "One of the many exciting things about the Treehouse Villas is how the resort's original concept has been preserved while bringing the units up to modern standards.  Our members and guests are already raving about their 'glamping' experience or glamorous camping at the Treehouse Villas."

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