Villas at the Disney Institute
Photo Tour
Photos by Brian Bennett
Disney Institute Facilities | Bungalows
| Treehouse Villas
| Townhouses
| Fairways Villas
| Grand Vista Homes
The Villas at the Disney Institute
are scattered around an area that is bounded by Old Key West Resort (to
the West), Downtown Disney (to the South), and the Plaza Hotels (to the
East). Community Drive forms the Northern border. The Treehouse
Villas are the furthest to the Northwest, very close to Old Key West.
The Fairways Villas and Grand Vista Homes are in the Northcentral part
of the complex. The Bungalows and Townhouses are scattered around
the Southeastern part of the Institute area. The Lake Buena Vista
Golf Course has it's clubhouse on the Institute grounds. The course
winds through both the Institute and Old Key West Resort.
You may want to click
here for a reference map of the Institute grounds as you go on your
tour. The map will come up in a separate window.
The accommodations that are now known as The Villas at the Disney Institute
used to be simply called the Village Resort. Some of the accommodations,
were built with the intention of actually selling property at WDW for
permanent residents (a sort of "in-between" EPCOT and Celebration
concept). As it turned out, none of the properties were ever sold.
Instead, the Villas and Grand Vista Homes (originally the model homes
for the development) were made available to renting guests. The
Disney Institute, which opened to great fanfare several years ago, now
only offers programs to large corporate groups.
A typical view at the Villas at the Disney Institute. This is a
bridge over Willow Lake with the North Studios on the far shore.
(Photo by Brian Bennett)
The check-in lobby at the resort is spectacular. (Photo by Brian
Bennett)
Dabblers is the resort's shop. It's not a very large emporium, but
covers the basics for folks that are staying here. (Photo by Brian
Bennett)
The facilities, of course, have a bent toward teaching...
seminars, lectures and so on. The studios have classrooms and working
facilities. The teaching garden, performance hall, and climbing
rock are used for instruction as well as team-building exercises.
The North Studios. (Photo by Brian Bennett)
The Performance Center, used for large group activities and some actual
drama, musical, and literary performances. (Photo by Brian Bennett)
The South Studios. (Photo by Brian Bennett)
The teaching garden. (Photo by Brian Bennett)
The climbing rock. (Photo by Brian Bennett)
The resort also boasts the best-equipped spa and athletic training facility
at WDW.
The spa's check-in area. (Photo by Brian Bennett)
The spa also has a nice selection of fragrances, robes, and other items
for sale so you can extend your visit a bit -- at least psychologically.
(Photo by Brian Bennett)
The spa's pool is small, but functional. (Photo by Brian Bennett)
The training area has some of the best equipment and is staffed with professional
trainers. (Photo by Brian Bennett)
Seasons Dining Room, formerly the resort's only full-service
restaurant, is now closed. The competition from the Downtown Disney
restaurants, and other restaurants in the parks and other resorts, did
Seasons in.
The Gathering Place is a quiet lounge where beverages and snacks are served.
(Photo by Brian Bennett)
Reflections, located in a small building by the pool that's next to Willow
Lake, serves snacks, coffee, and other beverages throughout the day.
(Photo by Brian Bennett)
Disney Institute Facilities | Bungalows
| Treehouse Villas
| Townhouses
| Fairways Villas
| Grand Vista Homes
Click here to return to the Villas at
the Disney Institute "Fast Facts" Page.
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