13 August 2013

Luxurious and Unique



Sometimes it is nice to take a look back at the areas of Walt Disney World’s past that aren’t necessarily the big and fondly remembered attractions, or even those places that have no tie to the parks themselves. Also, if you’ve been wandering around the Main Street Gazette for any length of time you know I’m a sucker for a classic piece of concept art. Today, we get a bit of both!

This is an early take on the Lake Buena Vista Club that would open in November of 1974. The finished building would look almost identical to the structure seen here, with the exception of the dockside access which wasn’t quite as prominent in the finished building. There was more foliage that afford more natural and less manicured vistas. Of course, that didn’t mean you could cruise from the Lake Buena Vista Village right up to the club as you sipped on some adult beverages in preparation for some great meals. The club also offered all sorts of recreational amenities, from golf and a swimming pool, right on down to lighted tennis courts.

The Lake Buena Vista Club was one of those places in Walt Disney World where elegance was emphasized. There was a dress code and the restaurants had one of the best wine cellars on property, not to mention some of the finest dining anywhere. Oh, and did I mention the musical acts that would wander through the restaurants?

4 comments:

Chris Bartoli said...

Pretty cool Ryan! I've been to WDW many times and for the life of me can't figure out where this was. I'm guessing it had to be the current Downtown Disney... Was that known as the Buena Vista Village back in the 70's?? Anyway is the building still standing?? Another great post.....

Mini-V said...

When did this close? I don't recall ever seeing it.

bigbrian-nc.com said...

The LBV club, is the clubhouse of the LBV golf course, if you go out to the far west end of Downtown Disney, past cirque de soleil to the far side of the parking lot, and look across the river you will see this building , alternately you could see it if you are taking the Sassagoula Steam boat company transportation to Port Orleans or Old Key West to or from DTD,

Anonymous said...

That clubhouse is the center of the Saratoga Springs clubhouse. It was greatly expanded as the Disney Institute, but you can see the original building outline if you look closely at an aerial view.