Looks like movement on the Regional Resorts idea...

While scanning the job postings on Disneycareers I found this interesting post which suggests they are getting serious about their regional resorts plans.

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Director – Regional Resorts, WDP&R posted 8/16/2007
Lake Buena Vista, FL
Orlando, FL
JOB DESCRIPTION
Position Description:
This executive will assist in the investigation, development, implementation, and post-launch operation of the Regional Resorts business for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. This role is critical in the formulation of the initial business and operating strategy, as well as the post-launch expansion strategy. The successful candidate will lead and participate in the business plan/pro forma development process, and will partner with the creative and development teams to ensure the realization of that plan within the physical product and guest experience. Additionally, he/she will act as a key project liaison with the many Disney internal partners required for a successful business launch, including coordination of project research in support of the business plan, assisting in the final deal negotiations associated with the choice of new Regional Resorts sites, and supporting the development of a pre-opening marketing and sales strategy.
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wow... this is something I predicted more than 5 years ago

I wonder how large they envision their Regional Resorts concept to be?

And what will it involve? Just themed hotels, or full entertainment blocks and venues in major cities? The idea does have some intriguing possibilities.

Come on Northern Ireland Resort! Come on Northern Ireland Resort!



*fingers crossed* One can only hope. :lol:

Have Mickey Mouse show up periodically in any hotel anywhere and you have a 'Regional Resort'.

The only real Disney resorts, though, are the ones with theme parks.

RiversideBunny said:

Have Mickey Mouse show up periodically in any hotel anywhere and you have a 'Regional Resort'.

The only real Disney resorts, though, are the ones with theme parks.

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I disagree. Where ever you have great guest service and that little bit extra, you will always have a Disney resort.

A Disney resort in the mountains of Western North Carolina would be sweeeet!!! Seriously, we are a tourist Mecca here and a Disney resort would make perfect sense. I just hope the regional resorts have strong theming and capture the Disney "magic" like the existing resorts do.

Are we talking strictly hotels, "entertainment venues," or some combination of the two?

Nick_A said:

Are we talking strictly hotels, "entertainment venues," or some combination of the two?

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Depends on the location.

I just hope they don't really over-expose the brand too much, too quickly. I think having Disney "resorts" all over the place would really take away from the "magic" of traveling to them.

TroyMcClure said:

I just hope they don't really over-expose the brand too much, too quickly. I think having Disney "resorts" all over the place would really take away from the "magic" of traveling to them.

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Except, I am sure the resorts would be primarily designed to advertise the two vacation destinations. I could forsee them having "previews" of new attractions showing there, to get people excited about planning a trip. Then, you walk across the lobby to the reservations desk, and you can book your trip. Imagine being able to see some sort of video preview for Everest before it opened.

They need a Disney Resort in the north, Disney World and DisneyLand are down in the south, I would be so happy if there was a disney resort built in Upstate NY or Penna or New Jersey area

lilredfoxie said:

They need a Disney Resort in the north, Disney World and DisneyLand are down in the south, I would be so happy if there was a disney resort built in Upstate NY or Penna or New Jersey area

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These are NOT comparable to DLR or WDW. They are hotels with maybe a couple extras thrown in.

RiversideBunny said:

Have Mickey Mouse show up periodically in any hotel anywhere and you have a 'Regional Resort'.

The only real Disney resorts, though, are the ones with theme parks.

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I agree completely.

SpectroMan said:

I disagree. Where ever you have great guest service and that little bit extra, you will always have a Disney resort.

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There are hundreds of hotles around the world that fit into that category. Throw in a few hidden Mickeys, some character murals, and you've got basicly what RiversideBunny described. It's kind of like the Disney Stores around the country. They were trying to give folks that little bit of Disney Magic, like you were back at Downtown Disney. I don't think it worked, and that's why Disney bailed on the project.
Now this is just my opinion, but I don't think you can get that touch of Disney Magic without a Disney Park nearby.

lilredfoxie said:

They need a Disney Resort in the north, Disney World and DisneyLand are down in the south, I would be so happy if there was a disney resort built in Upstate NY or Penna or New Jersey area

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As nice as that would be, please not in the Poconos. We've already got one casino nearby with another coming by the end of the year. Combine that new business with everything else (skiing in winter, waterpark in summer, the two Nascar races, ever increasing number of shopping malls, etc.) and getting around on the weekends is a nightmare for a good part of the year. (And Walmart could use a tram for their parking lot.)

Aside from the local impact, Pennsylvani/New Jersey/New York gets cold for a good portion of the year. Cold and snowy enough that operating a theme park would just not be possible. No operation = no money. And no money in it = no Disney. I highly doubt there will ever be a Disney Theme Park anywhere in the northeast US. (At least until WDI invents a climate-controlled weather dome big enough to fit a park inside.)

Now a regional entertainment complex (ex. big hotel) could work. We already have a Great Wolf Lodge here the Poconos, and its wildly successful. I think there's a copycat hotel opening sometime soon, too. Close proximity to New York City could allow Disney to run buses to its Broadway shows.

On a side note, I thought these regional entertainment centers were supposed to be built internationally, in an effort to minimize their effect on WDW and DL. I know there's a big difference between themed hotel and theme park. But as long as it says Disney on it, will that matter to people who don't remember whether Disneyland is in California or Florida? (used as an example) Will these hotels make it confusing for people who just know that "we are going to Disney"?

the Disney Resort in Vero Beach is just as Disney as the Beach Club or any other resort...it just happens to be on the Atlantic Ocean instead of Orlando...you have the same level of service, the same cleanliness, and the same feel as any other Disney Resort. Really a beautiful location.

wickedfan07 said:

As nice as that would be, please not in the Poconos. We've already got one casino nearby with another coming by the end of the year. Combine that new business with everything else (skiing in winter, waterpark in summer, the two Nascar races, ever increasing number of shopping malls, etc.) and getting around on the weekends is a nightmare for a good part of the year. (And Walmart could use a tram for their parking lot.)

Aside from the local impact, Pennsylvani/New Jersey/New York gets cold for a good portion of the year. Cold and snowy enough that operating a theme park would just not be possible. No operation = no money. And no money in it = no Disney. I highly doubt there will ever be a Disney Theme Park anywhere in the northeast US. (At least until WDI invents a climate-controlled weather dome big enough to fit a park inside.)

Now a regional entertainment complex (ex. big hotel) could work. We already have a Great Wolf Lodge here the Poconos, and its wildly successful. I think there's a copycat hotel opening sometime soon, too. Close proximity to New York City could allow Disney to run buses to its Broadway shows.

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Doesnt it snow quite a bit in Disneyland Paris?

SC aleready has one too

There is also Disney's Hilton Head Resort, which is very well done.

I am sure this in response to the nickelodeon themed resorts which are planned throughtout the country over ther next 15 years. I am pretty sure the first one opens up in San Diego 2010, and 10 more are planned to be built by 2020. They are partnering with marriot which I find strange since they are linked with Holiday Inn in Orlando. :shrug: