Question About New Resort

[iliffe]

My wife and I (and daughter) are annual passholders for WDW and go several times a year as we live three hours up the road in Jacksonville. Each time we go we try to stay at a different resort on property. We just returned from staying at the Pop Century resort. Overall we liked it, not the Grand Floridian but still nice. With that said we noticed that they were building several sets of new hotel buildings next to the Pop Century with the same design. Will this be an addition to the Pop Century or are they planning a new resort and have them linked like the All Star Resorts are (movies, music, sports)? My wife and I have a bet so I'm looking for some news on this. Thanks.

 

[Horizons1]

What you saw were the Pop Century ruins. Those buildings were supposed to be 1900-1940 I believe. Construction was stopped immediately though because WDW had more resort rooms than they could fill, not to sure on the whole story, but now they sit, waiting to one day be completed.

 

[Mufasa's Pride]

1900-1940=The "Legendary" Era, one of the few codenames given to the unfinished project....the abandoned construction site is one of the deepest scars on the face of WDW

 

[forbidden donut]

Construction was stopped after the tourism market took a dive following 9/11.

 

[Rob562]

(And here I was going by the title and thinking that the question was going to be about the Bonnet Creek Resort.)

Everyone's pretty much given all the pieces to the puzzle. Here's the full story combined in one:

Pop Century was conceieved as one large resort, built in two distinct phases: The Classic Years (50's-90's which is open now) and The Legendary Years (1900's-40's which can be seen across Hourglass Lake). Both were started at about the same time, and were scheduled to be completed within 6-12 months of each other, similar to how Port Orleans and Dixie Landings were constructed.

Then came the drop in tourism, due in large part to 9/11. Construction on both halves of Pop Century was halted. The Classic Years was farther along than Legendary, but it still had a ways to go before opening. Everything just sat there for over a year. Then, in late '02/early '03, construction started back up on Classic Years. It was completed and opened in December '03. The partially-built Legendary Years wasn't touched at all. (Apart from perhaps giving the completed shells a coat of paint so that they weren't QUITE as horrible looking)

So, the Legendary Years have sat there with only the exterior of the main building done, as well as the shells of two of the 10 guest room buildings done. I believe the foundations for the other 8 buildings are poured, but they're just sitting there.

For now, Disney feels that they have enough room capacity on-property. When they think they need more hotel rooms, they'll most likely finish off the other half of the resort. The latest rumor/assumption is that most or all of the rooms will be family suites, similar to the ones being tried out at the All-Star Music.

-Rob

 

[Master Yoda]

As stated before construction was stopped shortly after 9-11. The current rumor is that if these buildings are completed they will be value suites.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

As stated before construction was stopped shortly after 9-11. The current rumor is that if these buildings are completed they will be value suites.

Yep. If the AS Suites prove to be a success, I would be surprised if at least the one standing building wasn't completed as suites (since it would be much cheaper to build these from scratch than take down capacity somewhere and gut/renovate). But, time will tell (no pun intended).

 

[the-reason14]

After hearing the whole story like that, I understand more why pop half century, is pop "half" century. lol.

 

[iliffe]

Thanks for the replys.

 

[JimboJones123]

If they are suites, The food court would be half as busy as the Classic is. What an even better deal. Sounds like a great resort to stay at. Only bad thing, w/only half capacity, they won't have their own bus at either side any more.

 

[Epcot82Guy]

If they are suites, The food court would be half as busy as the Classic is. What an even better deal. Sounds like a great resort to stay at. Only bad thing, w/only half capacity, they won't have their own bus at either side any more.

That is true. But, with POP being so large, they may get at least a bus STOP. :lol:

 

[JimboJones123]

Yeah, that would be a long hike across the lake.

I'm sure POP Classic won't have a dedicated line though. It would be quite some time before finished though. I wonder if the would be better off just starting off fresh elsewhere?

 

[Dagger]

Yep. If the AS Suites prove to be a success, I would be surprised if at least the one standing building wasn't completed as suites (since it would be much cheaper to build these from scratch than take down capacity somewhere and gut/renovate). But, time will tell (no pun intended).

I haven't stayed in the ASM suite yet, but according to description, it sounds awesome. If I can ever get family members to go with us, I would love to stay there.... so much cheaper than other family suites!