EPCOT DVC Lounge closing for refurbishment in June 2024

[nickys]

I would prefer an attraction(s), in an already decimated part of Epcot...

And if Disney decide to fund that then the DVC lounge would be closed.

The presence of the lounge is not preventing the space from being used for an attraction. The whole of the second floor of the Imagination pavilion was being used for storage before the Lounge was created.

 

[Andrew C]

The presence of the lounge is not preventing the space from being used for an attraction.

I know it isn't preventing it, they are just set on a lounge because they suck. It is just Disney being Disney....

 

[nickys]

I know it isn't preventing it, they are just set on a lounge because they suck. It is just Disney being Disney....

I doubt this was Disney, as in WDW Parks, making any decision.

Rather DVC saying “hey, ya know that space would make a great little in-park lounge. How much do you want in return?”

 

[Imagineerwannabe]

if it means I’m not paying the $5 for a soda or coffee and getting some free snacks on top of my dvc membership then I’ll take whatever I can.

It isn’t the only perk offered for DVC members either.

Honest question...
Does Epcot really need a DVC lounge? Are there not enough places in Epcot to sit and "recharge?"
Are these lounges busy? Even if I had DVC, I don't think I'd say, "lets go take a break in the DVC Lounge"

why wouldn’t you use it? Yes this lounge is always in use with variations on the wait time to get in there. The other problem is that it’s been there for a while now so removing it starts to look like ‘loss of perks’

The space was unused for years - why not repurpose it. If it takes a bunch of people out of queue lines or other seating areas to free up for non dvc guests then what’s the problem?

 

[Andrew C]

I doubt this was Disney, as in WDW Parks, making any decision.

Rather DVC saying “hey, ya know that space would make a great little in-park lounge. How much do you want in return?”

And the Disney higher ups could say to their DVC colleagues, "No, we want to use the space for a new attraction." But they didn't.

 

[Doberge]

There seems to be a misunderstanding by some that Disney Parks has its hands tied and is forced to give the space to DVC. That has not happened EPCOT but it is what happened at MK, so maybe it's understandable to conflate the two?

The EPCOT contract is renewed annually so Parks is free boot them out whenever and use the space. Disney threw up some drywall but the original ImageWorks space is back there, and the escalators are under some boxes in the lounge. But they will not happen. The original ImageWorks space was perfect for the type of dark space up there but we can see from guests now walking through ImageWorks, and also Project Tomorrow at Spaceship Earth, that there's just very little interest in these areas compared to their heyday. I personally love them and hope Disney does more, and the next generation of some of this was expected at the Play Pavillion but that has not gotten off the ground. So short of stripping down Play Pavillion ideas for a smaller space and putting it in the Imagination Pavillion, they're not touching the upper floor of Imagination.

If wanting to direct frustration a guest space being limited to DVC members then direct that to the future MK lounge.

 

[KDM31091]

There seems to be a misunderstanding by some that Disney Parks has its hands tied and is forced to give the space to DVC. That has not happened EPCOT but it is what happened at MK, so maybe it's understandable to conflate the two?

The EPCOT contract is renewed annually so Parks is free boot them out whenever and use the space. Disney threw up some drywall but the original ImageWorks space is back there, and the escalators are under some boxes in the lounge. But they will not happen. The original ImageWorks space was perfect for the type of dark space up there but we can see from guests now walking through ImageWorks, and also Project Tomorrow at Spaceship Earth, that there's just very little interest in these areas compared to their heyday. I personally love them and hope Disney does more, and the next generation of some of this was expected at the Play Pavillion but that has not gotten off the ground. So short of stripping down Play Pavillion ideas for a smaller space and putting it in the Imagination Pavillion, they're not touching the upper floor of Imagination.

If wanting to direct frustration a guest space being limited to DVC members then direct that to the future MK lounge.

From what I understand much if not most of the old Imageworks has been gutted at this point. It's a shame.

 

[GladToBeHear]

It’s paid for by DVC marketing.

I guess you’re against Club 33 and the corporate lounges too.

I have no problem with spaces that were built for the sole purpose of being used as a lounge. But former public spaces should stay that way. The top of the Imagination pavilion needs to be restored to its former glory (with some updates) for all guests.

 

[nickys]

I have no problem with spaces that were built for the sole purpose of being used as a lounge. But former public spaces should stay that way. The top of the Imagination pavilion needs to be restored to its former glory (with some updates) for all guests.

As soon as Disney want to do that they can turf DVC out, by not renewing the lease.

 

[Doberge]

Good luck convincing Parks to turn a profit center into a cost center.

 

[GladToBeHear]

As soon as Disney want to do that they can turf DVC out, by not renewing the lease.

And I'm going to hold my breath.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

And the Disney higher ups could say to their DVC colleagues, "No, we want to use the space for a new attraction." But they didn't.

A new attraction above an existing attraction and gift shop?

 

[Andrew C]

A new attraction above an existing attraction and gift shop?

What’s confusing?

 

[Chip Chipperson]

What’s confusing?

It's just a strange expectation for the placement of an attraction, in my opinion. I see the lounge as an efficient use of space to give DVC members a perk, similar to the old Chase cardholder lounge.

 

[Andrew C]

It's just a strange expectation for the placement of an attraction, in my opinion. I see the lounge as an efficient use of space to give DVC members a perk, similar to the old Chase cardholder lounge.

I didn’t say ride. I said attraction. It’s not a strange expectation to utilize the space like it once was used, but for something new.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

I didn’t say ride. I said attraction. It’s not a strange expectation to utilize the space like it once was used, but for something new.

I didn't say "ride" either. That space hasn't had an attraction for 26 years now and they obviously don't view it as a practical attraction space anymore, otherwise they wouldn't have moved it downstairs when they re-did Journey Into Your Imagination. Having a DVC lounge there just gives DVC members a place to go sit, cool off, and grab a snack and a drink without taking up space somewhere else in the park. It doesn't hurt anyone else by existing in a space that would otherwise still be functioning as nothing more than storage.

 

[Andrew C]

That space hasn't had an attraction for 26 years now and they obviously don't view it as a practical attraction space anymore

That is a choice. Just like Wonders of Life sitting there. Just like Communicore Hall being nothing more than an empty space to cool off, minus a few racks of merch and kiosks during festivals. Just like the current Figment and Nemo layouts being shortened from the original.

Be my guest if you want to excuse Disney's pathetic ways. I am not...at least not any longer.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

That is a choice. Just like Wonders of Life sitting there. Just like Communicore Hall being nothing more than an empty space to cool off, minus a few racks of merch and kiosks during festivals. Just like the current Figment and Nemo layouts being shortened from the original.

Be my guest if you want to excuse Disney's pathetic ways. I am not...at least not any longer.

It's a stretch to say that not using upstairs space for a new attraction is the same as excusing Disney’s failure to add adequate capacity in the parks. Adequate capacity can be added without that space. The space being storage creates no capacity. Storage space converted to a DVC lounge creates at least a small bit of capacity during its operating hours.

 

[Andrew C]

It's a stretch to say that not using upstairs space for a new attraction is the same as excusing Disney’s failure to add adequate capacity in the parks.

It is exactly that. All of their Epcot choices just compound the problem.

Adequate capacity can be added without that space.

And with it...

The space being storage creates no capacity.

Why is the choice between utilizing the space either for storage or a DVC lounge? That is just false.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Why is the choice between utilizing the space either for storage or a DVC lounge? That is just false.

That's the choice because the reality is they aren't interested in having an attraction up there. If they were, they would have left it up there instead of moving it downstairs and leaving the upstairs space empty for 18 years. And when they do add capacity to Epcot, nobody ever says, "That’s nice, but why didn't they add something above Imagination?"