Asian; Persion; Venetian Resorts On Bay Lake?

W

wcox377492

New Member
Original Poster
OK, I know that this is based on VERY OLD information. In fact it came from two sources-- one with only icons for the resorts from the maps which used to be wallpapered to the walls of every room in the Polynesian-- waaay back when I first visisted in 1976. The second source is from "The Story of Walt Disney World, Commemorative Edition", which I bought on the same trip. In it there is a map which shows the "Asian Resort" -- presumably planned expansion since it didn't exist at that point-- where the Grand Floridian is now, the Venetian just past transportation and ticket towards the Contemporary, and a persian resort past the contemporary, almost level with the back of the Magic Kingdom. All of these are shown to be on the monorail loop.

I've read the threads talking about the venetian resort being nixed due to soil problems in the area past the transportation and ticket center. Does anyone know how/why the asian became the grand floridian, and what, if anything happened regarding the Perisan? did it have the same foundation issues as the venetian, fall victim to other problems, or is it still in imagineering limbo?
 
unkadug

unkadug

Follower of "Saget"The Cult
With all the problems in the Middle East, how many people would really want to stay at the Persian.
 
maelstrom

maelstrom

Well-Known Member
http://home.cfl.rr.com/omniluxe/asian.htm
Lots of info on that page and others on the site.

I don't think the Persian ever got close to going anywhere. The Asian was pretty much a go until it was suddenly abandoned and several years later the Grand Floridian showed up in its place. We know they've done soil testing for the Venetian, but it's a no-go. I've never heard of them doing anything at all for the Persian.
 
W

wcox377492

New Member
Original Poster
Thanks! The designs and info for all three, especially the Asian look like they would have been great. hopefully we'll at least see it emerge from the mists of Imagineering's vaults at some point. Given the focus on Asia at animal Kingdom with Everest, maybe it could be another AK area hotel.
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
The Asian got as far as ground clearence I believe, then the 1973 oil crisis slowed tourism and Disney slowed expansion. By the time the crisis passed Card Walker declared phase one complete and EPCOT, in it`s various guises, to be next.

I don`t think the Persian was ever a serious consideration beyond 1970; not only was the dry dock built next door but the monorail was planned and built ignoring any future loop. The only thing I can imagine is IF it were built the plan was to divert the tracks due north out of the Contemporary, through the Persian Station, then use and expand the service track from the barn as one track to the MK Station. Even if this was plan b, the original plans to route the line via Tomorrowland must have been axed even earlier.
 
maelstrom

maelstrom

Well-Known Member
Great info, Marni. Got anything else? I'm incredibly interested in these three hotels. They are one of the major things that got me so obsessed with Disney.
 
marni1971

marni1971

Park History nut
Premium Member
maelstrom said:
Great info, Marni. Got anything else? I'm incredibly interested in these three hotels. They are one of the major things that got me so obsessed with Disney.
Click to expand...

What would you like to know? I have a wealth of material to look up from the Project Florida plan onwards.

Here`s some more about the hotels:

The Contemporary was originally the Tempo Bay. Only 10 stories high, with an indoor restaurant on Bay Lake where the pier and pool was built. By 1970 it had grown to 16 stories.

The Polynesian, as I`m sure you know, was going to feature it`s as-built out buildings plus a 12 story tower, totaling 700 rooms. And scuba diving!

The Asian was a 600 room hotel, with a 160ft tower building. A restaurant and lounge were planned at the top of the tower.

The Venitian was 500 rooms. The original layout was like Venice, with waterways (and a Gondola transport network) between guest blocks and the glazed-roof atrium of the lobby building.

The Persian, on Bay Lake, was another 500 room hotel, with guest wings spread out originally in semi circles around the central lobby building, which had the blue dome as it`s ceiling. In the center of the resort was to be a marina connected to Bay Lake.

Welton Becket & Associates designed all 5 resorts - the same company who designed the 1964 NYWF buildings for WED. All were supposed to be open by the end of 1976.
 
Unplugged

Unplugged

Well-Known Member
ICP06 said:
The same people who stay at Aladdin in Las Vegas, presumably...
Click to expand...

I liked the Aladdin in Vegas as it had large spaces and a consistent well executed theme. Of course, now that it's becoming the Planet Hollywood Hotel/Casino, what's to be next.....renaming their mall "The West End"? (Just joking, no flames required. :lol: )
 
drnilescrane

drnilescrane

Well-Known Member
marni1971 said:
The Contemporary was originally the Tempo Bay. Only 10 stories high, with an indoor restaurant on Bay Lake where the pier and pool was built. By 1970 it had grown to 16 stories.
Click to expand...

It's only 14 (15 if you count the fake 13th floor)
 

Register on WDWMAGIC. This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.

Back
Top Bottom