Disney hotels are becomes less themed and more generic. Why?

[Marc Davis Fan]

There is a clear series of (perhaps related) trends happening with Disney resort hotels:

(1) New hotels (and expansions of existing hotels) are all made of more-or-less single, large, fairly generic-looking buildings. This is in contrast with the sprawling "resort"-style design epitomized by the Polynesian, Port Orleans Riverside, etc.

(2) Room refurbishments are resulting in the rooms being less themed / more generic-looking.

I am usually not a downer (I am optimistic about many things going on at Disney and the larger theme park industry), but both of these seem to be very unfortunate changes, because (like other changes we've seen) they really do seem to chip away at the uniqueness of the Disney experience.

With regard to (1): Sprawling resorts like the Poly and POR are experiences in themselves, doing exactly what Disney is "for": immersing people in other times and places, making people "feel" like they are somewhere, etc. The "generic" style buildings are also eyesores on the WDW landscape, making it look (and feel) more and more "urban" and less "resort"-like. In the long term, this can have an impact on what it feels like to visit WDW.

With regard to (2): Truly themed rooms remind guests that they're somewhere special and different from the "real world," contributing to the "Disney bubble" (a term I don't like, because I think it trivializes the concept, but that's what has caught on) and theme/aesthetic of the hotel itself.

Disney's reason for (1) seems straightforward: it's probably just cheaper, and makes the money back faster, to build more generic, single-building hotels. So, it benefits Disney in the short run, while ignoring the long-term consequences.

But Disney's decision to do (2) is really perplexing to me. Don't people visit Disney to be immersed in themed environments? Isn't that part of the selling point for staying at a Disney hotel? The only explanations that I can think of for this are that the more genetic rooms are (a) cheaper to furnish/maintain, and/or (b) come across to guests are more "upscale," thus "justifying" higher prices.

I think this is a worthwhile topic for thorough discussion, and I for one would love to hear people's opinions, predictions, and inside knowledge about these trends.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think cheaper to refurbish is the prime reason...

Easier to clean another...which is cheaper (laminate floors clean easier than carpets)

I think it also leaves more options open to outsource hotel operations - which is always a possibility to dump oodles of overhead costs if they want to in the future.

 

[yaksplat]

Do you really think the Poly is sprawling? Compared to most mids it's quite cozy

 

[Ponderer]

In regards to interior theming, I think it's in response to current styles and trends, like many other things. Tasteful theming is the order of the day. I've seen a lot of complaints, say, about the Grand Floridian seeming dowdy and like a grandmother's living room. Clean design is everywhere, and not just because it's operationally easier to maintain. What would have been considered transporting once, many people - especially younger people - see as ghastly and garish. I mean, I look at pics from my last stay at WL in 1998, and I can't believe how crazy busy the room design was. Clean design also requires a higher standard of cleanliness and maintenance - there' s a lot less visual pizazz around to hide an aging room. Clean design ages better. And clean design also tends to relax people more.

One can argue all day, and fairly so, about whether Disney is too restrained. I love a few extra fun touches, for sure. But I think the trend in modern design is to pull back on gaudy, pull back on bling, and focus on the purpose of a space and how it helps people interact within it. Even in theme park accommodations.

 

[MisterPenguin]

WRT sprawl: WDW has to go up. There's little space left to sprawl. Most of the green space left is designated as conservation, or is in a flood plain, or is dedicated to 'green' space recreation, such as golf courses. Now, can WDW just ignore their plans, buy out conservation off-sets, and pipe in a million tons of sand to build up the swampland? Sure, but, building towers is easier and more efficient. Not to mention that a sprawling resort needs internal busing or multiple bus stops and that's so annoying for guests (or, speaking for myself, it's annoying).

WRT theming: Resort theming is mostly about the architecture. The Grand Floridian is themed to... an architectural style. And that's it. Then there is decorative theming that the values do: Giant IP stutues, bed frames that resemble boats or racing cars. I would agree that the concept art for the new towers are bland. Not as bland as BLT, tho. Their facades should have had more panache.

 

[surfsupdon]

As for sprawling resorts, I think Disney is listening and looking at Guests. Overweight and apathetic is very common. Scooters and strollers are still on the increase.

It is so much easier to walk into your hotel lobby, find the elevator, and go to your floor. This way all guest services are thrown together, drastically cutting down on the walking.

Read these Boards and look st common complaints on travel sites. A huge Disney Resort complaint is just how far the family is from food court, transportation, pools, etc.

Build a tower or high rise, now no longer a problem!

 

[danlb_2000]

WRT sprawl: WDW has to go up. There's little space left to sprawl. Most of the green space left is designated as conservation, or is in a flood plain, or is dedicated to 'green' space recreation, such as golf courses. Now, can WDW just ignore their plans, buy out conservation off-sets, and pipe in a million tons of sand to build up the swampland? Sure, but, building towers is easier and more efficient. Not to mention that a sprawling resort needs internal busing or multiple bus stops and that's so annoying for guests (or, speaking for myself, it's annoying).

WRT theming: Resort theming is mostly about the architecture. The Grand Floridian is themed to... an architectural style. And that's it. Then there is decorative theming that the values do: Giant IP stutues, bed frames that resemble boats or racing cars. I would agree that the concept art for the new towers are bland. Not as bland as BLT, tho. Their facades should have had more panache.

And they are better off conserving land with hotel towers where you can go up, and leaving more open space for parks where you can't really do that.

 

[Shouldigo12]

I talked about the room decoration in a thread a while back, but basically, they're changing the room interiors because the old designs were incredibly outdated and, frankly, a bit of an eyesore. I know some people loved the old rooms, and I'm sorry you don't like the new ones as much, but the rooms can't stay stuck in an 80s/90s aesthetic forever.

 

[thomas998]

WRT sprawl: WDW has to go up. There's little space left to sprawl. Most of the green space left is designated as conservation, or is in a flood plain, or is dedicated to 'green' space recreation, such as golf courses. Now, can WDW just ignore their plans, buy out conservation off-sets, and pipe in a million tons of sand to build up the swampland? Sure, but, building towers is easier and more efficient. Not to mention that a sprawling resort needs internal busing or multiple bus stops and that's so annoying for guests (or, speaking for myself, it's annoying).

WRT theming: Resort theming is mostly about the architecture. The Grand Floridian is themed to... an architectural style. And that's it. Then there is decorative theming that the values do: Giant IP stutues, bed frames that resemble boats or racing cars. I would agree that the concept art for the new towers are bland. Not as bland as BLT, tho. Their facades should have had more panache.

Very true. Regulations on wetlands haven't gotten less restrictive over the year they have only become more restrictive so land that is't encumbered with regulations which is the areas already built on are the best options for expansion from a price perspective.

It wouldn't surprise me if in the future we see parking lots getting reused for resorts by having some of the parking replaced with multi-storied parking structures.

The changes in the way resorts are done is also based on cutting costs. The more generic the resorts are the less money it costs them. Little things like bottle of shampoo and conditioner with mickey ears on them increases the cost of those bottles vs just using generic mini bottles, maybe not more than a few cents but when you go through those things at the rate Disney does those cents add up over a year.

I honestly don't see that much of a difference in how the physical rooms look Disney wise. In the low end they the rooms have always been rather bland inside with the main Disney touches coming from a bed cover, pictures on the wall or maybe a strip of wallpaper around the ceiling that has some Disney images... I don't think that has really changed. And the higher end resorts still seem to have about the same level of Disney touches in the rooms, only real difference are the little daily items like soaps and shampoo that have become less Disney... but not the actual rooms.

 

[Master Yoda]

As for sprawling resorts, I think Disney is listening and looking at Guests. Overweight and apathetic is very common. Scooters and strollers are still on the increase.

It is so much easier to walk into your hotel lobby, find the elevator, and go to your floor. This way all guest services are thrown together, drastically cutting down on the walking.

Read these Boards and look st common complaints on travel sites. A huge Disney Resort complaint is just how far the family is from food court, transportation, pools, etc.

Build a tower or high rise, now no longer a problem!

This^^^

The biggest complaint I hear about virtually every WDW resort is the long walk to transportation, restaurants etc.

POFQ is one of the most popular resorts on property due almost solely to its small size.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

This^^^

The biggest complaint I hear about virtually every WDW resort is the long walk to transportation, restaurants etc.

POFQ is one of the most popular resorts on property due almost solely to its small size.

That and what a great “deal” it is a $300 a night with no restaurant

 

[StarshipDisney]

Just another item in the on-going and never ending saga...more Disney cost cutting measures.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

I don't personally like the new high towers that are going up, but that won't stop me from going to WDW in the end.

I thought I would hate the new refurbed rooms, but found out this past Spring that I actually loved the new look. There are some MM touches at POFQ in the bathroom shower curtain, a picture or two, and I think there was more, but I can't remember at the moment. Oddly, that was enough for me. Loved the newly designed sink area and the bigger tv, even the pedestal beds. The floors are okay too. However, the housekeeping staff will have to do more than sweep them. They need to be mopped too or they will get grimy pretty soon.
The all white beds were generic looking. Just wish they had a colorful coverlet at the end of the beds.

So, even though I was all ready to hate the new refurbed rooms, I was pleasantly surprised that I really liked them. The towers, not so much.

 

[thomas998]

This^^^

The biggest complaint I hear about virtually every WDW resort is the long walk to transportation, restaurants etc.

POFQ is one of the most popular resorts on property due almost solely to its small size.

I've always wondered why Disney never bothered to use something like their people mover in some of hte most spread out resorts. I do remember being stuck in the furthest point of one of their resorts in the past where simply walking to the front area where everything was was a 10 minute walk which isn't normally a big deal, but when its hot or rainy it is a pain when all you wanted was a quick bite. Kind of funny that Disney creates something like people mover and touts it when it opens as some great method of moving people about but then never actually uses it where it would actually make sense.

 

[Maeryk]

I've always wondered why Disney never bothered to use something like their people mover in some of hte most spread out resorts. I do remember being stuck in the furthest point of one of their resorts in the past where simply walking to the front area where everything was was a 10 minute walk which isn't normally a big deal, but when its hot or rainy it is a pain when all you wanted was a quick bite. Kind of funny that Disney creates something like people mover and touts it when it opens as some great method of moving people about but then never actually uses it where it would actually make sense.

Because it's a huge energy waster, and requires someone to keep an eye on the guests at all times. As a ride it's great. As an actual transportation system it would likely be a nightmare.

As to the meta, I think Disney is intentionally making more of a distinction between it's resort levels. It's no secret they have been trying to upsell people into the deluxes for a while now, and for that "disney experience" I think it's going to require more of a pinch to the pocketbook in the near future.

Plus, DVC.. condos work great in towers. So that's what you are going to get, as Disney gets further and further away from "come for a week" and more into "buy a lifetime share in a property that is your home away from home".

 

[SSH]

All I see when I look at value resort pics of the new makeover is a hospital room - I've spent more than my fair share of time in hospitals due to my aging parents The white bed, dark walnut furnishing and stark walls made me feel I was right back in those grim surroundings- the opposite of where I want to spend a vacation.

The older style others call tacky, I saw as cheerful, colorful and fun - made me smile. I have to believe they could have modernized the look without removing the playful spirit. These new rooms depress me.

(But gotta say the bigger bed and coffeemaker are huge improvements. )

 

[Maeryk]

All I see when I look at value resort pics of the new makeover is a hospital room - I've spent more than my fair share of time in hospitals due to my aging parents The white bed, dark walnut furnishing and stark walls made me feel I was right back in those grim surroundings- the opposite of where I want to spend a vacation.

The older style others call tacky, I saw as cheerful, colorful and fun - made me smile. I have to believe they could have modernized the look without removing the playful spirit. These new rooms depress me.

(But gotta say the bigger bed and coffeemaker are huge improvements. )

That's the new chic design ethic in a lot of hotels though. Disney takes it's cue from international chains when they are doing a bog standard (non themed to the gills) look. In 20 years, it will look just as dated as the Contemporary does now, but it is what it is. Spartan lines, muted colors, and minimalist decorating are the hip new deal right now. People are on a "wide open and clean" kick, and I can only hope it ends soon.

 

[SSH]

That's the new chic design ethic in a lot of hotels though. Disney takes it's cue from international chains when they are doing a bog standard (non themed to the gills) look. In 20 years, it will look just as dated as the Contemporary does now, but it is what it is. Spartan lines, muted colors, and minimalist decorating are the hip new deal right now. People are on a "wide open and clean" kick, and I can only hope it ends soon.

I get what you're saying. Yet I've stayed at quite a few mid to upper end rooms at premium chains elsewhere and I'm very pleased with them - modern, elegant, etc. Love it - think they're great. So I don't necessarily think it's the new style/aesthetic (wide open, muted, clean) I mind at all - for some reason, it's the specific decor choices at the value remodel that makes me shudder. I truly hate them - weird.

 

[Smiley/OCD]

All I see when I look at value resort pics of the new makeover is a hospital room - I've spent more than my fair share of time in hospitals due to my aging parents The white bed, dark walnut furnishing and stark walls made me feel I was right back in those grim surroundings- the opposite of where I want to spend a vacation.

The older style others call tacky, I saw as cheerful, colorful and fun - made me smile. I have to believe they could have modernized the look without removing the playful spirit. These new rooms depress me.

(But gotta say the bigger bed and coffeemaker are huge improvements. )

We stay at AoA...we think the decor of the rooms is excellent and the theming outside is second to none...it's 100% immersion, which is exactly what we want.

 

[daisyduckie]

That and what a great “deal” it is a $300 a night with no restaurant

This year rates started at $224 and went up from there.