Disney restricts access to hotel's observation area
By Robert Johnson | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 28, 2002
Although attendance is still below normal at Walt Disney World, one spot there is too crowded, officials have decided.
The Contemporary Resort has closed its 15th floor observation deck to everyone except customers of the pricey California Grill. The deck had become congested during evenings just before the closing-time fireworks shows at nearby Magic Kingdom.
For the non-California Grill masses, the Contemporary has created a new fireworks viewing area -- down on the fourth floor.
"We are encouraging guests to use this location . . ." said Jacquee Polak, a Disney World spokeswoman. "The Contemporary Resort operations officials said there was too much elevator traffic immediately before the fireworks and not everyone was getting up to the 15th floor.
"One way to solve this traffic jam is to direct day guests to the 4th floor and those with reservations at California Grill to the 15th floor."
It might not take budget-conscious guests long to figure out that because California Grill doesn't require a credit card to secure reservations, they could make them for fireworks time, view the show from the 15th floor and then leave.
But Polak said the fourth floor has become a popular fireworks viewing area.
"There is music at this spot and guests are telling us they like it," Polak said.
Robert Johnson can be reached at rwjohnson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5664.
Copyright © 2002, Orlando Sentinel
BELOW: Disney says too many people were crowding the Contemporary's 15th floor observation deck to watch the fireworks.
(WALT DISNEY CO.)
October 28, 2002
By Robert Johnson | Sentinel Staff Writer
Posted October 28, 2002
Although attendance is still below normal at Walt Disney World, one spot there is too crowded, officials have decided.
The Contemporary Resort has closed its 15th floor observation deck to everyone except customers of the pricey California Grill. The deck had become congested during evenings just before the closing-time fireworks shows at nearby Magic Kingdom.
For the non-California Grill masses, the Contemporary has created a new fireworks viewing area -- down on the fourth floor.
"We are encouraging guests to use this location . . ." said Jacquee Polak, a Disney World spokeswoman. "The Contemporary Resort operations officials said there was too much elevator traffic immediately before the fireworks and not everyone was getting up to the 15th floor.
"One way to solve this traffic jam is to direct day guests to the 4th floor and those with reservations at California Grill to the 15th floor."
It might not take budget-conscious guests long to figure out that because California Grill doesn't require a credit card to secure reservations, they could make them for fireworks time, view the show from the 15th floor and then leave.
But Polak said the fourth floor has become a popular fireworks viewing area.
"There is music at this spot and guests are telling us they like it," Polak said.
Robert Johnson can be reached at rwjohnson@orlandosentinel.com or 407-420-5664.
Copyright © 2002, Orlando Sentinel
BELOW: Disney says too many people were crowding the Contemporary's 15th floor observation deck to watch the fireworks.
(WALT DISNEY CO.)
October 28, 2002
