Disney's Progress City Resort and Spa itself will be designed in a concentric circle format as the original was intended, with a 199 foot (17 story) resort tower in the center, with a 3 story spire flanking its right side. The tower sits in the center of the inner most circle, which is elevated above the outer circles, which connect to the TTC which allows guests to freely walk towards transportation to both the Magic Kingdom and Epcot directly.
With this luxury, the resort will be unique from the other Magic Kingdom resorts in that it is the only resort that provides Express Monorail Service to the Magic Kingdom and Epcot without stops or monorail transfers.
Transportation and Ticket Center
Edison Square Entrance
In the early conceptual phases of Disneyland, Edison Square was the name of a street that was intended to flank Main Street U.S.A. as a thematic extension of the turn of the century. Seeing as the Carousel of Progress thematically begins in the 1900s with a mention of Thomas Edison and 'snap on electric lights', Edison Square provides the perfect entrance for both the Progress City Resort as well as a proper story point for the transition to Main Street.
Now guests who park at the TTC and take the peoplemover to the station for service to the Magic Kingdom will be immersed in a thematically relevant location before they travel to Main Street U.S.A and continue the story of 'progress'
Edison Square will not be very expansive, as it will maintain the same footprint as the TTC entrance plaza today. For comparison sake, it will be similar to the International Gateway at Epcot. The International Gateway is an extension of the France Pavilion's architecture and design, with the main purpose of being a guest relations and ticket center. Edison Square will assume that role, as well as a point of entry to transportation all around the Magic Kingdom Resort area, such as the Ferry Dock, walkways, and monorails.
The blueprint above illustrates the new levels of the TTC Station. The Ground level is Edison Square, and the access points to ferry, bus, taxi, and the ramp walkways to the monorail and peoplemover. Level Two is the same as it has been, with entrance points to the Resort, Express, and Epcot monorails. Level 3 has an escalator/stairs access from Level 2, and is where guests board the peoplemover to take them to the TTC Parking lot stations. Guests of Progress City have direct access via a breezeway all Levels, with signs and directions pointing them in the directions they need to go.
Resort Lobby
Guests taking the Magic Express, transferring from the Disney Cruise line, or traveling in their own vehicles will enter ground level roadway underneath the resort proper, to the drop off/pick up location. The ground level entrance underneath the resort is reminiscent of the original Progress City design where the roadways were out of sight and underground.
Once guests depart from their vehicles they will walk into a sprawling 4-story atrium, themed to the chronological time shifts in the Carousel of Progress.
Lobby Music
Serene piano music envelops the guests, immersing them in the tranquil lobby environment.
(Conceptual drawing)
Each floor represents a different period in time, with the ground floor continuing the Edison Square 1900s 'Turn of the Century' time period, the 2nd Floor representing the roaring 20s, the 3rd floor representing the fabulous 40s, and the 4th-17th floors representing the 'future'. The conceptual art above illustrates the changing time periods as you ascend the lobby, and beyond the lobby atrium to the resort room hallways in floors 4-17.
The artwork below illustrates each of the four floors of the lobby atrium, the time periods they represent, and the locations of interest on each floor.
Essentially, the changing time periods 'theme' enables the lobby to have a more warm and relaxing vibe as well. In comparison, while the Grand Canyon Concourse in the Contemporary Resort (which will be Progress City's 'sister resort') is nice to look at - the environment doesn't invite lounging around. The chairs are 'futuristic' and uncomfortable, the architectural designs are monochromatic, and it very much feels like a bustling business resort.
The intention of the Progress City lobby is to contrast all of those notions of a 'futuristic' resort, and instead, create an environment that would be comforting, and a place where guests can soak in the ambiance by lounging in wind-breaking chairs, or cozy high back couches, surrounding by dark brown luxurious aesthetics all around the lobby. Piano players can be heard from the 1940s floor (3rd floor) echoing throughout the atrium and providing a relaxing atmosphere.
The lobby is also a place to explore. There are several easter eggs scattered throughout the lobby, such as a newspaper on a coffee table has the date of “April 6th, 1904.” Columns line the walls, and chairs sit around a large fireplace. Guests will be able to walk around all the floors and experience the shopping, dining, and accommodations that the resort has to offer. In addition, the 4th floor has an access point to the recreation deck, which circles the base of the resort tower that holds a majority of the guest rooms.
Guest Room Layouts and Amenities
There are a total of 656 guest rooms in Disney's Progress City Resort and Spa, with several categories of room rates and views.
Standard Room
Peak Season - $625 per night
Moderate Season - $450 per night
Value Season - $330 per night
Approximate Number of Rooms in this Category:
Recreation Deck View: 258
Lagoon View: 250
Maximum Number of Guests Per Room: Garden View, Lagoon View and Theme Park View: 5 guests
Number of Handicap Accessible Rooms: Recreation Deck View: 13, Lagoon View: 5
Square Footage: Garden View, Lagoon View and Theme Park View: 445 sq. ft
Club Level Room
Peak Season - $900 per night
Moderate Season - $700 per night
Value Season - $500 per night
Approximate Number of Rooms in this Category
Standard Club: 85
1 Bedroom Honeymoon Club: 23
Progress Level (16th floor) Concierge: 10
Maximum Number of Guests Per Room: Standard Club, Progress Level: 5 guests, Honeymoon Club: 3 guests
Number of Handicap Accessible Rooms: Standard Club: 7, Honeymoon Club: 4, Progress Level: 3
Square Footage: Standard Club, 1 Bedroom Honeymoon, Progress Level: 550 sq. ft.
Club Level Amenities: Access to the Club Level exclusive Cosmopolitan Lounge on the 16th floor (named after the original name for the E.P.C.O.T hotel). The lounge offers a continental breakfast from 7am - 10am, appetizers from 11am - 3pm, an evening spread from 4pm - 7pm, desserts and cordials from 7pm - 11pm, and alcoholic beverages from 12pm -11pm . In addition, Club Level amenities include personal concierge, which can help you make dining arrangements, event planning, and more.
Villas and Suites - 16th Floor
Peak Season - $1,000 per night (1 Bedroom), $1,400 per night (2 Bedroom)
Moderate Season - $700 per night (1 Bedroom), $1,100 per night (2 Bedroom)
Value Season - $550 per night (1 Bedroom), $750 per night (2 Bedroom)
Approximate Number of Rooms in this Category
1 Bedroom Villa: 12
2 Bedroom Villa: 7
Presidential Suite: 1
Maximum Number of Guests Per Room: 1 Bedroom Villa: 5 guests, 2 Bedroom Villa: 9 guests, Presidential Suite: 10 guests
Number of Handicap Accessible Rooms: 1 Bedroom Villa: 2, 2 Bedroom Villa: 1
Square Footage: 1 Bedroom Villa: 900 sq. ft, 2 Bedroom Villa: 1,300 sq. ft, Presidential Suite: 1,400 sq. ft.
Villas and Suites Amenities: In addition to access to all Standard and Club amenities, guests are given complimentary DVDs, video games, stocked refrigerator of sodas and snacks, washer and dryer, bathrobes, and turn-down service available upon request.
And lastly, as all resorts on Walt Disney World property have, the WDW Resort TV Information Channel giving you the latest park hours and resort overviews!
Dining Options
Throughout the lobby and surrounding areas of the resort are a variety of restaurants and eateries for guests to enjoy, organized into the categories of 'Signature Dining, Table Service, and Quick Service/Lounges'
B - Breakfast, L - Lunch, D - Dinner, S - Snacks
$ - under $15, $$ - $15-30, $$$ - $30-60, $$$$ - $60 and up
Signature Dining
Sarah and John's
D - $$$$
Named after the married couple from the Carousel of Progress, Sarah and John's will be often considered the sister restaurant to Victoria and Albert's at Disney's Grand Floridian Resort and Spa across the Seven Seas Lagoon. One of the more elegant and regal restaurants on property, a shirt and tie will be required for this restaurant, located on the 1940s (3rd floor) of the lobby atrium, with views facing towards the Magic Kingdom, Disney's Contemporary Resort, and particularly Tomorrowland.
The restaurant decor is lush with marble floors, meticulously crafted sculptures using 1940s Art Deco designs authentic to the time period it is set in.
Unlike other restaurants, yet similar to Victoria and Albert's, there is a set course menu given out to the dining guests as they sit down for their meal.
Table Service
Easy Street
L, D - $$$
On the 1920s (2nd floor) of the lobby is a jazz inspired restaurant named, Easy Street, celebrating the 'cat's meow' of the 1920s - jazz music. Walk into the dimly lit ambiance of the jazz restaurant, sitting down and listening to legends such as Louis Armstrong. You might even see an ad for a movie picture starting Al Jolson...and he's going to talk, and sing! Specializing in northeast fish and seafood, this will be a unique offering for guests. For dinner, a live jazz band will come out stage to play periodic times throughout the meal.
As John says in the Carousel of Progress -
'we're really livin' on easy street these days'
WEDWay Cafe
B, L, D - $$
On the 4th floor Recreation Deck, overlooking the Transportation and Ticket Center below, is the WEDWay Cafe. Designed in a circular formation, guests who dine here for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, sit and rotate around to various aesthetics during the meal. There will be four sections that make up the rotation. The first is of the New York World's Fair in 1964, including models and art of the pavilions and designs for the fair. Ford's Magic Skyway, which would eventually become the WEDWay Peoplemover, is on full display. The second is illustrations of E.P.C.O.T. and snippets of never before captured WED Enterprises designs. The third room is of Tomorrowland 1975 and Epcot Center 1982, illustrating the changes, but still keeping with the theme of Progress. The final rotation room is a model of the resort and a window peering out to the TTC and Epcot in the distance, showing how the 'Carousel of Progress' has come full circle.
Quick Service and Lounges
Pictured in clockwise order starting from top left: (Sarsparilla Soda Shop, 1966 Lounge, The Green Belt, Blue Sky Cellar)
The Green Belt
L, D, S - $$
Located near the World's Fair Pool is a quick service restaurant, The Green Belt, serving a variety of poolside delights such as cheeseburgers, nachos, and assorted drinks. Nevertheless, there is also a healthy dose (pardon the pun) of salads, greens, and gluten-free options available at this location.
Sarsaparilla Soda Shop
L, D - $
As John says 'I'm gonna go meet the boys for a cold sarsaparilla' - now you can too at a small quick service soda shop located on the 1900s floor of the lobby on the back left side coming from the ground floor entrance. Among the root beer options are other varieties of old cane sugar sodas, milkshakes, candy, and sundaes.
1966 Lounge
S - $
On the 17th floor (top floor) of the resort is the 1966 Lounge offering picturesque views of Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon from high above. This is a great stop for fireworks viewing as well, with a walking deck attached to the lounge accessible to guests approximately 175 feet above the Walt Disney World Resort.
Blue Sky Cellar
S - $
Located on the Recreation Deck near the connecting walkway to the Dream Village DVC Resort is the Blue Sky Cellar. Inspired by the dreams and ideas of imagineers, the entire lounge is themed as if you are in the clouds, with blue and white decors, as well as concept art from old and new projects for WDI on the walls.
Recreation Deck
On the 4th floor of the resort is an access point to the Recreation Deck, a sprawling green space where a variety of the resort outdoor activities, dining venues, among other amenities are located.
Pools and Recreation
World's Fair Cove
A 120,000 gallon oasis, the World's Fair Cove swimming pool is the main pool located on the Recreation Desk of the resort. Themed after the model Progressland pavilion that WED Enterprises designed for the 1964 World's Fair, this colorful and dynamic aquatic swimming pool features futuristic rock-work and shrubbery, along with one of the longest and fastest resort slides on property - the Skyway. The main pool area is also accessible to the quiet pool, tucked away from the commotion of the main pool, as well as a Jacuzzi/hot tub. The World's Fair Cove is open from 8am - 10pm daily.
Children's Play Area
Adjacent to the World's Fair Cove is a quaint pay area built into rockwork, with aquatic adventures to be explored. Run through fountains, or climb up a small 30 ft slide with a 5 ft drop off of the rocks above into the pool, or play on the water jungle gym.
Senses Spa and Salon
Adding another Senses Spa to the Walt Disney World collection, the Progress City location offers massages, body wraps, and facials. Furthermore, Senses has a sauna room that combines steam, heat, hydrotherapy and aromatherapy. Some spa treatments can be reserved for children as well. Next door to the Spa is the Salon where you may receive manicures, pedicures, and haircuts. As an easter egg to the peoplemover, the woman getting her hair done in the zany, futuristic cover can be seen sitting at the front of the salon.
Progressland Health Club
Consistently going to a health club shows 'progress' - and that is what the Progressland Health Club is all about. Located adjacent to the Senses Spa and Salon, this 24-hour facility features state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment. Personal trainers are available upon reservation. The health club is available via MagicBand access.
Sporting Activities
In the sporting area of the 4th floor Recreation Deck, a variety of activities can be accessed by resort guests. Two clay tennis courts are available and lessons can be reserved. A basketball court parallels the tennis courts, and across from those two activities, located towards the west side of the resort tower, is a 9-hole mini-golf course called Perfect Park Acres. The courts and mini-golf course are open from 7am - 8pm daily.
New Balance Jogging Trail
All around WDW Resorts are New Balance Jogging Trails, one in particular from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian. Now that trail will be expanded to include Disney's Progress City Resort and Spa - running (pardon the pun) to the Contemporary Resort. The jogging trail will be extended parallel to the monorail track from the TTC to the Contemporary, before dipping underneath the breezeway between Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake, and dipping back towards the Contemporary Resort.
Horizons Beachfront and Marina
Along the shores of the Seven Seas Lagoon and parallel to the Ferry Dock from the TTC, the small strip of beachfront will be renovated and extended to become the Horizons Beachfront and Marina. At sunset, this will provide one of the best beachfront views of the western sunset on Walt Disney World property. Boat Rentals are available at the Marina for sailboats, the Boston Whaler Montauks, pontoon boats, and Sea Raycer speedboats. Rentals are by half-hour or by the hour. The Walt will be a grand yacht that will take guests on a fireworks cruise of the Seven Seas Lagoon for $450 per hour and accommodates up to 18 guests. Bass Fishing is available as well, and excursions depart from the Marina daily. Call 407-WDW-BASS for more information.
Nightlife and Entertainment
Enchanted Tiki Club
Rumors have swirled recently about the closure of Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room for a more modern IP infusion into Adventureland. Yet the pessimism upon seeing another classic attraction close will be rejuvenated with the fact that the spirit of the attraction will be restored at the Enchanted Tiki Club. Given the recent success of the Trader Sam's Lounge and the overflow traffic that it causes at Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, a joint, shared 'Enchanted Tiki Club' between the Polynesian and Progress City Resorts, located on the water in the Seven Seas Lagoon, will be one of the most popular nightlife stops in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area. Featuring the iconic bird animatronics from the show singing and dancing along, you're invited in for the show in a bar/dance hall type setting. The expanded story of the Enchanted Tiki Club not only connects with the Polynesian, but also the backstory for E.P.C.O.T. as tropical polynesian settings were popular in the late 60s, early 70s. So much so, that in the original design for Epcot there was a polynesian building in the green belt, which the design of the Enchanted Tiki Club is inspired by.
A sample menu is provided below:
Fountain Movies Under the Stars
While Movies Under the Stars is a commodity at most Disney Resorts on property, at Progress City they are presented a bit differently than a typical projection screen. Using fountains and water effects seen in locations such as Fantasmic!, two fountains in a grassy area of the Recreation Deck come to life, spread apart, and connect to form the projection of the video being seen.
Shopping
Carousel of Mercantile
On the 1900s (ground floor) is a larger Disney shop themed similarly to the Emporium at the Magic Kingdom, with 1900s architecture and design patterns surrounding the guests. Inside, guests can shop for trading pins, paintings, custom shirts, pants, dresses, shoes, hats, and more. Old Epcot and Tomorrowland gear is also sold in this shop, with items specifically unique to this location from extinct attractions such as World of Motion, Horizons, If You Had Wings, Ford's Magic Skyway, among others.
Patricia's Clothing and Notions
On the 1920s (2nd floor) of the lobby is a quaint shop named after the daughter in Carousel of Progress, which sells assorted men's and women's clothing, themed to the resort, as well as additional Disney clothing items. As an easter egg to the Carousel of Progress, Patricia's Statue of Liberty outfit is available for purchase with a sign over it claiming that it will be sure to 'scare Theodore away'.
American Pastime
A tucked away sporting shop located on the 1920s (2nd floor) of the lobby - themed to america's pastime, baseball, and 'that new fella Babe Ruth'. Inside you will be able to browse through images of old baseball stadiums, such as Braves Stadium and Fenway Park in Boston, MA, a picture of the 1927 Murderer's Row lineup of the New York Yankees, scorecards from Shoeless Joe Jackson's final game, and much more. Playing on a loop are clips from the baseball games of the age, with a narrator giving the scores for the games played that day, as if you were there in the 1920s. It is also in this shop where you can purchase dress clothes, pants, and hats, as well as blouses, purses, and other assorted items for men and women.
Care Centers
Future Dreamers Academy
For children ages 3-12, the Future Dreamers Academy is a supervised program that's open from 4:30pm till midnight for resort guests to drop their kids off. The cost is $12 per hour for each child. Reservations are required. Activities for the child includes events held at the resort such as Movie Night, in addition to a special Pirate Adventure on the Seven Season Lagoon, held nightly, for children ages 4-12, at an additional cost of $34 per child. For more information or reservations call 407-WDW-DINE
The Dream Village at Disney's Progress City Resort and Spa
The Dream Village at Disney's Progress City Resort and Spa is themed according to the forward-thinking ideas of the resort as a whole, and is meant to represent contemporary living in a post modern, green energy world.
Influenced by the design of Building 32 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA - The Dream Village consists of two spasmodic facades, jaded and bent in irregular patterns.
Both buildings are run on completely green energy from solar panels on the roofs, to other forms of renewable energy. The lobby area at the entrance of the resort follows the unique patterns of the exterior, creating the sense of stepping into a modern painting. Disjointed stairways and archways lead to the villas above, and the chandelier in the center is markedly modern as well. Each of the 135 units at the resort separated into categories from studios to three bedroom villas that sleep anywhere from 5 to 13 guests.
Villas
Peak Season - $800 per night (Deluxe Studio), $1,000 per night (1 Bedroom), $1,400 per night (2 Bedroom), $1,700 per night (3 Bedroom)
Moderate Season - $600 per night (Deluxe Studio), $700 per night (1 Bedroom), $1,100 per night (2 Bedroom), $1,300 per night (3 Bedroom)
Value Season - $450 per night (Deluxe Studio), $550 per night (1 Bedroom), $750 per night (2 Bedroom), $1,000 per night (3 Bedroom)
Approximate Number of Rooms
Deluxe Studio: 48
1 Bedroom Villa: 45
2 Bedroom Villa: 37
3 Bedroom Grand Villa: 5
Maximum Number of Guests Per Room: Deluxe Studio: 5 guests, 1 Bedroom Villa: 5 guests, 2 Bedroom Villa: 9 guests, 3 Bedroom Grand Villa: 13 guests
Number of Handicap Accessible Rooms: Deluxe Studio: 7, 1 Bedroom Villa: 5, 2 Bedroom Villa: 1, 3 Bedroom Grand Villa: 1
Square Footage: Deluxe Studio: 725 sq. ft, 1 Bedroom Villa: 900 sq. ft, 2 Bedroom Villa: 1,300 sq. ft, 3 Bedroom Grand Villa: 2,750 sq. ft.
Villas and Suites Amenities: All Dream Village guest rooms are equipped with standard room amenities such as an alarm clock and ceiling fan, in addition to Blu-Ray player, coffee maker with coffee and tea setup, microwave, robes, pool towels, and a washer and dryer. Deluxe Studios come with a kitchenette complete with a mini fridge, microwave, sink, toaster, and wet bar. The 1,2, and 3 bedroom villas come with a full kitchen which includes a full-size refrigerator, microwave, stove, oven toaster, blender, dishwasher, glasses, flatware, plates, cookware, sink, and tea kettle.
All guests at the Dream Village will be able to access the dining, shopping, and recreation of Disney's Progress City Resort and Spa, as the resorts will be connected by a walkway over Seven Seas Drive, towards the recreation deck of the resort. In addition to the luxurious accommodations of its parent resort, the Dream Village has its own quiet pool, as well as a rose garden walk-through which offers picturesque views of the Epcot Monorail overhead, and Progress City between the two Village buildings on the horizon.
Resort Transportation and Convention Center
Diagrammed above are the transportation and access routes throughout the resort. On the Ground (1st) Floor - cars, buses, and taxis enter and either go to the resort bus stop, or continue on towards the drop off point underneath the resort infrastructure. From that point, guests can enter the lobby, or pick up and exit back out onto World Drive. Buses leaving from the stop exit out onto the Seven Seas Drive towards Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Water Parks, and Disney Springs.
Access to the convention center is available from a ramp exit off of the lobby proper, and towards the back of the resort. Below are conceptual illustrations of the transportation and convention center locations
From top left and clockwise - (Convention Center, Breezeway to Peoplemover, Bus Stop, and Ferry Dock near the Enchanted Tiki Club.)
Below is a synopsis of the various ways to get around the world from the resort:
Magic Kingdom: Monorail at the TTC (Express or Resort Line), Ferry launch at the Dock near the Enchanted Tiki Club, New Balance Jogging Trail to Contemporary (1.2 miles total)
Epcot: Monorail at the TTC (Epcot Line)
Hollywood Studios: Bus (Access via Ground Floor Bus Stop)
Animal Kingdom: Bus (Access via Ground Floor Bus Stop)
Water Parks: Bus (Access via Ground Floor Bus Stop
Note: Blizzard Beach has connection with Animal Kingdom, Typhoon Lagoon has connection with Disney Springs
Disney Springs: Bus (Access via Ground Floor Bus Stop)
Minnie-Van/taxi service is also available from the Pick-Up/Drop-Off section of the Ground Floor of the resort.
Resort-Wide Holiday Overlays
One of the most renown features of the resort is its plentiful holiday decorations. Since the Carousel of Progress attraction travels through the holidays of
Valentine's Day, 4th of July, Halloween, and
Christmas - the resort will be decorated extensively for each of the seasons, unlike any other resort on property. There will also be special events attached to each holiday season, such as Valentine's Dinner exclusives at Sarah and John's, premium Seven Seas Lagoon cruises for the 4th of July fireworks, Halloween pumpkin carving stations, and a ton of Christmas activities including the tree lighting ceremony (30% brighter!), hidden mickey hunts, and making gingerbread houses. On the recreation deck there on the fountain movie screen, you'll be able to play the virtual reality Cyber Space Pilot video game from the finale scene in the Carousel of Progress.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Disney's Progress City Resort and Spa is a tribute to the man who started it all, Walt Disney. The Sherman Brothers song,
There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, along with the Carousel of Progress, captures the philosophies that Walt lived by. The resort will essentially become the heart of everything in the 'Florida Project', acting as the metaphorical hub and physical transportation hub of Walt Disney World for the next 50 years and beyond. Overall, Disney's Progress City Resort and Spa will symbolize that the great big beautiful tomorrow is truly just a dream away...
Epilogue
"Walt Disney was the eternal optimist, and he really believed that things could be better. And Bob and Richard Sherman wrote that song as a personal ode to Walt. They really meant it.... That was Walt's anthem, and they recognized that."
- Marty Sklar
(Rest in Peace)
Thank you for reading Marvel Studios' presentation!
And by the way, I did these backwards (starting with the last one submitted).
