What was wrong with Disney Institute? Was it a failure? Never hear of it anymore--just not needed I guess?
WHAT HAPPENED?!
WHAT HAPPENED?!
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was it a failure??
- Thread starter surfsupdon
- Start date
jmarc63
New Member
In a word yes. it didn't attract enough of the demographics they were hoping to attract with the project. They tried to rework the original concept but it was a losing battle to be cost effective. What really gets me about the whole failure is they decision to raze the property for a new DVC resort. I really wish they would have turned them back into the villas they were when first built back in the mid 70S.
The thought, which I think was a good one, was that companies would use it for staff development, meetings, team building, etc; and that the employees who were going would also bring their families down thus increasing attendance and spending in the parks. But as others have stated - it just didn't become that popular. I kind of like that they are adding to the DVC in that spot. :sohappy:
BRER STITCH
Well-Known Member
It never "became popular" because the prices were OUTRAGEOUS!!!
:hammer:
:hammer:
jaimjaim25
New Member
Personally to me it had no 'theme'... I stayed there a few years ago... It was nice and all, but it wouldnt have been my first choice of disney resorts.. or second or third, etc... The only thing I did like about it was, you could walk to Disney Village.
I did not find it appealing either. I had a friend do some topiary there w/ his family and they said for what you pay you expect to do something fairly large, but instead they did an 8inch mickey mouse. That is not what I'd expect either.
Remember all those vacation planning videos that POUNDED the DI...a different kind of vacation.
Was this resort the old Village Resort...or am I off?? (now some saratoga springs)
Remember all those vacation planning videos that POUNDED the DI...a different kind of vacation.
Was this resort the old Village Resort...or am I off?? (now some saratoga springs)
jaimjaim25
New Member
I think the whole place was just supposed to be a place to go to, if you wanted to waste the day away, golfing, cooking, drawing, going to a spa, learning, or whatver.. but most people go on vacation for the opposite of those things... i mean, go to disney world anway.. I wouldnt want to waste my precious days sitting in a room learning how to cook. If I wanted to do that, I'd go to a cooking school back home, not on my vacation to Disney!
FLcastmember
New Member
WDW has officially droped the name ''Disney Institute". That area, including the still open Spa, is now "Disney's Saratoga Springs Restort and Spa''. Some of the Villias remain, of course, abonded and unoccupied. In fact very little was demosished in construction project, and the new resort will have a large focus on Lake Buanna Vista, basically from the old instutute buildings to the Rain Forest Cafe, But does not take up much nearly as much space as they have in this area. Not sure what the plans are for all those remaing unused villias and treehouse's.
CAPTAIN HOOK
Well-Known Member
I believe it was like a "night school" providing tuition for various pastimes and hobbies.Originally posted by Alberrisford
what is(or was?) the disney institute?
Pioneer Hall
Well-Known Member
They learned that people came to Disney to have fun...they weren't interested in learning. Sure some people were, but most were there for the parks and attractions. They didn't want to pay for courses when the best theme parks in the world are right there.
wed050499
Member
Hey all,
Last I heard from down there which wasn't too long ago, the tree houses and some of the villas had some major mildew and mold damage to them (especially the tree houses) and are most likely coming down. Some of the people displaced from DI worked with me over at the BoardWalk when I was there and always told (quite humorously) of having to check the treehouses every morning for any "new" mildew so that they could get housekeeping to "take care" of them. This wasn't so much a problem till about a six months before they closed them, but still was a big enough one to help in the closing of DI.
Thanks,
Brian
ArchiDanDisney
Member
I always wanted to stay in the tree houses...I guess I missed my chance, if disney kept them open, they could use them as housing for the International and College Programs
BRER STITCH
Well-Known Member
D'OH!
:lookaroun :lookaroun :lookaroun :lookaroun
jaimjaim25
New Member
Yeah, but at least EPCOT has rides and other things to do, plus it's the whole park with hundreds of different things to do INCLUDED in the admission price. Whereas, you had to pay ALOT of the seperate institute things.