Pop Century closing!

[bunnymkc]

Heard this from a Disney castmember. Pop and another value hotel are closing! Son & husband who paint for Disney laid off and told that 2 resorts are closing1 Anyone have any info on this..

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

There is already a thread here called "Disney's Animation Inn & Suites" that has to do with Pop Century closing and renamed. Not sure about a 2nd resort also closing.

BobK/Orlando

[lovemickeyshouse]

No Way They Close Pop And I Am Done No More Disney World For Me

[cap'njack.]

Let's hope not...that's where I'm looking at booking :thumbsup2

[troynkasey]

They wouldn't close until 2010 due to existing reservations. I think it's highly unlikely. Plus...if they re-theme the resort...I think they close portions of the resort at a time and then reopen those portions to close and rennovate others... It's too popular to close down at this point.

[DC7800]

They wouldn't close until 2010 due to existing reservations

Existing reservations did not prevent Disney from closing resorts in the past, specifically Port Orleans (French Quarter). Those guests holding reservations for the resort during its closure were relocated to other Disney properties.

That in no way suggests that Pop Century will or will not actually be closing, now or at any time in the future, but it does mean that the existence of outstanding reservations will not preclude the resort being shut down, should Disney wish to do so.

As for the rumored re-theming, we don't need two versions of All-Star Movies.

[GrumpyFan]

I wonder if this was due to low bookings or if it was related to the rumored re-theming? I really wouldn't be surprised IF they did close Pop due to low bookings. It might make more sense than any of the All Stars.
I heard a rumor this morning from another source that said Grand Floridian might be closing. I stress MIGHT, as the source has been known to be unreliable and he did say that it was very much up in the air right now and not for certain.

[CanadianGuy]

A buddy of mine who works reservations said this regarding this rumor..

"For every guest who cancels, two or three downgrade.."

Doesn't seem like closing a value resort would be the smartest move. The moderate or deluxe resorts would be first in line I would think.

Following 2001 terror attacks, a moderate closed for 6 months and the construction on Pop Century was stalled.. but they didn't close any of the values to my knowledge.

They did shutter certain buildings within individual resort complexes to save $$$ on A/C and housekeeping. That's a very hidden way to take rooms out of the inventory and lower day to day costs up to a certain point.

At some point it does become a zero sum game. But i don't think that closing a value makes ANY sense in a down economy. It would make far more sense to more deeply discount rooms at categories with high rates of vacancy in an effort to get bodies in the parks and restaurants however.

We're seeing that now.

[doubletrouble_vb]

Closing a value actually can make a lot of sense. If you close a value for renovation and move the reservations elsewhere you give the consumers added benefit (at least thats what you tell them) while getting them to try out upgraded accomodations in a down economy. Going forward that means less value rooms in the system for those who just HAVE to stay in the world so they'll be paying more. In addition you might put out more coupons to permit value consumers access to moderates. When (or if) the economy bounces back said consumers might think twice before going back to the value.

Aside from that wouldn't shuttering values save on transportation and mousekeeping just a bit?

[Dznefreek]

Aside from that wouldn't shuttering values save on transportation and mousekeeping just a bit?

There is also payroll, utilities, maintenance, food costs, groundskeeping (reduced), insurance, just to name a few. . . . . .

[CanadianGuy]

Shuttering ANY resort saves on those things... All those same arguments could be made for shuttering POFQ/POR again

Currently Pop Century shares Housekeeping and maintenance (and some front desk staff) with Caribbean Beach. Seems they should close them both for maximum savings?

I just don't see this happening. I could be proven wrong.. time will be the indicator.

Knox

[racefanof88]

Closing a value actually can make a lot of sense. If you close a value for renovation and move the reservations elsewhere you give the consumers added benefit (at least thats what you tell them) while getting them to try out upgraded accomodations in a down economy. Going forward that means less value rooms in the system for those who just HAVE to stay in the world so they'll be paying more. In addition you might put out more coupons to permit value consumers access to moderates. When (or if) the economy bounces back said consumers might think twice before going back to the value.

Aside from that wouldn't shuttering values save on transportation and mousekeeping just a bit?

But, my response would be.........With the economy already bad and more and more people losing jobs and others cutting out extras, like vacations, you are really going to cut out a whole lot of people who can just afford to stay at Disney because of the value resorts. This will drive more people off property and makes the whole Universal thing seem more appealing. I mean with a 7 day park hopping ticket to Universal costing less than $100. It makes it look better and better :rolleyes1.

[lacrosse_lady72]

But, my response would be.........With the economy already bad and more and more people losing jobs and others cutting out extras, like vacations, you are really going to cut out a whole lot of people who can just afford to stay at Disney because of the value resorts. This will drive more people off property and makes the whole Universal thing seem more appealing. I mean with a 7 day park hopping ticket to Universal costing less than $100. It makes it look better and better :rolleyes1.

I'm definitely going to agree with you on this one. If not for the value resorts, the benefits of staying on property would not out-weigh the cost of staying at a moderate or deluxe. We would then stay off-site or not go at all.

Being from the west coast, we don't go as often as it essentially takes a day to get to WDW and another to get home. Because of that, we only go once a year but for two weeks. Staying at WDW at a mod or deluxe for two weeks would produce a huge bill and ours is already around $6,000 each time we go including everything basically.

If the overall cost was too much we'd either have to stay off-site, go for less time or not go at all. But most likely we'd go to DL which is MUCH cheaper where we NEVER stay at a Disney hotel. They are too expensive and have very little perks. That's money lost for Disney. Plus, we aren't as much of DL fanatics as we are with WDW so we'd spend a lot less time there and not go as often, now it's about every three years.

I hope they do not close temporarily close POP and choose one or two of the All-Stars- I detest those resorts. I hope they go after Port Orleans rather than CBR (CSR has the convention center so that one's staying open) because if they do close POP, I will want to stay at CBR.
Rumor or fact, this is kind of stressing me out for my Sept vacation.
I've learned here that I am good a rambling on, sorry all.

[Padrepride]

I could see them closing one value resort. But two? I could see them closing one of the All-Star resorts along with either one of the Port Orleans or maybe even a deluxe resort.

[seashoreCM]

Now who was it (or how many) was/were saying 10 or so years ago that the ugly monstrosity called Pop Century should never have been built let alone opened?

>>> ... and another value ...
>>> ... we don't need two versions ...
Pop can be rethemed as All Star Movies and All Star Movies rethemed as something else. But it is not necessary to redo them at the same time.

[racefanof88]

I know Disney will do what is in the best interest of Disney as it is a business, but that being said the consumer will also do what is in the best interest of themselves. We love Disney and most of the time we do stay off property as the price of a room(somewhere I am just gonna be sleeping) is MUCH cheaper and with more options for a family of 5. After doing some research :surfweb: these are the numbers I found

value rooms 8640 price range $82-$327
moderate rooms 7089 price range $140-$1290(this does not include the cabins nor the campgrounds)
deluxe rooms 6311 price range
AKL $240-$2920
BCR $335-$2490
BW $335-$2715
CR $280-$2885
GF $399-$2895
Poly $355-$2910
WL $240-$1405
YC $335-$2725
Villas $335-$2215

Of course these are per night charges. Now, I know there are Disers who can afford the high prices of the deluxe resorts, but I know I can't :scared1:. My WHOLE vacation hardly costs as much as ONE night in some of the deluxe resorts....:lmao: And being a family of 5 we would have to pay the higher prices or get two rooms. I had two rooms at the ASMu, park hopper plus, and the DDP this past May and it was only about $3800.00 for all 5 of us for 6 days. We have a cabin booked for May '09. So, if Disney starts closing mods and values I know for a fact we will again start staying off site and seriously consider the cheaper option of an annual pass to Universal for about $280.

I would hate this as I love Disney :love:, ask my friends and family :rotfl:. But, the economy will ultimately dictate how I spent my vacation dollars, IF I have any :scared1:

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

value rooms 8640 price range $82-$327
I didn't pay nearly $82 a night two weeks ago when I went.
We paid $45.99 a night if memory serves me correctly.

COPIED from a non-affiliated WDW website... (and changed per rules)
Value resort, Standard view, (dates here...) $49 plus tax
Thats with the AP discount. Theres also a military discount, a FL resident discount, a "Florida Neighbors" Rates - AL, GA, SC and NC Resident Discount, and a few others. I rarely EVER pay rack rate for a value resort. Actually... the ONLY time I EVER pay rack rates is during the free DDP deal. Otherwise there's a code involved.

[deej696]

They did shutter certain buildings within individual resort complexes to save $$$ on A/C and housekeeping. That's a very hidden way to take rooms out of the inventory and lower day to day costs up to a certain point.




I was a manager at a luxury hotel in downtown Orlando during 9/11 and this was what we did. We shut down 4 or 5 floors of guest rooms completely, and consolidated everyone to the remaining floors. I would think the cost savings for Disney would be greater than ours was, given that entire buildings can be powered down. I think shutting down an entire resort would be a last option for Disney. There really isnt a way to do it quietly, and given Disney's need to "control the story," probably the last thing they want to say publicly is "Business is so bad we are shutting down one of our largest resorts."

[CanadianGuy]

Well.. given some of the occupancy numbers I heard today regarding Christmas week..

It's not looking pretty at all.

Knox

[racefanof88]

I didn't pay nearly $82 a night two weeks ago when I went.
We paid $45.99 a night if memory serves me correctly.

COPIED from a non-affiliated WDW website... (and changed per rules)

Thats with the AP discount. Theres also a military discount, a FL resident discount, a "Florida Neighbors" Rates - AL, GA, SC and NC Resident Discount, and a few others. I rarely EVER pay rack rate for a value resort. Actually... the ONLY time I EVER pay rack rates is during the free DDP deal. Otherwise there's a code involved.

My problem comes with the fact that I am not an AP holder, not in the military, don't live in FL and the FL Neighbor rate is not always offered and I am not lucky enough to get a PIN code :sad2:. The FL Neighbor rate they offered this past fall is the first time I have seen it offered since I started returning in 1999. Most of the codes are offered at a time of year that my family can't travel :sad1:.

[marsrunner]

Well.. given some of the occupancy numbers I heard today regarding Christmas week..

It's not looking pretty at all.

Knox

I haven't heard any numbers, but just checking on the Disney website, its astounding to me that you can get a room at the Poly, GF or CR from Saturday December 20 - Sunday December 28. The GF and Poly have several different room types available. I don't know if this is normal, but I'd have thought reservations for Christmas week would be almost impossible to get.

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Well.. given some of the occupancy numbers I heard today regarding Christmas week..

It's not looking pretty at all.


I haven't heard any numbers, but just checking on the Disney website, its astounding to me that you can get a room at the Poly, GF or CR from Saturday December 20 - Sunday December 28. The GF and Poly have several different room types available. I don't know if this is normal, but I'd have thought reservations for Christmas week would be almost impossible to get.

I'm not trying to argue with people who obviously know more than I do about this... but all over the DIS there are people posting threads about how HORRIBLE the crowds are at Disney from Nov 28th till today. I saw one picture that showed people wall to wall down the entire street in AK... and I have NEVER in all my trips seen ANYTHING that could compare to HALF that. Everyone is saying things like "40 minute wait for Star Tours" and 90 minutes for Soarin". I'm subscribed to several of them. How can reservations be down if everyone is complaining that WDW is a chaotic madhouse? :confused3

[Admb]

Everyone is saying things like "40 minute wait for Star Tours" and 90 minutes for Soarin". I'm subscribed to several of them. How can reservations be down if everyone is complaining that WDW is a chaotic madhouse? :confused3

I shared a break trailor with Soarin last year and they'd hit that wait time countless times during the holdays and WORSE. It could get up to two hours at times... and that break trailor was just colletively grumbling! Lol! Not that this proves anything either way... other than the holidays are ALWAYS chaotic. I would imagine it would be maybe a little less busy this time around... but maybe not! Park attendance has been slowly going down for years and whenever I'd take a look at the attendance records for daily hits for certain rides, they'd been peaked yeaaars ago. Soarin an exception, of course :)

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Park attendance has been slowly going down for years
The CMs I have talked to for the past several years have been saying the exact opposite. They are saying Disney is getting more and more crowded, and there is no slow season anymore.
I'm just trying to make sense of this whole thing. How can park attendance be growing and shrinking at the same time?:confused3 I'm hearing completely mixed stories from both sides.
I'm not trying to be hateful or rude... seriously. I'm just saying there's a lot of people saying the exact opposite. I realize the recession slowed things a bit, but up till its peak all I heard was "business is booming more every day".
But I'll side with another one here who said Pop will never close. I can see them shutting certain wings down if it came to that, but I agree that Disney wouldn't want to let out a cry of desperation. And closing POP would be just that.popcorn::

[marsrunner]

I'm not "saying" anything, other than I was very much surprised to see mutliple room types available at the big three resorts. Only POP Century, All-Star Music, Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter, Animal Kingdom Lodge Villas and Boardwalk Villas have no availability. Everything else has at least something; most have multiple room types available. I was just surprised because its supposed to be so busy. I know that the Grand Floridian isn't available at all during my January trip and the Contemporary and Polynesian only have suites and concierge level available. Maybe lots of people moved to the 4/3 deal?
Is that kind of availability for Christmas week normal? I don't know, and don't know what it means if it isn't normal. Just interesting.

[cigarboo]

I'm not trying to argue with people who obviously know more than I do about this... but all over the DIS there are people posting threads about how HORRIBLE the crowds are at Disney from Nov 28th till today. I saw one picture that showed people wall to wall down the entire street in AK... and I have NEVER in all my trips seen ANYTHING that could compare to HALF that. Everyone is saying things like "40 minute wait for Star Tours" and 90 minutes for Soarin". I'm subscribed to several of them. How can reservations be down if everyone is complaining that WDW is a chaotic madhouse?

My guess is that attendance has been propped up by an amazing amount of discounts; PIN codes, free dining into December, bounceback offers, heavy discounts on rooms, etc. But Disney doesn't make as much money with discounts and giving things away. It still hurts their budget even if the place looks crowded. I would venture to guess the chaos is from lower staff levels despite having lots of bodies in the parks.

When I was Epcot in early Nov and had trouble with my ticket, it took what felt like forever to resolve(as people were yelling as I was holding up the line) because the CM couldn't help me "quickly" due to her tending to a whole section(maybe 4 or 5 turnstiles) of entry gates by herself. Now I've never had trouble with my ticket before, but I would have thought that every gate or at least every other, would have had a CM in the morning rush to keep order.

Just think about the buy 4 get 3 free deal. You have many guests who are at the parks and hotels for an extra 3 days, but not really adding that much to Disney's bottem line. It used to be Disney was able to keep those rooms filled and have folks pay full freight. So even though business appears to be booming by the looks of the crowd, I think revenue is down. It'll get more chaotic and service will go down because there won't be the number of staff available to support the crowd.

As far as Pop goes, it's probably the more likely value to close because it's sort of off by itself. I think Disney will try to keep it open, but if things continue to look bad then somethings gotta go. (temporarily)

[CanadianGuy]

Attendance HAS been propped up by discounts.. but yet, it is still DOWN. Way down.

The week of Christmas in particular is down a HUGE amount. Normal occupancy at the resorts runs around 97% that week ... or higher.

This year.. that figure for some resorts is below 60% occupied.

So where are all the crowds coming from? Well, not all WDW guests stay on property for one. The DVC crowd are more likely to come anyway since they 'own' their vacations as it were and of course, there are locals etc.

One last thought on this angle is.. sure, MK may be busy as heck on any given day that someone goes there, but how busy is DHS on that same day, or AK? I suspect the answer is a very big "not very".

As for closing Pop, it shares many services with CBR. So, much like the All Stars, it has a shared base of employees between Pop and CBR, so it's not 'All out there on it's own' as it first appears. If I was going to close a value and a mod, I'd close Pop and CBR because those two are so interconnected that just closing one of the two wouldn't see the maximum savings on the table.

Anything is possible.... esp given the occupancy numbers I heard this past week.

Knox

[deej696]

FWIW we are having our wedding here and I had to deliver gift bags to 5 different resorts for our guests. POP, POFQ, ASports, BC, and Dolphin. I budgeted almost 2 hours for this because I figured I would have to wait in line at each resorts front desk because this was between 2 and 4pm (prime check in time.) I was done in 45 minutes, and I did not have to wait in a single line because there were open agents at every resort. Perhaps it means nothing, but that to me was an indication its slower than usual for the resorts....

[rebecca06261]

Just got off the phone trying to make a ressie for POP Feb 4-8th and was told by the cm that this nothing available for this time. I asked about the following week which illicited the same response. It's February... my inquiry included paying rack rate, AP discount, and FL resident discounts. There was simply nothing there for either of the weeks. :confused3

Wonder if something really is up?

[Sorahana]

We're going in January since last year it was dead when I got there for my CP, guess it won't be this time with the buy 4 get 3 deal *cue sad face*.
Oh well, at least we're going. We booked back in February and the only dates I could get were Jan 4-10 at Pop. I tried Port Orleans and couldn't get anything. I tried Pop right before the dates we're going and it was booked, week right after was booked too. This was for the buy 4 get 3 thing I think though.

[DC7800]

Just got off the phone trying to make a ressie for POP Feb 4-8th and was told by the cm that this nothing available for this time. I asked about the following week which illicited the same response. It's February... my inquiry included paying rack rate, AP discount, and FL resident discounts. There was simply nothing there for either of the weeks. :confused3

Wonder if something really is up?

Pop Century is still bookable online (and also at Expedia) for February dates (I checked February 8-18th). Had new reservations been blocked, or when/if they actually are, I'd assume that the resort is facing imminent closure.

[Jenvenza]

I really hope they dont. We really enjoyed POP.

[manning]

We're going in January since last year it was dead when I got there for my CP, guess it won't be this time with the buy 4 get 3 deal *cue sad face*.
Oh well, at least we're going. We booked back in February and the only dates I could get were Jan 4-10 at Pop. I tried Port Orleans and couldn't get anything. I tried Pop right before the dates we're going and it was booked, week right after was booked too. This was for the buy 4 get 3 thing I think though.

I think the marathon is that weekend.

[Sorahana]

I think the marathon is that weekend.

Yea it's that Saturday (the 10th), rooms were booked up after that day, but not before, weird. Oh well it'll probably be busy anyway =(.

[Tissa]

I have a lot of friends going for the Marathon and they are all coming in on the 7th and staying until the 13th. All are staying at POP except me, I'm staying at CSR. Things are booked up.

[DisneyBaby!]

One thing that you need to look at is not just the occupancy but what people are spending when they are in the parks. Sure there may be hordes of people in the parks but if they aren't spending, it makes the situation worse.

I work for a major midwestern casino, our attendance is up but our revenue per head is down or at least not where we want it to be, so we cut back on the staff because the revenue is not there. We are doing what they want to call riding the peaks, getting as many people in at the busiest times, not worrying about it being slow at other times and cutting back operations to nothing when it is slow. We have closed some restaurants during the week and cut the hours on others so It makes total sense to close parts of a resort, it would be almost impossible to tell if say half the buildings in POR were closed or not occupied, heck we go in the height of summer and never seem to see anyone coming or going from their rooms.

[GeorgiaDawg7]

i sure hope there is no truth to this :sad2:

[lisadr]

I think if they shut Pop down it would be temporary but the reason Pop would get the axe is it is totally separate from the other resorts. It has it's own buses to run. The other resorts share a bus line-and I would guess could share staff if needed. But that bus thing can probably be a real thorn in their side. Think about it-if a bus shows up to the MK and is only half full-they still go straight to the MK. BUT if a bus stops at ASM and is only half full-then the just pop on over to ASMovies and fill up-making the trip more productive.
Plus if you are 50% full in two hotels and fill 3 1/2 out of 7 buildings and you then close one of them you have a 100% full resort with all the buildings filled and the empty one you shut down and turn the lights off!;)

I don't know it's just a thought:confused3 But I would have to say that it would be Pop to go first because the other values are so close to each other.

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I'm not trying to argue with people who obviously know more than I do about this... but all over the DIS there are people posting threads about how HORRIBLE the crowds are at Disney from Nov 28th till today. I saw one picture that showed people wall to wall down the entire street in AK... and I have NEVER in all my trips seen ANYTHING that could compare to HALF that. Everyone is saying things like "40 minute wait for Star Tours" and 90 minutes for Soarin". I'm subscribed to several of them. How can reservations be down if everyone is complaining that WDW is a chaotic madhouse? :confused3

2 weeks ago we were at the BC, the crowds were the most we have seen in any December. We also tried to extend our stay & the BC & YC they were 100% sold out.

[Tink rules]

Two weeks ago was the beginning of Pop Warner... also people book the weekends - or at least they have when they have the parties, ie... MVMCP... so if they are sold for one day it may make it harder to get an extension for those times.

I've also got friends who said that they were at MVMCP and it seems alot of people stayed after the parks were supposedly closed for the party - they didn't have wrist bands - and it was super crowded they said... I don't know if they could have gotten on rides, but the shows and parades were avail they said - she wondered if they didn't push alot of people out that night to see if they could get more people staying in the parks longer and spending money.

She said some days certain parks were crowded and others were nearly empty - they were there over 3 weeks.

[Luv2Roam]

Park attendance has been slowly going down for years

As a PP stated I do not agree with that at all and would like to see any figures proving that. Judging only from we have been regulars visitors and locals for years now and it has gotten much busier as the years progress. (Except right after 9/11 when it was depressingly quiet.)
Also as mentioned January use to be a quiet month, except for MLK weekend. Now that slow season lasts about two weekdays in January.
And as the year progresses, so does the increase in crowd levels. The difference between Christmas and New Year weeks and the following week is amazing. One week will be shoulder to shoulder crowds. The next week in comparison will be like having the place to yourself.
And I have seen a 4 hour wait for Soarin' on NYE.
I think most people now are cutting back or looking at what they use to spend. Now they are still spending, just in a different manner and more frugal.

I think the availability depends on just luck in travel, booking dates, where you want to stay, etc.
I have been trying to find a few specific types of rooms in January for a few months with no luck and gave up weeks ago.
Sure if I wanted a Presidential Suite, or Club room at CR, I would be all set. :laughing:
And always generally I think that is what happens: the less expensive rooms go first. There almost always is availability in the high rent rooms. (Just judging by my own booking experiences.)
I imagine we will see a lot of really good deals at the chain resorts surrounding WDW resorts. They may offer prices and perks so good it will make people think twice about staying on site.

[portocall]

We are going in November, we are staying at POR, and if they move us because they close it, they move us. We are saving for this trip, but I will be super careful in how I spend our $. So yes, I am going and will spend, but probally not as carefree as I would in other times. Disney needs to do whatever they need to do to get through the bad times, and it will, so it can be there for the long haul.

[TSMAMI]

this is so upsetting to me.

[Tink's Tormentor]

I read something on another board. Pop Century is not closing any time soon, unless it is for a retheme. And with that, any retheme won't be happening until after 2009 anyway.

[Laneychris]

Interesting

[acm563]

I just did an online search for every month in 2009 and the only time I couldnt get a booking was for New Years day -5th at PoP..Every other search showed me availability at Pop... I just cannot see Disney shutting down any of its value resorts because with the economy being the way it is and room rates increasing there may actually be a lot of ppl who normally stay at moderates that will spend more time in the Values.

[lisadr]

I wonder if this was due to low bookings or if it was related to the rumored re-theming? I really wouldn't be surprised IF they did close Pop due to low bookings. It might make more sense than any of the All Stars.
I heard a rumor this morning from another source that said Grand Floridian might be closing. I stress MIGHT, as the source has been known to be unreliable and he did say that it was very much up in the air right now and not for certain.

The only reason I think that they would never do this is the GF has too many character dinners and restaurants-like all they deluxes do. Shuttering -yes-close them down-not very likely.

[doconeill]

The only reason I think that they would never do this is the GF has too many character dinners and restaurants-like all they deluxes do. Shuttering -yes-close them down-not very likely.

I doubt a deluxe would close at all. I would think Disney would rather upgrade value and mod guests to deluxe who are more willing to take an upgrade rather than close a deluxe and have to deal with relocating the deluxe people to other deluxes in a sideways move, and where they may be more "married" to the resort they chose.

Not that some aren't married to the POP and such...

If the consolidation of guests from a closed resort is not enough, then select areas of the deluxes may close as well.

[Remmy]

Today my MIL called to make reservations at the POP for the 27th and 28th of January. She tried to book on the $49/night rate and was told that the standard rooms were all booked but she was then offered a preferred room for the price of $72.00 per night. She took it since we are already booked on a package for that time at the resort and she is going for a few days to be with the grandchildren.

It just makes me wonder if they truly are all booked then why offer a discounted preferred room? I would have thought if all the standard rooms are all booked then why not keep the price at regular for preferred.

I just wonder about crowds at the last week of January if all the POP standard rooms are taken. I do wonder if the CM meant that all the standard rooms at the cheaper price were now taken instead of the assumption that all standard rooms are booked. Dear MIL thinks it means all standard rooms are booked full.

[cindyfan]

Closing a value actually can make a lot of sense. If you close a value for renovation and move the reservations elsewhere you give the consumers added benefit (at least thats what you tell them) while getting them to try out upgraded accomodations in a down economy. Going forward that means less value rooms in the system for those who just HAVE to stay in the world so they'll be paying more. In addition you might put out more coupons to permit value consumers access to moderates. When (or if) the economy bounces back said consumers might think twice before going back to the value.

Aside from that wouldn't shuttering values save on transportation and mousekeeping just a bit?

I agree.... it could totally make sense to close a value.
Think about it.... does in really cost more to run a moderate than a value?? I highly doubt it. they still have to have the same people for bell services and to clean the rooms, and all the other things.....
and now with being able to check in on line..... makes it even easier.
Then.... if those people were "upgraded" from value to moderate.... say at a "small increase" .... I think it's a great marketing ploy!!!!!
I think it is business smart!

[atksn]

I dunno, but I have played around and looked at our dates (2/2-12) and other various dates around there, and come up with nothing at all at POP- preferred, standard, nothing. :confused3

It kind of has me thinking that the rumors are a bunch of bunk (why would they close if they are selling out- especially in low season??), or that there is some validity and that they aren't taking anymore bookings and trying to figure out where to put the current ressies.

[marsrunner]

Pop has Preferred and Standard Rooms available during our trip 1/20-1/27. Not on the 4/3 deal, just rack, but still available.
Of course, every resort (not counting DVC, although several of them have rooms available) on property has rooms available 1/20-1/27, except for ASMu, CSR and GF, so its looking to be a pretty empty week.
I hope. :)

[Goofy22]

IF Disney is going FOR SOME REASON to close a resort than. I could see it being POP for 1 reason it is seperate from the all stars and they could stop the transportation over there which would save on bus drivers but I really don't see it but anything is possible! I WOULDN THINK DISNEY WOULDNT WANT MORE VACANT STRUCTURES OR EYESORES. So I would agree with the SHUTTERING of RESORTS over the closing. I love Pop and hope that this is just being confused with the supposed
re-themeing and opening of the legendary yrs side! :upsidedow

[michelleiada]

I know some people absolutely love Pop Century. My sister is one of them. She will be so disappointed if it closes! I would hate to see any downsizing at WDW.

[Palendat]

I'm ABSOLUTELY SURE that when people talk about the closing of Pop, it simply means the TEMPORARY closing, until business improves! It could also mean a refurb to a new theme, although that seems pretty far fetched. I could see a new theme for the legendary years section of Pop, but I have a feeling that that side of the lake will never be completed.

However, all you Pop-Century lovers needn't worry about the permanent closure of Pop unless a real 10-year depression hits the economy.

[TSMAMI]

I taked to a CM today when I was changing my reservation at POP Century and asked her if the rumors were true about closing some of pop or changing it. She said that they not closing it and that there are plans to "expand it". Whatever that means. Maybe they will finally finish Legendary Years.

[Mickeyistheman]

They will not close down this resort.

Let's really think about this logically.....

The MAJORITY of people right now are having some form of money issues.

IF they are planning on going to Disney sometime this year even if its for a few days...They are not going to spend $200 or $300 a night for the GF or Poly. They are going to go to Pop or a Moderate resort.

I used to stay at the All Star Movies and then stayed usually at Coronado Springs which I just love. But even though I worked in the travel industry and got a great discount I chose Pop over Coronado. It was tough don't get me wrong but I looked at the bigger picture. I was staying for a week, I could save $300 if I stayed at Pop. The rooms are a little smaller, the bus ride is a little longer. BUT I could dine at better restaurants and do other things.

They may close down certain sections but I feel it will be the Deluxe properties over the Mods and Values.

Disney will run the risk of losing more people by closing down the less expensive resorts. It just doesn't make sense to me. Disney employees will also NEVER say that yes its definately closing or not. They just won't do that. They may close a section of the resort and that could be all resorts.

A pp also wondered about the rates at the resorts. For every special room rate they have a specific # of rooms at that rate, once they are booked it moves up to the next tier of pricing...just like an airline.

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

I'm hoping this POP closing rumor is false, except of course to re-theme, then it would be OK. ;)

I do disagree however, that they would EVER close the GF. First of all, its on the Monorail line! Why would they close a resort on the Monrail line? That would be suicide!

Second, its got a convention hall area used ALOT for weddings. Plus, its the only resort (except for the Poly) that is near the Wedding Pavillion, a huge draw!

Pretty sure that none of the Deluxe resorts on the Monorail line will EVER close. If GF were to make any changes, they would make some DVC villas or something like the Contemporary. Now THAT would make good financial sense!!

[Palendat]

I`m almost hoping that the temporary closing comes true. I have a resi for March, which I am 95% sure I am going to cancel. If a bump up to AKL Savannah view came up for a few bucks more, it would probably convince me to keep my reservation.:woohoo:

[suzimar57]

i'm still amazed the Legendary Years is yet unfinished, sitting that way for years now...

[Disneyfan71]

And if they do close down Pop Century for refurb then that means a lot of people won't go for the simple fact of saving $100 a night or more by staying there.

I priced Pop and Carribean Beach--the difference was over $100!!!

[andrewilley]

And if they do close down Pop Century for refurb then that means a lot of people won't go for the simple fact of saving $100 a night or more by staying there.

There are three other Value Resorts too, and presumably the only reason to close one resort would be if there is plenty of spare capacity at the others.

Andre

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

.double post edit

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I used to stay at the All Star Movies and then stayed usually at Coronado Springs which I just love. But even though I worked in the travel industry and got a great discount I chose Pop over Coronado. It was tough don't get me wrong but I looked at the bigger picture. I was staying for a week, I could save $300 if I stayed at Pop. The rooms are a little smaller, the bus ride is a little longer. BUT I could dine at better restaurants and do other things.

Thats basically our thoughts as well. We were booked for our May "buy 4 get 3 free" trip at Caribbean Beach. We called back and switched it to POP. After careful consideration, it boiled down to that bottom line that it was almost $300 more to stay at CBR. The only real perks we saw were coffee makers, refrigerators, slightly larger rooms, and better pools. The room size has never been a problem for us, because we live in a smaller home and are used to small space. The coffee maker was a nice thought, not that we would ever use them... Disney Vacation means BLUE SLUSHIES!!! Not coffee. We drink our gourmet coffees at home. We don't have a slushie machine at home!:cool1: The refrigerator isn't a perk to us because we drive to WDW, and we always pack our foods for the trip up and back in one of these big Coleman electric coolers like this item http://www.joessports.com/product/index.jsp?productId=5118 (but ours is bigger and square shaped.)
Which we simply unplug from the minivan and plug into the wall at the resort. So the only perk for us would be a better pool and the :snooty: appeal, which is over rated.
As far as the bus lines mentioned above... I'm not completely sure I believe that one. On our last trip I noted that the CBR usually has lines just as long as, and in a few cases, LONGER THAN Pop Century.
I guess we are just value resort people.

[mooneyda]

I thought Pop was one of there most popular value resort because every time I went( might just be coincidence) the was always a large line for the bus there than the other ones.

[akayek31]

There are three other Value Resorts too, and presumably the only reason to close one resort would be if there is plenty of spare capacity at the others.

Andre

I am staying onsite just to stay at Pop. I don't want to be forced to stay at all stars. I hope it is all a rumor.

[jfinke]

I am staying onsite just to stay at Pop. I don't want to be forced to stay at all stars. I hope it is all a rumor.

Is there a significant difference between POP and the AS?

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

I am staying onsite just to stay at Pop. I don't want to be forced to stay at all stars. I hope it is all a rumor.
Is there a significant difference between POP and the AS?
I have stayed at the POP at least 10 times, maybe more... and I've stayed at all the All Stars as well. Our last trip to A.S. Sports was AWESOME!!! They have recently refurbished it, and we loved it. To be honest... I liked it better than POP. Everything was clean and efficient. The food court is smaller, and kinda "cute" compared to POP.
There was no cigarette smoke cloud to walk through. There were no long lines at the food court. We had a MUCH shorter walk to both the van for loading/unloading (literally... 20 feet away from our corner room) and much shorter walk to the buses. If everyone else in my little party didn't like POP better, we'd be at Sports again next trip. I do like the slushies a lot at POP though.
You can have a bad experience at ANY resort. Never write off a resort based on reviews you get here. We had a HORRIBLE experience at POP once. No room service almost at all, the entire week the maids were slack, never gave us soap or shampoo, both the CMs and the maids were rude, the lines at the check in were HORRIBLE all week, and POP certainly has (without doubt) the worse AC units of any value resort. It was so hot that none of us slept much all week, and usually we sleep better at WDW than we do at home.
But POP is consistently good, so we shook it off and tried again, and of course next trip was back to their usual standards of a great resort!:thumbsup2

[bambighsmom]

I hope they don't close this resort. It is our favorite and is always busy when we are there.

We have always had great service and housekeeping is awesome. Food court is great and any of the cast member always have been helpful......

[wendyt_ca]

We just booked at Pop Nov 29-Dec 6 and it was available. I hope they don't close it we stayed there in June and loved it.

[Natasha&Matt]

I hope it doesnt close either !! i have just booked for 2 weeks in May 2010!!!!!

[michelleiada]

OK...I read on a rumor site that Pop Century is not closing but some changes will be occuring. The rumor says that the name will change to "Disney's Animation Hotel and Suites". They will be fininshing the unfinished side of Pop and turning them all into "Family Suites". It makes sense really and I think it is an excellent idea! There is a need for a larger accomodation in the value category for families of 5 or more.

[racefanof88]

OK...I read on a rumor site that Pop Century is not closing but some changes will be occuring. The rumor says that the name will change to "Disney's Animation Hotel and Suites". They will be fininshing the unfinished side of Pop and turning them all into "Family Suites". It makes sense really and I think it is an excellent idea! There is a need for a larger accomodation in the value category for families of 5 or more.

WOW, I can't believe Disney is doing any kind of renovations or expanding with the recent announcements of executive buy outs and lay offs.

It is obvious the economy is really affecting Disney as they have expanded the 4/7 bookings until late March. I guess they aren't getting the response they had hoped for?

Maybe they will be offering more discounted options soon :goodvibes.

[CanadianGuy]

WOW, I can't believe Disney is doing any kind of renovations or expanding with the recent announcements of executive buy outs and lay offs.

It is obvious the economy is really affecting Disney as they have expanded the 4/7 bookings until late March. I guess they aren't getting the response they had hoped for?

Maybe they will be offering more discounted options soon :goodvibes.

Disney (and other large corporations) frequently make capital investments involving construction during economic downturns.

The time required to complete the work will probably be about the time before the economy turns positive again.. and they can do it for anywhere from 15 to 25% LESS $$$ because construction crews are otherwise sitting idle.

It's a smart use of capital.

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

OK...I read on a rumor site that Pop Century is not closing but some changes will be occuring. The rumor says that the name will change to "Disney's Animation Hotel and Suites".
Please don't take offense to this, but I don't believe this. POP Century is a VERY catchy name, and it matches the resort PERFECTLY. People always refer to it as POP! and that's a simple but effective advertising strategy. I'm NOT saying they WON'T do it, because Disney has made some screw ups in the past.
My point is I just can't see any logical reasoning behind a VERY COSTLY effort of changing the name of an EXTREMELY POPULAR resort, when it sells out faster than any other resort on the grounds. I always book value resorts, and POP is ALWAYS (and I mean ALWAYS, NEVER an exception have I met) the first to be booked up of the value resorts. You see people all over this forum who have lists of moderates and deluxe resorts under their sigs, and yet they are all bragging about how much they like POP.

I just don't see them doing it unless there is a legal problem with the name, such as the deal with Disney's MGM / Hollywood Studios.

[racefanof88]

Disney (and other large corporations) frequently make capital investments involving construction during economic downturns.

The time required to complete the work will probably be about the time before the economy turns positive again.. and they can do it for anywhere from 15 to 25% LESS $$$ because construction crews are otherwise sitting idle.

It's a smart use of capital.

I guess you're right. I bet it doesn't make the execs and layed off workers happy though.

The sad thing is no jobs are secure right now :scared:.

[ajenkins]

It's a fun resort, I would hate to lose it.

[LPNmom]

OK...I read on a rumor site that Pop Century is not closing but some changes will be occuring. The rumor says that the name will change to "Disney's Animation Hotel and Suites". They will be fininshing the unfinished side of Pop and turning them all into "Family Suites". It makes sense really and I think it is an excellent idea! There is a need for a larger accomodation in the value category for families of 5 or more.

I found this utube video that shows the unfinished pop century building today, thought that it might be fun for some people to watch, since we are talking about rumors regarding this building.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSc1fG0ETeY

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

LPNmom, THANKS! We LOVED the video. :thumbsup2

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Do you think maybe this new; unfinished building is the one that will be called "Disney's Animation Hotel and Suites"?
While we were watching that video my son asks "How can they build that if we haven't even gotten to 2010 yet?"
Good point even if by a kid. It wouldn't take 50 years to build.:confused3

[redrosesix]

Disney (and other large corporations) frequently make capital investments involving construction during economic downturns.

The time required to complete the work will probably be about the time before the economy turns positive again.. and they can do it for anywhere from 15 to 25% LESS $$$ because construction crews are otherwise sitting idle.

It's a smart use of capital.

There are 2 other reasons why companies should do construction during economic downturns. First, the cost of capital is much lower, whether they finance it with debt or by selling shares. Second, and more important, just as labour costs are lower, construction supply costs tend to be lower since there is reduced demand for wood, cement, nails, etc. from other sectors eg. new home construction.

[CanadianGuy]

Do you think maybe this new; unfinished building is the one that will be called "Disney's Animation Hotel and Suites"?
While we were watching that video my son asks "How can they build that if we haven't even gotten to 2010 yet?"
Good point even if by a kid. It wouldn't take 50 years to build.:confused3

The building in the video has been standing there since 2001.. when they initially stopped construction on both sides of the resort ... eventually they finished the Classic Years side, but did NOT finish the Legendary Years side.

This thread here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1391731

Contains pictures from 2006 and 2008 showing the uncompleted side of the lake with very little change... as noted in the 2008 pictures.. there was SOME change but it was very small and minute.

Presuming a similar building count on the Legendary years side as the Classic Side, they have only completed say the 00's and 10's exterior walls. No interior work has really been done. And the Legendary Hall is externally complete. They still have to do something for 20's, 30's, 40's ... and build pools, do landscaping etc. More than 6 months of work.. less than 18 months.

The concrete building 'foundation pads', if still useable, are complete for all unfinished buildings with sewer, water and electrical lines in place ready to build up.

[KYMickey]

The building in the video has been standing there since 2001.. when they initially stopped construction on both sides of the resort ... eventually they finished the Classic Years side, but did NOT finish the Legendary Years side.

This thread here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1391731

Contains pictures from 2006 and 2008 showing the uncompleted side of the lake with very little change... as noted in the 2008 pictures.. there was SOME change but it was very small and minute.

Presuming a similar building count on the Legendary years side as the Classic Side, they have only completed say the 00's and 10's exterior walls. No interior work has really been done. And the Legendary Hall is externally complete. They still have to do something for 20's, 30's, 40's ... and build pools, do landscaping etc. More than 6 months of work.. less than 18 months.

The concrete building 'foundation pads', if still useable, are complete for all unfinished buildings with sewer, water and electrical lines in place ready to build up.
The length of time required to finish the buildings depends on how many people are working. It could easily take several years depending on the size of the workforce.

Whether the existing pads the hum of mouse grid are usable or not depends on what will be built. If they're going to build suites the floor plans will be very different and the pads will probably have to be removed and rebuilt.

[redrosesix]

The building in the video has been standing there since 2001.. when they initially stopped construction on both sides of the resort ... eventually they finished the Classic Years side, but did NOT finish the Legendary Years side.

This thread here:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1391731

Contains pictures from 2006 and 2008 showing the uncompleted side of the lake with very little change... as noted in the 2008 pictures.. there was SOME change but it was very small and minute.

Presuming a similar building count on the Legendary years side as the Classic Side, they have only completed say the 00's and 10's exterior walls. No interior work has really been done. And the Legendary Hall is externally complete. They still have to do something for 20's, 30's, 40's ... and build pools, do landscaping etc. More than 6 months of work.. less than 18 months.

The concrete building 'foundation pads', if still useable, are complete for all unfinished buildings with sewer, water and electrical lines in place ready to build up.

Those were very interesting pictures. I'm assuming that due to the mild climate, they don't have to worry about any issues from mothballing a project like this?

I have a question on how Disney does construction and rehab. Would they do construction or rehab on one part of a resort while keeping another area open, or would they keep the entire resort closed for that period? Since completing construction at Pop would be pretty noisy, and ugly, I guess they couldn't open any of the new part until the whole thing was finished? Or would they offer guests a discount to put up with it, as they would at hotels around here?

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

CanadianGuy... As a plumber I can certainly see some issues of the plumbing just sitting there unused all those years in the FL heat.
Some of the most "nightmare" jobs I do is on homes that have sat for a substantial length of time with no use of the plumbing. Of course... I just do service work, so in all my cases the water WAS used at one point. I don't think I've ever ran into a situation where it was installed and never used. But It seems there would be deterioration problems.
I'm sure Disney took this all into place when building them, and no doubt when they DO open them (whenever THAT may be) I'm sure they will get all the bugs worked out. Of course after seeing what they did to that island and the River Country... I could be wrong.

[cindyfan]

I just can't believe PC has been open 5 years and the Legendary Years is still sitting empty!!
What a difference 5 years makes..... retail was going strong 5 years ago too.... and now look at all the retailers closing their doors!!!

Anyone know what the occupancy rate looks like going into 2009?

I can't believe it's good for Disney.