Newest Rumor : Pop Century Complete by 2012

[CanadianGuy]

A little mouse was telling me over the weekend that the latest rumor from Lake Buena Vista is ... Pop Century will be completed by 2012.

No word on if the resort would go thru a name change and theme refocusing as hinted at by Jim Hill.

And absolute flat denial that the resort would be closing anytime soon for any reason as suggested by another thread on this board.

That's what I'm hearing.. go figure.

Knox

[troynkasey]

I can't imagine them spending money to increase room levels during a recession in the economy...but then again...now is the time to make changes will low attendance and low impact...

[abw]

I can't imagine them spending money to increase room levels during a recession in the economy...but then again...now is the time to make changes will low attendance and low impact...

And cheaper construction costs?

[patsal]

Since the suites in the values went over so very well at ASMu, it might be something that there is a need for . Converting the "other side" into suites would be a good idea and there is need for it. It would be nice to see that side finished and in this economy what better time to do the construction. By the time it is completed we should be seeing a brighter vision both from the side of POP that faces it and from an economic standpoint.

[Scurvy]

I hope this turns out to be true- it really isn't very "disney-like" to have that partially finished section sitting there across the lake. I would think this would be a good time for that sort of construction, because hopefully the economy will be much improved when that section of the resort is finally done.

I also hope that the rumor about the new section being family suites turns out to be true as well. It would be nice if there were more affordable rooms for larger families available on premises.

[FireDancer]

I do hope they finish the resort. Building now would be a good idea because construction costs are generally low in a recession. The economy will recover, it always does, and the time to build for that time is now, not on the upswing. When the economy picks up and attendance increases they will have the rooms ready.

[GrumpyFan]

It would be nice to see them do something with those buildings on the other side of the lake at Pop, even if they just demolished them. I'm just speculating here, but I would think they would raze those buildings and start over. Then build something on a smaller scale, with fewer buildings and with suites, and leave options available for future expansion/buildings.

[westjones]

I hope this is true! I love PC and it would be so nice to be able to walk over the bridge to the other resort and enjoy the icons over there. We own at DVC, but if they finished PC we would have to plan a trip just to stay there.
DJ

[doconeill]

I can't imagine them spending money to increase room levels during a recession in the economy...but then again...now is the time to make changes will low attendance and low impact...

It DOES make sense, if Disney has the cash on hand to do it. It provides jobs, costs will be lower, and it increases value capacity when they could likely need it, when families have put off vacations due to uncertainty are ready but still being frugal.

It's too late to do it afterwards.

I could see them reducing capacity at other levels during the downturn as bookings go down, although an entire resort closing seems unlikely (though not impossible).

[Stone4321]

It's so funny. One rumor says it will be closing and another that it will be expanding. Somebody is right. *wink*

[CanadianGuy]

It's so funny. One rumor says it will be closing and another that it will be expanding. Somebody is right. *wink*

Could be both.

Whatever closing would be taking place would be temporary. And what better time to run construction equipment at all hours of the morning across the lake ... than when those rooms on the "Classic Years" side are empty!

Makes a lot of sense when you think about that side of it.

[mitros]

Anybody hear anything new?

[lisadr]

It DOES make sense, if Disney has the cash on hand to do it. It provides jobs, costs will be lower, and it increases value capacity when they could likely need it, when families have put off vacations due to uncertainty are ready but still being frugal.

It's too late to do it afterwards.

I could see them reducing capacity at other levels during the downturn as bookings go down, although an entire resort closing seems unlikely (though not impossible).

This is what I was thinking too. It would be good for the local economy in Orlando. And I don't think they can go wrong with family suites:thumbsup2 . Maybe even a open aired room instead of the two adjoining room thing.

[LPNmom]

It's so funny that I found this thread today, because my sister showed me this utube video showing the pop century building that is not finished. It creeps me out a little but it's a fun watch. Hope everyone enjoys!:thumbsup2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSc1fG0ETeY

[speedyf]

It seems like if they wait long enough, they can make it "The Current Years" and just leave up the "00", "10", "20", etc...

That signage is not Y2K compliant. They can put up giant Blackberrys or IPhones and big cans of Red Bull. They can have the "cut-outs" of the kids grinding on each other instead of dancing like at the current resort. Stuff like that....

Speed :teleport:

[Kallista]

It DOES make sense, if Disney has the cash on hand to do it. It provides jobs, costs will be lower, and it increases value capacity when they could likely need it, when families have put off vacations due to uncertainty are ready but still being frugal.
.

This.

This recession won't last forever. Various economists are forecasting a recovery of retail sales in 4th quarter 2009. I expect that discretionary spending on things like vacations will probably recover at about the same time.

If Disney anticipates continued growth in demand on the value end, after this mess is behind all of us, it makes sense to put money in developing additional value capacity. If they have money to invest, making the investment now is a great idea because costs are low.

[paulh]

i am sure that during the last time there were dounturns they planed or started major projects.Some of DVC comes to mind
In a way makes sound ecconimical sence as they get built for less(companys will tender for less),and the investment is long tearm
If it is planed to be finished dont think it would afect rest of pop as there is enougth space to prevent constuction work and building trafic causeing problems,and most of the pilling would be allredy be done
Paulh

[doconeill]

One thing that comes to mind is that although Disney may proceed with capital projects during the downturn, if the recession is truly having an effect on bookings then Disney will probably announce layoffs - and there will be an uproar because Disney will be laying off staff while "spending millions" to build more hotel rooms "they don't need". Despite the fact they they WILL need the rooms and refill the staff positions when people start coming back.

Capital and payroll budgets are usually kept quite separate...

[CanadianGuy]

One thing that comes to mind is that although Disney may proceed with capital projects during the downturn, if the recession is truly having an effect on bookings then Disney will probably announce layoffs - and there will be an uproar because Disney will be laying off staff while "spending millions" to build more hotel rooms "they don't need". Despite the fact they they WILL need the rooms and refill the staff positions when people start coming back.

Capital and payroll budgets are usually kept quite separate...

Ironically.. they'll be laying off some types of workers.. while providing new jobs in construction which, once the construction is complete and the economy rebounds.. will create new jobs for the very types of works who may have been laid off the first case..

Funny how things work.

[doconeill]

Ironically.. they'll be laying off some types of workers.. while providing new jobs in construction which, once the construction is complete and the economy rebounds.. will create new jobs for the very types of works who may have been laid off the first case..

Funny how things work.

That's exactly it...the media (I'm thinking of a certain local paper...) won't see it that way.

[Sorahana]

*glares* They better finish it...LOL.

It looks weird sitting over there across the lake not done and the Generation Gap bridge goes to nowhere.

I hope they finish it, that'd be pretty awesome.

[Michael623]

It looks like the dissenters are off today:

it really isn't very "disney-like

So would you say letting River Country, the Fantasyland Skyway station (and to a lesser degree) Wonders of Life fall into disrepair Disney-like?

enjoy the icons over there
How does one do that? Is a giant, hollow, imitation cell phone covering a cement stairwell really exciting to you?

[eeyorethegreat]

It looks like the dissenters are off today:



So would you say letting River Country, the Fantasyland Skyway station (and to a lesser degree) Wonders of Life fall into disrepair Disney-like?

No, but that's the point isn't it? Things like that aren't what Walt imagined his "World" to be. So to actually finish what was started is a step in the right direction. BTW I think it is a sad thing to see R.C. rotting away and WoL sitting empty without any reuse, remodel, refurd etc in plans


How does one do that? Is a giant, hollow, imitation cell phone covering a cement stairwell really exciting to you?

Well, I suppose it depends on what experience you are looking for. The icons really are fun for lots of people while others prefer the theming of the moderates and or Deluxe, while others are gosh darn excited to stay at any of the resorts.

[redrosesix]

It looks like the dissenters are off today:



So would you say letting River Country, the Fantasyland Skyway station (and to a lesser degree) Wonders of Life fall into disrepair Disney-like?

No, but that's the point isn't it? Things like that aren't what Walt imagined his "World" to be. So to actually finish what was started is a step in the right direction. BTW I think it is a sad thing to see R.C. rotting away and WoL sitting empty without any reuse, remodel, refurd etc in plans


How does one do that? Is a giant, hollow, imitation cell phone covering a cement stairwell really exciting to you?

Well, I suppose it depends on what experience you are looking for. The icons really are fun for lots of people while others prefer the theming of the moderates and or Deluxe, while others are gosh darn excited to stay at any of the resorts.

I actually prefer the theming at Pop and the AS Resorts -- just more "Disneyish" to us, and we prefer stepping right outside ie no interior hallways, since we are leaving 3 feet of snow behind at home.

If they put a scaled down, lower cost of DVC at Pop, I'd buy in. I wouldn't buy into the existing DVC.

[Kallista]

I actually prefer the theming at Pop and the AS Resorts -- just more "Disneyish" to us, and we prefer stepping right outside ie no interior hallways, since we are leaving 3 feet of snow behind at home.



My kids would much rather stay at Pop or one of the AS resorts because of the theming. They enjoy the whimsy of the theming much more than the more sophisticated theming at one of the deluxe or moderate resorts.

Since my goal at WDW is to make the kids happy, I'm overjoyed to that and save money.

[verlee]

we just got back from Pop. My husband was chatting with a manager about how full they were. She said that they were booked because one of the other values was being converted to all suites (asmu?) and then she said that the section across the lake would not be completed as is. It has been left unattended for too long. It would need to be torn down and rebuilt from ground up. So if they are intending to finish it, it will be demolished first.

[verlee]

I actually prefer the theming at Pop and the AS Resorts -- just more "Disneyish" to us, and we prefer stepping right outside ie no interior hallways, since we are leaving 3 feet of snow behind at home.

If they put a scaled down, lower cost of DVC at Pop, I'd buy in. I wouldn't buy into the existing DVC.

I was just thinking that last week while we were there. A less expensive DVC at Pop would be great. I like the more casual, kid friendly environment. DID YOU HEAR THAT DISNEY!!! A POP DVC IS A GOOD IDEA!!!
:lmao:

[redrosesix]

I was just thinking that last week while we were there. A less expensive DVC at Pop would be great. I like the more casual, kid friendly environment. DID YOU HEAR THAT DISNEY!!! A POP DVC IS A GOOD IDEA!!!
:lmao:

Good to know I'm not alone. I would much rather have a time share at Disney than anywhere else in Florida, even a value suite type of space.

Maybe we should start a campaign. Maybe they'll listen to us. Maybe they'll use our idea?

Nah.

[Goofy22]

Good to know I'm not alone. I would much rather have a time share at Disney than anywhere else in Florida, even a value suite type of space.

Maybe we should start a campaign. Maybe they'll listen to us. Maybe they'll use our idea?

Nah.

That would be awesome if Disney would do that! I would definitely be in! :beach: