A Pop Century Rant

[Swamp_Fox]

Ever since the first images of this yet unopened Disney Resort Hotel people have been slamming it into the ground. There were comments about how gaudy and hideous it is and how it would not fit into the Disney scheme. Disney World in Florida and other Disney's around the globe are based on the business of fantasy and imagination. I vacation at Disney to escape the reality of everyday life. For a week or two every year (sometimes twice a year) I choose to hop on a steam engine on Main Street and go to Fantasyland to go to a Castle to see a princess. To an outsider it may seem I've lost my marbles, but to most of you out there you know the feeling deep in your hearts.

I see no facts to base the claims that the New Pop Century is gaudy or hideous. It may not be the most Disney themed resort on-site but it is on the silly side of things, a bit campy, possibly a bit FUN.

Main St. was throwback to Walts Boyhood, a Big Wheel's, tinkertoys, rubiks cube and videogames were a part of my Boyhood. So before you slam the Un-Opened resort expand your mind and think it through.

Disney is in the business of fantasy, think of the New PopCentury as an Fantasy for older generations.

Thanks for listining,

Larry

 

[eclipseSD]

This isn't gaudy?

 

[eclipseSD]

Nor is this?

 

[Swamp_Fox]

I had a feeling someone would post pics. I'm disappointed that the "take a look at this" point of view would be taken. Unfortunately this post is going to bring out the nit-pickers and detractors of Disney. Lets discuss the points not pictures.

Larry

 

[yecats]

Personal opinion, I think its gaudy (over the top) but it fits perfectly in with the theming. My belief is if you don't like it then don't stay there. I also think the AS are guady and the only reason I don't stay there (as you know cheapest on site) is because there are so many families. When I go to Disney, we are two adults and go more for the adult theming places. Although I think Pop Century, although gaudy, is cute and is a throw back to remind us what we grew up with. Trust me next time I'm there and if its open I will visit just to see the theming.

 

[DMRick]

I can't wait til it opens. I was right in the the thick of the Flower power years, with our orange flowered bell bottoms. Just looking at the old pictures, shouts "gaudy". I love it..can't wait til it opens....and all the memories surround me! LOL.

Main Entry: [1]gau·dy
Pronunciation: 'go-dE, 'gä-
Function: adjective
Inflected Form(s): gaud·i·er; -est
Date: 1582
1 : ostentatiously or tastelessly ornamented
2 : marked by dazzling brilliance, showiness, or extravagance

 

[Nolcrest]

I'm with you Swamp_Fox, it's no worse than the AS resorts. It actually should be nicer with the lake.

 

[eeyore0062]

Although it may not be exactly my cup of tea, I don't have to choose to stay there. I am sure it will appeal to many, as do the AS resorts, the WL, CSR and any of the other resorts. The lake will give it a bit more of a draw, too.

That is the wonderful thing about Disney... something for everyone!

 

[TreeOfLife]

Lets discuss the points not pictures.

I really get a chuckle out of these boards so many times, especially the debate board!

But really, how can you discuss the point and not the pictures if what you're talking about is represented by the pictures? I mean, unless you want to debate why people find it hideous looking right there, but...

You like the new Disney motel.. OK! Stay in it! It is *your* buck! Heck, if many guests will stay offsite in more horrid looking places, some might as well stay at the PC and still have access to ee mornings, e tickets, AP discounts and whatcha macallits...

The fact of the matter is, I think Disney's imagineers make their decisions after smoking some wacky pipe or dancing around flames during a full moon, or working on comissions... Seems like their sense of taste has eroded in the last few years. I mean, recall the birthday cake castle, the Leave a Legacy walls blocking the beautiful view to Epcot's entrance, this design!

What happened to all the characters they left out of the ASMo? They could have made another affordable resort looking as attractive and directly themed into Disney!

But that is just me.. Hey, some liked the castle, some like the legacy walls, some like PC, some even like the new Disney visa... To each his own.

 

[WilmaBud]

I don't think Pop Century looks any gaudier than the All Stars. I think it looks bright and fun. It reminds me of my youth, too. I've never understood the big uproar over them.

 

[Mamu]

One persons gaudiness is another persons fun.

On a recent drive by I did find them kind of gaudy, but isn't that what it's suppose to be. After all you have to admit the 50's, 60's and 70's were a little gaudy.

I think Mom's kitchen is gaudy, yet we all love this restaurant. We always remember and laugh at some of the corny knickknacks, and remember seeing them in our parents and grandparents home.

I find this resort to be a mirror image of life in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Who doesn't like to look back and laugh a little.

 

[dennisnlisab96]

I don't think it is any worse that the AS... I can't wait to stay there if it ever opens.

 

[Pinnie]

Hey, the way I see it, one person's Pop Century is another person's Wilderness Lodge. I, for one, am NOT a fan of the WL only because I can get that theme up here in the north any day!

Would I stay at PC? I generally fly in late at night and arrive near midnight and stay at a Value before checking into my DVC resort. If PC was available, then yes, I would. I don't care what the outside looks like when I am looking at the inside of my eyelids

Now, if the Imagineers were thinking, they would be building a PRINCESS Resort! I could see a Castle theme with a different Princess for each building. Oh the possiblities!

pin
remember the magic
DVC/BCVs 2002

 

[KayleeUK]

I think Pop Century looks fun !! Now I vote for that Princess Resort

Kaylee

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Okay... I have two points I'd like to make...

The first point... there is a *BIG* difference between "Concept Art" (and enhanced media pictures) which is what most people have seen... and the "Real Thing". Don't judge the place until you've been INSIDE the resort. I can tell you, it acutally looks nice from the inside. (Yes, better than a preliminary glimpse from the highway). It's a very different resort than what people are thinking it to be. Just step inside the lobby, and with all the pictures from the past displayed on the wall, you'll know what I mean.

My second point... people are complaining that some of the buildings are tacky. Granted, I'm only 24, so I can't say from experience what the 60's and 70's were like. However, based on what I've learned through history, and the media... Weren't the 60's and 70's tacky themselves? Wasn't that how it really was? If you could time travel, and bring someone here from the 60's or 70's... what would they say?

Yeah... it's tacky now, but back then, it was "Far Out!" This resort is not made to represent what looks good today.today, but rather, to represent the pop icons of the past century.

 

[TreeOfLife]

Good point, Tyler...
But I still think the imagineers are up in smoke too often

 

[chell]

Each resort appeals to different people. I can't wait for Pop Century to open so I can see it all. I'll wait until then to make up my mind for certain. It looks like it can bring back a lot of childhood memories.

 

[Luv2Roam]

DH wants to stay there because it's new. (Well kinda. It will be old before it opens. )
I want to stay part of my vacation, partly out of curiousity.
If it ever opens - I'm game!
If the pricing goes along with AS (and it should) the price can't hardly be beat.
I just hope they don't increase the price of AS once PC is open.

 

[A1A1]

While I don't think this resort was a horrible idea, I do think it was an unnecessary idea. Disney has forgotten that *it alone* is the ultimate celebration of Popular culture.

Also, when guests visit WDW, they want to be taken to a fantasy. Pop Century resort is a reminder of the realities of our lives, albiet the warped reality of popular culture.

Who is the target market for this resort? The people it would attract are going to eventually die off. Then, what would the attraction be.

I don't think I would stay here, but I also wouldn't stay at the All Stars. No offense. I like to be closer to the action, but with a lot less noise. I spend a lot of time at the resort, and consider that the main focus of my vacation, not the parks. All that giant stuff would not be relaxing for me, I don't think.

 

[Certifiable WDW Nut]

The other thing to remember is that contrary to some people's opinion, Disney is not stupid. An organization does not spend the millions of dollars necessary to build and launch a resort like this without doing a ton of consumer research. I'm sure they tested both the concept and the execution extensively before they decided to go ahead. There may be individuals that don't like it and think it's gaudy, but the research must show that enough people like the concept and execution to meet the financial objectives of the project.

Now, what was probably not figured into the financial modeling was the travel industry collapse and economic challeges that 9/11 and the ongoing war on terrorism have brought about. I truly believe this is what has delayed the opening of Pop Century, not 2nd guessing about the theme and execution.