CR North Wing Demolition Begins!

[mitros]

Well, I guess this puts to rest rumors as to whether it was coming down or not, which I {among others,} have been saying for a while now

 

[asianway]

Ive been saying the thing was coming down for 4 months now, yet people kept clinging to "their sources" that this was a rehab. I still cant see how anyone could think that given all the clues that were in plain view. Of course Disney doesnt want to slow SSR and AKV sales, why would they confirm anything.

 

[mitros]

Ive been saying the thing was coming down for 4 months now, yet people kept clinging to "their sources" that this was a rehab. I still cant see how anyone could think that given all the clues that were in plain view. Of course Disney doesnt want to slow SSR and AKV sales, why would they confirm anything.

Exactly

 

[Keyser]

The wings are (were...) as much a part of the resort as the tower; The contemporary theme didn't end at the corners of the main building. Loss of the north wing potentially undermines the theme (story) of the entire resort,

How so? I really must be missing something. If those wings had never been built in the first place, do you really think it would have diminished the hotel?
How do those wings add to the story? Shoot - what is the story here (I get the theme, but I am missing the story)? I don't think anyone (OK, there are probably a few individuals) even thinks of the garden wings when they think of the Contemporary. It's not even like they tried to expand on the contemporary theme, by presenting a different (yet still contemporary) architecture or something.

The garden wings still appear to me to be a cheap add-on created to do little more than increase the capacity of the hotel. It feels like the designers put a minimal amount of theming in (i.e. match a basic architectural motif, and use similar decorations) to match the "real" hotel and then tried to convince people it's just as good.

Again - I'm not going to argue about whether the new building improves the theme or not. The addition might ruin the theming. But, I don't think losing one or both of the garden wings will diminish the theming. Your analogy to Cinderella's castle or the Epcot ball is way overblown - a more apt comparison would be if they were going to, say, demolish and build a new queue entrance at the base of the Epcot ball.

 

[Another Voice]

It feels like the designers put a minimal amount of theming in (i.e. match a basic architectural motif, and use similar decorations) to match the "real" hotel and then tried to convince people it's just as good.

Opinions without facts are so much easy to hold to, aren't they.

The Garden Wings were part of the original design of the hotel from the very beginning. The original concept for all of the resorts was that each was going to be a true resort – there would be many different levels of accommodations in the hotel, but all sharing the same amenities. It was a continuation of Disney’s philosophy that everyone was a guest. People who choose to spend the money could spend their time in the Tower rooms. Those looking for something a little less could choose the Garden Wings. The original plans also called for a third set of “wings” for even more modest rooms; they would have been built where the too-trendy-for-taste convention center is now.

But this is Magic Disney. You don’t want the poor stinking up your deluxe hotel, so the lesser people (e.g., those that don’t spend the correct amount of money) get warehoused in insultingly designed tenements out back. The Garden Wings have to be destroyed so that the Right Kind of People can enjoy all full benefits they are entitled to.

 

[daannzzz]

I don't consider the new DVC Contemporary resort building (as depicted in the art work) as ugly. It appears to be a nice enough piece of architecture that would work well amongst the hotels in Hawaii, Miami Beach or other such locations. I do not think it fits well where we think they are putting it.Yes, the new tower is also contemporary but I don't think it works well with the "old" Contemporary. It seems like there are a lot of people in the Walt Disney Company who just don't have a grasp of how everything works together. I don't care for the North and South Wings so their demolition is not an issue. It is what they do after that that matters.

 

[Debbie Jean]

Whats wrong with POP century?

I, for one, love it! It's completely unpretenious and enormously fun and funky!

But I think it says something about the design of the Contemporary wings if the other accomodation style at Disney you think of in comparison is a Value resort

 

[perdidochas]

I don't think there's anything wrong with a 16-story building being visibile from the Magic Kingdom. The original CR is visible and it's always been an exciting part of the landscape.

IIRC, it can only be seen from Tommorrowland anyway...

As far as a clash of themes, I'm wondering if the new tower will necessitate a makeover of the existing structure. This would take care of the 'clashing theme' concern and also provide a long overdue refresh of the CR which, while still interesting-looking, is not quite the "contemporary" structure it may have appeared to be in 1971.

Yep.

 

[G8RFAN]

I would really like to understand what is the underlying issue here. I have seen the wings go for rates that closely mirrored moderates. In fact, I have paid more for a "preferred" value room than a wing room albeit different seasons whereas a long house at Poly is in essense the same prefab steel boxs that do command full deluxe rates. As a business sense, I can not think of a reason to keep the wings. So all this vitriolic sentiment is confusing and I hope I can get some clarity.

If it is none of these, and I have absolutely missed the boat, please enlighten me:

1. You truly found the north wing charming and so much part of the original Disney experience
2. They are taking away a more affordable "deluxe option" away from inventory
3. DVC is evil and the bane of what was good at WDW
4. Instead of funding resort development, they should be funding more attractions
5. WDW is getting too big and over crowded
6. The tower should be the only "tall" structure with a castle view. They should replace the North Wing with something low with similar footprint and make it cheaper than tower rooms.
7. I hate corporate Disney and will disagree with any decision they make and say that it is wrong.
8. I speak to Walt every night and boy is he ever mad!
9. I WAS an imagineer and the corporate yesmen retards they have now are mucking it up.
10. I like to just stir it up.

As far as the shots at Pop, I've never stayed there but photos remind me of All Stars. At first I thought I wouldn't like All Stars, but it is great for what it is and completely within my expectations. There is a clear value point for each resort level. I can't see any of the recent additions (CSR, AKL, and POP) being anything but fine examples of their category.

 

[Another Voice]

To answer:

1. Yes, I could sit in my wing room and look out over the marina and Bay Lake. It was “charming”, quiet and highly enjoyable. A far better view than sitting in my more expensive view at the Yacht Club with my three foot “balcony” slung over the parking lot.

2. Again – When I traveled with a group that included several small children it was an excellent, economical way of staying a monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom. I could have spent more money for a “moderate” and enjoyed the magic of spewing busses and fewer services (like no room service).

3. DVC is a shortsighted project, one of many “get rich quick” schemes that have generally harmed the company.

4. I’d actually be happy if they just maintained what they had now. Or even open up some of the closed building polluting the parks these days. Does 'Wonders of Life' really cost that much to operate when I pay $350 per night for a room that in the real world would go for $89?

5. WDW already has a glut of hotel rooms – hence all the discounts, promotions and free food.

6. Or how about something truly innovative. The planned DVC wing is the same bland, hack architecture in any Big City. I expect more imagination from Disney a Miami senior citizen condo tower.

7. I’ll be the first to support them when they do something right. But this is business and it lives in a harsh world. My wish is for Disney to prosper, to grow, and to continue to produce shows of the quality they are capable of. If this steps on the self esteem issues of “fans”, there are plenty of boards on the DIS where you won’t be bothered by less than perfectly positive opinions.

8. No, but those of us who worked long and hard to keep Real Disney going are pretty pissed at the hack job the place has become.

9. Just a suit trying to make amends.

10. Disney doesn’t have anyone on the inside anymore pushing the company forward. The only ones who are going to hold Disney up to Disney standards are us – the guests, cast members, and fans of the company.

 

[G8RFAN]

AV, thanks. I can understand your points. When I am not staying on points, my pattern of booking a room is such: If I can't get a AP or FL discount on a deluxe, then I see if there is anything at WL or CR that is reasonable. I then see if there are FL or AP discounts for Mod and then Value, etc. I honestly do have a hard time paying full rack rate for the Deluxe resorts, and have decided to book at JW Marriott or other nice area resorts and drive back to the parks rather than spending $400-500 a night. By reducing the garden wing room availability, the affordable options become less and then supply and demand will raise the price point for those less desired WL and CR rooms that are left. It makes sense businesswise. Your take on DVC is the only thing I do not see eye to eye with but the camps are clearly divided on that one and there's no changing of anyones minds dead set for or against. Since I do have a new option to stay on points, I look at this change as positive. The CR is so large, that no one can get a "balance" perspective of the whole resort at any realistic vantage point. There is a posibility that the new structure will house both villas and "inn" rooms as there are clearly distinct sections of the new structure. These rooms could command the same rates as a renovated tower room. Until they can market tower room rates as higher, you should always have a more economical choice over the Poly or GF. They can always demo of the south wing for a similar structure to "balance" things out for those who need feng shui if there are enough rooms to accomodate the convention hall business.

The one thing I have to say about the specials and free dining is that I have many times been told by CRO that the resorts are fully booked with no availability. Other times, the parks are completely empty. The seasonal aspect of this business is expected, but on a micro level with long weekends or Jersey Days or Pop Warner, you need to staff up with incredible fluctuations from week to week. It is pretty hard to hire full time staff or to keep good part time employees with cycles like that. I can see the specials and promotions needed to keep the business cycles somewhat level on an operational standpoint. I still do not think they are over inventoried with rooms during peak season, but they are definitely past the point during slow times. Of course, do you let more Gaylord Palms or Marriotts get built to feed off your undercapacity during the peak season?

 

[Another Voice]

My chief objection to the new development at the Contemporary is that – once again – Disney isn’t innovating. For a company that virtually claims a copyright on the words “imagination” and “magic”, what they’re actually doing isn’t anywhere close to their claims.

The Contemporary Resort was a true marvel when it was designed almost half a century ago. The real world has caught up and the “futuristic” resort seems commonplace (which, when you think about it, is the greatest compliment you could give the original architects – we really were staying in the future in 1975!). If they are going to be spending all of this money, perhaps it’s time to go back and rededicate themselves to the original concept of the hotel.

Partner up once again and build a showplace. Work with General Electric on all sorts of new “green” technologies. Work with Exxon to showcase energy management and new technologies (they’ve got the money and the really, really need the good PR). Work with Apple to wire the entire resort with stunning gizmos and cool toys. Make the resort news worthy, make it a place people want to stay it. You could have ten times the hotel and press and not have to pay for a dime of it. The most effective way of increasing prices is by making the resort popular – not by forcing people to the Wilderness Lodge.

But instead of excitement and the future – all Disney can manage is a mid-rise co-op. The same bland building that lines highways in every city in the country. Nothing interesting, nothing innovactive. It’s a slab of cement stuck in the ground. All it strives to achieve is “just good enough”.

You can’t hope to keep 14 million people a year coming to see “just good enough” year in and year out. People will send all sorts of money to see the truly unique, the truly interesting and the truly amazing.

If Disney could once again offer that – there would be no need for discounts and free food.

 

[mitros]

My chief objection to the new development at the Contemporary is that – once again – Disney isn’t innovating. For a company that virtually claims a copyright on the words “imagination” and “magic”, what they’re actually doing isn’t anywhere close to their claims.

The Contemporary Resort was a true marvel when it was designed almost half a century ago. The real world has caught up and the “futuristic” resort seems commonplace (which, when you think about it, is the greatest compliment you could give the original architects – we really were staying in the future in 1975!). If they are going to be spending all of this money, perhaps it’s time to go back and rededicate themselves to the original concept of the hotel.

Partner up once again and build a showplace. Work with General Electric on all sorts of new “green” technologies. Work with Exxon to showcase energy management and new technologies (they’ve got the money and the really, really need the good PR). Work with Apple to wire the entire resort with stunning gizmos and cool toys. Make the resort news worthy, make it a place people want to stay it. You could have ten times the hotel and press and not have to pay for a dime of it. The most effective way of increasing prices is by making the resort popular – not by forcing people to the Wilderness Lodge.

But instead of excitement and the future – all Disney can manage is a mid-rise co-op. The same bland building that lines highways in every city in the country. Nothing interesting, nothing innovactive. It’s a slab of cement stuck in the ground. All it strives to achieve is “just good enough”.

You can’t hope to keep 14 million people a year coming to see “just good enough” year in and year out. People will send all sorts of money to see the truly unique, the truly interesting and the truly amazing.

If Disney could once again offer that – there would be no need for discounts and free food.

AV, you once again have taken the words right out of my mouth. "just good enough" says it all about how Disney operates in this day and age.
Thanks for your input!

 

[Werner Weiss]

Work with General Electric on all sorts of new “green” technologies. Work with Exxon to showcase energy management and new technologies (they’ve got the money and the really, really need the good PR). Work with Apple to wire the entire resort with stunning gizmos and cool toys.

I'm sure you mean...

Work with Siemens on all sorts of new “green” technologies.
Work with Hess to showcase energy management and new technologies.
Work with HP to wire the entire resort with stunning gizmos and cool toys.

Gotta keep those corporate sponsor relationships going!

But seriously, your points are good. Let's hope the as-yet-announced Contemporary Villas will have some surprises along those lines.

 

[minnie61650]

My chief objection to the new development at the Contemporary is that – once again – Disney isn’t innovating. For a company that virtually claims a copyright on the words “imagination” and “magic”, what they’re actually doing isn’t anywhere close to their claims..........


If Disney could once again offer that – there would be no need for discounts and free food.

I understand where you are coming from.
When WDW opened in 1971 the news media and most of the public was truly wowed.

The sleek futuristic monorail going through the middle of a hotel had that WOW effect.

When WDW was first built the monorails, the CR, the MK with all its attractions, the campgrounds, the golf courses,the grounds and other hotels (Poly and Disney Inn) were all financed in one huge package.

Roy Disney was the financial genius who made this all happen.

The financial world today sadly is not the same as it was in the 1960's and 70's.

WDW has become a business instead of a Walt Disney vision and I for one feel that trend started when Disney built Epcot instead of E.P.C.O.T.

Experimental Community (and Community was a carefully chosen word) of Tomorrow was a vision that I feel really could have changed the world.

JMHO

 

[All Aboard]

The parking lot view rooms at North Wing were absolutely dreadful. Chef Mickey's breakfasters and diners constantly circling the lot looking for a spot. However, the Bay view rooms were an absolute dream. That was one of the most peaceful spots at WDW. I spent many an hour over the years sitting on a first floor patio listening to the birds and the WDW railroad whistle.

My very first WDW stay in the summer of 1977 was in a North Wing room. No doubt, I'll miss that building.

 

[mitros]

In all our many visits to WDW since 1988, we have stayed at every resort except the GF and the CR. I guess we better make plans before they take down the other wing, or the A-frame itself!

 

[DancingBear]

The parking lot view rooms at North Wing were absolutely dreadful. Chef Mickey's breakfasters and diners constantly circling the lot looking for a spot. However, the Bay view rooms were an absolute dream. That was one of the most peaceful spots at WDW. I spent many an hour over the years sitting on a first floor patio listening to the birds and the WDW railroad whistle.

My very first WDW stay in the summer of 1977 was in a North Wing room. No doubt, I'll miss that building.

Yeah, but it was unfortunate that if you were on the 2nd or 3rd floors you had no place to sit outside.

 

[sotoalf]

The parking lot view rooms at North Wing were absolutely dreadful. Chef Mickey's breakfasters and diners constantly circling the lot looking for a spot. However, the Bay view rooms were an absolute dream. That was one of the most peaceful spots at WDW. I spent many an hour over the years sitting on a first floor patio listening to the birds and the WDW railroad whistle.

My very first WDW stay in the summer of 1977 was in a North Wing room. No doubt, I'll miss that building.

Yup! On our 2004 trip we were lucky to get a North Wing Bay Lake view. Our only company were the loons. So peaceful. Even the Unofficial Guide calls these views the best dollar-for-dollar at any Disney resort.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Recent pics of the north wing demolition posted on one of the DVC boards by donmil723