Disney's Meditteranean Resort

[YoHo]

Possibly, but there are no minerets. So I'm thinking Systine Chaple.

 

[Another Voice]

The original Master Plan called for a ‘Persian’ resort on the land north of the Contemporary and to the east of the Magic Kingdom. It was supposed to have been a ‘1001 Arabian Nights’ backdrop for Fantasyland. I don’t think it every made it much beyond the concept design phase, but in the during the construction of EPCOT Center, I stayed in the Contemporary Towers. In the room was an old wall map of the property which included the Persian (and a single monorail line from that hotel to the Magic Kingdom).

During the eight months that the Disney Decade lasted, that area was designated for the Kingdom Suites Hotel. This, as its name suggests, was to be an all suites hotel catering to people who thought the Grand Floridian was on the cheap side. There was some work done on this resort, but the idea evolved into the Vacation Club (although a clone of the resort was part of the WESTCOT plan for a while as well). Last time I saw the area, it was being used as a dump site.

The Mediterranean/MK Resort #4 was supposed to have gone on a exactly were the photograph indicates. Again, not a lot of work was done on the resort. A Venetian/Mediterranean Resort was part of the Disney Decade as well and this resort made it quite far into development. The site was moved much nearer to the TTC because of land stability problems and so that the resort could use the TTC as its monorail stop. One of Eisner favorite architects was hired to do the design work (I forget if it was Stern or Gehry) and the architecture was, er, unique. Let’s just say that it tried to evoke the feeling of the Mediterranean area rather than trying to be anything recognizable. One interesting aspect – the centerpiece of the resort was to have been a giant AquaSphere, a concept that has showed up both in the Port Disney plans and in reality at DisneySeas. Some of the initial land prep work was started and quickly stopped. The construction expenses started to skyrocket and Disney lost interest in the high, high market after the troubles with the Grand Floridian and after Hyatt’s Grand Cypress proved to be such stiff competition.

This project seems to reappear every now and then. In the current conditions, I think Disney just isn’t interested in going after the high end market. Especially when they can charge high-end price for moderate-end hotels.

 

[Barb]

I can't tell you how much I enjoy reading all your information (past and present), seeing all the great pictures and learning all the wonderful ins and outs of Disney. I don't post much (I don't know anything), but I lurk here all the time. I found the DIS because of the Rumors Board. I have an incredible desire to know all things Disney. It's an obsession, of sorts. So, I sincerely thank you for some great information and some great reading!
*That picture from the preview guide was awesome! If only it were true! And, I, too, look at that "spot" between the Contemporary and TTC every visit, just to see if I notice any activity! The only thing I've ever seen there was deer.

 

[All Aboard]

Wow! I am overcome by the amour flowing from DVC! I had to (at least temporarily) modify my signature to mark this historic moment. Well, since the thread got locked, I'll take this opportunity to also show my appreciation for DVC's presence. Although I disagree with him almost all of the time, he has a passion (somewhat misguided as it may be, it's still a passion - Terrance Mann in 'Field of Dreams') and I respect that.

 

[YoHo]

AV, I'm trying to visualize this, MK is at the southern most edge of the property and faces north right? So to be north and East of Contemporary, you would be in that big vacant area that everyone says is filled with Sink holes. Eithe rthat or TTC.

Polynesian is North and East of Contemp right? Grand FLoridian is East of the Park.

I thought the big Dump was behind MK? where the monorails and old 20K subs are.

Someone please orient me. I'm confused and I can't find a site map.

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

YoHo,

You are 180 degrees wrong. Turn the map in your mind COMPLETELY around. There you go!!

The MK is on the north end of the property.

Just trying to help!!

 

[YoHo]

Thanks, I got it in my head that MK was south for some reason.


At any rate, here's a link to an overview map from the DIS
http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/maps/WDW_OVERVIEW_INTL.jpg

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

YoHo, How about fixing that link so I can actually go there!

Thanks

 

[YoHo]

Oh, FIne, I'll fix it for those that are cut and Paste Challenged

link

I'd post the actual pic, but its really big, and not everyone is on a T1 or cable modem

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

Thank you. Very nice.

 

[Janet2k]

I'm glad this rumor came back, especially since the old Dis threads are long gone now. Nice to see that everyone chimed in with all the good info regarding this long-standing rumor. However, if Disney builds this new resort, I will come...

 

[toefungus]

Great pic. It's really up to date, it even has Animal Kingdom lodge.

 

[Luv2Dream]

Gosh, it's so timely that this post shows up now. I just came back this past Saturday from a 10 night trip to VWL and I was speaking at great length to a DVC kiosk cast member and we were discussing new possible DVC resorts. This CM mentioned that there may be 3 more DVC resorts on property but the CM also mentioned that one of the DVC resorts will depend upon the "Mediterranean resort" being built. Supposedly it is to be situated in an area next to the Contemporary which as a sink hole. However, this sink hole has not been active for 4-5 years per this CM so it is "in consideration". For those of you who may not know, this resort would be Concierge only. The CM said you can't even get into this resort to eat at a restaurant unless you stay there. Extremely exclusive, all the amenities. Just thought I'd pipe in since I just heard about all of this last week.

 

[nickglover]

Thanks, everyone. This was a great thread, and especially the links to the other articles. I read them all, as I am fascinated by the history of Florida tourist attractions.

Gcurlin: About how much is a 1971 preview pamphlet worth?

Do you have other early WDW collectibles?

Really enjoyed this topic!

 

[Disney Doll]

I'm no engineer, or architect or anything, but it would seem to me that the place to build a hotel would be "between" the GF and the MK....there's an awful lot of unused, wooded space over there. However, it may be too swampy or whatever, which is why it's never been done. It would seem to me that putting it over there would best make use of the monorail, since it already runs over that way!