EPCOT DVC Rumors

[Longhairbear]

Another website is having fits over the rehab of Test Track. They have pulled DVC into the argument saying there are plans to put a DVC, or DVCs into EPCOT. I had never heard this rumor before. Anyone else?
From what I read it seems that some think DVC will end up all around World Showcase on unused pads between countries.
Also mentioned Poly, FW, RC, and Buena Vista St DVCs as locations, with one planned, yet unnamed, called project 2010-2012. Isn't that the already announced GF DVC?
Be forewarned, there is a lot of anti DVC sentiment on that thread.

 

[recmouse]

Another website is having fits over the rehab of Test Track. They have pulled DVC into the argument saying there are plans to put a DVC, or DVCs into EPCOT. I had never heard this rumor before. Anyone else?
From what I read it seems that some think DVC will end up all around World Showcase on unused pads between countries.
Also mentioned Poly, FW, RC, and Buena Vista St DVCs as locations, with one planned, yet unnamed, called project 2010-2012. Isn't that the already announced GF DVC?
Be forewarned, there is a lot of anti DVC sentiment on that thread.

A resort within a theme park? Seems pretty unlikely... you'd need a park ticket to get into your hotel. I don't know about that one.

As far as rehabs - it doesn't thrill me when I go to a park and a ride is closed for a refurb but that's just me being selfish... I know it will be there the next time I go and it will hopefully be better and cleaner.

 

[Chuck S]

I doubt you'll ever see DVC in a theme park. What if the parks were sold off, or DVC were sold off? Either is within the realm of possibility, as the parks were rumored to be going up for sale and "licensed" after Walt died, before Eisner was brought in to run the company.

 

[wcw57]

what i don't get is....why no do refurbs during off-peak times? like NOW through Memorial Day???????

 

[Chuck S]

what i don't get is....why no do refurbs during off-peak times? like NOW through Memorial Day???????

There is almost always some type of building or refurbishment going on at WDW. You surely don't want to have most of the park down at any one time, it makes far more sense to have one or two attractions down all the time, on a rotation, rather than 15-20 attractions down for 1 or 2 months, when you still have to keep the park open and attendance numbers up as much as possible.

 

[ssawka]

A resort within a theme park? Seems pretty unlikely... you'd need a park ticket to get into your hotel. I don't know about that one.

As far as rehabs - it doesn't thrill me when I go to a park and a ride is closed for a refurb but that's just me being selfish... I know it will be there the next time I go and it will hopefully be better and cleaner.

I doubt you'll ever see DVC in a theme park. What if the parks were sold off, or DVC were sold off? Either is within the realm of possibility, as the parks were rumored to be going up for sale and "licensed" after Walt died, before Eisner was brought in to run the company.

Although I agree that they are not likely to build a DVC in the middle of a theme park, they could build it on the edge of the park and offer a separate non-park entrance (like the Grand Californian).

 

[WilsonFlyer]

The shear cost of hiding the backstage aspects of WS at Epcot in order to offer a Disney approved guest experience and accomodations along WS is, in and of itself, enough to stop this train dead in its tracks. I love the idea but it's [/i]never going to happen IMO, unfortunately.

I even touted this idea on a recent thread right here on the DIS but even then, I knew I was literally wishing on a star.

Where do people get this stuff? Ahh, the insanity.

I'd love to see the link just to read how proposterous it has become but I can't find the site. Could someone PM me a link?

Thanks!

 

[ssawka]

The shear cost of hiding the backstage aspects of WS at Epcot in order to offer a Disney approved guest experience and accomodations along WS is, in and of itself, enough to stop this train dead in its tracks. I love the idea but it's [/i]never going to happen IMO, unfortunately.

I even touted this idea on a recent thread right here on the DIS but even then, I knew I was literally wishing on a star.

Where do people get this stuff? Ahh, the insanity.

I'd love to see the link just to read how proposterous it has become but I can't find the site. Could someone PM me a link?

Thanks!

I'm not so sure Disney is as concerned about "a Disney approved guest experience" as they once were. Don't get me wrong, I still love WDW otherwise I wouldn't own DVC, but Disney as a company seems much more motivated by profit than they ever were before. If such a project had a high enough ROI, I think they would do it.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm not so sure Disney is as concerned about "a Disney approved guest experience" as they once were. Don't get me wrong, I still love WDW otherwise I wouldn't own DVC, but Disney as a company seems much more motivated by profit than they ever were before. If such a project had a high enough ROI, I think they would do it.

I have to agree with you on Disney no longer being as concerned about "A Disney experience". It used to be they went above and beyond to "hide" the utilitarian parts of the park, even going so far as to place fake "stones" high on utilitarian buildings if a corner could be seen from inside the park. They no longer seem to care about such stuff, because I see the backs of backstage areas all the time anymore.

 

[Brian Noble]

I've read that thread. My take is that it is nothing more than idle speculation and/or rumor-mongering.

 

[LauraLea]

I have to agree with you on Disney no longer being as concerned about "A Disney experience". It used to be they went above and beyond to "hide" the utilitarian parts of the park, even going so far as to place fake "stones" high on utilitarian buildings if a corner could be seen from inside the park. They no longer seem to care about such stuff, because I see the backs of backstage areas all the time anymore.

At the annual meeting I had to hold back the chuckles. I cannot tell you the the number of times we heard "....provide the Disney experience in the most cost effective manner..."

Cost effective is much more important than the Disney experience.

Laura

 

[BirdsOfPreyDave]

I don't see this happening. We've been on several back-stage tours at the World Showcase, and the areas behind the countries aren't just "less than a Disney experience," they're downright industrial.

And even for the park side views, I don't know that they'd want people out on their balconies watching the park after hours when they're performing maintenance, cleaning, and all the other things that happen "before the curtain goes up."

 

[amypetecar]

I've often wondered why there wasn't a hotel with an "illuminations" view. I have no idea if there is truth to a rumor to build, but it isn't all that bad of an idea. They can hide alot back stage with a few trees along the edge of a new resort.

 

[kikiq]

And even for the park side views, I don't know that they'd want people out on their balconies watching the park after hours when they're performing maintenance, cleaning, and all the other things that happen "before the curtain goes up."

But this happens already at the VGC villas overlooking the Paradise Pier area.
We've had this view several times and usually the maintenance happens after midnight. We just returned from the villas today. Last night my DH stayed up to watch them raise the WOC platforms to do maintenance. And one of our favorite times is right before Disney California Adventure opens, eating breakfast on our balcony and watching all the attractions running their morning runs. Even watched Goofy come back into the backstage area before we checked out, he looked up at us and other guests on their balconies. It really doesn't take away the "magic". I think the CMs are aware that that particular part of the park is "out in the open" to VGC and PPH guests.

 

[Dean]

I'm sure they would if they could. VGC and ?DLP both have such a situation already I believe. Preserving park security wouldn't be difficult if planned from the start. Given their WDW expansion, I'm surprised they haven't done it already at MK and EPCOT. AKL/AKV was a shot in that direction with a park like experience from the animals. That they haven't suggests that they likely don't have a good location to do so or they would have done it already.

 

[JudyS]

Another website is having fits over the rehab of Test Track. They have pulled DVC into the argument saying there are plans to put a DVC, or DVCs into EPCOT. ...
Be forewarned, there is a lot of anti DVC sentiment on that thread.

What sort of anti-DVC sentiment? Do they just think DVC is too expensive, or do they feel DVC members are getting too many perks, or what?

 

[JWG]

What sort of anti-DVC sentiment? Do they just think DVC is too expensive, or do they feel DVC members are getting too many perks, or what?

I haven't ready the specific of what the OP is talking about, but if I had to guess, it usually is something along the lines of:
- DVC cheapens the Disney experience for all (not sure how)
- DVC has taken away from the resorts since all they build is DVC and no resorts

And my personal favorite:
- Disney is too busy spending money on DVC to invest in the parks and do proper upkeep and/or build new attractions

Somehow, not matter how many times you say it, people just don't get that Disney Parks, Disney Resorts and DVD are all separate budget items having nothing to do with one another.

 

[Longhairbear]

I haven't ready the specific of what the OP is talking about, but if I had to guess, it usually is something along the lines of:
- DVC cheapens the Disney experience for all (not sure how)
- DVC has taken away from the resorts since all they build is DVC and no resorts

And my personal favorite:
- Disney is too busy spending money on DVC to invest in the parks and do proper upkeep and/or build new attractions

Somehow, not matter how many times you say it, people just don't get that Disney Parks, Disney Resorts and DVD are all separate budget items having nothing to do with one another.

You are correct on all points. That is what is being said about DVC, and we members.

 

[Chuck S]

Funny, though, that many of the DVC haters LOVE *free dining* and 40% resort specials...that doesn't cheapen the Disney experience at all, but DVC does.

Logic is not their strong point.

 

[nytimez]

I've heard the Epcot DVC rumor before, and frankly, I don't find it to be too far-fetched. Also, the MiraCosta is inside of -- and many of the rooms look out into -- Tokyo's DisneySea, and both the hotel and park are fantastic. Nothing cheap about either experience.