How old are the hotels/resorts at WDW??

[Albertan mom]

Does anybody know when the resorts opened at WDW?

My DH says that when they stayed there in 1991 they had to stay off-site because there wasn't any Disney hotels yet? And if there was, they werent 'themed' and that close to the action. I thought the hotels were always there, and that is why Walt decided to build WDW, so he could have hotels, theme parks etc.. all in one spot....

Anyone know? Or know where I could find this out? Would be interesting to know which resorts are the oldest to newest also.
thanks!

 

[Tara]

Disney's oldest resorts are the Contemporary Resort, the Polynesian and Ft. Wilderness Campground -- they've all been open since the very beginning back in 1971.

 

[princess pooh]

My first trip was in the late 70's. The Contemporary and Polynesian resorts we already open back then.

 

[Laurajean1014]

Check the WDW Fact THread. I believe Grand Floridian opened in 88. Wilderness Lodge opened in 90. Boardwalk in 97 and Y/BC in 94.

They all look so new.

 

[lmnholds]

We went when I was really little I think it was 1977. Shades of green had another name and it was one of the originals. We stayed there but I was only 3 or 4 and I can't remember what it was called back then. my mom would know but she's away. Anyone know this??

 

[Tara]

We went when I was really little I think it was 1977. Shades of green had another name and it was one of the originals. We stayed there but I was only 3 or 4 and I can't remember what it was called back then. my mom would know but she's away. Anyone know this??

I believe it was called The Disney Inn back then.

For the OP -- as early as 1985, Disney had villa-style accommodations as well -- Club Lake Villas, Fairway Villas and Treehouse Villas.

 

[Sammie]

Sorry to say the DH is very wrong, here is a list.

Resort Openings
1971: Disney's Contemporary Resort; Disney's Polynesian Resort; Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
1972: Disney's Village Resort (treehouse & Vacation Villas); Royal Plaza; Grosvenor (Dutch Inn); traveLodge; Courtyard by Marriott (Howard Johnson)
1973: Shades of Green (Disney Inn 1986-1993, Golf Resort 1973-1986)
1974: Discovery Island; Pioneer Hall
1975: Disney Village Marketplace; Fairway Villas
1977: Empress Lilly Riverboat
1978: Disney's Polynesian Resort expansion
1980: Walt Disney World Conference Center; Club Lake Villas
1983: Buena Vista Palace; Hilton at Disney Village
1987: Doubletree (Guest Quarters, Pickett) Suite Hotel
1988: Disney's Grand Floridian Beach Resort; Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort
1990: Disney's Yacht Club Resort and Disney's Beach Club Resort; Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin hotels
1991: Disney's Port Orleans Resort
1992: Disney's Dixie Landings; Disney Vacation Club Resort at Walt Disney World; Bonnet Creek Golf Club
1994: Disney's All-Star Sports Resort; Disney's Wilderness Lodge
1995: Disney's All-Star Music Resort
1996: Disney Institute; Disney's BoardWalk
1997: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort
1999: Disney's All-Star Movies Resort
2003: Disney's Pop Century Resort

 

[dcgrumpy]

Check the WDW Fact THread. I believe Grand Floridian opened in 88. Wilderness Lodge opened in 90. Boardwalk in 97 and Y/BC in 94.

They all look so new.

The Wilderness Lodge definitely wasn't there in 1990, I think it was more like 94. I ate at Cape May Buffet in 1993 so the YC/BC was there earlier than 94. Maybe the two are reversed

 

[Albertan mom]

Thank you all soooo much for the info. You guys are full of great knowledge!

Thank you for allowing me to win my bet!

Thanks again!

 

[DisFlan]

We stayed in one of the Disney Village bungalows in July 1984. Back then, I think they were called "Club Suite Villas". They were fairly new at that time. Maybe a year or so old?

We stayed in the Contemporary in January 1994 and watched WL being built.

DisFlan

 

[Buzz2001]

CSR
soft opening 1997
Grand opening 1998
Rehabbed 2004

 

[minnie61650]

We went when I was really little I think it was 1977. Shades of green had another name and it was one of the originals. We stayed there but I was only 3 or 4 and I can't remember what it was called back then. my mom would know but she's away. Anyone know this??

It was called Golf Resort then it changed names and became Disney Inn.
We stayed at Disney Inn in 1987.
When it was sold to the military the name was changed to Shades of Green.
Linda

 

[lsg1]

Check the WDW Fact THread. I believe Grand Floridian opened in 88. Wilderness Lodge opened in 90. Boardwalk in 97 and Y/BC in 94.

They all look so new.

Widerness Lodge definately did not open in 90. We stayed at the Disney Inn in 1993, and we took home movies on the monorail. On this video, we pass the site of the future WL, with cranes in the process of being built. I believe the WL opened in 1994. My kids love watching this video, because they have stayed at the WL 7 times since, and even though we just got back last week, they are talking about when can we go back.