Is Disney World Really Closing Resorts?

[rlduvall]

Im not sure why people ask on a public forum to confirm a rumor?

Because it's a Disney chat board and we all like chatting.

 

[luvdisney24]

Im not sure why people ask on a public forum to confirm a rumor?..Go to the source..As for shutdowns, they never did finish the Legendary Years, post 9-11..I thought I saw them painting it when we drove by last week, if thats any indication..

I was on a Disney Cruise Line bus last Sunday. The driver, as he was pulling into Pop Century pointed out the unfinished section and said he was given an inside tour of the resort just last week and that the new section is slated to be finished within the year. I don't know that I believe what he said but thought I would pass that along.

 

[ryrysmom14]

No resorts were closed post 9/11 !!!! I don't know where you folks get your info ???? POFQ was scheduled to have thier pool rehabed and at the same time the restaurant was taken out. The resort itself was never closed !

There is no reason for Disney to close any resorts. Not book certain buildings maybe, but NEVER close.

Actually, POFQ was most certainly closed post 9/11. We stayed there very shortly after they re-opened. We were concerned that they would not re-open on time and we would be moved. We spoke to many of their employees who had been shifted to other resorts during POFQ's closure.

 

[anthony2k7]

Actually, POFQ was most certainly closed post 9/11. We stayed there very shortly after they re-opened. We were concerned that they would not re-open on time and we would be moved. We spoke to many of their employees who had been shifted to other resorts during POFQ's closure.

but was the closure planned before 9/11? maybe they were already planning extensive maintenance and decided instead of causing disruption to guests they may as well just close it?

 

[DebbieB]

but was the closure planned before 9/11? maybe they were already planning extensive maintenance and decided instead of causing disruption to guests they may as well just close it?

I don't believe it was planned pre-9/11.

CBR also closed for a few months while the food court was redone in late 2002. I had to move my reservation (decided to upgrade to BWI, it was one night before checking into BWV). I think under normal circumstances they may have worked around it rather than a complete shutdown.

 

[EnnEss]

but was the closure planned before 9/11? maybe they were already planning extensive maintenance and decided instead of causing disruption to guests they may as well just close it?

No. They closed because tourism took such a massive hit. This is well documented.

 

[ryrysmom14]

but was the closure planned before 9/11? maybe they were already planning extensive maintenance and decided instead of causing disruption to guests they may as well just close it?

From what we were told, it was not pre-planned, but a direct result of the decline from people not traveling post-9/11. I guess it was easier to close a whole resort and all the parts that go with it than close down parts of several resorts. Gosh, those days were so scary- I remember in the days and months that followed, so many people being very scared of going to WDW b/c of it being a possible terrorist target... not to mention, noone wanting to fly.

 

[rentayenta]

I sure as heck hope they don't close the Pop Century. We are spending the last two nights of our May trip there.

 

[andrewilley]

POFQ was completely closed for "update and renovation" work from 4 May 2003 and was reopened to guests about a year later on 21 March 2004, see the Local News 6 website info for details. The freshly renovated rooms had new furniture, new carpeting, new wall coverings and remodeled bathrooms.

It is unlikely that Disney would have made the decision to shut the entire resort to do this work if it were not for the serious downturn in tourism and general resort attendance over the previous year.

As has been said, subsequent renovation work at the larger Port Orleans Riverside resort was undertaken on a building-by-building basis and did not require the closure of the whole resort.

Andre

 

[Pooh67_68]

I don't believe POFQ was a preplanned closing, as we were booked there for Dec. 2001 and we were notified that they were moving us over to POR.


We will keep and eye on the resort closing rumors as we are booked at POFQ for Feb.

 

[marsrunner]

I think the PP was going by your first post where you seemed to indicate with certainty that these resorts were closing. You said:



I see where you clarified later but I can see why someone might think you new this for a fact instead of as a rumour.

Sorry, when I said "Yes" I was answering the OP statement that they survived the post 9/11 drought or whatever you want to call it. Should have used the quote function to specify the statement I was answering. Apologies all around for that!

 

[NMW]

No resorts were closed post 9/11 !!!! I don't know where you folks get your info ???? POFQ was scheduled to have thier pool rehabed and at the same time the restaurant was taken out. The resort itself was never closed !

There is no reason for Disney to close any resorts. Not book certain buildings maybe, but NEVER close.

This is completely incorrect. POFQ closed shortly after 9/11-the ENTIRE resort closed. POR closed buildings at a time but kept the resort open. I'm sure if you google the topic you can find info on it. But trust me, it was closed for a pretty long time.

 

[griz_fan]

http://www.intercot.com/news/2001/october.asp - In October 2001, Disney did close POFQ and delayed the opening of Pop Century Resort. Between economic uncertainty and a completely crippled travel industry at the time, who could blame them. Its not as if people were lining up to get on an airplane in the Fall of 2001.

So, what does that tell us about 2008 and 2009? Absolutely nothing. For a travel destination like WDW, 2008 is nothing like post-9/11. The economy is in bad shape and a lot of people are hurting. I'm sure Disney is taking steps to minimize their financial exposure to the recession. And perhaps, at some point, they will close a resort or two. But no one has offered even the smallest shred of credible evidence that this could happen. It is just pure speculation. Will people hear this unfounded rumor often enough that they start cancelling trips or trying to book other resorts? Who knows, but before offering up baseless speculation, let's try to keep things in perspective. I've seen rumors and whisper campaigns cause companies real damage. I don't think any of us would want to see bad things happen to WDW and the people who work there because of what someone heard.

 

[mouselovenfamily]

Almost scared to jump in...but I was a travel agent for several years and there were times when Disney would thin out hotels when travel was low. They would do a quick refurb if bookings were down and always give clients the option of a very nice upgrade to make it worth their while. I personally had it happen on more than one occasion. They would notify anyone in plenty of time to make sure it didn't cause a problem. Most of my clients were thrilled to pay value and get deluxe. I'm out of the biz now and havn't heard anything like that happening now...but if your going and you got an upgrade...it would be niceClosing however...I can't see it.

 

[Tink rules]

Heard recently that bookings are down about 10% already this year (and that is WITH the special promotions they are doing...) and even over on the cruise board - they have reported that Disney Cruise Line has started to call people who had booked dummy dates to see if they will commit to sailings now that the 2010 rates are out.

 

[MEK]

POFQ was completely closed for "update and renovation" work from 4 May 2003 and was reopened to guests about a year later on 21 March 2004, see the Local News 6 website info for details. The freshly renovated rooms had new furniture, new carpeting, new wall coverings and remodeled bathrooms.

It is unlikely that Disney would have made the decision to shut the entire resort to do this work if it were not for the serious downturn in tourism and general resort attendance over the previous year.

As has been said, subsequent renovation work at the larger Port Orleans Riverside resort was undertaken on a building-by-building basis and did not require the closure of the whole resort.

Andre

They were definately rehabing rooms in POFQ when I stayed at Riverside in August 2003. I ran over there several mornings and they were hauling out all furnishings and putting new carpets/paint/furniture in place. It was easy to look right into the rooms. Interesting, this was also during a time period when we booked on the "buy 4/get 3 free" deal. What a great deal. turned me into a "lifer".

 

[Disney/Universal Fan]

Geez, I said it was a rumor and even said it belonged on the rumor boards. Wouldn't that lead you to believe I thought it was just a rumor and speculation? If not, I'll reiterate that I have no special knowledge of Disney resort operations and any post made by me is of no factual worth.
Good enough for you?

Then why not leave it on the rumor board where it belongs!

 

[dalt01]

Then why not leave it on the rumor board where it belongs!

thats not his call, he is not the OP. if your going to chastise get your facts straight.

 

[jeanylaser]

So POFQ is open for next month and Next year!

 

[andrewilley]

So POFQ is open for next month and Next year!

So far nothing has been announced at all, so I would assume the resort will be open unless Disney say otherwise. Don't panic just yet.

Andre