Is Disney World Really Closing Resorts?

[marsrunner]

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

Uh, I didn't start the thread, someone else did. I said "Yes" but wasn't saying they were closing resorts but was agreeing that they survived the post 9-11 drought and stated they did so in part by closing resorts. Couldn't remember at the time whether they were closed completely or partially but they were closed to a greater or lesser degree.

I answered the OP (somewhat badly as it turned out) and then stated it should be moved to the rumor board where it belonged.

I love how some people take any chance to jump all over people without stopping to think about what they are saying. Rather than being all snotty and condescending as you and grizfan or whatever his name is were, why not simply ask for clarification or even just politely refute my post? I'm more than happy to admit when I'm wrong.

People like the two of you make posting on these forums quite an unpleasant experience sometimes.

Now back to your regularly scheduled rumor-mongering (which I think is fun...in the right place!)

 

[SanFranciscan]

Marsrunner, I quit reading this thread. I generally avoid or quickly leave threads that have gotten long. I have learned from experience that on any site that is an indication that people are just insulting each other. I know that is rather sad beause I am sure that there are some long threads that are occupied by people who are nothing but charming, but such threads are not statistical norms.

The fact that there is more than one web site discussing this and that we are hearing that there are other threads on this site talking about this same subject is an indication that it is very important to people. People have their hearts set on certain resorts. I think that it is fair to go to sites occupied by Disney personnel and get the truth about rumors affecting vacations that people have saved for so that they can schedule their trips in a manner most likely to get them their dreams.

While Disney does indeed have a certain obligation to its customers, I don't think that a good time is something that can just be bought from a corporation. To have a friend we have to be a friend; right? Same thing with having a good time. To be treated with hospitality, we have to be hospitable ourselves. If we are unpleasant to each other in trip-planning forums and while in the parks, how is Disney going to undo that kind of damage?

 

[marsrunner]

The fact that there is more than one web site discussing this and that we are hearing that there are other threads on this site talking about this same subject is an indication that it is very important to people. People have their hearts set on certain resorts. I think that it is fair to go to sites occupied by Disney personnel and get the truth about rumors affecting vacations that people have saved for so that they can schedule their trips in a manner most likely to get them their dreams.

I really don't think that going to a fan based website (whether or not they have cast members posting) is a very good way to get information that is that important. I may be completely off the mark here, but I don't think that anybody who posts on this forum or on any other fan forum on the web will have confirmable information, or if they do, they wouldn't post it. When Disney as a company wants us to know certain information, they will post it or announce it or what have you. This forum is a great place to get general and not so well known information, tips, tricks, opinions and planning advice, and to have a good-natured discussion about what is (I assume ) our favorite place.
This is not the place, again in my opinion, to get advanced information with which to base your vacation on. Information does leak out from time to time, but I certainly wouldn't plan anything around any advance information I got here.

All of this, is just my opinion, of course, as I'm relatively new here (though not to the world of online discussion forums), and if I'm wrong I apologize in advance.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

This is not the place, again in my opinion, to get advanced information with which to base your vacation on. Information does leak out from time to time, but I certainly wouldn't plan anything around any advance information I got here.

All of this, is just my opinion, of course, as I'm relatively new here (though not to the world of online discussion forums), and if I'm wrong I apologize in advance.

It's fine to be skeptical and such on the net and you can choose what to believe or not believe on the DIS rumors board but there are a few regular (or semi-regular posters) here on the rumors board who I know, yes I said KNOW, have and sometimes share inside information. Of course you don't have to believe me and I am no direct source myself but again I KNOW there are some people here in the know. Who are they? Well, you'll have to figure that out just like everyone else.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Just as a reminder - for the majority of vacationers, there will be no impact on the resorts you've already selected.

And there is always the option that NO resorts are affected.

THAT SAID... **IF** any resorts are affected, Disney will contact you in a timely manner and offer you some options.

Some people simply *MUST* have the resort they booked. I would caution that this is a recipe for "my vacation is ruined".

While historically there are few incidents of resorts closing for any reason, you can be bumped from your booked resort for many different reasons and it DOES happen from time to time -- anyway.

So.. have a second choice in mind and go ahead and try not to worry too much.

Ultimately, regardless of what happens, for most Disney vacationers, there will be no interruption in their scheduled vacation.

If you are affected, keep a smile on your face and a positive attitude and you'll find that goes a long way towards avoiding ".. My vacation is ruined.." syndrome.

Knox

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

It's fine to be skeptical and such on the net and you can choose what to believe or not believe on the DIS rumors board but there are a few regular (or semi-regular posters) here on the rumors board who I know, yes I said KNOW, have and sometimes share inside information. Of course you don't have to believe me and I am no direct source myself but again I KNOW there are some people here in the know. Who are they? Well, you'll have to figure that out just like everyone else.

So, are you saying that there are reliable sources that KNOW that Disney will be closing resorts? If not, I'm not sure what this argument has to do with this thread at all.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

So, are you saying that there are reliable sources that KNOW that Disney will be closing resorts? If not, I'm not sure what this argument has to do with this thread at all.

I'm saying that your comments about not using what's reported/discussed here on the DIS is somewhat misguided, IMO. Knowing some of our contributors backgrounds and current situations, not to mention their posting history and track records, means that I will absolutely pay attention to some of what is discussed here when planning Disney.

As of yet I haven't seen conclusive evidence of Resort Closings mentioned here but still the fact that Resort Closings have been done before and the fact that other websites have had significant discussion in this regard gives me pause whilst I await proof. But my opinion as a WDW watcher is that the possibility of this happening, based on economic outlooks, Disney history and less significantly, the rumor mill is well above 50-50.

Of course this is just my opinion and while I used to have direct connections to this type of information sadly I no longer do.

 

[Mr. & Mrs. Smith]

I'm saying that your comments about not using what's reported/discussed here on the DIS is somewhat misguided, IMO.

I think you have me confused with someone else. I didn't say you should never believe what you read on the DIS. I was talking specifically about this topic and why there is no reason, as of right now, to see it as anything more than a rumour.

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

My bad...I apologize for the mistaken identity.

Of course this is simply a rumor at this stage but based on history and WDW's outlook for 2009 I'd the rumor will certainly have legs for some time and personally believe it will come to fruition. But for now, yes it's just speculation I agree.

 

[cranbiz]

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.

Sorry,

That's a load of hooey. A DCL bus driver (Mears Employee) is not going to get an inside tour of an unfinished construction zone at WDW. He is also not going to have any inside information about Disney Resorts plans.

Disney has several ideas for the building but a lot depends on the economy and the condition of the structure itself. If the structure is still sound, the most likely use will be POP family suites BUT that is also speculation. The lobby for the legendary years is in use as a warehouse and maintenance base and one of the parking lots is a Disney Transport CDL driver training area.

 

[dalt01]

I love how some people take any chance to jump all over people without stopping to think about what they are saying. being all snotty and condescending I'm more than happy to admit when I'm wrong.

People like the two of you make posting on these forums quite an unpleasant experience sometimes.

AMEN, BROTHA.....................................assasination is always easier from long distance than it is face to face. although the folks you are talking to hardly have that market cornered. it is practically a cottage industry on discussion boards of all kinds. ready.....................aim.......................POST.

 

[mitros]

The economy is having no effect at WDW. I have spoken to CMs on the phone, and they insist there have been no slow down in reservations for the upcoming year. Plenty of people still have plenty of $$ and they are going to WDW. It is expected to be business as usual in 2009.....

 

[dalt01]

The economy is having no effect at WDW. I have spoken to CMs on the phone, and they insist there have been no slow down in reservations for the upcoming year. Plenty of people still have plenty of $$ and they are going to WDW. It is expected to be business as usual in 2009.....

glad you got that straight from the horses mouth. would'nt want to quote an unreliable source

 

[mitros]

glad you got that straight from the horses mouth. would'nt want to quote an unreliable source

OK, OK, I get it, cast members info= bull****!
Yea, I realize that. However,
we were at WDW for a week Dec. 6-12, and I never saw so many bodies on site, and we have been going since 1988. One of the conversations I had with the girl behind the front desk regarding next year actually lead her to turn her computer screen a little to the left so that I could see it. She showed me that all DVC resorts were full well into 2009. She scrolled throught the various resorts and showed how full they were. I'm pretty sure if her boss was nearby, she would have been in deep do-do for showing a guest something like that.
I tried to get a 2 day reservation for mid-January, and she said there was nothing at all available.
I really don't suspect WDW will suffer much from lack of bodies.
Some folks brought up the period right after 9/11, and the parks were amazingly devoid of guests, but that really did not last all that long, and the numbers have been steadily climbing since then. We are close by and make a lot of trips each month, and it is always crowded everywhere. Just my personal observations.....
And we are also going to continue to see a lot of foreign traffic at WDW. Our dollar is still weak, and that makes for cheap vacations for those from overseas. And don't get me started on dining! With all of these free and discounted dining programs Disney offers, you can't even get a same day dining reservation anymore. And at one time, not all that long ago, we could ALWAYS do that.

 

[RescueRanger]

The economy is having no effect at WDW. I have spoken to CMs on the phone, and they insist there have been no slow down in reservations for the upcoming year. Plenty of people still have plenty of $$ and they are going to WDW. It is expected to be business as usual in 2009.....

I don't know if you have been paying attention to the news but Disney corporate has already announced that advance bookings are way down. Do you honestly think Disney is offering the 4/3 deal just because they like their customers so much? When was the last time you saw them offer discounts in October for all the way through June? Disney knows whats coming and is preparing for the worst. Oh, and as for as foreign travelers coming over here? The dollar is getting stronger and it is now alot more expensive for Europeans to travel here.

 

[mitros]

I don't know if you have been paying attention to the news but Disney corporate has already announced that advance bookings are way down. Do you honestly think Disney is offering the 4/3 deal just because they like their customers so much? When was the last time you saw them offer discounts in October for all the way through June? Disney knows whats coming and is preparing for the worst. Oh, and as for as foreign travelers coming over here? The dollar is getting stronger and it is now alot more expensive for Europeans to travel here.

I watch the news on a daily basis. Disney wants to keep the parks JAMMED PACKED as well as the resorts. They are of course, only concerned about the top management raking in their big bucks, not about the rank and file Disney worker. Disney periodically offers these exact offers at other slower then normal times. Their whole point is to keep the parks and resorts as full as possible, as I said earlier.
One can no longer enjoy the Disney experience when everything is belly-to-back, and the Disney properties are exactly that. Sardine-like everywhere. As I watch TV {a vast wasteland, by the way} I have yet to see the dollar getting stronger. There are still record numbers of foreign tourists going to WDW. There is no change in that yet. I'm am actually waiting for the downturn so that we can once again enjoy what used to be a pleasent vacation at WDW.

 

[englishrose47]

I have Noinside info what so ever but have a few comments/questions ???? Pop Century is almost out of "PopCentury" merchandise ,could this be aclue or just coincidence ???The 4/3 deal is definately due to low resort bookings !!Unless you believe Disney was just being friendly/nice !!!!I hear they are cutting down on the # of nights for Fantasmic, either due to American Idolor cost or both!!All of these little things tell me Disney profits are downand they are saving money !! So if my Pop ressie in May should have to get changed so be it I'll still be at Disney I would hope for an upgrade maybe even AKL!! Hey ther's no harm wishing !! My point is it's not the end ofthe world I love Pop but as long as I'm at Disney I'm HAPPY!!!!

 

[Peter Pirate 2]

mitros, I don't think WDW has ever offered anything like the 4/3 offer before (correct me if I'm wrong) and with regard to the dollar and foreign tourists, this is no longer on the up swing either as GB has already declared a recession and much of Europe is worried about the future now (due to our troubles) as well.

 

[mitros]

mitros, I don't think WDW has ever offered anything like the 4/3 offer before (correct me if I'm wrong) and with regard to the dollar and foreign tourists, this is no longer on the up swing either as GB has already declared a recession and much of Europe is worried about the future now (due to our troubles) as well.

I'm going to attempt to research it through some of my old Disney newsletters and what have you. I know they have had these offers before. I just need to find some info on it. There were an awful lot of foreign visitors there when we stayed at OKW two weeks ago, and we spoke to one of the front desk clerks and he said there were several more groups {from Brazil, in particular} that were scheduled to come in between then and the middle of January. {not at OKW}

 

[marsrunner]

I believe they've offered deals "like" this, but not for so long a time. January to June including Spring Break and Easter (I know it may not be available now, but I think it was when the promotion started). I could be wrong though.