Ocala Welcome Center

[Miss Daisy]

Does anyone know why the Disney Welcome Center in Ocala closed?

 

[Maude4Disney]

uh oh.... didn't know this was closed. DS will be very disappointed. Not that it was that big of a thrill, but it was the first bit of Disney and he knew we were getting close! When did this close?

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Just my opinion but way back when AAA ran the place it was THE place to stop by for last minute deals etc but since Disney took it over it was simply a convenient, for some, place to stop and pick up passes and get info before heading into DW. I would not have driven out of the way but since it was on the way it was a regular stop.

This trip I will simply buy my passes at the first park we hit. Probably not even miss Ocala.

BTW, the difference in attitudes of the CM's who worked under AAA and Disney was amazing and it was the reverse of what many might think. AAA was much friendlier.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Miss Daisy]

Driving back to Mobile from Port Canaveral October 2, we thought we'd stop at the Welcome Center to get one last sprinkling of pixie dust, only to be disappointed to see it empty and all traces of Disney gone. I'm not sure when it closed but I know I'll miss it........

 

[Brikate]

Does anyone know why the Disney Welcome Center in Ocala closed?

Probably because other bad parents like us would tell our young dd's that 'this is the real disney world' - and they believed us! DH's parents lived in Ocala and we would visit the Welcome Center on every trip - whether we were on our way to WDW or not. Poor kids - probably why, now as teens, they aren't as thrilled with WDW as DH & I are (but they love going everytime!)

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Brikate, you are not quite as bad as my cheapskate bil who took his little girl to the shopping mall and told her that the merry go round was Disney World. No wonder we have such a bunch of strange kids in the US. LOL

Slightly Goofy (who did not get to go to DW until she was over 30) explains why I am Goofy, miracle it is not more than Slightly though.

 

[CastMemberDWA]

JUST FYI- It is absolutely closed.....sorry. Witnessed this myself last month when my family drove from Orlando to Ocala to visit Silver Springs.

 

[Steve TLT]

We just drove to FL for a Christmas visit w/ the families (and a one day visit to the MK) and we too were disapointed to find the Welcome Center closed.

It was always part of our Disney vacation ritual when we drove, a first and last bit of Disney.

Just another example of the cheapening of Disney. Years ago there were the WDW billboards every few miles on I-75 from I-10 to WDW, also there was the Disney AM radio station in north Fla. with park info. plus the Welcome Center. It all really got you in the mood on the way there.

Now these have all gone the way of the Magic Kingdom Club, the Disney Club, Disney Magazine, and taking good care of the resort/parks.

Too bad!

 

[bicker]

I think we can thank online ticket sales for that, to some extent. Back in the day, it was practically the only way of avoiding the queues to purchase tickets: Now we have the Internet.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

Remember way back when and Disney would not allow portions of their attractions to be shown on tv etc? Now they are everywhere and it seems to have generated more interest in their parks rather than less. JMO

I miss seeing the billboards but since they took control of the Ocala welcome station from AAA it was really not worth the stop except to stop and get our tickets on the way down. When AAA had it you could stop and check for discounted rooms etc.

They keep changing things and those of us who love the place will probably keep finding ways to adjust. Hopefully they will not make it too onerous or some of the ones who are not as crazy about the Mouse might find it not worth the bother.

Slightly Goofy

 

[profdsny]

It was always part of our Disney vacation ritual when we drove, a first and last bit of Disney.

Just another example of the cheapening of Disney. Years ago there were the WDW billboards every few miles on I-75 from I-10 to WDW, also there was the Disney AM radio station in north Fla. with park info. plus the Welcome Center. It all really got you in the mood on the way there.

I agree, it seemed that once we hit the Fla border it was Disney signs all the way. This certainly built the excitement. It was a pretty neat place in its time, and yes, the AAA people were very knowledgable. Shame to see it go. Of course, we don't drive there as much anymore, but it was fun.

 

[bicker]

Of course, we don't drive there as much anymore, but it was fun.

I bet that's a good part of it. My wife's family used to drive each year from Knoxville; now her cousins would fly down.