Oh My God, It CAN Get WORSE!

[DisneyFanGuy]

As much as I don't like it personally, I admire Disney for taking a risk. Those have been few and far between lately. If people really really don't like it, then they will fix. They do still respond to their guests. They are re-doing Imagination, and again BK is on the boards (possibly). They are trying to fix that "awful" mess, DCA, which is much less horrible in person than on these boards.

I am still pretty disappointed with many things that they are doing, but, in general they seem to be responding. I even noticed an improvement in upkeep over spring break at the MK and at MGM.

 

[marty3d]

I wouldn't choose to stay there either. But it does appear that Disney has achieved what they set out to do. As for tacky - what about 2/3 of the hotles off Disney property? There are actually people who like them.

Once PC opens, I think we can truly say that there will be a Disney Resort for every taste.

Make mine Port Orleans (both of them)!

 

[Testtrack321]

If there is one thing I like are the Time covers in frams. That's a good idea.
Also think about not just making it with catch frazes, but why do building all the same. Why not make each one like the past style.

 

[lrodk]

A fresh set of pictures have been posted at WDWMagic.com. They include shots of the room's interior as well as up-close shots of many of the buildings.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/pop_century.htm

 

[PKS44]

Well I looked at the pictures...and I don't get what all the complaining is about...They are cute! Just as cute as any of the All Stars...We stay at DVC but I don't feel like they have ruined the neighborhood like this thread and others have implied...as one who has been disappointed in a lot of company choices lately, I have no problem with this one...makes me wonder about the motives of the oh-so-vocal critics....

 

[paradefreak]

I was NOT being sarcastic in my previous post in this thread. I like the look of the resort. I agree with another poster that said if you don't like it, don't stay there. I will go even further and say if you don't like it, then stop spending hours looking at photos of it on the internet and going on and on about how awful, tacky, blah, blah, blah it is. Just don't stay there and if you drive by it look the other way or close your eyes - unless you're driving that is.

I will stay at Pop Century. I like the colors, the phrases, the icons, all of it. I think it looks like a lot of fun. I think that if I stayed at the Grand Floridian or the like, I would be disappointed in comparison to my fun experiences at the All-Stars. If this makes me common or low class, then bring on the tater tots.

 

[Another Voice]

How much fiberglass can you glue on before the EPA complains?

Face it, if these exact same buildings were out on International Drive and called “Zarby’s 20th Century Resort” these boards would be filled with sneers at the place and praise that WDW has a safe haven from monstrosities like this.

And if these exact same buildings showed up at Universal than people would be collecting up pitchforks and lighting torches as you read this.

Pop Century is the corporate equivalent of “my dog ate my homework”.

They know how to do better. It's an insult that they don't try.

 

[Sandy Fisher]

Like the old expression, one man's junk is another man's treasure.........but I honestly can't imagine who this will appeal to. Poor Walt is probably spinning.
And I really find it hard to believe that any "imagineer" would take credit for this.
See what happens when words fail me??? I always find a few.

 

[JustBob]

After reading months of vitriol concerning the new PC resort I finally got a chance to see the pictures today. I kinda like it. I'll really like it if the furnishings for each decade match that decade. I especially like the 3d constructions. I'm not a big fan of the cutouts, although it was fun to see a pacman on the side of a building eating dots.
I suspect this will be very successful. And to be honest, staying on Disney property is a pricey proposition. If this is a way they can offer less expensive rooms while still on property, then I think it's okay.
I do have to admit that I haven't seen how this has blighted the view from CBR. That might change my opinion somewhat, or maybe not.

 

[larworth]

We’ve had plenty of discussions about the business merits (standards, brand, market share) of the way Disney has approached building value resorts. I have many of the above concerns, but let's assume these are the only raw materials these price points can afford and focus on the creative intent for a moment. Disney must have had a target demographic in mind. Not from an economic perspective, but from a “they will relate to it” perspective.

We have nostalgia for the older set, funky colors/giant icons for the younger set, and 3D characters (done is a completely different style than the rest?) for the kids. I’m definitely dazed by the look of it all. I’m just confused on the intent. A good mix of different touch points for all or just a hodge podge?

***

Someone once chided Suess Landing (IOA) as being a painter’s nightmare. You do worry about how these are going to age. There are also plenty of contexts Disney can use to do things on the cheap and have it fit a "supposed" theme. Why is nostalgia again linked with "gaudy and tacky” (Dino-rama and now PC)? At one time the past was usually romanticized. I guess I'm just being a little nostalgic, here.

 

[Bstanley]

Well in all honesty if wasn't for the REALLY bright colors and the Gawd-awful cut-out phrases I guess I could be persuaded to stay there for an All Stars price.

The Giant characters/Yo-yo/Jukebox range from fine to ok, the funky furniture is a hoot (I'm sure that before they open they'll fill the 'fake' TV with an actual monitor), and the pictures/paintings look fine.

Perhaps before they open someone will come to their senses and ditch the cut-out phrases?

The Florida Sun will take care of the bright colors in a couple of years. As someone mentioned - has anyone seen the tops of the buildings in Seuss Landing lately...can you say "Ultraviolet Radiation"?... I knew you could.

 

[Luv2Roam]

It doesn't look as bad as I thought, but it's not great. But neither is ASSp, IMHO. I would happily stay at PC over ASSp. It's just a matter of personal taste.
If they would remove those dumb large slang sayings (that everyone was tired of YEARS ago ) and changed some colors here and there, PC wouldn't be near as bad.
Having a room that is shown as the interior picture would make me feel I should be sitting at the table drinking cocoa and watching Romper Room. I like to feel like a kid again, but not that much regression!
It's not a loss. They could easily salvage it and I hope they do.
Has Disney actually announced an opening date? I read a post on the resorts board that construction has stopped and a fence is being put up blocking it in. But we have all read that before.

 

[Luv2Roam]

It's just too much overkill. The overall idea was cute. I like the characters, Lady, RR, Balloo
But those cut outs and words.... Even had there not been so many of them that would have helped.
All that *stuff* just looks like an oversized kid's messy room.

 

[mkunichi]

I'm not saying that PS is art, but I can't help but be reminded of the outrage and confusion over successive generations of modern art. The arguments to me sound familiar - it's gaudy, it's not tasteful, it's overwhelming, it's simply ugly...it's not what I'm used to...it's not what a cheap motel is supposed to look like.

I think that staying there would be a step towards living in toontown. That has to be worth one trip!

As for those who say it's too derivative - hmm, that's not the right phrase - too much like what someone else might do outside the park, I say that it is original and much less derivative than many of my favorite resorts - you know, the tasteful ones that were mostly designed to duplicate a real experience from somewhere else - GF, Poly, WL, BC, BC, YC, BW, OKW, FW, CB, CS, PO.

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of PC. Even the criticism is authentic.

-mark

That said, as a DVC'er, I'll see you at OKW.

 

[Captain Crook]

What a great post! The modern art analogy is a very good one.

Also folks, let us remember (1) the resort IS NOT YET FINISHED and (2) The most objectionable items are easily changed. Disney will respond to the market place. If Pop is accepted as is there will be little change, if the overwhelming view of the 'taste police' here on the DIS becomes a salient point, expect to see changes...Pretty simple really.

 

[Another Voice]

“Disney will respond to the market place”

Isn’t that the job of International Drive?

I thought Disney’s job was to exceed the market place. You know - creativity, quality, imagination.

 

[Bstanley]

To quote Jack Nicholson - "two out of three ain't bad!"

You could make an argument that PC has certainly 'exceeded' the marketplace in imagination and creativity. It is WAY beyond my imagination and it is creative (I've never seen anything like it - except those Purple/Pink 'Soap Hotels' in Japan ;-)...

But it still gives me Flashbacks whenever I look at it - so I won't be able to stay there. I guess if I weren't a product of the Sixties I might be OK with it...

 

[Distriv]

THE WORDS! THE GIANT IDIOTIC WORDS!!!!!!!!!! and again

 

[marty3d]

You're right - it's the words - I just can't get past them. Everything else fits in - it's supposed to be larger than life.

Luckily, it's easier to just remove the words than to have to tear something down!

 

[mkunichi]

My current least favorite aspects of PC:
1. They are rectangular, motel shaped buildings. I guess you can't avoid this without significantly increasing the construction costs.
2. The words. But I'd like to analyze this (probably because I like analyzing everything):

Is it the words themselves or is it their design. I think for me, it's the particular words themselves. I like their idea of including pop language into the design of the building. In fact, I like that it makes identifying and finding your building and room pretty easy - especially if they are brightly lit up at night - maybe they'll even use runway neon? (yes, i do enjoy torturing people).

Soooo... what would some good pop words be? Hmm. I'm drawing a blank so I'll keep thinking and post a followup.