Pop Century closing!

[Luv2Roam]

Park attendance has been slowly going down for years

As a PP stated I do not agree with that at all and would like to see any figures proving that. Judging only from we have been regulars visitors and locals for years now and it has gotten much busier as the years progress. (Except right after 9/11 when it was depressingly quiet.)
Also as mentioned January use to be a quiet month, except for MLK weekend. Now that slow season lasts about two weekdays in January.
And as the year progresses, so does the increase in crowd levels. The difference between Christmas and New Year weeks and the following week is amazing. One week will be shoulder to shoulder crowds. The next week in comparison will be like having the place to yourself.
And I have seen a 4 hour wait for Soarin' on NYE.
I think most people now are cutting back or looking at what they use to spend. Now they are still spending, just in a different manner and more frugal.

I think the availability depends on just luck in travel, booking dates, where you want to stay, etc.
I have been trying to find a few specific types of rooms in January for a few months with no luck and gave up weeks ago.
Sure if I wanted a Presidential Suite, or Club room at CR, I would be all set.
And always generally I think that is what happens: the less expensive rooms go first. There almost always is availability in the high rent rooms. (Just judging by my own booking experiences.)
I imagine we will see a lot of really good deals at the chain resorts surrounding WDW resorts. They may offer prices and perks so good it will make people think twice about staying on site.

 

[portocall]

We are going in November, we are staying at POR, and if they move us because they close it, they move us. We are saving for this trip, but I will be super careful in how I spend our $. So yes, I am going and will spend, but probally not as carefree as I would in other times. Disney needs to do whatever they need to do to get through the bad times, and it will, so it can be there for the long haul.

 

[TSMAMI]

this is so upsetting to me.

 

[Tink's Tormentor]

I read something on another board. Pop Century is not closing any time soon, unless it is for a retheme. And with that, any retheme won't be happening until after 2009 anyway.

 

[Laneychris]

Interesting

 

[acm563]

I just did an online search for every month in 2009 and the only time I couldnt get a booking was for New Years day -5th at PoP..Every other search showed me availability at Pop... I just cannot see Disney shutting down any of its value resorts because with the economy being the way it is and room rates increasing there may actually be a lot of ppl who normally stay at moderates that will spend more time in the Values.

 

[lisadr]

I wonder if this was due to low bookings or if it was related to the rumored re-theming? I really wouldn't be surprised IF they did close Pop due to low bookings. It might make more sense than any of the All Stars.
I heard a rumor this morning from another source that said Grand Floridian might be closing. I stress MIGHT, as the source has been known to be unreliable and he did say that it was very much up in the air right now and not for certain.

The only reason I think that they would never do this is the GF has too many character dinners and restaurants-like all they deluxes do. Shuttering -yes-close them down-not very likely.

 

[doconeill]

The only reason I think that they would never do this is the GF has too many character dinners and restaurants-like all they deluxes do. Shuttering -yes-close them down-not very likely.

I doubt a deluxe would close at all. I would think Disney would rather upgrade value and mod guests to deluxe who are more willing to take an upgrade rather than close a deluxe and have to deal with relocating the deluxe people to other deluxes in a sideways move, and where they may be more "married" to the resort they chose.

Not that some aren't married to the POP and such...

If the consolidation of guests from a closed resort is not enough, then select areas of the deluxes may close as well.

 

[Remmy]

Today my MIL called to make reservations at the POP for the 27th and 28th of January. She tried to book on the $49/night rate and was told that the standard rooms were all booked but she was then offered a preferred room for the price of $72.00 per night. She took it since we are already booked on a package for that time at the resort and she is going for a few days to be with the grandchildren.

It just makes me wonder if they truly are all booked then why offer a discounted preferred room? I would have thought if all the standard rooms are all booked then why not keep the price at regular for preferred.

I just wonder about crowds at the last week of January if all the POP standard rooms are taken. I do wonder if the CM meant that all the standard rooms at the cheaper price were now taken instead of the assumption that all standard rooms are booked. Dear MIL thinks it means all standard rooms are booked full.

 

[cindyfan]

Closing a value actually can make a lot of sense. If you close a value for renovation and move the reservations elsewhere you give the consumers added benefit (at least thats what you tell them) while getting them to try out upgraded accomodations in a down economy. Going forward that means less value rooms in the system for those who just HAVE to stay in the world so they'll be paying more. In addition you might put out more coupons to permit value consumers access to moderates. When (or if) the economy bounces back said consumers might think twice before going back to the value.

Aside from that wouldn't shuttering values save on transportation and mousekeeping just a bit?

I agree.... it could totally make sense to close a value.
Think about it.... does in really cost more to run a moderate than a value?? I highly doubt it. they still have to have the same people for bell services and to clean the rooms, and all the other things.....
and now with being able to check in on line..... makes it even easier.
Then.... if those people were "upgraded" from value to moderate.... say at a "small increase" .... I think it's a great marketing ploy!!!!!
I think it is business smart!

 

[atksn]

I dunno, but I have played around and looked at our dates (2/2-12) and other various dates around there, and come up with nothing at all at POP- preferred, standard, nothing.

It kind of has me thinking that the rumors are a bunch of bunk (why would they close if they are selling out- especially in low season??), or that there is some validity and that they aren't taking anymore bookings and trying to figure out where to put the current ressies.

 

[marsrunner]

Pop has Preferred and Standard Rooms available during our trip 1/20-1/27. Not on the 4/3 deal, just rack, but still available.
Of course, every resort (not counting DVC, although several of them have rooms available) on property has rooms available 1/20-1/27, except for ASMu, CSR and GF, so its looking to be a pretty empty week.
I hope.

 

[Goofy22]

IF Disney is going FOR SOME REASON to close a resort than. I could see it being POP for 1 reason it is seperate from the all stars and they could stop the transportation over there which would save on bus drivers but I really don't see it but anything is possible! I WOULDN THINK DISNEY WOULDNT WANT MORE VACANT STRUCTURES OR EYESORES. So I would agree with the SHUTTERING of RESORTS over the closing. I love Pop and hope that this is just being confused with the supposed
re-themeing and opening of the legendary yrs side!

 

[michelleiada]

I know some people absolutely love Pop Century. My sister is one of them. She will be so disappointed if it closes! I would hate to see any downsizing at WDW.

 

[Palendat]

I'm ABSOLUTELY SURE that when people talk about the closing of Pop, it simply means the TEMPORARY closing, until business improves! It could also mean a refurb to a new theme, although that seems pretty far fetched. I could see a new theme for the legendary years section of Pop, but I have a feeling that that side of the lake will never be completed.

However, all you Pop-Century lovers needn't worry about the permanent closure of Pop unless a real 10-year depression hits the economy.

 

[TSMAMI]

I taked to a CM today when I was changing my reservation at POP Century and asked her if the rumors were true about closing some of pop or changing it. She said that they not closing it and that there are plans to "expand it". Whatever that means. Maybe they will finally finish Legendary Years.

 

[Mickeyistheman]

They will not close down this resort.

Let's really think about this logically.....

The MAJORITY of people right now are having some form of money issues.

IF they are planning on going to Disney sometime this year even if its for a few days...They are not going to spend $200 or $300 a night for the GF or Poly. They are going to go to Pop or a Moderate resort.

I used to stay at the All Star Movies and then stayed usually at Coronado Springs which I just love. But even though I worked in the travel industry and got a great discount I chose Pop over Coronado. It was tough don't get me wrong but I looked at the bigger picture. I was staying for a week, I could save $300 if I stayed at Pop. The rooms are a little smaller, the bus ride is a little longer. BUT I could dine at better restaurants and do other things.

They may close down certain sections but I feel it will be the Deluxe properties over the Mods and Values.

Disney will run the risk of losing more people by closing down the less expensive resorts. It just doesn't make sense to me. Disney employees will also NEVER say that yes its definately closing or not. They just won't do that. They may close a section of the resort and that could be all resorts.

A pp also wondered about the rates at the resorts. For every special room rate they have a specific # of rooms at that rate, once they are booked it moves up to the next tier of pricing...just like an airline.

 

[Mom2PrincessesLinSy]

I'm hoping this POP closing rumor is false, except of course to re-theme, then it would be OK.

I do disagree however, that they would EVER close the GF. First of all, its on the Monorail line! Why would they close a resort on the Monrail line? That would be suicide!

Second, its got a convention hall area used ALOT for weddings. Plus, its the only resort (except for the Poly) that is near the Wedding Pavillion, a huge draw!

Pretty sure that none of the Deluxe resorts on the Monorail line will EVER close. If GF were to make any changes, they would make some DVC villas or something like the Contemporary. Now THAT would make good financial sense!!

 

[Palendat]

I`m almost hoping that the temporary closing comes true. I have a resi for March, which I am 95% sure I am going to cancel. If a bump up to AKL Savannah view came up for a few bucks more, it would probably convince me to keep my reservation.

 

[suzimar57]

i'm still amazed the Legendary Years is yet unfinished, sitting that way for years now...