Pop Century

[Eeyore2U]

I agree that there is a need for value resorts. We stayed at All Star Sports. I was not impressed. We had a bad visit due to the Pop Warner people staying there. I thoughth the figures were tacky and as I remember so did my then 10 year old son. I saw pics today for As Movies in a post and the Woody figure made me shiver. We would not be able to travel as often as we do to WDW if we didn't join DVC. The other option would have been All Stars or Pop Century 8cringe*.

Do I notice the themeing when I'm there, sometimes. Do I notice tacky things, YES! Whether it is structure or inappropriately dressed people.

My feeling is Disney needs to do things right. IMHO they missed the boat with Pop Century and to a lesser degree All Stars.

 

[hopemax]

Thanks for clarifying the point.

Unfortunately I spent the latter half of the 70's in diapers and can't comment on how effective the futuristic theme of the Contemporary was back then. My first trip wasn't until 1995, and at that point I decided the Contemporary was on the lame side. Maybe the 70's management team screwed up, but Eisner's team has had almost 20 years to make changes, which they didn't, so in my mind both teams bear fault.

My point is that there are new generations of Disney fans who never had an opportunity to revoke the Contemporary's "free pass," plus we have a new communication medium at our disposal that previous generations didn't have the luxury of having. I would hate for these new generations to be stuck with the All-stars because their parents didn't complain loud enough about the addition of the Contemporary Garden Wings in the 70's.

The ONLY reason the Contemp Red Roof Garden Wings cost anything more than a $59.95 Hampton Inn is their location

Well, the Contemporary does have additional amenities than the Hampton...not $200 worth of amenities, but I'm not sure $75 would be an appropriate price either.

 

[Another Voice]

Oh, how quickly you young kids forget. When the hotel opened in 1971 – the Contemporary was extremely futuristic, exciting and amazing. It was the one of the very first buildings with a massive atrium and a monorail ran right through it! Slick concrete walls, minimal décor, stainless steel and a color palate of turquoise & fuchsia was the cutting edge of design! If you have any doubts, look at the clothes people were wearing at the time. It was an ugly decade, but therapy has helped me get over it.

The hotel suffers from a problem well known to Disney – the future just ain’t what it used to be.

 

[JeffJewell]

we give Card & Ron & friends the "free pass" for leaving Eisner with an outdated Contemporary resort and abhorrently unthemed "Garden wings" because those were the "glory days"...

...I give Card & Ron & friends a "free pass" because history has already settled their collective hash. The damage they can do Disney is all in the past.

Let's not lay the Contemporary's failure to be re-futurized soley at the feet of Eisner and Co.

Again, the problem here is that it's only the guy currently wearing the hat with the propellor on it that counts for anything.

Really, it would be kind of silly for us to rally the troops for demanding that the board get rid of Card and Ron...

Jeff

 

[YoHo]

Don't the Garden wings have the same modified A frame construction? Don't they have the same basic interior? (There's a summer cottage down the road from my PParent's in Wisconsin that is a modified A built in the 70's VERY CONTEMPORARY for the time.


The trick with contemporary is that the cost to fix it is abhorant. There is simply no reasonable way to keep it contemporary.

For all that, I must say that I like it and its garden wings. It just fits.

 

[Another Voice]

The Contemporary you see today is very much a product of the Eisner era. The interior of the hotel was completely remodeled, all of the restaurants were rebuilt, all the rooms where changed and the convention center was added in a massive rehab in the early ‘90s. There were plans to change the exterior as well, but those were cut to save money. The only bit of the original hotel that remains is the ‘Grand Canyon’ mural in the elevator core in the tower.

 

[CDavid]

Originally posted by Another Voice
The interior of the hotel was completely remodeled, all of the restaurants were rebuilt, all the rooms where changed and the convention center was added in a massive rehab in the early ?90s. There were plans to change the exterior as well, but those were cut to save money. The only bit of the original hotel that remains is the ?Grand Canyon? mural in the elevator core in the tower.

The styling of today's Contemporary Resort rooms is at least as well-themed ("contemporary" themeing) as it was when I first stayed there back in 1981. In fact, it's probably more modern looking today. There is a theme to the Contemporary (including the Garden Wings), though perhaps more subtle than some other Disney resorts. Besides, who would want a "contemporary" theme as garish as the All-Stars?

Even back in the 1980's, I saw guidebooks stating the Contemporary wasn't for everyone's tastes - but it's my personal favorite.

Originally posted by Yoho
The trick with contemporary is that the cost to fix it is abhorant. There is simply no reasonable way to keep it contemporary.

This is the same problem found in Tommorrowland. When the theme is "contemporary", by definition, the rest of the world will constantly be catching up to it. Any style (theme) may eventually go out of fashion. Look at the Polynesian - the geographic theme remains wonderful, but there are also parts of the resort which look and feel dated.

 

[d-r]

if you think that the contemporary doesn't have a theme. The contemporary resort <strong>is</strong> Walt Disney World. To me, the only two resorts that are as Disney as the cont. are the polly and ft. wilderness. (I love the polly, I love the lush and immersive theme and the campy feel of adventureland, and on our last stay we made it over to ft. wilderness where I hadn't been in a few years, and the place still just dripped disney and fronteirland).

The contemporary makes me feel like I did when I was four in 1972. It is like getting to stay right in tomorrowland. The monorail runs right through your resort. The view is amazing. The theme really isn't "a bustling lakeside resort with a contemporary flair" to the initiated; it is WALT DISNEY WORLD. Our last stay in cont. tower was last May, and the renovated rooms are well done, I think.

Beyond those three, to me, no other resort just feels as much "DISNEY." There is no way that even my beloved and the incredibly themed wilderness lodge is as "Disney World" as the cont. And it comes closest. And while I love staying at the boardwalk, that new fangled epcot resort area will never feel as "Disney World" as the resorts around the lagoon and bay lake.

Now I have to admit I've never stayed in a garden view room at the cont., only the tower. But I was looking at them as we took the boat from wilderness lodge in Sept. thinking about how the view of the lake and discovery island must be great. Plus, it is still a great location. And the rooms are huge. My wife's family stayed in the wings once when she was a kid and vowed to only stay in the tower from then on, because of the convenience, but I'm sure the walk from there to transportation isn't any worse than say the walk to the bus from the country music section of all stars, or from one of the more distand trails in AKL to the bus either for that matter. The walk to the pool or the marina at contemporary is nothing from the garden wings, and some of the first floor ones open right up to a lake side patio. Again, I haven't stayed in the wings, but I think they would be a heck of a lot better (heck yeah $200) than the all stars or the groovy platform shoes.

Truthfully, it isn't even my favorite resort, but it would probably be in my top 3. I'm sure that there are many people who just don't get the contemporary, especially if their trip is all about getting a mug filled up quickly in order to catch the first bus to the parks and spending little time at the resort. But if you want to be immersed in classic walt disney world the cont. is awesome, and because of the proximity to the pool, lake and marina I think the garden wings would be fine. It is hardly a red roof inn.

DR

 

[YoHo]

I've stayed in the Garden wings twice. While I share a certain amount of love for the Disneyness with d-r. I have to say that the garden wings are NOT anything like staying in the tower. The view of Discovery Island is hardly special. The only cool part was that I could watch the Water pageant from my little patio (I was on the first floor)

I think the poly has better transportation access since you can walk directly to the TTC and hop on any of those busses.

Definatly not number one for me.

 

[d-r]

yeah, I haven't stayed in the garden wings. We did stay once at all star music, and I'd rather have the view of the lake over the view of the parking lot and all star sports we had there. But then the real truth is I'd be wishing I was in the tower if I stayed in the garden rooms - back to $. I'd like to say that it would be worth it to spend $200 over $49, but I do admit that staying at all stars is better than working.
DR

 

[All Aboard]

Here is the result of my poll, infer what you will.

Poll

 

[daannzzz]

Okay. I am mixed inbetween all these opinions. I am in car... I don't remember what car I am in... oh yeah I am in car 2 1/2!!!! I didn't get to WDW until 1996. Haveing been borne in 1956 and loving Disneyland I watched with anticipation when WDW opened and was enthralled at the futuristic Contemporary resort and the beautiful appearing Polynesian. I knew it would be a long time before I got to visit. Because I wasn't planning on going I didn't keep track of what was going on at WDW much so by the time I made the first investigative overatures into a trip I certainly was surprised. I was vaguely aware of a really nice hotel other than the original two but when I read the Unofficial Guide ( purchased for me as a surprise, by a friend) I found out there were alot more Disney owned motels than I was aware of. This was to be a cheap trip and I had decided I would stay at the Sun Motel in Kissimee but the Disney resorts were calling to me and I finally booked a room at the All Star music. From descriptions and pictures I thought there would be to tacky so I upgraded to CBR and my cheap trip got lots more expensive. We loved the CBR and paid a visit to the All Star and found it to have a fun and fantastic appeal. Since that first trip I have stayed at MOst of the resorts except for the BC, Boardwalk, Villas at the Institute and any Vacation Club property... and The Contemporary.
I personally had as good a time at the All Star Music as I did at the Grand Floridian. They are worlds apart in atmosphere but equally Disney to me. And the poor old Contemporary would be one of my last picks. As we sailed by the garden wings from the WL to the MK my Uncle pointed out that it looked like a jail!!! Yes. Other than the location I would rather stay at the All Stars!!! I do however notice the built in Class system Disney has going on. Don't you imagine a fairly inexpensive ( for Disney standards) restaurant would do well at the All Stars? Yet they can't in order to keep the aminities and classes of resorts seperate.
As far as the Pop Century goes I will agree that it is rather ugly at this point. I think the chosen "themes" are not very attractive. I think part of it has to do with color choices. I think the least attractive of the All Stars is the Movies!!!! The colors on most of the buildings are ...ugly while the icons are mostly okay. Never the less I will attempt a stay at the Pop Century (should they ever open) and give it a chance.

 

[YoHo]

Much as I suspected.


For comparison, my results

I honestly think the Themeing as top notch and would stay here even if the the price was higher (as long as services increased) 21 13.91%
I honestly think it is a better resort then off property, but if money weren't an object, I'd stay elsewhere 67 44.37%
It no better then off property, EXCEPT I get EE, transportation...etc 6 3.97%
Money, And only money 28 18.54%
I don't like them And would never stay in them. 29 19.21%
Total: 151 votes 100%

I think the All Stars are Disney Quality resorts and would return in the future 80 69.57%
I think the All Stars are Disney Quality resorts but likely will not return in the future 16 13.91%
I think the All Stars are less than Disney Quality, but will stay there again 7 6.09%
I don't think the All Stars are Disney Quality, and will not stay there again 12 10.43%
Total: 115 votes 100%

In my poll a full 128 people nearly 82% would stay there for various reasons 29 people or 19.21% have no use for them

You polled people who have actually stayed there which changes the parameters. about 16.5% think that the place is beneath Disney.

Personally there Are two variables that our polls just don't measure.
1: neither of us asked if you've stayed or at least spent time wandering around other Disney resorts. I think that would effect results.
2: Disney Quality is an elusive definition. We here on the debate board don't even always agree on its strict definition, but when one of us discusses something in terms of Disney quality, we all understand what that is. The Resorts board may not have the same collective understanding.

What both polls say is that there are a lot of people that take advantage of what Disney offers in that price range and a good number of people who dislike the looks of the place.

 

[hopemax]

I agree with Yoho that gcurling's poll may not be specific enough.

If a person finds the themeing and just the theming (which is what I thought we were talking about) to not be of Disney quality but things llike the service, cleanliness, transportation, perks, food court, etc. to be of Disney quality which choice are they supposed to choose, and which one do we think they chose?

 

[DVC-Landbaron]

daannzzz - my kind of guy!!

I do however notice the built in Class system Disney has going on. Don't you imagine a fairly inexpensive ( for Disney standards) restaurant would do well at the All Stars? Yet they can't in order to keep the amenities and classes of resorts separate.

Just don't tell YoHo you noticed it!!

And YoHo, my friend!! You say:

Disney Quality is an elusive definition. We here on the debate board don't even always agree on its strict definition

There's nothing elusive about it! Just ask me!!! I'll be glad to tell you!!

 

[YoHo]

Again I say, Is Disney defining what we want or are we defining what Disney provides?

 

[Janet2k]

See what you folks did? I nicely asked you (a page or two ago) for a link to some photos of the upcoming Pop Century Resort and you ignored my plea. Now Disney has gone and done the following: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/orl-asec-hotels17.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

Maybe Disney was afraid that you were actually going to get around to posting a photo link and thus squashed the whole resort in an attempt to thwart you. I guess I'll just have to wait until the next century pops before I ever get a look at the resort that has become so infamous in this thread. * Sigh * You folks sure are powerful. I bow down to you.

 

[Eeyore2U]

I feel bad for those with ressies....although their eyesight will be saved. I hope during the delay they review the design, knock this one down and build something more Disneylike.

 

[DVCDAVE]

That is a great article on the Orlando Sent.. Now if we can get the to take a wrecking ball to it, bulldoze the site clear, and build either another theme park, or water park, we can call this thread a home run. I can't believe how ugly this resort is (was). Reedy Creek Development planning and zoning commission must of been smoking some funny weed in order to allow this to be built.

 

[d-r]

Originally posted by thedscoop
But, d-r, your birdy little avatar almost distracted me from the content of your post

One day hopefully we can walk through the Contemp and you can point out to me everything that fits the theme "Contemporary". Not everything nice or spacious or with a good view because the Hyatt Grand Cypress and Marriott World Congress Center have all of those...no, we can send in a DIS Rumor's scout team to identify everything Contemporary about the Contemporary...and then after the 5 minutes it takes to do this, we can enjoy a drink and the view from CG

As Lee Corso says, "Not so fast, my friend."

What I said was "the theme of the contemporary isn't really 'a bustling contemporary lakeside resort,' the theme is <strong> Walt Disney World.</strong> " I'm sure that this is 100% a matter of nostalgia and location, but that doesn't matter; my point was that the contemporary was not equal to a red roof inn (or the hyatt grand cypress, or the marriott world congress center, or for that matter the Grand, or the Four Seasons, or the Hotel Dell Coronado) in the theming department. It has a theme. I guess it is a lot like the theme of the disneyland hotel in ca. It <strong>IS</strong> the contemporary and it belongs right there by the magic kingdon and the theme <strongt>is</strong> walt disney world. I'll gladly join you at the outer rim, but I'll be talking about the Disney-ness of the place, not the contemporary-ness, and I can't point it out to you because it is everywhere (and you won't find it at the grand cypress or marriott world congress). It isn't the greatest resort in the world, but it <is> the contemporary</strong>.

But this is all sort of silly because it is just opinion stuff anyway -

FWIW, in the wee hours of this morning on one of the vault disney short segments about the "Disney Legends" an imagineer (was it Claude Coats? I wasn't really watching) was discussing insisting that the monorail should go through the cont., because without the monorail the cont. wasn't much of a big deal.

DR