Religious Services end at the Polynesian

[DebbieB]

I'm curious how the Protestant service was conducted. Did different ministers share the responsibility? One of the deterrents to other faiths offering services is how to provide the celebrant.

We went to the Protestant Service 3 times from 1996 to 1999. They really didn't announce what denomination they were, they said they came from a interfaith ministry in Orlando (or something like that). I remember the first time they had communion but the other two times not. Each time the service was different. One time the minister and his sons setup a tape machine that played the music for the hymns, another time the minister was strictly on his own. The last time it was warm so they didn't use the alter (stage), it was a small group so the minister stood under the roof on the far end and conducted the service (this was the time I mentioned he had to cut it short because of his church picnic!).

 

[DisneyHumbug]

I just received e-mail from Disney concerning the masses:

Thank you for contacting WALT DISNEY WORLD!

Catholic Church Services, are held at the Mary, Queen of the Universe Catholic
Shrine. The shrine is located 2 1/2 miles northeast of Lake Buena Vista on the
I-4 frontage road. Traveling south on SR 535 from Hotel Plaza
Boulevard/Crossroads, drive to second traffic signal, turn left (Vineland
Avenue) and continue approximately 1 mile.
Mass is held at Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Shrine on:

Sunday: 7:30am, 9:30am, 11:30am, and 6pm
Saturday: 6pm
A priest hears confession daily. Call (407) 239-6600 for further information.

Guests of Catholic faith can attend mass at the Mary, Queen of the Universe
Shrine. Mears Motor Transportation offers round-trip shuttle service direct
from each resort on Sunday morning for the 9:30am mass. The cost for this
service is $10.00 per person, round-trip. Guests can contact Mears at
407-423-5566 to make reservations. Guests wishing to arrange for taxi service
can contact Checker/Yellow Cab at 407-699-9999.

We hope this information is helpful, and we look forward to future opportunities
to entertain you.

If you have questions or need further assistance, feel free to contact us.

Please include your full name, E-Mail address, and reservation number if
applicable on all correspondence.

Thank you!

Sincerely,

Gail Williams

 

[B3LM]

Just wanted to let everyone know that a castmember just called me to answer my questions regarding the religious services.
He said that the main reason that they are discontinuing the services offered at the Poly is because of the rehab. However, he also told me that there is no plan to offer them after the rehab is complete either. He also said that they won't be offering services at the Contemporary convention center as they have in the past for special holidays (Christmas and Easter).

I specifically asked if it had anything to do with a shortage of priests. His answer was no.

He did explain that the shrine was nearby and that they felt it was better to offer the services in one central location (i.e. the shrine). The transportation options will be your own vehicle, Mears shuttle, or taxis.

Beth

 

[Disneydenise]

Wow now that is a shame that they won't be offering the services at the resort for the holidays. I have never been away during a holiday but I thought that it was nice they made it so easy to celebrate C&E . Now many of the folks won't even get to church on those days. I am sorry for anyone who had a plan to go to DW for Christmas the shrine is big but not that big. The shrine is also very crowded even when it isn't a holiday. Make sure you leave early.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Does anyone know approximately how much a taxi would cost to take to the shrine? I can just imagine the chaos on Christmas morning with Mears!!!

 

[PamOKW]

Does anyone know approximately how much a taxi would cost to take to the shrine?

Of course it depends which hotel you start from, but I would guesstimate about $15 each way. Mapquest puts the distance at 1.5 miles from the Doubletree on Hotel Plaza. (The directions from OKW come up convoluted so I can't get an accurate guess.)

I think the shrine seats roughly 2,000. However, it does still tend to fill for the masses at Christmas.

I wondered if shutting down the luau might have had something to do with this decision and it sounds like it did. I sure hope the luau is just closed for refurbishing and not gone for good, too.

 

[DisneyHumbug]

Thanks for the info Pam. We're staying at WL - maybe I'll look into renting a car now. I broke the news to my Mom - she's not a happy camper!!!

 

[PLUTO2]

Originally posted by PamOKW


I wondered if shutting down the luau might have had something to do with this decision and it sounds like it did. I sure hope the luau is just closed for refurbishing and not gone for good, too.

When is the luau shut down?

 

[Luv2Roam]

"Catholic Church Services, are held at the Mary, Queen of the Universe Catholic Shrine. The shrine is located 2 1/2 miles northeast of Lake Buena Vista on the I-4 frontage road. Traveling south on SR 535 from Hotel Plaza Boulevard/Crossroads, drive to second traffic signal, turn left (Vineland Avenue) and continue approximately 1 mile."
And don't let the door hit you on the way out!

 

[PamOKW]

Originally posted by B3LM
Just wanted to let everyone know that a castmember just called me to answer my questions regarding the religious services.
He said that the main reason that they are discontinuing the services offered at the Poly is because of the rehab. However, he also told me that there is no plan to offer them after the rehab is complete either.

I don't know the details. I took the comment about closing for rehab from Beth's post. Anyone have more info?

 

[Sammie]

I am beginning to think that the perfect saying for Disney and Internet Forums is:"You can please some of the people some of the time, but not all of the people all of the time."

Or Disney World the Vacation Destination Some Love to Hate!

 

[lvs_eeyore]

I asked the Poly Concierge about this yesterday and the answer was it had just gotten too large, too many people and they couldnt accommodate them all.

As far as I know they are still booking the Luau because I asked about that also when I was asking about special things to do to celebrate my birthday while we are there.

 

[Rajah*]

i want to add my thoughts to those that believe cancelling religious services is a bad idea. without being scientific in thinking about numbers, i would guess that most guests (if they have a faith) are christian. as a service to guests (and what's better for business, than happy customers?), having on-site services seems to me a good idea. i attended RC sevices on my last trip and greatly appriciated disney making it possible to do so. the only impact this has on my opinion of dw management is negative. things change in life, and this is a change for the worse. our country needs to strengthen itself, and fostering of the values worship provides us is good exercise. bad decision disney!

 

[kimmar067]

...then why did they cancel the 8AM service? We attended the 10:15AM one because the 8AM service was cancelled due to lack of attendance( or so WDW said....)

 

[PLUTO2]

I received an e-mail today from WDW in response to my letter about the religious services no longer being offered. They asked for my phone number and a good time to call. Has anyone received a phone call?

 

[Janet2k]

Thank you, everyone, for the information. I am sad that religious services won't be offered anymore. I will miss them.

 

[MrShiny]

"Too large" is a poor excuse as well. Why then not just move them to the balllroom at the Contemporary where htey were holding services on the major holidays?

 

[pooh6890]

Disney is under no obligation to provide religious services. They are providing information for services in the area if any of you wish to attend. Disney is a Theme Park folks! I am sure that God understands you are on vacation and one Sunday is fine with her!

 

[sumessefui]

While I will miss the Mass at the Poly, WDW has no obligation to supply space for it. I am sure it was really no expense for them,since there was no real setup and minimal if any cleanup. I guess it was just another politically correct decision.
Since we usually have a car, going to the shrine for Mass will be no problem. However we normally eat at the Poly or GF after Mass and then do some shopping there. Since we will already be off grounds we will eat off grounds and not shop at the resorts. Being that Disney's revenue is already down they will not miss the little that we would have spent.

 

[AF Brenda]

I guess it was just another politically correct decision.