Uninhabited complex next to POP Century??

[mjh8955]

Just got back from POP. Our room was on the backside of the Playdoh building, facing the lake. There is a complex of some kind just across the lake, clearly visible from the POP, but it seems unused and there is no sign anywhere saying what it is. Not on the map either. What is it? Or what did it used to be? Does anyone know? I meant to ask at the front desk before I left but forgot. Thanks!

 

[TheDisneyGirl02]

If I'm not mistaken, you saw what is going to be the first part of the century when POP is expanded. They've had the empty buildings there for years now. Can anyone provide more information?

 

[malice]

it's the phase II expansion of POP that was never completed. it is supposed to reflect the "legendary years" 1900-1940. i'm not sure what happened.

from wiki:
The second phase of construction is the Legendary Years - 1900-1940. This part of the resort resides across the Hourglass Lake, and is connected by the Generation Gap Bridge. Its construction was halted after 9/11 due to the reduction in tourism. As of Summer 2006, the "Legendary Hall" building and a few of the units have been constructed but are not finished. The buildings can be seen on the right hand side of the entrance to Pop Century.
Initially the completed resort was to have an additional 2,880 rooms on the "Legendary" side, configured identically to the "Classic" side. However, as of April 10, 2006, the MousePlanet website has confirmed that these rooms will instead be configured as family suites, identical to those now available at Disney's All-Star Music Resort, with a separate master bedroom, two bathrooms and a small kitchenette. In Summer 2007, some "hammering" noises could be heard and various Disney security vehicles could be spotted on the Lengedary Years Lot, although there is no physical evidence that continuing construction is going on.
A few of the pop icons to represent these decades have already been revealed by the shape of the swimming pools in the design plans. The pool in the 1940s section is to be shaped like a highway sign, suggesting a "Route 66" motif. The pool in the 1930s will resemble a soda bottle, and the 1910s pool forms the outline of a Monopoly game board

 

[minnie61650]

This was published in June 2006 from this website:
http://www.mouseplanet.com/articles.php?art=eo060630bb
After the strong success of the All Star Resorts, it became clear to Disney management that more "value level" resort capacity at Walt Disney World would be a good investment. Having more inexpensive rooms on-site would bring more customers through the gates to stay for longer duration visits, rather than staying off site at the chain motels on the 192 and International Drive strips.
Construction for the new Pop Century Resort, began in late 1999 and continued at a steady, if not breakneck, pace for almost two years.
Located just South of Caribbean Beach Resort off of Victory Way, the new resort was expected to be the perfect place for sports teams to stay while competing at various tournaments at the nearby Wide World of Sports. The influx of amateur softball and baseball teams, cheerleading and dance squads, and fans of the Atlanta Braves (who make Wide World of Sports their Spring training home base) would certainly fill this new resort's rooms as soon as it was built.
Then came the tragedy of 9/11. As our nation mourned the loss of heros and innocent civilians to the dastardly attacks on New York and Washington (not forgetting the patriots on the flight that "failed" it's mission when it crashed in Pennsylvania), going on vacation to visit Mickey Mouse became much less important. More families stayed home or took shorter, local trips for vacation in the two years or so that followed.
Without the need for the extra capacity, construction on the Pop Century Resort buildings was put on hold and the buildings were mothballed. It wasn't until late 2003, just in time for the Christmas holiday week in fact, that the Classic Years (depicting the 1950s, '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s) half of the resort opened. The Legendary Years (depicting the decades from 1900 through 1940) remains incomplete and unopened with no published plans for completion.
-----------------------------------------
There have been rumors that someday Disney may finish that
area and put Family Suites in there.
--------------------------------------
Here's a link to an article that talks about the unfinished section of Pop becoming suites:
It has photos of how the unfinished section of Pop looks.


http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jeff_lange/archive/2006/04/13/1813.aspx

*NOTE:Remember it is just a rumor about that section becoming Suites.
If you really want to stay in a Family Suite --All Star Music has them now.

 

[mjh8955]

The "Legendary Years" part of the resort would be directly across from the current buildings, where there is a bridge. The building I am referring to is to the SIDE of POP Century (forgive me, I couldn't tell what direction). There is no bridge anywhere near it. It is a very large building, probably 4 levels high, all a dull brown. There does not appear to be separate buildings. It appears to be finished, just unused. This is not the part of POP that didn't get built, it's in the wrong place.

 

[spiceycat]

everything across from the lake is the unfinished part of Pop.

there is a film somewhere that tells you about it.

most of it is not even started besides the pipes and underground work.

there were a couple of building almost finished

http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&ll=28.353017,-81.545543&spn=0.002181,0.002891&t=k&z=18&om=1

 

[mjh8955]

Yes, this is it. The buildings I saw were the ones on the satellite image! Thanks.

 

[StrollPatrolMom]

Its near the back of the 50's...but its still sort of "around" the lake...we were in the rear of building 2 of the 50's and I ran around the complex most mornings....

 

[HopperFan]

 

[bavaria]

there is a film somewhere that tells you about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSc1fG0ETeY

 

[DanMedix]

It's a shame, too, that Disney isn't planning on completing this part. It would be a welcome addition, plus make the whole thing look and feel "finished".

 

[PoohsHubby]

Is it just me or is that kinda scary to look at? Like Disney gone Ghost Town. It surely doesn't fit in it's surrounding. We will be staying at Pop in Sept 08 and to be honest, I woudln't really want to see that while I'm there. It takes away the magic of Disney.

 

[SunKat]

Is it just me or is that kinda scary to look at? Like Disney gone Ghost Town. It surely doesn't fit in it's surrounding. We will be staying at Pop in Sept 08 and to be honest, I woudln't really want to see that while I'm there. It takes away the magic of Disney.

I agree. Our room at POP didn't overlook those buildings but we noticed them when we took a walk one evening. They do like kind of creepy.

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

It would be really nice to see Disney finish them, especially with Family Suites and I am pretty sure they would have no problem filling them. We have stayed at Pop once, on our first trip, and I would really like to stay there again, but we have to have a larger room or a suite.

Maybe we Disers could petition Disney to finish them

Suzanne

 

[HopperFan]

Is it just me or is that kinda scary to look at? Like Disney gone Ghost Town. It surely doesn't fit in it's surrounding. We will be staying at Pop in Sept 08 and to be honest, I woudln't really want to see that while I'm there. It takes away the magic of Disney.

It bothered me the first trip, but now used to them. And while those photos were my view, I could also see the EPCOT & Magic Kingdom fireworks from my room, and when MGM closed early for a private party and had fireworks...saw them too...........