Video of POP Legendary years : Possible Plan To Finish ?

[CanadianGuy]

Irish:

May I ask what your quoting there? That's the first I've seen of ANYTHING with a construction or opening schedule. VERY interesting.

Knox

 

[Irishhockey]

Irish:

May I ask what your quoting there? That's the first I've seen of ANYTHING with a construction or opening schedule. VERY interesting.

Knox

Unfortunately it's from another Discussion Forum site from a thread that was discussing the same topic. The original poster commented that it was directly from Senior Pop Century management and true... but I would classify it as a rumor for right now.

Disney has a lot on its plate right now, between the SSR and AKLV, and the added renovations of the All Stars. The only thing that makes sense to me is that Disney is planning on finishing Pop Century with the goal of it becoming the sole value resort for WWoS events. The renovation of the All Stars somewhat backs this theory as well as the addition of another venue at WWoS. From my readings, this is actually what PC was constructed for... hence the proximity to WWoS.

 

[CanadianGuy]

Exciting news for sure should it prove to be true!!!

Knox

 

[*NikkiBell*]

This is really interesting stuff! Is Disney now actually considering a lower scale DVC venue?

 

[CanadianGuy]

This is really interesting stuff! Is Disney now actually considering a lower scale DVC venue?

I don't think that part is going to happen. It would really muck up the DVC points system and I just can't see it going down.

At a minimum, I'd be VERY surprised.

Knox

 

[Phrank40]

It has always seemed odd to me that Disney has never done anything with this property, even if just some landscaping so the view of Legendary Years from finished part of POP is obscured. I wonder if it is a money matter, is there some write off Disney is taking, that once construction was stopped and not started for several years it makes financial sense not to start up construction until a certain date. Maybe some real estate/financial type people could comment.

Phrank

 

[PezDSpencer]

It has always seemed odd to me that Disney has never done anything with this property, even if just some landscaping so the view of Legendary Years from finished part of POP is obscured.

Exactly. Somebody else commented it is very unDisney like. I find it odd they "let it go" when so much attention to detail is maintained within the park.

 

[CanadianGuy]

I think it's been in a perpetual state of "Next year" ... you know the whole 'Around-to-it-itis' problem ..

I think the same goes for the removal of River Country. No Dis executive wants that to impact 'their' bottom line while they are in charge, so they continually push it off to the future.

 

[Irishhockey]

It has always seemed odd to me that Disney has never done anything with this property, even if just some landscaping so the view of Legendary Years from finished part of POP is obscured. I wonder if it is a money matter, is there some write off Disney is taking, that once construction was stopped and not started for several years it makes financial sense not to start up construction until a certain date. Maybe some real estate/financial type people could comment.

If my memory serves me right... Disney was forced to "abandon" the project due to legality issues with the contractor. I'm still searching for the information regarding that topic. From what I can recall, Disney did infact hault construction in regards with the decline in tourism... but an issue arised with the contractor forcing Disney into a legal mess.

As far as DVC, I don't expect it to happen, but it certainly could be an idea Disney is looking at. Disney does currenty have point calenders for all other disney Resorts except for values: the moderates go for 16pts a night (sun-thurs) during value season. Ironically that's "pointless" considering the same amount of points can get you a 1-bedroom at OKW.
Disney could potentially market the family suites starting around 10 or 12 points since its a mixture of a studio and 1-bedroom villa... but I don't see how you could "buy into a property" like that.

 

[CanadianGuy]

If my memory serves me right... Disney was forced to "abandon" the project due to legality issues with the contractor. I'm still searching for the information regarding that topic. From what I can recall, Disney did infact hault construction in regards with the decline in tourism... but an issue arised with the contractor forcing Disney into a legal mess.

Ok YES. The stoppage in construction resulted in a lawsuit about violation of the contract to build .. lost revenue from other projects they could have persued but turned down because they were committed to finish this one.

But that said - I don't think those legal issues would keep the work stopped to be quite honest with you. They've already 'broken' the contract at this point so hiring another contractor etc wouldn't really change that.

Of course, I'm not a lawyer... but let's put it this way -- If Disney really wanted that built by now, it would have been built by now. I don't think they've been at all serious about it, if at all, till very recently.

[ EDIT: As a public company any legal action would have to be noted as a potential liability (or as a settlement) in SEC filings and going back to 2003 (when the Classic Years opened) I can find no such notation in the SEC filings. ]

Knox

 

[minnie61650]

.......Disney has a lot on its plate right now, between the SSR and AKLV, and the added renovations of the All Stars. The only thing that makes sense to me is that Disney is planning on finishing Pop Century with the goal of it becoming the sole value resort for WWoS events. The renovation of the All Stars somewhat backs this theory as well as the addition of another venue at WWoS. From my readings, this is actually what PC was constructed for... hence the proximity to WWoS.

I agree. I also think Pop will become the sole value resort for WWoS just as it was intened to be. With WWos in such close proximity it might be possible to build a walkway so many guests could walk over to the events.

Here is a article that states Pop was originally built for groups who would be participating at WWos:

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.
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[MommyHolly04]

My husband and son (3) and myself just returned from 8 days at POP. We were in the 50's building 2 facing the pool. If you stepped out of our door, you could see the pool and if you turned right you could see the lake. Right on the other side of the lake is the Legendary Years. Are they an eyesore to those wanting a lakeview. Yep! It looks very trashy to those that take a walk around the resort. The other side of the lake is pretty much all weeds and hollowed out buildings. I think it is completely irresponsible of Disney to leave any kind of property like this. Especially coming from Disney which stands by completing every last itty bitty detail of a project.

Either add some landscaping over there so it doesnt impede the view of those staying at the classic years. I do feel sorry for those that ask for a water view and this is what they get (not knowing any better) or those guests that get rooms that are stuck on the backside.

OR

finish it and the legendary years bridge!

 

[thejollyfinn]

awesome vid! thanks!

If they finish it, they will only as deluxe family suites
- there's major moola to be had

 

[jenseib]

I thought the video was neat!

I don't think that the buildings themselves are a major eyesore. But the lack of landscaping and uncut grass and weeds are. I think the lake looks pretty crappy. I thought there was brush all around it that needed to be cleaned up.

 

[stemikger]

It reminds of the day after. Disney after a nuclear or dirty bomb. God Forbid.

I really hope they finish this. It would be so nice to be able to walk across that bridge from the Classic Years to the Legendary Years.

Unless, this is part of the theming and it is actually operating as a distressed resort. Think about it, they didn't have many luxuries in 1910.

 

[Carrieannew]

Unless, this is part of the theming and it is actually operating as a distressed resort. Think about it, they didn't have many luxuries in 1910.

That cracked me up. hehe

 

[DiRTyBuNNy]

That was an awesome video and very chilling as many have already posted. I do hope that Disney does get around to finishing the legendary years for the simple fact that is an eyesore and is kind of depressing to look at...

--Mr. DB

 

[pwrflpills]

Unless, this is part of the theming and it is actually operating as a distressed resort. Think about it, they didn't have many luxuries in 1910.

Haha, what a great idea! Not sure how successful it would be though.

People keep mentioning possible legal issues or lawsuits they might be dealing with regarding this. Not sure if anyone mentioned this yet, but as someone who is in construction I think the only legal battle they would be having is from the contractors who were forced to stop building and not be paid in full for the amount of time they had dedicated to finishing this project for Disney. They would have had to select the Disney job and possibly tell other land owners that they couldn't build for them, they go into contract with Disney for a proposed amount of time and then Disney just says "stop, we're not going to complete them now." I can imagine it was a pretty tumultuous time for the contractor. And not only the contractor but all other vendors who were to possibly come in to do parts of the job or supply custom finishes, materials, etc. They had most likely created a lot if not all of these supplies and then Disney told them they didn't need them anymore and they weren't going to get paid. = lawsuit.