Why did the Disney Center in Ocala, Florida close?

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

When I read that the Disney Center in Ocala, Florida of Interstate 75 closed I was a bit disapointed because every year my family & I would stop there for fun so it became a tradition of ours & on a few occasions we purchased some things there & it was great when the state of Florida had no tax week, because if we bought some shirts there they would be cheaper then in WDW since the no tax does not apply on WDW property. Anyway I know everytime we were there they were never busy where you could not walk around, but there were always people in there so I am wondering why did they close?

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Anyone? Bumping back up.

 

[DisneyDar]

Since it closed so long ago, I think perhaps no one remembers why it closed, which is probably why you don't have any responses.

 

[Dcanoli]

You could do a search on www.allearsnet.com, but I think I remember them having a very short blurb on it--something about Disney cutting back...I THINK....I don't think they were garnering enough ticket sales, ressies, etc. (income) from the center to make it worth their while.

But, I am like you...I am COMPLETELY disappointed it closed. It was a family traiditon with us too. We live north of Atlanta, and that was our first "official" Disney stop.

Pictures of everyone in front of the huge Mickey & Minnie outdoors and pictures of everyone inside. Then, always to my husband's chagrin, we would sit through the whole 20 min. Disney film--you know the one--the one they show on a continuous loop at the resort?

I was really sad they closed it down too!

If I find the blurb on Allears, I'll come back and post it for you.

 

[sleepingbeautymama]

I love to search the internet and I came across a website that said the Disney Center closed because of the reduced number of people visiting the center due to the internet age. They said most people have all the information they need about WDW before they even leave for their trip.

 

[Dcanoli]

Yep, that is correct!

That is EXACTLY what they said on AllEars! Thanks for posting it!

 

[bicker]

Yup. That's typically why they close things: We guests just simply weren't patronizing it enough to warrant keeping it open. The same generally applies when the close down old attractions.

 

[disnut8]

We always would stop there for a bathroom break. But, like others have said, people didn't need the services there anymore. Plus, if you've taken that exit lately, it's so built up now it's really a struggle to get on and off I75.

Disney should just go down the road to the Florida rest stop a few miles south and open up a store there. They'd make a fortune.

 

[BamaFan121s]

How sad. We used to always stop there too. Lines to renew APs were much more pleasant there.

 

[ainmama2001]

We loved it there. My parents live in Leesburg, so we'd go THERE and buy our goodies rather than have to cart them home from the park.

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

When the switched from being run by AAA they changed and not for the best. IMO

We used to stop and check for good deals on last minute rooms etc. We also loved the decor and it was our first Disney moment.

When it was taken over by Disney they no longer gave good out good deals and the shocking thing was that the friendly attendents were no more. One would have thought it would have been the reverse.

We stopped going by because it made us miss the way it once was.

Slightly Goofy

 

[Baloo]

Geez I didn't know it was closed.We didn't stop there on our trip in Dec.

I hate to see it go. I got some pretty good sales items in there.
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