Why don't they...

[RaymOOOnd]

1. Build a walking path from Grand Floridian to the Magic Kingdom?
2. Build a path, safari-themed train, ANYTHING from AKV to the Animal Kingdom park?
3. Make the BLT parking lot somehow more attractive with a canopy, futuristic garage, etc to keep people with a theme park view on the 5th through 7th floors from feeling like they've been ripped off?
4. Build a Yacht Club DVC and thereby create the most sought after thing I can possibly imagine? (I'm sure the answer to this is that BCV already exists a few steps away, but I'd bet it would fly off the shelves tomorrow at $275pp).

I'm sure there are great answers to all of these which my feeble non-corporate mind can't grasp. But have just returned from BLT and am trying to cope

 

[_auroraborealis_]

1. The bridge for boats is an issue.

2. Too many fences.

3. It's still a TPV. Why spend the capital? People at BLT bought knowing what it is.

4. YC is already extremely small and critical to their conventions business. They cannot remove units there and still meet unit guarantees to book large conferences at their core convention center at the Boardwalk. Conventions are in their way even better cash than DVC, because of the catering concession. the

 

[RaymOOOnd]

Ah. Pipe dreams I guess

 

[DatDudeSG]

That would be a nice walk from the GF, and just think if they connected it all the way around to make a very magical running path. Like a 7 Seas Lagoon Marathon event?

 

[RaymOOOnd]

1. The bridge for boats is an issue.

2. Too many fences.

3. It's still a TPV. Why spend the capital? People at BLT bought knowing what it is.

4. YC is already extremely small and critical to their conventions business. They cannot remove units there and still meet unit guarantees to book large conferences at their core convention center at the Boardwalk. Conventions are in their way even better cash than DVC, because of the catering concession. the

#2 ---> too many fences seems not impossible to overcome (how many fences are we talking about here?)

#3 --> I think, after twice not getting my upper floor request, that they are constantly moving people from lower to higher floors on the second day of their stays, thereby creating sort of a backlog. How else does someone whose only request is a high floor (with specification that it also take precedence over check-in time) keep ending up on 6 or 7? I'll bet this is a constant (albeit small) issue for them and their bell service people

 

[katandmouse]

DH and I have discussed #1 many times. Why not make it a drawbridge? They would only need to raise it a couple times a night, once to let the EWP barges out in the evening and then once again to house them after all the shows at night. Just post the time the bridge will be up so walkers are aware (but ASFAIK the EWP is the same times every night of the year).

 

[erionm]

DH and I have discussed #1 many times. Why not make it a drawbridge?

ROI. It would cost more than Disney would get in return. Honestly, far fewer people would than you think would actually use that walkway if completed.

Second point, the path only exists because of the Leave a Legacy bricks which are being removed.

 

[jerseyduke]

1. There is a river to cross between the GF anf MK, and the electric water pageant needs it.
A pretty big expense with no real gain. It is a decent walk, that I do not think a whole lot of ppl would take. Plus a bridge, particularly a draw bridge has to be maintained.

2. Build a path, safari-themed train, ANYTHING from AKV to the Animal Kingdom park?
So basically, build another version of Kilimanjaro Safaris? - but one that is free?

3. Make the BLT parking lot somehow more attractive with a canopy, futuristic garage, etc to keep people with a theme park view on the 5th through 7th floors from feeling like they've been ripped off?
They don't even clean the windows on Grand Canyon Concourse! Another big expense with no ROI.


4. Build a Yacht Club DVC and thereby create the most sought after thing I can possibly imagine? (I'm sure the answer to this is that BCV already exists a few steps away, but I'd bet it would fly off the shelves tomorrow at $275pp).

Not sure why it would be the most sought after thing, but then again it is 1 of only 2 Disney properties I have not stayed at, and have no interest in. 275 a point and it would fly off of the shelf? Really? If Disney thought that they might actually knock down the convention center tomorrow and build it, but the convention center is your answer. best they could do with the YC is convert existing rooms.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Relative to the fences and roadways near AKL, a lot of the stuff immediately behind the fences is not scenic. Not that every bus route is, but. Vet barns are kinda meh.

YC has a total of 630 units now, including the suites and Club Level. BWI is 378. Beach Club is 583. For a big conference at the main center, without spillover to Swan/Dolphin, many bookers will require a room block of at least 1000 units, with 50-75% being walking distance. You cannot really reduce the size of YC and maintain guarantees.

 

[jerseyduke]

#3 --> I think, after twice not getting my upper floor request, that they are constantly moving people from lower to higher floors on the second day of their stays, thereby creating sort of a backlog. How else does someone whose only request is a high floor (with specification that it also take precedence over check-in time) keep ending up on 6 or 7? I'll bet this is a constant (albeit small) issue for them and their bell service people

HUH? They are moving people on day 2? What? I dont think they are moving people from one room to another ever, let alone constantly.

How many rooms of type and view do they have to offer?

As VGF, there are at most 47 1 bed rooms. about 30 standard, and 17 lake views. Whatever day you check in on, someone has to be checking out that day. If you want a lake view 1 bed room, DVC might have like 3 or 4 rooms that they could possibly put you in that day. That is not even 1 per floor.

 

[NoTime42]

i still think it would be better for the environment to build solar installs over existing parking lotsvs razing natural vegetation for regularly mowed grass. I think that would be a great idea over BLT parking.

 

[siren0119]

RE: AKV to AK - I could potentially see them looking into direct transportation via Skyliner if the current installations work out as well as projected. The gondolas can traverse fenced in areas as well as roadways.

 

[crisi]

Walking paths need to be maintained. They also create security issues - and since the tragic gator incident, I don't think Disney will put any more walking paths near water that isn't heavily trafficked. And gators can like roadside ditches - it doesn't have to be a lot of water.

Parking ramps are expensive to build and Disney really would rather have you Magical Express in than drive. Having a car means you can escape Disney to go to Universal, eat, visit the beach. Disney wants you to spend all your time at Disney.

If they ever have "extra" rooms at the Yacht Club to turn into a DVC, I suspect they will make one there. But the resort isn't huge, and there isn't land to create new rooms without impacting the convention center.

Alway ask "what's in it for Disney" The gondolas are going to reduce bus traffic - they probably have an ROI in fuel costs over seven years of running buses.

 

[NoTime42]

Walking paths need to be maintained. They also create security issues - and since the tragic gator incident, I don't think Disney will put any more walking paths near water that isn't heavily trafficked. And gators can like roadside ditches - it doesn't have to be a lot of water.

Parking ramps are expensive to build and Disney really would rather have you Magical Express in than drive. Having a car means you can escape Disney to go to Universal, eat, visit the beach. Disney wants you to spend all your time at Disney.

If they ever have "extra" rooms at the Yacht Club to turn into a DVC, I suspect they will make one there. But the resort isn't huge, and there isn't land to create new rooms without impacting the convention center.

Alway ask "what's in it for Disney" The gondolas are going to reduce bus traffic - they probably have an ROI in fuel costs over seven years of running buses.

FYI, it’s not just fuel costs since they raised the Skyliner resort rates $60M/year (plus the Riviera initial lease and transportation dues)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1144706585807261696

 

[jerseyduke]

Another thing with anything transportation related, while the skyliner idea from AKL to AK may be something we see, Disney does have emergency evacuation procedures for things. They built special boats with lifts to get up to a gondola car over water. Whatever they traverse, they need to be able to rescue people from.

Not saying that that means anything is impossible, just merely pointing it out.

 

[DisneyOutsider]

#1 has come close to reality on more than one occasion. It's much more feasible than many people realize. I get the impression that it's a project that's always on the peripheral, but is something that easily gets the axe when budget priorities come into focus.

In my Magic Kingdom fantasy, I am able to pick up a bicycle outside of my room at the Poly and ride it along the path by Grand Floridian and all the way up to the front gate of MK where I drop it off.

 

[bdphill22]

Asking what is in it for Disney, specifically ROI, is the most important question.

An example would be the gondola. First of all, it is a very attractive draw. It allows them to sell Riviera for a higher price per point, or book rooms at a higher nightly cost. Guests are willing to pay more for a quick enjoyable gondola trip to two different parks, or even the hotels you can reach from there.

A walking path from GF to MK would not get them any extra revenue from DVC since it's already sold and I believe any affect it would have on the nightly cost per room would be immaterial.

However, I do think this one is at least plausible in the future since it would do a couple of things for Disney. There is a negative effect on the perception of the parks or the prices if transportation to them is tough and crowded. It would cut down on the monorail traffic slightly, therefore reducing frustration. People who like walking, such as my wife and I, would probably skip the line and walk even all the way back to Poly. Anyone who takes a bus to MK or the transportation center to get to restaurants or events at GF or Poly could walk as well and reduce traffic on the monorail. Lower traffic would also mean slightly lower maintenance. Since a walking path with a couple of bridges isn't that big of an outlay for Disney in comparison, I could see this one happening. Though, I'm sure they've already done the cost benefit analysis of it and determined it still isn't worth it at the time.

I could also see the AKL AK walking path since there would be significant savings on buses. However, they have likely also done the analysis on this and determined it isn't worth it. It is a long walk. If you look at where you can walk places in WDW it is in places that are close and keep you completely immersed in the experience around you. A path here would lead you exposed to the outside world for a while, or cost a lot to theme it in order to keep the experience.

A BLT parking lot upgrade would cost a ton and get them almost nothing since it's already sold and the probably wouldn't be able to charge any more per night.

A Yatch Club DVC would probably sell for a very high price as well, and would seem to make a lot of sense, the only trouble is where? Go look at the map (satellite) and you see there really is no where to put it. Finding space for it with a parking lot or another building being moved would cost a lot. Rooms must sell well enough not to be re-purposed as well.

 

[crisi]

Our home is the BWV - and I frequently take the walking path to DHS - its a much shorter path than the path from VAKL to AK would be. I usually do not see anyone else on my walks. I suspect that they know that few people walk from the Epcot resorts all the way to Hollywood Studios - and that puts a damper on any more footpaths - because while guests might say they'll use it, not enough will to make an impact on other transportation.

 

[Deb & Bill]

It all comes down to what will it cost to build and maintain and what does Disney get out of it. What is the return on their investment. Most of these ideas will cost more than Disney benefits.

Not only would the path from GF to MK have to cross the river, it would have to cross a lot of swamp. The path would need to be enclosed or covered with security cameras to keep guests (and others) from leaving the path. It would need staff stationed at various locations to ensure no one is going where they are not supposed to go. Same for a path from AK to AKL, plus multiple traffic crossings (so road bridges like they have a Disney Springs.

They would need to build a YC DVC across the road from the YC where the CM currently park (they took the first CM parking lot to build the BCV). For all the major conventions they have at the YC, they need the parking lot space for trailer trucks, tents and other convention support.

 

[CarolMN]

Disney has many, many, many options in which to invest its capital. IMO, these suggestions will never make it even close to the top of their list. I wouldn't expect any competent manager of a corporation to even suggest using precious investment capital in that manner.