Rumors abound--Will Pop Century be redesigned?

In reading my daily dose of Disney news this morning, I came across a little nugget that got my interest--there was a permit filed in Orange County, FL for Disney to build a mock-up of a room for something called "Disney's Animation Inn and Suites". That got me wondering if maybe Disney was going to finally finish Pop Century: Legendary Years--the ghost town across Hourglass Lake from Pop Century: Classic Years.


I set out to see if there was any chatter about this on other websites and discovered that not only are there rumors about this being the long-awaited completion of the Legendary Years section, but that it could also be a complete redesign of Pop Century as a whole. The suggestion is that the pop culture icons of Pop Century would be replaced by Disney animation icons (not sure how this is different from All-Star Movies, but...). If true, this could be a huge bit of news for those who have families of 5 or more and struggle to find places to share one room together.

Here are links to articles I read related to this.

Jim Hill's Monday Mouse Watch

Fab Rocks "New Resort News"

Jim Hill suggests that someone on the inside told him that you'll know when Disney feels that the economy is getting back on track because this project will get greenlit.

So...what do you all think about this possible change from Pop Century to Disney's Animation Inn and Suites?

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Tim
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
The Mouse Your Way Travel
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Interesting story, I can't wait to see what is going to happen with this.

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Tim, that first image isn't showing for me. But, that's a very interesting story.

And definitely would be a HUGE deal for Disney. But, it could also be a 'bad' thing for Disney as well. This would take away even more business from those other hotel and resort chains that provide the 'family suite' option outside of Disney property. But, what about the potential lost revenue from families that will no longer have to pay the higher fees for the DVC units and will potentially 'downgrade' to the Pop Century accomodations?

This will be VERY interesting to follow!

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I tried a different picture, Arny. Not sure what was up with the first one...it showed just fine for me.

I don't think this would impact DVC ownership much, if at all. When I have clients with 5 or more people in the family, they usually aren't trying to decide between buying into DVC or getting two rooms at a value. They're usually trying to find out whether they can find something priced reasonably enough to allow them to take their large family for this trip. I can see the addition of a large section of family suites as having more of an impact on Port Orleans Riverside than on DVC. Jim Hill suggests that this redesign of Pop Century could even lead to bumping it up to Moderate resort status. Not sure about that, but it's interesting to think about.

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Tim
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
The Mouse Your Way Travel
Affiliated with Magical Travel--Sponsor of the Walt Disney Boards
tim@themouseyourway.com
(800) 883-1535, ext. 24

Very intersting.
I am very much a proponent of seeing the Legenday Years completed and opened to the public, especially if it will add more Family Suites to the value room options. I think we will get more families (of five and six) with limited disposable income to visit WDW if there more Family Suites.
I'm not too sure I like the re-theming idea though. I like Pop Century, I like the icons and the reminders of my past... the big wheel, rubiks cube, foosball table, etc.

I hope to see more information on this soon, as the unfinished resort half is a saddening eyesore.

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Mary

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I think it would be cool. The especially need to redo the unfinished part. It's bad show for sure. It should be interesting and fun to find out!

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You know, in thinking about this, this could also be a great idea for a new moderate or even deluxe resort.

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I don't know about making it a Moderate rsort... it seems like larger families would be able to afford a WDW visit to a Value resort. Especially in the current economy! The Family Suite idea isn't bad, though. I like the POP concept of icons for past decades. It's a livilg History lesson-Like me!!

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Lu

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This uncompleted section has been rumored to become suites for awhile. WDW needs affordable family suites in the value category. I am looking foward to seeing what they do with it.

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:t humbsdown:

Booooo to bumping this up to a moderate resort!

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I agree with this. There needs to be more affordable places to stay on property that can sleep 5 or more. Port Orleans Riverside has the rooms with a trundle bed, but they are pathetic. The mattress on the trundle is thin and it's right on the floor.

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I agree. The ASMU family suites already price double the value rooms and are more than a moderate. So if they make those buildings suites they will be priced as a moderate or higher.

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Denise
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Do whatever you want -- Just don't change my Pop!!!

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I kind of agree with you--we stayed at Pop Century on its first official night open (Dec. 14, 2003) and have been back many times since. It does have a nostalgic place in our hearts. But even so, I think I'd be excited to see what they did with something completely dedicated to Disney's animation history. Could be very cool...

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Tim
Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
The Mouse Your Way Travel
Affiliated with Magical Travel--Sponsor of the Walt Disney Boards
tim@themouseyourway.com
(800) 883-1535, ext. 24

I think Suites would be a good solution for that property. Too many families having to rent two rooms. I think the draw to Pop is it is relatively peaceful much like the French Quarter, small and quaint. Time will tell if the current loyal visitors to Pop will still like it as much if the buses carry that many more guests. Both FQ and Pop have more Adult guests, wonder if new theming will draw more families and send Adult couples racing for the FQ?

Moderate. I would be surprised. room dimensions don't match moderate nor the interior finishings, pools not equal to moderates, etc. They would have to do a lot of upgrading. Then again AKL standard rooms are small for a deluxe. I believe they are going to try to draw more families. More $$ per sq. foot. I think pricing suites around a moderate price is much different than designating it a moderate hotel.

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GABE