Originally Posted By irishfan Just wondering what everyone thought of the new Kevin Yee article over at miceage. In short, he claims Disney are planning a new dining, lodging and shopping district in WDW at the Junction of Western way and 429.
Originally Posted By brotherdave If built they way he describes it, it sounds a little dissapointing, but, doesnt't surprise me if they go through with it. I was hoping for something a little more exciting!
Originally Posted By fkurucz Well, since they can't fill up the regular rooms, they figured they'ld go after the International Drive crowd. Will this mean that the new hotels will be even more spartan than All-Stars? Time will tell.
Originally Posted By mstaft ^^^ Wow even worse than Pop Century?!?! Ugly, just ugly- where's the magic in this?
Originally Posted By mrichmondj If WDW is going to grow its business, it has to cater to the low end of the market. The only population growth in the U.S. for the next 25 years is in the lower end of the socio-economic strata. Expect more low end fare to come. Nothing magical about it, just a business decision based on the facts about the U.S. economy.
Originally Posted By kennect There were two thoughts I had about reading this article...Number one, does anyone remember the socalled "Bus Stop" thing that Disney had planned for South Carolina at one time in the past? A major exit on I-95...The second thought I had was I wasn't surprised but concerned as to what was said was being included in this effort...To me it isn't another DTD...It is a very major mainstream retail project that just doesn't fit into the idea of WDW period...Should this come to pass as he said it will be a very sad day for WDW and anything that was or is special about it....
Originally Posted By PO Riverside I would like to see some concept drawings before voicing an opinion It dose look like their going after the I drive 192 crowd
Originally Posted By danyoung I thought it was a pretty smart business decision. Yeah, the properties will probably be minimally themed. But would you rather stay in a Super 8 on I-Drive or one on Disney property for the same price, one in a village area with plenty of cheap food and shopping within walking distance and GREAT transportation to the parks? I think this is a no brainer that's going to be even more of a success than the AS/Pop properties.
Originally Posted By BlueOhanaTerror >>>In short, he claims Disney are planning a new dining, lodging and shopping district in WDW at the Junction of Western way and 429.<<< Cast members were informed of this several days ago. It's happening. And yes, apparently it'll be very much like I-Drive.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<This is the Disney Company at it's most ambitious.>> It could also been seen as Disney at its most predatory.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper When I was younger...and had less disposable income...I rarely stayed on Disney property. Even now you can find hotels with rates cheaper than All Star/Pop that are equally furnished, similar size, etc. Other than the "look" of the place and "free transportation to the parks" (which is lousy at best...I just drive) there isn't much differentiating them. If Disney offered something comparable back then I might have done it.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>If WDW is going to grow its business, it has to cater to the low end of the market. The only population growth in the U.S. for the next 25 years is in the lower end of the socio-economic strata. Expect more low end fare to come. Nothing magical about it, just a business decision based on the facts about the U.S. economy.<< So true. There are only so many people who can afford the current product line, and that market appears to be tapped out. >>I thought it was a pretty smart business decision. Yeah, the properties will probably be minimally themed. But would you rather stay in a Super 8 on I-Drive or one on Disney property for the same price, one in a village area with plenty of cheap food and shopping within walking distance and GREAT transportation to the parks? I think this is a no brainer that's going to be even more of a success than the AS/Pop properties.<< Of course there is the risk of cannibalization. Why stay at AS/Pop when you can get most of the same bennies for less $$? For this to make sense these hotels will have to be a noticeable step down from AS/Pop. Any semblance of "resort" will be missing I expect. No theming, no early entry, no package express, less frequent busses, etc. Just Super 8/Econolodge quality motels that aren't as run down as those off property. Maybe they can also build houses and rent them out as well?
Originally Posted By mickey_ring I looked on a map or two and found 429, but not Western Way. Is it near 192 or someplace else? Unless I'm not looking at it right, 429 looks kind of reeeee-mote from WDW property. I don't think I'd be curious enough to go that far from the parks just to see a new shopping center.
Originally Posted By Daannzzz Go to Mapquest and find Walt Disney World, then click on ariel view. If you know the property a hair north west of Coronado Springs resort you can see where they were building westrns way. Follow it and you will see what is going on as far as the roadways go.
Originally Posted By mickey_ring will do. Y'know, every time I've been to the Crossroads shopping center across from Hotel Plaza Blvd, there are always several empty retail spaces. Will this new place bring more empty stores? At least it will mean more work for construction workers and builders.
Originally Posted By mickey_ring How 'bout an area like DCA's Paradise Pier instead of more stores? Not big enough to be a fifth park, but spend-a-half-day size. Theme it all oranges and citrus.
Originally Posted By kennect mickey, I had trouble finding current maps pointing out this location but it is there and pretty hard to miss....Last trip down I even stopped at the FL. welcome station and inquired about it and the gal gave us the wrong exit number for it...Long story short...As the exit approached we were arguing if it was it or not...I swore it was but was out voted...So instead we got the major Orlando/I-4 approach to Disney...Actually it was kind of fun to see what was going on elsewhere...But when leaving we did use the new road and it really is a quick and easy way to get out of there if you are trying to hook up to I-75....My initial thoughts about this weren't good but if in fact it is right there at the Turnpike I have decided I have no problem with it...It actually would be nice diversion in my mind...
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy I have not read Kevin's article on this at MiceAge yet, but I have been looking at property maps. It would seem that there is quite a chunk of land that Disney owns to the west side of 429 at the Western Way intersection. I'm guessing that such a retail development would be on this western parcel, rather than the eastern side. This would effectively "separate" it from the main WDW property. The new north-south 429 highway is already there on the western border of the WDW property, and traffic will use it more and more as western side development occurs.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<I'm guessing that such a retail development would be on this western parcel, rather than the eastern side. This would effectively "separate" it from the main WDW property.>> It's entirely possible that the development would be owned by Disney but not marketed as being a part of WDW, much the way the old Crossroads strip center was. That way they would get the benefits of getting the dollars formerly going to off-site businesses, but not cannibalize away from their own core business.
