Did you catch Mark Goldhaber‘s latest WDW Update column over on MousePlanet yesterday? You know, the one where Mark talks about the Walt Disney World Resort is reportedly finally getting ready to restart construction of the “Legendary Years” side of the Pop Century Resort? If not … Well, then go check it out right now. It’s a really a good column.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Mr. Goldhaber’s right, by the way. About that whole
all-suite-hotel idea? Over the past week, Disney’s new Big Cheese (AKA
The company’s new CEO Bob Iger) has been talking up this concept to
various reporters. Citing the strong positive guest response that that
all-suites test wing over at the All Stars Music Resort
has received. Which suggests (To Bob, anyway) that an entire resort
that’s configured like this will be extremely popular with future
Disney World visitors.
Me personally? To be honest, I really don’t much care
how the rooms at this WDW hotel will ultimately be configured. I’ll
just be glad when the other half of the Pop Century Resort is finally
open for business.
For me, it’s always been kind of sad to drive along
Century Drive and see that rusted chain link fence that bars the
entrance to this part of the resort …
Photo by Jeff Lange
To see those uncompleted “Legendary Years” buildings stick up behind the trees …
Photo by Jeff Lange
I mean, it always felt kind of bizarre (to me, anyway)
to visit this half-finished WDW resort. To have all those colorful,
brightly decorated buildings on the “Classic Years” side of Pop Century
that celebrated the 1950s, 1960s, the 1970s, 1980s & 1990s …
Photo by Jeff Lange
But then — just on the other side of Hourglass Lake,
across the Generation Gap Bridge — you have all of these unfinished,
drab brown buildings.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Like “Legendary Hall” (I.E. This part of the Pop
Century Resort’s combination registeration, restaurant & retail
area). All standing there, empty. Waiting to be painted & propped.
Photo by Jeff Lange
You know, if you drive around the “Classic Years” parking lots, you
can actually get quite close to these uncompleted sections of the Pop
Century Resort.
Photo by Jeff Lange
Of course, I’d be able to get better shots of the
“Legendary Years” side of this WDW resort if it weren’t all fenced off.
If some kindly WDW cast member had just a gate open …
Photo by Jeff Lange
Oh, look! Some kindly WDW cast member did leave a gate
open for me. Which is why you really want to come back to JHM on
Thursday to see what this uncompleted side of the Pop Century resort
actually looks like.
When he’s not busy taking pictures of uncompleted hotels, Jeff
Lange spends his time producing an extremely popular series of Disney
theme park DVDs. Which are now available for sale at Jeff’s very own
online store, JeffLangeDVD.com.