History of Disney's Pop Century Resort at Disney World

Located at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, Pop Century Resort is one of Disney's two value resort complexes. This resort, popular among budget-conscious guests, celebrates the pop culture of the 20th century. While the resort has been successful since its opening, it has not been without its problems and portions of the resort continue to face an uncertain future.

The Facts

Pop Century Resort is a motel-style resort that houses 2,880 rooms, three swimming pools, gift shop, arcade and food court. Themed around the pop culture that dominated the latter half of the 20th century, the resort's rooms are located in 10 four-story buildings dedicated to the decades from the 1950s through the 1990s.

History

Pop Century Resort began accepting reservations for its Phase 1 resort, The Classic Years, on April 22, 2003, and officially opened to the public on December 14, 2003.

Post Sept. 11 Effects

The original plans for Pop Century Resort called for two phases to the resort complex. The second phase, The Legendary Years, would sit across Hourglass Lake from Phase 1 of the resort. Guests could then access The Legendary Years buildings from The Classic Years buildings via a bridge referred to as the Generation Gap Bridge.

While construction had already begun on the buildings that would comprise The Legendary Years, Walt Disney World Resort experienced a decline in attendance due to the post 9-11 tourism downturn. Disney abandoned construction on The Legendary Years complex and the skeleton of the proposed joint complex continues to stand untouched in view of Pop Century's Classic Years complex.

Theories and Speculation

In late 2008, Jim Hill Media reported that Pop Century's Legendary Years would resume construction and revamp its focus as "Animation Inn and Suites," rebranding itself as a resort themed around Disney's numerous animated films. As of 2009, the Walt Disney World Resort had not released an official statement regarding the speculation.

Features

Each of Pop Century's decade-focused buildings feature large staircasehousing structures dedicated to popular items during each decade. The '50s buildings feature large bowling pins as its signature structure. Large Duncan yo-yos accent the buildings of the '60s, while the '70s decade buildings feature giant 8-track cassette tapes. Rubik's Cubes highlight the '80s buildings, and the '90s buildings feature large Sony walkmans.

Along with the staircases, the resort also features a number of other large structures dedicated to the pop culture of each decade. Among these structures are a giant Big Wheel, a Mickey Mouse phone and a giant canister of Play-Doh.

References

• Official Walt Disney World Pop Century Resort Website
• Jim Hill Media - Will Pop Century Be Rebranded?
• Real Estate Building Downturn