Like many readers I am also a huge fan of the DIS Unplugged, and an episode titled “New WDW Hotels Wishlist – 02/10/15” got my head spinning. During the podcast Dustin West addressed that only four of the resorts in Walt Disney World had international theming. Agreeing with Dustin that this idea might have great potential for more international themed hotels I then began to think of some of my own ideas. Then, boom, I remembered three of my favorite deserted projects at Walt Disney World. These three were Disney’s Asian Resort, Disney’s Venetian Resort, and Disney’s Persian Resort. So I say if Walt Disney World does increase the number of hotels why don’t they bring back these classic concept ideas, and finally bring them to life?
(Above: Concept art for Disney’s Asian Resort/Credit:Wikipedia)
For Walt Disney World fanatics, it’s long been known that the 1973 oil crisis tabled any plans for the construction of Disney’s Asian Resort, Disney’s Venetian Resort, and Disney’s Persian Resort. While it was unfortunate, it was completely understandable. As a business Disney saw the writing on the wall. These resorts would simply not have been successful with decreased resort attendance.
In 1988, the land that Disney’s Asian Resort was planned for was filled by Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, and in the 1990s the land previously planned for Disney’s Venetian Resort has been determined to be too swampy. But, it still remains that these are all great ideas to bring to Walt Disney World.
(Above: Concept art for Venetian Resort/Credit:Wikipedia)
Here is why these three hotels ideas should finally be reconsidered:
1. They Would Be An Instant Classic
Something about shelved projects brings intrigue and curiosity to Disney fanatics. In my personal opinion I think bringing back one of the original concept hotels from the early stages would bring in a lot of guests. The idea that they were planned to be along side of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort and Disney’s Contemporary Resort from the very beginning makes them immediately special.
2. Location, Location, Location
If located on Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon like originally planned, these resorts would most likely bring in big demand, meaning lots of money for Disney. Although some of the previous land is taken or deemed not habitable for building a hotel on there is still plenty of room surrounding Bay Lake.
3. Plenty Of Disney Theming Consistent With Their Concepts
Just as Lilo & Stitch have fit perfectly into the theming of Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, the three concept hotels have their own comparable counterparts. Pinocchio and Geppetto could welcome guests to Disney’s Venetian Resort, Aladdin could be a great mascot of a kid’s club at Disney’s Persian Resort, and lastly Mulan and Mushu could greet guests at a character breakfast at Disney’s Asian Resort. I personally believe these three concept hotels fit in exceptionally well to the Walt Disney World brand, and I would love to see them brought to life.
4. Lack Of International Themed Hotels
Dustin addressed this in the “New WDW Hotels Wishlist – 02/10/15” podcast. Only Disney’s Polynesian Village, Disney’s Caribbean Beach, Disney’s Coronado Springs, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge are themed around international locations. Having so few internationally themed hotels seems like an oversight when the existing internationally themed hotels are some of the most popular on site. This is again why I believe Disney’s Asian Resort, Disney’s Venetian Resort, and Disney’s Persian Resort would all fit perfectly into a much needed role to fill.
(Above: Concept art of Disney’s Persian Resort/Credit:Wikipedia)
Looking at the concept art of these original hotels ideas they obviously do look a little dated, but if Disney were to make updates like they recently have with Disney’s Polynesian Village I would expect that they would flare them up to the 2015 standards we expect, but still keeping with the original atmospheres that were considered by the Imagineers in the 1960s and early 1970s.
