After the strong success of the All Star Resorts, it became clear to Disney management that more “value level” resort capacity at Walt Disney World would be a good investment. Having more inexpensive rooms on-site would bring more customers through the gates to stay for longer duration visits, rather than staying off site at the chain motels on the 192 and International Drive strips.
In part 2 of this photo tour, Brian continues his look at Disney’s Pop Century Resort.
The resort’s guest rooms are located in nine buildings, each one decorated to remind us of the various decades of the 20th century. Directly outside of Classic Hall is the ’60s. To the right, as you’re exiting Classic Hall, is the ’50s. The ’70s are to the left. The ’80s and ’90s are further still, beyond the ’70s.
One of the ’60s buildings. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Baloo and Mowgli are prominently displayed in the ’60s courtyard. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Giant-sized Duncan Imperial Yo-Yos enclose the stairs for the ’60s buildings. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Ever wonder what a Yo-Yo looks like inside. Photo by Brian Bennett.
I bet a two-and-a-half-story-high can of Play-Doh can wreak havoc in a hurricane. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The ’60s Hippy Dippy Pool. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The ’60s Hippy Dippy Pool. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The kiddie pool is far out, man. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The ’50s area features poodle skirts, Lady and the Tramp (the movie debuted in 1955), 45rpm records, transistor radios, and bowling, bowling, and more bowling.
Transistor radios and 45rpm records hang on the ’50s buildings. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Lady. Photo by Brian Bennett.
She’s a regal looking one. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Tramp. Photo by Brian Bennett.
He’s kinda scruffy lookin’ (with apologies to Han Solo). Photo by Brian Bennett.
Staircases in the ’50s are camouflaged with gargantuan bowling pins. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The ’50s pool and the courtyard surrounding it are all decorated to look like a classic bowling alley.
The ’50s laundry building is dressed up like a rack of bowling shoes. Photo by Brian Bennett.
A ball rack adds to the decor at the ’50s bowling pool. Photo by Brian Bennett.
A massive jukebox stands at the far end of the ’50s pool courtyard. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Although I grew up in the ’60s and ’70s, I never had an 8-track player.
Country music three stories high. Photo by Brian Bennett.
I’m surprised that G-Force Records (Aerosmith’s studio at Rockin’ Roller Coaster) didn’t produce these tapes. Photo by Brian Bennett.
But I did have a big wheel, although mine was considerably smaller.
A big wheel for a really big kid. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Preppy… now that’s a word I’d not heard in a long, long time. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Michael is dwarfed by the foosball players. Photo by Brian Bennett.
I wouldn’t want to be kicked by one of those guys. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The diameter of the foosball is just about the same as Michael’s height. Photo by Brian Bennett.
I’ve got a Mickey phone much like this one in my den at home… but of course, it’s about 1/40th the size. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Here’s a mood ring. I never saw any pet rocks. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Twister… another ’70s classic. Photo by Brian Bennett.
A classic Corvette and surfin’ Goofy decorate a small children’s play fountain. Photo by Brian Bennett.
The ’80s and ’90s are iconized, too, but with those decades being so recent the nostagia is a bit lacking.
Dial that number and you’ll be hooked up with Guest Services. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Rubik’s Cubes surround the staircases for the ’80s and ’90s buildings. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Generation Gap Bridge spans the narrow neck of Hourglass Lake. Eventually the Golden Years side of the resort will be completed and the bridge will provide connecting access between the two sides of the resort.
Generation Gap Bridge spans the lake. Photo by Brian Bennett.
Incomplete Golden Years buildings lie on the opposite side of the lake. Photo by Brian Bennett.
