The Unofficial Guide to Things They Hope You Don't Notice

[Len90]

Up until recently, there was the big waste of land in MK where 20,000 leagues used to be. That was a bad eye sore.

Also, there is the Millenium Pavilion at EPCOT which you can get a sneak peak of if you look through the gate. It is scary that the building still looks exactly as it did for the one year that it was open.

We can also add the old Discovery Island to the list along with the STOLport (small takeoff and landing strip). For those unfamiliar with this, the Take-off and landing strip was built sometime in the very late 1960's to early 1970 while the MK was being built. It is located to the right off of World Drive just after the MK toll plaza. It can be accessed from World Drive and I believe from Fort Wilderness. Also it is viewable from the EPCOT monorail. The strip was built to serve as a small landing spot for the corporate planes and for a commuter flight that operated between Orlando McCoy (then only known as McCoy Airfield) and the STOL. It was about a 10 minute flight operated by Shawnee Airlines. They flew 19 seat twin propeller De Havilland planes. The strip operated through the 70's and was closed down sometime in the 1980's. The STOLport is currently serves 2 purposes. It is an overflow lot for buses and the staging area for construction vehicles. As of recently, a lot of construction vehicles were seen parked here for the construction of the Bay Lake Tower.

Those who have more information on this STOLport, please feel free to share as I feel I have barely scratched the surface!o

[yodiwan1]

Odyseey at Epcot is a huge waste too! Especially when you walk right by it heading into Mexico!!!

[wdwannabe]

Those are great examples.

Something that turned out to be good, was the Treehouse Villas........ they will be opening soon, and they were just sitting there not in use.

To be fair, they were in use until recently. They housed the International College Program interns. They were then torn down, and now rebuilt to reopen this summer.

And I agree about the descent of Spaceship Earth even though your eyes are supposed to be glued to the screen

Glad to know that they were in use! I didn't know they were being used by ICPI.

I would think they did need some udates since they were not used by the public as rooms.

[DisBeamer]

Good beginnings so far. I'm going to update the first post with a list/index as we go along.

In rides like POCT and IASW, they keep it dark so you don't see how dirty the water is.

I've actually heard the water is dyed dark colors so you don't see the track/machinery underneath, similar to the water in the Jungle Cruise. We'd need a cast member to confirm that, though. It certainly does look unappealing.

Glad to know that they were in use! I didn't know they were being used by ICPI.

I would think they did need some udates since they were not used by the public as rooms.

Back around Christmas '07, we were taking the boat to DTD and cruised past the Treehouses when the international students were still living in them. They were all decked out for Christmas... very cute. Though as it was nighttime and the kids had lights on, you could see inside. I'm pretty sure the appliances they were using were circa 1971; we felt kinda bad for them.
I'm looking forward to seeing pics of the newly built/re-built ones.

[AVITWeb]

One thing I cant stand is when you are in any attraction, such as Soarin', where they use a video...and there is a fly or something in the way and you see it!!!

That and....We are in the 21st Century...you would think they could make a SEAMLESS screen so I don't see the dark lines delineating the screen sections. And when you are on the top row, you can see the top of the screen.

The Pop Century thing is a BIT understandable. They stopped when the economy tanked after 9/11. It is more economically feasbile to rapair any exposure damage then it is to rebuild when it is time. They could have, however, placed something over or in front of them to block out the eye sore.

[DisBeamer]

The Pop Century thing is a BIT understandable. They stopped when the economy tanked after 9/11. It is more economically feasbile to rapair any exposure damage then it is to rebuild when it is time. They could have, however, placed something over or in front of them to block out the eye sore.

I would agree it was understandable for the first ... two or three years. I would have granted them the 'uncertainty' angle up to maybe five years. But we're looking at the business end of a decade now, and that unfinished structure has been completely exposed and not maintained through all of the Florida humidity and a couple of significant hurricanes.
I'd be very surprised if the raw concrete was still structurally sound at this point, enough that they wouldn't have to knock it down and start over if they wanted to make it inhabitable. You can see pretty clearly in the video that the pipe work (inside and out) is not in good condition. Even maintained buildings on property are due for some refurbishing after about 10 years; mold abatement at the very least. I suppose it's possible they're maintaining it at a very low level. Seems like the hotel building business plan lately has strictly been DVC or selling to outside builders (like 4 Seasons, or that weird millionaire commune thing). Actually it seems to have been strictly high-end hotels of late.
Naturally, of course, it's cheaper to leave it there rotting than it is to tear it down if they have no intention to build more Disney-owned/operated value resorts on property. Y'know, or that they plan to start aggressive marketing to the 'ghoul and zombie families' sector.

[napastoy]

DisBeamer, you got the ball rolling and it's great!

The Pop Century thing is a BIT understandable. They stopped when the economy tanked after 9/11. It is more economically feasbile to rapair any exposure damage then it is to rebuild when it is time. They could have, however, placed something over or in front of them to block out the eye sore.

I would agree it was understandable for the first ... two or three years. I would have granted them the 'uncertainty' angle up to maybe five years. But we're looking at the business end of a decade now, and that unfinished structure has been completely exposed and not maintained through all of the Florida humidity and a couple of significant hurricanes.

This illustrates the problem beautifully. Yes, we can all understand leaving something to sit for a year or two, but after that it just becomes a plain eyesore. It also leaves questions about how you plan and finance revamps.

Are they planning sufficiently ahead of time or are decisions being made "on the cuff." Shutting down or stopping work on a project to save money at the time usually will only end up costing you a lot more money down the road.

Visuals used to mean a lot to Disney, but lately, I don't know. It just seems that where they used to be so attuned to the small things that really make an attraction or area unique, they now seem to not really care about the overall presentation.

The list we develop here I think will be eye-opening...River Country, The submarines areas, Millennium Village, Discovery Island. It's kind of surprising there are so many.

[napastoy]

I want to throw in the area between Frontierland and Fantasyland at DLR. The stage area where they had " Hunchback" playing for a long time. They never have been able to get this area to work...they have a makeshift zoo and some overpriced BBQ eating area that they keep re-naming every 5 years. I think this where they also throw Santa at Christmas if memory serves me correct. It's an area that screams "Will you please put an attraction here?!?!"

If you continue on in to Fantasyland from here, you get to see another "left and neglected item" The Swiss Chalet from the Skyway attraction. It is still visible through the overgrown vegetation.

[Len90]

The Pop Century thing is a BIT understandable. They stopped when the economy tanked after 9/11. It is more economically feasbile to rapair any exposure damage then it is to rebuild when it is time. They could have, however, placed something over or in front of them to block out the eye sore.

I would agree it was understandable for the first ... two or three years. I would have granted them the 'uncertainty' angle up to maybe five years. But we're looking at the business end of a decade now, and that unfinished structure has been completely exposed and not maintained through all of the Florida humidity and a couple of significant hurricanes.
I'd be very surprised if the raw concrete was still structurally sound at this point, enough that they wouldn't have to knock it down and start over if they wanted to make it inhabitable. You can see pretty clearly in the video that the pipe work (inside and out) is not in good condition. Even maintained buildings on property are due for some refurbishing after about 10 years; mold abatement at the very least. I suppose it's possible they're maintaining it at a very low level. Seems like the hotel building business plan lately has strictly been DVC or selling to outside builders (like 4 Seasons, or that weird millionaire commune thing). Actually it seems to have been strictly high-end hotels of late.
Naturally, of course, it's cheaper to leave it there rotting than it is to tear it down if they have no intention to build more Disney-owned/operated value resorts on property. Y'know, or that they plan to start aggressive marketing to the 'ghoul and zombie families' sector.

I thought those are supposed to be finished soon as suites. From what I heard, they are going to knock out some walls to make the rooms into suites. I am pretty sure I have also seen this on Jim Hill, which is not always accurate though. http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/ ... ecede.aspx

[PeterB]

...the immense amount of cameras all around the park.

[Len90]

...the immense amount of cameras all around the park.

Please tell us more. How many are there in the MK? Are any of them visible?

[DisBeamer]

I thought those are supposed to be finished soon as suites. From what I heard, they are going to knock out some walls to make the rooms into suites. I am pretty sure I have also seen this on Jim Hill, which is not always accurate though. http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/ ... ecede.aspx

I've heard that rumor before, earlier last year. Family suites, like they did for part of the All Stars, or a low-budget DVC resort. Since they only seem to be interested in opening DVC resorts these days, I'd probably lean toward believing that.

Also calling Jim Hill "not always accurate" is pretty generous.

[PeterB]

...the immense amount of cameras all around the park.

Please tell us more. How many are there in the MK? Are any of them visible?

I have no idea...but its fun to find them.

[wdwannabe]

I thought those are supposed to be finished soon as suites. From what I heard, they are going to knock out some walls to make the rooms into suites. I am pretty sure I have also seen this on Jim Hill, which is not always accurate though. http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_hill/ ... ecede.aspx

I've heard that rumor before, earlier last year. Family suites, like they did for part of the All Stars, or a low-budget DVC resort. Since they only seem to be interested in opening DVC resorts these days, I'd probably lean toward believing that.

Also calling Jim Hill "not always accurate" is pretty generous.

I heard this rumor also........not too sure from who..(maybe JH site?)

[MW1218]

Jim Hill is an absolute dunce. Anybody who heard his Night Kingdom reports knows this.