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About LinkBacksIs it true that Disney's Contemporary Resort was designed so that the rooms would be updated periodically by sliding them in and out like dresser drawers?
Please discuss it here.
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Is it true that Disney's Contemporary Resort was designed so that the rooms would be updated periodically by sliding them in and out like dresser drawers?
Please discuss it here.
Werner Weiss
Curator of Yesterland, featuring discontinued Disneyland attractions
This urban myth has always been of great interest to me, just because so many people seem to believe it. I've even read that each module included a section of the hallway floor and railing. Can you imagine the problems inside the working hotel if every once in a while sections of the hallway disappeared? Very interesting article - thanks!
Excellent article. I have never believed this myth for the very reason suggested at the end of the article. But I always liked the IDEA of it, and the construction method always sounded like a great idea. This article really points out the flaws of the whole plan. Really fascinating stuff with great pics!
Werner, this is just the kind of informative and entertaining pieces for which MiceAge is justly known. Thanks.
Steve
My new book, From Plantation to Theme Park: The Story of Disneyland Railroad Locomotive No. 5, the Ward Kimball is now available! You can read more about the book and place your order here: www.steampassages.com
Another great article! And I do indeed have The Story of Walt Disney World, Commemorative Edition, book, along with a few other pre-opening publications (including the preview editon in the Disney magazine that was produced by Gulf Oil and sold at their gas stations in the late 1960's).
Great article.
Recently I had the need to look deeply into the history and design of the Contemporary. One of the major benefits of this type of construction was the reduction of weight. Each unit weighed less than typical construction thereby reducing the amount of steel needed for the 13 150-foot trussed A-Frames. It was the American Bridge Division in charge after all. The hotel was inspired by the lobby in John Portman's Hyatt Regency Atlanta (1967).
Great stuff. Keep it coming.
Sam
SamLand's Disney Adventures
On my first visit to Walt Disney World I stayed in the Contemporary hotel before it was complete. We stayed in the second floor of the North extension. The first floor was all construction offices and the tower only had the first 6 floors open including 2 floors of rooms. My question is. wasn't the polynesian built with the same modular factory rooms?
The Polynesian was built the same way. A number of years ago they had to do a major rehab to fill in the gaps between the modular units.
Oh wow... I have never heard this rumor before or even known they made all of the rooms off site. Very informative! Thanks so much
No words, My tears won't make any room for more,
And it don't hurt, like anything I've ever felt before, this is
No broken heart,
No familiar scars,
This territory goes uncharted...
Great article, Werner!
I grew up just outside of San Antonio, Texas. There's a hotel there which was built by this same method for the 1968 World's Fair ("HemisFair"). If anyone's interested, here's an article about the construction of that one:
21-story modular hotel raised the roof for Texas World Fair in 1968 | modular.org
The construction process in San Antonio might have been a bit easier, since they weren't using the slanting A-frame design of the Contemporary, and didn't need to create the huge interior space for the lobby. Still, it's an ingenious way to quickly put up a large hotel!
-Jon
Cleverly disguised as a grown-upDid someone say pictures?!?
Great article Werner. I knew about the modular construction and had heard about but never believed the urban myth of removing the rooms periodically. That part never made any sense.
It's impressive that, according to the article, "the 500-room deluxe hotel was designed, completed and occupied in an unprecedented period of 202 working days."Originally Posted by triesch
It's amazing that the 202 days even included the design time!
When I took the boat ride in San Antonio a few years, the tour guide pointed out the hotel and told of its rapid construction.
Werner Weiss
Curator of Yesterland, featuring discontinued Disneyland attractions
When I did some Google searches, it was amazing how many sites repeat the urban myth as being true.
Werner Weiss
Curator of Yesterland, featuring discontinued Disneyland attractions
Very intriguing article Werner! Thank you so much! We always look forward to your posts. Informative!
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIF6mc9SQA0]YouTube - Construction of WDW Contemporary Resort by U.S. Steel[/ame]
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