[mickey]

In what is being described as the end of a testing period, Walt Disney World will be closing the Annual Passholder lounges in EPCOT and Animal Kingdom Park on September 30,2002. Apparently, while the lounges will disappear, new incentives and benefits will be introduced.

Orlando Sentinel Article

Disney to close private lounges for passholders
By Robert Johnson

The experiment with private lounges for annual passholders at Walt Disney World will end on Sept. 30.

"The closing of the lounges is in no way a reflection of their popularity," said Jacquee Polak, a Disney World spokeswoman.

In fact, guest feedback on the lounges at Epcot and Animal Kingdom was "positive," she said.

She declined to give specifics on the reason for closing the hideaways that featured comfy seating and free soft drinks and coffee.

The lounges were started as an experiment. The one at Epcot's The Land pavilion, sponsored by Nestle, opened in February. The Animal Kingdom lounge, at the Pizzafari restaurant, opened in May.

From the beginning, Disney officials had called the lounges a test. The one at Epcot was originally slated to close by Memorial Day but was extended indefinitely because of the enthusiastic response.

The passholders' positive reaction came despite Disney World's policy of keeping the lounges largely a secret from non-passholders. Signs directing passholders to the facilities were obscure and few. The main way that annual passholders learned of them was through the "Mickey Monitor," a newsletter mailed to their homes.

The lounges had become welcome respites for local regulars in the know. Some passholders told of others who abused the Epcot lounge's intent by bringing in big cups and filling them with soda. The free soft drinks were carefully limited by a vending machine that measured small cups and didn't give ice.

Cookies were offered at the Epcot lounge's grand opening. But soon the free cookies disappeared. Not surprising, since there's a bakery store two floors below.

But passholders will be offered other privileges -- though not all free. For example, merchandise such as a new souvenir watch only passholders can buy will be available, Polak said.

[MickeyMac]

I would like to heartily say "This Stinks!"

My kids SOOOOO enjoyed the AP lounges. This is such a bad move on their part. They won't use the space at AK, and I doubt at Epcot, either.

If anything, they should SELL stuff in the lounges. Members Only watches just don't cut it for me. Relaxing in the middle of the day, does.

Grump grump grump. :p

[disneyaunt]

MickeyMac - it more than stinks! With the cost of APs going up this month one would think Disney would not be cutting benefits at the same time they increased prices! This is NOT great PR on their part.

[MickeyMac]

Then write to them and let them know... They brought back Early Entry, maybe they will bring back the Passholder's Lounges again. It's worth a try.

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000
wdw.guest.communications@disney.com

FWIW, this is what I sent out. Copy cut and paste what you will, but send it out.
_________________

To whom it may concern,
This is more than just a yearn...
We've got AP's
Bring the Lounges back *Please*
They're important - you will discern!

I also included some gobbledygook about putting in a mini AP only gift shop in the lounges to support the cost of running them. We'll see!

[wdisneyfan1]

This is a true disappointment. During our recent visit we had one of our most memorable times at the EPCOT lounge. My four year old son and my 4 month old had a private pillow fight with Chip and Dale. The whole lounge was completley empty, with the exception of Chip and Dale, and the CM, and before you knew it Chip started throwing pillows. If you have ever been there, you know how nice those couches are with the big overstuffed pillows. That moment I felt like we were the only family in the enite Disney resort area, this was truley a Disney moment that does not happen to often. This is how Mr. Walt Disney's V.I.P. guests must have felt, and it is unforntunate that some people only care about filling their 24 oz cup with free soda.

Well thats all I have to say bout that!
WD Den:)

DCA HERE I COME

[The Muse]

Why ruin something that obviously many people have enjoyed??

I'm sure if enough Annual Passholders complain something will be done. Hey... after all after my husband and I complained to Epcot surveyors about a lack of Figment, what a surprise we had when we saw his return!!!!!!:madmad