Lawsuit Filed Against Disney Surrounding Fire Code Violation & Bullying During Resort Renovation

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Disney is currently up against a lawsuit surrounding the renovation of Walt Disney World’s Saratoga Springs Resort. Fire code violation and bullying are at the center of the lawsuit.

As shared by the OrlandoSentinel:

A fire code violation found at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa caused major construction delays and inflated costs during the hotel’s $48 million renovation, according to a lawsuit that depicts a legal fight between Disney’s timeshare business and an Orlando construction company.

The lawsuit filed by Validus Construction Services owner Nicole Wickens also accuses Disney’s construction team of making misogynistic comments and belittling her with memes and messages, such as texting pictures of hot sauce packets to “emphasize that Disney would put the ‘heat’ on Validus.”

Wickens sued Disney Vacation Club Management last month in Orange Circuit Court for unspecified damages for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation.

Within two or three weeks into the project, when crews opened up a wall, they found a defect that violated fire and building code. “This life-safety issue existed at the property for more than 15 years without having previously been corrected by Disney,” the lawsuit said.

Disney’s project manager, John Gavin, accused Validus of leading the inspector to point out the fire code violation, the lawsuit said. “In so many words, Mr. Gavin accused Validus of refusing to maintain a conspiracy of silence.” The defect was the lack of proper fire protection in the cavities between floors, the lawsuit said.

Tensions also bubbled up between Wickens and Gavin who harassed and embarrassed her and her team, the lawsuit said. Gavin and the Disney team regularly sent memes to mock her when Validus reached out to discuss matters related to the project, the lawsuit said.

The Cove – A New Hotel Underway on Walt Disney World Property

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

During the Walt Disney World closure most of the construction on property stopped. There were a few exceptions, one of which was rather large. A brand new building is being built in the Epcot Resort Area, and it is easy to see from World Drive. Many people assume that the new building is the Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser (the “Star Wars” hotel) but that is not correct. The new building is going to be a hotel, but it won’t have a “Star Wars” theme, and it will not be owned or operated by Disney.

The building that is under construction is The Cove. It will be part of the same complex as the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resorts, which are also not owned by Disney. They are owned and operated by Starwood Hotels and Resorts, which is a subsidiary of Marriot. That is why construction continued during the closure, because The Cove is not being constructed by Disney.

The Cove looks like it is going to be a magnificent place to stay. When finished, it will be a 14-story tower. Part of the focus will be business travelers, with plenty of meeting rooms and suites. There are 343 rooms planned, half of which will be business suites. The business suites will be able to transform into meeting areas if needed. State of the art equipment will be available for business meetings. There will also be a business center, two ballrooms, and a rooftop space.

The Swan and Dolphin are known for their dining experiences, and the trend will continue at The Cove. There will be a restaurant that can serve up to 90 people at any given time, and there will be a 50 person lounge. If you’re looking for a place to relax, there will be a lounge on the second story that will feature specialty cocktails.

Business travelers will also want to have fun, so there will be a 16,800 foot pool. It will feature several fountains, and will be surrounded by lavish landscaping. There will also be a fire pit. The Cove will have a health club as well.

Given the proximity to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, The Cove is sure to be a favorite new place to stay for many. You will be able to walk or take a Friendship to either park, or watch the nightly fireworks from the rooftop. Fantasia Gardens miniature golf will also be just a short walk away. Disney’s BoardWalk, Beach Club, and Yacht Club resorts will also be within walking distance, opening up even more dining, shopping, and entertainment possibilities. The Cove will also be near the International Gateway entrance to Epcot. That gives guests easy access to the Disney Skyliner.

Guests who stay at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels are eligible for some of the benefits that people who stay at a Disney owned resort can receive. This includes Extra Magic Hours and the ability to make FastPass+ reservations 60 days in advance. Guests at those hotels are not eligible for Disney’s Magical Express or the Disney Dining Plan. It is safe to assume that the same will hold true at The Cove once it opens.

It was originally announced that the opening date for The Cove was to be March 1, 2021. That date was given before the closure and subsequent reopening of Walt Disney World, and it has not been said if the date will be pushed back. When complete, the complex (including the Swan and Dolphin) will have approximately 2,600 rooms between the three resorts.

Florida Remains In Hurricane Center’s Cone of Potential Tropical Storm Isaias

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Heads up Florida Residents and Walt Disney World travelers! It looks like you’re going to have some weather heading our way as Florida remains in the cone as hurricane center issues warnings for what could become Tropical Storm Isaias.

As shared by the OrlandoSentinel, the National Hurricane Center has yet to name a churning system in the Atlantic, but issued its first advisory for Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, which is projected to spin up and become Tropical Storm Isaias in the next 36 hours.

Potential Tropical Cyclone Nine, which was expected to become Tropical Storm Isaias, was expected to impact southern Florida as a tropical storm, according to a forecast graphic issued by the National Hurricane Center on July 28, 2020.

“The forecast track and intensity is also more uncertain than usual, particularly after the system moves near Puerto Rico,” the NHC said.

Florida could be seeing landfall on its current projected path somewhere near Broward County by Sunday morning, according to FOX 35 meteorologist Jayme King. However, most projections show the storm weakening long before it hits South Florida.

”Early stages means there is greater than average uncertainty in the track and intensity,” King said. “The bottom line is again it is hurricane season and you need to be prepared for this.”

Potential Tropical Storm Isaias forecast models as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 28, 2020.

As for Orlando, if the storm makes landfall in South Florida over the weekend, heavy rains and gusty should be expected, King said.

Select Walt Disney World Resort Reopening Dates Have Been Pushed Back or Removed

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

Walt Disney World has updated their website to reflect several Resort opening dates have been pushed back or removed.

The Resort changes do not include Disney Vacation Club portions of these Resorts. Resort reopening date changes include:

  • October 4: Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort (was Aug. 12)
  • November 1: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (was Aug. 12)
  • Open Date Removed: Disney’s Beach Club Resort & Disney’s Boardwalk Resort (both were Oct. 1)

Disney’s website states: “While reopening dates were previously shared for Disney’s Beach Club Resort and Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, these Disney Resort hotels will remain closed until further notice, as the reopening timeline continues to be reevaluated.”

The following Resorts reopening dates remain the same as previously shared:

  • July 29: Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  • August 24: Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • September 21: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • October 14: Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort

We have yet to hear of reopening dates for the following Resorts (except for Disney Vacation Club properties):

  • Disney’s All-Stars Resorts
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter and Riverside
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

New Disney Vacation Club Tower at Disneyland Resort Receive Final Approval

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Disney Resorts

The City of Anaheim Planning Commission has approved the final plans for the proposed Disney Vacation Club Tower at the Disneyland Hotel.

The committee was overall satisfied with the presentation that Disney gave, along with the amount of details that were given for various aspects of the proposed resort. The tower addition has been met with positive responses from residents nearby as well, especially with the environmental impact that the new tower would bring to the neighborhood.

The commission voted for a 7-0 approval of the proposed plans and are now sent to the City Council for any further consideration on the matter.

Construction has slowly resumed at the Disneyland Resort, and the development process on the twelve-story Disney Vacation Club tower at the Disneyland Resort continues on as well. Now that the proposed plans have been approved and we’ve seen a peek at the concept art and designs for this tower, including a Mickey-themed “Ink & Paint” pool, we’re eager to see this addition come to life.

The Disney Vacation Club Tower was expected to open by 2023, but with delays caused by the pandemic, this opening date could be pushed back as construction resumes.