tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post7894826741189482771..comments2023-10-31T05:13:39.415-04:00Comments on 2719 HYPERION: The Lake Buena Vista Story, Part Two: 1975 - 1982Jeffrey Pepperhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00990997892044489714noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-11857903831808281672013-10-06T12:38:57.150-04:002013-10-06T12:38:57.150-04:00I worked at the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village ...I worked at the Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village for almost a year, from 1976-1977. I can't tell you how many times I had to tell guests that the area really WAS part of Walt Disney World; back then, the company did just about everything they could to separate it from the rest of the property and wanted no association with the Magic Kingdom or anywhere else (similar to what they did when EPCOT opened). Only after I left in 1977 did they change the name to Walt Disney World Shopping Village, which it probably should have been all along. It was very frustrating to me as an employee that there was such a disconnect actively promoted when we were all part and parcel of the same organization. I won't comment on what's been done to that entire area since that time except to say that it's pretty much a travesty! I wish the original plans had been allowed to take place, the entire Lake Buena Vista area was a great idea.B.J. Majorhttp://bjbear71.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-75096976314323225022010-03-26T20:40:42.638-04:002010-03-26T20:40:42.638-04:00I continue to be amazed by the awesomeness of this...I continue to be amazed by the awesomeness of this saga. It's even better with pictures. Awesome. So good.Michaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02465912785343019825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-60589053692731915332010-03-18T13:59:02.535-04:002010-03-18T13:59:02.535-04:00Thanks so much for all this incredible research. C...Thanks so much for all this incredible research. Can't wait for Part Three. *wishing I was living in #304 on the cul-de-sac*Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14732257295375748744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-13258029136934098382010-03-16T13:40:35.214-04:002010-03-16T13:40:35.214-04:00When I think of how far short of the Disney ideal ...When I think of how far short of the Disney ideal the current state of the property has fallen ... truly breaks my heart.<br /><br />Even were they to expand the monorail system -- or some modern alternative -- it would do so much to expand and restore the state-of-the-art feel one used to get at Disney World.<br /><br />Last time I visited, I was reduced to waiting for and squeezing into busses to make various trips around the property.<br /><br />Nothing magical about that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-18391859998070090682010-03-15T23:51:00.610-04:002010-03-15T23:51:00.610-04:00Thanks for this great series of articles. The Clu...Thanks for this great series of articles. The Club Lake Villas was my first Disney "resort" experience as a child and it felt magical...with a character breakfast at the Empress Lilly, running around the shopping village (only one Disney-themed merchandise store!), and a bus the monorail to the Magic Kingdom. I can deal with all of the changes to WDW over the years, but the radical changes to the "village" are heartbreaking in their own way...so much was lost with the expansion of the lake, the destruction of the Empress Lilly, and the homogenization of the shops in the village. Saratoga Springs is pretty, but until the trees grow in, a bit bland for now.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34647587.post-32855320163825112982010-03-15T19:23:26.182-04:002010-03-15T19:23:26.182-04:00I really enjoyed reading this. I love a retrospect...I really enjoyed reading this. I love a retrospective that shows what wonderful things may have been happening in the past, that you never see, read, or hear about today. <br /><br />I do believe that the Disney company has lost touch with its innovative and forward thinking past.Lidstromhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01299935418508698525noreply@blogger.com