The fabled EPCOT hotel has reared its head once again this week with reports from Orlando Real Estate watcher Ken Pozek.
Via a YouTube report, Ken has identified a construction project that is in the design phase for “EPCOT Future World Hotel.” According to the document on construction.com, the project began in August 2018, and most notably has been updated on February 4 2021. The resource is typically use by construction firms to identify and bid on construction projects, so its appearance here is of note.
The valuation of the hotel is put at $50 – $75 million and is in the planning schematics stage. Alongside the hotel, the project type is described as having a swimming pool and miscellaneous recreation.
We’ve been following the possibility of an EPCOT hotel for many years on the WDWMAGIC Forums, but it reached most prominence in late 2017. Disney was considering multiple designs ideas and locations, including both World Showcase and Future World, with the later being favored to move forward. One Future World proposal saw a hotel being built close to the center of the park near to the former Club Cool, and other plans placed the hotel at the edge of the park.
With the design of World Celebration seemingly confirmed, it would now seem safe to rule out a hotel development in the center of the park. Ken’s research places the construction dress to be closer to Soarin’ on the western side of the park.
Walt Disney World is already dipping its toes into tightly integrating hotel stays with its theme parks, with the upcoming Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser. And hotels in very close proximity to the parks have already proven popular at Disneyland Paris and Disneyland Resort in California.
Despite this latest development, the chances of a new hotel being built amid a global pandemic would appear low. However, Disney continues to seek new revenue streams, and the prospect of an in-park EPCOT boutique hotel may well fit in with Disney’s plans for lower attendance, offset with higher spending guests.
Article Posted:
Mar 22, 2021 / 5:28pm ET