Disney's ABANDONED Hotel: The Legendary Years

My question to you all today is "why does Disney leave so many empty, unused areas standing?" Come with me today as we discuss Disney's Legendary Years, why it became abandoned, and what became of it today.
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Credits for Source Videos:
Discovery Island Footage, Matt Sonswa, • Disney Discovery Islan...
Cranium Command Footage, Matt Sonswa, • Disney Cranium Command...
Disney's Legendary Years Footage, John Corgliano, • The Forgotten Legendar...
Pop Century Resort Tour, 4K WDW, • Disney's Pop Century R...
Legendary Years Footage, JWL/MouseSteps Media, • Disney's Art of Animat...

[@xonsarchives6620]

Disney's The Haunted Hotel Tower of Terror: Am I a joke to you?!

[@goodvibesjulianna8783]

Bro why didnt they make that yet?? 😂

[@keybladewieldersofiathefir9315]

Breaking news: Disney reportedly gets rid of classic Attraction (Tower of Terror) to make way for Guardians of the Galaxy Ride!

[@imtheeviltwin9597]

Keyblade Wielder Sofia The First oooh helllll no, I get motion sickness from Tower of Terror but I’ll ride the ride until my face turns green!

[@cameron2679]

Loved this video! I like WDW history. The resort is a bottomless pit of history, legends, and fun stories. Keep digging! Great to hear you’ll be out in FL! As a Disneyland regular, it’s nice to take a leap over to WDW and experience different things!

[@Its_Star_Brite]

Hi offhand disney! I have been watching your channel since your california adventure video came out and i just wanted to say it is great to see your channel be loved by more people! Keep up your silly yet entertaining and amazing work

[@ariisayshii]

For my senior trip we stayed at Pop Century and I loved it!

[@stevenberry4570]

So sad that they never finished the legendary years! The early half of the 20th century is so interesting!

[@hotwax9376]

Maybe Kathleen Kennedy will resurrect it when she becomes CEO.

[@UmmYeahOk]

The legendary years would never fly. Minorities wouldn't be allowed to stay there, and the women would be forced to stay and clean

[@stevenberry4570]

UmmYeahOk haha

[@sideeswipe]

True Watermelonian Not many people would be inclined to stay there, I know that I could care less about the legendary years

[@stevenberry4570]

Ryan yeah, you are right. Not many people are actually interested, so I understand why Disney never continued construction on the complex. Personally though, I really would have liked to see the direction that Disney would have went with it

[@boppop8703]

Disney: Throw away your trash! Save the environment! We love our janitors! Also Disney: Eh that was a fail let’s focus on more cooler rides Employee: what about the building we spent tons of money on? Disney: just leave it and don’t talk about it again

[@thealabamiangirl]

For 10 years!

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Guess the concept wasn't legendary since it was abandoned. It would've been cool to see how they would've done the 40s and 30s with WW2 and Monopoly. My grandpa served in WW2 and lived to tell the tale. I've been to all the actual streets on the Monopoly board in Atlantic City and it would be cool to see a huge Monopoly board

[@UmmYeahOk]

The 30s would be represented by a soup kitchen and breadline. The rooms would be cardboard boxes.

[@theboyscout0156]

UmmYeahOk they would cost $400 a night

[@myMelodyj]

Dude this is the third time I saw you today 1SuperCarlinBrothers 2DFB guide 3here

[@UmmYeahOk]

TheBoyScout01 only during the high peak season. Still better off than staying at All Star Music though.

[@joesavag]

I thought it was bright sun films at first until I saw the intro.

[@Mrrossthaboss2000]

even after that I thought it was gonna be a collab video haha

[@vincelamb4063]

LOL, the Abandoned series. Bright Sun Films sits at the intersection among Disney, Urban Exploration, and Bygone Business.

[@ArtfullyGifted]

I love that channel and wish he would make more abandoned walk though videos.

[@aliciahelton4246]

Lol, he did this one three months ago, though

[@brookebush9851]

me coming home from an 9 hour shift at pop century resort: ah cant wait to watch the off hand disney video where i get to look at my work location even more

[@philcohen8953]

I worked at Pop in 2006

[@abigailclay4658]

I work at Art of Animation and they explained to us that Disney had trouble with themes for the legendary years. Disney had decided it wouldn’t be a fun to theme a resort around a world war and the Great Depression.

[@QueenDeni]

I can see that, but as a history nerd, it'd still be really cool. Besides, kids need to learn their history somehow.

[@MaxEverywhereSystem]

i feel like disney could of still done something with it - the 60s doesnt mention vietnam or anything, even though it was a big part of the period.

[@davidfeltheim2501]

Imagine the legendary years taken legitimately, over sized war bond props, huge ration cards, maybe even a speakeasy-themed pool.

[@amydamjanovic9183]

And prohibition-era mobsters to break your legs if your credit card is declined.

[@tracker4980]

I really want to see a Great Depression themed area

[@AdamandBethan]

WHAT?! Imagine staying in a 1940s hotel - It would be like TOWER OF TERROR 😲😲😲

[@snessi_land]

I am rn. It’s more like a mix of The Shining and The Tower of Terror. It has an elevator that’s SUPER creepy yet cool that’s totally like the Tower of Terror.

[@evelynnnveronica]

The Masked Ninja which hotel was it u stayed?!?

[@guineapigtyler]

I really wished they actually made the legendary years hotel I love history so that and pop century would have been awesome for me.

[@Mrtfarrugia]

Shouldn't this be Built, Abandoned and then Re-themed?

[@nathanfleming1226]

This comment deserves more likes.😂

[@brannonwinn2416]

I've stayed at all of the "pop" hotels and pop century was by far my favorite. I loved all the memorabilia and the atmosphere there was more lively than the other ones. Definitely recommend it if you're choosing from the cheaper on property hotels

[@burneyboys02]

And this is how Art of Animation came to be. Thanks a lot Micheal (I only care about money) Eisner.

[@PeruvianPotato]

It was him and Iger's fault

[@tiffprendergast]

Brandon Burney which is why he was outed

[@Boodlebug13]

Personally I feel like the "value" resorts are more disney than the moderate or the deluxe- from a personal stand point I don't think I would ever want to stay in a resort such as the grand flo because well It just feels like I'm staying at some ridiculously fancy hotel. Which I get is the point, but as a person who grew up going to Disney (and is now a part of a passholder family and lives in florida now lol) I will always perfer the value resorts as they just hold that Disney charm. Another thing with that, my little cousins looked at pop century and AOA as Disney World itself. We stayed at Pop, but walked over to AOA to show my little cousin (who is 2) the cars, and I've literally never seen her so excited in my life. I understand everyone has their preferences, but I love the value resorts and the larger than life props- it just makes everything feel more disney to me.

[@adamacosta4211]

Your channel is WAY too underrated. Each vid you make is so dope.

[@brittniep9219]

Wild! I had no idea. I would have completely stayed at a 1900s-1940s themed hotel over the moderate hotels! (Well, maybe over the moderates). The architecture during that period (really through the sixties) was very interesting and Art Deco is always gorgeous.

[@ArtzieMusic]

Loved the video!

[@RayneDavila]

It annoys me that the legendary years was never finished. JUST DO IT

[@ayleengonzalez4928]

Rayne Davila procrastinators 😒

[@TombstoneChris]

Nike said no

[@DrewIsARealBoy]

WHAT'S UP GUYS.... THIS IS JAKE.....AND WELCOME TO ABANDONED!!

[@nightlyoko626]

Omg I would have loved staying there I’m so sad it never came around;-;

[@ProfessorDarkAcademia]

“This is more in line with...” *shows ducks walking in line* #WhatToDoWithStockFootageOfDucks

[@mavricksone]

Pop Century is honestly the best value resort at WDW. It's been recently refurbished and it's pretty neat!

[@stonedimmaculate2942]

agreed

[@AEWFans]

Me: I can't wait for a new Haunted Mansion Theory! Offhand: Abandoned Disney Hotel

[@henrystorey2972]

I don’t know if you do the whole respond for thirty minutes thing, but i wanted to thank you for being so awesome and for doing what you’re doing. You’re one of my favorite youtubers!

[@HyruleSwordsman94]

I exactly believe Eisner came up with that name.

[@CaraPicone]

I would have LOOOOOOVED this resort!!

[@AwesomeJediE]

I guess it’s good that it was reused and not totally abandoned

[@PeruvianPotato]

I just wish they tore down the Art of Animation and remade the Legendary Years

[@KazuhaEien]

Well, I'm early today. I think I'm going to Art of Animation once I go to Disney.

[@jharbeck9760]

It's a very cool resort.

[@trumanduren8462]

What is the future of Fantasyland at Disneyland? Such as The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train or the Tokyo DisneySea Beauty and the Beast trackless dark ride.

[@213dreamingstar]

They officially dropped "the classic years" from Pop Century's official title a few years ago.

[@memethyst]

i could've sworn they still had some signage that said classic years but i guess it's all gone now...

[@213dreamingstar]

@@memethyst There may be signage left, but as for the official, trademarked name, they dropped the classic years a few years ago finally.

[@PeruvianPotato]

I saw a sinage called "Classic Hall" when I was staying there

[@jaxxattax3204]

Hey dude, Thank you for uploading

[@skylerrutherford6895]

Nice pfp

[@KASP112]

Bright suns films covered this but I like ur take on it also

[@lonelymoe1822]

They're both great channels.

[@Jean-vd1fs]

Love that shot of the pop century sign where one of the three dots after "remember when" is missing. I stayed there a few weeks ago and two were gone. Only one dot remaining...

[@idadelucia7779]

It would have been nice to see the legendary years decoration.

[@BlazeofMercSH]

So, very very very little known fact, the reason why it was abandoned all those years, during construction a worker had unearthed a half decomposed human body, constructen was suspended pending a investigation by police, due to it being on disney...land the police kept it hush hush until the investigation was closed in 2008. How do i know this? Dad was the one who found the body and my cousin was on the investigation team for two years.

[@cobraglatiator]

damn, didn't know the dead person did ya?

[@tracker4980]

my dad works at nasa and says there are nazi colonies on saturn

[@mattwolf7698]

My dad works at Nintendo, I get to play all the games, a year early, it's awesome.

[@jake_the_dog1461]

They need to bring a people mover back to Disneyland

[@camdenfarmer1197]

Offhand Disney when do u think the Haunted Mansion remake will happen? It should happen in 2021 for Disney Worlds 50th Anniversary

[@gallendugall8913]

They passed from legend into myth.

[@nairbpenguinlizard]

Used to love Pop Century, until we stayed at Beach Club. There was no going back! Not waiting 3 hours for a value resort bus is great haha

[@emmathebear2229]

I love the Beach Club too. My personal favorite resorts are the Grand Floridian and the Contemporary

[@mattwolf7698]

Disney's bus service is absolute garbage but Pop Century/Art of Animation now has the skyliners running to Epcot and Hollywood, they were pretty fun, in normal (non-covid) times there's also a monorail that runs from Epcot to Magic Kingdom, making the Skyliner still work for Magic Kingdom. The awful buses are still needed to get to Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs and the Waterparks though unless you just drive your own car.

[@Gwen_Elyse12]

I stayed there (Art of Animation) yesterday and last Saturday! It was awesome.

[@skylerrutherford6895]

Im a big fan of Ariel, what did the little mermaid resort one look like?

[@Gwen_Elyse12]

Skyler Rutherford I actually stayed in that section of the resort and it was beautiful. That area has its own pool and the decorations are amazing. The one downside in my opinion is that it is the furthest one from the check in area so it is quite a walk. Got to get those steps in though! 😂

[@skylerrutherford6895]

@@Gwen_Elyse12 oh, if I go there sometime I want to stay in that resort. Thankyou so much for yelling me about it😄

[@Gwen_Elyse12]

Skyler Rutherford No problem! :)

[@charlotteskupin11]

Gwen The Bean it’s an awesome resort!

[@alanabelaye-mateo8842]

7:31 Did I just see the ghosts from Pac-man!?

[@somecat225]

Wait this is so interesting. Do you know any concepts for the Legendary Years? Or did Disney not release anything at all regarding the Legendary Years building?

[@SNS3000]

Two of the three pools were a Coca Cola bottle and the Route 66 sign. I can't remember what the third one was.

[@TBustah]

Honestly, it’s probably for the best that the other half was rethemed. How many people still alive today are nostalgic for the 40s, let alone any of the decades that came before it? The Greatest Generation is all but gone now, and the Silent Generation is dwindling fast. A resort themed around the first half of the 20th century might appeal to history nerds like me, but I don’t think the average five-year-old would rather learn about the Charleston or Prohibition than sleep and play in a place themed around his favorite Disney characters.

[@SirBlackReeds]

I do wish The Legendary Years had come first instead. It would certainly have been more interesting than what they have going on with The Classic Years.

[@pinball541]

Now that we are back to talking about regular Disney items, we can go back to harassing Disney about their biggest blunder in history. Back in 1995 at Disneyland, YOU BROKE THE PEOPLEMOVER, YOU BROKE THE PEOPLEMOVER! YOU BROKE THE PEOPLEMOVER FOR THE ROCKET RODS, IDIOTS! GOOD GOD! Now that we are not talking about Galaxy’s Edge, we can return to normal & boy do I feel better now! Hello from Phoenix Arizona!

[@SNS3000]

Imagine if you stayed at the Little Mermaid section and you get the exact same one from the video where the guy explores the abandoned Legendary Years...

[@jondavidtheauthor6318]

I always stayed in Pop Century when I went to WDW.They always gave me the 50's...don't know why. But still... I remember seeing the other resort and looked forward to seeing it completed, I even looked forward to staying in the 1940's probably because of art deco or maybe the WW2 motif? BUT....I can see why they didn't complete it. Our pop culture really didn't take off until the 1950s, possibly because of television. What pop culture existed before then besides maybe Mickey Mouse? Superman? Captain America? I can see why it was changed.

[@snarkus63]

The Classic Years buildings each have giant statues of Disney characters representing the decade....what statue could've graced the 1900-1909 building? That may have been part of the real reason the Legendary Years concept was abandoned. Everything I've read or seen about America prior to the 1950s states that this country was a very different place,many of the changes coming about in the aftermath of WWII....the baby boom,the rise of the suburbs,post-war prosperity,television,rock n' roll etc. Maybe the Imagineers thought that,because of this,the years 1900 to 1949 couldn't be represented in the same way,or the result would've clashed with the existing complex. It's a pity....the 1920s building certainly would've been interesting...plus,that decade ended with Mickey Mouse's creation.

[@popcultureworld1096]

7:16 One of the worst companies of all time was spotted to the far right. PETA.

[@reversecard1113]

Nobody: Woman: Gets dive bombed by bird at disney

[@BFF1012]

The somewhere in time music at the end 😂

[@Positivekitten]

Jennifer Losinno Yay!! someone else who noticed!

[@MB-nv4to]

Why did they abandon the whole music theme when they decided to finish the last part of that resort? They already had the decor started. Sometimes Disney makes decisions that make no sense. They could have finished the legendary years then make a moderate animation based hotel.

[@kylevogleman6705]

That's similar to what I've been thinking, What Disney "SHOULD'VE" done was wait until tourism levels re-risind again giving them a "LEGITIMATE" Reason to finish the Legendary Years Resort. Then built the Art of Animation Resort, maybe down the road from Hollywood Studios which........is actually a better spot for it.

[@UmmYeahOk]

2:11 I had a Nokia phone that was about a third of that size. It also was the same color blue, as they sold covers for it in the mall just like they do today. I even brought it to the parks back then, despite long distance being a issue back in the day. A few years later, when you could call all over the country with no issue, you couldn't even use it, as the network was too busy. Everyone in the park was on their Nokia phone!!!

[@yeszivakalahiske1481]

Bring back the DisneyLand people mover!! 🥺🥺

[@biancarobertson8728]

I think there should be a haunted mansion/ tower of terror hotel..

[@SebastianHernandez-uc8kn]

no views yet has comments, good job youtube.

[@BLasherman]

If you enter a room from the outside, it's a Motel, if you enter the room from the hallway, it's a Hotel. So Art of Animation is a hybrid?

[@selfishbeats]

haven't finished it but it'd be great if they could re-purpose it. EDIT: NVM.

[@happilyevanafter]

I love pop century and i usually try to stay there every trip! Also, it looks like offhand might have to change his closing card/background picture from the leave a legacy statues at EPCOT due to their real life removal.

[@raphaelmarquez9650]

Meanwhile, Bright Sun rants about the Art of the Animation hotels for being "unoriginal" compared to the legendary years theming it was suppose to get.

[@Sophia-vb8ch]

I think the Pop resort thing was a great idea on paper, but in the long run those toys and items featured would grow out of trend and future generations may not appreciate it as much

[@mattwolf7698]

They were already out of trend when they were built, even in the late 90's, we're kids really into 50's stuff? It probably would have just been better theme both sides around animated movies. That said, I actually do like the decade theming a lot, the front office area was even like a mini Museum.

[@PeruvianPotato]

Finally you reuse the music track in your "Disney's Worst Mistakes" and "Euro Disney" videos. For that alone, +1 Like

[@ShamrockShows]

It “you only live twice” instrumental if you’re wondering

[@PeruvianPotato]

@@ShamrockShows Thank you so much! I've been looking for the answer for some time!

[@ShamrockShows]

Peruvian Potato Yeah, I know almost every bond song by heart

[@THX11458]

I can see why the second half of the century hotels was cancelled. If you think about stereotypical perceptions of the 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's, all of them can be seen superficially as positive fun decades (well with the exception of Vietnam in the 60s). What is the typical persons perception of the 10s, 20s, 30s and 40s? most have little knowledge of the 1900s. The 1920's are known as an over exuberant decade that ended in the worst stock market crash in history. The 1930s had the great depression with bread lines. Finally the 1940's were known for WW-II, Hitler and the holocaust - not exactly fun times. So it was probably wise for Disney to cancel the project.

[@mattwolf7698]

The 20's would probably be focused on the roaring part of the 20's like Jazz music and the founding of Disney, the 30's would probably be focused on early movies with sound. The 40's and 1900 and 1910, I don't really know what those could focus on, maybe the 1900's could focus on early car culture and phonographs? Really even if you include just the positive stuff, most of the early half of the 20th century is just less interesting and relevant to current culture than the latter half, for example, I pretty much never hear any pre-50's music playing anywhere and there's not many people still alive from those eras anymore. Meanwhile I still here refrences to 70's and 60's stuff on a somewhat regular basis.

[@THX11458]

@@mattwolf7698 I generally agree. However I wouldn't call the first half of the 20th century less interesting than the later half. To this day we still regularly refer to the people and events of WW-II and the great depression. All modern culture is a result of the effects of those events. The problem is that these things aren't particularly pleasant topics for an amusement park to base an attraction on.

[@NoelKunz]

Yo! That's literally me at the Duncan Yo-yo setup at 3:55!!!! We performed there that day!

[@phil7144]

Who the hell is the one person who keeps disliking these videos when they come out?

[@OldMovieRob]

Interesting choice of music. John Barry's "You Only Live Twice"?

[@vincelamb4063]

That struck me, too.

[@selenamarinello7280]

I needed an Offhand Disney video today. Well done, once again, sir.

[@violetreyes1714]

1st person to watch such a great video!!!

[@Leoji0325]

Bro they should've finished it :(

[@gabriellepacheco1306]

Loved the video. I'm a huge fan of content about the resorts!

[@EarthySmerky]

Disney's pop century resort :am a retro theme hotel! Universal's Cabana bay beach resort: am I joke to you? I

[@elliottdavid9095]

I loved that you used the night time loop from Hollywood studios as the music in your video!

[@vegasprepperone]

0:29 your head and the trees " hidden mickey" love your reports !!!

[@AshleyLudlow]

The song that plays on the end screen!! Yesssssss. Reminds me of Christopher Reeve.

[@Positivekitten]

Ashley Ludlow “Somewhere in Tine” Is one of my all-time favorite movies!

[@TiaBelle123]

Watching this right now and I really appreciate you using Bella Notte by Jack Jezzro as background music!! Disney Fairy Take Weddings is honestly my favorite cover/compilation album. Besides that, this video is really informative in ways others haven't totally done!

[@BlutigeTranen]

I didn't know this at all! I usually know what you cover but will learn something new about it... I even stayed at Pop Century when it opened and I don't remember the Legendary at all. Art of Animation is a fantastic hotel, though, so I guess... we win?

[@Wired4Life2]

Is that...is that "From Russia With Love" playing in the background?

[@amysylvester7289]

Just my opinion, it would be kinda creepy to stay in the Legendary Years. 1900: Racism 1910: World War 1 1920: The only decade I would actually not mind staying at. 1930: Great Depression 1940: World War 2 and War Propaganda Tell me if I missed something.

[@mattwolf7698]

Well, these resorts are viewed through roses tinted glasses and nostalgia so they aren't really accurate, if they were than the existing resort would be: 50's: The Korean War, Fear of the USSR and more racism. 60's: College and race riots. 70's: Vietnam. 80's: AID's and Crack Crisis. 90's; Actually I think this decade was pretty normal, yes The Gulf War, Waco, The First World Trade Center Attack and The Oklahoma City bombing happened but most of this stuff was over fast and didn't keep lingering. Edit: Actually Columbine really shook up the 90's but that was very late in the 90's.

[@shellsnbees]

Awesome!! Thank you!! This is such a interesting subject for me!

[@craftsbykatied8234]

Have fun at Disney world

[@christianweber7435]

I would have loved that hotel...

[@Ecotasia]

I think I recall seeing the structures back in 2006, though I was trying to find alligators in the lake.

[@LuigiOdysseyREAL]

I’m seeing alot of “they’d have trouble theming the Legendary Years” talk, but I think it could’ve easily been a budget Grand Floridian-style/more modest and calm hotel targeted towards adults wanting to stay on the property, rather than the other more hype options! Maybe not having big props all over but styling the rooms/areas according to the era via furniture/patterns/colors/etc. Maybe some subtle relics too like GF having the little roller coaster model. But maybe they just didn’t see the vision! Oh well. Just glad it’s been utilized!

[@bignibbabiopatrick8467]

I wish I had a dollar for every time he said resort.

[@SamanthaPortUkulele]

Okay that giant floppy disk by the pool is EVERYTHING. Vaporwave v i b e s

[@colly407]

Glad they decided since it was there to do SOMETHING with it although it wasn’t what it was made for

[@memethyst]

pop century was my childhood disney resort and it's such a guilty pleasure to me it's so stupid and cheesy but i love it. i wish they built the legendary years... have fun at port orleans dallin :) i've never stayed there.

[@char1737]

John Berry -You Only Live Twice (Instrumental) kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3WnZISfZ5h1jpI & John Barry - Somewhere In Time kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6TVhZmtd86Cg5I great choice !

[@samsabeeble3431]

Hey!! I worked at FQ, lemme know if you want any advice about the resort!

[@TheAmanda4life]

There's so many hipsters, history nuts, and just people who like the styles who would stay there now. So sad it was abandoned and replaced.

[@halfpuffprince5233]

Secrets of galaxy’s edge? Maybe? (I’m kind of obsessed with it)

[@disney-gamer]

My 1st disney world trip was years ago. I saw the building and I remember it. Kinda why I looked up the video for the hotel. It was cool to see

[@purplecrab55]

bro can you PLEASE make a video about my all-time favorite disney ride, Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye? i dont care what its about just PLEASE make it happen! thank you!!

[@makaylataggart]

I am the ripe old age of 24, and I remember as a little kid staying at the Pop Century and my room faced the lake, so I use to stand out on the balcony looking at the check in building. At the time, I thought it was really cool being able to see the building of the resort, and I was super excited to be able to eventually stay in the older decades. Now it just makes me sad thinking back to that memory knowing I'll never get to fulfill my younger selfs wish.

[@oliviajoelle]

Tbh if I stayed at Disney resort and saw some weird abandoned shit in the back, I would love my stay even more.

[@rattyeely]

I'm facinated by decade-based pop-culture nostalgia and I love Disney hotels, so the Pop Century is like everything I love rolled into one and I hope to go there some day. It's a shame about the Legendary years, but maybe it's for the best because the pop culture of the 1900s and 1910s isn't very well remembered today. On the other hand maybe the hotel could have featured cool things like Gertie the dinosaur, old Disney shorts, the Wizard of Oz, and Jazz.

[@PinkRainProductions]

Legendary Years is where they store Walt Disney’s cryo’d head in a bunker..duh