Posted on: Sunday, December 2, 2001

Disney Institute closing rooms

Associated Press

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — Walt Disney World, hurt by the slowdown in tourism, is closing an undisclosed number of rooms at the Disney Institute.

The rooms will be shuttered in January, spokesman Bill Warren said last week.

"Disney Institute will remain open, however less rooms will be available in early January as we continue to manage the availability according to guest demand," Warren said.

Most of Disney Institute's roughly 800 employees will be transferred to other jobs at various parts of Disney World's hotels and theme parks. Warren said there will be just one layoff.

Word of the Disney Institute room closings came just a day after Disney World said it will shutter buildings at its mid-price Port Orleans Resort. Disney officials also wouldn't say how many of that resort's 3,056 rooms would remain open.

Disney Institute rooms are priced from $200 to $500 a night.

The Disney Institute began as a resort that combined vacations with the study of personal enrichment pursuits such as gardening and the arts. But the hotel failed to achieve the kind of success Disney management expected.

The Disney Institute has since shifted its focus to offering business seminars.