Disney's Asian Resort had been in the works since plans from 1967 for the resort. As the master plan was being developed, the Asian was one of the five resorts to be built along Bay Lake. It was planned to open within 5 years after the opening of Walt Disney World but never was completed. Like the Persian and Venetian, the 1973 Oil Embargo was one of the leading factors in it not being built. It was the next resort to be built on a square flat land area that stretched out into Seven Seas Lagoon. It was also going to have a monorail stop.
Theme
The resort was to be themed in a Thai style complete with Thai furnishings and meals. The resort was going to be in a large square with a 160 foot tall building in the middle with 4 a-frame windows. This would serve as a themed restraunt and lounge along with nightly shows like the Contemporary. The square outside would have had rooms which would surround the center courtyeard on three sides. The resort was to have 600 rooms along with 50 suites decorated for royalty. Of the 600 rooms, about 400 would have had lake views or garden views with the rest in the tower hotel.
Construction
The resort was very close to being built and was even mentioned in the 1972 annual report stating that architectural design would soon start on the resort. At this time it was to have 500 instead of the original 600 planned rooms. Several models of the hotel were created along with land survey plans. Construction was slated to begin in 1974 and its opening soon after. The square plot of land stayed empty for 15 years until Disney's Grand Floridian Resort was built on the land. The service road was even built and named Asian Way until it was renamed Floridian Way in 1986.
End of the resort
After the economy and hotel occupancy was back up, Walt Disney Company was ready to build more resorts along the Seven Seas Lagoon. In early 1983 the original Asian Resort land was looked at for the new resort. In 1988 Disney's Grand Floridian Resort opened on what was to be the Asian Resorts land ending any chance of the original resort being built.
Convention Center
The resort was also going to house a large convention center which would have been located below the main guest areas.