WDW IN THE 1980s: WHERE IS THE MIDDLE CLASS?

It was a tough time in the mid-1980s at Walt Disney World. Ever since the Magic Kingdom opened at the end of 1971, attendance was steadily going down. Even with millions spent on new attractions, it was not enough. The hope was the opening of Epcot Center in 1982 would reverse the trend but that did not happen. The only thing Epcot Center was successful at was having guests extend their stays. 
Part of management’s thinking at the time was the realization that the public’s perception of a WDW trip was very expensive. Much as they tried, Disney struggled to attract middle class visitors. If something was not done, attendance was likely to continue to spiral downward.
One of the ideas being floated was the creation of something similar to the very popular CenterParcs in Europe, founded in 1953. The resorts were designed to attract the growing middle class and give them themed residential villages clustered around retail, shows, and sports activities. 
To make it work in Florida, it was suggested that the resorts range from 1,000 to 2,000 rooms. There should be plenty of amenities such as central sports facilities, swimming pools, tennis, hiking, and other activities. A variety of dining options should be offered such as a fast food and full service restaurants. There should also be a convenience store. Borrowing from Europe, giving it that Disney spin, the Caribbean Beach Resort opened on October 1, 1988.