NEWS: Disney Sued By Saratoga Springs Contractor

The Orlando-based construction company originally hired to renovate Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa has sued Disney Vacation Club Management for breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation.

Validus Construction Services has filed suit against Disney after being dismissed as contractor on the 2019 Saratoga Springs renovation project. A story in the Orlando Sentinel details the allegations against Disney. Trouble reportely began when Validus crews discovered fire code violations which dated back to the buildings’ original construction in 2004. Rectifying these issues reportedly increased the cost and duration of the project, creating friction between Validus and Disney executives.

Disney is also accused of making a variety of mistakes during the refurbishment including purchasing the wrong model refrigerators and light fixtures which did not arrive on time.

Meanwhile Disney project manager John Gavin is accused of harrassing Validus owner Nicole Wickens both verbally and via text message.

According to the suit, all 18 buildings at Saratoga Springs were due to be completed between April 2019 and November 2020. By December 2019, only the four buildings in Saratoga Springs’ Congress Park section had been completed. In late December, guests at Saratoga Springs and Disney’s Riviera Resort were ordered not to use the new pull-down beds after reports of the beds coming detached from the wall. The problem was seemingly rectified several days later.

Three buildings in The Springs were in the midst of renovations when the project was interrupted in March 2020 due to COVID-19. According to the Sentinel report, Disney met with Validus execs on March 11 to request that all current projects be completed by April 11, at which time the contract would be terminated. Instead, COVID-19 forced an end to work as of March 17.

Disney has since hired one of Validus’ former subcontractors to complete the project at a cost $13 million higher than the original $48 million deal.

Validus previously worked on projects for Disney including renovations to the cabins at Disney’s Ft Wilderness Resort & Campground and guest rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans French Quarter.

The amount of damages were not specified.

For the complete story, check out OrlandoSentinel.com.

About the Author: DBTN - FOUNDER, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF OF DBTN

My enthusiasm for all things Disney all started when my parents took our family to WDW for a vacation. My first trip was at age 13. Since that first time, I have made a trip to WDW almost every year from age 13. As far as I knew there was only one place to vacation! My fascination with WDW began on that first trip. I wanted to know how things at WDW operated and what made it so magical. I wanted to know details like how many people worked there and the length of the monorail track. It is that fascination that fueled my interest in WDW. Each year that my family vacationed at WDW, I learned more about WDW as they built more parks and added more attractions. I am not the average fan; I want to know all the details and I love researching the facts of WDW. I research facts through the Internet, books and DVDs. To me, the best part is to conduct research trip at WDW. After college, my father was transferred to Orlando and I moved with my parents. Seeking employment, I applied for a job at WDW. I passed the first rounds of interviews and was proud to join the Disney family as a security cast member! The job was great. It included Disney-specific training and security training before assuming four duties: driving a security vehicle, standing a post, working in a resort or walking a park or other area. Sometimes I even had special duties like working the Epcot Christmas Processional. I would escort the celebrity guests from backstage to onstage. Interestingly, every cast member is given a WDW fact book monthly to aid in answering guest questions. The pocket book contained great Disney facts that added more fuel for my thirst of Disney facts. Well, all-good things must come to end so we moved back to NJ. In the summer of 2010 I moved back to Florida I am now living in Orlando less then 15 minutes from WDW and living the dream and have fun along the way. Favorite Park – Magic Kingdom Favorite Character – Mickey Mouse Favorite restaurant – California Grill Favorite attraction – Toy Story Mania Favorite resort – Bay Lake Tower / Contempoary First time at a disney park – 1976 & have been every year since Who was on your first disney trip – My entire family Favorite disney memory – My first trip and my first trip with my kids How far do you live from disney now – 15 minutes When is your next Disney trip? – every weekend Favorite Disney Movie – Jungle Book & Toy Story