Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Some things I noticed over the past week at WDW (Sorry, no long trip report here ... no time or desire). There sure are a lot of walls at the MK. I can only imagine how many folks once in a lifetime WDW vacations were ruined by them ... and the giant cranes towering over the Fantasyland pit. In addition to the new DVC project (expect to hear about it in late winter at Disney's whorefest), I can confirm that Aurora and Cindy's meet and greets are scrapped (at least in current form), while Belle's is a go ... and SW minetrain coaster is also happening, but no definite word on whether her lame dark ride is leaving. Also, signs point to Monsters Inc Door to Door Coaster to be on again at Studios in near future. Candy gets cheaper and bags get smaller every year at MNSSHP. Still, as tired as event is, it's still fun (when you don't pay) ... because when else can you hear Guns and Roses playing in Adventureland at high volumes. I wish I had a camera when I was in Once Upon a Toy last night and saw Fantastic Four animated series DVDs with red sale tags on them (first Marvel crap on sale!) Bars across property have new kewl looking menus with artwork inside, albeit same drinks standardized ... but the reason for the new menus is because Disney now has an official vodka sponsor (and you don't hear that in press releases). Sadly, I forgot to see Block Party Bash (which I kinda like) and High School Musical 3 (which I kinda don't) before they go away ... oh wait, they aren't really going anywhere, they're just being repackaged. People who opt to give Disney their dining dollars ... (self editing because momma always told me if you can't say ...) If PI is dead, which it is, why are the signs and lighting still up? Why do the buses mention it? Why is it still a location? Is Disney trying to shutter Art of Disney at DD? Sure looks that way ... hardly any real art at all anymore ... and most of the WDCC cases are filled with ... VINYL. Why are some people afraid to leave WDW? Let's see ... for $10.79 I had a high quality eight oz steak with salad and bread about two miles from DAK, but no pixie dust or magic were included ... of course, all I had to do to dine was open a door, walk up to the hostess stand and tell her what size party I had. You gotta love the numbers Disney makes up for food and beverage revenue per guest, per day at MK (no, I'm not going to tell you ... unless I am told I can ... but it is one crazy tush -- hope that word is OK -- number!) As an EPCOT/DAK lover, spending most of my WDW time at MK/TPFKaTD-MGMS was probably not a great idea. No, I did not experience Harry Potter yet. Yes, I really want to. Yes, I know I am about the last fanboi left who hasn't experienced this. Mansion still looks great. Space Mountain still sucks. Some things never change. Parks were empty late last week ... even MNSSHP was not at all crowded on Friday night. ... Saturday all hell broke loose at EPCOT with locals packing first weekend of Food and Wine and driving this Spirit ... to ... UGH ... MK. Best parks experience: Four hours of bliss at Aquatica. Worst parks experience: Saturday night at a crowded MK. Most Tired/Stale Halloween event: tie between MNSSHP and HHNs. It sure looks like One Man's Dream is about to reopen with an added display about all the kewl new stuff in the Disney Parks empire ... that isn't coming to WDW. More to come ...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 OK, so the typical Courtyard by Marriott has huge flat screen TVs, but OKW is just getting them ... and FW cabins and Dixie Landings rooms don't have them ... guess pixie dust makes up for that. No really awful CMs. No really exceptional ones either. Total spent on merchandise (including a visit to Prop Control/Character Connection): $0.00. Total Dole Whips consumed: none. Heard the furnishings in the Contemporary and BLT are not holding up well (didn't see for myself). If you are going to leave a park open until 9:30 p.m. (see TPFKaTD-MGMS), then you really MUST offer entertainment past 6 p.m. Do NOT, whatever you do, see Fantasmic and WoC in Anaheim and a month later see Fantasmic in FLA ... crying could result. Note to fanbois/visitors who were at WDW this past week: just because a park happened to be/appear busy doesn't tell the story of what is going on at said resort. If you offer hard ticket parties and close at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Sunday, then MK is going to be packed on Saturday with both locals and those who don't want to pay a second admission fee at MK. ... If you only show Fantasmic three times (once on Sunday and twice on Thursday), and have a major attraction like Star Tours closed, the park will be packed on Thursday night. ... If you offer a Frequent Fear Pass for all the O-Town kiddies, then an 'off-peak' night at UNI's HHN's might seem packed until about 10:15 p.m. when folks head home to get ready for work and school the next day. ... If you open a major 'locals' event like Food and Wine Fest on a weekend, then it's pretty likely that EPCOT will be packed. All of the above were true, none reflect the bottom lines or overall health of the theme park business in O-Town. Disney sells Harry Potter books and Transfomers toys ... yet they won't be building attractions based on those franchises anytime soon ... just like say ... Spidey and Hulk! Disney loves patting itself on the tush as a green company, yet UNI is the one with Dyson airblade dryers in the restrooms. Look for UNI-FLA to have new leadership in the very near future, much like NBC. ... And then look for a major new addition at IOA. Nothing like seeing the joy and then anger on the face of a young fanboi when they walk into A-Land Verandah for the first time and realize what was and what is being wasted. Would I pay $30 for dinner at LTT? No. Would I let someone else pay $30 for my dinner at LTT? Absolutely. Most desserted place in an otherwise crowded theme park: LMA restrooms at 8 p.m. ... you and 50 of your closest friends (although would you have time to read or post on LP if you really had 50 friends?) could all do your business at the same time! All day menu at Captain Jack's really sucks. Dumbed down. Prices jacked up. Blissful way to spend an hour at DD: having a way overpriced sundae with a very wonderful friend (even if said friend gets jealous if you look at cute wittle puppy dogs!) Biggest awwwweeee moment: seeing baby elephant on KS playfully squirting mom, while hiding under her.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Don't expect to see MSEP ever return to Anaheim ... even George doesn't want it. Oh, and its show condition has NEVER been worse than it was Saturday night ... and having half its level of performers made it all the worse. Wishes is painful. Hallowishes is fun. A pony bit me at FW. I'm not suing anyone. Truly magical moment: driving up to WL in mid-afternoon and seeing three deer on left side of road under welcome arch and two on right side of road under arch. People who take pics of walls need to get lives (just social commentary there). People who drill holes in walls behind ATM machine near Pinnochio's Village Haus restaurant to take pics of construction sites need to see mental health specialists (more commentary, and quite accurate). Men In Black truly makes Buzz Lightyear look like something Pierce could put together in his garage. Best thing about being at HHN's: being able to use 'adult' language and not worry about some ruining an impressionable child's life (or magical day!) People are scary. People in O-Town are scarier. Why have JC closed (and a giant inflatable warthog out front) on MNSSHP nights, but have HoP open? Heard that merchandise managers no longer have any say in what their shops stock and how it is displayed ... which likely is true considering how much vinyl and Halloween crap hits you as soon as you walk in every shop. Well, not everyone ... DAK really still has some nice items. But 9-5 hours just are going to kill that park. DD has everything you could want to buy, right? Um ... nope ... not if you want something simple like a greeting card (you know like a B-day one or Congrats etc) ... go to Walgreen's for that. It is with GREAT shame I admit having not one, but two meals at Pecos Bill Cafe.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Disney is actively trying/working to bring its food prices inline with DLR's ... ONE DISNEY DESTROYS ALL. This factor, as well as DDP, is behind the Walmarting in dining. Still a lot of cute Shanghai gals working at WDW! So, Dixie Landings no longer has any logo merchandise (Saratoga Springs has some nice new stuff though) ... and the old-fashioned themed candy counter area has long since been changed to tees and sandals and hoodies ... but it sure is nice to know you can find loads of Marvel comics for sale there. Convention season is starting to get people (and expense accounts in) ... but remember, free dining is around for most of the rest of 2010. Guess what, fanbois? Those retro tees that you think are so popular because people love the old logo are only popular because they are $14.95 (I'll be getting 1-2 when the cast 50% off discount hits soon!) Does anyone go to DisneyQuest anymore? To that boat driver at WL who took off when he could have walked over and let us on ... not kewl, dude ... not kewl. EPCOT has some new eateries. I stayed far away from them. Things are so depressed along 192 in Kissimmee that some old hotels (including one of the world's first Residence Inn's -- the one by where Xanadu and Big Bamboo used to be near 535) are being used by squatters and drug dealers. Celebration is showing major signs of the ecomomic disaster and proves yet again why Disney should NOT be in the development business (see Golden Oak to illustrate how the greed never ends, and the lessons never are learned). Hey, remember all those plans for third parties at TSFKaPI? Yeah, they sure are working out according to plan. Hey, remember when Disney announced that Flamingo Crossing project? You do know all they intended was to plow under some orange groves, build some roads to nowhere and put up some nice rock pillars. Want to see a hint of the new Fantasyland look? Take a look at the wall (I'm sure the OCD bookthief will get to it when she return from a much-needed vacation) added between Pooh and the gift shop and compare it to the opposite wall (just a basic painted pole/column with typical medieval/1971 motif). Riding the WDW RR is a good place to think. Riding WDW buses is not. Do you know how much merchandise simply walks out of the Main Street WoD store? Disney does. And the Mouse doesn't care because of what the store makes. Want to know one reason why the Tentland structures are staying put for as long as possible? Because the Judges tent shop is currently the second most profittable shop at MK ... by a large margin. Disney held some half-marathon over the weekend, I paid as much attention as I do to FOX News. WDW boat transportation (when they don't leave you at the dock because the CM happens to be mad at the world) is a magical way to ride ...especially from WL to MK ... and from DD to Dixie Landings (yes, I do talk like the Colonel and say politically incorrect statements as I walk the grounds ... some Spirits can be so immature ... or satirical). Chicken shack still isn't open at DD yet. Get it before they triple the price (autographed Tony Curtis movie poster for just $300 because they haven't figured out he died yet) at Sid's. I almost had QS food at TPFKaTD-MGMS ... but then I smartened up and went to McD's (and, no, not the Disney locale). Studios remain a 9-7 deal four nights a week.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Final thought for the night: even giving food away isn't doing it for many Disney resort locales, so 40% cast discount for lunch (breakfast at some including Kouzzina and Trail's End) has been extended all the way thru next April. Yet another reason to have cast friends! (they aren't all crazy!)
Originally Posted By leobloom I'm enjoying this report, Spirit. It's almost like a list of short, punchy Twitter messages. That'll probably be the last time I say anything nice about Twitter. >> People who drill holes in walls behind ATM machine near Pinnochio's Village Haus restaurant to take pics of construction sites need to see mental health specialists (more commentary, and quite accurate). << But if I didn't, what would I do for fun? >> Things are so depressed along 192 in Kissimmee that some old hotels (including one of the world's first Residence Inn's -- the one by where Xanadu and Big Bamboo used to be near 535) are being used by squatters and drug dealers. << Sounds like a cheap, new E-ticket. During a quiet tour of Kissimmee, something goes wrong--the drug dealers attack and you have to fight them off. It'd be like Dick Tracy's Crime Stoppers, only bloodier. >> Most desserted place in an otherwise crowded theme park: LMA restrooms at 8 p.m. ... you and 50 of your closest friends (although would you have time to read or post on LP if you really had 50 friends?) could all do your business at the same time! << Sounds like my kind of place, minus the 50 closest (closet?) friends.
Originally Posted By MousDad >>>Want to know one reason why the Tentland structures are staying put for as long as possible? Because the Judges tent shop is currently the second most profittable shop at MK ... by a large margin.<<< I literally just uttered profanity... out loud... at work.
Originally Posted By CaptainMichael <<<To that boat driver at WL who took off when he could have walked over and let us on ... not kewl, dude ... not kewl.>>> <<<WDW boat transportation (when they don't leave you at the dock because the CM happens to be mad at the world) is a magical way to ride ...especially from WL to MK ... and from DD to Dixie Landings.>>> It's a matter of keeping timely cycles. The pilot may have been trying to catch up. Also, you can't wait for every guest that runs up to the dock. Eventually, you have to throw the ropes up and get a move on. Again, there are cycles that need to be kept, and guests on the boat are eager to get to the Magic Kingdom. It sucks leaving people. I often felt bad about it. But, there are guests on the boat eager to get to the Magic Kingdom, and you can't sit at the Lodge or Campground all day waiting for more.
Originally Posted By CaptainMichael I'm pretty sure when everyone first heard about the demise of Toontown, they were elated that the much-maligned tents would (you would think) be leaving for something better. Not so fast my friend!
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub If WDW does not think these types of reports influence future guests...they are wrong. I was planning 2 different family magical vacations next year in May and June for relatives from Texas and California! I seriously do not want memories of construction walls and construction projects. I do not want to be treated rudely by the bus or boat transportation and that includes WAITING and long lines.I do not want to encounter dirty sidewalks and overflowing trashcans. I do not want to endure packed parks because of shortened hours or closings and elimination of entertainment.I do not want to have problems making dining reservations ; how can I plan future dining plans to match up with daily destinations if the WDW calendar with hours and entertainment has not been published online yet? How can Disney think the discounting with tremendous cutbacks is a bargain for guests. I have a different word for that...
Originally Posted By vbdad55 but the reason for the new menus is because Disney now has an official vodka sponsor (and you don't hear that in press releases). ------- who is it ? also Gnr- really ? cool
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I wish I had a camera when I was in Once Upon a Toy last night and saw Fantastic Four animated series DVDs with red sale tags on them (first Marvel crap on sale!) ---gotta get you a state of the art phone son
Originally Posted By vbdad55 If PI is dead, which it is, why are the signs and lighting still up? Why do the buses mention it? Why is it still a location? --------------- are they still surveying people- I was done twice last trip re: PI
Originally Posted By vbdad55 OK, so the typical Courtyard by Marriott has huge flat screen TVs, but OKW is just getting them --------------- I stay in Marriott's often in tralveing- please do not compare Courtyards to OKW in anything but TV's as there is zero comparison. --- I'll give you I would like to have seen the TV;'s earlier- but I used the $125 off the AP more than the TV while there..can one get everything ?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Well, not everyone ... DAK really still has some nice items. But 9-5 hours just are going to kill that park. ---- lsarge store there has become one of my faves now - unique stuff and last trip almost as much high end stuff as AoD EPCOT.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<And then look for a major new addition at IOA.>> *Smiles like an idiot* <<Nothing like seeing the joy and then anger on the face of a young fanboi when they walk into A-Land Verandah for the first time and realize what was and what is being wasted.>> I remember when I had my first trip into the Veranda as a CM. Nothing like seeing that huge place completely empty.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Don't expect to see MSEP ever return to Anaheim ... even George doesn't want it. Oh, and its show condition has NEVER been worse than it was Saturday night ... and having half its level of performers made it all the worse.>> The parade needs to be taken behind the shed and shot. Somethings just ain't what they used to be. <<Wishes is painful. Hallowishes is fun.>> Yes and yes. <<Men In Black truly makes Buzz Lightyear look like something Pierce could put together in his garage.>> MiB not only makes Buzz look like a joke, but it's still a far superior product than TSMM, which opened a good 5 years after it. <<Why have JC closed (and a giant inflatable warthog out front) on MNSSHP nights, but have HoP open?>> 1. It's more expensive to run. 2. Area management isn't the biggest fan of the JC. 3. Why deprive the kids of a treat location! Need any more terrible reasons? <<It is with GREAT shame I admit having not one, but two meals at Pecos Bill Cafe.>> Meh. I don't mind Pecos.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Things are so depressed along 192 in Kissimmee that some old hotels (including one of the world's first Residence Inn's -- the one by where Xanadu and Big Bamboo used to be near 535) are being used by squatters and drug dealers.>> 192 is a sad depressing shell of what it was just 10 years ago. It's sad to see it in the shape it's in. <<Riding the WDW RR is a good place to think.>> I agree. The railroad is a longer version of the TTA. <<WDW boat transportation (when they don't leave you at the dock because the CM happens to be mad at the world) is a magical way to ride ...especially from WL to MK.>> Ugh. I can't agree. It's nice and scenic, but it takes forever, especially if you just miss a boat.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>No, I did not experience Harry Potter yet. Yes, I really want to. Yes, I know I am about the last fanboi left who hasn't experienced this.<<< And I have. There is something wrong in this world. Interesting take, though, Spirit. >>>Want to see a hint of the new Fantasyland look? Take a look at the wall (I'm sure the OCD bookthief will get to it when she return from a much-needed vacation) added between Pooh and the gift shop and compare it to the opposite wall (just a basic painted pole/column with typical medieval/1971 motif).<<< MUST GO TAKE PICS OF THIS NOW!!!!!!!!!! >>>I'm enjoying this report, Spirit. It's almost like a list of short, punchy Twitter messages. That'll probably be the last time I say anything nice about Twitter.<<< I keep telling him he needs an account...
