Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer A certain MAGICal place is reporting/hypothesizing that EPCOT's beloved centerpiece for Holidays around the World, "The Lights of Winter" will NOT be returning this year due to cost cutting and the green initiative for LEDs. Apparently they didn't get switched over, while Osborne did. My opinion? Big blow, and typical TDO. Why they would take away a unique feature, and why they didn't switch the lights to LEDs is beyond me. Severely disappointed, as I was REALLY looking forward to seeing them in action on my Dec trip...which was specifically for this event.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo No surprise here. Gone the way of the Country Bears Christmas party?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer I hope not. Frankly I am surprised, because this isn't some big, lavish part of HATW. It;s easy to install, easy to run, but HIGHLY enjoyable. Dumbing down by degrees.
Originally Posted By SuperDry As an aside, can anyone cite an example of a "Disney green" initiative that didn't end up saving the company money? It's very easy to show "commitment to environmental responsibility" when you're also saving the company money, especially when it can be used to cut costs in an area where guests would otherwise complain. But it's a whole different thing to be committed to the environment such that you actually do things that cost MORE to do in an eco-friendly way. Any examples?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^^^ The new AC/Thermostat units in the DVC rooms were a hit, I'm sure. Such foolishness.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Getting confirmation from a lot of people that it is gone. Some do say that it's being painted, however.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>As an aside, can anyone cite an example of a "Disney green" initiative that didn't end up saving the company money?<< After draining the Paradise Pier lagoon in DCA last fall, they had the water cleaned and put into underground storage tanks, and they used the recycled water to refill the lagoon a few weeks ago. Apparently this process cost 6 times as much as simply draining it into the city sewer system and refilling it. There were a couple articles written about it, so it was definatley done for publicity, but it did cost them more to do it the "green" way.
Originally Posted By mousermerf Well, public opinion is definitely starting to turn against the Orlando house of mouse.. Finally.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer ^ It's amazing, isn't it? People are actually writing in, and everything. I'm so proud! LOL. Maybe we can spark a DL-esque turn around....
Originally Posted By Spyderman Disney is foolish. Cutting costs and offering deep discounts wont save them. New Ride will.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORGOCH: Just goes ta show! Ev'ry time they raise prices ta git inta the dang place, they start cuttin' back on things that make yer good times there less good! Way ta go, ya RAT!!! ORDDU: Upset much, little sister?
Originally Posted By Spyderman Disney's solution for getting out of a recession: -Continue cost cutting tradition that started ten years prior during a "boom time" -Increase prices across the board -Dont build any new rides
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer You know it has to be bad if the Witches are in. She's right, too....
Originally Posted By Spyderman the solution is simple. STOP GOING UNTIL DISNEY GETS ITS ACT TOGETHER!
Originally Posted By dshyates No, if we stop going they will HAVE to continue cost cutting. I say we go and then b*tch like my ex-wife. That woman has a way of getting things done.
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy I always thought the Lights of Winter was an incredibly tacky addition to EPCOT. It just never really worked for me.
Originally Posted By danyoung >I always thought the Lights of Winter was an incredibly tacky addition to EPCOT. It just never really worked for me.< You are of course welcome to your opinion. For me it was one of the things that just said Christmas, even more so than trees or gingerbread houses. I've spent a lot of time under those arches, just enjoying the music tracks and the synced up lights and fountain. A very cool vibe, an important part of my Christmas, and now it's gone.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I really am sorry to hear this, but not at all surprised. But since I am planning my first holiday visit to the World since 2006 (caught the last day of Castle Dreamlights in January 2008 too), it really is a downer. I could write 1,000 words in just one post on how this endemic with the way TDO operates and how little regard the execs have for both locals/APers and infrequent guests ... but why bother? You judge for yourself. Every other Disney resort worldwide keeps adding new things and freshening old ones when it comes to seasonal events. Not WDW, they keep cutting as much as they can. And they also keep adding hard-ticket nights, so you need to pay twice if you want to experience the holidays at MK. Fitting that DISNEY'S A Christmas Carol just opened because TDO is very good at scrooging its guests up the arse at every turn. Bah humbug.
