Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for discussion of the January 4th World Report column at: <a href="News-ID140060.asp" target="_blank">http://LaughingPlace.com/News-ID140060.asp</a>.
Originally Posted By dennis-in-ct <The question on everyone’s mind who has seen the POP Century Resort from the road is "What Were They Thinking?" A truly hideous resort from the outside> I physically shuttered when I saw it - no joke - it is "truly hideous" My favorite thing was the Animal Kingdom Parade and the Animal Kingdom Lodge. I had a beautiful pool view room and I saw animals from the balcony. The best resort IMHO. All in all I had a GREAT Dec. trip. The Christmas decorations were more sparse this year - no ToonTown decorations. The Wilderness Lodge was missing it's Holiday Pic op Chair and glorious Gingerbread village. EPCOT was missing it's Mickey's Christmas Carol's windows.
Originally Posted By alsplace I always disliked the powdered soap -- it seemed cheap to me. 'course, we've seen cutbacks in the past. I recall in the late 70s or early 80s Disney switched to paper straws for awhile. Yuck.
Originally Posted By kennect I agree "Pop Century" really makes the All Stars look pretty damn good...I just wonder where in the world did anyone think this up? Does anyone have a clue as to why Disney would have decided on such a theme? I am baffled....
Originally Posted By meomi I never thought about the Journey into your Imagination, though when my brother-in-law went on it and got off the ride he said "That was pathetic." I thought he was being mean spirited, but it is nice to see that it made the list because the 1st show was so great, this can only hopefully get from what it became. In fairness to the sorcerers hat, after visiting LA for the first time this past year, the MGM version of the Chinese theater, made it look so beautiful, that perhaps the people that own the original asked the hat to be placed there, the one in LA was a real disappointment. I didn't get to go inside it though. In any case, I like the hat, however it is too bad it couldn't be placed sort of uh somewhere else to be an icon or something because that Chinese theater was beautiful. Good lists!
Originally Posted By BuzzLightyear84 Good job on the lists, and, for the most part, I agree. However, I can't help but think that your being a little hard on the Sorseor's Hat. Yes, it does block the Chines Theater, but it still seems harsh to have it as number 2 on the list and (to add insult to injury) placed between Pop Century and the closing of the Carousel of Progress. The hat's really not that bad.
Originally Posted By jmuboy I agree, the Hat is bad (but the wand is worse) and POP Century is UGLIER than motel 6!
Originally Posted By three_a_production great report steve! it had me laughing for a long time- i agree with most of not all of it -em
Originally Posted By DLMAGICDARREN Great report, I have to agree Disney did some bad and some good at WDW. Where was the mention of the stupid closing of the Sea Cabs though? And the closing of COP during the wonderful celebration of Walt? Also some of the good, I saw no mention of Disney Stars and Motor Cars parade.
Originally Posted By pheneix The closing of COP was #1 on the worst list. The Sea Cabs closing happened this year. On the worst list, I was surprised not to see any mention of the God awful wand on Spaceship Earth. It downgrades the hat to "Just Awful" by comparison.
Originally Posted By WEDWAY100 Steve, Thanks for putting the list together. There were things on both lists that I had already forgotten. Maybe I picked a bad time to stop sniffing glue...
Originally Posted By obie28 I had to agree with you about the POP resort..PFFFFFT.....Was in WDW the first week of Dec. Loved the Epcot decorations and the music with Phylicia Rashad.it was incredible. Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party was great, especially the "snow" on Main Street.I was a bit upset about the change in the park hours. Even though the crowds were thinner the wait took up a lot of time. I agree about the magic carpet..even my 7 year old grandaughter thought it was tacky.All in all though I will be back in 2003 with my family.
Originally Posted By missmarymack I don't think the POP resort is any uglier than the All-Stars, which are true blights on the landscape. But I've only seen a few drawings and that one photo of Pop, so we'll see... Also, I don't think Mann's Chinese Theater was ever the icon for MGM - the Earffel Tower was the icon.
Originally Posted By fabdisbabe Next time someone whines at me that no once complains about anything on this site, I'm showing them this article. The good thing is that the criticism is that: criticism, not empty slams for the sake of slamming. Well argued points there, Steve. The "best of" makes me want to pack my bags NOW. Fab
Originally Posted By BradleyJ My only question is how can the same thing get both and Honorable Mention as a Best and a worst. He comments on the Emporium Expansion as Best and at the same time say turning Main Street into a mall is bad. He says it is great they finaly got rid of the powered soap, while at the same time puting it on the worst list, as disney taking away a clasic Disney thing.
Originally Posted By wtg2000 Turning Main Street into a shopping mall I think is the worst thing, and closing off the one side street. Very bad. Also closing Timekeeper (one of my favourites), the Keelboats (I didn't know about that one), and putting Aladdin in Adventureland. The only best I experienced was the Walt tribute and I thought it was quite enjoyable.
Originally Posted By SJHYM The point of the Main Street statements was that the Emporium expansion was well done and does allow you the opportunity to walk down Main Street without going outside, while the merchandise inside the stores makes it Mall like. No longer do we have the variety of experiences on Main Street that we had 10 years ago (no Magic Shop, Penny Arcade, etc). Two different points. Building ok, Merchandise changing not ok. As for the powdered soap...it was a wink at a rather long discussion on this board about the change over and was said half winkingly
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I haven't seen it up close but is the Pop that much worse than All Star? Frankly, I don't mind either one, especially for $80 a night! For my best, I would say the opening of Osceola Pkwy into the property. It makes a much easier drive for me than heading down 192 (though that road has had a huge improvement)!
Originally Posted By bwanabob Great report, Steve. I agree with nearly everything on your list, but I also disagree about the sorcerer's hat. I am a HUGE GMR fan, so I was quite concerned about the shadow the hat casts on the Chinese Theatre, but I didn't find it that bad in person...I think I actually liked it. I visited AK Lodge for the first time and just love the place. I can't decide now if WL or AKL is my favorite...I'm glad it made your best list. Also, Millionaire is lots of fun...I agree with you there. And One Man's Dream is awesome...I could have spent a couple hours in there looking at everything easily. The film was wonderful. I can't wait to go back. Thanks again for the great lists!
Originally Posted By aquamoptop >>>The point of the Main Street statements was that the Emporium expansion was well done and does allow you the opportunity to walk down Main Street without going outside,<< Which is a good thing i think. But you know what I find ironic is that when i worked in the Bakery they had us put ropes up and guard between stores so that people would have to walk outside. I wonder what made them change their minds???
