Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Summer is here, the depression continues, they're closing my local movie theater today ... so ... I thought I'd start a new thread with little tidbits of WDW-related news that hasn't been reported yet ... has slipped thru the cracks etc ... First up ... DVC ...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 We all know the economy is bad. We all know it's been this way for years and was largely a mirage. But how is it really affecting DVC? While we're all mesmerized by all the wonderful DVC photos plasted across the 'net, I guess I missed the story a few weeks ago by Jason Garcia of the O-Sentinel reflecting how the economy was affecting DVC. Second quarter of 2008, DVC wrote $42 million in mortgages. Second quarter of 2009, DVC wrote ... none.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Speaking of numbers ... Apparently, the number $12.3 million has been made semi-public by WDW as the cost of Space Mountain's track replacement and asbestos removal. And fanbois actually think this is going to be much more than a cleaning? That may sound like a lot of money, but it isn't in theme park terms ... besides, I know Spirits who could find that in their sofa cushions.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Anyone hungry? Was looking into some future Disney dining and couldn't help notice that there have been more magical changes. Let's take the Rose and Crown ... where the lunch menu barely is recognizable from years past. And yes, they did it ... they finally added a burger to the menu because really those 400-pounders on the ECVs shouldn't have to wheel all the way to France or Canada for one ... corned beef sandwich is also a new addition ... as is chicken ... and a veggie sheppard's pie ... oh, and the fish and chips have gone up another $1 (after doing likewise recently AND losing the side of peas). Jiko's entrees now start at $26 ... eight years ago when the place opened they started at around $13 and I don't believe any topped out over the $26 starting point of today. The most pricey ... the filet ... is $39 now. And you know how bad they want all beef over that $40 price point. Blame the DDP. Blame Weiss and Rasulo. Blame Iger. Blame the consultants. They're all to blame.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Planning a magical Fourth at WDW? Well, as of today June 14, 2009, even the internal portal still has MK closing at 11 p.m. ... still has no mention of showing the holiday show on the 3rd ... and still has no pyro at TPFKaTD-MGMS. They may want to micro-manage to the penny labor costs, but you'd think they could just put REAL hours and ACTUAL entertainment schedules out for the entire summer ... like DL does ... like their Orlando competition does. The excuse that 'well, it's better to increase hours later' is weak ... very weak. Despite the depression, parks aren't empty, people are coming. Stop making it so tough for them to plan trips.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I agree supposedly they "revamped the website with advice from Disney Moms in the Know and the web site became impossible to navigate. Very irritating! So ATTENTION DISNEY Stop making it so tough to plan trips.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Remember the 'Mickey's Twas the Night Before Christmas' show? The one that used to play at Galaxy Palace after you'd ponied up another $55 a head for the Christmas entertainment that used to be included with admission? Well, there's no stage anymore because Phil Holmes and his managers need to be able to get out to their Escalades faster ... so rumor has it that Disney will simply offer a Christmas version of the Stitch dance party that recently opened. You come up with your own punchline.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Second quarter of 2008, DVC wrote $42 million in mortgages. Second quarter of 2009, DVC wrote ... none. >>> I assume these are fiscal year quarters, which would be Jan-Mar 2008 vs Jan-Mar 2009. So, what does this mean? Obviously, there were *some* DVC sales in 2Q09. Are you saying they were all cash, or charged to a credit card? Or, are there mortgage lenders out there lending for DVC purchases where Disney is not writing the loans themselves?
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Apparently, the number $12.3 million has been made semi-public by WDW as the cost of Space Mountain's track replacement and asbestos removal. And fanbois actually think this is going to be much more than a cleaning? That may sound like a lot of money, but it isn't in theme park terms >>> That doesn't sound like a lot of money at all. If that includes track replacement, then I agree that it seems doubtful that much else is going to happen.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Bless you Spirit, ruining my day while I'm wearing my Rose & Crown t-shirt. I'm still mad they took away the newspaper (fake I know) from the fish 'n chips. Over the years they've gotten rid of several of the meals my DH likes there. They use to have a fantastic cheese & fruit appetizer. It's not what it was foodwise, but I still love sitting there and taking in everything around me, so comforting, especially with an English Rose in my hand.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo See, the Rose and Crown is not authentic at all. Cheese and fruit is an alternative to dessert in the UK! Lol. And even at cut back DLP, we still have newspaper in our Fish and Chip Shop of Toad Hall.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Do they do burgers in UK restaurants? I know I was crushed when someone told me there was a McDonald's across the street from the Coliseum. How depressing. I suppose that was a stupid question, my son said when he was in Bahrain there were all kinds of American fast food places all over the place. Why should England be any different.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Burgers are all over now, but when I first moved to England in 86, a lot of people would use a knife and fork to eat them. They are seen as american junk food here (so much so, bullies would often ask me if I wanted a burger and fries with my kicking - because I am American).
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Burgers are all over now, but when I first moved to England in 86, a lot of people would use a knife and fork to eat them. >>> I remember ordering a "hamburger" at a local restaurant near Windsor Castle in 1984 and being sorely disappointed when I was served a meatloaf burger.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Yep, back in the 80's "Beefburgers" used to be at least 60% beef - scary, and disgusting. Now in restaurants, most of them are now 100% - but it took a long time. The 1st McDonald's in the UK opened in 1974 and was still considered a real treat in the 80's. It wasn't widespread until the 90's. In fact my University town did not get one until 1999 (though we did have a Burger King, the only 100% beef hamburgers in town - this was in the early 90's).
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 When some friends from here (Mass) went to Italy several years ago, they were at a sit down restaurant that served mystery meat, no one could figure out what it really was. No thanks, and I don't want to know what the other 40% of your burger was.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo agreed, there are some food in Europe that can be interesting (in either a good or bad way). There is more variety on offer here though I find. The days of 60% beef burgers seem to be almost gone thankfully.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<We all know the economy is bad. We all know it's been this way for years and was largely a mirage. But how is it really affecting DVC? While we're all mesmerized by all the wonderful DVC photos plasted across the 'net, I guess I missed the story a few weeks ago by Jason Garcia of the O-Sentinel reflecting how the economy was affecting DVC. Second quarter of 2008, DVC wrote $42 million in mortgages. Second quarter of 2009, DVC wrote ... none.>> Dear Mr. Spirit. You really must read more closely. The article did not say Disney WROTE no mortgages in 2Q 2009... it said they SOLD none during the quarter meaning they are having to carry the paper themselves. Big difference. Source: <a href="http://www.orlandosentinel.com/travel/attractions/orl-disney-time-shares-053109,0,3807077.story" target="_blank">http://www.orlandosentinel.com...77.story</a> By the way... the experts seem to think Disney is still doing well with DVC... <<Analysts say Disney is smart to continue its bullish time-share expansion. The new resorts — along with other big capital projects, such as the two new cruise ships Disney is having built — will allow Disney to capitalize once the economy rebounds, they say. That's particularly true with other time-share builders slowing or halting their own construction plans as debt financing has become more difficult. "It's probably going to be challenging in the current environment. But are you building them for this cycle or are you building them for the next cycle?" said David Bank, an analyst with RBC Capital Markets. "It makes a lot of sense for long-term growth.">> Sorry to have to pull a rainbow out of your cloud.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 <<Analysts say Disney is smart to continue its bullish time-share expansion. The new resorts — along with other big capital projects, such as the two new cruise ships Disney is having built — will allow Disney to capitalize once the economy rebounds, they say.>> It would be nice if Disney would actually do the same with their WDW theme parks - you know, the actual reason why people are willing to spend money on expensive time-shares in the middle of Florida!!
