Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Not animated ones, those can get annoying, I agree. Just ONE picture...LOL.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Your nemesis was so, no doubt, blinded by the awe-inspiring presence of Martin and Lee that he could not comprehend the fact that '74 could be there also.>> Well, to be fair Martin and Lee are like a giant ball of MAGIC ;-) <<To this day, does he know? Hilarious.>> I sent him a note during the middle of the week. Haven't heard back. But I've got to believe he knows.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> OK ... where did we leave off after the last 2,876-word post about MAGICal WDW construction walls, urinals and vinylcrapation? Oh yeah, so your intrepid day-tripping, wall-peaking, fanboi-flaming pair of LPers had decided that after 3 1/2 of wishes, dreams, magic and constuction walls, it was time to leave the MK. So ... we did. << <<Perhaps you will have better luck finding the perfect Hannah Montana tee at TPFKAE'94.>> I will try and let you know shortly. Been a bit busy of late so haven't had a chance to finish the day, which I really should! >> Walking up the entrance ramp to the MK monorail station we couldn't help but be moved by the giant boulders that, for a decade now, have counted as landscaping. We walked onto one of the monorails (it may have been Black, but again what does color matter?) noting that instead of tacky balloons, the monorail was plastered with what looked like giant stickers advertising MNSSHP, which in an amazing show of restraint by Phil Holmes, Erin Wallace and Co, started AFTER Labor Day this year (I know, amazing!) << <<I was hoping you would get the teal one this time.>> Maybe the AC would have worked? >> At this point, and with the AC no better than 'working to some degree', I was thinking a few things, including 'I'm not in Anaheim' ... 'I'd really like to head over to one of the Lodges and go to sleep' ... 'I wish Pierce were here' ... and ... 'I really could use a magical WDW restroom'. << <<You wouldn't have needed AC in Anaheim.>> It depends ... (and Mrs. Pierce says you know all about Depends!) ... when I was in Anaheim last month it was 99 on two of the days ... that's hot even sans humidity. <<If you would have gone straight instead of bearing to the right you could have caught the boat to WL, and that cozy chair in the lobby.>> There are plenty of cozy locations at the WL and DAK Lodge to just veg at. <<You would have had to drag me onto the monrail as I would have been crying about not getting one more Dole Whip before we left the MK.>> Dole Whip = Frozen Pixie Dust to Fanbois <<I'm starting to wonder if you are taking the same diuretic medicine that my Doctor has me on.>> I am on all sorts of meds that allow me to deal with the fact the world is insane ... they probably make me go a lot ... but I think just plain drinking a lot has more to do with it and, honestly, even a droplet is worth an excuse to visit a MAGICal WDW restroom as Leo will tell you. >> We pulled into the TTC without any hold for traffic clearance (which likely put a smile on my friend TDLFAN's face, even though he wasn't with us, and was likely in some exotic locale like Cincinnati), switched beams and (thankful we didn't smash into another train) were on our way to what's left of EPCOT Center to meet up with a MAGICal pal from the UK. << <<Was Martin over there with his Theodolite taking precise measurements for future references?>> I admire the man for his knowledge and passion, but I have to say I'm less intrigued by the 'hows' and the specs and more interested by the whys and why nots. >> We got to EC and noticed on parking lot trams working, but an OC Sheriff's car parked underneath (a common occurrence in these post-Patriot Act days!) I also noticed what would have truly been art if photographed the right way ... Mickey and Goofy Pez dispensers intertwined on the roof of some of the EPCOT ticket booths. The way they were placed made me think it was the work of a bored CM. But I enjoyed it. << <<I am having a hard time understanding this, and an even harder time visualizing.>> Pretty easy. Some CM got on top of the EPCOT ticket booths and left a few posed Pez dispensers where the monorail passes over. It looked artsy to me like seeing a Buzz Lightyear floating in the Hub waterways near T-land a few years ago. >> There were no signs of the Lights of Winter, however. << <<Guest demanded that they quit putting them up.>> Yes. I'm sure the same one(s) who complain food prices are too low and variety is too large.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I don't socialize with Mancs - they are my mortal enemies over that game that the rest of the world excluding the USA plays....>> The USA plays it, Lee ... just no one seems to care about it. The sport is huge here at the youth level too, but it just isn't a part of the culture. Like I doubt you have an NFL game on wherever in the world you may be right now, but most Americans do. <<Does that mean you can't fraternize with yourself? Or Lindsay? Or Doobie? (I'm gonna assume you don't hang out shooting the bleep with folks like Al Lutz and Jim Hill!)>> <<They'd rather not socialize with me. They are happy to be "friends" with me on Facebook but any real life interaction is forbidden in the restraining order.>> No comment! <<I wouldn't recognize the other two if my life depended on it. I'm told that Hill was sitting in front of me at a recent event but I have no decision whatsoever to engage with him.>> I am a bit surprised as to how Disney has gotten over its 'issues' with him, and he now seems to be 'A' list material when it comes to Disney fan sites. But I admit I don't get how Disney decides suddenly that people who put up any Mouse PR or pictures of planters somehow qualify as media in today's world. I understand, especially with Iger, that Disney believes social 'media' is getting the message out to the fanbase. But they are coming and spending no matter what. Real media is what might get the attention of people who aren't Disney fans or geeks, and are debating a MAGICal WDW vacation vs. other options. A whole lot more folks were 'affected' by seeing Laura Bly's short piece on Aulani in USA Today on Friday than would be by reading about it on a Disney fan forum. <<His former wife recently tried to "friend" me on FB - I love the ignore feature. ) >> Has she changed her idenitity again ... can't keep up. I do recall her whining somewhere (likely Jimbo's site) about not getting taken to the WoC premiere. Of course, just why should she be? ... Someone else who takes pics of walls all the time apparently has been whining because she wasn't invited to the opening of the Hacienda at Mexico last week. These folks have no business being involved with anything 'media' related. And it isn't going to help the Mouse by having them. All their kiss-up glowing 'BUY DUFFY' reports aren't going to change the 'tudes of the vast majority of visitors, no matter how many sites link to them. Oops, I think I got off-topic! Must be the Titans-Giants game I am watching ... REAL FOOTBALL!
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Titans-Giants game I am watching ... REAL FOOTBALL! >> Only us Americans have the audacity to tell the world that a sport we invented less then 200 years ago is the "real" version of something. Especially ironic because the foot is barely used in the sport...haha
Originally Posted By leemac <<Like I doubt you have an NFL game on wherever in the world you may be right now, but most Americans do.>> Sadly our sports channels in the UK (Murdoch's Sky and ESPN) carry the games. Thankfully there isn't much sport on Sunday evenings (usually only continental football has Sunday night games). I was a huge Dolphins fan as a kid - and then followed the European league when it was set up but quickly lost interest. Soccer has always been my first love though - and Liverpool FC are my boys.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I do recall her whining somewhere (likely Jimbo's site) about not getting taken to the WoC premiere. Of course, just why should she be? ... Someone else who takes pics of walls all the time apparently has been whining because she wasn't invited to the opening of the Hacienda at Mexico last week.>> Honestly wouldn't have a clue - I gather she recently married again (a FB friend was tagged in a church photo). I don't even know if I've formally met her in the past - Doobie told me that she was a lady that came up to me at D23 Expo last night and started talking to me as if we were BFF. I was polite enough not to ask who she was to her face. <<I am a bit surprised as to how Disney has gotten over its 'issues' with him, and he now seems to be 'A' list material when it comes to Disney fan sites.>> I've no idea - I don't visit his site and only see the headlines on LP - it all looks like puff pieces to me.
Originally Posted By Lee hisownself >> Must be the Titans-Giants game I am watching ...<< And surely such a wise Spirit is rooting for the team in the lighter shade of blue... GO TITANS!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> We walked in thru the 'Guests Without Bags and Therefore Automatically Not Terrorists' entrance, got a nice greeting from the CM at the entryway and were inside the giant memorial at EPCOT for people dumb enough to spend their money on lousy photos on giant gravestones. << <<Did you go over, and pay homage to the one of me?>> I wanted to take a leak on it, but Lee suggested the MAGICal new restrooms! >> As we walked in, crowds were again, non-existent, so much so that Stitch was standing out (because you know blue doggies from space with bad dispositions and a love for Elvis music represent our future ... or, please pray they do because where this country is heading right now that would be a HUGE step up!) to the far right jumping around and waving and trying to get our attention or just anyone's ... because it's much more fun to play with others than it is to play with yourself. As it turns out, Daisy Duck was also over there looking very lonely too << <<I've never seen characters at the entrance. That's a bit much. I know there's some hidden message in there about Stitch.>> I've seen them many times, but usually with lines. Certainly not standing around begging for attention like a Internet Spirit! ;-) <<Why do I keep thinking about the triggering mechanisim for TSMM?>> Ask Mrs. Pierce. <<Are you sure it wasn't packed wall to wall with people? That's what I hear everywhere else.>> People either are clueless or get there and immediately get in a line for one of the few things you'll always wait for like Dumbo or Pan and then they extrapolate that to mean something it doesn't. Friends have been in the parks this past week and they say crowds have increased slightly, but are still largely non-existant. I hope that continues with my upcoming trip because I don't like crowds and I don't like (most) people. >> I wanted a photo, but Lee was adamant that we didn't have time, so off we went. My memory is a bit fuzzy here, but I'm pretty certain I checked out the 'new' restrooms near EPCOT's lockers. For a park celebrating the future (well, along with dreams, magic, wishes and the 15th B-day for that girl who lives down the street and dresses way too provocative for her tender age), the new facilities were nothing special. Bland with some slip-resistant surface on the floor that seemed to impress Lee. I missed the brown and white tiles that said 1982 myself. I also couldn't quite fathom why hand-dryers hadn't been installed and then I realized that Danny Cockerell likely gets bonuses when things come in under budget. And greenbacks beat going green any day! << <<Did Lee at least let you take photos of the new facility?>> I didn't take any camera (other than phone) and I didn't take restroom pics because that's Leo's territory. >> Since we couldn't get in touch with our world-famous friend from the UK, Lee and I opted to take a ride on SSE because there are supposedly magical triangles in it ... and I find Judi Dench very sexy and blue light bulbs to be like magic 'shrooms. One bizarre thing happened in that whenever they played the video onboard, my mouth had a giant ... a giant ... a giant ... triangle in it (I SWEAR I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP! ASK LEE!) I have no idea why ... or if it was an even an isosceles. << <<I suspect that giant triangle in your mouth was a death mark placed on you by the Mouse. I think them Italian guys used Canaries instead.>> Could be. I just found it absurdly amusing. Why'd it have to be a triangle? Why not a pentagon? Or a rectangle? <<Is Isosceles a Greek CM that works at Epcot?>> Yes. He will be working the Greek booth at the 15th Annual Epcot Food and Wine Festival beginning Friday! >> We exited and met up with Martin, his lovely Michelle (hope that's spelled right) and three other dudes. We hung out in front of the fountain, talked DL, talked WDW, talked Vegas, talked all sorts of stuff ... that's when I realized that 'you are a Floridian, not a UKer, you do NOT enjoy standing outside in the sun at a theme park in September'. We soon began a slow trudge over toward the World Showcase Lagoon with numerous stops for restrooms, smoking breaks (they still like the habit in the UK), photo ops and the like. << <<Was everybody wearing football jerseys, and black socks with sandals?>> I was so into the magic that I didn't pay attention to what others were wearing ... plus Lee wouldn't stop wailing about finding the perfect Hannah Montana tee and spending approximately $3,632 on vinylmation so I really couldn't focus. <<Why didn't they get the smoke anywhere pass at guest relations?>> I think that pass is just for medical pot! ;-) <<Why would Martin take pictures? He has the entire parks layout on a day to day bases from 1982 until present committed to memory.>> You'll have to ask him. Still waiting for him to appear here ... >> It was while we were hanging out in the shade near Norway that I found out that one of the dudes with us apparently had some rather negative feelings toward some evil Internet Spirit with a '74' at the end. He felt that this disgusting, vile, repugnant dude had run him off of a MAGICal forum because he may have suggested that teens don't have the same life experience or perspective of older, farty, Spirits. After making fun of this '74' character (he sounds like a total buttocks face to me), I thought it only fair to tell said fanboi my super secret, real-world identity ... because I was afraid if I didn't that someone might truly begin ROFLTAO down the WS Promenade. << <<That '74 guy does sound like a big poopy-head! I think I remember the fanboi in question now. I can see why he was upset also. I had learned all of life's experiences by the time I was 19. I certainly didn't need some Old Disney Hating Dude telling me any differently.>> Yep. I wish I were like you guys ... or actually, I just wish I could go back to 19 with the wisdom, knowledge and perspective I have gained since! >> Thing is, as DCA proved, life doesn't always go according to plan. << <<A Billon dollars can correct a lot of things that are wrong with both of them though.>> Maybe I should hit up family for a loan? >> No matter what I said. No matter how I tried to subtly tell the kid who I was, it was flying over his head, like a Space Mountain car after derailing. Michelle was so amused by the situation that she had to run to the MAGICal Norway restrooms. When she returned, the subject had been tabled because ... well, sorry, but sometimes you just have to be there. << <<It's comforting to know you made a lasting impression on a developing brain.>> I try. I believe I offer a treasure trove to those spirits with open minds. <<Has he answered your PM yet?>> Nope. >> We then rode Maelstrom because Martin said they have tweaked the effects and it was looking good. Maelstrom isn't a fave of mine. To be truthful, it was the first Disney attraction that ever disappointed me upon opening. It's OK, but that's it. It looked it nice shape, but that's about it! We ignored the film and walked thru quickly because being uber-kewl fanbois, we don't have to watch the post-show. << <<I hear they are showing stag movies in the Norway pavilion in lieu of the travel log film now. Does the entrance to the dining area still smell like a boat full of Herring just docked? Did you go by the beer kiosk, and complain that you couldn't get Ringnes there anymore?>> Didn't go near Akershus or the beer stand. >> At this point, there was some discussion about heading to Mexico as it was soft opening day for the new Cantina and Hacienda dining locales. I wasn't thrilled with the idea because no one in the group had signed up for 'Take a Spirit to Dinner' Program, we had just eaten a few hours ago, I didn't want to buy Mexican cuisine that started at $21.95, I didn't want to run into any of 'those crazy Internet folks', and I didn't want to run into Danny Cockerell and have an unpleasant exchange because I have some issues with the way EPCOT is being run. << <<If you had the Disney Dining Plan you wouldn't have to worry about the cost! Oh, I forgot, they're not on the DDP. VIva La Mexico!>> It's just a matter of time. Contracts need to be drawn up and go before various legal eagles ... they'll be on it by early 2011. <<Maybe Danny would have sprung for a meal, and a couple of those two X's beers.>> I doubt it. I haven't been very kind toward him here ... c'mon, who else would dare suggest he has moved up the Disney career ladder because of his Daddy? >> The 'group' decided on the Cantina, thankfully. The place was loaded with employees of the company that runs the Mexico pavilion food locales (and CSR's locales as well) and everyone seemed friendly and 'on' because that's the way it always is on opening day. I didn't have the insulting $11.95 fast-food tacos ($15 with a beverage) but those who did said they weren't very good. I did have some of the churros, which at $3.50 are pretty fairly priced and a Coke. Normally, I'd have had a Margarita (now up to $10 due to guest demand for higher prices), but with the heat and lack of sleep, I just didn't feel that wise. << <<Churros come in just a little behind Dole Whips for me. Only $10 for a Margarita. Next time I'm there I will go to guest relations, and complain. They should be at least $12.>> If they moved the price to $14, then the lines would go down and it would increase guest satisfaction ...why does that seem like something someone would 'rationally' say on MAGIC? <<Attention, protein spill at La Haceinda!>> Can we get pictures? >> And I'd like to tell you what happened next, but I am out of time right now ... << <<That sounds like a Guess Who song. Hurry back now ya hear.>> Maybe later ... and don't get fooled again!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Wow, this has been a truly non-MAGICal 2 hour read thus far.>> Not enough pixie dust? Would it help if I kept using words like wishes, dreams and magic? <<Although the fanboi story fell as flat as Tom Bergeron's jokes from the big announcement yesterday.>> I am sorry to hear that. It just doesn't translate well to the online forum. And I am much more talented than ABC/Disney whore Bergeron ... <<But I was interested to hear that the Mom may be the alter ego of Frank.>> Frank ... Marsha ... all the same to me. <<Any chance the Spirit could divulge the internet name of the angry fanboi? I want to start a thread over at the MAGIC to rile up some noise.>> Nope. But enjoy your pot-stirring. Add the proper dose of arsenic and pixie dust as I try and do.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Only us Americans have the audacity to tell the world that a sport we invented less then 200 years ago is the "real" version of something. << Actually Professional Football American style came on the scene the same Year that LeeMac's beloved Liverpool F.C. did in 1892. But yes we are noted for being contrary here. That's the reason our horse races go counter-clockwise, and the Brits go clockwise. The Brits are slowly coming around to our way of thinking though. We just have to work harder on them about American Football.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<They have so many members posting it's hard to keep track of them all. Still a great forum with a lot of well informed people. There are just a few that need to be ignored.>> I would say there are far more worth ignoring. I'd also say the fact that you have to wade thru pages of BS to get to substance is a HUGE problem for a forum. When there's nothing to talk about ... don't! ... Instead, you tend to get hundreds of posts over nothing. That's great if you are in school or don't work or spend 27 hours a day online ... but for some of us, you just can't/don't want to do that. <<I haven't noticed any postings by Mr.Sak of late at Magic. He always had a way of brightening up a day.>> I know he has a MAGICal WDW vacation planned around now ... he may well be here already or getting ready for it.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I haven't posted on that MAgical site for many years, I was getting tired of the death threat PMs.>> Death threats?!?! ... That's crazy. I have often gotten very nasty PMs, but never threats. Those would be taken very seriously. But that speaks to some of the folks who spend their time there. How in the world does talking about theme parks and entertainment companies lead to that? <<And I don't really like making non travelled fanbois cry.>> I love to. It's like blood to a vampire.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I was a huge Dolphins fan as a kid - and then followed the European league when it was set up but quickly lost interest. Soccer has always been my first love though - and Liverpool FC are my boys << A former Dolphins fan, and now you support a club that has American owners? You'll never get Knighted if that gets out Lee!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I agree with DWB!! Some of the other discussion boards have so much going on that it makes it too difficult to read!>> They all do. The simplicity here is one of the charms and strengths. I do not want to see your way kewl avatar ... I do not want a link to your trip countdown ... I do not want to see your bulldog 'Stitch' dressed like a Pirate for Halloween ... I do not want to see overlays from Google showing the land available at MK ... I do not want to have folks going back and changing what they say after the fact ... I do not want to argue with teens ... or 33-year-olds that have never traveled beyond the East coast of the USA. I just want a nice Place to hang out with friends (and Pierce too) and talk about Disney or anything else that comes to mind.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> I like LP just the way it is also! ANd I am starting to think MPierce is not only brilliant but worth quoting occasionally! << <<A little early in the day to be drininking isn't it?>> Sounds like something stronger than drinking ...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<MPierce is WAY cooler than that Spirit character! That's what WDW needs, an LPer meet & greet!>> Pierce ... cooler than the Spirit? HAH?!?! If there were a meet and greet for us, my line would be considerably longer!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I think that pass is just for medical pot! ;-) << There you go thinking about Anaheim again.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Death threats?!?! ... That's crazy. I have often gotten very nasty PMs, but never threats. Those would be taken very seriously. << I guess I should apologize for all those nasty PM's I sent you. But that speaks to some of the folks who spend their time there. How in the world does talking about theme parks and entertainment companies lead to that? It's unblieveable how vicious Disney fans can be.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I do not want to see your way kewl avatar ... I do not want a link to your trip countdown ... I do not want to see your bulldog 'Stitch' dressed like a Pirate for Halloween ... I do not want to see overlays from Google showing the land available at MK ... I do not want to have folks going back and changing what they say after the fact ... I do not want to argue with teens ... or 33-year-olds that have never traveled beyond the East coast of the USA. << How about all the way to East Texas? And those trip countdowns can be pretty cool when they look like the monorail, and advance slowly across the number of days left until Pixie Dust Heaven!
