Originally Posted By vbdad55 (Seriously, Mad Men is killing this season. So so so so so so so good. Ain't I articulate?) agree - Mad Men rocks !
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>I challenge you to find another Disney website that takes toilets half as seriously.<< The Happiest Potties on Earth: http://www.mouseplanet.com/potties/
Originally Posted By leobloom ^^That's all fine and good, but they haven't worked on the new "Remembering the Magic of the Restrooms" DVD my team has been assembling. (We'rein talks to get Disney to project an ad for it on the Castle during the "Memories" campaign. Stay tuned!) And that "website" doesn't even include restroom trivia. Who are they kidding?! Like did you know Walt initially wanted urinals in men's AND women's restrooms in Tomorrowland because he believed women would eventually be able to pee standing up. The man had foresight, you gotta admit.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I would like to know your source of reference on that one. Historically speaking the only intelligent thing I am thinking would be the style of toilet.Female restrooms occasionally would be equipped with a toilet built or designed without the drop=down lid and not oval or round but in a shape that would allow a female to straddle more comfortably perhaps. I have not seen this design in a long time but...In todays impolite society Walt's forward thinking would have been excellent.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 Throw one more "newb" vote to the simplified LP site. I just don't enjoy sifting through all the pics and avatars and mega-long quotes and countdowns to get to the meat! I actually do enjoy some of the threads over at MAGIC, but I really get tired of the attacks if someone happens to reference a previously debated hot topic and buttons get pushed. It seems to happen repeatedly over there (and I'm not being sensitive because it wasn't my posts). A casual mention of the changes at WDW since the DDP, and suddenly accusations of classism are flying by the third post! It's just not fun and very unproductive. I can handle controversy, but either have something to say, or make it fun. Hence, Pumbas is so likeable over there. He might zing you, but you'll laugh while you're going down in flames!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Scary. You can't talk smack about The Mouse ... those people are truly mentally ill.<<< God forbid we have an opinion. We must all hate Disney.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Community was terrific on Thursday.<<< One of the wittiest yet... Love that show!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 OK, at this point you're all probably thinking 'Thank God/Oprah/deity of your choice that Spirit never wrote a trip thread on his 15 day Transatlantic DCL cruise in April or we'd be here until 2013 waiting for it to end' ... and well, so am I. And with a MAGICal WDW/UNI/SW trip coming up in mere days, I figured I'd better vomit up a magical end to the story, so ... here goes. When last we checked in with our intrepid day-tripping dudes, they were taking (naturally) a bathroom break using those amazing 'retro' 1982 facilities at the Odyssey complex. For those fanbois who were in diapers at the time, the Odyssey used to be a major (albeit seasonal) quick serve location that had tasty, but unremarkable fare. Since my good buddy George Kalogridis (nice new FB pic, dude!) spent the weekend taking credit for everything from pin trading (he was part of it of the team that developed it, to be fair ... like a Boy Scout!) to character dining (um ... yeah ... right) to helping Walt pick out the land for WDW, I thought I'd give him the credit he deserves for shuttering the facility and starting a trend of creating dead zones at EPCOT. Anyway, we all took our turns relishing in the future look of 1982 ... one that apparently was largely one of white and brown tile. At this point, it was time for a MAGICal fanboi to leave ... something about hazing at a fraternity or some such activity. We attempted to say our good-byes (all wearing magical white Mickey hands, of course) near the EPCOT fountains (where Martin was focused on the water pressure or some such detail). Again, I tried to not so gently tell said fanboi that I am indeed the evil, vile, repugnant (and by that time, stinky!) '74' character that had abused him mercilessly on another Disney forum. I do not know how I could have done it any more obviously without screaming at the top of my lungs that 'I AM THE FREAKING SPIRIT!' ... if I had, I still doubt he would have heard me. So, off the fanboi went ... and we opted to ride Ellen's Mid-1990s Energy Adventure. Not my idea. The Brits suggested it ... and it was nice and cold ... and 37 minutes long (replay this in your head 117 times and that is approximately how long we were told this because apparently as part of our devolving back into apes -- Chuckie Heston was right -- folks now think nothing of jumping out of moving theater cars in the pitch dark for any reason). I love to 'have a little fun today' with Ellen ... she is a delightful spirit in person and very entertaining ... but this show is just so tired. And with energy so critical now ... from the cost to the worst oil spill in our history ... someone might suggest that this whole thing needs a serious relooking and rethinking and retooling ... keep the kewl dinos ... keep the kewl transport ... put glowing neon outside letting people know they will have to sit still for 37 minutes like people did in ancient times like 1989 ... but make this relevant. This is Disney just being lazy and wanting someone else's money to do so. After watching Ellen best Stupid Judy (I won't point out that Ellen has aged far better than Stupid Judy!), we all felt less than energized and stopped at the coffee cart that is located over by Energy and Space etc ... it wasn't Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, but it was cold and had caffiene ... or as I call it 'legal crack'. At some point we witnessed DVC kiosk CMs throwing buttons at the few guests who walked by ... and NO, I AM NOT KIDDING ... Followed by a trip with Nemo with operable angler fish ... a visit to the MAGICal Seas restrooms (nice tile work) ... and then we decided to go back to the 80s (oh, how I wish that were possible) with a trip to some strange universe (no, not Texas) with Captain Eo ... but no, a smoking break had to be had (someone needs to 'splain to the folks in the 'Mother Country' that it is BAD to smoke ... at least tobacco!) While the UKers were filling up on cancersticks, I was reminded how Disney never updated the background music tracks in the Imagination restrooms -- that for some odd reason, most folks don't realize exist making them perfect places ... to conduct your business and cool, quiet conditions -- and the thought of emptying my bladder while listening to Magic Journeys was too much to resist. So ... I didn't. I took off with fanboi zeal for said facilities and imagine my surprise when I turned the corner and almost literally ran into Leemac's favorite celebrity Imagineer, Tony Baxter and his posse. We exchanged brief pleasantries and a few comments that won't be repeated here. It was an odd place for a conversation, so I didn't force one and Tony took off ... I assumed my group would have seen him and surrounded him in a sea of drool. But apparently they were so busy talking about how spectacular Harry Potter was, they never noticed Tony and were near despondent when I mentioned seeing him. I don't want to say this led to a 30-minute Tony stalking search that ended fruitlessly, so I won't. But we wound up riding Imagination and were amazed that something so wonderful had been ripped out ... and so much money spent ... not once, but twice ... for something that doesn't come close to being as good as the original, yet alone better. Side rant here: I can get why folks may feel that some of the original Omnimover EPCOT attractions were long in the tooth ... but Imagination was timeless in a way much like Mansion or Pan or Small World ... update and tinker a bit with it ... sure ... but destroy it? Unforgivable ... I could put some other words here, but again I won't ... even if they may have come from Tony Baxter. Next we experienced Captain Eo ... I kinda enjoyed it, but it has no place back at EPCOT. ... The highlight for me was the new paint and carpet in the pre and post shows since it looks almost exactly like the 80s stuff. And when you're talking about things like that being a highlight then you know you have a problem. We ran into Tony again when we got out and this time we stopped for a longer chat. To be fair, Tony didn't have a choice as Martin had one leg and Lee had the other. Tony had just gotten off the DVC members cruise (was headed to IOA the next day) where he had been trotted out as a celeb Imagineer (because Disney likes to do this). I held back the urge to say how much I would have rather had him on my Transatlantic cruise talking about Disney and WDI instead of talking head Gary Landrum and his woefully out of date presentations. Tony seemed relaxed and happy. And we all had a nice chat. Opinions were exchanged and as Lee has said, and I agree, it really wouldn't be fair to place them here. But, yes, he did rip what was done to Imagination among other things ... and I know that opinion isn't exactly something anyone working at WDI isn't aware of. The rest of the night is a blur ... I know it included a walk-on to Soarin at 7:30 p.m. (unheard of in my experience) ... a decent, but overpriced dinner at Seasons ... a trek into the under rehab Mousegear where Lee was unable to buy his Hannah Montana tee, but did pick up a few Halloween items for his beautiful, intelligent and charming wife ... more restroom visits ... and a ROE 'kiss goodnight'. We said our goodbyes to our friends, walked to the main entrance with a stop at those MAGICal restrooms near the lockers (and by now I was really wishing I could head to a room at ANY hotel and pass out, even if I had to share the room with Pierce!), walked out past the anti-terrorist decorative fences and were on our way. One stop for gas ... and Vanilla Coke and three hours later ... at 12:45 a.m. we were back hom ... or the local Waffle House where we had met. It was a truly MAGICal day, but that had everything to do with the people, not so much the place. While I still love WDW, I'm pretty sure the group I was with would have had a great time together pretty much anywhere. MK and EPCOT were simply a backdrop. I don't know whether that says more about the high caliber of the people (even the fanboi) I was with ... or about the state WDW has fallen to where it is not the attraction, more the setting. But a great time was had ... and I'm open to more daytrips in the future, so long as I am NOT driving. Now ... to start getting stuff together for a bit longer trip ... starting real soon!
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Wow what a writer. Thanks for the smiles it brought Spirit. Enjoy your upcoming trip and come back to us safely.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Followed by a trip with Nemo with operable angler fish ... a visit to the MAGICal Seas restrooms (nice tile work) ... and then we decided to go back to the 80s (oh, how I wish that were possible) with a trip to some strange universe (no, not Texas) with Captain Eo ... but no, a smoking break had to be had (someone needs to 'splain to the folks in the 'Mother Country' that it is BAD to smoke ... at least tobacco!)<<<< You rode Nemo? Disappointment doesn't even cover it..... ;-)
Originally Posted By MousDad Lee, Martin, '74 - together at Epcot - and just so happen to bump into Tony Baxter. It's like fanboi nirvana.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer A true measure of their Doom and Gloom status, too, to get those comments out of Tony as well...
Originally Posted By skinnerbox <<While the UKers were filling up on cancersticks, I was reminded how Disney never updated the background music tracks in the Imagination restrooms -- that for some odd reason, most folks don't realize exist making them perfect places ... to conduct your business and cool, quiet conditions -- and the thought of emptying my bladder while listening to Magic Journeys was too much to resist. So ... I didn't.>> Count me as one of the ignorant regarding these restrooms. It will be my first order of, uh, business when I return to EPCOT next February. <<I took off with fanboi zeal for said facilities and imagine my surprise when I turned the corner and almost literally ran into Leemac's favorite celebrity Imagineer, Tony Baxter and his posse. We exchanged brief pleasantries and a few comments that won't be repeated here. It was an odd place for a conversation, so I didn't force one and Tony took off ... I assumed my group would have seen him and surrounded him in a sea of drool.>> You seem to have a talent for this, Spirit. Didn't you almost run over Glenn Close at the Emmys? <<But apparently they were so busy talking about how spectacular Harry Potter was, they never noticed Tony and were near despondent when I mentioned seeing him.>> True fanbois have purposefully developed their Imagineering radar (and gaydar) to avoid disappointments such as these. Rank amateurs. 8^P
Originally Posted By MPierce >> When last we checked in with our intrepid day-tripping dudes, they were taking (naturally) a bathroom break using those amazing 'retro' 1982 facilities at the Odyssey complex. For those fanbois who were in diapers at the time, the Odyssey used to be a major (albeit seasonal) quick serve location that had tasty, but unremarkable fare. << A strategic location to watch ROE from while you are drinking beer. >> Since my good buddy George Kalogridis (nice new FB pic, dude!) spent the weekend taking credit for everything from pin trading (he was part of it of the team that developed it, to be fair ... like a Boy Scout!) to character dining (um ... yeah ... right) to helping Walt pick out the land for WDW, I thought I'd give him the credit he deserves for shuttering the facility and starting a trend of creating dead zones at EPCOT. << The guest demand that more locations that were once open to the public be set aside for use by conventions. >> Anyway, we all took our turns relishing in the future look of 1982 ... one that apparently was largely one of white and brown tile. << Very utilitarian, and it serves it's purpose well. >> At this point, it was time for a MAGICal fanboi to leave ... something about hazing at a fraternity or some such activity. We attempted to say our good-byes (all wearing magical white Mickey hands, of course) near the EPCOT fountains (where Martin was focused on the water pressure or some such detail). << It's hard to high five when you're wearing your Mickey gloves. I wonder if Martin was measuring the circumference of the new handrails around the fountain? >> Again, I tried to not so gently tell said fanboi that I am indeed the evil, vile, repugnant (and by that time, stinky!) '74' character that had abused him mercilessly on another Disney forum. I do not know how I could have done it any more obviously without screaming at the top of my lungs that 'I AM THE FREAKING SPIRIT!' ... if I had, I still doubt he would have heard me. << It is obvious to me that the poor lad has suffered a sever traumatic shock at your hands, and now lives in an alternative reality. >> So, off the fanboi went ... and we opted to ride Ellen's Mid-1990s Energy Adventure. Not my idea. The Brits suggested it ... and it was nice and cold ... and 37 minutes long (replay this in your head 117 times and that is approximately how long we were told this because apparently as part of our devolving back into apes -- Chuckie Heston was right -- folks now think nothing of jumping out of moving theater cars in the pitch dark for any reason). I love to 'have a little fun today' with Ellen ... she is a delightful spirit in person and very entertaining ... but this show is just so tired. And with energy so critical now ... from the cost to the worst oil spill in our history ... someone might suggest that this whole thing needs a serious relooking and rethinking and retooling ... keep the kewl dinos ... keep the kewl transport ... put glowing neon outside letting people know they will have to sit still for 37 minutes like people did in ancient times like 1989 ... but make this relevant. This is Disney just being lazy and wanting someone else's money to do so. << They were probably wishing they were in Anaheim, and needed to go find a Magical bathroom before they could take a nap because someone woke them up early that morning. >> After watching Ellen best Stupid Judy (I won't point out that Ellen has aged far better than Stupid Judy!), we all felt less than energized and stopped at the coffee cart that is located over by Energy and Space etc ... it wasn't Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts, but it was cold and had caffiene ... or as I call it 'legal crack' << Funny how 6 secessions with the plastic surgeon will do that for you. You drinkin' that sissy boy iced downed latte stuff still? >> At some point we witnessed DVC kiosk CMs throwing buttons at the few guests who walked by ... and NO, I AM NOT KIDDING ... << It's a new CM game. You get more points if you hit them with the button while they are riding an ECV. >> Followed by a trip with Nemo with operable angler fish ... a visit to the MAGICal Seas restrooms (nice tile work) ... and then we decided to go back to the 80s (oh, how I wish that were possible) with a trip to some strange universe (no, not Texas) with Captain Eo ... but no, a smoking break had to be had (someone needs to 'splain to the folks in the 'Mother Country' that it is BAD to smoke ... at least tobacco!) << Was EE picketing outside with a sign that said " Remove Nemo From EPCOT Center Now! "? They should have just fired one up in the theatre. People would have just thought it was a Doobie, and that's OK to do. >> I don't want to say this led to a 30-minute Tony stalking search that ended fruitlessly, so I won't. << So how long did y'all look for him? >> But we wound up riding Imagination and were amazed that something so wonderful had been ripped out ... and so much money spent ... not once, but twice ... for something that doesn't come close to being as good as the original, yet alone better. << The guest demanded it. >> Next we experienced Captain Eo ... I kinda enjoyed it, but it has no place back at EPCOT. ... The highlight for me was the new paint and carpet in the pre and post shows since it looks almost exactly like the 80s stuff. And when you're talking about things like that being a highlight then you know you have a problem. << The guest demanded it's return. >> We ran into Tony again when we got out and this time we stopped for a longer chat. To be fair, Tony didn't have a choice as Martin had one leg and Lee had the other. << I always love seeing a coalition that works. >> Tony seemed relaxed and happy. And we all had a nice chat. Opinions were exchanged and as Lee has said, and I agree, it really wouldn't be fair to place them here. But, yes, he did rip what was done to Imagination among other things ... and I know that opinion isn't exactly something anyone working at WDI isn't aware of. << I also agree. Private conversations should remain that. If a person knows he is being interviewed that's a whole nother story. >> The rest of the night is a blur ... I know it included a walk-on to Soarin at 7:30 p.m. (unheard of in my experience) ... a decent, but overpriced dinner at Seasons ... a trek into the under rehab Mousegear where Lee was unable to buy his Hannah Montana tee, but did pick up a few Halloween items for his beautiful, intelligent and charming wife ... more restroom visits ... and a ROE 'kiss goodnight'. << I feel like I'm being cheated here. Kind of like the wrap up of Lost. >> We said our goodbyes to our friends, walked to the main entrance with a stop at those MAGICal restrooms near the lockers (and by now I was really wishing I could head to a room at ANY hotel and pass out, even if I had to share the room with Pierce!), walked out past the anti-terrorist decorative fences and were on our way << I have to warn you I leave the TV on, and snore loudly. >> It was a truly MAGICal day, but that had everything to do with the people, not so much the place. << You've got to admit though, that the WS makes a great backdrop for meeting up with friends. >> While I still love WDW, I'm pretty sure the group I was with would have had a great time together pretty much anywhere. MK and EPCOT were simply a backdrop. << Considering all of your backgrounds it was the perfect spot though. >> I don't know whether that says more about the high caliber of the people (even the fanboi) I was with ... or about the state WDW has fallen to where it is not the attraction, more the setting. << >> But a great time was had ... and I'm open to more daytrips in the future, so long as I am NOT driving. << Enjoying Pixie Dust moments is really all that matters in life. >> Now ... to start getting stuff together for a bit longer trip ... starting real soon! << Your life seems to consist of one long vacation Great trip report my friend.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> You rode Nemo? Disappointment doesn't even cover it..... << I knew that would be your reaction!
Originally Posted By Christi22222 Thanks. I've enjoyed this thread - the narrative as well as the comments and banter. I just hope that someday I will be enlightened as to who the oblivious fanboi was! And please let me know if any of you characters will be present in the World at the end of Jan/beginning of Feb coming up!
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Was EE picketing outside with a sign that said " Remove Nemo From EPCOT Center Now! "?<<< No, I had HW that day.... >>>I knew that would be your reaction! <<< I think Spirit did too!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<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. << <<It's all about the type of camera you use. Small cell phone cameras make people think you're trying to photograph people in the stalls doing their business.>> Oh, we sure wouldn't want that. As an aside, how many folks do you think are taped in restrooms and changing rooms and hotels etc without ever knowing? I am a paranoid Spirit, but I do believe it is a higher number than most folks would ever want to believe with the tech we have today! <<I've found big cameras with long lenses work well to show just how professional this type of documentation is.>> I'll leave that to the experts. I do hope you'll send me a copy of your first DVD to review for the LP!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> They're down 7-0 to the Jets now (and I turned down free tix from pals at NBC because ... well, I'd rather watch from home!) << <<Pitiful ending to the game. Glad I watched Mad Men tonight, instead.>> Only a pitiful ending if you wanted to see Miami win ... and, to be fair, fans here have been conditioned to losing for years now. Way too many fans are living in 1972 ... or the early Marino years. <<(Seriously, Mad Men is killing this season. So so so so so so so good. Ain't I articulate?)>> I think you're just saying that because of my devotion to the island where miracles happen. <<P.S. Did anyone see "The Event"? I didn't but the commercials made it look like a desperate attempt to generate a "Lost" buzz. Pitiful hackery.>> I saw the first episode and thought it captured my attention pretty well ... enough to tune in last night. Jason Ritter is very likeable, much like his father. It took a turn I saw coming and hoped wouldn't ... but it still kept my attention. It looks promising, but it certainly didn't grip me in a way the first two hours of Lost or 24 did. AND ... the worst thing NBC did was allow a KEY plot point of week 2 to be shown in previews. Lost or 24 wouldn't have done that. I'll keep watching ...
