Originally Posted By davewasbaloo ". I think we got a glimps of "The Spirit's" soft underbelly but I dare say those that know you well are not surprised." Indeed this is whatI like about Spirit's and other critics. most of what is said is right on the money, and well considered and balanced in the main.
Originally Posted By Labuda "Maybe we can do one this summer and then we can go drink at Pleasure Island to make the memories disappear?" Nope! I do not engage in quality control walks - I notice blatant stuff, but I'm NOT going to go looking for it. All about boozing it up at PI, though!
Originally Posted By iamadisneyfan77 <<I think you often misinterpret my DVC-bashing>> I LOVE it! Awhile back, I had commented in another thread that there seemd to be quite a bit of "DVC-bashing" going on from you and others. "DVC-bashing??? What DVC-bashing??? I'd like to know what I've said that could be construed as DVC-bashing??? you sound like a DVC snob!" you wrote. (I paraphrase from memory, of course.) And now it's straight from the horse's mouth. Just (half) kidding, Spirit! :; This was a typically fine post that really hits the nail on the head as to why some of us are so passionate about the Disney parks/resorts. Ditto to everything else positive that others have said. Even your point about potential DVC overexpansion is well-taken. (Although are we at that point yet?) Cheers.
Originally Posted By plpeters70 "I wonder if Teppanyaki will ever close for its constantly pushed back rehab that was supposed to start today (even though I saw folks walking out of there with pagers in hand)." I was there the first week in April, and our waitress at the Matsunoma Lounge said they were shutting down in four weeks. For some reason, they had already stopped making tempura, and had instead switched to a new sushi menu - which wasn't very good. Which reminds me - has anyone else noticed a downward trend in the quality of sushi at the resort? If I'm paying close to 10 dollars for a California Roll, I expect it to be made with real crab. When did they switch to Krab stick??? (The same thing happened at Wolfgang Puck's as well.) I hope the quality of the food returns to normal after the refurb...
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Just back from a quick, long weekend at The Timeshare Kingdom of the World AKA Disney's best-kept secret (other than the fact that on any given day the Mickey hugging your little Republican child just might be gay!) << Does this mean that gay people only hug Republicans, and not Democrats? That would be bigotry! >> OK, anyone want to bash Al 'Whitebread' Weiss or Inoverherheadmeg Crofton now? << Is this a racial slur directed towards Al Weiss or merely a quote taken out of context. Do you really begrudge Meg Crofton for the position she is in now or is it just anybody that happens to be in power at Disney? I'm glad you had a good time, and thanks for that truly unbiased report.
Originally Posted By jkayjs <<And I do hope we get to see you in July!>> That would be great. Just waiting to see what my daughters new days off will be. She just changed jobs so still up in the air but should know soon.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Does this mean that gay people only hug Republicans, and not Democrats? That would be bigotry!>> Most Republicans look like they need a good hug more than Democrats ... especially after the last six magical Bush years! <<Is this a racial slur directed towards Al Weiss or merely a quote taken out of context.>> Whitebread refers to his personality not his pasty white skin. <<Do you really begrudge Meg Crofton for the position she is in now or is it just anybody that happens to be in power at Disney?>> Oh, I do begrudge her. She may just be a figurehead, but she's done nothing whatsoever to be qualified for such a position. Take a look at her resume. And yeah, I do tend to look harshly at most WDW execs because I don't feel they're competent to do their jobs. <<I'm glad you had a good time, and thanks for that truly unbiased report.>> Thanks for reading and commenting.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<That would be great. Just waiting to see what my daughters new days off will be. She just changed jobs so still up in the air but should know soon.>> Just keep in touch with Iggy. She's my official scheduler ;-)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 BTW, I unexpectedly got to spend three hours at DL Wednesday night during a business trip to LA ... anyone interested in some limited observations?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>She's my official scheduler ;-)<< Oh I see... so yoou would not make a special trip for me if I said...for example, I will be there "tomorrow" with some new maps and brochures... not to mention post cards and all that stuff?? >>BTW, I unexpectedly got to spend three hours at DL Wednesday night during a business trip to LA ... anyone interested in some limited observations? << Most definitely, and don't do it for me. Do it to officially annoy those who need to be, but not for pixielitter1...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Oh I see... so yoou would not make a special trip for me if I said...for example, I will be there "tomorrow" with some new maps and brochures... not to mention post cards and all that stuff??>> I could have used those maps, especially DLP ones for my future visit. Schedules too ... the website is terrible for listing show and parade times etc ... <<Most definitely, and don't do it for me. Do it to officially annoy those who need to be, but not for pixielitter1...>> Heheh. Saw your fave admirer had crawled out from under the rock!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Anyway, just a few quickee observations from DL to compare with the WDW ones. It isn't often I can be at the MK on Friday and DL the next Wednesday, but business in LA wrapped up very early and I had only 45 minutes of traffic on the 405 down to the Happiest Place in Anaheim. It could have been unhappy for me since I left my DL PAP in SoFla assuming I'd never have time to make it there. I went assuming I'd have to pay $20 to make a new one, but to my pleasant surprise the CM took my license, looked up my info and just printed me a paper ticket for free. In 10 minutes time, I was in DL at 7 p.m. with two hours before closing. As soon as I got in the park the PoD was playing and the park seemed packed. Funny how DL always does, yet the MK always has higher annual attendance. I'd love to see the real numbers some day. Once the parade ended I noticed how quickly custodial came thru to pick up whatever trash was on the ground. The walkways looked pristine. Town Square, which is so barren and cold in Florida, was a tapestry of colored blooms everywhere. I decided to head to Red Rockett's first as I hadn't eaten since noon. The place was suprisingly uncrowded and after a yummy slice of veggie pizza, some salad and three cherry cokes (hey Nikki, free refills baby!) I was ready to take in some magic. The sub lagoon was visble thru an open construction door and what I saw in a quick peek looked great ... nice, clean water with subs in it!!! Took a ride on PoC and was amazed yet again at how they took one of the most perfect DL attractions and plussed it. The sound effects, lighting and AAs were all in perfect order ... everything was crisp and clear, so very unlike WDW's version. Yet again, I noticed effects I hadn't seen before (the next to last scene where the whole room is shaking like it's collapsing due to the fire). Walked through New Orleans Square where lots of lighting rigs are up for the huge private travel industry party that will close the park early today. Took a trip to NeverLookedThisGoodattheMKLand on Peter Pan and then got on one of the last Mr. Toad cars of the night. Even there I saw how lovingly they care for the details ... as when I was there in February they had replaced some lightbulbs in the queue with non-matching different shade of yellow ones. They were all working and all back to the original correct versions (think about this when you see all the lights burned out on the $500-plus a night GF flagship hotel that have been that way for years!!!). Hell, which hadn't frozen over in Feb. but was feeling a bit chilly, was back to its hot, steamy self. Again, look at the details at WDW ... the ones that simply don't exist, have been taken away or just allowed to decay. I slowly walked thru Sleeping Beauty Castle ... no room for a Jon Benet Beauty Parlor here ... admired the view and took a slow walk thru the shops on Main Street before heading out. I then spent time listening to some kewl big bands on the new soundtrack at DD, walked into WoD, which was a typical madhouse and left. Not much time. But some magic is better than none at all. When I see just how right DL gets it ... and how DLP gets it (even with very poor management), I'm starting to think of a day when I go to WDW and don't even enter the MK once. I'm afraid it may be coming to that. I'm just not into stale magic. And I'm not into a WalMarted park that is being methodically turned into a kiddie-park by some amazingly bad execs.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Indeed, and this is why I wish joe public would wake up and realise the MK is a shell of what it can be. People look at me like I am crazy to travel an extra 3000 miles to go to Disneyland rather than WDW. DL was the 1st and it is the best!
Originally Posted By danyoung Excellent quickie report, WDW. Sorry I'm joining this thread so late - really busy week! And I'm right there with you on the Bistro. I ate there the first time 2 trips ago, and again on my last trip to see if it was a fluke. Two INCREDIBLE meals with wonderful service in a beautiful room - narry a Micky in sight! I guess I'll have to be content with my status as your SECOND favorite Texan - at least until we actually meet in person. Next trip is in early December '07 - meet you at the Bistro???
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 If all you eat is vanilla ice cream all the time, how would you ever know how good chocolate is ... or pistachio ... or butter pecan ... or cookies and cream ... etc ...? Most WDW guests simply don't know any better. Most WDW guests have never been to another Disney destination. Most WDW guests never visited in the 70s and 80s. Most WDW guests are overwhelmed by everything there is to do so they tend to view everything from PoC to dinner at Alfredo's to RnRC to breakfast at Chef Mickey's to Nemo: The Musical all as ONE experience ... and overall, we know the product is still quite quality (although in no way elite) ... so it's all broad strokes. They don't look at the details. Most WDW guests (and fans on websites) take it very personally when you criticize the place and its management in a simple-minded view that they are some how being attacked for enjoying the place.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Oh, and I would take three hours at DL (or DLP) over a full day at the MK without a second thought.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I guess I'll have to be content with my status as your SECOND favorite Texan - at least until we actually meet in person. Next trip is in early December '07 - meet you at the Bistro???>> I don't have any trip planned for Dec ... but I do have a tee shirt that reads: Will Travel For Food
