Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "RT, have you ever cruised the Mediterranean? We're thinking about that this year." I have. Do it.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Just got a call, George K. is headed to WDW. It's official." I had the opportunity to meet George K. and hear him speak at a conference once and he struck me as a very nice and sincere manager. I'm glad he's sticking around Disney and that the organization appreciates his talents.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance I think it's easy to take these kind of business decisions personally when they don't coincide with your own personal values or plans. But if you try and step back and realize, this is just a business decision to try and make some more money, it's easier to not be so upset by these kind of things. Might not be a good decision, but it's not being made to personally upset anyone either. And to say they should add new things instead, I say they are already adding a lot of new things at both locations, (again it might not be your cup of tea for everything that is being added, but that shouldn't be taken personally either), and this is in addtion to adding new things. Don't know if I'll end up liking or hating the Next Gen, most likely I won't be affected by it much, but I'm not going to get a freaked out and start boycotting or prothesising doomsday for the parks and mass identity theft either.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Stop being sensible. Hysteria is the only thing that works here.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <That sounds fun... would you fly to Europe and then sail from a Mediterranean port?> Yes. Planning on cashing in those frequent flier miles that we finally have enough of. We want to see Venice before it sinks, and will probably start there. Dr. Hans, which line did you cruise on? So far, Norwegian is looking the best to us. We're thinking of Venice to Barcelona.
Originally Posted By DlandDug At least one statement was dead wrong, and another struck me as very odd. >>Overall however, Anaheim has a current crop of executives that “get it” for the most part, and VP Mary Niven and her three DCA General Managers in particular have really shined in the last few years. Anaheim should remain in good hands when that group takes a step up the corporate ladder this winter.<< Or again, not. (Of course, winter isn't over!) >>It’s evident that the cruise business and its revenue model have them looking again at how they sell the parks and resorts. As you probably know, other than walking onto the ship, just about everything else on many cruises is offered for an upcharge or extra fee.<< If this is intended to refer to the Disney Cruise Line, then I am baffled. The only things that are "upcharged" there are a single restaurant and the spas. It is otherwise an all-inclusive vacation, including meals, shows, endless entertainment and an attentive staff. You do have to spend money on souvenirs and liquor. And shore excursions. But I really don't think "upcharge" when I think of the DCL.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Might not be a good decision, but it's not being made to personally upset anyone either.<< True, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I'm sick of going to Disney and having to deal with long lines and in many cases wall to wall people. Oh, and the ever rising prices don't thrill me either.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "Yes, it seems pretty clear that NexGen is more about enhancing Disney revenues than improving the experience of the average guest. After over 20 years of at least yearly visits to WDW and spending close to $100K there during that time (not including my purchases of DVC points), Disney is apparently deciding I'm not good enough for them. Well the heck with them! They are not good enough for me!!!" Wow. Such anger. "They have about priced themselves out of the market as far as I'm concerned." This is a reasonable response by itself. But the outrage. Over an amusement park. Really? "Yea, but maybe I DON'T WANT my time managed." Are you that certain that the changes will make it so you can't tour the parks the way you want? "But if you try and step back and realize," On a Disney board? You're an optimist. Overreaction is par for the course. The sky falls weekly. "Oh noes....Disney is trying to maximize reveues!!!!" "True, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I'm sick of going to Disney and having to deal with long lines and in many cases wall to wall people." I just spent 9 days in WDW and never waited more than 15 minutes for anything. Not even the bus.
Originally Posted By DlandDug Glad you had such a good experience. My last trip to the World involved massive amounts of time waiting for busses, riding busses, and finding myself on the wrong busses. And the place looked terrible.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "True, but that doesn't mean I have to like it. I'm sick of going to Disney and having to deal with long lines and in many cases wall to wall people. Oh, and the ever rising prices don't thrill me either." I'm not saying you have to like it, I'm just speaking more to those who feel personally attacked when Disney makes a decision they don't like. It's just the way it is, if it makes the parks unenjoyable for the majority of people, then it was a mistake made by Disney, but nothing that anyone should feel personally attacked over.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Dr. Hans, which line did you cruise on? So far, Norwegian is looking the best to us. We're thinking of Venice to Barcelona." You know what? I don't remember! It was a small boutique line and the trip was in 2000. We sailed from Athens to Santorini, Egypt, Israel, two different ports in Turkey, and Mykonos before returning to Athens.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "It's just the way it is, if it makes the parks unenjoyable for the majority of people, then it was a mistake made by Disney, but nothing that anyone should feel personally attacked over." And if they make it not worth the money, stop going. Do your really need to feel all that insulted by their decisions? I figured I should probably plow through that Lutz article (and those 2 or 3 paragraphs triggered that response? You guys do know that Lutz is a very big anti-WDW kneejerker? And he seems utterly clueless about how cruises work). I did see this: "If and when a night parade returns to Anaheim, TDA would now like it to be something completely new." I hope he's right about this. I loved loved loved the EP, but would prefer something new (yeah, I know. Light Magic blah blah blah).
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Wow. Such anger.>> Yea, if some of what is being said about NexGen is true, I AM angry. It's not like if I don't like what the parks are doing I just don't need to go. They sold me DVC for a SUBSTANTIAL investment on the premise that it would allow me AFFORDABLE annual WDW vacations for the next 42 years. I believed them... would Disney lie to me? Yes, DVC has cut back it's perks and privileges over the years and I get that. The perks were not guaranteed and I realize things change. But it did seem for many years that Disney delivered on it's core promise... to keep an annual WDW vacation relatively affordable for members. Now (at least according to what has been posted here) that all seems to be changing. They seem to want to change the parks to an "upscale boutique" experience where to get things you always took for granted like being able to get a dinner reservation or a Fastpass will require a "premium package". Will those owning DVC even be eligible if we don't stay at one of the new super-expensive (points-wise) resorts like Bay Lake Tower or the Grand Floridian Villas? Already the Disney Dining Plan has taken away from what was one of the selling points for DVC. I figured with a full kitchen I could have breakfast and maybe a quick lunch in my villa, then head to Epcot or somewhere in the evening for a great table service dinner. Not anymore. With the DDP just try getting a reservation on short notice, and if you manage to get one the prices have gone through the roof. SOMEONE has to subsidize all those on the DDP and I guess it is folks like me. Oh well, I guess I should be happy. I'm sure it is a magical experience for little Bubba Junior to pick at the lobster he doesn't even like while I am subsidizing his family's dinner. Whatever. I don't mean to rant. I just don't like much of what has happened at WDW in recent years, and it is easy for me to believe the worst is yet to come.
Originally Posted By oc_dean >>>>>>>> >>I think it's easy to take these kind of business decisions personally when they don't coincide with your own personal values or plans. But if you try and step back and realize, this is just a business decision to try and make some more money, it's easier to not be so upset by these kind of things. Might not be a good decision, but it's not being made to personally upset anyone either. And to say they should add new things instead, I say they are already adding a lot of new things at both locations, (again it might not be your cup of tea for everything that is being added, but that shouldn't be taken personally either), and this is in addtion to adding new things. Don't know if I'll end up liking or hating the Next Gen, most likely I won't be affected by it much, but I'm not going to get a freaked out and start boycotting or prothesising doomsday for the parks and mass identity theft either. 24 NEW! Dr Hans Reinhardt Wed 1/9/2013 1:57p Stop being sensible. Hysteria is the only thing that works here. <<<<<<<<<< And who said you have to have a polarized view on either side of the coin? As they say .... The "bottom line" for me ... if there's not enough new things to see .... Then Disney can become the new Lower Priority in one's life .. and just make it the - Once every 10 Year commodity. It's as simple as that. There's lots to see and do in this big world of ours ... that has nothing to do with the name - Disney.
Originally Posted By oc_dean The last time I was in WDW ... Horizons, World of Motion, original Journey Into Imagination were running. The parks didn't look like they were sagging in maintanaince. Main Street was not one large mall. There were still a couple attractions worth seeing. And Tomorrowland resembled something more sensible .. than cartoons! Photopass options, and NextGen are not reasons to return!
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>Now (at least according to what has been posted here) that all seems to be changing. They seem to want to change the parks to an "upscale boutique" experience where to get things you always took for granted like being able to get a dinner reservation or a Fastpass will require a "premium package". Will those owning DVC even be eligible if we don't stay at one of the new super-expensive (points-wise) resorts like Bay Lake Tower or the Grand Floridian Villas?<< Everything I've read so far implies that all resort guests (including DVCs and APers staying on property) will have a certain number of FP+ opportunities each day (likely 3 or 4). What is unknown at this point is if those people will also be able to use 'regular' FP to increase their total beyond that, or if they are limited to just the ones that they planned in advance. Additionally, it's not known what will happen with guests staying off property. In all liklihood, they will be the ones who have to pay extra for the 'benefits' of the NextGen system. On property guests will likely also be able to pay extra to get additional perks (similar to how you can currently hire a private tour guide to get your group to the front of the lines), but it sounds like the 'basic' package will be at least equivalent to what a guest would do on their own in the parks right now. Of course, not even Disney seems to know the full extent of the system, but it doesn't sound like it will detract from your visit if you stay on property (including DVC). As for the boutique parks, those seem to be in addition to what is already there, as a 5th gate of sorts (though it would likely be percieved much more along the lines of the water parks, mini golf, and DisneyQuest, which are there but seldom used). It doesn't sound like they are taking anything away from the existing parks for this, other than perhaps some of the CapEx budget. Keep in mind that this stuff is hardly even at the blue sky stage; it's so completely conceptual that there's very little chance of it being built any time in the somewhat near future.
Originally Posted By ksargen From what a read quite a while back, "premium" package users would get 3 or 4 reserved experiences. This means two FP and priority seating at Fantasmic and WoC, or something like that, IN ADDITION to normal FP and seating options. Now, with talk of removing the FP machines and putting in kiosks, imagine what that's going to look like for non-premium users. You'll probably hit the kiosk with your ticket/badge/wrist thinger, load your FP of choice, and take off. They will have to install a fair number of them, so multiple people have access. One theoretical idea - put a kiosk near all the FP rides. If you want an FP for that attraction, you walk up, push a button, wave your pass at the machine, and it either gives you one, or tells you when you can have one, or that they're out. Fairly fast and simple. However they do it, they'll have to deal with the crowds trying to do them.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "However they do it, they'll have to deal with the crowds trying to do them." I guess that explains all the interactive queue stuff they've been adding to attractions at WDW, doesn't it?
