Originally Posted By MPierce >> Well, I do get the strong vibe Eddie would like to work for WDI again, so he likely knows he needs to watch his words. << Me too. >> But I'm not sure what can really be said about F-Land. They are spending money and that's good, but it's all largely for the young princess demo (not that Mermaid won't be great ... and anything that destroys TentLand can't be bad either). I do wonder whether the Tink dark ride will be added later ... and whether Barnstormer will get some type of Dumbo/Circus overlay since it's the only thing there (other than the train station) that is remaining. << I'm much more into the aesthetics of the FL makeover than rides. That's why I love WS so much. From what I've read the theme of the Barnstormer is still up in the air, but it will get a make-over. >> I was told that Tom Staggs said in an interview that Marvel's characters would basically not ever have a presence at WDW. I have no idea if he meant just the ones contractually licensed to other entertainment companies or in general. << I hope that's true, though I do feel it could fit in at the Studios. >> But I can't wade thru what I missed over there. << It would take sometime. Most of it is repetitive anyway. >> Responding to posts, comments and questions isn't spamming, Phil. And I won't tell you to get a life, just to have a magical night! << That was PHIL?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<One of the things that breaks my heart there is they took the excellent Hunters Grill and turned it into a buffet. Imagine if they took Ohana and turned it into a buffet. Not cool.>> Shhhhhhhhh! Dave my dear boy don't give anyone that might be listening any ideas. 'Ohana is one of the few of our faves that is essentially untouch from the 1st time we went. It was hard enough during the 'no shrimp' time for my DH(hard as in we didn't go), now that it's back all's right with the World. ------------------ we boycotted O'Hana also when the tiger shrimp were taken off the menu - hey maybe others did too.and someone got the hint
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Sadly they don't get the hint at DLP. Our choice gets smaller year after year as they continue to convert these places into buffets. Sorry folks, that's what conferences are for, not vacations IMHO. I like varied a la carte, not the same small number of offerings at every restaurant at $40 a person exclusing drinks. But I would gladly pay that or more for a good, themed, quality table service experience.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Spirit good to see you posting at the moment...Just lose a little of the superior bit though...We are all just minions to the Disney empire...We simply have to take what we can get...>> I don't know what superior 'bit' you are speaking of. I am a very humble Spirit at heart. <<It's hard to be humble when you are truly great. You have no idea how much effort it takes to do that myself. Not all folks are capable of it.>> Ain't that the truth, Trippy? I try though ... as I am sure you do. It's just tougher to do when the AC won't cool your OKW villa below 78-80 while you sleep. ;-)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Table service restaurants offer good wine lists, beer, liquers, apparatifs (free for Dream AP holders) and cocktails, but you must eat to enjoy them. But yes, I did miss sharing a bottle of wine when we ate at the Blue Bayou in Disneyland 18 months ago.>> I love having wine at DLP, but don't miss it anywhere else. It just seems to feel right there. It wouldn't (to me) at DL. The only other park I have had alcohol at is EPCOT. Well, except for private parties at Disney-MGM, DAK, MK, DL, and DCA! <<One of the things that breaks my heart there is they took the excellent Hunters Grill and turned it into a buffet. Imagine if they took Ohana and turned it into a buffet. Not cool.>> Hmm ... I am getting confused. I dined at one of the two restaurants there twice (on prior visits) and it had a salad bar, but wasn't buffet and the food was quite good. Was that Hunter's Tavern? I know I glanced at the menu when I passed through and it sounded good. <<The declines of Disney dining in DLP is really depressing. They keep rolling out more and more buffets (and some guests even sneak in tubs to fill up for back in their hotels). Now I would still rather go to DLP than the MK, but it is not perfect, far from.>> DLP's top dining consultant (you don't wanna know what Disney pays his company) was the guy who first started breaking EPCOT dining in the 1990s when GK was running the park. I believe he may have done work on DCA too prior to opening, but I can't recall for sure now. I guess I am hit by the not-there-nearly-enough stick to notice what you do ... basically the same thing I accuse many WDW semi-regulars (the once a year or once every few year crowd) of. I have very few complaints about my DLP dining other than the price points (which are made worse by the weak dollar), although they are offering specials at places like Walt's and Blue Lagoon, which I have not seen before.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Hey spirit is WDW getting anything besides Star Tours 2 and upgraded fantasyland in the next 4 years? Any new attractions for Epcot? >> I am not sure. Been very consumed by my travels and business, so I haven't had my eyes and ears open. I believe EPCOT will see a few small scale projects in the next few years, but nothing major. I'm sure Leemac knows more (whether he can talk about it is another matter).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Don't worry Spirit, I have a rep on the European boards for being a little harsh on the Paris resort. But it is the one I have seen the biggest decline in quality on. 90% of the imagineering work make it worth while, but the sloppy management really let's this place down. I wish some of the management were from Asia or California rather than Florida, then maybe this would not happen.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I'm much more into the aesthetics of the FL makeover than rides. That's why I love WS so much. From what I've read the theme of the Barnstormer is still up in the air, but it will get a make-over.>> Well, after spending time in Paris and Anaheim's beautiful and detailed Fantasyland's, I'd say Eric and his team have their work cut out for them. Because even with the project, the remainder of the land is still largely stuck in 1971 facade and detail wise. And those other F-Lands aren't just eye candy, but they have loads of quality attractions for all ages. What I see here is Mermaid (which will be terrific), double Dumbo and lots of nicer themed meet and greets, as well as the food and beverage component. That means even in 2013, MK may be able to compete on style and look, but it will still lack in substance. >> I was told that Tom Staggs said in an interview that Marvel's characters would basically not ever have a presence at WDW. I have no idea if he meant just the ones contractually licensed to other entertainment companies or in general. << <<I hope that's true, though I do feel it could fit in at the Studios.>> I'm still trying to figure out why this $4 billion deal was such a great one for Disney. I truly hope this isn't Iger's Go.com mixed with Fox Family mixed with a few pro sports franchises ... because I don't see the value that others seem to ... yet. And what's scary, especially after talking to some folks in LA, is that I'm getting the feeling Disney doesn't exactly have a plan for them. This isn't a no-brainer like Pixar. >> Responding to posts, comments and questions isn't spamming, Phil. And I won't tell you to get a life, just to have a magical night! << <<That was PHIL?>> Not that Phil, another one. Not that THAT Phil doesn't read my posts and take my advice about planting PR pieces in the O-Sentinel to boost his image or anything.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<my OKW villa was 68 degrees my whole time there .in August>> And they gave you a freaking Mercedes?!?!? Unbelieveable! ;-) Seriously, maybe they have given up on the climate controls quietly? Anyone know? Spirit has two upcoming WDW visits to plan and AC is a huge issue (speaking of which, it is hot in here!)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Don't worry Spirit, I have a rep on the European boards for being a little harsh on the Paris resort. But it is the one I have seen the biggest decline in quality on. 90% of the imagineering work make it worth while, but the sloppy management really let's this place down.>> I believe that. I wish I could have gotten there sooner. I had plans as far back as 1992. And I had a trip planned in 1996 that got canceled unexpectedly ... and then life/work/family got in the way. As to management, I had high hopes for Gas (as I honestly couldn't think any lower of a Disney exec than I did for Holz), but Kalogridis is the main ops guy and he is great at making the bottom line hum. Of course, he's a disaster in so many other areas, but he seems to be just the type of exec Disney wants in the club. And Gas, well, I get the idea he puts a whole lot more effort into his appearance than he does into his job! It's a shame the management is so poor because the front-line CMs were absolutely superb. My party left four compliment cards and could have left dozens. Not one bad CM at all. And much better English than I have ever experienced in my visits prior. <<I wish some of the management were from Asia or California rather than Florida, then maybe this would not happen.>> I dunno. Jay has puppets around the world. DL has Ed Grier, who is never seen. And now DCA has Mary Niven, only claim to fame is she is the only survivor of the Cynthia Harriss era. In Florida, you have a team of puppets led by figurehead Inoverherheadmeg and Erin 'My Daddy Built this Place' Wallace ... Phil is an on-going disaster at MK. And the others are all relatively new at their positions, but don't have much power. I feel badly for Rilous Carter at Studios because I have heard nothing but great things about him, yet the people above him are absolutely trying to destroy that park.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Oh and to finish that incomplete thought/post ... is the fact that Jay Rasulo and Al Weiss control everything. There are no strong resort/park leaders anymore. Matt Ouimet was the last of that group. I think Jim MacPhee tried at EPCOT, but his tenure was a blink and you missed it deal (although I have also heard good things about Danny Cockerell there ... at least until people started telling me about the dumbed down Food and Wine Fest that just started).
Originally Posted By -em >>Matt Ouimet was the last of that group. I think Jim MacPhee tried at EPCOT, but his tenure was a blink and you missed it deal (although I have also heard good things about Danny Cockerell there ... at least until people started telling me about the dumbed down Food and Wine Fest that just started).<< I will agree about Matt and Jim I also agree about the F&W to a great extent though I will confess I haven't "done" F & W yet (tonight!) though while I was first ehh about how they did the guides this year the more I think about it the more I like it (They went from a festival guide that was 20x pages to a weekly "looks like a park map" guide I wish they were not charging for the seminars but if it works- more power to them but I wont be attending anything this year..
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I'm still trying to figure out why this $4 billion deal was such a great one for Disney. I truly hope this isn't Iger's Go.com mixed with Fox Family mixed with a few pro sports franchises ... because I don't see the value that others seem to ... yet. << I don't see it either, but what do I know. >> Not that THAT Phil doesn't read my posts and take my advice about planting PR pieces in the O-Sentinel to boost his image or anything. << He needs to get himself a plant online. That seems to be where he has the worst image. I could be had for a few freebies at WDW. Phil could merely pass those things off as a promotion like volunteering or celebrating. Why not? >> Spirit has two upcoming WDW visits to plan and AC is a huge issue (speaking of which, it is hot in here!) << You know you want to stay at BLT.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<my OKW villa was 68 degrees my whole time there .in August>> And they gave you a freaking Mercedes?!?!? Unbelieveable! ;-) Seriously, maybe they have given up on the climate controls quietly? Anyone know? Spirit has two upcoming WDW visits to plan and AC is a huge issue (speaking of which, it is hot in here!) ---------------------- seriously - it was a non issue - reset the therm when we arrived- ( I think it was about 73-74) and it never moved from that point on for 8 days.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I feel badly for Rilous Carter at Studios because I have heard nothing but great things about him, yet the people above him are absolutely trying to destroy that park. << Do you really believe that? I realize they have limited hours at the Studios, and they cut back on F, and that family coaster went back on hold, but TSM has been a boost, and Star Tours 2.0 will be also. >> Matt Ouimet was the last of that group. I think Jim MacPhee tried at EPCOT, but his tenure was a blink and you missed it deal (although I have also heard good things about Danny Cockerell there ... << Have you actually heard anything about Jim MacPhee lately? It would seem that his new position has been akin to an excile.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> And they gave you a freaking Mercedes?!?!? Unbelieveable! ;-) << That's a step down for someone use to a Beamer isn't it?
Originally Posted By -em >>AC is a huge issue << Speaking of AC when I was at DAK today it was really odd but they had ALL the shop doors closed throughout the park (I assume to save AC) but I wonder how much they loose in revenue cause most of the shops look closed when the doors are all closed...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> I'm still trying to figure out why this $4 billion deal was such a great one for Disney. I truly hope this isn't Iger's Go.com mixed with Fox Family mixed with a few pro sports franchises ... because I don't see the value that others seem to ... yet. << <<I don't see it either, but what do I know.>> I dunno, but Mrs. Pierce says you're a whole lot smarter than you look. From the neither here nor there, but more likely in Boca Raton department. I happened on a few 'upscale' Hulk and Spidey tees (if any tee could ever qualify) at Macy's today for the low-low price of $14.99 plus another 20% off with my store card. ... I almost picked up two just so I could wear them to IOA and say THE MOUSE OWNS YOU AND YOUR MOMMA to the CMs there. >> Not that THAT Phil doesn't read my posts and take my advice about planting PR pieces in the O-Sentinel to boost his image or anything. << <<He needs to get himself a plant online. That seems to be where he has the worst image. I could be had for a few freebies at WDW. Phil could merely pass those things off as a promotion like volunteering or celebrating. Why not?>> I dunno. It was two of his managers who started the infamous 'Phil was axed' rumor months ago, so I think he needs to worry about his internal detractors. >> Spirit has two upcoming WDW visits to plan and AC is a huge issue (speaking of which, it is hot in here!) << <<You know you want to stay at BLT.>> Yeah ... I've been outed. I do ... but I think I'd enjoy a villa at DAK Lodge just as much.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<seriously - it was a non issue - reset the therm when we arrived- ( I think it was about 73-74) and it never moved from that point on for 8 days.>> Well, it was a problem for others, including Trippy, before you arrived. So that makes me wonder if this alleged 'green' plan has died a very deserving death (my AC is on 73 right now and it is perfect in here, but I guess I am more capable of paying my electric bill than TWDC!)
