Originally Posted By HokieSkipper I don't mean this to be a super negative thread, I just think what's happened to DAK over the past few months is a weird and worrying trend. No, it's not about the numerous dead effects in the park, more about how the place is quite literally falling apart. Last month a piece of the Tree of Life fell off, prompting the entire It's Tough to Be a Bug queue to be covered in nets, as well as some of the paths to be closed off completely. Afterwards, I was told that this wasn't the first time something like this happened, either. Then, yesterday, a light fixture near the end of Expedition: Everest snapped and fell on a train full of guests. Luckily, no one was seriously injured. But in talking with someone today, the subject was brought up and "major structural work" for the whole park was mentioned as a possible project for WDW going forward, along with a few others. This of course startled me. I mean, the park is barely over a decade old, and they already need to do some major infrastructure work on it? Surprising, to say the least. Just wanted to share that with you guys. And next time you're at DAK...maybe wear a hardhat.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Well, this is sad DAK has always been a favorite of ours. I hope it gets the attention and $$$$ it needs to keep it safe and beautiful (and another E ticket wouldn't hurt either).
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad do they use one construction company when they build the parks or many doing their own areas? I hope they fix the tree and don't just cover over the broken areas. It is a work of art and needs to be treated as such and repaired when needed and maintained as close to the original as possible.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad Is the problem with the Yeti a construction problem or was the design faulty to begin with?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<do they use one construction company when they build the parks or many doing their own areas?>> I'd guess that many companies are brought in. And the yeti's faults seem to be design problems.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt It sounds like there is a need for a major shake up in operations management out there in Florida. The state of the facilities at WDW is reminiscent of the embarrassing deterioration at DL a decade or so ago. It was really sad to see how bad things had gotten there, but the last time I visited 4 years ago it was on the mend thanks to better management at the top. From what I've read the place is near perfect now.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^I agree Hans. I can't speak for DAK, but the last time I was talking with a friend from the Maintenance Department of MK, he said things were at "2000-era Disneyland". So take that how you will.
Originally Posted By danyoung >Is the problem with the Yeti a construction problem or was the design faulty to begin with?< There have been many threads about this, with many different theories floated. The most common one is that the motion of the yeti is causing damage to the concrete pedestal that he sits on, and to fix it would mean tearing the mountain apart to get to it. Some folks think that Disney is being too cheap in not fixing it, while others say that it's just about un-fixable. There's rumor that they're working on some type of fix that would use wires to hold up the arm of the yeti and move it over the riders, approximating what he used to do all on his own. Don't know if we'll ever see him working correctly again, which is a big bummer. But for me the coaster is still pretty incredible!
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Some folks think that Disney is being too cheap in not fixing it, while others say that it's just about un-fixable." Everything is fixable, even if you have to tear the ride down and build a new one. This is just an example of Disney management not funneling the required budget to get the show up and running properly. Instead they build an overblown motel with Pixar characters plastered all over the building so that more people can visit and see effects that they apparently have no intention of fixing. Where is John Lassiter when you need him? Oh that's right... Expedition Everest isn't Pixar related.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<and to fix it would mean tearing the mountain apart to get to it>> This is one thing, I know for sure, is 100% not true. He can be fixed without ripping the mountain apart.
Originally Posted By disneyfreaksk < Instead they build an overblown motel with Pixar characters plastered all over the building so that more people can visit> This is what WDW is all about isn't it? I have asked many Disney fans why WDW isn't better than DL since it is newer. All of them have stated that WDW puts more effort into the hotels than the parks.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Although it is true that the hotel/resort experience at WDW is better than at DL, it's only part of what makes it "better" (a subject of much debate). WDW has twice as many theme parks, two water parks, three miniature golf courses, and several real golf courses as well as the themed resorts, many with excellent dining options.
Originally Posted By Autopia Deb Sorry I read your "isn't better" as "is better". But still, even with too large a percentage of upgrade dollars going to resorts and DVCs, the matter of "better" is still up for debate for some of us, I choose to think of them a different experiences one not superior to the other.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Bigger is not better. WDW is my least fab Disney resort on the planet.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Bigger is not better. WDW is my least fab Disney resort on the planet.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Would rather stay at the grand californian than any WDW hotel, rather dine at napa rose too.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^Dave, I agree that bigger is not better. If Disney World still have the charm and kept up with the feel it had when I was younger instead of the "park commando" mode it's gone into now, I'd probably love it just as much as I used to. But personally, I love the "confined resort" feel of Universal Orlando, and I suspect I'll feel the same about Disneyland. I like being able to go to one of the bars at City Walk and then walk back to my room. I like being able to leave IoA, hit up the Tchoup Chop at Royal Pacific, and then walk right back to IoA. I just really like having everything within my grasp, rather than having to drive or take a convoluted system of Disney buses to get where I'm going. Plus, IMO, WDW has too many parks and resorts for its own good. I think the reason we see so many maintenance issues is because they're too spread thin.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Although I really love DL and feel it is the single best park in America, overall I prefer WDW. The most time I can spend at DL before feeling I've done it all is five days... at WDW I can easily go ten days and still feel there is more to see... I'm just too exhausted to see it! lol Also... go two blocks away from DL and it is all too apparent that you are in the "real world", and it ain't always very pretty. At WDW you can go miles before you are slapped in the face with reality.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I like being able to go to one of the bars at City Walk and then walk back to my room. I like being able to leave IoA, hit up the Tchoup Chop at Royal Pacific, and then walk right back to IoA." You are going to love DLR.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed Hans. Itbis what I love about DL and DLP, and detest (amongst other things) about WDW. I love DL resort and there is now little from WDW that I miss when there. I do love Epcot and some of DAK. But I would rather be in DL or DCA.
