Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Again it should have been pointed out to the manager. I just don't understand people that gripe about it but aren't willing to notify management.<< Agreed. That is why they already know me by first name when I step into the City Hall at the MK.
Originally Posted By TP2000 All this talk of the Napa Rose makes me think maybe it's time for a return visit! Overall, it really is the best restaurant in Anaheim and they do a very fine job by modern SoCal standards. I think the last time I was there was Spring '05. I do frequent the Napa Rose cocktail lounge more often for a glass of wine and their cheese plate. Last time I did that was December, '05. It's time to head back I guess. I suppose I could have sought out a manager on the Napa Rose visit where the mens room was very messy, but then my first priority was to get back to the table where I was playing host to 3 out of town friends. My role that evening was as a customer and host, not a bathroom inspector. But that meal we had at Magellan's was what clued me in to the management differences between the two restaurants. The Magellan's manager was visible throughout the meal, standing off to the side and quietly interacting with his wait staff. He stopped at every table at least once. When we met him outside the mens room and he showed us the secret dining room hidden behind the sliding bookcase, that was the first time he spoke to us. But he also stopped by the table to check on the entrees, and at the end of the meal he came back to the table and presented us with these little medalions on satin ribbons that had the 4th Anniversary DisneySea logo on them, as a token of his appreciation for dining in the restaurant and something to remember the meal by. Amazing! On my visits to Napa Rose I see the managers huddling around the hostess desk near the door. They always do that tight "welcome smile" thing as the hostess finds our reservation. I'm sure if I specifically sought them out they would be very nice people who would dispatch a cleaner to the mens room quickly. But one could also argue why they are hanging out at the hostess stand when the mens room needs help and the dining room is full of customers. That last visit I had at Napa Rose was with a small group and we were seated at the big round table right in front of the window looking at Grizzly Peak. We were front and center in that restaurant, and were all stylishly dressed adults ordering some very expensive menu items and bottles of wine. You would think that would merit a meet-n-greet from the management, but apparently not at Napa Rose. Again, the detached management at Napa Rose wasn't anything I was really disapointed with until I ate at Magellan's. But then Tokyo Disney Resort did that; raised my expectations so high when it comes to Disney experiences that I now find many things in Anaheim to be disapointing. And it's entirely responsible for me cancelling my trip to WDW, which I find to be even less polished than Anaheim. I'll be heading back to Tokyo instead to get my non-Anaheim Disney fix in six months.
Originally Posted By leemac <<You would think that would merit a meet-n-greet from the management, but apparently not at Napa Rose.>> Didn't mean for it to sound like a dig TP2000. I've known Michael Jordan (the GM for Napa) for a long time and he really would have loved your feedback whether it was positive or negative. He prides himself on guest satisfaction like no other DLR F&B CM I have ever met. He and his staff are usually very visible. A lot of the shift manager do know us personally but even those that don't will stop by. I'm glad you enjoyed Magellan's so much. It is a beautiful restaurant. If you haven't eaten in there before make a reservation in advance for the wine cellar (apologies if you have already). It is a wonderful treat.
Originally Posted By Kayoss Napa Rose is a FANTASTIC restaurant. So far, I haven't eaten anything at TDR that has comes up to the full dinners at Napa Rose, although the food at TDR is excellent practically everywhere. Actually, now that I think about it, I've missed quite a few of the fine dining options at TDR, so I plan to do them this time around (as well as the myriad of shows I've skipped.)
Originally Posted By leemac <<(as well as the myriad of shows I've skipped.)>> Depends which ones you missed Kayoss! If it was Minnie O Minnie or One Man's Dream II then you probably had a narrow escape! )
Originally Posted By Kayoss lol, well I missed practically all the shows my last two visits. I'm not particularly excited by shows, but after missing the two show 'attractions' at DIsney Studios Paris because of my 'show aversion' I've decided to makes them a priority this time around. #1 on my list is Mystic Rhythems, although the last time I was at the park I honestly made an effort to see it, but was always on a ride at the time I was supposed to be in que. I saw the Little Mermaid underwater show and totally loved it. It's just amazing (probably just that Ursula head). But it was so good I watched it three times. I also saw Dreamlights and Cinderellabration. Very cool. I caught the tale end of Minnie O Minnie, and have to say I haven't laughed so hard AT a show in a long time. One's Man Dream.... well... I have a pretty good smaltz detector, and stayed away. (The idolitry thing of Walt Disney is something that irks me.... I'm not sure he would approve taking away attention from the parks and charecters)
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< I caught the tale end of Minnie O Minnie, and have to say I haven't laughed so hard AT a show in a long time. One's Man Dream.... well... I have a pretty good smaltz detector, and stayed away. >>> Oh my - someone's going to be upset with this! <<< If it was Minnie O Minnie or One Man's Dream II then you probably had a narrow escape! ) >>> As I wrote about at the time, I unfortunately did NOT have a narrow escape back in January with these two shows. I'm glad a I saw them if for no other reason that I can form my own direct opinion of them. I can't imagine seeing either of them again, let alone seeing them over and over again. But then again, I suppose me wanting to see Dreamlights three nights in a row would seem odd to some.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>Oh my - someone's going to be upset with this!<< No, not really because I like Kayoss.
Originally Posted By TP2000 I saw Mystic Rythms. It was very well done, but I was more impressed with the technology used on stage than the plotline or artistic merits of the show. It reminded me of a G rated version of a corny casino show you would see in some mega-hotel in Las Vegas. But then, I've never really been in to shows, especially at amusement parks. My idea of a really great Vegas show is Jubilee! at Bally's, only because it's so bad it's good and we laugh hysterically at the circa 1981 set design and soundtrack. My favorite show was the Little Mermaid thing in DisneySea. But again, it was the technical aspect used in the aerial stunts and puppetry, plus the bouncy music, that kept me entertained. Dreamlights was a great parade, but now that I've seen it once I don't need to see it again. The night lagoon show at DisneySea was interesting. The PG rated symbolism there with the Fire God and Water Goddess doing a mating dance of sorts was, um, unique for a Disney park. Luckily we happened upon a great front row seat minutes before show time, and then ran back to Journey To The Center of the Earth as soon as the show was over. It was a good show, but I don't need to sit and wait for it again. I'd rather be on a ride, or just wandering through the park looking at stuff. I go to amusement parks for the rides. The entertainment is just minor diversions that are pleasant enought if it's convenient at the time, or if I just happen to be there when the parade goes by or something. But the rubberhead Character variety shows I can definitely skip. Unless they have some Solid Gold dancers or really corny go-go girls or something, then I might get a chuckle or two out of it.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>My idea of a really great Vegas show is Jubilee! at Bally's, only because it's so bad it's good and we laugh hysterically at the circa 1981 set design and soundtrack<< What can you expect when their producer's name is Fluff LeCock, or something mudane like that? >>I go to amusement parks for the rides.<< Exactly why you do not get the Disney experience, and should not even bother going to a Disney resort. You want rides at an *amusement park*? The stick to 6-Flags. You and a *themed experience*? Then you go to a Disney Park. Do yourself a favor and stick with the minor leagues.. and corny Vegas.
