Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I was pretty shocked when my family visited WDW while I was living there. I drove them here and there inside the resort, but whenever I would suggest leaving to eat or shop they went nuts. "WE'RE NOT SETTING FOOT OUTSIDE OF DISNEYWORLD!" was the theme. They were on a bit of a budget though, so they ended up eating at the Contemporary Resort food court quite a bit. Magical. <rolls eyes.>> I admit I don't get that mindset ... I chalk it up to Disney marketing brainwashing, pure and simple. But when food prices weren't crazy and the quality was pretty damn good, I didn't mind paying a small premium to dine at Disney. Now, since the DDP ... well, I don't. Wherever there's quality or value, they want to cut it. Just saw it isn't simply FLA, as Whitewater at the Grand Californian has just renovated its menu (meaning prices went up, quality, size and variety went the other way ... the great French Dip that's been on the menu since opening is gone, so I doubt I'll be dining there anymore). Anyway, so long as folks continue signing up for the "Take a Spirit to Dinner" campaign, I'll eat at WDW! ;-) Otherwise ... not so much.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Oh, and one more DLP dining comment, but the table serve locations are generally very, very good. Pricey, but not dumbed down. Although the buffeting of DLP has picked up steam (one of George K's favorite consultants, who started the dumbing down of WDW menus in the late 1990s, has been at work in Paris).
Originally Posted By Mr X ***I admit I don't get that mindset ... I chalk it up to Disney marketing brainwashing, pure and simple.*** Certainly seems that way. In my case, I even offered to take them to the Space Center or Clearwater beach or something else as a diversion (they were there for an entire week), but it was a definite no-go. Now, these people weren't just parkstorming either, they spent a lot of time at the hotel and in the pool. Personally, I'd rather be oceanside than poolside but I guess that would spoil the magic. *shrug*
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I love the Disney resorts, X. I'd hang at the pools and in the lobbies and bars on my trip ... actually, I do. When I want a beach trip, I go somewhere with beaches. That's not Orlando. But I am jaded, I can be at a beautiful tropical beach in about 15 minutes at this time of night (25 tomorrow in traffic!)
Originally Posted By Mr X Well, I was hangin with them a lot and the Contemporary pool is definitely *not* one of the highlights of the resort. But anyway yeah, they had a mindset that couldn't be changed.
Originally Posted By Mr X I love the resorts too, btw. But I'm not so infatuated with staying there 24 hours a day that I'd refuse to take a ride to 7-11 for soft drinks "because that would mean LEAVING THE RESORT OMG OMG!".
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad There is something about walking around in the resorts. Its part of the immersion. We go off site all the time but nothing beats that stroll over to the food court to fill up our mugs in the early morning before a great day in the parks. Part of the reason I think people don't want to go off world is that they don't want to see the real world when they are at Disney.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Part of the reason I think people don't want to go off world is that they don't want to see the real world when they are at Disney*** I do understand your point, but that ship sailed for me around the time they built a giant freakin McDonalds for all to see right after driving under the "Welcome to Walt Disney World" sign. Speaking of that though, THAT'S one of my favorite parts of WDW actually (the sign, not the McDonalds), I don't know why one would want to restrict that fun experience to only once a trip. ;p
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Personally, I'd rather be oceanside than poolside but I guess that would spoil the magic. *shrug* ------------------- that's why Vero Resort exists IMHO
Originally Posted By blueharvest82 what is this going to do for the annual passholder that brings their own bagged lunch and likes to sit at a table for two hours?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Lol - seems Mousemerf has had a very different experience of DLP than mine. Let's see, I saw at the MK in 2006 - burgers, turkey legs, chicken fingers, salads, and hot dogs for QS. Everything else was shut. DLP QS offers those, including the interesting Pizzaburger, but also ribs, rotisserie chicken, pasta, fajitas, curry, cous cous, fish and chips, handmade ice cream, chocolate waffles, crepes, sweet popcorn, and several other varieties. Though we do not opt for QS much, because the table service options are awesome (like DL and WDW used to be). Though the same rubbish buffet disease is starting to really ruin the resort thanks to Special K and his minions, Rasulo started the dumbing and K accelerated it. Still, it is not as bad as WDW yet.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo But I will say the Paris sandwiches are VERY BORING, I like the croques, and there is a huge problem with picnicers in Paris, especially all the Brits, Spanish and Germans who raid the breakfast buffet for roles, cheese and bread to make their lunches for the day!
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad <<<driving under the "Welcome to Walt Disney World" sign.>>> Yea, that is a great moment when you know you are finally there. Everyone gets excited when they see the sign and then you miss a turn a drive around for half an hour trying to get to your resort. Ha ha.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***<<<driving under the "Welcome to Walt Disney World" sign.>>> Yea, that is a great moment when you know you are finally there. Everyone gets excited when they see the sign and then you miss a turn a drive around for half an hour trying to get to your resort. Ha ha.*** One great advantage to living in Kissimmee for a year or so was that I got a chance to REALLY get familiar with the resort, all the ins and outs (although it's been so long I'd probably get lost now too lol), and take my time checking out all the resorts and zones. And I drove under that "Welcome" sign frequently and it was always cool.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad Its crazy but sometimes I consider moving down to the Orlando area when my girls get out of school. Then I think I must be nuts to be considering moving just to be close to WDW. My wife has already agreed to it. She said as much as I love Disney, she would move. But then I'd have to pay $14 for parking. Hahaha
Originally Posted By Mr X Make sure and do some research. Orlando isn't exactly the greatest place to live.
Originally Posted By mousermerf On the note of research.. ya'll do realize there isn't just one WDW sign, right? It's just that folks say "the WDW sign" as if there is only one.. and well, many folks still think UoE is a boat ride.
Originally Posted By Longhorn12 The last time I went to DW (spring break/march) you weren't allowed to sit down at Pecos Bill's (which my brother accidentally called Pickles Bill's)unless you had a tray of food. (Noob question what is UoE?)
Originally Posted By Mr X ***On the note of research.. ya'll do realize there isn't just one WDW sign, right?*** Pretty sure that most folks here know that, as well as know that UoE isn't a boat ride. But you only go under one sign at a time, right?
