Originally Posted By MPierce >> (And expect for the Walmart crowd to defend it as "good business") << You're good Leo. This radical over at the Magical Place started a thread on this today. After about 80 post it was locked, I didn't even get a chance to throw my 2 cents in. There were several people saying what a good idea it was. I relly have a hard time trying to figure that one out.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ NOW I remember why, in all the years I've been on LP, I quit participating in the WDW topics. A year completely away from LP and I forgot about all the nay-sayers, LOL. The WDW crowd is much rougher and negative about the Mouse than the DL section. People complain and complain about Disney nickle and diming. One reason I keep going back, cross-country, the WDW is because it's one of the cheapest vacations I can price out. I looked at both Mexico and the Carribean. With the Friends Fly Free airline deal and free dining, WDW came out at literally half the cost. So, I don't mind paying for these things at WDW. In fact, I expect to.
Originally Posted By leobloom >>You're good Leo. This radical over at the Magical Place started a thread on this today. After about 80 post it was locked, I didn't even get a chance to throw my 2 cents in. There were several people saying what a good idea it was. I relly have a hard time trying to figure that one out.>> Yeah, I saw that Pierce. The biggest laugh I got was from the people (or what it person?) who claimed higher prices would automatically guarantee better quality. Kinda leaves you speechless.
Originally Posted By -em ^ I'll agree... So my box of mac n cheese I paid 3.43 for has to be better than the box I paid .50 cents for... Course that could be true but I could also have just gotten swindled out of 2.93 when it comes to light its the same thing just in a prettier package -em
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> (And expect for the Walmart crowd to defend it as "good business") << <<You're good Leo. This radical over at the Magical Place started a thread on this today.>> I prefer to think of him as a vile, evil, Commie Spirit. I think he's even worked for the Chinese before! <<After about 80 post it was locked, I didn't even get a chance to throw my 2 cents in. >> Really? I missed that. It's open now because I added some extra MAGIC. Steve agrees with me about the costs of F&W now, so I'm thinking that may have had something to do with it. <<There were several people saying what a good idea it was. I relly have a hard time trying to figure that one out.>> Defending da man. It's all the rage in our post-9/11 America where anything goes in politics, business, media etc ... and the majority go around like sheep afraid that the government is watching and listening like we live in Nazi Germany. It filters down to people defending anything corporations do even if it actually screws them over. It's like I went to sleep for a decade or two and woke up in Bizarro America. That fits because I often think I'm at Bizarro WDW when I see things that are diametrically opposed to how the place operated for its first 20-25 years now being SOP.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<NOW I remember why, in all the years I've been on LP, I quit participating in the WDW topics. A year completely away from LP and I forgot about all the nay-sayers, LOL. >> We're realists. <<The WDW crowd is much rougher and negative about the Mouse than the DL section.>> Really? Have you checked out just about any thread on The Heroin Monkey (AKA as DCA) Board? I don't think 'we' have anything on them. <<People complain and complain about Disney nickle and diming. One reason I keep going back, cross-country, the WDW is because it's one of the cheapest vacations I can price out. I looked at both Mexico and the Carribean. With the Friends Fly Free airline deal and free dining, WDW came out at literally half the cost.>> Yeah, and I bet I could cut the cost of your WDW trip in half without even knowing the specifics. And I could probably send you to other locales far more exotic for the same price or less than what you are paying. <<So, I don't mind paying for these things at WDW. In fact, I expect to.>> I expect to pay for many things. But I am tired of the gouging. These tastings have been FREE for 15 years (or more ... can't recall what year Food and Wine started). They are only adding the $8 fee (look for $10 in 2010) because some middle manager or exec did a Power Point (likely using numbers from 2003 or 2004 when they did far more tastings, so they gave out far more samples) and said 'just think of how much we could make if we charged $8 a shot for these' ... and then he/she put a number up on the screen. Where does it end? Charging for FP is on the way, you can take it to the bank. What about pay toilets? I remember as a child having them at beaches in New England. Some samples are now up to SEVEN DOLLARS at the booths ... they started out at 75 cents to $2. Oh, and they actually were a fair size ... not a taste. This is just another way to give it to the guests.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ LOL - ah, yes, the DCA section! That's why I specifically said DL I'm sure I could cut my cost to WDW by more, but I booked exactly what I wanted for 1/2 the price. I used to work in the travel industry, so I do know how to find inexpensive, very nice vacations. I once spent a week at the Yacht Club, park hopper, flights, meals, etc., and spent $150. My Disney stock is responding well to that Power Point presentation! Loved you Bizzaro America comment, lol
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp "My Disney stock is responding well to that Power Point presentation!" Really?? Om August 7, 2007, Disney stock closed at 34.55; yesterday, it closed at 25.52. Down 26% in two years. They're really bringing stockholder value to the party.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ It seems to be recovering at a decent pace now is what I mean. Compared to two years ago? Yeah, it's bad. So are most stocks. But I bought years ago when it was even worse - $16.61. Go back to just March of this year, and it was below $16. One year target estimate isn't stellar, but at least I'm decently in the black.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> So, I don't mind paying for these things at WDW. In fact, I expect to. << That's good for you. I'm sure you will keep getting the blessings of higher prices at WDW year after year.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Yeah, I saw that Pierce. The biggest laugh I got was from the people (or what it person?) who claimed higher prices would automatically guarantee better quality. Kinda leaves you speechless << Speechless is the correct word. The only thing we know for sure is that what was once free now cost $8. I guess the concept of TDO sitting down, and coming up with a way to better organize the tastings, while keeping them free, is just to hard of a concept for them to grasp. TDO's moto 'When in doubt raise the price".
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I prefer to think of him as a vile, evil, Commie Spirit. I think he's even worked for the Chinese before! << The Manchurin Candidate comes to mind. >> Really? I missed that. It's open now because I added some extra MAGIC. << Go back to page 7. The Mom locked it down. Then Steve opened it back up. I finally got my post in on page 10. >> Steve agrees with me about the costs of F&W now, so I'm thinking that may have had something to do with it. << I agree, he even said they had priced him out of it, and he's a big time fan of WDW. Plus I didn't think the thread had gone that bad. It was just the same old person who tries to turn every thread into everything being about you. He really does have a ---- -- for you. Before I forget nice attempt out of trying to get free wine, and appetizers out of the Mom. >> That fits because I often think I'm at Bizarro WDW when I see things that are diametrically opposed to how the place operated for its first 20-25 years now being SOP. << What's Bizarro to me is the number of people who readily accept it.
Originally Posted By MPierce <<So, I don't mind paying for these things at WDW. In fact, I expect to.>> >> I expect to pay for many things. << Not your meals if you can help it. >> Where does it end? Charging for FP is on the way, you can take it to the bank. What about pay toilets? I remember as a child having them at beaches in New England. << It's just a matter of time before we see Fast Pass phase 2. I remember pay toilets here in the airport. I think they finally had to pass a city ordinance to have them removed. I was going to explain how Rednecks get around pay toilets, and then decided perhaps it would not be in the best of taste to do so. >> Some samples are now up to SEVEN DOLLARS at the booths ... they started out at 75 cents to $2. Oh, and they actually were a fair size ... not a taste. << The Mom pointed this out also, and how nice it use to be. What is so difficult in designing a plan that is both profitable, practicle, and enjoyable?
Originally Posted By -em So I looked through the Festival Guide today- I need to go pull out previous years to check but it seems that there is more space given during the now 8 buck tastings to the WDW culinary teams It seems that most week days are the different chefs from WDW and the weekends are more the "famous names"- While personally I think its kinda neat- Not sure how many regular guests will go especially for those who don't work at a "name" like O'hana or Jiko.. Cause as much as I like the 2 chefs of the 'temp Conventions team that have demos and I know how great their food is (yes I'd pay the 8 bucks for their demos) Not sure how much of a draw their sessions will be -em
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> So, I don't mind paying for these things at WDW. In fact, I expect to. << <<That's good for you. I'm sure you will keep getting the blessings of higher prices at WDW year after year.>> Yeah. Death, taxes and price increases annually at WDW! Count on them!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Go back to page 7. The Mom locked it down. Then Steve opened it back up. I finally got my post in on page 10.>> Yep. Spent some time there earlier. Sometimes I miss things when glancing over. >> Steve agrees with me about the costs of F&W now, so I'm thinking that may have had something to do with it. << <<I agree, he even said they had priced him out of it, and he's a big time fan of WDW.>> It's a bad sign when a UK-based webmaster of a largely 99.9% pro-WDW site admits that Food and Wine is pricing HIM out of the market. I wonder what Dieter thinks ... oh yeah, they ran him off to Costa Rica! <<Plus I didn't think the thread had gone that bad. It was just the same old person who tries to turn every thread into everything being about you. He really does have a ---- -- for you.>> I know. Amazing isn't it? The funny thing is I keep saying he has an online hard-on for me and they let it go (just checking here ...even though I've seen a whole lot worse). You can't mention Dick Cook or Dick Van Dyke or Dick Cheney (the biggest dick of them all) over there without being censored! ;-) <<Before I forget nice attempt out of trying to get free wine, and appetizers out of the Mom.>> Hey, she said she's take Steve around and spend a Franklin on him. Why not me? I'm sure I'm a better date! >> That fits because I often think I'm at Bizarro WDW when I see things that are diametrically opposed to how the place operated for its first 20-25 years now being SOP. << <<What's Bizarro to me is the number of people who readily accept it.>> In our post 9/11 world, people accept anything. It scares the hell out of me, so this is small taters.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> I expect to pay for many things. << <<Not your meals if you can help it.>> Tough economy. What can I say? Speaking of which, some tiara-wearing Cubs fan was supposed to take me to California Grill (been hearing about it for 2-3 years now) and I think he's at WDW right now and never even contacted me! (he has no idea what wrath he may face!) >> Where does it end? Charging for FP is on the way, you can take it to the bank. What about pay toilets? I remember as a child having them at beaches in New England. << <<It's just a matter of time before we see Fast Pass phase 2.>> Yep. They're charging for it at HKDL and DLP this summer. You damn well know they won't dare try it in Anaheim. But WDW? Count on it. Sooner rather than later. <<I remember pay toilets here in the airport. I think they finally had to pass a city ordinance to have them removed. I was going to explain how Rednecks get around pay toilets, and then decided perhaps it would not be in the best of taste to do so.>> Taste? You? Here? I think I need a drink. >> Some samples are now up to SEVEN DOLLARS at the booths ... they started out at 75 cents to $2. Oh, and they actually were a fair size ... not a taste. << <<The Mom pointed this out also, and how nice it use to be. What is so difficult in designing a plan that is both profitable, practicle, and enjoyable?>> Because it's much easier to not.
Originally Posted By SuzieQ Why do you guys bother to continue going to WDW if you consider it such a rip-off? Go to these other places you claim are such a better value.
Originally Posted By leobloom ^My doesn't usually pay to go, Suzie. If I can get in free, then I'm game. Or sometimes I can get discounted tickets at auction. But we don't stay on property when we go, either. We usually only go to the parks for a single day during a trip and do other stuff in the Central Florida area the rest of the time. And we do vacation at places other than WDW. Went to the Keys this summer with my wife and an amazing time. It was a better value than WDW, and we made more memories than if we had gone back to the parks for the nth time. Not to mention the food was a thousand times better than what we're accustomed to at the parks. Do we enjoy the WDW parks? Yes, but the one-day tickets are overpriced and we realize there's a whole world out there that doesn't include Disney parks.
