Originally Posted By Dabob2 <"I just don't see how they are going to be able to get people to stay in Garden Grove that are visiting Anaheim."> By offering a dedicated shuttle that makes door to door no further time-wise than staying in Anaheim. That's the key to it, for me. If they don't do that, they're crazy. <I've a dim view of water park hotels too> Well, there you go. A lot of people love them. Again, I don't say this as someone who'd ever stay at a GG GWL. I wouldn't. But if I had 2 or more waterpark-loving kids AND they had a dedicated shuttle, I could see it as a viable option.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>A lot of people love them.<< People can't get enough pool time. That dedicated shuttle should be completely filled with water as well. The driver could have a snorkel or perhaps full scuba gear. Then they could promote Disneyland as being only a short, convenient swim away for their water-loving guests. Wait a minute! Better yet, they could construct a huge water slide that leads from the hotel and ends right in front of the main gate on Harbor.
Originally Posted By leemac K2M - this commercial ran in the UK a few years ago (for a credit card company) - I'm sure this is some people's idea of heaven! <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WlRcXIO5ik" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...RcXIO5ik</a>
Originally Posted By leemac <<By offering a dedicated shuttle that makes door to door no further time-wise than staying in Anaheim.>> I still think they will struggle - there are too many Anaheim hotels. Why would a tourist deliberately choose to stay in a different city? This isn't WDW where downtime can easily be built into a vacation. Most folks visiting OC are there on a long weekend at best - I'd be surprised if they were willing to give up a day just for a water park. I just don't see it working in that location.
Originally Posted By leemac This was the follow-up: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTyqcwjZQ_g" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...qcwjZQ_g</a> They looked great in theaters.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 <I still think they will struggle - there are too many Anaheim hotels. Why would a tourist deliberately choose to stay in a different city?> Because it offers something you currently can't get in Anaheim, while still being less than 10 minutes from the gates. <This isn't WDW where downtime can easily be built into a vacation. Most folks visiting OC are there on a long weekend at best - I'd be surprised if they were willing to give up a day just for a water park. I just don't see it working in that location> A LOT of people just here on LP regularly talk about being at DLR for 5, 6, 7 days or more. And a lot of them with kids talking about taking a mid-day break to go to the pool. I don't think GWL in GG is a slam dunk. But I do think it's the only GG proposal I've seen that makes a lick of sense. The others were trying to be attractions in themselves that complete with DLR. This is trying to piggyback ON DLR and is essentially just a themed lodging establishment with a far more extensive pool/waterpark than anything in the area. (And yes, it's not Disney-quality theming, but it's better than the Harbor strip places, and that's enough for lots of families who don't want to pay for the GCH.)
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>I don't think GWL in GG is a slam dunk.<< You meant to do that, didn't you.
Originally Posted By dshyates I don't think it is really accurate to say that the GWL themeing isn't Disney Quality. It is far superior to the themeing at the All-Stars or Pop Century.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 >>I don't think GWL in GG is a slam dunk.<< <You meant to do that, didn't you.> Dudley knew what he meant.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I don't think it is really accurate to say that the GWL themeing isn't Disney Quality. It is far superior to the themeing at the All-Stars or Pop Century.>> Dshyates I think we get your anti-Disney bent - the Harry Potter thread demonstrate that - but if you genuinely think that weird taxidermic animals above the check-in desk are better than giant Buzz or Pongo sculptures then there is little point debating it any further. GWL theming is sparse at best - and downright creepy in other places. The water parks are particularly barren.
Originally Posted By doombuggy Why are some of you acting like where they want to build GWL is MILES away from DL? It's not, it's no farther then going to Target. When I was a kid we would stay at the Sandman motel by the A ballpark.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "I still think they will struggle - there are too many Anaheim hotels. Why would a tourist deliberately choose to stay in a different city?" Exactly!
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Why are some of you acting like where they want to build GWL is MILES away from DL?" Well, it is a little more than a mile from the DLR in a rather non-tourist friendly area. GW is within walking distance and look how well that's doing...
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << GWL theming is sparse at best - and downright creepy in other places. The water parks are particularly barren. >> I was more appalled by the Best Western quality furnishings in the guest rooms. Ick.
Originally Posted By dshyates "Dshyates I think we get your anti-Disney bent - the Harry Potter thread demonstrate that - but if you genuinely think that weird taxidermic animals above the check-in desk are better than giant Buzz or Pongo sculptures then there is little point debating it any further." Yes, I do think the themeing at the GWLs are better than the All Stars. The All Stars are incredibly tacky and garish motels. But the GWLs aren't nearly as well themed as The Wilderness Lodge. And yes, I am at times quite critical of Disney, but pointing out that Universal hit one out of the park while Disney dragged out a high Milage used parade and some retread firework isn't being anti Disney. It is the truth. At least I have the ability to enjoy things other than Disney where all you do is Dis everything that isn't Disney. You probably think Mary Poppins is better that Wicked.
Originally Posted By dshyates But I have to say I am not TOTALLY Anti-Disney. There has been several things recently that I either enjoyed or are looking forward to. Although I haven't seen WOC it looks like a great show. And at my home resort of WDW, I really like La Casa de Tequila and am really looking forward to Via Napoli. I am also interested in seeing what they do with Ariel's Adventure. I am a sucker for dark rides.
Originally Posted By dshyates But yeah, I do like this better than the all stars: Entrance: <a href="http://www.ppw.org/2009%20Conference/GreatWolfLodge.jpg" target="_blank">http://www.ppw.org/2009%20Conf...odge.jpg</a> Lobby: <a href="http://0.tqn.com/d/travelwithkids/1/0/B/g/1/GWLGrandMound_lobby-.jpg" target="_blank">http://0.tqn.com/d/travelwithk...bby-.jpg</a>
