Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> I will resist the urge to retell the story of when I stayed at the CBR in fall 2000 and it was falling apart what a 'normal' guest told me when I loudly proclaimed that most guests weren't savvy enough to know they'd been hoodwinked by the marketing magic. I've only mentioned it about 543 times here ... << <<I honestly don't recall ever having read that.>> <<^^^It must be our age Pierce, I don't remember it either.>> It's been a while ... but quick version is resort was falling apart (first time I ever refused a room at a WDW resort, sadly not the last, and told a manager that the room needed to be rehabbed about five years before and was embarrassing) ... food court had been greatly dumbed down, while prices were raised ... mini-bars were gone from rooms ... horticulture was a mess and areas were left to nature ... parrots had been removed from the island where they used to live ... jacuzzi wasn't working etc. I mentioned to a family member loudly that people just were too high on the dust to notice or care. And that was why Disney was able to dumb things down (hadn't coined Walmarting just yet). Well, two guests overheard, stopped me dead in my tracks and proceeded to tell me that they were Disney regulars (but not online folks) and they DID see how standards had fallen ... one woman said she stayed at the CBR every other year and said this was going to be her last visit. The point was that 'average' guests see and are often pissed at Disney's constant Walmarting ... but their voices largely are silent. They don't write letters, they don't email Erin or Meg. They don't post on LP.com. Oh, and they don't return to WDW, either. Very short version. And remember, this was in 2000 when many folks didn't think WDW had started its decline (it had around 1996 by my estimation).
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>The point was that 'average' guests see and are often pissed at Disney's constant Walmarting ... but their voices largely are silent. They don't write letters, they don't email Erin or Meg. They don't post on LP.com.<<< I wish they would speak up... If there are more of them, I wonder how much influence we would all have...
Originally Posted By vbdad55 "THAT can make a fundamental shift in how people visit WDW. You don't need WDW regulars cancelling their 10 nights at OKW to hurt. All you need is guests taking a single day off-property to hit revenue streams in everything from food and beverage to merchandise." I agree Spirit-- here is a perfect example. On our trip this year- the day we travel to Vero from OKW - instead of spending time @ EPCOT or MK-- we ( party of 13) are spending the day @ Uni specifically to see Potter. Now we eat 1-2 sit down meals each day so I will see if we can get into one at Uni ( will also do Margaritaville for the other) - That's 13 1 day park tickets 10 adult 3 child $997 ( God it's even hard to type that) 26 meals $ 15-$20 each $500 You know there will be some Potter souveneirs $200 by the end of the day $1750 or so the Mouse doesn't get that he always has. Now we did not cancel our trip - nor our Vero add on -- but we didn't add an extra day either - the Uni day replaces a Disney day ( and we are actually thinking about 2 as the value ticket wise is better) -- We've gone before but not lately - however Potter was enough to draw us there... if everyfamily does this- it is absolutely a hit on WDW $
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Then it'll be a hit. That's the mode of operation for this, I think. Still, go to WDW, but go offsite for one day, and see Potter. I know that it's what I'm doing. I know it's what everyone else is doing. Perhaps this will really shake things up. I really hope so.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Although the time we're there- the express option is $49.99 per ticket ! Are you kidding me- $50 for a FP - 1 time only each attraction....man, the gouging is not limited to WDW , that's for sure. No wonder we haven't gone much lately... does anyone know of a 2-3 day ticket - non expiring ? Do they have that option ?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Although the time we're there- the express option is $49.99 per ticket ! Are you kidding me- $50 for a FP - 1 time only each attraction....man, the gouging is not limited to WDW , that's for sure. No wonder we haven't gone much lately...>> They do that to make people stay on property.
Originally Posted By Krankenstein <<does anyone know of a 2-3 day ticket - non expiring ? Do they have that option ?>> Here is a nice little website with ticket info: <a href="http://www.universalorlando.com/Tickets/tickets_2.aspx" target="_blank">http://www.universalorlando.co...s_2.aspx</a>
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I'm still trying to figure out how Mythos can serve me a great quality filet mignon for well under $20, but Le Cellier keeps cutting the size and quality and now has price points well over $30.>> I'm going to be eating at Mythos for the first time on this upcoming trip...and I'm beyond excited.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Nobody wants to approve an E-Ticket for WDW any more - too risky and the question is what benefit do we get? DAK needed a marquee attraction like Everest - the other parks already have those. So instead we get small developments - the days of Splash Mountain are long gone. Eric Jacobson's original concept for the Fantasyland expansion was incredible. A great indoor attraction called Cartoon Corners featuring the Jolly Trolley as the ride vehicle, a fun Snow White mine car ride and a wonderful full-service Tiana's restaurant. What happened? Cut. Far too expensive and unnecessary as MK is the cash cow, right? Plus we don't need anything vaguely "thrilling" in MK as it is the kiddie park. The park needs capacity - it has been screaming out for it for years.>> What a pathetic state of affairs. <<This expansion adds very little in capacity but it does cater to the core mission statement - the Disney branded fun that is MK.>> Leemac, I enjoy your posts, as they're always fairly informative, but I can't agree with this. The Disney style of fun is supposed to be fun for everyone, not just those under the age of 10 and of the female persuasion.
Originally Posted By Lee hisownself >>>I'm going to be eating at Mythos for the first time on this upcoming trip...and I'm beyond excited.<<< Fair warning.... After eating at Mythos and getting a fabulous meal at a reasonable price...you will never look at Disney dining the same way again. It simply has no equal at WDW. Maybe Blue Lagoon at DL, but that's it.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^I think I'll manage. Mythos and the Three Broomsticks on the same day! w00t!
Originally Posted By -em I also am a huge fan of Mythos... It goes to show how good theme park food can be
Originally Posted By leobloom >> I also am a huge fan of Mythos... << Do you need reservations to eat at Mythos?
Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 <<This expansion adds very little in capacity but it does cater to the core mission statement - the Disney branded fun that is MK.>> "MAGICAL", isn't it? Can you imagine Walt and Roy sitting around with Marc Davis and other imagineers, talking like this? And people wonder why Disney management is out of step with their guests.
Originally Posted By dshyates Usually I would say no problem, but while Potter may or may not be an industry game changer, it is certainly going to be a game changer for IOA. My question is when will you guys be traveling?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>Leemac, I enjoy your posts, as they're always fairly informative, but I can't agree with this. The Disney style of fun is supposed to be fun for everyone, not just those under the age of 10 and of the female persuasion.<< Agreed. It's supposed to be the place where Disney does their best story telling, the things that aren't tied to the movies and cartoons. If they want to synergize, do it in DHS, but don't have it go overboard, there, too.
Originally Posted By Krankenstein <<Fair warning.... After eating at Mythos and getting a fabulous meal at a reasonable price...you will never look at Disney dining the same way again. It simply has no equal at WDW. Maybe Blue Lagoon at DL, but that's it.>> I have to agree with this. I ate at Mythos and had a FABULOUS filet. Went to Kona the next day and had a steak I loved previously, but this time it didn't hold a candle to the one at Mythos. You can't go wrong with Mythos, it is absolutely delicious!
Originally Posted By Krankenstein <<Do you need reservations to eat at Mythos?>> I've never had one in multiple trips to Mythos. THe longer I ever waited was 15 minutes at 12.
