Originally Posted By hopemax > do they have a guest services set up to do that ? < From what I've read, there are carts where you can make your dining reservations. There is one in City Walk, so you can do it before you enter the park. You can also make a lunch reservation in advance by calling the restaurant directly. 407-224-4012 But if you want dinner you have to do it at the park. We're planning on eating at Mythos when we go in a couple weeks. Or I should say, I plan on eating there. My parents don't know anything about Universal and I haven't mentioned it to them. Considering how much my Dad loves to complain about the state of Disney Dining, it would be nice to surprise him with high quality, theme park dining for a reasonable price.
Originally Posted By hopemax late Dalmatians... didn't realize I would ruin a Dalmatians post. I am so ashamed.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer What's up with the Dalmatians references? I've been here a year, but just recently started visiting regularly. Heh.
Originally Posted By hopemax You'll notice the post number of my post was 101. So people started taking to posting Dalmatians whenever it would be the 101 post. "101 Dalmatians." The newer thing is to not just say "Dalmatians" but to add something that references the direction of the thread. If I would have been paying attention I might have started my post with... "Defecting to Universal Orlando Dalmatians."
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy << I wouldn't be surprised if IOA and US cracked into the top 5. >> So, you're predicting a 100% increase in attendance at these parks because of HP?
Originally Posted By MousDad I don't see any reason why a Uni/SW/Busch conglomerate couldn't take over the number 1 Orlando spot from WDW. Duplicate a Potteresque effort at US, strenghthen the existing relationships with local resorts, plus and market the crap out of the already existing ticket structure to compete with MYW, throw in a little HSR transportation perk - boom, it's Mouse for lunch. I'm sick of all the apologists who, while they may begrudingly admit that Uni has absolutely ass-whooped wdw into submission with Potter, continue the same song and dance routine. i.e., that it's really nothing to worry about because Disney is just has too much historical blahblahblah, their marketing is geared towards a different blahblahblah, their merchandising blahblah and stranglehold on blahblahblah. The only thing that will win in the long run is substance - period. Frankly, I'd be more scared of the noobs than the fanbois. They're the ones who shell out for a vacation to the World only to leave vowing they'll never go back. (I've talked to plenty of them.)
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>You'll notice the post number of my post was 101. So people started taking to posting Dalmatians whenever it would be the 101 post. "101 Dalmatians." The newer thing is to not just say "Dalmatians" but to add something that references the direction of the thread. If I would have been paying attention I might have started my post with... "Defecting to Universal Orlando Dalmatians.<<< Hah! That's cute. Mousdad, I totally agree, but it's going to take a TON to get Busch up to that standard. That park is PATHETIC.
Originally Posted By matthewdort I don't know why anyone hasn't pointed out the bigger issue yet: theme parks as a whole are a dying, antiquated concept. I think they'll mostly disappear in their current form (at least in North America) within the next few decades. Will Disney take the lead into what comes after theme parks? That's the important question.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Mousdad, I totally agree, but it's going to take a TON to get Busch up to that standard. That park is PATHETIC.>> Ummm yea...no. Both Busch Gardens are BEAUTIFUL theme parks with world class attractions. Anyone who thinks differently is blind. And yes, a Uni/Busch/Sea/Legoland alliance could come close to topping the mouse with some additions. Combined they would have 5 theme parks, 2 water parks(unless Busch Gardens has a water park I'm missing), and nightlife. The problem comes when you start talking resorts. Seaworld, Busch, and Legoland would all need one or two resorts before they could even think of standing a real chance of making a move. However, the question is when they'll wake up and realize that this plan is viable.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I don't know why anyone hasn't pointed out the bigger issue yet: theme parks as a whole are a dying, antiquated concept. I think they'll mostly disappear in their current form (at least in North America) within the next few decades.>> I disagree completely. Not counting places like 6 Flags and Cedar Fair, the resort-type destinations (WDW, Uni, DLR) were all doing fairly well before the recession, and Disney still doing fairly well. I don't see where you're coming from with this one.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Ummm yea...no. Both Busch Gardens are BEAUTIFUL theme parks with world class attractions. Anyone who thinks differently is blind.<<< I was there in 2005, 2006, and 2008, and Tampa's was just sad. Dirty, cheap looking, just bad. And I was expecting it to be great, seeing that people, like yourself, were raving about it. Sorry...It sucks.
Originally Posted By MousDad >>And yes, a Uni/Busch/Sea/Legoland alliance could come close to topping the mouse with some additions. Combined they would have 5 theme parks, 2 water parks(unless Busch Gardens has a water park I'm missing), and nightlife. The problem comes when you start talking resorts. Seaworld, Busch, and Legoland would all need one or two resorts before they could even think of standing a real chance of making a move. However, the question is when they'll wake up and realize that this plan is viable.<< The ball's in their court, IMO. They might as well take the momentum and run with it. As long as the Mouse keeps poo-pooing them.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I was there in 2005, 2006, and 2008, and Tampa's was just sad. Dirty, cheap looking, just bad. And I was expecting it to be great, seeing that people, like yourself, were raving about it. Sorry...It sucks.>> Completely disagree. You just have a case of Disney tunnel vision. <<The ball's in their court, IMO. They might as well take the momentum and run with it. As long as the Mouse keeps poo-pooing them.>> I agree. If they got the infrastructure down pat, which I know they could do, I would most likely take my vacation money there rather than Disney.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Completely disagree. You just have a case of Disney tunnel vision.<<< No, I don't. Each time, I was told that it would be great. I wanted it to be great. I was hoping to see something better there. It sucked.
Originally Posted By njDizfan Busch Williamsburg is opening their Soarin' spinoff, Europe in the air. They know that attraction regularly has the longest waits on property. I could definately see Tampa getting a clone of the ride soon. Just another reason not to see the mouse.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I don't know why anyone hasn't pointed out the bigger issue yet: theme parks as a whole are a dying, antiquated concept. I think they'll mostly disappear in their current form (at least in North America) within the next few decades. Will Disney take the lead into what comes after theme parks? That's the important question. << I think there will always be a hugh demand for theme parks. So what do you think comes after or replaces theme parks.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Busch Williamsburg is opening their Soarin' spinoff, Europe in the air. They know that attraction regularly has the longest waits on property. I could definately see Tampa getting a clone of the ride soon. Just another reason not to see the mouse.>> Yup. I was hoping to check that out this summer, but I've replaced my potential BGW trip with my trip to Universal. July 23rd cannot get here soon enough!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 And what were your favorites at USO? Other than Kong(which was replaced by a superior attraction) and BTTF most of their classics are there. Kong was my favorite --although it was down more than up on visits.. Also liked Earthquake & ET also loved the Rocky & Bullwinkle live show -
Originally Posted By vbdad55 >>>>One day out of a mult-day vacation will hardly effect WDW Co. It will be simply a flesh wound. You need the multi-day vacationers to spend more than a fleeting day of their vacation off-site to cause a mindshift in the mentality of management.<<<< Hopefully it's a wound big enough to get them worried and to get them building something new. Stranger things have happened. a flesh wound left untreated - could lead to bleeding to death... therehas to be a better answer coming than FL expansion. Unless Leemac is right ( and he very well could be) - and they are going to gear everything towards 10 and under..then they are eventually doomed
Originally Posted By vbdad55 > do they have a guest services set up to do that ? < From what I've read, there are carts where you can make your dining reservations. There is one in City Walk, so you can do it before you enter the park thanks hopemax-- I will look for that after parking
