Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan These grassy knolls will feature the interactivity the modern WDW guest craves. At specific times each day, guests standing on the new Disney Grassy Knolls™ will be sprayed with water via a Rainbird sprinkler system. It's old-fashioned wholesome fun for the whole family!
Originally Posted By Christi22222 I'm not sure that I necessarily take issue with grassy areas/open spaces anywhere on Disney property. I like breathing room. However, this does fairly well underline that Disney was full of B.S. when they said they had a "bold new vision" to replace the beloved venues that fans were losing. You can't convince me for one second that Disney would choose grass over someone paying them big bucks to open a store/restaurant on their property. They just couldn't get anyone to do it.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I don't know if that is really true Christi. Lego is reinvesting by building a larger store (existing store plus one adjacent to it), they filled the McDonald's when they left town, etc. The place is crazy busy. Until they deal with the parking and transportation issues (it is a hike from one side of DTD to the other) then maybe it is in their best interests not to create a greater demand on the infrastructure...at least in terms of parking. Is there any indication of how the Boardwalk area is doing? And, I know I'm going to draw criticism but the interactive spray features are HUGE hits just about anywhere they are put it.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan >>And, I know I'm going to draw criticism but the interactive spray features are HUGE hits just about anywhere they are put it.<< Water is not on trial here!
Originally Posted By Christi22222 >>The place is crazy busy. Until they deal with the parking and transportation issues (it is a hike from one side of DTD to the other) then maybe it is in their best interests not to create a greater demand on the infrastructure...at least in terms of parking.<< Very valid point. However, stressed infrastructure doesn't seem to stop them anywhere else!
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<What substance? The place is already closed. Why get hysterical over a patch of grass?>> *Facepalm* It's just more proof there was absolutely no plans when they closed PI. It's more proof that PI should have never been closed. It's more proof that no third parties wanted to go into the space. Because you would not be getting wide open spaces of nothing if third parties wanted to rent out the space.
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I didn't go in the last years of PI but how were the crowds? And, were the crowds made up primarily of PI passholders? When I was on the College Program I got an annual pass and was there almost every night. But, I didn't spend much money in the place because, well, I was a low paid College Program cast member. So, I'm wondering how much that contributed to the closure. And then I seem to recall that I always wondered if that place was ADA accessible. I know they had elevators in the clubs but just getting from one end of the street to the other would be quite a challenge for someone in a wheelchair. I'm wondering if that played a role in the decision. Finally, I heard it was becoming a less than family friendly crowd in the final years so did that play a part? I was a huge fan of PI, particularly the Adventurer's Club and the Comedy Warehouse (where again...I never spent a lot of money). So, while I'm disappointed it is no longer there I just have to think there is more to the story that we just don't know.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I didn't go in the last years of PI but how were the crowds? And, were the crowds made up primarily of PI passholders? When I was on the College Program I got an annual pass and was there almost every night. But, I didn't spend much money in the place because, well, I was a low paid College Program cast member. So, I'm wondering how much that contributed to the closure.>> There were clubs bleeding money. No doubt. But why throw everything out for absolutely nothing? <<Finally, I heard it was becoming a less than family friendly crowd in the final years so did that play a part?>> I still call BS on this one. I was there a lot in the final year, and never saw anything that would equate to dangerous or unfamily friendly, at least nothing worse than you can see at EPCOT. <<I was a huge fan of PI, particularly the Adventurer's Club and the Comedy Warehouse (where again...I never spent a lot of money). So, while I'm disappointed it is no longer there I just have to think there is more to the story that we just don't know.>> The story is know. It's been out there for the 2 and 1/2 years since the clubs closed. Disney saw the big bucks that come from rent checks and closed a Disney entertainment area in hopes to lure new tenants. They didn't get anything, and now substance is being replaced by nothingness. Being replaced with yet another diminished offering from WDW.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "It's just more proof there was absolutely no plans when they closed PI. It's more proof that PI should have never been closed. It's more proof that no third parties wanted to go into the space." And?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^I guess if you don't mind people running one of the world's most popular entertainment areas that have no clue what their doing, I guess it doesn't matter to you. But I like entertainment on my vacations. Not substance being replaced by my front lawn.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>What substance? The place is already closed. Why get hysterical over a patch of grass?<<< Because those things SHOULDN'T be closed?
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Hokie your argument insinuates that Disney will market the grassy knoll as the latest headlining attraction at WDW. If you are trying to illustrate that Disney management is often inept or makes mistakes you're preaching to the choir, however letting yourself get worked up over a lawn (that's probably temporary anyway) is just plain absurd.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>(that's probably temporary anyway) <<< Just like the Wand, Hat, and the Princess Meet and Greet taking over SWSA! It's not the fact that nothing is going in that spot, it's the fact that nothing is going to replace it at all. Substance... for... nothing.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Because those things SHOULDN'T be closed?" That's a different discussion, but certainly worth having. Look, if you guys want to argue about a lawn that's fine... after all, that's what discussion boards are for. But kindly don't say things like others aren't true fans because they don't take issue with this sort of thing.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt "Just like the Wand, Hat, and the Princess Meet and Greet taking over SWSA!" AAAAAHHHH!!! A giant wand!! Oh the horror! You better hide your kids, hide your wife, and hide your husband, 'cause there's a lawn up in here.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<But kindly don't say things like others aren't true fans because they don't take issue with this sort of thing. >> I never said that, but I really can't believe people are cool with nothing replacing something.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt ^^ You never said it but someone did post it in this discussion.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Maybe they can install the Disneyland Hotel's former waterfalls in this area. ; )
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I'm ok with nothing replacing something if it leads to a better overall experience. The place was closed and nothing was happening. Were there plans to do something or not? It isn't relevant. In the meantime it was difficult to get from the west side to the east side and vice versa. Parking there is complicated at best and down right scary at its worst. Taking a little pressure off the place just doesn't hurt me at all. The Pooh Playground was a temporary use of space in the MK that was debated about for several years. It was, as most expected, temporary as they are now in the midst of a significant Fantasyland expansion. Can we go back to complaining about the Birthdayland tents that they appear to be keeping?
