Originally Posted By vbdad55 add in the heat indixes of 110 + and the Ozone alerts because of the car and manufacturing polution -- ( downtown Chicago looked like a dust storm yesterday howeverit wasn't dust when i went to the Tut exhibit at the Field Museum) -
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <vbdad...OK, you win. You are the superior intellect. I'm an idiot, what can I say. You managed to find a new meaning to everything I said. Do you work with the media by any chance? There is no way to have a discussion with this group because no one, either side will even try to understand the other. We are all absolutely right and everyone else is just plain wrong. < unbelievable-- so when a debate hits a cross roads - you resort to smart aleck sarcastic remarks -- ( at least you idn;t call us mxxxxx's like another poster. If anyone is tryingnot to udnerstadn it is you....it is fairly simple here-- you can;t tell one side to leave WDW if they don;t like it...and yet if you don't like LP any more not be told that if you followed YOUR OWN advice you would leave here. It doesn;t get any simpler than that -- you just don't like the answer so you revert to sarcasm ... ""Oh, BTW...complaining directly to Disney might help. Arguing on the boards is the same as peeing in the ocean, it doesn't really change much of anything. So let's not get all righteous about what we are doing here."" and complaining that someone is somehow ruining your vacations because they point out issues at WDW isn't self rigtheous ? This IS a discussion board-- I am done with responding to your immature remarks..when you want to return to a real debate...and stop the sarcasm ( which no one gave to you btw ) - and no one called names like your partner on that side of the debate -- then we can have a discourse - also it has been documented that Disney people at least peruse these boards and others to gauge pulse -- but of course that doesn;t fit your argument so you ignore that part.
Originally Posted By Labuda Please don't lump goofy in with the other person on his side of the debate. At least he's not resorting to childish name-calling. Give the guy a break, eh?
Originally Posted By wahooskipper As far as arguing about it on the boards instead of sending letters to Disney I'll say this: I used to work for an amusement resort (actually I worked for several). I was at this particular resort just as the internet and message boards were taking off and, of course, there was a site dedicated to said resort. As a full-time manager at the resort I read the messages fairly regularly. Also, from time to time, I gleaned a little information that I put to use by either addressing a concern or bringing it to someone of a higher authority. It would not suprise me in the least if Disney managers, even at loft levels, read the boards. Do I think they react to every single complaint? No. But, I suspect they react to some of them. I don't think people are waisting their time but pointing out areas of improvement. As a manager in local government now I'd rather be told of areas I need to improve upon than not. Constructive criticism is valued.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Please don't lump goofy in with the other person on his side of the debate. At least he's not resorting to childish name-calling. Give the guy a break, eh? < I have up until the sarcastic shot at me listed above -- it was uncalled for as I have not done the same...
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Good grief. I apologize for the spelling errors. I think I got heatstroke yesterday while sealing the driveway. Hint: Don't seal the driveway when it is 95 degrees outside.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I don't think people are waisting their time but pointing out areas of improvement. As a manager in local government now I'd rather be told of areas I need to improve upon than not. Constructive criticism is valued.< geez, you mean then that I am not a whining, self righteous, snotty intellect..and a Mxxxx ( think 3 Stooges skit here ) -because I comment on items I'd like to see improved ? Thank you wahoo for stating that as well as sharing that , yes, these boards do get read..and if enough people are concerned about a certain item or area, it might at least be looked at. Are they going to drop everything and run and change things because of a few remakrs no, but if there are enough maybe, just maybe someone will investigate..
Originally Posted By wahooskipper I'll tell you one thing they won't do vbdad....they won't tear down Pooh's Playground! There are some bitter people who complain just to complain. In fact, I think it is the only way they get joy. Some of those folks live in my community. But, I've never considered you, vbdad, a whiner. Sometimes we disagree, but if we always agreed then something would likely be wrong.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I'll tell you one thing they won't do vbdad....they won't tear down Pooh's Playground! < One can hope though - I agree the playground / wand / giant hat will likely notbe going anywhere soon, but hopefully they will stop with items like that if enough people complain. The hat is actually fine, just not where they put it -- the wand seriosuly detracts from SSE, and the playground..well I just don't have the energy thismoring to go down that path. < Sometimes we disagree, but if we always agreed then something would likely be wrong> Exactly, I have been married 28 years and my wife and I don't agree on everything to this day... but we agree each has the right to voice their own opinion -- that's what a discussion is, or at least I sure thought it was...
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Well, it will be 10 years for me in October. At what point do I get to have my own opinion? Do I have to wait 18 more years? I agree with the hat. Totally detracts from the Chinese Theatre. I always liked the wand but I have no idea why. (Must be the kid in me.)
Originally Posted By Skylardad <<Or maybe it is just too freaking hot.>> RoadTrip - no doubt it VERY hot in central Florida. By mid-afternoon the heat index is just over 100 degrees. It is the reason I only go first thing in the a.m. for a couple of hours and then back at dusk until closing. But that will likely end as the August heat gets into high gear (and school for my kids resumes). <<I agree with RoadTrip. I dont think the crowds were low just because Disney needs to "perk things up.">> BlazesOfFire - with all due respect I did not say in my post that the "only" reason the crowds at Disney were low was because they need to "perk things up". While D-MGM is in need of a great deal of attention, my statement was that it was one of many reasons. Granted the heat plays some roll in it, but so does economy and competition. Despite all these factors, there are crowds at MK, AK and Epcot (relatively so). People are braving the heat and going to the parks but I think they are just being choosy where they spend their time and money. Guests have braved the heat in Central Florida in droves in past years - even to the point of turning guests away because capacity was reached. So, IMHO, I have to discount the heat as a reason, to a degree (no punn intended). I really think it boils (again no punn intended)down to more of a combination of economy and competition - even competition within the WDW Resort. It is much more expensive to travel to Disney now than a year (and especially) two years ago just in gas alone. The freshness of marketing new attractions at the parks has worn off and everyone seems to be tired of the HCOE. So, in essence, there really is nothing new going on at WDW until October 1st. Without taking a formal survey it is impossible to determine if crowds are low because of WDW shortcomings. Based on this board and ones like it, you might say there is a valid argument that the attendance has been impacted by guest perception of quality. There is no doubt that all the parks need some attention; however, some need more than others to bring the cost versus quantity and quality in line. For me, D-MGM is a the top of the list. It is top heavy in shows that end by 8:00 or earlier (more the case) when the park is open until 10:00p.m. After 7:00 p.m. there are only 5 attractions to do - and 2 (3 if you count Star Tours) are thrill rides. So, if you are attending the park with younger kids, that leaves you with Muppets or The Great Movie Ride to occupy your time for 1-3 hours before Fantasmic starts (3 if you can't get into the first show). (Note: I didn't count Sounds Dangerous because it too was closed before 8p.m. Here is the list of attractions operating last night after 8 p.m. TOT, RRC, TGMR, ST, MV3D) D-MGM is not only in need of more "ride" attractions but they need to refresh the ones that they have. This is why I believe that WDW is competing with itself and attractions outside the resort. If you have 3-5 days to spend at WDW, especially if you are a returning guest, you are likely to do the classic park (MK), and either Epcot or AK for their new E-ticket ride. Overall, there are 7 theme parks and 3 water parks to choose from in Orlando. And if you've done D-MGM and not Universal, IOA, or Sea World, they are more attractive choices now. So, while I do not think perking things up is the "only" reason, it is certainly the main reason in a list of many that attendance is down at WDW in general, but especially at D-MGM.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I can just feel the love in this thread. Gepeto calm down just because someone called you a Morman is no reason to get annoyed <smile>. As for Goofy.... hold out a beer. Lets go looking for champ. Its a heck of a lot more fun than getting into anger raising posts here.
Originally Posted By disneydad109 Heck you haven seen anything yet Heatwise. Welcome to summer in the south. If it wasn't for A/C all you yankees would still be at coney island. We welcome you here,so come for a spell and bring all those yankee greenbacks.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I just returned from TDS this evening... all I can say is WOW! Now I return you to your underachieving WDW resort topic. And yes... TDR does make WDW look like a graffiti laden NYC barrio.>> Welcome back to paradise ... Central Florida, not LP.com. Sorry, I've been a bit active on the boards and you know how polarizing I can be! At least you have a lot to be entertained by ;-)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Oh, BTW...complaining directly to Disney might help. Arguing on the boards is the same as peeing in the ocean, it doesn't really change much of anything. So let's not get all righteous about what we are doing here.>> I love being righteous. And posting here does make a difference, that I know for a fact. So you can choose to believe whatever you want, but I do know exactly where my words are read.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Yes virginia, there is a santa claus. I am sure these boards are read by the management. In my business, I make it a point to gauge reactions to my products, and message boards are free market intelligence (although I sometime wonder ;-)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Exactly, I have been married 28 years and my wife and I don't agree on everything to this day... but we agree each has the right to voice their own opinion -- that's what a discussion is, or at least I sure thought it was...>> Yes, VBDAD, but you must admit that Mrs. VBDAD has a point about your prancing thru the neighborhood wearing your princess costume (with NO underwear), your DVC lanyard and tiara while singing "I Feel Pretty."
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Yes virginia, there is a santa claus. I am sure these boards are read by the management. In my business, I make it a point to gauge reactions to my products, and message boards are free market intelligence (although I sometime wonder ;-)< yes, anyone who thinks no one else ooks at discussion boards is kidding themselves -- the school monitors the main discussion board in our area as it gives them the pulse of what people are thinking...in getting a $300M referendum to build a 3rd H S here, it was instrumental in boundary changes etc...to ensure they had enough votes from different areas.... it's free info...you know they skip over most of it, but once something becomes a repeat topic and the posts are presented well... sure they take notice...that doesn;t mean they are going to jump on it, but one had to understand that many of these same topics are probably being discussed in meeting rooms around Disney already.. so it may lend credence to one side of a discussion or another..
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Granted the heat plays some roll in it, but so does economy and competition. Despite all these factors, there are crowds at MK, AK and Epcot (relatively so). People are braving the heat and going to the parks but I think they are just being choosy where they spend their time and money. Guests have braved the heat in Central Florida in droves in past years - even to the point of turning guests away because capacity was reached. So, IMHO, I have to discount the heat as a reason, to a degree (no punn intended). I really think it boils (again no punn intended)down to more of a combination of economy and competition - even competition within the WDW Resort. It is much more expensive to travel to Disney now than a year (and especially) two years ago just in gas alone. The freshness of marketing new attractions at the parks has worn off and everyone seems to be tired of the HCOE. So, in essence, there really is nothing new going on at WDW until October 1st.>> Thanks for posting this so I didn't have to. I'll just add the following: If weather was a deciding factor for people on WDW trips, the place would be empty 4-5 months a year. I've also noticed that Disney has cut back its August hours. No more midnight closings (they had them scheduled for this week),10 p.m. at MK starting next week... next week DAK goes back to 6 p.m. closings.
