Originally Posted By X-san Not able to agree on the comment about Macau offing more than Vegas or Disney these days, not yet anyway. Granted I was there a few years ago now, but at the time there was only one major casino open with 3 or 4 under construction. And the rest of the place was pretty third world, honestly. Given time, I'm sure it COULD compete with Vegas but right now it doesn't even hold a candle (fun place, though). Dubai, on the other hand, looks amazing.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo About Macau, I did mean in the potential stakes. As places like the Luxor and Treasure Island rip out their theming, Macau has started theming. As themed entertainment is my fav use of time and money, I think Macau could have more to offer in the coming years.
Originally Posted By X-san Ah...understandable then. I haven't been to Vegas in a long time so I've no idea how much they have or haven't stripped away (hehe, nice pun X lol). Yeah, in any case Macau looks to be pretty spectacular in future. And since that happens to be MY nearest casino entertainment option (along with next door Hong Kong in all its' glory), that's just fine with me.
Originally Posted By u k fan I'm actually finding it a little hard not to get offended by Dave's description of a "UK Redneck". Not because I resemble it. I wouldn't wear dark socks with shorts, I don't own a football shirt (I do own several St George flag shirts, including a Disney one). I'm no stanger to suncream. I am overweight, though. But it's a huge generalization and it's not fair to us good, honest rednecks who do keep our shirts on and will visit DLP. I don't think that WDW has anything to worry about in terms of visitors from the UK regardless of which walk of life they come from. From my experience the people who Dave are saying would visit Dubai instead wouldn't have even considered a Disney vacation in the first place. For my money, I would happily visit Dubai, but I'll keep coming back to Orlando. Not just for the theme parks, but because I actually like the US. I grew up around Americans so I've always appreciated their culture. And in case my redneck credentials are in doubt we always spend half a day in Walmart! And yet, when I'm in London I love to visit the galleries more than anything else. As far as DLP goes people are constantly amazed when I tell them how much I've payed for my past trips. It really is very reasonable to visit there. The main reason we occasionally break from visiting there and head off to WDW is not because we are looking for a better Disney experience, but because of our aforementioned love of the US. This post has meandered a bit so I apologize, but I do get tired of hearing the same social stereotypes trotted out like they are fact. BTW Dave, I did very much enjoy reading your blog and will continue to do so!!!
Originally Posted By smedley Well I was also going to post a response to Dave's post, but UK fan has in most part covered everything I was going to say. <-- redneck, signing off.
Originally Posted By dshyates We are also discussing Red Necks here; <a href="http://mb.laughingplace.com/MsgBoard-T-97270-P-5.asp?c=1" target="_blank">http://mb.laughingplace.com/Ms....asp?c=1</a>
Originally Posted By bloona wow Dave! wow wow wow. I have already bought my factor 50 suntan lotion for my kids and factor 30 for us. And we arent going for months. I wouldnt dream of going out unprotected and turning "lobster" as wouldnt every person I know. Ive never noticed anyone wearing dark socks with shorts. Patrick always goes sockless when not wearing full length trousers.Even with trainers on. As does Kieran, if not he wears white trainer socks. Once they build an Epcot, Sea World, Busch Gardens , Animal Kingdom and Typhoon Lagoon in Paris I will happily go. I love the whole American thing, I love listening to the radio there, the weather in Orlando, the shopping, the food (mmmmm) the general friendliness of people we meet there. I love Grease...um Greece too, and am more than happy to see shirtless "rednecks" there well put UKfan and Smedley by the way
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Jeez guys, if you can't generalise on the internet, where can you? ;-) Honestly, just people watch when you are next at a resort. It is fun to play "guess where they come from". I think if you had a bingo card of the different stereotypes and watched out, you could really find them. As for the whole Orlando thing, watch this space. There will be an article on that in the future. I am really surprised at a number of the comments coming from this blog. Oh well, I suppose it is better to have a reaction than none at all. After all, better to show pizzaz than end up dead! This blog represents my view and no one elses. And Kiz, I really do not see why you are offended, given I am bigger than you are and I do often where dark socks with my shorts.
Originally Posted By MPierce >>> <<Give me a good old fashion RedNeck any day over a upwardly mobil sophisticated snob.>> Hey, you're biased on that one. Don't you guys have a club? <<< I admit bias, and it's called "The Good Ol' Boy Club". I didn't know you were going to grade me on my spelling again. Next you'll be getting on me for all my improper punctuation or lack there of. Glad to see my fellow Red Necks from across the pond here. There's strenght in numbers. Personally I certainly think that shorts, dark socks, and a striped soccer shirt is a much better fasion statement rather than baggy pants, and a baseball cap turned sideways on your head. >> I am really surprised at a number of the comments coming from this blog. Oh well, I suppose it is better to have a reaction than none at all. After all, better to show pizzaz than end up dead! << Absolutely, and notice even when folks had a disagreement with some of your points they enjoyed the article. I think it's a great start. I am certainly looking forward to the love hate relatkionship of DLP, and WDW coming from someone from the Kingdom.
Originally Posted By u k fan Dave, I'm not personally offended by what you said as you and I both know I don't resemble what you've described. I think what upsets/annoys me the most is that we often hear this same old tired description of Brits abroad and in the main part it's not true. To have someone living in the UK giving it validation is very sad. I dread to think of some of the reactions you would have received if you had written similar statements in WE regarding someone else's ethnicity. I remember seeing Barry Cryer on TV talking about how the Two Ronnies could make fun of yokels because no one would stand up and say they were offended. Accusing people of being rednecks is the same thing except that we now have 3 UKers standing up and being counted. We both know that the people you have described do exist and I dare say that if I sat at the MK with my bingo card I'd find one eventually, but I'm not convinced that they are the average UK WDW visitor. As I said before I did enjoy your article and I appreciate the chance to have this debate. I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels like I do on this. BTW, are you likely to be around for the event in Warwick this weekend? We'd love to see you!!!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I haven't been to Vegas in a long time so I've no idea how much they have or haven't stripped away (hehe, nice pun X lol).>> They have destroyed so much. Only the Venetian and Paris have been largely untouched. Bellagio too I think, didn't get there on my last visit in '07. They've gone for a generic, hip, clubby (could be Vegas, NYC, LA, SoBe any hip area) vibe at the expense of theming. I think they're going to alienate a lot of their crowds. This, BTW, is what happens when one or two companies (MGM-Mirage is the worst) winds up owning the whole Strip. Homogenization. What's worse is the massive City Center project has totally taken away Strip views and made the area feel very closed in. And worse yet ... my favorite little casino with character, Nevada Landing (just over the Cal state line and shaped like a Mississippi sternwheeler) was recently demolished. For what? I have no idea. It was owned by MGM-Mirage before they bought/merged with the company that owned Mandalay Bay. it was a great pitstop with great theming and terrific casino food at the (almost) oldtime prices ... like $5.99 for a prime rib dinner. Went a few times on the road in 03-04-05-06 and then it was gone :-( <<Yeah, in any case Macau looks to be pretty spectacular in future. And since that happens to be MY nearest casino entertainment option (along with next door Hong Kong in all its' glory), that's just fine with me. >> I'm wondering about possibly making a visit here when I hit HK later this year! It sure sounds good.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<We are also discussing Red Necks here;>> We seem to be discussing them everywhere. Damn rednecks, taking over the world! (WalMart is the first sign of the apocolypse, American Idol is the second and Georg... nevermind)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Neither am I, but I suspect Dave already knows that.>> I'm offended that Dave hasn't invited his elitist friend to join him at DLP (all expenses paid by the UKer, of course!) Very, very, very offended ... I get stuck with Stale Disney World.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo UKFAN, I didn't say they were the average. I said I think this is what we could be seeing in the future. Financially prudent people like you and I will sit down and look at the cost and value, and not blindly just keep going to Florida. Funny thing is, Sarah laughed. It's like the German friend of mine who used to always joke about the towel thing. So I cannot do observational comedy on the UK or America, right, got it. All of a sudden feels homeless again. What is funny is the comments (especially on the DIS board), has inspired me to keep going. I've obviously struck a chord, and the resonance seams like I have actually struck one heavy. Now I go through St Pancras about 3 or 4 days a week. And the people I describe are the ones I see as often when the DLP train is going or coming back. Honestly. Yet when it is the Paris or Brussels trains, people are very well turned out. Especially the retired visitor. It seems the 60 and 70 something brits have a lot of style. The 30 something parents, not quite as much.
Originally Posted By u k fan Dave, I didn't read your comments as comedic. Perhaps you need to work on your timing! Whilst there is definitely an element of truth to what you're talking about regarding the people you see at St. Pancras. Most people will dress differently for a trip to DLP than they might to visit Paris or Brussels. I also wouldn't expect seniors to dress like people in their 30's. As I said I don't actually take any of it personally and I know that the people you describe do exist, but it's a heck of a generalisation and like it or not "Redneck" is a derogatory term. I'm off to the Dis Boards now to see what's kicked off over there!!!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Check specifically the UK planning board for WDW. I know, but I could not think of another term. I would like to know one. But there is a type of person out there who seem scared, too biased to give DLP (or any non Orlando option) a try.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And I am afraid I have seen more of these people I described than I care to. At the airports and ports (as you know I travel extensively), and in my experience at WDW they seem the highest proportion (or maybe it grates on me more).
