Originally Posted By smedley The thing that gets me is. why does someone dressing a particular way make them the redneck you speak of? I have family and friends who would pretty much fit your description, none of whom I regard as redneck, and I am not too far from it either. The fact that your comment about people staying in I Drive and Kissimmee smacks of exact conversations we have doesn't help my feelings I suppose.. Oh and I still prefer WDW over DLP, but also travel to a fair number of other countries, this November we will be in Jamaica, having priced DLP we will not be going there in December, next year will be CA, and then yes my next Disney trip will be WDW, because we love the whole package as Bloona mentioned..
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>The fact that your comment about people staying in I Drive and Kissimmee smacks of exact conversations we have doesn't help my feelings I suppose..<<< In this instance it matters. Because it was an assessment about what makes disney money. And that is on site guests more than any other guests. Also, the price camparitors were based on like for like. I Drive and Kissimmee are not staying at WDW. This report is about staying at WDW. I am pretty convinced that if and when we ever return to Orlando, we will stay off site with Marriott. And when we do, we are less likely to see the faults in the resort. There are a lot of flames now going on about how WDW is only £10 more. well not if staying on site, eating 100% of your meals on site, and for a family of 4. Heck, if it were just Sarah and I, we could stay at an eTAP, Formula 1 or Ibis in driving distance much cheaper. Or if we went charter, rented a villa or stayed in an economy motel we could do cheaper too. What is interesting is seeing the comments this piece has stirred up. And ironically no one has actually commented on things like the potential dark days of parks. This stemmed from some debates where Americans have been saying foreigners will help keep the parks going during these harder economic days. I am not convinced. I would in some ways like to be proved wrong. But I doubt I will be. Also, the thrust is on Disney to improve quality and offerings rather than recede. And it is also commenting on how DLP may be able to work this to their advantage. Instead people are getting hung up on this term red neck, and I think that reflects more on people's own self views rather than the context of the piece itself.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Oh and I still prefer WDW over DLP, but also travel to a fair number of other countries, this November we will be in Jamaica, having priced DLP we will not be going there in December, next year will be CA, and then yes my next Disney trip will be WDW, because we love the whole package as Bloona mentioned..<<< different strokes, and I respect that. I would never care to return to Jamaica - once was enough. And I don't really like Florida (the whole package - there are elements I love of course). I prefer the whole package in DLP. Most people fixate on the 2 parks, but have never been to Provins (amazing place), Rheims, or even into the Louvre. You see, in one swoop people consider "the whole package" of Florida, but do not do likewise for France. I will be doing another feature soon on the perceptions of Americans, Brits and French. I look forward to reading the responses.
Originally Posted By leemac With regards to Dubai - today's news has been a long time coming: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7456547.stm" target="_blank">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wor...6547.stm</a> High designation will mean companies bringing back their employees from the territory. For us it means that we cannot visit the country without a reduction in the category by the FCO. It will be interesting to see if the NSC issues a similar warning. At least no more trips to the desert for me for a while!
Originally Posted By smedley This will be our first trip to Jamaica, we're extending the places we've visited was the comment. I have not only been to DLP in France, my comment was that if you're looking for a theme park based holiday then Florida offers a better package in those terms. Who knows when I've been to CA I might find I love that more, and we would very much like to see more of the US that doesn't have *any* theme parks.. <Instead people are getting hung up on this term red neck, and I think that reflects more on people's own self views rather than the context of the piece itself> I am stepping away from this, you transparently feel that you have written an impartial report and that our feelings are hurt due to our own self esteem issues? I know who I am, and I am happy and proud, as you should know by now with me, what you see is what you get and I have no problems with what that is.
Originally Posted By X-san ***What is interesting is seeing the comments this piece has stirred up. And ironically no one has actually commented on things like the potential dark days of parks.*** Denial tactics, I'd say. Don't like the truth? Change the focus and attack the messenger. We've already seen plenty of that stuff over in world events. ***Also, the price camparitors were based on like for like. I Drive and Kissimmee are not staying at WDW. This report is about staying at WDW.*** FWIW, I would stay on I-Drive in a hearbeat over the All-Stars. (Kissimmee I-192 is a wash imo, but I-Drive is a lot of fun with lots to do and a cool vibe that BLOWS AWAY staying at cheesy, remote motel 6 with a paintjob). ***I will be doing another feature soon on the perceptions of Americans, Brits and French. I look forward to reading the responses.*** THAT sounds like a great topic. Looking forward to reading it!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Wow - thanks for the heads up Lee!!! The fear of this have kept people away. I wonder what this means. Then again, there were terror warnings issued by the US for people wanting to come to the UK after 7/7. I wonder what this means for the future of the UAE and Dubai?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>I am stepping away from this, you transparently feel that you have written an impartial report and that our feelings are hurt due to our own self esteem issues? I know who I am, and I am happy and proud, as you should know by now with me, what you see is what you get and I have no problems with what that is.<<< I don't understand why you are stepping away. And I especially do not know why your feelings are hurt. It's an opinion piece. But the fact that it is resonating I think shows that people are thinking. Shame the thoughts are in the direction of travel I am seeing. And I really don't know why. Heck, I drive a Skoda and do not like BWMs. If I wrote a piece on that (and something that costs more or speaks of lifestyle more than any vacation), I do not think it would be met with any more tension, probably less.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>FWIW, I would stay on I-Drive in a hearbeat over the All-Stars<<< Agreed. I do not know why they covet so many visitors. Clearly the demand is not that great though, otherwise we would have seen the other part of POP completed I would have thought.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I also do not understand why people would get offended at one man's view of the world over something like holiday destinations?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>***I will be doing another feature soon on the perceptions of Americans, Brits and French. I look forward to reading the responses.*** THAT sounds like a great topic. Looking forward to reading it!<<< Like a car crash, I am sure this will get written. But I dread to see the responses it will get. Thankfull Mr X, you and World Disney understand what it is to be a displaced person.
Originally Posted By bloona I loved staying on IDrive, we stayed there 6 times. Now we stay onsite simply because it is in the heart of the action. Patrick says to add that he loves watching American sports on Tv when in America too. See full package! My favourite ever holiday was actually in San Francisco, Monterey and Mammouth Mountain. We plan to take the boys there when they are a little older.(money permitting)
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo well bloona, if you look at the costs table, California can run similar amounts of money as Orlando, if not a little cheaper.
Originally Posted By bloona ^^ might not be able to afford either! I think the boys appreciate theme parks a lot more than they would a holiday where we drive a lot at the moment.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo show me a kid who doesn't - lol. That's why with my two we are always trying to mix it up, so we have balance. That said, they are at that age where it doesn't matter where we are so long as there is a pool.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Oh, and bloona, you hit my piece exactly. More and more people are having to tighten their belts right now (including the baloo house). Hence why I was showing that DLP is a great alternative. That said, the feedback I am getting is showing that it is not "Disney" per se that pulls people in, but the whole experience. Otherwise, if people really loved Disney in itself, rather than get mad at me, they would simply switch resorts for a while. So adding rubber heads to the parks, and toons to IASW will not pull them in. Stuff like Everest and Nemo does. Quality works best, I am sure of it.
Originally Posted By X-san ***I do not know why they covet so many visitors.*** Just on a note of clarification, I'm guessing you meant "I don't know why so many visitors covet the place"? If so, I totally agree. If not, then I'm wondering why a hotel would "covet" visitors. Well, I guess it would, generally speaking, but it would be sort of understood.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Think Czech Volkswagon/Audi (used to be the brunt of a lot of jokes): www.skoda.com We currently have a Superb 2.5 Lauren and Klement (have also has the Octavia Estate Lauren and Klement)
Originally Posted By X-san ***I think the boys appreciate theme parks a lot more than they would a holiday where we drive a lot at the moment.*** ***show me a kid who doesn't - lol.*** Yup...kids never appreciate the "road trip" concept. Not unless you start them on drum corps early...MY road trips as a youth were legendary (we hit almost all of the 48 continental states during our travels, many several times...the ride WAS the thing). I miss that. *sigh* Road trips are the best. "On Tour" is even better. Sorry...back to the topic at hand.
