Originally Posted By Socrates How can you have a Disney vacation if you're constantly running off-property? Socrates "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer Disney is the main focus? Heaven forbid it's not pure Disney, right?
Originally Posted By juicer Its really interesting what everyone here on LP gets out of their Disney experieice(s) at WDW. For me its the pure "getting out of reality" thing - Once I am on property - I feel calm and relaxed inside.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<Once I am on property - I feel calm and relaxed inside.>> I don't feel calm or relaxed when I'm standing in line over and hour to get onto a ride or attractions. Or, when my ankles are bleeding from being struck by strollers.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 I feel relaxed at WDW as well. All of the crazy stuff, it's out of my mind. Tom I 'm sorry you've had bad luck with strollers. I guess I've been pretty lucky and have never been hit by one. No matter what time of the year. (Knock on wood)
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Tom I 'm sorry you've had bad luck with strollers. I guess I've been pretty lucky and have never been hit by one. No matter what time of the year. (Knock on wood) << Same here Disneymom. I've had folks accidentally bump into me that are just walking, especially kids, but that's to be expected. You're at WDW, and that's what's on your mind. I had mostly positive experiences from all the other guest. I can't think of very many times that I have actually encountered rude guest. WDW is definitely an escape for me.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<Tom I 'm sorry you've had bad luck with strollers. I guess I've been pretty lucky and have never been hit by one. No matter what time of the year. (Knock on wood)>> No appologies are necessary. I found a great way to fend off the stroller crowd. Last time I was at WDW, I was totally punked out, with leather kilt, New Rock boots, gauntlets, tiger stripe military tee shirt and garrison cap. I was getting lots of respect on Haunted Mansion and Soarin... right up until that wardrobe malfuntion while riding Test Track after they placed me with that family of 5 ( my party rode Test Track in the single rider line ). That was one picture that family wasn't taking home. Walt Disney World is not kilt friendly.
Originally Posted By juicer I always use the Unofficial Guides touring plans - so I never really wait all that much - even during peak seasons. And as far as the stroller issue...I think of all the times I have been to WDW and DLR (infact, I was a CM as DL in the 80's) I think I have been hit by a stroller maybe a couple times.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 WDW is definitely an escape for me -----\ BINGO !!! from the pressures I face everyday in my job position - traising a family - to financials we all face..it IS an escape for a short period of time.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<When I am on vacation I don't mind spending more for the convenience of not having to drive all over the place. With the price of gas today, you probably break even.>> I don't view it as a convenience issue ... too many people do, which is why Disney can gouge guests and drop quality at the same time. And you don't have to leave property to get better food for better prices without booking six months out. Swan and Dolphin ... DD ... Hotel Plaza resorts ... I could easily come up with 10 non-Disney owned and operated eateries that ARE on property and worth dining at. But many people won't go to them because they lack the MAGIC. Still trying to figure out what that is. <<The only thing I don't like is not being able to get a reservation without making it six months in advance.>> You can get into some of the best restaurants in the WORLD without making plans six months ahead ... but to get into a very average steak place like Le Cellier or a meal with princesses you do? Does that sound rational?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<How can you afford to drink at my favorite bar?>> Let's see ... billions in the offshore accounts ... or friends buying the first few rounds ;-) <<I'm to old, and crippled up to spend all that extra time it takes to get to a restaurant off propery. Even if I wasn't I still wouldn't go off property for the exact same reasons I do not stay off property. When you only go once a year some of us do not feel like being a commuter for meals, and a cot. It's the same thing that has been repeat on every Disney forum forever. For all of you folks that dine off property, and sleep off property, more power to you. I choose not to, and I know I could save considerable amounts of money by doing so. I could also save money by butchering my own hogs, and growing a vegetable garden.>> You can read my prior post for the whole not going off property deal. But when people who know they are getting screwed sit back, relax and enjoy it, then they are perpetuating a corporation's ability to continue to do that to other guests. You have some mobility issues, so I understand where you are coming from. But most people don't. And I'm still trying to figure out what they are afraid of beyond Disney's MAGICal arches because the idea that Disney is somehow removed from the real world ended before the last century did. And if you don't drive and have a reservation at say Flying Fish, but are staying at the ASMusic or DAK Lodge, there simply isn't any convenience whatsoever unless you are taking a taxi. <<While I had 8 table service meals on property on my last trip, my wife, and I both agreed that if we do decide to return to WDW in the future, our dining habbits will be somewhat different.>> Food is one of my absolute favorite subjects, so I'd love to hear where you dined and what you enjoyed and didn't and why you'll do thing differently in the future at WDW. Seriously ...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Pierce you're dead on-- now if there was someplace near that was a 'to die for place' I might be willing to check it our -- even if the pricepoints were like my Chicago or NY -->> Try Tchoup Chop ... the 20-minute drive won't kill you. But the food is to die for.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<How can you have a Disney vacation if you're constantly running off-property?>> Why must a Disney vacation be 100% Disney? Why must an Orlando theme park vacation even be WDW-centric? And how does going off-property every now and then equate with constant running?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Its really interesting what everyone here on LP gets out of their Disney experieice(s) at WDW. For me its the pure "getting out of reality" thing - Once I am on property - I feel calm and relaxed inside.>> I used to feel that way ... like maybe in 1991 ... um, now? Not so much. I think a lot of the feeling you describe is in the mind.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 You can get into some of the best restaurants in the WORLD without making plans six months ahead ... but to get into a very average steak place like Le Cellier or a meal with princesses you do? Does that sound rational? Yes- because of the concentration of audience. I have eaten in many restaurants that qualify in your description and I can tell you a few in Chicago are a year out for weekends especially. Scattered days available-- but even in a city of 7 million - rarely if ever is the downtown area jammed with 200,000 potential diners at ANY one time. It's the number of restaurants available vs the concentration of diners at any one time period. Youmay not like it but it really is a supply-demand issue. Again for me and most like me who travel once a year - I'll be damned if I am going to spend thousands and thousands of dollars and potentially have to eat hamburgers for dinner.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Not so much. I think a lot of the feeling you describe is in the mind. ----------- um, isn't that where all feeling comes from ?
Originally Posted By MPierce >> But when people who know they are getting screwed sit back, relax and enjoy it, then they are perpetuating a corporation's ability to continue to do that to other guests. You have some mobility issues, so I understand where you are coming from. But most people don't. And I'm still trying to figure out what they are afraid of beyond Disney's MAGICal arches because the idea that Disney is somehow removed from the real world ended before the last century did. And if you don't drive and have a reservation at say Flying Fish, but are staying at the ASMusic or DAK Lodge, there simply isn't any convenience whatsoever unless you are taking a taxi. << Here's the big difference my friend. You are able to almost come, and go at will to different Disney resorts. Most people can't. If you add up all the days I've spent at DL, and WDW they would probably add up to a 4th of the time that you've stayed at the WL alone. Real folks value their time at WDW. They might only get 7 days there every few years. They are not going to give up any of those precious minutes simply because time at the resort goes by swiftly. I have the freedom now to go to WDW anytime I want to. While I see so many things as being overpriced at WDW, I can never see the day when I can not afford to go to WDW for as long as I want to, and stay where I want to, and dine where I want to. Most folks have to work for a living, and just can't do that. That's the big difference.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Food is one of my absolute favorite subjects, so I'd love to hear where you dined and what you enjoyed and didn't and why you'll do thing differently in the future at WDW. Seriously ... << The best meal, and service was at the Captain's Grille.I had the Bourbon Marinated N.Y. Strip with Herb-roasted Potatoes, seasonal Vegetables, $28.99. My wife had the Grilled Rosemary Pork Chop - with creamy bacon polenta, roasted mushroom ragout, and balsamic jus $21.99. I will not comment on the prices. I feel if I had the discount that AP holders get with the 20% off on the Tables of Wonderland or what ever it's called, the prices would be right at all the restaurants.. I was very disappointed at the meal I had at Tutto Italia. I had the Arrosto Di Vitello In Porchetta - veal roast, mushrooms, potatoes $29. My wife had the Casareci - cavatelli pasta, sweet sausage ragu, tomatoes, Pecorino Romano $26. Her Casareci was very good. My veal was kind of stringy. This is the first time I've ordered veal anywhere, and didn't clean my plate. OK service. At Nine dragons I had the Honey Sesame Chicken - $18.98. My wife had the Canton Pepper Beef - stir-fried beef with onions, green and red peppers in a classic savory broth $15.98. Both OK meals, and OK service. Rose and Crown I had Surf and Turf - Grilled Steak and Fried Fish with Yorkshire Pudding, Irish Potato Gratin, seasonal Vegetables, and Shallot Gravy $26.99. I also had the Bakewell Tart $5.49, simply because I've never tried it. My wife had the Sunday Roast with Yorkshire Pudding, Roasted Potatoes, seasonal Vegetable, and Shallot Gravy $16.99. We both enjoyed the meal very much. The service was excellent. My regrets were that I failed to order the Scotch Egg - Golden-fried Hard-boiled Egg wrapped in Sausage Meat with Mustard Sauce $8.99, that VBDAD had recommended. Also that they quit serving Tennet's Lager. Even though it's the prefered beer of Hobos. At Tokyo Dining I had Filet Mignon - grilled beef tenderloin served with grated daikon and ponzu $29.95. My wife had Ebi - large shrimp $21.95. We both enjoyed the meal. Service was excellent.
