Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Great diversion from all the political spinning going on ... feeling nauseous...from politics not DUMBO
Originally Posted By tashajilek "It wouldn't be as stupid if there weren't already two rides just like it in the park already" I agree. They should have moved the carpets to FL, im sure Adventureland wouldnt have missed it. Could you imagine if they put the carpet ride in DL's AL? there would be such a outrage for adding that crapola. Thankfully AL in DL has no space.
Originally Posted By tashajilek "Why does spinning in circles have to be so darn fun anyway?!" I only find the Astro Orbitor fun. Having 2 people squeeze in and feel like you might fall out is always fun.
Originally Posted By oc_dean I forgot why I don't read Jim Hill's column frequently, or even infrequently. Or even punch up his website on any normal basis. Now I remember. If he wants to have a column to show Disney is spending money, on at least infrastructure, and a shop here, resort wing here .... that's fine. But he frame it ... as a "Combat" against those who DARE to challenge Disney's lack of what it DOES take to make people notice, and make the trip - ATTRACTIONS. I absolutely despise that very insulting term for fans - Fanboi. (Fan was not enough .. then there was Fanboy - But now we use the even more insulting term - FanbOI.) He used it three times. He sounds like he really wanted to have a go at them .. for "bitching" .. "whining" ... he had a few choice words/phrases for them. He repeated himself a few times on a few points. But overall .. his column read like a Kvetching Complaint - As he seems to struggle to feel good about WDW's status of the last couple decades .. as they have taken a backseat to updating it with new attractions. I'll try to refrain from calling him a Disney Apologist ... but it's so transparent in his writing ... As he clearly is defending Disney, as if we SHOULD be just as excited over infrastructure upgrades as the same as new headliner attractions. He did note a few sore spots .. such as letting Pleasure Island go. But how a resort wing, or a widened highway .. a newer fastpass system (NextGen) or a new drinking fountain .. is suppose to be make people stand in AWWWWE .. Is he kidding????? I'll tell you this .... When World Showcase gets its first new attraction (has not been one since the Maelstrom - 1988) .... I'll be impressed. When Futureworld does something about the shuttered Wonders of Life Pavilion .... I'll take note. Or even when they get around IF EVER to ADDING something new .. rather than take something away ... and then eventually build something new it's place .. and dare call it "An EXPANSION." When they can go beyond an UPDATE to an EXISTING attraction (Star Tours) and literally build something that IS new .. I'll give a collective .. AWWWWE! (Like the little green men - Toy Story) When Disney decides to revisit the abandoned site of River Country, and do something with it .. I'll take note! When Tomorrowland does not look like a series of temporary toon additions ... and something more real .. I'll take note. But I have to say .. I'm not overly impressed with his column. It's as if .. He's writing it to himself .. to try to put a positive spin / to feel better about WDW .. even remotely try to get excited with infrastructure upgrades ... While Universal is providing plenty of "OOOs" .. and "Awwwwes" with serious new attractions! In the future .. should I decide to take Mr. Hill seriously as a professional sounding columnists ... then he needs to frame his write-ups in a style, by refraining from carping lines like this * "But to certain Disney fanbois, none of this sort of reinvestment ever really matters. They just laser focus in on the chipped paint and/or continue to moan" * "These people (if you sample various discussion boards around the Web) are already bitching" He carried on and on and on ... that simply "spending money" ... should translate to happy guests. RESULTS is what's going to make people notice. He's just too busy on a point to defend TDO management! And try to make himself feel better over too little going on.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<The headline of JH's article should have read: "Disney Spends Billions, No One Notices">> I couldn't agree more!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<"C'mon. That Fantasyland improvement is enormous. " I dont think anyone is arguing the fact that it doesnt look great, but what they chose to stick in there isnt. For me having 2 dumbo rides is the stupidest waste of money.>> There is very little in the so called "New" Fantasyland expansion that appeals to me. And it would have been a heck of a lot worse if Disney had stuck to their original plan to turn the whole area into "Princessland".
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<"For me having 2 dumbo rides is the stupidest waste of money.">> For the record, I actually think this was a good idea. That ride is so popular they truely needed two spiners. What I question is moving it to a distant corner of the park. It made sense to keep it where it was. Instead of Dumbo in that former spot we get a wall! I guess we should all be impressed with the new wall. <sarcasm>
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>I guess we should all be impressed with the new wall. <sarcasm><< Yah, didn't you see Kevin Yee's article about the wall the other day? It basically said "Yup, there's a wall. I can't wait to see what it looks like without the plywood walls around it", but in a much more excited way. As much as I dislike Al Lutz's writing style, I equally dislike Yee and Hill's need to always end on a positive note. If something is bad (or even just average), there's nothing wrong with calling it like it is. But to call it out, and then always need to spin it into a positive just gets old, and it's a big part of the reason that Disney has gotten lazy recently. It looks like they might be turning things around, but it's certainly not due to fan demand like the turnaround in DL.
Originally Posted By tashajilek "But to certain Disney fanbois, none of this sort of reinvestment ever really matters. They just laser focus in on the chipped paint" This comment bothered me. I dont think a whole scene down in Splash Mountain or a broken yeti is acceptable. Disney should be spending money fixing whatever isnt working or looks like crap like BTMM at DL. I hope things are better at WDW since the Splash Mountain incident.
Originally Posted By tashajilek "I absolutely despise that very insulting term for fans - Fanboi. (Fan was not enough .. then there was Fanboy - But now we use the even more insulting term - FanbOI.) He used it three times. He sounds like he really wanted to have a go at them .. for "bitching" .. "whining" ... he had a few choice words/phrases for them." Yea, that column turned me off. He really did come across as a jerk.
Originally Posted By oc_dean >><<The headline of JH's article should have read: "Disney Spends Billions, No One Notices">> I couldn't agree more! << Lets put this into perspective: Which sounds more realistic - Hey family, lets spend several thousands of dollars to visit WDW in Florida .. because of all the exciting additions like wider roadways! Walk around new hotels .. so we can see all their exciting architecture and landscaping! Take a stroll into DtD to experience Phineas and Ferb! Try out the even better and newer fastpass solutions for our favorite old attractions! Sit down in front of Cinderalla castle to see the so exciting "The Magic, the Memories and You!" show. Run around the park to solve a series of MYSTERIOUS clues .. in Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom ... and finish it all off with the same basic premise .. except this time with DISNEY'S Phineas and Ferb: Agent P's World Showcase Adventure! And track down more clues .. except this time, at EPCOT. ORRR...................... Come on family .. we are going to spend thousands of worthy dollars on a WDW vacation, because they have new attractions WORTH the big money we are spending .... for * A NEW TOMORROWLAND! * New attractions at EPCOT! No .. not just a parade, or show, or search for more clues with another Disney Channel Character .... in existing locations .. but something BRAND NEW THAT NOT ONLY THE KIDS CAN ENJOY .. BUT US ADULTS TOO !!!! Which scenario makes sense? Not that Disney has any! They just think they can hook you in, with minor shows, more resort hotels to go look at for fun ... like that's an attraction itself! OH WOW ... look at the stunning ceiling in the Golden Oak's lobby. WOW ... THAT'S JUST SO PRETTY ... I'm really glad I spent thousands of dollars so I could revel at the Golden Oak for a whole day! Even though I'm not staying there! So Disney .. you just keep touting your new resorts ... the widened roadways ... the upgraded fastpass, new shops/experiences in DtD ... because all those things alone .. are worth the thousands dropping into another WDW Vacation!!
Originally Posted By oc_dean And as far as Fantasyland in the magic kingdom park goes .... I'll give credit to the dwarves coaster when it opens in two years. The stunning exterior for Little Mermaid .. not to mention the ride .. which will be new for those who have not ventured to the west coast version yet, or ever. And the Beauty and the Beast restaurant. But how does one justify thousands of dollars to a WDW vacation over a Double Dumbo? Or a meet & greet? I have a hard time calling it a Fantasyland EXPANSION. It's a fine remodel. Little Mermaid REPLACES 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea. Dwarves coaster REPLACES the Snow White ride. A few nice details sprinkled throughout .. which will be nice, no doubt. But .. it's not enough to make me go WOW ... to sit down with a travel agent and spend the thousands. I'm waiting to see what they do next. And I'm not holding my breath on anything!
Originally Posted By tashajilek "Hey family, lets spend several thousands of dollars to visit WDW in Florida .. because of all the exciting additions like wider roadways! Walk around new hotels .. so we can see all their exciting architecture and landscaping! " Seeing the resorts was actually a highlight of my trip. The resorts were really beautiful around Christmas when we visited and the gingerbread houses were awesome. The landscaping and nice mororail rides are something that you just cant get at Disneyland. The Resorts were not the main reason we visited, but it was a nice plus.
Originally Posted By mrkthompsn "Why does spinning in circles have to be so darn fun anyway?!" You're not doing Disney right. It's not a ride spinning in circles. It's flying elephants. Fly on the flying elephant. Don't look at mechanisms. You'll have fun.
Originally Posted By Donny We need to seperate park upgrades from Resort upgrades. Germany needs an attraction ZooLand Sorry I mean Animal Kingdom needs re-theming Hollywoodstudios needs Hero's
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 Jim is right there is a subsection of Disney fans who complain over every Disney does or doesn't do. And you're never going to make those people happy. There's also a section of fans who think Disney can do no wrong. And if you dare question anything the Mouse does, you're not a true fan. Those are and will always be the loudest. But like everything else, sports, movies, politics, tv shows, it's those that are silent that look at things in a practical manner that make up the majority.
Originally Posted By dshyates It's the silent majority that scare the crap out of corporations. These are the folks that have a bad experience at a business and don't say anything. They just don't ever go back.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<it's not enough to make me go WOW ... to sit down with a travel agent and spend the thousands.>> Exactly! There is nothing new at WDW that would entice me back right now. I would go to DLR instead.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper My favorite part about the article? I was listening to the Jim and Len Testa podcasts where Jim RIPPED into the FLE and was saying how much more interesting Universal was being than Disney. What a hypocrite.
