Originally Posted By davewasbaloo leobloom - thought of you while I was away. We photographed some toilets in Disneyland Paris, but we really went giddy in the German parks where the sinks and stalls all have themes appropriate to the areas (seriously, the Ling Bao had chinese baths for sinks, the african hotel had drains and oil drums for sinks, the Italian hotel had italian sports cars rev when you open the door). It was very cool. And our trip, where we could get food 24 hours in the non disney resorts, as well as free entertainment too, showed Disney is not longer the king of themed entertainment. Threads available in the DLP and other theme parks areas.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***or watching Obama take down The Donald and The Devil all in the same weekend*** I just HAVE to chime in only to say, that's one of the coolest partial sentences I've ever read.
Originally Posted By mstaft Although I do not wanty to live in Orlando, I would certainly enjoy being at WDW right now- regardless of the state of the parks. It's still a pretty incredible place.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> but we really went giddy in the German parks where the sinks and stalls all have themes appropriate to the areas (seriously, the Ling Bao had chinese baths for sinks, the african hotel had drains and oil drums for sinks, the Italian hotel had italian sports cars rev when you open the door). It was very cool. << Disney needs to step up its game, or I'll start obsessing over, photographing, and endlessly documenting this German park's restrooms.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Although I do not wanty to live in Orlando, I would certainly enjoy being at WDW right now- regardless of the state of the parks. It's still a pretty incredible place.>>> A bad day in WDW is usually better than a good day at home. LOL
Originally Posted By MPierce >> A bad day in WDW is usually better than a good day at home. LOL << I'll take my air conditioned house over WDW any day of the week in the summertime. However I'll concede that I would prefer WDW in the late fall, winter, and early spring as long as someone else is paying for it.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I'll take my air conditioned house over WDW any day of the week in the summertime. However I'll concede that I would prefer WDW in the late fall, winter, and early spring as long as someone else is paying for it.<<< I gotcha there... but I will brave the June weather for WDW. Aug/July is pushing it.
Originally Posted By Expo_Seeker40 This thread has turned me into an alcoholic. *stumbles around the yacht and beach club and asks for a friendship boat*
Originally Posted By MPierce >> This thread has turned me into an alcoholic. *stumbles around the yacht and beach club and asks for a friendship boat* << I know I've always found it comforting to have something to blame my drinking on.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Great, I've already planned my three-week trip from 2000 miles away just to photograph this new planter. And now you tell me it's not even new. Oh, well. Have to spend the three weeks documenting every toilet, urinal, and sink in Animal Kingdom.>> Good to have goals, Leo ... always good to aim high ... and watch your aim too!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ***or watching Obama take down The Donald and The Devil all in the same weekend*** <<I just HAVE to chime in only to say, that's one of the coolest partial sentences I've ever read. >> Thanks. And the most MAGICal part is I was only partially trying to be cool too! Oh, and I know I owe you an email and one shall be forthcoming this week.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Although I do not wanty to live in Orlando, I would certainly enjoy being at WDW right now- regardless of the state of the parks. It's still a pretty incredible place.>> That it is. But I'd also rather be at ANY/ALL of the other Disney Resorts on the planet right now before WDW ... and that, as a WDW fanboi from childhood, is profoundly sad. And the reasons I'd enjoy being at WDW have very little to do with the parks anymore for the most part.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<This thread has turned me into an alcoholic. *stumbles around the yacht and beach club and asks for a friendship boat*>> I doubt it ... and don't blame this thread for turning you all red!
Originally Posted By GOB Spirit, what's your opinion of the state of DLP? Despite being more intricately designed and having more lavish rides than both stateside parks, it is rotting away in full view of guests (worse than WDW supposedly). It's easy to spot bad maintenance, but I was very hard-pressed to find it at WDW. It's not what it was supposed to be back in the day, but it surpasses even 21st century standards (which aren't that high). Furthermore, the owner of thr Passport2Dreams blog remarked that Disneyland's show quality is trending downwards, while MK's is doing the opposite. I haven't been to Disneyland for two years so I can't vouch for the veracity of that statement, but for someone like her who just got back Disneyland a few weeks ago and visits the Orlando park on a regular basis (and who is known for telling it like it is) I believe that statement may be justified.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Interesting, and I look forward to hearing Spirit's comments. In my experience, I know that DLP and WDW suffer from similar issues - poor management, and they swap people between the two resorts all the time. DLP does suffer from maintenance issues such as the horrendous issues with the pathways (they are sorting this by putting in brick paving in Fantasyland right now), and there has been real neglect of some buildings (which are now being put right for the 20th anniversary next year). But I have never encountered the same number of broken effects in attractions at DLP as I have in WDW in recent years. Last trip to WDW, virtually every AA attractions had significian AA's not working. This happens at DLP too, but it did not feel like it was to the same extent. Sadly this year's entertainment in DLP is a real waste of time though, and a joke. Only a few years ago, I could brag that DLP had the best parade and stage shows, now, I cannot. Of course the fireworks, opening hours and some streetmousphere are better at WDW, but DLP has better kept gardens, and restaurant quality in the table service arena. They are somewhat apples and oranges, but DLP has been going down hill for the last couple of years (I am hopeful for the 20th however as the amount of refurb right now is huge). That said, my last trip to WDW left me feeling like I would never return, and the trips to DLP and DL in that same 18 month period had my faith renewed. But the reality is, right now if I could go to any Disney resort, it would be Tokyo (despite them pulling all their plans for extra entertainment this year - understandably) or Disneyland.
Originally Posted By Christi22222 GOB, I think the indications you are hearing about DLR trending down and WDW trending up, and davewasbaloo knowing that DLP was terrible but is now getting major refurb, fits everything we know and have seen from the Disney Co. We tend to bash WDW right now because it is the flagship resort and seems to have hit rock bottom recently. But it isn't just TDO. It's the actions and the culture of the entire Disney Co. The fact is, they are all corporate culture & earnings now rather than pride of business & magic. I get it, we all get it, Disney is a company and has to make money....yadda yadda. But I don't care if you love/hate DVC, fastpass, DP, ME, MYW, whatever. The company makes decisions based on immediate profit realization. Nothing more. So they cut costs and minimize as long as possible. Then it becomes embarassing and effects the bottom line, and they pony up money. See: DL for 50th. But now DL will be in a downward part of the cycle, WDW is forced to be trending up (possibly by USF), and DLP was probably a legal/safety issue and has an anniversary so is joining the cycle. It all fits perfectly to my mind. I have never bought into the, DL is sooo much better because it's a locals resort. Might play a part, but mostly it was just in a different phase of the cycle. It has had it's many blatant cost cutting shortcomings of late. It just had the most recent update. Honestly, the whole DCA thing is evidence of this pathetic business model. You only get money if the company is out of any other options and the situation is desperate. It's not because the Anaheim team is such heroes. So I am sure DLP will be much better after this upcoming slew of refurbs, and probably WDW will continue with some improvements, and the cycle will go on and on until a major event occurs that finally gets us a paradigm shift. Until then, I have no faith for any of the parks. I've resigned myself to "take them for what they are and not what they were" if I want any enjoyment. (But I am heading to Uni for 3 days of my upcoming weeklong trip. Have never done that before....)
Originally Posted By Christi22222 Lol....and I hope you don't mind my jumping in here! I would never profess to be a worthy replacement for the Spirit! I'm also interested in said Spirit's response, but couldn't keep my opinion on this point to myself.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo You are entitled to your opinion Christi, I am glad to read it, and agree largely too. Disneyland was in a terrible state before the 50th and then did an amzing job for the 50th. I am hopeful for the others too. But WDW should be one of the, if not the best, given how it is floated as the flagship (to the point where the average European thinks it is the only other Disney resort other than DLP, and the original - gag).
