Originally Posted By TDLFAN Hey Meg.. something for you to read... <a href="http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/features_orlando/2011/07/theme-park-insider-universals-islands-of-adventure-wins-best-theme-park-award.html" target="_blank">http://blogs.orlandosentinel.c...ard.html</a>
Originally Posted By DlandDug Reader polls do not tell you what is "best," but rather what appeals to the readers of that particular publication. So the readers of Theme park Insider find IOA the "best" theme park? And what were the runners-up? >>Busch Gardens in Tampa and Disney California Adventure were runners-up for best theme park.<< Uh huh.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN To be honest.. I much rather be at ANY of those parks you mentioned above before stepping foot inside the stale MK park.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>It's impossible IMO if you don't like Cars. Looks dull IMO.<< I'm talking about Carsland @ DCA if there was any confusion related to my reference. I am not a doom and gloomer, I am trying to keep an open mind and still in a perverse way give them the benefit of the doubt.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt I hope this doesn't piss off anybody, but I find the undercurrent of angst over Meg's advancement and rumors about the parks being put on the chopping block amusing. The trepidation and fear some of you are expressing here is just too much. So seriously, what if they are sold? How will it even matter? Since none of the parks have genuinely been the innovative places "where anything is possible" for at least a decade or more, I’m a little perplexed as to what all the nervousness is for. Obviously many people (me included) have an emotional attachment to the parks and their rich heritage, but whether they are sold or remain with Disney their transformation from being inspiring places of entertainment that symbolize human ingenuity and achievement to being just mere outlets for Disney’s soulless corporate synergy took place decades ago.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>Really? Interesting. I mean I wasn't excited for Monsters, Ralph was a wait and see, but Brave I had high hopes for, especially after the trailer.<< Supposedly there is a reason why Doctor isn't directing and that from day 1 most folks are absolutely disgusted with the need for it and what it basically is made up of Ralph I guess is going down the American Dog/Bolt path with it being tinkered with so much that it will be a retread of a lot of former Pixar concepts when it comes to the protagonist figuring out who he is, what he wants to be, what he should be, what his nature is, etc. I guess it was more special earlier on. Still sounds like this has the best chance of being decent. Brave, I have stayed away from, but it sounds like there were good reasons at the time for Brenda to be pulled, but now the film still hasn't really recovered or possibly gotten worse. This would make her removal all the more unfortunate. It sounds like both studios are dealing with serious morale and leadership issues.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper I agree, Hans. I really don't care if their sold. It's basically guaranteed to improve them, unless the new owner causes them to completely bottom out.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>I hope this doesn't piss off anybody, but I find the undercurrent of angst over Meg's advancement and rumors about the parks being put on the chopping block amusing.<< Speaking for me, My angst (as mentioned earlier) is not that she is evil or pRe$$lEr. It is that it simply was a bad promotion and an unnecessary level placed above TDA. By default it must be viewed as a negative that needs to be proved a positive. Hans, I more than anyone has been completely skeptical on the sale rumor and not biting. It wasn't until Lee made his comment tonight that I thought I would ask a serious question and the answer I received is that a lot of folks in California are taking this VERY seriously. Right or wrong. >>The trepidation and fear some of you are expressing here is just too much.<< I am really trying not to. The last three days have really shocked a lot of folks and I guess that then effects people like me and then, thus, down the aisle. >>So seriously, what if they are sold? How will it even matter? Since none of the parks have genuinely been the innovative places "where anything is possible" for at least a decade or more, I’m a little perplexed as to what all the nervousness is for.<< I can only say I agree. Even saying, 'okay this is happening' I don't think anyone online at least has the faintest idea what all of this brings. The nervousness might just be a result of the status quo being shaken, or that people can't understand a neat, tidy package of all Disney when it comes to ownership. >>Obviously many people (me included) have an emotional attachment to the parks and their rich heritage, but whether they are sold or remain with Disney their transformation from being inspiring places of entertainment that symbolize human ingenuity and achievement to being just mere outlets for Disney’s soulless corporate synergy took place decades ago.<< VERY WELL SAID
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<I'm talking about Carsland @ DCA if there was any confusion related to my reference. I am not a doom and gloomer, I am trying to keep an open mind and still in a perverse way give them the benefit of the doubt.>> No confusion here. I see the two as one in the same though. They picked a divisive movie and threw everything but the kitchen sink into building an oversized land for it. I can think of many ways they could have spent that $400 million where everyone would have been happy/excited. Nothing exciting about a fake desert surrounded by a movie that some people don't like (a bigger split than any other PIXAR film.)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I hope this doesn't piss off anybody, but I find the undercurrent of angst over Meg's advancement and rumors about the parks being put on the chopping block amusing. The trepidation and fear some of you are expressing here is just too much.>> Why would it pee anyone off? And people here are VERY calm. You want hysterics? Go visit Miceage or WDWMAGIC and you have people that are absolutely ... well, at the risk of plugging a mental health and the Disney fan community thread that I probably will never start again, 100% FREAKING NUTS!!!! Absolutely crazy talk mixed with very little substance. People not getting how corporations are structured and run. People thinking ... my mind hurts just typing this. People in the LP pond are handling this quite well. <<So seriously, what if they are sold? How will it even matter? Since none of the parks have genuinely been the innovative places "where anything is possible" for at least a decade or more, I’m a little perplexed as to what all the nervousness is for. Obviously many people (me included) have an emotional attachment to the parks and their rich heritage, but whether they are sold or remain with Disney their transformation from being inspiring places of entertainment that symbolize human ingenuity and achievement to being just mere outlets for Disney’s soulless corporate synergy took place decades ago.>> I so agree with that, Hans. I don't care now. If this were 20 years ago, I might be one of the stark raving fanbois. But I've grown up and get the reality of what's going on. Disney broke the things that worked, didn't fix the things that needed to be brought into the 21st century and now Bob Iger is quite content to sell off P&R to anyone willing to buy his mess (he'll even throw in what no one knows about because it's Disney's Kept Secret ... well, other than the fact he's shopping the parks ) I think I'd rather it. I'm tired of visiting WDW and seeing it in its current stale neglected self while whores with blogs and podcasts think it's never been better (seriously, some dude who wants to be Lou Mongello and has a podcast, but apparently no Italian restaurant, was arguing this point with some LPers in The Twit Verse) or just say that because they want free trips, food, tickets, meals and swag. As I think I've gushed here, I finally made it to TDR last November and December and was blown away by the quality, great cast, amazing entertainment and attention to detail. It reminded me of what WDW once was ... many, many, many years ago. Disney could do it, but it's very obvious that led by current management there is no desire to. They just count on marketing, nostalgia, discounting like hell and ... yeah, mental illness to keep folks coming back.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Anyone who knows me from way back will tell you that I have been an advocate of TDR's quality for the USA parks since ...last century.>> I'd take 75% of TDR's quality at this point. I am always quoting you about WDW and MK, in particular, being ghetto. I can't imagine saying that even in the late 90s when there were already giant red flags going up. People in this country have become so resigned to things being worse than they should be or have to be. And it's that ... that apathy that has allowed one of the great BRANDS to stand for nothing or for filthy, crappy children's toy stores in malls (yes, I was stuck in one earlier this week in a rain storm). << I have seen WDW get worst since then. I have lost hope things will change for the better. The new fantasyland for example does not inspire much excitement on me. It takes people and true commitment and money to transform WDW into what TDR is today. WDW does not have the people, nor dedication to execute that transformation. They have the money but it gets spent on DVCs and tacky low budget hotels.. or more beer stands at the parks. Sorry but I just don't share your views and that is why I don't waste my time like I used to years ago making my point of view known. There is no hope for WDW anymore. It's still a great place to visit (if yoou are from the midwest, Brazil or the UK) but it is not nor will it ever be another TOKYO DISNEY RESORT. Unless OLC took over of course..>> If WDW gets sold ... it won't be to OLC. Disney couldn't even get them involved in the Shanghai project.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<It is sad, it makes me truly sad for something I loved so much, and I feel the company needs to go into a corporate hospice program.>> Post that on The Disney Parks Blog yet? ;-)
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<(seriously, some dude who wants to be Lou Mongello and has a podcast, but apparently no Italian restaurant, was arguing this point with some LPers in The Twit Verse)>> Glad you checked him out. Pretty hard to stomach eh? So nice to have a site like Laughing Place with level-headed folks.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Stomach-churning disgusting WDW weasel ... wonder if he got a free cruise? And if he'll be a guest of the company at D23. But this is how Disney thinks it can conquer Social Media. Beyond laughable really. What all these whores should really think about is what's gonna happen to their status as 'credentialed whores' if and when Disney Parks get a new owner. I'll be first in line to run Social Media for whoever winds up with them because only a group of clueless 21st century technology is the key to everything morons could possibly think they are accomplishing something. Now ... maybe I should go ask if WDW is being sold to the vile, evil, Godless, Commies on their FB page ;-)
Originally Posted By GOB Is there a snowball's chance in hell that things could ever be half as good as they used to be, or has the damage been done, and there's no way to reverse all of the Wal-marting that's occured since 1994?
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<^^Stomach-churning disgusting WDW weasel ... wonder if he got a free cruise? And if he'll be a guest of the company at D23.>> It's funny because I have a real life friend who works for WDWNT and he was the one who brought "The Mongello" to my attention. And they made fun of Mongello/whoring in a video they did. Guess Tom wants to bring Mongello down so he can take his place. Oh how you gotta love fanboi politics!! Spirit, when you take over social media for the new owner, can I get swag and trips?
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<Is there a snowball's chance in hell that things could ever be half as good as they used to be, or has the damage been done, and there's no way to reverse all of the Wal-marting that's occured since 1994?>> It's possible, but it would take a visionary CEO and a complete change in corporate culture....or new ownership.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^If I thought things were hopeless by nature, then I never would have returned to the USA from China. Things can get better. But boy do we have an ignorant, defeated, excepting. defending da man populice in this country. I can tell you this. OLC couldn't get away with one quarter of the crap TWDC does. Not because of any contract stipulations, but because the people wouldn't accept that and the management would be ashamed to try and put one over on them. You don't get that here in the States. I am a bit (OK, how about a lot) bitter about many things right now, not the best time to post as my friend Mr. X has told me, but if you sat down with Meg or Tom or anyone at the higher exec levels of TWDC do you think they'd be real and honest? Or plastic and condescending and full of (blank)? You have to want to make things better. And why should they? People accept the crap they put out. Podcasters whore about it. Bloggers do likewise. And Disney dies a bit more each day. I am so hoping at this point that they really are just gonna sell them. You don't want them. You don't care about them. You spit on the legacy of Walt and all the great men and women that made the parks amazing for decade upon decade. Just sell them Bob and focus on streamling Marvel cartoons on some tiny Apple toy. Seriously. Some people, like say your competition at UNI, get that quality is the best way to run this type of business. Disney thinks its building double Dumbo spinners and eleborate meet and greets with construction walls spewing Walt quotes that have no meaning to anyone with power at the company. So dump them. Then ... there really might be hope again.
