Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>>> Hmmmmmm, more to add to my WDW sucks mantra. << I think it has passed beyond mantra, and has now obtained opus status.<<< the sad thing is, it would not be difficult to get back in my good books. Clean, refurb, bring back quality menues and service and stop building cheap crap you can find everywhere else or blatant marketing synergy everywhere, and I would be singing their praises from the rooftops like I used to 10 years ago.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad They really don't seem to be concerned with the WOW factor. If they create unique things that are quality and make you go WOW, they don't have to spend all those dollars on marketing. Word will spread and it will market itself. How much dod they really have to advertise EE in AK. All they had to do was a press release saying they had a new coaster. I knew it was good before I ever got there because word spreads. I didn't need an advertisement to tell me. I think now they have to advertise and discount because they are cutting back on the things that create the WOW. Some of my fondest memories of disney have very little to with structures and more to do with interactions.
Originally Posted By dshyates NOOOO, not Aurora's Coloring Adventure® Presented by Crayola® at Disney's® Walt Disney World® Resort. I was SOOOO Wishing® to be eating some Magical® non-(toxic®) soy based crayons.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> the sad thing is, it would not be difficult to get back in my good books. Clean, refurb, bring back quality menues and service and stop building cheap crap you can find everywhere else or blatant marketing synergy everywhere, and I would be singing their praises from the rooftops like I used to 10 years ago. << That's exactly what most WDW fans want. It's just not going to happen though. I think they have turned their back on the things that made all of us fall in love with Disney to begin with.
Originally Posted By MPierce "At least it's not a DVC." >> et tu Mpierce ? << Nope, it wasn't a slam on DVC. It's just that everything of late being built was a DVC. I was starting to think that was all they were ever going to build.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> We should just run Disney.... << Do I get to manage the restrooms? I'll keep gold glitter sprinkled on the toilet seats.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Some corrections/'splanations etc ... all due to 3 a.m. postage. <<anyway, the terms 'rape and plummage' [from WDW] were used to describe what DCL will do to make sure the Dream has top-line entertainment when it opens >> That quote should read 'rape and plunder' as that was a direct quote from a high-level DCL entertainment exec. <<Alas, no resort specific merchandise there anymore either.>> Apparently, all MK resorts including FW as well as DAK Lodge have and will continue to have specific merchandise, while all others (in every category) will sell generic WDW merchandise. So head to your local outlets for 49 cents Yacht Club magnets, 99 cent Saratoga Springs key chains and etc ...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<WDW's costuming is tasked with DCL and WDW's needs. It's always been that way. There's no form of accounting arobatics that can shave a clean $1mil off Fantayland Expansion an allocate it to Cruise Line entertainment. >> This is far more than about costuming issues, Merfie. This is about P&R and DCL numbers crunchers not allocating enough funds to have shows up and running when the Dream sets sail in January. Stealing the Golden Mickeys from the Magic helps, but the larger stage and theater will also require changes. And this is all about moving funds from WDW entertainment to DCL entertainment and that CAN be done. And it apparently IS being done. And that will affect the new magical meet and greets. BTW ... WDI was testing 'show elements' for Belle's cottage on Main Street Friday and picking guests at random to take part ... provided they had young children (preferably girls).
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<How long will you be in O-town Spirit?>> I'm already back ... no one invited me to the magical D23/Danny Cockerell Fanboi And Social Media Garden Party! <<Coronado Springs looks great.>> <<I love Coronado. It's my resort of choice. >> New rooms look great. Rix is a big improvement, as is the snack bar with real gelato (taken away at BC). Closing the marina to save $$$ isn't though. <<Some merchandise is really very kewl .>> <<Merch has been improving since Summer '08 when I left my CP.>> Very mixed bag. DAK and EPCOT have great stuff in places. And the Marvel and Tron tees are actually high quality because Disney doesn't make them! ... Even D-Street is a nice shop. But MK merchandise is still a mess. Resort specific stuff is disappearing. So, it's some improvement, and some setbacks. <<Food is also slowly improving, now if we could only get some improvement with the actual SHOW!>> Well, I actually had at least one meal on property every day, but one (of eight) and five were table serves (most in a trip since 2007, I'd say) ... and it was very mixed as well.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Did anybody really think that Fantasyland was not going to take hit after hit to it's budget? >> You'd have to ask anybody. I'm somebody. An important somebody! <<They've never had a cohesive plan for this expansion. It's the fly by the seat of our pants, lets see what we do today format. I wonder how much the kiddies will be paying for those crayons now?>> That's definitely the question. Walls are up (I'm sure our resident OCD photog will be providing walls ad nauseum, while shilling park DVDs too!), construction road is being built behind F-land ... stuff is happening. But no one can say exactly when anything is opening and what, if anything, Phase II will bring. It's because they are disgusted by spending money and are actively trying to do as little as possible. It's not going to work this time. >> Coronado Springs looks great. Think what passes as the Beach Boys were performing in aconcert for pulmonary specialists tonight. But rooms and Rix addition really give it high end look. << <<Was Mike Love there or was it one of the other three groups singing as the Beach Boys?>> Don't know. Wasn't there. Did see Chubby Checker for the first time at EPCOT and for 68, that dude still can bring his 'A' game at a freaking theme park. >> Fantasmic is in PATHETIC show condition, but the rubes in the audience don't notice. << <<Did you take a survey?>> Nah, but the crazy applause spoke volumes. When all you know is Walmart, well ... it shows.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<They've been doing this since just before Christmas. My Dad thought it was very strange, but considering the prices they stocked up. We know Disney donates a lot to charity, but the only thing we could think of is that their contracts for food orders are so large that even with donating to charity they have too much extra.>> And being a cynical Spirit, my take is they see a way of making some money by selling the extras rather than donate it and 'look good' in CMs' eyes. Those industrial sized bags of rice could last a year or more! Also couldn't help but notice the surveys asking CMs about the food sales.
