Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 In honor of Jay Rasulo's breathtakingly bad Year of a Million Dreams, which is now the Two Years of a Million Dreams, I give you some of my dreams ... Give me a new E-Ticket in the MK. Give me a real Main Street again. Give me restaurants with more than six entree choices that I don't have to book six months in advance. Give me parks where vast sections don't sit empty and abandoned. Give me parks with new seasonal entertainment and new events each and every year. Give me parks that are plussed, not minused. Give me monorails that are cold, clean and efficient, not ghetto. Give me a new nation to celebrate in World Showcase. Give me long, immersive attractions that transport me to/into other worlds, not 2 minute, 15 second rolley coasters for the I-pod, X-box, any letter-thingee generation. Give me resort hotels where the maids actually vacuum between guests, clean under the beds and on top of furniture and disinfect things like phones and TV remotes. Give me a WDW where I don't have to pay extra for Christmas. Give me a Studios park that doesn't have a tacky marketing icon plopped down in the center like a giant piece of ****. Give me an Epcot that is open until midnight on weekends year-round and summer and holiday periods. Give me shops that actually sell something I want to buy. Give me CMs that don't wear mall clothes with dangling lanyards and cell phones. Give me CMs that are paid enough and valued enough to really want to make magic for guests. Give me a WDW where shilling timeshares isn't so in your face. Give me a WDW where I don't have to search out the 'magic' because the MAGIC is all around me. Give me a WDW where trees aren't cut down to improve fireworks sightlines. Give me a WDW where I can go out to a high end dinner without someone's brats running around my table. Give me a WDW where the executives care about EXCEEDING GUEST EXPECTATIONS instead of dumbing the place down to improve their bottom line. Give me a WDW where I don't have to walk by places like River Country, Diamond Horseshoe, Imagination, WoL, Pooh's Playground and lament all the good times I had -- and all the good times everyone else won't get to experience. Give me a WDW that actually is a PREMIUM product instead of one that is growing more WalMart by the day. Give me a WDW where I don't notice anything major out of sorts because things are taken care of immediately. Yeah ... those are my DREAMS. Not a damn FastPass or Dream lanyard ... or even the incredibly remote chance I'll win a night trapped in the castle (with a 7 a.m. wakeup call) or a free cruise. Those are the dreams I am interested in. And, rest assured, I'm not the only one. Just a very vocal one who knows how to play with the big boys. You might say it's in the blood.
Originally Posted By figment1986 In a perfect world your running the company... Perhaps one day they will do everything right and care less on saving money and more on giving the best they can to make money... You really keep your user name alive... Thank you. I love the ideas on fixing parks as well as resorts, since they are apparently such high occupancy last quarter, and not every resort is worth the rates charged.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I'm with you on all of these Spirit, except: "Give me a WDW where trees aren't cut down to improve fireworks sightlines." I love trees, I love them with a passion. But I have had Wishes ruined because we went to a position where we thought we would be able to see safely - near the LS bridge (it was our 1st Wishes showing) and sadly the trees marked our view despite the 1000's of people stood there. Would have appreciated advice from cast members that it was a restricted viewing location. "Give me a WDW where I can go out to a high end dinner without someone's brats running around my table." For those of us with rug rats, Disney offers us the perfect place to try to train our kids how to behave in these environments. They won't just adjust over night, and Disney resorts are for families. But I totally agree with all your other points. I am really torn if we will return to WDW for a long time because the dirt, the poor merchandise/shopping experiences, the dumbing down of the attractions were heart breaking. In fact I am starting to feel this way about all the resorts. I've probably spent between $50,000 to $100,000 with Disney over the last 10 years and I am seriously considering changing our priorities. It's a shame. A disney of the standards we saw up until the mid 90's, there would be no question, but the last 10 years in particular has been a major decline.
Originally Posted By Elderp I am sure Disney could give you those things but they'd also grant your Credit Card's dream as well by charging you $100 for the ticket. I have no idea what the profit margins are, but it is clear that Disney runs on profit margins. Disney was known to do what he wanted to do and hope it worked out well but investors don't like that too much (as a whole they are too skittish). I am not saying it is the best way to go but Disney is still the leader in the competition. If there was another park out there up to the level of Disney then we'd see Disney ramp up I think but there isn't and we haven't.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I've probably spent between $50,000 to $100,000 with Disney over the last 10 years and I am seriously considering changing our priorities. It's a shame. A disney of the standards we saw up until the mid 90's, there would be no question, but the last 10 years in particular has been a major decline.< If management truly does read these boards - this is the type of thing that hopefully catches their eye. While I agree with all of Spirit's wishes ( I don't think he meant every restaurant - just a handful - no different than they already do on the cruiseline with one for adults only) - I am in the same ballpark as you if I count my DVC purchase...closer to the $100K with that.... and I am attending a spiel outside Chicago today which will hawk more points... I am considering it but have held off because I really want to see more commitment to a quality experience for the life of the DVC points - and I have made that clear on other sales pitches I have attended. They are hawking points hard -- they have opened a 2 story complete AKL unit in Woodfield Mall outside Chicago to sell DVC, on my trip next week they have invited me to a members meeting where you can add more points to your current resort -- they have another invite for DVC members for Summer on the Savannah ( at gateway in EPCOT) - with drink/food/entertainment -- they are really trying to milk the cash cow -- but I continue to tell them my concerns with hope at least some make it back to someone who matters. I encourage other DVC members to do the same. I will not criticize anyone who buys more points anyway - but at least pass along your expectations. And I am realistic -- while I want everything on Spirit's list - I also realize they are not going to do all of this at once -- but I would settle for ( as a start) : improved grounds and ride maintenance give us back a real Main Street - not a mall ensure restaurant menu's are complete ( like being able to get lobster at their #1 seafood restaurant ) please pay some attention to MK - get rid of that crappy playground and give us some real attractions - preferrably an e ticket but at least a dark ride or 2 - none of these would break the bank... and all would show a commitment to quality that represents why I got hooked on WDW 25+ years ago
Originally Posted By BrooklynsMom Spirit...I love the way you think! I LOVED Diamond Horseshoe and was SO sad when it closed. The trees that were in the "Partners" circle used to be my favorite thing. I loved the lights that twinkled in them...it was very magical. We happened to have excellent house keepers on our last visit. VERY efficient and thorough and extremely friendly but I assume that's because we were on a concierge floor, maybe they save the good ones for those floors. I am only 27 and even I miss the good old days of WDW! But I agree with Elder that while those of us who frequent WDW notice the decline, WDW is still a top notch resort and no where that I have been even comes close in comparison. But I think that there are enough frequent visitors that Disney should step it up to turn more of their 1st time visitors into frequent visitors.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ a very good point on the return visitors, as they have a whole new generation to reel in. Those my age have been hooked since Annette ( actually I liked Cheryl better- LOL !) was waving at us from our TV screens. Disney's been in my blood since I could walk -- and Disneyland was soooo far ahead of everything else for so long..it too hooked people. I agree that WDW is still in a league by itself, but the gap is narrowing. If done right the Harry Potter $500M investment may narrow it a bit more - especially for those who are not Disney fanatics like myself. They have a product and a legacy that they just need to maintain the quality of and every decade or so move parts of the offering ahead... the rest will take care of itself....if they treat the parks the right way.
Originally Posted By Skylardad Spirit - while I have been regularly reading through the boards (here and others) only 2 posts have urgerd me to actually login in the last 6 months - this one and on another site where I felt compelled to defend my all-time favorite atraction, HORIZONS. Your dreams are EXACTLY what I would like to see come true as well. I have always enjoyed your posts and the passion you have for the WDW we both remember fondly. While the days of the past are not likely to return any time soon, I feel there is a glimmer of hope that current movements in EPCOT may spark the imagination (pun intended for EPCOT fans) to return to WDW management. Unfortunately, when you get your hopes up that EPCOT is moving in the right direction with the removal of the wand, you get knocked down when you hear that WDW has filed for permits to remove the fixtures and all electrical hardware, etc. in the center area of the Wonders of Life building to prepare for large banquet functions (first up, possibly for the Food & Wine drunk fest). The ultimate wish for me is for Jay (Sam Walton, Jr.) Rasulo to step down and brand his corporate thinking elsewhere. However, with Disney posting strong earnings again, I doubt much will change until the company gets back to where they were in creativity in every department. Thanks for the topic, Spirit. Oh yeah, you also posted a while back about a book that featured some older photos of the MK, etc. I pulled out my original hardcover of the construction of EPCOT Center and other older MK books and totally saw what you were talking about.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Those my age have been hooked since Annette ( actually I liked Cheryl better- LOL !) << You have excelent taste vbdad. While all of your dreams could, and should be granted Spirit, I feel they are a long way off. Progress is being made in the right direction. However I don't feel WDW will ever meet it's full potential until they come up with a comprehensive cleaning, and maintenance scheule. All four parks need to sparkle from the time they open until they close. That would be 7 days a week 365 days a year, no excuses. If WDW shows pride in their parks most of the guest will also. Look to hire career CM, and pay them a fair wage. Expansion will take care of it's self with some creative motivated people, and a long term growth plan. Do not exceed your ability to provide a quality service to your present number of guest.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I'm with you on all of these Spirit, except: "Give me a WDW where trees aren't cut down to improve fireworks sightlines." I love trees, I love them with a passion. But I have had Wishes ruined because we went to a position where we thought we would be able to see safely - near the LS bridge (it was our 1st Wishes showing) and sadly the trees marked our view despite the 1000's of people stood there. Would have appreciated advice from cast members that it was a restricted viewing location.>> I can appreciate that, Dave. But Disney needed to think about that when Wishes was in development. ... and I'm not just talking about the trees removed in the Hub. Everywhere greenery is disappearing, and in a semi-tropical climate shade is a necessity. Town Square has twigs since they went through there 5-6 years ago. Fantasyland just recently had its mature trees replaced with saplings. And to go beyond the MK, I'm talking of the greenery in general. ... I'm just tired of seeing vast swaths of trees disappear overnight as WDW becomes a congested, overbuilt resort area ... not exactly what Walt had in mind. The two best examples of this are Coronado Springs and DD's Westside. I went by the CSR site one day and it was all slash pine and palmetto palms. A few days later, the entire site had been cleared. Much the same way with Westside. Slowly, but surely, the entire greenbelt is disappearing. You can see the All Stars from 192 and you can see 192 from DAK Lodge, which does ruin the illusion of being in Africa ... unlike say the WL. Call me a tree-hugger but as we quickly become SoCal without the hills and with slightly better traffic, I start wishing someone would reign in urban sprawl ... and WDW sprawl is no better. "Give me a WDW where I can go out to a high end dinner without someone's brats running around my table." <<For those of us with rug rats, Disney offers us the perfect place to try to train our kids how to behave in these environments. They won't just adjust over night, and Disney resorts are for families.>> I can understand that, Dave. And I think the World Showcase restaurants and most of the hotel locales are fine for that. But I've had a few meals interrupted, I wouldn't say ruined, at California Grill, Jiko and Artist Point, by little brats and their disinterested parents. I do think the signature locales should consider a no children under 5 after say 7 p.m. rule. <<But I totally agree with all your other points. I am really torn if we will return to WDW for a long time because the dirt, the poor merchandise/shopping experiences, the dumbing down of the attractions were heart breaking. In fact I am starting to feel this way about all the resorts. I've probably spent between $50,000 to $100,000 with Disney over the last 10 years and I am seriously considering changing our priorities. It's a shame. A disney of the standards we saw up until the mid 90's, there would be no question, but the last 10 years in particular has been a major decline.>> That's I guess what I'm lamenting/bitching about in this thread and others. WDW is still a wonderful and special place to me. But magical? I really don't think it is at all anymore. Too much of the real world has been allowed to intrude and, frankly, I go there to escape it. The last time I truly 'felt the magic' at WDW was likely NYE 1999/2000 ... but that was as much the time, the people I was with and the whole Y2K vibe ... before that it would have been my first visit to DAK (post opening, I had been there pre-opening about six months before on a special 'field trip') in 4/98. I just don't see Disney having the desire, or even the real resources at this point, to bring the magic back for me at least property-wide. I hope I'm wrong. But we'll see. It really doesn't matter much as I'm headed to HKDL, TDL and TDS in 2008. I'm sure those experiences will have some serious magic for me. And, until then, there's always DL ...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I am in the same ballpark as you if I count my DVC purchase...closer to the $100K with that.... and I am attending a spiel outside Chicago today which will hawk more points... I am considering it but have held off because I really want to see more commitment to a quality experience for the life of the DVC points - and I have made that clear on other sales pitches I have attended.>> You should have brought my post with you. I love to see the look of Disney execs -- even DVC -- with that Bambi caught in headlights look! <<They are hawking points hard -- they have opened a 2 story complete AKL unit in Woodfield Mall outside Chicago to sell DVC, on my trip next week they have invited me to a members meeting where you can add more points to your current resort -- they have another invite for DVC members for Summer on the Savannah ( at gateway in EPCOT) - with drink/food/entertainment -- they are really trying to milk the cash cow -- but I continue to tell them my concerns with hope at least some make it back to someone who matters. I encourage other DVC members to do the same. I will not criticize anyone who buys more points anyway - but at least pass along your expectations.>> I hope so, VBDAD. I've come to the conclusion that DVCers have ths chance to really affect change for the better at WDW if they chose to. Even as an APer since the opening of EC, I can't say I've tossed down tens of thousands (which for some winds up being hundreds of thousands when dues and assorted other revenue they bring in are added) in one shot. I'm not tied to Disney with an 'ownership' interest until 2043. If I were, I might be a little more upfront about the fact the MK doesn't look the same as it did in 1991 when DVC started. Or that for my 'investment' I expect my villa to be thoroughly and completely cleaned when I check in ... skip the damn towel animals. I have hopes ... but I also realize the vast majority of DVCers have bought in the past 5-6 years and many simply don't know anything but a WalMarted WDW.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Thanks for the topic, Spirit.>> anytime ... I do get some joy out of the fact that my writing can touch some folks and bring back positive memories and, hopefully, inspire positive change.
Originally Posted By BeautysBeast THe haters of WDW will pay the higher fees to get into the park because its so cool of a place.Thats the best gift of all.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Spirit I hear you on the tree front. I hate trees being ripped out and I did notice it when we were last there. Really sad. As for the restaurants, I would up dining with no kids at signatures to 9, and then we have deal ;-P Yep, when I visited WDW before Epcot opened, we had a great time but did not feel it was worth leaving California for when we had DL and better weather a few hours south of us. When Epcot opened, I was salivating, but I'd have to wait for my Honeymoon in 2000, and we had a blast. We thought WDW were fantastic (although underwhelmed by MK and MGM - Epcot, DAK and the resorts and restaurants were outstanding). In 2007, well we enjoyed our time at Epcot and DAK, MGM gained a little respect because our rug rats loved it, and the MK, resorts and restaurants had slipped in quality. The result is - we're going to try totake our money to DL and DLP next year and head out to Asia in the next few years. If I get killer airfare to Orlando (who knows with the BA/Virgin debacle), we may go. But the drive would be more on visiting our Floridian Friends, Seaworld, and checking out the new Harry Potter offerings. And we are more likely to stay with Marriott than the mouse. I told a DVC salesman this yesterday that we bought Marriott instead of DVC because of the falling standards, and he went silent for a moment. He then he asked for more info and I let fly (in the nicest possible way). He claims he made notes and will feedback. We'll see.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<<little brats and their disinterested parents.>>> I have 4 kids, they have always been well behaved in public because they knew that's what was expected of them by their parents. It all comes back to the parents. It's so much easier to ignore bad behavior than to correct it. Gee, the same could be said for trash in the parks, less than perfect ride maintenance, etc. It's just too many of us as a society, willing to accept less.
Originally Posted By Elderp "I agree that WDW is still in a league by itself, but the gap is narrowing. If done right the Harry Potter $500M investment may narrow it a bit more - especially for those who are not Disney fanatics like myself." Have to agree with you here, right now if there is anything out there that can threaten the Disney legacy it is Harry Potter. Kids have been going on about this fictional character for 10 years now, longer than any of the Mickey Club's were on the air. I hope Universal does this right with a good mix of family friendly rides. They do and it is going to be an interesting reality check for WDW.
