Originally Posted By dshyates Since we have been discussing Manta and it being lame/ordinary. I think not. The official promo looks good, and the RCT fan made POV looks sweet. The pretzel loop looks AMAZING. I will drive to Orlando for that move alone. Manta Official Promo Video: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clVPiaRdr8c" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...PiaRdr8c</a> Fan made POV. (seems correct to me) <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wce9q...eature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...=related</a>
Originally Posted By dshyates I don't know what happened, but try this link for the POV. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wce9qro85pQ" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...9qro85pQ</a>
Originally Posted By MPierce Don't you just hate it HH when someone waste the 101 post. I was hoping your Mom got it.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys >>That still is true ... but have you noticed how the public areas aren't as maintained as they once were ... how trees and shrubs that once were perfectly manicured have been left to nature? ... how some beds have nothing in them but bags of wood chips? ... how many mature trees have been replaced by strip center seedlings? ... how areas affected by the 2004 hurricanes that are eyesores have largely been left in that state?<< To answer your questions: Yes, Yes, Yes and Yes...and in case there is something you left out..yes to that,as well. Things will probably never be the same and it started way before this recession when WDW decided to cater to people who really couldn't afford to go every year. Instead of the old days when people would save up for a trip every few years, WDW made it possible for them to go every year, with the discounts, free nights , free dining, etc. Now we're all paying the price.
Originally Posted By Anatole69 I couldn't get that link to work. Try this one: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wce9qro85pQ&feature=related" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...=related</a> - Anatole
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I view WDW as a destination as a whole.>> So does TWDC, which is why they can drop quality across the board so long as they have something to pimp. Right now, it's another marketing campaign -- What will YOU celebrate? -- and the American Idol Experience. Neither adds anything to a day in the MK or even a vacation that is centered on it. Not everyone park hops. Not everyone goes to all the parks. A friend of mine took her nieces there a few weeks ago for four days -- two full days were spent at MK, one at TPFKaTD-MGMS and one wandering around/shopping at DD. They had done DAK a year ago and didn't want to return and they felt the kids were too young to appreciate Epcot. ... Disney misses the picture when it focuses on the World and forgets or forgoes the Disney Details all over. <<MK has so much going for it since it has so many of the classic E-ticket attractions. So, if they want to focus new E-tickets in other parks, that's fine by me. >> Yeah, but ONE in 18 years AND COUNTING?!?! I am not a fanboy that says add one every year or even every 2-3. But none? Is stagnation a basic tenet of a successful business built on creativity? <<I think EE is a great example (other than they did a bit on the cheap so much so that the signature element doesn't work most of the time) - it doesn't bother me a bit that it's not in the MK.>> No, me either. What bothers me is they built a pretty kewl attraction (although not as kewl as it could have been ... or would have been if OLC were picking up the tab) and almost nothing works on it, including its most important facet. But having EE shouldn't equate with staleness and lack of substantive new things at MK. <<What bothers me is the lack of upkeep at the MK. A couple of years ago, I went on an evening visit with a co-worker while on business in Orlando, and he had never been to a Disney park ever, although of course he's heard me and others in the office talk about them. I took him to my favorite attraction, the Haunted Mansion, and was embarrassed. Normally, when I hear people say things like that about a Disney attraction, I think they're going over the top, and being too much the fanboy. But in this case, the HM really was a disgrace. It had a totally different mood to it because the sound was so messed up, among other things.>> The Mansion was in that state pretty much from the late 90s until its recent renovation. They basically decided to just neglect it and do the bare minimum to allow it to operate. <<If they kept the MK maintained properly, both attractions and the other infrastructure, such as to the condition that DL was for it's 50th, then I think it's just fine that MK doesn't get new attractions. Most people going to WDW are on multi-day visits, and I would think that a good portion of them are on park hoppers. Considering that and that there's more than a full day of stuff to do at MK if everything is open and working properly, I don't see a lack of new E-tickets in that particular park as being a problem.>> Well, I understand that view, I just don't agree with it. And since they aren't maintaining MK worth anything, you get tired, falling apart attractions with nothing new of substance ever added ... but small details constantly taken away. I have now visited four of five MKs worldwide and honestly, O-Town's is dead last in almost every category except to HKDL in attraction count (but HKDL beats it in so many other ways from cleanliness to quality of E-Tix to entertainment to food).
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Is this the same birdie that told you that January occupancy was going to be something absurd like 35%?>> Different birdie ... this one can't fly, but thanks for asking. And what said other birdie said was, months ago, occupancy was projected at that level. I even said I'd bet they'd be over 50% when all was said and done. But while I don't know what th actuals were, I doubt they were much better than that for the month and that was with the three free promo amongst others. <<Or the birdie that you mentioned in the start of this thread that told you that revenues would be off 22% when they were, in fact, off 8%?>> No, Goof. That was what the talking heads that supposedly know it all on CNBC were saying. Not my info, just passed on what they were saying. <<Of course, it should be obvious that DVC sales are tanking along with the rest of the real estate market. You don't need a birdie to tell you that.>> Of course not. But it speaks volumes about how badly things are that Disney is planning on including these brand new primo resorts in its freebie offer instead of excluding them ... that shows total desperation to fill at any cost. <<Oh, and it might be useful to look at how the entire hotel industry is suffering right now. Everything from the Days Inn to the Ritz is having trouble filling rooms across the country. Could we get some context here to say how Disney is doing in comparison?>> I wouldn't use across the country as a comparison. But I'll be glad to post January occupancy numbers for Orange County as soon as they are announced. As for Disney, if I come across those I'll be glad to share them ... but you'll likely accuse me of making them up if a Disney spokesman isn't quoted and we both know that ain't happening.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Indeed the same is the view for the Gt Wheel Company. Projects on hold do not mean they are dead, in fact they are opportunities for greater negotiating.>> Exactly. I don't believe BEC's plans for Dubai are dead at all. Yet. Could they be if this goes on for another 2-3 years? Sure. But it was a flat out untruth to say Worlds of Adventure Dubai is dead when it isn't. <<However, I was at a government dinner earlier this week where a top economist was predicting an L shaped economy as opposed to a U one. That is a scary prospect.>> Well, scary is life in the USA after George and Co got done with it. I agree with Gordon Brown when he says we're in a depression and the USA media is ignoring it. BTW, shot you an email yesterday and I never know if you got it ... so lemme know, even if you don't have time for a typically long response!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I could not believe it. It is bad enough the MK has the worst version of almost every attraction that is elsewhere, but the maintenance and cleanliness issues made DLP look fantastic (which is a challenge >> Yeah ... tell me about it. I know I've been lucky in the case of DLP with visits in lightly crowded times and when they were fixing up for the 15th and then a few during it. But DLP has always looked cleaner, better maintained and cared for then the MK. Scary that Phil Holmes may need to ask advice of George Kalogridis in that department ... although I hear they're both members of the same club!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hi Spirit, I have been on the road. Sarah told me I had mail and I will try to find time to respond this weekend. Looking forward to it!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Disney misses the picture when it focuses on the World and forgets or forgoes the Disney Details all over. << Could I get an AMEN! >> Is stagnation a basic tenet of a successful business built on creativity? << Stagnation...isn't that scum that covers something that was once pristine, and beautiful
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Hi Spirit, I have been on the road. Sarah told me I had mail and I will try to find time to respond this weekend. Looking forward to it!>> Hi Dave! Yeah, I noticed you weren't posting much until the past few days, so I figured you've been busy. Seems like things have improved on your work front!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> Is stagnation a basic tenet of a successful business built on creativity? << <<Stagnation...isn't that scum that covers something that was once pristine, and beautiful>> Yeah. You impress me with your vocabulary knowledge. And here I thought most Texans only went to the second grade. But stagnation sums up WDW very well these days ... a well-greased marketing machine doesn't make up for missing magic ... a point that seems lost on those entrusted with the Disney Legacy in O-town.
Originally Posted By avromark << ... a well-greased marketing machine doesn't make up for missing magic >> This can be summed up as Stop telling me you're magical. Show me you're magical. I'll pay more if you offer me more. I want to escape reality, not be told I'm escaping reality. There is something loss between PowerPoint/Excel/AutoCAD and "Gut Feeling / Passionate Design" A process can be used for a logical creature. However humans are not Vulcan's there is a certain "feeling" that just can't be crunched on a computer or put through a focus group. Now classics should not just be preserved but also maintained meticulously. Also there should be new added around (not replacing fully) the classic. Ie. If you have a wonderful Firehouse, get a wonderful Fire Engine. Themeing should be cohesive not just tied in to something to sell something. If I go to Hawaii and want to surf, I don't necessarily need a Stitch board. I just need to hum Don Ho
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 <<<This can be summed up as Stop telling me you're magical. Show me you're magical. I'll pay more if you offer me more. I want to escape reality, not be told I'm escaping reality.>>> That was perfectly put. Thanks
Originally Posted By Sport Goofy The Onion's take on the Disney earnings figures: <a href="http://www.theonion.com/content/amvo/disney_fails_to_meet_expectations" target="_blank">http://www.theonion.com/conten...ctations</a>
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Yeah. You impress me with your vocabulary knowledge. And here I thought most Texans only went to the second grade. << I'll have you know that I completed the 5th grade. It broke my Moms heart when I dropped out of the 6th grade. She was hoping I'd get my degree from Elementary school.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> The Onion's take on the Disney earnings figures: <a href="http://www.theonion.com/conten...ctations" target="_blank">http://www.theonion.com/conten...ctations</a> << That pretty much sounds like what people are debating on all the Disney forums. It's just a matter of who is putting the best spin on it.
