Originally Posted By Mr X If you stay at New Otani Dave (AWESOME hotel by the way, stayed there for a couple of weeks once...amazing!), keep in mind there are two locations. You might consider staying at both, with the one closer to the airport/Disney at the beginning and the end of your trip and the one downtown in the middle...or, alternatively, if you buy a 3 or 4 day parkhopper I'd recommend staying at the Makkuhari one closer to Disney/airport (but inconvenient to downtown proper) during those days as well as the day of arrival/departure.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> You also can exchange full weeks with literally 100's of other resorts through Interval International. There are many top notch properties available, including more Marriott Resorts than you can shake a stick at. << I don't care about staying in a "resort" or a "top notch hotel". That is at the bottom of my list when choosing where to stay. Just because a hotel/resort is branded, doesn't mean that it's well-reviewed, or what I'm looking for. NOT being DVC means I can stay anywhere I want. When in Europe last year, I chose a B&B we've stayed at before (approx. $100.00 per night or so, including a VERY nice full breakfast, tea in the evening, etc.) I consider the owners friends now. Then I stayed (again) at a small, family run hotel in Paris, which ran about $80 per night for myself. I'm not a DVC detractor, I just couldn't make it work for my situation. And I like having complete flexibility when taking a trip. I somehow doubt that any of the hotels on Mont St. Michel (which I called "on-property") are part of the concierge collection. When traveling, I don't want to feel like a tourist, I want to feel more like a local. We did get a self-catering place in Edinburgh which was fantastic. A little more pricey ($180 per night), but it was VERY well furnished and I saved money cooking. So - instead of 100's of hotels through Interval, I have the choice of 100's just in one city. Some people feel that others are detracting from their DVC because it's not their (or my) choice. It's the difference between going on a group tour of Europe, or doing it oneself. I prefer to do it myself, I save a lot of money and have more flexibility on what I want to see and where I stay at. I'll do a couple of day tours, and everything else is on my own. It doesn't make a tour not worth doing, it is just not for me. I ran numbers over and over again when DVC first came out, and I couldn't make it work (I wanted to, but I just couldn't). But I'm glad for that now, because I have the choice to stay at any hotel on the planet, not just a selection of 100's. As far as Disney - you never know. Life is a series of variables, and nothing is guaranteed. One day in 2001 damaged the tourism industry for several years. I'd personally rather have money in the bank than in a timeshare. But each person is different, and I'm glad that yourself and Dave are enjoying yours.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<But each person is different, and I'm glad that yourself and Dave are enjoying yours.>> Yup... that is pretty much what I said in the final sentence of my post: <<whether it makes sense or not depends upon your particular situation.>>
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> Indeed - thank goodness we all have different tastes. << Yup! Also, I mentioned not seeing how anyone would want to vacation 3 weeks here. I can't do that anywhere, I like to move on every 3 to 5 nights. After 5 nights, it tends to feel like I'm getting diminishing returns. And being in a major theme park area, I tend to stay away from that (unless going to Disneyland). I haven't ever been to Alton Towers, even though I've heard great things about it. I'd rather visit a museum.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>I haven't ever been to Alton Towers, even though I've heard great things about it. I'd rather visit a museum.<<< Not the same thing. As you know we have amazing museums in Europe, with the exception of DLP, we do not have amazing theme parks. And Alton Towers is not great at all - it is like a 6flags or Cedar Point. I don't think I have bothered since I was in my early 20's.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome Dave - I've so far mostly heard good things about Alton, and I think DLP is a terrific park. But even with DLP, I don't spend a lot of time there anymore on trips overseas. I spent nearly a week at DLP in 2002, only spending a day in Paris with friends. I kicked myself after that. Even if Europe had tons of fantastic theme parks, I'd not really visit. You do have absolutely FANTASTIC museums, and I always feel like I've learned something when I visit Europe. Learning in grade school about Van Gogh is not the same as actually being surrounded by his work. I get such a sense of awe at seeing where Rodin sculpted, where his fingers left impressions. The more I think about it, the quicker I'm going to save to get back.
Originally Posted By Liberty Belle >>What is new is they are doing this on a busy Saturday!!! That is new. It makes the MK busier and the other parks more crowded in the evening too<< Yeah, that bothers me too. I wouldn't really care if they limited the parties to mid-week or only in quieter months. Dave, I hope you really enjoy your DLR trip next (?) month and you feel a bit happier about the state of the Disney parks.
Originally Posted By blueharvest82 I am at WDW atleast 3 days a week and I have been doing this for a while.I don't work for Disney I am just a huge fan. My first trip to WDW was when I was two. I remember the feeling I got going into these parks when I was young kid and I still get those same feelings today. I have been on these forums a lot recently, And I see people constantly talking about the decay of WDW with attractions, food, guest service, cleanliness, ect. So I have tried to look for these things in the parks and I simply don't see it. Could it be the fact that I am such a huge disney fan that I refuse to not be biased? Who knows? I think one of the reasons that a lot of fans think disney is going on a sprial downward is because you keep comparing it to itself. Everyone compares POTC in may of 1999 to POTC of June in 1999. And its like 'oh my gosh, theres a 1 centimeter patch of paint missing on the upper left north corner of the second ship that you can clearly see for 1.2 seconds when your ride vehicle is 38% around the first bend'. I think when you constantly compare something that has been around for 35+ years to itself you are going to find problems. Now compare Disney to Universal, Hershey, Great Adventure, Dorney Park, Knotsberry farm, ect. Who comes out on top?
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> I think when you constantly compare something that has been around for 35+ years to itself you are going to find problems. Now compare Disney to Universal, Hershey, Great Adventure, Dorney Park, Knotsberry farm, ect. Who comes out on top? << I have no idea, I've not been to many of those places. However, I HAVE been to Dollywood and was very impressed. The CM's/employees really took a lot of pride in their jobs, and it was just a very nice atmosphere (and clean). I've been going to WDW regularly for over 30 years now, so obviously I very much enjoy it. But you really need to compare Disney to Disney, because that is the standard bearer in the industry. If you compare Disney to a lesser product, it will come out ahead even if standards have slipped. I think Disney still probably does it best, but that doesn't mean it is perfect.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost To be honest I have seen very little "decay" in the parks. Two incidents come to mind...the first was from a former seven "must sees" video that plays over and over and over on TV's in and around WDW. They had a segment where, I forget what her name was now, was at the UK in Epcot and stopped at the Fish and Chips kiosk. Right next to the window there was a section where a huge chunk of stucco was missing from the wall. It looked awful and I couldn't believe that they used that piece of film as a promotional thing. On the plus side when I went to the kiosk on that same trip, it had been repaired, but, to have it on something that plays 48 times a day is just unreal. The second was at, of all places, Disneyland during the 50th. While in the "Q" for Small World there was a section of the exterior wall just alongside the "Q" path that had a large section of paint missing and it had even started to rust. It wasn't in some obscure place, it was right there in clear view. That was after I had heard about how much better maintained DL was over WDW. Did any of this take away from the magic? Yea, I guess a little but it was quickly filed away and didn't effect my overall enjoyment of these places. I don't take note of things like a light bulb out or litter on the ground simply because it might have happened just seconds before it came into my view. Being upset about that is the same as expecting someone to know when something is going to go wrong and be standing right beside it in anticipation. I don't have that kind of time in my life to waste sweating the small stuff.
Originally Posted By jonvn I noticed that a black light was out in the tiki room. That was it. Otherwise, I don't see what the complaints are about.
Originally Posted By nbodyhome >> I have always wanted to go to Dollywood! << I highly recommend it, especially during Christmas. Denise
Originally Posted By OldKeyWestie Disney is like any place, its going to grow old, and its going to have its ups and downs, its good times and bad times, its good crews, who demonstrate creative intensity, and those who seem to be in to "milk the cow" until the cash runs out. I used to love Disney in 1988, the first time I went. I used to love Disney three years later, when it was my son's fourth birthday. I used to love Disney every January when the Lotusphere convention would meet at the Dolphin and Swan. I used to love Disney the year I bought into DVC, when Old Key West was the Disney Vacation Club. I used to love Disney when we took my folks to celebrate their 50th Anniversary there in 1999. They haven't stopped talking about it. Their 60th is coming up in 2 years. Guess where they want to go! I used love Disney ever Christmas, for the Candlelight Processional, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party, the holiday decorations, the feeling that Christmas still meant something here. I guess what I'm saying is I am used to loving Disney. Have things changed, of course they have, and they're going to. Like my favorite restaurant - just because its on the menu doesn't mean it will always be served the way I like it. Could things get better (again)? Yup, and they will. Look, I remember some of those attractions in the Magic Kingdom from when I was a young boy at the 1864/65 World's Fair - the GE Pavilion (COP), the Pepsi Pavilion (Small World), the Illinois Pavilion (forerunner to HOP). Do I ever want to see them go? No. Might they? Yes. I'll get over it. My biggest hope is that Disney never changes to the extent that my children, instead of asking, "Are we there yet?" come back with the sad retort, "What again?"
Originally Posted By OldKeyWestie << Look, I remember some of those attractions in the Magic Kingdom from when I was a young boy at the 1864/65 World's Fair - the GE Pavilion (COP), the Pepsi Pavilion (Small World), the Illinois Pavilion (forerunner to HOP). Do I ever want to see them go? No. Might they? Yes. I'll get over it. >> Whoops, I mean 1965, not 1864. I'm not that old (although I sometimes feel like it).
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Maybe I am getting old, but I sure miss the good old days. Anyone else? < I do miss them a lot - however here's my take on it. Yes, the maintenace isn't what it used to be, nor is the live entertainment, foam head free dining at some restaurants at least 1 meal per day, some of the unique souveneirs gone for mass production..etc etc However I feel this way about the world in general right now. Virtually ALL experiences seem to be much more so on the cheap these days than they were 10 - 15 years ago. Customer service outside of Disney is down far more than it is inside the gates ( IMHO ) - with very few exceptions. That sure doesn't make it right, or make it what Walt would have liked or anything like that- but it explains a lot. People behaving boorishly everywhere - even art museums not exempt. As far as Disney one of the others issues is my generation ( in my 50's) gew up on Disney on TV - and those older than me with Disney @ the movies. We only had Disneyland for 16 years - and the experience was rarer. There were no VCR's / DVD's- or cable tv- so if you missed a movie at the show ( wait 7 years) - on TV - maybe a year more to wait etc. Today everything is on demand and I believe cheapens the experience for those younger than me. It's not as unique or rare - and allows for it to not have to live up to as much scrutiny. therefore I guess I still view my Disney vacations as better than many other alternatives. Many alternatives have also become touristy and lower in quality - one has to get off the beaten path even when travelling abroad to get the best experience ( again IMHO ) --
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 I moved to this town of 25,000 in 1964, now there are 45,000. A high percentage of the new people do not use English as their primary language. This place has gone real down hill. I'm sure this isn't the only place in the US that it's happened. When I got here, not everyone was upper class, but they were people who worked for what they got, now it's full of freeloaders on welfare.
Originally Posted By mousermerf I think from a theme park fan perspective, being an EPCOT Center fan has taken the hardest hit. You have a group of people who essentially fell in love with a park that represented an idea in a certain way - that pretty much no longer exists. They no longer build rides the classic "Epcot" way with massive immersive sets, wonderful theme music, and long durations. Now everything is short and a very minimalist approach has been taken to scene design. So, the ideas behind Epcot are pretty much gone and now most of the rides/shows are gone. There's still Impressions de France. If you fell in love with Epcot prior to 2000, you've got nothing left and keep seeing the remnants hacked away. To contrast, you can still ride many classic MK attractions, AK is nearly unchanged, and while MGM has seen change, many of the classic component still exist.
