Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<< without longer diatribes on the real issue >>> Jesus... let me get my dictionary... Well said vbdad, I think we all got snookered, obviously some that had some say were as well. 100 Million....just think about that... One ... Hundred ... Million ... One Hundred MILLLLLLION.... bucks for a ride in Animal Kingdom. And MK gets a P L A Y G R O U N D !!! That really stinks. What were they thinking? I used to regard Animal Kingdom as a well kept secret, a precious little jewel for those who knew HOW to enjoy it. Never too crowded, never too fussy, but now since Everest, you can't turn sideways and get in there. And MK gets a playground. Maybe it is a ploy to get people out of MK and into AK.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost >>>I used to regard Animal Kingdom as a well kept secret, a precious little jewel for those who knew HOW to enjoy it. Never too crowded, never too fussy, but now since Everest, you can't turn sideways and get in there.<<< And I suppose you are willing to pay a huge additional amount of money to keep it that way? Disney is a business with bills and employee's that want to get paid. It needed a draw and it got one. With more people it will probably create the need for more attractions and so on and so on. I like AK but frankly it is a lot of walking for very little entertainment. Just not worth it. I think many people felt that way. Now with Everest it has pumped new life into a wonderful idea that had very little interest from the public. Those of you that "love" AK should thank your lucky stars that they decided to put Everest in there because I don't think AK would have had many years left without it. It has to be one of the most expensive parks to operate in all of WDW.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom We are just all over the map in this thread. I also liked looking at the lagoon. However I have to admit that there was very little area for all the pedistrian traffic in Fantacyland so I can see removing the lagoon. What I would have preferred ( as I have said many times ) is bulldozing Mickey's Toontown and utilizing the area where 20K sat into Mickey's Toontown. Rebuild Toontown to resmble a more permant area. It certainly has grown in its popularity. The MK has a huge draw anyway so I can see finally adding to some of the more neglected parks such as DAK. As for spending 100M in DAK. DAK open as half a park. It still in not a complete park with at least one land missing. I have no problem with Everest. I think Everest is a great addition to the park. DAK still needs more attractions. So Joe Rohde is not done yet. So my advise at this time would be; leave Poo as it serves a function. Time and money is better spent at EPCOT. Soarin and Turtle Talk have demonstrated that Disney certainly can revitalize some of the neglected pavallions. Lets not forget about MGM. MGM needs a lot of attention at this point now too. I would like to see a new Star Tours, perhaps using the Soarin technology.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<<< without longer diatribes on the real issue >>> Jesus... let me get my dictionary... < sorry, former English major coming through..... DY , how about that one ?
Originally Posted By Socrates Regarding family attractions, I have a really dumb question: Hasn't our concept of a family changed since 1955? Socrates "The unexamined life is not worth living."
Originally Posted By Labuda "Lets not forget about MGM. MGM needs a lot of attention at this point now too." I'd say MGM is the park most in need of attention.
Originally Posted By oc_dean >>Hasn't our concept of a family changed since 1955?<< But there's a vast difference though with that ... and a set of corporate bigwigs looking for ultra cheap methods to pass off projects - and say 'it's the new "Disney"'. From Google Earth .. this is the 20K attraction from 700 feet above ground level. Prime real-estate that seems ripe for some future development. I look at the whole Pooh playground as a temporary filler. In a resort with 28,000 acres ... there are PLENTY opportunities for a "neighborhood" playground - That should be free of charge. So ... I hopes for the future. Especially with newer changes in Burbank CA!
Originally Posted By oc_dean Oops ... here's that google-earth map of the 20K ride <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4208477&a=32103298&p=73957168" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/ViewPhoto?u=4208477&a=32103298&p=73957168</a>
Originally Posted By DVC_dad <<Hasn't our concept of a family changed since 1955?>> Well MY concept of a family hasn't changed THAT much, I don't think. What do you mean exactly?
Originally Posted By wahooskipper Good news vbdad! I'm going to have my first official encounter with the Pooh Playground next Monday. If it completely takes the Disney out of our Day I will owe you many apologies.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Well MY concept of a family hasn't changed THAT much, I don't think. What do you mean exactly?>> I think it means that we don't feel the need to do EVERYTHING with our children today. If they can run off some steam in a playground while we sit and watch... fine and dandy!!
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Oh...well I think I am covered as when my kids were on the Playground, I was right there with 'em encouraging them onward and having fun WITH them. Of course "preggo woman" was sitting that one out.
Originally Posted By Labuda "Good news vbdad! I'm going to have my first official encounter with the Pooh Playground next Monday. If it completely takes the Disney out of our Day I will owe you many apologies." You have a 2 or 3 year old, right? If so, it won't take the Disney out of your day but will, in fact, more than likely add some magic to your trip from what I;ve read here.
Originally Posted By oc_dean Someday ... what I think would be terrific .. and I've read this idea before: The enclosed "Mermaid Lagoon" that TDS has. But instead of the Little Mermaid live show ... the omnimover/clam ride that was proposed for DLP, years ago. This would maintain the aquatic theme of this area ... and the fact it's Fantasyland.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Good news vbdad! I'm going to have my first official encounter with the Pooh Playground next Monday. If it completely takes the Disney out of our Day I will owe you many apologies.< I look forward to your take on it....( hint: if you go to EPCOT first, maybe grab one of those bags from MS)
Originally Posted By Socrates Re: post #90 I mean the 1950s concept of family with the husband, stay-at-home mom and two-three kids. I haven't done any research, but my impression is there are far fewer traditional families and several recent types of more non-traditional families. Assuming this is true, how does this affect theme park attendance? Can we expect just as many families to continue with the traditional park visits? Socrates "the unexamined life is not worth living."
Originally Posted By LadyandtheTramp "If they can run off some steam in a playground while we sit..." Why don't we take care of two birds with one stone. Instead of providing a playground to run off steam, stop allowing strollers in the park, force the tots to walk for a change, and they won't need to "run off steam" - they'll be too tired from walking (or possibly, just possibly, in better shape!). And as to the $100M cost for EE, quick math says that, at the $60/day admission price for one day, that amount is received from 1.66M guests. Granted, most won't pay $60, but even using half of that ($30/day), you still only need 3.33M additional guests; or less than a third increase for one year - ignoring the fact that EE will hopefully be around for more years than that.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I think it's very possible that Disney did not build another E ticket where the Pooh Playground is because they did NOT want to attract more people. The MK gets plenty of (perhaps too many) visitors as it is. The existing walkway through Fantasyland and Main Street could just not handle crowds larger than they routinely have now. I think Disney should keep working on MGM -- that's the weakest WDW Park now.
