Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORWEN: I take that back! We managed to fly over to Epcot just for a little bit on Saturday. That's when we saw you! (Such a handsome duckling you are, too!)
Originally Posted By standor Witches, did you get lost Saturday early evening. I swear I saw all 3 of you broom over Detroit.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>ORWEN: Did I forget to mention that we had a crystal ball with us at the time and may have been seeing you in the future?<<< Ahhh, that explains it. ;p
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>ORWEN: I take that back! We managed to fly over to Epcot just for a little bit on Saturday. That's when we saw you! (Such a handsome duckling you are, too!)<<< LOL. You flatter...
Originally Posted By Malin *** ^ I was actually surprised at how big it looked. It's perched VERY high up, and the rock work will seem to help that effect. *** Thats good to know because the online pictures make it look quite small. But seeing the pictures where Imagineers were climbing over the structure also ruined the illusion and scale for me. *** Forced perspective *** Here's the word I was looking for forced perspective, thanks. *** My understanding is the Beast's Castle is an exact replica (size and scale) of the version in DLP's storybookland. So small. *** I really hope its going to look and feel bigger in scale to the miniture buildings from the Storybook Canal. I really want to be under the impression that the Beast could be living inside the Castle. Especially since the Castle is the movie location for the Be Our Guest Dining Room which is being re-created for the Fantasyland Expansion. One thing for certain is that the project is not being built in the same scale and vision that Cars Land currently is at DCA.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>>Thats good to know because the online pictures make it look quite small. But seeing the pictures where Imagineers were climbing over the structure also ruined the illusion and scale for me. <<<< Yep, I actually turned the corner around Dumbo and had to look up a bit to see it. It's really perched up there... Will be a lovely backdrop for FL.
Originally Posted By HMButler79 I meant we won't be exploring Eric's Castle even as part of the queue (ala Hogwarts). I think we're going "underground" into a "grotto" FAB. The ONLY reason we're able to explore the Beast's Castle is because there's a revenue maker there. A RESTAURANT.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt It's interesting to me how many restaurants WDW's Fantasyland has (or will have) compared to DL's Fantasyland which only has one.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt It sure seems that way. Are people in Florida hungrier than the folks out here? It seems like the MK has a lot more restaurants both in number and seating capacity that DL does.
Originally Posted By brotherdave Actually, more I feel that the Magic Kingdom in general could use a few more eating establishments (that actually stay open from opening to close!). I'm actually looking forward to the new Beauty and the Beast restaurant. But, what about the Adventureland Veranda?? It's been shuttered for years. If they're not going to use it for a counter service establishment anymore, why not make this a themed Asian style full-service restaurant (ala Yak & Yeti)?? Possibly throw in a few other "tropical"-like dishes from the Caribbean, Africa, and Polynesia (like Adventureland is supposed to represent) and make it sort of an "Adventurer's Club" lite. With as many guests as the Magic Kingdom gets every year, I'm truly surprised that there aren't MORE eating establishments throughout the park.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt To be fair the new eating establishments look like highly themed destinations in their own right, so I really have no beef with them. I was merely pointing out how strange it is that WDW's Fantasyland will have such an assortment of food locations while DL's only has one. "But, what about the Adventureland Veranda?? It's been shuttered for years." This is the sort of thing that really puzzles me about WDW. Why would they build new restaurants when they've got several just sitting there closed?
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: My sisters and I have wondered the same thing, Doctor Hans, duckling. The Adventureland Veranda is only used for special events these days. There had been a rumor floating around that it would be reopening with a Pirates of the Caribbean theme. But that never happened. ORGOCH: Yeah, I was so hopin' we'd fin'ly git a place that served FROG LEGS!!!
Originally Posted By brotherdave "El Pirata y El Perico" (sp) became the "Tortuga Tavern" that was once mentioned for Adventureland Veranda. So, I'm guessing the pirate theme for that establishment is now out. I still feel that AV should become a full service restaurant of sorts. Currently, that would give two to Main Street, one to Liberty Square, and two to Fantasyland (well 1 1/2 anyway as BatB will be counter service for lunch). Adding one to Adventureland with a slightly more exotic menu could be a huge hit if done right.
Originally Posted By Witches of Morva ORDDU: Even the one other restaurant they currently have in Adventureland doesn't remain open consistantly. Kevin Yee has an article up on MiceAge where he mentions how the manager at this same restaurant turned guests away at 3:50 one afternoon--even though the guide maps claim that the establishment doesn't close until 4:00 pm. ORGOCH: Just goes ta show Dizzy management don't honor their own operatin' hours!! Those dang crooks!!! ORWEN: After all those adventures in Adventureland, they really ought to have restaurants there! It's supposed to be one of the more exotic places to eat--when there's any place TO eat!!! So why does Adventureland get the short end of the sugar cane stick where restaurants are concerned?
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<It sure seems that way. Are people in Florida hungrier than the folks out here? It seems like the MK has a lot more restaurants both in number and seating capacity that DL does.>> The MK has MASSIVE QSRs that sit either permanently shuttered or closed for 9-10 months a year (and used for limited hours and days then) ...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<But, what about the Adventureland Veranda?? It's been shuttered for years. If they're not going to use it for a counter service establishment anymore, why not make this a themed Asian style full-service restaurant (ala Yak & Yeti)?? Possibly throw in a few other "tropical"-like dishes from the Caribbean, Africa, and Polynesia (like Adventureland is supposed to represent) and make it sort of an "Adventurer's Club" lite.>> And what makes you think this isn't the exact plan at present?
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>It sure seems that way. Are people in Florida hungrier than the folks out here? It seems like the MK has a lot more restaurants both in number and seating capacity that DL does.<< You've seen the ECV's, right Hans?
Originally Posted By ChiMike The reason for this MK restaurant expansion is that they can't get folks to lay down $$$$$$$$$$$$$ at the Plaza Pavilion or the Adventureland facilities. This expansion is the result of folks going to VERY extreme lengths over the last 10 years to secure the privilege to drop $60 a head on a princess meal in the castle. Not agreeing with it, just trying to explain it.
