Originally Posted By TDLFAN G-Fan and I ventured into the MK today on one of my long-delayed "Quality Control Walks" to check out the TDL-wannabe parade version of the old same shoe. Of course, we were stunned to find the MK so empty today... but then we realized it was due to the holly roller crowd taking over the MK tonight for Nights of Joy, which meant the MK was closing promptly at 6pm. No big deal.. Of course, both G-Fan and I agree the Snowglobes parade is much improved by TDL's current Parade of Dreams music. However, this parade is still a long way from being TDL-quality but hey...that's what tourists get for being just that. I was also happy to see the float that killed Pluto (the Princess float that looks like a Godzilla-size wedding cake) was back in action. But could someone please finally retire the old and tired Tencennial Parade castle float that appears in virtually every parade the MK does thru the year??? I was much surprised by the fact that much of the Castle's Happiest Celebration stolen from DL Park decor has already come down, with some minor details still up.. like the HUGE revolving castle window. See this photo taken with my cellphone: <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32295536&f=" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/AlbumIndex?u=4334673&a=32295536&f=</a> Also, a portion of Peter Pan's building facing the Columbia Harbor House was also under tarps.. with painted building facade which make these renovation necesities look more presentable. Such is the case with TDL's castle which is also undergoing some renovations AGAIN, after the summer season. As for the MK's castle... I am glad it is getting it's former look back for a change and I hope this is the last time we see some silly overlay on it for many years to come. Of course.. with most of the "bling" gone..comes the harsh reality that lies beneath.. the castle is simply in major need of new paint job and color, but I am sure that will come later on... hopefully before december. As for the rest of the MK.. G-Fan and I rode POTC again.. and found it a bit improved. For some reason, the audio soundtrack was much more audible to the naked ear as I could finally comprehend clearly the new dialogue coming from the classic character scenes. I even found the last Depp AA in the jail scene to be somewhat improved... as if they had positioned the character in a more accessible way to the audience... but then again, I may be imagining this. However, I did notice the new booming sound of the cannons in the battle scene gone and the jumping water effects absent. Also, there seemed to be a prevailing detergent-like foam floating on the water for practically the entire lenght of the river throughout the ride. What's up with that? Finally, with a very slow MK, comes the very obvious poor state of most walking surfaces thru the entire park, most visibly and jarring in the Frontierland and Liberty Square areas. However, with lesser crowds, the MK overall was cleaner than normal. Yet, the same old problems persist... water spills from most vending carts selling drinks, spray water bottles, and everywhere they have a huge can filled with ice for refrigerating purposes or in areas below water fountains. This creates unsightly mildew and microflooding problems. One more thing... while the custodial cast had their job cut out for them due to low crowds... I have come to the realization that most guests are impaired in the use of trash cans. For some reason, many guests seems to discard their trash ON TOP OF the trash cans, rather than deposit them INSIDE the trash cans. This makes for more unsightly occurrences thru the park itself. C'mon people!! Get it together and discard your trash properly!!! Finally, with the entire west side of Main Street USA opened for (retail) business..and after the renovations done to the former Magic Shop/Sports shop locations... now you can walk from the Emporium end of the Street, all the way to the Coke Corner stand and feel like you have walked thru a HUGE and LONG version of the Emporium. There is simply no variety in there at all! Just as fine since they sell the same KB Toys quality garbage in every shop.. something OLC seems to be doing just as well in TDR as of late. Anyways, It was in all an enjoyable few hours at the MK.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros It looks like there is a large purple tent set up in the Hub, from that picture. Was that for the Night of Joy thing, or were they actually doing something for people who pay to enter the park for the day?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Night of Joy related stuff as far as I know. The entire castle forecourt was blocked off all afternoon. For the record.. WDW does not do much that is special for regular day guests. This is not TDR you know...
Originally Posted By TDLFAN One more thing I forgot to mention in my quick trip report... G-Fan and I rode Haunted Mansion for the heck of it. I looked and did not see the Mr. Toad's statue in the cemetery. It's gone like it was during my visit to HM during early June. Also, having just ridden TDL's Nightmare B4 Xmas overlay this past week, I have to say not doing this at WDW is a major disservice to guests. I think it's sad that because the majority of guests at the MK are concidered "tourists", these special treats are not concidered in the least.
Originally Posted By Inspector 57 Will WDW add the Nightmare overlay later in the season? I don't mean to bag on you, TDLFAN, but it seems to me that a much higher percentage of WDW visitors ARE infequent "tourists" than the the percentage of repeat guests that TDR draws. Therefore, it makes more business sense for TDR to re-invent itself more frequently.
Originally Posted By TALL Disney Guy <G-Fan and I rode Haunted Mansion for the heck of it.> "for the heck of it"? That would be my most treasured goal of a Disney park! On a trip with Mom I got to ride it 5 times in 1994. In DL in 2004 I made it *10* times before I had to leave...most of the times with 1 of various LPers there for the Big Meet weekend, lol. Neat pic and report TDLFAN, thanks for sharing.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> I was much surprised by the fact that much of the Castle's Happiest Celebration stolen from DL Park decor has already come down, << So THAT's why there's been a construction crane crouching behind the castle the last week or so. >> the castle is simply in major need of new paint job and color << I have heard that this is supposed to be done after the overlay comes down. Right away? It would make sense since the crane is already there. We'll see. >> I have come to the realization that most guests are impaired in the use of trash cans << I have noticed this as well. What is it with people on this? >> did not see the Mr. Toad's statue in the cemetery << I'll have to look into this. I'm glad I've got pictures. I'm wondering now if Mr. Toad got installed there in a less than official manner? ---------------------------- Thanks for your QC report, TDLFAN. Put me on the list for your next one. I can take the minutes.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost A sad fact of life is that the overlays ARE for the frequent visitor and there is a reason for that. Personally I have had the opportunity to visit DL only once in its 50 year existence. I do not foresee the chance to do it again. I watched the opening day on TV when I was but a wee lad. Anyway, I go to DL and I was anxious to see the "original" Haunted Mansion and guess what I got...the day glow overlay. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was. It was like those that wanted to see Cinderella's Castle only to find a bright colored cake instead. Don't be in such a rush to determine that people are cheated without it. Quite frankly I could have gone a lifetime without seeing that, IMHO, disaster that I refer to as the total nightmare overlay. One mans food is another mans poison. That being said, I can understand why frequent visitors, like yourself TDLFAN, really want it to be in WDW. As was stated before, however, WDW is primarily a tourist draw. I don't know the numbers but I would have to guess that the vast majority are people that go once or twice every five years. They do not go to see the overlay they go to see the original. That would have to make WDW's business plan different than DL with it's almost cult following.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> That would have to make WDW's business plan different than DL with it's almost cult following << What an interesting observation....
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I don't mean to bag on you, TDLFAN, but it seems to me that a much higher percentage of WDW visitors ARE infequent "tourists" than the the percentage of repeat guests that TDR draws. Therefore, it makes more business sense for TDR to re-invent itself more frequently.<< You are not saying anything I have said before, reason why I am lamenting the "fact". And yes, you are bagging on me.
Originally Posted By BlazesOfFire <<Also, there seemed to be a prevailing detergent-like foam floating on the water for practically the entire lenght of the river throughout the ride. What's up with that?>> I noticed that too last week. Figured it would be gone by now...it is weird.
Originally Posted By Goofyernmost I experienced the foam and dark, dark color of the river on the jungle cruise one time and was told, secretly, that they had just added a large dose of chemicals to counter "pond scum", kill insects and to darken the water so that the mechanical underwater stuff was not visible to the guests. The purple colored water was a little disarming all by itself.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy >> that they had just added a large dose of chemicals to counter "pond scum", << Some important "pond scum" to keep at bay would be those ghoulish underwater pirates.
Originally Posted By ssWEDguy TDLFAN -- An update for you -- Mr. Toad is "alive and well" (<--- a joke!) in the MK HK Pet Cemetery. I visited there today (Saturday) and he was where I've always seen him. He's way back at the top of the hill on the left side, just inside the iron rail at the rear of the pet cemetery. Also -- How did you miss this? -- The Liberty Belle is back on the Rivers of America! Looking better than ever. My only question -- somebody will have to help me with this -- didn't the Liberty Belle used to have TWO forward smoke stacks? I don't remember for sure. >> PICTURES COMING <<
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys >Mr. Toad is "alive and well" (<--- a joke!) in the MK HK Pet Cemetery. < Glad to hear that. Could it be that the great and powerful TDLFAN is not looking in the pet cemetary at the exit for good ole Toadie or maybe the ole vision is starting to go. To his credit, that Mr Toad statue does have a way of blending in with the scenerey way up there at the top.
Originally Posted By mstaft "holly rollers"- quite unnecessary and a stereotypical bit of name calling, don't you think?
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Yes^^. Hope you enjoy your Night of Joy up there mstud. >>Could it be that the great and powerful TDLFAN is not looking in the pet cemetary at the exit for good ole Toadie or maybe the ole vision is starting to go.<< Maybe a case of both.. The only place I have seen the statue of Toad was at the entrance cemetery in the backside of it, but actually have not cared to look in the Pet Cemetery. I shall do that next time I am paid to step foot in the MK.
Originally Posted By mstaft Why are you so angry, TDLFAN? Life is too short for it. Besides, you get to travel all the time to the parks you love- what a great and happy thing!
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys >Maybe a case of both.. The only place I have seen the statue of Toad was at the entrance cemetery in the backside of it, but actually have not cared to look in the Pet Cemetery. I shall do that next time I am paid to step foot in the MK.< I hope you didn't take my post as a criticism. I look forward to both your insight , as well as your photos from the parks. I would just be suprised if you were looking for toadie in the wrong place. This July, he was in the pet cemetary as you exit the attraction, in the upper left, way up top.
