Quick report from MK today...

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<A sad fact of life is that the overlays ARE for the frequent visitor and there is a reason for that.>>

While they may have more appeal to frequent visitors, to say that they are for them isn't true. Otherwise, why ever have any seasonal or special events?

What about the poor folks who visited the MK for once in a lifetime on July 3rd and got patriotic fireworks and armed forces music when there dream was to see Wishes?

Or what about the foodies who visit once in a decade, but have to come in January and miss Food and Wine Fest?

Or what about the person who came from halfway around the world and wanted to ride the Liberty Belle this summer?

They're all disappointed. But what would you rather, a static unchanging park that has the same exact experiences every day or a dynamic, changing, breathing park that is different every time you visit?

<<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.>>

That's a shame. DL is wonderful. And despite what people say, airfares are very low.

<<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.>>

You provided a great example as to why you're wrong (even though I also hated the tacky cake). WDW has and does change and does offer many different examples of special/seasonal entertainment.

That's what the Nightmare overlay is. And I find it wonderful. The only reason you don't see it in Orlando is because they are too cheap and feel that because of the large tourist base, they don't have to spend for it.

<<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.>>

Fair enough.

But the DL Mansion is extremely similar to the MK one. It actually has a few less scenes (no library) and has a few that you walk thru/by instead of by ride vehicle.

<<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.>>

OK ... and you know this because?


<<That would have to make WDW's business plan different than DL with it's almost cult following.>>

They certainly have different business plans, but Jay Rasulo would love for that to end. Globalization is the name of the game. Like this hiddeous marketing campaigns his minions keep coming up with.

Wonder when those Disney Parks "Where Dreams Come True" tees will be at the outlets for $3.99!

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<What about the poor folks who visited the MK for once in a lifetime on July 3rd and got patriotic fireworks and armed forces music when there dream was to see Wishes?>>

THEIR >>>THEIR >>>THEIR ...sometimes my keyboard is faster than my brain. (no jokes, please, unless they're from that senile Texan!)

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

>>Globalization is the name of the game.<<

Correct and sadly... TDR's quality is suffering and becoming more apart to what we get at WDW because of that, and believe you me... it's a bad thing (at least for TDR)

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

^^Really? That's awful.

How so?

I can't believe the OLC, especially in that culture of quality, would revert to the cheap American WalMart way.

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

>> what about the person who came from halfway around the world and wanted to ride the Liberty Belle this summer? <<

Up and running on Sept 9. Hooray!

 

Originally Posted By ssWEDguy

>> OK ... and you know this because? <<

Spirit -- Are you challenging someone else's sources?


(<---- a joke. With a little tiny barb in it,,,)

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

If your going to challenge my posts at least read it completely...I wrote...

"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."

The source is my observation and common sense. WDW is not a primarily "local" hangout, it is visited by vast amounts of humanity from all over the world. DL is visited by others as well but it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to see that the numbers are much smaller. What I was saying is that I saw the overlay and in my opinion is was a cheap carnival fun house type of experience, certainly not what I, let me repeat, I was expecting. Others like it, but I think it is completely comparable to the Cake Castle. That's my opinion, not a statistical piece of evidence.

"Spirit -- Are you challenging someone else's sources?"

In the words of Larry the Cable Guy, "I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!"

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

If your going to challenge my posts at least read it completely...I wrote...

"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."

The source is my observation and common sense. WDW is not a primarily "local" hangout, it is visited by vast amounts of humanity from all over the world. DL is visited by others as well but it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to see that the numbers are much smaller. What I was saying is that I saw the overlay and in my opinion is was a cheap carnival fun house type of experience, certainly not what I, let me repeat, I was expecting. Others like it, but I think it is completely comparable to the Cake Castle. That's my opinion, not a statistical piece of evidence.

"Spirit -- Are you challenging someone else's sources?"

In the words of Larry the Cable Guy, "I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!"

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

Sorry about the double post, I must have hiccuped.

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

"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."

Then why does WDW do the overlays for Small World & Country Bears every year?

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

"sometimes my keyboard is faster than my brain. (no jokes, please, unless they're from that senile Texan!)"

That better be Dan you're talking about there, '74! I am soooo not senile yet!



Anyhow, since I forogt to add thanks in my last post - mega thanks to TDLFAN for the reprot & pic. I'm not sure at the moment if I want to see the big rotating mirrior thingie down or not, though... big part of me hopes it comes down, but I do kinda like it...

 

Originally Posted By Brian55nh

<<Then why does WDW do the overlays for Small World & Country Bears every year?>>
WDW's Small World doesn't get the hholiday overlay that DL gets every year either. But you're right that they seem to have no prob shutting down Country Bears for the time it takes to switch it over to its Christmas version...

 

Originally Posted By Labuda

Ah, whoops - thanks, Brian! I thought I'd seen the Small World holiday on both coasts. Thanks!

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Country Bears with the overlay is basically the same show, same characters with different costumes and different music. It is cheap to do and does give it a little variety just as the summer vacation overlay does. HM, on the other hand, is completely different in context and to me, not worthy of the attraction.

I am not saying that those of you that like it are wrong, I'm just saying that I don't and I think that it is probably considered unnecessary at WDW, and I agree with that.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<The source is my observation and common sense. WDW is not a primarily "local" hangout, it is visited by vast amounts of humanity from all over the world. DL is visited by others as well but it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to see that the numbers are much smaller.>>

WDW may rely a lot more on tourists, but to say DL is primarily a local hangout is a big oversimplification. Often DL has been the country's No. 1 visited park ... I don't think all those people are coming from Garden Grove, El Segundo and Encino.

FWIW, I was told by one of Cynthia Harriss' top minions that depending on time of year DL that 2/3rds of its guests are local (defined as from Santa Barbara down to the Mexican border). Obviously that is not the case at WDW, but your point is still overly simplistic.


<<What I was saying is that I saw the overlay and in my opinion is was a cheap carnival fun house type of experience, certainly not what I, let me repeat, I was expecting. Others like it, but I think it is completely comparable to the Cake Castle. That's my opinion, not a statistical piece of evidence.>>

and that's fine ... I disagree, but that's two opinions. No more. No less.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74


<<Then why does WDW do the overlays for Small World & Country Bears every year?>>

Good half-point, Iggy.

WDW doesn't do a Small World holiday show, just a CBJ overlay.

And Disney used to rotate THREE CBJ shows during the year, with a Vacation Hoedown for three months during the summer and the Christmas show for two months too.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<That better be Dan you're talking about there, '74! I am soooo not senile yet! >>

You KNOW I was talking about Danny ... so sad to see his decline ...

<<Anyhow, since I forogt to add thanks in my last post - mega thanks to TDLFAN for the reprot & pic. I'm not sure at the moment if I want to see the big rotating mirrior thingie down or not, though... big part of me hopes it comes down, but I do kinda like it...>>

And soon you'll be able to buy it at MouseSurplus too!

Got a place for it picked out?

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

>>WDW's Small World doesn't get the hholiday overlay that DL gets every year<<

That is correct. WDW's MK does NOT doa Xmas overlay for IASW. However, DL, DLP and TDL *are* doing it. Doesn't speak much for the MK's trying harder to surprise guests with something special, does it? Furthermore... TDL, not only does the Xmas overlay for IASW, now does the Haunted Mansion Nightmare *AND* Country Bear Xmas as well.. plus a totally new Xmas parade and Castle year every year. How long have guests been paying extra at the MVMCP to see the same Xmas parade guests saw back in 1979??

 

Originally Posted By TDLFAN

>>I can't believe the OLC, especially in that culture of quality, would revert to the cheap American WalMart way.<<

Ohh believe it!!! Japan is not immune to the Walmart-ization of the western World, and OLC is beginning to reflect that. Yet, much of the garnage they sell all over TDR is still of nicer quality over that found at the american parks, and it's geared to practicality and the local taste.

>>In the words of Larry the Cable Guy, "I don't care who you are, that's funny right there!"<<

Well.. the cable guy *WAS* a wacko, so if you are comparing to him and the shoe fits... then be my guest and knock yourself silly.

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

>>>"and that's fine ... I disagree, but that's two opinions. No more. No less."<<<

That's all I'm saying!