Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Any DL regular is likely going to be very disappointed in the MK. I wouldn't skip it, though. I'd hit it first, as a matter of fact. Because you can appreciate the few different things ... well, the ones worth experiencing like CoP, HoP, CBJ ... and then visit the parks that should blow your mind Epcot and DAK.
Originally Posted By kennect See Spirit, You and I are actually on the same page in your post above...I love the Brown Derby, I love La Nouba...And I agree with you on so many other points of concerns...The WL I like but am not crazy about it.... AKL is my favorite for the moment.....Just wanted to drop in here and say I am not an enemy of yours..But some times I just get a little crazy with some of the post that are made by you....WDW is really quite a mess at the moment but it still is delivering something unique....Might not be perfect but it still is a fun place to visit...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Kennect, I don't have any enemies here (well, except for the exec weasels who lurk). You can agree, disagree or have no opinion about anything I write. I enjoy debating you, so don't take anything personally. Please, though, if you(and I'm talking to the LP.com community here, not one person) can't understand where I'm coming from, don't assume I'm a WDW hater. I love the place, even now. But I won't grade WDW on a curve. And don't chalk up my years of experience and knowledge as senility or someone viewing things through rose-colored glasses. Things weren't ever perfect at WDW, but the powers that be tried to make it so back in 1977 and 1987 and well, by 1997 they were already slashing and burning, it just took a few more years to become so obvious. It is my home resort. The place I entertain family, friends and coworkers. I am appalled by how poorly the place has -- and continues -- to be run. And nothing annoys be more than when fans justify bad management decisions because these boards are read and are monitored, so when fans justify stupidity they contribute to the WalMarting of WDW!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo "And the direction WDW has been taking for over a decade now has been straight down in the wrong direction ... for every great move, they make 3-4 horrendous ones ..." Sad, but so very true. I was quite bitter after my last trip to WDW. It has slid so far. Still better than most places around the globe, but not what it once was.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo "I hope I don't end up making a mistake by booking this trip. Hubby is for the all-inclusive relax vacation and I've talked him into going to WDW for our son since he's getting into the teen. Although I love Disneyland myself. Really, since I'm from California and have only been to Disneyland, for what I'm getting at WDW for the money is awesome compared to Disneyland. I guess i'll have to calm myself and take a slower pace there. I hope it's not like a Vegas vacation where you actually need another week off after just to relax after being there. " Don't get us wrong, you will have a fantastic trip. I am guessing you guys will love the resorts, Epcot and Dak, have some great meals and have some unforgettable experiences, but I have no doubt you will be disappointed with the MK. But yes, it feels like Vegas in that there is so much to do, you need time afterwards to unwind and rest! One of the reasons why we do love it.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I agree it is worth getting park hoppers and hitting the MK for some of your time. As a Disneylander it is worth going for Carousel of Progress, an explore around Liberty Square, Hall of Presidents, and reaquaint yourself with the Country Bears and People Mover (TTA). Philharmagic seems to be a universally adored 3D movie, and then there's the unique Stitch Encounter and Monster's Inc Laugh Floor. I think you will enjoy comparing and contrasting the parks. And it sounds like it is Spaceship Earth (a journey through communication over millions of years) that is closed, not Mission Space. It's a shame, but there are dozens of other excellent attractions still open. To be honest, if you visit DL's HM often, you are not missing much by WDW's being closed. Most of the major differences are external. Go and have a great time. But with 4 days, you definately will not see everything. We went for 12 days last time and still did not do it all (though we do have 2 little ones).
Originally Posted By kennect Spirit, I have a lot of respect for most of what you say...And I don't take any of this personally...But I do have that nephew working at Walmart...So who knows...I would just like to see the park in FL be everything it could be...I still maintain the idea that Disney created a monster with WDW that is out of their control for the moment.....There is a lot of things I would love to say to you but not here and while I had you email at one point I lost it...Major hard drive crash...Maybe that is a good thing...Keep in mind I am from FL. and Disney is a major love of mine....
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo But kennect, there is no doubt that the standards have slipped at WDW. Whether it is becuase it has grown too large for the employment market to ensure the right talent, or that there have been concerted efforts to reduce budgets to bolster the bottom line, or just poor management decisions (we know all of the above), the place is not what it once was. Disney used to be the halmark of excellence, and WDW is it's flagship. I am very worried about what I have seen over the last 10 years especially. I am no longer as excited about a new release at the movies. I feel a sense of anxiety when a new attraction is announced or a menu change is made (when it used to be pure excitement and the results exceeded expectation). Maybe I am growing up, or the internet desensitises, but I am convinced it is the lowering of standards, and WDW has dropped further than DL or DLP. It is so sad to see that I doubt I will return to Florida for some time, prefering to save to see HKDL and TDL instead.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo But kennect, there is no doubt that the standards have slipped at WDW. Whether it is becuase it has grown too large for the employment market to ensure the right talent, or that there have been concerted efforts to reduce budgets to bolster the bottom line, or just poor management decisions (we know all of the above), the place is not what it once was. Disney used to be the halmark of excellence, and WDW is it's flagship. I am very worried about what I have seen over the last 10 years especially. I am no longer as excited about a new release at the movies. I feel a sense of anxiety when a new attraction is announced or a menu change is made (when it used to be pure excitement and the results exceeded expectation). Maybe I am growing up, or the internet desensitises, but I am convinced it is the lowering of standards, and WDW has dropped further than DL or DLP. It is so sad to see that I doubt I will return to Florida for some time, prefering to save to see HKDL and TDL instead.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo That was a close call. I was actually considering making my upcoming DLP trips one of the last for a while.
Originally Posted By lilgoofymom It is Spaceship Earth, not Mission Space. Thanks for clearing that up for me, davewasbaloo.
Originally Posted By Tiggirl <<I have heard it the other way round too; that WDW CM's are better than DLR's.>> As a past DLR CM and with my boyfriend being a current CM, I have to say that in my past two visits to WDW (Feb 2006 and May 2007) the Florida Cast Member do seem to be nicer. Although they do not follow the Disney look as closely (more leaning, more inappropriate finger nail colors and poorly fitting costumes) I'd rather deal with that than a Disneyland CM who can't be bothered to even look at you because they're too busy chatting with the CM next to them. Its sad to say that and I hope the cast gets better in Disneyland soon! ~Beth
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 Back to Spirit in #13. I am glad you point out the flaws of WDW, nothing will change if they think they can get away with something. And yes you do notice the good side too. My problem with anyone who complains about faults, it that the ones who are listening to you, are not "powers that be." If all 40 Million who go there in a year complained about the same thing to management, then maybe it would be good. Preaching to the choir doesn't solve problems. I don't know the solution, but I'm open to suggestions. I do mourn some of the things that were there on my first trip, 1979, but new stuff has sprouted up elsewhere. What can we do to make it better?
Originally Posted By jacobsmom Wow! Interesting reading... On the comments about the "mess"that WDW is at the moment or has become. What exactly are you referring too? Quality? Cleanliness? Customer Service? I'm trying to do as much research on our vacation as I usually do and that includes all reviewing all the comments on this board. "You are all fantasic by the way!" I appreciate all the input. I am getting concerned with some of the post and wonder if this vacation is the right one. One of the main reasons we love Disneyland here in California is because it's clean, nice people (some anyways) and you get that magical feeling. Will I be disappointed in our overall trip? With the heat and timing, would you book Carribean over WDW vacation. Just wondering your honest opinions. On our last visit to Disneyland, I did notice the name tags of cast members and did notice alot of newbies and they were missing that "Cast member" magic attitude that we love. I guess turnover is high lately. Thanks
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Spirit, I have a lot of respect for most of what you say...>> Thanks. Not surprisingly I have a lot of respect for most of what I say too ;-) <<And I don't take any of this personally...>> Good. <<But I do have that nephew working at Walmart...>> Maybe he'll smarten up and go work for someone else. Either way, I won't hold his employment against you! <<So who knows...I would just like to see the park in FL be everything it could be...>> Me too ... me too!!! <<I still maintain the idea that Disney created a monster with WDW that is out of their control for the moment.....>> I agree to a point. WDW wasn't a monster until the mid-90s when Michael Eisner wanted to develop every square inch of the land Walt bought. I've often said WDW jumped the shark with its 25th Anniversary (the never-ending one telling you to Remember the Magic Because We Aren't Going to Create Anymore!), with its pink castle, horribly overrated Test Track as the E-ticket for the celebration (too bad it didn't open for months and still doesn't operate reliably ... just like a GM car!) ... it also was about the time WDW had reached critical mass with Boardwalk opening and Coronado soon after. That was the breaking point. <<There is a lot of things I would love to say to you but not here and while I had you email at one point I lost it...Major hard drive crash...Maybe that is a good thing...Keep in mind I am from FL. and Disney is a major love of mine....>> Well, I don't put any of my emails out here because, frankly, I don't want a bunch on Internet Disney geek losers (not talking about you!!!) spamming me with hateful messages for daring to complain when things aren't as they should be. I don't believe there's much that can't be said right here that needs to be.
