Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<<You also call them the best customers WDW has for 2009.>> Best? They were sold future lodging at a stiff discount. Cannibalizing future sales props up income in the near term, at the expense of the long term.< you are forgetting that these 100,000 families are also paying monthly maintenance fees to maintain those facilities whether they attend of not
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>Again, am I the only one who is outraged over foreigners(non permanent residents and non US citizens) laying claim to US soil?<<< Yep, I really think we have too many restrictions across the globe in the name of sovereignty. I hate the fact my wife and kids are treated like dirt every time I decide to go back to the states. Either that, or lets ban all people not born in California from buying in California!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>And should Americans be allowed to own real estate in other countries<<< Yep, I would have to get rid of my home here in the UK and also my holiday investment in France. Nope Barboy, I think you are full of it.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad >> True, but maybe less so if you also closed TSI so there was no river traffic at all! << <<<That would be a shame. A peaceful spot when the chaos of the MK gets to you. I am very content just sitting on the porch of Aunt Polly's or watching the water wheelturn.>>>>................................................................................ Would they do that Tom Sawyer's island is one of my families favorite attractions. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but we will spend an entire afternoon playing hide and seek. This is where the cuts really hurt Disney. Every ride that gets shuttered has special meaning to someone and while one cut may not affect us the next one will and before long everyone is affected.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>---not weird; actually very consistent if one believes in isolationism and nationalism... like me. Globalist theory truly frightens me and is exactly why Japan will catch a financial cold when the US sneezes..... or visa- versa.<<< Funny, I was raised to believe the NAZIs were the bad guys. Isolationism has been the cause of almost every American ill.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad >>>Ask the average person where POTC they might not say DL or WDW but they'll probably say Disney. Now ask a person what the marketing theme was 7 years ago. All but the most ardent of Disney fans would look at you funny<<<..............................................................................That's because the only thing with any long term value to the company is built on a foundation. Good attractions will sell themselves. These marketing campaigns become redundant and are largely ignored after a while. Some marketing is needed but not to the extent we are seeing now. My father always told me when we watched TV that the movies that were advertised repeatedly were not any good because the good movies didn't have to be advertised, they would spread by word of mouth. I have found that this still basically holds true. All these marketing campaigns remind me of a line in the Incredibles which can be paraphrased," If every year is special then none really are". Why don't they take some of the millions spent on advertising and use it to build things that will pull in guests or maintain services and CM's that keep guests coming back.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad >>>And should Americans be allowed to own real estate in other countries<<<,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,This argument is kind of a moot point. If something major happens the first thing that the governments will do is freeze all foreign assets related to that country. For the same reason I would be hesitant to buy on foreign soil because that investment could be siezed also by that government. The only way I would buy is if I lived there like Dave.
Originally Posted By Mr X Hey Dave...you might notice that I haven't replied to Barboy just yet and perhaps wondered why (or maybe not lol). Here's my take. Barboy is, for lack of a better terminology, a dadaist thinker. In so many ways, he reminds me of me..though he's much better at it than I am (I piss people off more than he does which is, I guess, the appropriate demarcation line between "food for thought guy" and jaggoff. ) You and I have struggled with this ourselves, have we not? I appreciate his overall conclusions, generally...or at the very least I LOVE the brain candy he offers up into the discussion, AND I feel that he is very quick to admit when someone challenges his viewpoint and will integrate that into his overall opinion in an extremely admirable way (I do admire that, I strive to BE that way as a "thinker" for lack of a better word). So, I guess my point here is...I agree with you that I think he's barking up a weird tree, but I would suggest not getting angry with the guy for his comments, as he might have something more interesting to add in future, and he's REAL good with taking criticism under his belt and working it into his overall theory. Just my take, of course. I look forward to a very interesting conversation between you guys (I, personally, don't really know enough about the topic to contribute much, but I'm VERY interested in learning more!).
Originally Posted By Mr X ***If something major happens the first thing that the governments will do is freeze all foreign assets related to that country.*** When is the last time this has happened between two countries in the developed world? I'd be interested to know...so as not to buy anything there! So...got some links or info on this?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Well, the UK has sadly frozen many Icelandic assets due to the banking meltdown where billions of UK reserves were stolen. But let's not go there, that is making my professional life hell. On the barboy note, I like and respect barboy very much, and over the years I would suspect has broad shoulders. Bro - you and know what is like to not belong anywhere. I suppose I am still struggling to know I have less rights than so many. That is why I will hopefully become a British citizen in 2009. The uncertainties are too scary.
Originally Posted By barboy ///Yep, I really think we have too many restrictions across the globe in the name of sovereignty./// Please don't take this to be sarcasm because it most definitely is not but and honest question: do you ultimately favor one global central state or a global confederacy(somewhat like a more empowered UN and/or defunct League of Nations) whereby all people in the world directly or indirectly are automatic/presumed members? If you do then you must like where the world is headed politically; there is a strong movement in that direction right now........ the EU, multinational corps., instant and thorough comunication from Santiago, Chile to Helsinki Finland and extraterritoriality exemplify.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Someone mentioned somewhere in this post a wish for improved Transport at WDW. The last time I was on property I noticed new buses(fuel saving).A cast member said they were being tested. Perhaps Disney along with other corporations are focusing on tax deductible investments.I know I hope DL is secretly buying all the property around DL that goes up for sale to expand. Kind of like Walt would have done.Back on topic I am starting to lower my expectations for everthing everywhere because of humanity along with everything else. The last time I felt HOPE for the future was immediately after 9/11 When we all seemed to realize we were in this together No racial/economic division.
Originally Posted By barboy ///I hate the fact my wife and kids are treated like dirt every time I decide to go back to the states./// What's that all about? Who does that that to them.... and what is done to them? Is it US Homealnd Security/Bush policies? Southerners?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Barboy - Yes, I would like a United Federation, and I have been a passionate supporter of the EU since the 1980's! I hate isolationism with a passion.
Originally Posted By barboy ///I would have to get rid of my home here in the UK and also my holiday investment in France./// Why? And what does that have to do with my stance that non perm. residents and non US citizens should be precluded from real property ownership in the US? I don't see the nexus here???
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It's the security guys at the airport. The eyeball her like a criminal, and stress that she should not exceed her stay (despite the fact I am a US citizen and we have been married for 8 years, and together for 12). Some are nice, most are not. I have seen the problems in Yugoslavia first hand. I have struggled with immigration laws most of my life. And I am so tired of it, I will pony up the $2000 for my British Citizenship and take the exams, and become a duel national. I believe where people live, they should be able to buy property, and vote. Notions of states are simply administrative functions to my mind. And the vitriol of patriotism can be harmful. I am proud to be American, Californian, Native American Indian and Sicilian decent. But above all I am human.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo You said that non citizens should not be able to buy US property. If this were true for every state, it means I could not own my house now as I am American living in the UK. Or if we moved to the states, my wife could not have a mortgage as she is British.
Originally Posted By barboy ///.Funny, I was raised to believe the NAZIs were the bad guys. Isolationism has been the cause of almost every American ill./// A 1930's and early 40's Germany was anything but isolationist. Again, I am really lost. ///Isolationism has been the cause of almost every American ill./// Actually the policy early on---as envisioned by Pres. Washington in his farewell address-- has worked out quite well, mostly anyway.
Originally Posted By barboy ///Barboy is, for lack of a better terminology, a dadaist thinker./// Very good description X---- I am built differetly than other folk and I don't know why. I am just one 'fish out of water' here on earth, well at least in the US anyway. LOL And thanks for those encouraging words!
