Originally Posted By Bob Paris 1 "I believe that last comment was enough to bring TDLFAN back here for a response--even if he was DEAD!!" TDLFAN is NOT dead - I saw him ten days ago at HKDL and spent most of the day with him. I can tell you from personal experience I even felt his pulse, so I KNOW he's alive!!! : )
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Pirates, Big Thunder and the JC all looked terrific.>> Sorry Dan, but they weren't. I'm very close to the maintenance team of all those attractions, and the show quality has been terrible for all of them for over a year due to severely low staffing.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Midway Mania opened three years ago and Star Tours 2 opened 6 months ago. Yes, I know that Star Tours was a refurb, but it was highly anticipated and has been very popular. I think the average WDW guest looks at it as something "new".
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^Star Tours really hasn't been that much more popular than normal, to tell you the truth.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>^^^Star Tours really hasn't been that much more popular than normal, to tell you the truth.<<< That's not good news for Paris, because Euro Disney SCA already refuses to spend so much many on an upgrade. They think the revamp will not bring more people to the resort and so that doesn't justify to spend so much money.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub SO I guess fans like the updated choices. I kinda wish they had kept the original on one screen as a choice. The new versions seem choppy to me but the DL "Q" was fun.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub It seems like WDW truly has to focus on crowd control/dispersement. Especially in the MK so their choice for updates reflect that need instead of expensive new thrills. Maybe the family crowd provides more cashflow than the thrillseekers. I guess money is speaking cause WDW is all about the character meetngreet as in more character meals needed. I really refuse to ever spend money on that experience but they are always booked out! I don't get it...
Originally Posted By vbdad55 "Although, I will say that even the DL tourist is far more discriminating than the standard WDW counterpart" Based on what exactly ? Do they screen for yahoo's are the state line ? Having lived there for a few years I think this statement is off base. The general perception that Cletis the slack-jawed yokel only lives in the southeast and only visits WDW is nonsense. Now if someone wants to say on an average day DL has more Disney purists there than WDW as a % of the crowd- I will agree. Most people I know is So Cal who are AP grew up under the DIsney influence - especially those my age. but the average visitor in general- well nice slap to the Euro contingent who frequents WDW more than DL for logictical reasons, and heavy populations from NYC- Chicago - Philly - Connecticut etc. ( cities and states that make up a large portion of DVC owenerships as well) . Having been to DL many times over the last 50+ years and having enjoyed living in So Cal weather for a few also-- unless there is some particular segment of the population you want to call out- each has their fair share of 'uninformed'
Originally Posted By vbdad55 "Of them all WDW was in a worse state maintenance wise than some of our local parks and it was the worst of the 3 resorts. DL on the other hand was the creme de la creme" Dave, if you would have visited DL about 5-6 years before the 50th you would have put them dead last- trust me. timing is everything and I know you had a bad trip- but that doesn;t last forever. People have gotten food poisoning at some of the best restaurants in the world- it happens. I don't question a thing that happened to you and I know you do not embellish outside the lines-- but give it another try one day, you might be surprised.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 again, I am not saying there isn't room for improvement- there sure as heck is...
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>...if you would have visited DL about 5-6 years before the 50th you would have put them dead last...<< Too true. The nadir (for me) was when the porch railings at the old Plaza Pavilion were literally rotting, and rather than replace them they were simply wrapped in canvas covers! But the conversation is about how things are NOW, not 10 years ago. And what makes the deterioration of the MK even more egregious is that they have the example of Disneyland. Quality really is the best business plan. Profits at Disneyland were squeezed and squeezed through the 90s, but when they freed up the funds to make the place great again, new money appeared. The MK still has a large and loyal fan base, and maintains a reputation for being a great, great tourist attraction. To not capitalize on this by keeping it as fresh and beautiful as Walt would have wanted is just bad business.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom <<In the past two years, has anything new been built? And is any of that substance?>> Technically speaking, WDW did receive the THEO award in 2008 for the Kim Possible Adventure. So according to the organization of Amusement Parks and such... that is something. And in 2009 WDW received the THEO "classic" award for EPCOT.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom I for one am getting tired of dwelling on the negative aspects of WDW. It really is begining to sound like a broken record. The parks don't "suck". They are still fun be experience. Sure, things are lacking and there is nothing compelling me to make an immediate trip to WDW. But I'm excited about the AoA Resort. That was a good move on WDW park. I also have to agree that all hope is not lost. And, since I have been on the phone the past few days, hopefully in the next few days I will be owning a DVC. So, I'm even more excited.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom << That was a good move on WDW park.>> That should have read, "That was a good move on WDW part" and not "park". Freudian slip?
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<The parks don't "suck". They are still fun be experience.>> No, they don't (well, save for DAK...and half of MK). And yes they are. I don't think anyone is going to deny that. But that doesn't excuse the state of the parks at all. And I'll sound like a broken record until management gets off their asses and fixes the widespread maintenance issues that plague WDW.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Aren't you sort of preaching to the choir Hokie? What's the point of saying the same thing over and over here when it's obviously a managerial problem and this isn't a sounding board for WDW management. No matter how valid your points are, this isn't really the right forum for you to achieve your objective. We all want the parks to be better, but Tom is right: the constant complaining is tiring to read. It's no wonder participation at LP is dwindling.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^Hans, it's a discussion board. To me, the opposite is also tiring to read, and the constant talking about the "Top 10 Queues" in WDW is grating.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom We need to come up with a "code" for all the negative things regarding the WDW parks. I'm open to suggestions! BARF perhaps. Something all inclusive, that just gets it all over with. So I don't have to constantly say; 5 planned DVCs, one cruise ship, 2 (more) planned parks in China, castmembers at the Wedding Pavillion not knowing about the proposed Grand Floridian DVC till the cranes show up, no Sorcerer Mickey OR Dragon at Fantasmic because the "lift" broke and there is no replacement lift and a Hawaiian Resort! A partridge in a pear tree perhaps? You guys know I agree with you, sure things are lacking, BUT! Aren't you guys getting tired to repetively reminding everyone about the conditions of the parks? I'm not trying to cut anyone off at the knees here. I just think it might be helpful coming up with some "code" word.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom And I really have to question the intent of threads titled "So what's the next excuse?". I really don't see any castmembers or WDW management team members offering ANY excuses. Everything seems business as unusual at WDW.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^It wasn't directed at management (although it is used as one by them). I was directing it to the fans claiming DL could afford to do what they do because of the AP crowd.
