So ... what's the scoop?

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

Hello all. Hope your summers were pleasant.

I've just returned from my almost seven week odyssey to China, and I've been a bit out of touch with WDW goings-on.

So did I miss anything? Any major news? (not so interested in the progress of the CBR pool or DVCing of DAK Lodge, but real news of substance). I know we haven't had attractions announced, but any cutbacks? Any spinning on attendance or room loads? Are we all ready for Magical Celebrations yet? And is it true that Phil Holmes went totally tacky and got the WalMart Halloween decorations up before Labor Day Weekend?

I really have been out of the Disney loop, except with regards to China. Yes, before you ask I did spend a day at HKDL after the Olympics concluded ... and while you'll have to wait a bit for the report (which I am shamelessly plugging in advance right here and now since I realize many of you don't visit the HKDL board, but will likely be interested in some of my observations/experiences!) BUT I will tell you right here and now that I really enjoyed my day there (and dinner at one of the resorts another night too).

And yes, I do consider HKDL to be a quality product.

There's also a whole lot of behind the scenes machinations going on between Disney and a Chinese government that simply distrusts the Mouse ... or perhaps a loss of confidence with Disney execs is a better way to put it along with a natural suspicion of things from the west ... but again, I'll discuss that more below.

So ... nine Disney parks down ... two to go next spring. And has it really been five months since I last visited WDW?!

So guys/gals I need some help here ... what I miss?

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Well, Michael Phelps was in a parade there.

 

Originally Posted By figment1986

and other than that.. really nothing

Kim possible adventure was announced for Epcot,

The liberty square bridge was FINALLY replaced,

I went to WDW,

I went to adventures Club,

and... thats about it that i can think of right now... but I will trade news for trip reports from China

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

glad to see you back Spirit, don't know if you got my e-mails. Can't wait to hear about the Olympics and HKDL.

WDW - Night Kingdom has been renamed

Epcot Innoventions has a cool new exhibit on storms and protecting your home.

- Grad night moved to DHS

- They are still killing PI

- Another WDW lacky is stepping into the driving seat at DLP (Phillip Gas - at least he was ops management at EDL in opening year).

- Arm bands are disappearing for EMH - should prove interesting.

- Rumours are rife that Fantasyland make over is green lit.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<Well, Michael Phelps was in a parade there.

>>

That was a given ... and CCTV International even had it on when I was in Hong Kong.

The bigger news is that the Chinese Olympic Gold medallists shunned Ocean Park to attend an event for them at HKDL this weekend. It was major front page news in the South China Daily.

Of course ... HKDL was prominent in news stories at least four of my last six days there, including one story talking about the 'government owned' park reaching its projection of 5.6 million visitors in its third year of operation!

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<thats about it that i can think of right now... but I will trade news for trip reports from China >>

Coming soon, Figgy.

Might even put up a bit in the next few days and go from there.

 

Originally Posted By Spirit of 74

<<glad to see you back Spirit, don't know if you got my e-mails. Can't wait to hear about the Olympics and HKDL.>>

Hi Dave!

No, I didn't get any emails from you so something weird happened. I was actually feeling bad as you were one of 5-6 people I didn't get a chance to email as I really didn't want to do the blog/group email deal!

<<WDW - Night Kingdom has been renamed>>

Still not a done deal as far as I know.

<<Epcot Innoventions has a cool new exhibit on storms and protecting your home.>>

Have heard good things about this.

<<- Grad night moved to DHS>>

Probably a smart choice on their part. But I'm also a bit saddened by it too.

<<- They are still killing PI>>

They actually did this around 1998 when they decided to never invest any money in it or keep it fresh and relevant.

<<- Another WDW lacky is stepping into the driving seat at DLP (Phillip Gas - at least he was ops management at EDL in opening year).>>

He does have a good rep in the company. And he has to be better than guys like Jay Rasulo and Karl Holz ... of course, he's bound to look good to fans when he comes in since they have 3-4 attractions in the pipeline for the parks and the numbers are good.

<<- Arm bands are disappearing for EMH - should prove interesting.>>

Likely just to literally save a few grand a night (if that) on labor, although I also don't see why people can't just flash their keys. Of course, people will bring old keys etc ... and some will forget them or bring one for a party of six, so there's going to be some ugly incidents too.

<<- Rumours are rife that Fantasyland make over is green lit.>>

I'll believe it when I see it ... or Leemac confirms. ... Although with Mermaid coming, it makes sense to make the area look better.

BTW ... how was your trip to DLP ... I'd say send me an email, but I'm wondering why the others didn't show.

 

Originally Posted By jkayjs

Welcome back Spirit. I'm glad to know that you are home safely.

5 months you say? Maybe a trip in Dec might be the ticket.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

Hey, welcome back, big fella! Looking forward to the China trip report. I've got a co-worker who spent 3 weeks over there shooting pre-Olympics. It should be interesting getting another perspective on the country.

The only WDW thing I can think of that you might not have heard about is the schedule for Fantasmic! in DHS is being cut back. In January the show goes to 2 night per week! Hard to believe this will continue, what with all the folks who won't get a chance to see it now. And I'm betting those 2 nights will be wall to wall people in DHS. Not a good cut, IMO.

Again, welcome back home!

 

Originally Posted By bayrr326

Welcome back. Can't wait to here about the Olympics and HKDL. It will be interesting to read your perspective because I am sure you heard how much of a success it was in this country. I'll admit I got wrapped up in the excitement and was watching it night and day and lost many hours of sleep. Not much going on at WDW. Will be interested to see if they have made any cutbacks to MNSSHP this year. Still can't believe they are actually going through with the Fantasmic cutbacks in January. I can tell you both SeaWorld, Universal and Aquatica were pretty busy this summer. I don't know if it was a heavy local push with all the deals they had out there but everytime we went(which was to one of them every weekend) they were busy. However, the late hours at Aqautica were awesome after about 8 you pretty much had the park to yourself.

 

Originally Posted By Disneymom443

Welcome back

So what events did you see at the Olympics? Where they just amazing?


Everyone has covered everything. So now we just wait for the events comming up, MNSSHP and wine fes.

 

Originally Posted By DOGWITKEYS

yay, spirit is back! now we get to hear warped opinions at disney world every ten minutes. Such classics as "maybe they shouldn't allow kids in the park anymore, because strollers ruin the theme, but ECV's are ok. How about "you are only a realy disney fan if you have every park map ever printed" Then after a day or two he will start name dropping names and threatning the careers of disney managment by running on here and telling us what he may think may happen because he heard it from a credible source. Oh, and make sure you don't tell him that you are going to mickeys not so scary or very merry, Spirit will bash you and tell you that it is wrong because disney is having events for children and you shouldn't do that, they should only have events for annual passholders!!!!

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Now who is bashing whom here?

 

Originally Posted By DOGWITKEYS

I am simply stating the obvious before it happens all over again. This site turns into Burma every time he comes back.

 

Originally Posted By davewasbaloo

Better an interesting debate than the boring love fest where the rubes are really taken for a ride quality wise.

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

DOGWITKEYS, if you don't want to participate, don't. You're more than welcome, but posts like yours above do nothing but show your rudeness and prejudice against a guy that many here consider a friend. I can't tell you how to feel, but I can request that you just go away if this is how you're going to be.

 

Originally Posted By Witches of Morva

ORDDU: My sisters and I never thought we'd find something to agree with you about--until now, danyoung, gosling.

ORGOCH: Yeah, who knew?

ORWEN: But we sure enjoy reading what Spirit of '74 has to say, so don't be grumpy over him. It's not like anybody's putting an arrow to your head and forcing you to read his posts.

 

Originally Posted By DOGWITKEYS

Fair enough, This will be my last response and then you theme-park stalkers can back to going to the parks everyday and complaining about going to the parks everyday. Now sit back for this one...YOUR ANNUAL PASS IS NOT A BADGE!!!!!!!! you guys think you own the parks because you spend $452.00 on a ticket once a year. News flash, the average family of four spends that on lunch during a one-week trip. You tell me NOT to go to this forum if I am being negative!!! You guys visit the parks all the time and then run on here and whine about everything. If you have so many problems with the parks, don't go, stay home, spend time with your kids...wait most of you don't have kids. The bottom line is, I love going to disney and I am there all the time, and If I didn't like going I WOULD STOP GOING!

P.S DanYoung, your the guy from Texas who comes down here by yourself a couple time of year and only dines at Epcot and brags to everyone how all the bartenders know you at Rose and Crown, right. When bartenders all across property know you, you may want to think about a program with some steps.

 

Originally Posted By blueharvest82

can't we just all get along?

 

Originally Posted By barboy

///The bigger news is that the Chinese Olympic Gold medallists shunned Ocean Park///


got to love it since that park is beyond redemption