Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Yep. It's that time of year again. No, put down the eggnog. Forget about putting those decorations on the tree. Sit down and get comfortable (speedos, chaps and tiaras are all acceptable here) ... perhaps some of that Christmas music (but not the puke worthy Christmas Shoes) and a candy cane. Yes. You know them. You love them. Even when they make you feel so dirty for reading, you still can't hit the 'next' thread .. it's time for some spirited WDW observations. Some good thing: Epcot resort decorations all look wonderful ... much is new. Even the YC has indeed beefed up its offerings with a winterscape (even though it's mostly Department 56 with YC and BC signs added here and there). BC has the amazing gingerbread carousel AND new lobby furniture. Dolphin, which was so recently renovated you can still smell the paint and carpeting, has an amazing pastel colored tree that is huge. ... have had universally wonderful CM interactions (especially the transport workers who are giving accurate and updated park info) ... the new MK stage show, while nothing special, is still much better than the past two Cinderella-themed shows ... the MK looks cleaner than it has in a long time ...Epcot is so alive for the holidays with a great vibe. ... BC Marketplace gelato is yummy!!! Way better than Dole Whips. ... Two fireworks shows a night at MK with Wishes at 6 and Holiday Wishes at 9:30 (for MVMCPs but can be seen for free from MK resorts) ... MK has had some maintainance done on buildings in Liberty Square and Fantasyland ... castle paint job makes it look more real ... Disney has returned lights to the Hub, albeit on small trees, that will likely take 3-4 years to begin to mature. ... The FW boat dock sign that has been plagued by wood rot for years has been removed. ... holiday decorations at DD are very nice. Wow ... that's a lot of positives ... doncha hate when that happens? Not so easy to attack someone when they really are ... fair and balanced. ;-) Now for some not-so-good ... you shouldn't step on a piece of glass on the floor of your Disney resort room because the Mousekeepers don't vaccuum them anymore ... just a little sweeping because consultants told Disney how much they could save by doing so. ... Buses speeding around Port Orleans doing 40-plus MPH on winding, dark roads. ... Seeking shelter in the laundry room at the BC in a downpour and noticing that the doors have such horrendous wood rot that they need to be ripped out and replaced ... what you'd expect at a Days Inn on the OBT, NOT a deluxe WDW resort where the lowest rack rate is $300 a night. ... MK holiday decorations are very, very, very, very tired and uninspired. The tree is even worse ... generic and bland. ... Filthy lobby carpeting in Dixie Landings lobby that needs to be thrown away. ... Price increases in food and beverage at resorts designed to push everyone into using the Disney Dining Plan ($6.99 for a tiny tuna sandwich -- most adults woul need at least two, $3.99 side salads that aren't as big as one from Wendy's) ... children and adults who don't cover their mouths when coughing ... $45.99 EXTRA if you want Christmas parade and shows and fireworks at the MK ... letting people enter MK for MVMCP at 4 p.m. -- THREE HOURS IN ADVANCE! ... Mouse Surplus -- don't go. What a waste. They appear to be having financial problems and are literally destroying all kinds of perfectly good furniture from the WL, Poly, Contemp and ASMu, fixtures, electronics etc ... and don't even talk about the lack of care they give 'artifacts' like Toad, Snow White, Space Mountain ride vehicles. Just a total depressing place. ... Epcot custodial needs to do better. Much more to come ... enjoy!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Something else to chew on ... anyone recall my $23 hamburger at Chefs de France thread? Well, since the Free Dining Promotion is over (although if you are staying on property during December and book for next August or September now, you can get it), that burger has disappeared. So sad as we all know it was staple of fine French cuisine for years ;-) Guess what, though? The filet of beef is back on the menu. Although at a $3.50 price hike. Oh, and just try and book a PS at any popular or semi-popular dining locale for the rest of the month ... just try. Disney's goal is simple ... they want everyone to buy all their food from the Mouse in advance. Because if they do, they can go the cruise line route ... 4-5 entrees (one beef, one fish, one chicken, one pasta/veggie). That's what they want here, folks.
Originally Posted By hopemax >Mouse Surplus -- don't go. What a waste. They appear to be having financial problems and are literally destroying all kinds of perfectly good furniture from the WL, Poly, Contemp and ASMu, fixtures, electronics etc ... and don't even talk about the lack of care they give 'artifacts' like Toad, Snow White, Space Mountain ride vehicles. Just a total depressing place. ... Epcot custodial needs to do better. I just found out the other day, that Brian, is no longer an owner or involved in MouseSurplus. He posted a message on the DIS boards about problems with a partner, so he's starting from scratch again. The new venture is called Surplus Kingdom. <a href="http://www.surpluskingdom.com" target="_blank">http://www.surpluskingdom.com</a> (although the site is down at the moment) and looks so far to be just an ebay store. Right now he has several of the "construction" signs that used to decorate the building. Kind of sad that he has to sell them to get started again.
Originally Posted By MPierce Thanks for the report Spirit. I'm always glad to hear positive reports on the overall improvement of the parks. It's really kind of sad about mousekeeping not cleaning properly in the rooms and filthy lobby carpeting at Dixie Landing. Don't even get me started on the Dining Plan. If you found something better than a Dole Whip I'm almost afraid to try one. Anyway that was a very fair, and balanced report.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I just found out the other day, that Brian, is no longer an owner or involved in MouseSurplus. He posted a message on the DIS boards about problems with a partner, so he's starting from scratch again. The new venture is called Surplus Kingdom. <a href="http://www.surpluskingdom.com" target="_blank">http://www.surpluskingdom.com</a> (although the site is down at the moment) and looks so far to be just an ebay store. Right now he has several of the "construction" signs that used to decorate the building. Kind of sad that he has to sell them to get started again.>> I just found out some of the circumstances myself, but to see what MouseSurplus is doing with perfectly fine merchandise is just very, very sad. Maybe it's the way I was brought up, even though I a comfortable today the idea of waste just drives me crazy. There are plenty of folks who would have come down and taken the old hotel furnishings for free. They were high quality to begin with. There are plenty of poor people in Orlando. It just looks like massive destruction at Mouse Surplus. We wandered around and never saw a single employee anywhere. Just smashed furniture all over the place a few artifacts (that could have been worth thousands) just sitting and rotting away. I found it very depressing to go there, not to mention a waste of 40 minutes.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Thanks for the report Spirit. I'm always glad to hear positive reports on the overall improvement of the parks.>> So far, I've only been to MK and Epcot but there's a lot of positives ... even some in the MK (more with painting and cleanliness than actual additions or new things). <<It's really kind of sad about mousekeeping not cleaning properly in the rooms and filthy lobby carpeting at Dixie Landing. >> You can't blame the Mousekeepers. It starts with the execs. They hire the consultants who try and cut corners for the company to make their millions. The execs order the managers to cut XXX of dollars. So the managers don't require the Mousekeepers to really clean anymore. It's a vicious cycle. It's also why you should always find out what resorts and what buildings are rehabbed before you book. Take the All Star Music for example. About a third of the resort has been rehabbed with new everything and a much more upscale (really) contemporary look ... the other 2/3rds look like 1994-95 rooms that have been used for that time with nothing but a new coat of paint ... difference is stark. <<Don't even get me started on the Dining Plan.>> No ... please ... let someone else complain. I get tired of doing so! $6.99 for a Ham and Cheese prepckaged sandwich like you'd get for $1.99 at 7-11? That does two things: gouges guests not on the Dining Plan and encourages (or extorts) the others to buy it by inflating the true value of the plan to make it look better than it really is! <<If you found something better than a Dole Whip I'm almost afraid to try one. Anyway that was a very fair, and balanced report. >> Thanks ... I try. But I'm not done ... I'll be reporting all week ... kind of stream of consciousness good, bad and ugly as I think that's the best way to spread the Spirit!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 More Spirited observations: Epcot is a shoppers paradise during the holidays. At least World Showcase is. Great shops with unique (i.e. not Disney character crap) merchandise. China is a treasure trove of bargains and some early 2008 Olympic merchandise. No, no HKDL stuff ... that's a no-brainer. Yes, Brad, I will be spending $$$ in your park. Think about that when you think about turning another high end shop into a kidcot coloring station. A shock for the Spirit? Oh yeah, walking past Alfredo's on a glorious afternoon and finding diners opening MENUS! Yes. You read that correctly. REAL MENUS. Not a one-sheet of paper deal. You get to open and close it ... it has multiple (well, two is multiple) pages. Alfredo's has returned to (almost) the old days. They have actually beefed up (no pun intended as I didn't see beef entrees) their offerings. There are a good 15 entree choices for LUNCH! And, yes, the food is really good. Let's hope this is the start of a trend and not an outside operator thumbing its nose at Disney Food and Beverage. New carpeting in O Canada theater ... precursor to the new film coming in 2007. Just hope they keep the theme song and also not cut eight minutes of film like they did with China. So far, almost all CMs have been very, very good (yes, obviously I haven't dealt with any managers, execs or publicists). One exception ... when you mistakenly put two adults (who are not a couple) into a king bed room, you don't stand around the front desk talking to a manager in the back discussing why the individuals don't want to sleep together. You just don't. Common sense. Epcot pavement is starting to look like DLP with little potholes developing on the WS promenade. Heard Al Weiss was hosting a party at the Studios last night. I guess my invite got lost in the holiday mail ;-) Off to some park ...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 That park was the MK ... and my impressions were less positive on a very crowded Saturday night that had no Christmas entertainment ... have to wait until next 12/23 for it unless you want to pay $46 extra. Crowd control and custodial were both overwhelmed, which is a trend on busy days/nights. Folks seemed happy with Wishes, but they don't know they're missing Holiday Wishes. Haunted Mansion continues to be a mess. Audio hasn't worked right in eons. Scrims are falling apart. The TTA is also showing lots of signs of wear and tear ... both the cars and the track area ... parts near Space Mountain are just very, very dirty. Bad show. Couldn't help but notice how the trend of moving merchandise outside and closing shops continues. This is old news, but to see Elephant Tales and the Bazaar turned into storerooms (like Golden Galleon) so the merchandise can be pushed like at a flea market or outlet mall is just very tacky. Although there is some themed Adventureland merchandise available, but I believe it's just extras of what can be bought at DAK. On the subject of shopping, where is Paul Pressler when you need him? His dream of turning Main Street into a mall is complete. The left side is now one giant Emporium/World of Disney ... what once was about 5-6 shops, including the barber shop and a flower market on the now gone Center Street, is one large complex. No theming at all. People can now carry a basket of merchandise from the Fire House to Casey's and pay for it anywhere. When you walk into certain former shops like Disney Clothiers or Main Street Athletic there are now overhead signs that say 'Men's Apparel' or 'Children's Apparel' ... kind of like being in Macy's (that's for my buddy, Leemac wherever he is?). I'd love to know what story marketing ... I mean WDI has come up with for turning half of a turn of the century American street into a Disney character merchandise outlet. Kind of a downer, I admit. As was taking a phone call under the Skyway station and realizing how deserted that area has become ... and seeing the Skyway Shop with blacked out windows and HUGE padlocks on the doors. Then I happened to meet a dude who used to drive monorails in the mid-late 80s at WDW, and whose father helped build the MK, and it was so interesting to hear his take on how 'disappointed Walt would be today' and how 'it's going to take one major accident with a bus and dozens of standing passengers that results in lawsuits before Disney takes its transport problems seriously.' I can't disagree with either statement. Sometimes I think everytime Disney takes one step forward, it takes a few back. Tomorrow ... it's Universal to see how the competition does Christmas.
Originally Posted By seanyoda << The TTA is also showing lots of signs of wear and tear ... both the cars and the track area ... parts near Space Mountain are just very, very dirty. Bad show. >> Perhaps that will change now that it has a sponsor... <a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2004/11/08/daily22.html" target="_blank">http://www.bizjournals.com/orl ando/stories/2004/11/08/daily22.html</a> (Actually, a group of us noticed the sponsor sign up this past Tuesday and were astonished that a company had chosen to sponsor the TTA)
Originally Posted By kennect Spirit, I am jumping down after your first post to make my comments however absurd they might be...But there is a little bit of Disney interest in them regarding the Mousesurplus mention...Read on if you can stand it... I have been involved in the interior design business for over twenty years operating my own very small custom drapery workroom...I do my job very well and take great pride in what I have accomplished over the years...During this past year I have gotten an interest in learning upholstery...For my own personal use, not as a new business venture,it is way too much work without the profit margin from window treatments...Long story short...I picked up four club chairs with ottomans at a hotel liquitdator in the area with the idea I would redo them for my use...Well, that project has turned out great...But in response to what you have said about Mousesurplus...While I was buying the chairs I got into a conversation with the gal that owns the place and mentioned Disney....She said that in the past they were able to get all kinds of items from Disney but these days they just weren't available...Not that it is a big deal but did Disney just do an exclusive deal with Surplus for all of these leftover thrown out room items? The gal told me she wished they could still get some of the WDW stuff...I find it rather funny that Disney is willing to let these items just go to the general resale market as if the idea of being something unique to Disney isn't a concern...Ebay is just full of those Contemporary Hotel bedspreads right now.... As an OT sidenote...Anyone looking for really cheap furniture that is nice, check and see if there is a hotel liquidator in your area...You won't believe the bargains that can be found...
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo "So the managers don't require the Mousekeepers to really clean anymore. It's a vicious cycle." Thank goodeness Animal Kingdom Lodge still clean. No towel animals, but the floor was vacuumed every day and the beds were changed more frequently then posted e.g. after the kids spilt stuff. So kudos to AKL cast.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder My wife and I were at WDW from 11/25 to 12/2. I had contemplated doing a trip report, but have procrastinated. As it relates to post 8, while we did have many positive experiences, I could have written post 8. I agree wholeheartedly with everything in it. While we rode TTA several times, just to get off our middle-aged feet and also because it reminded us of the People Mover at DL, it did look in need of care. We were very let down by the Main Street shops. A story- we went to the Candelight Processional on 11/28 for the second show when it rained like crazy, and did the rest of the night. My sneakers took a beating and I could stand a new pair. NO WHERE in WDW can a male adult buy a new pair of shoes, not even some Mickey tennis shoes or something. The Nike Store at Downtown Disney had very limited supply of shoes, so limited it looked like they were trying to go out of that business. The fat, slovenly kid who worked there merely pointed at the stock they had when asked about sizes. "That's what we got, dog." You can buy all manner of things on the whole WDW property, but not a pair of men's shoes, which you think would be a no brainer considering all the walking people do. We stayed at the Contemporary, and no one there could think of any place on site. Neither could anyone at the Grand Floridian. We were tempted to ask Roy Disney when we saw him at Narcoosie's a couple of nights later, but were afraid they'd throw us in the lake for approaching him. One more thing. The Christmas tree in MK was wholly uninspiring. Completely boring. Display trees at Target show more panache. Matter of fact, decorations at MK were very underwhelming, which I've said elsewhere already. Oh well.
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder And I've already ranted as well about charging an extra over 40 bucks for the Mickey Christmas party after 7:00 p.m. They won't be of course, but they should be ashamed for that.
Originally Posted By MPierce Would the potholes at Epcot be an easy fix. How was the walkway lined with roses going into the World Showcase. That was always one of my favorite spots. It really looked sad last January, but i chalked that up to all the new plantings.
Originally Posted By Labuda Spitir - glad to see there's a good amount of good you ca n see in WDW right now. Now, on to the uimportant stuff - email me and let me know if you can be @ WDW between April 8 & 15th next year.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom The hamburgers were still on the menu in France the first week of December.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<But in response to what you have said about Mousesurplus...While I was buying the chairs I got into a conversation with the gal that owns the place and mentioned Disney....She said that in the past they were able to get all kinds of items from Disney but these days they just weren't available...Not that it is a big deal but did Disney just do an exclusive deal with Surplus for all of these leftover thrown out room items? The gal told me she wished they could still get some of the WDW stuff...I find it rather funny that Disney is willing to let these items just go to the general resale market as if the idea of being something unique to Disney isn't a concern...Ebay is just full of those Contemporary Hotel bedspreads right now....>> In the past, ALL ex-Disney furnishings and props (that weren't going to be recycled or ebayed thru Disney Auctions) went to Property Control to be sold off to CMs and their family and friends. I have spent quite a bit there over the years. I don't know how long Mouse Surplus has been in business ... my guess would be fewer than five years. They get a very large portion of items ... some are ancient (for example, they had a box of about 400 envelopes that the original grand opening EPCOT Center tix came in ... I know because I purchased them in 1982 and still have them.) while some aren't (like a large lot of Holiday 2005 mugs). It seems to me if this dude lost his lease and is forced to move all he'd have to do is place a post here or any WDW site and tell guests that for $200 they could have as much as they can move out in a day. He would have made some money and the stuff wouldn't be destroyed. I can't see how either of these men will have (or should) any credibility remaining because clearly they have no respect for the stuff the buy from Disney for pennies on the dollar. <<As an OT sidenote...Anyone looking for really cheap furniture that is nice, check and see if there is a hotel liquidator in your area...You won't believe the bargains that can be found...>> Yes. Especially in the LA area where you can often get brand new overstocks for very little $$$.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<While we rode TTA several times, just to get off our middle-aged feet and also because it reminded us of the People Mover at DL, it did look in need of care. We were very let down by the Main Street shops. >> I would hope Alamo will not allow TTA to continue to deteriorate. Time will tell. Main Street is just a mess. I don't even see any of the usual Disney management apologists trying to refute that. <<A story- we went to the Candelight Processional on 11/28 for the second show when it rained like crazy, and did the rest of the night. My sneakers took a beating and I could stand a new pair. NO WHERE in WDW can a male adult buy a new pair of shoes, not even some Mickey tennis shoes or something. The Nike Store at Downtown Disney had very limited supply of shoes, so limited it looked like they were trying to go out of that business. The fat, slovenly kid who worked there merely pointed at the stock they had when asked about sizes. "That's what we got, dog." >> You got a local, clearly. I've had almost universally positive CM experiences and they've all been with CPers, International Program kids and retirees. If I need something, I try and make sure I deal with one of them. As to your shoe plight, it's pathetic that in a SHOPPING complex like DD and with an athletic goods store, they can't have a decent supply of shoes/sneakers available. Apparently, folks only run out of princess and pirate outfits when at WDW ... <<You can buy all manner of things on the whole WDW property, but not a pair of men's shoes, which you think would be a no brainer considering all the walking people do. We stayed at the Contemporary, and no one there could think of any place on site. Neither could anyone at the Grand Floridian.>> That's just pathetic. They should have said something like 'We're sorry we don't have a location on property that can help you, but there are two large outlets about two miles from DD that have many shoe stores. Here's how you can get there ...' <<We were tempted to ask Roy Disney when we saw him at Narcoosie's a couple of nights later, but were afraid they'd throw us in the lake for approaching him. >> Roy is a gentleman and a fun guy to talk to. I wouldn't interupt his dinner, just like I wouldn't anyone else's ... but afterward ... <<One more thing. The Christmas tree in MK was wholly uninspiring. Completely boring. Display trees at Target show more panache. Matter of fact, decorations at MK were very underwhelming, which I've said elsewhere already. Oh well. >> I would call the Main Street decorations stale. I would call the rest of MK decorations spartan ... at best ... because you can't really find any in the other lands.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Spitir - glad to see there's a good amount of good you ca n see in WDW right now. >> There's plenty. But there's plenty of problems. Starting with the very stale MK. <<Now, on to the uimportant stuff - email me and let me know if you can be @ WDW between April 8 & 15th next year. >> I will email you ... and I may well be able to be there then. The Spirit gets around ...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 I will be posting my Universal/IOA observations in the other parks board, but a few more observations from the holiday season at WDW ... CoP has all new carpeting and seating, which may bode well for the future of it despite WDW management's well-known desire to get rid of it. The fact it played to a full house at 9:40 on a Sunday night tells me that its biggest problem is a lack of upkeep (AAs needs help) and not being updated. PhilharMagic remains filthy in the evenings with no custodial work done at all until the park closes. Imagine a movie theater doing the same and you have an idea of what the place looks like. CBJ was so depressing as the audio still isn't right ... and that doesn't include the missing X-Mas show that ran from 1984-2005 ... guess that $5,000 to change the show over was too much eh Phil? While we're bashing the good (that's sarcasm) MK VP, forgot to point out the portraits in the Mansion stretch room have gotten so bad they appear to have been stapled in places. Just awful show quality. But you know the media won't be given a Mansion tour when they're around in January. They don't have the prices listed on the menus outside Cindy's Royal Table. Any guesses why? Management has installed gates all around the Pirates shop/flea market at what was once a tranquill courtyard with fountains at the PoC exit. I suppose they look OK ... but I just don't quite see the need for them ... or the need for moving the merchandise outside what was once a shop. Workers are going almost around the clock on the castle suite to have it ready for the Jan. 24-26 'media event' ... you could hear jackhammers being used at 11 last night. Gee, I sure hope it's ready for the first 'winners' when the media's around. Parting thought ... the All Star Motels really look dated in places ... but the new rooms/suites at ASMu really make even Pop Century look ghetto by comparison. Disney is doing a great job of refreshing its resorts. I just wish they'd do likewise on their parks.
