Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I'm enjoying this report, Spirit. It's almost like a list of short, punchy Twitter messages.>> Thanks, Leo. I don't have time for a real report and wanted to just toss things out in a stream of consciousness (or urine) like way. Like ... walking thru Fantasyland across from Cosmic Ray's you can now be surrounded entirely by walls on both sides as Mad Tea Party gets a new roof. Or ... there's some really nice merchandise available at Mexico at EPCOT at reasonable prices ... so authenthic items are priced fairly, yet Disney crap is priced at absurd markups ... and what sells more? Probably the latter because many mentally feeble folks feel the need to buy Grumpy hoodies, Tink glow tiaras and vinyl. <<That'll probably be the last time I say anything nice about Twitter.>> Twitter is one of the signs of the end of days. >> People who drill holes in walls behind ATM machine near Pinnochio's Village Haus restaurant to take pics of construction sites need to see mental health specialists (more commentary, and quite accurate). << <<But if I didn't, what would I do for fun?>> I am tempted to use another word to (accurately) describe it, but I won't, I'll just think it. >> Things are so depressed along 192 in Kissimmee that some old hotels (including one of the world's first Residence Inn's -- the one by where Xanadu and Big Bamboo used to be near 535) are being used by squatters and drug dealers. << <<Sounds like a cheap, new E-ticket. During a quiet tour of Kissimmee, something goes wrong--the drug dealers attack and you have to fight them off. It'd be like Dick Tracy's Crime Stoppers, only bloodier.>> It really is scary. I actually only wound up there looking for a Dollar Tree to load up on sunglasses (see my last Spirited Day Trip thread if you don't recall why ... I am sure Leo recalls!) ... and Kissimmee ... what was once a quiet, small, friendly Southern cowtown is now a place I'd just as soon never set foot in. The poverty is sad. Saw multiple homeless folks ... many businesses are gone and so many hotel props are abandoned and have been allowed to decay and are being taken over by either criminal elements of people who need places for shelter. All in the shadow of the Mouse ... wonder what TWDC is doing to 'help' its community. >> Most desserted place in an otherwise crowded theme park: LMA restrooms at 8 p.m. ... you and 50 of your closest friends (although would you have time to read or post on LP if you really had 50 friends?) could all do your business at the same time! << <<Sounds like my kind of place, minus the 50 closest (closet?) friends.>> I knew you would like it!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<<To that boat driver at WL who took off when he could have walked over and let us on ... not kewl, dude ... not kewl.>>> <<<WDW boat transportation (when they don't leave you at the dock because the CM happens to be mad at the world) is a magical way to ride ...especially from WL to MK ... and from DD to Dixie Landings.>>> <<It's a matter of keeping timely cycles. The pilot may have been trying to catch up. Also, you can't wait for every guest that runs up to the dock. Eventually, you have to throw the ropes up and get a move on. Again, there are cycles that need to be kept, and guests on the boat are eager to get to the Magic Kingdom. It sucks leaving people. I often felt bad about it. But, there are guests on the boat eager to get to the Magic Kingdom, and you can't sit at the Lodge or Campground all day waiting for more.>> This wasn't that case. The dude stood at the dock, saw us come and stand there. He had at least three empty rows on his boat. We stood there and looked at him for 2-3 minutes. He easily could have come over and let us on. He turned around, untied and left. Contrast this with a few days later when we were leaving Port Orleans and heading for Dixie Landings and were already untied and ready when some fat tourist trailing a wife and daughter were scampering down the path and the captain said 'why does this always happen?' with a smile and then he unlocked the door, tied the boat up and went up the dock to welcome the guy on. It wasn't like the guy was at the docks like we were.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 OK, so the typical Courtyard by Marriott has huge flat screen TVs, but OKW is just getting them --------------- <<I stay in Marriott's often in tralveing- please do not compare Courtyards to OKW in anything but TV's as there is zero comparison. --- I'll give you I would like to have seen the TV;'s earlier- but I used the $125 off the AP more than the TV while there..can one get everything ?>> Disney is a PREMIUM BRAND. That is how they view themselves. They command absurd premiums on their lodgings based on how they have marketed themselves. When you have timeshares at OKW that resemble 1997 (see pics on Deb Wills site that show the difference between old and new units) and rooms at Dixie Landings that resemble 2003 ... well, sorry but that isn't acceptable to my standards.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I remember when I had my first trip into the Veranda as a CM. Nothing like seeing that huge place completely empty.>> The sad thing is how uncomfortably packed other locations get (we walked out of Cosmic Ray's one night because it was body to body) because huge facilities like AV and TNS remain shuttered most of the time.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<The sad thing is how uncomfortably packed other locations get (we walked out of Cosmic Ray's one night because it was body to body) because huge facilities like AV and TNS remain shuttered most of the time.>> It's despicable in all honesty. If not a CS they should at least have a nicely themed table service in there.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>The sad thing is how uncomfortably packed other locations get (we walked out of Cosmic Ray's one night because it was body to body) because huge facilities like AV and TNS remain shuttered most of the time.<<< So what the hints reason for closing them? They'd make a profit.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 I'm impressed that people like VBDAD have time to write these long posts during the workday. Get back to work, man! Where do you think you are, Disney World?! ----- my team resides in 2 3 places -- Singapore - Bratislava and Hortolandia Brazil--- therefore I am on calls/in meetings from 4AM-8Am my time and again 6 PMN to 10 PM at night which is why I post during the day... global world- gotta luv it
Originally Posted By vbdad55 When you have timeshares at OKW that resemble 1997 (see pics on Deb Wills site that show the difference between old and new units) and rooms at Dixie Landings that resemble 2003 ... well, sorry but that isn't acceptable to my standards ---- they have been re done several times since inception ( each unit) - and for me, I'll take the space anytime- which is why I like OKW...to each his own
Originally Posted By leobloom >> my team resides in 2 3 places -- Singapore - Bratislava and Hortolandia Brazil--- therefore I am on calls/in meetings from 4AM-8Am my time and again 6 PMN to 10 PM at night which is why I post during the day... << What a crazy schedule. I wouldn't deal with that very well. Guess that's why I'm not a good global capitalist.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The parade needs to be taken behind the shed and shot. Somethings just ain't what they used to be.>> Sadly, I agree. It was just in shameful condition. And again, many people will ASSume that is Disney quality ... of course, these days ... it is! <<Men In Black truly makes Buzz Lightyear look like something Pierce could put together in his garage.>> <<MiB not only makes Buzz look like a joke, but it's still a far superior product than TSMM, which opened a good 5 years after it.>> I agree as well. But MiB lacks the 'Disney MAGIC' ;-) ... so what if it (like many UNI attractions) is far better than what Disney puts forth? <<Why have JC closed (and a giant inflatable warthog out front) on MNSSHP nights, but have HoP open?>> <<1. It's more expensive to run. 2. Area management isn't the biggest fan of the JC. 3. Why deprive the kids of a treat location! Need any more terrible reasons?>> Yes. You can never have enough dumb excuses for poor show! <<It is with GREAT shame I admit having not one, but two meals at Pecos Bill Cafe.>> <<Meh. I don't mind Pecos. >> I do. Even taking into account the fact food quality here has actually inched up ... the new angus burgers (do you think McD's line and simple Disney guests have anything to do with that addition?) are quite tasty ... even if you now pay as much for a single as you did for a double ... and the taco salad is quite tasty ... because YOU MAKE IT YOURSELF! ... the price points are absurd (Fuddrucker's prices for generally cheap quality burgers) ... and the here's a taco shell with a scoop of ground beef so you can prepare your own salad all for the low-low price of $7.69 is just plain insulting. I do don't effing care if guests whined because a salad actually had ... you know ... veggies in it. But you simply don't do what Disney did ... so freaking tacky.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<192 is a sad depressing shell of what it was just 10 years ago. It's sad to see it in the shape it's in.>> This country is a sad depressing shell of what it was just 10 years ago. It's sad to see it in the shape it's in. <<Riding the WDW RR is a good place to think.>> <<I agree. The railroad is a longer version of the TTA.>> Like Old Man Disney, I love the choo-choos. <<WDW boat transportation (when they don't leave you at the dock because the CM happens to be mad at the world) is a magical way to ride ...especially from WL to MK.>> <<Ugh. I can't agree. It's nice and scenic, but it takes forever, especially if you just miss a boat.>> I don't care. You can take forever with buses and even monorails. But there's nothing like skimming the waters on a magical Disney boat!
Originally Posted By Expo_Seeker40 It should also be noted in the 122nd street electrical parade that many of the characters were missing their hats. Cinderella's mice were missing their hats, the wheels to her carriage weren't working properly...with only the strobes working...apparently this has been this was since the 2009 refurb at DCA yet you can see the black hardware beneath the orange pumpkin....also not wearing their hats are the canopy holders for the ballroom scene and the male dancers in the ballroom scene. Looking back at video of the MSEP when it came to WDW in 2000 and 2001, TDO took the time to take the disneyland D logo on casey jr. and turn it into the WDW D logo as well as change the drum to say the magic kingdom presents main street electrical parade......because the parade zoomed through fronteirland, I never got to see elliot go dark and he never blowed smoke
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Sadly, I agree. It was just in shameful condition. And again, many people will ASSume that is Disney quality ... of course, these days ... it is!>> Yea. I would say I'd love to see a new parade, but I know that isn't happening anytime soon. <<I agree as well. But MiB lacks the 'Disney MAGIC' ;-) ... so what if it (like many UNI attractions) is far better than what Disney puts forth?>> You're right! What was I thinking? Universal is such a dirty, stupid, heathenish, unMAGICAL place. I can't believe I ever wasted my time there! <<the price points are absurd (Fuddrucker's prices for generally cheap quality burgers)>> Well yea, the price points are ridiculous. But that's the entire resort, and one of the reasons I don't eat on property much. <<I don't care. You can take forever with buses and even monorails. But there's nothing like skimming the waters on a magical Disney boat!>> I prefer my cast parking. Haha
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I'd strongly suggest that you NOT cancel your trips based on the reporting of one guy. My friend the Spirit is most definitely a glass half empty kinda guy. He will look for the negative while tripping over the positive, IMNSHO.>> Dan, you ignorant slut. You know that isn't the case at all! (do I need a smiley?) I'm not a half anything kind of guy. I'm simply a realist and I am very observant. I also am not so blinded by the pixie dust (or some feeling of joy at being there) that I don't notice the bad/ugly. That's just how I go ... I'd also suggest that Disney by constantly lowering quality and allowing show to be nothing more than a quaint old buzzword with no real purpose in the TDO 21st century business model has conditioned me to expect to now be disappointed in new and exciting ways. I know you visit DLR a lot (likely sponging off your wonderful bro!), so I find it odd you don't see the obvious differences in the little things (that really are huge) ... the Disney Details ... between resorts. <<I'll relate this story from many years back.>> Oh please don't ... we've all heard this about as many times as Pierce gets up to use the toilet at night! <<I was getting ready for a trip to DL, having not been in many years. In my online reading I found a whole bunch of negative, mostly by Al Lutz back in the USENET days. I was almost dreading my visit, as I had been enjoying DL since my first magical visit in 1963.>> 63?!??! WOW!!! You really ARE ANCIENT!!! <<I was gritting my teeth, expecting to see peeling paint and burnt out lightbulbs and overflowing trashcans and a park in a total state of disrepair and neglect. And you know what I found? The place I loved was still there. The horses were still clopping up and down the street, the band was playing, the attractions were just as enjoyable as I remembered - in short, DL was still DL. Now, if you looked closely (and I did), well, yeah, there were more lights burned out than should have been. And I might have found a couple of trash cans that needed emptying. And these were things that the Disney company really should do better with. But my point is that the parks will always be the parks, for better or worse. And the worse, IMO, is just not as bad as some people make it out to be.>> I think as bad as things may appear ... they honestly usually are much, much worse. But that's just me ... and aren't you at WDW now? I thought we just missed each other (likely so you didn't have to take part in the Take a Spirit To Dinner program) ...
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> Bars across property have new kewl looking menus with artwork inside, albeit same drinks standardized ... but the reason for the new menus is because Disney now has an official vodka sponsor (and you don't hear that in press releases). << <<Armadale?>> Skyy. >> Would I pay $30 for dinner at LTT? No. Would I let someone else pay $30 for my dinner at LTT? Absolutely. << <<I never would have guessed that.>> I know ... shocking. ... Although I actually bought food for others ... but also was 'treated' to tix for MNSSHP and HHN's. >> Most desserted place in an otherwise crowded theme park: LMA restrooms at 8 p.m. ... you and 50 of your closest friends (although would you have time to read or post on LP if you really had 50 friends?) could all do your business at the same time! << <<You've sure been hanging out a lot in WDW restrooms lately.>> What better place to hang at WDW? >> All day menu at Captain Jack's really sucks. Dumbed down. Prices jacked up. << <<It's the trend.>> It's disgusting. No sandwiches. Two years ago you could have had lunch there for $8-12 a person (and then gotten a 20% DDE or 10% AP discount on top) ... now you have $23.99 and $19.99 entrees for lunch. It's all about making people feel they're getting a DDP deal. I was sickened watching how many folks were walking up to the podium at Artist Point and everyone was on the plan. >> Blissful way to spend an hour at DD: having a way overpriced sundae with a very wonderful friend (even if said friend gets jealous if you look at cute wittle puppy dogs!) << <<Doesn't Em like little puppies?>> Apparently not when they take attention away from her (please don't tell her I said this ... she might shove my glow toy ... well, she could hurt me!)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<these places all provide a similar service - at varying levels- but to think that the demographics are such that people who attend one can't attend the other I think is misplaced. Heck- ask Spirit about the 'yahoo's that attend Disney now in some people's opinions" >> Yes ... do ask ... I see more trash at WDW now than ever ... how some of these folks can afford it totally blows my mind, but I also see plenty of monied trash too.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<No one ever buys into WDW DVC because of the resort alone. The parks have been and always will be the central driving motivator for folks buying into the WDW timeshares. And as Disney continues to let these parks deteriorate, occupancy rates will continue to decline without serious discounting, even at DVC properties. And too much discounting will affect the bottom line for the entire resort, even inside the DVC business unit.>> And that has been shown to be true with the vicious cycle of discounting now at play. I'm sure that's part of Disney's thinking when they constantly raise prices while discounting almost all the time. I think for many folks, the resorts are very secondary. Even DVCers. Many spend 14 hours a day at parks and only use their 'villas' to sleep in and possibly have a quick breakfast. <<It doesn't matter that the WDW DVC business unit operates separately from MK and EPCOT and DHS and DAK business units. It simply does not exist in a vacuum. It depends so heavily on those parks for selling memberships, Disney wouldn't be able to sell enough memberships to keep the DVC properties maintained and operational without them. FACT.>> SECONDED. <<By allowing the parks to further deteriorate and decline, Disney is shooting DVC in the foot. The bullet isn't being aimed at the flesh directly, but the ricochet into the foot is still just as damaging. Without proper upkeep, good affordable food and merch, and the regular addition of compelling quality attractions and rides, the parks will become stale and not worth attending. >> I can easily argue that's the case now. I loved my DCL cruise. I loved my recent visits to DLR. My two WDW trips in 2010 ... um ... ah ... well, I enjoyed spending time with family and friends. I got some enjoyment from the parks ... but ... I don't even know quite how to put my feelings into words. I just don't go to WDW for the parks anymore largely. And I don't go for the DISNEY BRAND or its patented dreams, wishes and magic! <<And given the constant state of discounting for rooms and food, I believe the decline is deepening and at a quicker pace than during Eisner's reign. >> Absolutely. Eisner was effectively out of the company already when George K and his group came up with Magic Your Way tix and the DDP ... and just look at how WDW has largely been about adding timeshares and not much else. <<You have a serious blind spot for DVC, vbdad. DVC at WDW is way overbuilt and it sickens me to see more development in this area at the expense of development in the parks. It's time for Burbank to focus attention and capital in the parks and leave the timeshares alone for a while. Enough is enough.>> I agree. I don't really want this thread to be about DVC because that gets all the DVCers defensive about their 'ownership' ... and that's not the purpose. I would never buy timeshare from any company, but Disney does offer nice properties, but that isn't the point. When WDW becomes simply a giant timeshare development with everything else being supplementary, some priorities are very out of whack. My visit was less than magical (time with great friends and family aside) ... but DVC wasn't the cause. The way TWDC management chooses to run and develop WDW would be ... it truly is four stale parks, 25,000 hotel and timeshare units ='s one World.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> A pony bit me at FW. I'm not suing anyone. << <<He must know you.>> Obviously! >> Truly magical moment: driving up to WL in mid-afternoon and seeing three deer on left side of road under welcome arch and two on right side of road under arch. << <<I've seen them all around property, but never there. I agree, magical.>> I've seen them there before ... but never like that ... perfectly located under the arch on both sides ... too bad Disney didn't have a photog there because that would have looked amazing in either print or video. As an aside, I can't help but think all the deer I saw ... and lots of birds from blue and white herons to wild turkeys ... and even a few wild boars across from FW ... are the result of Disney destroying every last inch of undeveloped land ... I don't ever recall seeing the amount of wild life I see now in the 70s or 80s. Now, at noon under the monorail beamway between TTC and water bridge you can see a family of 7-8 deer grazing ... you just never saw that before. >> People who take pics of walls need to get lives (just social commentary there). << <<Ever get your book back?>> No. And I don't think I ever will. But compared to others, I think I got away cheaply. VERY. >> People who drill holes in walls behind ATM machine near Pinnochio's Village Haus restaurant to take pics of construction sites need to see mental health specialists (more commentary, and quite accurate). << <<Does it count if you bring a grappling hook to scale the walls?>> Don't be giving folks any ideas. >> Men In Black truly makes Buzz Lightyear look like something Pierce could put together in his garage. << <<Are you talking about that kettle I have with the burners underneath it with the coil of copper tubing running to that big vat?>> Nope ... not your moonshine ... I was just suggesting with such skills you could build something like Buzz in your garage. >> Best thing about being at HHN's: being able to use 'adult' language and not worry about some ruining an impressionable child's life (or magical day!) << <<The kids probably use more adult language than the adults.>> Teens? Yes. Tweens? Hell yeah. But not the 3-9 year-olds ... and I do feel badly if I drop an f-bomb in airshot of a brat at WDW. At HHN's I feel no such issue ... especially since they use such language in the Bill and Ted show anyway. >> Why have JC closed (and a giant inflatable warthog out front) on MNSSHP nights, but have HoP open? << <<It's Halloween, and politicians are the scariest things I can think of.>> Good one. But what about lawyers? Or bankers? >> Heard that merchandise managers no longer have any say in what their shops stock and how it is displayed ... which likely is true considering how much vinyl and Halloween crap hits you as soon as you walk in every shop. << <<I really Would like to know who the driving force is behind Vinylmation.>> I have no idea ... but Steven Clark (of D23 fame and former WDW Ambassador) is the biggest 'pusher' of vinyl and pins. >> It is with GREAT shame I admit having not one, but two meals at Pecos Bill Cafe. << <<Cheeseburger?>> Once. >> Well, not everyone ... DAK really still has some nice items. But 9-5 hours just are going to kill that park. << <<The Animals have a strong Union.>> They should let the human cast join too ... because they could really use it.
