Originally Posted By SuperDry << Am I the only one who find it hilarious that a Disney park in a non Christian nation puts on a better Christmas show than the parks in "Christian" America? >> Not only that, they actually call everything "Christmas ... [this/that]". No "Holiday on Main Street" nonsense at TDR.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Well.. I finally had dinner at the Be Our Guest restaurant.. and will have comments on that when my schedule permits. The only thing left to experience at the "expanded" Fantasyland is the Ariel Grotto.. which I will probably never visit. I have not even been in the TDS' Ariel Grotto..imagine that.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Hope you had your picture taken with the Beast in front of the fireplace.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Yes, I had my photo taken with the Beast and no, it won't be posted for public viewing sorry. As for my experience in the restaurant, it was OK. The ambiance was definitely a plus and the service was decent for a theme park restaurant. Of course, because I am not giving Disney any more money than I have to, I chose to dine by prices as opposed to taste. I chose two of the cheapest entrees, small salad, dessert and soda (I don't do alcohol). The portions were a little small for the price paid but the taste and food quality were nice. The presentation was ok as well. Upon closer examination.. the main dining rom is OK albeit a bit plain in decor. Yes the chandeliers are lovely and the huge window with snowy winter scene outside were a nice touch. But inside, the restaurant could have been a little more elegant. The blue balances along the balcony that surrounds the entire main hall just cheapened the place. There is little character identification in the decor. Except for the lovely tile mural in the lobby, and the West wing area where the prince's picture hang. In fact, I found the west wing to be the most interesting area of the entire complex, even if it was a smaller dining room and darker, which is fine with me. The other room.. I believe it is the rose room, was closed for dining. So I may have to go back and try the place for lunch. As I wrote before...the food was ok. But the food is not the star here. Eating goes out the window when the Beast parades himself thru the dining room every half hour or so, with fanfare music. A cute character moment but honestly? made me want to run after the Beast and tell him "you need to re-decorate this dining room Beastie." All in all.. it was an enjoyable dinner and time there. Not as whimsical or marvelous as..say.. The Queen of Hearts banquet Hall at TDL, but for the value crowd that usually visits WDW, this is a nice step up from the norm. Which reminds me.. I may have to try the old King Stefan's Banquet Hall or Cindy's Royal Table (a stupid name worthy of Vegas) since 1979, which is probably still a more memorable experience.. But having experienced the Be Our Guest restaurant, horrible Belle meet, and decent Mermaid ride, plus well themed Dumbo circus area.. my rating for the entire new Fantasyland area is a solid B-.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN meant to say the last time I ate at the King Stefan's was in 1979...so its time to revisit.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>The other room.. I believe it is the rose room, was closed for dining. So I may have to go back and try the place for lunch.<< My impression from the photos is that this room is the most lackluster of them all. Other than the oversized statue/music box in the center of the room, the overall atmosphere seems very reminiscent of a mid-level hotel ballroom set up for brunch. Slap some rather unispired images of the film's characters on the walls, and that's about it. The ballroom looks neat (at least to walk through momentarily), but the west wing certainly seems to be the best executed area.
Originally Posted By Disneymom443 Nice to hear that you at least enjoyed your food. Even if it wasn't be greatest.
Originally Posted By Blufusion12 I got to agree with TDL. He has been the lone voice in the wood. I have been going to WDW since 1982. 11 trips so far . Moved to Florida 8 yrs. ago to be by the parks . Live in Saint petersburg Florida. Orlando would have killed me a long time ago. But the 90 min dive gets you ready for the fun. The 80's and 90's till 97 in my opinion were the best yrs. for the parks. I began to realized that Disney was letting us down. When I stayed at FW at the campgrounds for 10 days in a tent . I was single then and I loved it. FW is so undiscovered . Get it Undescovered? LOL But one day while riding my bike around FW i came upon a trash disposal area that had a gate to open and I saw graffiti. I knew then that was the beginning of something not goo. Please Disney give us back what you had. Class. Imagination and New exciting lands. Not just more Princess and Pirates there are adults like us who have seen what you can do and hope you continue. AND Pleas no Avavtar land. Saw the movie 1 yime at home visually it was greg . Sroy was ok. But if you build SW land at Hollywood studios I would pay extra for that…
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>>I got to agree with TDL. He has been the lone voice in the wood.<<< For at least 10 years now, so thanks for pointing that out. But honestly.. while I choose not to participate on boards on a full time basis anymore, the very very few threads I read do remind me of ..oh so long ago, when I started commenting on the declines of the WDW resort, so... it's obvious that others here now recognize what I saw back in the late 90s. But I do see a renewed interest, albeit small, in maintenance at WDW which has been my primary concern for years. Other problems such as poor staffing, poor cast training, poor management vision and unwilling to exceed expectations remain integral to the problems that continue to drag down the quality of WDW, versus the quality of the other resorts (except DL Paris which is a disaster zone), all of that while the powers that be continue to raise the price of "magic". But it's all relative, as many are already complaining of the quantity of the offerings TDL will bring to the parks for their 30th anniversary this spring, and that's only because they measure that quality by Tokyo's own stratospheric standards, and when compared to WDW's, you have to keep it real and ask yourself what did WDW do for their 40th last year? (Crickets) Then you start to see how we get the short end of the expensive stick here in Florida. WDW gets measured by it's own merits as it always does by most hardcore and infrequent guests who have no clue about TDR, DLR or even HKDL, which is why it's still a magical place for many. But oh Lord.. there IS room for more improvements at WDW.. and I can only hope the new management team will have the vision and drive to take it to a higher level, especially in light of Universal Orlando's revival as a true contender for quality.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros >>...and unwilling to exceed expectations<< I think that this is a bigger problem than just WDW, and seems to be Iger's modus operandi for TWDC these days. When it all boils down to it, he is delivering what he things the consumers want. That's all fine and dandy in theory, but when you continue to put out the same pretty-good product, people grow tired of it. Just look at how 'successful' the Studio has been since Iger started meddling in its management. There are lots of reasons and people to blame for the various changes through the years, but I really think that this one stems from a decision from the top. Why build a brand new attraction based on a concept the guests haven't thought of before (like POTC), when you can just build a TestTrack clone themed to Cars? People will eat it up just the same. Heck, it seems that people in CA are even more excited about it than if it was an all-new theme concept. And with the rumblings that it will be copied in WDW (which I think is about as likely as Avatar...not very), the guests are just feeding the beast. I think what it all boils down to is that TWDC is a very different animal now, with a different purpose, than it was a decade ago, or even a decade before that. They are no longer interested in creating new ideas and concepts (thanks largely to Iger), but just sit there and squeeze every last bit of life from the existing properties. They've made some foolish-at-best creative decisions in recent years, and those only serve to support the premise that guests only want to see franchises. Iger's retirement in 2015 can't come soon enough; hopefully his replacement (Tom Staggs?) will have some real ideas for how to turn things around.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>Heck, it seems that people in CA are even more excited about it than if it was an all-new theme concept.<< To be fair, most DLR patrons have never been to WDW, so for them, RSR is a brand new attraction and not a Test Track clone.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I wouldn't be that thrilled by just duplicating RSR in the Studios, but building a whole Carsland would be a HUGE improvement to a park that desperately needs it!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Why does it have to be another Carsland for the dreadful studios park? Can DCA get a break and keep something spectacular of their own?? Give reason to potential guests to go to California and experience something new and unique to that property, just like HKDL will get away with Mystic Pointe and the already popular and quite fun Grizzle Mountain Runaway Cars. >>>Why build a brand new attraction based on a concept the guests haven't thought of before (like POTC), when you can just build a TestTrack clone themed to Cars? People will eat it up just the same.<<< To be fair, even Universal pulls this trick on guests. Transformers is basically a Spiderman ride with different films and sets. But IMO.. the use of a similar ride/track system does not bother me at all. Radiator Racers is a spectacular attraction in it's own rights, whereas the newly re-done Test Track is bland bland bland. This is a matter of opinion. The same can be said about JTTCOTE at TDS.. same ride/track system but a more spectacular attraction in storyline and execution. I am also hoping that the decade-old trackless system from TDL's Hunny Hunt will be put to great use at HKDL's Mystic Pointe. It's the quality and diversity of the show that exceeds expectations. Ride systems, not so much.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I think that you may see Carsland at the Studios at some point in some form. I agree that it would be better to find a comepletely new attractions would be better for Hollywood Studios IF they go for not only the detail (which Disney still does well) but also does amazing story telling (which has been more hit and miss lately). I agree with TDLFAN about Test Track. And as I have said here before. The expanded Fantasyland is very pretty but is a little short on delivering.
Originally Posted By Blufusion12 IMHO. No more Carsland, Princess or Pirates or Avatar if it ever gets built. Saw Avatar once didn't do much for me. I know Disney wants to groom the next paying audience for their money when they get older. But it's the grownup's that are spending for these experienceses Period. If momma want to doll her little princess or their son as a pirate at outrageous prices. Then let them. Disney just bought the most successful well known movie and merchandizing franchise in history. Built Star Wars land and people will pay for that. Drop Avatar. Pay Cameron off . Take that hit and develop what will be around for a long time and never get old. I will admit I'm a huge fan of Disney and Star Wars. But someone needs to make a good and correct decision. They had to redo DCA for a billion. Put some money back into WDW and get back to what they did best and what we as a paying customer remember and expect from them. As far as Animal Kingdom. Well, they sorta feel down there. I haven't been back there after suffering a heart attack after being there for a total of 30 mins and I feel do to the heat and humidity and other factors of that place it cause me to have one. Im not blaming Disney for it . It could have happened at any park. Disney paid for all my medical and I have never ever been treated so well at a hospital like I was received at Celebration.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I would like to see additional Star Wars themed attractions, but I'm not convinced it would be the huge hit that you predict. The last really GOOD Star Wars film was released 30 years ago. The series is still popular with people my age and slightly younger, but most the age of my adult children (35 & 28) could care less about it. I don't look forward to Carsland because of the films... I've never seen one. I look forward to it because they did such a stunning job with the settings at DCA. Does Star Wars offer the same potential for stunning settings? Absolutely. But do you really think Disney could get it right twice in a row? Obviously, the success of Star Wars themed attractions will depend heavily on how the next three films are received. I really don't know that Disney will invest heavily in attractions until they see how those do.
Originally Posted By Blufusion12 I agree RT. But in some respects SW is the best bet in my opinion. Just mine. Also with the way I see Disney doing business now days. They are gradually ignoring the core group of people my age. Im 51 and grew up on Disney the TV show that is and I have been to WDW 12 times since 1982. And I got to enjoy the fun and the prospect of what may haver been. But as of now I guess they have turned me off or burned me out on whet they are doing. And as far as I said about AK. I believe Joe Rhode was over rated and extended himself. I do not personally know him just of what I saw in interviews. Disney is getting really expensive for me. I can afford it to a degree and I get Florida residents as well. But they need something that will appeal to all age groups and the P&P thing is not for me. Im not an accountant nor a imagineer not by a long shot. But I am a customer. Im 51 and I have a few yrs. left to go experience the rides my body can handle and I want to do that. On another note. Always wanted to star at CR resort and hope to in 3 yrs. for 4 days. I can afford that but still the question is. This last June I went to Oahu and stayed at the Marriott right next to Aulani. It's nice really nice, But not enough for me to pay almost a months rent for a night. It just me. And one question? Where do all these people get the money to afford those prices. I save for my trips pay cash. But I wonder how they can do it. I know Credit cards, Spend your life savings mortage the house. Not being sarcastic at all. Sorry just some thoughts.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I'm 60 and have been to WDW 25+ times over the past 20 years. I'm becoming somewhat disappointed with it. I'm sure that is at least partially due to my having been there so many times. Also, much of my enjoyment always came from WDW memories and experiences shared with my late wife, and WDW just isn't the same without her. It is also becoming increasingly hard to afford the vacations on a retirement budget. Even though my DVC points cover the lodging expense; airfare, park tickets and food are all getting so expensive that I question if I am getting value for my money. At times I consider selling my DVC points... just the annual maintenance fees I pay would cover two weeks in a Value Resort. And to tell you the truth, I've never slept any better at the Boardwalk than I sleep at the All Star Music. For now I keep my DVC points and use them on the Cruise Line rather than at WDW. Maybe a great new land would change that... I don't know.
