Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Something else I don't get... Why not just keep the merch in the right area.>> Take a look at WDW. Or DL for that matter. When merchandise stopped being part of 'show' the mid-90s it opened the door for Jack Skellington in Tomorrowland, princesses in Liberty Square, Pirates in EPCOT and pins, plush and Hannah Montana everywhere else. >>> You should check out the 1956 Robbins Barstow film on DL (it got a lot of attention recently when he passed away) ... it's a home movie of a trip a CT family won and it is an incredible look at an era to begin with ... and DL in particular. Disney 'branding' was there in things like Davy Crockett and the characters IN Fantasyland ... but it is like a time capsule and you'll see how simple DL was, yet how it took you to other places so well. Today, Disney wants to take you to DISNEY BRAND MAGIC WISHES PRINCESSES DREAMS PIRATES AND PIXIE DUST LAND ... totally different.<<< <<Point me in the right direction, and I'm there. >> Just do a search on You Tube or Google ... it was called Disneyland Dream 1956. It's so good it was named to the National Film Registry. Every Disney fan should watch that... <<And I have no problem with synergy... when it's used the right way.>> Yep, it's always been a part of Disney. Just not in the way it is today. <<But not everything has to be branded by Mr. Iger, which he loves to do.>> I wonder how stiff he'll be at the Dream christening (would it be obnoxious for me to point out I was the first online Spirit, or offline, to tell the world that DCL was expanding by two ships and going to Alaska?)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Seriously, it is very nice to see you here>> <<Thanks. I guess it took conversation about the overseas parks to get me off my $#%&... Thus far I've gotten my fill of WDW chat in another MAGICal location. >> Are they still blathering on about the princess meet and greets? Or how Spidey is being moved to the MK? At this point, I'd much rather talk about ANY/ALL of the overseas park. What exactly is there to talk about at WDW today? <<Speaking of which, can't recall but did you shell out for a TDR hotel or stay elsewhere?>> <<We stayed a week at the Mira Costa, with a lagoon view, and then a week at the Sheraton with a park view. The Mira Costa was amazing... Loved watching BraviSEAmo in my pj's. The Sheraton was fine... Nothing special. The DLH was opening the week after we left, so I didn't have the opportunity to even walk through it and check it out, let alone stay there, unfortunately. >> OK, now I LOVED TDR. I can't wait to go back, which I will later this year. I may even buy a TDS AP depending on my work in Asia, BUT ... tell me you didn't spend two weeks at Disney theme parks and not tour Tokyo and environs ... please ... That said, I'd love to stay at Mira Costa. It had a phenomenal look and feel (especially the hidden peek into the park you get by hanging out near the pool). Just hard to spend that much money for a room when I was out all the time ... and stayed at a Good Neighbor Hotel for about $60 (no, not a typo) a night. You just have to tell me you did stuff other than two weeks of theme parks. I have a friend who spent three weeks at the PPH at DLR a few summers ago and left Anaheim for parts of two days, I think (El Capitan and WDI were his stops) and I do admit to thinking he was a wee bit insane.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >>>Soon ... although I've mentioned plenty of it in pieces ... and also down on the almost no one reads it TDR board.<<<< <<Thanks for calling me, X, and Superdry no one! lol.>> Now, you know that's not what I meant. X and I are pals in the real world and how could I ever forget how loving and tender you were in bed at Heathrow ;-) ... oh, and I am sure SD is a kewl dude too! Just that no one pays much attention to those boards. It's almost like they don't want to know how great Disney parks can still be in 2010 (or 11) ... but when it's here, they'll read or comment even if they feel like they're watching a car wreck. <<Perhaps it's the belgian beers and french wine of the business meeting calling (no food and wine festival nonsense required), but I could almost feel insulted (though you are not far wrong >> I don't insult my friends, I save that for very special souless spirits in the real world!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ***My theory (and from talking with some locals and others who visit frequently) is it goes back to Japan's role as an aggressor in WWII and this whole 'cute' deal (from maid cafes to Hello Kitty to Duffy to boys and girls you can't tell apart without a medical exam -- or TSA scanner) is a response. Like a 'look how non-threatening and sweet we are' ... I admit I am no expert and could be off, but it does make some sense*** <<An interesting, albeit horribly creepy, theory.>> But isn't that fitting from an interesting, albeit horribly creepy, Spirit? <<Somehow I think it's something else though. For one thing, the cute craze is relatively new (less than 50 years old in any case), and it's generally propagated by the young who pay little attention to history and really don't care much or even KNOW much about Japan's atrocious past. That plus, the older generation (the ones who came after the war) didn't seem to give a flying crap about that when they wheeled and dealed and pushed their way to fastest recovery from ruin to prosperity in world history. So it's interesting, but somehow I think it goes deeper and there's more to it.>> Could well be. But I'd argue it isn't simply young people. When I see 70-year-olds with Duffy, they're old enough to get Japan's recent history. And when I see women almost my mother's age (which can never be uttered here) wearing schoolgirl plaid skirts with their hair in ponytails and feet pointed inward to be cute, I think creepy. Or even 30-somethings at the front desk of my hotel acting like they're 14 when asked to do something they don't want to (no, not that ... I meant like swapping rooms or taking a charge off the bill). <<Sort of like the half-Klingon chick in star trek who tells hottie Deanna Troi that she feels like she's got a monster inside her or something.>> Star Trek references? OK, I did watch NG, but I have no idea what episode you are talking about. <<Perhaps it's not their DEEDS, but the fact that they know deep down they'd do it all over again if they had the chance.>> Those are mighty strong words. And guess what? I think there's surely some truth in it. I think that's why Japan hasn't wanted to build up a defense force ... this has been a violent nation. Duffy or Hello Kitty can't and won't change that. <<Or on the other hand it could be national PTSD.>> Again, possibly partly true. <<My pet theory is that Disney just came along and created the beast, they were perfectly normal before Mickey came to town (the "Tommy" theory).>> Well, didn't Disney singlehandedly bring Halloween to the nation? Isn't it trying the same (time out DCL commercial every ABC break) the same thing now with Easter (minus the Jesus stuff)?
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Just do a search on You Tube or Google ... it was called Disneyland Dream 1956. It's so good it was named to the National Film Registry. Every Disney fan should watch that...<<< I'm on it. Maybe on a night when Craig isn't on.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***Well, didn't Disney singlehandedly bring Halloween to the nation?*** If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I'd not have believed it myself...I was privilidged to see the actually BIRTH of Halloween from it's humble toontown greeting beginnings in October of 1999. ***Isn't it trying the same (time out DCL commercial every ABC break) the same thing now with Easter (minus the Jesus stuff)?*** Yup, and why not? They already do Christmas minus the Jesus stuff! Problem is, they're running out of holidays (particularly cute and colorful ones). What's next, Independence Day for a month? They should just make up a holiday and call it "American", the locals wouldn't know the difference! Now premiering at Tokyo Disney Resort 2015...a Festivus, for the Rest of Us! <--cue cheezy music as the "airing of grievances" parade gets underway!
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Hannah Montana everywhere >>> We all know that Disney sells "toothpick holders" in the parks with various designs on them. What do you think about Hannah Montana logo waterpipes?
Originally Posted By buried20kleague <<Wow - a 2-week stay at TDR? That's a long time for that resort!>> We didn't spend the whole time at the parks. Only 6 days. Well, really more like 5 1/2. The rest of the time we were sightseeing. Tsukiji, Mt. Fuji, Hiroshima, Tokyo tower, etc. We weren't sure if or when we'd get back to Tokyo, so we made it a nice long trip. In hindsight, we could have stayed more in Tokyo for the sightseeing week, but truthfully we were more comfortable staying near the parks, as it was something we "knew".
Originally Posted By buried20kleague <<What exactly is there to talk about at WDW today?>> Well SOMEONE's gotta try to keep the sanity around that place. After all you defectors left, the burden fell squarely on my shoulders. Speaking of defectors... Not even a "hello" or "welcome aboard" from EE??? Me thinks he and I shall go round. <<OK, now I LOVED TDR. I can't wait to go back, which I will later this year. I may even buy a TDS AP depending on my work in Asia, BUT ... tell me you didn't spend two weeks at Disney theme parks and not tour Tokyo and environs ... please ... That said, I'd love to stay at Mira Costa. It had a phenomenal look and feel (especially the hidden peek into the park you get by hanging out near the pool). Just hard to spend that much money for a room when I was out all the time ... and stayed at a Good Neighbor Hotel for about $60 (no, not a typo) a night. You just have to tell me you did stuff other than two weeks of theme parks. I have a friend who spent three weeks at the PPH at DLR a few summers ago and left Anaheim for parts of two days, I think (El Capitan and WDI were his stops) and I do admit to thinking he was a wee bit insane.>> Nah, we're nuts, but not THAT nuts. 5 1/2 days in the parks. Saw the country for the other week. Which we LOVED. Loved the people, loved the atmosphere, loved it all. Beautiful country. We want to return as much for the country and sights as we do for TDR. I've traveled plenty as you know... And nowhere else have I ever come across such nice and thoughtful people. Certainly a change from 60 years ago... But I care not why they've changed. Only that they have. We swam in the pool in the Mira Costa. Which isn't included in the price when you have a room there. Yep. Cost us about $40 for the two girls to swim, and for my wife and I to be able to sit in there with them and watch them. Insane. If only we could post pictures here, I could share the view we had from the room... Front row for the lagoon shows. And I've also got a few great pictures of exactly what you're talking about with the area of the park around the pool. Stunning.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Speaking of defectors... Not even a "hello" or "welcome aboard" from EE??? Me thinks he and I shall go round.<<< WHOAH. Just looked at the screenname and realized who it was. Heh. Hi. Sorry about that. ...Now I feel bad... (Without avatars, it's quite hard to keep tabs on all these names...)
Originally Posted By buried20kleague Speaking about how not only the young have seemed to have an attitude change in Japan... I'll share a quick story. We took my parents with us to Japan. They're 70ish. One night we were on a train going to Roy's for dinner (HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!), and we were sitting across from two old men. They had been drinking, you could tell. They spoke very little English, but started talking to my parents. I was a little worried... Thinking my mom (the staunch republican) would have a problem. But you know what? They ended up laughing, and hugging, and one of the men even pulled a good luck charm out of his pocket and gave it to my mom. The whole scene was just something to behold... These people from different worlds, with an ugly history behind them, and they were laughing and getting along great. Truthfully, it almost brought a tear to my eye. And my mom and dad just couldn't stop talking about it the rest of the night. I don't think there's a nicer people on the planet, and I've met a lot of them. Well, maybe Hawaiians. Or people from the south pacific. But you get my point. And it's only magnified at the Disney resorts. It easily raised the resort up an extra notch or two for us.
Originally Posted By buried20kleague <<WHOAH. Just looked at the screenname and realized who it was. Heh. Hi. Sorry about that. ...Now I feel bad... (Without avatars, it's quite hard to keep tabs on all these names...) >> Your backpedaling will do you no good at this point. We shall go round and round.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>Your backpedaling will do you no good at this point. We shall go round and round.<<< Sounds like a plan. What on? ;-)
Originally Posted By buried20kleague <<Sounds like a plan. What on? ;-)>> I chickpea is neither a chick, nor a pea. Begin.
Originally Posted By buried20kleague <<I'm king of the defectors, welcome Buried20kleague!>> But the difference between me and all you people is I'm still welcome over there. HA!
Originally Posted By buried20kleague <<I chickpea is neither a chick, nor a pea. Begin.>> I mean THE chickpea. Not I. Not being able to edit sucks. So does not being able to quote. Or post pictures. Or have an avatar. But other than all that, this place is GREEEAAAAAAAAT. :|
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>I chickpea is neither a chick, nor a pea. Begin.<<< It's a vegetable. What is this, Coffee Talk? ;-) >>>But other than all that, this place is GREEEAAAAAAAAT. :|<<< The discussion and people make up for it.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Not being able to edit sucks. >>> Yep. Also, no search. <<< So does not being able to quote. Or post pictures. Or have an avatar. >>> I'm able to quote, as you can see As for the lack of embedded pictures, avatars, animated GIF smilies, different colors and fonts for messages, and the like, THANK GOD! It makes this site so much more usable than many other message boards. My browser nearly locks up every time I wander over to Micechat because so many users put so much embedded crap in each message.
Originally Posted By CaptainMichael <<But the difference between me and all you people is I'm still welcome over there. HA! >> Until a MAGICal webmaster catches wind of you posting with the defectors away from the mother country.
