Originally Posted By MPierce We visted about 4 to 5 hours Sunday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Let me start off by saying that the MK was very clean. I saw no overflowing trash cans are trash littering the streets. All the queues were clean including Buzz Lightyear. Crowds were light during the week, and heavier on the week-ends. Normally we will go this time of year, and leave the park almost as soon as we arrive on a Saturday. Not this year though. The crowds were very manageable. While not all of the Main Street vehicles were out, we never saw the fire truck, we did notice a new vehicle. At least new to us. It was a green double decker bus. Just like the ones that use to be at Epcot only green instead of red. Never saw that before, has it always been there, and we just missed it in the past? Entertainment activity seemed down throughout the Park. A real lack of action. That could just be because we missed it though. The stores on Main Street USA still feel like a strip center to me. They really need to make them individual shops again. Nothing unique really stood out as far as the merchandise. I really wish I could be more positive about that. On a happier note Push is still there, and a Pineapple Dole Whip is still only $3.08 including tax (yes I know Spirit you think it's overrated)! There really wasn't a whole lot to ride because of my condition, and being stuck on an ECV really takes a lot of fun out of the experience. However you do seem fresh at the end of a long day. I was able to get out, and walk with the aid of a cane a little. I much prefer to take in the atmosphere instead of riding rides anyway. Let me go ahead, and dispell the myth of all of the front of the line privledges you get in a wheelchair or on an ECV. Most of the lines are handicap accessible. The ones that aren't you usually wait longer to get on than the suckers....I mean folks in the regular line. TTA is still great even though the construction going on detracts from it. We were able to walk on to Buzz Lightyear 4 times in a row until my thumb gave out. I was really surprised how clean the queue looked. The train ride around the park was still relaxing. POTC was like it has been, I still miss the parrot. The sound seemed a little better to me this time. The Donkey still wasn't braying though. I still enjoy IASW, it always brings a smile to my face, plus I drive my wife crazy when I sing "It's a Tiny World". We didn't bother with Mickey's Toon Town fair. I had already run down five kids that day (just kidding). What can I say about the HM. It was the first time seeing it since the rehab. That really shows what Disney can do when they want to. It really makes the lesser quality rides stand out once you see a great E ticket like that. The guest in the Parks were just great. I'm talking not one rude person, no one trying to cut in line no one using foul language. I did have my only incident on my ECV there however. I was leaving the park on Wednesday. A group of people were chatting In the middle of MS, and I had a woman walking just ahead of me on my left. She decided to veer to the right while one of the women in the group chatting decided to step back. Those ECV's stop pretty good, but still travel a little bit after you release the accellerator. That's right I bumped the woman with my padded arm rest. She yelled ouch that's right OUCH! My wife appologized profusely, and gave me the chicken-eye. I remained silent because I din't want to ruin the happy mood I had been in. So I was the goat because I made the mistake of driving down Main Street USA. You really have to be careful while driving one. People are on vacation, and are there to have fun. That doesn't always involve watching where you're going, especially kids. I never used my horn once while we were at WDW. Well that is unless I accidently rested my very expensive beer on it (it's great being able to drink, and drive). My wife gave me the chicken-eye for that on more than one occasion. Also let me get this out of my systen now. I did this on several occasions. I took a hurried count of the number of ECV's, strollers, and normal folks. ECV's maybe 1%, strollers about 7%, considerably higher at the MK about 15%, normal people all the rest. I know you think it's much higher than that for ECV's, and strollers, but that is the percentage I consistently came up with at this time of year on my trip. I'm sure some people do take advantage of ECV's because they are fat or lazy, I won't deny that, but every person I talked to had a medical condition which usually meant a recent surgery. I know I'm going to catch flak from Spirit on that one. You've got to be pretty lazy to pay the mouse $45 a day for rental. Even off property rental runs over $30 a day. All in all the park looked nice, and clean, The CM's were fantastic, the crowds were very manageable, one might even say they were great. There even seemed to be less crying kids. The boat rides to, and from the WL were as enjoyable as always. Only 2 ECV's to a boat. Of the 6 trips I made back, and forth I was the ony ECV 5 of the times, and you wait in line like the normal people do. Bottom-line, I sure hope they start improving this Park because it can sometimes get old when you've been there several times. I think it was the wrong approach to sit back, and rely on the fact that most of the folks there didn't come very often. We still had a good time, and were thankful for something new in the way of HM. On the down side of things the Landscaping just wasn't up to Disney standards. As Spirit has mentioned before the flower beds looked like mulch with a sprinkling of flowers. My wife was the first to comment about it. I remember taking the Magical express back to MCO this time when we went by the Marriot Resort, and Convention Center. Looking at the entrance I thought how pretty it looked with the manicured shrubs, and beautiful thick lush flowerbeds. I thought to myself, thats what WDW USE to look like. I didn't go around looking for things to be wrong but I did notice some chipped paint here, and there. Especially one little quaint shop on the left while leaving the HM. It had 2 rocking chairs sitting on the porch. That indicates to us it's time to sit down, and people watch. I noticed a section of peeled paint on the railing about 18 inches long. It wouldn't take much to touch that up, and somebody should have really noticed that. Now here I go on my DUCK rant. Where have all the waterfowl gone. I am a very simple person (no that's not simple minded Spirit). I love my ducks, and all the wildlife there. It really is a big thing for me, and goes a very long way in making my trip enjoyable. (that's just me). Are the ducks being run off from WDW. have they abandon the Mouse for greener pastures? Could there possibly be something more sinister going on. What is afoul(pun)here? All in all I will have to say I think most people enjoy the Magic Kingdom. It definetly needs more entertainment, better maintenance, and landscaping, and a few more rides. This I believe are things that most folks new to the Disney experience would not notice, and I think it really irritates the old-timers that know what it should be like.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>This I believe are things that most folks new to the Disney experience would not notice, and I think it really irritates the old-timers that know what it should be like<<< But sadly, Disney rely on making the former group happy rather than us old timers.
Originally Posted By MPierce It sure seems that way Dave. The MK looks great to all the new folks, but not nearly as nice as it did even 2 short years ago.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt I love the new & improved HM also!! My DD7 (at the time) spent many an evening hanging out of our doombuggy to find all the hidden treasures in the attic. Yes, I bought "The HM Bride" pin. The landscaping is sparce compared to what it used to be. Bobbelee9 has this great Gardens of the Disney book that I really enjoy. It's an older book , just MK & EPCOT. Ducks & geese poop a lot, maybe Disney chased them off. Did you see any bunnies! They are usually near the Crystal Palace & by The Castle on the side near the funnel cake place.
Originally Posted By MPierce No bunnys anywhere except for the WL. There were four there. I would usually see them early in the morning, and late at night. Winky was very disappointed! A little duck poop is worth it for the beauty the ducks bring to the parks. At least they dont dump on your head or try to steal your food like the Sea gulls. There are definetly a whole lot less of them now also. Still a lot more Gulls than ducks though.
Originally Posted By MPierce One major aspect I forgot to mention was the lack of characters outside of the parades, and the show at Cindy's Castle. There use to be meet, and greets all over the place. Not on this trip. If you wanted to see Mickey or Minnie you had to go looking for them. This was like that at all the parks. We saw Mickey one time at a show at the Castle as we were passing by. We saw Chip, and Dale, and Pluto as we past through Toon Town on the train. None that I can remember anywhere else. I'll have to ask my lovely wife if that's how she remembers it.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt They are all in Toon Town, in the Judge's Tent. Princesses & Fairies alike!
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt I'm glad the MK is doing well. I just love it there, I feel so at peace..And they tell me to "Hurry Back".. Did you see Madame Leota head stone? Cool uh!!
Originally Posted By MPierce Everything about the HM was fantastic. Especially the fact it was a walk on every time we rode it including Saturday. We went one day, and they closed it down for technical reasons. I thought here we go again with broken down rides. Then some paramedics came wheeling around the corner with a stretcher, and oxygen. Don't know what happened, but it was open back up again in the time it took to ride IASW.
Originally Posted By A Happy Haunt Well, they found a volunteer!! I know that was wrong..I'm evil & need help!!
Originally Posted By MPierce >> I'm glad the MK is doing well. I just love it there, I feel so at peace..And they tell me to "Hurry Back".. << Actually if they keep it clean, and make the changes I suggested it will be doing well for the old-timers as well as the new guest. It's really not much money to invest in the #1 theme park in the world.
Originally Posted By JenniBarra What's funny is that I was just at WDW last week and there are things you described that feel quite opposite to me. >>Entertainment activity seemed down throughout the Park.<< I was pleasantly surprised to see the amount of activity I did on Main Street, for example. (We typically visit around the time of year and I don't recall this being the case on other trips.) There were turn of the century characters wandering about the shops and streets. The double decker bus dropped off a group of performers who did the welcome medley. >>On a happier note Push is still there<< He was great. When I encountered him, he was chattering on and on - "I had sugar for lunch! I had sugar! I had sugar!" Hyper much? <g> >>The guest in the Parks were just great.<< My one beef would be stop with the flash photography, people! I witnessed this on several attractions and only on one did a CM finally make an announcement. >>On the down side of things the Landscaping just wasn't up to Disney standards.<< I don't think that the recent weather is helping. The grass was all yellow and it felt like being back at home - but it's to be expected that our bermuda grass looks like crud in the winter. I would imagine things will spring back once it consistently warms up again. >>Now here I go on my DUCK rant. Where have all the waterfowl gone.<< I saw a number of ducks.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 Nice report ... old man. I knew you'd enjoy Mansion because ... well, everyone does. Funny how when you do something right most folks seem to notice and appreciate it. Can't answer about the ducks. I know I have plenty in my 'hood ... one just tried to follow me into the garage when I got back from dinner. Maybe weather had something to do with it? It's been a very cold winter in Florida, so maybe they've come a bit further south ... or maybe Phil Holmes has figured out that you can use them in the 'chicken' nuggets and 'them dumb tourists won't know the difference.' Glad the place was clean. That's one of the most basic things. It does seem to depend on crowds these days. If it is slow to moderate the place can look good to even great. If it is busy or really busy or holiday busy, well, things go to the dump (not dumpster) quickly. Also good to hear about the Buzz queue, which has been a total mess for most of my visits for years now. As to ECVs and strollers, I'm going to hazard a guess here (and no, it's not that being from Texas you can't count beyond your two hands) that with the economy tanking, many of the lazy folks who didn't need them to begin with aren't renting (see, something good to come out of the depression) them ... same thing with strollers. Because what you saw is most definitely not what I have seen on countless trips dating to my last in October. Other thoughts ... Dole Whips are still overrated unless you're having them on Oahu and they have gotten much smaller, while the price has gone up. ... and it's sad that the OC Convention Center has better maintained grounds and flower beds than the MK does. Keep writing ...
Originally Posted By -em >>or maybe Phil Holmes has figured out that you can use them in the 'chicken' nuggets and 'them dumb tourists won't know the difference.'<< I shall never look at chicken nuggers the same way again...
Originally Posted By Disney and beyond <<But sadly, Disney rely on making the former group happy rather than us old timers.>> Because those fans account for the majority of the guests that visit the parks each year. I've ranted about this before, but companies are now learning that the most money can come from the casual fan. Disney has learned this, Nintendo has learned this (The sole reason why the Wii is the top selling system in the world) and Warner Bros. Learned this (Making a comic book movie that has a realistic feel to it will attract more viewers.) Do all these companies still appeal to the hardcore? Sure they do. But the revolution has already begun, and the casual over hardcore idea will never go away. There is just too much money at stake to not.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo But I have always been a Nintendo fan and love my Wii. I also have always been a Comic Book Hero fan and enjoy WB productions. Disney annoy me more than delight me recently (except in DLP where the last couple of years have largely been getting better and better). What concerns me about pandering mainly the casual fan, is they are casual. When they get board, they can move on to the next thing. Whereas if they delight the crowds, some of those casual fans are more likely to become hardcore or at least urge their friends to go to the parks too.
Originally Posted By avromark ^^ But that would be for next quarter, what they have to worry about is maximizing this quarter at all costs. The shareholders will be happy. Oh what positive difference a "warmhearted" corporation makes to some "two-man" operation of days gone by in California
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo And that is what I hate about the corporate world, and after working for two multinational PLCs, I have opted to lead a private investment firm. And you know what? AS long as we can make payroll, we are taking far more risks than I have been allowed to do in a long time, and I love it!
Originally Posted By Mr X ***And that is what I hate about the corporate world, and after working for two multinational PLCs, I have opted to lead a private investment firm. And you know what? AS long as we can make payroll, we are taking far more risks than I have been allowed to do in a long time, and I love it!*** Congrats on the new gig! (got a job for me? )
