Originally Posted By MPierce >> 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. << Even a Red Neck can spot quality! >> 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. << I agree completely. The crowds have everything to do with it. However, we both know that should never have anything to do with day to day cleanliness, and maintenance in the Parks. >> 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. << OK, my wife helped me with the counting, I just can't get the hang of that fancy calculator on that portable phone my wife gave me. Remember, my report is based on my trip alone. I do not mean to say anything I report is the norm. I do agree that crowd levels have everything to do with the number of strollers, and ECVs. >> 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. << They are not overrated if you love pineapple. I would tell you a story about my love of pineapple, but we would both be sitting here, and crying like babies. Have they cleaned up the slums around Oahu, and have the folks there not tied to tourism stopped being a**h****? Yes The Islands can be a lovely place, but it doesn't impress me. My Bud, and his wife went last year instead of a trip to WDW. They were both very disappointed. They did all the tourist things, and were not impressed,and they aren't even Red Necks. They are both very Cosmopolitan. >> Keep writing ... << Unfortunately for everyone here, I plan to.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> >>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... << Me either -em. I'm glad I didn't have any while I was there. I wonder if TDLFAN knows about this.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> 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. << I pointed out that I could have missed the entertainment. Remember I can only report on what I experience. However, experiences in the Parks should not be that widely varied though. I always visit this time of year leaving on the Sunday of Super Bowl, and this is the first time I ever saw a lack of entertainment, characters or DUCKS.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> 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. << Excellent points Dave. Any corporation that does not cater to it's hardcore fan base is making a long term mistake.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> 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! << ...and it shows in your writing. I'm so very glad you are happy.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> 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. << <<They are not overrated if you love pineapple. I would tell you a story about my love of pineapple, but we would both be sitting here, and crying like babies.>> That sounds intriguing ... I have cried over kumquats before never pineapple ... but pomegrantes can make me whimper like a baby ... man those are great (if messy!) <<Have they cleaned up the slums around Oahu, and have the folks there not tied to tourism stopped being a**h****? >> Haven't been there since 2005, and I didn't see any outright slums on Oahu (although it is by far my least favorite Hawaiian island) ... and the people were all friendly or at least not unfriendly. <<Yes The Islands can be a lovely place, but it doesn't impress me.>> I guess it takes a lot to impress you. <<My Bud, and his wife went last year instead of a trip to WDW. They were both very disappointed. They did all the tourist things, and were not impressed,and they aren't even Red Necks. They are both very Cosmopolitan.>> I don't know where they went, where they stayed, what they did, how much they spent etc ... but I would go to Hawaii in a heartbeat over WDW. It is an amazing chain of paradaisical islands. And soon, Disney will have its own DVC resort right next to Marriott's (which is wonderful) at Ko Olina. >> Keep writing ... << <<Unfortunately for everyone here, I plan to.>> Keep it up ... you're not nearly as entertaining as tonight's SNL, but I'm enjoying nonetheless.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo >>>...and it shows in your writing. I'm so very glad you are happy.<<< Gee, thanks for noticing, I wondered about making a public apology for the last couple of years, but I figured actions speak much louder than words.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> Keep it up ... you're not nearly as entertaining as tonight's SNL, but I'm enjoying nonetheless << I did enjoy the Pelosi/Reid skit.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad A few years ago we came across a piano player outside of Casey's. He played any disney song we could think of and captivated my kids. We look each year but haven't seen him since. Anyone know if he is still there or was he another magic cutback?
Originally Posted By dshyates One of teh guys who used to do it now plays piano at pat O'Brian's up at Universal's CityWalk. They have a deuling piano show.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 >> Keep it up ... you're not nearly as entertaining as tonight's SNL, but I'm enjoying nonetheless << <<I did enjoy the Pelosi/Reid skit.>> Yeah, that was very funny. I think SNL has been more consistently good this year (normally, it is either great or sucks more than most Disney execs ... wonder if that's gonna last!) But despite losing the very talented Amy Poehler, the show has really been on more than off.
Originally Posted By leobloom ^^The Steve Martin episode was awful. The Gov. Patterson impression was funny, and it wasn't Steve's fault that his material was horrible, but damn, what a disappointment (IMHO).
Originally Posted By MPierce >> A few years ago we came across a piano player outside of Casey's. He played any disney song we could think of and captivated my kids. We look each year but haven't seen him since. Anyone know if he is still there or was he another magic cutback? << I saw the piano was still there, but never a piano player.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> ^^The Steve Martin episode was awful. The Gov. Patterson impression was funny, and it wasn't Steve's fault that his material was horrible, but damn, what a disappointment (IMHO). << I agree, I was really disappointed. Every other time I can remember Steve Martin being on he was great. I made a special point of watching this SNL even though I was at WDW.
Originally Posted By leobloom >I agree, I was really disappointed. Every other time I can remember Steve Martin being on he was great. I made a special point of watching this SNL even though I was at WDW.> Who can forget Steve Martin's "Not gonna phone it in tonight" opening from the 1990s. Great stuff!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <>> A few years ago we came across a piano player outside of Casey's. He played any disney song we could think of and captivated my kids. We look each year but haven't seen him since. Anyone know if he is still there or was he another magic cutback? << I saw the piano was still there, but never a piano player.< seems hit or miss -- he was there the last 2trips - and was fun !
Originally Posted By MPierce >> seems hit or miss -- he was there the last 2trips - and was fun ! << That's another thing that seemes to bother me. Entertainment at the Parks shouldn't be so hit or miss. If you spend enough hours there you should get a pretty good cross section of the entertainment. At least that's how I feel.
