Originally Posted By ReelJustice << I'm also sure the OCD fanbois will ride it so much in its first 2-3 months that they'll see all of them and be bored with it by the end of the year.>> My friend who is currently on his CP tweeted that he took his 30th flight on Star Tours 2. I found that very disturbing.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper << I'm not bored by Spidey yet ...>> Prepare for it's digital upgrade! Apparently it looks great!
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<The joke's on you. Those "fanbois" you refer to are paid by Disney to say those things. I just had a face to face encounter with one such person who works in Marketing at WDW and dared tell me that WDW is "better" because they have the most visitors in the World and the biggest resort on Earth... and went further to comment that Potter's land at IOA was badly designed and too small (a case of 'Potter-envy'?). I will agree about the tight spaces in the Potter section, but when it comes to theming and a killer E-ticket ride.. Potter wins. What that Mr. Marketting does not realize is that.. if WDW is seeing better attendance figures is because HARRY POTTER HAS BROUGHT IN 38% INCREASE IN TOURISM INTO CENTRAL FLORIDA, WHICH BENEFITS WDW. They should be thanking Universal. Also.. WDW benefits from LOCATION... which as opposed to Tokyo or Hong Kong, it's more accessible to many people in North and South America, western Europe and the caribbean. It has NOTHING to do with WDW being "better".. because in fact, it is NOT. WDW is just BIG, and as such.. a BIG MESS to operate and properly maintain to Walt's traditional standards. (I wonder what Walt would think if he knew that his FL project has become a big multi-hotel complex connected by ghetto buses.)>> WHEW!!! A lot of my beloved TDLFAN venom (or as I call it, common sense) in the above. I don't know fanbois who get paid by Disney, per se ... unless they have blogs or podcasts and can deliver a still miniscule audience (one that Disney already has in its pocket ... these dudes are as bad with business strategies as they are with keeping up their resort amazingly) ... but I would have given away an EPCOT '95 guidemap for a chance to hear you and him go back and forth. Disney definitely has 'Wand Envy' as I call it (funny, since they took down the biggie hanging over the EPCOT ball! ... hey, what's everybody looking at?!?!) because they KNOW they have no answer to it. Nothing. Their three-year Fantasyland rehab project will be nice, but by the time it opens, Potter Phase II will likely be open too). And recall, Disney actually put out talking points for managers regarding Potter and Fantasyland and Disney making the MK too girly (which an Imagineer promptly copped to in the O-Sentinel, which undoubtedly made him very popular in both TDO and Burbank). WDW is definitely getting some residual attendence bounce from people coming to O-Town for the Boy Wizard. Location certainly helps WDW. But I don't think Tokyo and Hong Kong (or Paris or Anaheim) are exactly hurting because of their locales. WDW isn't better than any other Disney resort in anything but size, hotel variety and natural beauty (certainly NOT MK or STudios, though) although that gets less by the year as they mow down whatever virgin land remains. <<But to finish this observation.. the fanbois may love the new Star Tours re-vamp which I am sure is great (we all know how those disney boys love to be tossed and slapped around, don't we?)..>> Many Disney fanbois absolutely love to be tossed and slapped around ... nothing like a game of Imagineer/Fanboi to get a party started. ;-) <<but I personally will take the Wizarding World of Potter, Tokyo Disney resort and Disneyland Resort in CA *anytime/anyday* over what little mediocre pixie dust WDW blowns on the ignorant tourist base that flocks to Walt Disarray World year after year. As long as that ARROGANT "we are better/bigger" mentality overrules the management's point of view at WDW, the more in trouble they will be. It's horribly tragic when a company looses their tradition in pursuit of the cheap dollar and mediocre magic...and such is the state of WDW.>> Great comments as usual. The arrogance sounds very much like what is running rampant through this nation today in everything from DC to Wall Street ... to O-Town.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Prepare for it's digital upgrade! Apparently it looks great! << They're making a Universal AP look better all the time.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<-- might also be someone talking out of their arse as well there.. remember what set Disney animated features ( and most live action as well)- movies apart from their competition- especially for kids ? Their willingness to have the sadness/heart wrenching moments as well even in upbeat animated movies. What part do most of us remember from our childhood ? The killing of Bambi's Mom, the Huntsman, for somewhat younger roups- Mufasa being killed... Old Yeller ( need I say more) - so they have always played upon the real emotional heartstrings -- from day 1 movie wise- this is not a new philosophy, sounds more like another Disney suit that doesn't even know their own company>> Funny ... we were talking about Bambi's mom tonight (not because we're crazy fanbois, but because there was a public service ad using Bambi to help prevent fires) ... but that's not exactly what I meant. I was referring to an overall effort to wrap Disney's MAGICal brand around emotionally fragile people, much like Linus's security blanket. The films were certainly designed to tug at heartstrings, most serious films are ... this is different.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<My friend who is currently on his CP tweeted that he took his 30th flight on Star Tours 2. I found that very disturbing. >> I'd agree. If it's so much fun (and I believe it is), then why try and see every possible difference? Why not leave something for the future? Why burn yourself out on something? It took me 27 years to get to TDR and even though I saw a lot, I absolutely didn't want to see it all and do it all. I wanted to savor it and enjoy everything and know there were things left to see and do in the future. But I think the OCD mentality you describe with your friend is very common in the fan community. On a completely unrelated note, but I just thought of it here ... I am not pleased at Disney yet again cheapening the real/legit history that many of us collectors own (like the original WDW preview book or the first maps to EC and MK) by recreating these pieces of history for things like D23. I don't know if there's a lessening in value of the originals (I own two of the three items above ... actually have multiple of the EC maps, but one has holes because it actually hung on this fanboi's wall as a kid), but it sure seems to cheapen them. Rant (on that subject) off.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 << I'm not bored by Spidey yet ...>> <<Prepare for it's digital upgrade! Apparently it looks great!>> It looked great to me two weeks ago ... most effects were working ... seems like Potter has gotten much of IOA looking like it was new.
Originally Posted By ReelJustice <<I'd agree. If it's so much fun (and I believe it is), then why try and see every possible difference? Why not leave something for the future? Why burn yourself out on something?>> He has been in O-Town since January and has yet take the trip down I-4 to visit the boy wizard despite EE and I's attempts. Frustrating. btw, I don't even think I've ridden anything 30 times in WDW.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Good to see you back TDLFAN, you have been missed, and your comments were spot on! Disney has always played at heartstrings, that is what was so awesome about their movies. But, I remember a time where the parks were all about the attractions, shows and settings. For 10 years now, all the ads seem to focus on little precious being hugged by a spotty kid in a rubber suit, and the unstable masses who take pictures of the their cuddly toy in various locales are in tears watching the ads (though I must confess, being an unstable type who has been known to cry in the parks or waste too much of my time online).
Originally Posted By SeventyOne <But the fact is, your situation is probably not at all uncommon in the Disney Community. Bad relationships and people who are lonely seem to be common threads.> Think you're dead on here, Spirit. Sorry to bring the subject up in yet another thread, but the Adventurers Club was a microcosm of this--a bar where the actors were paid to be your friend. Your statement describes at least 80% of the regulars I knew there. That can be a powerful thing in a transient city like southwest Orlando (although I know you're referring to a nationwide phenomenon as well). <I'm also sure the OCD fanbois will ride it so much in its first 2-3 months that they'll see all of them and be bored with it by the end of the year.> Facebook friends with a number of fainbois who have already seen it all, before the official opening. A couple were CMs who made a point of doing it Friday night. For the record, I rode it once on Sunday Funday before heading to High Octane for a stoplight margarita (ok, three). The characters look awesome; the rest of the CGI looks like Mission:Space. End of the day, it's still a simulator with the same old simulator tricks ("Oh no, the cliff is collapsing!"). Also, the TSA jokes in line are cheesy. The obvious Earth parallels and the multiple signs in English and some made-up, vaguely Asian language made me feel like I was getting on a Firefly/Serenity ride rather than a Star Wars ride.
Originally Posted By Labuda "As long as that ARROGANT "we are better/bigger" mentality overrules the management's point of view at WDW, the more in trouble they will be. It's horribly tragic when a company looses their tradition in pursuit of the cheap dollar and mediocre magic...and such is the state of WDW." Amen to that, and it is WONDERFUL to see you posting here again, my friend. I miss you! :/
Originally Posted By HMButler79 ""As long as that ARROGANT "we are better/bigger" mentality overrules the management's point of view at WDW, the more in trouble they will be."" this has been the M.O. since before IOA opened. They were saying "oh it will be just another Six Flags" So they have been in arrogant denial for YEARS. But now with Potter it's like well i dk...it's gone beyond denial. It's like they've settled into thir bunker and refused to accept the events and figures that have transpired since June of '10 (and before that).
Originally Posted By HMButler79 I am also not thrilled w/ Uni. going to the Disney route to increase guest srvice. Now they have the.....birthday buttons and during Mardi Gras they had a Kid-Cot type craft tables by the turnstyles to entertain kids. I don't know why Uni. feels the need to do this. Thier Team Member attitude and service is already better than CMs.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I don't know why Uni. feels the need to do this.>> Because guests...*GASP* like it! How horrible!
Originally Posted By HMButler79 ""Because guests...*GASP* like it!"" Yea.. i'm sure that guests were saying "My kids are bored w/ MG, they NEED kindergarten craft tables"....Like WDW tried to convince parents thier kids were bored in WS???? right...And Uni. got to where it is by NOT being Disney.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Like WDW tried to convince parents thier kids were bored in WS???? right << Maybe they didn't have to convince the parents. Maybe the kids really were bored.
Originally Posted By MPierce >> but I personally will take the Wizarding World of Potter, Tokyo Disney resort and Disneyland Resort in CA *anytime/anyday* over what little mediocre pixie dust WDW blowns on the ignorant tourist base that flocks to Walt Disarray World year after year. << I am really happy to see you back, and posting here in the WDW section of LP. Now lets get down to business. How many years have you been going to WDW.? How many times have you been this year? Will you bring me back a box of Curry Popcorn from TDR?
Originally Posted By MPierce Spirit thinks we'er all nuts! He very well could be right though. Since I am sitting here typing this in my Grumpy T-shirt. Wearing my Mickey pajama bottoms. Drinking my freshly ground Community hazelnut coffee out of my Mickey coffee mug.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>BTW, EE, thanks you for starting the fire at the Tiki Room. He'd like you to do some fish frying at EPCOT next.<<< PLEASE.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>On a completely unrelated note, but I just thought of it here ... I am not pleased at Disney yet again cheapening the real/legit history that many of us collectors own (like the original WDW preview book or the first maps to EC and MK) by recreating these pieces of history for things like D23. I don't know if there's a lessening in value of the originals (I own two of the three items above ... actually have multiple of the EC maps, but one has holes because it actually hung on this fanboi's wall as a kid), but it sure seems to cheapen them.<<< There is. It's hardly fair that you and I either hunt down something or buy it when it was new, and hold on to it for several years, only to find that the same product can now be bought at will. The intellectual investment made is squandered. Leave it to Disney to tear down their legacy, even in merch.
