Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<This is so true. I was just reading reviews of the Buena Vista Palace after ignoring the property for over 20 years. I simply have not kept it on my radar screen. When I last stayed there in 1987 the Palace was a top-notch property. Before the massive WDW expansion it was a very well run, clean, resort. The green areas, rec areas, lobby & shopping areas were all meticulous. People weren't staying there on a 70 priceline rate. People were staying there because it was a deluxe resort. After reading reviews and seeing the relative low room rates it is sad to see how much that entire corner of WDW has fallen from it's quality and get-a-way Floridian resort feel 20-30 years ago.>> I can't comment on the Palace right now, but from 1999-2003, I stayed regularly on Priceline.com rates -- often as low as $33 a night plus a resort fee (maybe $9). The place at the time blew away WDW's deluxe resorts, except for the new DAK Lodge, in almost every aspect. Remember, this was when WDW reached its nadir in upkeep -- especially at the resorts. The bedding was by FAR the highest quality on WDW property. The rooms were large and well-appointed. The staff was high quality. The dining was too. I would have paid multiples of that to stay there <<Even dealing with the present, it somewhat surprises me that with the location the Palace enjoys that someone isn't running that place as a serious, nice alternative to Disney. In the 80s the Palace's management needed to compete against Disney's high standards, in 2006 Disney has lowered the bar, so why should other companies not lower there's, huh>> I'm sure that plays a factor. WDW is the leader in Central Florida lodging and if it drops its standards and quality, others will follow suit. I know the Palace also lost its Wyndham flagging last year and may be associated with it in some capacity. I'm not quite sure. But I would expect the resort to undergo a massive renovation if it hasn't already started one. All the Hotel Plaza properties have or are undergoing major work to bring them up to standards. I remember in the 1970s and 80s, they were considered the best places to stay in Central Florida after the two (then three) MK monorail resorts.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>I was amazed by the quality of McDonald's in Europe.<< You have not experience McDonald's at it's very best until you have been to the ones in Japan. Great expeditious service, hot food always, and great ketchup mix. If only they could kill the smoking sections, I'd be even happier. >> After almost 30 years of visiting, it's never easy to leave.<< I know what you mean.. that monorail trip back to the TTC from the MK is just horrible. All those loud audio ads for the Wedding pavillion and surrounding hotels... who needs it? But kidding aside (actually I wasn't kidding about the monorail)... I know how you feel about being sad when you leave. I am one of those suckers who has to stop, turn around and look at the castle one more time before exiting the park, and I do this in every park except for the WDW parks for some reason.. Everytime I go to TDR with G-Fan.. when our last night comes around.. I always say to him "It's so sad...we're leaving! It's so sad..", to which he always replies.. "Yeah.." Ok. enough of that mush. >>Welcome home, and start planning!!!<< ...For that TDR trip that is. Who wants to go back to the same old thing?
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>I can't comment on the Palace right now, but from 1999-2003, I stayed regularly on Priceline.com rates -- often as low as $33 a night plus a resort fee (maybe $9). The place at the time blew away WDW's deluxe resorts, except for the new DAK Lodge, in almost every aspect. Remember, this was when WDW reached its nadir in upkeep -- especially at the resorts. The bedding was by FAR the highest quality on WDW property. The rooms were large and well-appointed. The staff was high quality. The dining was too. I would have paid multiples of that to stay there<< You don't know how good that is to hear. I'm not planning on staying there anytime soon but it is good to know that it is being put to good use. Some of the reviews were under Wyndham's tenure so I really couldn't judge if the property is being improved under new ownership. It does sound good that renovations are occuring. >>I remember in the 1970s and 80s, they were considered the best places to stay in Central Florida after the two (then three) MK monorail resorts.<< While I only stayed at the Palace out of the group, that is what I was trying to convey about the entire area. It's nice to read others' memories of the area.
Originally Posted By demderedoseguys >I know what you mean.. that monorail trip back to the TTC from the MK is just horrible. All those loud audio ads for the Wedding pavillion and surrounding hotels... who needs it?< For us and the way I do Disney there is no last day monorail ride and to be truthful, rarely a time we take it during the entire trip. We usually say goodbye to MK the night before we leave with a light dinner at the Plaza, one last look at the Castle complete with the customary tears by my wife and then it's off to Illuminations and only a short walk back to either the YC or BW. Depending on flight times we may try to sneak a quick visit to MGM for a last hurrah on TOT and RnRC.
Originally Posted By Labuda "You have not experience McDonald's at it's very best until you have been to the ones in Japan. Great expeditious service, hot food always, and great ketchup mix." Um, maybe so, but it's still McDonald's.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN NO IT'S NOT!! The food there is actually quite nicer than how we get it at WDW. YOu go to a McDonalds in Japan when you get there later this decade and come back to argue this issue with me.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Meant to say "how we get (the McD's food) in the USA, not just WDW's locations.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Um, maybe so, but it's still McDonald's.>> Iggy, McDonald's overseas isn't what it has become here. I can recall sitting at one in Milan and saying 'this can't be as good as it tastes!' But it was.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <<<Um, maybe so, but it's still McDonald's.>> Iggy, McDonald's overseas isn't what it has become here. I can recall sitting at one in Milan and saying 'this can't be as good as it tastes!' But it was. < most of that driven by the workforce here.. as you know my wife worked for McD corp HQ in Oak brook for 17 years -- and I can tell you the food served in the restaurants in their 2 HQ building on Butterfield and the Campus on Jorie Blvd is so far above standard..because it is made right. I was there for the launching of the Arch Deluxe - remember that sandwhich - which the thick cut peppered bacon - etc... well I thought this was one of thebest sandwhiches ever -- yet when i ordered them out - every McD I went to either left out one of the many ingredients or put in on the wrong bun ( was a potato bun) - etc -- it never tasted the same anywhere else and it died. Was it the product - nope- it was the delivery. <a href="http://www.answers.com/topic/arch-deluxe" target="_blank">http://www.answers.com/topic/a rch-deluxe</a>
