Originally Posted By dshyates This is from disneyworldtrivia.com: "I mentioned a few weeks ago the fact that, due to apparent cutbacks, the Four for a Dollar pre-show performers from the Beauty and the Beast stage show were going to leave permanently as of September 20th. I have also come to hear that they may not be the only group who will be retired. From what I understand, Inkas Wasi and The Karuka Acrobats in Africa at Disney's Animal Kingdom have been retired as of September 1, 2008. Also, The Main Street Family Fun Day Parade will end its run on September 27th. OrisiRisi, the African performers in World Showcase, have been retired effective August 30, 2008; and also in World Showcase, Spelmanns Gledje, the Norwegian folk group, was retired on that date as well. Even Wes Palm, the walking and talking palm tree at Disney's Animal Kingdom, may have been retired as of September first. And as I mentioned previously, Woody's Cowboy Camp will have its last hoedown in Frontierland on September 27. I have to say I am saddened by this, as it is this type of free, interactive entertainment that I really enjoyed seeing and watching other Guests enjoy as well. Hopefully they will either return or be replaced by other types of performers." <a href="http://www.disneyworldtrivia.com/Walt-Disney-World-Rumor-Mill/Walt-Disney-World-Rumor-Mill-for-the-week-of-September-14-2008.html" target="_blank">http://www.disneyworldtrivia.c...008.html</a>
Originally Posted By blueharvest82 I havn't heard anything about the cowboy camp going away. Other than that, some of the othr ones, like in Epcot and the palm tree are going away right now for the off season. Also, part of the upcoming announcements, you are going to hear about 6 brand new shows throughout the park. Dont look at it as cutbacks, more as 'out with the old and in with the new'
Originally Posted By nats 31 Am I to believe that Disney is raising their prices and cutting down on the entertainment? With the economy the way it is you would think they would want to lure customers instead of making them think a few times before they decide to make the trip.
Originally Posted By bobbelee9 You might think so, but I'm betting it's more important that the upper guys get their salaries. Screw the peons who do the work, screw the guests who pay them. Sorry, I'm cold and that makes me crabby.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo This has been the directon of travel for a while in WDW. Look at the reductions in World Showcase over the last through years, and the MK!!! These are some of my boycott reasons and why I would rather go to DL or applaud DLP's direction of travel for bringing entertainement back (even though it is sadly still far less than WDW has on offer).
Originally Posted By deephil We managed to catch 2.15 show today, there were a few fans there to watch their performance and then disappeared stage right afterwards. They even got a standing ovation. Fortunately we managed to film this near final show but have no idea if I will be able to upload it, I'll try when we get back in the UK.
Originally Posted By nats 31 davewashbaloo: Instead of going to Disney parks, visit Universal. Even though there hours are shorter, you get more bang for your buck.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Hmmmm, not likely to happen. Universal is very poor when you are travelling with a 3 and 5 year old. somewhat enjoyable as teens and adults, but I was majorly disappointed with IOA, and I prefer Universal Studios Hollywood to USO. If it is not Disney, we are inclined to go to Sea World. But we will not fly 3000 or 6000 miles just for Sea World.
Originally Posted By Bob Paris nats - It's a losing battle. I have tried to persuade dave with Universal Florida and particular IOA, which I believe to one of THE BEST non-mouse theme parks in the world. I was INCREDIBLY impressed with the theming and, of course, it has Spidey - THE BEST attraction in the world!
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Sorry guys, I grew up and the original USH throughout the 70's and 80's. I was very disappointed with USO (after looking forward to it). And the fact we did everything in IOA by 3pm was disappointing. They stripped away much of what we loved of the Lost Continent, the coasters are OK, but we have some like them here in Europe. Spidy and the Lost Continent impressed me, but not worth travel and costs once experienced (though I feel that way about the MK too).
Originally Posted By Mr X Universal Orlando has certainly stagnated quite a bit since it's heyday (right around the opening of IOA, I'd say). Used to be a lot of fun, but there's not much to drag back the folks who've already seen the place (such as the Baloo family), and in particular it's not great for little ones. If I had a teenager in tow though, I'd surely head there (Disney has known for a long time that they suck for the teen demographic...they tried to "fix" it in Epcot with mixed results, slightly better for teens, way crappier for the rest of us).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Agreed, with teens, USO is a winner. I do prefer MIB to Buzz anyday too.
Originally Posted By Mr X I only rode MIB once (right after opening..so long lines prevented me from trying again)...I thought it was "Okay". I guess I'm not all that into the interactive rides (even on Buzz, I wish I could just put down the gun and check out the scenery...but I feel kinda "obligated", so I shoot and feel distracted). Universal has it's great qualities, I don't think anyone would argue. As you said Dave, Spidey is awesome (certainly Disney level quality attraction there!), and the coasters are cool, and the vibe is pretty cool too in a "non-Disney" way. I also like Terminator, and the street scenes such as New York (WAY better than the MGM version, with REAL streets and working street lights and lifelike buildings), and the Jaws village which seems so quaint and New England like (Cape Cod at DisneySea doesn't hold a candle, realism-wise). There are lots of other plus points, but obviously they'll never be Disney. It is nice that there's a somewhat comparable zone to be had though. Otherwise, there's nothing but 6-flags and other coaster parks (I also like to imagine that Universal keeps Disney on their toes, but these days I have to doubt my own hype...obviously Disney couldn't care less about their competition OR their standards).
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo You guys need to get yourselves over to Tivoli Gardens - that place has the Disney feel (although old and less wow), and inspired Walt greatly.
Originally Posted By nats 31 What kind of park is tivoli gardens and where is it? The only problem with universal is that they do not have value priced hotels. I love to walk around Portifino. It is beautiful but way out of my price line. Speaking of portofino, I hear that disney is going to use that name in one of their hotels. Don't they have any more imagination. They invented the name imageinears.
Originally Posted By dshyates "The only problem with universal is that they do not have value priced hotels." They are now building a 16 story hotel that will have rooms that range from $99 Value Season-$130 High Season.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros "What kind of park is tivoli gardens and where is it?" Tivoli Gardens is a historic theme park located in Coppenhagen, Denmark. It's pretty much right in the middle of the city (right next to a major train station, if I remember correctly), and this is quite obvious from several places in the park (mostly on the rides). It offers a wide variety of attractions, from the simple pleasures of the wonderfully themed gardens, designed to look like different exotic locations, to world class thrill rides. It has a lot of really neat historic rides as well, which are quite unique in the world. What I believe Tivoli is best known for, however, is the beautiful lights at night. The entire park is lit up with white lights, similar to Main Street. It would not surprise me at all if this is where the Imagineers came up with the idea to light the World Showcase like that. It's really a very pretty place (especially at night), even if it is a lot more laid back than a lot of big thrill parks.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Tivoli is the 2nd oldest theme park in the world. It is about 400 years old, and what is wonderful is the have parades, live bands, shows, fireworks, fine themed dining and everywhere is lit beautifully. Walt sent a number of the imagineers there when planning DL, and it's very clear. It is the only other park I have ever been to that feels "magical". As for Disney and Universal resorts, I think if I stayed in ALl Stars and paid those prices, I might be thankful. But on my vacation, I want Deluxe experiences and WDW does not offer that anymore. For a company that calls their customers "guests", and yet the deluxe hotels have service befitting a Holiday Inn Express, well frankly it haps my hide.
