Originally Posted By X-san ***How does one recover after forgetting sunscreen, contact lenses or a wallet back at the Caribbean Beach when he is already inside AK?*** One could argue that not having your hotel be steps away from the parks could help their bottom line on essentials such as these.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Putting the parks closer together has nothing to do with having outside intrusions on prop. As it stands the Disney roads are no better than Dwights vast networks of interstate highways. They could have as easily controlled the visuals and put the parks closer together.>> I guess I disagree. I think you need to be able to 'shift gears' mentally when you go from one park to another, and the distance provides that. I think part of the problem with DCA is it is far TOO CLOSE to Disneyland Park. When parks are that close to each other I think there is more of a mindset that park #2 is going to be very similar to park #1. When that does not happen, people are disappointed. I believe DCA actually would have done better standing on its own (I know I'm the only one on earth who feels that). I think it would have been better received if it was not constantly compared to the park across the Esplanade.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss As usual, I can understand both sides of the fence. Yeah, it is a seemingly crazy way they built WDW, with everything splattered around in nonsensical fashion. But on the other hand, if everything were a "tram ride away," I think the World would lose something. It's difficult to descibe; but the distance between things gives each part more of a uniqueness. I equate it to music... it needs like and shade to be interesting. In other words, if everything was close together, it would be more like Celine Dion. LOL.
Originally Posted By DVC_dad Barboy we all know you just want to be able to stagger from park to park. ;p
Originally Posted By barboy ////One could argue that not having your hotel be steps away from the parks could help their bottom line on essentials such as these. //// Oh I'm quite sure thousands over the years have done just that: forget their sunscreen back at the hotel only to purchase it at 2 to 3 times its normal cost in some Disney store; I wonder how many sales Disney has made at Blizzard or Typhoon alone? ......but nowhere near enough to offset or justify the costs of maintaining and fueling the buses as well as employing drivers.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I guess those costs are absorbed by the fact that people are staying in the hotels. BTW, If they made all the hotels convenient to all the parks, there would be less incentive to stay at a deluxe resort. So it is to Disney's advantage to spread things around in that instance.
Originally Posted By barboy ///Uh-oh, I see this becoming another DCA thread. LOL./// Yep, it just might be but I very much see what RT is saying about parks being too close. I'll bet he is right if DCA were more isolated we probably would have cut that place more slack: when one pulls up in his new C class MB and parks it right next to a vintage Rolls Royce Silver Cloud two tone show car that C- class doesn't look so good afterall.
Originally Posted By barboy ///BTW, If they made all the hotels convenient to all the parks, there would be less incentive to stay at a deluxe resort. So it is to Disney's advantage to spread things around in that instance./// Thank you, an outstanding point.
Originally Posted By barboy ///Barboy we all know you just want to be able to stagger from park to park. ;p/// Oh you know it dad. But once inside EPCOT I'm home free and then I go to work like those kids did in Willy Wonka's chocolate river room and candy landscapes.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I think WDW is a really mixed bag. Each resort feels so remote, and that is a really good thing. Also, the parks have their own unique vibe, that is also great. Then you have amazing golf courses and some nice lakes. And let's face it, Epcot and DAK are WDW's finest offerings IMHO, and again the property has the space for those, with yet more room to grow. Overall, WDW seems an awesome prospect. But sadly the reality for me makes for a very frustraiting experience. I do wonder if it is the fact we stay so long. If we were like some WDW visitor who go for short jaunts of 3 or 4 days, frequently, it would be very cool I suppose. But staying for 10-14 days, the transport, trafic, weather and transfer times takes a lot of lustre off. Then to arrive at the hotel and find there is no food available, and the shop is closed, when you are in a Deluxe. Well it really takes the shine off. It is funny, because with clever planning and a focus back on the guest experience rather than just cost cutting, WDW could be amazing. What I love about DL and DLP is that everything is in walking distance, and while the quantity is lower, the quality to me feels greater. The Grand Californian is my favorite Disney hotel I have stayed at, and still feel cozy and remote, despite being minutes from everything. The Napa Rose is my fav restaurant on the planet. And where attractions are repeated in DLR and WDW, DLR has equal or better versions of the all (except Splash Mountain - IMHO). So when I get a cliff notes PotC after traveling an hour from my property resort, it makes me wish we were at DL or DLP instead. However, Epcot and DAK are so amazing, I could never get tired of them. So if I do ever go to WDW again, I think I may just stay at Boardwalk or Yacht Club, or maybe the Poly. But when WDW charges head and shoulders more for their product compared to the sister resorts, well frankly I feel the intimacy and magic aluring to go to DL or DLP.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss <<But staying for 10-14 days, the transport, trafic, weather and transfer times takes a lot of lustre off.>> Yer spoiled, Dave! I bet a lot of folks would kill to be able to do a fortnight at WDW
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo True, but when travelling so far with little ones, best to make it count. Having spent a fortnight at DLP and DL, I have not felt the same irritations. I suppose it is rather unique. A lot of the Brits who go tend to stay off site, or go for a week to WDW and a week on the beach/cruise. And a lot of onsiters stay for a shorter duration. I do wonder if this has an affect?
Originally Posted By trekkeruss For me, I think I would have loved to stay at Disney (any, take your pick) for two weeks in the past, but my fanaticism has subsided a bit; now I think that would be too long. I'd have to get out an explore the real world... Paris and France would be too alluring, same with Tokyo and Japan, and Hong Kong and China. For me, fantasy is fun, but reality can be fun too. Anway, I do agree that WDW could be AMAZING if they fixed some of the things where they have cut corners and so on. Still a wonderous place, but I hear ya about DLR and DLP. I know you're gonna love TDR for those same reasons... I think you may end up adjusting your favorites list.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo I hope so. Now that said I see a lot of the real world too. With 5 weeks paid vacation time, and national holidays on top, we do see the real world too. when we go to TDL, we are hoping to be in Japan for 4 weeks, with TDL & USJ taking about 25% of our trip.
Originally Posted By barboy So.... X, fkur and trek do you find the WDW buses to be a less 'magical' than the Tokyo ones----I sure do! Those TDR buses have Mickey ear shaped windows, Mickey rings to hold when standing and Mickey's voice and greeting over the intercom, plus they are 'retro' in design and spotless.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Having had the pleasure of seeing much of the world, and also working in a gritty subject area, I need escapism. That's why I really get mad at Disney dumbing down the parks with characters, and Vegas bringing reality onto the strip at the expense of theming.
Originally Posted By trekkeruss I've never been on the TDR Dreamliners (or whatever they are called.) They definitely look neat, and if the monorails are any indication of their quality, they must be fantastic. WDW buses are... buses. Nuthin' magical about them at all. Sometimes the drivers are kewl, though.
