Originally Posted By DyGDisney We didn't have a great experience at the Grand when we stayed there, but the theming at POR was beautiful. Our room was moderate, but the grounds, and the boat back and forth between the POR and POFQ made the resort. I wish we all had the access to Europe you do Dave, but it's not so easy, or cheap, when you live in the US. There are many places I'd like to visit in the US even, but unfortunately our budget usually limits us to vacations in CA.
Originally Posted By ChiMike Citizens of Hollywood remain a very solid offering. I had heard they too were cutback, is that true?
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo There is the rub, for a first timer, there is a fantastic number of things to enjoy. Sadly, the erosion hurts the next visits. Back to the positives I love the osborne lights, and they seem to get better and better. The whispering canyon is one of the most fun restaurants on the planet Fireworks while you eat a meal at California grill is amazing.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<Citizens of Hollywood remain a very solid offering. I had heard they too were cutback, is that true?>> I believe some of them were reassigned to a new form of streetmosphere, which I've seen. And let's just say it's a terrible use of their talents.
Originally Posted By ChiMike Come on Leo, I took that easy shot 20 posts ago. I expected more from you.
Originally Posted By sjhym333 I have been thinking about this some today since this post opened up. There are still things that are awe inspiring to me. Standing in World Showcase Plaza and looking out to the WS countries. I still think watching the monorail go in and out of the Contemporary is still amazing. And while I may be disappointed that new things don't come that quickly, WDW still does the little touches well. Those things you just happen upon while in the parks. Since Mission Space has been an ongoing discussion on these boards I would go on record as saying the entrance of the building is great.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>^ Seriously? The shows have been significantly scaled back in the their principle design. The amount of shells spent is lower.<< RoE and Wishes still run at their regular rates, though.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Things I think WDW still does well: 1) Transit system. I know it takes a lot of criticism, but considering the number of destinations and the number of people transported on a daily basis they do an amazing job. Most any American city would be thrilled to have a transit system as good as WDW's. 2) Epcot is an amazing park… I love the World Showcase. 3) Animal Kingdom gives a feeling of place unlike any other theme park I've visited. Joe Rohde is a genius. 4) WDW's Tower of Terror is still in my opinion the best theme park attraction anywhere. 5) The DVC resorts... I love them, especially the Boardwalk. 6) Park cleanliness; after a decline in the early years of this century I think they are getting back to the old standards. They still are the cleanest theme parks anywhere. 7) The attractions. Take the top dozen WDW attractions and they compare well against the top dozen attractions anywhere. 8) No one does attractions like the Hall of Presidents or the American Adventure better. No one else even tries. 9) Theme music... Illumination may be getting old, but I could listen to that music forever... and hope I do. 10) A WDW vacation is a very trouble-free vacation. Most of your needs have been anticipated, and those that have not can generally be taken care of quickly by making a phone call. Overall the CM are the most helpful employees I've found anywhere.
Originally Posted By ChiMike SJHYM. I appreciate the sentiments, and I agree, there are many things I still cherish at the Florida property to this day. Not enough to get more over to it much anymore however. The questions of this thread, however, is What do you think WDW STILL does well? To me, that implies what are they doing today - well. World Showcase is a past effort from, as you know all too well, a regime a long long time ago. Contemporary same thing. That has been mine, Spirit's, and others issue. That the current crew relies way too much on the past accomplishments of others. That they are mining them, striping them whole. It is a serious question. Today - what is WDW doing right. Hard for me to answer. What initiative this month, last month, next month, are they embarking on that makes me feel better than 6 months ago? I honestly, can't see any liquid in that glass. The HHGs? Hardly. Dumbo's Circus? Nope. The new and improved TestTrack? Perhaps. That's about it. Pretty sad.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>RoE and Wishes still run at their regular rates, though.<< With much bigger gaps, holes, and missing pyros. More so for Wishes.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>8) No one does attractions like the Hall of Presidents or the American Adventure better. No one else even tries<< A good point RT. But again, both were products of a by-gone era. The HoP refurb was well done, but that use to be a bare minimum norm, not an exception.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<To me, that implies what are they doing today - well. World Showcase is a past effort from, as you know all too well, a regime a long long time ago. Contemporary same thing.>> But isn't that to be expected to a certain extent? Occasionally the times and the right people come together for a brief moment to create things that are better than will ever be created again. Will the symphonies of the classic composers ever be duplicated? Will we ever again see art as beautiful and easily accessible as those by the Impressionists? Will we ever again see rock music as wonderfully creative and diverse as what existed in the late 60's and early 70's? Will there ever be another political/governmental document created that approaches the U.S. Constitution? Disney went through a period of remarkable creativity... I honestly don't expect to see that replicated. EVER. Does anyone think Apple will be the same without Steve Jobs?
Originally Posted By ChiMike A solid point. However there are those out there with the skill set, talent, and plain out drive to continue producing in the great tradition of Disney and WED. They just happen to work for Universal or Gary Goddard, or contract out, or now work on non-theme park spaces. Disney "c"ould continue to produce at that level. They chose not to.
Originally Posted By jed012788 ChiMike, I have been reading this message board for many years and have nothing but respect for your passion and expertise. But I truly wonder, after reading hundreds of your posts over an extended period of time, why you continue to patronize Walt Disney World. It is abundantly clear that you consider the overall product currently being offered in Florida is substandard and unworthy of your time and money. That's a perfectly legitimate stance to take, and I suspect you're not alone. There are plenty of wonderful, beautiful, extraordinary destinations on this planet deserving of your hard-earned vacation dollars. Have you considered the possibility that traveling elsewhere will make you happier and more satisfied? I recognize the value of nostalgia. I know you want desperately for Disney to return to the Golden Age you remember so vividly and describe so glowingly. Unfortunately, I doubt that day will ever come. Disney has moved on, perhaps for the worse. Maybe you can move on for the better.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> Come on Leo, I took that easy shot 20 posts ago. I expected more from you. << Sorry, I didn't read the thread before I posted. Uh, Disney still does urinals and potties better than the local gas station! Can you feel the magic?!
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I think WDW celebrates the seasons best. I love Easter at WDW, Halloween and Christmas but also love the Flower&Garden and Food&Wine.
Originally Posted By leobloom They used to do Christmas well, but I've noticed they've scaled back the decorations considerably. The Osbourne Lights and Candlelight are good shows, but the actual decorations could be a lot more impressive.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I love WDW, but when it comes to Christmas Silver Dollar City blows WDW out of the water... no comparison!
