Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Well RT I have a good friend in Bolivar and every year she wants me to visit for the SDC Holidays.I guess I will just have to plan on that roadtrip since RT gives a convincing argument! I almost visited one year but the winter ice storm prevented that trip.
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Let's see..... Disney builds nice cruise ships. And Disney loves technology, after all they know are the only ones on the planet with RFID chips in their mugs. Sarcasm aside, Disney does love technology and has perhaps the best call system/ resevation system in the country. This is so overlooked and unappreciated because it is not part of the "show". But they truely are the best in this Dept. Because of the advances of the Disney resevation system, they are able to expand their "hospitality" empire to include a Hawaiian resort, an ever increasing fleet of curise ships, DVCs, hotels, restaurants. It truely is amazing what their call/ resevation desk is capable of doing on a daily basis. There truely is much, much more to the Disney Company well beyond their parks. The shining star of the Disney Company is their call/ resevation desk. It makes everything else possible!
Originally Posted By Kennesaw Tom Disney excels at crowd control. They also excel at "theming to create atmosphere". The Wilderness Lodge, feels like a mountain Lodge. The Animal Kingdom Lodge feels like your in an African Lodge. The common areas of most hotels look impecable and well maintained. During holiday season the common areas of the hotels are decorated to the max and GF gets a "real" gingerbread house. Getting back to the "moving crowds" comment. I know we "fans" discuss how antiquated WDW's transportation system is, but it is amazing how WDW transportation system can quickly and efficiently move quests from resorts, DTD, parks and "everything else in the world" across a vast property
Originally Posted By sjhym333 We stayed at Bay Lake Towers this summer and were impressed with the experience. I wonder if the hotels are well maintained because each one has a general manager who gets to walk around their resort on a regular basis. Maybe the parks VP's could learn something from them.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<Well RT I have a good friend in Bolivar and every year she wants me to visit for the SDC Holidays.I guess I will just have to plan on that roadtrip since RT gives a convincing argument! I almost visited one year but the winter ice storm prevented that trip.>> The Christmas season at SDC is truly special. Virtually every building in the park is decorated with Christmas lights. Though the total number of lights used is about the same as the Osborne lights at the Studios, it seems much more extensive because they are found throughout the park rather than just concentrated in a small area. They stage a very professional production of Dicken's "A Christmas Carol"... I was truly amazed by the quality of a free theme park show. Average mid-December highs are in the upper 40's, but I've been at SDC when the temperature was in the low 30's as well as the upper 60's, so anything is possible. Much of what you will want to see is indoors though, so low temps don't make it unpleasant to experience. Most of the rides are in operation when the temperature is above 35 degrees F. The major coasters require a minimum temperature of 40 degrees F. Here is a you-tube link that gives an idea of what Christmas at SDC is like. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZEwajNlYF8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...wajNlYF8</a>
Originally Posted By TP2000 The World Showcase international CM's are still wonderful. For the most part the Americans in other parks and resorts are, and as a patriotic guy this pains me, simply not as good nor as profesional as the World Showcase student-international CM's are. World Showcase CM's are still a true gem.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo It is true. Though to be fair, Disney are more scrupulous in their recruitment to the international programme, taking on people that really want to be there.
Originally Posted By EPCOT Explorer >>>With much bigger gaps, holes, and missing pyros. More so for Wishes.<<< ...I've never seen a show of either that didn't have it's full pyro, save for a few misfires in ROE. Odd.
Originally Posted By CarolinaDisneyDad I think WDW being so large there will always be places that they can improve. But there are so many ways to experience it and that is one of it's greatest attributes. For instance this year we did "explorer day" where we just winged it and said we were going to try and make this day different from any day we had done before. So we extra magiked MK riding our favorites. Monorailed to EPCOT Italy for a great lunch. Did Soarin on FP and Test Track. Then my kids wanted to Boat to DHS, which we did. Rode ToT and FPd Rock n roller and rode Toystory mania standby. While finding out that you can have fast passes at different parks at the same time. the time constraint doesn't apply. we tried Startours II and still love the Muppets. then we took a bus to the ticket center and monorailed back to MK. Shopped on main street. Ate counter service at columbia house. used our FPs that we had gotten that morning for Pan and Splash mountain. Got a dole whip and watched the fireworks show and then bused back to POR. Very tired but very happy. And I'm sure I have left out some of the stuff we did as my memory permits. But where else could you do a day like that. And the funny part was we really didn't rush from place to place. Riding the different forms of transportation was much needed rest time. It was like a greatest hits day doing the things we liked best in 3 parks. Next time I'll try to work in AK too!
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>I love WDW, but when it comes to Christmas Silver Dollar City blows WDW out of the water... no comparison!<< I can't agree more, outside of losing a really nice wooden coaster at Celebration City, I think SDC has done a lot right in the last decade. They have out-Disney'd Disney in almost every way. HFE is an impressive group of folks who also have a jewel with the old SDC in TN, now Dollywood.
Originally Posted By leobloom >> used our FPs that we had gotten that morning for Pan and Splash mountain. << Must've been a little past the FP window, huh?
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>ChiMike, I have been reading this message board for many years and have nothing but respect for your passion and expertise.<< Thank you for your kind words. You may also just call me Mike. >>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? << Ok. I will share a little here, to make my continued interest in WDW a little easier to understand for those who can't reconcile my involvement here. The last time I stayed on WDW property was 2005. I haven't looked back. At all. Over the last years unless I needed to specifically see something or meet with someone, I have pretty much confined my visits solely to EPCOT Center, and only visited there while I was at my Loews' Premium Luxury resort at the Universal Orlando resort -Where Vacation becomes Adventure- I have pretty much whittled my presence at WDW down to one night at EPCOT. If I get sick of relaxing on the porch of Margarettaville listing to live music, or I simply no longer want to -Be Courageous. Be Outrageous. Be Extraordinary- I will drag myself over to EPCOT Center for a quick dose of nostalgia and Illuminations. I feel I was one of the early voices on the Disney internet community who pushed the virtues of Animal Kingdom in the late 90s. I still agree with my original assessment, but I had a misguided belief at the time that new additions would be coming quickly. The animal exhibits were all top notch from day 1, and that helped form my strong, positive, opinion. However 13 years later, those same exhibits have become stale and not much has been added to the park. Not only Busch, but other zoos across the country have up'ed the ante on their own exhibits and have made great strides to be more like AK. So, there really isn't much more for me to visit besides EPCOT Center. Especially with repeat trips to Disneyland. Between operating lackluster resort hotels and duplicating state-side attractions, Disney has pretty much pushed me out of their WDW market segment. I don't need them with Disneyland or the other Disney resorts not in Florida. I find myself to be far happier at Loews and Universal Orlando, with a quick hop over to WDW if I get the itch. More importantly, I also find more value with the recent investments at Busch and the SeaWorld parks. Loews is a much nicer base of operations while in Orlando. Especially now that the monorail is an afterthought to the Disney resorts I called home to for the 35 years prior. So why do I still come to LP.com's WDW section and still obsess over a place I hardly visit now? Well you hit the point below well enough, but yes, 1) A love for the original product 2) A interest to stay involved to see if things will improve and discuss the choices that ARE being made with additions 3) A desire to chat at LP.com with personalities I have become comfortable with and enjoy 4) The ability to compare and contrast with what other companies are doing, and more importantly, what Disney is doing at their other resorts that I also frequent. Disneyland notably. Probably there are more motivations, but all four are enough in my mind to stay involved in this discussion from time to time. Especially #4. Also, I have the ability to travel to non theme park locations frequently, so yes, I am not so narrow minded with what is out there and where I spend my time/$. >>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.<< You are correct in all aspects, I agree. >>Disney has moved on, perhaps for the worse. Maybe you can move on for the better.<< I already have, as described. However I am still a very strong and valuable Disney guest/customer, just not one belonging to WDW. There are other folks from the DL side of lp.com who fairly ever, if all, frequent WDW as a guest yet they still participate in the WDW area on lp.com. Think of me as one of those posters; just with a large history at WDW. To this day I still try to hit Anaheim at least twice a year, staying on property, so I feel comfortable discussing WDP&R. Hope that clears up your concern.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Thanks for the incentive to listen to my friend, CHIMike and RT, concerning Silver Dollar City Holidays. I mentioned this when discussing the Hollywood Bowl: That I needed to be a tourist in my own hometown and State! Frustration with Disney and construction walls had led me to explore Universal in Florida and California this summer and you know what I had a Blast. This has shortened my Disney visits and decreased my expenditure for the Disney product. I know we say there are 100 people to replace us but I feel Disney should be missing me cause I have spent a lot of money on property in the past 15 years or so. I am not a casual visitor that lives nearby and I have the credit card receipts to back that up. But I always leave Disney feeling like they want "capacity crowds to fill their bank accounts" and they are afraid to lose that which has become their addiction. So if WDW wants to introduce fancy tech wristbands and charge for them or only offer them to resort guests...they need to clean up the parks and improve the vibe. The interesting thing about UNI Hollywood...They have some really long-time standard shows to offer but the quality of the long time cast members performing in WaterWorld and the BluesBrothers,etc were professionals that were so good at making the audience laugh and have fun. It was remarkable to me.They took the time to introduce them also to let us know they were real authentic performers from television and movie shows.I can't say I ever felt the stage performers for Indiana Jones were authentic .
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper <<I have pretty much whittled my presence at WDW down to one night at EPCOT. If I get sick of relaxing on the porch of Margarettaville listing to live music, or I simply no longer want to -Be Courageous. Be Outrageous. Be Extraordinary- I will drag myself over to EPCOT Center for a quick dose of nostalgia and Illuminations. I feel I was one of the early voices on the Disney internet community who pushed the virtues of Animal Kingdom in the late 90s. I still agree with my original assessment, but I had a misguided belief at the time that new additions would be coming quickly. The animal exhibits were all top notch from day 1, and that helped form my strong, positive, opinion. However 13 years later, those same exhibits have become stale and not much has been added to the park. Not only Busch, but other zoos across the country have up'ed the ante on their own exhibits and have made great strides to be more like AK. So, there really isn't much more for me to visit besides EPCOT Center. Especially with repeat trips to Disneyland. Between operating lackluster resort hotels and duplicating state-side attractions, Disney has pretty much pushed me out of their WDW market segment. I don't need them with Disneyland or the other Disney resorts not in Florida. I find myself to be far happier at Loews and Universal Orlando, with a quick hop over to WDW if I get the itch. More importantly, I also find more value with the recent investments at Busch and the SeaWorld parks. Loews is a much nicer base of operations while in Orlando. Especially now that the monorail is an afterthought to the Disney resorts I called home to for the 35 years prior. So why do I still come to LP.com's WDW section and still obsess over a place I hardly visit now? Well you hit the point below well enough, but yes, 1) A love for the original product 2) A interest to stay involved to see if things will improve and discuss the choices that ARE being made with additions 3) A desire to chat at LP.com with personalities I have become comfortable with and enjoy 4) The ability to compare and contrast with what other companies are doing, and more importantly, what Disney is doing at their other resorts that I also frequent. Disneyland notably.>> Pretty much sums my position up as well. Now that I'm no longer a CM and don't have complimentary access to WDW Parks, I won't be returning until I have a family of my own, save for maybe a day at Epcot during a Universal trip. After my last trip in July, where I split my time equally between Disney and Universal for the first time, UOR has the atmosphere I'm looking for. After touring their resorts and taking my time doing so, I was taken back to the WDW I knew all too briefly. The resorts felt classy, something that I feel has been sapped from the Disney resort. I felt like I would be comfortable with my friends from home there having a few drinks and not worrying about the moppets running around everywhere. Couple that with the terrific theme parks, CityWalk access, and the Ultimate Orlando pass that gives unlimited access to SeaWorld, Aquatica, Busch Gardens, Wet'n'Wild and both Universal parks for 14 days for less than a 7 day base ticket to Disney has me dead set on staying on Universal property once I have enough money. But I still hold a special place in my heart for WDW. I WANT it to be good. I want it to be what it once was. But it's gotten to the point where the few attractions that I still find special can't bring me back, and a month from now, I'll be in Orlando for 4 days, and won't step foot on Disney property for the first time ever.
Originally Posted By ChiMike >>Pretty much sums my position up as well. Now that I'm no longer a CM and don't have complimentary access to WDW Parks, I won't be returning until I have a family of my own, save for maybe a day at Epcot during a Universal trip.<< I have to tell you, I don't expect it to be my MO forever, but I really have the whole setup calibrated nicely for my preference. Taking a break from Universal to have fun at EPCOT for an afternoon/evening is the perfect balance. I will admit I venture over less now because the EPCOT dining has become less attractive to me, but I still think a weeknight for F&W is a lot of fun. >>After my last trip in July, where I split my time equally between Disney and Universal for the first time, UOR has the atmosphere I'm looking for. After touring their resorts and taking my time doing so, I was taken back to the WDW I knew all too briefly. The resorts felt classy, something that I feel has been sapped from the Disney resort. I felt like I would be comfortable with my friends from home there having a few drinks and not worrying about the moppets running around everywhere.<< Great to hear. People like to cite the feeling of being special or treated in a special manner as justification for the price of a Disney hotel. I have to tell you Loews makes me feel far more SpEcIaL (in very casual ways) than I have felt at Disney for good knows how long. Without question, the proximity of everything, including the restaurants of Citywalk, also offer a much more relaxed and mature vibe. Who wants to ride in a sweaty, crowded bus and make a transfer to another bus just to have a nice dinner after leaving a theme park? Also another reason why the Disneyland Resort is favorable as well. Both UO and DLR share many similarities as far as logistics and accommodations go. >>But I still hold a special place in my heart for WDW. I WANT it to be good. I want it to be what it once was.<< Same here, no doubt. >>But it's gotten to the point where the few attractions that I still find special can't bring me back, and a month from now, I'll be in Orlando for 4 days, and won't step foot on Disney property for the first time ever.<< I remember the first time I went to Orlando and did not set foot anywhere near Disney property. The funny thing was there was no doubt or questioning of that decision in my head prior to the trip, not even an afterthought. It wasn't until the third night where I could hear fireworks off in the distance that it dawned on me that I could head over to WDW if I wanted to. Within seconds, it was like "nah - no need" It is actually one of the trips I have extremely strong, fond, memories of. If someone like me could so easily kick the pixie dust habit, I can't imagine the trouble that is in store for WDW as more and more folks discover both UO and DLR. The last time I was in Orlando a friend wanted to meet at the Polynesian and then MK, and they had to pull me over kicking and screaming. If that idea was presented to the Mike of 1991 I would have quickly and incredulously laughed off the very idea of kicking and screaming my way over to the Polynesian/MK to go to Universal Studios. Since then, I have found t
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I have to admit I kind of shocked myself when I decided to spend two days at Universal following my Disney Cruise instead of at WDW. But Disney has made a two-day hopper ridiculously expensive compared to Universal... I just couldn't justify the difference. I figure now I will have the both of best worlds... DCL still know how to do Disney at it's best and I will get to see Universal for the first time in at least a half dozen years. Sounds like a win-win to me.
Originally Posted By ChiMike ^ Sounds like a plan. 2 days is a perfect way to wet your appetite, I would strongly suggest staying at the Royal Pacific or Portofino. Do not stay offsite, or you will not come anywhere near the experience most glow about. While that is a nice plan, the price for Disney 2-day is exactly what Disney SHOULD be doing. Theme park admission is too low for all of these guys, imo. I'm all for Disney coming with a premium ticket price. Unfortunately, they can no longer offer a premium product because of past discounts and past poor investments, so case in point, even you don't want to pay the premium any longer. That is what Spirit meant by Walmarting, or discounting. A perfect real life example.
Originally Posted By HokieSkipper ^^^Yea, I wish I was staying on site in a few weeks, but I don't start my job till Monday, and just don't have the cash to throw at a stay at Royal Pacific yet. I'm staying at the Double Tree right at the entrance of property. Cheap and within a comfortable walking distance.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip We will be staying at the Westgate Lakes Resort. Staying on-site was an attractive option but Ann's adult son will be with us and the privacy afforded by a Villa at Westgate Lakes (for a lower price than the Portofino Bay) won out. Even though we booked a Deluxe Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah on the Dream, there won't be a whole lot of privacy during our 4 nights on the ship.
Originally Posted By ChiMike Just don't say I didn't warn you. Don't want to hear about non-working parking lot speed ramps or the long walk back to the car after a full day. I can easily point out UO warts and those warts are under the magnifying glass when staying offsite. Just as they are with staying offsite at Disney.
