Originally Posted By davewasbaloo As they say - scandal sells, and the post counts demonstrate that. For the record, with the exception of the terrible buses, the ECV menaces (not all, but we know there are many) and the rip off MVMCP - we had a blast and were impressed with a number of the improvements at WDW.
Originally Posted By avromark Noting what needs to be fixed if not done in a totally negative tone is just "feedback", someone who only complains for the sake of complaining is a different story. The good should just exist, the "bad" should be pointed out and fixed. Obviously there is good, otherwise there would be no fans and WDW would not be a major vacation destination.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<Not me, I know you and number of other key "negative" posters care more than most of these "it's all magic" ignoramouses. Why take so much time out of our busy lives. It hurts to see the depravation creeping in and I share that pain.>> At least there's lots of pleasure with that pain, Dave. I see more positive changes at WDW than I have in over a decade. Lots of good stuff. But I also see the continued 'decline by degrees' (isn't that what Kevin Yee called it?) in other areas. I think WDW and the whole Disney Company is at a crossroads right now. They are so close to hitting the gas pedal and heading right back to the days of quality coming first in everything from feature animation to theme park attractions to consumer products. But there are still so many cancers hanging on in the exec suites that are pulling in the opposite direction. Without sounding like a Star Wars geek, because unlike Disney I am NOT a huge SW fan, it really feels like an epic battle of good and evil sides of the Force with the fate of the Disney Universe at stake. Other than that, not much going on! ;-) <<For the record, I didn't post much as you mentioned most of the good points already!>> Did I mention how beautiful DAK Lodge is for Christmas? Wow! Or how Chef Annette at Jiko could turn me into a vegan with her incredible knack for making veggies and grains taste like so much more? Or how every lodge CM (with one noteable exception in a low level manager at the Mara) were exceptional? I just love the place! Too bad they're about to ruin it with DVC! (that should get the post count spinning!)
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Indeed we were very impressed with the cast at AKL - every single one we encountered. Although I still found even more magical cast members at our Grand Californian stay - so I cannot give AKL the award for best hotel cast members, but these guys were great.
Originally Posted By jmuboy I doubt DVC will runi the DAK Lodge. Now, the plans for the Contemporary DVC Tower will definately ruin that hotel forever!!
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Without sounding like a Star Wars geek, because unlike Disney I am NOT a huge SW fan, it really feels like an epic battle of good and evil sides of the Force with the fate of the Disney Universe at stake. Other than that, not much going on! ;-) In denial SW Fan posting me thinks... attend one SW weekend at the Studios and see what it does to liven that place up...and you will become more of a fan for that reason alone <Too bad they're about to ruin it with DVC! (that should get the post count spinning!) < nah....and if done right, and limited I don't believe you even believe it will ruin anything...if they learn from WL, and ensure there is enough room for everyone and everything, no issue at all.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Ah, you know me better than I know myself, my cross-dressing, Cubs-loving, California Grill filet eating pal ;-) I am not totally against DVC moving there because I realize that Disney is just picking up on the market and timeshares are huge nowadays (due in large part to DVC cleaning up the boiler room image, which still exists with companies like Fairfield but largely has left the USA market). I just wish they'd be stand alone resorts. Even this DVC at the AKL is going to start by ripping up the fifth and sxith floors. That likely means no more concierge, no more suites (they'll become part of villas) and it will mean folks piling in bags of groceries from Super WalMart and that DOES lower the quality of a high-end resort considerably. But I see where the market is going ... when I can't stop getting mail from Four Seasons wanting me to check out their new ownership resorts in Colorado and Hawaii ... well, I almost want to just throw up a white flag.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <--- has been a DVC member for seven years now and has never seen <<folks piling in bags of groceries from Super Wal-Mart>>. I'm not saying it doesn't happen; it just doesn't happen so frequently that I've noticed it. I think a large number of people do like we do... buy a small amount of groceries from the grocery area in the gift shop and eat most of their meals (other than breakfast) in WDW restaurants.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <--- has been a DVC member for seven years now and has never seen <<folks piling in bags of groceries from Super Wal-Mart>>. Trippy, I don't doubt that you haven't seen it. But, please, trust me when I say I always see it (especially at VWL and BCV) ... always. And I don't sit there waiting.
Originally Posted By basas They must be doing something right with all the phase-closings going on down there right the past few days.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 ^^Nah. This is traditionally one the top three busiest weeks of the year, if not the busiest. Has nothing at all to do with WDW is doing right or wrong.
