Originally Posted By Mr X I wrote these comments on another message, but started thinking that it would be an interesting topic to discuss what makes Tomorrowland special, and what might NOT work so well. Anyway, I gave my thoughts (below), what do ya'll think? $$my thoughts on Tomorrowlands begin here$$ I really was sickened by the newer Anaheim efforts. It was about as tomorrow as last weeks garbage. Same with Florida, and Tokyo. Nothing special whatsoever. Paris was just a retro "we have no vision" thing. Not impressed. If they called it "Jules Verne land" (like they pretty much DID in DisneySea) that would have been fine. And PLEASE don't get me started on the worst, worst, worst, most PATHETIC tomorrowland ever...HONG KONG Tom.....erCARTOON LAND. What a farce. What are they thinking? A freakin cartoon version of some stupid space reststop or something? That is just horrible. And cheap. Oh, did I mention cheap? Yeah...cheap. And crappy. Horrible concept. The only vision of Tomorrowland that EVER inspired me, and even still does to this day, was the ultra "on the move" wonderful Tomorrowland of Disneyland, circa 1960-70's (I think?). THAT was a place that was filled with "the promise of tomorrow". Hong Kong really made me want to puke. How can you create the world of tomorrow, today...on a shoestring? With a cartoony, stupid concept to boot!?
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I really like the design of WDW's current Tomorrowland. Like Hollywood Boulevard at the MGM Studios, it is the "Tomorrow that always was and never will be". I like the detailed and colorful design and the fact that it will never really look dated since it's not trying to portray a literal future. I also think it has a great lineup of attractions -- considerably better in my opinion than DL's Tomorrowland. The fact that WDW's Tomorrowland still has the Carousel of Progress and the TTA (People Mover) makes it unbeatable as far as I'm concerned. As for the look... when it is dark there is absolutely no prettier view in WDW than Tomorrowland as it looks from the bridge to the hub.
Originally Posted By Lewis Goofy <<The fact that WDW's Tomorrowland still has the Carousel of Progress and the TTA (People Mover) makes it unbeatable as far as I'm concerned<< RoadTrip usually I would agree with you but after these last few months I can not. WDW's Tomorrowland is just disgusting. Carousel of Progress is just left to rot....so much wrong with it and no one at WDW has the balls to make a decision to keep and maintain it or close it down and replace it. The TTA is so filthy it makes me wonder if WDW management ever rides it and if they did they would definitely shut it down and clean it. Also WDW's Tomorrowland has two of the worst attractions ever built in a MK....Laugh Floor Comedy Club and Stitch's Great Escape. Also The deplorable conditions of Buzz, Space Mountain and Indy Speedway. WDW's Tomorrowland might look good at night but don't go on any of the rides or attractions. Yes my Rose Colored glasses are off...not by choice they were slapped off my face. When I voiced magor concerns about the Laugh Floor Comedy Club I was told that I was either with them or against them. I also found out that the had records of all my complaints and concerns going back at least 5 years. It was very scary. I will continue to visit WDW but I will be their harshest critic.
Originally Posted By davewasbaloo Wow - a major turn around. Yep, information is a powerful weapon. WDW's TL is actually quite cool in a number of ways (Carousel of Progress, TTA and a lovely little alien lounge singer). I would say it is in much better shape than DL's.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Yes my Rose Colored glasses are off...not by choice they were slapped off my face. When I voiced magor concerns about the Laugh Floor Comedy Club I was told that I was either with them or against them. I also found out that the had records of all my complaints and concerns going back at least 5 years. It was very scary. I will continue to visit WDW but I will be their harshest critic. < welcome to the curmudgeon club Lewis -- I am really sorry you lost those rose colored glasses you had, as I wish we all could see things as perfect....but I feel like you do re: COP - it is an historical attraction left to die...and that ticks me off. The upside is now you'll see several of us you might not have understood before, really do love WDW, we're just upset some of those in gmmt do not as much as we do.
Originally Posted By Lewis Goofy <<but I feel like you do re: COP - it is an historical attraction left to die...and that ticks me off.<< I agree vbdad55....if they are going to keep COP then fix if not then close it down and replace it. It is so frustrating that no one at WDW can make a decision...it takes them 20 polling questions over 5 years then 30 focus groups then they still can not decide. That is how you end up with things like Poohs playground. No one could decide what to do with that space. Of all the ideas for that location they could not decide if they wanted to spend the money or not. Then finally after ten years they decide to just fill in the space and they will decide later what to do with it. Someone needs to take control of WDW and start making decision right or wrong.
Originally Posted By Mr X I find it hard to believe that WDW has fallen into such disrepair. I suppose I'd have to see some real proof (and not just a picture of one overflowing garbage can or whatever) before I'd really buy into that. On the other hand, boy was Tokyo Disneyland filthy yesterday! I saw some trash sitting on a ledge outside and it was a full TWO minutes before a custodian CM bothered to pick it up! (of course, she was busy running somewhere to fetch me a glass of water with ice and run it back to my table along with Disney stickers...cause I asked where the drinking fountain was) Actually, that's officially an amalgam, but you get the drift.
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<I find it hard to believe that WDW has fallen into such disrepair. I suppose I'd have to see some real proof (and not just a picture of one overflowing garbage can or whatever) before I'd really buy into that.>> When can you arrive in O-Town? Be glad to give you a tour, although I think your pal TDLFAN will beat me to it.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <It is so frustrating that no one at WDW can make a decision...it takes them 20 polling questions over 5 years then 30 focus groups then they still can not decide. That is how you end up with things like Poohs playground< the inconsistency is amazing....they make a decision to open AK and do what I view as a really really nice job....and greenlight a project like Everest....all positives.. yet in the meantime let MK and the Studios slide terribly in the same period of time. I just wish it wasn't a trade off on decisions. And yes, CoP is a no brainer to fix up - restore and possibly enhance...all for far less money than a new attraction. I really do believe that there are those in Mgmt at Disney who thought CoP would just die a slow death...no one would care and they'd replace it. They tuck it away in a corner, heck for a while it couldn't even be found on the guide maps.... There are obviously still some people in WDW management with a clue....what can be done to get them more authority and move out the dead wood ?
Originally Posted By Mr X >>When can you arrive in O-Town? Be glad to give you a tour, although I think your pal TDLFAN will beat me to it.<< If things are as bad as some people say, why would I want to go there at all? I just got back from an awsome day at Tokyo Disneyland and it's right in my backyard. If I really need more, there's always Anaheim and Paris right? (too bad Hong Kong sucks...that's the second most convenient Disney resort for me)
Originally Posted By Spirit of 74 <<If things are as bad as some people say, why would I want to go there at all?>> Because as a resort, WDW is still an awesome, amazing place ... well worth a visit. DAK is a great park that keeps getting better. Epcot is still wonderful, alhough showing many signs of neglect, but just got a new VP who I believe will do good things. The resorts are amazing. Many have been rehabbed of late. The water parks are second to none. The whole resort is terrific. BUT ... BUT ... BUT ... the MK is sadly more awful with each visit. It is rundown and being run into the ground by amazingly bad management. Show quality is non-existent. Main Street resembles an outlet mall (themed albeit) that's gone bad. The tired, old parade is awful. And even the great fireworks show is a bit grating with moppets singing about Wishes. And Disney-MGM? Well, if all you care about is riding the best ToT in the states and then having a great dinner at the Brown Derby, it's worth 3-5 hour of your time. See what I'm saying? WDW is great. Really. Still. And hopefully forever. But the MK isn't. It's being steadily turned into an empty, rundown kiddie-land overrun by characters. So it all depends on how important one park is to your WDW visit. Obviously, it isn't that important to me or I wouldn't go. I still have yet to not stop into the MK on a trip, though. As my first Disney park. The one I fell in love with. The one with all my happy childhood memories, I can't help but go. I'll just feel a lot better when Phil Holmes and Erin Wallace are no longer employed by the company. <<I just got back from an awsome day at Tokyo Disneyland and it's right in my backyard. If I really need more, there's always Anaheim and Paris right? (too bad Hong Kong sucks...that's the second most convenient Disney resort for me) >> If you're just talking about MK-style parks, I certainly agree. I just got back from DLP and hope to be at DL this Sunday. Those parks make the MK just look pathetic by comparison.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN >>DAK is a great park that keeps getting better. Epcot is still wonderful, alhough showing many signs of neglect, but just got a new VP who I believe will do good things.<< Agree*agree*agree* >>If things are as bad as some people say, why would I want to go (to WDW) at all? I just got back from an awsome day at Tokyo Disneyland and it's right in my backyard.<< Agree*agree*agree, and I wish the japanese visitors would learn that lesson. And as for the cleaning problem at TDL.. I agree.. There is no excuse for management to allow more than 7 individual pieces of trash discarded in the entire park, and Mr X... you know that at TDL... all it takes is ONE napking on the floor to make the place horribly dirty. I also posted photos of not one but TWO lightbulbs out at World Bazaar... UNACCEPTABLE. I can only hope that whoever WDC sent over there are Grier left, is NOT pushing OLC to cut back on maintenance like Grier did.
Originally Posted By iamadisneyfan77 Well said, Spirit, re: Post 13. A much more reasoned review than, for example, "Mr.X," the original poster. Anyone whose Disney trips generate that much angst (and nausea!) really needs to find a new hobby! Sorry, X, but it needs saying!
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I still stand by my initial post. My favorite MK Tomorrowland is the present one. As I said before, I like the design and I like the attractions. You'll notice I said nothing about cleanliness. That would be because it isn't. TTA has many areas alongside the track that are dirty. Carousel of Progress has become as shabby as Aunt Millie's parlor. BUT... They are still there. There is always hope that WDW will spend the minimal amount of money it would take to get those attractions into top shape. There is NO hope for DL's Tomorrowland... those attractions are permanently gone. Tomorrowland looks WONDERFUL at night. Not only is the lighting gorgeous; you don’t notice the dirt alongside the TTA.
Originally Posted By WeirdJohn So here's a question: What do you guys think should be the rehab schedule for rides? It sounds like Small World is bad after only 2 years. Can they reasonable refurb every 2 years? I think it is tough when the parks are open 365 days a year. What's the solution? I was at WDW 2 years ago and it seemed fine to me. But I don't go as often as many here, and I really can't judge. Also, as I do go less often, I tend to not be as critical because I'm too happy to just be there. Are we destined to see WDW and other parks just slowly decline into oblivion? Or is there hope for the future and better management? Will Eisner being gone start a revolution?
Originally Posted By vbdad55 Well the hope comes from the shape DL was in say 10 years ago or so -- really bad. Yet look at it today.... As far as IASW -- something tells me things were shortcut on some of the issues that are there today...a ride like that should last far more than 2 years on a complete rehab...if done to original standards....and then put on a regular maintenance schedule thereafter.
Originally Posted By WeirdJohn Ok vbdad. I follow that. It sounds like regular maintenance is what is lacking in many places at WDW then. I do admit I tend to overlook things when I go to WDW. I just don't want to spend the time complaining about things when I don't get to go often. This next trip (Dec. 2007) will be my honeymoon at the Polynesian so I will even be more forgiving at that point. Seems like the opposite way someone should be, but it's just the way I am. I tend to be pretty easy going. In any case Spirit's comment on the resorts still being top notch, I totally agree with. I've stayed at BoardWalk (parents are VC members) and have always been pleased with the stay there. I also hear nothing but good things about the Polynesian, so I am excited about that. Thought I hear WL is awesome too, so I may have to try that during another trip.
Originally Posted By WeirdJohn Though saying that I am easy going, I still appreciate everyone's critiques here. I think if we didn't complain, nothing would change. As much as we think Disney doesn't hear us, they can't be completely ignoring us either.
