Originally Posted By leemac <<or watching the lagoon shows from my room (with a perfect view I might add)>> I was going to let this go but as TDR_fan has returned to peddle his agenda again I'll explain further and in simple words: My main issue with the MC is that the orientation of the rooms is poor. VERY few rooms have panoramic views of the entire lagoon and volcano. And I've stayed in probably more rooms than anyone out there. The Y shape just wasn't opened up enough to give Porto view rooms the best possible aspects. Fully opening windows or balconies would have helped solve this dilemma. The rooms are also very small (thankfully TDL Hotel rooms are much larger with a very nifty daybed in an alcove). The TDL Hotel will blow the MC out of the water. There is no doubt in my mind that it will surpass the MC is terms of popularity. I am sure the hard-core TDR fans will not care about the view. It will be about that true Disney immersion that the Ambassador offers but the MC doesn't. The TDL Hotel will be a true Disney hotel.
Originally Posted By Mr X ***You might as well go ahead and do so, as I already mis-read "tuck" the first time.*** Holy Cow! This is the VERY first time on the internet (really), that I have ever written LMAO and it was literally true!! Seriously...I spit up on my computer when I read that!! LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL...... Come on, SuperDry...you would never imagine ME writing such HORRIBLE stuff on laughingplace, right (unless I was bucking for a banishment or something!? ). Seriously, I ALWAYS meant "tuck". NOT, that other word. Never for a second. It doesn't MATTER that it was preceeded by "hot chambermaids"...it was entirely innocent. I SWEAR!! (seriously...I'm not joking. I always thought that beautiful girls in hotels "tuck" you...right?)...I mean "Tuck you in", of course!
Originally Posted By Mr X ***No doubt we will talk Mr X - it's a little while off yet, but we have started saving. Probably going to come out for 3 weeks via HK, and check out see you and yours (a MUST), Tokyo, a few days (4) at MiraCosta, Mt Fuji, A number of temples and old towns e.g. Nara in rural Japan inc. a stay in traditional Japanese accommodations, Bullet Train to Osaka incl. Universal Studios. Any other recommendations - Nagoya? Okinawa? Hiroshima? We don't want to kill ourselves, but Tokyo, Nara, TDL and USJ are a must (after seeing the X family ;-) But I suspect I may even be on the phone to you on the run up, plus I need to start learning Japanese.*** Since I might have been banned from laughingplace from above lol, I should let you know my email (I THINK you already have it right? jammindave@hotmail.com? I know we've written, but I don't recall if I corresponded with you on that one or another one (doesn't EVERYONE have 10 email addys these days??). Yes sir we will definitely chat. Sounds like solid plans though, I could probably only offer some small additions...and it'd be great to meet you and yours! So, feel free to email anytime. As for calling, you are welcome to of course (any time)...BUT, let me check my plan because I might have a good rate to call Europe (I'm not sure).
Originally Posted By Mr X >>I was going to let this go but as TDR_fan has returned to peddle his agenda again I'll explain further and in simple words:<< That's a crappy and insulting way to put things, Lee. You have a right to your opinion...so does he. And he has the backing of many who find the MiraCosta quite wonderful. It's fine if you don't, but do you have to "bash" to get your point across here? I didn't read anything bad about his comments at all. Must you always be "the ultimate authority" on all things Disney? Not cool, imo. **The TDL Hotel will blow the MC out of the water.** Awsome! Yet another fantastic TDR hotel! **There is no doubt in my mind that it will surpass the MC is terms of popularity.** Remains to be seen, but in any case I have no doubt that BOTH hotels will be wildly popular and sucessful. **I am sure the hard-core TDR fans will not care about the view.** Maybe. What's more important than the view though? Amenities? Or service? If you're talking hardcore here, I think "able to see into the parks" is a big deal...MiraCosta is amazing in that regard. I have no doubt that the Disneyland Hotel will be great too (and you have pointed out about the room views that sound AWSOME, so why do you think the hardcore fans wouldn't care about this aspect?). **It will be about that true Disney immersion that the Ambassador offers but the MC doesn't. The TDL Hotel will be a true Disney hotel.** Sorry, but I find this statement to be utterly stupid. What's a "true" Disney hotel? The all-stars? They pretty much suck. The "moderates" at DisneyWorld? Crap all around...motels with window dressing. So what makes a TRUE Disney hotel? And how does the MiraCosta NOT qualify? Detail? got it. Immersion? IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK! Service? Best of any resort, bar none (because Japanese service is all around top-notch...there's no arguing this). SO, your statement here is way wrong, Lee. I don't buy it (though I appreciate all your useful commentary about parks around the world). It seems that you just personally don't care for the hotel MiraCosta, which is fine. But don't go too far out on a limb, because it's fairly easy to chop it off. I, personally, think that the awsome addition of a maingate Disneyland hotel will be awsome, and will become one of THREE "true Disney hotels" at TDR. But of course, we're all entitled to our opinions.
Originally Posted By Mr X **but as TDR_fan has returned to peddle his agenda again** Funny, but I think you are speaking of yourself here more than anyone else. As far as I know, TDR_Fan has no connections within the Disney company and has no "real" agenda to conform to. He's simply offering an opinion. Can you say the same?
Originally Posted By leemac My point was that the poster returns time and time again to harp on about the same thing. There are plenty of examples of that on the TDR boards. The poster continues to hammer home his/her own opinions in an attempt to shout down others. If you want an example then take a look at the thread about Journey to the Center of the Earth. The poster is adamant that it is the best Disney attraction ever built. Naturally entitled to their own opinion but shouts down anyone else who disagrees (and most of us do disagree that it is far far from perfect). So I'll happily resort to what you call "insulting" terminology when he/she feels the need to bring me up on other boards.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Service? Best of any resort, bar none (because Japanese service is all around top-notch...there's no arguing this).>> In MY experience I disagree. There are numerous occasions when the service I've received has been substandard considering the category of hotel. Check-in is the perfect example. A total shambles but then they don't have a flexible enough operating procedure to deal with it. Pre-check in would be the perfect solution but they won't adopt it. Japanese service is top-notch? Not sure I'd agree there. It has a stiffness to it that is fine but doesn't cater to the guest's every need like many cultures do. I know it isn't isolated to just TDR as I've seen it elsewhere in the country. I prefer the US style of hospitality which is why I prefer the Hilton Tokyo Bay in general for service.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Immersion? IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PARK!>> You selectively chose to eliminate the all-inportant word before immersion: Disney. Does the MC feel Disney? No. There just aren't those little touches that make a Disney hotel different. It is a literal and faithful recreation of a particular hotel in Italy. It works for many people. For me it doesn't. At least the Grand Floridian did employ some wonderful plussing that makes is fel Disney rather than just a Hotel del Coronado clone. All about opinion but there just isn't the wonder and whimsy in the MiraCosta for me. It feels overly stuffy and adult. As I have said before give me the Ambassador any day. Doesn't mean I can't appreciate that some people love it. But there is just too many problems for me. The teeny-tiny lobby that is always overrun, the weird restaurant decor (Oceano and Silk Road just feel out of place - far too modern for the MiraCosta although the lounge is stunning). The hotel does have a romantic quality to it but feels like it was designed purely with the wedding and spa crowd in mind and those two parts are FAR too dominant in the hotel. The Grand Californian is just far more balanced all round.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I have no doubt that the Disneyland Hotel will be great too (and you have pointed out about the room views that sound AWSOME, so why do you think the hardcore fans wouldn't care about this aspect?).>> Because I don't believe aspect is high on the list of "wants" for most TDR guests. They tend to be there no more than 1-2 nights on average and spend all of their time in the parks (literally from opening to closing). The view just isn't critical. The private entrance to TDS is far more important to the average guests IMO. TDL Hotel has the killer spot right in front of the entrance to TDL. They are working on an exclusive entrance too (although operationally it might be difficult). That would be the killer selling point to the TDL Hotel. Add in a more abundant mix of character motifs and that cutesy element is going to be played up whereas the MC just doesn't have it. I've argued this point a lot in the past decade. I still think they didn't do enough to make the MC unique. Simply recreating an architectural style shouldn't be enough. Guests seem to love it though so as long as it is printing money for OLC that is enough. I still think that they were struggle to maintain their occupancy when TDL Hotel opens. It is effectively targeting the same price point and who would honestly choose a location at the gates of TDS over TDL? Considering the attendance patterns at the resort I suspect very few guests.
Originally Posted By leemac <<Mmmmmm love the Grand Californian!>> Don't blame you at all Dave. It really has the best of all worlds. The finest Disney restaurant bar none in Napa, the finest family restaurant in Storytellers, the finest fast snack place in Whitewater, the most relaxed and comfortable lobby of the lot, great pool, some wonderful views, private entrance to DCA and some of the best hospitality CMs in the Disney universe. You talk about flawless and I'll always point to the Grand. I've never had any issue at that place and I have probably spend 90+ days there over the past 7 years. Incredible.
Originally Posted By Mr X >>>In MY experience I disagree. There are numerous occasions when the service I've received has been substandard considering the category of hotel. Check-in is the perfect example. A total shambles but then they don't have a flexible enough operating procedure to deal with it.<<< You certainly have a right to your opinion. I wonder if by "flexible" you mean "preferred customer status"? Seems to me that MiraCosta follows a "first come, first served model"...which works fine for most. But it sure does tick of the "important" people, I'll say that much. Or else, I'm not sure what you're driving at? Pre-check in sounds like what SuperDry discussed above, according to him it doesn't apply at ANY hotels worldwide except maybe the Disneyland hotels (and I daresay he's travelled nearly as much as you have). Am I offbase? >>Japanese service is top-notch? Not sure I'd agree there.<< Again, we all have a right to our opinions. You are certainly entitled to yours. I've considered Japanese service, from top to bottom (meaning MiraCosta to 7/11 convenience stores) to be excellent. And by that I also mean consistant. I always get polite service, I am always taken care of quickly, and efficiently. And my needs are taken care of at all times (IN GENERAL...I wouldn't be so stupid as to say there aren't exceptions). AND, to add to that, I am often if not almost ALWAYS treated in a "special" way, that is to say with a smile (whether I offer it first, or them), and a kind word, and a certain level of friendliness which is very nice...BUT, when I'm in a bad mood, I can say in fairness that I don't find "that level". It works both ways. (even when I don't find "that level", I still get polite, prompt, competent service wherever I go, in general) So perhaps if you feel the service is "stiff", it might have something to do with you? I dunno, but I gotta be honest and say that a person such as yourself with such lofty expectations MIGHT just come across as cold yourself, at times. Can you expect anything more in return? As for "catering to guest's every needs" you are correct. As TDLFAN so often points out, EVERY customer in Japan is just the same as every other. Every one treated the same. If you want to be catered to your every need, perhaps you should vacation in other places...Japan is all about every customer getting the same level of service (that's true all the way up to the "luxury" zone, which I'm sure is far superior in Europe, America, Canada, Hong Kong, and everywhere else you could come up with)... You prefer the U.S. style of hospitality? Really? Maybe the U.S. "style" makes sense, but have you ever BEEN anyplace in America besides Disney? The service in America, in general, totally SUCKS dude! At least, that has been my recent experience. I could sit here and write down TWENTY stories of horrible customer service (NONE of which pertain to me, but actually, and always, the customer in front of me). I am shocked an horrified by the service level in America these days. ESPECIALLY coming from Japan. I really hope you are referring ONLY to "U.S. style", which is fair enough but let me tell you right here and now IT NO LONGER EXISTS. At least in America. Maybe around Disney parks, where you "experience" America...but nowhere else bro...NOWHERE else. So anyway, you can respond as you wish, I'd be interested to hear your reply...BUT, in essence, we must just agree to disagree I think.
Originally Posted By leemac <<I wonder if by "flexible" you mean "preferred customer status"?>> No I don't mean that. I mean if you need something specifically that is outside the operating guidelines they will invariably say "no". And they have no issue saying "no". I can think of numerous occasions when I've needed something like urgent dry cleaning or forgotten key toiletries etc. and even top-notch Japanese hotels aren't prepared to even try and flex their model. It doesn't put the guests' needs first.
Originally Posted By Mr X **Does the MC feel Disney? No.** Wow, Lee. No, I didn't skip or miss any words at all... The MiraCosta TOTALLY feels "Disney" to me. I mean, ASIDE from the views (that's enough right there!), you've got the lobby with the whole DisneySea representation on the ceiling, the murals in the guest hallways depicting Pinnochio and the whole story and all that (AWSOME detail)...what more do you expect? How is the all-stars somehow "more Disney"? Or, even, the Ambassador? Are you looking for Mickey pictures everywhere you turn? If so, the Wilderness Lodge must also suck for you, but it's VERY Disney for me. I have to turn again to this...we just simply don't agree (which is fine)... I just sit here with my jaw agape realizing that we are BOTH "Disney fans" but we see things in such different ways. Makes the world go round, I guess. Right?
Originally Posted By leemac <<You prefer the U.S. style of hospitality?>> Very melodramatic the rest of that post. Hospitality refers to hotels only and not service in general. I agree that customer service in general is becoming an issue everywhere including Disney. That said I can name dozens of hotels in the US where I've received amazing hospitality. Caters to your every whim if necessary. From boutique hotels up in Napa to chains like Westin, W and Hilton. Those 4* and 5* hotels are definitely trying to go the extra mile. And don't forget I spend up to 9 months of the year in hotels. I like to think I know what is good. I don't expect preferential treatment anywhere. You get what you pay for. If I pay for something premium I expect it to be better than standard. Same for the MC. The suites I've stayed in there should have a better level of standard than other accommodations. By and large they don't.
Originally Posted By Mr X >>TDL Hotel has the killer spot right in front of the entrance to TDL. They are working on an exclusive entrance too (although operationally it might be difficult). That would be the killer selling point to the TDL Hotel.<< I'd be curious to learn how they could pull that off (being so far from the entrance)...Underground access?
Originally Posted By leemac <<How is the all-stars somehow "more Disney"?>> Where did I say the All Star feels more Disney? I wasn't even designed by Disney for Pete's sake. You seem to think that Disney means pictures of Mickey everywhere. That all the furnishings must be Mickey shaped. That isn't my point at all. Disney is a state of mind generated by the surroundings. It is taking the average and make it hyper-real or hyper-fantasy. The MC is just too literal in its execution. Much like a lot of TDS for me. As I've said hundreds of times before if I want to go to see Porto Paradiso I'll go see the real thing which is far more impressive. The real art is taking that architectural concept or motf and turning it on its head. A lot of DL is about recreating the past. Porto Paradiso is about a faithful rendering of something that still exists. Odd in my mind to replicate that but in light of the lack of international travelers in Japan (it ranks the lowest of all the G8 when it comes to nationals traveling abroad) it must have made sense to OLC. Right. Back to work!
Originally Posted By leemac <<Or, even, the Ambassador?>> My point is where can you stay in an original Art Deco hotel? There just aren't many that are true Art Decos left. It was about giving people the opportunity to stay somewhere very unique with a Disney spin on it. It totally works IMHO. It has so much charm and whimsy that is lacking in the MC for me. It feels warm and inviting. No cold marble or overbearing frescos and statues.
Originally Posted By Mr X >> I mean if you need something specifically that is outside the operating guidelines they will invariably say "no".<< This is true...and fair enough. They (as a culture, as far as I know) have a tough time going beyond the "model"...and it is a problem. Without bothering to go back, I don't think my post was all that melodramatic...customer service in America DOES suck... Sure, you are staying in premium hotels (as you said) and I'm sure you get catered to. But go stay at a motel-6 sometime (I dare you!). You'll find out plenty about American service then!
Originally Posted By leemac <<But go stay at a motel-6 sometime (I dare you!).>> I shudder at the thought. I'm happy to be a hotel snob.
