The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[stevehousse]

As someone who has visited countless of forums and discussion sites.
I can say the cycle is normal.

Its pretty simple.

Any website that grows and gets popular.. will start to get the "crap" of the population. (aka trolls, uneducated folks, people who only stirr trouble and attention seekers).
Then you reach a time, where the 50% or more of the active discussions, is filled with these undesirable ones
then they start to scare away the real forum members.

Then...the site gets into disarray when more than 20% of the entire site are undesirable ones. The people finally get fed up on them and find the best alternative website... to repeat the cycle.
It obviously depends on how the moderation works. sites with zero moderation always fall faster.

I feel this way about Facebook and the demise of MySpace...

 

[Phil12]

As someone who has visited countless of forums and discussion sites.
I can say the cycle is normal.

Its pretty simple.

Any website that grows and gets popular.. will start to get the "crap" of the population. (aka trolls, uneducated folks, people who only stirr trouble and attention seekers).
Then you reach a time, where the 50% or more of the active discussions, is filled with these undesirable ones
then they start to scare away the real forum members.

Then...the site gets into disarray when more than 20% of the entire site are undesirable ones. The people finally get fed up on them and find the best alternative website... to repeat the cycle.
It obviously depends on how the moderation works. sites with zero moderation always fall faster.

It's a direct reflection of society. The same thing happens at church, school, business and prison.

 

[culturenthrills]

A plan was released for SeaWorld San Diego and it clearly shows the stadium.

Hadn't seen that. Still don't know how they are gonna do it in Orlando without a major reworking of that section of the park. They would likely have to take out a section of the lake.

 

[WDW1974]

Spirited Friday Morning Musings (depending on your time zone or when you see this):

I have to admit that I am shocked a bit that no one in the mainstream media picked up on the news about Shanghai DL's huge delays. Just a bit because it's possible that someone attempted a story and was 'convinced' by Disney that there was nothing to see there. ... Still, can't help but think that if Al Lutz had written it that there would have been some mainstream reporters phoning him and Bob Iger's office.

No, the mainstream media has better things to write about with Disney. Witness Brooks Barnes latest PR for The Mouse: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/22/b...w-star-wars-game-for-mobile-devices.html?_r=0

Did you hear that Barclay's valued ESPN at approximately $47 billion? What do you think they value EPCOT?

Anyone following the disaster that is Atlantic City closely? They've already shuttered one casino this year and THREE more will shut down in the next month. The biggest disaster is Revel, which opened in April of 2012 at a cost of $2.4 billion. What's astounding is people there are talking about having no use for the 50-story hotel and casino in any other form.

Remember when we had a space program?

You remember when I said there would be yet more upcharge events coming? Get ready ... sooner rather than later.

So, WDW sends me an email offering AP rates for pretty much the rest of the year until Christmas with the exception of a few dates like Thanksgiving week. Sorry, but when the least expensive deal is $79 at All Star Sorts during the week and $95 on weekends and the best 'deal' is $205 during the week at DAK Lodge, I'll politely pass.

TDR announced its limited time Frozen winter event today, which shouldn't be confused with the major project WDI will be pitching for the resort.

I discovered that I am not too good to dine at Chili's recently.

Someone told me that the Mongello had a new website designed to sell himself (the thing he enjoys whoring even more than whatever the folks at Celebration Place ask him to) and well ... I'd appreciate it if no one links to it here. People with weak stomachs might hurl all over their keyboards.

 

[WDW1974]

I know there are a lot of crappy building projects out there slapped together, but building pretty buildings is not that difficult. There are plenty of nice malls and lifestyle centers.

Yes, but what about pretty buildings with STORY'S? Yeah, only Disney. Only Disney.

There will be no train. In the West Side they are building a shade structure that is supposed to be a repurposed elevated train like The High Line Park in New York. It is a contradiction of the worst, being inappropriate to both Florida and a small town.

I've stood under part that is completed across from Starbucks. It is bizarre, as is RCID's requirement for pricey fire suppression equipment above you even though the structure is open on ALL sides. If fire broke out, you would simply move out away from it ... I've never looked at the bus stations at MK, but I wonder if they have them.

 

[WDW1974]

What is Fantasia ice cream???

Please tell me that you are either kidding or that someone already answered this for you ...

 

[WDW1974]

I've read a Forbes article recently that had Disney interested in purchasing Formula 1. I can't see that happening but have you heard any rumblings @WDW1974 ? Would be great to watch formula 1 on espn but not many are going to get up at 6am et to watch a race in Europe/Asia. Though I do currently.

No, I have not.

 

[Mike S]

Spirited Friday Morning Musings (depending on your time zone or when you see this):

I have to admit that I am shocked a bit that no one in the mainstream media picked up on the news about Shanghai DL's huge delays. Just a bit because it's possible that someone attempted a story and was 'convinced' by Disney that there was nothing to see there. ... Still, can't help but think that if Al Lutz had written it that there would have been some mainstream reporters phoning him and Bob Iger's office.

No, the mainstream media has better things to write about with Disney. Witness Brooks Barnes latest PR for The Mouse: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/22/b...w-star-wars-game-for-mobile-devices.html?_r=0

Did you hear that Barclay's valued ESPN at approximately $47 billion? What do you think they value EPCOT?

Anyone following the disaster that is Atlantic City closely? They've already shuttered one casino this year and THREE more will shut down in the next month. The biggest disaster is Revel, which opened in April of 2012 at a cost of $2.4 billion. What's astounding is people there are talking about having no use for the 50-story hotel and casino in any other form.

Remember when we had a space program?

You remember when I said there would be yet more upcharge events coming? Get ready ... sooner rather than later.

So, WDW sends me an email offering AP rates for pretty much the rest of the year until Christmas with the exception of a few dates like Thanksgiving week. Sorry, but when the least expensive deal is $79 at All Star Sorts during the week and $95 on weekends and the best 'deal' is $205 during the week at DAK Lodge, I'll politely pass.

TDR announced its limited time Frozen winter event today, which shouldn't be confused with the major project WDI will be pitching for the resort.

I discovered that I am not too good to dine at Chili's recently.

Someone told me that the Mongello had a new website designed to sell himself (the thing he enjoys whoring even more than whatever the folks at Celebration Place ask him to) and well ... I'd appreciate it if no one links to it here. People with weak stomachs might hurl all over their keyboards.

Would I be correct in guessing that the major project WDI will be pitching was also pitched and promptly shot down stateside?

 

[WDW1974]

House of blues, Fultons, Portobello, & Wolfgang puck, are all 20% off for lunch for AP holders.
View attachment 62937

HoB actually has one of the only real Happy Hours on property unlike UNI where they are all over.

Disney thinks it is doing you a favor by just serving you in a real glass, ya know?

 

[WDW1974]

While not the article you are looking for there is a Marc Davis quote "We really don't have a story, with a beginning, an end, or a plot. It's more a series of experiences building up to a climax. I call them experience rides."

You see evidence of this ride experiences over storytelling in HM and the original Pirates before Jack Sparrow entered the picture.

Yep. It's not that there were not stories ... but they were not fully developed -- plot above being a key.

And what has bothered me for years is Disney CMs and fanbois creating them ... the worst being Master Gracey and the Mansion. I remember for years when fanbois would point out where a pole for the queue had been removed from the pavement a marking that they were sure was a wedding ring ... and then the 'net started and things got even worse.

 

[artvandelay]

Spirited Friday Morning Musings (depending on your time zone or when you see this):

Anyone following the disaster that is Atlantic City closely? They've already shuttered one casino this year and THREE more will shut down in the next month. The biggest disaster is Revel, which opened in April of 2012 at a cost of $2.4 billion. What's astounding is people there are talking about having no use for the 50-story hotel and casino in any other form.

Remember when we had a space program?
.

Atlantic City has been hurt by the new casinos and racinos in Pennsylvania, Delaware and NYC. I did read about a university that was interested in using The Atlantic Club as a new dorm/campus. Revel has been trying to find a buyer, but it looks like potential buyers are waiting for the bankruptcy first. Does Steve Wynn buy it and make his triumphant return to AC?

We still have a space program. NASA's newest capsule, Orion, makes its first unmanned orbital test mission at the end of this year. Orion's mission is to put humans on an asteroid and then to Mars. Also, SpaceX, Boeing, and Sierra Nevada are all building manned capsules/shuttles that will be used for low earth orbit missions. Netflix has a Bloomberg documentary detailing the competition between the three. It's a good, quick doc.

 

[WDW1974]

They believe discussion forums are a dead format. They are all about the blogz and comments because they want their pages to be linked and commented on. They gutted their forum community, and left it to rot, and then when the forum is dead...it justifies their belief that discussion forums are a dead medium. They over subscribed to the 'everyone just clicks links on facebook' mentality and abandoned the idea of a online community. Completely misguided... I tried raising the warning flags and they don't want to hear it. They've made their bed.. and now it's time to sleep in it.

Meanwhile.. I'm in other hobby forums that make WDWMagic look like the minor leagues in terms of posting traffic. Obviously forums are dead..

Everytime someone tells me that discussion forums are dead, well ... I just look at one of my threads here. Or when I can leave the HUGE ego behind, I'll look at other Disney forums of note or frequent flyer or other travel forums and I realize that is complete BS.

There are discussion forums that have died. I've been part of some of them. But the medium itself is here and not going anywhere (just like network teevee and multiplexes for my 20-something friends!)

I'd argue that Facebook is starting to show major signs of user fatigue and could easily become irrelevant, despite all the billions that push its significance ... and Twitter ... well, let's leave that one out.

But I'd venture to say that these forums here are better than ever now in 2014!

 

[PhotoDave219]

Spirited Friday Morning Musings (depending on your time zone or when you see this):

I have to admit that I am shocked a bit that no one in the mainstream media picked up on the news about Shanghai DL's huge delays. Just a bit because it's possible that someone attempted a story and was 'convinced' by Disney that there was nothing to see there. ... Still, can't help but think that if Al Lutz had written it that there would have been some mainstream reporters phoning him and Bob Iger's office.

No, the mainstream media has better things to write about with Disney. Witness Brooks Barnes latest PR for The Mouse: http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/22/b...w-star-wars-game-for-mobile-devices.html?_r=0

Did you hear that Barclay's valued ESPN at approximately $47 billion? What do you think they value EPCOT?

Anyone following the disaster that is Atlantic City closely? They've already shuttered one casino this year and THREE more will shut down in the next month. The biggest disaster is Revel, which opened in April of 2012 at a cost of $2.4 billion. What's astounding is people there are talking about having no use for the 50-story hotel and casino in any other form.

Remember when we had a space program?

You remember when I said there would be yet more upcharge events coming? Get ready ... sooner rather than later.

So, WDW sends me an email offering AP rates for pretty much the rest of the year until Christmas with the exception of a few dates like Thanksgiving week. Sorry, but when the least expensive deal is $79 at All Star Sorts during the week and $95 on weekends and the best 'deal' is $205 during the week at DAK Lodge, I'll politely pass.

TDR announced its limited time Frozen winter event today, which shouldn't be confused with the major project WDI will be pitching for the resort.

I discovered that I am not too good to dine at Chili's recently.

Someone told me that the Mongello had a new website designed to sell himself (the thing he enjoys whoring even more than whatever the folks at Celebration Place ask him to) and well ... I'd appreciate it if no one links to it here. People with weak stomachs might hurl all over their keyboards.

Well the NYT is still on Ferguson & ISIS. I have no problem with them putting a backpage tech/pr piece for the mouse. Its not like its on A1..... right?

ESPN is $47B? Does that include the ever-escalating TV contracts handed out to every sport & conference?

AC? Well people prefer Vegas for their Sins.... especialy with all the problems AC has had over the years. Maybe it can recreate itself back as a seashore destination? All the casinos are closing and thats.... bad short term. Depends on who sees this as an opportunity. Depends on if the local PD can get a handle on crime.

.... Im still ed about the Space Program.

So Frozen this, Frozen that. Wouldnt be shocked if thats the next 12-15 month promotion for 'Disney Parks.' (No
body likes the moniker 'Disney Parks')

Chilis? Love their fajitas.

I tried to make an Mongello/Outcall joke but I made myself sick. (Dont ask if you dont get it)

 

[PhotoDave219]

We still have a space program. NASA's newest capsule, Orion, makes its first unmanned orbital test mission at the end of this year. Orion's mission is to put humans on an asteroid and then to Mars. Also, SpaceX, Boeing, and Sierra Nevada are all building manned capsules/shuttles that will be used for low earth orbit missions. Netflix has a Bloomberg documentary detailing the competition between the three. It's a good, quick doc.

..... Yeah. NASA was way easier to deal with than SpaceX. And I mean MANNED Space Flight. Orion is essentially Apollo all over again. I still think it will be eventually killed. Its depressing to stand at Canaveral National Seashore (its a gem, highly recommend) and look at what was 39-B.

 

[stevehousse]

Please tell me that you are either kidding or that someone already answered this for you ...

I am not kidding! And no one has answered yet! LOL I am assuming this is something that was exclusive to DL because I haven't been to Cali in 25 years! I have been to wdw countless times and don't remember ever seeing or hearing of it down there...

I did go a google search and found some pics! It looks yummy but what was the flavor???

 

[PhotoDave219]

)

I'd argue that Facebook is starting to show major signs of user fatigue and could easily become irrelevant, despite all the billions that push its significance ... and Twitter ... well, let's leave that one out.

Ive deleted Facebook off my phone and have cut back on its usage by 2/3rds. I have no desire to continue with it beyond pimping baby gorilla photos.

BTW have you heard about the baby gorilla?

 

[artvandelay]

..... Yeah. NASA was way easier to deal with than SpaceX. And I mean MANNED Space Flight. Orion is essentially Apollo all over again. I still think it will be eventually killed. Its depressing to stand at Canaveral National Seashore (its a gem, highly recommend) and look at what was 39-B.

Orion is all that's left of the original Constellation program from the Bush administration. I hope it survives, but the next admin could gut it or cancel it outright. Orion has been called Apollo on steroids.

What happened to 39B? I know SpaceX has leased 39A, but didn't hear anything about 39B.

 

[artvandelay]

BTW have you heard about the baby gorilla?

Artie Lange!?

 

[PhotoDave219]

Orion is all that's left of the original Constellation program from the Bush administration. I hope it survives, but the next admin could gut it or cancel it outright. Orion has been called Apollo on steroids.

What happened to 39B? I know SpaceX has leased 39A, but didn't hear anything about 39B.

Its Gone. It was partway disassembled during the final Atlantis mission. I was out there a year ago and all that remains is the flame trench and the giant lightning rod thingies.

 

[Longhairbear]

Everytime someone tells me that discussion forums are dead, well ... I just look at one of my threads here. Or when I can leave the HUGE ego behind, I'll look at other Disney forums of note or frequent flyer or other travel forums and I realize that is complete BS.

There are discussion forums that have died. I've been part of some of them. But the medium itself is here and not going anywhere (just like network teevee and multiplexes for my 20-something friends!)

I'd argue that Facebook is starting to show major signs of user fatigue and could easily become irrelevant, despite all the billions that push its significance ... and Twitter ... well, let's leave that one out.

But I'd venture to say that these forums here are better than ever now in 2014!

A lot of my friends are using Facebook less often, some actually not using it at all anymore. They've gone back to Live Journal, a place I never left.