A Spirited 15 Rounds ...

[asianway]

RunDisney is fun and i think its motivated a lot of people including me to start running, That said one does not eat before the race unless one wants to hurl somewhere along the course.

Most of the lifestylers ive seen could not even finish the 5k

And at least for the RunDisney events ive seen one does not collect a finisher medal unless one legitimately crosses the finish line in the allowed time.

Of course ive never been swept by the balloon ladies so cant speak to that

As of 2011, everyone gets a medal, finish or not.

Coincidentally, bulk new medal resellers stopped getting new medals on ebay at the same time.

Me thinks someone was caught with their hand in the cookie jar.

For Challenge type medals, you still need to finish all of the appointed races, wristband and photo systems are in place to enforce.

 

[Monorail_Orange]

or why Disney pulled a Marvel announcement for DCA 72 hours before D23 (much like the 36 hour pull that happened in 2015).

This I can't wait to hear. I assume is has to do some with the current Eastern Gateway fiasco, but am wondering how much deeper it goes.

 

[njDizFan]

No its not,

The US is the ONLY country in the industrialized world WITHOUT mandatory vacation, Even freaking CHINA has a mandatory 2 week holiday.

Trouble is in the modern American company taking vacations is not seen as a good thing its seen as a sign of 'insufficient commitment to the companies goals'. And unless you inhabit mahogany row that rule applies to you.

From various friendly HR drones the magic number for vacation days to be counted against people is from 25-40% used depending on the company. And to be sure not all companies are like this.

And some are geniuinely sorry when they yank vacation at one place I worked when HR found out that vacation had been yanked they gave me a spot bonus to cover all the non-refundable expenses and an additional two weeks pay.

In this respect visa workers have it better because of the required visits home

This pernicious behavior by american companies is driven entirely by Wall Street which is in desperate need of reform to bring it back to the job of capital formation to help companies grow by providing goods and services and not the M&A Lottery/Share Price Casino wall st has become

Four weeks?!?! HAHAHHA!

Most Americans are thrilled if they have two weeks, which the boss never allows them to take at the same time.

What can I say Mr. Dimon has been kind. I have had opportunities for jobs with better compensation and pay but I prefer a place where I am not only allowed to go on vacation but encouraged. If that work/life balance is off then all that is left is work. And life is short and the world is big.

 

[Nj4mwc]

That is my point. You see people -- with children -- who have taken 23 trips to WDW (all on-site). You can't convince me that they are saving money versus taking a few trips abroad.

I kick myself because I just started taking advantage last year of military pricing at Disney/universal and can't believe I never did before. Also next summer planning on using military space "a" flights to go to Germany for a week with a 2 day stop at DLP. I want to see the actual castles Disney has used as inspiration. My wife is a little nervouse about foreign travel so that has always stopped us but she has finally come around and I want my kids to see all they can

 

[asianway]

This I can't wait to hear. I assume is has to do some with the current Eastern Gateway fiasco, but am wondering how much deeper it goes.

I think more to do with what happens after Avengers 4, the loss of the big names to carry MCU, waning interest by then...

 

[AEfx]

I think more to do with what happens after Avengers 4, the loss of the big names to carry MCU, waning interest by then...

I don't think that has to really be a problem. Let's not forget, ten years ago Iron Man and even Thor to some extent were second/third tier heroes in terms of broader cultural awareness. And then you have GoG, AntMan...there are plenty of characters to mine, and under Disney they have done a tremendous job of taking characters people have barely heard of and making them box office gold. The bonus is that the actors come cheaper, too.

 

[yeti]

I don't think that has to really be a problem. Let's not forget, ten years ago Iron Man and even Thor to some extent were second/third tier heroes in terms of broader cultural awareness. And then you have GoG, AntMan...there are plenty of characters to mine, and under Disney they have done a tremendous job of taking characters people have barely heard of and making them box office gold. The bonus is that the actors come cheaper, too.

But they might want to back off announcing new attractions if the lack of certain Avengers in the concept art spoils who gets killed off/retires in the next two movies. By the time the new land opens the team lineup will probably be quite different.

 

[tirian]

It's been reiterated here ad nauseam but Disney has a genuine problem with charging for a five star experience while only delivering a three star one, at best. Part of this comes from 15+ years of resting on their laurels, assuming Disney guests will pay regardless of amenities or service. Another part of it comes from the staffing culture they have, where the vast majority of front-line cast members are college program and have no specific training or skills in hospitality, while also not having specialized interviews to ensure they are right for the department they are being assigned. You should be getting a different level of service at the GF or Poly than you do at AOA or All-Star Music. In 2017 you don't. The last problem, in my opinion, is that front desk cast members spend too much time learning about magic bands and ticketing which comes at a cost of learning how to actually run a world-class hotel.

If any of you haven't taken the time to visit or stay at the Four Seasons on property, I'd highly recommend it. It is another world in terms of service. No wonder Disney allowed them to build in the middle of Golden Oak. They knew they were losing out to the Ritz and Waldorf but wanted to keep those guests on property. There's no reason that I should be getting a drastically different experience at a non-Disney branded hotel, for the same cost, than I do at Disney's flagship hotel.

In another thread, people are defending Disney for removing individual soap and shampoo bottles from hotel rooms and replacing them with wall-mounted pumps, like what you'd have at a gym. I can stay at any Marriott or Hilton for $185/night and get my own soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, but Disney wants to charge $200/night for Pop Century and have everybody share a giant bottle of soap.

 

[floridagirl57]

In another thread, people are defending Disney for removing individual soap and shampoo bottles from hotel rooms and replacing them with wall-mounted pumps, like what you'd have at a gym. I can stay at any Marriott or Hilton for $185/night and get my own soap, shampoo, conditioner, and lotion, but Disney wants to charge $200/night for Pop Century and have everybody share a giant bottle of soap.

I thought Disney did away with that practice? I was at POP earlier this year and had my own shampoo etc. Also, I've stayed at several Aloft's and the chain had wall-mounted pumps, to be "environmentally friendly."

 

[TrojanUSC]

I thought Disney did away with that practice? I was at POP earlier this year and had my own shampoo etc. Also, I've stayed at several Aloft's and the chain had wall-mounted pumps, to be "environmentally friendly."

This is new in the last few weeks at value resorts.

 

[wannabeBelle]

This is new in the last few weeks at value resorts.

I have also seen a report of it being at PO Riverside as well. Marie

 

[asianway]

I thought Disney did away with that practice? I was at POP earlier this year and had my own shampoo etc. Also, I've stayed at several Aloft's and the chain had wall-mounted pumps, to be "environmentally friendly."

This is an industry trend

 

[TiggerDad]

Not if one has a security clearance...

or a commercial driver's license

 

[WDW1974]

OK, going to attempt to talk Disney ... we'll see how that goes.

I have to leave a bit of mystery as someone just told me something very troubling regarding Anaheim's future and I have sent out missives to a few people who might be able to tell me whether it is accurate. I think it is ... and it is very, very troubling (not like what is going on the country troubling, but in a theme park kind of way troubling).

 

[radiohost]

Let's hear so we can crash the internet...

 

[TiggerDad]

You need to leave some mystery to be a Spirit thread.

 

[Sam Magic]

I have read through every page of this thread and every single comment. I'll leave my thoughts;

Something I've always been uncomfortable with in regards to Shanghai is that from the outset the project didn't seem like a true Disney project but a vanity project for the CCP. The grandiosity of the park and borderline megalomania in it only furthers those fears. The park from a design perspective (and really the whole resort) seems dysfunctional and like it doesn't have good flow. It's like the park is trying to be Disney World but if Disney World was designed by the worst mid-century urban planner you could find.

Because of my undergraduate degree I'll be spending a year in China so I'll be sure to at least visit Hong Kong. Before then though I hope to finally make it out to DLP...honestly if one were to take the blessing of size WDW has and DLP's Magic Kingdom and Tokyo Disney Sea I think you could have the perfect resort. @WDW1974 do you have any tips for living on the Chinese mainland?

As for WDW; the quality downgrade and price increases are a damn shame. I feel like the parks have gone from being America's resort to just being a resort for the wealthy elite in this country. It's a damn shame. Of all Shanghai's problems I feel it's almost like what Disney World was in terms of guests. Yes you had the upper middle-class and wealthy there, but he vast majority was middle or lower class. Disney World was not just a more realistic vacation, but it was worth every dime you spent. The food was good, facilities clean, castmembers friendly, and experiences once in a lifetime. If Disney wants to increase the number of people visiting the parks they need to make a visit worth the money. The high cost has to be justified. Adding Star Wars and GotG is not going to do the trick. Every aspect of ones vacation has to be worth the ticket price, not just the new stuff.

 

[mickEblu]

OK, going to attempt to talk Disney ... we'll see how that goes.

I have to leave a bit of mystery as someone just told me something very troubling regarding Anaheim's future and I have sent out missives to a few people who might be able to tell me whether it is accurate. I think it is ... and it is very, very troubling (not like what is going on the country troubling, but in a theme park kind of way troubling).

Oh no. Like worse that the TOT overlay?

 

[The_Mesh_Hatter]

OK, going to attempt to talk Disney ... we'll see how that goes.

I have to leave a bit of mystery as someone just told me something very troubling regarding Anaheim's future and I have sent out missives to a few people who might be able to tell me whether it is accurate. I think it is ... and it is very, very troubling (not like what is going on the country troubling, but in a theme park kind of way troubling).

The only positive *BAD* news for Anaheim (for me at least) would be if they focused on anything other than Marvel shlock. However I have a feeling this is something I won't like. From the sounds of it, it seems as if this is a resort issue. But I'm also worried it's something involving the further loss of thematic integrity in Disneyland park. I don't trust current management to even touch Fantasyland. And I'm also worried they'll try to turn Tomorrowland into Star Wars Land Part 2.

 

[WDW1974]

First, some general thoughts on TDR.

After coming on the heels of visiting SDL, TDR was actually relaxing. Something you won't often hear people say about the place. The constant crowding that you hear is largely true (but just like MK or DLR, of late, also exaggerated).

In five days there (three full at DL, two full at TDS) we never waited much longer than 20 minutes for anything. We never saw a wait in either park exceed 90 minutes (generally that was TSMM, which we didn't ride, and Indy at TDS and Splash Mountain at TDL). I say that because those waits are less than what people generally put themselves through at WDW all the time.

FP works there. And they wisely use it as needed. For example, it has been shut off for both Mansion and Star Tours because there is no need for it at all now. It is the polar opposite of SDL and the direction that WDW (pay to play) is headed. I don't like FP largely, but this old school system always worked best at DL and WDW and certainly does here. SDL is another matter ...

Also, you may hear that weather is terrible in summer and you shouldn't visit. I believe Disney Blogger to the Stars Tom Bricker has said as much. But we did TDR like he did a few years ago, catching Tanabata Days and the start of the summer fest, and did just fine. If you would do August in Orlando, then July in Tokyo won't kill you. It's actually better because they don't do our crazy time changes, so it gets dark at 7 and with the breeze off Tokyo Bay is amazingly pleasant at night.

As to the parks in general, they are incredibly beautiful and maintained. They are staffed to levels that would make Georgie K (as he shifts labor costs to DAK and closes MK 3-4 hours earlier than typical recent summers) crap his pants. No, the park isn't spotless, but it is as close to perfection as really is possible. And WDW used to be like this ... maybe not in over two decades, but it was.

Show quality is unsurpassed. In five days, I struggled to find a minor effect not working anywhere. I didn't find any. On attractions where at WDW (or even DL) you have static figures (think the RR scenes), TDR has animatronics. They may be limited, but they move and are all working. You don't need bloggingwhores making excuses for why major show effects aren't working like WDW does. The OLC has across the board standards that scream "WDW in 1983" ... AAs are silent. WDW Guests today probably have no idea that is the way they are supposed to be. Small attractions or less popular ones, things like Tom Sawyer Island or most of Toontown, look brand new and all that needs to be maintained is. Hanging out for an hour one hot afternoon on TSI reminded me of my first visit to the island with my family as a kid (yeah, I am not 71, sorry!) in 1976 because it was so lovingly cared for.

Entertainment is simply of the highest caliber. Sure, Festival of Fantasy is a nice parade at the MK. But it is laughable compared to Happiness is Here. Whine and cry and long for the 1972 MSEP to return again to the MK, while TDL's Dreamlights is an absolute tour de force of what a night parade in a Disney park should be (and, yes, it shames PtN as well ... but at least that parade can be spoken of in the same conversation). I saw Fantasmic for the first time there. It is different than stateside shows, but works. I still prefer DL's, although I haven't seen the new show yet. But it makes WDW's commercial for 90s WDFA laughable in every way as well. From live music to streetmosphere, TDR has it.

How about that Once Upon a Time show that MK took and bastardized? The original is absolutely beautiful. An ode to Walt era animation. Huge segments from Pan and Alice disappeared from MK's version to stuff in two Frozen musical numbers that don't fit. Since the show is ending, if you won't be visiting before November, YouTube it and see for yourself which show is better.

Sure, TDR doesn't do pyro like the American parks. Out of four nights they were offered, the pyro was canceled three. They do a short, but nice show that can be seen from BOTH parks. No need to camp in front of the castle for hours. Of course, tourists now expect Disney to do pyro every night in O-Town, missing the fact that until 1996 and WDW's 25th anniversary, the MK roughly did pyro shows only half the year.

Just some tidbits to start ...