Recent content by Virtual Toad

The style of the new building (when announced) will give us a very good idea of Ft. Wilderness' future. If it goes in the direction of the new cabins and re-designed stables, I think it's likely the entire current theme of the resort (and much of its charm) will be scrapped in favor of the...

Back in the day it was fairly common to score 40% off rack rate, especially for APs, Florida residents and through bounceback offers. Rack rate on our honeymoon at the WL in October 1996 was around $220/night, but discounted rooms at about $89-99 per night at Port Orleans and Caribbean Beach...

For clarity, it's not that I look down on Universal. Our family's had APs there the last two years and we've enjoyed ourselves. Primarily for the ease of transportation, hotel amenities, value for price paid and the refreshing feeling of spontaneity. Our boys loved Hagrids and are looking...

So it's 2024 and Disney may be seriously considering scooping up Universal's discarded leftovers as a "smart strategic move." IP rules anything and everything, WDW is now (in the minds of those in charge) nothing more than a marketing engine targeting gullible rubes, and Walt Disney's brilliant...

Fair enough. Let's change "solely" to "possibly relying too heavily." Basing park decisions on Disney+ numbers, if true, is a dangerous game. Audiences can be fickle, and by the time Disney finally gets around to building something, the audience may have moved on to something else. Build too...

I think the issue is they try to rely solely on data and metrics, which (as in the case of an IP such as the Simpsons) can lead them down a path that further dilutes the brand. Data and metrics can be a useful tool, but intuition, common sense and a clear vision for brand consistency should...

Been reading the thread and here's where I am (as a longtime fan who is disenchanted). If Disney kept their attractions immaculate and dependable, if the state of "show" was what it was even 5-6 years ago, and they price gouged with things like Genie+/ILL, well then, maybe that would be...

What isn't factored in though is perceived value for the money. Last year we used our free tickets and still came away disappointed because the quality we expect from the brand just isn't there anymore. Closed shops and attractions, shoddy show standards, third party contract workers in black...

Similar story here. I've been reading Dick Nunis' book and the Imagineering Story this month and both bring into stark contrast the difference between a company culture that seeks profit through excellence and one that simply tries to maximize profits by cutting corners and raising prices. Until...

Our family has free passes from our child's participation in Candlelight last month, which frankly we feel ambivalent about even using at this point. As a FL resident facing nightmarish traffic just to get to the place and seeing the total slide in quality and lack of value for the $$, no way...

Wow, the lighting in Pan is atrocious. Inexcusable really. Does ANYONE in parks management at WDW have a clue about upholding show standards anymore?

Also worth considering there was a lot more stuff to do at Epcot overall in that era. Plus fewer people, so crowds were more spread out. C Tickets still had entertainment value so there wasn't as much of the mindset that something had to be a nearly-impossible-to-ride E ticket to be popular...

Yep. If shifting to a new or updated theme is on your theme-park must-do list, then Tomorrowland '94 wasn't a bad way to do it. As controversial as Alien Encounter was to some, I thought it fit. You also had S.I.R. and Timekeeper who both looked like they came from the same off-world design...

Darn, you beat my record of 13 times in a row September of 1998. 😀 But the sentiment you described is exactly how I feel about it. It used to be *the* ride to end the day(night) on a high note. Now it would be more of a chore or checklist accomplishment at best. To think there was a time when...

Totally agree! It's likely a case of legal mandates run amok, but it defies common sense to break immersion so blatantly and continuously so early in the experience (and then continue it throughout). Can you imagine them doing this in the Pirates queue?! Or BTMRR? Or Guardians? Or just about any...