Spirited Quickees (because they are the best kind):
I see talk about CM pay, WDW prices and quality and ... and ... it is all part and parcel of the 'new normal' where economic inequality is praised, people are told they shouldn't expect living wages (just get another job!) and people who aren't even worth a million dollars (if they sold all their Disney crap) yell about protecting the billionaires and corporations from paying their fair share because they are deluded enough to envision a future that has them having that type of wealth. No, taxes are not an evil, they are a necessary part of a civilized society with social nets in place to take care of those less fortunate or those impacted by say ... a major national disaster.
As to WDW, I loved
@lentesta 's post on CM pay (just hopelessly behind here right now) almost as much as I loved
http://blog.touringplans.com/2017/08/31/mmm_aug2017/ ... so that's a lot! The idea that paying people a bit more impacts what you pay in a tiny way is why I will never eat a Papa John's pizza again. Not sure if you recall during the fights over the ACA when the head of the company said he would never support it because it would add one cent to the cost of a pizza. Gee, charge people a penny more and everyone he employs gets healthcare or don't and they suffer and ... as the kewl kidz say ... I can't even.
BTW, back to my best buddy (we went to school together in second grade and I protected him when other future bloggers, notably Lou 'Two Chins' Mongello, would try to beat him up for his lunch money),
@derekburgan, but I am amazed every time I visit the local Disney outlet store by how much Star Wars crap they are trying to unload. Literally, the store here is about two-thirds SW merchandise at this point. Yes, much is Disney Store branded, but that is no different from what you get at WDW. No, not suggesting anything beyond Disney has too much product.
To Lenny's point about hotel rates at WDW, I do agree that discounts the last 24-30 months have seemed steeper and more desperate than in the 'recovery period' after the massive discounting following the 2007-08 economic collapse. I already have banner adds offering me rooms at the All Stars for $76 a night starting 10/29. I, personally, have never paid more than $79 plus tax for them (that was back when summer was a big season and two decades ago!)
Don't know if anyone here has mentioned it yet, but DLP finally opened Les Village Nature yesterday. Will be interesting to see how the place moves the needle on stays there. The water park aspect interests me the most. I don't see the venture interesting the typical Americans who finally visit an international outpost.
DLP has also announced major new Christmas entertainment this year, which I sadly will miss. New stage shows at both parks. Smaller version of Tokyo's Big Band Beat. New projection show at WDSP.
Saw there was a bit of a dust up over FoP being the best attraction in the world. I believe everyone is entitled to their opinions. I haven't ridden it yet. It impressed the Hillbilly who used to post here. But he certainly didn't say 'Best ride in the world.' ... And having just ridden some great rides in Shanghai and Tokyo, I'm having a wait and see attitude. I believe it will impress me. How much it will impress me is the question.
Yes, that new 'VIP' tour of DAK is offensive. But rubes with money remain WDW's most coveted audience. The people who would rather pay $600 a night for the BC versus $150 for the Swan because the former has Disney MAGIC!
You might not have a life (and possibly have serious mental issues) if you are a blogger who has eaten every item at the Fall Food and Booze Fest and taken pictures of it and thinks that he/she/it is doing a service to the world ... or if you've been to 2-3 MNSSHPs before Labor Day etc.
I will now ask for a moment of silence in honor of the death of HKDL's Buzz Lightyear attraction two days ago. If you could take the other versions worldwide with you, I'd be very grateful.
Planning a future visit to O-Town for 10 days and wondering whether it is even worth setting foot in Disney's No Name Third Gate MAGICal IP Park. ToT is great. But one attraction does not a theme park make.
Hope to respond to some posts later today/tonight!
