A Spirited Perfect Ten

[ford91exploder]

Spirited Christmas/Holiday Musings II:

When did Disney decide it was all about selling Pixie Dust and Booze?

I ask because pushing alcohol sales is clearly a top TDO directive, likely from George Kalogridis (remember Disney's top manager in the swamps comes from a food and beverage background!) himself.

Remember there is no dollar so profitable as an Alcodollar, Petrodollars pale in comparison.

Two wonderful friends took Angie and I to the Hoop De Doo Review, something she had never been to and I hadn't been since last century, and it was an absolutely great experience. I don't know what they do to their fried chicken (bathe it in Pixie Dust, I guess), but it is some of the best. I don't like ribs (yes, I know ... I'm a Commie and proud of it!) so I ordered the pasta primavera and they brought out a huge portion of that, which was terrific as well. Everything was really ... from the salad to the sangria to the shortcake. And going on a cold, drizzling December day with all the Christmas decor just made it even more MAGICal.

Just an FYI, if you have cast pals, but there was (hopefully still is) a 50% discount available for the late show and some of the earliest show (they do three a night) so if you have a cast friend or two ...

What I loved most about the HDDR is that it very much reminded me of the show I first saw back in the late 1970s as a child. It's one of the only pieces of the amazing Vacation Kingdom of the World that still largely exists intact in the same form. It hasn't been neutered or ruined. It hasn't been Walmarted. Prices have gone up. But that's about it. Go see it.

Absolutely agree HDDR is just as I remember it as a child and the holiday decor was wonderful, This time it was adults only though as the nephews have an attention span measured in picoseconds.

When I think about UNI and Christmas, I think about seeing Grinchmas for the first time. A truly wonderful show. The best Christmas-themed show in O-Town. I can't believe I haven't seen it before. I didn't see the Macy's Parade because it didn't impress me at all in 2012. Grinchmas was another story. Go see it. Next year.

LOVED Grinchmas was down on the 19'th at UNI to see Mannheim Steamroller and at the end of the concert they had songs and scenes from Grinchmas so DW and I ended up leaving UNI with premier AP's (so we could see Grinchmas) which as a perk include FOTL AND valet parking. Grinchmas was an AWESOME show go see it next year as @WDW1974 recommends

For Dining we dropped into a JAMMED Hard Rock cafe and were seated and had our drink order in hand in 35 minutes. Had an AWESOME waiter who kept our drinks filled (sadly as designated driver mine were non-alcoholic) No 180 Day ADR BRAVO-SIERRA.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Probably when sexual innuendos became unusable...

I would never point anything at Joe myself ...

You innuendo? I do too, they say you aren't living unless you innuendo once a day. Also if you shake the other one it has bells on it.

 

[tigger1968]

That's pure 'net conjecture. I know people involved with the deal on the Chinese side and pandas were never on the table. I'm not even sure that Disney ever broached the subject. It's more of a would like to have them from some fans online.

I have nothing against pandas. I love animals of all kinds. And they can be cute. But having seen plenty of them various times in China,well, I'll say that I think they are overrated as an animal to observe in a park.

You may see them one day at DAK, but it won't have anything to do with SDL.

My girlfriend was working at Busch Gardens when the pandas were there...I mentioned this topic to her, and her first response was that they tended to sleep all day, so not nearly as exciting as you would think they are...unless they were getting fed.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

I looked at the website for Little Palm Island - there is no way to book more than 2 people in the bungalows?

So, we're really looking at two things - a deluxe resort vacation for a couple, or a deluxe resort vacation for a family.

So lets try to limit the comparisons to either a vacation for a couple, or a vacation for a family. And all of the family input, which will vary from family to family.

I thoroughly enjoyed our honeymoon location. My in-laws (SIL& BIL) went to the same resort with their two young children, and were less than thrilled. Families aren't looking for a romantic, exotic locale - they want a place where there is something for everyone - even if it might be boring or mundane to someone else . That doesn't make them ignorant or stupid.

Little Palm Island is a private tropical island with a 5 star resort. It doesn't allow anyone under 16. Bungalows only sleep 2, and run around $700\night. They have a world class spa and 5 Star dining service (restaurant, room, or private beach).

And no, it is not "family" oriented, but you can get 3 private bungalows for the price of 1 of the Poly's. As a 51 year old single gay guy, I see myself at Little Palm Island looong before I see myself at a Poly Bungalow.

But for a family vacation Cheeca Lodge would be the comparable resort. I have done the math before against the regular top shelf deluxes and Cheeca usually wins.

And as far as recreational activities, I believe reducing the options available in The Keys to simply "just jumping in the water" is just a titch disingenuous. Particularly since I don't believe that most WDW fans have the ***** to jump out of the boat in the open ocean. But here is one of my favorite activities. The Champagne Sunset Cruise. (Oh look,an up charge event)

 

[WDW1974]

Why no love for Star Tours from OLC and China? Any particular reason for all the red tape, i.e. politics, money, bad blood, or they just flat out dont like it? Star Tours seems popular in Tokyo and surely the new films will make money and sell merch so why risk missing the boat?

I'm not entirely sure beyond the fact that Star Wars just isn't that big a deal over there. OLC wasn't even quick to jump on getting ST 2.0. I've been told, but don't know for certain that they turned it down multiple times before biting. ... I didn't find ST to ever be that crowded at TDL, but I haven't been back since 2.0 opened. ... As for HKDL, IME didn't have to go on the ST expansion pad. It was telling that not only did it, but the type of attraction that is being built largely precludes ST from ever making it there.

and for what its worth, knowing this will be your last thread for awhile is like the last day of a Disney trip, you know the end is near and its just more difficult to enjoy as the clock ticks down. My morning coffee will not be the same without a '74 thread to catch up on.

I appreciate you saying that. And I do (usually) enjoy them. I just don't have the time anymore. And there's always a point when they become about cheesesteaks (not terrible ... I had one for lunch yesterday, but not what I generally want to talk about).

I am not disappearing. I'm also not saying that I won't create a thread if some major news comes my way and I feel like sharing. But these type threads are just major efforts and I can't take the time (even like I am now on a very lazy Friday night!) I can honestly say I've had jobs that I haven't put in the time I have on some threads here ... and that's plain nuts on my part!

 

[WDW1974]

I've had conversations with people in regards to the exact same question and gotten the exact same answer.

They elaborated in the sense that there's no way the Chinese government would ever allow pandas to go to a for-profit institution…

I think Disney might be able to get a few, at least on loan, for DAK.

But I have never heard it being a priority or even viewed as a big 'get' ... I asked Dr. Beth Stevens about it a few times years ago and got very nonchalant 'that would be nice' type responses.

 

[WDW1974]

Well...for a nominal fee....

No. 2, I will set any/all appearance fees for us ... I do not want you offering our company for a pickup full of fresh roadkill!

 

[WDW1974]

Let me guess, $170/pp gets you all-you-care-to-eat short bread cookies and mini-cupcakes, One 6 Oz. bottle of H2O, and Special Limited Edition Button.
Oh, and pre stamped "autographs" from our "Celebrity Experts".

This reminds of another thing that gets me very angry: today's Disney believes cupcakes are attractions or are at least selling points for visiting its parks.

Think about how lame- that is.

But the DPB is always blubbering about new special cupcakes. You know what? I can't stand cupcakes. I've always viewed them as cheap children's desserts. Give me creme brulee or ice cream or even pie ... but cupcakes?!?! Do I look like a 345-pound Disney blogger?!?!

 

[WDW1974]

Nah...real autographs.
And a photo-op for an extra $20.

Maybe $20 for you ... you'd have to add some zeros for moi.

 

[StageFrenzy]

My girlfriend was working at Busch Gardens when the pandas were there...I mentioned this topic to her, and her first response was that they tended to sleep all day, so not nearly as exciting as you would think they are...unless they were getting fed.

I appreciate you saying that. And I do (usually) enjoy them. I just don't have the time anymore. And there's always a point when they become about cheesesteaks (not terrible ... I had one for lunch yesterday, but not what I generally want to talk about).

I've had conversations with people in regards to the exact same question and gotten the exact same answer.
They elaborated in the sense that there's no way the Chinese government would ever allow pandas to go to a for-profit institution…

I didn't want to dwell on the pandas any longer lest this thread become Panda 2: Electric Bungalow. However they were very inactive and kinda boring. Funny BG should replace them with koalas, I always went for the kookaburras and wallabies. @Disneyhead'71 would the bungalows be worth it if it was stocked with Panda Bears? If I jump in my time machine and go back in time to the state of zoos when the pandas first came to BG, I feel like BG was more animal friendly and progressive to animals than a lot of the classic zoos. They had a nice sized Elephant enclosure and the Serengeti Plain.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

This reminds of another thing that gets me very angry: today's Disney believes cupcakes are attractions or are at least selling points for visiting its parks.

Think about how lame-*** that is.

But the DPB is always blubbering about new special cupcakes. You know what? I can't stand cupcakes. I've always viewed them as cheap children's desserts. Give me creme brulee or ice cream or even pie ... but cupcakes?!?! Do I look like a 345-pound Disney blogger?!?!

Or maybe just some fresh berries and whipped cream and a glass of champagne.

 

[bhg469]

Don't even get me started on cupcakes! Biggest cop out excuse for a dessert than anything I can imagine. When BOG opened I was shocked they didn't offer real dessert. A slice of cake is much better than a cup cake and much easier to justify as an item in better sit down restaurants.

 

[flynnibus]

I think that's still insane. Oh, and FWIW, Angie and I were pulled out of line and escorted to an empty concierge line for check in anyway. I wondered if Karl had noticed me and was trying to keep me off the ship (I have lots of words to describe the head of DCL, but none that Mom would like!), but instead we just had a CM doing nothing who opted to move us to the head of the line ... likely because she could sense we were VIPs!



We only spent one day in the rainforest, but would do more in the future. So peaceful and relaxing ... and a definite upgrade over the older ships. And, yep, know all about the steam room too!

Do you steal the robes like your resort coke?

I love that they had flip flops too... But they were all midget sized! Could find any that fit

Now if they could just fix the people that snore on the loungers

 

[StageFrenzy]

Do you steal the robes like your resort coke?

I love that they had flip flops too... But they were all midget sized! Could find any that fit

Now if they could just fix the people that snore on the loungers

When I was on the boat they had clown shoes a plenty, the lounging snorers or snoring loungers is a problem that must be fixed at night.

 

[Cesar R M]

It is not exactly the problem in this case for Big Hero 6 since AtHomeBoy_2000 typed it way too premature. Big Hero 6 hasn't been open in 24 countries yet including some big markets like UK and France as an example. This is a movie that is going past 550 million dollars once it is all done. After this weekend, it's going to be past the 400 million worldwide mark Easily with big hero 6 opening up in Hungary on Thursday, and Lithuania, and Pakistan on Friday.

the money train might slow down for bh6, as theres a leaked DVD screener already on torrents.
And I really hate when the blurays are out when the movies aren't even released in some countries. ( I has happened with many movies in my country, where the bluray is everywhere.. and they JUST decide to show it on cinemas)

 

[Cesar R M]

More like Chinese contractors going behind Disney's back and ordering cheaper parts than what Disney specifically asked for. Stuffed has had to be ripped out and re done. A building for one of the rides was built with wrong dimensions and had to be fixed. They are wayyyyyyyyyyyyy behind.

I honestly would believe the opposite. Disney being the one wanting cheap pieces and Chinese contractors being forced to "censor" stuff to dont hurt Chinese politicians's feelings.

 

[Sped2424]

When did D-a-m-n become unusable here?

Erase that before she comes..

 

[Next Big Thing]

Why would you want more than you and your husband?

If i'm paying $2100 a night for a bungalow that sleeps EIGHT, i'm bringing a bunch of friends and throwing a party.

A couples retreat has it's place, maybe even the Grand Floridian, but not an 8-person Bungalow at $2100/night... unless you are just filthy rich.

 

[PREMiERdrum]

I didn't want to dwell on the pandas any longer lest this thread become Panda 2: Electric Bungalow. However they were very inactive and kinda boring.

Understatement of the thread.

-PREMiERdrum, who queued up for 2.5 hrs in the early '90s to see two black and white balls of fuzz sleeping the back of their enclosure in CBus.

 

[Next Big Thing]

The one and only thing that angered me on my Fantasy cruise? It had nothing to do with DCL, but DVC. Namely the smarmy and manipulative way DVC has resorted to selling/shilling its product. They are now using children. Yes. At the sales pitch sessions, they now play a commercial for their timeshares in which they use about 10 kids (all cute, all white, all between ages 5-9 it looks like) all talking about how they know Mommy and Daddy love them because they bought DVC, how wonderful DVC is and their favorite DVC memories.

Is it designed to tug? Sure. Not the heartstrings. But to tug on the purse strings. If you love your kids, then how could you not drop a minimum of (not quite sure ... going to say...) $22,000 while on your already pricey cruise?

I truly felt the thing was sickening. I'm sure Ken Potrock feels differently. ...Again, there's more than one way to skin a fanboi and I love hearing how Disney is low pressure and how folks who would never buy timeshare, buy DVC because of that. Like I said, multiple ways ...

On my recent Disney Dream cruise, they had a part where they wanted people to tell their favorite "DVC memories" or why they joined. One guy took the mic nd slammed DVC about how much points have gone up and why don't they give free annual passes anymore. The DVC hosts were shocked to say the least.