Nubs70
Well-Known Member
He wouldn't die instantly. He would bounce at least 2-3 times first.
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A Spirited Perfect Ten
- Thread starter WDW1974
- Start date
Who knows, Tom? Too many would be my guess. Too many people who also wouldn't say that, but also still blindly support WDW leadership, no matter what they do. ... I still enjoy -- PARTS of -- WDW, very much or I wouldn't go. But things have gotten to the point where I would never tell anyone to take a vacation there. Maybe a few days as part of a Florida vacation, but not a week or 10 days (or month if you come from the UK) at WDW alone.
Let me start with a disclaimer that even though I am responding to you, I'm not aiming this volley in your direction, but in the direction of all Lifestylers who wind up being de facto BRAND advocates to various degrees.
Who cares if they're mocking? You don't make positive change by being nice.
I have to be on point and true to the facts. The ONLY strong voice that ever made a positive difference in the fan community on a large scale public stage was Al Lutz. A man who never took a damn thing from Disney, a man who called people names, often tossed cheap shots with his grenades and literally embarrassed Disney management into doing the right (perhaps, responsible is the better term) thing. They've pretty much done so for over a decade now in Anaheim.
I don't see anyone with a major blog/site/online home taking pictures of anything wrong that can be seen in the parks. No one except, perhaps, Andy Castro does this and he's in Anaheim. I recall when someone attacked Ricky Brigante on his nothing but effusive praise of Disney, and he Tweeted that he doesn't want to ''cover negative stuff.''
Gee, why would that be? Because when you have a platform, a stage in the fan community, you can bring about some positive change. But not by making Disney's parks look even better than they are, which is basically what these people do. All it would take is a few Lifestylers who aren't afraid or don't care if they are never invited to a Disney whorefest, don't get freebies, don't get special access to get stuff out that would embarrass Disney, that would show how unMAGICal many things are, most especially at WDW. It does work. It worked for Al before the Internet Era was what it is today (no Twitter, no Facebook, no Instagram, no iPhones, no tablets etc).
It WOULD work!
No one takes pics of what is wrong at WDW because no one wants to be blacklisted by Dr. Blondie and Celebration Place. But let me assure you that if someone started, they could be the Al Lutz of this decade, this era, this coast, this resort. Whether it's siding rotting off the Yacht Club (it is, I saw it two weeks ago) or the general filth and decay of the Buzz Lightyear queue (been this way for a decade plus now) or missing AAs in Splash Mountain and filthy ride vehicles or just about anything on Pirates, you put pictures like that on a site with considerable reach, for example, and TDO will take notice and things will get fixed or dealt with much quicker.
I've seen people post stuff here (most recently shots of the GhettoRails), but message boards aren't the forum for that largely. Unless something winds up going viral, it simply gets lost in people arguing facts.
The issue is everyone wants to focus on the positive. And what's the saying? If you aren't part of the solution, then you're part of the problem.
If no one wants to showcase the ugly side of WDW on a site with considerable reach, then the status quo will largely remain.
I'm guessing Lifestyler John Frost didn't exactly endear himself to Dr. Blondie and the CP Social Media Cabal (now, with less Crazy Gary, unfortunately!) when he Tweeted today ''George, we love you, but no new news for Disney World? What's up with that?" #coolestsummer.
Yeah, what's up with that? What's up with no one in the fan community helping their fellow fans and the company. Because, Al didn't help himself, most certainly. He made things better for the fans/Guests/Cast, but ultimately for TWDC itself. DL began a renaissance after the worst of Al that continues to this very day ... and DLR is raking in more profits than ever.
Unfortunately, with the apathy in the WDW fan community, we're seeing the opposite effect. More staleness, more stagnation, more price hikes without equal representation in the form of new and worthy reasons to visit and a chorus of BRAND advocates singing a perfectly pitched chorus largely to whatever Celebration Place desires.
It is sad.
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
Yay! Thanks for the confirmation.
ThemeParkTraveller
Well-Known Member
NearTheEars
Well-Known Member
I guess the biggest problem with your plan for a Lifestyler to go rougue is that many, like Mr. Mongello and Mr. Brigante do this for a living. They are basically like travel agents but they don't actually sell the packages. They inform the public on what WDW IS offering, not what it's NOT.
If they were to all of a sudden turn heel, their business would collapse. It would be like a BP gas station owner posting signs about how terrible the oil spill was underneath their prices. It doesn't make sense for them.
Obviously you can certainly argue against the merits of their business. And you have. Some of the stuff they do makes me cringe a bit. And I hate that some folks see, and treat them like they are journalists.
I think it's perfectly OK to quote Mongello in an article as a WDW expert. He is one.
But please God I wish no one would take anything he posts as a news story.
He has his niche, and stays comfortably in it. And if you're planning a vacation, he's a good source for finding out what IS happening during your trip. What's broke, or cut, will not be included.
Taking pictures of dirty monorails doesn't pay the bills.
What we need is someone like a Lutz, that's not in it to support their family, to take up the cause. And I think you've said before, making a run at TWDC would be a full time job.
And that's the biggest problem. Most of us are here on our lunch breaks, or after work.
We're too busy.
ParentsOf4
Well-Known Member
You don't need my opinion. All you have to do is compare Deluxe Resort prices at Universal to WDW to understand that Disney's current management are graduates of the P.T. Barnum School of Business.
A Bay View room in mid-July at Universal's Portofino Bay costs $327/night.
An Outer Building Lagoon View in mid-July at Disney's Grand Floridian costs $450/night, even with this summer's 30% discount.
Of course, Universal's Deluxe Resorts offer the best theme park perk in the world: unlimited express line access. And no 60 day planning! Staying onsite at Universal means a real vacation: sleep in, saunter over to the theme parks, wait no more than 15 minutes for any attraction, spend a relaxing afternoon at the conveniently nearby hotel pool during the heat of the day, have a nice dinner at one of several enjoyable restaurants, and head back to the theme parks at night for some more front-of-the-line access.
For those conditioned by Disney to treat a trip to WDW like an assault on a Himalayan mountain peak requiring months of preplanning, a Universal onsite vacation takes some getting used to.
Anyone who genuinely thinks fighting WDW's crowds for 12 hours after all those months of preplanning is a better vacation really is a pixie duster.
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stevehousse
Well-Known Member
Liked the movie, as good as the first one. Yes, a lot of characters, but thought it was balanced well. Infinity wars movies, I am a little worried it'll be too much. Basically every superhero in some context will be in those films. Hopefully r won't be too overcrowded. I actually feel that way about the Dawn of Justice movie coming out. They seem to be trying to cram so much into one movie, instead of taking the marvel approach and doing single character movies first. I am very excited for Suicide Squad though. That is gonna be an interesting film.
Goofywilliam
Well-Known Member
This truly speaks volumes! When you have 112 comments bashing the club because they do not see value in it any longer, you would think someone in the higher ranks would take notice! I for one am glad I never fell victim to signing up and spending tons of money on this crap (although it did seem like a better deal back when I was looking into it).
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Holy crap, its someone who believes Warner Brothers isn't going to fall on their face.
Its like finding one of the last Black Rhinos.
Such endangered species.
Cesar R M
Well-Known Member
Avocados must be hella expensive in the US.Rule #1: If lifestylers are wetting themselves over something, you can guarantee it is overpriced and overrated. I have been to the Rocco's here twice. I won't be returning unless friends or visiting family are set on it. My go to Mexican restaurant, just north of Universal on Kirkman (Kirkman and Conroy), is Agave Azul. It is a nice and inexpensive contemporary in style, traditional in taste Mexican Restaurant. Great Guac, 8 bucks.
I have to be at the Contemporary at 9:30 to interview some imagineers. I'll tell them you said hi!
You get a big order of guac over here for less than 3 bucks.
Sped2424
Well-Known Member
@WDW1974 I thought you might get a kick out of the latest article from micechat about "Disney News"
"Mystic Point "PLUS Toy Story PLUS Grizzly, and so forth. On Mainland China, “biggest and best” means “vast size”. Therefore, they have the biggest castle. Huge hotels. A grandparents’ garden. (More on that later). There is also the matter of cultural tribute that must be paid. They’ve been doing this for thousands of years and if you’re going to do business in China, it’s simply a matter of course. So when WDI asks for $800K for “park improvements”, they’re just playing ball. Them’s the rules - but don’t worry, Disney stockholders, they’re ready for the crowds that are sure to come at opening…and there certainly will be. “First” is important, too."
Remember when they used to actually call the company out when things looked fishy....Seems like they play ball in disney's favor as of late rather than the actual fan. Apologies if you've seen this already.
"Mystic Point "PLUS Toy Story PLUS Grizzly, and so forth. On Mainland China, “biggest and best” means “vast size”. Therefore, they have the biggest castle. Huge hotels. A grandparents’ garden. (More on that later). There is also the matter of cultural tribute that must be paid. They’ve been doing this for thousands of years and if you’re going to do business in China, it’s simply a matter of course. So when WDI asks for $800K for “park improvements”, they’re just playing ball. Them’s the rules - but don’t worry, Disney stockholders, they’re ready for the crowds that are sure to come at opening…and there certainly will be. “First” is important, too."
Remember when they used to actually call the company out when things looked fishy....Seems like they play ball in disney's favor as of late rather than the actual fan. Apologies if you've seen this already.
Cesar R M
Well-Known Member
would you believe that a corporation behemoth like Disney.. would have "resource constraints"?
Cesar R M
Well-Known Member
I really liked Simmons for his portrait as Spiddy's annoying boss.
And his voice as Cave Johnson in PORTAL.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
I forget, where are you these days?
And everything is expensive in the US. Its because its a business, maaaaaaaaaannnnnnn.
Cesar R M
Well-Known Member
I'm still scratching my head on the mommy bloggers.
Specially on the fact that the majority of these "bloggers" hardly have more than 100 watches on their "promo" videos.
And that was after a lot of members from here, were picked by curiosity on these accounts.
Cesar R M
Well-Known Member
I live in Mexico.
I can get drowned in avocados... without having to sell my kidneys in the black market
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
Thats the one thing I'll give Rickey, the man knows how to market himself. Same with Lou. They actually have a following.
Everyone else? Eh. No one gets traffic for various reasons. Mostly lack of quality, lack of content. Lack of things that dont sound like regurgitated press releases.
Basically, if you do the exact same thing that everyone else does? No one is going to care.
Spirited Bedtime Musing (hope the fanboi minions have the 600-threadcount sheets on the royal slumber chamber's bedding):
One of the dumbest and most absurd things I have heard that is bound to off folks who love being offended by me and my views:
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2015/...peanut-butter-in-disneyland-and-disney-world/
Yes, that's right. One of the most basic staples of an ice cream sundae (and my favorite Gold Rush at Ghirardelli's) the peauut is no longer being used at Disney locations in O-Town and Anaheim.
I wonder when the company is going to grow a pair and stop catering to every special needs group out there. No peanuts on ice cream?!?! What do these idiot parents do when at a grocery store? Or when they send their children to friend's home? Or on a trip?
And what about chocolate?!?! Many people are allergic. That was Disney's excuse over a decade ago when they stopped giving free chocolates when they brought a check at full serve restaurants at WDW. To be on the safe side they should just close the shops down. And the candy shops as well ... they have peanuts, chocolates and all sorts of poisons on the shelves. Can't ever be too protective when thinking about a tiny minority of children (and adults). We should all have to change our lives to cater to them! If the allergy is truly that great, then common sense dictates that they are carrying an EpiPen with them everywhere they go.
I don't mean to make light about this, but when I was a child I never knew a sole Spirit who had a peanut allergy. I also never knew a sole Spirit who had Asperger's but I am not even going there.
WIth all due respect to my Star Trek loving friends, but when did the needs of the few (or the one) become greater than the needs (or peanut love) of the many? And when does the insanity end?
All of these 'pets' that have been appearing at WDW over the last decade that are just that and disguised as 'service animals' ... even Channing Tatum has a fake one and thinks it's charming. A local bar had to deal with a suit recently by some moron who wanted to take his 'comfort dog' to his local watering hole and would place the dog on a bar stool and even hold him over the serving area (a health code violation).
I'm all for special needs people getting some help. I'm all for fairness. But when we start catering to everyone who claims to be special and has issues, then the reality becomes no one is special and no one needs help and protections.
But thanks, crazy, overprotective Moms and ridiculous execs who worry about lawsuits when they pay people off left and right, I won't be going back to Ghirardelli. I'll just head to Friendly's and get a better, bigger sundae for half the price (or less) and I'll ask for extra nuts (my fanboi minions should most definitely approve!) The stupidity never ends. Anyone recall the mother who demanded Disney remove the peanut impressions in the Storybook Circus paving because her brat was allergic (apparently, to concrete peanut impressions)?
Yes, I'm an insensitive b@stard. I'm also 100% right about this.
One of the dumbest and most absurd things I have heard that is bound to off folks who love being offended by me and my views:
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2015/...peanut-butter-in-disneyland-and-disney-world/
Yes, that's right. One of the most basic staples of an ice cream sundae (and my favorite Gold Rush at Ghirardelli's) the peauut is no longer being used at Disney locations in O-Town and Anaheim.
I wonder when the company is going to grow a pair and stop catering to every special needs group out there. No peanuts on ice cream?!?! What do these idiot parents do when at a grocery store? Or when they send their children to friend's home? Or on a trip?
And what about chocolate?!?! Many people are allergic. That was Disney's excuse over a decade ago when they stopped giving free chocolates when they brought a check at full serve restaurants at WDW. To be on the safe side they should just close the shops down. And the candy shops as well ... they have peanuts, chocolates and all sorts of poisons on the shelves. Can't ever be too protective when thinking about a tiny minority of children (and adults). We should all have to change our lives to cater to them! If the allergy is truly that great, then common sense dictates that they are carrying an EpiPen with them everywhere they go.
I don't mean to make light about this, but when I was a child I never knew a sole Spirit who had a peanut allergy. I also never knew a sole Spirit who had Asperger's but I am not even going there.
WIth all due respect to my Star Trek loving friends, but when did the needs of the few (or the one) become greater than the needs (or peanut love) of the many? And when does the insanity end?
All of these 'pets' that have been appearing at WDW over the last decade that are just that and disguised as 'service animals' ... even Channing Tatum has a fake one and thinks it's charming. A local bar had to deal with a suit recently by some moron who wanted to take his 'comfort dog' to his local watering hole and would place the dog on a bar stool and even hold him over the serving area (a health code violation).
I'm all for special needs people getting some help. I'm all for fairness. But when we start catering to everyone who claims to be special and has issues, then the reality becomes no one is special and no one needs help and protections.
But thanks, crazy, overprotective Moms and ridiculous execs who worry about lawsuits when they pay people off left and right, I won't be going back to Ghirardelli. I'll just head to Friendly's and get a better, bigger sundae for half the price (or less) and I'll ask for extra nuts (my fanboi minions should most definitely approve!) The stupidity never ends. Anyone recall the mother who demanded Disney remove the peanut impressions in the Storybook Circus paving because her brat was allergic (apparently, to concrete peanut impressions)?
Yes, I'm an insensitive b@stard. I'm also 100% right about this.