A Spirited Perfect Ten

[bhg469]

Unless you want to run a business or pursue a hobby like restoring antiques, Then California is pure hell, Weather is great, place is beautiful but Sacramento went from the ridculous to the sublime to the completely bats--t insane years ago now more people (read taxpayers) are leaving than coming to CA.

The water wars are drying out the Central Valley (breadbasket of much of America) so they can save a non-native invasive species, Yes CA is in a drought situation but they made it worse with insane policies, I'm in silicon valley (Santa Clara County) frequently and everyone has to have a poison green lawn (it's the LAW) yet the place is basically a desert. Why is water being WASTED on LAWNS in a semi-arid climate????. Every place has an irrigation system because it's ILLEGAL to let your lawn go brown, The place is INSANE.

On the east coast at least where I live when it gets dry lawns go brown it's the cycle of nature, But we don't waste water that could go to agriculture on futile attempts to maintain non-natural areas.

Stuff like this is why FL and CA compete for the crown of 'Craziest State in America'.

I was at the hoover dam a few months ago and couldn't believe how low the water was. The spillways built into the dam will never be relevant again and it was pretty frightening. It's absolutely insane to think that a lawn is that important.

 

[FutureCEO]

You haven't been following along.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/...y-parents-of-child-with-nut-allergy/19809983/

It is only a matter of time.

Land of entitlements

 

[71jason]

Shameless promotion in the busiest thread, but (1) it's for charity, and (2) I know thread regulars @Lee and @PhotoDave219 were big fans ...

Tickets are now on sale for Adventurers In Charity 2015, the unofficial Adventurers Club reunion show. A lot of fan-favorite actors have signed on this year, it should be a blast. Check the full thread for details, http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...fficial-adventurers-club-reunion-show.898919/. KUNGALOOSH!

 

[71jason]

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.

While I agree with your initial point, let's be blunt--nobody goes to Rocco's for the food. Different kind of "meat market."

Which is why I said I don't see it as a lifestyler hang-out.

 

[71jason]

I have been saying for about a decade that any second, attendance is going to nosedive. I still believe that it will eventually implode. Even with the hordes of lifestyles screaming that we are idiots, and the place has never been better.

Talk to average guests sometime, in a bar after fireworks. Without fail, the lines and the ridiculously high prices come up. At the moment, it's seen as a right of passage--if you have the money, you take your daughter to get her picture with the princesses. But it's an obligation, not something parents look forward to. That can't last forever.

 

[BernardandBianca]

Wow, exciting news from local Orlando TV. "Exciting changes comes to Disney World, including 'Avatar'-based land". I've linked to the story, which also includes the video shown on the broadcast. Find it somewhat disturbing that this is considered "news" nowadays. How long has NFL been open?

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/disney-officials-detail-changes-coming-parks/nk7Fm/

 

[71jason]

Not sure what church street was like as I am too young, but what's coming to I drive North, will forever make it as close to church street glory days!

It was fun--nothing like today, a friendlier street party with some unique bars.

Merlin not only didn't build legoland in Orlando, they refused to even look for land in Orlando. Why? Because the "Theme Park" market is as competitive as it is and Orlando is far ahead known for it's "Theme Parks" (Not to be confused Amusment Parks).

Not entirely true (I know only because I had a friend high up in the government side of the industry). #1 site for Legoland was the old Splendid China site on 192 in the thick of the tourist area. But Osceola County decided "eco-tourism," not theme parks, is the future, and offered them zero incentives. Polk responded by offering all sorts of tax incentives to take over Cyprus Gardens. Financially that made it a no-brainer, but Merlin didn't seem shy about taking the fight to the Mouse initially. I do think had Osceola played ball, LegoLand would have been even more successful than it is.

What the Complex is is what FunSpot is. Alternative attractions. Not to compete with Universal or Sea World or Disney, but only to compliment and take advantage of the family of four on their 5th day all theme parked out. Targeting the crowd in the middle of the crowd is brilliant and Merlin got it right.

I completely agree--this is exactly what tourists are looking for in Downtown Disney, a cheaper alternative to a park day that pairs well with the hotel pool. And your right about "fifth" day. But there are 4 Disney parks, 2 Universal parks, and SW. MK day a lock, at least 1 Uni day a lock for Potter--it's a game of musical chairs for those other 3 days. I think SW loses more than most, but I could see guests opting to skip AK as well.

 

[Horizons1]

Email Dr. Blondie or her cohort Bland Tommy Thomas.Smith@Disney.com and ask. They love, love, love engaging the fan community.

And did Brigante really get a bungalow? I didn't think Disney was giving any of those out to Lifestylers ...

It was all over his Facebook.

 

[NearTheEars]

Wow, exciting news from local Orlando TV. "Exciting changes comes to Disney World, including 'Avatar'-based land". I've linked to the story, which also includes the video shown on the broadcast. Find it somewhat disturbing that this is considered "news" nowadays. How long has NFL been open?

http://www.wftv.com/news/news/local/disney-officials-detail-changes-coming-parks/nk7Fm/

I chuckled at that when it came across my news feed.

At first I was like WHAT?! THEY ANNOUNCED SOMETHING?!

Then I read the first few lines, checked the date, and clicked off it.

 

[khale1970]

Here in SoCal they run about $1 a piece for the big ones at supermarkets. Sometimes they'll have a sale on the mid-sized ones for 2 for a buck. 8 months of the year they are California-grown. From December to March they're trucked up from Mexico.

Of course, here in demographically and climatologically and facial-filler perfect Orange County, California - avocados grow on trees in many backyards. I have several lemon and lime trees in my garden, plus kumquats, and my neighbor has two gorgeously large avocado trees, and we trade constantly most of the year.

There's nothing quite like using freshly picked backyard lemons, limes and avocados in your recipes when you are cooking dinner. Or when you are making cocktails. Or guacamole. With all the sliding doors in the house wide open in a perfect low-humidity and bug-free 75 degree climate, with a hillside view of the Disneyland fireworks each evening. Southern California living is pure heaven.

Until the water runs out.

 

[Goofyernmost]

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.

Dammit Spirit every once in awhile you do get lucid and I have to agree with you. You are indeed an insensitive b@stard. You are also 100% right about THIS. The tail is absolutely wagging the dog on this and many other "special needs" topics that you care to come up with. It is good to help others when we can, but, not at the expense of everyone else. They are called disabilities for a reason. At this point if one person out of ten has a problem, the turnaround is that now one person has the control and nine have become disabled.

 

[asianway]

A quick PSA for education:

It's kind of telling when you see how many bloggers don't know east vs west, isn't it?

 

[Cesar R M]

It began the moment the minority became the majority.

@englanddg , your reply could have been a perfect way to joke about the "white man in their 30's tears"

 

[Cesar R M]

Interesting that DVC hasn't taken these comments down.

Agree, if it was the main disney blog. they would have sanitized faster than the president of Mexico says how nice they're doing while theres fires set by narcs everywhere.

 

[Cesar R M]

I chuckled at that when it came across my news feed.

At first I was like WHAT?! THEY ANNOUNCED SOMETHING?!

Then I read the first few lines, checked the date, and clicked off it.

the most hilarious piece of RP was this gem.

Along with enhancements like over-the-water bungalows, to one of Disney World's original resorts, to the Polynesian Village Resort, officials are expanding the Disney Vacation Club.

No mention how these bungalows block the normal room's views to the pageant and the lake?

 

[Cesar R M]

Until the water runs out.

Isnt the biggest drama/stupidity on how the ones making California dry.. are the companies that extract water to sell as bottled water?

 

[truecoat]

32 ft./s squared… you really can't argue with that.

Aim for the bushes...

 

[truecoat]

I actually liked this one more, but the fight scenes seemed to go on and on and on.....

Also, i didnt have a Star Wars trailer.

Me either. What's up with that?

 

[wdisney9000]

Dammit Spirit every once in awhile you do get lucid and I have to agree with you. You are indeed an insensitive b@stard. You are also 100% right about THIS. The tail is absolutely wagging the dog on this and many other "special needs" topics that you care to come up with. It is good to help others when we can, but, not at the expense of everyone else. They are called disabilities for a reason. At this point if one person out of ten has a problem, the turnaround is that now one person has the control and nine have become disabled.

Isnt it odd that peanut allergies were unheard of before 1950? You ever wonder why they ask, "are you allergic to penecillin?" You can thank the brilliant doctors of the 1940's for using peanut oil as excipients in penecillin. Peanut oil was cheap and available and excipients act as a sort of time release capsule. It only took about a decade for over 10% of the population to become allergic to penecillin. The excipients (peanut oil) were immediately recognized as the cause of the allergic reaction because proteins in the peanut were lost in the process of refinement but the risk of life-threatening infections outweighed concern for the allergy. Alexander Flemming, the man who created penecillin even warned about the use of prophylactic antibiotics being used, but was mostly ignored.

Studies were done in the 70's on peanut excipients and after the study was complete, whadda ya know, manufacturers were no longer required to list all ingredients of vaccines. Why people find this ok is beyond me.

Peanut oil became the go-to excipient for nearly all vaccines by the 80's despite warnings by many doctors and there was a continued rise in peanut allergies in children. By the 90's mandatory vaccines had doubled for infants and there was an explosion in peanut allergies. It continues to rise at an alarming rate but its ignored that American children are the most allergic kids in the world. People will cite the "hygiene hypothesis" which basically states that the US is "more clean" than other countries and that children who grow up in "less clean" environments are able to fight off allergies due to early-life exposure. IMO, thats ridiculous.

Im not in any way saying people shouldnt get vaccinated. Its your choice. Im just highlighting a unique history of where peanut allergies came from.

 

[Hakunamatata]

A quick PSA for education:

It's kind of telling when you see how many bloggers don't know east vs west, isn't it?

That isn't a current trait of just bloggers.