DisneyFan 2000
Well-Known Member
I get your drift but specifically with Elton John the fit was better considering he wrote the song.
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A Spirited Valentine ...
- Thread starter WDW1974
- Start date
Mike S
Well-Known Member
And it's only going to get moreso with Nintendo.
EPCOTCenterLover
Well-Known Member
Agreed, Mike S! I am waiting for it to come to Orlando. Exciting!
Phil12
Well-Known Member
Elton John composed the music while Tim Rice wrote the lyrics.
DisneyFan 2000
Well-Known Member
I stand corrected. Thank you!
Having said that, I still find it a better fit than Disney's push for a pop version of Let It Go by Demi Lovato.
Quinnmac000
Well-Known Member
Speaking of Universal, soft reviews for Race to the Tonight Show are coming in saying the waiting experience is absolutely amazing while the ride is just okay.
Universal great at queues for okay rides.
Universal great at queues for okay rides.
Phil12
Well-Known Member
The Demi Lovato version is great and so is the Sistah Dee feat version:
And the Olaf and Anna Rap is helping to educate our children in musical theory:
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I've sorta given up on this thread. My heart isn't into it. And I don't have the energy to wade through dozens of pages. I think it's time to take my leave shortly. I will be back after I return from Asia because I know y'all are dying to know my thoughts on SDL (Frankly, I'm dying to know my thoughts on it as well!)
Besides, I'm sorta sickened by the idea that Bob Iger wants to be President and that as much as I hate him I'd take him in a minute over the turd we have now.
I am just back from another visit to O-Town where I didn't (thankfully) come into contact with any bloggers. The visit was quickee and the only parks I went to were IOA, DAK and MK. I stayed at UNI's Cabana Bay and the only resort I spent much time at beyond was the Poly. I also hung out at both Disney Springs and City Walk.
Some of my thoughts are as follows:
-- CB is a great value for a hotel stay in O-Town. Rates for FL residents start at a little more than $100. You would want to compare the place to Disney's 'value resorts' (which is nomenclature that will be going away by 2019 entirely), yet you can't because the place offers more than even Disney's moderate resorts. Construction noise wasn't that much of an issue even with Volcano Bay rising up right beyond the pool as well as two new hotel towers (the real 'war' in O-Town between DIS and UNI won't be fought in theme parks, but with hotels and resorts moving forward).
One complaint: rooms/suites are getting a bit worn, but the big issue is the white hallways. That was a terrible design choice as the walls are dirty and gouged and ... common sense says you don't have white walls in a hotel like this.
-- Volcano Bay looks like it will be a very rush job to finish, even with water flowing on a few of the slides closest to the CB lazy river pool area. I don't have much excitement for it. They can attempt to BRAND it as a theme park all they want, but there is nothing revolutionary about it. And with Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach and Aquatica, O-Town already has plenty of quality water parks.
-- There really isn't a quiet time anymore up there. Too many people on the roads all the time. Too much development. And let's not even get into all the trees being slaughtered at WDW as they attempt to move into the 21st century with their infrastructure. It's just very depressing for someone who visited WDW regularly since 1974 to see how the bubble is completely gone and how the lush paradise of green is simply no longer there. There is very little open space as the WL/FW's herd of deer hanging out in roads in broad daylight will attest to.
The parks are overcrowded, and then it is made worse by the 400 pounders on ECVs and the lazy parents pushing double-wide strollers. I recently discovered a treasure trove of my photos from Opening Day (and week) at the Disney-MGM Studios. I didn't see one double wide stroller in any (and I was not a good photographer back in the day when the pics had to count!) and only one ECV. One.
I only had time/desire to visit three parks and all of them felt crowded. The last time all parks felt empty to me was December of 2009. The last time I had relatively uncrowded parks (beyond MK and EPCOT) was December of 2014 (with both UNI parks totally empty on a sunny 68 degree weekday).
-- Disney Springs and City Walk are both incredibly successful in one aspect right now: dining. When Planet Hollywood is using its fourth level (typically reserved for private events), you know things are doing well. I strongly suspect that the problems WDW is having with many locations (like Jiko and Citricos) is because people would rather eat at The Boathouse or Morimoto Asia. ... Also tried the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at City Walk and it is wonderful. But the food is much better than the overrated pricey desserts. Go and dine there and get dessert elsewhere. You aren't a blogger so you don't need a $15 shake that you take 112 photos of. The meatloaf, which I didn't get but sampled, is some of the best I have ever had and an absolute bargain at $15.95. The entree salads are great too! And the walkaround characters are fun.
I think both Disney and Universal really upped the quality and variety of these places and I have no idea why they'd think it wouldn't dig into other locations' numbers. ... OTOH, I did get to eat at the Kona Cafe for the first time in over five years because 40% makes the prices at lunch downright cheap and the food remains quite good (make CM friends!)
-- DS is still not complete, but getting closer (I guess, unless you say we have to wait for the NBA Experience). The Edison and Walt's are moving closer. The locations are supposed to be connected by some super deal called The Neverland Tunnels (this is very old news). No idea what they are. I have a guess there will be a few nods to the Adventurers Club, but don't tell the hillbilly. He's in retirement and we have agreed that Martin needs the fanboi drool more than we do! Some areas are quite nice, like by the Boathouse. The rest is just a clash of different styes and visions and renaming them and putting up uniform signage doesn't change that at all. Adding the wheel back to Fulton's does not make Paddlefish, which I have heard good things about, into the Empress Lilly.
-- MORE
Besides, I'm sorta sickened by the idea that Bob Iger wants to be President and that as much as I hate him I'd take him in a minute over the turd we have now.
I am just back from another visit to O-Town where I didn't (thankfully) come into contact with any bloggers. The visit was quickee and the only parks I went to were IOA, DAK and MK. I stayed at UNI's Cabana Bay and the only resort I spent much time at beyond was the Poly. I also hung out at both Disney Springs and City Walk.
Some of my thoughts are as follows:
-- CB is a great value for a hotel stay in O-Town. Rates for FL residents start at a little more than $100. You would want to compare the place to Disney's 'value resorts' (which is nomenclature that will be going away by 2019 entirely), yet you can't because the place offers more than even Disney's moderate resorts. Construction noise wasn't that much of an issue even with Volcano Bay rising up right beyond the pool as well as two new hotel towers (the real 'war' in O-Town between DIS and UNI won't be fought in theme parks, but with hotels and resorts moving forward).
One complaint: rooms/suites are getting a bit worn, but the big issue is the white hallways. That was a terrible design choice as the walls are dirty and gouged and ... common sense says you don't have white walls in a hotel like this.
-- Volcano Bay looks like it will be a very rush job to finish, even with water flowing on a few of the slides closest to the CB lazy river pool area. I don't have much excitement for it. They can attempt to BRAND it as a theme park all they want, but there is nothing revolutionary about it. And with Typhoon Lagoon, Blizzard Beach and Aquatica, O-Town already has plenty of quality water parks.
-- There really isn't a quiet time anymore up there. Too many people on the roads all the time. Too much development. And let's not even get into all the trees being slaughtered at WDW as they attempt to move into the 21st century with their infrastructure. It's just very depressing for someone who visited WDW regularly since 1974 to see how the bubble is completely gone and how the lush paradise of green is simply no longer there. There is very little open space as the WL/FW's herd of deer hanging out in roads in broad daylight will attest to.
The parks are overcrowded, and then it is made worse by the 400 pounders on ECVs and the lazy parents pushing double-wide strollers. I recently discovered a treasure trove of my photos from Opening Day (and week) at the Disney-MGM Studios. I didn't see one double wide stroller in any (and I was not a good photographer back in the day when the pics had to count!) and only one ECV. One.
I only had time/desire to visit three parks and all of them felt crowded. The last time all parks felt empty to me was December of 2009. The last time I had relatively uncrowded parks (beyond MK and EPCOT) was December of 2014 (with both UNI parks totally empty on a sunny 68 degree weekday).
-- Disney Springs and City Walk are both incredibly successful in one aspect right now: dining. When Planet Hollywood is using its fourth level (typically reserved for private events), you know things are doing well. I strongly suspect that the problems WDW is having with many locations (like Jiko and Citricos) is because people would rather eat at The Boathouse or Morimoto Asia. ... Also tried the Toothsome Chocolate Emporium at City Walk and it is wonderful. But the food is much better than the overrated pricey desserts. Go and dine there and get dessert elsewhere. You aren't a blogger so you don't need a $15 shake that you take 112 photos of. The meatloaf, which I didn't get but sampled, is some of the best I have ever had and an absolute bargain at $15.95. The entree salads are great too! And the walkaround characters are fun.
I think both Disney and Universal really upped the quality and variety of these places and I have no idea why they'd think it wouldn't dig into other locations' numbers. ... OTOH, I did get to eat at the Kona Cafe for the first time in over five years because 40% makes the prices at lunch downright cheap and the food remains quite good (make CM friends!)
-- DS is still not complete, but getting closer (I guess, unless you say we have to wait for the NBA Experience). The Edison and Walt's are moving closer. The locations are supposed to be connected by some super deal called The Neverland Tunnels (this is very old news). No idea what they are. I have a guess there will be a few nods to the Adventurers Club, but don't tell the hillbilly. He's in retirement and we have agreed that Martin needs the fanboi drool more than we do! Some areas are quite nice, like by the Boathouse. The rest is just a clash of different styes and visions and renaming them and putting up uniform signage doesn't change that at all. Adding the wheel back to Fulton's does not make Paddlefish, which I have heard good things about, into the Empress Lilly.
-- MORE
-- Kong. Yes, I finally felt like riding it. And ... and ... it was exactly what I was told it would be. Namely a typical screen-heavy UNI attraction that didn't restrict so many people from riding. Sorry, UNI fanbois, as I know your self-worth rides with my words, but it just isn't that good. The worst thing is it really had a chance to be great. Instead it simply is good. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that every effect in the queue, with the exception of the human actor, wasn't working. The old woman AA was dead, but you still heard her speaking the entire 10-12 minutes you were in the room. Just like Disney doesn't get a pass, neither does UNI. Wait time posted was 70 minutes, which I never would normally wait for, but actual was closer to 40.
Sad thing is this had the potential for greatness, but no one cared to go the distance. Instead, you have a ride that is 50-60% lifted from the Hollywood tram tour and a giant monkey AA at the end that is totally anti-climactic. Oh, and I guess in Peter Jackson's world, Kong doesn't like bananas, right?
-- Hulk: Rode for first time since it was rebuilt. The queue is definitely nicer and fancier and less comics. The trains look great as does the launch tunnel. And it is much smoother at the start ... but it doesn't last and by the back third you'd swear you were riding in 2012. A real shame as it is a great coaster.
-- Upkeep: In general, IOA looked fine (didn't set foot in USF), but Seuss Landing is starting to look very faded and tired. That goes for all of its attractions.
Speaking of which, I wouldn't plan on riding Dragon Challenge for much longer (hint, hint).
-- Gulp, gulp: Why can UNI offer $5 adult drinks of the day at its pool bars, but Disney refuses?
-- Luster gone?: Walking into Trader Sam's at opening. Have they made parking there too tough for the Lifestylers?
MORE ...
Sad thing is this had the potential for greatness, but no one cared to go the distance. Instead, you have a ride that is 50-60% lifted from the Hollywood tram tour and a giant monkey AA at the end that is totally anti-climactic. Oh, and I guess in Peter Jackson's world, Kong doesn't like bananas, right?
-- Hulk: Rode for first time since it was rebuilt. The queue is definitely nicer and fancier and less comics. The trains look great as does the launch tunnel. And it is much smoother at the start ... but it doesn't last and by the back third you'd swear you were riding in 2012. A real shame as it is a great coaster.
-- Upkeep: In general, IOA looked fine (didn't set foot in USF), but Seuss Landing is starting to look very faded and tired. That goes for all of its attractions.
Speaking of which, I wouldn't plan on riding Dragon Challenge for much longer (hint, hint).
-- Gulp, gulp: Why can UNI offer $5 adult drinks of the day at its pool bars, but Disney refuses?
-- Luster gone?: Walking into Trader Sam's at opening. Have they made parking there too tough for the Lifestylers?
MORE ...
-- RoL: Before you ask, yes, I saw it. I am a bit embarrassed as the EPCOT Explorer saw it the week before and that means he gets the fanboi cred points. But, apparently, Tom Bricker/@WDWFigment hasn't yet, so there's that. I thought the show was very good, but not great. It is too short. But it is a production that follows from things like Illuminations and Tapestry of Nations. And that is a very, very good thing.
It has one important thing: class.
It doesn't have one other thing: Elsa belting out Let It Go.
The night I saw it the weather was perfect, the sky was perfect and it just lent itself to the show. Disney sent me a survey almost before the show ended and the one thing I pleaded with them was to NOT add characters. I don't want Asian Daisy and African Goofy prancing around on the boats. The show clearly isn't done yet, though. You can tell as it ends where you can feel there should be more. Whether Disney keeps tinkering remains to be seen.
-- Primeval Whirl: I am too old for it now. That is all.
-- DAK merchandise: still among the best of any theme park, but it is sad to see they expanded the entry shop only to take the Art of Disney out and turn it into WoD;DAK. Also, funny to see they keep the special and LE pins locked up now, but will gladly allow you to shoplift the regular open edition ones at your discretion (no, I don't steal from DIS ... beyond soda, which I feel no shame in whatsoever). Also, only place in the world where shops remove lots of merchandise to allow you to drive an ECV through it.
-- DAK is amazing at night. I've been lucky enough to have seen it that way dating back to its opening year, but now it's a whole new game.
-- WL DVC: As I said in another thread, the new look villas are godawful looking. They look like they belong in one of Marriott's 30-something BRANDS aimed at Millennial travelers who like to do yoga and wear dirty clothes to the office on Wednesdays and drink a $23 bottle of wine in a lobby with furniture that belongs in an IKEA showroom.
That said, went to the new Geyser Point QSR and it is beautiful (sure, nine months of the year it will be hellish, but on a 68-degree, no humidity or bugs, February evening, it was perfect for dinner). Food is upgraded. Staff isn't trained at all. But if you wait 40 minutes for yours, they'll comp it easily. Oh, and Rapid Fill doesn't work yet, so steal Coke to your heart's desire. Real food. On real plates. With real silverware. And the 20% AP discount from Roaring Fork carries over at least until that location reopens.
Beautifully designed location. Just with no thought for being on a lake in the swamps. I wouldn't want to dine there in a few months.
-- DVC Moonlight MAGIC Party: was just that. Free food was had, rare foamheads were onhand (so if you are 37 and just have to have a pic with someone playing Chicken Little, Ludwig von Drake or the Bowling Hat Man, this was heaven) and a special pyro show was offered. I loved that having seen Wishes (thank you, Lord Jesus!) for the blessed final time (until they bring it back in three years as a temp offering) three hours prior. Lots of great pyro, few projections and music from films as diverse as Hercules, Moana, Hunchback and ... and ... and naturally a Radio Disney (I think) version of Let It Go because Disney can't.
Attraction highlights were a great skipper on Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder and Pirates, which is in the best condition I have seen it in in the post Jack Sparrow era. Even noticed the new smells ... that rum smells more like cotton candy, but whatever.
MORE ...
It has one important thing: class.
It doesn't have one other thing: Elsa belting out Let It Go.
The night I saw it the weather was perfect, the sky was perfect and it just lent itself to the show. Disney sent me a survey almost before the show ended and the one thing I pleaded with them was to NOT add characters. I don't want Asian Daisy and African Goofy prancing around on the boats. The show clearly isn't done yet, though. You can tell as it ends where you can feel there should be more. Whether Disney keeps tinkering remains to be seen.
-- Primeval Whirl: I am too old for it now. That is all.
-- DAK merchandise: still among the best of any theme park, but it is sad to see they expanded the entry shop only to take the Art of Disney out and turn it into WoD;DAK. Also, funny to see they keep the special and LE pins locked up now, but will gladly allow you to shoplift the regular open edition ones at your discretion (no, I don't steal from DIS ... beyond soda, which I feel no shame in whatsoever). Also, only place in the world where shops remove lots of merchandise to allow you to drive an ECV through it.
-- DAK is amazing at night. I've been lucky enough to have seen it that way dating back to its opening year, but now it's a whole new game.
-- WL DVC: As I said in another thread, the new look villas are godawful looking. They look like they belong in one of Marriott's 30-something BRANDS aimed at Millennial travelers who like to do yoga and wear dirty clothes to the office on Wednesdays and drink a $23 bottle of wine in a lobby with furniture that belongs in an IKEA showroom.
That said, went to the new Geyser Point QSR and it is beautiful (sure, nine months of the year it will be hellish, but on a 68-degree, no humidity or bugs, February evening, it was perfect for dinner). Food is upgraded. Staff isn't trained at all. But if you wait 40 minutes for yours, they'll comp it easily. Oh, and Rapid Fill doesn't work yet, so steal Coke to your heart's desire. Real food. On real plates. With real silverware. And the 20% AP discount from Roaring Fork carries over at least until that location reopens.
Beautifully designed location. Just with no thought for being on a lake in the swamps. I wouldn't want to dine there in a few months.
-- DVC Moonlight MAGIC Party: was just that. Free food was had, rare foamheads were onhand (so if you are 37 and just have to have a pic with someone playing Chicken Little, Ludwig von Drake or the Bowling Hat Man, this was heaven) and a special pyro show was offered. I loved that having seen Wishes (thank you, Lord Jesus!) for the blessed final time (until they bring it back in three years as a temp offering) three hours prior. Lots of great pyro, few projections and music from films as diverse as Hercules, Moana, Hunchback and ... and ... and naturally a Radio Disney (I think) version of Let It Go because Disney can't.
Attraction highlights were a great skipper on Jungle Cruise, Big Thunder and Pirates, which is in the best condition I have seen it in in the post Jack Sparrow era. Even noticed the new smells ... that rum smells more like cotton candy, but whatever.
MORE ...
DznyRktekt
Well-Known Member
Whenever you share, it is always appreciated.
csmat99
Well-Known Member
I posted on the WL DVC that those cabins are something you would see in the pine barrens in NJ. The roofs are horrible and stick out like sore thumb. They ripped out all the trees and none are coming back even though you have pixie dusters swearing wait until they are finished. lol
HMF
Well-Known Member
Indeed, especially considering how ugly this thread can get in your absence. .
Figments Friend
Well-Known Member
I am pleased to hear that the food is still good at Kona Cafe.
I used to go there for my first breakfast once arriving on property, but have not been back to WDW since 2013.
Just recently I was reminded of my times at Kona, and I was curious as to if the food was still decent.
Glad to hear it is!
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I used to go there for my first breakfast once arriving on property, but have not been back to WDW since 2013.
Just recently I was reminded of my times at Kona, and I was curious as to if the food was still decent.
Glad to hear it is!
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Mike S
Well-Known Member
First I've ever heard of the old woman not working. Glad to get more confirmation on Dragon Challenge. It's a bit sad that I have to wait for Nintendo for Universal's next great thing though...
The new show has Hercules and Hunchback music?!?!?!?!?!
*sold*
DisneyFan 2000
Well-Known Member
I remember reading somewhere that Seuss Landing is much more difficult to upkeep because the colors are so vibrant that any fading is immediately noticed. I think it was just 5-6 years ago that they completely repainted the whole area. It looked amazing. As for Dragon Challenge? Eh. I haven't been to the swamps in over a decade (returning this October) however, the ride is clearly a shell of its former self. The queue is downgraded and not half as great as it once was and the dueling aspect is gone anyway, leaving you with 2 kinda-good inverts. Might as well sacrifice all that space for something more worthy of Harry Potter.
Soarin' Over Pgh
Well-Known Member
From a Universal newbie's POV, Suess Landing looked really good last November (and only a few spots were noticeably faded)-- for what it's worth- it's still an impressive, cute area. More than I was expecting out of it, for sure. By looking at the park guide, it looks and feels like like the kiddie section of the park. Not until you're in it do you realize it's really not.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
What do you call Mermaid in MK the same description fits
DisneyFan 2000
Well-Known Member
Agree, it really is a unique place. A modern-era Fantasyland.
I especially loved the Cat in the Hat ride.
