Jimmy Thick's state of the parks Feb 13-19!!!

[draybook]

So your blind then or the least observant person in the world

Or the least retentive about burnt out light bulbs?

 

[Coach81]

Thanks...

 

[fosse76]

Yes my dear Jimmy fans, old Jimmy is back, fresh from another trip to my personal favorite vacation destination. I bring you nothing but my famous wit and style, and the real news about the parks because, as I like to say, I actually go there regularly.

I just got back myself. The weather was good the enitre trip, and I was even upgraded to a moderate resort thanks to some obnoxious and irritating cheerleaders. I even booked a trip for May and September using a bounceback offer.

* First off, Southwest airlines is simply the best airlines in the sky, flying anyone else is a complete waste of time, money and personal satisfaction. I paid around 140 dollars round trip with no stops, had great customer service and no hidden fees. Unless Southwest does not fly out of your city, I feel bad for you.

I HATE Southwest, I never understood why people think it's such a great airline. They fly out of Laguardia here, and not once have I ever priced a flight with them that was cheaper than the other airlines. I always fly Delta. Haven't paid more than $200 round trip (including taxes) in years.

* The parks were not that bad people wise, until yesterday, I would say it was busier in December.

Agreed. It really picked up on Friday, the day I left.

* Toy Story Midway Mania is still the king of attractions, I didn't see a wait under an hour the whole week. I did have the luxury of avoiding the long lines this trip and shamelessly took advantage. While I cannot reveal how this came to pass, I might have use this feature in the future, its a real time saver.

The best time to get in line is in the mornings or right before closing. I never waited more than 30 minutes the three times I rode it.

* I always try to be in Disney's corner, but after experiencing the Disney Magical Express and busing system is rather putrid. You waste way to much time waiting you could totally make a vacation go by WAY to fast. After half a day of this nonsense, I quickly rented a car.

I agree and disagree. But since I don't own a car (living in Manhattan makes it unecessary), a car rental for me would be more than what I pay for a room, so I can't justify the cost. I was lucky this trip. The buses came rather frequently. If you are at an All Star, especially Music, you can take any of the buses back and simply walk. I usually got in the line with the shortest wait...until I was moved to CBR,

* Speaking of service, Italy has the best. Last December I had a server named Leonardo, and while I did not have him this time, he did walk past us and remembered us, stopped and talked for a bit. He was still charming and personable. I forgot our servers name this trip, but he was still at an extremely high level of service, and got a 25 dollar tip on a 57 dollar bill.

I agree with the service in Italy. They are really on top of their game. Too bad the restaurants themselves are mediocre.

* Had trouble noticing all the burned out lights people like to pretend they notice. Honestly I didn't see anything not in great shape or functioning at a high standard, with the exception of the bus system. People might have to post pictures or I will have to call bullcrap.

I agree that one light or two lights really isn't noticeable...and that the vast majority of guests wouldn't care (normal wear-and-tear). My problem was all the construction walls. I understand that they want the parks in tip-top shape for the 40th...but if they'd been keeping up with maintenance over the years they wouldn't have had to have so many walls up!

* Every interaction with cast members was amazing as well, at the expense of people waiting behind others, the cast members were the usual Disney standard, and some very memorable.

They seemd average to me. I found the CMs at Universal to be much more engaging. And friendlier.

* CoP is really showing its age, and I feel it has far outlived it due date, it needs to go to the old attraction graveyard in the sky.

I agree, though it has definitely grown on me.

* Buzz is still one of my favorite rides anywhere, for some odd reason the ride seemed more bright and vivid than I remembered.

Seemed the same to me...I finally found the 100,000 point target when I was coincidentally stopped underneath it for two minutes due to a technical problem. I was thrilled to finally get 999,999 points! But I hate the gun. The Disneyland version is better because you can hold the gun.

* I did notice a few times Test Track had a longer wait than Soarin', which I found pretty shocking. In fact Soarin' didn't really have the long waits it used to have. It said 50 minutes, but was more around 15.

I never pay much attention to Test Tracks wait time, because I always use the single rider line. Though I am starting to really see that Disney is definitely issuing too many FPs. FP attractions are starting to resemble Epcot dining reservations. All the slots are reserved in advance!

* People like to whine about how the rides are made on the cheap now, but take the Grand Fiesta Tour for example. When it was El Rio de Tiempo, a original Epoct attraction, it was never busy, and it was always a walk on. They change it out with cheap high def tv's and all of a sudden it always has a wait. Yeah, those cheap people at Disney don't have any clue. :dazzle:

Not only that, but just look at many of the attractions built at Disneyland during Walt's tenure. Many of them weren't anywhere near as elaborate as people pretend they are, or they simply make an excuse. People take things too seriously. Remember the outrage of the characters being added to Disneyland's Small World? With the exception of The Little Mermaid, the characters were seemlessly integrated into the attraction.

Jimmy Thick- I'll be going back in May...

In know we're not the same person, but that's just bizarre. I'm also going back in May (unless a work-related project forces me to cancel).

 

[fractal]

Jimmy,

Love the posts - keep them coming!


and I found your new avatar...

[/IMG]

 

[Jimmy Thick]

Jimmy,

Love the posts - keep them coming!


and I found your new avatar...

[/IMG]

POST OF THE YEAR!!!


Jimmy Thick- its all fun and games til' someone loses an eyeball....