Spirited News & Observations II -- NGE/Baxter

[George]

It's what we've been done for our last two trips to Orlando, with plans to do the same for our next two trips. Thank you BLT, BCV, AKV, and BWV for giving us a nice place to stay while we visit The Boy Who Won't Be Named.

AKV is particularly nice because we can head down the road a bit and pick up some cheap eats at Publix. It's a lot better than me paying nearly $300 to feed my family of six at one of WDW's grossly overpriced buffets. Heck, I don't think I spent more than $100, with tip, to feed the six of us at Confisco's and Finnegan's.

We've hit Sea World, Uni, and Legoland ourselves recently, though not exclusively...Our next trip is going to be a week of WDW, since it has been years since I've been to the water parks (the kids have never been, and I've never been to BB) or DQ. BTW, your post on the water parks in another thread was outstanding. I'm going to print it out and show it to the family as an aid in planning. So, I suppose WDW has two trips (one this October and one early summer of 2014) to win us over again as we make big time use of our PAPs. We'll see. I still like WDW, but its value compared to the surrounding offerings is on the decline.

 

[ParentsOf4]

We've hit Sea World, Uni, and Legoland ourselves recently, though not exclusively...Our next trip is going to be a week of WDW, since it has been years since I've been to the water parks (the kids have never been, and I've never been to BB) or DQ. BTW, your post on the water parks in another thread was outstanding. I'm going to print it out and show it to the family as an aid in planning. So, I suppose WDW has two trips (on this October and one early summer of 2014) to win us over again as we make big time use of our PAPs. We'll see. I still like WDW, but its value compared to the surrounding offerings is on the decline.

I'm a big fan of the WDW water parks. Outside of the resorts, they are the one area where there hasn't been a drop in quality. But keep that quiet. I'm sure if Iger found out that WDW had two water parks, he'd start demanding they cut corners there too.

 

[djlaosc]

As to UNI, that is the point I wanted to nail. They are planning on no longer being satisfied as the 'other resort' in town ... the place you go for a day because your kids want to see Potter. UNI is going to greatly expand its footprint and its offerings. But Disney will let you buy your burger at Pecos Bill's from your living room a month ahead of time. They know what they're doing! Making MAGIC!

About this third park...

Am I correct in thinking that the addition of DHS to WDW increased guests, but the addition of DAK just shared out the guests that were already there, or something like that?

Current Universal promotions...
Stay at a nearby Universal Partner Hotel you’ll receive your 4th Night & 3rd Day FREE
https://www.universalorlando.com/Vacation-Packages/nf/Family-Vacation-Package.aspx

Actively selling the Orlando FlexTicket for a 7 night vacation...
https://www.universalorlando.com/Vacation-Packages/nf/7-Nights-5-Theme-Parks.aspx

If they can combine these offers somehow, but changing it to Cabana Bay instead of a Partner Hotel...

DAY 1: Universal Studios Florida
NIGHT 1: Universal Hotel

DAY 2: Islands of Adventure
NIGHT 2: Universal Hotel

DAY 3: Universal Theme Park #3
NIGHT 3: Universal Hotel

NIGHT 4: FREE Night at Universal Hotel
DAY 4: Well, we've got a free night at Universal, so we may as well stay use it - oh, let's go try out their new Waterpark

DAY 5: Well, we've only got a 7 day holiday, Disney 3 day tickets are SO expensive. Oh, look, the package that we bought allows us to go to SeaWorld - let's go there.
NIGHT 5: Universal Hotel - may as well - we don't want to move hotels more than half way through the holiday...

DAY 6: Mommy, Daddy, I want to see the animals - but a DAK one day ticket would be SO expensive. Oh, wait, we upgraded our Orlando FlexTicket to the Orlando FlexTicket Plus, which allows us to get to Busch Gardens - we even get transport free...
NIGHT 6: Universal Hotel

DAY 7: Let's go back and redo our favourites from the 3 Universal Parks...
NIGHT 7: Universal Hotel

DAY 8: Let's go to Aquatica with our Orlando FlexTicket for the morning before the long drive/flight home


Disney gets nothing...

 

[culturenthrills]

Land prepping is going on.. We probably won't see walls up until Transformers/Springfield are 100% open to guests...

Between all the projects going, not just UNI but also SW, Legoland and yes even WDW(aka world record for taking the most time to be built family coaster), the amount of contractors and cranes(remember UNI had to bring one in from out of state) is stretched pretty thin right now. But with Simpsons, Transformers and Antarctica wrapping up we will probably start seeing some movement this summer.

 

[WDW1974]

He has always followed the same pattern of leaving when he feels too much heat. I suspect the announcement that he will post less often is because he is feeling that heat coming from elsewhere also.

Here is an important question. How did WDWMagic survive all those years without him? Because he makes it sound like he built this place. I have more of a claim to that than the 'certain spirit' ever might claim. But really, truth told, Steve built this place.

And there you go. You can't let a post of mine go by without responding. Why can't you go bother Eddie Sotto? Why not ask him something political about WDI ... or why and how he left WDI and watch how quickly your posts disappear. You aren't needed here to simply take shots at me and I won't do a back and forth. I am getting heat from no one ... I have often taken time off from here (sometimes months, sometimes weeks, sometimes just days) when family or work needs to take precedence and I can't keep up with things. I am about to take a very long, much deserved holiday and I don't feel any need to pop in here just because Disney put out a piece of Avatar artwork or something of that ilk.

And please stop your lame attempts to make this a Spirit vs. Steve deal. I am not taking credit for building MAGIC. I AM, however, taking credit for drawing traffic and clicks to the site when I post. That is a fact. And I'm fairly certain (like as certain as the Earth is round) that many people come here to hear my news and information and read my perspectives.

If you don't like them, go elsewhere.

 

[WDW1974]

I guess my question to that is does that mean we will see no broken ground on any project whether it be Carsland, Avatar, or something else in the actual parks until after they see how MM+ does? I don't expect anything they do free light to be fully completed before towards the end of this decade but guess I was hoping at least something would have ground breaking this year. It was a small hope but it was/is a hope.

No, I expect the Avatar project (when last checked, just one E-Ticket attraction, one shop, one set of restrooms) to break ground late this year and take a good 3-4 years to open. ... Until I know exactly what the Studios Makeover will entail, I have no idea what timeline that project will take. But this is Disney ... look how long it takes them to build a kiddie coaster ... or a new set of toilets.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

If you don't like them, go elsewhere.

The DIS + JT = Amusement

 

[BryceM]

No, I expect the Avatar project (when last checked, just one E-Ticket attraction, one shop, one set of restrooms) to break ground late this year and take a good 3-4 years to open. ... Until I know exactly what the Studios Makeover will entail, I have no idea what timeline that project will take. But this is Disney ... look how long it takes them to build a kiddie coaster ... or a new set of toilets.

Sigh.

 

[WDW1974]

About this third park...

Am I correct in thinking that the addition of DHS to WDW increased guests, but the addition of DAK just shared out the guests that were already there, or something like that.

That is basically correct, yes. There started to be diminished returns after Studios opened, but not that bad. But after DAK, they saw large declines at other parks and not a big bump in total attendance.

Unless you're from Europe/UK, you don't have 3-4 weeks to take a 'holiday' ... most Americans get two weeks and have bosses that are generally not thrilled when they take them off consecutively. So, eventually something has to give, and it has. We can't all be @WDWFigment and travel all the time (although I admire his wannabe Faux Top One Percenter attempts!) Not only is Disney cannibalizing from its own parks, but now there are legit competitors pulling guests away and likely to do so much greater moving forward.

 

[RSoxNo1]

No, I expect the Avatar project (when last checked, just one E-Ticket attraction, one shop, one set of restrooms) to break ground late this year and take a good 3-4 years to open. ... Until I know exactly what the Studios Makeover will entail, I have no idea what timeline that project will take. But this is Disney ... look how long it takes them to build a kiddie coaster ... or a new set of toilets.

Speaking of toilets. I wonder if the new toilets on the right side of American Adventure will mean the toilets on the left side will close and more seats can be added to the best dining establishment in World Showcase?

 

[jt04]

The DIS + JT = Amusement

A vial of anti-venom.....

http://micechat.com/26637-open-letter-to-disney-fixing-the-hollywood-studios/

I hope this can stay as it helps with perspective and all that. And no, I am not the author. Makes some VERY valid points.

 

[jt04]

No, I expect the Avatar project (when last checked, just one E-Ticket attraction, one shop, one set of restrooms) to break ground late this year and take a good 3-4 years to open. ... Until I know exactly what the Studios Makeover will entail, I have no idea what timeline that project will take. But this is Disney ... look how long it takes them to build a kiddie coaster ... or a new set of toilets.

I have been saying late 2013 for a long time now. Can you believe some were saying it wasn't going to happen at all. Maybe you really do know what you are talking about.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I have been saying late 2013 for a long time now.

Like "bold new vision" you're again taking credit for Disney press releases.

 

[jt04]

Like "bold new vision" you're again taking credit for Disney press releases.

I like taking risks.

 

[asianway]

After reading this, why do I feel Iger's next "big" move will be to announce that WDW is being sold to a Far East mega conglomerate?

If this next round of cuts is as severe as is being speculated, it would be a sign of prepping for an asset sale

 

[lazyboy97o]

I like taking risks.

Repeating a press release is taking a risk?

 

[jt04]

Repeating a press release is taking a risk?

Yes, when it involves future projects by Disney.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Yes, the mods provide tremendous latitude. It is when they get complaints from the "think like I do or else" crowd they feel compelled to censor.

Well that crowd likes to bully people and gets offended when people bully them back.

And yes, there's a LOT of lattitude given here.

 

[George]

Well that crowd likes to bully people and gets offended when people bully them back.

And yes, there's a LOT of lattitude given here.

My impression from the times I've had posts deleted is that if people report posts or back and forth between multiple posters in a thread that is bothering someone they just delete everything that could be related, which I think is a fine policy. Brainless, equitable, and it gives you a built in answer to complaints.

 

[PhotoDave219]

The DIS + JT = Amusement

I think that 74 & JT both have valid points to make. They both want WDW to be the premiere theme park it once was.