Spirited News & Observations II -- NGE/Baxter

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

On topic/ off topic.

I'm back from my (first!) trip to WDW. The good, the bad, the ugly? I need to do a serious detail and photo heavy trip report. But the short of it....

I'm not impressed with Epcot. At all. In fact, I downright didn't like it. The saving grace of the days spent there would be a handful of attractive photos, the Finding Nemo ride... but more the gift shop than the ride. I was looking for the Mickey-head shaped pet ID tag... and that's where I found it. So yeah, that's it. Sad? Not nearly as sad as Maelstrom made me... and sick, too. The SMELL is positively horrible. It set my allergies off too. Had to leave shortly after that ride- I was done for the day. Awful.

I got roped into Fastpass+ for Be Our Guest LUNCH reservations. I got a card at the DME for staying at the Polynesian- apparently select guests staying there got free reservations. It was a nightmare from beginning to end- the girl at the check-in at the Poly hadn't set up a lunch reservation before. We had to order what we wanted to eat, drink, and dessert right then and there. When we got to BoG, we had to re-order. Tons of pics, but again, short story, it was a disaster. I don't know how this MM+/FP+ is EVER going to work out.

Otherwise, it was a great trip. Minus the obnoxious "honor students" who acted like hoodlums with no manners or sense, the black flies, and the above.

Full trip report will be posted in the right forum after I get home from work.

So, to make this pointless post kinda on topic here- Is Maelstrom supposed to get a facelift/mold removal soon? Anything coming for Epcot? That park is SAD. Seriously, I have no desire to ever go back there.

 

[luv]

On topic/ off topic.

I'm back from my (first!) trip to WDW. The good, the bad, the ugly? I need to do a serious detail and photo heavy trip report. But the short of it....

I'm not impressed with Epcot. At all. In fact, I downright didn't like it. The saving grace of the days spent there would be a handful of attractive photos, the Finding Nemo ride... but more the gift shop than the ride. I was looking for the Mickey-head shaped pet ID tag... and that's where I found it. So yeah, that's it. Sad? Not nearly as sad as Maelstrom made me... and sick, too. The SMELL is positively horrible. It set my allergies off too. Had to leave shortly after that ride- I was done for the day. Awful.

I got roped into Fastpass+ for Be Our Guest LUNCH reservations. I got a card at the DME for staying at the Polynesian- apparently select guests staying there got free reservations. It was a nightmare from beginning to end- the girl at the check-in at the Poly hadn't set up a lunch reservation before. We had to order what we wanted to eat, drink, and dessert right then and there. When we got to BoG, we had to re-order. Tons of pics, but again, short story, it was a disaster. I don't know how this MM+/FP+ is EVER going to work out.

Otherwise, it was a great trip. Minus the obnoxious "honor students" who acted like hoodlums with no manners or sense, the black flies, and the above.

Full trip report will be posted in the right forum after I get home from work.

So, to make this pointless post kinda on topic here- Is Maelstrom supposed to get a facelift/mold removal soon? Anything coming for Epcot? That park is SAD. Seriously, I have no desire to ever go back there.

I've heard no news on Maelstrom. I keep waiting for it, since its one of my favorite rides.

Sorry that you didn't like Epcot, apart from the Nemo gift shop.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Me too. I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting, or looking for, but it wasn't that.

 

[COProgressFan]

Me too. I'm not sure what exactly I was expecting, or looking for, but it wasn't that.

I'm surprised about your reaction to Epcot. I think most folks here would agree that Epcot has its share of significant problems. Maelstrom is in terrible shape, World Showcase has become a glorified fancy food court, and Future World is an incohesive mess.

That said, it is truly a beautiful, dare I say "magical" place. The architecture, the landscaping, International cast, and sense of wonder are all present at Epcot. You can tell that they spared no expense when the place was built back in 1982. And I'm surprised also since you went during Flower and Garden time, which makes the place even more beautiful. Walking through World Showcase before or after Illuminations under the torch lights really is terrific and quite romantic.

Epcot has certainly lost it's way certainly. And it never was a place where to run from ride to ride like the MK. But there is still a very strong underlying foundation to the place that still works on many levels, despite its mismanagement in more recent years.

 

[asianway]

I'm surprised about your reaction to Epcot. I think most folks here would agree that Epcot has its share of significant problems. Maelstrom is in terrible shape, World Showcase has become a glorified fancy food court, and Future World is an incohesive mess.

That said, it is truly a beautiful, dare I say "magical" place. The architecture, the landscaping, International cast, and sense of wonder are all present at Epcot. You can tell that they spared no expense when the place was built back in 1982. And I'm surprised also since you went during Flower and Garden time, which makes the place even more beautiful. Walking through World Showcase before or after Illuminations under the torch lights really is terrific and quite romantic.

Epcot has certainly lost it's way certainly. And it never was a place where to run from ride to ride like the MK. But there is still a very strong underlying foundation to the place that still works on many levels, despite its mismanagement in more recent years.

The saddest part about EPCOT is that it would never have been built today.

 

[COProgressFan]

The saddest part about EPCOT is that it would never have been built today.

Today's corporate Disney would think it was too risky a concept, and WAY too expensive. A billion or more in 1982 dollars. But it shows. You can tell from walking through Epcot today, they didn't cheap out. That huge investment made way back then still has a tremendous payout today.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

I'm surprised about your reaction to Epcot. I think most folks here would agree that Epcot has its share of significant problems. Maelstrom is in terrible shape, World Showcase has become a glorified fancy food court, and Future World is an incohesive mess.

That said, it is truly a beautiful, dare I say "magical" place. The architecture, the landscaping, International cast, and sense of wonder are all present at Epcot. You can tell that they spared no expense when the place was built back in 1982. And I'm surprised also since you went during Flower and Garden time, which makes the place even more beautiful. Walking through World Showcase before or after Illuminations under the torch lights really is terrific and quite romantic.

Epcot has certainly lost it's way certainly. And it never was a place where to run from ride to ride like the MK. But there is still a very strong underlying foundation to the place that still works on many levels, despite its mismanagement in more recent years.

And that's just it. The WS is simply a food court- I mentioned to my Mom (who was with me) it should be called "World Marketplace" instead. The buildings are beautiful indeed- I have tons of great photos of the buildings. The topiaries were also nice... but I just can't get over the marketplace feel of it. And the entire front of the park is bleak and, for a first timer, difficult to navigate.

The lack of shade and benches are a problem, IMHO. Bathrooms could be more clearly marked, and some water fountains with semi-cool water wouldn't kill them, either.

I came away from the experience rather sad. Again, I was probably expecting too much. But I think getting off Maelstrom and wheezing (mold allergies) didn't help me think any better of it.

However, the pretzel in Germany saved me from heat sickness so, uh, yay?

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Also should add the MAPS were a pain... why did they flip Epcot on the park map?

 

[Nemo14]

Also should add the MAPS were a pain... why did they flip Epcot on the park map?

What do you mean "flip"?

 

[asianway]

Also should add the MAPS were a pain... why did they flip Epcot on the park map?

So it points north. If you think EPCOT is bad, you must not have gone to the Studios.

 

[flynnibus]

What do you mean "flip"?

The new maps orient the drawing to true north... not the classic style.. which was the park entrance at the bottom of the map.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Asianway, no, I didn't... there's nothing there for my party. My Mom has severe ride limitations and... to be honest... I didn't feel like it was worth my time. We spent 3 days at MK and 2 days at Epcot. Next trip we'll hit Animal Kingdom and maybe the Studios.

 

[asianway]

Asianway, no, I didn't... there's nothing there for my party. My Mom has severe ride limitations and... to be honest... I didn't feel like it was worth my time. We spent 3 days at MK and 2 days at Epcot. Next trip we'll hit Animal Kingdom and maybe the Studios.

As a first timer, she may enjoy the Movie Ride, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Muppetvision, Indy Stunt show, One Mans Dream, and Fantasmic. Maybe even the tour. I do know shows are not everyones cup of tea, especially if youve seen them all dozens of times. Id go so far to say that for someone with ride limitations, Studios is #2 to the MK.

 

[Figments Friend]

DHS is worth visiting for a few hours, yes.
The stage shows, Great Movie Ride, and One Mans Dream are must dos that i think anyone would appreciate.

A nice detour to start you day, then hop one of the ferry boats over to EPCOT for the remainder of your day.


Oh wait...i see now that you did not have a good experience at EPCOT. Sorry to hear this.

I recommend trying again the next time you visit, even for just a couple of hours, and focus on Future World.
A lot of hidden gems to be enjoyed there.

 

[Sneezy62]

Asianway, no, I didn't... there's nothing there for my party. My Mom has severe ride limitations and... to be honest... I didn't feel like it was worth my time. We spent 3 days at MK and 2 days at Epcot. Next trip we'll hit Animal Kingdom and maybe the Studios.

Looking forward to the trip report! I think it will be an interesting read, what you liked and what you didn't. I completely understand that being uncomfortable after a bad experience with mold would sour the rest of the day for you. WDW really needs to fix something like that. I hope you complained loudly at guest relations.

 

[Sneezy62]

Also curious about the FP+ experience at BOG. Did they ask you what your opinion was of it afterward?

 

[misterID]

I know we're dropping DHS and AK for future visits for UNI/IOA, until those two parks truely get more attractions that appeal to the whole family, where you don't have to do everything to feel you got your money's worth, which it still comes up short in my case. They need significant expansion. Sorry to say, EPCOT is on its way of fitting that mold as well. It's getting harder and harder to convince people to go there.

Cutting Avatar boat ride to a walk thru isn't going to cut it. It's lazy. Theme Parks have rides. You're walking all over the place already and some family members can't hack all the walking.

Exactly the reason POTC went from being a walk thru to an actual boat ride. It's a theme park.

 

[ChrisFL]

And that's just it. The WS is simply a food court- I mentioned to my Mom (who was with me) it should be called "World Marketplace" instead. The buildings are beautiful indeed- I have tons of great photos of the buildings. The topiaries were also nice... but I just can't get over the marketplace feel of it. And the entire front of the park is bleak and, for a first timer, difficult to navigate.

Sorry, I disagree with this...there's 3 excellent movies, 2 decent water rides and the incredible American Adventure show which IMO has yet to be beaten as far as stage shows at Disney...all in the World Showcase.

Sure, if you skip all of those, don't enjoy shopping for things you can't find anywhere else in the U.S., then maybe you'll have a different opinion.

 

[drew81]

Have you been to the aquarium in G'burg? If so is it worth admission?

I have. It's not comparable to Georgia or Shedd, but it's still nice.

 

[PhotoDave219]

On topic/ off topic.
Otherwise, it was a great trip. Minus the obnoxious "honor students" who acted like hoodlums with no manners or sense, the black flies, and the above.

SEE! It wasnt just me who noticed this!