Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

That's the blog I was thinking of in my previous post. This post really made the whole blog jump the shark for me.

There were several " must try" items on my list when we went to MK and Epcot and I was very disappointed with most of them. Of course they all had glowing reviews on the site.

I really have to laugh at that link you posted. It takes dedication to make something so rough sound so awesome and full of win and love and unicorn poop...ie, rainbows.

 

[GoofGoof]

My 2 cents on the blogger issue. Isn't the issue with Disney not the bloggers? Disney offers them something for free and they take it. Who wouldn't. Disney is "using" them to spin stories and continue a buzz. If you have a problem with this relationship it should really be directed at Disney. I agree with the minority opinion that these bloggers have absolutely no obligation to be critical of Disney in any way. They are not part of the conventional media. They run fan sites. It would be like coming down on guys hosting a sports talk radio show for not following the "ethical standards" of journalism. They don't because it's entertainment not journalism. If your issue is that Disney invites them to press events or treats them equal to the real media then again your issue should be with Disney not the bloggers. If someone offers me a press pass to Sunday's Eagles game I'm going, no doubt about that.

I don't think the personal attacks and general rude behavior were called for either. I'm giving the poster the benefit of the doubt that they are actually the wife of one of these "bloggers" and not some kid in his parents basement just pretending. Assuming the poster was legit I thought they were very gracious in trying to answer people's questions honestly. If someone called my spouse a I know I wouldn't be that cordial.

 

[1023]

That's the blog I was thinking of in my previous post. This post really made the whole blog jump the shark for me.

ummmm....yeah....

That was an engaging piece of literature. I enjoyed the dilemma of whether or not to accept the nacho cheese as it's presentation was lacking. The analytical thinking required to decide that chips from the bag could be poured directly into the tray was stunning. I have no adjectives to describe the earth shaking revelations in that post.


... Thanks for the chuckle. We need more of those in the world.

*1023*

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

ummmm....yeah....

That was an engaging piece of literature. I enjoyed the dilemma of whether or not to accept the nacho cheese as it's presentation was lacking. The analytical thinking required to decide that chips from the bag could be poured directly into the tray was stunning. I have no adjectives to describe the earth shaking revelations in that post.


... Thanks for the chuckle. We need more of those in the world.

*1023*

Seriously. Haha

 

[nytimez]

COUNTING DEAD LIGHT BULBS , sums it up neatly for the decline of the parks, A dead bulb is VERY visible when you see the buildings outlined at night and a bunch of them just give the appearance that no one cares about maintenance. Were there dead bulbs in the 'Disney Decade' sure there were, The difference was there was ONE dead bulb and it was replaced the next day.

Now there are dozens of dead bulbs and they stay dead for days on end, It just makes for an overall neglected look which is IMMEDIATELY apparent to even the casual visitor. This is just bad show.

Disney is SUPPOSED to be better than real life - a world where everything is perfect and one can suspend their sense of reality.

In fact, they used to replace the bulbs before they went out - when they reached 80 percent of their expected lifespan, I believe (someone else can correct me if I'm wrong on the number - I think it was 80 percent).

Yes, the light bulb is actually the perfect example .

 

[ford91exploder]

I can not begin to comprehend the misery that WDW will be in two generations time if current trends continue.

I do know that the dumbing down of the past two decades has left Disney to be associated with cheap Princess junk in the dollar store that five year olds return to you with indignation, and parks where the mentally stunted get drunk and get their childrens' picture taken with Toy Story characters.

Back in the old days, when WDW was a middle class instead of no class resort, we would shop for antiques in Liberty Square and at night dine in the Jazz lounge of a paddlewheel steamship in a Southern swamp.
/rant

It's been so long since those days I barely remember them, It was like that when a bunch of us from work all got together and rented a treehouse for a 10 day trip.

 

[ford91exploder]

In fact, they used to replace the bulbs before they went out - when they reached 80 percent of their expected lifespan, I believe (someone else can correct me if I'm wrong on the number - I think it was 80 percent).

Yes, the light bulb is actually the perfect example .

I believe you are correct on the 80% number, There was still the occasional substandard bulb which blew but finding one was an EVENT, Now its an EVENT if all the bulbs are lit in an area...

 

[The Empress Lilly]

It's been so long since those days I barely remember them, It was like that when a bunch of us from work all got together and rented a treehouse for a 10 day trip.

And did you all wear matching t-shirts to the parks with print:

workplace X
Disney 2013 vacation
yeehaw

?

 

[Goofyernmost]

COUNTING DEAD LIGHT BULBS , sums it up neatly for the decline of the parks, A dead bulb is VERY visible when you see the buildings outlined at night and a bunch of them just give the appearance that no one cares about maintenance. Were there dead bulbs in the 'Disney Decade' sure there were, The difference was there was ONE dead bulb and it was replaced the next day.

Now there are dozens of dead bulbs and they stay dead for days on end, It just makes for an overall neglected look which is IMMEDIATELY apparent to even the casual visitor. This is just bad show.

Disney is SUPPOSED to be better than real life - a world where everything is perfect and one can suspend their sense of reality.

I agree if that is true, but I'm not sure how out of hundreds of thousands of light bulbs we know if one has been out for two or three days or not. Are we counting bulbs and marking locations. I can believe that bulbs burn out, I just cannot believe that people are so into it that they actually know, for a fact, the actual bulbs that are out from day to day. Just seems strange is all. You might be right.

 

[Yensid1974]

Thanks for this - Well no surprise here TDO cheaps out again and it's perfectly congruent with Rasulo's announcement

Not sure that it was about the money exactly. More about seeing more of an upside to something that isn't Carsland...meaning Star Wars. If that is the case then they finally made a smart move. Now they just have to go all out for it and we'll all be happy.

 

[ford91exploder]

And did you all wear matching t-shirts to the parks with print:

workplace X
Disney 2013 vacation
yeehaw

?

No this was the 80's and we worked with mainframe computers, So it was warm weather uniform, No tie, short sleeve white shirts and khaki's and sensible shoes, The women wore sundresses. We still meet up periodically.

No pocket protectors, slide rules or HP calculators which used RPN because we were on VACATION!

 

[ford91exploder]

I agree if that is true, but I'm not sure how out of hundreds of thousands of light bulbs we know if one has been out for two or three days or not. Are we counting bulbs and marking locations. I can believe that bulbs burn out, I just cannot believe that people are so into it that they actually know, for a fact, the actual bulbs that are out from day to day. Just seems strange is all. You might be right.

When they are in obvious places on the train station, town hall or emporium and you and family go back a few times on a multi-day vacation and see that they are STILL out, This might make a good photo series for my fictional 'The WDW Curmudgeon' blog - 'Dead Bulbs of The Week along with a ticker on how long each bulb took to replace.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

I agree if that is true, but I'm not sure how out of hundreds of thousands of light bulbs we know if one has been out for two or three days or not. Are we counting bulbs and marking locations. I can believe that bulbs burn out, I just cannot believe that people are so into it that they actually know, for a fact, the actual bulbs that are out from day to day. Just seems strange is all. You might be right.

In the case of the Grand Floridian, it's pretty easy to make an educated guess on how long some of them have been burned out because there are SO many that aren't working at all. It would be more difficult to guess if it was only one or two within a row of 50-100 bulbs. While they may or may not have fixed some in the recent refurbishments the resort has undergone, as of my most recent early 2012 visit the burnt out bulbs were in large clusters. We're not talking just one or two burnt out bulbs within a hundred or so, more like a very large fraction within a count of a hundred. That is horrible show.

I can forgive a small quantity burning out provided they keep on replacing them. Defects happen and I get that. But in the modern era they keep them that way for a very long time until a major refurb happens. It makes one wish they'd convert them all to LED's if they won't take the personal initiative. Those can die as well eventually (or suffer from defects), but at least it's more difficult for them to do so. They have made a switch to LED's in some cases apparently (Mad Tea Party apparently uses LED's for its popcorn lights now I think), though I don't know whether Main Street or Grand Floridian changed to LED's in their recent refurbishments.

 

[ford91exploder]

Not sure that it was about the money exactly. More about seeing more of an upside to something that isn't Carsland...meaning Star Wars. If that is the case then they finally made a smart move. Now they just have to go all out for it and we'll all be happy.

Problem being of course DHS needs more immersive attractions - A well done Cars Land would have done that especially for the small fry right now for small fry there is TSMM and that's it,

Personally Star Wars for me is meh' I realize that's not the usual response but any series where the ROBOTS have more personality than the people ... I prefer the other space franchise especially DS9, Lets let the Ferengi run WDW I'm sure they would do a better job than the current crowd!

Back to attractions,

A interactive Indiana Jones attraction would have been fun, Say being pilot or gunner in the plane Dr Jones Sr and Jr are escaping the Nazi's So many movies so much material

 

[Yensid1974]

Problem being of course DHS needs more immersive attractions - A well done Cars Land would have done that especially for the small fry right now for small fry there is TSMM and that's it,

Personally Star Wars for me is meh' I realize that's not the usual response but any series where the ROBOTS have more personality than the people ... I prefer the other space franchise especially DS9, Lets let the Ferengi run WDW I'm sure they would do a better job than the current crowd!

Back to attractions,

A interactive Indiana Jones attraction would have been fun, Say being pilot or gunner in the plane Dr Jones Sr and Jr are escaping the Nazi's So many movies so much material

Well, they are looking at something to do in the back of the park there where Carsland would have gone according to the article. That are in general is in major need of attention and my guess would be more Pixar IP's go in to more fully flesh out a "Pixarland" since it seems that would be easiest and cheapest for them at this point.

 

[ford91exploder]

In the case of the Grand Floridian, it's pretty easy to make an educated guess on how long some of them have been burned out because there are SO many that aren't working at all. It would be more difficult to guess if it was only one or two within a row of 50-100 bulbs. While they may or may not have fixed some in the recent refurbishments the resort has undergone, as of my most recent early 2012 visit the burnt out bulbs were in large clusters. We're not talking just one or two burnt out bulbs within a hundred or so, more like a very large fraction within a count of a hundred. That is horrible show.

I can forgive a small quantity burning out provided they keep on replacing them. Defects happen and I get that. But in the modern era they keep them that way for a very long time until a major refurb happens. It makes one wish they'd convert them all to LED's if they won't take the personal initiative. Those can die as well eventually (or suffer from defects), but at least it's more difficult for them to do so. They have made a switch to LED's in some cases apparently (Mad Tea Party apparently uses LED's for its popcorn lights now I think), though I don't know whether Main Street or Grand Floridian changed to LED's in their recent refurbishments.

Exactly! LED's would be great they are also greener in that estimated life is on the 100K hour and power requirements are 1/20'th of incandescent, Color might be a problem as LED's tend towards the 8000K (Blue) color temperature as opposed to 3200K (warm orange)

 

[Travel Junkie]

The one point I would like to make on the great blogger debate is that I find it disappointing that more them are not more critical when it is needed and this is why. Disney is very conscience of public perception and will change if pressured. They are currently looking to address the GAC abuses the Today show brought to life. Nothing was done for years, but all of a sudden they seem poised to institute changes once the public becomes aware of it. For those that don't follow Disneyland, there was a recent change in the voice of the Mara character in the Indy attraction. The change was met with a chorus of boos by Disneyland locals who peppered social media and Disney with their dislike. In less than 2 weeks, Disneyland had changed the voice to appease them. Disney actually folded to a small but vocal minority of people complaining about some character's voice. Other countless examples show Disney listens and adjusts to a small but organized protest.

For better or worse WDW views their blogger community as the hard core fans and frankly listens to them more than the average tourist who comes in once every few years. What are they hearing from these fans? Everything is fine and dandy. Something gets cut or taken away? There's no outrage from the blogoshere. If even a couple of them made some hay over even a little thing and it got some traction, you better believe Disney would react. Disney knows this, hence the carrots on a stick.

I'm not saying that a couple of blogs criticizing NGE would lead Disney to cancel the project, but if they started complaining about poor maintenance or any number of issues that have popped up at WDW over the years, Disney would listen. If they did begin criticizing NGE, Disney would listen and make adjustments to it. For reasons argued on this thread ad naseum, bloggers are not doing so. As a result Disney is going to continue to act like the 2 year old child pushing mom and dad to see what they can get away with.

 

[MerlinTheGoat]

Exactly! LED's would be great they are also greener in that estimated life is on the 100K hour and power requirements are 1/20'th of incandescent, Color might be a problem as LED's tend towards the 8000K (Blue) color temperature as opposed to 3200K (warm orange)

Yep, though even the color is basically a non-issue now with improvements made from newer LED tech made to further mimic incandescent light color. Panasonic has achieved a very satisfying and convincing LED substitute for the yellowish-orange tint that traditional incandescent popcorn lights have-


I'm a huge fan of LED lighting, and it continues to improve. One of the only major things left to improve is the price, but that will just take a little time.

 

[ford91exploder]

The one point I would like to make on the great blogger debate is that I find it disappointing that more them are not more critical when it is needed and this is why. Disney is very conscience of public perception and will change if pressured. They are currently looking to address the GAC abuses the Today show brought to life. Nothing was done for years, but all of a sudden they seem poised to institute changes once the public becomes aware of it. For those that don't follow Disneyland, there was a recent change in the voice of the Mara character in the Indy attraction. The change was met with a chorus of boos by Disneyland locals who peppered social media and Disney with their dislike. In less than 2 weeks, Disneyland had changed the voice to appease them. Disney actually folded to a small but vocal minority of people complaining about some character's voice. Other countless examples show Disney listens and adjusts to a small but organized protest.

For better or worse WDW views their blogger community as the hard core fans and frankly listens to them more than the average tourist who comes in once every few years. What are they hearing from these fans? Everything is fine and dandy. Something gets cut or taken away? There's no outrage from the blogoshere. If even a couple of them made some hay over even a little thing and it got some traction, you better believe Disney would react. Disney knows this, hence the carrots on a stick.

I'm not saying that a couple of blogs criticizing NGE would lead Disney to cancel the project, but if they started complaining about poor maintenance or any number of issues that have popped up at WDW over the years, Disney would listen. If they did begin criticizing NGE, Disney would listen and make adjustments to it. For reasons argued on this thread ad naseum, bloggers are not doing so. As a result Disney is going to continue to act like the 2 year old child pushing mom and dad to see what they can get away with.

Exactly, Problem here is Orlando has 'Lifestylers' whereas Anaheim has hard core fans who don't have a problem calling out Disney when the fans feel Disney is not doing things properly. TWDC trembles when Al Lutz gets up on his high horse. In Orlando TWDC hires Deevee See to mock the lifestylers.

Trouble is Orlando does not have the income distribution to have a large fanbase who visit the parks regularly, You have the gated communities on one hand and the 'hood on the other.

 

[nytimez]

Yep, though even the color is basically a non-issue now with improvements made from newer LED tech made to further mimic incandescent light color. Panasonic has achieved a very satisfying and convincing LED substitute for the yellowish-orange tint that traditional incandescent popcorn lights have-


I'm a huge fan of LED lighting, and it continues to improve. One of the only major things left to improve is the price, but that will just take a little time.

Way off topic... I tried to like LED lights... but the two bulbs I tried had a slight-but-audible buzz. When I Googled it, I found this is a common complaint.

Bringing this back on topic, LED buzz is not a problem in a noisy place like outside in MK - but maybe more of an issue inside a hotel.