Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[Californian Elitist]

So by comparison what would be the percentage of 'all over the planet' vs. local zone when talking about WDW? 55% local zone seem like it would be totally impossible at WDW based one your own argument. So how does that not make DL, by comparison, a local park?

By "local", Disney refers to SoCal only, and a lot of other people do as well. The thing is, SoCal residents don't make up the majority of the park's attendance, which is the point Spirit was trying to make.

 

[alphac2005]

You don't have to be all that bright to see how many surveys Disney does, then look at the history of additions and condition of the parks to conclude that Disney simply doesn't give a ****.
If ya'll want to fling money at them, have at it.

All their surveys seem to amount to are ways for executives to get carefully crafted data to help prop up their personal salaries and bonuses. I've never seen a company go to the extent of asking questions in which there is virtually no way to state a negative opinion. We are specks a spreadsheet and they don't give a darn expect for the money flowing from our bank accounts.

 

[Goofyernmost]

By "local", Disney refers to SoCal only, and a lot of other people do as well. The thing is, SoCal residents don't make up the majority of the park's attendance, which is the point Spirit was trying to make.

OK, but wouldn't stating that 45% are made up from the "rest of the world" leave 55% local? Wouldn't 55% be a majority? I might have missed something here, I'll admit, but something is missing or it doesn't add up right.

No problem with debunking the thought that not ALL are local, that would be ridiculous, but it is a much more "local" park then WDW by leaps and bounds and because of that has a very strong local influence and feel. That alone would give the general attendance much more "say" and power then the scattered mess of disorganized rabble that inhabits WDW. Wouldn't it?

 

[Californian Elitist]

OK, but wouldn't stating that 45% are made up from the "rest of the world" leave 55% local? Wouldn't 55% be a majority? I might have missed something here, I'll admit, but something is missing or it doesn't add up right.

No problem with debunking the thought that not ALL are local, that would be ridiculous, but it is a much more "local" park then WDW by leaps and bounds and because of that has a very strong local influence and feel. That alone would give the general attendance much more "say" and power then the scattered mess of disorganized rabble that inhabits WDW. Wouldn't it?

By "local", we're including not only Californians, but people who reside the the nearby states as well (Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, etc.).

 

[misterID]

Thanks @DaveStuart for the Trip Report

I live in a small town and the local pharmacist went to WDW in September and had a very similar experience, one of the RapidFill stations was dispensing bad mixes (no syrup) and lots of angry customers because they could not get a drink and at POFQ not only was there a 2 minute delay between fills there was also a hard limit on number of refills each day and limit was about a dozen Unlimited Refills for small values of unlimited (to rephrase an ancient math joke) , Their Magic Bands worked intermittently if at all and KTTW card was necessary and room charge system was broken. And yes they spent less money on Disney stuff because the experience was simply too painful. That Family will NOT be back to WDW until the issues are fixed and they like myself have been going forever.

This is not an auspicious launch for a system which is intended to grab a greater share of the customer's wallet. From Daves report It looks like the only part of the system which actually works is the tracking

Yeah, staying at Disney is becoming less and less appealing, not to mention the experiences I'm hearing about the bands, and what I'm seeing in the parks for myself. I stayed off site for the first time ever and it was my best WDW vacation experience. I'm not saying that to slam Disney, I love Dixie Landings (see what I did there? ) and the Contemp, but Disney can't compare to the size suite I got, the service and not to mention it was literally a few minutes from the parks, just as close as on site resorts. Not to mention I got more room(s) for less -- That were actually soundproof. Better dining options all around the resort. Better room prices... did I say that before? And more freedom with more choices. I kept my car and just paid for parking, which was well worth not dealing with the hassle of transportation. And having the ability to get a $5 Quarter Pounder Delux over a $9 Disney Burger is nice, too. Just snack around the parks and get a real meal outside, even if it's at Down Town Disney.

The funny thing, I found myself buying more merch than I normally would staying off site, so you guys spending less is kind of funny. Seeing how short our visits were at MGM and AK it's made up our minds to spend those days at UNI/IOA. They need to put more attractions in those two parks. Plain and simple.

 

[Goofyernmost]

By "local", we're including not only Californians, but people who reside the the nearby states as well (Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, etc.).

Gotcha! I just assumed that all those places were part of "the rest of the world".

 

[Goofyernmost]

Yeah, staying at Disney is becoming less and less appealing, not to mention the experiences I'm hearing about the bands, and what I'm seeing in the parks for myself. I stayed off site for the first time ever and it was my best WDW vacation experience. I'm not saying that to slam Disney, I love Dixie Landings (see what I did there? ) and the Contemp, but Disney can't compare to the size suite I got, the service and not to mention it was literally a few minutes from the parks, just as close as on site resorts. Not to mention I got more room(s) for less -- That were actually soundproof. Better dining options all around the resort. Better room prices... did I say that before? And more freedom with more choices. I kept my car and just paid for parking, which was well worth not dealing with the hassle of transportation. And having the ability to get a $5 Quarter Pounder Delux over a $9 Disney Burger is nice, too. Just snack around the parks and get a real meal outside, even if it's at Down Town Disney.

The funny thing, I found myself buying more merch than I normally would staying off site, so you guys spending less is kind of funny. Seeing how short our visits were at MGM and AK it's made up our minds to spend those days at UNI/IOA. They need to put more attractions in those two parks. Plain and simple.

You're preaching to the offsite choir there. Want to save more money and have an even better time. Buy your souvenirs at the local Walmarts. Better quality, much cheaper price, and my god, just the food choices without the need of reservations is enough to bring one close to orgasm. Oh, well..enough said before the Disney police show up at my door.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I saw all of the details of our reservation, FP+ selections, as I'd expect to see. The part I wasn't thrilled about was to see complete personal information...name, address, telephone number, etc.

Because I'm not privy to how access is assigned/monitored/managed, I don't know if CMs are given access to certain levels of information based on their position with the company or not. If that is the case, the concern I have is in trusting a company that can't even get the system to work properly with good security controls over information. I do think that some folks should have access to it, but certainly it needs to be based on their level of responsibility and/or security clearance.

Do you have any info on that? I know you've got some great resources, and it's a question I hope has a 'good' answer

By the way...the one character that was at the top of my daughter's list to see was Lotso, and because of the info you shared with me on where to find him, we were able to be right at the front of the line so she did get to meet him there. So, thanks!!

I dont have anything too specific MM+ wise... other parts of the company yes. I'm still trying to piece that together. 74 has much more concrete info & substance on this and frankly no one is talking to the press about this....

Glad your daughter got to meet him.

 

[ford91exploder]

Actually they did used to make announcements for Walt Disney World on October 1st.. It was called the "State of Our World Address."

You're right I had forgotten about them!

 

[misterID]

You're preaching to the offsite choir there. Want to save more money and have an even better time. Buy your souvenirs at the local Walmarts. Better quality, much cheaper price, and my god, just the food choices without the need of reservations is enough to bring one close to orgasm. Oh, well..enough said before the Disney police show up at my door.

I didn't even have to go to Wal Mart. They had the same low priced Disney merch at our resort. But we did get some stuff at the parks.

Oh, about the dining - Sunshine Seasons is a tar pit, especially with all the DP people who think the chicken and black bean platter is getting them the best deal. The Electric Umbrella is just as good food quality wise nowadays, imo. Not to mention Starbucks was right across the way, which is the greatest addition to EPCOT since the original Imagination. I have no desire to have a real meal at Disney again. Harbor House and the snacking places are enough to get us through the day.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Actually they did used to make announcements for Walt Disney World on October 1st.. It was called the "State of Our World Address."

Used to. When was the last one with substance?

 

[Funmeister]

Used to. When was the last one with substance?

Honestly I am not sure when the last one was period. From what I can remember no later than the mid 1990's? They all had substance. They just ended. Same with the "I Have An Idea" program.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

For those that stay at the Disney Deluxes, but are itching to try off property accomadations, I highly recommend The Grande Lakes Resort. They have 2 fantastic hotels (JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton) for a fraction of the price of The Deluxes. And they blow away the Deluxes. Simply an amazing place to stay.

 

[JimboJones123]

By "local", we're including not only Californians, but people who reside the the nearby states as well (Nevada, Arizona, Oregon, etc.).

Even Washington is considered local in those scenarios.

 

[Goofyernmost]

For those that stay at the Disney Deluxes, but are itching to try off property accomadations, I highly recommend The Grande Lakes Resort. They have 2 fantastic hotels (JW Marriott and Ritz Carlton) for a fraction of the price of The Deluxes. And they blow away the Deluxes. Simply an amazing place to stay.

You know... perhaps we should keep that little gem to ourselves. We know that we can pay for a rental car pretty much with one nights stay offsite. Parking fees... give me a break, parking meter change. We also know that the degree of freedom that we have when offsite is almost exhilarating. I know the idea, for me, that the only way I can feel the magic is to surround myself with mouse droppings is just not worth the money. To forfeit my freedom so that I do not have to drive probably a total of fifteen miles for the week, all the while taking the nasty public transit buses while listening to the obligatory Disney sales pitch is not something that enhances my experience. To me the magic, if there is any left, is in the parks or the outside the parks attractions on property, that I can still use if I want too. Those experiences are almost exactly the same as someone that stays onsite. They might even be better because I am not bound up by someone elses schedule, I just follow my own.

But to each his own, as an old friend used to say... "You go to your church, I'll go to mine." I like my church better cause the collection plate doesn't need as much feeding.

 

[WDWFanDave]

Well, it appears as though TWDC and specifically the P&R division, has chosen to begin the new fiscal year with as much excitement as the last one ended...

ETA: also...have been really thinking even more about our recent trip, and all of the little special things that are missing...my wife thought of another. Last year, we dined at 1900 Park Fare twice...once for breakfast and once for dinner. Both times, my daughter received a nice placemat...as a 'souvenir' of our meal there. Nicely done, laminated, and that little something extra (along with the Mickey Mouse head shaped plates). This year...no placemat, no plates. If there had been some trade-off in its place, then perhaps it would be o.k.; and, I know it's a little thing...but all these missing little things are adding up, and the list is getting unbearable.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Well, it appears as though TWDC and specifically the P&R division, has chosen to begin the new fiscal year with as much excitement as the last one ended...

ETA: also...have been really thinking even more about our recent trip, and all of the little special things that are missing...my wife thought of another. Last year, we dined at 1900 Park Fare twice...once for breakfast and once for dinner. Both times, my daughter received a nice placemat...as a 'souvenir' of our meal there. Nicely done, laminated, and that little something extra (along with the Mickey Mouse head shaped plates). This year...no placemat, no plates. If there had been some trade-off in its place, then perhaps it would be o.k.; and, I know it's a little thing...but all these missing little things are adding up, and the list is getting unbearable.

Months ago I made a comment about hen pecks. This is just another hen peck in a long list of hen pecks which has left the bag of corn destroyed and scattered.

I think you have every right to be disappointed in that.


Totally off topic.... But for the first time in my life I witnessed the Pirates hit two home runs back to back in a sold out, standing room only, completely packed park.... My city is alive tonight, win or lose, and it feels amazing.

 

[GoofGoof]

Totally off topic.... But for the first time in my life I witnessed the Pirates hit two home runs back to back in a sold out, standing room only, completely packed park.... My city is alive tonight, win or lose, and it feels amazing.

I'm pretty sure we are getting a 5th gate at WDW with a large Marvel area, new monorails connecting all of the resorts and a 50% reduction in ticket prices...all things I thought would only happen if hell froze over...the Pirates are in the playoffs...welcome to Hoth, Satan

 

[Disneyhead'71]

You know... perhaps we should keep that little gem to ourselves. We know that we can pay for a rental car pretty much with one nights stay offsite. Parking fees... give me a break, parking meter change. We also know that the degree of freedom that we have when offsite is almost exhilarating. I know the idea, for me, that the only way I can feel the magic is to surround myself with mouse droppings is just not worth the money. To forfeit my freedom so that I do not have to drive probably a total of fifteen miles for the week, all the while taking the nasty public transit buses while listening to the obligatory Disney sales pitch is not something that enhances my experience. To me the magic, if there is any left, is in the parks or the outside the parks attractions on property, that I can still use if I want too. Those experiences are almost exactly the same as someone that stays onsite. They might even be better because I am not bound up by someone elses schedule, I just follow my own.

But to each his own, as an old friend used to say... "You go to your church, I'll go to mine." I like my church better cause the collection plate doesn't need as much feeding.

At my age, I nice quiet high end hotel, top shelf bar, and actual fine dining is preferable to the incessant din found in every inch of WDW property. The fact that it can be found at one third the price seals the deal.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

I'm pretty sure we are getting a 5th gate at WDW with a large Marvel area, new monorails connecting all of the resorts and a 50% reduction in ticket prices...all things I thought would only happen if hell froze over...the Pirates are in the playoffs...welcome to Hoth, Satan

Strange, ain't it? My city is electric tonight. Everyone's watching. You can feel it in the air.

And don't mention monorail, it'll get Peteralt all wound up. Lol