Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[PeterAlt]

True, but the main difference between RADP and Magic is that RADP is unmoderated, so verbal fist fights on RADP had no limitations.
But as things change, they do remain the same.
Take the discussion over CC charges for TS restaurants and compare it to the RADP threads concerning multiple hotel ressies for the same time slot, and you'll find they're much alike. Burnt out bulbs? Chipped paint? TDO greedy? Been there, done that, 15 years ago.
I guess Disney folks just like to Bicker.

No. Just WDW folks like to bicker. In the past, it was just the DLR folks, but they bickered to the point where Disney just had enough and through money at the problem to shut them up. It worked. Now, the WDW folks are the ones who are bickering, but we're not as loud or have as much influence on attendance figures as the DLR had, so Disney refuses to listen and to spite us even has cut spending.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Food and Wine observation from Sunday...

So my very sober party walked up to Illuminations at World Showcase Plaza tonight. We spent most of the day avoiding the Showcase because of the mass of humanity and drunkfest that the World Showcase becomes on the weekends.

I always thought the stories of F&W were overblown with the tales of public drunkenness. Then right around the topiary, near the craft beer booth... the stench hit me like a punch in the face.

This overpowering smell of puke & stale beer - like a back alley in a college town... only this was Walt Disney World. We couldnt figure out where it came from or what but needless to say, it was flat out disgusting.

 

[Californian Elitist]

No. Just WDW folks like to bicker. In the past, it was just the DLR folks, but they bickered to the point where Disney just had enough and through money at the problem to shut them up. It worked. Now, the WDW folks are the ones who are bickering, but we're not as loud or have as much influence on attendance figures as the DLR had, so Disney refuses to listen and to spite us even has cut spending.

DLR folk still bicker. That'll never end, trust.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Well I guarantee their bathrooms are of a lesser quality. I'm giving Disney a pass for using the old outdated dyson version 1 hand dryers. They really knocked it out of the park.

The first time I saw Dyson hand dryer I thought it was neat. In a 2 stall restroom they work nicely, however when they are put in a large theme park bathroom they start to look scummy. With water pooled in the bottom and I am always paranoid of touching the sides. When it comes to raw hand drying power its all about the Xcelerator. They appear to be half the price as the Dyson's as well, these things BLOW and after using them my hands are actually dry. Another random pet peeve is no paper towels in a bathroom that has a door that pushes in.

 

[alphac2005]

Things are not the same as they were 15 years; they are worse.

People complain; it's human nature. However, increasingly more and more "guests" are reaching their threshold of pain at WDW and it's because today's corporate Disney focuses its energy almost exclusively on higher prices and "value engineering", instead of applying its creative talents to providing a superior theme park experience.

At WDW, things have changed in the last 15 years, and it's been for the worse.

If virtually nothing had been added within that time and the place still looked great, yet ticket prices only moved yearly at the rate of inflation or so, I wouldn't be complaining nearly as much. Stale, yes, but at least not stale and ticket prices up xxx% over that period of time. Unfortunately, it doesn't look so great, it's stale, and it's become out of reach for many guests to visit monetarily or for the discerning eye that has the means to pay, it's not worth the price.

 

[Nemo14]

Food and Wine observation from Sunday...

So my very sober party walked up to Illuminations at World Showcase Plaza tonight. We spent most of the day avoiding the Showcase because of the mass of humanity and drunkfest that the World Showcase becomes on the weekends.

I always thought the stories of F&W were overblown with the tales of public drunkenness. Then right around the topiary, near the craft beer booth... the stench hit me like a punch in the face.

This overpowering smell of puke & stale beer - like a back alley in a college town... only this was Walt Disney World. We couldnt figure out where it came from or what but needless to say, it was flat out disgusting.

We had a similar experience the last time we went (which will be the last time), except that we witnessed where the stench was coming from, and the F&G show this year had a similar ending.

 

[ScoutN]

We had a similar experience the last time we went (which will be the last time), except that we witnessed where the stench was coming from, and the F&G show this year had a similar ending.

SAturday a week ago WS was SLAMMED pack. So many people were crammed into there. It was a future world visit for sure.

 

[Darth Sidious]

SAturday a week ago WS was SLAMMED pack. So many people were crammed into there. It was a future world visit for sure.

It takes an unbelievably long time to get around the showcase during those events. It's not enjoyable.

 

[ScoutN]

It takes an unbelievably long time to get around the showcase during those events. It's not enjoyable.

It was hectic for E30 last year like crazy. Last time I will probably venture out there during FW fest. Hotel bar is much more peaceful.... or using my own alc in the villa.

 

[71jason]

No offense to any of the above posters, but F&W crowds on the weekend are pretty well-documented by this point--going to F&W on a weekend is like going to MK on Christmas day, you should know what you're getting into and therefore forfeit your right to complain about crowds.

 

[Darth Sidious]

No offense to any of the above posters, but F&W crowds on the weekend are pretty well-documented by this point--going to F&W on a weekend is like going to MK on Christmas day, you should know what you're getting into and therefore forfeit your right to complain about crowds.

If it was your first experience with it then it may very well be a shock. Or you may have heard large crowds but were surprised to find how large and how disgusting the festival can get. Everyone has the right to post about their experience, just because you've read it a few times or experienced it doesn't mean everyone should stop posting.

You could just skip over the posts and/or not partake in the discussion.

 

[fosse76]

Oddly enough, Universal has just gone in and rethemed the San Francisco, Mel's Diner, NYC restrooms and did a very nice job of it.

Did they? I was just there and they look the same as they did last year and the year before that and the year before that.

 

[StageFrenzy]

Did they? I was just there and they look the same as they did last year and the year before that and the year before that.

Did you use Amity or by Disaster, Amity is still the same.

 

[The Empress Lilly]

The first time I saw Dyson hand dryer I thought it was neat. In a 2 stall restroom they work nicely, however when they are put in a large theme park bathroom they start to look scummy. With water pooled in the bottom and I am always paranoid of touching the sides. When it comes to raw hand drying power its all about the Xcelerator. They appear to be half the price as the Dyson's as well, these things BLOW and after using them my hands are actually dry. Another random pet peeve is no paper towels in a bathroom that has a door that pushes in.

Oh thank God. I always think I'm the only one who worries about these things, making me feel all paranoid and OCD.

Hand dryers blow the urine of previous visitors onto your hands. And you might as well not wash your hands if you are going to touch a bathroom exit door handle after.

Ninety percent of men have the hygienic standards of a four year old.

 

[71jason]

If it was your first experience with it then it may very well be a shock. Or you may have heard large crowds but were surprised to find how large and how disgusting the festival can get. Everyone has the right to post about their experience, just because you've read it a few times or experienced it doesn't mean everyone should stop posting.

You could just skip over the posts and/or not partake in the discussion.

Sarcasm is lost on you, Pinky.

 

[71jason]

To me, the larger question though is WHY is it so crowded. When the event was created and Mr. Steak was still considered "a nice restaurant" in many guests' home towns, it was one thing. But that was back when chain restaurants put mayo on burgers, not aioli. At this point, a stroll down Park Avenue in Winter Park or even a food truck gathering is likely to offer more adventurous, innovative, culturally authentic dishes.

The example I used last year: one Saturday (I was dragged by out of town guests--yes PhotoDave, hot females) I saw at least 40 people lined up on either side of the Japan booth for sushi. Sushi. Haines City--the most hick town I can think of in a 20-mile radius from WDW--has four sushi places! Not including Publix! Can mass produced sushi really be better than any other you can find around Orlando, or in your own hometown?

What's the appeal? It can't really be "foodies"--I mean Florida cuisine is represented this year by sliders of all things. Is it really the drinking? You can get alcohol around the world the rest of the year, and I've yet to see anything sold that can't be had for half the price or cheaper at Publix or Total Wine. It ultimately feels like another Disney con, coasting on a reputation created over a decade ago when EPCOT really was the only place to find unique cuisine.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

To me, the larger question though is WHY is it so crowded. When the event was created and Mr. Steak was still considered "a nice restaurant" in many guests' home towns, it was one thing. But that was back when chain restaurants put mayo on burgers, not aioli. At this point, a stroll down Park Avenue in Winter Park or even a food truck gathering is likely to offer more adventurous, innovative, culturally authentic dishes.

The example I used last year: one Saturday (I was dragged by out of town guests--yes PhotoDave, hot females) I saw at least 40 people lined up on either side of the Japan booth for sushi. Sushi. Haines City--the most hick town I can think of in a 20-mile radius from WDW--has four sushi places! Not including Publix! Can mass produced sushi really be better than any other you can find around Orlando, or in your own hometown?

What's the appeal? It can't really be "foodies"--I mean Florida cuisine is represented this year by sliders of all things. Is it really the drinking? You can get alcohol around the world the rest of the year, and I've yet to see anything sold that can't be had for half the price or cheaper at Publix or Total Wine. It ultimately feels like another Disney con, coasting on a reputation created over a decade ago when EPCOT really was the only place to find unique cuisine.

I just find it interesting that anyone still considers WS to be anything more than a massively overpriced yet mediocre food outlet.

And yes, there is better food to be had at the Food Truck Festival up at The Fashion Square Mall on Colonial Dr.

 

[flynnibus]

What's the appeal? It can't really be "foodies"--I mean Florida cuisine is represented this year by sliders of all things. Is it really the drinking? You can get alcohol around the world the rest of the year, and I've yet to see anything sold that can't be had for half the price or cheaper at Publix or Total Wine

variety in one location... (your sushi comment doesn't have italian just a short stroll away..)
samplers vs full meals... (just like most food festivals)
there actually was a significant program of seminars at one point in it's past...

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

I just find it interesting that anyone still considers WS to be anything more than a massively overpriced yet mediocre food outlet.

And yes, there is better food to be had at the Food Truck Festival up at The Fashion Square Mall on Colonial Dr.

That's exactly what I consider it. Also, overpriced gift shop.

 

[Magenta Panther]

To me, the larger question though is WHY is it so crowded. When the event was created and Mr. Steak was still considered "a nice restaurant" in many guests' home towns, it was one thing. But that was back when chain restaurants put mayo on burgers, not aioli. At this point, a stroll down Park Avenue in Winter Park or even a food truck gathering is likely to offer more adventurous, innovative, culturally authentic dishes.

The example I used last year: one Saturday (I was dragged by out of town guests--yes PhotoDave, hot females) I saw at least 40 people lined up on either side of the Japan booth for sushi. Sushi. Haines City--the most hick town I can think of in a 20-mile radius from WDW--has four sushi places! Not including Publix! Can mass produced sushi really be better than any other you can find around Orlando, or in your own hometown?

What's the appeal? It can't really be "foodies"--I mean Florida cuisine is represented this year by sliders of all things. Is it really the drinking? You can get alcohol around the world the rest of the year, and I've yet to see anything sold that can't be had for half the price or cheaper at Publix or Total Wine. It ultimately feels like another Disney con, coasting on a reputation created over a decade ago when EPCOT really was the only place to find unique cuisine.

I agree with all of the above. I've been to the F&W fest twice, and I'm not impressed. I'd rather make a reservation at one of Epcot's eateries than buy unremarkable food at a booth and then TRY to find a place to sit so you can eat it. What fun!