Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts IV

[JimboJones123]

Some IASW are more equal than others.

Yeah, isn't it interesting?!

The rides tally really jumped out at me as I did this. It's astonishing, really. Disneyland has more rides than Walt Disney World. Period. And I missed two and undercounted Disneyland originally. Disneyland Park has 36 rides, and DCA has 21, for a total of 57 in Anaheim.

Throw out the seven smallest rides in DCA; the four Flik's Fun Fair kiddy rides and the three Paradise Pier rides with 2 minute spin times, and you finally get to a point where WDW and DLR are almost even at 50 and 48 respectively (even though WDW gets to keep spinners Magic Carpets and Triceratops Spin in their tally of 48).

Heimlich looks happy, but he doesn't know we just kicked him to the curb!

Just to mention it, here's the list of E Ticket rides I counted for the two properties:

Disneyland Resort E Ticket Rides
Jungle Cruise
Indiana Jones Adventure
Pirates of the Caribbean
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
it's a small world
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Space Mountain
Star Tours
Soarin' Over California
Grizzly River Run
Tower of Terror
California Screamin'
Radiator Springs Racers

Walt Disney World E Ticket Rides
Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Caribbean
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
it's a small world
Space Mountain
Star Tours
Soarin'
Test Track
Mission: Space
Kali River Rapids
Dinosaur
Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safari
Tower of Terror
Rock N' Roller Coaster

 

[JimboJones123]

Not sure how this fits into any Hollywood Studios expansion plans, but the Back Lot Tour getting ready to add the first (maybe only) of a new generation of shuttle. Seems like a hefty investment just to gut the thing after the holidays. Besides, from what I understand, Lights Motor Action still has about a year or so left under contract.

Not sure how this relates to the possibility of moving any dirt in the back of the park, just passing the info on.

 

[marni1971]

It wasn't always that way. I really enjoyed the first few, and would make a trip every year. But I haven't been to one in several years because of the atmosphere you described.

Indeed. Now the 30th and 40th are done we've sworn to avoid visiting at that time like the plague. They are an absolute nightmare of drunken idiots having no respect for the park or its attractions. Card Walker would be spinning in his grave. They want a F&W Festival? Fine. Set the stalls up in the parking lot.

 

[FutureWorld1982]

Just to mention it, here's the list of E Ticket rides I counted for the two properties:

Disneyland Resort E Ticket Rides
Jungle Cruise
Indiana Jones Adventure
Pirates of the Caribbean
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
it's a small world
Matterhorn Bobsleds
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
Space Mountain
Star Tours
Soarin' Over California
Grizzly River Run
Tower of Terror
California Screamin'
Radiator Springs Racers

Walt Disney World E Ticket Rides
Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Caribbean
Haunted Mansion
Splash Mountain
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
it's a small world
Space Mountain
Star Tours
Soarin'
Test Track
Mission: Space
Kali River Rapids
Dinosaur
Expedition Everest
Kilimanjaro Safari
Tower of Terror
Rock N' Roller Coaster

Since when The Great Movie Ride, Kilimanjaro Safaris (EDIT: Sorry, didn't see that, but it is included in the list), and Spaceship Earth are no longer E-Tickets? I didn't know they were downgraded. That makes me really sad, especially since "it's a small world" was included instead of those three.

 

[George]

I ignored the bug's land rides because Paradise Pier's theme partners with carnival-type rides, which was the point. Bug's Land, not so much.

I see your point (specifically the second paragraph).[/quo

There's something to be said for those carny-type attractions if themed well. DHS would be a much better park with even just a few of those kinds of attractions. Gawd, you could probably have an amazing ToonTown at DHS with a few of those carny rides (and probably under 1/4 of what they're spending on the SWMT).

Every new attraction doesn't have to cost $150 million+. That line of thinking is how we go decades without new attractions.

I agree with this. There has to be balance. I felt like DCA went overboard on carnival rides for a Disney park. However, the Florida idea that a park should be filled with next to nothing to do is inferior. I've actually stated that I think a swinging vine type ride that is shaped like a giant plant and bioluminescences at night should be part of Avatarland. Land Speeder bumper cars would also be cool in a SW expansion...If we get some version of Radiator Springs, I wouldn't mind the Mater thing. However, Luigi's isn't any fun at all. They could ditch that.

 

[George]

Since when The Great Movie Ride, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Spaceship Earth are no longer E-Tickets? I didn't know they were downgraded. That makes me really sad, especially since "it's a small world" was included instead of those three.

To give @TP2000 credit, I think he shared his list so we could judge where he was coming from. I see KS on his list. No GMR or SSE though. I think both of those qualify if we're making the list that inclusive, but it was his choice. Regardless, WDW needs some expanding.

 

[bhg469]

Since when The Great Movie Ride, Kilimanjaro Safaris, and Spaceship Earth are no longer E-Tickets? I didn't know they were downgraded. That makes me really sad, especially since "it's a small world" was included instead of those three.

Great movie ride? That's still a thing?

 

[lebeau]

Some people just don't indulge in this kind of stuff until we go to disney so it's a bigger treat that those that eat it at state fairs etc.

This is probably giving too much time to the "Disney snacks aren't all that" conversation. But I'll continue the conversation just a little farther because I rarely know when it's time to call it quits.

I get that. Disney treats are yummy. They are yummier still after spending a hot day in the parks. With all the nostalgia tied into them, it's easy to forget you're paying a 400% mark-up for an ice cream bar or a cupcake.

My point is that some people act like these treats are the holy grail of snack food. They act like they have never had a brownie or a soft serve ice cream before. And maybe they haven't. But whatever your favorite Disney treat is, there is something similar at just about any tourist spot you might choose to vacation at.

Some people make it sound like unless you have a Dole Whip your vacation is ruined. That's crazy talk.

 

[lebeau]

Great movie ride? That's still a thing?

Don't take away the one dark ride DHS has. Or one of the three rides without a height restriction. That park is on life support as it is. Unplug GMR and you'll kill it dead.

Yes, GMR is still a thing. In fact, it's a great dark ride about the joy of movies. It could use some upgraded AAs, but other than that it is definitely an E-ticket.

 

[sWANNISAX]

Don't take away the one dark ride DHS has. Or one of the three rides without a height restriction. That park is on life support as it is. Unplug GMR and you'll kill it dead.

Yes, GMR is still a thing. In fact, it's a great dark ride about the joy of movies. It could use some upgraded AAs, but other than that it is definitely an E-ticket.

I think the great movie ride is important in its essence but I don't feel it is an E-Ticket ride at this point. Without any upgrades since opening it's as dated as UoE. I think it used to be E-Ticket but to me E-ticket is cutting edge or thrill and GMR is not whether its your first ride or your 300th. The other thing that GMR and UoE have in common is that in my family its where you go when you need to get out of the heat and have a mini nap. I know I felt my self doze when I rode this past July. For what its worth I wouldn't put IASW on the E-Ticket list either.

The only reason its important to the park's operating is because of what you said, its one of three rides without a height restriction. That's just sad because most of the ride I think would be frightening or boring for small children.

IMO DHS is living on 3-4 rides - Tower, Rockin, TSMM, and maybe Star Tours. Those are what is drawing most people to the park. A friend of mine with small children went down last week and the only reason they went to DHS was for the Disney Jr. show. While GMR is part of the soul of the park I don't think that shutting it down would have that much impact.

 

[ToTBellHop]

Don't take away the one dark ride DHS has. Or one of the three rides without a height restriction. That park is on life support as it is. Unplug GMR and you'll kill it dead.

Yes, GMR is still a thing. In fact, it's a great dark ride about the joy of movies. It could use some upgraded AAs, but other than that it is definitely an E-ticket.

Agreed. I love the GMR. It needs updating, as you say, but in the same way that Peter Pan's Flight needs updating. I would not pray for the removal of either. It's interesting to me that rides like The Haunted Mansion get a free pass for presenting decades-old AAs. The ballroom ghosts are just spinning mannequins and no one complains (nor should they--it's been an awesome scene for over 40 years). GMR could use a small renovation but otherwise it's fine.

 

[willtravel]

Wish they would move the F&W to the Boardwalk. Maybe spread it out all across that lake. Then add a little nightime entertainment on the shore and the lake itself.

Let EPCOT remain a theme park, and a family one too! (And the world's most majestic and dignified at that, as it once was...)

Space wise, could Boardwalk handle the crowd?

 

[ToTBellHop]

Space wise, could Boardwalk handle the crowd?

No. And then there's the accessibility issue. No parking and you are going to send 50,000 people a day through that tiny bus stop on a Saturday in September? Hells to the no.

 

[thehowiet]

IMO DHS is living on 3-4 rides - Tower, Rockin, TSMM, and maybe Star Tours. Those are what is drawing most people to the park. A friend of mine with small children went down last week and the only reason they went to DHS was for the Disney Jr. show.

I feel the same way about DHS. My wife and I didn't go to DHS at all on our last 6 night trip to WDW in June. We did go to DAK, but only stayed from 9-1. We ended up spending a full day at Universal though and it turned out to be our favorite day of the entire trip.

My sister and her husband went to WDW with my 4 year-old nephew for 4 nights in May and didn't step foot in DHS or DAK. When I asked my sister why she said they didn't feel like there was enough there to cover a full day and since they didn't get the park hopper option they opted to skip those two parks altogether. My parents will be going to WDW for 4 nights during the first week of November and aren't going to DHS or DAK either.

Obviously this is all anecdotal, but it definitely makes me wonder how many other families are skipping one or both of those parks.

 

[ToTBellHop]

I feel the same way about DHS. My wife and I didn't go to DHS at all on our last 6 night trip to WDW in June. We did go to DAK, but only stayed from 9-1. We ended up spending a full day at Universal though and it turned out to be our favorite day of the entire trip.

My sister and her husband went to WDW with my 4 year-old nephew for 4 nights in May and didn't step foot in DHS or DAK. When I asked my sister why she said they didn't feel like there was enough there to cover a full day and since they didn't get the park hopper option they opted to skip those two parks altogether. My parents will be going to WDW for 4 nights during the first week of November and aren't going to DHS or DAK either.

Obviously this is all anecdotal, but it definitely makes me wonder how many other families are skipping one or both of those parks.

They are. Which is why TDO is finally (begrudgingly, and as slowly as possible) trying to fix up these two parks. Of course it seems it will somehow take until close to 2020 to do it. But, that's another issue entirely...

Luckily for Disney, Sea World kinda shot themselves in the foot with that crappy penguin ride so it's "just" Universal they have to compete with really. Either we benefit from Disney finally having a formidable competition or Disney throws in the towel and officially rebrands WDW as the Timeshare Capital of the World. In which case my family will be enjoying lots of flights out to California at vacation time.

 

[lebeau]

Obviously this is all anecdotal, but it definitely makes me wonder how many other families are skipping one or both of those parks.

We usually skip DAK. We have a nice zoo nearby. Most of the rides either have height restrictions or do not appeal to our kids. Last trip, we went and rode 1 ride together - the safari. It was late in the day and very few animals were out. So the one ride was a bit of a letdown.

We go to DHS every trip, but it's a struggle to fill a whole day if we aren't park hopping (which we rarely do). We'll ride TSM if we have FPs or at rope drop. But there is very little else that the 4-year-old can do and/or enjoy. My oldest likes GMR, but the youngest was scared by just about every scene.

Both parks are in dire need of some family-friendly rides. Or, heck, rides of any kind really.

 

[WDWFanDave]

This is probably giving too much time to the "Disney snacks aren't all that" conversation. But I'll continue the conversation just a little farther because I rarely know when it's time to call it quits.

I get that. Disney treats are yummy. They are yummier still after spending a hot day in the parks. With all the nostalgia tied into them, it's easy to forget you're paying a 400% mark-up for an ice cream bar or a cupcake.

My point is that some people act like these treats are the holy grail of snack food. They act like they have never had a brownie or a soft serve ice cream before. And maybe they haven't. But whatever your favorite Disney treat is, there is something similar at just about any tourist spot you might choose to vacation at.

Some people make it sound like unless you have a Dole Whip your vacation is ruined. That's crazy talk.

I agree...the treats are good, but they aren't the reason we go. The thing I enjoy about them the most is the company I'm with and the sights we see while having them. Have never tried a Dole Whip, did have a cinnamon bun last time we were there, and not a big fan of the cupcakes with enough frosting to put any normal person into a coma...but all that aside, my favorite snack we had was sharing some ice cream from the Ice Cream parlor, sitting at the little tables outside and enjoying the view of Cinderella's castle with my wife and daughter on her birthday. And, that snack could have easily been replaced with one we'd packed and brought with us, if we'd planned ahead!

 

[71jason]

I like how the apparent assumption that all the people who drink at Food & Wine are "drunks" supports my earlier assertion that the fanbois who frequent Disney hotels have a different ... world view ... than guests at say, Hard Rock or the JW.

Also, "E-ticket" is a subjective adjective at this point. The only true E-tickets are those rides that, back in the 1970s, actually collected E-tickets to ride. Everything else is arguing over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin (or how many "real" attractions WDW has).

 

[lebeau]

I like how the apparent assumption that all the people who drink at Food & Wine are "drunks" supports my earlier assertion that the fanbois who frequent Disney hotels have a different ... world view ... than guests at say, Hard Rock or the JW.

Just the ones who need assistance to stand up or walk straight.

 

[Nemo14]

I don't think they're calling them all drunks, but it has been my observation the last time I went to F&W, and this year at F&G, that there have been an alarming number of guests there who have had way too many "samples".
And as a side note on that, I'm not sure how most people can afford to buy that many drinks there.