Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts Tres

[englanddg]

I will reserve judgement for when they finish the Mine Train...but it would have been nice to have seen an extra ride or two...even if just omnimover dark rides. I was actually disappointed when I found out that Belle was just going to be a restaurant and a meet and greet...so much potential for a fantastic ride there.

 

[disney fan 13]

Praying for Monsters Island to replace Toon Lagoon!

 

[lebeau]

I will reserve judgement for when they finish the Mine Train...but it would have been nice to have seen an extra ride or two...even if just omnimover dark rides. I was actually disappointed when I found out that Belle was just going to be a restaurant and a meet and greet...so much potential for a fantastic ride there.

I don't get this at all. How much difference can the Mine Train possibly make? It's not going to suddenly fix Storybook Circus, Voyage of the Little Mermaid or Story Time (but no autographs) With Belle. Another ride will help, but the problems that currently exist will still be there.

Disney is advertising a new Fantasyland. It's safe to judge it now.

 

[misterID]

I'd love to see the dining plan go away, which as you note certainly isn't going to happen, but WDW should at least consider removing some more popular restaurants from participation in the plan. Be Our Guest and a few others are still going to be packed with cash-paying customers regardless; There's really no actual need for them to take the plan (other than guests' preference), and by not being part many diners would be shifted over to fill tables at currently less popular eateries. As a benefit, non-participating dining menus might actually improve - imagine that!

Better still, perhaps, why not copy the cruise line model for Palo, and simply add a (cash) surcharge for dining at Signature dining locations (or even a surcharge for restaurants not on the dining plan).

I've seen this a few times, but I can safely say, the DDP had nothing to do with any declining meals or menus. That started happening way before DDP. That was a big deal back in the day, and how it was gradually getting worse.

I surely hope Skull Island doesn't replace Toon Lagoon. I'd rather just Toon Lagoon stay than have that happen. It would be terrible to have too such similar islands next to each other (Jurassic Park and Skull Island).

I actually can't think of anything worthwhile to replace Toon Lagoon. Maybe the long rumored Monster Island? Jurassic Park surely doesn't need to be expanded. It's already a HUGE island.

I don't think Skull Island is going to be what replaces Toon Lagoon. I've never heard of Monster's Island. What's that?

 

[GoofGoof]

I don't get this at all. How much difference can the Mine Train possibly make? It's not going to suddenly fix Storybook Circus, Voyage of the Little Mermaid or Story Time (but no autographs) With Belle. Another ride will help, but the problems that currently exist will still be there.

Disney is advertising a new Fantasyland. It's safe to judge it now.

It obviously won't make a bit of difference to you since you clearly were not happy with the project. Not everyone has as low an opinion of FLE. If he is on the fence with the whole project then waiting for mine train makes sense. It's just an opinion.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I've seen this a few times, but I can safely say, the DDP had nothing to do with any declining meals or menus. That started happening way before DDP. That was a big deal back in the day, and how it was gradually getting worse.

It hastened the demise, especially when they started giving away free dining.

 

[PhotoDave219]

My first choice would be to eliminate the Disney Dining Plan completely but since we know that's not going to happen I think that Signature Dining, if it HAS to be part of the Disney Dining Plan at all, should be 1.5 credits instead of two. That would be more in line with the value of the credits compared to non-Signature places.

But again I would rather see a return to the pre-dining plan era. Or maybe just eliminate the Signature restaurants from the dining plans completely.

Or for yet another idea which still fits into Disney's "packages and plans" way of selling things, have a Signature Dining Plan. I know they kind of have this now with the Premium and Platinum Plans but those also include lots of other stuff like tours, golf, etc. I am talking about only dining, mugs and snacks like the other dining plans. Buying this plan would be the only way to dine at Signature restaurants using a dining plan. Just a thought.

Nope. Two credits and OBEY THE DRESS CODE.

 

[culturenthrills]

If only there were some sort of separate area where adults could have fun.. maybe an island... that would be a pleasure.

Sounds like a place where adventurers could congregate in a club of sorts

 

[doctornick]

Nope. Two credits and OBEY THE DRESS CODE.

Perhaps I'm going to sound stupid, but what is the dress code? I know V&A has specific requirements, but I thought the other Signature places don't have specific rules (beyond basis "no shoes, no service" stuff). I can't say I've ever seen a dress code listed anywhere, though I haven't really looked.

 

[Sped2424]

Does anyone have any insight/guesses about what would hypothetically be replacing Toon Lagoon? I've seen Skull Island rumors, but putting a jungle with wild dinosaurs next to a jungle with caged dinosaurs seems like a strange choice to me (in addition to the fact that the 2005 King Kong was thoroughly unmemorable to me, but maybe I'm in the minority there). I think I read about How to Train Your Dragon, but with such a big dragon/fantasy presence in the park already I'm not sure of the wisdom there (third gate, maybe?).

I hope that if something new moves into Toon Lagoon they're somehow able to keep Popeye's & the Sweet haven area, and find something to do with that usually-empty theater.

(I would, of course, love to see Amity, but I'm not holding my breath there.)

I have seen rumors of Tolkiens Middle earth floating around.

 

[luv]

Perhaps I'm going to sound stupid, but what is the dress code?

I wonder, too.

Dave, what is the dress code?

 

[lazyboy97o]

Perhaps I'm going to sound stupid, but what is the dress code? I know V&A has specific requirements, but I thought the other Signature places don't have specific rules (beyond basis "no shoes, no service" stuff). I can't say I've ever seen a dress code listed anywhere, though I haven't really looked.

I wonder, too.

Dave, what is the dress code?

It's on the Walt Disney World website. From the California Grill's page:

At this signature dining experience, Guests are asked to adhere to the dress code.

Men may wear khakis, slacks, jeans or dress shorts and collared shirts. Sport coats are optional.

Women may wear Capri pants, skirts, dresses, jeans or dress shorts.

Not permitted are tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, hats for gentlemen, cut-offs, torn clothing and t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/contemporary-resort/california-grill/

 

[PhotoDave219]

Perhaps I'm going to sound stupid, but what is the dress code? I know V&A has specific requirements, but I thought the other Signature places don't have specific rules (beyond basis "no shoes, no service" stuff). I can't say I've ever seen a dress code listed anywhere, though I haven't really looked.

Signature dining has a dress code. Business casual.

Not that it's ever enforced....

 

[WDW1974]

Random thoughts ... I enjoyed the food court at AoA while waiting for our villa to become available, but those prices are absurd for a 'value' resort. $11.99 for a chicken salad, $4 for gelato in a TINY cup. Food was terrific but seriously those prices are designed for rubes and DDPers ... Like the renovated villas at OKW a lot. Studios there are huge. ... Still, why must Disney paint over rusted columns on the patio instead of fixing them? ... Loved getting to play with the kewl NGE queue for BTMRR, but really these things are going to clog up and slow lines down more than move them. ... Should CMs at a pin shop (although some credit for the few western themed items that have made a return) realize that 90% of the pins they have up on a trading board are counterfeit? ... Who but Disney could sell a piece of vinyl and NOT let you know what you are buying and not allow you to return it? ...

I like the lighter toned new carpeting in the lobby of DAK Lodge, but really why do people feel it's OK to put their filthy shoes on it and the tables? ... Why after visiting BGT do I feel like Disney drugs its animals so they don't -- you know -- act like animals? ... Resort specific merchandise is available at most of the resorts I visited, but only DAK Lodge has stuff that I'd actually buy. ... And WL has seen its selection cut waaaay down to make way for more generic DVC crap. ... Many shops have had 40-60% of merchandise removed to make way for ECVs and double wide strollers to the point that I truly feel they should be banned from the shops, which I know will never happen, but a Spirit can dream. ...

So, have any of the Disney Lifestyle whores taken pages of pics of the FP+ ressie computer terminals that have been installed at almost every attraction? ... So, I think I spent parts of 16 or 17 days at WDW parks and got a total of three FPs and needed none really. ...

I love Stacey Aswad. I mean, who wouldn't'? But her footage really is ridiculous when some MK stuff dates back two decades .. And having her hanging with Chicken Little or footage from Toontown Faire? .. At least act like you are trying. ...

Should a Jacuzzi at a deluxe resort be broken for six weeks? ... Did I steal soda from the Mouse? Do you wanna fight about it? C'mon, you know you do. ...

Yes, because we all pay for soda thievery like in the fact Disney keeps its buildings too damn warm. I feel bad for Bob Iger, really I do. He didn't decide to put WDW in the swamps of Central FL where AC is needed all the time and generally at temps in the 60s due to the amount of open doors. But this game Disney has played where its attractions are often warm and clammy is cheap, guest unfriendly and unacceptable. ...

Nice line of new merchandise at the Germany pavilion at EPCOT. I'm totally buying some when it hits the outlets. ... Speaking of merchandise, again I failed to see any Marvel stuff except at IOA. Did I miss something? ...

New park maps suck. Period. ... New resort info brochure has the Orange Bird on it (I wonder what type of favors fanbois will offer me for a copy) ... EMH has lost a lot of value with the cut down to two hours. Just when you're hitting that getting a lot of things done stride it's time to say goodbye. ...

I'll repeat this question, but why are fans afraid to dine at Swan/Dolphin/DD/Hotel PLaza eateries? ... For the first time in many years of Disney stays, my resort pool wasn't closed due to someone's brat crapping in it, at least when I was there. ... Why can't EPCOT look as good as it does during Flower and Garden all the time? ...

I realized on this trip that MK is absolutely my least favorite WDW/O-Town theme park. Yep, will take BOTH Studios parks over it right now.

 

[luv]

I promise to follow all dress codes at all times!!

 

[WDW1974]

I kind of touched on this in another thread a while ago, but do you think that the average "tourist" in WDW really pays attention to all the theming, the transitions, and the little details, or is it all about the rides? I notice so many people just dashing from ride to ride, and I often wonder if they even "get" it. Just a rambling thought....

Yes, even the rubes, even if they don't consciously realize it, do. That was always part of the Disney Difference, not offering Grand Flo rooms to CMs who make $8 an hour for the low-low price of $289 a night. If you eat away at the details, then pretty soon Disney isn't special anymore. It is ALL in the details, even if 97% of people walk right on by something.

 

[WDW1974]

@WDW1974 do you know of any attractions that could've happened recently but didn't? I'd love to know

Nothing that got very close, no ... Lots of things proposed, some that may happen (here or elsewhere), but WDW hasn't had any major attractions proposed that actually got that close and then didn't happen . Monsters coaster was likely the biggest and that died back in 2008.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I promise to follow all dress codes at all times!!

Found the Disney Signature Dining Dress Code over on the DisneyFoodBlog here http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/disney-dining-dress-codes/

 

[WDW1974]

Speaking of Trek, did you get to see Into Darkness?

Saw it twice. Once in O-Town at one of those early sorta-IMAX screenings. In my top four Trek films of all-time. JJ, Damon and Co know how to make these new and exciting, but with a respect for history.

can't wait for Man of Steel and Monsters U ..

 

[englanddg]

Found the Disney Signature Dining Dress Code over on the DisneyFoodBlog here http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/disney-dining-dress-codes/

It's listed on the old WDW site as well...don't know about the new one. I always went with "golf" attire for our signature dines. Though, I will say I wear golf shorts, not pants. Way too hot for that! The kid wears a nice sundress with a shirt, or something along those lines.

I doubt you'll ever see them enforce the rules, outside of V&A though.