Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts Tres

[englanddg]

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 ..

Top four of all time? What make up the other three?

 

[Calvin Coolidge]

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.

They sure wouldn't fit in the Harry Potter shops, which are all pretty much packed to the brim with merchandise. (and whatever happened to collapsible strollers, anyway? And "making your six-year-old actually walk sometimes"?)

 

[WDW1974]

I'm guessing you prefer Star Trek over Star Wars? Couldn't blame you after Into Darkness. I hope Universal creates a Star Trek attraction even though the new Paramount Park will have one

I believe the European situation doesn't preclude another company licensing them here and if anyone does, you know who that will be.

 

[71jason]

I'll repeat this question, but why are fans afraid to dine at Swan/Dolphin/DD/Hotel PLaza eateries?

Two factors, I think. First, most fanbois come to WDW enough to know you need to have a car and not rely on the buses. Swan, Dolphin, Hilton, RP, and I imagine the others charge to park. Sure, most restaurants validate, but suburbanites are unfamiliar/uncomfortable with that concept. (Just like they hate parking garages, but we can revisit that in the "Why is Disney Springs So Empty?" thread in a couple years).

Second, they're not "Disney" enough. In a World where you don't even get Mickey-head butter anymore, I don't quite know what this means, but I hear it all the time. Hate to drag her in, but had a good friend spend the weekend at the Swan and complain on Facebook it wasn't "Disney." There seems to be a psychological component to "being at Disney" that goes beyond rational perception. Why do Dole Whips have such a cult following when you can buy the exact same thing at Twistee Treat?

Why can't EPCOT look as good as it does during Flower and Garden all the time?

Total agreement. Even leave the topiaries and the country-specific plants, adds to the atmosphere. And imagine if they had concerts every weekend?

 

[crispy]

I love DAK and feel it is the ONLY WDW park that has stuck to its mission statement and core theme. While crazy fans are riding Space Mountain or Tron Track for the umpteenth time, I love just walking the paths, watching the animals and taking the beauty all in.

That said, I was incredibly impressed by the quality of product in Tampa. BGT isn't nearly as detailed, but the animal exhibits are great, and I saw animals acting much more 'alive' than what I typically see at DAK. But what you also get are rides and beautiful gardens. I only had about six hours there, but loved every minute. From seeing cheetahs chase each other and play (I have yet to see DAK's even move) to watching apes attempt to communicate with me to riding some amazing coasters and a Skyride (remember when Disney had those?), I think it is a great park and can say it won't be 25 years before I am back.

To those folks who spend 2-3-4 days at the MK or EPCOT, I'D say take a day and check out BGT, you won't be sorry.

SPIRITED DISCLOSURE THOUGH NONE IS REQUIRED: I did not pay for admission to BGT or any SW parks. A friend gifted me with a Friends and Family Pass (basically their top tier AP, which gives admission to every park they own in the USA except DIscovery Cove, gives free parking and 30% food and merchandise discounts across the board). I am now trying to figure out how to squeeze in visits to Williamsburg and San Diego this year!

We visited Busch Gardens Williamsburg last year and were very impressed. It was a beautiful park, had great rides, and wonderful employees. My girls loved it as much as Disney and keep asking to go back. It really has something for everyone whether a small child or a thrill ride junkie.

 

[WDW1974]

Putting aside location, I'm beginning to think AKL is perhaps WDW's best resort.

This from someone who used to feel WDW did not have a "best" resort.

DAK Lodge offers something that no other resort in the USA (and likely out of Africa) can offer ... And when people about its locale being far out, all I can think of is these must be folks who spend their whole WDW vacations at MK and DD because the Lodge is convenient to all other resort destinations.

 

[crispy]

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....

Just my opinion, I think people do notice whether they really notice or not. I think when people talk about the "magic" they are not just talking about meeting the characters or dancing in a parade, but the immersive atmosphere and the little details. I think people can feel when things are off even if they can't explain why they feel that way.

 

[WDW1974]

Especially considering you literally have to wait in line to enter the merch tent at Star Wars Weekends.

True enough. But that is what Star Wars Weekends largely are. Merchandise events with 'celebs' that no one would recognize them if they ran into them at a Starbucks.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Just my opinion, I think people do notice whether they really notice or not. I think when people talk about the "magic" they are not just talking about meeting the characters or dancing in a parade, but the immersive atmosphere and the little details. I think people can feel when things are off even if they can't explain why they feel that way.

I don't think a lot of Disney fans understand nor appreciate true details. They gush over decorative nonsense like somebody's name or the out-of-theme confusion of some reference to a film or character. They repeatedly support an elaboration on the Six Flags model of design that is decorative, not immersive. This is why so much of the true "magic" has been lost. There is nothing immersive about the Value Resorts. They do not create a place, but they still get counted as "magical."

 

[luv]

Random thoughts ...

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?

No. They aren't pin experts. They're just minimum wage employees. I am a pin collector and sometimes have trouble spotting real and fake!

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. ...

No, it shouldn't be broken for 6 weeks. And I couldn't care less how much pop you steal! (But it is called "pop"...work on that, will you?)

But this game Disney has played where its attractions are often warm and clammy is cheap, guest unfriendly and unacceptable.

IT REALLY IS!!!!! And when they start molding, like Maelstrom, it is disgusting, too. If they need to raise tickets a dollar, fine. But they have to stop keeping rides too warm/hot!!!!!

New park maps suck. Period.

Yes, they do. Can you imagine being a newbie and trying to locate something specific by using them?!

I'll repeat this question, but why are fans afraid to dine at Swan/Dolphin/DD/Hotel PLaza eateries? ... 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.

I'm not afraid to dine at the Dolphin and have. Also not afraid to eat in DTD hotels, but haven't.

I think that about Epcot and F&G every year, lol.

MK is not last on my list, but it is close. I still love the MK, but it could use some love!!

 

[WDW1974]

[sarcasm]Who would do that? Busch Gardens has bare steel roller coasters, so it's obviously just like Six Flags and has no magic.[/sarcasm]

I know you are being sarcastic, but there are many nutty, arrogant Disney fans who will write off any park (even IOA ... He'll, especially IOA!) because of the 'sin' of exposed coaster track. Somehow crap like Barnstormer gets an auto pass here.

 

[Nemo14]

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.

I totally agree with you there, and I really do appreciate that Difference. It's just that I see less and less of it now, and more and more guests who for whatever reason don't miss seeing it as long as they can ride Toy Story Mania .

 

[PhotoDave219]

I'll repeat this question, but why are fans afraid to dine at Swan/Dolphin/DD/Hotel PLaza eateries? ...

While you were not telling me you were here in town..... I finally ate at Shula's Steakhouse.

Holy crap that was amazing.

 

[Clever Name]

...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. ...

That has always been my experience at WDW. It's all about the time(s) you visit. I've never needed to make an ADR and yet have eaten at most of the sit downs without any significant wait. I've been on all the popular attractions and we adhere to the rule that 30 minutes is the maximum queue time we will tolerate.

I think park experience plays a major role in time management at WDW. People are always more than happy to let you go to the front of the line when you tell them you're looking for your lost camera, cell phone, eyeglasses, contacts, wallet or AP.

 

[WDW1974]

Not defending MK at all because when I was there for the 24 hour event I noticed there was a lack of in park maintenance throughout the day (Trash all over). HOWEVER, as you stated, BGT wasn't busy when you visited. You've obviously never been during Howl-o-scream (the busiest time of year at BGT) as the park turns into a madhouse and the walkways are no longer pretty. BGT is never too crowded though for the most part. Upkeep should be expected there during most of the year. Again, not defending MK because they should know what the staffing levels need to be for the higher crowd levels, but BGT sees a lot less daily turnstile clicks than MK.

You're making excuses for Disney NOT doing its job. They need more and better trained custodial. I don't see these issues at other Disney resorts, including Anaheim. They let things slip because they want to save money.

 

[WDW1974]

Since you stayed at AKL did you eat at Sanaa? I had a great meal there in 2010. The kind of meal that I can still remember what I had and how wonderful it smelled...without having taken a single snapshot of the plate. I think we got out of there (4 adults) for under a hundred dollars too. I hope we'll get to hear a bit about your conversation regarding BoG.

Not this trip, but I have had four very good meals there on prior trips. Still, none as good as Jiko, though.

 

[HTF]

Glad you enjoyed your trip to BGT Spirit, by chance did you get to visit Tiger Trail? If you did do you prefer the tiger exhibit at BGT or Animal Kingdom? I personally prefer BGT's tiger exhibit but was just curious of your opinion.

 

[Cody5242]

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 ..

I've been hearing great things about Monsters U out of the private screenings. They say there's a lot of depth, twists, and emotion in the film. Man of Steel does look amazing as well! Hopefully it will be a great starter for the Justice League film

 

[luv]

DAK Lodge offers something that no other resort in the USA (and likely out of Africa) can offer ... And when people about its locale being far out, all I can think of is these must be folks who spend their whole WDW vacations at MK and DD because the Lodge is convenient to all other resort destinations.

This is my 2nd biggest beef with the Disney fan community...the mindless repetition of the "fact" that "AKL is so far away from everything" when it just is not. It's not even all that far from the MK.

It's just one of one things that people hear so much they begin to believe it, like "Uni isn't fun for children."

 

[englanddg]

This is my 2nd biggest beef with the Disney fan community...the mindless repetition of the "fact" that "AKL is so far away from everything" when it just is not. It's not even all that far from the MK.

It's just one of one things that people hear so much they begin to believe it, like "Uni isn't fun for children."

Some of that may come from the fact that it shares a bus with Blizzard many times? Driving, yeah, I don't see it as all that far. But, for Bus transit, it feels like it's a haul! Still, aside from Wilderness Lodge, I think it's the most stunning resort on property. Add in the Savannah Walk and it trumps Wilderness (I just like Wilderness more, personal opinion).