Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts Tres

[Taylor]

Good night and good luck Mr Oberman. Wherever you are. And you too Epcot Explorer. We missed you.

Completely over my head

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Seriously how did that get through censor

MAGIC!!!

 

[Taylor]

MAGIC!!!

Well all be a son of a female dog

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Regarding those folks who asked Georgie K for his autograph...
Wow!
But that's from someone who has this!

 

[Taylor]

Regarding those folks who asked Georgie K for his autograph...
Wow!
But that's from someone who has this!

I see nothing wrong with having that

 

[Next Big Thing]

No, I hate that they took away the bar seating so it can be another butterbeer stand.

You have said a slew of ludicrous things about Uni over the past few pages, but I have to speak up here. The seats were not removed to make it another butterbeer stand. They were removed because of crowding. The stools get put back in in lower crowd times.

Second, the bartenders absolutely HATE people who come in and order butterbeer from the bar and if you try, even if there's a small wait, you could end up waiting 5-10 mins because you aren't their priority. They want to focus on people who are there for what the bar is meant for, and that's alcohol. The myth is you'll have a shorter wait in Hogs Head, but unless it's REALLY busy, the wait will normally be pretty much the same, if not shorter at a regular location and you'll receive much better service.

 

[englanddg]

You have said a slew of ludicrous things about Uni over the past few pages, but I have to speak up here. The seats were not removed to make it another butterbeer stand. They were removed because of crowding. The stools get put back in in lower crowd times.

Second, the bartenders absolutely HATE people who come in and order butterbeer from the bar and if you try, even if there's a small wait, you could end up waiting 5-10 mins because you aren't their priority. They want to focus on people who are there for what the bar is meant for, and that's alcohol. The myth is you'll have a shorter wait in Hogs Head, but unless it's REALLY busy, the wait will normally be pretty much the same and you'll receive much better service.

So, I just spent 4k to stay a few days at a Universal resort, and I really want to try a butterbeer, but because I'm not a lush, I should wait 5 - 10 minutes because the guy down the way ordered a domestic beer?

Yeah, great bartending. That is a GREAT way to earn tips, contempt for the customer. Always worked for me..oh wait...it didn't...

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Has anyone had the pumpkin spice cider at WWoHP? I personally wasn't a fan of butterbeer, but I do enjoy a good cider!

 

[RyenDeckard]

Second, the bartenders absolutely HATE people who come in and order butterbeer from the bar and if you try, even if there's a small wait, you could end up waiting 5-10 mins because you aren't their priority.

The rest of your post is dead on accurate, but this part isn't true.

If you order at HogsHead, understand the the bartenders there are paid as tipped employees, so please leave them a tip. They only get 4$ and change an hour, so tip them well even if you're just getting a butter beer! My personal rule is 1$ per drink.

There's also a line they form when Hogshead is busy, so it's not a typical bar format where you walk up and hope a bartender notices you. You form a que, usually along the bar towards the back door.

Also, you can get discounts on drinks at Hogshead.

 

[Cosmic Commando]

Still haven't made it to DLR. Killin me. That's exactly what I wanted for our anniversary in September. Stupid commitment to the big extended family hoopla on the Allure of the Seas ((See?? I'm going to vacation AWAY from Disney!)) for Thanksgiving seriously limits the fundage for this shoe-horned afterthought of a 20th anniversary getaway. Whatever we do, we want a week. Hubby must take a week away from his project in the fall to hit the manhour numbers they need. We want our first trip out to DL to be the way we want it. Unfortunately, we want it to be at the DLH. Just the cost of the hotel for 6 nights, no tickets or food, is only a few hundred less than booking a week long cruise where pretty much all expenses are covered PLUS we'd be walking into about $300 in spending money. Basically, going to DLR would cost us double what the cruise would. That's pretty hard to overcome when funds are limited. There's also logistical things...I'll already be in Central Florida the 2nd week of September so the hubby would just be joining me vs. fly home then both of us fly west a few days later. We only have so many rewards miles to burn. All that said, I'm still asking myself if I want DLR enough to compromise and stay offsite. Ugh. I just hate thinking I'd get there and be pining for something more so then I'd need to go back to do it again. Like wanting to go back on the Fantasy because I felt like I left way too much undone. It's like a psychological gumbo, idn't it???? ROFLMAO!

So... the "worst case" scenario is a second DLR trip at some point in the future? Sounds OK to me! I would just make sure you got a nice hotel somewhere within a 10-15 minute drive radius of DLR, so that you don't regret trading out DLH for a roach motel. Then drive in on the luxurious I-5 and park in Mickey & Friends... it's still convenient and "magical".

All I can say about DLR is that waiting to stay at the DLH isn't needed or even wise. DLR isn't WDW and when you can stay in a nicer room for 80% less, it makes no sense to stay at the DLH. I'd rather stay in a suite with free breakfast and booze and parking for $45 a night myself. You just don't have to stay on property and it makes very little sense and no dollars and cents.

QFT. BTW, which DLR-area haunts get the Spirited stamp of approval? I wouldn't mind a suite for $45!

 

[PhotoDave219]

You have said a slew of ludicrous things about Uni over the past few pages, but I have to speak up here. The seats were not removed to make it another butterbeer stand. They were removed because of crowding. The stools get put back in in lower crowd times.

Second, the bartenders absolutely HATE people who come in and order butterbeer from the bar and if you try, even if there's a small wait, you could end up waiting 5-10 mins because you aren't their priority. They want to focus on people who are there for what the bar is meant for, and that's alcohol. The myth is you'll have a shorter wait in Hogs Head, but unless it's REALLY busy, the wait will normally be pretty much the same, if not shorter at a regular location and you'll receive much better service.

Wouldn't it make better sense to just remove the butterbeer from the bar?

 

[alissafalco]

That's what you get for arriving at 4:15.

Ha ha I was there at 9. We did have breakfast at Tusker from 9-10, so I guess technically the day didn't start until 10, but 10-5pm was not enough time at all.

 

[Next Big Thing]

Wouldn't it make better sense to just remove the butterbeer from the bar?

From a business perspective, no. And that wouldn't get your stools back either. The vast majority of people that order from the bar are getting beer. Most don't know you can get Butterbeer in there, but enough do to justify Butterbeer being served there. During the really busy seasons, TM's will sometimes send guests into Hogs Head if they are looking for Butterbeer.

 

[George]

Has anyone had the pumpkin spice cider at WWoHP? I personally wasn't a fan of butterbeer, but I do enjoy a good cider!

I loved it. My family hated it. But, I love pumpkin pie. Speaking of alcohol, pumpkin pie and port is hard to beat.

 

[Goofyernmost]

5Ks? No, not serious.

Half and Full Marathons? You betcha! A lot of hard work,blood, sweat, and tears go into training for either.

I ran my first 10k in March. I trained daily for it. Ran in the cold, in the rain, and through knee pain. I didn't overestimate my abilities and ran in what I thought was the proper group for a first timer and based on my training. There were people just like spirit described strolling along the route, blocking the way, and frankly, making it very dangerous. I spent more time dodging people than running forward...certainly didn't train for all that lateral movement.

I'm a competitive person, so I take such things seriously. Want a finisher medal? Do the 5k, or start in the last corral. It's not fair to people who take races seriously.

Well, just because that how you thought of them doesn't make it so. They get world-class runners and many who take the sport seriously.

I'm sorry, but this isn't one of those special schools where we don't give grades because we want everyone to feel special. If you can't race,then you shouldn't enter. That medal you are getting is meaningless and you are lowering the value of it to all the other serious runners.

First off, I apologize for my lack of sensitivity to all the runners out there. I wasn't upset by them as much as I was upset about others being referred to as a "herd of elephants". That didn't' encourage anyone to care if the "competitive" people got insulted or not. Second, yes this is one of those special school's where you give grades because they want everyone to feel special. This is Disney for gods sake!

That said, let me put it to you this way. What has Disney done to get the message out that this is a "serious" marathon? I'll tell you...nothing at all! Why? Because they never intended it to be a serious marathon. It was set up to be a reason to gather and participate in something that was fun and in the process spend millions at a Disney Park. They better all feel special! Many people like to run but are not considered good enough to get into the Boston or NY marathons. This is for them. If the "serious" marathoners want to be in a "serious" marathon, well, there's Boston and NY. Just because you thought it to be a world class event doesn't make it so!

 

[George]

I spent more time dodging people than running forward...certainly didn't train for all that lateral movement.

I'm a competitive person, so I take such things seriously. Want a finisher medal? Do the 5k, or start in the last corral. It's not fair to people who take races seriously.

I'm sorry, but this isn't one of those special schools where we don't give grades because we want everyone to feel special. If you can't race,then you shouldn't enter. That medal you are getting is meaningless and you are lowering the value of it to all the other serious runners.

I ran the WDW 1/2 Marathon last year btw and there were quite a few folks who had entered the MARATHON that didn't even look they could finish a 5K. Not being mean, just being honest.

^^I've been thinking of signing up for a run Disney event for more than a year, but haven't because I conjectured all the things you guys are mentioning to be true. I love Disney and running through the parks would be fun, but as a 43 year old recreational runner, I HATE half marathons that have tons of people I have to run around all to keep my middle aged 10 minute mile. I ran a local half, at the end of April (Carmel, Indiana half and full marathon) the first qualifier for Boston after the Boston bombing and it was heavenly. Only a few thousand people and for miles 7,8, and 9 I was essentially by myself. I've also never got my head wrapped around some of the "enjoyable" parts of running a Disney race and am unsure whether or not I would enjoy it. For example, I considered signing up for the ToT 10K, but I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy the post run party all sweaty and tired...Plus, I sweat and stink pretty bad. Does everyone just ride ToT again and again all stinky? Is there residual body goo on the ride the next day creating the need for fumigation? What's up with the mile 20 (or whatever, I can't remember the exact point in the race) party they have in the baseball stadium during the full marathon? I always see it mentioned without explanation. Am I supposed to run 20 miles, stop and eat quesadillas, drink margaritas, and then resume my marathon without puking? What exactly takes place at this party? Do I run with a camera so I can stop and get pictures with all the characters and whatnot or do the run events have their own photopass? On the one hand, having photopass photographers lining the course would be kind of neat, but that sure indicates it is not a running event to take seriously. If I'm chugging along a few seconds ahead of my personal best pace and the man/woman beside me want me to stop and get their picture with pirate Goofy using their smart phone, is it OK to wave them off? Anyway, I may have to run one of these just to get my questions answered.

 

[Bolna]

First off, I apologize for my lack of sensitivity to all the runners out there. I wasn't upset by them as much as I was upset about others being referred to as a "herd of elephants". That didn't' encourage anyone to care if the "competitive" people got insulted or not. Second, yes this is one of those special school's where you give grades because they want everyone to feel special. This is Disney for gods sake!

That said, let me put it to you this way. What has Disney done to get the message out that this is a "serious" marathon? I'll tell you...nothing at all! Why? Because they never intended it to be a serious marathon. It was set up to be a reason to gather and participate in something that was fun and in the process spend millions at a Disney Park. They better all feel special! Many people like to run but are not considered good enough to get into the Boston or NY marathons. This is for them. If the "serious" marathoners want to be in a "serious" marathon, well, there's Boston and NY. Just because you thought it to be a world class event doesn't make it so!

They do have a pace requirement. I am a slow runner myself and would only ever enter a race where I have justified hope of completing the race. I have seen reports in blogs from people who just completed 3 miles and then sported their medal in the parks afterwards. In my opinion that is very unsportsmanlike.

 

[MattM]

That said, let me put it to you this way. What has Disney done to get the message out that this is a "serious" marathon? I'll tell you...nothing at all! Why? Because they never intended it to be a serious marathon. It was set up to be a reason to gather and participate in something that was fun and in the process spend millions at a Disney Park. They better all feel special! Many people like to run but are not considered good enough to get into the Boston or NY marathons. This is for them. If the "serious" marathoners want to be in a "serious" marathon, well, there's Boston and NY. Just because you thought it to be a world class event doesn't make it so!

Agreed. A race where many dress as Disney characters cannot be taken too seriously.

 

[George]

They do have a pace requirement. I am a slow runner myself and would only ever enter a race where I have justified hope of completing the race. I have seen reports in blogs from people who just completed 3 miles and then sported their medal in the parks afterwards. In my opinion that is very unsportsmanlike.

My guess is that you have a confluence of factors making this case. It is very rare that someone who hasn't trained at all would sign up for a 13 or 26 mile run regardless of whether or not it was a Boston qualifier or something. However, there are Disney addicts who their only way to get Run Disney bling is to enter the race. Disney (in shocking fashion) charges a crap load for these races, so even if you only run 10 meters, you feel justified in getting your bling. Voila! Weird run environment created.

 

[asianway]

^^I've been thinking of signing up for a run Disney event for more than a year, but haven't because I conjectured all the things you guys are mentioning to be true. I love Disney and running through the parks would be fun, but as a 43 year old recreational runner, I HATE half marathons that have tons of people I have to run around all to keep my middle aged 10 minute mile. I ran a local half, at the end of April (Carmel, Indiana half and full marathon) the first qualifier for Boston after the Boston bombing and it was heavenly. Only a few thousand people and for miles 7,8, and 9 I was essentially by myself. I've also never got my head wrapped around some of the "enjoyable" parts of running a Disney race and am unsure whether or not I would enjoy it. For example, I considered signing up for the ToT 10K, but I'm wasn't sure if I'd enjoy the post run party all sweaty and tired...Plus, I sweat and stink pretty bad. Does everyone just ride ToT again and again all stinky? Is there residual body goo on the ride the next day creating the need for fumigation? What's up with the mile 20 (or whatever, I can't remember the exact point in the race) party they have in the baseball stadium during the full marathon? I always see it mentioned without explanation. Am I supposed to run 20 miles, stop and eat quesadillas, drink margaritas, and then resume my marathon without puking? What exactly takes place at this party? Do I run with a camera so I can stop and get pictures with all the characters and whatnot or do the run events have their own photopass? On the one hand, having photopass photographers lining the course would be kind of neat, but that sure indicates it is not a running event to take seriously. If I'm chugging along a few seconds ahead of my personal best pace and the man/woman beside me want me to stop and get their picture with pirate Goofy using their smart phone, is it OK to wave them off? Anyway, I may have to run one of these just to get my questions answered.

The 20 mile thing was only for 2013 for the 20th anniversary of the run. They had the Mickey hot air balloon, The VIP characters on a setup with a banner you ran under, and the DCA World of Color puppets out for photo ops. Was kind of a let down, they werent even the best photo ops on the course.