Spirited News, Observations & Thoughts Tres

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Computer Magic

Computer Magic

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WDW1974 said:
Great question ... As Run Disney has become a large profit center for Disney Sports. There's a reason why they went from one marathon to about a dozen races a year, spread out on two coasts now (and headed for France in 2014). ... They will add them as long as they can find open dates on the calendar.

The problem is that you have too many folks racing in the big runs who aren't runners and are not even in shape, but want the bling (i.e. The medals Disney gives out). Disney should only give out participation medals or ribbons or certificates to someone who enters a 13.1 mile race and drops out two miles in. Only finishers should get the bling. I know from friends who run that it can be a safety issue when you are a serious runner and you are trying to get by a herd of elephants who just want Mickey's medal. Disney also needs to cap these races at lower numbers. It won't do either because these races have become a cash cow.
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Yeah the PC crap of we are all winners has to go. Disney has found a way to fill in the slow times at Disney by holding these marathon events.
 
magicallactose

magicallactose

Well-Known Member
The Empress Lilly said:
But by extention, doesn't this apply to all cartoon environments?

There's a reason Walt opted for only real life themed environments. We are not toons, we do not visit a cartoon world, we dwell in it as an outsider, not as part of it. This, and not the lack of rides or things to do, is what I believe is what makes New FL feel so flat and underwhelming.
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But not all cartoon environments are alike.

The world of Simpsons is a parody of Middle American 'mall' culture. So stylistically, the buildings in Springfield are straightforward, utilitarian, and willfully 'ugly'. The drawing style is flat and unadorned. The wacky colour palette (purple sidewalks, bright pink walls, etc) is the main thing that elevates Springfield from a dull reflection of dullsville U.S.A to a zany cartoon place. (Very smart move by the creators of the show to use this skewed colour theory. It really did its job well)

With this in mind, I think Universal Creative's themeing of the Simpson's facades and the interior of Moe's Bar are note perfect. As a fan, it really made me feel as if I had stepped inside the show.

The movies that New Fantasyland are based on (Beauty and the Beast, Little Mermaid, Snow White) are stylistically the opposite of the Simpsons. Yes, they are cartoons. But the painterly style of the backgrounds are supposed to evoke rich detail and texture. They are supposed to transport you into a lush fairytale world. With this sort of source material, the Imagineers could have made New Fantasyland a much more compelling experience. (In my opinion, I think having more rides is a big factor. But I also think that Both Eric's and Beast's castle feel too small. Particularly with the Beast's castle, the forced perspective doesn't work at all for me)
 
Goofyernmost

Goofyernmost

Well-Known Member
WDW1974 said:
Great question ... As Run Disney has become a large profit center for Disney Sports. There's a reason why they went from one marathon to about a dozen races a year, spread out on two coasts now (and headed for France in 2014). ... They will add them as long as they can find open dates on the calendar.

The problem is that you have too many folks racing in the big runs who aren't runners and are not even in shape, but want the bling (i.e. The medals Disney gives out). Disney should only give out participation medals or ribbons or certificates to someone who enters a 13.1 mile race and drops out two miles in. Only finishers should get the bling. I know from friends who run that it can be a safety issue when you are a serious runner and you are trying to get by a herd of elephants who just want Mickey's medal. Disney also needs to cap these races at lower numbers. It won't do either because these races have become a cash cow.
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I never thought of Disney Marathons as a serious contest. It's just a reason to gather. No money is awarded is it? The 5K people got a "medal" made out of rubber, and the "herd of elephants" that you referred to are, if nothing else, out flexing muscle to the best of their ability as opposed to sitting at a computer 24/7 coming up with clever put downs. Who cares about those few super competitive dweebs. They are going to finish one way of the other and get their bling. Whatever Disney record they may set will never appear in the Book of World Records.
 
asianway

asianway

Well-Known Member
Funmeister said:
Hey Spirit...any insight on the stalled plans of relocating the barns at Tri-Circle D Ranch to make way for the long awaited DVC (much much watered down version of what Buffalo Junction could have been)? I know Cast members were told at one time (about 3 years or so ago) that the horse barns would be moved to the front of Fort Wilderness to make way for DVC on the current site and old River Country.
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I posted this in another thread but I think one of the reasons they are building out the monorail resort DVCs first is that they can creatively find a way to charge the condominium associations for 3 or 4 monorails when they replace the fleet.
 
jt04

jt04

Well-Known Member
George said:
I'm going to post encrypted cell and home phone numbers for spirit. Here goes -

cell: ###-###-####
home: ###-###-####

Any fanboi who successfully deciphers these can have spirited conversations all night long!
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Encryption? Heh. Many folks who called me a conspiracy theorist should apologize. But they must have that down by now.

How you like me now? Or should I say, "HAL you like me now"? :D

Missed the post spirit refers to. But I can possibly give him the "trolls" name. Pretty sure it is Mickey something.
 
M

MattM

Well-Known Member
jmcl07 said:
rimshot.gif
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Thank you, I'm here all night.
 
HenryMystic

HenryMystic

Well-Known Member
Goofyernmost said:
I never thought of Disney Marathons as a serious contest. It's just a reason to gather. No money is awarded is it? The 5K people got a "medal" made out of rubber, and the "herd of elephants" that you referred to are, if nothing else, out flexing muscle to the best of their ability as opposed to sitting at a computer 24/7 coming up with clever put downs. Who cares about those few super competitive dweebs. They are going to finish one way of the other and get their bling. Whatever Disney record they may set will never appear in the Book of World Records.
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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.
 
alissafalco

alissafalco

Well-Known Member
RSoxNo1 said:
You know me, I love DAK, but I was able to hit Kilimanjaro Safaris, Pangani Forest, Kali River Rapids, Dinosaur, Festival of the Lion King, Maharajah Jungle Trek, Tree of Life Exhibits, Discovery Island Trails, Oasis, Finding Nemo the Musical, Rafiki's Planet Watch, and several rides on Expedition Everest in under 8 hours last January. The real reason why the park doesn't stay open late is because it needs more rides.
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The park closed at 5pm last September when I was there, and I did NOT have enough time to do everything. There were still many attractions I missed.
 
WDW1974

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Funmeister said:
Hey Spirit...any insight on the stalled plans of relocating the barns at Tri-Circle D Ranch to make way for the long awaited DVC (much much watered down version of what Buffalo Junction could have been)? I know Cast members were told at one time (about 3 years or so ago) that the horse barns would be moved to the front of Fort Wilderness to make way for DVC on the current site and old River Country.
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You got it right when you called the plans stalled .. And that's even funnier 'cause horses live in stables that can be called stalls.

development on the RC site is problematic, which is why nothing is happening ...
 
WDW1974

WDW1974

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Goofyernmost said:
I never thought of Disney Marathons as a serious contest. It's just a reason to gather. No money is awarded is it? The 5K people got a "medal" made out of rubber, and the "herd of elephants" that you referred to are, if nothing else, out flexing muscle to the best of their ability as opposed to sitting at a computer 24/7 coming up with clever put downs. Who cares about those few super competitive dweebs. They are going to finish one way of the other and get their bling. Whatever Disney record they may set will never appear in the Book of World Records.
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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.
 
RSoxNo1

RSoxNo1

Well-Known Member
WDW1974 said:
I guess I should start calling WDW parks '4-5 hour parks' because that tends to be the most I enjoy spending in them before I'm ready to move on ...
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How would you rank the Florida parks for your personal preference? What about all the stateside parks?
 
the.dreamfinder

the.dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
WDW1974 said:
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.
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They could always do what the big, prestigious races like NY and Boston do where there is a cap with lottery and you have to have finished x number of US Track & Field certified races. They should try that with the Marathon first and see what happens. I do find their inclusion of a 10K interesting as that is an attainable goal for someone who started training 2-2.5 months prior to race day.
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.
 
jt04

jt04

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