Spirited Spring Break News, Observations & Thoughts ...

[Funmeister]

It's a thrown-together detailed suggestion of what could be built but wasn't and never, ever will be. That's about as perfect an example of "random blue sky dream of an idea" as you're going to find. But hey, if you're into that sort of mental masturbation, there's an entire subforum dealing with it! This thread ain't in that subforum, tho.

No...you are missing the point. It was not an unsolicited idea. He didn't just come in and spew blue sky garbage that was unrelated to the topic. It was related to the topic in that it was one persons opinion on what COULD have been built for the same amount the new Fantasyland was. If someone posted on this forum about an idea for a new theme park or something unrelated to the topic then I can understand.

It was not random. It had to do with the topic. It's ok. lol

 

[Funmeister]

So essentially, nobody has anything of substance and it's all conjecture and BS at the moment, right?

I guess so. You ARE posting! lol

 

[Bolna]

This model leads to disaster. Because even the rubes can't/won't pay the type of rates that Disney now commands and the amount of foreigners who will is finite.

Oh - and the amount of foreigners will even decrease significantly once the current manufactured too low exchange rates of the US Dollar end. I have mentioned that before: If you have a business that you can run too a large extent independently of exchange rate risks - why not try everything to keep it that way instead of going for the short term boost that a low exchange rate can currently offer you.

 

[WDW1974]

Totally get it and knew that might happen when I posted the info. I'll leave you with a couple of things..

1) Look at my fairly insignificant posting history. I'm not one that's here looking for attention, trying to become a personality, not particularly argumentative and clearly not a pot stirrer. I really gain nothing, nor am I looking for anything, by posting this info. I'm your average Joe Disney Park fan who comes here for some info and harmless banter once in awhile. I merely posted it to provide some insight into what I'm confident actually happened.

No, and that is why I said I tend to believe that side of the story. I think you know someone who is close (or at least TwitClose) to Jason and you're trying to get the truth of that particular incident out.

2) If you have the actual tweets in question, I don't, you would notice a couple of things. They aren't directed @ anybody which obviously happens a lot AND they aren't part of conversation with anyone. They really were just random out of context comments, not tied to anything which somewhat supports they were part of something outside the standard twitter stream i.e. direct messages.

And, again, I don't doubt it. ... I don't even feel they were directed at me (it's not the PML here!) despite what some friends think.

But I do think it shows a continued pattern of Jason being an unstable . I think it shows he doesn't grasp that Twitter is public and that whether he says his Tweets represent TWDC or not, when you are attacking fans of the company on Twitter YOU ARE representing the company.

Again, it shows incredibly infantile and poor judgment on his part.

His wife was in labor. Without making excuses about how stressed out he must have been, what the (blank) was he doing screwing around with fanbois, including the crazy dead Card Walker guy and Andy Castro and Michael Crawford (and whomever else he says he was arguing with on MAGIC ... like I said, he thinks he is a comedian, is his role here 'Jimmy Thick'?)

Jason wouldn't know me from a hole in the ground. I don't know Jason, have only met him once as he delivered his standard spiel in front of the Star Wars teaser display at D23. And I'm sure he's not really looking for (or cares quite honestly) for some lowly message board lackey like me to defend him. But people do make mistakes on twitter, fb, text messages, e-mail and put things out there that they really didn't mean to. Heck, I've had my fair share of regrettable FB posts after a few drinks. Sometimes, regardless of how we feel about a particular person, we can give them the benefit of the doubt. But maybe that's just me...

Jason and I have met, a few times. I honestly doubt he places that with my online persona as he is so egotistical ... that is the WDI way. Even someone I greatly respect, Tony Baxter, took meeting me about 6-7 times before anything stuck. These people have huge egos and it is often like you aren't even there.

I think Disney buying Lucasfilm only adds to his self-importance since he is involved with that part of the company.

I also think, after his part with the Phil Kippel situation, he should have been terminated. At some point, enough is enough. He really isn't a talent, except in his own mind, so why keep a psycho?

Oh, and on that note, I'll congratulate him on the birth of his (son?) and hope that regardless of his future employment that he works on his anger management issues and does a good job of raising the child.

 

[WDW1974]

One look at who Phillip follows on Twitter should be enough for Disney to never want him on property. -shudder-

His mommy and daddy have money and likely know a few people at TDO.

 

[Stitchon]

His mommy and daddy have money and likely know a few people at TDO.

Lord save us all.

 

[WDW1974]

Just for the record, this should not be anybody's idea of a Faux Top One Percent getaway. The checkpoint where they were searching buses for Russian agitators gave it away.

That actually sorta sounds like Faux Top One Percent because you can have 'adventures' that aren't strictly luxury and that just adds to your 'aura'! ... Be safe no matter what!!!

 

[WDW1974]

Well if that's the case it involes Universal too since they have a heavy marvel presence in their park and are the current holders of the Marvel theme park rights.

Your logic is not sound and even the media have went after a statement from Fox not Disney or Marvel Entertainment. I'm not going to keep arguing because not a single person out there has even thought to connect this to Disney and it would be absurd if someone attempted it.

Neo, can you let it drop.

The reason I brought the subject up had little to do with Disney and more a 'What if?' scenario that is a whole lot more real than most people could ever think.

 

[WDW1974]

Same thing here with the one that used to be by Disneyland. For years, they had some fantastic stuff. Bought tons of stuff on pretty deep discount. Would even get the occasional WDW park merch. For the last few years of their existence, the selection was far less Disney focused. Apparently Disney decided to no longer offer them as much merch as they had previously, according to the store manager. That ultimately led to the store's demise.

Those stores were run by an oustide liquidator. They often had phenomenal deals on Disney merchandise at temporary stores set up in the middle of nowhere in outlet malls gone bad (no, not the MK!) or department stores that had closed in malls. Their permanent stores (mostly just in Fullerton and Pomona and Las Vegas) went way down in quality and values as the years went on.

No, I don't consider 12% off an item a deal ... go over 50-60% off and you get my attention.

The stores in Florida (Orlando, St. Augustine, Sunrise and Naples, I believe ... they had a Miami location for about a decade and then closed it) are all owned by WDW Co and operated by Disney with Disney CMs. I used to regularly find great stuff at great prices, but if I have spent $250 in the last five years there total, that's a lot. They just have the same crap and they don't price it to move at all ... I shouldn't (for example) find the same Philadelphia Phillies tees (likely from WWoS or ESPN Club) two years after the were first put out. Here's an idea, instead of asking $18.99 for them, drop the price to $3.99 put them upfront and they'll disappear.

 

[WDW1974]

After seeing more details on this scandal last night, it seems pretty obvious that this is a cash grab. Singer wasn't named in the lawsuit that was filed in 2000 on some of the same incidents. Plus the FBI and local police were engaged, and this all happened around the same time that Singer was under suspicion for the Apt Pupil allegations.

Don't get me wrong, I think Singer behaved(s) like a creep and that his behaviors may have been criminal, however this suit, timed to coincide with the press tour for X-Men: DOFP is looking more like extortion than justice. Justice would have been pressing this case in 2000 when the first lawsuit happened and naming Singer then. I don't see this issue taking hold unless more accusers come forward within the next few days/weeks.

In this 'easy to offend' culture we have right now it is easy to fall into the trap of 'sexual abuse is a complicated issue and you don't blame the accuser' (which is true), however not ever allegation is true and not every lawsuit seeks justice.

I don't feel like arguing the merits of a case where we both don't have the facts.

But I know what Singer's rep in the business is and it is sleazy slime all the way. And he is always hanging out with teen boys (or twinks as they are known in the gay community). To think he is just looking and not sampling is just very, very naive.

 

[WDW1974]

Apparently Uni isnt free from this type of scandal either. LOL Its obviously just a weird angle from the camera, so technically not inappropriate, just thought it was funny and the mood of this thread could use a little laughter. Apologies to Potter fans.

View attachment 51542

Ah, the bois at Hogwarts are into their (and their pals) wands ... how not shocking!!!

 

[WDW1974]

rentboy.com has nearly 9,000 twitter followers, but do they get free stuff from Disney?

I demand justice.

I am curious and yet afraid to type that address into my computer ... hey, @Lee ... can you check that out?

 

[WDW1974]

You mean that they would dare to invite media and then not even let them ride the new attraction? That's an interesting concept...

I can almost guarantee that will not happen. They may open it for 48 hours for the event and then close it again for weeks or longer if need be. But they need it open for the event. And it will be.

 

[WDW1974]

It's not exactly a planned occurrence. This is also the company that had a media event to announce benches.

Yeah ... SOOOOO?!??!?!

Those are MAGICal benches ... if you don't think so, then go to UNI and sit on their benches and there will be more room for the rest of us on Disney benches!!!!

 

[WDW1974]

It's my understanding that this is the annual travel agents convention thingy combined with the usual suspects.... So it's not just a media event, it's an annual event…

So when you ask why certain the travel agents ended up being invited to the shindig? It's because it was mainly for them in the first place…

It is both ... but don't underplay the media aspect. This is WDW's chance to off the place for the summer and really the rest of 2014. It is a crucial media 'buy' for them ... Disney is always hosting events for TAs.

They usually only have one annual media event of this magnitude where they are literally flying folks in from all over the world.

Too bad that the DSP has more new kewl things to offer coming up this year than the four WDW parks put together do.

#RideYourMAGICBand
#WDWGems

 

[WDW1974]

It seems that a lot of states do give full rights as long as the other party isn't in a position of authority or influence, a teacher or manager for example. Some do have restrictions that the other party must be under 30. Most of the close age exceptions are when the person falls under the age of consent. This would be a 15 yo and 13 or 12 yo.

There are 8 states having 18 as age of consent. Some having 17, most 16 and Hawaii and Idaho 14.

I haven't checked (guess I really am not an Imagineer at heart!) but I just don't believe that someone my age (35-49) could have consentual relations with anyone under 18 in MOST states and not wind up in jail. That 14-year-old in Idaho isn't hooking up with 61-year-olds or even 21-year-olds and all is OK ... I just don't buy that at all.

 

[WDW1974]

Someone in the know... Break down the budgetary differences between an identical project at Disney and at Universal. Where is it that they hemorrhage cash? Are they paying higher prices for materials or construction because they have one firm they use no matter what? I understand this talk of WDI charging a lot but that is moving money from one cost center to another within the company.

Sorry, but I have plans for tonight ... and even if I didn't, I wouldn't have time or desire to write the 6,000 words needed on the subject.

Bottom line: WDI is bloated and inefficient. UNI-Creative has plenty of its own issues (don't tell my pals at Parkscope this or they'll be on my like Bryan Singer on a 16-year-old hairless boytoy!), but not with finances, per se.

 

[Lee]

I am curious and yet afraid to type that address into my computer ... hey, @Lee ... can you check that out?

Nope. I'll pass...

 

[StageFrenzy]

Oh, and on the subject of Disney Resorts and the problems they are having, especially at the deluxe end, that I mentioned and @ParentsOf4 wrote a thesis on, I wanted to add a bit.

The idea that Disney isn't aware they are chasing away the top of the market isn't accurate at all. They know it. That's part of the plan. Folks who are truly used to staying at Ritz Carlton or the Four Seasons or even simply a typical big city Marriott know that Disney's top of the line resorts no longer can even attempt to compete.

They know the rubes (especially those 9/11 defense job beneficiaries) simply don't know any better. They don't get what a $607 BLT studio should be or a $521 a night BWI room because they used to stay at a Comfort Inn on the side of the Interstate for $49.99 a night with a coupon from a travel book picked up at the IHOP... and that is why Disney continues to play these hotel games.

Understand this, WDW could make money with deluxe rooms topping out at $200-300 a night, with moderate rooms topping out at $125-150 a night and with values topping out at $75 a night. Big profits. But not under the current business model. That model seeks every increasing profit by offering an ever lesser quality product.

This model leads to disaster. Because even the rubes can't/won't pay the type of rates that Disney now commands and the amount of foreigners who will is finite.

Speaking of four seasons how is it shaping up? I wonder what their occupancy rates will look like.? FS has convention/meeting space right?

 

[drew81]

No, and that is why I said I tend to believe that side of the story. I think you know someone who is close (or at least TwitClose) to Jason and you're trying to get the truth of that particular incident out.



And, again, I don't doubt it. ... I don't even feel they were directed at me (it's not the PML here!) despite what some friends think.

But I do think it shows a continued pattern of Jason being an unstable . I think it shows he doesn't grasp that Twitter is public and that whether he says his Tweets represent TWDC or not, when you are attacking fans of the company on Twitter YOU ARE representing the company.

Again, it shows incredibly infantile and poor judgment on his part.

His wife was in labor. Without making excuses about how stressed out he must have been, what the (blank) was he doing screwing around with fanbois, including the crazy dead Card Walker guy and Andy Castro and Michael Crawford (and whomever else he says he was arguing with on MAGIC ... like I said, he thinks he is a comedian, is his role here 'Jimmy Thick'?)



Jason and I have met, a few times. I honestly doubt he places that with my online persona as he is so egotistical ... that is the WDI way. Even someone I greatly respect, Tony Baxter, took meeting me about 6-7 times before anything stuck. These people have huge egos and it is often like you aren't even there.

I think Disney buying Lucasfilm only adds to his self-importance since he is involved with that part of the company.

I also think, after his part with the Phil Kippel situation, he should have been terminated. At some point, enough is enough. He really isn't a talent, except in his own mind, so why keep a psycho?

Oh, and on that note, I'll congratulate him on the birth of his (son?) and hope that regardless of his future employment that he works on his anger management issues and does a good job of raising the child.

You mean the retweet of this??