The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

[TP2000]

Just watched an Instagram video of a guy ranking all of the World Showcase pavilions according to all his favorite food offerings and I have to say I truly didn’t know they were serving up such a variety of unique and seemingly quality options. If they re really not planning a 5th gate for the Toy Story lot they would be crazy to not go with a West coast World Showcase with an attached hotel there. Another Downtown or Disney Springs wouldn’t make sense. If they can’t go full theme park there this would be a nice compromise.

You do have to wonder what they plan for this retail/dining/hotel complex aimed at the convention crowd on the Toy Story Lot. Especially because they made a point of saying it will have a "Theme Park Experience" of some sort. Not sure if that's a one-off theater show or event venue, but I doubt it's a ride. I hope it's not just Cirque Du Soleil, because OC already has facilities for that otherwise pleasant offering.

Perhaps you could have a World Showcase concept, maybe just of Pacific Rim nations, with a USA pavilion as its host country with an American Adventure type show? It would be fun to have Canada, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Phillipines, Japan, South Korea with dining/retail pavilions around a "Pacific Lagoon".

Is the Toy Story Lot big enough for that, I wonder? The artwork they released as part of the Disneyland Forward hype campaign was vague, but certainly not exciting looking. It just looks like another Irvine Company shopping center circa 2024, quite frankly.

The building circled in red is the "Theme Park Experience" facility noted on Disney's planning documents submitted to the city. The rest of it looks like an Irvine Company shopping center, or Americana or The Grove center for OC.

 

[Figments Friend]

You know I wouldn't dare try that in the desert southwest, 2,500 miles from the nearest Stop N' Shop! There are some things which are sacred, and should only be attempted in their rightful place. It's like champagne can only come from the Champagne region of France, and everything else is just sparkling wine. A real New England lobster roll can only come from New England.

That said.... I did recently find a recipe for a "San Diego Lobster Roll" on YouTube that looks delicious! I am heading to the beach house this week until late August, and I'm going to make these for some friends next weekend and see how it goes! Wish me luck, but know that I will only call them "San Diego Lobster Rolls" and I will explain to the party guests that these are mere imitations of something superior on the other side of the continent.





Thank you, my dear! My 4th weekend was fabulous, how was yours?! Bringing up Boston again, one of my all-time favorite memories is going to the Boston Pops concerts on the 4th along the Charles River. Oh. My. Gosh. What an absolutely incredible show that always was!!! Just gives you goosebumps, and when they'd crash into the 1812 Overture and those cannons would go BOOM!, it was just magical. Truly magical, rivaling the best of Disneyland.

Have you done the Boston Pops concert on the 4th ever? Please say yes!

San Diego Lobster Rolls sound just fine to me.
Let me know how they measure up in comparison !

My 4th was quite nice, thank you.
Spent the day with friends taking part in a local July 4th Parade.
I have done this same parade for several years, so a fun tradition.
Bloody hot however….we were melting.

And shockingly, because of said parade appearances I have yet to have experienced in person one of the famous Boston Pops concerts at the Hatchsell on July 4th.
Outrageous I know, but doing the parade requires just as much commitment as racing to claim a spot on the esplanade next to the Charles!
I certainly watched the concerts live on tv over the years, and it was always fun hearing the fireworks echo across the woods from where I live.
Always a few seconds later then the ‘booms’ heard on tv….!

-

 

[Consumer]

Perhaps you could have a World Showcase concept, maybe just of Pacific Rim nations, with a USA pavilion as its host country with an American Adventure type show? It would be fun to have Canada, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Phillipines, Japan, South Korea with dining/retail pavilions around a "Pacific Lagoon".

This may very well be my favorite armchair proposal for an expansion to the DLR. Make it into a full theme park with a Fuji coaster, an Incan temple, a Coco boat ride, a Rocky Mountain coaster, an outback safari. Lot of potential with those themes, very few of which have been tapped by other parks.

 

[MoonRakerSCM]

were serving up such a variety of unique and seemingly quality options. If they re really not planning a 5th gate for the Toy Story lot they would be crazy to not go with a West coast World Showcase with an attached hotel there. Another Downtown Disney or Disney Springs wouldn’t make sense. If they can’t go full theme park there this would be a nice compromise.

There's some good to be had in Epcot if you hit up the right places.

 

[TP2000]

San Diego Lobster Rolls sound just fine to me.
Let me know how they measure up in comparison !

My 4th was quite nice, thank you.
Spent the day with friends taking part in a local July 4th Parade.
I have done this same parade for several years, so a fun tradition.
Bloody hot however….we were melting.

Boston in summer can be brutal with the humidity, but it still sounds fun!

And shockingly, because of said parade appearances I have yet to have experienced in person one of the famous Boston Pops concerts at the Hatchsell on July 4th.
Outrageous I know, but doing the parade requires just as much commitment as racing to claim a spot on the esplanade next to the Charles!
I certainly watched the concerts live on tv over the years, and it was always fun hearing the fireworks echo across the woods from where I live.
Always a few seconds later then the ‘booms’ heard on tv….!

-

Okay, I say this as only a temporary New Englander from decades ago, but you NEED to do that one year. It just has to be done. Get a few friends, a picnic blanket and a basket of treats, and DO IT! I imagine the transportation logistics are tricky, but if you can tackle Disneyland without Genie+, you can do the Boston Pops for the 4th of July.

When I was in Boston I was lucky in that my office was in the Prudential Center and I had a parking pass to the garage. A few friends would pile into my car, we'd drive into town in late afternoon, walk a few blocks north to the Esplanade and stake out our spot. Then wait out the crowds at a bar or bistro on Newbury Street afterwards. THis was in the mid to late 80's when the concert was barely 15 years old, so maybe it was easier back then compared to now?

Still, with Uber and the T and other options, it can't be any worse than a stagnant Standby line.

I think if you don't go do this at least once, you'll regret it. It's right there!

 

[mickEblu]

You do have to wonder what they plan for this retail/dining/hotel complex aimed at the convention crowd on the Toy Story Lot. Especially because they made a point of saying it will have a "Theme Park Experience" of some sort. Not sure if that's a one-off theater show or event venue, but I doubt it's a ride. I hope it's not just Cirque Du Soleil, because OC already has facilities for that otherwise pleasant offering.

Perhaps you could have a World Showcase concept, maybe just of Pacific Rim nations, with a USA pavilion as its host country with an American Adventure type show? It would be fun to have Canada, USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Phillipines, Japan, South Korea with dining/retail pavilions around a "Pacific Lagoon".

Is the Toy Story Lot big enough for that, I wonder? The artwork they released as part of the Disneyland Forward hype campaign was vague, but certainly not exciting looking. It just looks like another Irvine Company shopping center circa 2024, quite frankly.

The building circled in red is the "Theme Park Experience" facility noted on Disney's planning documents submitted to the city. The rest of it looks like an Irvine Company shopping center, or Americana or The Grove center for OC.

View attachment 797886

I like the idea of modifying the countries. Pacific Rim sounds great and that type of food would do really well with the local LA and OC demographic. I’d like to see a Singapore and Thailand pavilion too. I think they need to also choose a couple countries where they can really showcase some cool architecture. Hell, it’s not Pacific rim but throw India in there as well. Would be a welcome cuisine in the lineup.

 

[TP2000]

From the following multiple files comes this hilarious news...

• You Couldn't Make This Up If You Tried File
• Only In California File
• Disneyland Is Hiring Gardeners Again File
• Lack Of A Drought Got You Down? File

 

[MoonRakerSCM]

I've gone blind... I rolled my eyes too hard...

 

[Phroobar]

From the following multiple files comes this hilarious news...

• You Couldn't Make This Up If You Tried File
• Only In California File
• Disneyland Is Hiring Gardeners Again File
• Lack Of A Drought Got You Down? File

But we're protecting the children from hot surfaces during the summer. Think of the children!

 

[DrAlice]

From the following multiple files comes this hilarious news...

• You Couldn't Make This Up If You Tried File
• Only In California File
• Disneyland Is Hiring Gardeners Again File
• Lack Of A Drought Got You Down? File

You forgot one:

• DUH!

Plastic is worse for the environment than actual plants? I'm shocked, I tell you. SHOCKED!

 

[SuddenStorm]

From that Disneyland employment website I linked above, here's how Disneyland is advertising their current 2024 pay rates and opportunities for advancement. These two CM's start in an entry-level role off the street at $21.25 or $24.15 per hour, with obvious growth opportunities to earn more and/or have Disney help pay for their college or trade school.

Skilled roles like Electricians are staring at $37.00 currently, which seems like a great advertisement for young men to go to a couple years of trade school instead of spending a lot more money and two extra years to get a Bachelors degree in Peruvian Pottery or Gender Studies.

And maybe their first task at $37 per hour could be replacing the burned out light bulbs on Space Mountain's re-entry tunnel?

Back in 2018, when this same union wanted (and got) a "Fair Wage" of $15 per hour, adjusted for inflation a starting wage of $21.25 would be $17 per hour, and a starting wage of $24.15 would be $19.30 per hour back in 2018.

@SuddenStorm, you work for Marriott, how does that starting rate of $28.65 for Hotel Guest Services compare in your opinion?

View attachment 797845

Hotel Guest Services could be many different positions- but assuming they're talking about front desk, that's an incredibly fair pay rate. I'm just surprised it's that high, considering it's more then the chefs make at Disneyland and almost as much as the area chefs. Really makes you wonder why anyone would consider a career in Disneyland Resort F&B.

By comparison, in St. George, front desk at any of the select service Marriott's are currently hiring at $13-15/hr. In Park City, full service front desk jobs (a much better comparison as the hotels are more comparable, and often better, than the Disneyland hotels) hire at about $20/hr.

In Anaheim- it looks like hotels in the area hire at about $18-20 for the Front Desk (this will likely increase soon in response to the new $20 fast food minimum). I did see a job posting for Front Desk at the Fairfield (Marriott's bottom tier brand) off Harbor advertising $27/hr. But sticking with $20ish an hour for Front Desk, Disney paying $28/hr for their desk would be fair, assuming higher standards of service, conduct, grooming, and professionalism are enforced due to the Disneyland Resort hotels being full service and absurdly expensive. They're also eligible for overtime since they aren't salary- but regardless if they work full time that's $60,000 a year for a job that's a step above entry level.

By comparison, salary park ops Stage Managers get $65-75k a year.

I fully support cast members making more money, especially as it would help give Disney the ability to be more particular in who they hire.

 

[SuddenStorm]

From the following multiple files comes this hilarious news...

• You Couldn't Make This Up If You Tried File
• Only In California File
• Disneyland Is Hiring Gardeners Again File
• Lack Of A Drought Got You Down? File

I still believe replacing actual grass with turf, especially for the Mickey Floral and the Storybookland floral, was a huge mistake that I'm surprised isn't discussed more. I guess it's just easy to overlook given all of the other reductions.

 

[NobodyElse]

You forgot one:

• DUH!

Plastic is worse for the environment than actual plants? I'm shocked, I tell you. SHOCKED!

And for those playing sports, make that "plastic seeded with crumbled up used tires is worse for the environment than actual plants?"

 

[Consumer]

I've not been paying that much attention to The Acolyte but I just finished tonight's episode and just... what a bunch of garbage. Ignoring all the identity politics controversy surrounding it, the show just sucks. The writing is atrocious and nothing that happens makes any sense. Then there's the moral issues of the show where the good guys are supposed to be bad and the bad guys are supposed to be good, but anyone with a soul can recognize they have everything twisted. Reminds me of Wish, how the villain is actually the hero and the hero is actually the villain, but the writers are so evil themselves they have right and wrong backwards.

 

[TP2000]

I arrived in SoCal this evening, strategically after rush hour. But the rest of the family still has no interest in a Disneyland visit this summer. But I'm happy to be here, nevertheless.

I made my Caesars Palace pit stop and obligatory visit to the Bacchanal Buffet (honestly, the best name for a buffet anywhere!) at its 3:30pm rope drop opening. It was 112 in the shade when I left Las Vegas. Just a hair over 4 hours later I pulled off the freeway at La Jolla Parkway after sundown and you could just feel the difference through the windshield and the dashboard said it was 68 degrees, so at the first stoplight I pushed the automagic button and lowered the top to make my grand entrance into town for the summer. I don't think anyone noticed me, and certainly no one cared. But it was heavenly to feel that cool sea air!

So let the summer fun, fun, fun begin! At least for someone, somewhere.

 

[Phroobar]

I don't think DEI is its problem. It could have been made with all straight white men and would still be dreadful. I'm just thankful that I only have to suffer through one more episode.

But why suffer through another episode. Just stop and don't go further. I know there is hope of a payoff but I doubt it. I think you will just feel robbed.

 

[Parteecia]

But why suffer through another episode. Just stop and don't go further. I know there is hope of a payoff but I doubt it. I think you will just feel robbed.

I really really want to but I can't. I will hate-watch and rip it apart (such an easy target) with the friends who made me start the series.

 

[Phroobar]

I really really want to but I can't. I will hate-watch and rip it apart (such an easy target) with the friends who made me start the series.

It's an eight episode car crash where the franchise got thrown thru the windshield.

 

[SuddenStorm]

It's so disheartening to see how low the CM standards have fallen.

And yet, the purposeful lowering of standards by TDA management purposely widens the labor pool and depresses wages. That's basic Econ 101 stuff, but so many CM's don't get it.

You know, with all of this talk of striking, despite the CM's already making that 'living wage' number they were fighting for a few years ago, I was reminded of this wonderful little bit from South Park when Canada went on strike-



The more I think about it, the more ridiculous I think it is. Employee standards at Disneyland are rock bottom. The level of service is the worst it's been in 69 years of that park being open. But the way the unions act, they think they're the greatest thing ever.

Why is there not an initiative on the part of the union to get their workers to do a better job, before fighting for a huge pay bump? Negotiate a shorter contract with modest inflation based raises. But then use that time to have the union really fight to get their employees to be better, more in line with the likes of Chick Fil A or In n Out.

Then start an initiative to get them decent pay bumps, with the ability to use data on increased guest satisfaction (which usually means more spending) to back up the raise.

A union should help guarantee higher pay and more rights for the workers- but in return Disney should be getting a higher quality worker.

 

[Phroobar]

You know, with all of this talk of striking, despite the CM's already making that 'living wage' number they were fighting for a few years ago, I was reminded of this wonderful little bit from South Park when Canada went on strike-



The more I think about it, the more ridiculous I think it is. Employee standards at Disneyland are rock bottom. The level of service is the worst it's been in 69 years of that park being open. But the way the unions act, they think they're the greatest thing ever.

Why is there not an initiative on the part of the union to get their workers to do a better job, before fighting for a huge pay bump? Negotiate a shorter contract with modest inflation based raises. But then use that time to have the union really fight to get their employees to be better, more in line with the likes of Chick Fil A or In n Out.

Then start an initiative to get them decent pay bumps, with the ability to use data on increased guest satisfaction (which usually means more spending) to back up the raise.

A union should help guarantee higher pay and more rights for the workers- but in return Disney should be getting a higher quality worker.

Unions don't work like that. Their job is to bring as much money into their coffers by constant demands for more money and keeping the employer from firing inferior workers. Less workers means less union dues. They don't fight for the employee. They fight for themselves.