The Miscellaneous Thought Thread

TP2000

Well-Known Member
You make some great points. Labor Day should stay where it is and we add a new Federal Holiday a week later! Lol. It can’t truly be a day of remembrance if you’re stuck working in your cubicle all day. I’d rather remember over a couple cold ones with family/ friends and some BBQ.

I've always thought there needs to be a new Federal Holiday in April. Easter moves around wildly by up to four weeks, so there should be a static holiday in April to establish a more predictable "spring break" pattern with a 3 day weekend. Disneyland planners would get a more consistent way to schedule for big crowds and capacity that way.

Going to Google, there's a couple good options in April that would honor high points in American history.

The Revolutionary War started on April 19th, 1775. Call it "Revolution Day"?

The US Congress passed the 13th Amendment abolishing human slavery on April 8th, 1864. Call it "Abolition Day"?

Or, General Lee surrendered to General Grant on April 9th, 1865. Call it "Union Day"?

NASA announced its first Astronauts on April 9th, 1959. Call it "Space Day"?
 

TP2000

Well-Known Member
I've got it. Combine Abolition Day and Union Day into one thing, since they are so closely related and just one year apart in history. Make the first Thursday and Friday into a 4 day holiday weekend, like Thanksgiving.

Call each day out separately to denote their historical importance as Abolition Day on Thursday followed by Union Day on Friday, but call the whole first weekend in April, Victory Weekend.

Disneyland tickets would go to their highest flex pricing option for Victory Weekend, obviously. So TDA would be happy.

I'm going to email my Congressman and pitch this great idea.
 

mickEblu

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I've always thought there needs to be a new Federal Holiday in April. Easter moves around wildly by up to four weeks, so there should be a static holiday in April to establish a more predictable "spring break" pattern with a 3 day weekend. Disneyland planners would get a more consistent way to schedule for big crowds and capacity that way.

Going to Google, there's a couple good options in April that would honor high points in American history.

The Revolutionary War started on April 19th, 1775. Call it "Revolution Day"?

The US Congress passed the 13th Amendment abolishing human slavery on April 8th, 1864. Call it "Abolition Day"?

Or, General Lee surrendered to General Grant on April 9th, 1865. Call it "Union Day"?

NASA announced its first Astronauts on April 9th, 1959. Call it "Space Day"?

An April holiday sounds fantastic. Here in LA the LAUSD system has been giving the kids Armenian Genocide day off in April. But that’s a very local thing. I wonder if the kids at public school in Orange County are getting that day off?
 

TP2000

Well-Known Member
An April holiday sounds fantastic. Here in LA the LAUSD system has been giving the kids Armenian Genocide day off in April. But that’s a very local thing.

Something tells me with the way the Armenian parents have been going off-script at their local school board meetings lately in the Valley, that holiday will soon be removed from the calendar by their betters. ;)

I wonder if the kids at public school in Orange County are getting that day off?

I've never heard of that. I just checked Villa Park High School's (Go Spartans!) calendar, and they don't celebrate that. And neither does La Jolla High School (Go Vikings!), so it's not a San Diego Unified holiday either.

It would also be meaningless in about 99.5% of the rest of the USA too. Better to go with Victory Weekend instead.
 

Colonel Angus

Active Member
I wish hotels in/around DLR were cheaper because driving home after a long day at the parks (65 or so miles) is not fun. Plus... Trader Sam's after a long day at the parks is often needed!

And let me pose this... I'm a life-long DLR guest, since 1982. I still love it but ever since I've been to WDW I sometimes feel like DLR just isn't as good. I mean, I love it! I've often held AP's/Magic Keys though, not currently. I went to WDW last year for the first time in over a decade and it brought me back to that feeling I love about those parks where there is no city right there and you really can't see it from the tops of the tall rides.

Does anyone else feel this way? I also kind of feel like CM's at WDW were in better spirits though, I can't blame the folks out here because they deserve a much higher wage. My last few visits went from "let me see what we can do to accommodate you" to "hard no" (mostly related to wanting to dine solo often requesting a seat at a bar to do so. I've been visiting solo in recent times but when I had a park buddy it felt even more magical here at DLR so I wonder if that is part of the equation? My visit to WDW solo was as exciting and fun and adventurous as when I had a travel partner.

Ok yeah, random thoughts here. Thanks if you took the time to read.
 

Californian Elitist

Well-Known Member
I wish hotels in/around DLR were cheaper because driving home after a long day at the parks (65 or so miles) is not fun. Plus... Trader Sam's after a long day at the parks is often needed!

And let me pose this... I'm a life-long DLR guest, since 1982. I still love it but ever since I've been to WDW I sometimes feel like DLR just isn't as good. I mean, I love it! I've often held AP's/Magic Keys though, not currently. I went to WDW last year for the first time in over a decade and it brought me back to that feeling I love about those parks where there is no city right there and you really can't see it from the tops of the tall rides.

Does anyone else feel this way? I also kind of feel like CM's at WDW were in better spirits though, I can't blame the folks out here because they deserve a much higher wage. My last few visits went from "let me see what we can do to accommodate you" to "hard no" (mostly related to wanting to dine solo often requesting a seat at a bar to do so. I've been visiting solo in recent times but when I had a park buddy it felt even more magical here at DLR so I wonder if that is part of the equation? My visit to WDW solo was as exciting and fun and adventurous as when I had a travel partner.

Ok yeah, random thoughts here. Thanks if you took the time to read.
I had the opposite view when I went to WDW last year. The seclusion was a bit of an inconvenience when trying to find food after leaving. The seclusion felt weird to me, but I’m a city girl, through and through, so that’s likely why I feel the way I do. I actually like seeing the businesses outside of Disneyland, as I know I have access to various things, including food, stores, and other amenities within a close distance. I also didn’t like how far away everything was at WDW.

I noticed no stark differences between the CMs at each resort. They were very hospitable at WDW.
 

Parteecia

Well-Known Member
I've always thought there needs to be a new Federal Holiday in April. Easter moves around wildly by up to four weeks, so there should be a static holiday in April to establish a more predictable "spring break" pattern with a 3 day weekend. Disneyland planners would get a more consistent way to schedule for big crowds and capacity that way.

Going to Google, there's a couple good options in April that would honor high points in American history.

The Revolutionary War started on April 19th, 1775. Call it "Revolution Day"?

The US Congress passed the 13th Amendment abolishing human slavery on April 8th, 1864. Call it "Abolition Day"?

Or, General Lee surrendered to General Grant on April 9th, 1865. Call it "Union Day"?

NASA announced its first Astronauts on April 9th, 1959. Call it "Space Day"?
Some states celebrate Patriot's Day in April (the Boston Marathon is run on it). Combine it with Tax Day. That should absolutely be a day off.
 

TP2000

Well-Known Member
My last few visits went from "let me see what we can do to accommodate you" to "hard no" (mostly related to wanting to dine solo often requesting a seat at a bar to do so. I've been visiting solo in recent times but when I had a park buddy it felt even more magical here at DLR so I wonder if that is part of the equation? My visit to WDW solo was as exciting and fun and adventurous as when I had a travel partner.

Uh.... what?!? You were denied seating at Disneyland Resort restaurants because you were a single person, even when you said you would happily sit at the bar and take your meal there instead of at a table?

That seems wildly inappropriate for a restaurant to do that. Much less a Disneyland Resort restaurant.

I travel internationally with friends, I vacation regularly with family, but sometimes I like to travel solo.

Last year I went to an Aman hotel (a self-contained resort environment) on my own for several days and they still treated me like I was King Charles Without Camila. I've gone on Viking Cruises by myself, and was treated wonderfully and would be left alone if I wanted or paired with other fun folks if I wanted. Is it even legal to turn away a single person from a restaurant based on the fact they are single?

Legality aside, that is just awful hospitality and horrible customer service. Can you share more details about that? Which restaurant and under what circumstances were you turned away for not having a date or spouse?
 

lentesta

Premium Member
Since I posted about "Disney Heroes", this bring me to Disney's latest attempt at recapturing the "Disney Princess" type brand with "Disney Animals". It was first revealed on July 8th, 2018 in France at an event called Rendez-vous Des Partenaires 2018 ("RDVDisney2018") where concept art for "Star Wars Resistance" was shown off.
View attachment 742441

It focused on Disney characters from Disney Animated Films that focused heavily on animals (Dumbo, Lady and The Tramp, Bambi, The Aristocats, The Jungle Book, and 101 Dalmatians) and aimed at the unisex demographic (both genders). It was planned to launch sometime in 2019 but never happened for unknown reasons. Since 2018, Disney has been very radio silent on the "Disney Animals" brand and has either been placed on the back burner or quietly cancelled.

I recently sent a PM to @lentesta noticing about Disney's idea on the "Disney Animals" brand and "Disney Heroes". Because I would seriously love to hear Jim Hill's thoughts and discussions on this in a future episode of "The Disney Dish", "Fine Tooning", or "I Want That" podcast.

This is amazing. Thank you!
 

Colonel Angus

Active Member
Uh.... what?!? You were denied seating at Disneyland Resort restaurants because you were a single person, even when you said you would happily sit at the bar and take your meal there instead of at a table?

That seems wildly inappropriate for a restaurant to do that. Much less a Disneyland Resort restaurant.

I travel internationally with friends, I vacation regularly with family, but sometimes I like to travel solo.

Last year I went to an Aman hotel (a self-contained resort environment) on my own for several days and they still treated me like I was King Charles Without Camila. I've gone on Viking Cruises by myself, and was treated wonderfully and would be left alone if I wanted or paired with other fun folks if I wanted. Is it even legal to turn away a single person from a restaurant based on the fact they are single?

Legality aside, that is just awful hospitality and horrible customer service. Can you share more details about that? Which restaurant and under what circumstances were you turned away for not having a date or spouse?
Yes, multiple times actually. I'm not bothered by the lack of being sat so much as I was told "no" straight away versus my past experiences at Disney where there was a bit of "let me see what we can do."

"No we are booked full tonight." (restaurant closes in 2 hours) I know the TS restaurants there can get busy but not allowing a walk up waiting list or one person to sit at the bar was a different experience for me. Another thing they love to do when you've booked a reservation and check in for a party of 1 is they try to convince you to sit at the bar. No, this time I want table service hence my reservation.... looking at you, CA Grill.

Disney does what Disney wants. They have some popular restaurants that book up fast I guess and if the CM's don't want to accommodate a solo diner, they won't nowadays.
 

Too Many Hats

Well-Known Member
I wish hotels in/around DLR were cheaper because driving home after a long day at the parks (65 or so miles) is not fun. Plus... Trader Sam's after a long day at the parks is often needed!

100% agree. It’s so nice to stay late at the parks and crash at a hotel on Harbor (especially if you’ve had your share of Zombies and Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum), but the rates are often bonkers.

I bet there are reasonably affordable (non-Harbor) lodging options accessible via a short Uber ride, but I haven’t done the research to identify them.
 

brb1006

Well-Known Member
This is amazing. Thank you!
You're welcome, tried emailing Jim Hill Media on bandcamp to make sure you or Jim discover this. Because that announcement was quickly unnoticed by hardcore Disney fans. Good thing I was searching Twitter (refuse to call it "X") at the time before the original Tweet was removed a few months later.
 

Consumer

Well-Known Member
Not sure if anybody here actually cares, but any guesses as to what the soundtrack for the revamped CBJ will end up including (and which bears will sing said songs)?

"Hakuna Matata" - The Five Bear Rugs
"Pecos Bill" - Wendell and Henry
"You'll be in My Heart" - Trixie
"Oo-De-Lally" - Romeo McGrowl
"Zero to Hero" - Sunbonnet Trio
"Remember Me" - Terence the Shaker
"You've Got a Friend in Me" - Ernest the Dude (alternatively, "Woody's Round Up")
"I See the Light" - Henry and Teddi Bara (alternatively, "A Whole New World")
"Rumbly in my Tumbly" - Big Al
"Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" - Finale (alternatively, "What Makes the Red Man Red?") (alternatively, "Bare Necessities")
 

Centauri Space Station

Well-Known Member
We flirted with the idea of having our Honeymoon at WDW 10 years ago. Ultimately we went to Kauai but to think how many classic or quintessential WDW attractions I missed out on because of that choice.

Great Movie Ride
Maelstrom
Splash Mountain
Dinosaur
Country Bear Jamboree

I’m sure I’m missing a few too
Snow White
Ellen’s Energy Adventure
Primeval Whirl
 

Rich T

Well-Known Member
…And let me pose this... I'm a life-long DLR guest, since 1982. I still love it but ever since I've been to WDW I sometimes feel like DLR just isn't as good. I mean, I love it! I've held AP's/Magic Keys though, not currently. I went to WDW last year for the first time in over a decade and it brought me back to that feeling I love about those parks where there is no city right there and you really can't see it from the tops of the tall rides.

Does anyone else feel this way? I also kind of feel like CM's at WDW were in better spirits though, I can't blame the folks out here because they deserve a much higher wage. My last few visits went from "let me see what we can do to accommodate you" to "hard no" (mostly related to wanting to dine solo often requesting a seat at a bar to do so. I've been visiting solo in recent times but when I had a park buddy it felt even more magical here at DLR so I wonder if that is part of the equation? My visit to WDW solo was as exciting and fun and adventurous as when I had a travel partner.

Ok yeah, random thoughts here. Thanks if you took the time to read.
As a 60+ DLR regular who’s a recent Florida transplant who spent the last year using the cheap local WDW annual pass… here’s my perspective:

The charm of WDW, for me, wore off very quickly due to a lot of factors, most of it to do with price, maintenance and management, but some of it is simply the resort’s design.

As a first-time or once-every-few-years tourist, the trek from MK’s parking lot to the TTC and then the ferry or monorail ride to MK (and the reverse slog at day’s end) is kinda neat. It achieves the designed effect of isolation from reality.

For me, it got old quickly, and now I look at MK as simply being a complete pain to get in and out of.

The parking lot-to-gate experience for the other three parks is about the same as you’d get from any Six Flags, Sea World or Cedar Fair park.

Park hopping is a time-consuming pain at WDW, and, for me, all 4 parks are too light on number of attractions.

And If not paying the prices to stay on-site, getting around WDW is, IMO, not a very magical experience. It feels to me like driving along the roads and intersections of an enormous business park. And people drive no more courteously or sanely on those roads than anywhere else in the U.S.

I much prefer the tighter, denser, easier-to-get-around, more-fun-per-square-foot feeling of DLR and Universal Orlando Resort. DLR (IMO) has better parks than WDW, and UOR has its own extremely fun, fresher-feeling vibe.

Right now, I think UOR offers the best and easiest “escape from the real world” bubble. If you stay at a water taxi hotel (and Sapphire Falls is very affordable), getting around is a joy and the outside world is nicely camouflaged. Staying at the super-fun-and-inexpensive Cabana Bay lacks the water taxi but does have amazingly quick resort bus service. And even arriving at the parks by car is a more fun entry experience than I get at WDW.

WDW has the potential to be much better than it currently is. It’s got some great attractions and deserves its fame, but, for me, quoting Bilbo Baggins, it currently feels like butter that’s been scraped over too much bread. Universal’s a work in progress, but I love where they are and where they’re going.

And DLR, despite being stranded in Anaheim, still offers the best in-park and park-hopping day experience. If it had an on-site hotel selection as easy, wide and budget-accommodating as UOR currently has, it would be nearly perfect.
 

Too Many Hats

Well-Known Member
Great Movie Ride
Maelstrom
Splash Mountain
Dinosaur
Country Bear Jamboree

This is a bummer.

If you’ve never been to WDW — the resort has seen better days, but I’d still advise any big Disney parks fan to check it out before they bulldoze/overlay:

Carousel of Progress
People Mover
Frontierland
Hall of Presidents
Spaceship Earth
The American Adventure
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Muppet Vision (maybe you saw it at DCA)

Not sure when CBJ and Dinosaur close, but you can possibly still catch them.
 

Consumer

Well-Known Member
I love how tiny the alleged Mexican aliens. They're really not sending their best.
1694641655861.png
 

PiratesMansion

Well-Known Member
@mickEblu to be honest, Maelstrom wasn't a great attraction. It was novel because it was kinda weird, but don't feel like you missed out on anything brilliant there. It fit better than Frozen in Norway because it was actually about Norway and not a fictional Scandianavian kingdom that you can maybe pretend is Norway if you squint, but Pirates of the Norwaybean it was not.

I'm also very much in the minority on this, but I also never much cared for Great Movie Ride. The way you feel about the rooms in Runaway Railway is pretty much exactly how I felt about the rooms in GMR, and though the attraction had actual animatronics, many of them were a little...off-model for my taste (and the very first AA setpiece stopped working early on in the attraction's history and was never fixed lol). It's a cool sounding idea that never quite coalesced into a meaningful whole for me.

To be fair, the press releases surrounding Dinoland in Animal Kingdom weren't particularly definitive, so Dinosaur may not necessarily be a goner yet. Even if it does go, it's a 'bad in a fun way' sort of ride that you'd probably be happy you did, but then never need to ride it again.

Splash Mountain and Country Bears are a bummer, but (small comfort, I know) they're still in Tokyo, at least for the time being. @Ne'er-Do-Well Cad has good recommendations about things to make sure you hit if/when you do go (along with Impressions de France at Epcot and the super old school, multiple-island expansion pack version of TSI, complete with tourable fort).
 
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