The Spirited Back Nine ...

[Goofyernmost]

Even if guests are hell-bent on breaking every effect in an interactive queue, Disney should have a maintenance CM permanently on duty for the sole purpose of queue repairs, going through the line several times a day to keep note and, where possible, make on the fly fixes, then in third shift everything should be restored for the next day. The cost of a couple of Cast Members extra and repair supplies is far less than they'll lose due to damaged reputation for shoddy upkeep.

Whether it's fixing things like the projections in the Dwarf barrels failing, or sound speakers being muffled, which aren't caused by guests, or repairing instances where guests have broken things off walls, there needs to be someone who is accountable and their number one job description is for everything to be working, or if not there better be a **** good excuse.

That's the thing though, with the exception of those of us that spend way to much time on Disney Boards, the general public does not see the shoddy upkeep that we do. They, for the most part, do not know what is supposed to be working and what is just a dead prop.

I know, I know... Disney, Standards, etc., that is all still true, but, the reality is that not doing that stuff isn't hurting them much. Even those of us that are aware of them continue to spend our hard earned money there. It will take a long time and a lot more lack of upkeep before the outside public starts to be aware that something isn't right. So, as long as they continue to do only what is necessary to maintain the illusion (the place is known for it's magic, after all) it will continue to be less then what we expect from Disney. For the others that do not know what to expect, the dazzle of 90% of the park more then disguises the problems with 10% of it.

 

[Mike S]

That's the thing though, with the exception of those of us that spend way to much time on Disney Boards, the general public does not see the shoddy upkeep that we do. They, for the most part, do not know what is supposed to be working and what is just a dead prop.

I know, I know... Disney, Standards, etc., that is all still true, but, the reality is that not doing that stuff isn't hurting them much. Even those of us that are aware of them continue to spend our hard earned money there. It will take a long time and a lot more lack of upkeep before the outside public starts to be aware that something isn't right. So, as long as they continue to do only what is necessary to maintain the illusion (the place is known for it's magic, after all) it will continue to be less then what we expect from Disney. For the others that do not know what to expect, the dazzle of 90% of the park more then disguises the problems with 10% of it.

I see people not knowing what's supposed to work as a reason to work even harder at keeping everything working. Make the best first impression possible, especially since it's probably a once in a lifetime trip for some people.

 

[Hakunamatata]

Gino's Cheesesteak

Steves Prince of Steaks is much better.

 

[John]

That's the thing though, with the exception of those of us that spend way to much time on Disney Boards, the general public does not see the shoddy upkeep that we do. They, for the most part, do not know what is supposed to be working and what is just a dead prop.

I know, I know... Disney, Standards, etc., that is all still true, but, the reality is that not doing that stuff isn't hurting them much. Even those of us that are aware of them continue to spend our hard earned money there. It will take a long time and a lot more lack of upkeep before the outside public starts to be aware that something isn't right. So, as long as they continue to do only what is necessary to maintain the illusion (the place is known for it's magic, after all) it will continue to be less then what we expect from Disney. For the others that do not know what to expect, the dazzle of 90% of the park more then disguises the problems with 10% of it.

HA! I AGREE with you! and this illustrates why its a management problem and not a "guest" problem. There was a time when these things were unacceptable to management. Guest experience didn't even come into play in the equation. Management held themselves to a much higher standard. If things got to a point where a guest complained it went way further then they cared it to be. This whole maintenance/cleanliness thing is a management issue. Not a money issue....not a guest issue.

Its a pre-calculated choice. 10%? I will hold exception to that, as far as maintenance is concerned you may be correct but overall cuts in maintenance/cleanliness and experience? Its all part of the same......SHOW! Which WAS number two on Disney's mission statement, safety is first. I would now contend profit may be tied for first.
I wouldn't confuse profits with attendance. Its been well documented that at least in the very near past history that profits are tied to price increases and guest spending ( is the increase in guest spending due to more people buying or just paying more for what they buy? ). Also I woulnd discount those of us die hard WDW fans. Like most of us here we are the "go to" people in our circle of family and friends and who they go to for advice and information on WDW. I can not in all good conscience have any good things to say about the place. Word will get around. It will take time but IMO it will result in lower attendance.

Maybe the new additions will drive attendance higher in the years ahead but in the short term I think they will have issues. Until they figure out how to add more perks for the resorts I think those to will see even more occupancy issues then the parks will have with attendance. Forget about what ever numbers you hear about occupancy at the resorts.....they are all bogus! Disney plays more with numbers then a United States senators accountant.

 

[asianway]

Steves Prince of Steaks is much better.
View attachment 73024

@PhotoDave219 can you give a ranking?
Steve's
Jim's
Pats
Genos

TIA

 

[Goofyernmost]

I see people not knowing what's supposed to work as a reason to work even harder at keeping everything working. Make the best first impression possible, especially since it's probably a once in a lifetime trip for some people.

Like I said, do enough to keep the illusion and it will be a good first impression. That is the new Disney Standard. You don't hear them talking about setting the bar high anymore do you?

 

[John]

Like I said, do enough to keep the illusion and it will be a good first impression. That is the new Disney Standard. You don't hear them talking about setting the bar high anymore do you?

This might be a new trend......I just "liked" one of your post.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Also I woulnd discount those of us die hard WDW fans. Like most of us here we are the "go to" people in our circle of family and friends and who they go to for advice and information on WDW. I can not in all good conscience have any good things to say about the place. Word will get around. It will take time but IMO it will result in lower attendance.

Maybe the new additions will drive attendance higher in the years ahead but in the short term I think they will have issues. Until they figure out how to add more perks for the resorts I think those to will see even more occupancy issues then the parks will have with attendance. Forget about what ever numbers you hear about occupancy at the resorts.....they are all bogus! Disney plays more with numbers then a United States senators accountant.

That's too bad, because in spite of the flaws, which are many... it still is a great place to visit and lose oneself in the atmosphere. I would never tell a first timer about the "problems" that we see, because part of our problem is that we have stopped letting ourselves get to "our Disney Side", (sorry) and out of boredom, to some degree, we starting noticing the problems. It stopped being worth it to us, but, to others, that have never seen it, it is still a "magical" place. I think it is debatable whether or not it is as good as it used to be. I have been going since 1983 and frankly, I saw problems in the late 80's when everything was supposed to be "up to Disney standards".

It has a lot to do with our perceptions, our priorities and our mood. I would never discourage someone from going because of things that I see, that they may not put any importance too. Let them do like you and I have done, let them discover their own opinions and level of enjoyment. I wouldn't begin to attempt to taint the viewpoint of other in cases like this. Besides, you are putting way to much emphasis on the perceived power of this board that has a lot of members, but, very few that are paying attention to the small band of renegades that threads like this attract. Believe me no matter how much we complain, we will not cut into their profit margins. As for the resort Hotels, there declining attendance is due more to exceeding the reasonable limit for room rates. Those rates are so high that even if Disney were to start living up to their old standards, could not be supported or justified. That is pure greed and nothing more and will eventually bite them in the butt, if it hasn't started to already.

 

[Mike S]

Like I said, do enough to keep the illusion and it will be a good first impression. That is the new Disney Standard. You don't hear them talking about setting the bar high anymore do you?

No, you really don't and it sucks. Also I said the "best" first impression, not just "good," but this is the age where WDW strives for "eh, it's good enough." I really hope they can wow me again one day. It could happen with Star Wars Land or even Pandora if the land ends up looking like the concept art and the rides are well done.

 

[TeriofTerror]

I love football. I mean, I really, really love football. I keep trying to tear myself away from the t.v. to go see Big Hero 6, but there's all of this lovely, wonderful football. Oh sure, Baltimore had to be the fly in my ointment today, but I'm used to hating them. Even they can't rain on my parade today!

 

[OSUgirl77]

I love football. I mean, I really, really love football. I keep trying to tear myself away from the t.v. to go see Big Hero 6, but there's all of this lovely, wonderful football. Oh sure, Baltimore had to be the fly in my ointment today, but I'm used to hating them. Even they can't rain on my parade today!

The Steelers lost to the Jets! It's a great day!

 

[John]

I love football. I mean, I really, really love football. I keep trying to tear myself away from the t.v. to go see Big Hero 6, but there's all of this lovely, wonderful football. Oh sure, Baltimore had to be the fly in my ointment today, but I'm used to hating them. Even they can't rain on my parade today!

HAHAHAHA!!!!!! Go Ravens!

 

[GoofGoof]

Steves Prince of Steaks is much better.
View attachment 73024

Now we're talkin. Steve's was in my hood growing up (NE Philly) so definitely my go to place.

@PhotoDave219 can you give a ranking?
Steve's
Jim's
Pats
Genos

TIA

I think you nailed the order. Jim's > Pat's > Geno's

 

[OSUgirl77]

HAHAHAHA!!!!!! Go Ravens!

I think you mean "Go Browns," who are now in sole possession of first place in the AFC North!

 

[John]

That's too bad, because in spite of the flaws, which are many... it still is a great place to visit and lose oneself in the atmosphere. I would never tell a first timer about the "problems" that we see, because part of our problem is that we have stopped letting ourselves get to "our Disney Side", (sorry) and out of boredom, to some degree, we starting noticing the problems. It stopped being worth it to us, but, to others, that have never seen it, it is still a "magical" place. I think it is debatable whether or not it is as good as it used to be. I have been going since 1983 and frankly, I saw problems in the late 80's when everything was supposed to be "up to Disney standards".

It has a lot to do with our perceptions, our priorities and our mood. I would never discourage someone from going because of things that I see, that they may not put any importance too. Let them do like you and I have done, let them discover their own opinions and level of enjoyment. I wouldn't begin to attempt to taint the viewpoint of other in cases like this. Besides, you are putting way to much emphasis on the perceived power of this board that has a lot of members, but, very few that are paying attention to the small band of renegades that threads like this attract. Believe me no matter how much we complain, we will not cut into their profit margins. As for the resort Hotels, there declining attendance is due more to exceeding the reasonable limit for room rates. Those rates are so high that even if Disney were to start living up to their old standards, could not be supported or justified. That is pure greed and nothing more and will eventually bite them in the butt, if it hasn't started to already.

If someone is going to ask me my opinion I am going to give them an honest one....The cost and what that value is can be better spent elsewhere. I would tell someone to not limit their trip to just WDW, but to explore other attractions in Orlando. Sure go ahead and give them a couple days but don't spend thousands and not visit other worthy places.

Were there problems in the 80's? I am sure there was. But not even on the same planet as today. That was when the words "Disney difference" meant something. Can you honestly say they still have that difference?


We are in agreement as far as the resorts go.....again, ugggggggg...lol

 

[John]

I think you mean "Go Browns," who are now in sole possession of first place in the AFC North!

Enjoy it while your there......You could play the Bengals ten times and Cinncy would win eight. Two weeks ago the Ravens were in first place....two weeks later they were in last. In the NFL it happens. I give up picking winners and losers. The NY Jets beat the Steelers today.....I rest my case.

 

[OSUgirl77]

Enjoy it while your there......You could play the Bengals ten times and Cinncy would win eight. Two weeks ago the Ravens were in first place....two weeks later they were in last. In the NFL it happens. I give up picking winners and losers. The NY Jets beat the Steelers today.....I rest my case.

This season is crazier than normal. A lot of teams are very Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. You never know if the good or evil team is going to show up. And I never get my hopes up too much with the Browns. I take them one week at a time.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

On the other hand, PLANES 2 is a complete and utter disaster. I want my $20 and the hour that it took to watch it back. Horrible. How can a movie about planes fighting fires be SO boring and predictable? It's an embarrassment. Hard to believe the same company that put out Big Hero 6 could put out such garbage. It actually makes Cars 2 seem like a decent movie.

That turd was from DisneyToon Studios, which is on its last legs and has maybe a movie or two left before they permanently close. As the Hat Building gets the equivalent of the DCA redo, large chunks of Walt Disney Animation are moving into DisneyToons' building next to WDI in Glendale.

 

[AdventureHasAName]

Even if guests are hell-bent on breaking every effect in an interactive queue, Disney should have a maintenance CM permanently on duty for the sole purpose of queue repairs, going through the line several times a day to keep note and, where possible, make on the fly fixes, then in third shift everything should be restored for the next day. The cost of a couple of Cast Members extra and repair supplies is far less than they'll lose due to damaged reputation for shoddy upkeep.

Whether it's fixing things like the projections in the Dwarf barrels failing, or sound speakers being muffled, which aren't caused by guests, or repairing instances where guests have broken things off walls, there needs to be someone who is accountable and their number one job description is for everything to be working, or if not there better be a **** good excuse.

It's Disney's fault for building the interactive queues in the first place. Here's a good rule of thumb - if something moves and a guest can touch it, they will break it. This should have been evident to anyone paying attention (in other words, nobody in Disney management) within hours of the Winnie the Pooh queue opening. If you are going to build interesting queues, they need to be visually and audio-logically interesting, not interactive.

/Yes, I know ... nobody in parks management (or WDI) agrees with me or values my opinion.

 

[FigmentJedi]

That turd was from DisneyToon Studios, which is on its last legs and has maybe a movie or two left before they permanently close. As the Hat Building gets the equivalent of the DCA redo, large chunks of Walt Disney Animation are moving into DisneyToons' building next to WDI in Glendale.

That's a shame. The Disney Fairies stuff has all been pretty solid and I feel like the basic idea Lasseter had in retooling the division to focus on spinoffs instead of full-out hackneyed sequels to things was a decent one. It's just that it ended up becoming solely focused on two franchises. Would love more spinoff shorts to different films and I've always felt House of Mouse would have been even better if it was a full anthology deal rather then just a sweet-Muppet Show-esque wrapper for the Mouseworks shorts. Shorts and television are just a good way of showing characters again without coming off as too much of a money grab compared to doing something like Toy Story 4.