The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[Cesar R M]

Its my imagination or some of my posts been removed from here very silently?

 

[tirian]

I'm not sure that the success of the movies is related to the Disney brand. Look at John Carter and Lone Ranger. The little castle in the beginning didn't really help.

Both of those were underrated. They weren't golden examples of filmmaking, but they deserved better than to flop.

 

[tirian]

I imagine that happens on more than 75% of sales.

In many cases it's not marked. Years ago, I was angry to pull my Epcot Food & Wine glasses out the dishwasher just to see the logos were nearly gone. (One washing, Bosch dishwasher if it makes a difference.)

I never again bought special edition glassware at WDW, and I can't be the only person who's made this decision. If a $3.99 mug at Target can be dishwasher safe, why can't Disney do this?

 

[tirian]

My record low for the Pop was $38 a night, including tax. The place was fairly new, too.

It hasn't. I used to regularly stay at Pop for $49 a night. You can buy your own food for that price.

Oh, and when I did free dining (I did it three times before they screwed around and took away the appetizer and gratuity and then made the DDP at values all QSRs unless you paid extra), I think the most I paid for a value room was about $79.

It doesn't much matter to me as I eat at WDW locales sparingly now, unlike what I did 10-15 years ago. There are great options in the REAL WORLD, a few minutes away from WDW. Those are fine with me.

 

[Goofywilliam]

That's good to hear. Matt certainly knows what he is doing (just see DCL and DLR for past examples) and while Cedar is a different animal to some degree, quality will always result in $$$. Knott's has turned around night and day in the last three years and I think Disney fans are going to be surprised and happy by the direction of the next attraction coming to Buena Park.

I got to talk with Raffi Kaprelyan, the GM of Knott's last month, and to see his dedication and respect for the history of the place is very reassuring about the future. The man is passionate about the guest experience and the park's incredible history.

BTW, today was reopening of the classic Calico Mine Train ride and here is a review:

http://www.latimes.com/travel/theme...rry-farm-calico-mine-ride-20140611-story.html

Anyway, to be fair, Paramount never knew what it wanted to do when it owned the parks. And when Viacom swallowed Paramount, they had no desire to operate theme parks whatsoever (any news on that on again, off again licensed park for Spain? how about the one for the UK?) and I'm sure that showed. I do know that King's Dominion was my second favorite childhood theme park behind MK. I recall lots of trees, greenery, fountains etc there as well. I haven't been back since the 1980s, but hope to at some point.

It's funny how many Disney fanbois will look down their noses at parks like these. But sadly it isn't the 1980s and that arrogance is very misplaced. Disney could learn a thing or two from the smaller, regional operators.

Kings Dominion Still has all that beautiful greenery! Sure, some parts of the park are not as nice but here are a few pictures from a trip I took to the Dominion a few weeks ago around international street and the hub area

 

[dadddio]

How do you know the education level and experience of an anonymous internet poster? Persons from many and varied interests in The Walt Disney Company are drawn to these forums, and not all are just pixie-dusted fans of the mouse. While someone can play 'expert', others actually have applicable education or experience - and it is often obvious which members are just making stuff up as they go along and which speak with authority.

And then there are plenty of posters who are speaking more via ego than experience, although they to speak with 'authority'.

 

[wogwog]

Kings Dominion Still has all that beautiful greenery! Sure, some parts of the park are not as nice but here are a few pictures from a trip I took to the Dominion a few weeks ago around international street and the hub area
View attachment 56289 View attachment 56290 View attachment 56291 View attachment 56292

Love those benches. Wish MK had some.

 

[PhotoDave219]

My record low for the Pop was $38 a night, including tax. The place was fairly new, too.

I paid that in January 2004. Right before I moved here. 50% off CM discount.

 

[Mike S]

Kings Dominion Still has all that beautiful greenery! Sure, some parts of the park are not as nice but here are a few pictures from a trip I took to the Dominion a few weeks ago around international street and the hub area
View attachment 56289 View attachment 56290 View attachment 56291 View attachment 56292

Never been there but all those trees look great. Why did they get rid of that great shade, especially at theme parks in FLORIDA? I know about the hub and Main Street but were there other areas in WDW parks that were basically "deforested"? My memory isn't that great when it comes to trees.

 

[Stevek]

HINT: If you really need to buy WDW BRANDED merchandise, then I'd strongly suggest a drive two miles off property to the Lake Buena Vista Premium Outlets and WDW's Character Premiere outlet store (there are other nice stores, but we're talking Disney now). I NEVER buy a damn thing in the actual parks without a CM and their 35% (sometimes up to 50% at holidays) discount close by. Period. If I don't have a friend around, then it is outlet shopping all the way.

Totally get it. Were only in the parks for 2 days, really didn't have the time or much of an option to go out of the bubble. If we go back, will definitely look into this option.

 

[TP2000]

LAX apologist here, but it is truly improving and it isn't the nightmare that many east coasters (and SoCal snobs!) view it as.

When John Wayne offers me the same variety of flights and aircraft and opportunities to fly upfront at the same price points and also offers me the lower rates on rental cars that I get at LAX, then I'll use it more often. Or maybe just after I marry a Laguna Niguel Sugar Mama!!!

SoCal snob, guilty as charged, here! But it's okay because some of my best friends are LAX apologists, just like some of my friends were Logan apologists when I lived in Boston. Some of my best friends are ultra-liberal too, and I still have my Perot bumper stickers from '92! I can never catch a break it seems.

As for scoring a First Class ticket into John Wayne Airport, forget about the Laguna Niguel Sugar Mama's, you need to expand your Lagunas to get to the real money. You'll get places faster with a Laguna Beach Sugar Daddy, but if you can only stomach the Mamas then I understand. And I value your diversity.

Back on topic, you may not want to go into it here @WDW1974 , but I'm wondering what you might know about this growing runDisney business? We talk about DVC and Mommy Bloggers and the Social Media Team poseurs scamming their employer from their Celebration office as examples of 21st century bizarro-world shell games. But runDisney just gets bigger and bolder every year. They just announced the fourth major runDisney event of the year for Disneyland, this Star Wars Half-Marathon thing, and it sold out within minutes at the hugely inflated prices they charge. There seems to be an endless appetite for these running events, and at Disneyland they take over both parks and all three hotels for a long weekend. They charge a fortune for the privilege of attending, and it's this oddly huge and yet niche market Disney is milking for all its worth.

It's certainly more successful than D23, you gotta give 'em that.

runDisney... How did it start, who runs it, where does all the money go, and where does it all end?!?

 

[TP2000]

That's good to hear. Matt certainly knows what he is doing (just see DCL and DLR for past examples) and while Cedar is a different animal to some degree, quality will always result in $$$. Knott's has turned around night and day in the last three years and I think Disney fans are going to be surprised and happy by the direction of the next attraction coming to Buena Park.

I'm old enough to remember that almost all 20th century tourists used to have a distinct and almost mandatory touring itinerary; you spent one day at Disneyland, then you spent the next day at Knott's Berry Farm. Knott's was really Disneyland's second gate from 1955 through the 1980's. It started to slip by the early 1990's, especially when Disneyland went big with Eisner era experiences like Splash and Indy and Fantasmic!. It had almost fallen off the radar as DCA began to improve noticeably around 2008.

But I've heard good things about Knott's Berry Farm lately. And if Matt Ouimet is there, it's obvious why. The thing I don't think a lot of SoCal Disney fans realize is that Knott's Berry Farm 15 minutes away in Buena Park has the potential to be just as much as a competitor for DLR as Universal Studios Hollywood does once they open their version of Potterland in 2016. I don't know that the TDA suits realize that either.

Maybe I'm just giving Knott's too much credit. It might be because I still buy their excellent (but pricy) boysenberry preserves for my toast.

 

[TP2000]

HA! It's funny you mention that. I've never understood why theme parks don't put vendors in queue lines.

We waited for about 30 minutes in the hot florida heat last week for Kilaminjaro Safaris. We would have killed for someplace to buy soft drinks or waters.

That's mainly a WDW thing.

I've noticed they have vendors working longer lines at Disneyland. Pirates or Splash Mountain on a busy day will have Coke vendors come through. I've bought ice cream bars while waiting in the Submarine Voyage extended queue in Tomorrowland. And in Cars Land they have vendors inside the queues on busy days.

Here's some kids in 1950's service station outfits selling drinks and popcorn in the interior queue for Luigi's Flying Tires in Cars Land.

Here's a young lady selling chocolate covered bananas in the long Standby queue for Radiator Springs Racers.

 

[Hyperspace Hoopla]

but someone getting hurt during filming is hardly spoilers :|

True....except my local news station talked about how he got hurt. That would be considered a spoiler by many. I won't mention it here, although I'm through ADwD, so I fear no reprisal.

After seeing Peter Mayhew at SWW, Star Wars fans should be less concerned with spoilers and more concerned with how a 70 year old man who just had double knee replacement surgery and can barely walk 5 feet with a cane is going to reprise his role as Chewbacca. I also thought it was funny that he had to do his autograph session indoors because of the sun/heat, but was supposedly off to film SW7, shooting in the middle of a desert.

EDIT: That came off sort of harsh. I love Peter Mayhew, and wish him the best. I'm glad he's back, and wouldn't want to see anyone else play Chewie. I just hope they can use some movie magic to make Chewie more mobile....

 

[WildcatDen]

What can I say? When you've been threatened by some of the folks that I have over the years, a little note from some anonymous loser doesn't exactly send shivers down my spine.

Oh, I know what you mean. Just saying, if it comes to throws, this Wildcat has your back. (from a digital media perspective, anyway). Just like Mrs. Brady said "Never throw balls in the house", I think it may be a wise prose to say "Never threaten a Spirit when that Spirit is wearing bigger shoes. . ."

Oh and that "Heat in 6" is not looking too good right now. . .

 

[WildcatDen]

I love roller coasters, but the Banshee made me sick as a dog. I had to rest for over an hour. I loved the Beast and how it's going strong after 35 years and it's still the longest wooden roller coaster. The Racer was great too, but needs some new paint, but they were racing the cars, which they can't always do.

I didn't like how generic pop music played throughout the park. Would have really liked to have area specific music, but I found the park to be very well maintained.

Thanks for the review. My kids love Banshee. I have not ridden yet but will be sure to bring the motion sickness pills. . . I agree that upkeep has improved. As a current pass holder and a frequent visitor for going on 30 years, I have seen the good with the bad. Right now, I would say it is good. Still a GREAT way to spend an evening after a crappy day at work! It helps that I know a few of the kids in entertainment and am friends with the PR guy.

 

[PhotoDave219]

True....except my local news station talked about how he got hurt. That would be considered a spoiler by many. I won't mention it here, although I'm through ADwD, so I fear no reprisal.

After seeing Peter Mayhew at SWW, Star Wars fans should be less concerned with spoilers and more concerned with how a 70 year old man who just had double knee replacement surgery and can barely walk 5 feet with a cane is going to reprise his role as Chewbacca. I also thought it was funny that he had to do his autograph session indoors because of the sun/heat, but was supposedly off to film SW7, shooting in the middle of a desert.

EDIT: That came off sort of harsh. I love Peter Mayhew, and wish him the best. I'm glad he's back, and wouldn't want to see anyone else play Chewie. I just hope they can use some movie magic to make Chewie more mobile....

Clearly you didnt see him walk at SWW.

 

[Goofywilliam]

The park looks kinda.. deserted

but someone getting hurt during filming is hardly spoilers :|

I took the pictures on a Friday morning so the park was not crowded at all.

 

[DisneyGentleman]

The park looks kinda.. deserted

The park hasn't been the same since the Brady Bunch left...

 

[truecoat]

Dave, your middle name isn't Francis by chance?