The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[NormC]

I'm lauding the merits of PROFESSIONAL podcasts.

The whole attraction of podcasts was that they were done by your average Joe with a shared interest in a topic, hobby or whatever. Once they became another outlet for "Professionals" they lost their charm.

 

[flynnibus]

My husband and I have been to Club 33 just once, and that was years ago. We were invited by friends who have a membership there. It had to be before 2003, as they were trying to get us to join DVC, which they would get a finders fee if we joined and mentioned them as suggesting we look into DVC. Anyway, we were totally impressed with the exclusivity of it all, the service, the history, but not the food. I served better entrees etc when I waited tables in non chain restaurants back east. I cook, and serve better food in my own home to dinner guests.
As explained to us, our hosts paid through the nose for the member fee, pay an annual fee, and also were expected to dine a minimum number of times to keep their membership current. They would be billed for dinners they never had if they entered the park with their free admission too many times also.
For years there was a waitlist for membership, and last I recall, that list was closed as the list was almost a decade long wait. 1901 was supposed to take the pressure off of that list if it was successful. Not sure I have this all correct, but is what I remember.
I assumed the new makeover was to enlarge the dining space, but not destroy it. I care, not because I could ever afford a membership, I care because of what management is doing in general. I'd love to hear what long time Club 33 members think. We haven't been in contact with our DVC/Club 33 pals since we bumped into them on the Wonder during the California Coast cruise a few years ago.(Using DVC points we don't spend at WDW anymore).
So just how are lifestylers going to get into Club 33, what has changed besides the decor? Has the waitlist been scuttled? What's the new membership requirements, if they have changed, price drop, whatever. It's not making sense to me. Thanks in advance for your insight.

They had an initiation fee.. and annual dues. They didn't have to dine regularly, but if I recall correctly (you can lookup Opus1guy's posts on Micechat for one of the best references on Club33) you could get people into the park for "free" for the cost of their meal. Basically, their guests would get free park access along with their dinner. They would be charged for the price of the meal if the person didn't show.

They did a few things to monkey with the wait list over the last years. They first did a 'we are purging the list unless you still say you are interested'. Then they did the gold/platinum split and stopped selling the original types of memberships.. and messed with the perks. The theory was with those sets of changes, they really purged the waiting list and opened up for more member capacity.

Basically they rocked the boat, cut off the original membership model, made up a new one with new prices.. and actively purged old waiting queues. It's been awhile since the topic came up, but I'm fairly certain if you want in now.. you can get in immediately. They were soliciting people for memberships... that's something they've never had to do prior.

 

[flynnibus]

The whole attraction of podcasts was that they were done by your average Joe with a shared interest in a topic, hobby or whatever. Once they became another outlet for "Professionals" they lost their charm.

Maybe for some.. but that's not the origin of them nor where the original successes were from. It's origins were in freedom to publish - not 'average joe gaining a voice'. Many of the earliest successes were all professionals who branched out on their own vs being constrained by their previous employers and their business models. People working with amateur resources - but not amatuers.

 

[Tigger1988]

The whole attraction of podcasts was that they were done by your average Joe with a shared interest in a topic, hobby or whatever. Once they became another outlet for "Professionals" they lost their charm.

Actually the attraction was you could have endless show options in your pocket.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

DCA's situation is different from the parks at WDW, mainly because of the customers and the resort as a whole...

I completely agree with you about DCA, but your overall point is basically what I'm trying to say. The WDW parks don't need to improve that badly, because there are tons of visitors who'll continue boosting attendance and sales figures. Because of those international guests and 'once in a lifetime' visitors, TDO doesn't need to cater to the locals in order to maintain strong attendance (and many of those first-time visitors become hooked on the overall experience, even as we critique it). That's why I believe TDO has a few more years to mess things up even further; they're still getting away with it. DCA was never given that luxury, and it still took a few years (and a leadership change) before any serious plans were approved.

By the way, I visited the California parks last year and absolutely loved them. DL is incredibly charming and offers so many more attractions than MK, from unique rides (Indy, Alice in Wonderland, etc.) to superior versions of classics (Space, Big Thunder, Pirates, etc). DCA has seriously come together since I visited in early 2008 - it offers plenty of top attractions (RSR, GRR, Soarin', California Screamin', etc.), a great nighttime show, and theming that's among Disney's best work (Cars Land). DCA could still use some help in Hollywood Land, Paradise Pier, and other isolated spots, but it's definitely a stronger park right now than Epcot, DHS, or AK. It's a sad fact that DCA's attendance isn't higher than those parks, but that's part of the problem as I see it - the WDW parks can afford to coast on minimal effort. Eventually (hopefully?) that'll change, but we aren't there yet.

 

[WildcatDen]

ridetastic

Is that a Pumbas original? That is almost a cool as Jortariffic, 74's style of choice

 

[NormC]

Actually the attraction was you could have endless show options in your pocket.

True, that was one of the attractions. Another was that anyone could make one.

 

[flynnibus]

But how many fans of those Transformers would really describe themselves as "fans" of the version the ride is based on?

While I am no fan of the bay-bots.. there is no denying the bay movies reinvigorated the franchise and many in the TF communities are fans of the movie based characters. It's not all or nothing.. and the # of younger fans who didn't grow up with G1 probably far outnumber the G1-only fans. People who liked G2, beastwars, baybots, etc..

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

We did a Feb 2014 trip, which was originally booked to coincide with when we thought the Mine Train would finally open. That is the last money Disney is getting from us in Orlando for the foreseeable future. Too expensive, the buses are exhausting, and not enough updates or upkeep. Even in February, it was 3 days Disney, 2 Universal. But those 3 Disney days were our first trip to WDW since 2011, and in the same time frame, we've made 12 separate trips to Universal, staying on site each time.

Going back to UNI again for 6 days/5 nights in August.

I'm glad to hear you've made the swap to Uni - perhaps many people are switching from WDW to UOR, but first-time visitors and internationals keep buffering WDW's attendance. That's what I'm afraid of - if WDW's attendance and per capita spending remain strong, TDO doesn't have a clear incentive to change course (since it seems like they're being rewarded for short-term rather than long-term achievements).

Believe it or not, I'm also among the people who've switched from WDW to Uni this year (while also experiencing my first international park, DLP). Uni has a lot that I like, including the coasters (as reminiscent of Six Flags as they are), Spider-Man (particularly impressive when you consider its age), and Potter. I'm looking forward to a few nights at PBH at the end of this month - it'll be our first on-site stay (Portofino offered the lowest passholder rate of the deluxe resorts so we grabbed it) and, of course, I can't wait to explore Diagon Alley.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

-Team members getting their hours cut show that Universal overestimated crowds Potter 2.0 would bring in. It is the law of diminishing returns in full effect.

-A new land opened on Universal's top rented IP, attendance and profits is expected to go up a bit.

-Hogwarts is a mock train where you watch a movie, it should run flawlessly. Universal is set up so you can walk in a complete circle and finish the park. Putting transportation to the other park dead set in the middle of Universal Studios makes traveling to the other park very inconvenient for guests. That is probably a very large reason for the Hogwarts Express lack of crowds. Also park hopping at Universal is really not needed, especially if you only have a 1 or 2 day pass. Certain members were declaring the train would make all guests park hop, and Universal would no longer sell one day one park tickets, and that is clearly not the case.

-Gringotts may be more reliable, but it is still a mess. Lighter crowds than 2 weeks ago may be helping with wait time.

-I'm actually excited for Kong, but Kong is no Potter when it comes to drawing crowds.

I really love your posts. The inventiveness that is required to find a new way to express your bile for Uni several times a day must be exhausting mentally, especially when everyone and the evidence shows your posts for exactly what they are. You stick to your guns, a bit of fantasy in your life when you have nothing else is harmless, so dont let it get you down.

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

It looked even better when that greenery separating the parks had neat additions.. like the toporaries along the monorail route. Too bad they've abandoned that too.. The beaches were a lot more fun when they had a purpose. Now Disney is using them as construction footing :/

I feel the same way about the beaches, but there are still plenty scattered throughout property (such as at Beach Club, CBR, between Poly and the Wedding Pavilion, Wilderness Lodge for now, etc). Admittedly, I don't remember seeing the topiaries along the monorail route, but I'm not surprised to hear of another magical touch that's been lost over the years.

Well I certainly find those 'intangibles' that build up the overall experience trampled upon when make main street into normal mall.. or shops in the lands.

Merchandise has never been a defining factor of the parks for me because I don't buy it. But if we're talking about homogenized merchandise, then it's only fair to bring Universal into this:

Minions. Minions everywhere. Minions in the Studios, minions in IoA, minions in CityWalk. Everywhere. And if you forgot to buy your Harry Potter wand in either HP location, there's a prominent kiosk in CityWalk where you can hand over your $40.

I can't blame either company for stocking merchandise they believe will sell, but at least at Disney, I've noticed many iterations of the same themes: 2014, princesses, Frozen, Star Wars, villains, Fab 5, Stitch, the occasional resort or park-exclusive merchandise, etc. At Uni, you will see minions at kiosks scattered throughout the parks. Frankly, I found them more invasive than any Disney merchandise I've seen.

 

[marni1971]

-Team members getting their hours cut show that Universal overestimated crowds Potter 2.0 would bring in. It is the law of diminishing returns in full effect.

-A new land opened on Universal's top rented IP, attendance and profits is expected to go up a bit.

-Hogwarts is a mock train where you watch a movie, it should run flawlessly. Universal is set up so you can walk in a complete circle and finish the park. Putting transportation to the other park dead set in the middle of Universal Studios makes traveling to the other park very inconvenient for guests. That is probably a very large reason for the Hogwarts Express lack of crowds. Also park hopping at Universal is really not needed, especially if you only have a 1 or 2 day pass. Certain members were declaring the train would make all guests park hop, and Universal would no longer sell one day one park tickets, and that is clearly not the case.

-Gringotts may be more reliable, but it is still a mess. Lighter crowds than 2 weeks ago may be helping with wait time.

-I'm actually excited for Kong, but Kong is no Potter when it comes to drawing crowds.

Aside from your opinion, is any of this based on proven fact? Please do post some quotes.

Can't do that? No? Okay then. Please stop posting misinformed opinion as fact. There again, you did post Harry Potter wasn't in Gringotts a few months ago.

I'm so glad I don't use ignore. I'd miss all the fun. Its a shame so many others do.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

Don't have one, but cute attempt at an insult. Failed though, as I'm lauding the merits of PROFESSIONAL podcasts.

Better luck next time.

Oh if I wanted to insult you I wouldn't fail and it wouldnt be cute, especially given the subject matter. So what you are now saying is that only professional podcasts are worth listening to? In what way do you mean professional? Folk that earn a living from them or companies who use it as part of their marketing?

 

[FigmentJedi]

While I am no fan of the bay-bots.. there is no denying the bay movies reinvigorated the franchise and many in the TF communities are fans of the movie based characters. It's not all or nothing.. and the # of younger fans who didn't grow up with G1 probably far outnumber the G1-only fans. People who liked G2, beastwars, baybots, etc..

I'm a big fan of Animated and the recent Prime myself.

 

[wdisney9000]

-Team members getting their hours cut show that Universal overestimated crowds Potter 2.0 would bring in. It is the law of diminishing returns in full effect.

Or...Universal played it safe to make sure they have enough TM's on hand to handle crowds and now that DA has been operational for a few weeks they have a better grasp on how many TM's they need to properly staff it. By not having a $2 billion dollar anchor dragging on their bottom line, Uni can spend the extra money to over staff and adjust the numbers later. Kind of a no-brainer.

-Hogwarts is a mock train where you watch a movie, it should run flawlessly.

If Hogwarts is a "mock train", what would you call the mono rail? One has entertainment and effects while you enjoy your ride, the other does not. One has mold, interior damage and odors of who knows what, the other does not. (yes, one is decades older, but its operated by a company well within their financial means to upgrade to something amazing, but...they went with rubber wristbands that seemed to have haulted anything amazing being done for the foreseeable future)

 

[khale1970]

I hate the movies too. I have only seen the first one. But the ride is freaking amazing and the sense of movement and 3d is greater than Spiderman. But I still like Spiderman better.

I liked Spiderman better than Transformers as well. When I got off after riding it the first time, I said it was the best ride I've ever experienced and no ride at UNI (including FJ) changed that opinion. I rode Transformers later that same day, and while it was good, I didn't like it near as much as Spiderman. Maybe just because it is so derivative of Spiderman that it didn't "wow" me as much. I might have felt differently if I had ridden it before Spiderman.

 

[khale1970]

If Hogwarts is a "mock train", what would you call the mono rail?

Not defending the rest of his post, but Hogwarts is in fact a mock train. It's not an insult to call it such and it looks like UNI did a pretty good job with making them seem like real trains. The monorails are just monorails that don't pretend to be anything else.

 

[flynnibus]

Merchandise has never been a defining factor of the parks for me because I don't buy it. But if we're talking about homogenized merchandise, then it's only fair to bring Universal into this:

I can tell you as a kid... getting that pirate rifle and double barrel pistol was a defining memory of my WDW visits. That, and in later years when I got the full sized Figment plush? That thing was a most prized possession. There are probably lots of other bits over the years, but those are stand outs in my young life... and a large part of that was the concept of the shopping experience, where you could get them, how they tied into what you just rode, etc.

I can never understand why people are so quick to discount things as insignificant simply because it happened before their time and they never got to experience it.

 

[Cesar R M]

This is the same guy who has repeatedly lied about the content of reviews regarding Diagon Alley.

And who hasn't EVEN touched WDW or UNI if I remember correctly?

 

[wdisney9000]

Not defending the rest of his post, but Hogwarts is in fact a mock train. It's not an insult to call it such and it looks like UNI did a pretty good job with making them seem like real trains. The monorails are just monorails that don't pretend to be anything else.

I agree it's a mock train, but calling it a "mock train that you watch a movie on" is certainly downplaying it to the extreme. You could downplay anything at WDW or Uni to make it seem less than it is. And in all fairness, the monorail does pretend to be more than it is. At a time, it was a futuristic mode of transportation, now it just pretends to be.

And please don't get me wrong, I love the monorail and all the funky odors that come with it, but I can't sit idly by while he downplays Hogwarts in a desperate attempt to throw a swing at Uni. There are many other areas of improvement Uni should work on, feel free to swing away at those, don't take a cheap shot.