The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[AEfx]

As we waited , the party apparently ended and we watched as boatload after boatload of people arrived, carrying their trick-or-treat bags and walking out to the parking lot. This was not just a few people, but (literally) tons of party guests who parked there to beat the parking fee.

I'm sure many if not most were "cheaters" - but a decent portion of them could have been those who had eaten at the Poly earlier in the night. If you eat at a restaurant you can leave your car there and go on to the show, which is why we have often scheduled Ohana for party nights (back when we used to go before the prices got so ridiculous).

 

[RSoxNo1]

hopefully a wakeup call for them to increase the security to those coming from Africa.

Just to be safe, people should wear HAZMAT suits on Kilimanjaro Safaris.

 

[lazyboy97o]

The good news is that after the mess up in Dallas any future Ebola cases that show up in the US will be transferred to the 4 or 5 hospitals that are actually equipped to treat it.

Transferring would not have changed anything. The man still would have been there being treated by under-protected personelle.

 

[GoofGoof]

I'm sure many if not most were "cheaters" - but a decent portion of them could have been those who had eaten at the Poly earlier in the night. If you eat at a restaurant you can leave your car there and go on to the show, which is why we have often scheduled Ohana for party nights (back when we used to go before the prices got so ridiculous).

Not sure if the Poly is the same or if it's always done this way but when we stayed at BLT and had a relative come to visit he got a 3 hour parking pass. It had the arrival time written on it. They told him at the gate that the policy is that anyone who is not staying at the hotel gets a 3 hour limited parking pass. I assume it's done to prevent people parking there to avoid paying. He left before the 3 hours were up, but I'm not sure if they really would have enforced it anyway. Probably more of a scare tactic.

 

[BrerJon]

When you factor in all that net "low cost" stuff, try and include what it costs to get there from say, the east coast of the U.S. Everyone seems to think that just about all others have the money available to do that.

Oh I understand and you are correct - my comment in this case was about the price of things like admission, buying a burger and fries, bakery items etc., which in TDR are cheaper than WDW despite most everything else in Tokyo being more expensive than regular USA prices - it's a comment about WDW's overcharging, not Tokyo being cheap.

On my general 'spreading the gospel of Japan' thing, I get that many WDW visitors, especially those staying in value or off property, or families with kids, could never afford it, but when I urge people to consider Japan, it's really the 1%er pixie dusters for whom the numbers are more equal I'm aiming at - mainly those who stay in Deluxe resorts - It's DVC math really, it makes sense for some, not for others.

For example, costing for a party of 2 adults who live in New York staying 7 nights at the Polynesian:

7 nights x $500 room rate at the Poly = $3500
2 x $300 flights JFK-MCO = $600
2 x 5 day MYW tickets at around $300 each= $600
Total base trip cost: $4700

Compared to 7 nights in the Sheraton Tokyo Bay, closer to the Tokyo parks than the Polynesian is to MK and of comparable quality:
7 x $250 room rate = $1750
2 x $1300 flights JFK-NRT = $2600
2 x $150 4-day TDR tickets = $300
Total base trip cost: $4650

Of course for the average Orlando guest paying less than $100 a night for a hotel, Tokyo is waaaaay more expensive to get to, but there must be some people who pay $500 a night for a hotel room, or the Deluxe resorts would always be empty, and those guys should at least consider Tokyo, as there's virtually no difference in cost for one or two people.

Also, when you consider some people take a 2 week vacation to Orlando every year, cutting that to one week in Japan one year is probably quite do-able for some, but clearly not for most.

 

[GoofGoof]

Transferring would not have changed anything. The man still would have been there being treated by under-protected personelle.

If another case pops up with a person showing up unexpectedly they are most likely going to transfer the person immediately as opposed to allowing them to stay at the hospital until they get better or die. There would still be the initial contact, but not the extended care. There will be a lot less people involved. Based on the fact that the disease is spread from bodily fluids, the more sick the patient the more contagious they are going to be.

 

[ford91exploder]

Hilarious - But you have been a VERY bad boy @John

 

[Lee]

Soon blue nitrile gloves will be a fashion statement.

Oh, no they won't...

Two by two, hands of blue...

 

[BrianLo]

Compared to 7 nights in the Sheraton Tokyo Bay, closer to the Tokyo parks than the Polynesian is and of comparable quality:
7 x $250 room rate = $1750
2 x $1300 flights JFK-NRT = $2600
2 x $150 4-day TDR tickets = $300
Total base trip cost: $4650

Lobbing my support here, but I'll do you one better...

July 1st-July 5th, 2013 (straddling Canada Day and Independence Day): Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay, 11050yen all in (~$100). 3 Beds, SPG stay and benefits eligible nights - no fancy rates required, booked it via the Sheraton/SPG website. To top it off the parks were very quiet.

It's an "on the monorail" resort by all definitions, the stop is directly across the road (~30 second walk).

I see PLENTY of dates available for ~$143 next year, I'm sure the Hilton and others also have decent rates but people can price shop themselves if seriously interested.


Now when does the math not work quite so well?

-During Japanese Holidays when the parks are slammed and hotel prices easily quadruple.
-Japan is also NOT a seven day resort. There is a reason the maximum days on a park ticket is four.
-Tokyo Bay is not an appropriate place to see Tokyo proper from... I know lots of people here have done it, but that's just my opinion. Just because you can and the transportation is awesome, doesn't actually mean you should. A second hotel in the city makes way more sense.
-Side Note: My recommendation for HKDL is completely opposite though, get a hotel in the city and don't stay at Disney, just take transit in the one/two days you'd visit.
-If you fall into the theme park fanboi crowd, throw in the cost of a Shinkansen to go down to Universal (and that's realistically a 2+ week vacation you'll be looking at to do both and not completely ignore Japan).
-Realize too that the far superior Universal product right now is Orlando.

It also doesn't work if you visit WDW on a budget, drive in, don't stay on property, etc.


I also would be remiss to oversell it too much. Overseas travel is just not some people's thing, and there is nothing terribly wrong with that. It's a personality/preference thing. I'd always recommend trialling Disneyland resort first, if you don't prefer Disneyland over WDW, Tokyo won't be your thing.

The foreign cuisine, cutesy throwaway merchandise and unknown language would send you running for the hills.

 

[Cesar R M]

You're hands are going to be baby soft by Christmas. I'm sure glad that panic isn't setting in. I'm getting amused by the headlines. One person shows up with the virus and all of a sudden Ebola has broken out in the region. Personally, I'd much rather die from living then live in fear. I'm not saying not to take certain precautions when something actually does exist, just stay somewhere on board with reality.

Its still infuriating that there are more baffling choices by the nurses and crew who worked with the infected patient.
There was news that one of them was in a CRUISE SHIP in route to BELIZE (was denied from getting down the ship in Mexico by the authorities)

 

[Cesar R M]

Oh I understand and you are correct - my comment in this case was about the price of things like admission, buying a burger and fries, bakery items etc., which in TDR are cheaper than WDW despite most everything else in Tokyo being more expensive than regular USA prices - it's a comment about WDW's overcharging, not Tokyo being cheap.

On my general 'spreading the gospel of Japan' thing, I get that many WDW visitors, especially those staying in value or off property, or families with kids, could never afford it, but when I urge people to consider Japan, it's really the 1%er pixie dusters for whom the numbers are more equal I'm aiming at - mainly those who stay in Deluxe resorts - It's DVC math really, it makes sense for some, not for others.

For example, costing for a party of 2 adults who live in New York staying 7 nights at the Polynesian:

7 nights x $500 room rate at the Poly = $3500
2 x $300 flights JFK-MCO = $600
2 x 5 day MYW tickets at around $300 each= $600
Total base trip cost: $4700

Compared to 7 nights in the Sheraton Tokyo Bay, closer to the Tokyo parks than the Polynesian is to MK and of comparable quality:
7 x $250 room rate = $1750
2 x $1300 flights JFK-NRT = $2600
2 x $150 4-day TDR tickets = $300
Total base trip cost: $4650

Of course for the average Orlando guest paying less than $100 a night for a hotel, Tokyo is waaaaay more expensive to get to, but there must be some people who pay $500 a night for a hotel room, or the Deluxe resorts would always be empty, and those guys should at least consider Tokyo, as there's virtually no difference in cost for one or two people.

Also, when you consider some people take a 2 week vacation to Orlando every year, cutting that to one week in Japan one year is probably quite do-able for some, but clearly not for most.

I think you're dodging other limitations.
What about language? do everyone speaks english in Tokyo and its parks?
I think the other thing to understand is culture, language and distance difference
In japan.. you're foreing, you do not get the same as in moving from one side to another from the US.

 

[Jane Doe]

This Ebola Hysteria is absurd, totally.

Not according to Fox News. I'm not booking any transatlantic flights until Sean Hannity gives me the all clear.

 

[Bolna]

Atlanta and Omaha are facilities designed to treat BSL4 pathogens they are 2 of the 4 in the US with a grand total of 23 beds Not surprised no secondary infection occurred these staff are trained to deal with these pathogens and they have the proper PPE.

Wow! Germany has 7 specialised clinics (and has treated three evacuated patients so far, one died on Tuesday, one is still being treated and one has been released as healed) with 47 beds. And I thought that was a small number. But Germany has about 1/4 of the population of the US.

Interestingly, while Ebola is a topic here in the media, it is by far not the most important one. Syria, ISIS, Ukraine and especially the influx of refugees to the EU, the outlook for the European economy (not good) are far more important topics it seems. However, one Ebola related topic has popped up in the media the last two days: they are reporting on the hysteria that is going on in the US media about Ebola.

 

[BrerJon]

I think you're dodging other limitations.
What about language? do everyone speaks english in Tokyo and its parks?
I think the other thing to understand is culture, language and distance difference
In japan.. you're foreing, you do not get the same as in moving from one side to another from the US.

Yeah you're right, they don't speak much English, so for the sort of person who is uncomfortable being in a country where their language isn't the main one spoken, international travel probably isn't for them.

Tokyo Disney is easy to get around though. Lots of signage is in English, translations are always available, many Cast Members speak a little, and hotel staff and tourist offices usually do, so language isn't that much of a problem. If you can survive the Japan pavilion at Epcot, you can survive Tokyo Disneyland.

A trip is only going to appeal to those who like travel and new experiences though, not gonna lie. The culture is very different, that's part of the fun of it. If this doesn't appeal, then Tokyo isn't for you.

 

[Kman101]

I don't need to be Lucasfilm's police, however there are consequences for these sorts of leaks. The individual(s) at Lucasfilm who gave these images to a small group of movie bloggers did so in confidence that they would not be posted and if so only with expressed permission. @Lee @marni1971 and spirit are given lots of art and plans that they will not be allowed to share with us in the same fashion. The one individual who leaked the images he got from his sources at Lucasfilm got him/them fired. This in turn makes it less likely other sources will be willing to giving information to the good folks out of fear of a repeat of the same sequence of events. This is behavior fan communities, like our own, should not encourage.

I agree to an extent, but you can't police it for them, and to be honest, if they don't want a leak, don't give them out. Period. To NO ONE. I don't care if it's your grandmother you think won't put them on the internet. I never understood if you don't want something out there .... don't put it out there and don't get upset if it is. Not really towards you per say just a general "internet policy" rant.

And in terms of Ebola, just listen to the news reporters. The key words. They want you to be afraid. Just because I'm not wringing my hands over Ebola doesn't mean I'm not concerned. It's a big concern but the news, as usual, plays up everything in regards to it. I almost laughed listening to GMA earlier this week as they were talking about Ebola. It was purely 'let's instill fear' and I don't get it. Why is there this need to cause a widespread panic? They are doing it with storms now. It's a bit much.

 

[BrerJon]

I agree to an extent, but you can't police it for them, and to be honest, if they don't want a leak, don't give them out. Period. To NO ONE. I don't care if it's your grandmother you think won't put them on the internet. I never understood if you don't want something out there .... don't put it out there and don't get upset if it is. Not really towards you per say just a general "internet policy" rant.

Stopping leaks is really hard. Movies like Star Wars have thousands of people working on them, spread across many countries, and they all need to see scripts, concept art etc... plus everything is digital now. You can't just say 'don't give it out', as many people need that stuff to do their jobs, for example the CGI artist making a spaceship needs to see the art the director approved. Think how many thousands of copies of a piece of artwork would be on laptops, USB sticks that get lost... if anything I'm amazed more stuff doesn't get leaked.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Stopping leaks is really hard. Movies like Star Wars have thousands of people working on them, spread across many countries, and they all need to see scripts, concept art etc... plus everything is digital now. You can't just say 'don't give it out', as many people need that stuff to do their jobs, for example the CGI artist making a spaceship needs to see the art the director approved. Think how many thousands of copies of a piece of artwork would be on laptops, USB sticks that get lost... if anything I'm amazed more stuff doesn't get leaked.

Yes but if you post those leaks here I'm going to tell you exactly what I think of them… And Steve will not be happy about that. So keep Steve happy and don't post leaks about the Star Wars film here…

 

[PhotoDave219]

Not according to Fox News. I'm not booking any transatlantic flights until Sean Hannity gives me the all clear.

I'm just picturing you at home with a giant shrine to Sean Hannity, candles and all. With the Sean Hannity rosary, and everything going to Sean Hannity worshiper has. Sean Hannity good at answering prayer? Does Sean Hannity give out specially imprinted Sean Hannity branded money to his listeners and follow hours so that they can go to the Sean Hannity store and purchase everything there is to know about Sean Hannity? I've always wanted to know, does Sean give special permission for marriage, divorce, and procreation much like the pope get in the early centuries? And exactly what what that entails, how does one get special Sean Hannity permission to procreate? Is there a ticket where Sean Hannity approved method? Also, what to Sean Hannity suggests to do when the rapture comes? What will the Sean Hannity followers do that? Does Sean Hannity have back up dancers?


.... And I'd like to thank you for helping me come up with 20 minutes of material on Sean Hannity.

 

[The Mom]

I'm just picturing you at home with a giant shrine to Sean Hannity, candles and all. With the Sean Hannity rosary, and everything going to Sean Hannity worshiper has. Sean Hannity good at answering prayer? Does Sean Hannity give out specially imprinted Sean Hannity branded money to his listeners and follow hours so that they can go to the Sean Hannity store and purchase everything there is to know about Sean Hannity? I've always wanted to know, does Sean give special permission for marriage, divorce, and procreation much like the pope get in the early centuries? And exactly what what that entails, how does one get special Sean Hannity permission to procreate? Is there a ticket where Sean Hannity approved method? Also, what to Sean Hannity suggests to do when the rapture comes? What will the Sean Hannity followers do that? Does Sean Hannity have back up dancers?


.... And I'd like to thank you for helping me come up with 20 minutes of material on Sean Hannity.

I suspect it's similar to the Oprah shrines.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I suspect it's similar to the Oprah shrines.

Did you get a shrine! And you get a shrine! And you get a shrine!

Before long we're all going to drink to a bunch of Shriners.