The Spirited Sixth Sense ...

[the.dreamfinder]

Watching the oscars I have a feeling we have seen the last of Maelstrom.

Or Mickey's Birthdayland/Toontown/Storybook Circus will be put out of its misery... Nah.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Watching the oscars I have a feeling we have seen the last of Maelstrom.

Just how wrong would it be for a film about being yourself to intrude upon a place intended for others to share themselves?

 

[choco choco]

Or simply a change in focus. Dusty/Fishbulb and friends have been running tons of events, have their minions writing content on the weekly updates of various parks, etc. They put out tons of content weekly. They even had Michael C stop by one of their recent events... these guys have always been on a trajectory to improve their 'access' to the friendly side of the company and they put on tons of fan centric stuff. Al was the opposite of that.. never dealing with events, just doing his gossip line. There is the problem of 'time to do it all' and combine that with it's tough to get warm and nuggly with the PR side of the company and get access to individuals/events while playing rumor-mill and critic. They're doing a lot.. just not in the classic 'miceage' sense. I think a large part of that is where they put their energy.

The most interesting thing they put out was the Accountaneer column, which lasted all of two pieces before they kow-towed to The Company. It definitely has been very disappointing what is happening over there.

 

[Funmeister]

The most interesting thing they put out was the Accountaneer column, which lasted all of two pieces before they kow-towed to The Company. It definitely has been very disappointing what is happening over there.

Some of it is fun bubble gum pop reading. Some of the stuff today was mildly entertaining.

 

[stevehousse]

Sorry to go off topic a bit, but I'm Glad Frozen won the oscar, but even more excited Lupita Nyango won an Oscar as well for 12 years a slave! I love her! Sorry, back on topic...

The concierge used to be good at Disney at the deluxe resorts, but like other things, it had drastically gone down in customer satisfaction and I don't think Disney knows what concierge level means anymore. They jut see it as a cheap way to overcharge for a room...

Spirit, your thoughts on the oscars tonight? And had there been any new news on anything DHS related???

 

[flynnibus]

The most interesting thing they put out was the Accountaneer column, which lasted all of two pieces before they kow-towed to The Company. It definitely has been very disappointing what is happening over there.

Or their guy with limited material ran dry? I don't know what it was.. but the pieces didn't sound like a guy with a lot of direct engagement, but more of an informed bystander.

 

[Scuttle]

Or Mickey's Birthdayland/Toontown/Storybook Circus will be put out of its misery... Nah.

I wish! But for some reason TDO treats Dumbo like it's the best movie ever made. I'm still upset that they were so intent on keeping Dumbo that they themed a land around it. Imagine a frozen land taking over. Could be pretty awesome and would actually fit the bill of fantasyland. SC has no place in Fantasyland IMO.

And just rip down the SC entrance sign it's freakin hideous!

 

[Mickey_777]

Bob certainly lives up to his Teflon reputation.

I gotta admit I yelled "Iger you suck!" at the TV on more than one occasion tonight. Felt good actually. I'm not proud of it though...

 

[PeterAlt]

Wow. It's earned back about 1/2 of its production costs. It's dropped to sixth place this week according to estimates. I think the Robocop remake is officially a bomb.

When I'm wrong, I'm wrong. I was wrong.

 

[Longhairbear]

Spirited Oscar Sunday Musings:

Nope, not dead yet. But after being sick for almost three weeks, I am over the novelty and I am tired of all the coughing, gagging, blowing and rubbing (also: The Jeopardy answer to the question 'What would you never hear at an Imagineering/Fanboi Mixer?')

Talked to a friend today about the truly scary tracking aspects of the NGE program and we went back to the start of tracking and how it has never been a good thing and how it can be summed up in one word: Cookies. Amazing how something so evil as a tracking tool on your computer is named after something we all love, something so harmless (except to our waistlines). So Orwellian.

Real world update. Yes, Russia is on a land grab in Ukraine. The question is, though, how can anyone take US disapproval seriously when we invade countries and start wars regularly now without any provocation?

No, I am not a big fan of the Oscars as anyone who knows me will tell you. Part of that is that I am a TV Spirit and I know what it is like to put that tuxedo on and walk the red carpet (or multiples) at Emmy time. Part of it may be that I have yet to score an Oscar invite, although plenty of family and friends have. Part of it may be the over pretentiousness of the Oscars. Most of the films annually are not the most popular. Where's Iron Man 3 in the Best Pic category, am I right Marvel fanbois?
Funny you should mention Cookies, at the dinner last night with friends, they were discussing the eventual non use of Cookies, the reason? Security. They were saying that soon Cookies will not be used at all.

I did spend Friday night watching nominee Nebraska and it is a fine piece of film making. What's so wonderful beyond the amazing work of Bruce Dern, Will Forte and June Squibb is that the film is really just a simple one about simple people living simple lives. If for only that reason, I hope it gets some love tonight.

Oh, did you all blink and miss that Disney is shutting down a handful of marinas (DD, SS, OKW, CBR, PO off the top of my head). You think this is designed to improve the guest experience or the bottom line? It is a pretty significant thing to cut ... but Disney has been doing this BS since the late 90s with no signs of stopping.

I think I know what Bob Iger fears most in his last months as Disney's top manager.

It's true: two Twitter accounts are not enough for a friend of mine. He needs three. Initials are EE.

The Neighbors is still one of the dumbest, funniest half hours on TV, whether you tune in or not.

A good friend of mine is spending time now in Dubai. No, I don't get it either (beyond her pay day!)

I see we still have a thread going about CMs seeking a pay increase. You have to love the simple-minded 'tudes about ...

BOB AND WILLOW OSCAR SIGHTING!

... about poor people without the advantages that many here have discussing what these people have to do for themselves when there isn't one of them that didn't receive help from family, parents, friends, teachers etc to get where they are today. Nobody does it alone. Nobody.

Those bois at Micechat sure have been quiet this year.

For those of you who I owe emails/PMs ... well, yeah, I can use sickness as an excuse and will do so.

I am convinced that the worst climate on Earth is off in the hills where @Lee resides.

A friend of the family is taking the grandson to WDW for the kid's fourth B-day and staying in a Cars suite at AoA. I really tried to pretend I was happy for them.

Pool season in Vegas starts this week. Why am I not there?

 

[Cesar R M]

in other news.. "Don Trovolto" makes a fool of himself by saying the name of Idina all wrong.




Hilarity issues when Twitter reacts..

also poor DiCaprio, he will become the most nominated actor ever without a single win.

Spoiler: might contain sensitive stuff

No oscar for you Leo!

 

[alissafalco]

Watching the oscars I have a feeling we have seen the last of Maelstrom.

Bite your tongue!

 

[ford91exploder]

Many younger WDW fans don't realize that at one time, every special effect worked on every attraction, it was easy to walk into a restaurant, meals included custom napkins and after-dinner chocolates, and the landscaping was impeccable. In other words, it operated as a world-class entertainment resort, not a hyper-planned way to live a Disney life.

To the lifestylers: as much as you love it now, it used to be so much better.

And THIS is why I complain constantly and is the basis for my 'Negative' attitude, Because at one time WDW WAS world class and while expensive it was no where near as expensive in constant dollars as it is today.

 

[lebeau]

in other news.. "Don Trovolto" makes a fool of himself by saying the name of Idina all wrong.




Hilarity issues when Twitter reacts..

also poor DiCaprio, he will become the most nominated actor ever without a single win.

Spoiler: might contain sensitive stuff

No oscar for you Leo!

In fairness, I think the John Travoltabot 2000 was malfunctioning last night.

My favorite moment of the show which I'm guessing most people missed was when Ellen was going around asking for donations to pay for the pizza. She goes back to Lupita Nyong'o to ask for more money since she won Best Supporting Actress. Travolta reaches in his wallet and throws a $20 at her presumably to save her the embarassment of coming up short. When Ellen leaves, Nyong'o takes the $20 and slides it into her palm so it can't be seen and then drops it back in robot Travolta's lap without a word.

 

[ford91exploder]

So true. Edward Snowden did an interview with German TV last month. Every major USA news org (from any/all sides of the spectrum) decided to ignore it. Or they were told to. It is sickening ... our country has been stolen while everyone was in line at Best Buy to buy their newest Apple surveillance iPhone.

I saw it, It was on the BBC and RT (Russia Today) - Fox at least ran a couple excerpts but the so called 'mainstream media' as @WDW1974 notes completely ignored it.

 

[ford91exploder]

That's because other hotel operators take the role of a concierge seriously. Disney looks at the concierge level as a chance to take more money from rubes who think the few things they get for 'free' are worth paying an extra $100-300 a night. The CMs are interchangeable ... they don't seem to get any special training. Many are way too young to have those jobs (and wouldn't at any big city Hilton).

Agree 100% most of the really good concierge's I've met have more than a little grey hair and can get you anything that's legal. (tickets to sold out shows etc) for a generous tip.

 

[RivieraJenn]

Education somewhere along the line became a bad word, and along with it, the opportunity for places like Epcot to really become more special than even it started out as. Instead Disney in its infinite wisdom decided it was too difficult and went along with those who refused to LEARN something while on vacation, because that would be horrible.

It's easy to feel all doom-and-gloom about the state of society (and people were feeling that way even back in the "good ol' days." Which ones? Take your pick!), but I really don't think it's true that the majority of people shun educational opportunities that are also fun and entertaining. I live in Alabama, which enjoys a terrible reputation when it comes to education. Yet unapologetically educational venues like the McWane Science Center in Birmingham and the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville remain packed. (Woe unto those who head to the McWane Center on a rainy Saturday.) Zoos and aquariums are educational at their heart, and those don't suffer. It's all in the presentation...and (though it sometimes seems to be a bad word around here) the marketing.

 

[wogwog]

That's because other hotel operators take the role of a concierge seriously. Disney looks at the concierge level as a chance to take more money from rubes who think the few things they get for 'free' are worth paying an extra $100-300 a night. The CMs are interchangeable ... they don't seem to get any special training. Many are way too young to have those jobs (and wouldn't at any big city Hilton).

I had a conversation with a Grand Floridian concierge while a relative was staying there recently. I live local so I have never roomed at any of the WDW faux resorts. He was a very nice young man with visible passion for the Mouse. His previous position was a MK steam train conductor. Certainly a good apprenticeship for a concierge.

 

[ford91exploder]

I found more at DLP to buy in January ... that speaks volumes.

However, DAK and World Showcase still have some nice stuff at fair prices. The thing is, most of it is not Disney merchandise. And some people only want Disney stuff. I'd buy quality Disney stuff, but I can go home with handcrafted items from Africa with no Mickey connection too. ... So, I do use that as a caveat that not all WDW stuff is crap. Just most.

I'd have to agree during summer trip in 2012 bought a very nice tea set with iron kettle from Mitsukoshi and there are wonderful African artifacts at AK and AKL. Disney specific merchandise these days is a wasteland as personal preferences were cels and artwork and pins (unique and creative ones which are in short supply today).

 

[ford91exploder]

Love this post. And sickened and saddened by it at the same time because I know how true it is.

It starts at the school system where knowledge is considered 'dangerous', Kids are not allowed to conduct science experiments - 'they might learn to build bombs' oonoes, The US public school system is about indoctrination NOT EDUCATION. With attitudes like this is it any wonder that we have so many 'flat earthers' who jump on every scare scam the media brings forward.

My colleagues from India and China have almost universally put their kids in private schools so they get an EDUCATION.