Two coasts: One very different world

[Jimmy Thick]

Wouldn't it be something with the smashing success of Carsland Disney devotes the same passion and financials to Avatarland for Disney World?


Jimmy Thick- Todder pee area what?

 

[RSoxNo1]

Wouldn't it be something with the smashing success of Carsland Disney devotes the same passion and financials to Avatarland for Disney World?

Yes, it would be something. I would hope that they would be smart enough to recognize that Avatar is more of an adult franchise though and replace the two children's rides with a family friendly dark ride.

 

[culturenthrills]

I am trying to make it happen!

It's nice to read from someone with a similar point of view, especially it being from you, as a respected poster on here with access to inside information whos posts I've been following even as a lurker.

I didn't realise that there was a Six Flags in California - see, this is the problem, in the UK we're not really told these things - there's no "California" brochures - I guess it will get a small section in the "USA" brochures? I'll have to check next time we go out! Are there any water parks?

We already don't feel the same about WDW in general - we absolutely love it there and have an amazing time every time we go, and we can't wait to go back, but we realise that it's not as good as when we first went, which was only in 2002 (which other people would say that it had already dropped by then - another example not mentioned in here so far, I don't think, in 2002, we checked into All-Star Movies (value) - at check-in, we were given vouchers for freebies, we ended up with 4 pins, a "100 years of magic" photo frame, a clock, and two Rainforest Cafe T-Shirts, in 2005 at Caribbean Beach (moderate), that went down to two lanyards, two pins, and then in 2007, nothing and 2011, free dining plan).

As for MK, I've been trying to get the point across that there's more attractions in DL/DCA than in MK/E/DHS/DAK put together!

Don't forget SeaWorld in San Diego and Legoland in Carlsbad

 

[Tom]

The One Disney stuff needs to manifest itself in more useful ways. I'll give credit where credit is due here, but WDW1974 and I were discussing this the other night. There's no reason why their website shouldn't be able to recognize someone as a multiple time visitor or a visitor to multiple resorts. Our names should be in their system when we purchase an annual pass, and that should also acknowledge that we've been to different Disney resorts stateside and/or overseas.
What's even worse is that the Premier Pass is set up with two different identifiers (barcode and magnetic strip) because the two coasts haven't homogenized that aspect of their internal systems. There is nothing stopping someone from purchasing a Premier Pass in Disneyland, and then giving it to someone else going to Disney World. The metrics to identify individuals are different at each resort.

It simply amazes me how disconnected their entire IT infrastructure is. I'm not sure any two systems actually communicate with each other yet....even after all the "system upgrades".

If you book your own trip by phone, you will have one profile in their database. If you book online, you'll have another. And if you book through a travel agent, you really won't have one at all.

If they're going to make NextGen work, and transfer the interactivity from "home to the parks," they're going to have to uniquely identify each guest...at least for WDW. I don't think I'll live to see the day that they'd be able to have ONE infrastructure for the US destinations.

I'll admit I don't know how maintenance fees work. I've never had to deal with them.

Maintenance Fees are based on a pre-determined and annually updated budget. The "fees" cover property tax, other taxes, insurance, staff, common area upkeep, and general maintenance. Basically everything you'd spend if you owned a house or condo (except for the staff part, unless you have a maid).

 

[asianway]

You and I both know you won't see a cut in your maintenance fee. Disney will keep that fee the same, buy the cheaper dinnerware, and laugh to the bank with the profit. That's what One Disney is. It is a way to maximize profit. No wonder Jay is CFO after he set up this system.

Most likely they are overspending in other areas and need to cut somewhere to hold the line on maintenance fee increases. They wouldnt pocket the money...but the reality of timeshare is that if maintenance fees go too high, people wont buy. It is in DVDs best interest for maintenance fees to be lower so they can convince more people to buy points even if it takes away from the owners' experience. I havent been following the DVC boards lately, any other noteworthy cuts going on? Ever since the Aulani scandal, Im scared what else they may be pulling off...

 

[WDW1974]

What I noticed when we go to WDW were the hours the parks close. We usually go during Oct., and were somewhat astounded that the parks close early, mostly around 7 PM with EPCOT closing at 9, if I remember correctly. At DL we are going back to our room, or driving home after the parks close at 11 PM, sometimes later depending on the time of year. I have no idea how late WDW parks stay open the rest of the year.

Disney generally tries to push the guests into one park at night ... off-site guests it is usually EPCOT in off season or MK in busier periods, on-site it's whatever park has EMH that night.

But WDW hours are not the most guest friendly sometimes and tend to favor morning people than night owls.

 

[WDW1974]

This is fascinating to hear. We'll be visiting DLR for the first time next year, and it's good to know we'll be busy.

Even when WDW parks are open late, we too finish them early. The only reason we'd be there at night is if we go back for dinner, fireworks, or to enjoy them in the dark (especially MK and EC.

I think people like you are unnatural, Tom!

I can't imagine ever wanting to be in the parks during the heat of the day when things are most crowded and uncomfortable. Disney after dark is truly MAGICal. It just would be nice to go back to the 80s and 90s when parks other than MK stayed open late (no 9 or 10 p.m. isn't late for many people).

 

[WDW1974]

I saw somewhere that the Disneyland shows are abbreviated the first 3 nights and the full show is shown only once on Independence day itself.

Yep. That's what I have heard. They cut a few minutes from it the first three nights and showed the entire version only on the 4th.

 

[WDW1974]

One Disney is promoted as a way to improve quality and value within Disney's domestic resorts. The system saves Disney quite a bit of money by combining multiple departments between both resorts. That combined with cuts in both resorts (Yes, DL has had cuts too, it's the little things...) but especially WDW has led One Disney to maximize profit for WDPR.

You say that like it's a good thing ...

 

[WDW1974]

You don't need 5 days at Disneyland Resort. I literally got back from 5 days this morning. And while I definitely could have spent another day or two at the resort, it certainly wasn't needed. Two or three days is all that is really needed tp experience everything, especially if someone hasn't been to Californoia before and wants to see what else the State has to offer. It's different if someone wants toi spend the bulk of their trip at DLR...but I stand by my statement that 2 days is all that is really needed.

Well, it all depends. If someone has never been to California, then they need to priortize. Just staying in the OC/LA/SD areas you could easily only get a taste of things with 2-3 weeks. That is leaving out SF and Napa and Monterrey and the amazing national parks.

I will say if you are a Disney fan that has never been to DLR before then I believe you need a good four days to truly see it all at a relaxed pace. Two days just won't cut it.

I've heard glowing things about the Howard Johnson, but I myself have stayed at the Quality Inn Anaheim Resort (basically, I booked it after my initial hotel was deemed futher away). I keep returning to that one because I know it's clean (no bugs and the rooms are on par with the WDW Value Resorts as far as cleanlisness, though much smaller). The feel of the "magic" at DLR is mostly in the parks. I personally don't see the overpriced DLR hotels to be worth my money. There are so many hotels/motels in the area and within walking distance, staying on-site isn't as worthwhile as it is at WDW.

I have stayed at HoJo's ... it actually was where I stayed way back on my first visit in 1990. But I would strongly advise folks visiting DLR to use Priceline.com's bidding service. You can get some amazing deals on great hotels that are in the area (and offer transport usually through the city's ART shuttle service). I have spent many nights at all the DL resorts (mostly the GF, which is the nicest place to stay in Anaheim bar none), but when you can get a high quality name-brand chain place for $40-60 a night, it's dumb to stay anywhere else.

Back in the early days of Priceline (when folks were bashing it left and right in the media) I once spent almost two weeks at the Anaheim Marriott for $15 a night (and, yes, you read that right!)

It's a lot of travelling in a short time if someone is planning to squeeze in San Francisco in 2 days. I'd cut short the DLR trip.

I would never go to SF for two days either. I think it's better to see one place or multiples but really see them than it is to visit and snap a few pics and rush off.

 

[Longhairbear]

.

But WDW hours are not the most guest friendly sometimes and tend to favor morning people than night owls.

That is exactly my point. We never go to rope drop, and tend to sleep in, never getting to the parks until after lunch. We love doing the night time extra magic hours when they are offered to resort guests.

 

[Longhairbear]

Most likely they are overspending in other areas and need to cut somewhere to hold the line on maintenance fee increases. They wouldnt pocket the money...but the reality of timeshare is that if maintenance fees go too high, people wont buy. It is in DVDs best interest for maintenance fees to be lower so they can convince more people to buy points even if it takes away from the owners' experience. I havent been following the DVC boards lately, any other noteworthy cuts going on? Ever since the Aulani scandal, Im scared what else they may be pulling off...

The same person responsible for that Aulani scandal also tried putting styrofoam cups in all the studio villas replacing the coffee mugs. This happened just when the DVC member magazine's cover story was about ecology, and saving the environment with green ideas being used all over WDW. It backfired, as the boards lit up in outrage over styrofoam cups. Letters and emails were fired off to every executive at DVC, and Disney. We got the ceramic coffee cups back with Disney saying they were installing glass washers at each resort to sanitize drinking glasses and coffee mugs. Most think it was knee jerk reaction to media reports of housekeeping in hotels in general not cleaning, or replacing used glasses and mugs in hotel rooms.

 

[TP2000]

In DLR we use the same tactic avoiding weekends, but it seems to me that DL is always open until midnite, DCA only until 9. That is until this summer when both stay open till 11.

Actually, this summer it's only DCA that stays open until 11PM. Disneyland is still at its usual Midnight summer closing.

The summer '12 schedule in Anaheim, seven days per week;

Disney California Adventure 8AM to 11PM, Buena Vista Street open until Midnight
Disneyland 8AM to Midnight, Main Street USA open until 1AM

DCA has "Early Entry" at 7AM seven days per week; three days a week for "DLR Hotel Guests", and the other four days for Annual Passholders
Disneyland has "Early Entry" at 7AM four days per week for DLR Hotel, Japan Travel Bureau, or select Disney Travel Company customers

With the roaring success of the New DCA and Cars Land, I think the days of DCA closing at 9PM on off-season weekends or 10PM in summer or at Christmas are long gone. I was at DCA tonight (Friday evening) for several hours on a perfectly gorgeous SoCal summer night, and the place was packed with people from Cars Land to World of Color to the Mad T Party. And yes, Radiator Springs Racers gets even better after sundown!

http://gallery.toursdepartingdaily....x755/The-Raceway-Through-Ornament-755x755.jpg

 

[Longhairbear]

Actually, this summer it's only DCA that stays open until 11PM. Disneyland is still at its usual Midnight summer closing.

The summer '12 schedule in Anaheim, seven days per week;

Disney California Adventure 8AM to 11PM, Buena Vista Street open until Midnight
Disneyland 8AM to Midnight, Main Street USA open until 1AM

DCA has "Early Entry" at 7AM seven days per week; three days a week for "DLR Hotel Guests", and the other four days for Annual Passholders
Disneyland has "Early Entry" at 7AM four days per week for DLR Hotel, Japan Travel Bureau, or select Disney Travel Company customers

With the roaring success of the New DCA and Cars Land, I think the days of DCA closing at 9PM on off-season weekends or 10PM in summer or at Christmas are long gone. I was at DCA tonight (Friday evening) for several hours on a perfectly gorgeous SoCal summer night, and the place was packed with people from Cars Land to World of Color to the Mad T Party. And yes, Radiator Springs Racers gets even better after sundown!

http://gallery.toursdepartingdaily....x755/The-Raceway-Through-Ornament-755x755.jpg

We are checking in on Sunday at Paradise Pier for a 2 nite stay for our first visit to DCA since the walls came down. Relaxing later at Trader Sam's poolside at the Disneyland Hotel, and having several Tiki Tiki Tiki Rums.

 

[Kuhio]

I recently noticed an interesting change to weather.com -- its search box lets you enter a Zip code or city to find the weather forecast for that location. Previously, the text in the box explained that you could also just type the name of a place, and gave as an example "Disney World."

Now, the text reads: "Search Zip, City, or Place (ie. Cars Land)."

At first, I thought weather.com was owned by the Disney family of companies, and that this was just another way to synergize marketing. However, it seems as though weather.com is actually owned by NBC Universal.

I wonder if the change was made because the people who maintain weather.com noticed that many more users are now interested in the weather in Anaheim than in Lake Buena Vista?

 

[lazyboy97o]

Kuhio, that is an interesting observation. I guess while it is possible for the weather.com team to be located closer to the Disneyland Resort, The Weather Channel themselves are headquartered just outside of Atlanta, much closer to Walt Disney World.

 

[Tom]

I think people like you are unnatural, Tom!

I can't imagine ever wanting to be in the parks during the heat of the day when things are most crowded and uncomfortable. Disney after dark is truly MAGICal. It just would be nice to go back to the 80s and 90s when parks other than MK stayed open late (no 9 or 10 p.m. isn't late for many people).

Of course I'm unnatural!!!

But really, except for this year when two conventions forced us to be in Orlando in March and May, we don't go when it's hot. We're DVC and have no kids - we go between November and February, when possible.

So, we hit the parks early, see everything we want to see in a timely manner, then use the afternoon to tour resorts, go boating, nap, or whatever. Then we go back at night to enjoy the far superior ambiance, watch the shows, and catch a few more rides when people leave.

I too miss the days when it was just assumed that the MK was open until 11 or 12.

 

[Mem11]

I recently noticed an interesting change to weather.com -- its search box lets you enter a Zip code or city to find the weather forecast for that location. Previously, the text in the box explained that you could also just type the name of a place, and gave as an example "Disney World."

Now, the text reads: "Search Zip, City, or Place (ie. Cars Land)."

At first, I thought weather.com was owned by the Disney family of companies, and that this was just another way to synergize marketing. However, it seems as though weather.com is actually owned by NBC Universal.

I wonder if the change was made because the people who maintain weather.com noticed that many more users are now interested in the weather in Anaheim than in Lake Buena Vista?

Did you try searching for "Cars Land"??? I did, instead of the normal weather.com page for a zip code/city/place you get what looks like an advertisement for Cars Land, with links to explore.

See it here

I'm guessing Disney paid a pretty penny for this...

 

[Kuhio]

Very interesting! I hadn't actually tried searching for Cars Land, but it definitely looks like an arrangement Disney worked out with weather.com.

In contrast, if you search for "Disney World" or even "Disneyland" or "Disney California Adventure," you get the regular weather forecast page for the location.

 

[Tom Morrow]

Just curious... when was the last time Epcot and Studios were open later than 9/10 pm on a regular basis?