WDW Awakens ...

[Sped2424]

There have been phenomenal deals to Tokyo that I wish I were in the position of being able to take advantage of (planning on going next May right now) ... but funny you bring this up as Bricker apparently upset some of his flock by suggesting that they'd be better off skipping Destination D (another D23 event in a relatively slow time at WDW this fall where they remind you of how great WDW once was and likely never will be again) and going to TDR, which is so far beyond any US Disney quality.

Speaking of TDR what is the Status of their billion + expansion? I keep looking everywhere but find no news beyond their delay announcement.

 

[WDW1974]

Isn't it an issue with incoming upper management seeing their new policies and number crunching culture as a trick on the consumer? I think Disney used to believe in what it was doing, and that's one reason the quality was so high. I don't think what they're doing with D23 and stuff like that is bad at all, it's great, but what you're saying is that it's all a facade for vapid hollow money men. I can jive with that. But I would not blame consumers. Disney still does what Disney does best... Makes people FEEL. I would say most brands can't approach that. Disney is adding a sinister element to it all sadly, a bait and switch, and most consumers aren't going to notice that for a long time as long as those feelings are still there. Fans are definitely seeing the forest (which is also valid btw) where people like us on this forum are stuck on the trees. Im okay with recognizing both takes on the same thing as the truth.

No, what they are doing with D23 is most definitely bad. The folks that run it are smarmy twits. And it took all the unofficial fan clubs and the like and made it a profit and propaganda center for TWDC. Sure, it's all shiny and sparkles. I thoroughly enjoyed my six hours at the D23 Expo last August (nothing like watching the crazies like animals in a zoo ...) But it is all about manipulation and getting people excited over lower quality products in the parks as well as anything related to the many stable of BRANDS that make up TWDC. It is fascinating ... that's for sure. But the fans who eat it up absolutely are a huge part of the problem.

As one celeb Imagineer told me over drinks at Trader Sam's (the real one, not the one in the swamps) years ago now, "WDW fans get what they deserve."

 

[truecoat]

1) it was reported by one or two sites, and then it spread like wildfire because of bandwagon

2) george lucas "its like poetry, it rhymes" if you have a problem with it, bring it up with the guy who made it happen in the first place.

3) its ok to hate the film, but to call it rubbish because its a "copy" just means you werent really a fan of the original as much as you think you are.

You look young, not sure how young but judging from your responses, I'd say high school?

Comment #3 makes me laugh, you can hate it but to call it rubbish sends you over the edge? The movie was slightly above mediocre. I have high hopes for 8 because of Rian Johnson's previous work but I'm not going to praise the new one for nostalgia's sake.

 

[PhotoDave219]

The whole M&G as an attraction thing is something I will never "get". I know full grown adults who have a list of "hard to get" characters they are dead set on getting a photo with.

SMH

Sometimes I think its neat to have a short improv conversation, get your photo with a character and move on.

I know of the type of people you speak of and some of that is a result of those characters never being seen anymore.

 

[WDW1974]

I get so many *** looks when I drink from a water fountain, or the tap water at home. I don't get it Yeah it tastes funky, but heck, when its 95+ degrees outside, as long as its not sewage, what difference does it make.

People are insane. Water fountains are perfectly healthy and yet they now think they aren't (it's like the anti-vaxer movement) crazy, crazy, crazy. The idea that people spend countless millions on bottled water still proves to me that our species may not deserve to exist.

BTW, not sidetrack the discussion (especially with all the big news coming out of Disney's press junket today), but there have been recent stories in the REAL press about drinking fountains disappearing because people won't use them ... yet they'll text while attempting to drive. Oh yeah, we are moving in the right direction ...

 

[WDW1974]

1) it was reported by one or two sites, and then it spread like wildfire because of bandwagon

2) george lucas "its like poetry, it rhymes" if you have a problem with it, bring it up with the guy who made it happen in the first place.

3) its ok to hate the film, but to call it rubbish because its a "copy" just means you werent really a fan of the original as much as you think you are.

Take the Star Wars debate elsewhere. This isn't about the film. Sorry I made an off the cuff response that the film wasn't all that and you just had to offer an alternate opinion. You loved it. Great. Let's move on ...

 

[WDW1974]

Spirit, I agree with you 95% of the time and understand your sentiment but as someone who has been considered and have known many people with "Special Needs" I really have to call out the use of "special needs" as a derogatory term .

I am sorry if I offended, but no offense was intended there. I was just saying that someone who didn't have special needs (I have had family member with them, so I do get it) and was 30-something and had to hang with a foamhead or Princess likely ... well, has some issues.

 

[WDW1974]

Speaking of TDR what is the Status of their billion + expansion? I keep looking everywhere but find no news beyond their delay announcement.

It will be happening. But it is delayed ... haven't heard about it lately, but last heard it was a combo of things, including Shanghai (naturally) as well as Olympics construction as well as changing out a few aspects (no, not cutting).

 

[Donaldfan1934]

DLR is still celebrating its 60th Diamond Aniversary through early September (you know, by destroying parts of the park that Walt himself was instrumental in design so Bob Iger can leave his mark on the place with his IP).

You might not know it if you visited WDW outlet stores in Florida, however, as they have been liquidating DL 60th merchandise since early this year.

Totally agree. SWL at DL makes many of the bad decisions at WDW over the years look microscopic by comparison and that's saying something.

 

[Sped2424]

It will be happening. But it is delayed ... haven't heard about it lately, but last heard it was a combo of things, including Shanghai (naturally) as well as Olympics construction as well as changing out a few aspects (no, not cutting).

Oh thank god. I was worried cuts were involved but hopefully the project picks up steam again as I want to start planning my first trip to Japan! Tokyo Disneys expansion would just be the cherry on that visit.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Totally agree. SWL at DL makes many of the bad decisions at WDW over the years look microscopic by comparison and that's saying something.

It certainly ranks up there with building Shanghai Disneyland, approving NGE and acquiring the theme park rights to Avatar to compensate for HP.

 

[Donaldfan1934]

Not just that.

If Disney handled social media in a genuine and professional manner, then most of these losers would have to either get jobs or lives or both ... and these people are largely social misfits who only have any self-esteem at all because they enable each other.
No, you wanting a photo with a foamhead as something you must have isn't normal or healthy if you are 33. ... Not unless you are very special needs.

I agree with you on the lifestylers and their immaturity on the whole, but wanting a picture with a character doesn't necessarily make you unhealthy. I get that you're going for the obsessive end of the spectrum, but most people who go to the parks like to see them, so it doesn't directly mean anything about being poorly adjusted for your age.

 

[WDW1974]

Totally agree. SWL at DL makes many of the bad decisions at WDW over the years look microscopic by comparison and that's saying something.

Oh yeah. It's like a giant tumor growing on the back of DL and has already taken away healthy tissue and muscle.

Iger bought Marvel in 2009 and Lucas in 2012. If he truly had faith that these companies had evergreen IP that should be represented in theme parks, then he should have shown it by greenlighting a third gate in Anaheim centered around the two. I can see why Marvel will be tossed in DCA, because everything is, although I'll continue to express what a horrendous idea adding GotG to ToT is going to be. But DL is ... well, like a sacred shrine of sorts ... certainly a historically significant place and while it shouldn't be left like a museum (love that discussion), desecrating it with wookies and lightsabers and BB-8 is really too much. So, so wrong.

 

[WDW1974]

I agree with you on the lifestylers and their immaturity on the whole, but wanting a picture with a character doesn't necessarily make you unhealthy. I get that you're going for the obsessive end of the spectrum, but most people who go to the parks like to see them, so it doesn't directly mean anything about being poorly adjusted for your age.

I agree. I even have a few pics with characters. To be fair, though, they wanted themselves photographed with a celeb they loved -- me!!!

My issue is adults who make it a priority and act like there isn't a h-o-r-n-y, poorly paid 19-year-old underneath Pluto's costume. Sorry, shocked that word is filtered out, yet saw a very nasty t-word isn't.

 

[Donaldfan1934]

Oh yeah. It's like a giant tumor growing on the back of DL and has already taken away healthy tissue and muscle.

Iger bought Marvel in 2009 and Lucas in 2012. If he truly had faith that these companies had evergreen IP that should be represented in theme parks, then he should have shown it by greenlighting a third gate in Anaheim centered around the two. I can see why Marvel will be tossed in DCA, because everything is, although I'll continue to express what a horrendous idea adding GotG to ToT is going to be. But DL is ... well, like a sacred shrine of sorts ... certainly a historically significant place and while it shouldn't be left like a museum (love that discussion), desecrating it with wookies and lightsabers and BB-8 is really too much. So, so wrong.

Again, I totally agree with everything you said.

 

[MonkeyHead]

I stopped reading after you said Force Awakens was mediocre. REALLY??!?!?!!

its probably one of the best scripts that has been written in a very long time, the casting is amazing, the acting was amazing, probably one of harrisons best performances as well and totally blew away my expectations after watching Crystal Skull and thinking he'd lost his touch.

all in all though, i've decided to stop visiting these forums, i loved them at first, but then realised that 90% of people here just hate on WDW and i don't want to hear all the little details that i will notice when i go in May.

Chow!

How about you come back when you understand spelling and grammar?

"Chow," indeed.

 

[Donaldfan1934]

I agree. I even have a few pics with characters. To be fair, though, they wanted themselves photographed with a celeb they loved -- me!!!

My issue is adults who make it a priority and act like there isn't a h-o-r-n-y, poorly paid 19-year-old underneath Pluto's costume. Sorry, shocked that word is filtered out, yet saw a very nasty t-word isn't.

lol, h-o-r-n-y furry joke. In all seriousness though, lifestylers pervert nice things with their very "special" mindset.

 

[MonkeyHead]

Not to change the subject too much, but it's something I've wanted to say for a while.

I think a lot of crazy Disney fans are under some sort of grand delusion that the Walt Disney Company gives a crap about Universal's Marvel deal. Disney makes money off of it and their own brand gets spread via marketing and rides without the company spending a dime. WDW's attendance still rises and rises in spite of its ineptitude and stagnancy. These loons think that Disney is desperately plotting to win back to Marvel rights for WDW... ya know, because after what, six or seven years of ownership and now one of if not the biggest franchises of all time still has no footprint in ANY Disney park, and the only thing under construction is a Star Tours clone overseas.

News flash kids. WDW DOES. NOT. CARE.

They'll be fine regardless. There is no crazy behind the scenes struggle. Universal has it forever and that's never going to change.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Oh yeah. It's like a giant tumor growing on the back of DL and has already taken away healthy tissue and muscle.

Iger bought Marvel in 2009 and Lucas in 2012. If he truly had faith that these companies had evergreen IP that should be represented in theme parks, then he should have shown it by greenlighting a third gate in Anaheim centered around the two. I can see why Marvel will be tossed in DCA, because everything is, although I'll continue to express what a horrendous idea adding GotG to ToT is going to be. But DL is ... well, like a sacred shrine of sorts ... certainly a historically significant place and while it shouldn't be left like a museum (love that discussion), desecrating it with wookies and lightsabers and BB-8 is really too much. So, so wrong.

Would you PLEASE post this somewhere in the Disneyland forum? Anywhere, you could post this in the DLR Picture of the Day thread. They just don't get it over there, I feel like I'm talking to a wall. The only one who understands is @Endor Sightseer.

 

[raymusiccity]

That's outrageous.

No.......What's outrageous, is what you pay for food and beverages at the Ballpark or the Movie Theaters !

A business school professor at the University of California, Irvine analyzed how much the average movie theater charges for different food at their concession stand versus how much it costs . . . and it's really spectacular.

A large bucket of popcorn sells for an average of $8.15 . . . and costs them 90 CENTS.

A large soda sells for an average of $6.31 . . . and costs them 51 CENTS and that includes the cup, lid, and straw.

And a box of candy sells for an average of $4.25 . . . and costs them around $2.

So basically, pop your own popcorn, buy candy & soda at the store and sneak it in with the LARGEST purse you have.