Animal Kingdom addition/BEASTLY KINGDOM RETURNS

[skier_pete]

Ya' know, it's been said that the Disney company actually has their people monitoring websites like this. And if all we do is say "Oh! how wonderful Disney is" THAT is what they will go by. We MUST be critical of what Disney is doing wrong when it is warranted, otherwise, things will never get better, and Disney and it's parks will becomed wallowed in the meir of rampant commercialism, with no regard to fun and enjoyment. Back in the 80's and early to mid 90's, Disney was fun. Now, it's just work. And I will let Disney know every time I visit WDW.

Mitros,

I have no problem with you voicing your opinion...and certainly no problem with you being critical of the Disney Corporation.

I'm just saying...if you think that a trip to Disney World is not fun, merely work...why are you doing it? I can't imagine spending that kind of money and effort on a vacation that I consider not fun. Again, I am not intending this as an insult or anything, but I don't get it. If I thought a trip there was not fun, we would be spending our vacation dollar elsewhere.

For me, while I spend a TON of "work" planning each trip, which is not really work to me...once we go there, I find the planning allows me (and the family) to switch on the autopilot...I find there is little "work" involved. In fact, as someone that is well-versed in how a corporate entity like Disney Corp. works, it amazes me that they can make a vacation as pleasant and fun as they do!

Part of the reason DW and I try to limit our trips to once a year, besides cost, is that we do not want to get to the point where we are bored/tired/stale of Disney...regardless of whether they make additions or improvements...when that happens, it will be time for a good long break.

SkierPete

 

[MountNittany]

I agree with the above post by Pete. Great way to sum it up. What I don't understand is how you consider Disney "work."

 

[ChrisFL]

I'm not going to answer for the other person, but it does seem like a lot of people put in a lot of "work" for their Disney trip...for their kids to have the best time.

Sometimes it seems to lead to some craziness, which can be bad (long lines at rides leading to fights, etc.)

I mean, having to pre-plan 6 months in advance for restaurants, pre-planning where you will use fast passes, extra magic hours, seeing characters on their schedules, parades, etc., it can seem like work.

 

[mitros]

I'm not going to answer for the other person, but it does seem like a lot of people put in a lot of "work" for their Disney trip...for their kids to have the best time.

Sometimes it seems to lead to some craziness, which can be bad (long lines at rides leading to fights, etc.)

I mean, having to pre-plan 6 months in advance for restaurants, pre-planning where you will use fast passes, extra magic hours, seeing characters on their schedules, parades, etc., it can seem like work.

And that is the point of my posts. If should not be the kind of work you describe to have a nice vacation. WDW was at one time a really enjoyable place to have a good time. Now that Disney tries to make the resorts, restaurants and parks reach full capacity at all times, it is a JOB, not a vacation. And for those who say why do you go there? Well, we no longer go as often as we used to, even though we are so close. I refuse to give my $$$ to Disney just so I can be "belly-to-back" everywhere on property.

 

[redrosesix]

screamscape.com has been around for over a decade. They've broken the story on a LOT of rumors that became true, but it's only as good as its sources.

The problem with rumors about theme parks, Disney especially, is that a project could be green-lit, ready to go, and then dropped or changed dramatically after that (See the original Beastly Kingdom, Africa pavilion at EPCOT for examples).

So as always with rumors, they're not news until it's official, even then, don't get your hopes too high until the ride or attraction opens, but don't blame the RUMOR sites if it happens that they don't become reality.

Excellent point. I'm sure there have also been instances where staffers leak information about a great project that's about to be torpedoed, hoping to get public opinion on their side. With some mgmt teams that would make a difference -- it obviously doesn't at WDW.

Ya' know, it's been said that the Disney company actually has their people monitoring websites like this. And if all we do is say "Oh! how wonderful Disney is" THAT is what they will go by. We MUST be critical of what Disney is doing wrong when it is warranted, otherwise, things will never get better, and Disney and it's parks will becomed wallowed in the meir of rampant commercialism, with no regard to fun and enjoyment. Back in the 80's and early to mid 90's, Disney was fun. Now, it's just work. And I will let Disney know every time I visit WDW.

They would be fools not to monitor everything that is said about them -- it would cost a lot less money to pay somebody to do that than to set up surveys and focus groups.

 

[skier_pete]

I'm not going to answer for the other person, but it does seem like a lot of people put in a lot of "work" for their Disney trip...for their kids to have the best time.

Sometimes it seems to lead to some craziness, which can be bad (long lines at rides leading to fights, etc.)

I mean, having to pre-plan 6 months in advance for restaurants, pre-planning where you will use fast passes, extra magic hours, seeing characters on their schedules, parades, etc., it can seem like work.

Ahhh...but (1) some of us...many of us...in fact love that "work" of planning a vacation, (2) I don't see how that has changed drastically, at least over the last 15 years old so...except ADRs are indeed harder to get, (3) that is all done before the vacation, and fun, begins and (4) there are plenty of people that go to Disney without ANY pre-planning and have a great time. Those folks are here on the boards as well.

It's back to...if you don't like it, why do it? If you don't like the planning, maybe get the kids involved more. My Daughter is 6, and I am already starting to let her be involved, picking the restaurants, which rides we do first. This makes the planning even more fun.

SkierPete

 

[KYMickey]

Ahhh...but (1) some of us...many of us...in fact love that "work" of planning a vacation, (2) I don't see how that has changed drastically, at least over the last 15 years old so...except ADRs are indeed harder to get, (3) that is all done before the vacation, and fun, begins and (4) there are plenty of people that go to Disney without ANY pre-planning and have a great time. Those folks are here on the boards as well.

I think if you look at the overall number of people that visit Disney the majority do not enjoy the planning. The majority on these boards probably do and that's one of the reasons they read these boards. We think Disney is much less enjoyable now than they used to be. Having a pre-planning everything so far in advance takes a lot of the enjoyment out of it. In addition it obviously takes away a lot of the flexibility you used to have. For those that like to take a structured vacation it's fine but the rest of us like to enjoy a vacation and not have it seem like our jobs it's really not fine.

Don't ask why do I go, that even though we don't like how it's structured we still enjoy Disney, we just wish it was back to how it used to be!

 

[DizCaptain]

According to the article the feature ride will be a copy of Journey to the Center of the Earth at Disneysea. While the ride is good I really hope they do an overhaul of re-theming since the vehicles on Journey look like giant rocks, the theming to me was rather bad since it was all neon, and while the animatronic on the ride is cool it looks really really fake. Hopefully they will have something like the Hydra, Cerberus, or even a Griffon to take the lava monster's place.

 

[Condorman]

According to the article the feature ride will be a copy of Journey to the Center of the Earth at Disneysea. While the ride is good I really hope they do an overhaul of re-theming since the vehicles on Journey look like giant rocks, the theming to me was rather bad since it was all neon, and while the animatronic on the ride is cool it looks really really fake. Hopefully they will have something like the Hydra, Cerberus, or even a Griffon to take the lava monster's place.

If they re-create Mt. Prometheus, the volcano crater in its entirety, then it will work. If all they do is a show building, akin to Dinosaur, and throw JTTCOTE inside with a modest rock formation as the exterior, I will throw tomatoes at it. I know the former idea will cost hundreds of millions and the latter a lot less, but consider this: Unlike TDS, where the crater sits in the center and they had to theme its circumference, in DAK, the back half would be out of view from visitors, so they could easily theme only a part of it and get away with it. I'm afraid without the crator, the water at its center, and other attractions spun off that weenie, it's a half-baked idea. As for the lava monster, it should be a dragon, despite the Dueling Dragons coaster at USO. If USO can do the Rip Ride Rock-it, an idea not too dissimilar from the Rock'n Rollercoaster, then Disney can place a dragon in the JTTCOTE. It's supposed to be a land based on mythical creatures, not sci-fi monsters. They should do the Fantasia Gardens and the Maze of the Unicorn -- the original ideas were great. Nobody owns the copyright on dragons and unicorns, last time I checked.

 

[MountNittany]

And that is the point of my posts. If should not be the kind of work you describe to have a nice vacation. WDW was at one time a really enjoyable place to have a good time. Now that Disney tries to make the resorts, restaurants and parks reach full capacity at all times, it is a JOB, not a vacation. And for those who say why do you go there? Well, we no longer go as often as we used to, even though we are so close. I refuse to give my $$$ to Disney just so I can be "belly-to-back" everywhere on property.

Still, why do you call it a job? So what if they try to keep it full capacity? Is there a problem with that? It is a better business if they keep it full capacity.

 

[mitros]

Still, why do you call it a job? So what if they try to keep it full capacity? Is there a problem with that? It is a better business if they keep it full capacity

I call it a job because I now work harder (when we do go) on a WDW vacation then I ever did at work. If you don't see a problem with wall-to-wall bodies, well that's you. It's only better business for the corporate heads, who rake in the bucks.
Maybe you like to stand on impossible lines,,,,,,,,,we sure as heck do not!

 

[FrolloFanatic]

Sooooo, how 'bout that Beastly Kingdom? I think there should be a Maleficent-Dragon audio animatronic, inside of a life-size walkthrough set of Sleeping Beauty.

 

[MountNittany]

I call it a job because I now work harder (when we do go) on a WDW vacation then I ever did at work. If you don't see a problem with wall-to-wall bodies, well that's you. It's only better business for the corporate heads, who rake in the bucks.
Maybe you like to stand on impossible lines,,,,,,,,,we sure as heck do not!

Then please, go somewhere else. They don't pack the place, people pack the place. Disney never forced anyone to come. And the lines aren't impossible, if you use Fastpass. I didn't wait longer than 20 minutes for any ride my last trip. And I don't think that walking through a restaurant full of people is "work." You are not making any sense.

Frollo, I would also love to see a Chernabog Animatronic. Maybe a Bald Mountain Roller Coaster?

 

[mitros]

Then please, go somewhere else. They don't pack the place, people pack the place. Disney never forced anyone to come. And the lines aren't impossible, if you use Fastpass. I didn't wait longer than 20 minutes for any ride my last trip. And I don't think that walking through a restaurant full of people is "work." You are not making any sense.

Frollo, I would also love to see a Chernabog Animatronic. Maybe a Bald Mountain Roller Coaster?

Actually, why don't YOU go somewhere else, so there will be less body-to-body crowds, and WE can enjoy ourselves. And your "walking through restaurants full of people" comment makes NO sense. It is NOT what I said.

 

[MountNittany]

Actually, why don't YOU go somewhere else, so there will be less body-to-body crowds, and WE can enjoy ourselves. And your "walking through restaurants full of people" comment makes NO sense. It is NOT what I said.

A restaurant is a building, isn't it? I'd not like to argue, so let's please stop discussing this matter and get back on topic. I actually enjoy myself at WDW, thank you very much. Why can't I go, and why does it matter if there is a large crowd?





So, back on topic.

 

[mitros]

A restaurant is a building, isn't it? I'd not like to argue, so let's please stop discussing this matter and get back on topic. I actually enjoy myself at WDW, thank you very much. Why can't I go, and why does it matter if there is a large crowd?





So, back on topic.

Oh joy.......................

 

[ChrisFL]

Still, why do you call it a job? So what if they try to keep it full capacity? Is there a problem with that? It is a better business if they keep it full capacity.

There's a problem with a lot of the nice things about Disney being taken away to get them to have full capacity at all times.

I just read that rumor about them changing the seats at CS places...which has already been done before, so they can get guests to move in and out faster. It kinda brings up a good analogy.

Say there was this great restuarant that had the best food in town and had an incredible chef who knew everything about food and always made the best things...then he passes on and others keep the recipes...and they keep his name on the restaurant, because everyone knows it stands for quality.

But then they take out the nice tables and put smaller ones in, then they take away most of the menu and put in a big buffet, then they take away more menu items but add lots of kids meals...the meals that remained got smaller but they charge the same price, and the nice cloth napkins get replaced by paper ones...

The seats that were nice were replaced by cheap plastic, but they offer tons of coupons so all kinds of people come back, and the kids get free stickers and coloring books, so that's a bonus.

So the restaurant is making more money, has a full house every day, but it's no longer the same place, it's been consumerized, and only a shell of it's former self.

That is what we're afraid is happening to WDW. When I want a true Disney experience, I know where to go.........................I go to Tokyo.

 

[mitros]

There's a problem with a lot of the nice things about Disney being taken away to get them to have full capacity at all times.

I just read that rumor about them changing the seats at CS places...which has already been done before, so they can get guests to move in and out faster. It kinda brings up a good analogy.

Say there was this great restuarant that had the best food in town and had an incredible chef who knew everything about food and always made the best things...then he passes on and others keep the recipes...and they keep his name on the restaurant, because everyone knows it stands for quality.

But then they take out the nice tables and put smaller ones in, then they take away most of the menu and put in a big buffet, then they take away more menu items but add lots of kids meals...the meals that remained got smaller but they charge the same price, and the nice cloth napkins get replaced by paper ones...

The seats that were nice were replaced by cheap plastic, but they offer tons of coupons so all kinds of people come back, and the kids get free stickers and coloring books, so that's a bonus.

So the restaurant is making more money, has a full house every day, but it's no longer the same place, it's been consumerized, and only a shell of it's former self.

That is what we're afraid is happening to WDW. When I want a true Disney experience, I know where to go.........................I go to Tokyo.

Thanks so much Chris, you took the words right off of my keyboard....to the "T". Thanks for your comments. This is the problem running rampant through WDW. Maybe a lot of guests who say I'm crazy saying what I say on Disboards, but maybe these folks do not remember the "Disney of old", which is almost gone. They only know one WDW, and that is todays WDW. They don't remember what it was like all those years ago.......

 

[BRERALEX]

There's a problem with a lot of the nice things about Disney being taken away to get them to have full capacity at all times.

I just read that rumor about them changing the seats at CS places...which has already been done before, so they can get guests to move in and out faster. It kinda brings up a good analogy.

Say there was this great restuarant that had the best food in town and had an incredible chef who knew everything about food and always made the best things...then he passes on and others keep the recipes...and they keep his name on the restaurant, because everyone knows it stands for quality.

But then they take out the nice tables and put smaller ones in, then they take away most of the menu and put in a big buffet, then they take away more menu items but add lots of kids meals...the meals that remained got smaller but they charge the same price, and the nice cloth napkins get replaced by paper ones...

The seats that were nice were replaced by cheap plastic, but they offer tons of coupons so all kinds of people come back, and the kids get free stickers and coloring books, so that's a bonus.

So the restaurant is making more money, has a full house every day, but it's no longer the same place, it's been consumerized, and only a shell of it's former self.

That is what we're afraid is happening to WDW. When I want a true Disney experience, I know where to go.........................I go to Tokyo.

the plot to Ratatouille basically?

 

[ChrisFL]

the plot to Ratatouille basically?

you know whats funny, I haven't seen Ratatouille yet