DIS Dads DDC XXXIV: The Original Home Of The DISDads!!!

[pkondz]

When we first went, free dining was a great value.

I sure miss that. Made going there feel... not cheap, but do-able.

A simple fast pass system

All of the above, but... this!

Highly ranked, family and budget friendly.

I'll keep it in mind.

I've lived in Appalachia most of my life but it has challenges: poverty, poor education, lack of health care, few job prospects, little opportunity for advancement, increasing drug use and the crime that goes with it.

Do NOT go into the tourism business...

as you age and get a family you realize you need some of the resources that come with society.

Oh, I get this. I don't think I'd want to be too far from a hospital anymore.

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Hope all y'all had a decent Popa's Day (all those observing such at least).

Proud to say that I accomplished absolutely nothing yesterday, and I ain't a bit sorry about it.
I even got an text message from the young'en wishing me a happy. Ten whole words, which from him is neigh onto an epic novel. Not that I'm really complaining; he looks out for himself, asks us for pretty much nothing and causes no one any problems. I can work with that.

DS graduated with a BA in Law last month, got a placement with Teach for America and moved to Florida last weekend

Congrats to him. Another adventure begins.

Learned some hard lessons along the way.

Haven't we all.
Unfortunately, the hard lessons are often the only ones we'll heed.
Seeing other's mistakes (or worse, being told of them) won't sway someone who's convinced they know better and that such calamities couldn't ever befall them.

Lord willing, and I make it so long, I'll be out in 7-8 years

I believe you can make that.
I need three minimum, but six realistically. Losing the life long job didn't help the calculus, but the search continues and we'll work that out as well.

I wish my oldest would but dont see it happening.

More lessons to be learned, and likely be everyone in the picture.

Toon Town Fair
Horizons
The Timekeeper
Food Rocks
World of Motion
A simple fast pass system
Great Movie Ride
Journey into Imagination
Studio Backlot tour
Honey I shrunk the audience
Universe of Energy
The original Country Bear Jamboree
Bear in the Big Blue House
Body Wars (I don't miss it but SWMBO loved it!)
and now the Riverboat/Tom Sawyer Island and Muppet 3D

All shuffled off to Defunctland.
I miss a fair number of those as well.
Heck, I even miss the old If You Had Wings (no ticket required) attraction, but I'll admit the converting it to the Space Ranger Spin isn't necessarily a down grade.

 

[pkondz]

Proud to say that I accomplished absolutely nothing yesterday, and I ain't a bit sorry about it.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

DS graduated with a BA in Law last month, got a placement with Teach for America and moved to Florida last weekend. He did get a teaching placement so that eases some of the stress for SWMBO and I. Guess he is well on his way to adulthood and being responsible

Congratulations to him! Great to hear.

Yep. If you weren't here for a couple days, you'd be pages behind. Now if you're not here for a couple months... you're not behind.

Hey look! I'm all caught up already.

A simple fast pass system

I will admit that I don't miss everything on your list. I think sometimes things change for the better. But the old paper fastpass system is a big one. Much more democratic and fair, and it gave me freedom to vacation the way I wanted to. If I wanted to spend my day taking 5 rides on Space Mountain, I could do it.

When we first went, free dining was a great value.

Definitely not what it was, but it was a good enough value for me to get me to go this summer. When you're taking 6 people and they all qualify as adults and you start to add up the cost of the restaurants down there, the math still works out in favor of "free".

Do NOT go into the tourism business...

Hope all y'all had a decent Popa's Day (all those observing such at least).

I mostly watched golf all day. I had spent the previous weekend with my boys on a mini-road trip seeing various sporting events so I didn't feel like I had the right to make demands this past Sunday.

I even got an text message from the young'en wishing me a happy. Ten whole words, which from him is neigh onto an epic novel.

We take what we can get!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

Well...

Daily Job 1 done: searched for a job.
Didn't find one and all applications thus far have still been rejected or ignored, but looking qualifies me to continue receiving unemployment bennies. For now, at least

Daily Job 2 done: exercise
A word I've always considered to be an explicative, but... if I'm going to siting on my duff all day I need to be doing something semi-productive. Actually working on flexibility and endurance in a useless attempt to counteract the fact that I'm OLD. Oddly, given my hatred for such things, I'm trying to see if I could pull of a 5K run... errr I mean jog... ish... I've gotten up past 2k continuous with half of it quick step and half jogging with the plan to add more distance and less walking every couple sessions. Well see how that goes.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Good for you. Running a 5K would definitely be an accomplishment!

I can't stand running myself. Never had the patience for it and would usually develop plantar fasciitis at some point. So I work out on an elliptical instead and binge-watch TV shows to keep my mind occupied. Getting to watch TV is the only thing that's kept me at it!

 

[pkondz]

I'm trying to see if I could pull of a 5K run... errr I mean jog... ish... I've gotten up past 2k continuous with half of it quick step and half jogging with the plan to add more distance and less walking every couple sessions. Well see how that goes.

Good for you!
I threw my back out a few days ago, so haven't been able to move much at all, but hope to get back to running in a week or so.

So I work out on an elliptical instead and binge-watch TV shows to keep my mind occupied. Getting to watch TV is the only thing that's kept me at it!

But you're moving... er... not going anywhere, but still moving... So that counts!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

But you're moving... er... not going anywhere, but still moving... So that counts!

Oh, it's a workout for sure! A few years ago I was able to drop close to 25 lbs. when I started. Now I'm mostly maintaining, but exercising at least helps me justify the cheesesteaks and beer I consume.

And all that walking while sweating like a pig prepares me for Disney!

 

[GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes]

I can't stand running myself. Never had the patience for it and would usually develop plantar fasciitis at some point. So I work out on an elliptical instead and binge-watch TV shows to keep my mind occupied. Getting to watch TV is the only thing that's kept me at it!

Don't much like it either, but making myself do something I ought to be doing is another part of the process. It's a bit like flossing... I really hate doing it, but it makes a marked and provable difference. Granted the exercise causes additional pain, but whenever I'm conscious I'm in pain anyway, so it might as well be productive pain.

TV wont work as well for me, but I may look into something audio like a book or podcast.

Good for you!
I threw my back out a few days ago, so haven't been able to move much at all, but hope to get back to running in a week or so.

May that heal up sooner then later. I know a number of folks that have an ongoing battle with their back. Oddly, mine has always been pretty tough, but my range of motion has dropped off a lot over the years. Working on stretching those muscles out as well (but hopefully without over doing it).

Oh, it's a workout for sure! A few years ago I was able to drop close to 25 lbs. when I started. Now I'm mostly maintaining, but exercising at least helps me justify the cheesesteaks and beer I consume.

And all that walking while sweating like a pig prepares me for Disney!

That whole "pounds" thing is another driving factor. I dropped from the the high 240s to the low 190s across several years, but in the last ten-ish months I've gotten a bit lax and allowed myself to get back over 200. That's not acceptable, so this is the method I'm using to fix it (as opposed to say, eating things I hate and ending alcohol consumption... priorities, ya' know). And like yourself, I too need to keep my Disney endurance levels up (just in case I can find a way to get back down there).

 

[pkondz]

A few years ago I was able to drop close to 25 lbs. when I started.

Whoa! Impressive!

exercising at least helps me justify the cheesesteaks and beer I consume.

Those don’t need justification.

And all that walking while sweating like a pig prepares me for Disney!

Nothing prepares you for that. Not in that heat!

May that heal up sooner then later.

Thanks. Taking longer than I expected, unless it’s permanently damaged.

Oddly, mine has always been pretty tough, but my range of motion has dropped off a lot over the years. Working on stretching those muscles out as well (but hopefully without over doing it).

Lucky. Take care of it… you won’t regret it.

dropped from the the high 240s to the low 190s across several years

50+ lbs!!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Don't much like it either, but making myself do something I ought to be doing is another part of the process. It's a bit like flossing... I really hate doing it, but it makes a marked and provable difference. Granted the exercise causes additional pain, but whenever I'm conscious I'm in pain anyway, so it might as well be productive pain.

Agree 100%. Some days I really struggle to force myself to get on the elliptical but I always feel a lot better after I do it. I keep trying to remind myself of that.

TV wont work as well for me, but I may look into something audio like a book or podcast.

That's the hardest part--distracting your brain so you're not concentrating on how miserable the experience is!

May that heal up sooner then later. I know a number of folks that have an ongoing battle with their back. Oddly, mine has always been pretty tough, but my range of motion has dropped off a lot over the years. Working on stretching those muscles out as well (but hopefully without over doing it).

You don't realize how much you use your back until you throw it out like that.

That whole "pounds" thing is another driving factor. I dropped from the the high 240s to the low 190s across several years, but in the last ten-ish months I've gotten a bit lax and allowed myself to get back over 200. That's not acceptable, so this is the method I'm using to fix it (as opposed to say, eating things I hate and ending alcohol consumption... priorities, ya' know). And like yourself, I too need to keep my Disney endurance levels up (just in case I can find a way to get back down there).

Those are incredible results! I'm in the same boat--I had dropped 25, but now I've gained back 10 or so.

Whoa! Impressive!

Thanks! But...see above. I got lazy again.

Those don’t need justification.

I used to agree, but then I started having trouble fastening the button on my pants.

Nothing prepares you for that. Not in that heat!

We've spent the past 3 days in a "heat dome" according to the weather. Highs near 100 with high humidity. That's definitely been good practice!

Temperatures and humidity like that are usually the only thing that gets me to sit through the Hall of Presidents.

50+ lbs!!

 

[dvczerfs]

Wow, almost a page. lol. I don’t remember how to quote a post anymore so I’ll just lump it all into one. lol. We spent a week last week in a cabin at Copper Creek. Very nice, I think we found our new favorite place to stay. After a four years, we spent more than just a few nights on property. I have to admit I miss vacationing there. To a bus twice and the rest of the time Minnnie van it. lol.
I’ve been on the Test Track four times the last few days, cast member previews. Pretty cool.
I have to admit, I miss quite a few of the old attractions. I think the reason a lot of the feelings of the old attraction’s is our memories of our life years ago. I rode some of those attractions when I was a kid with my parents who are now long gone. I rode a lot of them with my daughter who was a little one and now is 32. I also can no longer run through a park all day. Lol
The old paper fast pass system was to say the least a nightmare. People running, full out to get a FP that they thought was good for all day. I look at things a bit differently now, if I had hair on my neck it would stand straight up. I watched a 6’3” full grown man run through the park. A little girl about three years old walked out in front of him, never saw him coming. Her head bounced off the concrete a few times. Out cold with blood coming out of her ears and mouth. Was getting to Guardians three minutes faster worth it?
They looked for ways to stop the pushing and shoving and that’s why a lot of things are the way they are.
Unfortunately, times have changed. What people see of the operation is only a fraction what it takes to run the place. It’s a major city with major operational functions. Buildings, attraction rides are not cheap to buy, run or maintain. People don’t work for $8 and hour anymore. Insurance is not cheap. It takes 70k people to run that place and nobody makes anywhere near minimum wage. It’s a business, it’s a multi billion dollar company. I don’t know what it takes to make that payroll every Thursday but I’m sure glad it’s not my responsibility.
Now, for us old timers who remember the Image Works in Journey into Imagination? I’ve have had the opportunity to visit the old second floor area and after being closed for 30 years, the Image Works is still there!! The pin tables are gone and the rainbow tunnel is gone but for the most part, it’s all still there. I was shocked. You would be surprised of how much of the older attractions are still there, you just can’t see them, if the building is still there.
Coloring Figment on a computer with a pen was breaking technology in the 80s. Today kids can color on their phone in their pocket. lol. What was breaking technology in the 80s isn’t to thrilling to the youth of 2025. There is new IP, new technology, time marches on my friends, time marches on.

 

[pkondz]

Thanks! But...see above. I got lazy again.

Net loss of 15... win in my books.

I used to agree, but then I started having trouble fastening the button on my pants.

Justification to buy bigger pants!

We've spent the past 3 days in a "heat dome" according to the weather. Highs near 100 with high humidity. That's definitely been good practice!

Too hot!

Temperatures and humidity like that are usually the only thing that gets me to sit through the Hall of Presidents.

So is Trump in there twice?

I don’t remember how to quote a post anymore so I’ll just lump it all into one. lol.

Rookie

We spent a week last week in a cabin at Copper Creek. Very nice, I think we found our new favorite place to stay.

I know one other person who has as well... and I'm not surprised you liked it that much.

I’ve been on the Test Track four times the last few days, cast member previews. Pretty cool.

Oh, yeah? Improvement?

I think the reason a lot of the feelings of the old attraction’s is our memories of our life years ago.

The old paper fast pass system was to say the least a nightmare. People running, full out to get a FP that they thought was good for all day.

Must admit I never saw anyone running... fast walking, yes. But not running.

But not at all surprised that some were.

I watched a 6’3” full grown man run through the park. A little girl about three years old walked out in front of him, never saw him coming. Her head bounced off the concrete a few times. Out cold with blood coming out of her ears and mouth. Was getting to Guardians three minutes faster worth it?

They looked for ways to stop the pushing and shoving and that’s why a lot of things are the way they are.

Reluctantly... I suppose I can see that.

after being closed for 30 years, the Image Works is still there!!

Really!

Coloring Figment on a computer with a pen was breaking technology in the 80s.

I remember taking a photo and emailing it to my folks. Cutting edge!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

We spent a week last week in a cabin at Copper Creek. Very nice, I think we found our new favorite place to stay

I've heard great things about those. Can definitely see the appeal.

I’ve been on the Test Track four times the last few days, cast member previews. Pretty cool.

How is the new version? An improvement? I liked the previous story before that (where you were the actual "test" driver). Thought that told a more complete story than the most recent iteration.

I have to admit, I miss quite a few of the old attractions. I think the reason a lot of the feelings of the old attraction’s is our memories of our life years ago. I rode some of those attractions when I was a kid with my parents who are now long gone.

There's definitely a nostalgia factor involved. I miss Horizons in Epcot. Rode that one over and over as a kid. Loved the sci-fi/vision of the future elements it had.

Sometimes nostalgia clouds our judgment, though. I will never understand all the hand-wringing over losing the Great Movie Ride. Yes, there were a lot of good animatronics on that one. But it made absolutely no sense whatsoever as an experience.

The old paper fast pass system was to say the least a nightmare.

I liked the old paper system.

Much more than the subsequent versions, for sure.

look at things a bit differently now, if I had hair on my neck it would stand straight up. I watched a 6’3” full grown man run through the park. A little girl about three years old walked out in front of him, never saw him coming. Her head bounced off the concrete a few times. Out cold with blood coming out of her ears and mouth.

Now that's just horrifying.

Unfortunately, times have changed. What people see of the operation is only a fraction what it takes to run the place. It’s a major city with major operational functions

That's one of the things that appeals to me about visiting Disney. I'm fascinated by the whole operation--all of the logistics it takes to make the place run.

Now, for us old timers who remember the Image Works in Journey into Imagination? I’ve have had the opportunity to visit the old second floor area and after being closed for 30 years, the Image Works is still there!! The pin tables are gone and the rainbow tunnel is gone but for the most part, it’s all still there. I was shocked. You would be surprised of how much of the older attractions are still there, you just can’t see them, if the building is still there.
Coloring Figment on a computer with a pen was breaking technology in the 80s. Today kids can color on their phone in their pocket. lol. What was breaking technology in the 80s isn’t to thrilling to the youth of 2025. There is new IP, new technology, time marches on my friends, time marches on.

Always wild to me how they'll just abandon a space for decades. Some of those old shots of River Country were downright creepy, right out of a zombie movei.

Net loss of 15... win in my books.

Justification to buy bigger pants!

Way ahead of you...

So is Trump in there twice?

I'm surprised he hasn't demanded that by now.

I remember taking a photo and emailing it to my folks. Cutting edge!

Epcot has always been my favorite, because it combines the stuff I love--traveling the world and futuristic technology. Unfortunately I can see where that "futuristic technology" part makes it very hard to keep the park up to date.

 

[Maroonag1]

mostly watched golf all day.

Same, The US open is my favorite event of the year. Seeing the "pros" struggle to break par makes me feel better about myself.

I dropped from the the high 240s to the low 190s

Congrats. Im sitting in mid 230's working on getting back to my "fightin" weight in the 205-215 range.

You don't realize how much you use your back until you throw it out like that.

Exactly. I herinated a disk 10-12 years ago, and every once in a while it catches, and if I sneeze wrong my right leg goes numb for a few minutes.

 

[dvczerfs]

I understand why they just abandoned things when they close something. They will leave elevators, escalators where they are and if not needed, they will just build around them. If a space has no plans, they will leave it, no sense ripping things out if you don’t know what, if anything is going in its place.
Some times, it’s not just a matter of some paint and carpet, building codes change constantly which complicates things.
I remember the up roar over ripping out the fountain in Epcot. What took so long to build some planters? Well let’s start with some reasons, had a worldwide pandemic, people don’t know what infrastructure is under that area. (Psst, there’s a tunnel under there and major utilities) building codes, walkways and egress area codes changed in 40 years. As soon as you touch it, it has to be up to code. It’s not like that low pipe in the basement, you just don’t cut it and move it. People don’t realize how much a ride system cost, not to mention the building it’s in and what it takes to hook into the infrastructure.
I never realized what you don’t see. When I leave at 11pm the amount of people that just started their work day, thousands. I have no idea how this is all orchestrated, it’s incredible to watch. Deliveries, products you name all have to be shipped in, checked in, stored and moved and there is nobody banging into each other. I’m in aww everyday I walk into the place.

 

[pkondz]

Well let’s start with some reasons, had a worldwide pandemic,

Excuses, excuses...

When I leave at 11pm the amount of people that just started their work day, thousands. I have no idea how this is all orchestrated, it’s incredible to watch. Deliveries, products you name all have to be shipped in, checked in, stored and moved and there is nobody banging into each other. I’m in aww everyday I walk into the place.

That'd be pretty cool to see, actually.

 

[wasnotafan]

I understand why they just abandoned things when they close something. They will leave elevators, escalators where they are and if not needed, they will just build around them. If a space has no plans, they will leave it, no sense ripping things out if you don’t know what, if anything is going in its place.
Some times, it’s not just a matter of some paint and carpet, building codes change constantly which complicates things.
I remember the up roar over ripping out the fountain in Epcot. What took so long to build some planters? Well let’s start with some reasons, had a worldwide pandemic, people don’t know what infrastructure is under that area. (Psst, there’s a tunnel under there and major utilities) building codes, walkways and egress area codes changed in 40 years. As soon as you touch it, it has to be up to code. It’s not like that low pipe in the basement, you just don’t cut it and move it. People don’t realize how much a ride system cost, not to mention the building it’s in and what it takes to hook into the infrastructure.
I never realized what you don’t see. When I leave at 11pm the amount of people that just started their work day, thousands. I have no idea how this is all orchestrated, it’s incredible to watch. Deliveries, products you name all have to be shipped in, checked in, stored and moved and there is nobody banging into each other. I’m in aww everyday I walk into the place.

Fountain of Nations...another thing I miss. I'm just a grumpy old curmudgeon. I was looking for a Drum Corps Competition relatively close this summer but nothing close enough to justify the trip. They have changed as well in the last 45 years from brass, percussion and a small color guard to elaborate productions. Impressive, but not what I am looking for. My wife says my world stopped changing in the mid-80's and I can't argue with that. I listen to the same music I listened to back then.

 

[pkondz]

I'm just a grumpy old curmudgeon.

Stay of his lawn!

My wife says my world stopped changing in the mid-80's and I can't argue with that. I listen to the same music I listened to back then.

Oh, man... I read that while listening to... Classic Rewind (on SiriusXM). I pretty much listen to that, Classic Vinyl, 80s, and occasionally 70s, and even more rarely 60s. Music stopped by the 90s.