I just joined the car #4 crowd

[Lesley]

Sorry to hear that your vacation plans have been messed up by the new rehab schedule....we were hit with similar, when the one year we made reservations for Star Wars weekends and it was the one year they decided not to have them! We cancelled and went another time. But I guess if you have airline tickets that's not so much of an option.

We're trying for Star Wars weekends again in 2004....hopefully they'll have them! I'm pretty sure you'll get some kind of response from WDW....I received a phone call when I wrote a letter about early entry being discontinued. But they probably won't do anything besides say "I'm sorry that things changed after you made your plans".

And a quick wave of hello to Wasilla! I have a friend who just moved there a year or so ago....I love hearing the stories of moose encounters,etc.... I'd love to visit...but it would be too cold for me to live there! We just fled the cold of PA!

 

[Another Voice]

"If you want to be guaranteed to visit a water park, go durring the summer when they will be open. "

Yea - that used to work with fireworks, parades and late night shopping & dining in the theme parks too.

Guess what happened there.

 

[Snow Brite]

Originally posted by KNWVIKING
*** "I hope you will enjoy whatever you decide to do instead...and not let this put too much of a damper on your vacation. Its too far to go and too warm to not enjoy! Think about how wonderful it will be to have all that daylight, not have to put on jackets and boots to go outside, and not have to start the truck a half hour before you leave for work. " ***


Please explain to me just why it is you guys want to live in Alaska.

I was born and raised here. I stay because it is beautiful, healthy, and safe for my kids. The summers here are beyond compare with 20+ hours of daylight and the winters, while cold, are just as beautiful. I am 5 minutes from nowhere, and I mean nowhere, no one for miles and miles. And living in a small town, we dont worry about things like Megans Law notices.

You either love it or you hate it...but right about when ArcticWildMan is leaving for sunny Florida is when most of us hate it... LOL!

Jennifer

 

[Snow Brite]

Originally posted by ArcticWildMan
Wow!! A fellow Alaskan!! Hi Snow Bright!! We're a rarity on this site, that's for sure!! You are only the 4th fellow Alaskan I've seen here.

You from Anchorage? I live in Wasilla and work in Whittier (slope schedule...week on/week off)

We live in Girdwood.

 

[BibbidyBobbidyBoo]

Oh man. We're going Nov/Dec and I was looking forward to BB also! We've never been to either water park- but this time we'll have plusses on everyone's passes (except mine which is a PAP) and that's the one we really wanted to go to. Surely you can understand the "theme" appealing to us since we live in Texas... snow? What's snow?
LOL
Darn... that's a bummer.

 

[Coach Rick]

Geez, so you think the park is there just for you? I know how disappointing it must be to you, but the big picture is that maint. must be done, and whether they do it in December, or January it's going to piss somebody off. If that work was put off, and something was not quite sparkling to you, I'm sure we would here it from you, that maint. is put off way too much, and, well you get the picture. Again I can sympathise with you, as I have run into things that I wanted to do, but found them to be closed for remodeling. I just turned it into a positve, and looked at it this way, "now I have another reason to come back". I know it's not much in the way of consoling you. Is Typhoon Lagoon going to be open? Use that one, and for goodness sakes, "have a great time". A day at Disney without BB is far better than a day at work.

 

[ArcticWildMan]

I'm not even going to waste my time explaining my disappointment to you...go back and read the entire thread and you'll see the reasons for my feelings.

 

[EUROPA]

Ummm...maint on the park thats the reason why BB and TL close every year? When is the next MK closing is that in June or July? Neither? Surly they need to close AK then..they must do that in Feb. No? .....crap I wonder how they keep the MK open all year long? I wonder how Wet-n-Wild stays open all year.

 

[Coach Rick]

I did, and sorry if I sound so insensative, but it's just one of those things, and if you can't see your way around this, oh well. I am not saying you have to like it. I'm sure it stinks, but to thow away Disney because they are closing a park, well I just think it's close minded, that's all. Do you mean to say if BB wasn't there you wouldn't have gone at all? Perhaps I shouldn't have wasted my time answering you either. If I insulted you, sorry. Lifes too short to let these kind of things bother you. Enjoy life, and *everything* it has to offer, tomorrow may never come.

 

[Coach Rick]

Originally posted by EUROPA
Ummm...maint on the park thats the reason why BB and TL close every year? When is the next MK closing is that in June or July? Neither? Surly they need to close AK then..they must do that in Feb. No? .....crap I wonder how they keep the MK open all year long? I wonder how Wet-n-Wild stays open all year.

Last time I checked MK, AK, MGM, and Epcot are a bit larger than BB. Also there are *huge* differences in safety concerns when it comes to a water park. Think about it for a minute. Wet-n-Wild is a one park operation, and to be honest, I have never been to WNW, so I can't even begin to comment on what they do, and how they do it. I can see however how complex all the parks are at WDW, and maybe I am just easy, and understanding a bit more, but almost getting killed once will do that to yah.

 

[ArcticWildMan]

Sorry if I almost bit your head off Coach, but I'm tired of the condescending attitudes by some people on this site if anybody dares utter a complaint, voice some frustration, or even say anything remotely negative about WDW.

All they can say is "do something else, get over it" or some other wise crack like "WDW will call and verify their rehab schedule with you next time". You have no idea how demeaning it is to be spoken to in that manner.

Like I said earlier, I don't even have the option of swimming in the summer due to where I live, so YES, a waterpark is HUGE part of my vacation. You obviously don't rank a waterpark like Blizzard Beach high on your vacation list. I do.

Nobody on this board has the right to tell me that my priorities are not correct or are less important than theirs, as many insinuate.

To the best of my knowledge, BB has always been open in early December and I bought airplane tickets and made resort reservations based on that. If I could change my dates to include BB, I would, but I can't. My plane tickets can't be changed without a huge penalty and I would lose my OKW reservations.

Disney sure didn't have a problem taking my money for park admission and resort costs this spring when I paid for it all.

Disney has done nothing but moan and complain about guests aren't visiting like they used to and how guests aren't making plans to visit the parks till the last minute. Well no wonder!! If you dare plan anything more than a few weeks in advance, you get screwed!

 

[Coach Rick]

I hear you loud and clear AWM, and I agree with you that you have every right to voice your concerns, and disappointments. What else is a Newsgroup for? One of the problems with Newsgroups is the lack of facial expressions when conversing. I try to be as straight forward as possible, but sometimes it just comes out wrong. I was just trying to offer some alternative feelings on the matter, but I guess it came out wrong. I truly hope you have a great time down there, and I can certainly understand you not wanting to go during the summer, so it is your time, and that was your park. Maybe the Waterpark Gods will smile on you, and they will switch the schedule once again.

 

[KNWVIKING]

*** " but I'm tired of the condescending attitudes by some people on this site if anybody dares utter a complaint, voice some frustration, or even say anything remotely negative about WDW." ***

Well, it's not just this board where that happens. Go say something negative about DVC over on the DVC board

In my observation,this board has three types of posters. One group will blast you for your negative comment, one group will jump on your bandwagon and feed the fire as hard as they can, and then there are those of us who are apologitic to your plight,but don't understand why you would never return to WDW.

I don't think I fall into the catagory of poster you mentioned in your post, but I must admit I find some of what you posted a little unreaonable. Over on the Parks and Strat boards you state:


**"Typical Disney. Ignore the fact that people may actually want to plan a vacation more than a week or two before they come.**

How accurate is that statement ? Sounds to me like they've given guests 5 months to plan around BB closing. I'd imagine that for the majority,that's a fair amount of time.

The given reason for the flip-flop of closures appears to be because they want a major up-grade to be made. Maybe six months ago would have been a better time to annouce the change,but maybe six months ago Disney didn't know if the funds would be availible. We simply don't know the answer.


As for WnW never closing: That park setup- which has no theming- allows them to close one ride at a time, the way MK does their park. And by all means, let's compare closing a park like MK with closing BB. That's a fair analogy.

 

[ohanafamily]

ArcticWildMan,

I really understand your pain. I will sympathize with you and agree that no one has the right to blast your priorities. My parents and brothers, with whom I work, don't "get" Disney; I am always fighting the good fight.

I will say this, it may be the supreme disappointment to you, but as I remember the layouts of the water parks (Disney's) you really can't just work on 1 attraction at a time; they are all connected. In order to do a thorough job on the maintenance they have to close the whole park to drain the attractions. WNW does not have the theeming and the connection of all of the attractions. This is one of the reasons you are so majorly disappionted.

Secondly, you still have time to change your OKW reservations; I am assuming that you are not DVC (given the distance and your willingness to totally give up on Disney). If you want to make US/IOA a major part of your trip I would suggest plan on it for the front or back of your trip and move over to one of the 3 onsite hotels for a day or two. When you stay on US property, your room key becomes the equivalent of a fastpass. AAA gives you a good discount rate, or you can get a Fan-Club card in the US forum. PM me and I will give you more info.

Third, I will PM you with the e-mail address of someone at Disney in authority who "Cares". He also answers his own e-mails. I don't like to post names openly of these people. He probably can't help you because once these things are posted other people make their plans accordingly...

Guest Relations is the "appropriate" place to send messages,

wdw.guest.communications@disneyworld.com

 

[AvonWuzzer]

From your original post you strongly say that this is the last straw and that you are p*****.

If you want this to ruin your trip and hold it as a chip on your shoulder, that is YOUR choice. I don't think it is cool for you to run down the people that don't want to wallow in your disappointment.

As I see it, you will be in Florida in 5 months and still have a bit of time to determine what might be fun for you to do since your first choice isn't available. As Ohana mentions, since you can't change your flights, you CAN change your hotel and try someplace new if you feel like it. Finding out 5 months in advance isn't quite like National Lampoons Vacation, arriving at the gates and Wally World being closed. There are other Disney parks, there are other theme parks, and there are lots of other water parks in Florida. I went to Adventure Island in Tampa and I thought that was pretty fun.

WildMan - don't get any ideas from watching Vacation, taking castmembers hostage, demanding that they fill BB and turn the slides back on. It is not like the movies. Disney would prosecute you.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Disney sure didn't have a problem taking my money for park admission and resort costs this spring when I paid for it all.

Disney has done nothing but moan and complain about guests aren't visiting like they used to and how guests aren't making plans to visit the parks till the last minute. Well no wonder!! If you dare plan anything more than a few weeks in advance, you get screwed!

AWM, while I empathize with you and the disappointment you are feeling, I really do think you are being too hard on Disney with respect to the issue. Then again, I've been called a Disney apologist in the past . I do agree that Disney has dropped the ball many a time with respect to posting hours and such that help people plan. However, on this issue I'm not sure I agree, plus you know months in advance. I know that doesn't help you, and I'm sorry for that.

Managing the parks at Disney is a complex task. In addition, there may be factors in play that may be outside of the routine maintenance that the water parks usually receive. Disney has to manage all kinds of decsisions and schedules, and sometimes that may lead to a change in what is "normally" experienced. Sometimes the work that needs to be accomplished in multiple parks can't be accomodated by a schedule from previous years.

Why am I saying all of this? Well, it certainly isn't to be a jerk and tell you you are wrong to be disappointed - you should be. However, if you let this eat you up and continue to think that Disney's number one goal is to screw you personally you are bound to have a terrible experience as the frame of mind you go into he vacation with can have a huge impact on your enjoyment. I'd hate to see that happen. I feel your pain and understand your disappointment in the fact that BB won't be open, but if you consider the larger picture you may find that perhaps your disappointment shouldn't necessarily lie with Disney. Just something to consider.......................................... and I hope you have a good trip no matter what.

 

[ArcticWildMan]

Nope...this isn't going to ruin my trip. I'll just go to Wet n Wild.

I think the thing that is really getting me upset is the attitudes by some people here on the board.

People on the site need to learn to appreciate other people's feelings and opinions. I see wayyyy too many rude/snide comments. The really sad part is that a large percentage of those rude comments come from the people who have been around the longest and have the most posts. I had one jerk tell me that he had over 5200 posts and that gave him the right to question anybody. I was shocked but not surprised at the arrogance this person had. I have seen him rip into other people if they dared utter a peep that was even remotely anti-Disney.


I think some people need to take a few minutes before they hit that reply button and ask themselves "what if it was me that just posted that, would I want to be talked to that way?"

 

[DisneyKidds]

I think some people need to take a few minutes before they hit that reply button and ask themselves "what if it was me that just posted that, would I want to be talked to that way?"

Agreed. Hang in there and don't let it get you down...........................and I'm glad you won't let this BB thing ruin yor Disney experience.

ps - I assume you've been on the Debate board? Things can REALLY get ugly over there!

 

[ohanafamily]

I've noticed the quality of "advice" in this thread as well.

As an example one of the things I respect about Baron is that he can take a negative view of what you are doing and still treat you with respect (until he gets really mad). Of course with you he is in almost complete agreement .

Generally in this forum tact may get a little misplaced by posters passions, but you will get an apology easily from *most* of the people who have been around for a while...

Again in general people on this forum are civil...look in the debate forum if you want to get flamed...

(Rebuttals welcome-Baron, Voice, Pirate,Planogal,d-r, or any other members of the "Peanut Gallery")

 

[ArcticWildMan]

LOL!!! No thanks on the invite to the debate board

I stopped in once and I thought my screen was going to melt from the hostility!