Just Back: Just a Few Notes

[Geoff_M]

I hope they don't close Tiki! We've found a great new use for the attraction. Since you now can bring food into Tiki, combined with the fact that you can never find a table at the Aloha Isle stand (and if you do it's probably in direct sunlight), we now love to grab a Dole Whip and then head to the Tiki room to eat it in a air-conditioned room with padded seats and watch the show!

 

[NeuroCindy]

@rteetz Have you heard anything about Tiki room closing?

 

[kpavlik]

Animal Kingdom and Magic Kingdom are in 2 different counties with 2 different tax rates.

two counties? Really? I find that funny for some reason. Would have thought Disney had its own county ;-)

 

[rteetz]

@rteetz Have you heard anything about Tiki room closing?

Yes. No dates or anything right now but there are a couple sources saying it might be on the chopping block for WDW only. It doesn't see the foot traffic/attendance they want. A couple options are total removal or the Stitch overlay from Tokyo.

 

[hiroMYhero]

@BebopBaloo ~ Your thread was featured on the Daily Fix today:

 

[BebopBaloo]

@BebopBaloo ~ Your thread was featured on the Daily Fix today:

Aw, yay!! Thanks guys!

 

[FelisLachesis]

I think if Disney really wanted to, they could find better ways to direct air/smoke flow with technology. They've just chosen not to for some reason.

I was thinking more of a gentle air vacuum that pulls smoke away, but I'm in neuroscience, not physics.

I think as long as people are all considerate of each other, the smoking section isn't a big deal. It's when people aren't considerate that it tends to create a problem.

Technology concerning moving smoke out of the way is rather strange. Before a lot of individual states outright banned smoking in publicly accessible places, there was a push to try to keep smoke isolated. Casinos, especially, were big in wanting this, in order to keep the smoke along the border areas from seeping through. Restaurants wanted it so the non-smoking patrons didn't get that "extra smoky" flavor with their salads Once the smoking bans came in, the development subsided.

It's good to hear a smoker's point of view on the issue, especially one who is as conscientious about it as you seem to be. As a non-smoker - thank you for that. I have no idea what the best solution would be other than to have it out of the way from the attractions, which is probably what was intended by having it on the trail. I'm sure with a little brainstorming, they could figure out a better plan.

The one thing I like about smoking sections is that this is my sanctuary with a cigarette. I was talking with someone at King's Dominion last year, and she was rather miffed that she was "boxed in" to these smoking zones. I told her that these zones made smoking areas predictable, and that people who don't want to deal with it can move around the zones. Most of the zones in King's Dominion are behind bathrooms, though there are a few scattered in some secluded areas. Definitely more than 2 like in MK.

The one pet peeve I have is the "inconsiderate non-smoker." These people will actually find me at the parking lot in the mall, weave across two rows of parked cars, get in my face, and start "fake coughing." I'm like, really? You just came over here to be confrontational, didn't you? I wish I were joking when I type this; people have actually done it. At least with the smoking areas, if you don't want to deal with smoke, don't come here.

 

[DWillowBay]

In regards to the Tiki Room, it is still just a rumor...But I really do wish that whether or not it's true that something would be done to keep the nostalgia intact while having it make sense to those unfamiliar with it. I don't want any IP characters thrown in like the past mess with Iago and Zazu. Just some historical grounding could go a long way. I think more people care about history than is realized.

I couldn't agree more. MK is losing the vintage markers that were the definition of Walt and his innovation. We've lost Mr. Toad, Snow White's Scary Adventures (all still available at DLR, mind you...with far less space!) I hope this is does not pan out to be true. It really 'ruffled my feathers!'

 

[GPC0321]

I understand the need to keep innovating (and realize the Speedway takes up an awful lot of space), but I hope they factor in the nostalgia factor as well, in making these decisions! Although I still miss Mr. Toad at WDW, so I'm probably not the best judge of such things!)

I miss Mr. Toad too. And I love Winnie the Pooh...my nickname as a kid was Pooh Bear and I have a horse named Tigger. But that ride doesn't hold a candle to Mr. Toad.

 

[mamamelody2]

I've never done Tiki Room but planning on it in November. I sure hope it's still there!

 

[fbarker]

Couldn't tell you. Maybe AK ran out of 9s setting up Pandora, and all they had left were 3s? . It could also be possible that they want to sell more popcorn at AK, though I'm not making a side trek there just to save 60 cents on a bucket.

I wanted to touch on something from your OP:



I'll start off with saying I am a smoker. That said, I also know about the internet dangers of smoking. (Life pro tip: easiest way to quit, don't ever start, it's literally hell to try quitting after being addicted).

Anyway, regarding the smoking sections at MK. There's only 3 at The Kingdom, and one is actually next to the boat dock that collects from The Grand Floridian. So there's only 2 inside the park. Personally, I don't feel that's enough. I also remember when there was a few more, but their placements were terrible for the non-smokers!

If I remember right, one was right next to Cinderella's Castle! I felt bad smoking there, as I couldn't find a direction to blow that wasn't getting smoke into someone's face.

My favorite spot that was removed was behind The Tomorrow Light and Power Company. That's the gift shop adjacent to Space Mountain. I thought, well, if everyone is sucking in all the gas fumes from Tomorrowland Speedway, this won't hurt.

I know Disney wants to keep smoke away from the kids. I know health organizations that want to keep smoke away from the kids. Heck, I want to keep smoke away from the kids! I also think congregating smokers into only two areas of the park is bad, as that creates bigger clouds in those areas, like you experienced.

I think Disney needs to create one smoking area per land. I don't care if it's behind a building. Yes, I know that breaks the fourth wall effect they try so hard to maintain. But smokers are older, we know it's a theme park, it's an illusion. Give us that chance to unwind for a couple moments without going too far.

I am sorry and I know that smoking is a habit and addiction. My father died from it but.....because, in your opinion, WDW does not have enough smoking areas does not give any smoker the right to smoke in areas not designated for smoking. WDW is a private company and does not even have to provide such places. If it was up to me I would ban smoking from the parks entirely and only allow smoking in designated areas outsdie the actual parks, make it as inconvenient as they can. Again I understand your addiction but I should not have to be exposed to it when I am enjoying the park with my family.

 

[FelisLachesis]

because, in your opinion, WDW does not have enough smoking areas does not give any smoker the right to smoke in areas not designated for smoking.

Where did I ever mention that it was ok to smoke in any areas not designated as such? The areas I mentioned were areas that were once designated smoking areas at the end of 2014, but are not listed as such, anymore.

I understand that non-smokers shouldn't be exposed to smoke, I realize that; this stuff stinks. But making the parks completely smoke free is completely counter-intuitive to being able to spend an entire day at the parks. If I decide to leave because i want a cigarette, I may decide not to go back in, which would affect The Mouse's bottom line.

 

[North of Mouse]

-Short and Mostly Sweet-

Monster's Inc Laugh Floor: "Comedy is hard." Typically we've enjoyed this show (we've been put on the screen a couple times), but twice in the show we attended, the jokes weren't exactly ok. Some jokes made at audience members weren't funny. So...I don't know. I love Monster's Inc. the film and would like to see it have a presence in the park, but maybe it's time for a different attraction. I wouldn't exactly be sad to see Laugh Floor end today.

[/QUOTE/]

Was this your first time for this show?? We've been going for years and this is 'always' the way it is - have never seen anyone get upset because of being in the 'spotlight'!! They all seem to enjoy it - doesn't seem over the top to me! We always love it!

 

[WestieCrazy]

-Short and Mostly Sweet-

Crowds: Bonkers (not the cute cat either). Spring Break, so of course they were. However, we still did a whole whole lot. I really like the FastPass+ set up. We've used it a few times before, but this trip it proved it's worth. The new security check points at MK are fantastic and really help the flow of crowds. Getting into Epcot, however, was especially bad one day. Probably took 45 from the time we got off the bus before we got into the park.

Weather: WAS AMAZING!

All done.

Agree! We were there from 4/8-4/16 and the weather was perfect! No bugs, no humidity and cool (not cold) nights. Made the crowds much more bearable. But, we also had good plans for rides and FP, so we had a great time.

 

[blessedby3]

I hope they keep the Tiki Room too! I have been going to WDW since it opened and I miss the skyway, Mr Toads Wild Ride, If You Had Wings and 20,000 Leagues. Now the Tomorrowland Speedway is going….I know things need to change, but change is hard. Stitch on the other hand….can be replaced with something else asap

 

[BebopBaloo]

North of Mouse,
We have also done this show several times. This was not the first instance of seeing jokes aimed inappropriately, but this time was worse. We have been put up on the screen in a couple of the shows we have attended and it has been fun for us. My husband has even gotten up and danced per the 'feels like dancing' spotlight, which is not something he would normally do, but he played along and it was fun for him.
The jokes that I was referring to this round were just poorly aimed and forced.

 

[BebopBaloo]

Agree! We were there from 4/8-4/16 and the weather was perfect! No bugs, no humidity and cool (not cold) nights. Made the crowds much more bearable. But, we also had good plans for rides and FP, so we had a great time.

It was amazing. I think it's the only time I've been without even so much as a drop of rain.

 

[North of Mouse]

It was amazing. I think it's the only time I've been without even so much as a drop of rain.

Florida is very dry right now - has been fires burning, and there is a fire ban in effect at Fort Wilderness, I know, not sure about other areas.

Great for attending the parks - we go next week - but not so great for FL in general! We have also gone a few times when it didn't rain one drop, but most times there are at least showers. We usually are great at 'breaking' droughts wherever we vacation!!

 

[BebopBaloo]

Florida is very dry right now - has been fires burning, and there is a fire ban in effect at Fort Wilderness, I know, not sure about other areas.

Great for attending the parks - we go next week - but not so great for FL in general! We have also gone a few times when it didn't rain one drop, but most times there are at least showers. We usually are great at 'breaking' droughts wherever we vacation!!

I would certainly rather a drought end than have no rain just because I'm on vacation. I do hope it ends soon. Wildfires are certainly not worth getting to leave ponchos packed away.

 

[gr8leg8]

This is why I love DL so much! The theming has changed, but you can still go "under the sea" by packing into that claustrophobic, dimly lit submarine--and also see Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, , Snow White's Scary Adventure, ride non-Hyperspace Mountain...

There is a side room to view the sub ride for guests with mobility challenges and trouble in closed spaces.
We have used it a few times to avoid the big booms of fireworks.