Love to Hate Disney?

[LOL!]

I also find his most of his post to be quite entertaining even if I don't agree with them. He can be critical of WDWC, is a wordsmith, and he may go overboard with some of his colorful colloquialisms; but, none of that would give me any inclination that he "hates" WDW. Actually, I get the opposite impression.

I'd much rather read his posts than threads about selfie sticks or logging on at midnight to get an elusive FP that consist mainly of posts about as interesting as reading the ingredients on a box of cereal.

 

[Planogirl]

"True opinion", love it.

As already explained, true as in true for that individual. Sorry for any confusion.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm totally confused as to why some people automatically equate a few critical post by a member to mean that they hate WDW. I also don't like singling out one member; but, since lockedoutlogic has already been mentioned numerous times, I will use him as an example. It seems clear to me that anyone who reads his post can see the guy is a hugely passionate Disney fan. It is equally apparent the guy has more insight and knowledge about all things Disney than the average customer at WDW. I also find his most of his post to be quite entertaining even if I don't agree with them. He can be critical of WDWC, is a wordsmith, and he may go overboard with some of his colorful colloquialisms; but, none of that would give me any inclination that he "hates" WDW. Actually, I get the opposite impression.

All of that makes me wonder where I may fall on the spectrum. I just returned from WDW. My last stop before heading home was DTD. I have to say, I was completely blown away. Not by DTD itself, but by the parking garage. That is the most kick a$$ parking garage I have ever been in. It is amazing how it tells you how many spaces are left on each level and even each row. I was blown away by how nice it was, all of the technology involved, and how much easier it was to find a good parking space. I can't say enough good things about the garage. That said, it's a freaking parking garage! Why can't WDWC put that kind of effort into developing a new attraction that blows me away as much as the garage does? WDW has so many wonderful things and does so many things so well; but, it's not perfect. If someone points out one of WDW's mistakes or expresses an opinion that is not complimentary, why does that make them a WDW hater?

I liked the parking garage too. Nebraska Furniture Mart has the exact same thing and I've been wondering who used it first. Whoever it was, this is an incredible idea and thank you Disney for installing it.

 

[3DisneyFanz]

I liked the parking garage too. Nebraska Furniture Mart has the exact same thing and I've been wondering who used it first. Whoever it was, this is an incredible idea and thank you Disney for installing it.

Duke is installing this in their hospital parking garages as well so it's clear whoever developed the technology is doing a good job selling it.

 

[Planogirl]

Duke is installing this in their hospital parking garages as well so it's clear whoever developed the technology is doing a good job selling it.

Wow, I hope that we see more and more of it. I think that it's fabulous!

 

[DDLand]

I think mine train is riding in the boat with soarin and midway mania...

Good additions...but not headliners.

The wait times and lemming travelers have created an environment where the hype is forming the truth...where the truth should debunk the hype.

Because they have two hours waits...people get whipped up into a frenzy during trip planning and the "reality" of the ride has been thrown out of whack.

Certain...umm... Webboards...have all but encouraged such behavior.

Mine train should have been treated
Like little
Mermaid or the new dumbo, frankly...a good solid addition but in no way a headliner.

New Fantasyland was a solid addition, beautiful ornate themeing, wonderful execution, and immersive environments. Throw in some fun new rides like Mine Train and Little Mermaid, along with upgrades to dumbo and you've got yourself some great improvements.

No problem. People will like it. Some would request more ambitious direction, but they won't mind. Sell it for what it is. A strong upgrade that will add new favorites to the classics already in Fantasyland.

You're totally right that to an extent, that sites like these hype it up. Even before announcements people were excited about the potential.

I'm just pretty sure that WDW bought their own hype. When you have the head of WDP&R keep on repeating the "it's the biggest expansion in Magic Kingdom's history," line over and over it sets expectations high. When you're equating New Fantasyland to Cars Land over in the West, that sets expectations high. When you talk about expansions in the shadow of HP, that sets expectations high.

The hype train became a runaway train, and before long the Mine Train was the headliner of this "expansion." Instead of a modest and great addition, it became huge. Or at least that's how it was sold...

I think honestly the reason it still remains popular is because it's a family coaster. It fills the niche between Barnstormer and Big Thunder Mountain Rail Road. The ride didn't have to be great, but it did have to be somewhat strong.

They choose the shorter route, that's totally fine and I don't begrudge them for it. It does tick me off when they sell it the same way they sold RSRs. That makes me mad.

 

[DDLand]

I was blown away by how nice it was, all of the technology involved, and how much easier it was to find a good parking space. I can't say enough good things about the garage.

I'm curious, is it similar to what's been popping up in major urban areas in places like airports?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm curious, is it similar to what's been popping up in major urban areas in places like airports?

. You would think that this type of thing would be the way of the future...

That and... Well...de-emphasis on cars...cause that is inevitable at somepoint.

I like the new garage but will like it and the sister one alot more when the construction is done...

The "linear" construction of downtown was always stupid with no ability to cross over the water...they need that flow desperately...so it's not a 5 mile trek to the transportation options and back.

 

[LaidBackDad]

I'm curious, is it similar to what's been popping up in major urban areas in places like airports?

From the sounds of things, it must be. That's the first time I have seen anything like it. My point was we had a great time at WDW as always but what made the biggest impression on me was the stupid parking garage; and that's just sad. It was our first trip back since NFL was finished and it was very nice, but not amazing as others have commented. The Frozen sing along at HS was a huge hit with my daughters but didn't make up for all of the other recent losses in the park. I doubt we could have had a better vacation anywhere else; but, I can't blame others for criticizing WDW for not putting more effort into the parks. Especially, how they have gutted HS and neglected Epcot all the while raising prices. It doesn't matter how much pixie dust you sprinkle on that, it's still hard to swallow.

 

[Alice Royal]

Wow, this thread...

I moved to Orlando to live near Disney. I put my $500 and change in for my AP and I visit weekly. And you know what? I'm gonna complain about the things that aren't up to par. Not everyone on this particular board is a local, but that doesn't really matter. Being critical is important. There are WAY too many people foaming at the mouth over WDW when it. is. not. what. it. once. was.

I love Disney. I love the parks. But I love speculating and analyzing and even criticizing decisions that Parks and Resorts management make, because that's what we do here. Don't like it? Go join one of those happy-go-lucky, no-negativity Facebook groups.

Meanwhile, I'm gonna go huff and puff over the Arende--I mean, Norway renovations.

 

[WillJenDisney]

I didn't bother reading all of this, but yes, there are the few obvious folks who enjoy dumping on everything Disney in every single thread they can get into. They think dumping on Disney means they have a more realistic view, better insight, etc. I have no problem saying Disney does things wrong, but when you have people who thrust their negativity into every other thread. Well that's just sad.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I'm curious, is it similar to what's been popping up in major urban areas in places like airports?

I think so. We've had them here in some of the malls for quite a while now.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

I'm totally confused as to why some people automatically equate a few critical post by a member to mean that they hate WDW. I also don't like singling out one member; but, since lockedoutlogic has already been mentioned numerous times, I will use him as an example. It seems clear to me that anyone who reads his post can see the guy is a hugely passionate Disney fan. It is equally apparent the guy has more insight and knowledge about all things Disney than the average customer at WDW. I also find his most of his post to be quite entertaining even if I don't agree with them. He can be critical of WDWC, is a wordsmith, and he may go overboard with some of his colorful colloquialisms; but, none of that would give me any inclination that he "hates" WDW. Actually, I get the opposite impression.

All of that makes me wonder where I may fall on the spectrum. I just returned from WDW. My last stop before heading home was DTD. I have to say, I was completely blown away. Not by DTD itself, but by the parking garage. That is the most kick a$$ parking garage I have ever been in. It is amazing how it tells you how many spaces are left on each level and even each row. I was blown away by how nice it was, all of the technology involved, and how much easier it was to find a good parking space. I can't say enough good things about the garage. That said, it's a freaking parking garage! Why can't WDWC put that kind of effort into developing a new attraction that blows me away as much as the garage does? WDW has so many wonderful things and does so many things so well; but, it's not perfect. If someone points out one of WDW's mistakes or expresses an opinion that is not complimentary, why does that make them a WDW hater?

I hope you liked the lighting...our company did that part of it! I agree it is a killer parking garage.

 

[LaidBackDad]

I think so. We've had them here in some of the malls for quite a while now.

It's definitely better than some of the high end shopping mall garages I have been in. I would say it is different but it may just be just a huge upgrade in the technology. I've seen some of the older garages that would tell you how many spaces are supposed to be left in the garage but I have found that they weren't that accurate and they didn't break availability down level by level and row by row. This garage seemed more spacious and easy to navigate... and yes, even though I was at DTD during the daytime the lighting also seemed very nice.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I've been to DTD once ("emergency" weather-related situation and I HAD to buy my two year old some pants) and never intend to go again, but y'all have me intrigued about the parking garage. What makes it so awesome....it's a parking garage, right?

As for the OP and subsequent comments...as I get older, I find that I demand more from the money I spend. I figure if I'm spending good money I want to get a good ROI. We've only been going to Disney since 2011, and what I find frustrating is that my ROI has been steadily decreasing. FP+ was not a win for us, New Fantasyland really hasn't lived up to the hype, and now that we've started going to Universal, we can see what awesome ride technology that is out there that Disney has chosen not to deploy at WDW. And maybe I'm too obsessed over Shanghai Disneyland, but it seems to me that Disney is focused on tapping into that market there and is ignoring WDW in particular in favor of gobbling up all those Chinese dollars, which irritates me from an American consumer's point of view (but which is totally understandable from a Disney shareholder point of view). I know I'm being a brat, but as I read more about that park, I think "WAH! Why aren't we getting any of that good stuff?"

 

[skier_pete]

It was pretty obvious the OP was opening up a can of worms...but I'll add my two cents:

I think that the reason that you tend to see a lot of negative on the boards (and on the internet in general) is that people that have negative opinions about something they like tend to feel more strongly for it. You might get the occasional "Hey wow, that's neat" but it's more going to be "Yuk, what are they doing!" I try to stay on the side of realism, which probably puts me in the negative category at times. (@lockedoutlogic and I butt heads a lot - but I Remember once there were like three threads in a row we agreed on stuff...it was kind of scary!) I have no problems with most of the negative on here because for the most part it never gets personal - you don't often see 'You are a moron because you think this", which I think is good. I also think a lot of people look at the past with rose colored glasses. Finally, a lot of the negative tends to be "They are doing this - but it's not what I WANT so I don't like it!" which seems rather short sighted.

I will admit some people seems so constantly negative I don't know why they keep at it. For myself, while not every trip is better than the last trip, I can't say that any of the changes that have happened over the years have truly a negative effect on my vacation. If they do someday, then maybe I'll join the nega-chorus. But usually I'm defending the "wait and see" at a minimum or the "I like it" side of the argument.

 

[Planogirl]

I've been to DTD once ("emergency" weather-related situation and I HAD to buy my two year old some pants) and never intend to go again, but y'all have me intrigued about the parking garage. What makes it so awesome....it's a parking garage, right?

It's a nice concept. You have lights over all of the spaces that are either green or red to indicate whether the space is occupied or not. You also have indicators per row showing how many spaces are open in that row. I like not having to wander up and down the rows.

It appears to be popping up in many places so I guess that it's not unique. It's nice though and needs to be EVERYWHERE.

 

[OldsDr]

I think this thread can be summed up with a simple equation

Value = Guest Satisfaction - Cost

This is a very subjective equation. However, when the result becomes 0 or negative people will spend their money elsewhere. As the result approaches zero people will become more critical of what they are getting for what they pay for.

I for one am closer to 0 than a lot on this board which is why it has been a while since I have gone, and will get critical when I see true entertainment that used to be included in the price of admission be reduced, removed or replaced with something less impressive.

Even if you are at a much higher number, never be afraid to express your discontent. Don't just do it on these boards, write them a letter. Probably more importantly if there is something you absolutely love, make sure you tell the company before you hear they are shutting it down.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

(@lockedoutlogic and I butt heads a lot - but I Remember once there were like three threads in a row we agreed on stuff...it was kind of scary!)

Ahhhh...it was so Zen

 

[tup1830]

It's a nice concept. You have lights over all of the spaces that are either green or red to indicate whether the space is occupied or not. You also have indicators per row showing how many spaces are open in that row. I like not having to wander up and down the rows.

It appears to be popping up in many places so I guess that it's not unique. It's nice though and needs to be EVERYWHERE.

I've seen it in malls in my area for about 5 years or so...maybe even longer. Great idea.