WonkaKid
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Apr 2, 2009
Crowds at the park yesterday were relatively light. I ascribe that primarily to the rain. To a lesser extent, I understand that some tickets such as the SoCal three-day pass expired the previous weekend.
Oddly, when we entered Fantasyland, Toad, Alice and Snow White were all closed. I'm sure that as per usual the closures were temporary.
Other news/updates:
The Pizza Planet refurb is complete and it looks fantastic (pics below)! The consequences, however, are less fantastic. In fact, they’re bad and disappointing.
1. They no longer have sparkling water on tap. That was the only place that did offer it, as far as I know, and it was one of my favorite treats: sparkling water with lemon, since I don’t drink soda. I’ve been off refined sugar for more than 30 years. I spoke with the manager and he told me that I could still buy it at one of the many snack kiosks…for $5. Not exactly the same thing as being able to help yourself to as little or as much as you like and add however much lemon is needed. Very disappointed. I spoke with the manager and he said that the choice had been made by Coca-Cola, which seems unlikely to me. If Disney had asked for it, I’ve no doubt CC would have accommodated the request.
2. I used to grab one of their hot cups and make tea, since I always bring my own (I buy my tea from England and it’s far better than anything I’ve had here). They no longer allow that, officially. Cups are now at the register and must be paid for, regardless. One of the register CMs informed me of this and her tone was less than pleasant. It bordered on an accusation. It seemed a little inappropriate since this is a brand new policy and I’ve done it for at least a few years. I don’t know what they’d charge but I suspect it would be $3… for an empty cup. I believe they’re still free at Rancho Del Zocalo.
As many of you know, the castle is now open! It's been several months since we've been able to take that route to FL at rope drop. As an aside, many guests run to PP at RD. About once every eight weeks we'll have a RD where they don't. In short, it's uncommon. Yesterday, however, as we passed through the castle the CM tending the PP line warned us all that running guests would be placed at the back of the line. I've never heard threats of consequences. There have only been requests not to run: "Walk, please! Please don't run!" It would be great if the no-running policy would be strictly enforced. Verbal warnings rarely work, as many of us have seen.
The secondary FP scanner on Buzz is gone now. Since it hasn’t been used for about the last 18 months, it didn’t need to be there anyway (again, pics below). It makes the queue slightly wider.
I spoke with a security CM I know and he told me that they catch at least one smoker per day. Not really a surprise. If they catch one, surely there are more.
SWL was open on Saturday for the construction workers that were involved with building it and to their families. Apparently the execs were that pleased with it. Also, yesterday it was open to DL CMs. Both the entrance and exit were guarded by at least four CMs to stop uninvited guests.
I often bring “fun-sized” candy bars to give to the various CMs with whom I’m acquainted. At least 50 have been accepted over the past year. Yesterday I was told by a CM that I met recently that they’re not allowed to accept anything from guests and if they do, they could be fired. I’ve never heard that before and, as I say, I’ve made dozens of small gifts to CMs. Other people I know used to bring in entire cakes or deli platters for CMs and they were all accepted. One used to go so far as to gift laptops. I was surprised to hear that it was against the rules and more so that no other CM has ever mentioned it to me in the past.
Lastly, I have several sets of maps that I'm happy to send to anyone that wants them. Please send me a direct message with your preferred mailing address. Note that the current maps do not show or include SWL. A friend has a reservation for 8:00 on opening day. He said he'd send me pics of the maps that are available on that day. I suspect they'll show SWL. I'll be there on Sunday again and will see for myself. Our SWL reservation is not until the following Sunday.
Park pics:
The new Adventureland entrance arch.
CMs guarding the SWL entrance.
CMs guarding the SWL exit.
Oddly, when we entered Fantasyland, Toad, Alice and Snow White were all closed. I'm sure that as per usual the closures were temporary.
Other news/updates:
The Pizza Planet refurb is complete and it looks fantastic (pics below)! The consequences, however, are less fantastic. In fact, they’re bad and disappointing.
1. They no longer have sparkling water on tap. That was the only place that did offer it, as far as I know, and it was one of my favorite treats: sparkling water with lemon, since I don’t drink soda. I’ve been off refined sugar for more than 30 years. I spoke with the manager and he told me that I could still buy it at one of the many snack kiosks…for $5. Not exactly the same thing as being able to help yourself to as little or as much as you like and add however much lemon is needed. Very disappointed. I spoke with the manager and he said that the choice had been made by Coca-Cola, which seems unlikely to me. If Disney had asked for it, I’ve no doubt CC would have accommodated the request.
2. I used to grab one of their hot cups and make tea, since I always bring my own (I buy my tea from England and it’s far better than anything I’ve had here). They no longer allow that, officially. Cups are now at the register and must be paid for, regardless. One of the register CMs informed me of this and her tone was less than pleasant. It bordered on an accusation. It seemed a little inappropriate since this is a brand new policy and I’ve done it for at least a few years. I don’t know what they’d charge but I suspect it would be $3… for an empty cup. I believe they’re still free at Rancho Del Zocalo.
As many of you know, the castle is now open! It's been several months since we've been able to take that route to FL at rope drop. As an aside, many guests run to PP at RD. About once every eight weeks we'll have a RD where they don't. In short, it's uncommon. Yesterday, however, as we passed through the castle the CM tending the PP line warned us all that running guests would be placed at the back of the line. I've never heard threats of consequences. There have only been requests not to run: "Walk, please! Please don't run!" It would be great if the no-running policy would be strictly enforced. Verbal warnings rarely work, as many of us have seen.
The secondary FP scanner on Buzz is gone now. Since it hasn’t been used for about the last 18 months, it didn’t need to be there anyway (again, pics below). It makes the queue slightly wider.
I spoke with a security CM I know and he told me that they catch at least one smoker per day. Not really a surprise. If they catch one, surely there are more.
SWL was open on Saturday for the construction workers that were involved with building it and to their families. Apparently the execs were that pleased with it. Also, yesterday it was open to DL CMs. Both the entrance and exit were guarded by at least four CMs to stop uninvited guests.
I often bring “fun-sized” candy bars to give to the various CMs with whom I’m acquainted. At least 50 have been accepted over the past year. Yesterday I was told by a CM that I met recently that they’re not allowed to accept anything from guests and if they do, they could be fired. I’ve never heard that before and, as I say, I’ve made dozens of small gifts to CMs. Other people I know used to bring in entire cakes or deli platters for CMs and they were all accepted. One used to go so far as to gift laptops. I was surprised to hear that it was against the rules and more so that no other CM has ever mentioned it to me in the past.
Lastly, I have several sets of maps that I'm happy to send to anyone that wants them. Please send me a direct message with your preferred mailing address. Note that the current maps do not show or include SWL. A friend has a reservation for 8:00 on opening day. He said he'd send me pics of the maps that are available on that day. I suspect they'll show SWL. I'll be there on Sunday again and will see for myself. Our SWL reservation is not until the following Sunday.
Park pics:
The new Adventureland entrance arch.
CMs guarding the SWL entrance.
CMs guarding the SWL exit.
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