White tents/cabanas at Magic Kingdom?

[Madonna3]

I guess this is my issue...

That area could have been utilized to build benches, make a nice resting area for all. It's off the path, away from the noise and crowds. Could have put in some extra water fountains and benches. It's a nice shady area. Instead, they take that area away from the population who paid for admission, and repackage it to resell that real estate at a premium with premium amenities. Why would it be wrong to add value for everyone that paid admission? It seems they are only wanting to add value to those who want to pay more for it. There's my issue. You want a quiet area to sit? That will be $650 kind sir....or theres a nice sidewalk curb on main street for you....

I see your point of view. Here's mine. I'm DVC and Annual Passholder. There's lots of things at Disney I have done and there are lots of things I haven't done. I stay at deluxe resorts, I use TIW for expensive meals (dropped $500 at Monsieur Paul 10 days ago for a party I "hosted"), and I have cash to burn. When Disney starts boring me and there's nothing left to buy, I move on. This intrigues me because I can "host" a party of a few close friends and enjoy MK in a very relaxed setting and spend my money at Disney. I don't mind paying for a little extra pampering. Now, the whole Mickey Ear thing that comes included I could do without and I kinda wish they would given an either/or in this situation, but it's not enough to make me not do it. If I was just going my husband, son, and I, then I would not consider this. However, when I go with a group of friends, I would definitely purchase this to have a place for the group to all relax together and be able to do the open to close of MK. Oh, and I wouldn't buy this on a "short" day. This would be an indulgence when we get there at 9am and don't plan to leave until midnight.

So while I appreciate that you want equality for all, not everyone spends equally and Disney is catering to both sides of the coin, imo.

 

[dlavender]

What if they built a high end table service restaurant in that location, would it be an issue for you still?

It's an interesting thought to ponder.

Be Our Guest is a similar example to the question you pose. Instead of a ride, which I would have preferred in that space, they built a restaurant. Not really high end, though. But they did use prime real estate for it. People seem to love it, and I'll admit its very aesthetically pleasing. I don't dislike it, but it wouldn't have been my first choice.

To the exact question, if they wanted to build a TomorrowLand $500/plate exculsive Diner Experience 3000, I guess I could learn not to dislike it. I would still prefer something that added value to more people, but I'm not in the captain's chair.

 

[dlavender]

I see your point of view. Here's mine. I'm DVC and Annual Passholder. There's lots of things at Disney I have done and there are lots of things I haven't done. I stay at deluxe resorts, I use TIW for expensive meals (dropped $500 at Monsieur Paul 10 days ago for a party I "hosted"), and I have cash to burn. When Disney starts boring me and there's nothing left to buy, I move on. This intrigues me because I can "host" a party of a few close friends and enjoy MK in a very relaxed setting and spend my money at Disney. I don't mind paying for a little extra pampering. Now, the whole Mickey Ear thing that comes included I could do without and I kinda wish they would given an either/or in this situation, but it's not enough to make me not do it. Now, if I was just going my husband, son, and I, then I would not consider this. However, when I go with a group of friends, I would definitely purchase this to have a place for the group to all relax together and be able to do the open to close of MK. Oh, and I wouldn't buy this on a "short" day. This would be an indulgence when we get there at 9am and don't plan to leave until midnight.

So while I appreciate that you want equality for all, not everyone spends equally and Disney is catering to both sides of the coin, imo.

I totally understand there are people visiting WDW like yourself who look for extra "indulgences." There's a market for everything. WDW has long catered to all segments. It's why they have been so successful. However, I think you start to tow a line when you are taking from one to give to another. I'm not saying that putting up 5 tents instead of building 5 benches is in anyway going to affect anything. It will be interesting to watch if this is a shift in direction, or just a one off. (Well, 2 off if you include taking the steamboat out of regular use) I guess the question is how much real-estate is available for these types of conversions? It's a fascinating business.

 

[sachilles]

It's an interesting thought to ponder.

Be Our Guest is a similar example to the question you pose. Instead of a ride, which I would have preferred in that space, they built a restaurant. Not really high end, though. But they did use prime real estate for it. People seem to love it, and I'll admit its very aesthetically pleasing. I don't dislike it, but it wouldn't have been my first choice.

To the exact question, if they wanted to build a TomorrowLand $500/plate exculsive Diner Experience 3000, I guess I could learn not to dislike it. I would still prefer something that added value to more people, but I'm not in the captain's chair.

Lets just say the restaurant cost you $650 to buy lunch for yourself and 7 friends. So like $82 a head.

You see my point though, there are restaurants all over the property that have exclusive experiences that are semi private and come in at a per hour price more than this experience.
I don't think this location is a poor one, and if future ones are upstairs or semi backstage I don't see an issue with it.
I'll grant you if they throw them up in the hub, well I would have a different opinion.
For me, it is very location dependent.

 

[dlavender]

Lets just say the restaurant cost you $650 to buy lunch for yourself and 7 friends. So like $82 a head.

You see my point though, there are restaurants all over the property that have exclusive experiences that are semi private and come in at a per hour price more than this experience.
I don't think this location is a poor one, and if future ones are upstairs or semi backstage I don't see an issue with it.
I'll grant you if they throw them up in the hub, well I would have a different opinion.
For me, it is very location dependent.

The entire property is littered (not a great word choice) with exclusives. Has been for a long time. That part is not new. What is new is taking out quiet spaces that the public had access to and reselling them. There aren't really other quiet spots I can think of at the moment, so this could just be a one off. But if they start selling off every 100 sq ft spot that isn't "crowded", I don't think I'd be pleased.

Would you mind, for argument's sake, if they changed Tom Sawyer's Island to Magic Kingdom Exclusive Relaxation Island for a small fee of $650 per tent rented on said island?

 

[Madonna3]

The entire property is littered (not a great word choice) with exclusives. Has been for a long time. That part is not new. What is new is taking out quiet spaces that the public had access to and reselling them. There aren't really other quiet spots I can think of at the moment, so this could just be a one off. But if they start selling off every 100 sq ft spot that isn't "crowded", I don't think I'd be pleased.

Would you mind, for argument's sake, if they changed Tom Sawyer's Island to Magic Kingdom Exclusive Relaxation Island for a small fee of $650 per tent rented on said island?

nope

 

[sachilles]

Would you mind, for argument's sake, if they changed Tom Sawyer's Island to Magic Kingdom Exclusive Relaxation Island for a small fee of $650 per tent rented on said island?

In all seriousness, I was thinking that exact thought, and I'd be ok with that. I was also thinking little river house boats docked along the rivers edge.
To answer your question, I'd be ok with it. However, I'm a country boy, as is my son. We have that experience in our back yard any day we want. So I'm not emotionally attached to it.

 

[dlavender]

nope

In all seriousness, I was thinking that exact thought, and I'd be ok with that. I was also thinking little river house boats docked along the rivers edge.
To answer your question, I'd be ok with it. However, I'm a country boy, as is my son. We have that experience in our back yard any day we want. So I'm not emotionally attached to it.

And that's why we are mortal enemies...

Or at least on two different sides on this one....

 

[HopperFan]

nope

In all seriousness, I was thinking that exact thought, and I'd be ok with that. I was also thinking little river house boats docked along the rivers edge.
To answer your question, I'd be ok with it. However, I'm a country boy, as is my son. We have that experience in our back yard any day we want. So I'm not emotionally attached to it.

3 votes now

Tom Sawyer Island is valuable real estate that one of these days may be gone ...... just RUMORS

 

[skier_pete]

I really think everyone is making too big a deal out of this. My impression is these cabanas weren't even in an existing guest area. They take up a TINY space in the park either way.

I'm sorry, if this upsets you so badly, it might be time to take your money somewhere else. Disney does not MAKE you come to Disney. You do have a choice. You even have a choice whether to rent a cabana or not.

And to each his own, and I know some people love it, but they could do anything at all with Tom Sawyer island and it wouldn't bother me. We went there once when our DD was maybe 6 or 7 and we were all bored silly, even her. Paths and tunnels and a fort with all the rooms sealed off from entering are just not that exciting. Haven't been back since.

 

[HopperFan]

I really think everyone is making too big a deal out of this. My impression is these cabanas weren't even in an existing guest area. They take up a TINY space in the park either way.

I'm sorry, if this upsets you so badly, it might be time to take your money somewhere else. Disney does not MAKE you come to Disney. You do have a choice. You even have a choice whether to rent a cabana or not.

And to each his own, and I know some people love it, but they could do anything at all with Tom Sawyer island and it wouldn't bother me. We went there once when our DD was maybe 6 or 7 and we were all bored silly, even her. Paths and tunnels and a fort with all the rooms sealed off from entering are just not that exciting. Haven't been back since.

I don't get the angst either. There literally was no loss to positive space there.
It's one of those things no one wanted or cared about - until someone else has it.

 

[Madonna3]

It's one of those things no one wanted or cared about - until someone else has it.

Ah and so goes the human behavior of coveting.

 

[Gillyrose779]

We actually toured the cabana last week and took a 360 video of it. It's called 360° video Disney World Magic Kingdom Private Cabana's if anyone wants to check it out on YouTube.

I thought they were neat and could see- for the right group- they could be very beneficial.

 

[dlavender]

I don't get the angst either. There literally was no loss to positive space there.
It's one of those things no one wanted or cared about - until someone else has it.

Well, if the cabanas now exist in a spot where you could walk/rest/sit, and now you cannot, then by definition, there literally was a loss of space.....If they exist in a spot where you did not have access previously, then you are correct, there was literally no loss of space....

I'm sorry, if this upsets you so badly, it might be time to take your money somewhere else. Disney does not MAKE you come to Disney. You do have a choice. You even have a choice whether to rent a cabana or not.

I don't think anyone is that upset. I think people, like myself, are just pointing out a possible emerging trend, or expressing that perhaps the space could be utilized differently. I think that if people are upset that people are upset, then it's time to put down the internet for a spell......

 

[LeeAndRobin]

Well, if the cabanas now exist in a spot where you could walk/rest/sit, and now you cannot, then by definition, there literally was a loss of space.....If they exist in a spot where you did not have access previously, then you are correct, there was literally no loss of space....

It is incorrect to say that this was not a guest area previously. It was slightly below (2-3 steps down IIRC) and to the left of the bathrooms (which used to be the skyway station) when facing the bathrooms. It was an area that many didn't know about, so it was a nice quiet place to rest. So yes, there has been a net loss of space to all guests since the cabanas were put in.

 

[circus4u]

It is incorrect to say that this was not a guest area previously. It was slightly below (2-3 steps down IIRC) and to the left of the bathrooms (which used to be the skyway station) when facing the bathrooms. It was an area that many didn't know about, so it was a nice quiet place to rest. So yes, there has been a net loss of space to all guests since the cabanas were put in.

Is this the old smoking area?

 

[closetmickey]

Those look incredibly from the outside

 

[cranbiz]

Is this the old smoking area?

Sure looks like it.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

http://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/20...ile.cnn?iid=ob_homepage_10-test_featured_pool

Saw this today...
...anyone want to explain how this isn't utterly ridiculous? I'm having a hard time bridging the mental gap here...

 

[dlavender]

http://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/20...ile.cnn?iid=ob_homepage_10-test_featured_pool

Saw this today...
...anyone want to explain how this isn't utterly ridiculous? I'm having a hard time bridging the mental gap here...

According to some, it was either this or raise ticket prices....

You don't think private tent cabana when you think tomorrow land? After all, it was the customer who requested it.....