9/22: Compendium Pt. II

[KevinYee]

Originally Posted by Voice Man Mike

Squid is calamari. I think the proper reference you were looking for is "tentacles" -the best part.

And bravo to any restaurant that does not supply sauces. Unless you're eating horse meat, sauce should not be needed. And if your stake needs sauce, then well, I guess your getting what your paying for. The lack of salt and pepper on the other hand is a little ridiculous.

As for the Yellowtail, it's a rather mild fish cooked or raw, which is why it is a sushi favorite especially if you are speaking of "amberjack yellowtail." Therefor it make sense why the you were tasting the vegetables -that was the point.

Correct on the tentacles - they were tasty. But a good many readers of my articles won't necessarily like what they will consider "experimental" food, which is why I try to "write for the masses" on the food options.

[Aaron Morrow]

While you can argue that the Wilderness Lodge Villas have an open-door policy because of the Sturdy Branches Health Club, there's no reason for the Beach Club Villas to be open to the public - but they are. (While I have no problem with a closed-door policy, I'm hoping to see some consistency across property in the future.)

More importantly, I'm curious to see how the prices of the Pirates League compare to those of the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Are there a couple of cheaper options to distract you from the high price of the most expensive choice? (Yes, there are.) Is there anything dirt cheap like the "Cool Dudes" package at the Boutique? (Not advertised as such, but perhaps some of the add-ons will be cheap.)

The review of Kouzzina reminded me of a big picture question I have concerning future WDW growth: Is the BoardWalk area supposed to be a center of activity and a secondary draw for visitors, like a smaller Downtown Disney? Or should Kouzzina be seen as a BoardWalk Inn and Villas restaurant first, with the possibility of drawing other WDW guests second? (I'm sorry if this isn't clear; I should start a thread in the WDW section once I've had time to ponder this issue some more.)

[GhostHost2]

Originally Posted by toonaspie

The theming of Pirates League looks amazing.

But yeah...er $125? Somehow I think that's one of those things that's gonna come back to bite Disney. It's happened before.

Why did they spend so much money on theming something that so few guests will get to see?

[BassBone]

Originally Posted by GhostHost2

Why did they spend so much money on theming something that so few guests will get to see?

To help justify the price.

My girlfriend wants to do it when we go in January. I don't really care. She wants the $49.95 option.

[FrankieD]

Originally Posted by Mikado

I've been to the Polynesian many times, but I've never seen it locked down, nor did I have to show/swipe a room key to get into my building when I was staying there. The Contemporary South Garden Wings aren't locked down either, last time I was there, and there is even less of a reason for a non-guest to be walking around there than there is in Bay Lake Tower. The problem isn't so much the current BLT restrictions, strange as they may be, as it is the bad precedent it sets for Walt Disney World resorts.

What makes restricted access to the tower seem so very odd is that I would have thought Disney would have wanted people walking around looking at something they are trying to sell you. That's the one compelling and perfectly legitimate reason for someone not staying in the BLT to be there looking things over - they are interested in the Disney Vacation Club. Sure, anyone can arrange a tour, but not everyone who might be interested wants to do that, and again, it just seems strange to go to so much trouble to keep people away from something you want to sell them. Can you imagine a new car dealership who won't let you on their lot unless you already own one of their cars?



This exact thing happens at every other Disney resort and nobody seems to have a problem with it. Years ago, even pool-hopping was permitted, so free access to other resorts was a given. No other Disney resorts are locked down like the Bay Lake Tower.

So maybe I was incorrect about the other buildings, but don't be surprised if they get locked down as well. But, you're missing my point. You and others feel that you have a right or entitlement to casually walk around.

As to viewing the property because others might want to buy it, there is a formal DVC tour. Also, if you house is up for sale using your logic, I should be able to just go over to your house at any time of day or night and walk around the front and back yard and through the house whether or not you're there.

Pool hopping was axed because guests from other resorts were impinging on the guests that were actually staying there. Most notably the Yacht & Beach Club. Why should a person whose paying $100 a night have access to the pool at a resort where guests are paying $300 a night? If you were that guest at $300/night I dare say you'd be pissed if you couldn't enjoy your own pool because guests at other Disney resorts had jumped over to your resort. That was the exact reason why pool hopping went.

Not all of the Disney properties can be locked down - Fort Wilderness. Trust me Security would love that opportunity as it ensures the safety of the guests staying there. As another poster put it, what business do you, someone not staying there have being there?

[Awe_inspired]

Does anyone else see Simon Cowell's head and shoulders in the flame? He's wearing a white t-shirt and looking off to his left. No? Alrighty, then.

[WDWFigment]

Thanks for posting the image in your article, Kevin.

Originally Posted by testtrack321

Bay Lake towers exclusivity is a non issue. I don't want MK guests coming by and running around trying to find Chef Mickey's!

Pirates League is very popular, especially around this time (aka MNSHP). Plus there are some fun actual movie props in there. Look for 'em!

Also, Kevin, can you post a full rsolution version of the Spectromagic photo fir use as a computer background? Thanks!

Originally Posted by TheDude

I also would love to have that picture as a background on my computer. Amazing shot!

I ought to try it at DCA with the DEP.

Thanks for the compliments, guys. You can download a large copy of the image by clicking on the "All Sizes" link above the image on its Flickr page: A Million Streams of Musical Light (Explored) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

You can also navigate to my other WDW shots from that page if you're interested.

[bayouguy]

When I do make it over to Walt Disney World, I just wish there would be some super signage or barrier which says "Only Guest of BLT". I would not like it if I was trying to go against the grain and have to be embarrassed by a CM that I was not allowed in the BLT area. It can be done.

[BassBone]

All this BLT talk is making me hungry!

[AstroBlaster]

Originally Posted by WDWFigment

Thanks for posting the image in your article, Kevin. Thanks for the compliments, guys. You can download a large copy of the image by clicking on the "All Sizes" link above the image on its Flickr page: A Million Streams of Musical Light (Explored) on Flickr - Photo Sharing!

You can also navigate to my other WDW shots from that page if you're interested.

Thanks for sharing WDWfigment!

[KevinYee]

Originally Posted by bayouguy

When I do make it over to Walt Disney World, I just wish there would be some super signage or barrier which says "Only Guest of BLT". I would not like it if I was trying to go against the grain and have to be embarrassed by a CM that I was not allowed in the BLT area. It can be done.

This was really my only comment when I first ran my story. I honestly and innocently made it all the way inside without realizing I wasn't allowed, and I did feel embarrassed, almost dirty, even though I'd done nothing wrong intentionally.

[Lebeau]

I don't really have stong feelings about the lockdown one way or another. But, for better or worse, it does lead to some guests feeling less welcome. I doubt I'd ever have any inclination to walk around the restricted area. But the fact that some guests are allowed to roam freely while I'm being restricted is going to make me feel less at home.

Yes, it's Disney's right to restrict access to guests who are paying for the facilities. And if they are doing so for security reasons, that's well and good. But one can't help but suspect that this is being done at least in part to create an air of exclusivity so that a DVC membership will become that much more alluring.

Not falling for it, Disney.

The Pirates thing looks cool and all. But those prices seem way out of whack. It seems like Disney has consistently over-estimated the popularity of the Pirates franchise. Maybe they'll do better with their Marvel properties in the future.

[disneycrazycatlady]

This is my first post!!

Our family also tried Kouzzina a few weeks ago while in soft opening- The stewed cinnamon chicken was delicious. We also tried the calimari and the pita bread appetizers with 3 spreads. Both were excellent! We would definitely return to Kouzzina.

[DreamComeTrueJoe]

My 6yo son did the $49.95 Pirate's League makeover during our August trip, he had a 9:30am appt on a Monday and the place was FULL - every seat had a child in it - and ALMOST ALL of them were getting the $125 deal - my son had worn a Pirate of the Caribbean shirt from home, so when the makeover was compete it was a good match.

He swaggered around all day in that outfit - it was certainly worth the money - he even made use of it on the Pirate's Night on our 3-night Disney Cruise later that week.

I believe the only difference between the 2 packages is the full size pirate costume - which, in the August heat, we are certainly glad we didn't get.

[KevinYee]

Yay! Pirates *IN* the Caribbean!!