A Familiar Situation... (Disney World Blues)

[WDW1974]

I would say the problems seen in T-Land are emblematic of what I see in the entire MK. Whether it's CoP, or Snow White or Haunted Mansion or Pirates or Splash Mountain, I can find attractions in every land that are not being maintained to save $$$ in the short-term.

I, personally, have never seen so much look as badly as it does now, with the caveat that some things have been improved like The Hub area and now the train station on Main Street.

If this were Anaheim, Al Lutz would be calling for execs like Holmes, Weiss, Wallace and Cockerell's heads on a platter, but in Orlando where WDW caters to a less discerning theme park visitor by and large (but NOT everyone) it passes unknown unless someone gets really ticked and a story suddenly appears in the O-Sentinel or even the NY Times.

You can't even compare the state of upkeep in the MK back in 1995 with today standards have dropped so much. But go back to 1975 or 1985 and you'd swear you were at a Bizarro-WDW.

[DoppelV]

All I can say is, I pray that one day WDW can get a leader who cares about the parks, the traditions, and the people who work here. I am hopeful however, that someday the resort will get this person.

Also, I really wish that the Walt Disney World Resort could someday be officially known as Walt Disney World. People will get the point, there's hotels there too!

Disneyland had these growing pains too. We're only sixteen years away from WDW's 50th, maybe we won't have to wait quite as long for a spruce up!

[TheDisneyInquisitor]

Also, I really wish that the Walt Disney World Resort could someday be officially known as Walt Disney World. People will get the point, there's hotels there too!

All the locations have "resort" attached to them with the exception of Hong Kong (Disneyland Resort, Disneyland Paris Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort).

[DoppelV]

^^ Yeah, I know, doesn't mean I gotta like it!

[DoppelV]

^^That was just a joke, but the smiley didn't show up!^^

[Dustysage]

If this were Anaheim, Al Lutz would be calling for execs like Holmes, Weiss, Wallace and Cockerell's heads on a platter, but in Orlando where WDW caters to a less discerning theme park visitor by and large (but NOT everyone) it passes unknown unless someone gets really ticked and a story suddenly appears in the O-Sentinel or even the NY Times.

You can't even compare the state of upkeep in the MK back in 1995 with today standards have dropped so much. But go back to 1975 or 1985 and you'd swear you were at a Bizarro-WDW.

I couldn't agree more. Al doesn't focus much on WDW and doesn't get much info on it. However, our very own Kevin Yee is the WDW king on these boards. I think a WDW Blues site is much needed these days. Perhaps we can convince Kevin to start applying the pressure on WDW management in his weekly updates. Stories, photos, etc of the sorry state of WDW.

-Dusty

[yoyoflamingo]

I got it.. they can play 70s inspired music on the ride... lol after a refeebishment of curse... that would make space mountain beter!


LOL LOL LOL

I still think adding "So long, and thanks for all the Fish" after a Hitchhiker retheme would be perfect. That's what I'm hoping for. Who cares if a lot of people didn't like the movie, everyone loved the song!

[WDW1974]

I couldn't agree more. Al doesn't focus much on WDW and doesn't get much info on it. However, our very own Kevin Yee is the WDW king on these boards. I think a WDW Blues site is much needed these days. Perhaps we can convince Kevin to start applying the pressure on WDW management in his weekly updates. Stories, photos, etc of the sorry state of WDW.

-Dusty

I really wish I had the free-time to do something myself.

WDW's MK has never been in worse shape overall, and it gets no attention.

Heck, I pride myself on the fact I was banned for life from another online 'place' for pointing out these facts.

But it gets old in a hurry. I sometimes need a break, even from Micechat, because I'm tired of arguing with people who weren't even alive in the 70s (and some into the 80s) about how WDW used to be run when it was the Vacation Kingdom of the World.

For someone who first visited in 2000, WDW must seem perfect (if they haven't been to DL, TDL or DLP). But for someone who grew up at the MK and EPCOT Center, it's like the 'evildoers' have taken over the kingdom and most of the citizens have the intelligence of the court jester.

... anyway that's one rant. Got another I'm about to begin before I call it a night.

[Dustysage]

I really wish I had the free-time to do something myself.

WDW's MK has never been in worse shape overall, and it gets no attention.

Heck, I pride myself on the fact I was banned for life from another online 'place' for pointing out these facts.

But it gets old in a hurry. I sometimes need a break, even from Micechat, because I'm tired of arguing with people who weren't even alive in the 70s (and some into the 80s) about how WDW used to be run when it was the Vacation Kingdom of the World.

For someone who first visited in 2000, WDW must seem perfect (if they haven't been to DL, TDL or DLP). But for someone who grew up at the MK and EPCOT Center, it's like the 'evildoers' have taken over the kingdom and most of the citizens have the intelligence of the court jester.

... anyway that's one rant. Got another I'm about to begin before I call it a night.

Keep in mind, we are THE board where it is OK to say what you really think about the Disney parks. While there are people on this board who don't like it, they also know that is part of what makes this site different from the others. If people disagree with you, so be it. Just let it roll off your back. 90% of the people who read this site are here for the gossip, news, and fresh point of view that MiceAge and MiceChat provide. We don't make our living by feeding off of the freebies that Disney gives sites who follow the Disney propaganda machine. We aren't afraid of loosing our "Press Pass" or being prevented from selling Disney park merchandise. And you won't find us publishing a puff magazine which overlooks the negative aspects of the parks.

To best enjoy the parks, you need to know all the information. Good and bad. The fact is that WDW is in the same state (or worse) that Disneyland was in just a few years ago. If we focus our attention on pointing out the mess WDW is in, eventually the press will pick up on it as well and something may get done about it.

Thank you for not being afraid to speak your mind about the WDW parks.

-Dusty

[nsxdrift_89]

I for one, think that the original logo should be brought back for nostalgia. The florida project font gives the logo a distinction similar to Disneyland's (they brought back the kingdom font to the resort logo). The WDW logo also had that great mouse head world inside the "D" of Disney.

The resort should look at its roots, similar to DL, a lot of the attention has been placed on the original.

However, they need to look toward the future.

[Dustysage]

I for one, think that the original logo should be brought back for nostalgia. The florida project font gives the logo a distinction similar to Disneyland's (they brought back the kingdom font to the resort logo). The WDW logo also had that great mouse head world inside the "D" of Disney.

The resort should look at its roots, similar to DL, a lot of the attention has been placed on the original.

However, they need to look toward the future.

I don't remember the old font. Do you have a sample that you can post? Sounds interesting. Like Disneyland bringing back the old font after Pressler left the company.

[nsxdrift_89]

http://mickeyavenue.com/fonts/florp/

I hope this works.

It was a real seventies style font.

[Dustysage]

http://mickeyavenue.com/fonts/florp/

I hope this works.

It was a real seventies style font.

Totally retro font. I'm not sure that I like it. Sometimes nostalgia works, sometimes it doesn't. For example, I wouldn't want bell bottoms to come back in style.

-Dusty

[nsxdrift_89]

Exactly, the funny thing is, you see that mickey globe head in the "D" everywhere around the resort. It is on all the monorails, the Hosts/Hostesses pins at the MK, they are everywhere.

[WDW1974]

Keep in mind, we are THE board where it is OK to say what you really think about the Disney parks. While there are people on this board who don't like it, they also know that is part of what makes this site different from the others. If people disagree with you, so be it. Just let it roll off your back. 90% of the people who read this site are here for the gossip, news, and fresh point of view that MiceAge and MiceChat provide. We don't make our living by feeding off of the freebies that Disney gives sites who follow the Disney propaganda machine. We aren't afraid of loosing our "Press Pass" or being prevented from selling Disney park merchandise. And you won't find us publishing a puff magazine which overlooks the negative aspects of the parks.

To best enjoy the parks, you need to know all the information. Good and bad. The fact is that WDW is in the same state (or worse) that Disneyland was in just a few years ago. If we focus our attention on pointing out the mess WDW is in, eventually the press will pick up on it as well and something may get done about it.

Thank you for not being afraid to speak your mind about the WDW parks.

-Dusty

I know, Dusty. Sometimes it just feels like I'm banging my head up against a wall. So many people have no reference point about WDW, either its past glory or the other Disney resorts. They compare it to their regional park and, naturally, WDW must feel like heaven.

But WDW is constantly lowering the bar in so many ways. Take a look at my thread on the apparent removal of the Fort Wilderness Petting Zoo as an example. Most people probably have no clue it even exists and would shed no tears over its removal ... hey, maybe we can put up some more DVC units there or a pin-shack!

Or look at the disaster that Disney Dining has been of late with the free ($35) add-on to packages from August until last week. Almost every location booked for the day in the slowest month of the year.

I don't avoid the good, either. I am the one that posted about the great renovation going on at the Contemporary Resort, as well as the plans to rethink Pleasure Island.

I'm also looking forward to going to MNSSHP next week as it's always a great event, and it appears they have plussed the event with a great new fireworks show and new parade. I give props where/when they are due.

It's just that for every good move, it seems like Disney makes two or three bad ones these days.

As to the mainstream media, they are catching on ... albeit slowly.
Recently, there was a story in the NY Times Travel section that portrayed a visit to Saratoga Springs as much less than magical and basically said what I have been saying for a decade -- Disney is just living on its past reputation.

As to that other 'place', it's scary how one person on a power trip can exert so much influence to silence dissenting voices. I truly feel bad for the folks who started the site, but that's another story and one I don't feel comfortable posting online.

Anyway, rest assured I will post the good, bad and ugly from my upcoming visit. And I hope there is more good than anything. Usually, there is. Still.