Random Disney Thread

carnation · #1 06-12-2007, 06:55 PM

We just got back, our first trip in 7 years. It's changed a lot; I think part of it is because so many parents are focused on getting their kids photographed with all the characters. I've seen those lines be longer than the ride lines; we walked right onto several rides at Epcot while there was a huge line snaking out of the Epcot character photo lines. And now all the kids want to get the characters' autographs too...

It was Star Wars Weekend at MGM. Boo. You talk about some weird people there! There were lots of adults (not the ones working at the park) all decked out as Star Wars characters.

There was a middle-aged woman who weighed maybe 300 lbs. all decked out like Leia and all these kids were gaping at her like, "Is that what happened to Princess Leia?" The host on one stage was asking, "How many of you saw Star Wars the first week it opened?" and I started to put up my hand until I noticed that the others with hands up were wearing costumes. Ew.

Lots of international families were there. I heard almost as much Spanish as English. We commented that when one wears a sari with Nikes or a Muslim headpiece with a Disney visor, much of the exotic intrigue goes away, lol.

Finally, pirates sell. In past years, there was no line to get on the ride but now there is. Plus there used to be that little shop right outside the ride that people passed through rapidly but now there's a huge store with hundreds of people buying pirate merchandise, lots of selections available too. I do like the new and improved ride, though!

Other comments?

Thrillhouse · #2 06-12-2007, 10:27 PM

I'm going early in the fall. I went one other time in 1991. Looking forward to see how much things have changed since then.

My brother went last year and showed me some pictures... it's amazing to see "mascots and characters" walking around with the general public like they are normal people.

_Lisa_ · #3 06-12-2007, 10:31 PM

My boyfriend & I just took his kids down there last Friday, although we only went to Magic Kingdom. The youngest, an 8-year old, enjoyed herself quite a bit. But her older brother (11-years old) was too cool for just about everything there-next year we'll head to Busch Gardens instead since the coasters there will appeal to him more.

summer_gphib · #4 06-12-2007, 10:34 PM

We go to Disney about every other weekend (dedicated Disney-a-holics). We have Premium Annual Passes which are expensive but worth every penny if you use them. And we do! We also don't have kids, which makes a big difference. We go with friends who do have kids fairly often, and it's a bigger ordeal, but still fun.

I love a lot of the changes, but I see room for improvement. Tomorrowland has a few empty buildings that need to be revamped and used again!

The two things I miss most about Disney is "If You Had Wings" at the Magic Kingdom and the ORIGINAL Journey into Imagination at EPCOT.

I'm a huge fan of Typhoon Lagoon (was there last Saturday, will probably be there this Saturday and definately next Saturday for my birthday...). If you haven't been there it's a lot of fun, especially for those of us who aren't huge into super fast waterslides. The Shark Reef is fun if you pay the extra money to do the semi-SCUBA version.

I LOVE the new version of Pirates, but good GOD get a fast pass system there... stat! Although if you wait until the parades are going on it's not too bad. The Jungle Cruise is the most fun at night, as are the Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, and Thunder Mountain.

Disney Quest is a LOT OF FUN, especially if it's really hot out or late at night. We love the Animation Academy!

I could go on and on, but I'll stop now and save it for the book I'm always saying I'm going to write about Disney *lol*.

kansas13 · #5 06-12-2007, 10:45 PM

We are going at the beginning of August for my birthday!! My best friend just moved to Orlando this winter and we are going to visit her and her husband to see the new house.

I have not been to Disneyworld since 7th grade, so I am sure their have been ALOT of changes since then and my husband has not been there EVER!! I am really excited to take him there. My friends husband works at Disneyworld part time so he is going to get us free passes. Can you tell I am super excited!!

Thetagirl218 · #6 06-13-2007, 12:01 AM

I am akinda spoiled I guess....I have grown up in FL, so I cannot count the times I have gone to Disney...I lost track a long time ago... I am sad though by what I reading....Pirates was always my favorite ride!!!! My family would go on eit a couple times in a row because no one really cared to go on it!!! Now it is sooo busy it needs a fast pass? Crazy! What did they change about it?

AlphaFrog · #7 06-13-2007, 07:18 AM

Not about Disney the theme park but....

I noticed in bringing back The Little Mermaid and watching it with my daughter, there is NO mention at all of Ariel (or any of the other girls') mother. I mean, since she's not there at all, you might assume, due to King Triton's fear/hatred of humans, that she was killed by a human... I guess plot-wise, another parent might have gotten too complicated and been an unnecassary interferance.

carnation · #8 06-13-2007, 08:29 AM

Several of the Disney characters lack a mother. I've read several essays on, "Does Disney hate women?"

I wish they hadn't changed Journey Into Imagination, either. The second version of it was awful and I'm glad that they changed it again to add Figment back. We loved the skunk Figment!

I can't stand the redone Tiki Room; it was like that in 2000 too and I thought the complaints would have gotten them to change it back. Iago ruins the whole thing and I've noticed that people don't leave the place with a smile anymore.

The Haunted Mansion is closed from June 6-25. I hope they don't crap it up too but you couldn't even buy Haunted Mansion merchandise this week-all I saw was some Jack Skellington stuff at Madame Leota's. I heard a guide telling a group that they were gutting the place and it would be awful if they turned it into a Jack Skellington ride like they have during Christmas at Disneyland.

I miss If You Had Wings too! Is Buzz Lightyear where it used to be? They seem to look a lot alike.

summer_gphib · #9 06-13-2007, 09:19 AM

Haunted Mansion closes once a year about this time to clean, paint and refurbish. I don't think there is anythign to worry about... at least I hope not.

carnation · #10 01-27-2008, 12:07 PM

Someone sent me a link to a Disney site that describes the updates they just made at the Haunted Mansion. Apparently, everything's good;they got rid of those hokey giant spiders and put windows in the sides of the doombuggies so you can see better. I forget what else but I'm just glad that they didn't close to crap it up a la the Mexican pavilion at EPCOT or the Tiki Room.

SWTXBelle · #11 01-27-2008, 12:11 PM

The Haunted Mansion is my very favorite ride - and I LOVE the improvements. They really are improvements, instead of a stupid make-over (yes, I'm still bitter about "Journey into Imagination" . . .don't get me started!) No windows in the Doom Buggies, though - the whole point of the "pod" is to restrict what you can see, so the effects will work.
The Escher staircase is sooooo cool - and the awful spiders have found a home in the Jungle Cruise, so it's all good. I like the new bride - my daughter doesn't - and I'm so glad they got rid of the jumping heads in the attic. I also really like the pictures in the waiting area. We've waited to hear the gargoyles - could barely hear them, so that was a bit of a disappointment.

I was glad they redid "El Rio del Tiempo" in the Mexico Pavillion, which we called "El Rio de Lameo". We love the Three Caballeros! And they still have the cliff-diving footage from "If You Had Wings", which I always love to see. Ah, memories.

carnation · #12 01-27-2008, 12:14 PM

I love the Caballeros but I really really miss that song, 'Hola Mis Amigos', that went with the former version and that carousel at the end too! I wonder if the country of Mexico just quit paying for sponsorship and Disney decided to turn it into a movie-themed ride?

I wish that the Norway ride were longer.

AGDee · #13 01-27-2008, 12:16 PM

My daughter and I are going to visit my dad in February and I told him that we need to spend one day at Magic Kingdom. The last time we were there was 1999 and my daughter barely remembers it (she was 5 then). I'm looking forward to it. It would be nice to have more time, but this is a quickie trip.

SWTXBelle · #14 01-27-2008, 12:52 PM

Get there EARLY to try and get as much in as you can! Depending on when in Feb. you are going, the crowds could be light - but if you have spring breakers it will be more crowded. Use Fast Passes, and hit the Mountains early - unless your daughter will just DIE if she doesn't do Dumbo and Peter Pan, in which case you should do them first!

smiley21 · #15 01-27-2008, 01:08 PM

I do like the new Pirates of the Carribean ride. I call it the Johnny Depp ride since his face is everywhere.