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↩ replying to Marlins1I did say the repurcussions of MM+/-. Specifically, the horrendous Billion + budget overrun. That money could've been used so much more wisely it's not even funny.
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↩ replying to Mike STrue but my guess it wouldn't have been used more wisely so I don't mind MM+ as bad at this point.
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↩ replying to JenniferSThat used to be me too, except the Princess part. My trip to Disneyland last August was wonderful, but my last trip to WDW in January for my honeymoon was... not so magical. Did I have fun? Sure, I was picked for the Indy Stunt Show and I will never forget that! It was just that some cast member interactions were bad, most of our food was just okay (except Skipper's Canteen and Sanaa which were great) and the park seemed to be dirtier than usual (soggy, smelly, half-eaten McDonalds cheeseburger at my feet in a Splash Mtn log for example). WDW just seems different now.
I am most happy when I am at AK, maybe I should just stick to that park for awhile. I will be in Orlando in October and for the first time, I am not going to WDW. I think I will go to Universal instead since I haven't been there since 1991.
I really hope you keep having great experiences in the park! I hope to have more myself ...someday.
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↩ replying to JenniferSAgreed. I'm not naive enough to suggest that there hasn't been some decline in quality nor that prices have skyrocketed without a corresponding increase in additions to the resort. But, nonetheless, every time I go I still have a great time and enjoy the quality offerings. And I don't just mean from a nostalgia standpoint -- the parks are still wonderful in their own right.
But the way some folks talk around here, you'd expect the parks to look like the Dismaland.
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↩ replying to Marlins1I agree about the food as well. The quick serves aren't gourmet, but by and large are decent for the setting. I've never had any problems with the sit downs, which are IMHO uniformly quite good. Again, not exactly top tier restaurants -- though some at the resorts and DTD could count like that -- but reasonable sit down family restaurants. The prices are obvious very high, but basically what you'd expect for a captive audience location (with food quality better than your typical ballpark or movie fare IMHO).
That's not say that people don't legitimately have poor experiences at the food locations on property. But when people suggest that it is consistently "inedible" around WDW, I just feel like we must be visiting different places because I haven't seen that.
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↩ replying to Mike SLet it go! :) Backend upgrades, integrating systems, and changing a batch oriented architecture to a near real time service oriented architecture is fraught with danger for every large company. $1 billion overrun - hyperbole by this board. But I agree with you completely on every wasted dollar takes away from improvements. On this board, every cut takes away what would have been the greatest thing ever, and every dollar over the original budget is considered waste and not a plus. (I don't apply this to Shanghai - I have experience on large projects in Asia and building with local labor just means pouring money down the drain...)
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↩ replying to Mike SI can't argue with that. Now that they are here I do like the bands etc. but yes that money could have been used for some great additions and a much less depressing Space Mountain!
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I am glad that a tread about expanding Soarin' has turned into another rip Disney a good one for everything possible. Have just read about twenty postings about trash in rides, MM+ overruns, Disney wasting money; but not one thing about Soarin'.
Any one heard anything new about the reopening date?
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Long time reader, first time poster, but DVCOwner basically just took the words right out of my mouth. I love the insight I read on these forums from people that know a lot more about Disney than I do. I'm also am frustrated just like most here about many of the "curious" decisions Disney's been making lately to all of our disadvantage. But I do feel like every thread I click on has turned into endless Disney ripping (deserved or not) regardless of thread title.
Would be awesome if this thread could be kept on the topic about news on Soarin' expansion and reopening. Going in late June and I'd LOVE to be able to ride it - new movie or old movie. Hoping someone has some updates.
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VIDEO - See clips of two of the new destinations coming to Epcot's Soarin' later this summer.
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↩ replying to wdwmagicI wonder if they will pump in the smell of smog or General Tso's chicken during the Great Wall scene.
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↩ replying to BobLOL - I thought the same thing! Will it be the smell of incense? Or fried rice? (Candidly, I'd be delighted either way.)
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Is it just me or do those new clips not look like they move much? I don't expect a lot of movement based on the ride vehicle but something more than just sitting there! Or are there more subtle movements that you can't see in the video?
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↩ replying to BobThat's awesome! I was also wondering what "new" smells there might be. What does Sydney and the The Great Wall smell like?