Episode 193 Now Available

Authored by: wdwtodayfanclub on Monday, December 18 2006 @ 12:30 PM CST

I wish for world peace, end world hunger, and that all the children of the world come together in harmony....wait I mean here are my 3 wishes:

1) Country Bear Jamboree update. Maybe get some current music in there?

2) Admit Pooh's playful spot was a mistake and replace it with a Fantasyland dark ride. While we are admitting mistakes maybe put Mr. Toad's back, only a more advanced version??

3) Remove Stitch, replace with something that would actually represent Tommorrowland. How about Journey to the Center of the Earth or something along those lines?

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WDWTodayfanclub

We are not Disney nerds, we are enthusiasts

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Authored by: Mcmillanmom on Monday, December 18 2006 @ 12:48 PM CST

I really agree that WDW needs a 'luxury' option, but I think the easiest thing would be to bring GF up to what they bill it as, their flagship.

If the GF is to be the jewel in their crown and they charge princely $$$, then the service/amenities should follow.

It isn't a big enough deal to be 'on property' by many luxury loving folks to forgo what some worldy travelers have come to expect at the Ritz and Four Season level hotels. I actually have gotten better service at Port Orleans French Quarter, which to me serves as a 'boutique' Disney hotel than at the GF. I just can't justify the cost of staying there anymore.

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Authored by: Tikiman on Monday, December 18 2006 @ 12:53 PM CST

WOW I went on the Space Mountain in Disneyland and I remember the air but I did not feel like I was going cheaper. How does that feel? I wish they had that cheaper affect at the resorts.

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Authored by: Lori Lofgren on Monday, December 18 2006 @ 06:31 PM CST

Just a comment about the busses...in August 1997 we stayed at Port Orleans. Once after a late night at EPCOT we were waiting in a LONG line for a bus back and a cast member told us they were bringing in a "cattle car" for us and it would be there soon. It was exactly as Mike described on your show! It was a very strange ride. I have never seen one since, and had begun to think it was all in my head. If you have a photo, please post so I can show my husband that I am not crazy!

I really like this episode! Thanks guys.

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Authored by: jaypenguin150 on Monday, December 18 2006 @ 08:05 PM CST

I like Scopa's 'fast entry' ideas. They should have seperate lines...seaworld does and universal has announced plans to do so.

They are building some stuff by AK (near western way). Maybe there will be a new hotel. Personally, I think that they should bring the Hotel from the Disney Channel show to WDW. Loads of kids would want to stay there..

My comments From Episode 183, the $50 cookie-.

"I called Disney today about loyalty programs after reading your post...They said that they had the DVC, DDE Card, APs, and the Visa Card. Funny thing is, they failed to mention they all cost an exorbitant amount of money to get in the first place. .

Disney will never have a punch card program, but a points system would be good. 1 pt for every meal over $30. 2 for every park admission. 1-4 pts per stay on site. 1 pt for store purchases over $30. ETC. With these points, you could get free parking for one day for 4pts, Park admission for 10pts. Resort stay at 15pts. Free dinning at 7pts. ETC..

I think the pt. program would be good."

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Nothing is more wonderful than the imagination. For, in a moment, you can experience a beautiful fantasy. Or, an exciting adventure!

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Authored by: martinmcintosh on Tuesday, December 19 2006 @ 12:39 AM CST

I was a little confused by the podcast an comments today.

I am a Disneyland Premium Annual Passholder and we got a lot of benefits.
15% of all restaurants inside the parks, 10% of just about anything else on
Disney property and free parking. Now this is the top level of AP at DLR, but
the other levels get quite a few discounts and can purchase a parking for a
nominal amount.

Are these types of things not offered at WDW? I just assumed that you guys
got them too. But as I have learned, what is done at one park has nothing to
do with anything at the other. I looked up the Disney World APs and it says
you only get discounts at select park restaurants? This does not seem right,
you should be able to receive discounts everywhere on property.

You may already receive these discounts, but if you don't they need to
change that immediately!

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Authored by: lentesta on Tuesday, December 19 2006 @ 09:45 AM CST

1) That someone spritz her with Evian to keep her cool while waiting in line during summer months.

2) The mandatory deodorant swabs discussed by Christina in episode 190.

3) Someone to bring her drinks while waiting in line.

That's my girl!

Len

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Authored by: Tikiman on Tuesday, December 19 2006 @ 11:23 AM CST

Well if that is true than my cheap car is not cheap at all!!!

Does that mean that Disney is going to start dispensing Cheap Passes to get on the rides quicker?

What do I know. I have stayed at the Polynesian for so man years and Matt still came up with a longhouse name I never heard of. I guess I don’t pay much attention.

Len,

I think I am getting a contact high from listening to the Podcast. It makes for some interesting comments but if you ever sing the Tappastry of Nations song again I think I am going to have to stop listening. Well off to detox from listening to the show.

Aloha

Steve

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Authored by: BFIrrera on Tuesday, December 19 2006 @ 03:44 PM CST

re: parade in Epcot.

Mr. Scopa...are you nuts? While I thought that the Tapestry of Nations parade was lovely to watch ONCE, it was a nightmare to maneuver through Epcot when we visited in 2000. We only get the chance to go to the parks roughly every other year, Epcot is my favorite park and I'd hate to have to slog through MORE congestion around the lagoon.

In fact, during that particular trip, it was holiday season and we were walking from American Adventure counter clockwise to Mexico (for a priority seating at San Angel Inn). While trying to climb through the crowds that the roped-off parade route created, we ended up also encountering the crowds on the other side of the aisle waiting in the stand-by line for the Candlelight Processional and were nearly run over by the Processional Choir coming out to head toward the stage...before we knew it, somehow, we'd ended lost and were backstage (whereever the choir makes it's entrance from). We laugh about it now, but it was pretty stressful at the time.

MY Disney wishes:

1. Some kind of driving training for the people on the scooters and parents pushing strollers (so they don't run over or bump into the rest of us).

2. a new 3-D movie to replace "Honey I Shrunk the Audience" (the rumoured return of Dreamfinder would be welcome).

3. a new sponsor for the Wonders of Life pavillion that would allow Cranium Command to stay open and perhaps allow NEW attractions and "Innoventions" style exhibits in there as well.

4. Merchandise in Club Cool for the sodas being sampled (who wouldn't want a "I survived tasting Beverly" shirt?)

5. a return of the "Missing Link" counter service on Pleasure Island (or something similar) for quick bites after Adventurer's Club (to sober up after too many Kungalooshes)...it was the only place to find a (fairly) decent cheesesteak.

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Authored by: bigD on Tuesday, December 19 2006 @ 04:04 PM CST

My WDW wish would be for Atlantic Dance to come alive again. There was a day where you would go there for swing dance lessons and everyone would be dressed up in cute dresses and suits for the guys. With all of those reality dance shows I think Atlantic Dance could do so much..... they could have a salsa night, a swing night, and even live music... i LOVED going there for live music. It is a beautiful club and they do nothing with it.

--- long live THE Ritz Carlton! :-)

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Authored by: Bolna on Tuesday, December 19 2006 @ 04:49 PM CST

Just wanted to mention that Len's wish regarding the fullservice restaurant in Frontierland was granted to Disneyland Paris: there they have the Silver Spur Steakhouse.

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Authored by: captainbarbossa6 on Tuesday, December 19 2006 @ 06:13 PM CST

I love these kinds of episodes, when you talk about what you'd like to see or what is coming to Disney. I thought I'd throw in a few of my own wishes:

1.) Perhaps a new "coaster" at MK?? On our last trip, my brother and I found ourselves riding Space Mountain multiple times, as well as Splash and Thunder. I have read about ideas for a coaster that was to go in Adventure Land, but who knows what happened with that. I am a coaster lover!

2.) A new attraction at EPCOT that is actually educational. I am sad that they are moving away from that original idea and are moving towards the characters. I would love a fun ride, but something that could somehow educate... or maybe a new country in World Showcase.

3.) SOMETHING new at MGM Studios. I love that park (due to Tower of Terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster) and I always tend to think of that as the "thrill" park of Disney (that is just me...). Maybe... I donno a new coaster? (love those coasters!)

I am sure I could come up with many more ideas, but those are just a few of my top ideas.

Happy Holidays! :)

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Jack Sparrow: Stop blowing holes in my ship!

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Authored by: Mike Newell on Tuesday, December 19 2006 @ 11:39 PM CST

Thanks to Byron Hall, who supplied me with some pics and the model name of this bus. It did exist! I'm not crazy!

Here is some info on the Superbus that I found:
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the "SuperBus"... Although it carried well over a hundred people (120-150), it was never well recieved by the guests. Can't imagine why. LOL... It was only used for park exits, and super busy times. And pretty much All Stars only.

As for specs, It was just a regular tractor... with a trailer that had the inside made like our busses, with seats and standing room. Often times, the driver would pick out a kid, and have him be the "Co-Driver"... he'd get to sit up front with the driver, and watch the lil monitor of the passenger compartment. The kids got a kick out of that.
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Superbus Corporation, which operates out of some guy's house in San Jose, California. The trailers are built in a factory near Tijuana Airport, in Baja California, Mexico. The tractors are made by any truck manufacturer that is specified.

I understand that the ONLY others built for regular service, other than the demonstrator units, are at Minneapolis (MN) Airport, and the Los Angeles Sheriff Department has a couple for hauling prisoners. The two LASD units have Ford conventional (hood-in-front) tractors, and some heavy-duty armor plate walls with bars on the windows.

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and now, some pics:

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Track/5415/sbus.html

http://suzuki.888j.net/florida/wdw.html (3/4 way down page)
Notice the Disney Transport logo on the cab door.

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Mike
MouseWorldRadio

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Authored by: blinkard on Wednesday, December 20 2006 @ 11:38 AM CST

One dog-friendly building in each of the moderate resorts. I'd like to be able to
stay on-site for a change.

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Authored by: bigbrian-nc.com on Sunday, January 14 2007 @ 06:25 PM CST

Thanks Byron and Mike for the Superbus links, I too once saw this in operation, I think it was in December of 98 at a studios close, I don't have a photo unfortunately.

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Brian Martsolf martsolf@mindspring.com

Walt Disney World: A History in Postcards
http://www.bigbrian-nc.com/pctoc.htm

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Authored by: bigbrian-nc.com on Sunday, January 14 2007 @ 06:34 PM CST

Matt I really liked this idea of yours at first... then I realized one problem with the EZ pass, you have to get that piece of paper from them to stick in the window so they know you didn't bypass the toll -plaza somehow, so since they wouldn't get the labour savings and not nearly as much time saved as you would on a trditional toll-road I doubt they would consider the benifit would justify the expense, it would also be confusing for folks who are used to zipping through traditional ez pass booth when they had to stop to pick up the "car window reciept" here.

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Brian Martsolf martsolf@mindspring.com

Walt Disney World: A History in Postcards
http://www.bigbrian-nc.com/pctoc.htm

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Authored by: bigbrian-nc.com on Sunday, January 14 2007 @ 06:45 PM CST

Matt I really liked this idea, Disney should be pretty well aware of this need too now, since they actually had to open a temporary food location for the dining plan, I have a couple of locations in mind, one could be in the location of the old Avventureland Vearnada, however that may be impractical since that area is hemmed in by existing developement on most all sides, if part of the reason for that closure was a lack of appropriate space for an up-to-date kitchen, then it just might not be the best place, then again they could expand the seating area structure for this restaurant into the Quiet area behind Liberty Square, therefore freeing up space in the existing structure. Another potential location would be somewhere in the vicinity of the old skyway station in Tomrrowland, they could possibly even go Ouside the berm here, and perhaps even set the restaurant up high to provide views of the Seven Seas Lagoon and an excellent view of Space Mountain, yes I know there are some "backsatge" areas here but good use of landscaping and placement of windows could contriol guests views and make this a very fine facility location indeed!

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Brian Martsolf martsolf@mindspring.com

Walt Disney World: A History in Postcards
http://www.bigbrian-nc.com/pctoc.htm

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Authored by: bigbrian-nc.com on Sunday, January 14 2007 @ 06:53 PM CST

Mike, While a sound system being added to space mountain would not necessitate a track replacement of the Magic Kingdoms Space Mountain right away, it might actually cause premature wear, one of the storys about why Disneylands Space Mountain needed track replacement so much sooner than WDW's (remember WDW's opened first) is that the added weight of the audio equipment in the cars increased wear on the track, then again it may be hard to judge that accurately, since thier cars are such a different design overall (2 wide seating for instance), but besides that it is already 32 year old track anyhow if they go to do any kind of re-do they may want to evaluate the track life remaining and consider a more major overhaul anyhow.

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Brian Martsolf martsolf@mindspring.com

Walt Disney World: A History in Postcards
http://www.bigbrian-nc.com/pctoc.htm

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