That's My Opinion: Musings and Observations - 2011

[MousePlanet AutoPoster]

Musings and Observations - 2011 by Steve Russo

Some random thoughts about the World.

Read it here (http://www.mouseplanet.com/9770/Musings_and_Observations__2011)!

[spectromen]

Yay for Coral Reef! It may not be the best food in WDW, but the atmosphere sure is nice. Let us know your thoughts when you return.

[mkelm44]

There definitely has to be a way for Disney to keep track of your virtual refillable mug. I just took a week long cruise and bought a soda package, which cost me about 50 bucks and for which I got a lovely refillable insulated cup. However, the cruise didn't make me carry around the cup- rather there was a little sticker on my room key card that I could just show to any bartender that let him know I had the soda package. 30 seconds later, instant soda... I have to imagine there is a way to program your room key to signal the soda dispensing machine and/or cashier that you already paid for this soda.

As far as reservations go, I don't understand why the Disney dining reservation lets anyone book meals within say, two hours of each other. You want to reserve Le Cellier for 7 PM, fine... but you are locked out of any other seating until after 9 PM. I know you could still get around this if you wanted to be clever, but this might take care of some of the problem.

And yes, I remember same day reservations. Actually if you go when I like to (I find Martin Luther King day weekend a very nice and quiet time) you can still make reservations for something less than 180 days. You still need some foresight, but not 6 months worth. I'd love to see Disney close the reservation window to 30 days or less- simply put, it's a little rediculous the way it is set up. If I want to do a spur of the moment trip to Disney, I'd like to eat somewhere other than counter service restaurants...

[srusso100]

Yay for Coral Reef! It may not be the best food in WDW, but the atmosphere sure is nice. Let us know your thoughts when you return.

Will do.

[srusso100]

There definitely has to be a way for Disney to keep track of your virtual refillable mug. I just took a week long cruise and bought a soda package, which cost me about 50 bucks and for which I got a lovely refillable insulated cup. However, the cruise didn't make me carry around the cup- rather there was a little sticker on my room key card that I could just show to any bartender that let him know I had the soda package. 30 seconds later, instant soda... I have to imagine there is a way to program your room key to signal the soda dispensing machine and/or cashier that you already paid for this soda.

As far as reservations go, I don't understand why the Disney dining reservation lets anyone book meals within say, two hours of each other. You want to reserve Le Cellier for 7 PM, fine... but you are locked out of any other seating until after 9 PM. I know you could still get around this if you wanted to be clever, but this might take care of some of the problem.

And yes, I remember same day reservations. Actually if you go when I like to (I find Martin Luther King day weekend a very nice and quiet time) you can still make reservations for something less than 180 days. You still need some foresight, but not 6 months worth. I'd love to see Disney close the reservation window to 30 days or less- simply put, it's a little rediculous the way it is set up. If I want to do a spur of the moment trip to Disney, I'd like to eat somewhere other than counter service restaurants...

I agree on the refillable mug and I do think they're working toward that.

Regarding multiple dining reservations... they are beginning to crack down on that - at least with the online system. The problem is there's no way to completely defeat it. If you tie it to a credit card, a guest could use multiple cards. The same with phone #s, names, etc. I think what they're doing, with the $10 surcharge, as distasteful as it is, may be the best way to police the system.

[goofy1958]

Steve, wonderful article! We are in the "Dead Zone" right now as well. We'll (wife and I alone) be there Dec. 10-18 for our first Christmastime trip. We usually go for Food & Wine, but couldn't get the schedule to work out. When will you be there? Maybe a meet at Rose & Crown for a pint!

So if you don't mind, a few thoughts.

We have never done the refillable mugs for just the reason you stated. Not really convenient.

ADRs - I would love to not have to make reservations at 180 days either, but, people seem to think that they are entitled to make as many reservations as they want, and then just not show up to the ones they don't want. I have seen comments on other places where people make as many as 5 at one time, just to be sure they have something wherever they end up!!! How rude to everyone else!

Resort Airline Check-In is a wonderful service, as is Magical Express. We use it all the time, and love it!

Annual Passes - since we are DVC members, we go multiple times a year, and having the AP is a must. Being able to purchase the TIW helps us save quite a bit of money as well.

We don't use the DDP, and would love to see Disney do away with it, since I think it just detracts from all of the dining locations. A thread on another board noticed that carts are now showing signs that the QSR plan is accepted,and what you get for it. In one instance the price of a turkey leg went from around $7 to over $9 overnight! The feeling is that they are trying to make people think they are getting a better value for their DDP dollar, when all it is really doing is causing higher prices for the people not on the plan. Yuck!

There is no more wonderful feeling than passing under those magical arches!! :)) And there is no worse when it's on the way out! :((

You will LOVE the new Star Tours!! We went on it several times on our trip in June, and it was different each time. We still haven't even seen all of the different variations!

Soarin' is our favorite ride anywhere, and nothing compares to it. It is the first ride we go on during pretty much every trip!

Jeff Kober's series were a wonderful read, and I look forward to Jim's articles all the time.

I hope this isn't too long, but we really do think alike!!

Thanks for listening.

Kevin

[wdreiling]

Thanks for the "stream of consciousness" article. I really enjoyed reading your so-called musings. Your insight/ opinion and humor were just what I needed to get my Disney Fix today. I too am in the Dead Zone but being a West Coaster I will be visiting DLR instead of WDW. I'm already counting the days!

Keep 'em coming!

[jpg391]

:cool: A very interesting article.

[wayne]

glad to have you back.90 days to first trip this year 120 to second AP will be used a lot this year

[srusso100]

Steve, wonderful article! We are in the "Dead Zone" right now as well. We'll (wife and I alone) be there Dec. 10-18 for our first Christmastime trip. We usually go for Food & Wine, but couldn't get the schedule to work out. When will you be there? Maybe a meet at Rose & Crown for a pint!

Kevin
Hi Kevin,
A pint at the R&C? Me? ;-)

Unfortunately, I'll be home before you get there but I can join you vicariously. Have a great trip.

[srusso100]

Thanks for the "stream of consciousness" article. I really enjoyed reading your so-called musings. Your insight/ opinion and humor were just what I needed to get my Disney Fix today. I too am in the Dead Zone but being a West Coaster I will be visiting DLR instead of WDW. I'm already counting the days!

Keep 'em coming!

Thanks.

[srusso100]

glad to have you back.90 days to first trip this year 120 to second AP will be used a lot this year

Still not back fully yet but, I'm hoping with retirement around the corner, I'll have some more free time to devote here.

Y'know, I keep thinking you should just stay down there for the month between trips. Think of the airfare you'll save ;-)

[danyoung]

Steve, you and I are in sync on most things Disney, and this article just proved it. I actually have two states of being - inside a WDW park turnstile, and outside a WDW park turnstile. You're going to love the new Star Tours - it's one of those rides that lives up to the hype. And I also miss the days of deciding on any given day where I wanted to eat that night, and doing the high-tech (for the time) video chat to make my rez!

[goofy1958]

Hi Kevin,
A pint at the R&C? Me? ;-)

Unfortunately, I'll be home before you get there but I can join you vicariously. Have a great trip.

Sorry to hear that. So, I'll raise a glass as a toast! Hope you have a great trip, and I look forward to reading the trip report!!