If I Ran Walt Disney World

[pixiepower]

My husband and I had a running routine during our recent trip, --- what we would do if we ran Disney. It would go something like this "Well, if I ran Disney I would drop the Nescafe contract and strike up negotiations with Starbucks or Peets so people could get a good cup of coffee".

This went on and on: "If I ran Disney I would make the dryers in the resorts run for at least 45 minutes for your $2" "Well, if I ran Disney I would make the Barnstormer go around a second time to make it worth the 30 minute wait"

So, What would you guys do if you ran Disney? I say, bring back the Mickey butter (you know, the pats of butter shaped like Mickey that they used to have in the table service restaurants).

Looking forward to the fun responses!

Pixie

[tony609]

Well if I ran Disney

I would....have POTC open for my end of April visit...just kidding...

I would have more characters, especially rare ones in the parks all day.....

I would definately have that rumored Halloween party at MGM this year throughout Oct.

[NJ Mike]

Well if I ran disney (god help us all) rofl...

I would have one vmk computer terminal in each hotel lobby rather than just the 6 or so they have in mk so people could sign up after the parks close (and vmk is still open until 1am E.S.T.) and not waste park time doing so.

I would also sell vmk merchandise in vmk central such as t-shirts and pins (at least). Wait a minute, Disney NOT merchadising the heck out of something??? What is up with that? I'm still shaking my head on that one.

I would spend the millions of dollars to connect the 4 parks via monorail to the next closest park. (ie mgm connected to epcot, and ak connected to mgm). Yes going from mk to ak would require 3 different monorails, but it would still be cool.

[WDW heart]

I would spend the millions of dollars to connect the 4 parks via monorail to the next closest park. (ie mgm connected to epcot, and ak connected to mgm). Yes going from mk to ak would require 3 different monorails, but it would still be cool.

Hey, if we're going that far, how about demolish the old monorail and TTC, rebuild one inside monorail loop to loop to all four parks and an outside loop to take you to all the resorts and Downtown. I would also add an extra station right across the street from me so I can hop on anytime. Yeah, it would be a long ride, but I would ride in style.

[Cheshire Figment]

It is hard to tell the sequence of events, but at the very least the following:

1. Bring back The Dreamfinder to work with the Figment of his Imagination. Possibly redo the Magic Eye Theater with a 3D movie, part live, part cartoon, that effectively recreates the original attraction.

2. Except for people directly in a Finance position get rid of anyone with an MBA. These people are trained to manage, but they have no idea of what they are managing and also they attempt to quantify an experience.

3. Bring back the real Disneyana Convention.

4. If they are going to have event-limited pins at the end of the event destroy any that remain unsold and don't dump them on Cast Lanyars a year or so later. In a similar vein, If they have pins for a program and the program ends (such as Kodak's pin giveaway in 2004 with certain purchases) destroy all remaining pins instead of wholesaling them out.

5. Make every administrative employee, from Al Weiss down, spend a full week every year with an assignment as if they were an hourly employee in regular Guest contact at one of the Parks. If their regular job involves working in a Park they cannot work in that Park. The jobs will be either in food service, custodial, attractions or greeters, but will definitely involve regular Guest contact. During this week they cannot carry their Blackberrys. Also, they will be subject to the automatic scheduling of the Cast Deployment System.

[ChoEarfan1]

Ok since it's MY Park now.....

1) I'd bring back a new and inproved version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

2) Update or improve: Oh Canada (go Canucks!), China, Norway

3) Remove Body Wars from EPCOTand replace it with a weather themed
attraction

4) Update Universe of Energy

6) Build out the Magical Monsters area of AK that was scrapped.

7) At MGM I'd build a Monsters Inc. themed stand up coaster. This would be based on the "Door Maze" scene

8) Add in a few more table service resturants

9) Add in a Monorail Run to MGM and AK with tie ins at TTC

10) Bring back the Live entertainment, Steel Drum, Brass Band ect.

11) Lastly, up the wages of the CM who work the "trenches"! Thanks to you all for the great job you do!!

[Pirate Girl]

I would have one vmk computer terminal in each hotel lobby rather than just the 6 or so they have in mk so people could sign up after the parks close (and vmk is still open until 1am E.S.T.) and not waste park time doing so.

That's not the point of VMK. VMK's sole purpose is to get people (10 to 14 year old boys in fact) into the parks. The kiosks are not there for people to sit and play on... and having kiosks at the resorts would defeat the purpose of VMK.

I would also sell vmk merchandise in vmk central such as t-shirts and pins (at least). Wait a minute, Disney NOT merchadising the heck out of something??? What is up with that? I'm still shaking my head on that one.

That is in the plan eventually... currently, VMK is not popular enough to merit the expense of merchandise. And they did release a pin briefly last year... it was a prize. It looked like the CM's pins, but it was blue.

[NJ Mike]

That's not the point of VMK. VMK's sole purpose is to get people (10 to 14 year old boys in fact) into the parks. The kiosks are not there for people to sit and play on... and having kiosks at the resorts would defeat the purpose of VMK.

Oh i agree they are not to play on, but i also agree that on days like we had in mk, people are not going to wait in a line 4-5 deep at each of the 6 kiosks they DO have just to sign up. They will just (like we did) leave. Fortunately for us, we came back to mk another day and they were empty. Some people, however, may only be in mk for a day, and it would be a shame if their kids didnt get a chance to create an in-park character. By having a kiosk (just 1 terminal tucked away somewhere)at the resorts (say maybe in the arcades, where they are tempted to spend a few more $$ to give to disney?) they would have the chance the entire time they're at wdw, not just 1 or 2, or whatever days. They tout the in-park characters as a "perk" for the kids with special items they can only get by coming to wdw. I get that, and my kids were going nuts when we got there. My only point is, if you are going to dangle the proverbial carrot in front of the kids, and they DO actually come, then make it somewhat easy for them to fulfill that once they arrive.

[pixiepower]

Bring back the parade in Epcot - can't remember the name of it, but the music was so fabulous (I bought the CD) and I loved the parade people. Why get rid of McD?? My sons would probably starve .

I don't remember an Epcot parade....does anyone have pictures??

Here's the thing with McDonalds. When I first saw the french fry cart my stomach sank, I looked at my husband and without saying a word he knew what I was thinking; "Walt must be rolling over in his grave". I am not sure how to explain this, as there have always been sponsors, and Disney in itself is a colossal example of commercialism and capitalism, but I will try. G.E. doesn't sell lightbulbs at a kiosk, but Kodak does sell film in the gift shops. I know, it's sticky. What if TMobile became a sponsor but instead of being satisfied with the name recognition, they set up cell phone carts all over the "World"? The sponsors need to blend, the marketing needs to be more subtle (IMO).

Then there is the issue of quality...McD's is cheap. It belongs at a carnival.

Additionally, it is not necessary. It is not in keeping with the style of the original park, and you can get burgers and fries all over WDW at a Disney themed restaurant.

I am sure people like it, as they do the mac-n-cheese , and although I am not crazy about the hideous site of hoards of people knawing on mammoth turkey legs, I didn't put it on the list because people really do like them and they "belong" in Frontierland. McDonald's does not "belong" in Adventureland or for God sakes Animal Kingdom. Just my opinion.

[Pirate Girl]

Oh i agree they are not to play on, but i also agree that on days like we had in mk, people are not going to wait in a line 4-5 deep at each of the 6 kiosks they DO have just to sign up. They will just (like we did) leave.

You must have hit a really bad day. I have never seen the kiosks that busy. Even on opening day they weren't that busy. VMK s a whole really isn't that popular.

[nursemelis374]

I agree with crrees about the need for an online ADR system, it would be so much easier.

[cheshirecatgirl]

Hmm, well, first of all, stop building more hotels until more rides are added. It is crowded enough already! I think DisneySea ought to be built here in Florida, I know I would love it.

Bring back Wonders of Life, but redo the Body Wars ride or replace it with something that doesn't make you sick. I looove Cranium Command!

Bring back original Figment ride.

Get rid of Stitch and bring back Alien Encounter, at least that version was clever.

Stop getting rid of good old rides, simply add new ones, I am sure there would be enough people to ride everything, especially on crowded days. Keep CoP for sure!

Have ALL the background atmosphere music played in the parks available for sale!

More diverse offerings in the counter service places. I'm sick of burgers!

Build Beastlie Kingdomme at Animal Kingdom!

Bring back e ride nights!

Put more country related rides in Epcot's World Showcase! And keep the ones that are there!

Have the orange chicken that is available at the China pavillion be sold at other parks, too! I love that stuff!

Have more ride specific special merchandise in the parks that you can't get everywhere.

Have more of the rare characters out. I was thrilled one day when I saw the Robin Hood characters, that is one of my favorite movies!

Have more rare character merchandise (such as Robin Hood characters) and bring back the Mary Poppins doll!

Build more rides in Magic Kingdom based on other Disney movies such as Mary Poppins, Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland, Bambi, Sleeping Beauty etc. Also , I'd like a castle tour attraction!

Do something useful and fun with the old Skyway entrance in Fantasyland!

Get rid of strollers!!!!!!

[pixiepower]

Wow, these are great! Although my son would lose his mind if they got rid of Star Tours...he just wants it narrated by Han Solo and not the weird robot they made up for the ride that has nothing to do with the series.

I totally had the idea for a Monster's Inc. "door frame" stand up roller coaster too!!

I just have to add these to my list:

• Offer white grape juice at at least half of the restaurants and not just apple
  
• Offer bottled seltzer water everywhere, not just still water
  
• What ever happened to getting a grilled cheese for a kid's meal?
  
• Add another table service restaurant in MK between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland
  
• Fix up Aunt Polly's and do a homestyle restaurant with "Aunt Polly" CM's (like Prime Time) and serve kids meals in a "hobo" red & white napkin on a stick.
  
• Get rid of McDonalds
  
• Devise some way to manage the traffic flow inside Pinocchio's Village Haus...what a nightmare!
  
• Fix American Adventure. I am not sure what the hell happened post 9/11 but the montage ending sans animitronics is totally bush league....and wasn't there a scene with the Wright brothers and the plane in the old version??
  
• Offer organic milk in the resorts
  
• Add a Mary Poppins ride somewhere (besides the carousel) that all ages can ride
  
• Get rid of Stouffers hideous gelatinous mac-n-cheese and get some good mac-n-cheese for kids....what about Kraft making Mickey shaped mac-n-cheese?
  
  In total agreement about making DinoLand less Carny....

[wishiwasthere]

Wow, these are great! Although my son would lose his mind if they got rid of Star Tours...he just wants it narrated by Han Solo and not the weird robot they made up for the ride that has nothing to do with the series.

I totally had the idea for a Monster's Inc. "door frame" stand up roller coaster too!!

I just have to add these to my list:

• Offer white grape juice at at least half of the restaurants and not just apple
  
• Offer bottled seltzer water everywhere, not just still water
  
• What ever happened to getting a grilled cheese for a kid's meal?
  
• Add another table service restaurant in MK between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland
  
• Fix up Aunt Polly's and do a homestyle restaurant with "Aunt Polly" CM's (like Prime Time) and serve kids meals in a "hobo" red & white napkin on a stick.
  
• Get rid of McDonalds
  
• Devise some way to manage the traffic flow inside Pinocchio's Village Haus...what a nightmare!
  
• Fix American Adventure. I am not sure what the hell happened post 9/11 but the montage ending sans animitronics is totally bush league....and wasn't there a scene with the Wright brothers and the plane in the old version??
  
• Offer organic milk in the resorts
  
• Add a Mary Poppins ride somewhere (besides the carousel) that all ages can ride
  
• Get rid of Stouffers hideous gelatinous mac-n-cheese and get some good mac-n-cheese for kids....what about Kraft making Mickey shaped mac-n-cheese?
  
  In total agreement about making DinoLand less Carny....

I agree with getting rid of McDonalds, but not the mac and cheese! I love going to the food court at the hotel and getting me some mac and cheese.

[Pirate Girl]

Bring back e ride nights!!!!

NO! No more pointless late nights!!!! Yuck yuck yuck!

[cheshirecatgirl]

And while we're at it, I would really love to see the return of River Country. I never got the chance to go there, and I always wanted to. The idea of an old fashioned watering hole appealed to me tremendously as a kid, and I still wish I could experience that!

[wed@wdw]

And while we're at it, I would really love to see the return of River Country. I never got the chance to go there, and I always wanted to. The idea of an old fashioned watering hole appealed to me tremendously as a kid, and I still wish I could experience that!

Yes, I second this one! I had only been to it once or twice, but really enjoyed it. I know my kids would have loved it!

If I ran WDW, I would bring back the treehouse villas. I loved staying there! Again, something I know my kids would've loved, but won't get the opportunity to experience.