LongLiveTheSmurfRide Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Not sure if this has been discussed before, but saw this link through AintItCoolNews.com, oddly enough: http://www.mouseplanet.com/9510/Collared Seems kind of sad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBEW_Sparky Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 After watching the video "MouseTrapped" and reading this article, I am becoming more and more glad that I chose to not book our December 2011 trip to WDW. Though I would like to go back, I can no longer in good conscience give the Disney organization any further patronage. What was initially designed to be a World of freedom, fun, and enjoyment for adults and children has now become no more special than the lands of overpriced food and underachieved value we all have become used to at most regional parks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RingMaster Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 After watching the video "MouseTrapped" and reading this article, I am becoming more and more glad that I chose to not book our December 2011 trip to WDW. Though I would like to go back, I can no longer in good conscience give the Disney organization any further patronage. What was initially designed to be a World of freedom, fun, and enjoyment for adults and children has now become no more special than the lands of overpriced food and underachieved value we all have become used to at most regional parks. Up until several years ago, Disney ALMOST went that particular route with California Adventure, an overpriced, underachieved eyesore that more closely resembled a Six Flags park than a Disney park. They're currently spending close to $2 billion on fixing their mistake, but that was after building another Disney park overseas (Hong Kong Disneyland) and now currently planning a SIXTH (Shanghai Disneyland). Maybe instead of expanding their reach to the furthest corners of the planet, maybe the Disney Corporation should dial things back a bit and fix what's wrong with the original two properties Walt helped create. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upstop Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I used to go to Disney World every year. Then one season, I went to Universal Orlando, and had an extra day. I called their ticketing department and asked what a one day park hopper would cost. At that time it was $110 dollars..... What a value. It was then and there that I decided that Disney is no longer a value for me. It's a shame but I am not paying a small fortune to visit an amusement park. Ain't gonna happen. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I take it that was the Disney ticket department you called... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upstop Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 Correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TH13TEEN Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I wonder what Walt is thinking right now? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upstop Posted January 21, 2011 Share Posted January 21, 2011 I wonder what Walt is thinking right now? "Get me out of this freezer" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongLiveTheSmurfRide Posted January 21, 2011 Author Share Posted January 21, 2011 ^Wow, that was great, hehe. I still love Disney, and loved my last trip back in '09. But I was already dismayed by the fact that the characters would come out and instantly ropes would come out and families would have to queue up. I remember going when I was a kid and it was more like the characters at KI where you could just come across them. I understand that it's partly a safety issue to keep mobs from forming around Mickey, but I would think they could still have the lesser characters wander around without having to be in a designated spot. It takes the magic away a bit to turn all of the characters into attractions unto themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedarPointer Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 I wonder what Walt is thinking right now? CedarPointer, hoping someone gets it... But seriously, I don't really see the problem here. It seems that everyone thinks that Disney is constantly going downhill. Which, in some cases, it is (I almost cried going on Spaceship Earth and seeing all the show scenes on the descent replaced by Christmas lights and an Esurance commercial), but not every decision they make is bad... If you owned a business, wouldn't you want to take additional opportunities for profit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 How would lapbars on Splash Mountain in Florida grab you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkroz Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 I believe it is true that The Disney Company (and perhaps moreso, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, a division of said company) has reached a bit too far. Disney('s) California Adventure is truly not an awful park. Those who have been can likely agree with me that, on its own, it's a very nice park with a fair sampling of attractions. The issue is that it costs the same as its sister park to spend a day there. As has been said, the mistake has been all but admitted, and is currently being overhauled (The lesson? Build it right the first time. Disney is spending as much to rebuild California Adventure as it cost to originally build Tokyo DisneySea, seen by many as the pinnacle of themed amusement parks). Eisner's Disney Decade also "required" the construction of a second gate at the still faltering resort in Marne-la-Vallée, France. If you think California Adventure is lackluster, take a look at that park, which by all accounts could've been build as an extension to the castled park instead of a sibling to it. Hong Kong Disneyland was built soon after - the smallest of any Magic Kingdom blueprint park. When it opened, it did not have a Haunted Mansion, "it's a small world," Big Thunder Mountain, or Autopia. As with California Adventure (though apparently on a much less public scale), the park is currently undergoing a rapid transformation, adding three new lands that feature a haunted house and a "western" style roller coaster, among other things. Then there's the problems at the stateside parks, one of which is the topic of this discussion. Others have called foul on the overemphasis of Pixar movies. I'm not a Disney Purist who believes that things should stay exactly the way they have always been, but look at Florida's Tomorrowland. Monsters Inc. has taken over The Timekeeper, Stitch is loose in Alien Encounter, and Buzz Lightyear has made his way into Take Flight. It's great for the new generation of visitors, but what happened to the idea of a futuristic, clean, silver and neon city of tomorrow? Buzz Lightyear? Stitch? Monster's Inc? And then there's California's Tomorrowland... No theme park operator is perfect, and Disney has its flaws. I do believe they need to reign themselves in not only industry-wise (opening Shanghai Disneyland without fixing the other six?), but also in operations. Perhaps I'm foolish, but I don't think Mr. Disney would take too kindly to the idea of the walkaround character experiences ending. Then again, he probably wouldn't have taken too kindly to California Adventure, either... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
upstop Posted January 22, 2011 Share Posted January 22, 2011 The real problem with raising ticket and resort prices is that the clientele reaches an exclusivity point where the average family cannot afford to go. Kind of like turning the park made for every one into Club Med. Then the family dream of a lifetime fades away.... I took a family of five in 1997 for $900.00 including airline, room and park tickets. Now an airline ticket would take a third of that just for one person. Plus, if you look at the current room prices forget it. I just want to visit, not to buy the hotel. I haven't stayed on site since 2003. As the costs increase, I've been staying further and further away from the parks, almost to the point that it's hardly worth going. It's sad because I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. When gas prices peak at the expected rate of $5.00 per gallon this summer.....watch Disney and other parks scramble to get guest back to their resorts. They will start to reduce their overhead, hours and possibly their workforce. The only problem is it will be too little too late. It's a business and yes they should be allowed to raise their prices.... however, is this really the time to do it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CedarPointer Posted January 24, 2011 Share Posted January 24, 2011 How would lapbars on Splash Mountain in Florida grab you? Well, if guests were standing up, which I have no doubt they were (and on other rides, too: on Universe of Energy, they had constant reminders about the length of the ride, and how you could NOT leave after the ride started...), then they are probably necessary. I'm actually surprised they weren't addeda while ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 They've been moving this direction for a while.. and it's all designed to appeal to their "agenda-driven" tourist, and prop up their PhotoPass sales. It's another case of TDA and TDO managing from the 10th floor. They look down on the park, see a line of people crowding a character on the street, and decide to give them a permanent 'home'. What they fail to realize, however, is that they're gutting the character experience of any whimsy or magic. Part of the excitement with the walkarounds was their randomness. You rounded the corner and see your favorite character face to face, on your level, and ready to meet you. Under the new plan, you get in a queue, walk up to a set up that resembles a KMart Photography studio, and meet your Princess in front of a cheesy, printed backdrop. The end result might be the same (you meet and get photographed with the character), but the experience is decidedly different. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KIfan1980 Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 And yet in so many ways Disney is a shining example of selling "experience" - unfortunately, they are missing the boat on this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Darn-it!!! I was trying to not post in this topic but I feel I have some info to offer on the subject. First off I must address the affordability of a Disney vacation. I have posted in many threads about how there is very little difference in price to go to Disney, Universal, Sea World. For overnight vacations one should expect to pay more for a Cedar Point vacation versus a Central Florida vacation. I only bring this up again because I do not want any young or first time to Disney family to put a trip off to Disney because they have heard it was too expensive compared to other vacation destinations. In addition if you look at the hours of operation and the entertainment line-up most will agree Disney really offers a lot of value for the price paid. Below I am putting up my invoice for my family's last trip staying on site at Disney. I am doing this to show the true cost so others can see first-hand the cost of a Disney trip. The invoice includes 4 adults staying at Disney POP Century and includes 2 meals per day for each person (one quick service /w desert and drink and one full service meal/ w dessert and drink) on snack per person and a one day ticket. We always add the rest of our Disney tickets when we arrive and this year we added 8 day pass including Water Parks and more option. For a add on price at the front desk of $954.24. This brings our total for 14 nights and 15 days at Disney to $3067.30. Keep in mind that is for everything Resort, Food, Transportation and park tickets for 15 days for 4 adults. Now let's break that down $3067.30 divided by 15 days = $204.48 and then divided by each person 4 = $51.12. So $51.12 for all the above listed entitlements per person to me is a bargain and I have yet to find a better deal anywhere from any park. So those who have been thinking about a Central Florida trip just know it is affordable, not cheap but very affordable for what you get. Now to address the topic at hand; the elimination of some character workarounds. Every individual and family have their own personal favorite reason to visit a Disney park, some for rides, some for shows while others to visit with a character they have always wanted to meet. We have been visiting Disney for years and see all side of the topic issue. If one is worried about a magical moment waiting around the corner then they need not worry when at Disney as Disney offers so many special moments in the streets all day long. True it may not be a character but they have many impromptu shows in a wide variety of taste that everyone should be pleased. Now to be more direct on the character walkarounds, we have been a part of 3 types first one a organized character meal where the characters came around to visit at the table for a private moment. The other is walk around which was exciting but in truth it was bit hard to get a picture and the character seemed distracted by all the children calling their name and walking up out of turn. If there was a bit of a mob or a line the character would dismiss there selves for a break but promise to come right back out. The last one is the wait in line option. The con on this is typically the time in line. Pro side is an individual or family can rest assure that they will get a semi private moment with a character of their choosing. Honestly when guest spend hundreds or thousands of dollars and they really want to visit with a special character I am glad there is a place they can go for that versus a happenstance meeting. At Disney World they would have a line in an air conditioned theme building. While in line you do not see the characters at the end of the line, this is done so they can have about 4-5 sets of the same characters in different rooms. This helps speed up the line. When you get towards the front of the line a Disney Cast member will come and walk about 4 groups of individuals or families to one of the rooms with 3 characters in it (in that line all rooms have the same like characters in it) I liked that atmosphere as it seemed more personable, quiet and not at all will you feel rushed by the cast members or the feeling that others are staring at you to hurry up. Here is one of the sessions we had. We did the princesses First Aurora (Sleeping Beauty) <object width="640" height="479"> <param name="movie" value="http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf">'>http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf"> <param name="flashvars" value="config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=90530ac2c14bf3f6528e56f991e7161d%26u=1009485%26a=1007746%26i=1196725%26w=640%26h=479"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"> <embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#000000" src="http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf" flashvars="config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=90530ac2c14bf3f6528e56f991e7161d%26u=1009485%26a=1007746%26i=1196725%26w=640%26h=479" width="640" height="479"> </object> When we were finished with Aurora we had about a 2 family wait to get our next visit with Cinderella, which gave us some time to reminisce those previous moments. <object width="640" height="479"> <param name="movie" value="http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf">'>http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf"> <param name="flashvars" value="config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=1ea8f588a4af1862974cdb4f6c5c61cd%26u=1009485%26a=1007746%26i=1196727%26w=640%26h=479"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"> <embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#000000" src="http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf" flashvars="config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=1ea8f588a4af1862974cdb4f6c5c61cd%26u=1009485%26a=1007746%26i=1196727%26w=640%26h=479" width="640" height="479"> </object> Then the last one with Bell you can see Cinderella in the background with another group and I feel it can give you an idea of what it is like. <object width="640" height="479"> <param name="movie" value="http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf">'>http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf"> <param name="flashvars" value="config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=cb4d0afa7261c6657bcf699dcaf5456a%26u=1009485%26a=1007746%26i=1196730%26w=640%26h=479"> <param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"> <param name="bgcolor" value="#000000"> <embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" bgcolor="#000000" src="http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=player&.swf" flashvars="config=http://albums.phanfare.com/video_config.ashx?m=conf%26hs=cb4d0afa7261c6657bcf699dcaf5456a%26u=1009485%26a=1007746%26i=1196730%26w=640%26h=479" width="640" height="479"> </object> I am glad Disney spends the extra money to have many rooms of the same characters so that the lines move quickly and so anyone who spends a lot of money to visit can have an equal opportunity to meet their favorite character. I do still like the roaming characters but feel a bit disappointed that still to this day I have not been able to get a picture with Jimmy the Cricket (my present favorite charcter) and that is from not trying. Photopass. Please keep in mind that Disney is there to make a profit but the prices of the pictures or not to bad especially in a package. Also note that any Photopass photographer will be happy to take your picture with your own camera and all you need to do is just ask. How nice is that for some people? I mean if they were not there you would not get that picture with you in it with your camera, so in a good everyone is given an opportunity of a great picture with your own camera or theirs for purchase. I do recommend anyone taking their family down to Disney for several days to buy the Photopass CD. Note that the above videos were being taken by me while I rest assured that the Photopass photographers were taking the photos. Kind of having the best of both worlds. Also keep in mind most families have one person who takes 99% of the photos and are seldom seen. With the Disney Photopass system everyone gets to be in the pictures including me. Final thought for those who go, Please consider paying for some keepsake photos from a park you visit as we spend a lot of money to go and the price many years later for a great memory is priceless. In the above photo it shows my families first visit to Disney and I would pay triple to have that picture and now feel the price I paid for that photo was the best bargain of any souvenir we bought that year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 :::Everything Avatar said, condensed for space::: Don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan. in fact, we just booked our trip for April, which will be our 10 month old daughter's first visit. I love the whimsy of the Magic Kingdom, the built-in (though recently watered down) optimism of Epcot, the perfect placemaking at DHS, and the incredible design of Animal Kingdom. Where I see guest experience declining is mainly an effect of a complacent and "good enough" attitude in management. -Nemo made no thematic sense for The Living Seas, but it was an easy fit. Kids like Nemo. "Good enough" -The "star" character in Expedition Everest has been broken for, what, 4 years now? Point a fan at him and fire up a strobe light. They won't know the difference. "Good enough." -In an age where energy is a hotbutton issue, the Energy pavilion at Epcot hasn't been updated in 17 years. But, what the hell, Ellen's still on TV. "Good enough." -An aerial ride track has been left to rot above DL's Tomorrowland untouched for 11 years. People must have forgotten about Rocket Rods by now. "Good enough." I studied Stagecraft and Design in college with the pie-in-the-sky dream of one day working for WDI. It kills me to see them let go of the high standards that they used to hold themselves too. They're being hanged with their own noose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 PREMiERdrum - Just know I agree with you whole heatedly in feeling that Disney as of late has been depending on mediocrity on doing their best. Yes they still do a lot and still set the standard. I am also very glad to see other parks like Universal stepping up in a big way to show Disney they are there to take their crowds if they take them for granted. Speaking of taking guest fro granted; This is the first year that we do not have a standing reservation to go to Disney and it is because Disney is not offering anything to really wow my family back for a sixth year in a row. I still highly recommend Disney for most families to go this year but for us to go for a sixth year in a row NO!!!. There are other parks who have stepped up and are offering new and exciting entertainment for us this year. I must say Holiday World having a live band playing at their water park impressed me, it told me they were more interested in entertaining me at a fair profit than ways to cut the cost to maximize their profits. I guess I am trying to say to the Amusement/Theme parks is please do not take me for granted or we will not be visiting as frequent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 PREMiERdrum - Just know I agree with you whole heatedly in feeling that Disney as of late has been depending on mediocrity on doing their best. Yes they still do a lot and still set the standard. I am also very glad to see other parks like Universal stepping up in a big way to show Disney they are there to take their crowds if they take them for granted. Speaking of taking guest fro granted; This is the first year that we do not have a standing reservation to go to Disney and it is because Disney is not offering anything to really wow my family back for a sixth year in a row. I still highly recommend Disney for most families to go this year but for us to go for a sixth year in a row NO!!!. There are other parks who have stepped up and are offering new and exciting entertainment for us this year. I'm excited to see all the new stuff the Orlando parks have cooked up. We own a timeshare, so we typically trade into a Celebration or Kissimmee-area condo for 7 days. We typically do 3 days at Disney, 1 at Seaworld, and 1 at Universal. Our plans this year are scaled back a bit, waiting to see how Avery handles things. We'll likely do 2 days at Disney, and 1 day split between SeaWorld and Aquatica. The "grown ups" might venture to Universal, and leave the little ones (good friends of ours are travelling with us, they have an 8 month old son) back at the condo with the nanny. (my mom travells with us as our nanny and cook. LOL) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalefan Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 How would lapbars on Splash Mountain in Florida grab you? Didn't a guy lose his head on the Disney Land one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalefan Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Can anyone see Dick Kinzel running Disney? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Interpreter Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 How would lapbars on Splash Mountain in Florida grab you? Didn't a guy lose his head on the Disney Land one? Not that I know of. A man did voluntarily exit the Walt Disney World one midcourse, get struck by another log, critically injuring himself, and later die in the hospital. I think he was in his late thirties and had told the other passengers he felt sick and was leaving via an emergency exit, if memory serves. This was more than a decade ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 I have been trying to not comment on this topic for a bit, but I just need to say a few things. Like Avatar suggested Disney is not as expensive as everyone thinks, one day is not cheap, but if done all inclusive the cost is quite reassonable. Secondly having a young daughter I much rather they way Disney conducts its meet n greets. Especially the character meals, because your child gets a special moment that cannot be matched by a random instance in the park. My daughter had a 5 minute conversation and photo session with Ariel before our princess lunch at Disneyland. That wouldn't happen in the park because you would be mobbed by everyone else. Check out my Magic trip report linked at the bottom and I think you will see what I mean. Disney in my opinion controls the experiences and the moments throughout their parks to keep the quality high than average. Nobody wants a just average time at Disney. I am looking forward to my familes first trip to the World in late Spring. Avatar I think you need a 6th year of Disney, but this time you must go West. You will not be sorry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieseltech20 Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Lol, Not expensive, I paid less for my car than that trip to Disney. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RailRider Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Thats also a 2 week all inclussive vacation. I would like to see the cost of a similar trip to Cedar Point or for someone to do Cedar Point or KI that cheap per day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avatar Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 I'm excited to see all the new stuff the Orlando parks have cooked up. We own a timeshare, so we typically trade into a Celebration or Kissimmee-area condo for 7 days. We typically do 3 days at Disney, 1 at Seaworld, and 1 at Universal. Our plans this year are scaled back a bit, waiting to see how Avery handles things. We'll likely do 2 days at Disney, and 1 day split between SeaWorld and Aquatica. The "grown ups" might venture to Universal, and leave the little ones (good friends of ours are travelling with us, they have an 8 month old son) back at the condo with the nanny. (my mom travells with us as our nanny and cook. LOL) Looks like you will be having many years of family fun in the years ahead. May I suggest that you may want to experience Discovery Cove for something different during one of your trips. Disney in my opinion controls the experiences and the moments throughout their parks to keep the quality high than average. Nobody wants a just average time at Disney. I am looking forward to my familes first trip to the World in late Spring. Avatar I think you need a 6th year of Disney, but this time you must go West. You will not be sorry. RailRider knowing a bit of your trip I know you and the family will have a blast in and out of the Disney parks. I look forward to your review. About my 6th year in a row, your wish may come true. We decided last year that we should take several long weekends and see some sights we have been longing to visit. On that list Disneyland is one of those destinations, so we may get a chance to go to So Cal. We pretty much decided to spend only one week on Fall Vacation due to the long weekend trips, We are leaning on renting a house or condo in the Anna Maria Island area and visit Busch Gardens and Sea World but mostly just beach time. Now I REALLY LOVED SEA WORLD CHRISTMAS and want to take the family back to Florida in early December to experience that with a possible trip to see Disney Christmas park for their Christmas event offerings. So who knows. Lol, Not expensive, I paid less for my car than that trip to Disney. LOL Dleseltech20, I got to ask do you still have that car as we are looking for a used car to take down to Florida to leave at my brothers so we will not need to rent a car anymore. On a serious note you actually made my point even more. Several years back I struggled to get my business up and running and bought many used vehicles to keep things on the cheap. So when it came to vacation time we never went to Disney as we thought it was to expensive so we went elsewhere and as it turns out we spent more money going other places versus where we really wanted to go. I just do not want anyone to fool their-selves in not going as we did. Also to add on to RaiRiders comment about the price being all inclusive for 15 days keep in mind the budgeted money we would normally spend on Groceries, Gas Money, Lunch Money and Family Entertainment for those two weeks can be applied to that total to even lower more. Trust me I regret not going on regular vacations during my early adult life so now I make sure I do and do what I have been wanting to do. I wish you the same opportunities. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PREMiERdrum Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Looks like you will be having many years of family fun in the years ahead. My I suggest that you may want to experience Discovery Cove for something different during one of your trips. Discovery Cove is on the list for one of these trips. We will get this one under our belt (first big vacation with the little one) and go from there. As to the timeshare, it's the best investment we've ever made. We paid upfront, and now own 2 weeks of vacation every year for the rest of our lives. We own at a resort in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia, but we only really bought there because the annual maintenance fees are incredibly low (about 10% of what they would be at an Orlando resort). We pay $100 to exchange into a different resort, guaranteeing a 4- or 5-star resort. Because of the size of the unit we own at our home resort, we're guaranteed to get a suite that sleeps 8 (with privacy for 6), a full kitchen, washer/drier... it's great. The best part is that, since it's a deeded property, we'll hand it off to our kids and they'll get 2 weeks of vacation a year too. As long as it stays in the family, it keeps passing down. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dieseltech20 Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 LOL Dleseltech20, I got to ask do you still have that car as we are looking for a used car to take down to Florida to leave at my brothers so we will not need to rent a car anymore. Sure do but it's not for sale, lol. It's a work in progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongLiveTheSmurfRide Posted January 27, 2011 Author Share Posted January 27, 2011 Update: http://www.mouseplanet.com/9518/Roaming_Charges_Disney_Denies_Plan_to_Clamp_Down_on_Characters Looks like there won't be any big changes to the characters roaming for now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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