Today is another sad day at the Walt Disney World resort. An employee of the Disney owned Buena Vista Construction Company was working on providing power to a stage outside the entrance to the ESPN Wide World of Sports complex when he suffered severe injuries… Read More »Electrician at ESPN WWOS dies after injury
Even though it’s a construction site, it’s still very colorful and themed thanks to the image on the tarp.
A few days ago I looked at the five biggest needs at Walt Disney World, I though it was only fair that I identify five things WDW is doing right. So without any further ado…
1. Building maintenance at the Magic Kingdom
For the last few years I’ve noticed some big improvements in maintenance on the buildings at the Magic Kingdom. There are literally managers who walk around with a camera and voice recording taking pictures of work that needs to be done and recording notes. Then when I come back a few weeks later, that problem has been fixed. That’s how it should work.
The whole park has been working on upgrading everything from facades to sidewalks. You couldn’t miss it if you visited the last few years, inevitably there would be some building shrouded in a giant tarp. But you might look twice once you noticed it, as Disney has taken to printing giant pictures of the buildings being repaired on the outside of the tarp. It doesn’t make them go away, but at least guests can tell that Disney cares about their experience.
Follow me below the jump for even more great things Disney is doing:
With all the new DVC Resorts, what does WDW need to do?
A few weeks ago during a quarterly results call Disney CEO Bob Iger seemed to imply that once the Magic Kingdom’s new Fantasyland is done and California Adventure’s remake is complete that will be the end of major projects for the parks, at least for a while. I’m not sure he’s taking into account the long list of work that needs to be done.
The list of small projects that could make a trip to Walt Disney World better for the guest is nearly endless. It ranges from little things that could be done better (parking guests at the back of the parking lot when whole sections closer to the gate are still open, bringing back the Country Bear Holiday Show) to large projects (building that bowling alley at ESPN WWOS, a new country or two at EPCOT). But I wanted to focus on the largest needs, those that would make the biggest difference in guest experience.
So follow me below the jump for five suggestions I think WDW should commit to:
This is the original sign from when the attraction closed 16 years ago
When you think of EPCOT you don’t typically think Retro. After all it’s Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. And yet, there is something natural about having science fiction at the park in the form of Captain EO, even if it’s a flashback from the 80s. It’s nice of Disney to offer this tribute to superstar Michael Jackson.
This is the first time I can remember a warning sign for ‘Loud Noise’
Nostalgia is playing a big role across Walt Disney World and Disneyland right now. MSEP, World of Color, A Princess heavy Fantasyland, and Carsland all tug on our fondness for the past. This mix of nostalgia, entertainment, history is what Walt Disney loved and built with Disneyland. So again, it just seems natural.
Lot’s more below the jump…
Read More »Captain EO Returns to EPCOT’s Imagination Pavilion
Grammy Award-winning singer Gloria Estefan poses June 26, 2010 with her new pals from the silver screen — “Toy Story 3” characters Jessie (left) and Woody (right) — at the Magic Kingdom park. “Toy Story 3,” the hit Disney-Pixar animated feature film, debuted in U.S.… Read More »Gloria Estefan visits Disney World
Turns out there is an economic advantage to using the monthly payment option when buying a new Florida Resident Annual Pass at Walt Disney World. To see how beneficial the new monthly option for Disney APs is, I did an analysis. Present value of Florida… Read More »Why using WDW’s Monthly Payment Plan for APs can save you Money
Is your dog, cat or “pocket pet” so much a part of the family that you just can’t bear to leave them at home during your family Disney vacation? Well, then you’re in luck, as Best Friends Pet Care Resort, a luxury pet resort at Walt Disney World Resort is now accepting reservations.
Reservations are being accepted for pet boarding stays beginning Aug. 27, 2010, for the new facility. This is the first time overnight boarding has been available at the Walt Disney World resort. Update: I forgot that Fort Wilderness and TTC currently has overnight boarding.
While the new facility may be a step up in service, with overnight boarding now available, it is a huge drop in convenience. Update: According to the Best Friends Pet Care website, the new facility will consolidate all the current WDW kennel facilities into one location. This is quite a bit less convenient for guests who are used to being able to drop their pets off right outside the main gate of the park they’re visiting that day.
Read More »Pet Resort to Pamper your Prince or Princess at Disney World
Long rumored, and even longer needed, the monthly payment program for the Walt Disney World annual pass has finally rolled out. Now, if you meet the limited eligibility requirements, you can spread out the cost of your annual pass over 11 months. This is a… Read More »Walt Disney World rolls out monthly payments for annual pass