Episode 33 - We Crank Because We Care

[dpamac]

Speaking of Knobels Grove - Dollywood is another one of those nice old parks that is still fun to go to. They are really working on theming and actually builsing new rides (what a concept!)

Their sister park Silver Dollar City in Branson, which is much older, is another great example. It's one of the few non-Disney theme parks I enjoy because the themeing, costuming, overall feel, everything is spot on across the board. They have some pretty great rides too. Fewer butterflies than Dollywood. Plus, it's outside of Branson so you don't have to actually go into Branson to see it.

[Dopey's Girl]

Yet another great podcast.

NexGen...ugh. I'm not a planner. I know when I'm going, and where I'm staying. That is about it, the rest of my trip is 100% let's see where the day takes us. The idea of having to plan to the second is very unappealing. But I'm going to try to keep an open mind and see what happens. It's the lack of official info that bothers me too.

I hope nobody takes your clown balloon making comments seriously. Aside from NexGen, clowns roaming the resort area would chase me out! (Hello POFQ, I'm talking to you!)

Favorite special effects...I love the party scene in Haunted Mansion. It's really old school, and hasn't changed in a really long time, but it's still so cool. I also love the new hitchiking ghosts...they do some pretty neat stuff now!

Gary's Yetti comment...I snorted at my desk at that one. The cube neighbors are looking at me like I'm crazy again.

Thanks again for the free (even though it was cranky, which still cracked me up. I especially loved Sydney Crysby!) entertainment!

[darthmacho]

This episode would have been better if I had been mentioned at least once.

1 of 5 stars.

I know what you mean, Mr. Column.

[ryca1dreams]

My favorite special effect is still Pooh drifting into his dream. It's probably the same technology as in HM and others, but it just looks so cool.

A more subtle special (audio) effect is also in Haunted Mansion when the music changes into a creepy "Here comes the bride". It always gives me chills.

[Melanie]

I know what you mean, Mr. Column.

[bleukarma]

I'm so happy that Mel is going to remain a Lightning fan after she moves! Go Bolts!!!

My favorite special effect is in Rock'n Roller coaster. Aerosmith is magically in the recording studio every time I walk into that building! Amazing!

[BriarRose0708]

Thanks for another funny, if cranky, Podcast. I agree that the plans for NexGen and Fastpasses had been better communicated maybe we wouldn't have to fill in the blanks ourselves. I am also of the "wait and see" mind set but not sure how I feel about it. I'm not a huge fan of change to begin with and think that fastpass works the way it was intended to just fine as it is. Even though we all use Fastpass in some capacity I'm still amazed at the number of people that go on their Disney vacations and don't even KNOW about Fastpass! Maybe the changes are also to make it more visible to first-timers or those that haven't done research.

Ian (I think it was him) brings up a good point that just because I have a fastpass and am not in a queue, it doesn't mean I'm spending money elsewhere in a park. I'm usually taking in another attraction, at a character meet, or eating (which would count as spending money but not hundreds on merchandise). I do my fair share of souvenir shopping, but as I go more and more often I find I'm coming home with less stuff.

Ah, another Knobel's Grove reference! Love that place. I have many memories of going to that park with my dad as a kid. I went on my very first roller coaster, the food there is AMAZING and I had my very first sips of Birch Beer there. I think we still have the plastic mugs it came in. To this day, I will not go on haunted houses (HM being the exception) because the one at Knobel's scarred me for life. Also, John you unknowingly settled a dispute between my sister and me - the K is silent! I must make her listen to your pronunciation because she insists it's KUHnobel's.

Favorite special effects ok- I love the Tower of Terror effects! Especially when the elevator car moves forward, I was not expecting that my first time riding and it was really cool.

[Tink1]

Also, John you unknowingly settled a dispute between my sister and me - the K is silent! I must make her listen to your pronunciation because she insists it's KUHnobel's.
.

OK, thought this was going to be a sauce vs gravy thing because up here we say KUH as well. Checked their website and it is KUHnoebles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inRGN...ature=youtu.be is their commercial. They say KUH.

Nobels is a furniture store up here.

Nanc

[dpamac]

OK, thought this was going to be a sauce vs gravy thing because up here we say KUH as well. Checked their website and it is KUHnoebles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=inRGN...ature=youtu.be is their commercial. They say KUH.

Nobels is a furniture store up here.

Nanc

Looks like that settles it. You can't argue with the source.

[John]

Crud - over the years I have said it both ways and wasn't really sure which way was right. Looks like I was pronouncing the town it's in wrong too....

[Tink1]

Crud - over the years I have said it both ways and wasn't really sure which way was right. Looks like I was pronouncing the town it's in wrong too....

I noticed that during the podcast, but was not going to comment!

EeL-e's-burg (our coal man delivers from there)

Nanc

[Mendelson]

Has anyone else knoticed that two hours is the knew one hour for podcast length?

Knot that I'm complaining....Kno arguments here!

[Tink1]

Knot that I'm complaining....Kno arguments here!

[BriarRose0708]

I noticed that during the podcast, but was not going to comment!

EeL-e's-burg (our coal man delivers from there)

Nanc

Dang, now I have to concede to my sister, and I hate doing that!

I always thought is was pronounced Eli's-burg.

[dpamac]

In fairness both the town and the park name don't exactly follow the conventions of the language.

[PopPhan]

I can't speak for everyone on the panel, but I know my negativity, as discussed on the other thread regarding this, comes from the complete lack of official information on this from beginning to end. It's been a PR mess! And sorry, what I've seen proposed (as rumor or whatever) isn't to my liking, especially looking at it from a "local" perspective. So yeah, while everyone on the east coast is adapting and accepting, I'm going to Disneyland!

I honestly believe that the internet and sites like INTERCOT (as much as I love this site) add to the problems with conjecture and rumor.

Something Disney Parks related gets mentioned, in passing or otherwise, and IMMEDIATELY all the discussion sites are abuzz with rumor and conjecture of what this comment was all about, how it will be implemented (always considered to be done poorly,) and how much people HATE the idea.

Even things that are "Blue Sky" ideas get taken and expounded upon in length without details from Imaginearing or the actual "powers that be."

This is not just a Disney problem/concern....I work on a sales/marketing program for a company in the Fortune 100 and I am constantly barraged with 'projects' that are in the 'Blue Sky' level of development. There has been no real development done on the project, but the idea was mentioned and we just HAVE to have it in the sales/marketing program to beat our competitors to the punch. Often, the project gets dropped or has no relationship to the original idea.

It's nice to speculate, but when these speculations and conjectures become points of contention with the company and other discussion participants, it's time to step back and let the REAL information come out.

Just my 2 cents worth...Not trying to start any fights or cast aspersions on my favorite Disney discussion board or the people thereon.

==============

For Ian: The Haunted Mansion walk-thru was part of the "Room 4 1 More" event, if I recall correctly.

[diz_girl]

Thanks for another enjoyable Podcast. I definitely missed Carol. Michael hasn't been on recently and Jeff hasn't been on in a long time. When will they return?

Firstly, to Gary's Column to the boards. Love the hat!

Secondly - what's Ian's beef with Sidney Crosby? Is this based in jealousy that the Penguins got him and not the Flyers?

While the Next Gen stuff does sound complicated, I'd welcome scheduling a FP for TSM, as I've never ridden it even though I've been to WDW twice since it opened. The lines aren't worth it, not with two young children in tow.

I know several people who camp at Knoebels a lot and they love it. Maybe we'll camp there and bring Minnie (our vintage travel trailer) along.

As for the merchandise, when we were there six months ago, it was a bit uninspired. Didn't see the Orange Bird Merchandise in Adventureland. I actually didn't even go into the Emporium or Mouse Gears this time. The only shopping that I did was in the gift shop at the CR, the Uptown Jewelers in MK where you can get the D&B purses, the Harambe gift place in AK, and the kiosk in Tomorrowland that sells some Buzz stuff, but I could have done a lot more damage. I actually didn't have much time to shop because I was too busy on the rides and tending to my kids.

I agree with Gary about DVC at FW. I actually ranted a little in the DVC forum, not about Gary's point, but other reasons. Attaching DVC to a non-Deluxe resort just doesn't feel right. How are they going to price the cash rooms? Why stay there when you can stay in the cabins for less. But I do agree that they should leave FW alone. It's unique and should stay that way.

Lastly, my favorite special effect was tough. I'd probably agree with Ian about the ballroom scene in HM.

Looking forward to the next one.

[PopPhan]

I noticed that during the podcast, but was not going to comment!

EeL-e's-burg (our coal man delivers from there)

Nanc

OK, thought this was going to be a sauce vs gravy thing because up here we say KUH as well. Checked their website and it is KUHnoebles.

Nobels is a furniture store up here.

Nanc

Wasn't going to make a big deal about Knoebel's, but being from the immediate vicinity (Mt. Carmel...and my uncle lived in Danville), it is definitely Kuh-noe-buhlz Groves and Ee-leez-burg.

Of course, we 'coal crackers' say things differently anyway!!

[Ian]

Secondly - what's Ian's beef with Sidney Crosby? Is this based in jealousy that the Penguins got him and not the Flyers?

Uh, no. My beef with him is that he's got talent beyond imagination, yet he plays the game like a soft, spoiled, whiny little girl.

[finaldynasty]

Just wanted to say..I loved podcast 33..very good job!