Episode 68: Gary Sells Out

[John]

The Cast: Carol Robert, Cindy Jachrimo, Gary O’Brien, Michael Montanez, John Yaglenski


- Off Kilter is done, new entertainment coming to Epcot.


- Is there an example in Disney history where management has reversed their decision to close something?

- Talking Epcot again

- Marvel coming to Disneyland

- More FROZEN!

- Take it or leave it - Special Edition Magic Bands. Tried out during Star Wars Weekends. Frozen Bands have been circulating. Carol says leave it. Cindy says leave it too. Gary says leave it. Michael leave it. John leave it. Big Goose Egg.

- Carol suggests interchangeable cores for Magic Bands that you can switch to accessorize with your outfit. *INTERCOT Consulting(tm). Fantastic idea!

- Silly Jasmine and Nathan - Gary Sells Out

- Villains Sinister Soiree - trying to see the value proposition by the time you pay for park admission, then special party that night, then special party for only a few hours. *We do an economics lesson. $680 for 5 hours for a family of four.

- More Starbucks

- Drones in the parks

- #runICOT update


>> LISTEN & DOWNLOAD NOW - Episode 69 is Already Recorded!

[PirateLover]

The Haunted Mansion magic band is indeed awesome, but the price point isn't right. Carol mentioned the little add ons you can buy for them- the bandits I think they are called? Didn't they also sell covers for them? Why aren't these just covers for your existing band instead of an entirely new band?

And I totally agree with your thoughts on the price point of the soirée. Craziness. A cool event but not worth the price. But obviously people are willing to pay, so until they stop turnings out in droves for these events, WDW will keep adding more.

[cer]

- Is there an example in Disney history where management has reversed their decision to close something?

-

The only attraction in which I "think" the guest outcry may have reversed a decision was in the instance of the Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland. I am not 100% sure of the circumstances surrounding the decision to refrain from the "Under New Management" overlay on this attraction, but as I understood it, the guests made a difference.

Great podcast, Y'all.

[PirateLover]

Also when they completely removed Figment from Journey into Imagination... Added him back in, but not Dreamfinder.

[John]

Also when they completely removed Figment from Journey into Imagination... Added him back in, but not Dreamfinder.

Doesn't count. The ride track had been shortened and the storyline completely changed. All of the old ride was ripped out. Their only concession was to bring back figment because the ride was absolutely TERRIBLE. Still largely is.

Visit our youtube channel at http://www.youtube.com/intercot for different versions to compare... see if you don't agree.

[PirateLover]

Doesn't count. The ride track had been shortened and the storyline completely changed. All of the old ride was ripped out. Their only concession was to bring back figment because the ride was absolutely TERRIBLE. Still largely is.

Oh, of course, it was a slapped together fix and nowhere near what the fans really wanted. But it was a response of some kind- that's all I was pointing out.

[Fangorn]

Is there an example in Disney history where management has reversed their decision to close something?

Not sure if this counts - might be close though...

Several years back there was the whole thing around closing Carousel of Progress. It went to Seasonal, then VERY Seasonal and then for a short period, it was "effectively" closed, but not officially. After a significant outcry, it was brought back as a normal part of Tomorrowland.

Steve

[John]

Not sure if this counts - might be close though...

Several years back there was the whole thing around closing Carousel of Progress. It went to Seasonal, then VERY Seasonal and then for a short period, it was "effectively" closed, but not officially. After a significant outcry, it was brought back as a normal part of Tomorrowland.

Steve

I'm gonna say it never officially closed... not sure whether the public outcry did that or that it really needed some serious maintenance.

[John]

Oh, of course, it was a slapped together fix and nowhere near what the fans really wanted. But it was a response of some kind- that's all I was pointing out.

I got it - just saying, it was a redo. We were really talking about an attraction that closed, only to open it's doors again. 20,000 leagues to nemo subs might be the CLOSEST thing to that happening but again, that involved serious re-theming - but it did get the subs running again.

[Fangorn]

I'm gonna say it never officially closed... not sure whether the public outcry did that or that it really needed some serious maintenance.

I hear you, but any "serious maintenance" they did had to have been infrastructure related, not show related. It still looked old, tired and in need of a facelift when it came back on the schedule.



Steve

[Cyberg]

To ALL Windows Phone users: I used "Disney Expedition" app on my last trip to WDW on my Lumia 1520, it worked great for FastPass+ to add and modify on the go. It has park and resort maps and can be used for navigating the parks for attractions, restaurants and restrooms. They keep adding more features but I have not try the new stuff.
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/st...9-b4c1857fc8ce

[John]

To ALL Windows Phone users: I used "Disney Expedition" app on my last trip to WDW on my Lumia 1520, it worked great for FastPass+ to add and modify on the go. It has park and resort maps and can be used for navigating the parks for attractions, restaurants and restrooms. They keep adding more features but I have not try the new stuff.
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/st...9-b4c1857fc8ce

Downloaded it last trip on my #lumia1020 and was impressed. It does do a good job in the parks and is sorely needed to fill the gap since Disney is ignoring windows phone users.

[princessgirls]

$680 for a family of 4 for 5 hours of a Villains party....Whoa....That is A LOT OF MONEY for park time with some Villains thrown in!!!

That is outrageous!!!!!!!!!!

I'm dropping that kind of cash, I'm getting royal spa treatment and Dinner at Victoria and Albert's!!!!!!

Just saying.....
Julie

[kbean]

Cherry Churos.....

[CAS]

Thanks for mentioning Jasmine and Nathan Gary! They're going to love it. Contractual obligation complete.

[disneykidsince1970]

So excited for new podcast! Downloaded last night from OldKeyWest....where I spent my last night of my short USA trip. ....I type this now from the USAir lounge in Philly waiting for my flight back to Switzerland. Perfect time for a podcast listen!

Will vote on the special magic bands after I listen....but I did comment to my sister, Nikki, just this morning, that I wished I had bothered to log in and customize our bands- even tho we only used for room keys (we were there only 18 hours)... Bc the grey ones are really .

Thanks in advance for the podcast....!

[Goofy4TheWorld]

Did Ian have a wardrobe malfunction during the taping of Episode 66 that has resulted in FCC fines and his banishment from podcasts?

[John]

Did Ian have a wardrobe malfunction during the taping of Episode 66 that has resulted in FCC fines and his banishment from podcasts?

He's back on 69

[Septbride2002]

I love it when Michael is on the podcast he always says something that makes me bust out laughing. This particular episode is "And this is why we can't have nice things!"

The nickel and diming of all these "events" is annoying. We went during the Holiday events and didn't spend the extra money on any of them and still felt like we had a magical vacation. The price of admission for these events is expensive enough now they are adding to it.

I try to remember to never say never but at this point in time there are no plans for my family of 4 to participate in any of the parties, the Harambe Nights, etc. The Halloween party is probably the only one that could make me part with my cold hard cash. I love that parade.

I'm okay with the changing entertainment in Epcot. I was never really an Off Kilter fan. I actually liked the Morracan band better. But truly we don't spend as much time in Epcot like we use to. My kids are BORED there. But I think there is a park for each "season" of life. Prior to having kids we spent TONS of time in Epcot. DH and I freaking loved it. We spent next to no time in Studios. With toddlers there was lots of MK and AK. Now with elementary aged kids they want to spend as much time in Studios as possible with MK sprinkled in. There is not much excitement about AK or Epcot. But I know in a few years that may change again.

Of course in a few years I will introduce them to Universal and I'm just hoping they will still indulge their sentimental mom in a ride on Small World.

Gosh I sound old.....

[Christine]

Just listened on my long run. Funny podcast!!! Loved it!

And carol, they do have good candy again- there was a time when it was dollar store off brand stuff. But it's back to M&M's, tootsie rolls, kit kats, Reese's peanut butter cups, Milky Way, snickers, 3 musketeers, skittles, whoppers, butterfingers.... Good stuff!