News Round Up 2019

[pooh'smate]

`
think this is probably true, and I totally agree, some of my favorite restaurants on property command “one dining credit” (I’ve never bothered with the dining plan, why pre-pay for food imo? But I’m a 29 year old guy without a family, not about to get suckered into that nonsense).

Sorry to be critical to those that enjoy it, it’s just so easy to do the math with the room only discounts and realize it’s a mediocre at best deal (I’d say bad deal but please dining plan evangelists, spare me).

And thanks a lot maxrebo for your always thoughtful responses.

The thing is I have done the math and for our family of 3 the dining plan saves us way more money then a room discount so for us is a great deal. Just because it is a bad deal for you doesn't automatically mean it is a bad deal for everybody. Everyone should do the math for themselves but don't think just because people use the dining plan they are getting a bad deal.

 

[The Pho]

That is interesting. I followed the legal fight years ago. I assume Six Flags dumped the lease when they went through Chapter 11.

It was fairly interesting. Six Flags wanted to dump it, and they did when they filed Chapter 11. Looks like the city will be paying for the demolition.

Now I’m curious how ACE will respond. Perhaps they’ll start pushing to save another ride or two. 4 of the park’s rides were moved after it was closed

 

[Moliphino]

The thing is I have done the math and for our family of 3 the dining plan saves us way more money then a room discount so for us is a great deal. Just because it is a bad deal for you doesn't automatically mean it is a bad deal for everybody. Everyone should do the math for themselves but don't think just because people use the dining plan they are getting a bad deal.

Even for just my sister and I at Pop (and CSR before they changed to only free QSDP at mods), free dining has always worked out better than the room only discount. We went with the room only this year anyway because we were tired of stuffing ourselves silly and wanted to be able to eat at lounges

 

[pooh'smate]

Even for just my sister and I at Pop (and CSR before they changed to only free QSDP at mods), free dining has always worked out better than the room only discount. We went with the room only this year anyway because we were tired of stuffing ourselves silly and wanted to be able to eat at lounges

We save way more with free dining than a room only discount ever has and I have done the math every single year.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Even for just my sister and I at Pop (and CSR before they changed to only free QSDP at mods), free dining has always worked out better than the room only discount. We went with the room only this year anyway because we were tired of stuffing ourselves silly and wanted to be able to eat at lounges

I think your last point is critical - it isn't just "what" you eat but "how" you eat ... if you would have eaten as laid out as the dining plan covers anyway, then yes, definitely can save money .... but if having the dining plan changes how you would eat (not do lounges, not just eat apps, not share entrees, etc.) then you have to factor that in as well

For us we found it far to restrictive the one time we did it so it doesn't work for us - but I know for other families it is great for them to have things prepaid and enables them to do more character meals, etc. so that is great

 

[evlaina]

The thing is I have done the math and for our family of 3 the dining plan saves us way more money then a room discount so for us is a great deal. Just because it is a bad deal for you doesn't automatically mean it is a bad deal for everybody. Everyone should do the math for themselves but don't think just because people use the dining plan they are getting a bad deal.

Us, too (family of 4). We do Deluxe during Free Dining and even with the upcharge it still majorly beats out a discount. I could not fathom paying for Cali Grill brunch or the daily character meals we do out of pocket. Different strokes!

 

[Farro]

I think your last point is critical - it isn't just "what" you eat but "how" you eat ... if you would have eaten as laid out as the dining plan covers anyway, then yes, definitely can save money .... but if having the dining plan changes how you would eat (not do lounges, not just eat apps, not share entrees, etc.) then you have to factor that in as well

For us we found it far to restrictive the one time we did it so it doesn't work for us - but I know for other families it is great for them to have things prepaid and enables them to do more character meals, etc. so that is great

That's true, but we still order apps with dinner if we want and we go to lounges for drinks, normally we don't order food.

Yes we have to pay for the apps, but we would anyways and one of us (ahem, not me) is a dessert fiend, so he eats both of ours! We drink at dinner, are happy to now drink at lunch and we eat sit down every night.

We didn't get free dining, we are paying for it, but ran the numbers and honestly with the alcohol, it's almost impossible to not come out ahead. And the fact we are going during Flower/Garden (food booths) we use up our snack credits pretty quickly.

Next trip (2023) we plan to use my annual pass, so we will try out Tables in Wonderland.

 

[Fantasia79]

News

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...-to-get-an-all-new-look-later-this-summer.htm

Nervous but trying to be hopeful.

 

[Fantasia79]

That's true, but we still order apps with dinner if we want and we go to lounges for drinks, normally we don't order food.

Yes we have to pay for the apps, but we would anyways and one of us (ahem, not me) is a dessert fiend, so he eats both of ours! We drink at dinner, are happy to now drink at lunch and we eat sit down every night.

We didn't get free dining, we are paying for it, but ran the numbers and honestly with the alcohol, it's almost impossible to not come out ahead. And the fact we are going during Flower/Garden (food booths) we use up our snack credits pretty quickly.

Next trip (2023) we plan to use my annual pass, so we will try out Tables in Wonderland.

I did TiW a few years ago and am always on the fence about doing it again. Please, unsolicited advice, so feel free to ignore. Now that you’re AP, you get 10% at a lot of restaurants. I make a spreadsheet with meals, drinks, etc. make sure TiW will save you past $150 (buy-in cost), and worth it over your 10%.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

That's true, but we still order apps with dinner if we want and we go to lounges for drinks, normally we don't order food.

Yes we have to pay for the apps, but we would anyways and one of us (ahem, not me) is a dessert fiend, so he eats both of ours! We drink at dinner, are happy to now drink at lunch and we eat sit down every night.

We didn't get free dining, we are paying for it, but ran the numbers and honestly with the alcohol, it's almost impossible to not come out ahead. And the fact we are going during Flower/Garden (food booths) we use up our snack credits pretty quickly.

Next trip (2023) we plan to use my annual pass, so we will try out Tables in Wonderland.

that is another aspect for us - we often have a larger group (had 9 people last time) and then one of us gets an AP and then a TiW so we get 20% off everything including alcohol so that adds up pretty quick

and I meant that we might only get appetizers no entrees (or like an app each and then spit entrees) - not an option with the Dining plan

So a lot of ways to work it out depending on how you eat as much as where and what you eat

key is for each party to figure it out for themselves - there is no one *right* answer for everyone when it comes to the dining plan

 

[Moliphino]

I think your last point is critical - it isn't just "what" you eat but "how" you eat ... if you would have eaten as laid out as the dining plan covers anyway, then yes, definitely can save money .... but if having the dining plan changes how you would eat (not do lounges, not just eat apps, not share entrees, etc.) then you have to factor that in as well

For us we found it far to restrictive the one time we did it so it doesn't work for us - but I know for other families it is great for them to have things prepaid and enables them to do more character meals, etc. so that is great

Definitely. It was fun for a while, but we got tired of eating to the plan and want to try all the things we've been missing out on. We may do free dining again in the future, but it's not how I want to eat every trip.

 

[Truxi]

News

Not Disney news, but it looks like the abandoned Six Flags New Orleans park may finally be demolished soon. It’s damage from Hurricane Katrina made it unrecoverable and it’s been sitting mostly untouched since.

Huh. Was wondering if they'd ever get around to it. I know that folks who like sneaking into creepy abandoned places for good photos liked it for a little while (my buddy almost did it), but iirc, it's been so overrun with alligators that even the usual daring set wasn't taking those chances.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I did TiW a few years ago and am always on the fence about doing it again. Please, unsolicited advice, so feel free to ignore. Now that you’re AP, you get 10% at a lot of restaurants. I make a spreadsheet with meals, drinks, etc. make sure TiW will save you past $150 (buy-in cost), and worth it over your 10%.

just a note that the 10% AP usually doesn't apply to alcohol where s the 20% TiW does - so if you enjoy an adult beverage (or 3) at a meal, that is other savings as well

 

[Truxi]

Really? Because Star Wars was so "pure" under George Lucas? Do they not remember Episodes I - III? Also, George Lucas was basically building an excuse for merchandising ("moychandising" as Mel Brooks aptly pointed out in Spaceballs). I mean, look at Spaceballs - there was a lot of truth there - Star Wars was kind of a joke for that back in the 80s.

I was kind of neutral on The Last Jedi. I thought it needed to actually slow down a bit and have some more story, there were plot holes and devices to nitpick, but it was also a very enjoyable movie.

I was also kind of oblivious at the time to all the backlash from the neanderthals and racists and the crap they pulled though. I guess it's nice being in a "not on top of things bubble sometimes.

Yeah, I don't really get it either. I guess they liked The Thing, but now It's Different AND Under New Management, so they just...yeah.

But also, y'know, it's the rise of that whole youtube radicalization thing, and Star Wars and stoking rage are both good ways to get views.

tbh, I thought TLJ had too much story. Or at least, it tried to go in too many different directions thematically, and it wound up feeling like a mid-season filler-ish episode for far too many of the scenes. ...I mean, I have many, many complaints. Pretty much the only thing I enjoyed in the movie was Luke (which...a lot of the haters are enraged about his treatment, but I kind of think it was perfect? That "feel the Force" scene? Amazing.) But it's not nearly enough to sour me on the whole franchise.

But to these guys, Star Wars has become a symbol of the SJW Culture War or whatever.

 

[YesterDark]

No one should ever take what is on twitter as something a majority of people think.

 

[Fantasia79]

just a note that the 10% AP usually doesn't apply to alcohol where s the 20% TiW does - so if you enjoy an adult beverage (or 3) at a meal, that is other savings as well

Thanks for clarifying! Very important to consider! Be warned, it will convince you to purchase a bottle of wine.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Thanks for clarifying! Very important to consider! Be warned, it will convince you to purchase a bottle of wine.

we don't need much convincing

 

[LoganBrown1990]

I...I think I envy your bubble.

Because I've been seeing this kind of screeching vitriol for a while now. I didn't like TLJ, but there are folks now, literally two years later, who are still frothing with rage about how DISNEY IS DESTROYING STAR WARS BECAUSE SJWs etc, and they start bleeding over into the rest of the Star Wars thing. I've seen oodles of that crowd on twitter crowing about how GE is a failure and it serves Disney right for "neglecting the true fans" or whatever.

I'd much rather stay in a Disney bubble. Or at least avoid folks like that altogether.

I had 3rd graders at a library program yesterday complaining about how Star Wars hasn't been good since Disney bought it.
I mentioned not being a fan of the prequel trilogy and they hadn't even seen them.

 

[The Pho]

Huh. Was wondering if they'd ever get around to it. I know that folks who like sneaking into creepy abandoned places for good photos liked it for a little while (my buddy almost did it), but iirc, it's been so overrun with alligators that even the usual daring set wasn't taking those chances.

Ya the gators supposedly really took over, the park has 2 bodies of water and lots of overgrown plants, it’s perfect for them. After Dawn of the Planet of the Apes finished its brief filming there, they pretty much sealed the place down and have had constant police presence to deter people now.

 

[Tiki Birdland]

Six Flags New Orleans park may finally be demolished soon

it's about time! We tried to go to that park when it was "Jazzland". But, the Jackson Square area -- including the Aquarium and Zoo -- always won out. Really disappointed how Six Flags treated that park. Kinda like how they treated Astroworld. Both really were ignored and we eventually lost both.