Opinion of the Week: Why Disney Needs to Change the Name of Advance Dining Reservations

Okay this week on the not so weekly Opinion of the Week I want to tell you about my problem with the the name Disney uses for restaurant reservations: Advanced Dining Reservations. You may think this seems nit-picky but guess what, you are right. This is the most stupid thing to complain about yet it bothers me so much. My problem is that Advanced Dining Reservations is such a redundant name. by saying reservations it means it is in advance. So the name implies that you are making reservations just to have the chance to make reservations. "So what Disney has a reason, quit complaining" you are probably saying to yourself. Well what reason is it? Do they thing the average guest does not know what it means to make dining reservations? Are they questioning my intelligence. I don't know but something is going on and I want to know why. Leave a comment and tell me what you think Am I crazy? Am I right? Or is this pointless? Whatever your thoughts are leave a comment.

Opinion of the Week: Why Disney Should Not Build "Avatar Land"

Time once again for the less then weekly Opinion of the Week! So Avatar Land, or whatever it is going to be called, is coming. I know that, I know how much I moan and complain it is not going to change anything. For me personally I really did not like Avatar. I found it boring and unoriginal. That is just my opinion so don't get upset reading this if you are a big fan. That is good for you, it just is not my thing. Now from the standpoint of Disney I do not think it is a wise decision. Here are  my four key reasons:

• There has only been 1 Avatar movie. Disney has no way of knowing whether or not the sequels will succeed or fail.
• Na'vi are not animals, nor even mythical like the Yeti which is in need of being fixed. Putting those creatures in is like putting in a High School Musical show in Tomorrowland which already happened.
• They could be spending this money on a new experience not found anywhere else.

The #1 reason is that Avatar does not have the impact that Harry Potter has. This is a move to compete with Universal's Harry Potter but Harry Potter has legs and for the near future it is looking good. I think they would have been better off doing some sort of Star Wars land at Hollywood Studios since they already have a good relationship with Lucasfilm. Star Wars has been around for more then 30 years and is a proven popular franchise. In the end I have no say in what Disney does or does not do. Tell me what you think. Are you happy with this Avatar Land or would you rather see something else? Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

Opinion of the Week: Why Disney Should Not Get Rid of Free Trick-or-Treating

Yesterday it was revealed in the Orlando Sentinel that there will be no more free trick-or-treating at Downtown Disney. I understand the reasons stated in the article that "The event has become so popular-and crowded-that it has outgrown being a good guest experience, said Zoraya Suarez, a Disney World media relations manager." The thing about it is, is that the free trick-or-treating made residents of the area have an even better outlook on Disney. By getting rid of this, it seems like that it is big old Disney ruining all the fun. I believe what the representative says though. Disney has always been about costumer service. Their concern is not the cost of candy. If they were concerned about the cost of candy we would not be getting a new Fantasyland. I do not have a solution for this problem though. What do you think? Leave a comment and share your opinion with the world.

Opinion of the Week: Why Mission Space Needs to Go

Mission Space, it was supposed to be the end all be all of thrill rides. Replacing Horizons it made its mark on Epcot history by making Disney fans really upset. Mission Space is very intense, a few people died but it was due to prior heart problems, and not the ride. It did not help the attraction from a PR standpoint though. I have never been on this ride. Now you are probably thinking "Who are you to say they should get rid of this ride?" I'm a person who does not want to get sick, but also wants be entertained. See, what they did was add in a less intense version. If I go on that I know I'm not going to have that good of a time since I'm essentially just watching a movie on some TV right next to my face. If I go on the other version I know I will get sick and not enjoy the rest of the day. So what am I supposed to do? Well I could just not go on it. Sure but why should I miss out on something, even if said thing is not that great. I know it is to late to bring Horizons back, but I wish they would just replace Mission Space. I know Disney wanted to simulate the experience of space travel, but not everyone can handle that thrill. I realize some attractions will not be accessible to all people, there are so many great ideas Disney Imagineers have and Mission Space feels like a waste, of well, space.

Opinion of the Week: Whatever Happened to Pins at the Disney Store?

I used to go to the Disney Store all the time for one reason, pins. They used to have a lot of pins then it dwindled down to a few, now they have been gone for years. They are just throwing away money. They can't use the argument that "If you want pins go to Disney World" because we all know it is not that simple. Sure they sell vinylmations, but I don't collect those and the pins take up a lot less space so I do not see what the problem is.. I have no idea why they got rid of the pins in the first place but I think it is about time to bring theme back to the Disney Store!

Opinion of the Week: Disney World Restaurants: Food or Atmosphere?

Should this Really Cost $30?

When you go to eat at Walt Disney World do you want great food, or a great experience? I'm not really sure what I want, I think it all depends on what kind of restaurant it is and where it is located. If I'm eating at counter service, good chance the only reason I'm there is because if I don't eat I could suffocate in the ever so present Florida Sun. So I am looking for a good atmosphere to compensate for the fact that I'm not on an attraction, or more likely in an attraction's Que. So why is it that Counter Service Restaurants are always trying to get a better variety of food when all I'm doing is looking for something to eat. If I want great food all go to a sit down restaurant. Is there a balance? Does there need to be a balance? Or am I just crazy?

Opinion of the Week: Disney Dining Plan

Do these taste better with the dining plan?

No, but they might cost less. 

This week I am going to discuss my opinions on the Disney Dining Plan. The Disney Dining Plan is an extra cost where you prepay for your meals. Each day you get three credits: one snack credit, one counter service credit, and one table service credit. Disney states that you can save up to 30 % on meals with this plan. Here is my opinion. The Disney Dining plan is good if you take advantage of it. If all you are planning on eating is mickey ice-cream bars and turkey legs, than this is not worth it. If you are going to make reservations for expensive restaurants that are on the dining plan then this is a good deal. The most important thing to do when deciding whether to get the Disney Dining Plan is look at your plans for your vacation and see whether it is worth it or not. Either way, you will still be able to enjoy the great food at Walt Disney World even if you do not use the dining plan.

Opinion of the Week: The Loss of Orginal Attractions

Nemo is great but do we need a ride and a show about him?

What ever happened to attractions that are not based on a T.V. show or movie? I have asked that question to myself on many occasions. I was inspired by other bloggers and podcasters who have complained about this before. Today I want to share my opinion on this matter. Is there not enough original attractions being made any more that are not based on any movie or T.V. show? Yes. Is that a terrible thing. In my opinion no. The Walt Disney Company was built on movies and cartoons involving well developed characters. If Walt Disney had not made those movies we would not have the Walt Disney Company or Disneyland or Walt Disney World. That being said I do not mind attractions being based on movies as long as they are good. In my opinion attractions and shows based on movies in the parks are not terrible, but we need a better balance of these two types of entertainment in the parks, that being movie rides and non-movie rides.

Opinion of the Week: My Favorite Ride

I am not sure if any of you understand this, but I don't have a favorite ride at Walt Disney World. It is just to hard to choose. One day it is Muppet Vision and the next day it is Pirates of the Caribbean. I know no one is forcing me to pick a favorite ride or show, but I wish I had one so I could post about it. But, that might take me awhile, if any of you have this same problem leave a comment and if you don't leave a comment telling me why not. Thanks for reading!