Eddie's Rant: Losing Pleasure
9/23/08
OK, we know, we know, the parks exist to make money. And if Disney has decided to shut down all of the nightclubs at Walt Disney World’s Pleasure Island after a nineteen year run, we have to assume that the clubs are not making money. But we still have to rant. Why? Not only because we are devastated by the loss of Mannequin’s, the one on-property location with a weekly gay night (unofficial as it may be), and forlorn at the demise of The Adventurer’s Club, which manages to crack up Jeffrey every single time he goes, but because we blame Disney. These clubs COULD have been made profitable with a bit of creativity. Granted, extended park hours and the popularity of extra magic hours cut into the Pleasure Island audience by keeping guests in the parks rather than leaving them in search of nighttime activities. But the demise began when the island went from being an adult-only zone to an open area with age restrictions only for the clubs themselves. Those looking to escape the kids for awhile suddenly lost that opportunity and with that went a huge chunk of Pleasure Island’s appeal. Rather than identify the issues and fix them, however, in closing the clubs, Disney is taking something unique on the property and replacing it with more stores and restaurants—just what the property absolutely does not need. Are you telling us that Disney, with all of its talents and resources can’t come up with exciting new ways to make those clubs hot again? Or that there couldn’t be a middle ground solution like holding onto at least a few of the clubs and transforming the rest? Are they really so bereft of ideas that yet another venue for the same damned merchandise seems necessary? As solutions go, this seems just lazy. Obviously we’re not looking at the books and obviously we’re not privy to the financial implications. We are, however, keenly aware of the Walt Disney World experience and watching it diminish makes us very sad indeed.

 

Jeffrey's Rave: Disneyland’s 50th
3/15/06
So you think this entry is a little belated? Oh no. Fact is, we were honestly waiting to see how the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland would fare after the initial excitement died down. But truth be told, it hasn’t. Whether on May 5, 2005 (when the anniversary kicked off), July 17, 2005 (the park’s real 50th anniversary), or the holiday season, the 50th festivities have not let up—and there’s no sign that they will.

Look at all the stars. And Michael Eisner too!

We loved how the park looked for May 5th—with its fresh coat of paint and numerous refreshed rides, but we admit, we thought that might be the end of the sprucing. And since we love a good spruce, we were nervous. But in the months that have passed, fresh coats of paint continue to be applied to buildings in need, attractions continue to be rejuvenated (can’t wait for the upcoming Pirate refurbishment), and attendance remains robust.

And for the gays, this is a great thing. No one likes things brighter, shinier, and more full of life than we do. And with the 50th, there are now more Disney characters than ever roaming Disneyland and DCA, making for an abundance of photo opportunities. Case and point, Eddie just snapped a shot of Cruella and Mulan…together. Now that’s an unlikely couple.

It’s clear with Matt Ouiment at the helm of Disneyland, things will keep improving. Following the great Monster’s, Inc. attraction, we will get upgrades to Pirates and the Haunted Mansion, as well as the Finding Nemo submarine attraction plus new monorails in 2007. Beyond that? Well, we’ve heard rumors, but we’ll keep our mouths shut… for now.

Jeffrey’s Rant: A Hair Raising Experience
4/1/05
OK, I hate to start the Rants & Raves page with a rant instead of a rave, but I just got back from Orlando and had an experience that needs to be told. I was booked at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, one of the most beautiful properties on the resort. I had taken the red eye, and while I would have loved to have taken a quick nap, I was in Orlando on official business (to keep you all in the know about everything new!) so I dropped my bags and hit the parks. By mid-afternoon, I was exhausted (as you might be too after watching Lights, Motors, Action!), and I thought I’d rest my weary head. Back at the Lodge, I went into my safari-themed room and peeled back the comforter on my bed. There, on the pillow, was a smattering of hair. Not my hair, mind you. Random hair from some random person whose head had previously been on this not-so-random pillow. Needless to say, I was pretty grossed out. The thought that the linens in my room had not been changed was awful.

Before I continue, I should flashback to the fall of 2003 when I stayed at Port Orleans: Riverside for a few nights. Long story short, the exact same thing happened. (Even the extra pillow on the top of my closet was covered in long, curly hairs that did not fall from my shortly-cropped do.) Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice…

Back at the Lodge, I picked up my phone and called housekeeping. I explained the situation and a sweet manager called me shortly after to apologize and tell me they were sending up someone to change all the linens in the room down to the mattress pad. This happened (I watched), and it made me feel a little better. But the fact remains, is this a new, unspoken policy Disney is employing to cut costs? (I know their “Environmentality” plan includes goals to cut the unnecessary waste of water.) Animal Kingdom Lodge is a deluxe resort, so you would expect better. Heck, even at the All-Star Resorts they should change the sheets. I would rather assume it was a lazy housekeeper. But in either case, I expect better of Disney.