I posted I like some of the things but they are going about things all wrong. It should be all or none. Wood effect porceline ne t to marble looks dreadful. If you cannot afford marble they could atleast used ceramic tiles painted to look like marble. You can get some very good ones that look like real marble that are affordable. Also I like the new blue carpets but putting them against gray walls is horrible. Should be beige or cream walls. It’s like they asked different people to design diff things and then slapped them together. Nothing is cohesive. Like I like the outside look concept art but it doesn’t tie in to the rest of the resort. It’s all well and good creating a decent looking hotel but if if clashes with its surroundings then it can look dreadful. It’s like they just gave some company the size and shape of the land and asked them to design a hotel for X amount of money with nothing mentioned about its surroundings. That’s NOT how to make money- it’s how to loose money.
@@michaelsullivan3581Times are tough Brayden. I think they should use the leftover Incredibles stickers on the Grand rooms. And you know the marble was old. Time to toss it like you would an old bottle of wine. Of course printed tile is expensive. They are doing great things with linoleum flooring. What do you expect for $1,000 per night? Get with the program.
@@clarkkent7973 it’s not exactly about what they used but the design. Why gray paint? It looked awful off white, cream or beige paint would have looked a lot better. Plus more in keeping with the hotel. Plus the disgusting tiles YES getting real marble to match would have been sooooo expensive. But why did they have to get a disgusting wood effect painted porcelain next to beautiful marble? Wouldn’t have cost any more to have get porcelain or ceramic tiles painted to look like marble. My mum has tiles in her newly fitted bathroom that look like marble but they are porcelain or ceramics, they weren’t expensive. Yes the bedrooms look soooooooooo much better. No problem with the bedrooms at all. But the common areas- they are destroying the look and feel with certain decisions they are making. Yes I like the new blue floral carpets but as I said above the gray paint on the wall next to them looks dreadful. It’s cold and depressing. Whoever is a making these decisions in a BAD interior designer.
Wow!! A 1.5+ hour Mickey Views special. We're honored. Thanks so much for your hard work and dedication to keeping your content fresh Brayden. Know that you are appreciated! ❤
Brayden I really think you are the best Disney reporter out there, you keep it real and passionate about what we all love about Disney without being too negative or bias, great job !!
You are spot on with this crazy direction Disney is taking lately. Focusing less on theme and more of modern aesthetic. It’s ridiculous. What’s more upsetting is those in charge of the budgets not giving imagineers what they need to update these rides. Magic Kingdom is stuck in 1970 mostly. It needs its trees restored to the hub and attractions updated to what Disneyland has done and more. It’s soo sad to see what they are only focused on maintaining capacity and not quality enhancements. I was shocked when Disneyland Paris announced weather condition improvements. This is what WDW needs badly! Ugh….
DISNEY HAS KILLED THE MAGIC IN EVERY POSSIBLE WAY!!! I AM BEYOND ANGRY! WALT WOULD NOT BELIEVE IT! I AM A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST, AND I DO GET IT! I GET WALTS VISION!!!
I love that Disney is using grey. Especially since I get updates on interior design weekly. Grey is out. Color is coming back. Gotta love how Disney is always behind the curve, especially since they used to be the curve.
You'd think with how little money they want to spend they'd lean into the timeless designs instead of opting for color-of-the-week trends that necessitate constant updates
@@MickeyViews I truly miss the hardcore theming of the 90’s(my childhood). They really pulled me in and made me dream of working there. It was a dream come true when I did, and I want to see the same light in my kids eyes that I had. It’s just not the same anymore. I don’t know how things will turn out in the long run, and I will always hope and dream for the best.
The Grand is gonna turn in to the Contemporary in the way the different era themes clash. Contemporary has a retro 70s lobby, a weird Fantasia gift shop on the 4th floor and Incredibles "themed" rooms. What's happening to the Grand is just a shame.
Totally agree! I've said it many times over - the golden era of Disney is in the rearview mirror. It's like a multi-decade train wreck occurring. Super well covered.
I'm so glad you're getting amped up about all these changes. You're absolutely right: the minutiae are what make Disney a step above the rest. It's part of the immersive storytelling. Don't let it go down without a fight.
Braden you are so right on Disney”s direction.They have definitely lost their way in a lot of areas .Great insight on Disney’s lack of direction.Keep up the great podcast!!!!!!
I wish they still wanted me and everyone that used to support them. I think they just keep pricing everyone out and giving us less of why we go there. The whole point of staying at a DW resort was feeling like you were at DW and not at a normal fancy hotel. I can stay off resort property if I want that. They are just forcing that to happen. Why would I pay $100+ more a night just to save on parking? Which has gone up again. 😢 I love listening and watching you Brayden. Hope your move and life goes well!
@@rosalieercolino7042 More to your point, if you are staying off property, you can get a rental house for way less. Even less than a hotel off property. Every time we go to Orlando we get one, and the entire trip price is cut in half, only by not staying on-property. That is the entire trip is half the price, not just housing is half the price.
45:55 you’re absolutely right. At some point Disney decided the corporate numbers people were more important than the creative people, on top of dismissing and losing so much of its creative knowledge-base through the unnecessary attrition of Imagineering especially. I don’t know if they can recover from this any time soon.
The cast members make the park. We find magic everytime. They are trying to get back to pre-pandemic times. It’s a lot of work due to the amount of employees not willing to work for the guests. It can be a bit expensive but that’s why families have always had to save up to go. It makes it special. Plus who knows how Florida has impacted how they can run
It’s amazing to me that Disney doe still see the damage they’re doing to their product with the resort detheming. It’s one of the most interesting subplots in the overall erosion of their brand.
Brayden, you have nailed so many of the details that matter. I admire how much you notice and appreciate the details. Thank you for your reporting. Bravo 👏
One thing I can appreciate about Braeden, he is honest and he does not cut corners. When he said “it’s extortion” I almost spit my soda out😂😂😂. I have been following you for a few years now, keep up the great work.
I have been moving/building furniture for the entire day for my new apartment… I cannot expressed to you how happy I was to realize you made an hour and a half video that I could relax to at the end of my day. Love your work, keep it up!
Great video! Love your passion for the resort and genuine concern for the direction that they are heading in. I've been going at least once every year for the last 16 years, but we will be skipping in 2024. Our last trip was just last month and unfortunately it just feels like a lot about what makes WDW special is gone. From the de-theming to the nickel and diming throughout the parks, its just not the same. There has also been a very noticeable drop in quality of the merchandise, cleanliness and the maintenance of guest areas. And perhaps the most noticeable change was the most disheartening. For as long as I've gone to the parks, I have always marveled at the buy-in that they've gotten from cast members. It was truly remarkable. But now, the on-stage presentation of cast members is miles away from that. Conversations openly bashing guests and other cast members while complaining about their job, poor service to guests in need of help and a general feeling of laziness were commonplace. This is not to take away from the many cast members who do genuinely care, but they are much fewer than they had been previously. All of that is why we are taking a break in 2024 and will decide if we want to return in 2025 at a later date.
The Grand Floridan getting rid of the band, ruining the floors, and adding *insert word of choice here* grey absolutely broke me! While I’ve never had the privilege of staying at such a resort seeing the classic charm just be ripped away instead of improved upon hurts my soul
Our extended family of 12 spent a week in three rooms at Grand Floridian and we all, young and old, loved it! It was fancy, classy, comfortable, special. That was before the renovations. From what I am seeing, I will not be going back there and spending a fortune for generic room and an ugly main building. It won’t be special anymore. Same goes for the awful update at Boardwalk, which we used to really enjoy! You are so right in your observations.
My new favorite WDW activity is finding where the Lightning Lane is backed up and then just stroll through the standby line and get on the ride in like 2 minutes. Without even trying, I can usually stumble into this scenario at least twice a day.
As a south Floridian born in the late 90s it was my DREAM to stay at the Polynesian especially bc I loved Lilo & Stitch. Now it just looks like it’s getting wiped of everything that made it unique. This is Disney World, if I wanted to stay at an unthemed hotel I’d go to a Four Seasons or Ritz Carlton. I’m in Disney and wanna see Disney’s version of luxury. Not a gentrified apartment complex. I never stayed at Grand Floridian but I can’t believe they got rid of an orchestra?? That sounds so magical and all the renovations look cheap af 😭 where is the opulence??? Also I don’t remember it (even though I went) The Millenium Celebration at Disney seemed like one of if not the best “anniversary/celebrations” WDW has ever had. It looks of its time but I love that. All the merch, promo, the big wand in Epcot. It was actually noticeable and a valid reason to celebrate. My family and even friends have some of the merch til this day like cups, shirts etc.
I love the shorter updates, but equally love this format. Keep up the great work! We’ve gone a bit sour on Disney, and I do hope they find their way again.
Well watch people that hype it rather than criticize it. Maybe a balance of both and that helps. Majority of the complaints have macro factors that has nothing to do with the day to day that made us fans. Find positives where you can.
Love that you're so passionate about the Grand Floridian! So many other WDW fans I know don't like the resort, and it's my favorite. I agree with everything you said.
I said it before and I'll say it again, yours is the only Disney related channel that I always watch what is posted. Quality over quantity is a mantra that you should never give up. That was a compliment to your videos in general not a slam on this video being longer as I thoroughly enjoyed it. Speaking of, chomping at the bit for another Address Unknown documentary.
I stayed at the Grand Floridian in 2019..Deluxe Room Club Level..Main Building..cost $12,000. The service was impeccable and the band playing Christmas songs each night in December was the cherry on top. I cannot justify staying there again if the details and service have been diminished to what it is today. Disney has lost my 💰
Imagineering isn’t what you think it is today, they have a few people on staff and the rest are suits. Imagineering was gutted over a decade ago, and now resorts to using subcontractors within the Themed Entertainment industry. The real imagineering is done by those small studios such as Landmark, Sally, Garner Holt and Storyland Studios. I used to think that Imagineering lost its way, but it isn’t their fault, it’s just not what it used to be because of the company leadership.
Great stream, Brayden! You manage to stay positive even when delivering sad news. BTW, that Tiana mural is God awful. I’m a DVC member and not sure that we will be back to the parks. It’s sad to watch the decline.
It would be cool if Soarin’ had randomized trips similar to star tours. I believe there are dozens of combinations of experiences on there. Maybe not that many here, but would be cool to see other different parts of the world. But actual footage, no CGI.
The camera talk wasn't boring at all. I'm a nerd, so I like to learn new info as much I can, and I can honestly say that I learned alot about the importance of buying certain types of cameras for various reasons, so thank you for that. I also want to thank you for your research and honest opinion on certain matters. It is much appreciated.
20 minutes ago I could’ve cared less about the hotels at Disney World.. NOW come on Disney! Get your act together I live in San Diego, California, and that hotel was based on one of the most iconic hotels here on Coronado! it’s sad to see them getting rid of something so iconic and going with something so generic… The sad thing is the Disney company as a whole has lost its way… Disney used to innovate, create something that had never been seen before make new technologies. Now they just reproduce over and over again things that people have seen 1000 times. The creativity with these immersive atmospheres and beautiful design details is what made them stand out and what made the “magic”. It’s sad to see it gone.
Hey Brayden, a photo professor here- that sprocket hole light leak (and the partially undeveloped portions of the film) are almost definitely the lab’s fault. That is what happens when you have a light leak in the developing tank. Since you seem to be using those black tanks for your own film, you probably know there’s a central rod that keeps the tank light-safe. When that rod is missing, it usually sends leaking light inside the white plastic film reel, and light shines through the sprocket holes onto the film wrapped next to it on the reel. The partially undeveloped parts are probably from not enough chemical being poured into the tank, probably developer- or- since it’s positive film, it could be light leak along the top of the tank (as if they loosened or opened the lid before the final fixing)
Thank you for your expertise and kind words! I wanted to support a local lab as there are very few in my city. I'll stick to developing myself, it's not worth the risk of getting those results again after all that effort. If you want something done right, do it yourself!
I've been watching for a bit. I've never seen you get as animated as you did for the grand flo refurbishment. It was entertaining. I enjoyed this whole video.
The lobby changes are disappointing, but I predicted them after I saw what was done to the old Coronado Springs lobby, the Yacht Club and the Boardwalk. Disney is ripping out very expensive design features only to replace them with cheap looking Wayfair interiors. Oh, well.
i had the opposite happen with genie plus. I was in standby line for Frozen (estimated 50 min wait) ended up waiting 90 minutes because they only did the lighting lane, the standby line only moved after the lightining lane was completely done. I get they have to prioritize lighting lane, but having standby wait 10 times the amount is a little insane imo. their's no balance
Braydon!!! This was amazing! You really are rocking your “journalism”!! Your passion and excitement is contagious. Thank you for bringing all of this information. Going to rewatch it because it is so packed full! Keep up the incredible work. It is so appreciated!
Thanks for the great video! I agree with a lot of your opinions about the current state of Disney. Also loved seeing you take some time to show off your film gear. Very cool!!!
Brayden, thank you for this. I know this was a lot of work but this is some high quality stuff. It’s very rare you see quality like this in a Disney news update. In fact, I don’t know of any channels in this community that are to your level of cinematography. Not to mention, you aren’t afraid to share your own opinions which is very refreshing. I hope you do something like this every month!
Thank-you for the warning. Was able to change my reservation to the Four Seasons for our next trip. Not spending almost $15k for that, especially after the monorail spent more time down than up on our last stay.
1:06:42 I knew this was going to happen the instant lightning lane was introduced. People are enticed into the lightning lane with promise of a faster line experience, like they were wuth fastpass, so it gets backed up further and further until the lightning lane may as well be the standby, but the difference between this and fastpass is that fastpass was free so if people saw the fastpass was backed up they'd just use the standby line. Now that its something people pay for, they don't want to waste the money on a lightning lane they don't end up using.
Hello Brayden, I am so angry about how much they ruined the Grand Floridian!!! I seriously could go on and on about how much they have ruined everything!!!! the Magic!!!!!!! They do NOT get it!!! You are amazing! Love your videos!
Thanks for the breakdown of the superior Soarin' Over California! The scenes, transitions and score hit all the emotions. Disney knows "California" is better/more popular or they wouldn't bring it back for special events.
It may be unpopular but I like soarin over the world more, there are better scents in soarin over the world and you can tell the age of soarin over california, I actually find the transitions in the California version more jarring and patch worked together, it borders on nauseating also I like that there are different soarin versions on both coasts as well
Imagine how crowded the monorail will be with the new Poly DVC tower. ‘Ohana reservations? Oof that’ll be a nightmare. Forget about the tiki Polynesian village theming with that giant glaring building next to the longhouses. The footprint was way too small for such a huge tower in the first place. We’ll see how it looks when the facade is put up but as for now it’s a massive eye soar. It absolutely needs its own quick service, sit down dining and maybe even its own Pineapple Lanai stand otherwise the Ceremonial House will be even more jam packed than it already is, which I thought was already at its limit.
I love that Brayden is using film!! I finally gave my old 35mm away because I couldn't find film anymore. I took my first Disneyland pic on an old 110 camera 😂 @Mickey Views your doing an awesomeness job. Im very impressed at what a bright young man you are. 😊
Is it possible that they’re just getting the hotels, parks, and the rest ready for a potential buyer? You know like when you’re getting ready to sell your house and you do just enough to make a sale… Just a thought…
I really admire your passion over the changes at the Grand Floridian I agree with you they can make upgrades but should keep the theme in play. I really hope you become an imagineer for Disney or whatever Universal’s equivalent to that is your really have some great ideas and passion to give the fans what we’d really enjoy.
Film photography gear talk was actually my favorite part! I’ve mostly stayed with digital, but I now have my family’s old film camera and have started playing a bit with that!
Agree completely with you, and it is sad that themeing has been cast to the garbage pile. Disney company does not give a care to love these parks as they should. 😢
Man you somehow always manage to revitalize my faith in not just people like myself who love disney but also just humanity, to hear you perfectly spell out how all the details that made Disney what it is today special and its being forgotten and even further (as a professional photographer myself) to hear you really embrace the magic of photography and dive into the medium format world is really just awesome to see and I am so happy you’re finding success and have an audience that you absolutely deserve. Awesome video as usual
Totally agree about the dithering hotels. Four seasons should hire the grand floridian orchestra and pit them up in their hotel just to show up disney.
