Welcome to November! Don’t forget to get out and vote today. Our first set of emails this week is answered by Walt Disney World Park Update writer Mark Goldhaber.
Tony R. writes:
I appreciate you updating folks on the conviction of William Bishop for child molestation. Hopefully, he’ll remain incarcerated for the remainder of his life so no other kids are victimized, and with any luck, it will serve as a deterrent to others who might case areas in Walt Disney World for vulnerable children (though likely it won’t).
As I re-read the 2007 story you broke on this matter, one thing struck me: The father who sent his son to check on what Mr. Bishop was doing to the little girl in the bushes. What on earth was this man thinking? Bishop could have been armed (you said they found a firearm in his vehicle), and if I suspected for a moment that a man was in the act of molesting a child in the bushes near my hotel swimming pool, the last thing I would have done would have been to send my own child to that secluded area to see what this person was doing, if for no other reason than I would have no desire to expose my child to that kind of a visual. If anything, I would have approached the individual myself and confronted and detained him.
As to relaxed vigilance, you’re absolutely right on the mark. We visited Walt Disney World last summer and stayed at Wilderness Lodge where of course we visited the resort’s pool. I noted there were several youngsters ranging in age anywhere from 5-10 years that had no discernable direct parental supervision for periods of five minutes up to an hour. While people may be tempted to let their guards down in such a setting, predators like Mr. Bishop count on that fact to entice and then attack vulnerable children. The pool area at Wilderness Lodge provides several means by which a predator could move a child quickly outside the immediate swimming area into the surrounding wooded areas and out of view (I always visually scan unfamiliar places where I am with my kids for possible routes of removal – force of habit). As for myself, my daughters would never be out of my direct visual range in such a setting.
Given how old the original story is, it’s possible others have already made this observation, but as a recovered victim of this kind of abuse, it still floors me. To this day, I can find no sympathy in my heart at all for pedophiles and child abusers. As always Mark, thanks for the great work.
I agree that parents seem to be more lax than normal while at Disney because of a perception that everything is safe there. This is the same mindset that leads to people doing stupid things in the parks, as well. This is what some refer to as “checking their brains at the door.” While Walt Disney World is indeed safer than most other places in this world that does not mean that there are no dangers at all, as evidenced by this detestable incident at the Swan. Relaxing one’s guard should not result in a total neglect of any rational caution.
My sympathies for your past experiences in this area.
Tim writes:
I think the new Celebrations campaign is a great idea! Many people do celebrate special occasions at Disney World and Disneyland during their visit. This gives us an opportunity to do something very special beyond wearing an “It’s my birthday” pin or a special set of Mouse Ears.
Disney has invested a lot in their parks over the past several years. And we know there’s more coming, like the new Cars Land section and many other new attractions coming to California Adventure. I’m not going to get upset if they focus more on the total in-park experience for a few years rather than building a faster roller coaster.
I think that there is going to be a wide range of responses from guests about this promotion, based on the fact that there was a similar range of reactions to the old Magical Gatherings campaign. Some will think that it’s the coolest thing since the opening of a new park while others will be sorely disappointed. But people are different and Disney is trying to attract a market of people to come at a time when nobody would otherwise be coming.
We’ll have to wait to see how the campaign plays out. Thanks for contributing your opinion.
Charles M. writes:
Are the upgrades to the main pool at the Caribbean Beach Resort completed?
Yes, the feature pool at the Caribbean Beach Resort reopened in mid-September, right on schedule.
Two readers want to know where a favorite section of the Walt Disney World Park Update has gone. Carol writes:
I’ve noticed that the last few updates have been missing the “construction notes” section. Has that been eliminated, or just no permits filed lately that are noteworthy? With the massive remodeling project going on over at Fort. Wilderness, seeing those permit filings was something I really looked forward to in the updates.
Kara writes:
How come you stopped publishing the construction notes in your weekly updates? I found them very interesting. Any chance of a comeback?
The section hasn’t been permanently discontinued, but due to a great deal of travel on my part and a rush to get the Park Update completed at all, there hasn’t been sufficient time for me to comb the records to extract the permits. Look for the section to return in the next week or two, as my time starts to free up again.
In the second set of emails this week, Steve Russo responds to reader opinions on his “Best of ” Walt Disney World series. (Part 1 and Part 2)
Dan W. writes:
Oh how I agree with you regarding “Illuminations.” I have seen this show at least a dozen times and have the soundtrack on CD. I’ve got to confess that, assuredly not the most macho response a 45 year-old male can have, I am reduced literally to tears every time.
There is something that shakes me to my very core about this spectacular show: The visuals, the symphonic score, the power and majesty, the messaging that we’re all part of one large story… And the communal feeling of sharing all that with a jillion other park-goers who are gathered in a circle, representing a cross-section of humanity in general.
I could, I think, watch “Illuminations” daily and never tire of it. Provided, of course, an unending supply of Kleenex to keep me dry!
I hear you. I would love to end every evening with Illuminations.
Audress J. writes:
I’m enjoying your “Best of” articles. So far I have only one really major disagreement, and that’s Sunshine Seasons for quick-service dining. It’s so slow, it’s always jammed to the rafters, and the dining room is always freezing. The food is okay, but by the time you have made your way through the long line and out into the chilly dining room, your food is stone cold. Last time I went, I solved the last problem by getting a plate of ready-made sushi that, of course, is supposed to be cold! But I’ve not always been so wise. My two favorites for quick-service are Tangierine Cafe and Columbia Harbor House.
As for other categories, what about “best cart snack,” i.e. popcorn, churros, Mickey ice cream, and “best unique treat,” things you can only get at Disney World? I’m sure Dole Whips would win that one, but it might be fun to see what others say. I’d like to suggest “best view,” but that would be hard for most people to pick. For me, it’s probably looking at Spaceship Earth through the Japanese torii gate. “Best quiet spot” might also be a good one – for me it’s the garden at the United Kingdom pavilion in Epcot.
I understand what you’re saying about Sunshine Seasons. The popularity of Soarin’ seems to attract huge crowds into the entire pavilion leading to what you’ve described. I agree about Columbia Harbour House but Tangierine Cafe is still on my ‘to do’ list.
I think Best Treat and Best View would make great additions to the list. Maybe next time.
Ted writes:
Il Mulino is fantastic. We ate there for the first time in September, and we had an excellent meal. We brought my brother and his wife (both D.C.-area foodies), and they enjoyed their meal very much. We each liked what we ordered, and our server was top-notch. I highly recommend that you try it.
I haven’t been to Tutto Italia yet, but I had been to Alfredo’s several times, and Il Mulino was much, much better.
Thanks for the tip. The few reviews I have read and heard seemed to find a lot of fault, particularly with the service at Il Mulino. It sounds like your experience was very positive and we should add it to our list.
Pat D. writes:
I’d vote for Tony’s for best Italian food. I took my sons (17 and 20 at the time) to Disney World last Thanksgiving and one of our dinners was at Tony’s. The food was very good that night and the serving size was large enough to fill up two big boys! The service was also great; we were very pleasantly surprised.
Nicholas S. writes:
Best Burger – have you ever had the chance to try the burgers at Evergreens (Shades of Green)? At least at the old Shades of Green, they were considered the gold standard of Walt Disney World burgers. Now that Evergreens has relocated with the big Shades of Green expansion, I can’t speak for their quality. I’ll have to try it next visit.
Best Milk Shake – Whispering Canyon has something that I have never seen anywhere else – free refills on shakes. The shakes are “pretty good”, but if you like quantity, Whispering Canyon gets a big nod in the shake derby.
Bet Pre-Show – I realize it’s not quite the same category as those you compared, but can any pre-show top the Voices of Liberty?
I’ve never been to Shades of Green so I’ve not tried the burger at Evergreens. It will be another added to my list of untried restaurants (I need more trips).
We’ve only dined once at Whispering Canyon and did not have a shake. Free refills sounds like a great deal – unless they charge $20 for the shake, of course.
Voices of Liberty would definitely qualify and, I agree, it’s a great pre-show.
Feel free to correct away—and thanks for writing.
