Season of Disney: Spluge! – Review
Splurge! is the latest presentation in the Season of Disney programs airing on the Travel Channel. Unfortunately this time, the Travel Channel showmercial formula did not work. Splurge follows four families (the Laws, the Rogers, the Lonardos, and the Leedys) who are indulging in expensive amenities and services offered by Disney. However, rather than feature the exotic or rare, the show presents the everyday at high prices. The NASCAR segment is the only possible exception, as such cars are not available just anywhere, but even the family featured on the show didn’t seem to be overwhelmed by the experience (to the point where the narrator had to assure us the driver was enjoying himself).
The Laws and Lonardos were both featured in the presidential suites of their hotels, Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, respectively. The Royal Asante Suite at the Animal Kingdom Lodge features a “domed” living room and African art. The rates for the Asante Suite range from $2140 to $2840 per night, depending upon the time of the year one visits. The Walt Disney Suite at the Grand Floridian is spacious and offers decorations featuring images of Walt Disney, the founder of the company. For those who may be wondering, the rates for the Walt Disney Suite range from $2010 to $2815 per night. Neither room was especially showcased, but they were mentioned and shown. (If you are interested in seeing the rooms in detail, Tivo Great Hotels, Animal Kingdom Lodge and Grand Floridian).
The restaurants features were the Animal Kingdom Lodge’s Jiko and the Grand Floridian’s Victoria & Albert’s. The service at Victoria & Albert’s was especially featured and, unlike other depictions of the restaurant, the “Chef’s Table” was not mentioned or shown. Rather the producers decided to feature what one would experience as a typical diner, which seemed to be attention of the highest order.
The Laws were profiled utilizing Disney’s VIP Tour Guide at a cost of $100 per hour with a six hour minimum. Even on the showmercial this service falls FLAT and doesn’t seem to offer purchasers much more than another person in your party – a stranger at that. The VIP guide was RIDING on the RIDES and WATCHING the shows. Who wants to pay for that?
The other Disney Park properties were unremarkable in their presentation.
The final part of the show centered upon an Adventure by Disney travel company vacation to Costa Rico with the Leedys serving as the viewers surrogate. Although I am sure Costa Rico is a fine place to visit, the only way to describe what was shown is DULL. Also, if Disney is trying to get families to try Adventures by Disney why is it profiled on a program about over spending on vacations. Most people want extreme value if they use a travel company, but you wouldn’t get the impression that Adventures by Disney offers alot for the money. To promote Adventures by Disney this way is just dumb.
Season of Disney: Splurge! can be described in this way:
Boring!
If you missed this show and want to enjoy a Disney travel show, set your Tivo for Modern Marvels, Great Hotels, and Behind the Scenes. All of these Disney shows are much more entertaining and contain much of the same information.
If you MUST see a profile of the NASCAR experience or the Grand Floridian’s Victoria & Alberts then get ready to skip about 35 minutes of a 45 minute show.
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