Al Lutz Big Update: Cars Land, D23 Expo, MM and increased hours at DCA

[HydroGuy]

Al Lutz of MiceAge has lots of interesting rumors and updates in his update today. Here is a link: http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al081611a.htm

Highlights include:

o Alice in Wonderland visual improvements after last summer's safety updates
o DCA updates and Buena Vista street on a tight schedule - to open fourth week of June
o Big launch DCA next yuear like DL's 50th anniversary
o Radiator Springs Racers capacity to be at a low 1460 per hour
o CarsLand capacity will be a concern
o DCA summer hours in 2012 going to 8AM-11PM
o DCA to have Magic Mornings like DL
o Carthay Circle Theater to be public for first year or two - and then maybe transition to a Club 33 - like place later if demand exists
o After ElecTRONica ends there is a plan to keep a street festival based on the Mad Tea Party theme next summer
o Project Sparkle at DCA next year
o AP program changes coming
o D23 Expo updates



Note: Al Lutz does not work for Disney. His posts are not Disney announcements. He has solid contacts inside Disney and is helpful in giving an indication of what Disney is planning and considering. People planning vacations should be very cautious about making plans based on Al's articles. That is not what they are intended for. Rather, Al tries to give an insider view of what Disney is thinking and planning for those interested in what the future may hold. This can and does change over time.

Here is the disclaimer that Al has at the end of his article.

Keep in mind updates only get posted when there is something to report on, and not before. It takes time to confirm things, and even then we can only offer a snapshot of a continually evolving story. (People do change their minds you know.) Just like the happiest place on earth, patience is a virtue; the queue may take a while before you can enjoy the attraction.

 

[Disneylovers2000]

Thanks Hydroguy! I appreciate your summarys as I get limited time to lurk on the Dis, never mind going to other sites to catch up on the Disney goings ons! Much appreciated

 

[EmmersIsTheMommy]

Mad Tea party is interesting..hmm

 

[Halloweenqueen]

I'm not happy about the extention of Eltronica. It just seems so un-Disney to me. I won't go into what I observed there, but I can't imagine things will improve just because they change the theme.

Why create such low capacity rides in Carsland? I can't imagine waiting in line just to enter a section in a park, just to get into a 3 hour line for a ride.

Sounds like Carsland isn't going to be a go until late June/July 4th. I would love to hear Hydroguy's thoughts on a summer trip. Is August still a good choice?

Taking away the parkhopper option would only include new tickets, right? I'm confused about Al's explanation.

 

[Disco]

Yay, everyone will be in Carsland so I can finally get on TSM! 10 bucks say they won't put a FP machine on the new Radiator Springs race ride and it will be Toy Story all over again. Have to line up and make a mad dash for it in the morning.
I predict when CA is a full day park hopper tickets sales will slump. People will just stay in the park the entire day and save a couple bucks. No need to leave if it can entertain you for more than a few hours.

 

[nunzia]

Thanks! Nice update from Al.

 

[Disco]

I'm not happy about the extention of Eltronica. It just seems so un-Disney to me. I won't go into what I observed there, but I can't imagine things will improve just because they change the theme.

I enjoyed Electronica. However you are correct, it is unDisney. No matter what you can't mesh a family orientated environment with an adult red light district. People are drinking and "things" come out and "stuff" happens no matter how much you try to manage it.
If Disney wants to pursue this they probably should make an adult only area or move it to Downtown Disney (ala Pleasure Island). Besides if they were to build a new area for it imagine how much better it could be. They did a good job with Electronica but it is just a slapped together theme shoved in the corner of the park.

 

[HydroGuy]

Yay, everyone will be in Carsland so I can finally get on TSM! 10 bucks say they won't put a FP machine on the new Radiator Springs race ride and it will be Toy Story all over again. Have to line up and make a mad dash for it in the morning.
I predict when CA is a full day park hopper tickets sales will slump. People will just stay in the park the entire day and save a couple bucks. No need to leave if it can entertain you for more than a few hours.

Kind of risky to make predictions like that about FP when it has already leaked that RSR will have FP.

 

[FlameGirl]

No matter what you can't mesh a family orientated environment with an adult red light district.

I was unaware that there is/was a "red light district" on Disneyland property. That adds an entirely new dynamic, for sure.

 

[PrncesKMW]

In the airport right now waiting for the first leg of my journey to get to Anaheim - a well timed post!

I'm interested with what he said about the Expo - smaller space, smaller arena, and yet many more people expected to attend. I may have to adjust my planned time in line accordingly.

 

[skiingfast]

I enjoyed Electronica. However you are correct, it is unDisney. No matter what you can't mesh a family orientated environment with an adult red light district. People are drinking and "things" come out and "stuff" happens no matter how much you try to manage it.
If Disney wants to pursue this they probably should make an adult only area or move it to Downtown Disney (ala Pleasure Island). Besides if they were to build a new area for it imagine how much better it could be. They did a good job with Electronica but it is just a slapped together theme shoved in the corner of the park.

I've seen your comments like this before. Have you ever been to Disneyland? They have had dance parties in DL for a very long time. Ever heard of gangs going to those parties in DL?

There is much evidence that DCA is very careful of overserving.

 

[ssuriano]

Thanks for posting HydroGuy!

Not sure how I feel about the annual pass changes, hopefully prices won't jump too high.

 

[PinkBudgie]

The Mad Tea Pary sounds interesting. It would be nice if they added something "new" besides the drinks and the dancing. Not sure what else they could add, but something different.

I'm glad to hear about the hours increasing. This past summer we ran out of time at DCA in the evening and didn't quite get to things we wanted to do in the evening before it closed. Another hour would have been great.

A little worried about what changes they will make to the APs. We let ours go this year and plan to buy new ones next summer. I think we will lean towards last week of July or first week of Aug.

Also nervous about waiting to get in to a land! That never crossed my mind. I'm already thinking that one day will have to be devoted to getting in to Carsland.

I also am hoping the new restaurant stays non member. DLR needs more restaurants and it would be a shame to have it go to membership. They already have Club 33 with a history and it's "secret" door, and that's why people like it.

Speaking of restuarants, I wish they would put in another themed place. WDW has some cool sounding places and I don't know why they couldn't do that here as long as they are building anyway.

 

[TeddiBarra]

Sooo they got record attendance in DL this past quarter, well, it's a simple formula. If you build it, and they will come! WOC, ST, TLM = investment that has paid (and will continue to) pay off.

Carsland will probably put all of 2012 off the charts. Not so sure the parkhopper changes actually help that at all (crowding).

Does anyone know? I remember the unveiling of ToonTown, but did that require a line to get into the land?

the AP population has proven to have very strong livers

what about the fact that disney drinks barely seem to have any alcohol? that could be a factor too.

 

[Magalex]

Well I guess I just have to use this link & information from the article to help persuade myself & my DH that our family "needs" to stay at DLH or PPH to survive our first trip to DL next July. Help my arm is being twisted. I will stay on site. Those voices in my head are taking control

Will the guests on-site have any benefits to help fight the crowds?

 

[HydroGuy]

Well I guess I just have to use this link & information from the article to help persuade myself & my DH that our family "needs" to stay at DLH or PPH to survive our first trip to DL next July. Help my arm is being twisted. I will stay on site. Those voices in my head are taking control

Will the guests on-site have any benefits to help fight the crowds?

This summer DLR tried something new for hotel guests - they gave each guest 2 free fastpasses. Plus early access to Little Mermaid. You might see something like that next summer. If you are still debating remember it is free (or nearly so) to make a reservation. If I were you I would reserve DLH far in advance and also make an offsite reservation then as it gets closer to July decide which way you want to go and cancel.

 

[Armadillo4]

o Big launch DCA next yuear like DL's 50th anniversary
o Radiator Springs Racers capacity to be at a low 1460 per hour
o CarsLand capacity will be a concern

Why create such low capacity rides in Carsland? I can't imagine waiting in line just to enter a section in a park, just to get into a 3 hour line for a ride.

Also nervous about waiting to get in to a land! That never crossed my mind. I'm already thinking that one day will have to be devoted to getting in to Carsland.

Regarding the capacity issues for Carsland, I wonder if Disney will take a page out of Universal's playbook from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (WWoHP) at Islands of Adventure. Like Carsland, the WWoHP was a highly anticipated new land* in an existing theme park. And it continues to be extremely popular. Because of heavy crowds, Universal will sometimes implement a fastpass-like system to limit entry to the land. When this happens, guests will pick up a "return ticket" with a specific time window just like a fastpass. Instead of a single attraction, this return ticket allows you access to the land. Once inside, you still may end up in a 1 to 2 hour line for the signature attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, but at least you've finally made it!

To me, this fastpass-like system works pretty well, since you can go off and explore other areas of the park instead of waiting in a holding area of sorts. With nearly a year before opening, I'm sure Disney will figure something out to deal with the crowd control issue for Carsland.

*WWoHP is a re-theme of the Lost Continent section at Islands of Adventure and not technically a new land. But I think the comparisons are valid for discussion of the crowd control issues.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Regarding the capacity issues for Carsland, I wonder if Disney will take a page out of Universal's playbook from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter (WWoHP) at Islands of Adventure. Like Carsland, the WWoHP was a highly anticipated new land* in an existing theme park. And it continues to be extremely popular. Because of heavy crowds, Universal will sometimes implement a fastpass-like system to limit entry to the land. When this happens, guests will pick up a "return ticket" with a specific time window just like a fastpass. Instead of a single attraction, this return ticket allows you access to the land. Once inside, you still may end up in a 1 to 2 hour line for the signature attraction, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, but at least you've finally made it!

To me, this fastpass-like system works pretty well, since you can go off and explore other areas of the park instead of waiting in a holding area of sorts. With nearly a year before opening, I'm sure Disney will figure something out to deal with the crowd control issue for Carsland.

*WWoHP is a re-theme of the Lost Continent section at Islands of Adventure and not technically a new land. But I think the comparisons are valid for discussion of the crowd control issues.

Hmm...if they do that, will no one be able to enter the land who hasn't arrived first thing in the morning to pick up a FP? I can hear the cries now from the local crowd who had a fit about WOC FPs.

 

[furb & dez]

Hmm...if they do that, will no one be able to enter the land who hasn't arrived first thing in the morning to pick up a FP? I can hear the cries now from the local crowd who had a fit about WOC FPs.

The local crowd is going to have a fit anyway, so why bother?

I'll be most interested in what happens when DCA becomes a stand-on-its-own-merits park and the APs realize it's no longer their private lounge. Imagine the whining then!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Well I was going back and forth on if I wanted to do plan our 2012-13 APs for 2 summer or 2 Christmas trips....after this news and the fact that our school goes back in early August I guess it'll be a 2 Christmas AP or we will wait until 2013 for APs.