Anyone watch the live Diagon Alley webcast?

[damo]

Who is Robert Niles?
Does he have good info?
Thanks!

Sometimes yes and sometimes no. He has leaked some stuff really, really early that has contained true parts and false parts. Thing is, plans change so it is tough to give accurate information a year in advance.

 

[carmelhp]

Before Avatarland or maybe even the new Seven Dwarfs coaster opens, Universal has a lot more expansion plans up their sleeves...if you believe the rumors. Disney has enough to worry about with the FP+ disaster and the billions they spent on it and My Tragic Plus and the Tragic Bands. I wonder how many people will stay away because of it?

It does seem that Disney is at war with its guests and trying to squeeze them as hard as possible.

 

[redrosesix]

Before Avatarland or maybe even the new Seven Dwarfs coaster opens, Universal has a lot more expansion plans up their sleeves...if you believe the rumors. Disney has enough to worry about with the FP+ disaster and the billions they spent on it and My Tragic Plus and the Tragic Bands. I wonder how many people will stay away because of it?

tbh I have no interest in Avatarland although AK was always my favourite park -- I haven't even seen the movies, so I kind of feel like they'll be ruining the park instead of making it better. I miss toon town and really dislike new Fantasyland, lots of crowds despite the vast space and the fact that there is very little to do there -- like somebody said they are really out of touch with their guests.

US is designing better guest experiences from the food (which is the same everywhere in WDW) to the shopping (which is the same in every disney park and no new products are being introduced). Worst of all, Disneys answer to the amazing rides and queues at US is to limit guests to a choice between TT and Soarin ie. instead of giving guests more, they can only ride half of the good rides.

However, by introducing the Hogwarts train into the mix, US just found a way to force everyone to buy the 2 park per day passes -- if you only have single park passes you can't get on the train. They're making money too.

 

[rowan555]

I have 6 park days left on an old non-expiring Disney ticket from 2007. I thought it might be nice to use a few of those days after our time at Universal in May. Now that I've read about the FP+ debacle, I'm not even considering it. If I'm being swayed from going when I already HAVE tickets, I can only imagine how many people won't want to spend their hard-earned money to go while all this nonsense is happening.

 

[carmelhp]

We went to WDW this past year because my daughter(9) still likes princesses. However, she is also a Harry Potter fan and was chosen on our 2012 trip for the wand show. She's made it clear that after the Diagon Alley opening she wants to do a Universal only stay. We find the experience more relaxing and the hotels better for less money. As an adult, I just think the Universal parks are more fun.

 

[Planogirl]

It does seem that Disney is at war with its guests and trying to squeeze them as hard as possible.

Interesting way to put it. I can't say that I disagree.

 

[jade1]

This looks amazing, 100% for sure doing this next trip-then back for SAB, 3 FP+ and Fantasmic-what a day it will be.

Arrival day-check in BLT about 1PM, swim, 3 FP+ Wishes.

Sat-Fishing Bay Lake am, pool, 3 FP+ Illuminations.

Sun-Golf, pool, 3 FP+ Fantasmic.

Mon-Char brunch Cape M-move to BCV, SAB, 3 FP+ Illuminations.

Tues-HP, SAB, 3 FP+, Fantasmic.

Wed-AK, SAB, 3FP+ MK, Wishes.

Thurs-SLEEP IN, SAB, 3FP+, Fantasmic and Illuminations.

Rinse and repeat.

Will have to check US/IOA tickets-might have do 2 mornings there if it's as good as it looks.

Can you do a 2 park 2 day ticket-and use it a few days apart?

 

[Fiveisaparty]

We were planning on going for our first US trip over easter weekend, but now we are going to change it to summer. So glad I didn't buy our plane tickets yet!

 

[damo]

This looks amazing, 100% for sure doing this next trip-then back for SAB, 3 FP+ and Fantasmic-what a day it will be.

Arrival day-check in BLT about 1PM, swim, 3 FP+ Wishes.

Sat-Fishing Bay Lake am, pool, 3 FP+ Illuminations.

Sun-Golf, pool, 3 FP+ Fantasmic.

Mon-Char brunch Cape M-move to BCV, SAB, 3 FP+ Illuminations.

Tues-HP, SAB, 3 FP+, Fantasmic.

Wed-AK, SAB, 3FP+ MK, Wishes.

Thurs-SLEEP IN, SAB, 3FP+, Fantasmic and Illuminations.

Rinse and repeat.

Will have to check US/IOA tickets-might have do 2 mornings there if it's as good as it looks.

Can you do a 2 park 2 day ticket-and use it a few days apart?

Yes, you can do a 2 park 2 day ticket within 14 days. Not sure what SAB stands for and I hope you're able to get your FP+ for the times you want!

 

[jade1]

Yes, you can do a 2 park 2 day ticket within 14 days. Not sure what SAB stands for and I hope you're able to get your FP+ for the times you want!

That's great news, 2 park is mandatory now with the Hogw express IMO. And it would be nice to open US for DA and then open IOA maybe 3 days later for FJ.

Stormalong bay pool at BC.

Thanks-FP+ will be done at 60 days no problem. Not super picky anyway, we rarely got any FP- since we usually do non park mornings.

 

[zebsterama]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bnFsYHP5JOA

Thanks very much for sharing the link. This is going to be our first trip to the dark side. Surprise trip for the kids who have been up in arms thinking that dear old dad is either taking them to DW or nowhere

We're going to be there at the end of July at Royal Pacific for 8 nights - not looking forward to the crowds, but what can you do.

 

[schumigirl]

Before Avatarland or maybe even the new Seven Dwarfs coaster opens, Universal has a lot more expansion plans up their sleeves...if you believe the rumors. Disney has enough to worry about with the FP+ disaster and the billions they spent on it and My Tragic Plus and the Tragic Bands. I wonder how many people will stay away because of it?

Love the tragic connection

Have no interest in Avatar and don't know anyone who has............is it still a big deal in the States............I watched it for about 8 minutes and I was done.....bored beyond belief.

 

[zebsterama]

Love the tragic connection

Have no interest in Avatar and don't know anyone who has............is it still a big deal in the States............I watched it for about 8 minutes and I was done.....bored beyond belief.

Up until this thread (I guess I've been out of the loop) I hadn't heard about Avatar Land. Just did some reading. To me it sounds pretty awesome.

I don't know if it's still as big a deal, but the marrying of AK and highest grossing film in history sounds like a pretty good idea. I know I'll pay to see it I'm sure - one day.

 

[redrosesix]

Up until this thread (I guess I've been out of the loop) I hadn't heard about Avatar Land. Just did some reading. To me it sounds pretty awesome.

I don't know if it's still as big a deal, but the marrying of AK and highest grossing film in history sounds like a pretty good idea. I know I'll pay to see it I'm sure - one day.

some of us are still bummed that they didn't do the mythical creatures section of AK, as was originally planned. Now the only way to get your dragon fix is to go to US

 

[Metro West]

Love the tragic connection

Lots of locals call Magical Express the Tragical Express...especially in the early days when there were problems galore. I think it's funny myself.

 

[zebsterama]

I thought Evanna's little omission about the dragon at the end was pretty funny; guessing that detail wasn't supposed to be revealed, based on the reaction and the body language.

 

[damo]

I thought Evanna's little omission about the dragon at the end was pretty funny; guessing that detail wasn't supposed to be revealed, based on the reaction and the body language.

Actually they talk about it in the clips here... universalorlando.com/harrypotter

go into news and watch all the clips on the Quibbler

 

[eeudj]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=bnFsYHP5JOA

Thanks!!

 

[glocon]

schumigirl- I do not believe Avatar is still a big deal here in the US. I think it was a big grossing film because of the special effects, but I agree, it was not exactly riveting. This is just my opinion, but no one I know ever even talks about that movie anymore.

I think Disney could do really cool things with it though, just not sure it will be a big draw for Avatars so much as for WDW having something new after all these years.

I am more interested in the Dwarf Mine than Avatars myself.

 

[damo]

schumigirl- I do not believe Avatar is still a big deal here in the US. I think it was a big grossing film because of the special effects, but I agree, it was not exactly riveting. This is just my opinion, but no one I know ever even talks about that movie anymore.

I think Disney could do really cool things with it though, just not sure it will be a big draw for Avatars so much as for WDW having something new after all these years.

I am more interested in the Dwarf Mine than Avatars myself.

My problem with Avatar is that nobody seems to be buying any Avatar merchandise, t-shirts, hallowe'en costumes, toys, etc. That, to me, makes it seem like there is a lack of love for the characters. I'm positive that it can be a beautiful land but will people want to spend money on stuff in the land? Merchandising is really important in theme parks these days.