Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2023 Edition

[KayMichigan]

As we all know Change Is Bad.

Change itself isn't bad. Change can be good. BAD change is bad.

Case in point: New Coke.

 

[Jennasis]

I loved Illuminations...except for the globe portion in the middle that always ground the show to an absolute mind numbing halt. If they could have refurbished just that part it would have been perfect.

 

[Smugpugmug]

Splash Mountain in Disneyland Closing May 7th

According to The Orange County Register, Disney has announced that Splash Mountain will CLOSE in Disneyland on May 7th to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Its last day of operation (and your last day to get on the ride) will be May 6th. It will then be permanently CLOSED until it reopens as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in 2024.

Can't wait to see the 300 minute waits and for people to fight to be on the last log!

 

[HokieRaven5]

Can't wait to see the 300 minute waits and for people to fight to be on the last log!

Don’t forget the sale of Splash Mountain Water - Disneyland Edition

 

[Brian Noble]

Case in point: New Coke.

Everyone keeps bringing up this 40 year old example. And, it might not be wrong. Within three months, the original formula came back and started flying off the shelves--to the point where some speculated that it was all a big marketing ploy to begin with.

Will the same thing happen with "Epcot Spectacular '24"? Maybe.

Yes, some changes are bad. But in the Disneyana community, you can find someone that will bemoan any change as the Worst Thing Ever. Throw that into the Outrage Machine that is the Internet and pretty soon there is broad consensus. One of my favorites was "napkingate," when instead of Disney World and Disneyland napkins at the two resorts, they both used the same "Disney Parks" napkins. People were furious.

I mean, it's a theme park for crying out loud. Who cares?

 

[BrianL]

I loved Illuminations...except for the globe portion in the middle that always ground the show to an absolute mind numbing halt. If they could have refurbished just that part it would have been perfect.

I'd probably like to see, and I think the fans would agree, a plussed-up Illuminations with a bigger, better globe. I think many hoped for that for HarmonioUS. If they can still move it, or hide it somehow, that would be great.

I did enjoy HarmonioUS - but it wasn't quite Illuminations.

 

[HokieRaven5]

Splash Mountain in Disneyland Closing May 7th

According to The Orange County Register, Disney has announced that Splash Mountain will CLOSE in Disneyland on May 7th to make way for Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Its last day of operation (and your last day to get on the ride) will be May 6th. It will then be permanently CLOSED until it reopens as Tiana’s Bayou Adventure in 2024.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1640029811744669702

 

[HokieRaven5]

Trail’s End Restaurant Closing Date Potentially Delayed at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

The final day of posted hours for the restaurant had initially been April 17 (as that’s when reservations were no longer being accepted after); however, current official website hours now end on May 7. This tentatively means that may be the final day of operation for Trail’s End as a table service establishment.

 

[Douglas Dubh]

I'd probably like to see, and I think the fans would agree, a pilusse dup Illuminations with a bigger, better globe.

Or they could have four barges which are low profile with water pumps that could create mist screens for projections, and a fifth in the middle that could shoot up a fountain of fire.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

As we all know Change Is Bad.

In the Disney online community, it does seem to be the case too frequently. I think it has to do with the sort of reverence or emotional attachment folks have to the Disney parks in particular, wherein big changes or replacements to beloved attractions are taken as almost personal affronts.

That's not to say fans shouldn't complain when they don't like something, but c'mon let's be chill about it and not cause so much outrage. In the end it's a theme park; if you don't like it don't go.

 

[jade1]

Loved Illuminations. Love Harmonious. So not worried about the next one.

It's this in between one that's a piece of junk.

Just move on quickly.

 

[middlechild]

Watching Wishes on YT while reading of resistance to change. Who, me?

 

[MissPixieDreamer]

Watching Wishes on YT while reading of resistance to change. Who, me?

I've told my husband many times that if they had an after hours party with a special exhibition of Wishes, it would sell out in a matter of seconds. We'd definitely make travel plans specifically for this. A girl can dream, right? So glad at least Happily Ever After is returning almost untouched.

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

I've told my husband many times that if they had an after hours party with a special exhibition of Wishes, it would sell out in a matter of seconds. We'd definitely make travel plans specifically for this. A girl can dream, right? So glad at least Happily Ever After is returning almost untouched.

The shows seems to resurface at times. Not at MK... but we went to Disneyland Paris's New Year's Eve Party last year and the special fireworks were a version of Wishes. It was a nice surprise.

 

[KayMichigan]

Everyone keeps bringing up this 40 year old example. And, it might not be wrong. Within three months, the original formula came back and started flying off the shelves--to the point where some speculated that it was all a big marketing ploy to begin with.

I've heard that rumor, but given what a massive PR disaster the New Coke debacle was, I have a hard time thinking they would deliberately kneecap themselves like that just to get a bump in sales. It would have been a lot cheaper to just not do anything and continue to be the #1 soda pop brand. They made themselves look like clueless idiots who had no understanding of their product or the market.

I can't imagine how the pitch would go. "Hey! I've got it! We'll lie to our customers and introduce a terrible product that everybody hates and tell them we're getting rid of a formula that made the company a household word so we look like total morons! Then later on after we've spent millions bottling a product nobody wants and everyone's angry and we lose the trust of tons of loyal fans, we'll bring back the old version and the customers we've burned will come back. Genius, right?"

 

[rangerxenos]

As we were watching Harmonious on Monday it dawned on me…

once gone we might start hearing from all the people missing it

For sure I will miss the Mulan part. the red and white was stunning.

I loved Harmonious, I'm sad to see it go, I think it was so much better than Enchantment.

 

[rangerxenos]

Good Morning!

 

[BrianL]

I loved Harmonious, I'm sad to see it go, I think it was so much better than Enchantment.

Yes, definitely! the first time I went after they were running, Enchantment came off as disappointing, a downgrade from HEA, but HarmonioUS was really great - daytime sightlines not withstanding.

 

[rangerxenos]

Personally, I think the best night time show/event they have added in a long time is Spaceship Earth lighting... I could watch for a really long time!

Agreed, it's actually my favorite thing that they added for the 50th.

 

[Brian Noble]

given what a massive PR disaster the New Coke debacle was, I have a hard time thinking they would deliberately kneecap themselves like that just to get a bump in sales.

Oh I’m sure that’s not what happened. That’s a conspiracy theory fever dream. But the end result worked out just fine.