Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun - 2024 Edition

[Smugpugmug]

That surprised me along with the decrease in HS. I'm not even sure we can contribute it to JoW or walls, those were later in the year and can't possibly have had a big impact. Maybe the restart of AP sales? Happened in April, could see Epcot particularly benefitting with the festivals. Still seems like a lot.

Personally I find HS to be such an unpleasant park to visit that I skip it for the majority of my trips. My next trip is in October and it's the only park I'm not going to. I didn't really expect the decrease either; I thought I was in the minority opinion on that one.

 

[mickey916]

Personally I find HS to be such an unpleasant park to visit that I skip it for the majority of my trips. My next trip is in October and it's the only park I'm not going to. I didn't really expect the decrease either; I thought I was in the minority opinion on that one.

I am with you on that one! It is my least favorite park as well. The rope drop situation for off-site guests is awful as everyone jams in line at the tapstiles instead of being let in to a holding area like the other parks. There's not enough attractions to manage the crowds and there's not a lot for those with motion sickness like my DH to experience, whereas there's a lot he can ride in the other parks. We skip it a lot unless there's a treat we're hoping to get or to see decorations. It is my DS-28's favorite park though so we always have to go when he joins us. (He loves the theming.)

 

[MGMmjl]

Lol just barely.

I'll be interested in reading some more of the report but most things look to be normal and what I expected besides a large jump for EPCOT. Were people waiting for Journey of Water or waiting for the walls to finally come down?

I wonder if 2023 being the first full year Guardians was open also contributed to the jump?

 

[Suger Mag]

IMO Disney is WAY underutilizing the Muppets in their parks, other than DHS, they're almost nowhere to be found. It's sad.

I agree, but I have seen them "officially' more this last year more than before. Plus Kermit and Piggy have been playing a significant role in the newish Jolly Wood Nights parties at Hollywood

 

[fatmanatee]

Personally I find HS to be such an unpleasant park to visit that I skip it for the majority of my trips. My next trip is in October and it's the only park I'm not going to. I didn't really expect the decrease either; I thought I was in the minority opinion on that one.

My first thought on HS was the impact of Galaxys Edge being short lived. Had a big bump in 2022 (although all WDW parks did), a bit surprised that there’s a decrease since though. I guess worth noting that RnRC had a major refurb, that’s a major ride being down that’ll cascade to the other rides. In general HS just seems like the worst park for downtime so it’s possible that’s having an impact on people going less. I like it when everything is working though!

 

[zackiedawg]

Epcot is my favorite park overall, but with all the construction walls around the past few years I was reducing my time there - I still go every trip, but it was taking some of the experience down a notch. DHS has always been my least favorite as well - I probably go there every 4th trip or so, and usually on my first day arriving for my trip - I check into the resort and unpack, and maybe head to DHS after 5pm, walk around a few hours, and out before close. Most trips, I just skip it altogether. So far, I visited DHS in February 2024 after skipping it in 2023 entirely (4 trips). I skipped it again this past June and haven't yet decided for September if I'll go there.

I am much happier with Epcot now that the walls are down - and it's one of the very rare parks that improved on one situation that Disney has been removing all over their parks: places to sit and more shade! For years, all the benches and sitting spots seemed to be disappearing throughout the parks, but Epcot's new central hub area has added lots of places to sit and decent shade too with trees, shades, etc.

 

[disney-inspired]

Personally I find HS to be such an unpleasant park to visit that I skip it for the majority of my trips. My next trip is in October and it's the only park I'm not going to. I didn't really expect the decrease either; I thought I was in the minority opinion on that one.

I am with you on that one! It is my least favorite park as well. The rope drop situation for off-site guests is awful as everyone jams in line at the tapstiles instead of being let in to a holding area like the other parks. There's not enough attractions to manage the crowds and there's not a lot for those with motion sickness like my DH to experience, whereas there's a lot he can ride in the other parks. We skip it a lot unless there's a treat we're hoping to get or to see decorations. It is my DS-28's favorite park though so we always have to go when he joins us. (He loves the theming.)

I find the layout is pretty terrible; it lacks a good flow that both MK and Epcot had before it. I'm hoping that Monstropolis is takes over Animation Courtyard and creates a connection from Toy Story Land to Sunset blvd.

 

[Haley R]

IMO Disney is WAY underutilizing the Muppets in their parks, other than DHS, they're almost nowhere to be found. It's sad.

I’m clearly in the minority here but I could care less about Muppets. I don’t enjoy the show (neither does dh or DS). I didn’t grow up watching Muppets and had no real clue who they were until I was an adult. I’m not saying Monsters Inc should replace it but it wouldn’t bother me if it did.

 

[Gary Stocker]

I am stuck with HS given my love for Ronto Wraps, Baseline Tap House, Rise, and Tower of Terror. These are must-do's for me every trip. The rest of it is "if there is no line"...oh and Fantasmic at least once.

 

[BrianL]

I’m clearly in the minority here but I could care less about Muppets. I don’t enjoy the show (neither does dh or DS). I didn’t grow up watching Muppets and had no real clue who they were until I was an adult. I’m not saying Monsters Inc should replace it but it wouldn’t bother me if it did.

I love The Muppets, though I don't necessarily consider it untouchable. That said, the choice seems to be between replacing something (Mupptes) or replacing essentially nothing (Launch Bay). Even if it was something I didn't much care about, I'd still rather keep it if given a choice.

 

[I Run Long]

Personally I find HS to be such an unpleasant park to visit that I skip it for the majority of my trips. My next trip is in October and it's the only park I'm not going to. I didn't really expect the decrease either; I thought I was in the minority opinion on that one.

Could the increases in attendance at both MK & EP be due to the fact that those are the only 2 parks with EE, neither of which HS & AK have?

 

[Mikey15]

I’m clearly in the minority here but I could care less about Muppets. I don’t enjoy the show (neither does dh or DS). I didn’t grow up watching Muppets and had no real clue who they were until I was an adult. I’m not saying Monsters Inc should replace it but it wouldn’t bother me if it did.

I was blessed to grow up with Muppet Babies cartoon, The Muppet Show, and the best Christmas movie of all time, Muppet Christmas Carol (so glad they’ve worked some of that music into Christmas at Magic Kingdom). But ironically I’ve never been inclined to go to Muppetvision because I can’t stand 3D.

Meanwhile, I know zip about Monsters Inc. other than the three main characters, but I’d ride the heck out of that suspended coaster. Hopefully there’s a solution here where we’re all happy!

 

[Naomeri]

I love The Muppets, though I don't necessarily consider it untouchable. That said, the choice seems to be between replacing something (Mupptes) or replacing essentially nothing (Launch Bay). Even if it was something I didn't much care about, I'd still rather keep it if given a choice.

My other thing about replacing Muppets is that it’s an easy, not horribly crowded AC break

 

[jlundeen]

I wish Muppets could get a footing to more attracitons... it is such a beloved franchise, but they have tried to restart that success they had back in the before times over and over, and it's just not the same. For the times, it was a must watch Friday night show for our family with young kids - a wonderful and unique product - but that was then.

A couple of years ago, we tried to watch some of the original ones and they just don't work the same as they did back then.

The talent of all those involved in that original show was so original and loved... I wish they could tap into that success now.

 

[Haley R]

I was blessed to grow up with Muppet Babies cartoon, The Muppet Show, and the best Christmas movie of all time, Muppet Christmas Carol (so glad they’ve worked some of that music into Christmas at Magic Kingdom). But ironically I’ve never been inclined to go to Muppetvision because I can’t stand 3D.

Meanwhile, I know zip about Monsters Inc. other than the three main characters, but I’d ride the heck out of that suspended coaster. Hopefully there’s a solution here where we’re all happy!

I grew up with Monsters Inc so I’m super excited for that coaster!

 

[disney-inspired]

Could the increases in attendance at both MK & EP be due to the fact that those are the only 2 parks with EE, neither of which HS & AK have?

You're probably referring to the deluxe evening hours - I was slightly confused thinking you meant early entry (EE).
Once both DHS and Ak receive their new lands/attractions, I hope they include them in the DEH rotation.

Also, I miss when early entry was a full hour before park opening. That's something that Universal Orlando has kept and I really appreciate it!

 

[soniam]

But didn't he say dirt has been moved?

I kicked some dirt over at Disneyland this week

 

[Duckbug.Ducktales]

DHS is my favorite park but we never rope drop so don't know how that is. Usually go in the evening because I like the old Hollywood vibe and gotta see Fantasmic. ToT, Runaway Railway, and Muppets are also must dos. But the park does need more! Please start by bringing back citizens of Hollywood

 

[chiburple]

I’m clearly in the minority here but I could care less about Muppets. I don’t enjoy the show (neither does dh or DS). I didn’t grow up watching Muppets and had no real clue who they were until I was an adult. I’m not saying Monsters Inc should replace it but it wouldn’t bother me if it did.

I think there are more of us than it might seem .

But even though this is not my attraction I certainly do understand heartbreak at losing something you love. I'm still sad about Lights Motors Action and The Great Movie Ride (Micky and Minnie's Runaway Railway is inferior. Sorry!!).

 

[Smugpugmug]

I am with you on that one! It is my least favorite park as well. The rope drop situation for off-site guests is awful as everyone jams in line at the tapstiles instead of being let in to a holding area like the other parks. There's not enough attractions to manage the crowds and there's not a lot for those with motion sickness like my DH to experience, whereas there's a lot he can ride in the other parks. We skip it a lot unless there's a treat we're hoping to get or to see decorations. It is my DS-28's favorite park though so we always have to go when he joins us. (He loves the theming.)

It used to be my favorite park growing up and now it's a place that I don't love being in. I went this past May to see Fantasmic for the first time in years and idk I got my fill of the park for a while. It didn't help that I went to Sci Fi for the first time since I was a literal child and the food there was awful. I wish I got mediocre instead but the food was just terrible.

With all of that said I would still rank HS a better park than USF over at Universal. That park has an unbalanced ratio of bad rides to good rides.

(Micky and Minnie's Runaway Railway is inferior. Sorry!!).

No need to apologize for being correct.