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

[kylenne]

Yep. Especially since EE is only 30 minutes. You are lucky if you can get 2 rides in. It’s usually 1. If Space Mountain is down, most people will run to Tron. Otherwise, you are riding Buzz or hoofing it to fantasyland.

If Space is up and running it’s actually very easy to knock out that and Buzz during EE if you’re at the front, I do it just about every trip. Sometimes I can even squeeze in Astro Orbiter too. That one ride estimate is more applicable to Fantasyland imo because Pan waits tend to build faster there than at Buzz. I suspect it’s because as stragglers in the middle or further back of the Mine Train pack start getting into FL and see what that line looks like some give up, peel off and try for Pan instead. Going from Mine Train to Pan tends to eat a lot more time than Space to Buzz.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

TRON Lightcycle Run Jumps Up to 105 Minute Wait at Park Open for First Day of Standby Line

TRON Lightcycle Run kicked the day off by racing up to a short-lived 105-minute wait just after park open at Magic Kingdom today, its first day of offering a standby wait for the ride.

We got into the park and started making our way to Tomorrowland before park open, joining the throngs of people also trying their luck with standby.

We joined the queue at 8:59 a.m., right next to Tomorrowland Launch Depot.

The end of the line at this point ran all the way back by the Thirst Rangers spaceship and stretched past Tomorrowland Speedway.

When Magic Kingdom opened this morning, TRON Lightcycle Run was initially posted at a 45-minute wait. Not too bad for the first day of standby. But this didn’t last long.

By the time we got to the actual ride’s entrance around 9:10 a.m., the wait time sign nearby stated that the line had jumped up to a 105-minute wait — the longest wait for any attraction at Walt Disney World at that time.

At about 23 minutes into our wait, we reached the actual queue entrance point.

In addition, this new addition of standby at TRON caused the wait for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to drop down to 30 minutes, the lowest we’ve seen in a while!

We made it inside the show building after 37 minutes. We did not have a pre-show. We reached the locker bay after 44 minutes of being in line and proceeded to drop off our gear and prepare to enter the Grid.

By 9:55 a.m., we had boarded the attraction and completed our ride by 9:59 a.m., making our total wait just 56 minutes.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

German Government Steps in to Save Sinking Disney Cruise Line Ship Builder Meyer Werft

At this year’s D23 Expo, Disney Experiences Chairman Josh D’Amaro shocked the crowd of 13,000 of Disney’s biggest fans by announcing that Disney Cruise Line would build four brand-new cruise ships.

In an August 12th press release, Bernard Meyer of Meyer Werft said, “We are very happy to continue our partnership with Disney Cruise Line and build four additional outstanding ships over the next seven years. We now have eight ships for Disney Cruise Line in our order book which reflects the trust in our capabilities and hard work of our team”.

Just weeks after the contract was signed for four new Disney Cruise Line ships, Meyer Werft is sinking financially and the German government is stepping in to save the company. According to a new report from Bloomberg, the German government will acquire a 40% stake in Meyer Werft, and the state of Lower Saxony will acquire another 40%. The federal government and Lower Saxony will guarantee 80% of a debt capital line of more than $2.8 billion. The deal still needs to be voted on by the government and European Commission.

Difficulties for the shipyard began during COVID-19 when demand dipped and the cost of materials and labor increased. Obviously, the ship maker has a lot of orders on the books, but with payments for new ships largely delivered upon completion of a ship, capital was needed quickly.

 

[fatmanatee]

TRON Lightcycle Run Jumps Up to 105 Minute Wait at Park Open for First Day of Standby Line

TRON Lightcycle Run kicked the day off by racing up to a short-lived 105-minute wait just after park open at Magic Kingdom today, its first day of offering a standby wait for the ride.

We got into the park and started making our way to Tomorrowland before park open, joining the throngs of people also trying their luck with standby.

We joined the queue at 8:59 a.m., right next to Tomorrowland Launch Depot.

The end of the line at this point ran all the way back by the Thirst Rangers spaceship and stretched past Tomorrowland Speedway.

When Magic Kingdom opened this morning, TRON Lightcycle Run was initially posted at a 45-minute wait. Not too bad for the first day of standby. But this didn’t last long.

By the time we got to the actual ride’s entrance around 9:10 a.m., the wait time sign nearby stated that the line had jumped up to a 105-minute wait — the longest wait for any attraction at Walt Disney World at that time.

At about 23 minutes into our wait, we reached the actual queue entrance point.

In addition, this new addition of standby at TRON caused the wait for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to drop down to 30 minutes, the lowest we’ve seen in a while!

We made it inside the show building after 37 minutes. We did not have a pre-show. We reached the locker bay after 44 minutes of being in line and proceeded to drop off our gear and prepare to enter the Grid.

By 9:55 a.m., we had boarded the attraction and completed our ride by 9:59 a.m., making our total wait just 56 minutes.

At 70 min now, saw a report earlier of it being at 60 min.

 

[sherlockmiles]

Why would you waste early entry waiting for a ride that is not open while other rides are open ? Or am I misunderstanding? It is a big ramp to walk up so there is plenty of space

TRON Lightcycle Run Jumps Up to 105 Minute Wait at Park Open for First Day of Standby Line

 

[Suger Mag]

TRON Lightcycle Run Jumps Up to 105 Minute Wait at Park Open for First Day of Standby Line

true.... and then it drops to 60-70 minutes a couple of hours later... and at last check was 50 minutes (noon). so being part of the rope drop crush is maybe not your best idea

Full Disclosure: I am not a rope dropper or early entry person, so this strategy is lost totally on me

 

[brockash]

Why would you waste early entry waiting for a ride that is not open while other rides are open ? Or am I misunderstanding? It is a big ramp to walk up so there is plenty of space

This is what ppl. do to avoid a long line later. We did this ourselves at dland with nemo. Idk why they wouldn't have it included in the opening. Hopefully they change it quickly.

 

[Brian Noble]

and then it drops to 60-70 minutes a couple of hours later... and at last check was 50 minutes (noon). so being part of the rope drop crush is maybe not your best idea

This reminds me of the Soarin' Stampede back when that was a thing.

 

[fatmanatee]

This is what ppl. do to avoid a long line later. We did this ourselves at dland with nemo. Idk why they wouldn't have it included in the opening. Hopefully they change it quickly.

They might be playing it cautiously to avoid chaos.

 

[chiburple]

true.... and then it drops to 60-70 minutes a couple of hours later... and at last check was 50 minutes (noon). so being part of the rope drop crush is maybe not your best idea

Full Disclosure: I am not a rope dropper or early entry person, so this strategy is lost totally on me

Interestingly the app now shows it at 15min (granted I think the parade is happening now?). It will be interesting to see what this levels out at in the next few weeks.

Update to add: Now at 5:30, it's showing a 45 min wait in the app.

 

[jade1]

TRON Lightcycle Run Jumps Up to 105 Minute Wait at Park Open for First Day of Standby Line

TRON Lightcycle Run kicked the day off by racing up to a short-lived 105-minute wait just after park open at Magic Kingdom today, its first day of offering a standby wait for the ride.

We got into the park and started making our way to Tomorrowland before park open, joining the throngs of people also trying their luck with standby.

We joined the queue at 8:59 a.m., right next to Tomorrowland Launch Depot.

The end of the line at this point ran all the way back by the Thirst Rangers spaceship and stretched past Tomorrowland Speedway.

When Magic Kingdom opened this morning, TRON Lightcycle Run was initially posted at a 45-minute wait. Not too bad for the first day of standby. But this didn’t last long.

By the time we got to the actual ride’s entrance around 9:10 a.m., the wait time sign nearby stated that the line had jumped up to a 105-minute wait — the longest wait for any attraction at Walt Disney World at that time.

At about 23 minutes into our wait, we reached the actual queue entrance point.

In addition, this new addition of standby at TRON caused the wait for Seven Dwarfs Mine Train to drop down to 30 minutes, the lowest we’ve seen in a while!

We made it inside the show building after 37 minutes. We did not have a pre-show. We reached the locker bay after 44 minutes of being in line and proceeded to drop off our gear and prepare to enter the Grid.

By 9:55 a.m., we had boarded the attraction and completed our ride by 9:59 a.m., making our total wait just 56 minutes.

Great detail, thanks for taking the time.

 

[Naomeri]

RIP, James Earl Jones

https://deadline.com/2024/09/james-...-lfwVbpohTll-vLlJg_aem_jbJjpNdLcMsJLIxDRXntNw

 

[Smugpugmug]

RIP, James Earl Jones

https://deadline.com/2024/09/james-...-lfwVbpohTll-vLlJg_aem_jbJjpNdLcMsJLIxDRXntNw

The king has gone on to live among the great kings of the past.

 

[BrianL]

The king has gone on to live among the great kings of the past.

From The Simpsons, way back in Season 6 when his the character Bleeding Gums Murphy died, he appeared to Lisa in the clouds:



I find it a fitting tribute. He's an all-time great!

 

[BrianL]

The Seas to Relocate dolphins and manatee Lou due to infrastructure upgrades:

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...lfare-efforts-and-infrastructure-upgrades.htm

I love Lou! He's the big guy with the injured tailfin due to a boat strike. I am not the biggest fan of keeping manatees in captivity, but in Lou's case he couldn't be returned to the wild. I always drop in to say hi, even if I don't ride Nemo. Little Joe will get a new companion as part of the wildlife rehab efforts. I hope this will be a good move for Lou though at a new rehab center.

This will also affect the Dolphins in Depth tour and DiveQuest experience - they are available until Octoebr 19 and will be closed after pending the unspecified infrastructure work.

 

[Elijah Abrams]

The Seas to Relocate dolphins and manatee Lou due to infrastructure upgrades:

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...lfare-efforts-and-infrastructure-upgrades.htm

I love Lou! He's the big guy with the injured tailfin due to a boat strike. I am not the biggest fan of keeping manatees in captivity, but in Lou's case he couldn't be returned to the wild. I always drop in to say hi, even if I don't ride Nemo. Little Joe will get a new companion as part of the wildlife rehab efforts. I hope this will be a good move for Lou though at a new rehab center.

This will also affext the Dolphins in Depth tour and DiveQuest experience - they are available until Octoebr 19 and will be closed after pending the unspecified infrastructure work.

Are they getting rid of the dolphins, because it is more humane than keeping them in captivity?

 

[BrianL]

Are they getting rid of the dolphins, because it is more humane than keeping them in captivity?

The dolphins are going to Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach, FL per the article. I don't know the specifics on the dolphins or if they are able to be released. I know that the manatees that they have cannot be due to injuries.

 

[sherlockmiles]

The Seas to Relocate dolphins and manatee Lou due to infrastructure upgrades:

This will also affext the Dolphins in Depth tour and DiveQuest experience - they are available until Octoebr 19 and will be closed after pending the unspecified infrastructure work.

I wont have to worry about tryinto get the Dolphins experince at my booking indow opening for Dec trip I guess. Upgrades for animals is always good.

 

[Violetspider]

The Seas to Relocate dolphins and manatee Lou due to infrastructure upgrades:

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...lfare-efforts-and-infrastructure-upgrades.htm

I love Lou! He's the big guy with the injured tailfin due to a boat strike. I am not the biggest fan of keeping manatees in captivity, but in Lou's case he couldn't be returned to the wild. I always drop in to say hi, even if I don't ride Nemo. Little Joe will get a new companion as part of the wildlife rehab efforts. I hope this will be a good move for Lou though at a new rehab center.

This will also affect the Dolphins in Depth tour and DiveQuest experience - they are available until Octoebr 19 and will be closed after pending the unspecified infrastructure work.

I’m going to miss Lou!

 

[BrianL]

I’m going to miss Lou!

Yeah, I love Lou. I loved seeing him come up to much a floating head of lettuce. I know the caretakers love him to from the way they talk about him. I know he can't go back to the wild, but I hope he has the best life possible.