Disney News, Discussion & an Element of Fun!

[tigger2002]

It is stinky how they’re holding everything back.

It was understandable when necessary. Guests booked these summer trips with good will to accept the limitations of WDW during a pandemic. Clearly the decision to hold EVERYTHING back to Oct 1st is not related and not necessary. It’s a bit of a boot to the face. WDW taking advantage of that good will.

If they announce FP and then say it will be implemented Oct. 1st that will be a real bummer.

 

[onelove8187]

I don't think many people realize that Disney isn't holding back FP+ out of spite, but because of what is almost certainly IT issues.

I disagree. Yes, I understand the implementation alongside and working in conjunction with the park reservation system is clunky and could be causing delays. In no way do I believe that this should have held them up to this point. Some 400+ days since closure, had priorities aligned with guest satisfaction, it should not have been an issue whatever. We also do not have enough information to conclude this is the case, we have some random people on a message board who sound knowledgeable stating it as fact. It has also been stated that FP+ as it was, has been successfully tested and is working alongside park reservations... the issue is with the hybrid moneymaker. 2020-2021 has been written off and worries about alienating guests in this period is nonexistent, almost out of necessity. It is painful to boot back up and service is inescapably suffering. I can understand most of what they have done and much of how their hands are currently tied with staffing, but not here. This was/is a misstep that could have been avoided.

 

[mickey916]

Steakhouse 55 Permanently Closed at Disneyland Hotel

That seems a little odd timing-wise since they just announced the Wave would become Steakhouse 71...or was that just speculation?

 

[JoJoGirl]

Steakhouse 55 Permanently Closed at Disneyland Hotel

… Soon to be replaced by family-style skillets with sausages, rotisserie chicken, and pot roast. Green beans, Potatoes au Gratin, and Shrimp casserole on the side if they’re lucky!

J/K! (I hope!)

 

[IceSkatingPrincess]

I actually just told a co-worker who booked a quick mid September trip to see HEA one more time that she may luck out and run into some soft openings ahead of October 1st!

I'm going in late September as well. Fingers crossed for some soft opening luck! Really though, I'm just excited to see HEA again.

 

[Heather07438]

If they announce FP and then say it will be implemented Oct. 1st that will be a real bummer.

It would. If that does happen tho, maybe at least crowds will lessen before October 1st if people start rescheduling

 

[Heather07438]

… Soon to be replaced by family-style skillets with sausages, rotisserie chicken, and pot roast. Green beans, Potatoes au Gratin, and Shrimp casserole on the side if they’re lucky!

J/K! (I hope!)

Green beans yes! They are served with everything in WDW. Pretty sure they grow their own. It must take up 300 acres of Orlando

 

[tigger2002]

I think everyone was expecting special activities and enhancements for the 50th. What I think folks are, rightfully, calling out as excessive is the fact that they are (seemingly) intentionally withholding fairly standard experiences that could otherwise be ready BEFORE that time and using the anniversary as justification. There SHOULD absolutely be special 50th activities... but Remy could/should have been opened when ready and they could likely upgrade Philharmagic well before October.

It also appears to me that anything that has come back is not as good as or worse than previous. Why not bring something back that makes customers say, "WOW not that is an improvement!". Most comments on here have been Meh or No (Ohana, early entry, family style restaurants, throwback fireworks at EPCOT, etc.) What has been a huge improvement?

 

[Brob2132]

We thought about pushing it out a week to experience the 50th magic, but we got a great deal on the Grand Floridian. Anyone know when the “up to 25% off” will begin for October?

 

[HokieRaven5]

That seems a little odd timing-wise since they just announced the Wave would become Steakhouse 71...or was that just speculation?

Its a rumor about the Wave becoming Steakhouse 71, nothing official has come from Disney on what the revamped wave will be.

 

[sabrecmc]

Had a great time at Winter Summerland today! Only the summer course was open, but that was the one we wanted anyway.

 

[mickey916]

Its a rumor about the Wave becoming Steakhouse 71, nothing official has come from Disney on what the revamped wave will be.

Thanks! I couldn't remember where I heard it from...

 

[mollmoll4]

We thought about pushing it out a week to experience the 50th magic, but we got a great deal on the Grand Floridian. Anyone know when the “up to 25% off” will begin for October?

Historically Mid-Late July into August is when they have released those.

 

[Gusey]

I think everyone was expecting special activities and enhancements for the 50th. What I think folks are, rightfully, calling out as excessive is the fact that they are (seemingly) intentionally withholding fairly standard experiences that could otherwise be ready BEFORE that time and using the anniversary as justification. There SHOULD absolutely be special 50th activities... but Remy could/should have been opened when ready and they could likely upgrade Philharmagic well before October.

I get how frustrating it is with things like EMH being delayed to the 50th. Yet, I think they meant that the stuff planned for the 50th was delayed (Tron, Guardians, Moana, Space 220, rumoured parade) so they are now using the stuff that could open beforehand for the Anniversary to make it an event, not just 2 new firework shows and some statues. That's why Remy is opening in October because it is the only attraction at WDW opening this year now, so it kinda has to be included with the 50th celebration. Phillarmagic's Coco scene (which I'm super excited about) is probably one of the only 50th enhancements happening at this point (Carousel of Progress and PeopleMover were rumoured to be enhanced with new scenes at one point)
I suppose this Summer does have fireworks returning, the first Epcot festival not being a Taste of, plus the Jungle Cruise refurb, so a few new things ahead of the 50th

 

[bffer]

I actually just told a co-worker who booked a quick mid September trip to see HEA one more time that she may luck out and run into some soft openings ahead of October 1st!

I mean, since seeing the thread that Space 220 is likely to open on October 1, we are hoping now to maybe get lucky with a soft opening while we are there. It's the only restaurant my daughter has said she really would like to go to. I don't get much out of my preteen anymore, so I was really hopeful it would open before the 50th. Maybe we can also get Remy. I am not holding my breath, though. I feel like WDW hasn't done soft openings to the general public in a long time.

 

[mollmoll4]

It also appears to me that anything that has come back is not as good as or worse than previous. Why not bring something back that makes customers say, "WOW not that is an improvement!". Most comments on here have been Meh or No (Ohana, early entry, family style restaurants, throwback fireworks at EPCOT, etc.) What has been a huge improvement?

True. I get the feeling that, economically speaking, this pandemic has created Chapek's dream scenario. Services are reduced and pent up demand is high. Unfortunately, with him at the helm I expect many more years of testing the limits of what guests will accept for current $$ rather than focusing on those "wow" experiences without maximizing profit.

 

[Heather07438]

the first Epcot festival not being a Taste of

They’re holding back 10 special festival booths for Oct 1st

Space220 had a long shot to be open when we visited March 2019. Then they changed to ‘Coming Winter 2019’. Thought we had a chance visiting Dec 2019. Thought for sure would be ready for our Jan 2021 trip but then the world closed. Ok, figured surely it will open before our Sept 2021 trip. They started hiring over a month ago. Why wait for MK 50th? By this point just wait till Epcot’s 40th in 2022

Put in perspective these things aren’t the end of the world. Does put us in a more defensive spending position tho. Chapek was right when he said happy customers spend more. I would’ve spent anything at Space220 and likely more at F&W with more choices.

 

[PPFlight75]

Exactly. It seems eve

It also appears to me that anything that has come back is not as good as or worse than previous. Why not bring something back that makes customers say, "WOW not that is an improvement!". Most comments on here have been Meh or No (Ohana, early entry, family style restaurants, throwback fireworks at EPCOT, etc.) What has been a huge improvement?

Exactly! Almost everything, especially dining, is a lesser version of what it was. There are several places that were favorites that are off the table for us now. These family style meals are not for us.

 

[disny_luvr]

Exactly. It seems eve

Exactly! Almost everything, especially dining, is a lesser version of what it was. There are several places that were favorites that are off the table for us now. These family style meals are not for us.

I wonder if these new versions of meals are here to stay are only temporary due to covid. Unfortunately, I think they may be here to stay.

 

[ThereYouSeeHer]

Awesome !! Thoughts on the mini-golf courses? I definitely remember "Fantasia Gardens"--- vaguely remember "Winter Summerland"-- Just received free vouchers for either with our Vacation Package, and we definitely have time this trip- Suggestions? I DO remember really liking "FG"

We only did Fantasia once, and it was so many years ago, that I barely remember it. However, I love anything Christmas themed, so it's hard for me to recommend anything other than Winter Summerland! The theming is so cute. You can either choose the Summer course (sandy and beachy), or the Winter course (snowy and icy). In the past, I think they may have given a discount if you chose both. There are cute notes at each hole that guide you along and give you tips for playing. It's definitely worth a visit!