Fantasyland in Soft Opening-Live Updates NOW

[magic kingdom park]

Hoping to get to see it the last week of Oct.

 

[andyman8]

So what you're saying is that Disney chose which websites it wanted to support and give special consideration to, correct?

Ones that will do exactly what it tells them to do and only post positive things about them, correct?

This is the case. In fact, although I love it, The DIS is one of the sites that gets access to these events. Other sites include AllEars and Inside the Magic. The most famous not recognized site by Disney is EasyWDW.

 

[Reddog1134]

So what you're saying is that Disney chose which websites it wanted to support and give special consideration to, correct?

Ones that will do exactly what it tells them to do and only post positive things about them, correct?

You don't seem to understand the concept of "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours".

As a business that is trying to promote it's product, Disney is going to offer "perks" to those that have positively endorsed it's product before in the hopes that it will result in more positive endorsement.

 

[czmom]

What have the lines been like for The Little Mermaid ride today?

 

[mousermerf]

You don't seem to understand the concept of "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours".

As a business that is trying to promote it's product, Disney is going to offer "perks" to those that have positively endorsed it's product before in the hopes that it will result in more positive endorsement.

I totally understand the concept. I find it disgusting.

I'll remind you, or anyone who doesn't know, I was the primary news/information blogger for the Unofficial Guide and TouringPlans.com but was told not to post negative information - even if it was news - because it interfered with the site getting perks and invites to these events.

I quit the UG over it after working for them for 5+ years getting paid an extortionate amount to post often less than I've typed out in this post. I felt it was morally reprehensible behavior.

So I find this practice entirely disgusting and manipulative.

 

[mousermerf]

What have the lines been like for The Little Mermaid ride today?

I've seen the sign saying 25 minutes in several photos.

 

[Pixie Princess]

None, and by all accounts, hitting the December reopening date will be a big struggle as effects that they are using for the ride are not going as was intended or hoped. They are quite behind on that ride's refurb.

Didn't they have similar issues with the Star Tours refurb? I seem to remember many reports of difficulties with the technology and questions of the attraction being ready when Disney said it would be. Of course if you have George Lucas coming to the opening, you have a pretty good incentive to get the thing up and ready to go on time.

There are some minor staffing issues, but your friend is correct... From now until later in October, people have been scheduled to work and run the new FL. If it's actually open or not remains to be seen, but people are scheduled to work in it.

Argh! If my DD was not auditioning for All-State chorus tomorrow, we'd be packing and heading for FL tonight! Perhaps we'll take our chances next weekend.

 

[robinbutterfly]

What does a soft opening mean?

 

[MJ6987]

And there's more than one way to skin a cat.

Disney refers to it as a "dress rehearsal" and here's the planned schedule and closing information between now and opening: http://www.epcyclopedia.com/2012/10/12/new-fantasyland-soft-opening-official-schedule-and-details/

Just ignore that, as usual, it's better info than the invitees.

Where is the source for this "official word from Disney"?

 

[Tropical Wilds]

So what you're saying is that Disney chose which websites it wanted to support and give special consideration to, correct?

Ones that will do exactly what it tells them to do and only post positive things about them, correct?

They choose websites based on traffic, content, and interest, among other factors, such as if you're already there or will be there or not. Considering that we basically provide free advertising to their product, I think it's nice that they reward those with good content with special offers or allowances.

I don't know what you mean by "ones that will do exactly what it tells them to do and only post positive things about them." When I was selected, at no time did I ever agree, hint at agreeing, or was even asked to post only positive things about the new FLE. It never came up one way or the other, and when I wrote it up I did have some negative things to say. Before I was chosen, I also had less-then-favorable to Disney content related to various aspects of the Disney experience. The research firm hired by Disney actually stated to myself and a few others that our well thought out, clearly articulated opinions about various subjects around Disney is what made us attractive candidates for their study. If anything, what that means to me is that because we blog about Disney, both positively and negatively, but do so in a way that's constructive, reasoned, and helpful, Disney feels we have something to contribute to their dialogue. I find it flattering.

What have the lines been like for The Little Mermaid ride today?

They reportedly peaked at around 40-60 minutes, but quickly dwindled.

I totally understand the concept. I find it disgusting.

I'll remind you, or anyone who doesn't know, I was the primary news/information blogger for the Unofficial Guide and TouringPlans.com but was told not to post negative information - even if it was news - because it interfered with the site getting perks and invites to these events.

I quit the UG over it after working for them for 5+ years getting paid an extortionate amount to post often less than I've typed out in this post. I felt it was morally reprehensible behavior.

So I find this practice entirely disgusting and manipulative.

So what you find disgusting isn't Disney's practices, it's the practices of your parent website/company. Disney didn't tell you to post only positive, TP did. That's something you should take up with them, not complain about with Disney.

I'm not sure what about allowing a loyal following have advance access to a product is disgusting and manipulative... It only make sense, as far as I'm concerned, considering the product being sold and how each and every one of those sites is free advertising for Disney. The best thing for both involved is to keep them in the loop, relevant, and involved in the community.

 

[mousermerf]

They choose websites based on traffic, content, and interest, among other factors, such as if you're already there or will be there or not. Considering that we basically provide free advertising to their product, I think it's nice that they reward those with good content with special offers or allowances.

I don't know what you mean by "ones that will do exactly what it tells them to do and only post positive things about them." When I was selected, at no time did I ever agree, hint at agreeing, or was even asked to post only positive things about the new FLE. It never came up one way or the other, and when I wrote it up I did have some negative things to say. Before I was chosen, I also had less-then-favorable to Disney content related to various aspects of the Disney experience. The research firm hired by Disney actually stated to myself and a few others that our well thought out, clearly articulated opinions about various subjects around Disney is what made us attractive candidates for their study. If anything, what that means to me is that because we blog about Disney, both positively and negatively, but do so in a way that's constructive, reasoned, and helpful, Disney feels we have something to contribute to their dialogue. I find it flattering.



They reportedly peaked at around 40-60 minutes, but quickly dwindled.



So what you find disgusting isn't Disney's practices, it's the practices of your parent website/company. Disney didn't tell you to post only positive, TP did. That's something you should take up with them, not complain about with Disney.

I'm not sure what about allowing a loyal following have advance access to a product is disgusting and manipulative... It only make sense, as far as I'm concerned, considering the product being sold and how each and every one of those sites is free advertising for Disney. The best thing for both involved is to keep them in the loop, relevant, and involved in the community.

Disney uninvites any website that posts information that's negative - no matter how truthful or fact based. That's manipulative.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

Didn't they have similar issues with the Star Tours refurb? I seem to remember many reports of difficulties with the technology and questions of the attraction being ready when Disney said it would be. Of course if you have George Lucas coming to the opening, you have a pretty good incentive to get the thing up and ready to go on time.

I honestly can't answer that. I wasn't in my current line of work when "Star Tours" was getting refurbed and, honestly, if I was I wouldn't have noticed. I dislike that ride so I know very little about it, even now. I've ridden it 4 times pre-refurb, once after, and swore never again. So I'd have to take your word for it.

Argh! If my DD was not auditioning for All-State chorus tomorrow, we'd be packing and heading for FL tonight! Perhaps we'll take our chances next weekend.

Keep an eye up, I think you'll be fine. Minor issues with the Little Mermaid ride, but that's about it. It's all about staffing right now.

What does a soft opening mean?

It means it's a test run, that at any given point rides, features, attractions, or areas could close without notice and remain closed. It means that that portion of the park operates outside of the operation hours and rules of the rest of the park and that Disney may choose to limit capacity, access, and availability of the area or any features within it at any time.

 

[robinbutterfly]

Thank you. Other then ariel ride and Gaston's tavern is anything else opened?

 

[Tropical Wilds]

Disney uninvites any website that posts information that's negative - no matter how truthful or fact based. That's manipulative.

It's their product, they can limit whomever they want from advance screenings however they choose. It's not manipulative, it's business.

Considering Disney allows sites like TP.com and others (myself included) to operate under what would ordinarily be considered copyright infringement to any other company, they have a right to protect their property, IP, and name. In exchange for the free advertising and promotion that these sites give, Disney gives a little back since it's in both of their best interests.

And there are quite a number of people who are Disney-blessed (again, myself included) who do put up negatives about WDW. I've said I hated hotels, restaurants, rides, etc, but instead of saying "Stitch is terrible" I say "Stitch is a ride I don't like because x, y, z". Yet I still get my invites for WDW events. You can post a negative about Disney, you just can't trash Disney. It's a fair tradeoff since why, with limited time and space, would Disney want to give invites to people who trash their product?

 

[mousermerf]

It means it's a test run, that at any given point rides, features, attractions, or areas could close without notice and remain closed. It means that that portion of the park operates outside of the operation hours and rules of the rest of the park and that Disney may choose to limit capacity, access, and availability of the area or any features within it at any time.

For the next week there's intermittent photo/film shoots scheduled that will likely delay opening (they do photos in morning light when they can, full daylight is too harsh). Then there's the schedule previews - CM's are on the 22nd, but I believe WDI is before that, like on the 19th or something. That'll shut the area down.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

Thank you. Other then ariel ride and Gaston's tavern is anything else opened?

BOG isn't serving food, but that may change on a small scale at the end of November. Some pathways are closed, some minor construction details may be out and about, many water features are not yet running. That's as far as I know.

 

[mousermerf]

It's their product, they can limit whomever they want from advance screenings however they choose. It's not manipulative, it's business.

Considering Disney allows sites like TP.com and others (myself included) to operate under what would ordinarily be considered copyright infringement to any other company, they have a right to protect their property, IP, and name. In exchange for the free advertising and promotion that these sites give, Disney gives a little back since it's in both of their best interests.

And there are quite a number of people who are Disney-blessed (again, myself included) who do put up negatives about WDW. I've said I hated hotels, restaurants, rides, etc, but instead of saying "Stitch is terrible" I say "Stitch is a ride I don't like because x, y, z". Yet I still get my invites for WDW events. You can post a negative about Disney, you just can't trash Disney. It's a fair tradeoff since why, with limited time and space, would Disney want to give invites to people who trash their product?

Do you at least follow the FCC mandates that state you are to disclose any kickbacks or perks you receive from the company? Most websites don't.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Didn't they have similar issues with the Star Tours refurb? I seem to remember many reports of difficulties with the technology and questions of the attraction being ready when Disney said it would be. Of course if you have George Lucas coming to the opening, you have a pretty good incentive to get the thing up and ready to go on time.

I was able to ride Star Tours in soft openings in May 2011. Official opening was for Star Wars Weekend.

 

[mousermerf]

Thank you. Other then ariel ride and Gaston's tavern is anything else opened?

The shops are open and so is Ariel's meet/greet.

 

[Tropical Wilds]

For the next week there's intermittent photo/film shoots scheduled that will likely delay opening (they do photos in morning light when they can, full daylight is too harsh). Then there's the schedule previews - CM's are on the 22nd, but I believe WDI is before that, like on the 19th or something. That'll shut the area down.

She was asking about next weekend, which is what I was answering.

Do you at least follow the FCC mandates that state you are to disclose any kickbacks or perks you receive from the company? Most websites don't.

Where applicable, yes.