Is pandora opening in may? (did disney slip up today?)

[Madonna3]

I'm with rteez on the whole construction wall issue, I think it's a non-issue. I'm not sure what age has to do with it but I'll go there, I'm closer to 60 than 59, have been going to WDW since 1982, at least every other year and more recently in the past 4 years, twice a year. There is always going to be construction, unless you want the place to get stagnant, which just brings more complaints. HS didn't really shut down any major attractions with their construction, nor did any of the other parks. I was there during F&W the first week it opened and was able to ride every ride I wanted to in every park without a single FP booked any more in advance than when I was standing in line for another ride, I never had a wait longer than 20 min. (no I didn't ride FEA but that was just because I wasn't interested). That would make me think crowd levels were down. I think that is why the deal, nothing sneaky about it.

I've already clarified the age thing. It's because of the family dynamic. Since he often travels with family, I know as the matriarch of the family, no one is driving, but me. However, he already said his family doesn't drive, so it's not as relevant, but he did state he noticed the road construction and the difficulties associated with it.

I'm not saying I want the place to NEVER have construction, but you have to agree that Disney did very little for years on improvement and now it's everything at once. I go pretty often and I'm just weary of the construction. So, I believe that I am NOT a unique person and if it's wearing on me, then I am sure it is wearing on others. Maybe we're a minority in that opinion, but I'll tell you, it keeps me away and keeps my money away.

 

[LaidBackDad]

I think todays mystery discounted ticket is disney prepping to tell us that pandora will be opening in may this weekend. (during destination d).

My professional experience is disney can't really tell you in advance when something is coming. They made a culture of planning and booking so far in advance and waiting. The second they say a date or season, or month then you are going to hear a huge sucking noise of reservations moving to after it and record low attendance..

I think this ticket is disney's way to counter the moving of reservations by putting the place back into the financial reach of people who just can't afford to come with current ticket prices. They can't wait and still afford to come. I say may opening because I would want to open just after the cheap seats are no longer valid.

I've also said this before but I think disney wants to ensure volcano bay doens't open up first. they want people to stay at disney and universal is really set up where someone might choose to stay at universal and day trip to disney instead.. Right now one could say that disney only has 1 park and 3 parks in major disarray. That's what my friends see at least who have never been here and not considering it with all the construction.

This is getting fun... bring on the wars...

I think it's a pretty big stretch to read a Pandora opening to this. Not saying it's impossible it wasn't a consideration, but only a minor one. To me it indicates more of a problem with DHS. DHS was one of our families favorite parks and probably will be again when everything is finished; but, as it is right now, it's not really worth going. We would much prefer spending 2 days in MK compared being frustrated with all the construction and congestion at the limited attractions available at DHS. I think it's pretty obvious this ticketing is really more of an attempt to steer crowds away from MK and towards the other parks, especially DHS.

 

[mcd2745]

I also hate the "all the construction" remarks. Disney is not a war zone construction is contained and not really affecting people that much.

I tend to agree that the construction doesn't necessarily affect people all that much while down there - it's primarily only DHS that has been diminished. And most of what has been closed there (Backlot, LMA, HISTA palygorund, etc.) is not really being missed by anyone. However, I do think people are and will continue putting off vacations until Pandora & Star Wars are done. THat's the biggest effect of all the construction.

 

[Madonna3]

I think it's a pretty big stretch to read a Pandora opening to this. Not saying it's impossible it wasn't a consideration, but only a minor one. To me it indicates more of a problem with DHS. DHS was one of our families favorite parks and probably will be again when everything is finished; but, as it is right now, it's not really worth going. We would much prefer spending 2 days in MK compared being frustrated with all the construction and congestion at the limited attractions available at DHS. I think it's pretty obvious this ticketing is really more of an attempt to steer crowds away from MK and towards the other parks, especially DHS.

 

[jaxonp]

The majority are not putting Disney vacation on hold because of construction and they probably never will. Most people go there an have almost no idea what's going on. Annual Passholders are most likely the cadre of humans responsible for this thought process. I took 5 people to WDW during wine and dine some had been to Disney many times and others had never been. They we're clueless to the construction or that anything was really diminishing their experience. We see it as a huge annoyance because we talk Disney everyday. The masses, don't.

 

[Roxyfire]

I honestly believe Disney's confusing pricing structure is the reason why attendance is down.

Difference of $592! And for what?

My guess is that it's a combination of hubris and basic economics. They probably had a couple good years with high occupancy rates. That leads them to edge things higher, just look at how many categories of rates there are for Port Orleans Riverside. But it's a fairly well-liked resort from what I can tell from people here. If you look at Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs I think the rates are somewhat lower on average, ignoring the jr suites at Coronado.

I'd love to know how they determine pricing but I'm betting it's mostly "this is what we think people will pay and we want every red cent of it."

 

[Madonna3]

I'd love to know how they determine pricing but I'm betting it's mostly "this is what we think people will pay and we want every red cent of it."

I am pretty confident this is exactly how they determine it

 

[Accident]

I think it's a pretty big stretch to read a Pandora opening to this. Not saying it's impossible it wasn't a consideration, but only a minor one. To me it indicates more of a problem with DHS. DHS was one of our families favorite parks and probably will be again when everything is finished; but, as it is right now, it's not really worth going. We would much prefer spending 2 days in MK compared being frustrated with all the construction and congestion at the limited attractions available at DHS. I think it's pretty obvious this ticketing is really more of an attempt to steer crowds away from MK and towards the other parks, especially DHS.

I don't disagree, it's a big stretch. the timing just seems like they are prepping for something to be announced at destination d and the only thing I can think of that might cause or need to help out early next year is avatar opening date. That is help it out more than it already needed..

 

[Madonna3]

My guess is that it's a combination of hubris and basic economics. They probably had a couple good years with high occupancy rates. That leads them to edge things higher, just look at how many categories of rates there are for Port Orleans Riverside. But it's a fairly well-liked resort from what I can tell from people here. If you look at Caribbean Beach or Coronado Springs I think the rates are somewhat lower on average, ignoring the jr suites at Coronado.

I'd love to know how they determine pricing but I'm betting it's mostly "this is what we think people will pay and we want every red cent of it."

BTW, since I'm doing math today, the price increase over a 2 year period is 25%!! That's a big percentage.

 

[Wdwfan2016]

I don't disagree, it's a big stretch. the timing just seems like they are prepping for something to be announced at destination d and the only thing I can think of that might cause or need to help out early next year is avatar opening date. That is help it out more than it already needed..

They will not announce the opening date of Avatar at Destination D.

 

[rteetz]

They will not announce the opening date of Avatar at Destination D.

I've heard we will get new details though.

 

[Wdwfan2016]

I've heard we will get new details though.

You will get another teaser, how much still remains undecided.

 

[jaxonp]

You will get another teaser, how much still remains undecided.

.... and here is what the $32.99 pandora blue popcorn will look like.

 

[jaxonp]

.... and here is what the $32.99 pandora blue popcorn will look like.

...and we will have ADRs staring 365 days ahead to get your magical pandora blue popcorn, starting today!

 

[circus4u]

1000% disagree with you on this.

I know you're young. I don't know if you drive on the family vacations. The roads are a complete nightmare. They are congested and the new traffic patterns for the buses are creating some confusion. Hollywood Studios is literally a circle that is only half the park. There's nowhere for crowds to disperse because they are contained in a tightly controlled area. There are walls everywhere. Animal Kingdom is not as bad because the walls are behind Tiffins, so I'll agree, I don't think that affects anyone. The sudden wall at Big Thunder Mountain railroad has created congestion near the Splash Mountain bridge making it nearly impossible to pass at times. Trying to get to I-4 out of Epcot is insanity.

Also, if you're a vet like me (Disney vet) and go often, your eyes are weary from all the construction.

Agree another 1000%. We had a 3 year hiatus in trips, ending this past September. The last trip we had before that had all the walls around the hub in Magic Kingdom as well as the construction walls in Disney Springs. Seemed like we couldn't see anything but walls. We couldn't justify the expense of traveling from AZ any more. We were so disgusted on that last 2013 trip that we cut everything short and stayed only 1 1/2 days.

 

[Accident]

Agree another 1000%. We had a 3 year hiatus in trips, ending this past September. The last trip we had before that had all the walls around the hub in Magic Kingdom as well as the construction walls in Disney Springs. Seemed like we couldn't see anything but walls. We couldn't justify the expense of traveling from AZ any more. We were so disgusted on that last 2013 trip that we cut everything short and stayed only 1 1/2 days.

If I hadn't moved here, I wasn't planning to come back down until 2021 for the 50th and was going to take the time to see other properties. I actually decided to not head to disneyland for my second ever trip (and my daughters first) because of the construction there.

 

[rteetz]

I don't get the construction issue in any park especially Disney parks. Disney parks have construction year round. Sure there is more at times than others but there is always going to be walls. People say oh I'll wait until this year to go for less construction but how do you know there won't be more construction then? Just my thoughts I guess.

 

[Accident]

I don't get the construction issue in any park especially Disney parks. Disney parks have construction year round. Sure there is more at times than others but there is always going to be walls. People say oh I'll wait until this year to go for less construction but how do you know there won't be more construction then? Just my thoughts I guess.

In general, I agree with you. construction isn't really a reason to avoid. In my case I was moving and it wasn't the right time to spend extra money on visiting the west coast. Now that WDW is in my backyard, I consciously choose to save it for a future vacation because we do need to get away at some point Also there is certain things that if you know aren't available you might want to wait for, you included. everyone has their thing they would rather wait to see instead of miss.

 

[Lee Matthews]

I think it will open in May.....2018

It looks far from finished to me

 

[Missyrose]

I actually decided to not head to disneyland for my second ever trip (and my daughters first) because of the construction there.

By all accounts from my local friends out at DL, the construction there is much less noticeable than at WDW. With so many attractions in the two parks, you hardly notice anything is missing (except the goats, everyone out there was very sad about the loss of the goats).