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

[rteetz]

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

It looks far from finished to me

Did you see Shanghai or Carsland 5-6 months before they opened? This is right on schedule. Shanghai 6 months before it opened looked like it wasn't going to open for a year but it opened.

 

[Madonna3]

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.

Not to beat a horse to death, but I would really like to have other's see it from my point of view. I get Disney is ALWAYS going to be working on SOMETHING and for the past several years that hadn't bothered me until the Fantasyland expansion started. MK was a pretty big mess at the back end and we were able to mostly avoid it and it didn't really bother me. Then, again, this is my recollection of events, it seemed as soon as the walls went down in MK, the walls went up everywhere else. The roads started being torn up, they eliminated most of the parking at Downtown Disney while they built the first garage, the walls went up in DHS, the walls went up in Epcot, the walls went up in MK, and there were massive walls in Disney Springs. There was a time where you couldn't go to a single park and not see some type of work. Maybe this makes people happy to see them working on stuff, but when you can't get to your favorite places as easily or as quickly because of the constant construction, it starts to annoy you. Remember, I live here. It wears on your eyes and your patience after a while.

Do I think yearly or semi yearly visitors will put off a trip because of construction? Probably not. However, I am sure there are others who have postponed to wait for SW and Pandora to get the most bang out of their vacation buck, but for others who chose not to wait or can return when the new stuff opens, I am sure they weren't bothered by the constant construction. If it wasn't so much at once, it probably wouldn't be enough for me to even pay attention to, but when there was approximately a one year time frame where EVERYTHING was under construction, well, it makes one disenchanted, imo anyway.

And that's all this is: my opinion. I think the locals are weary of green walls. And if they're not, I certainly am and I have appreciated over the past few months the fact that they're slowly coming down. But now all the road construction ugh

 

[rteetz]

Not to beat a horse to death, but I would really like to have other's see it from my point of view. I get Disney is ALWAYS going to be working on SOMETHING and for the past several years that hadn't bothered me until the Fantasyland expansion started. MK was a pretty big mess at the back end and we were able to mostly avoid it and it didn't really bother me. Then, again, this is my recollection of events, it seemed as soon as the walls went down in MK, the walls went up everywhere else. The roads started being torn up, they eliminated most of the parking at Downtown Disney while they built the first garage, the walls went up in DHS, the walls went up in Epcot, the walls went up in MK, and there were massive walls in Disney Springs. There was a time where you couldn't go to a single park and not see some type of work. Maybe this makes people happy to see them working on stuff, but when you can't get to your favorite places as easily or as quickly because of the constant construction, it starts to annoy you. Remember, I live here. It wears on your eyes and your patience after a while.

Do I think yearly or semi yearly visitors will put off a trip because of construction? Probably not. However, I am sure there are others who have postponed to wait for SW and Pandora to get the most bang out of their vacation buck, but for others who chose not to wait or can return when the new stuff opens, I am sure they weren't bothered by the constant construction. If it wasn't so much at once, it probably wouldn't be enough for me to even pay attention to, but when there was approximately a one year time frame where EVERYTHING was under construction, well, it makes one disenchanted, imo anyway.

And that's all this is: my opinion. I think the locals are weary of green walls. And if they're not, I certainly am and I have appreciated over the past few months the fact that they're slowly coming down. But now all the road construction ugh

I can definitely see it being an issue from a frequent visitor and/or local. I am not, I go once a year if I am lucky. The last two years I have gone for marathon weekend too so it wasn't a matter of a WDW vacation it was for an event.

 

[tlmadden73]

I think the cutoff date for the ticket of May is simply due to things "normally" picking up after Memorial Day.

They may "anticipate" Pandora opening then, but I doubt this ticket deal has anything to do with that.

This ticket deal just seems to be a promotion to get people to come to the park before summer ... I see reason for it::

1) Spread out people among ALL four parks. How many people are going on 4+ day vacations and skipping a park or giving several parks "Half days" just so they can hop back to MK and spend a majority of their time there (thus crowding the park?) .. I am planning a short trip in March just doing DHS and Epcot. Both days (I have an infant and toddler) I plan on hopping to MK in the afternoon/evening because those two parks simply don't have enough stuff to do for a full day (for kids that age).

2) Maybe get people to do a 4 day vacation instead of a 3 day vacation (I mean the price of this ticket is cheaper than a 3 day Magic Your Way ticket). I bet the weaker parks have been getting families to skip AK, DHS, or Epcot (or several of them) and go to Universal instead on those days. Two parks jam-packed full of attractions (a ton of which are new .. compared to the decades old attractions at those three parks).

3) Reduce the price of tickets (without actually lowering ticket prices) .. I think (as some posters have pointed out) that the huge increase in tickets and hotel prices have probably slowed traffic down to the parks (or simply reduced the length of stays for a lot of the yearly guests).

4) Get people to come during what they KNOW will be a down time attendance-wise. (People are drawn by discounts) I guarantee (as the OP mentioned) a lot of families are simply "putting off" their big Disney vacation UNTIL some (or all) the new stuff is done. Why go in March 2017 when you could go 6 months later and experience a whole new land you've been hearing about for years? Why go in 2017 at all when you can go in 2018 and perhaps experience Toy Story Land? Why not just wait until Star Wars land is done? Despite the reality, the news of "all" the construction is keeping people away.

 

[skier_pete]

I agree - the ticket special isn't valid for the December holidays, the Easter Holidays, and then ends before the summer holidays. Not much of a coincidence that they don't want to give discounted tickets during the busiest times of the fall.

Another thing that might be going on - with all the Halloween/Christmas/F&W stuff they've *solved* the slow fall season - but instead they've lost draw in the Januaary - May non-holiday season.

 

[writerguyfl]

Not to beat a horse to death, but I would really like to have other's see it from my point of view.

Trust me...those of us that see construction as an inconvenience necessary to maintain or improve the parks, resorts, and infrastructure would really like to have you see it from our point-of-view.

For the record, I have no problem with you expressing your opinion. But, you should expect that when you do, you will hear from people that disagree. Repeating your opinion over and over in the same thread won't make us convert to side.

 

[circus4u]

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.

Walls are one thing, but during that trip, when you walked around the MK hub, there were walls on both sides of you; the same at Disney Springs, large areas had walls on both sides of you. Call it my prior military experience, but I feel very uneasy when there is an 8 foot high wall on both sides of me and no means of "escape." As I mentioned before too, this is probably the main reason I do not feel comfortable in Animal Kingdom -- narrow, closed in paths. It's also most likely the reason I like Epcot the best.

 

[rteetz]

Walls are one thing, but during that trip, when you walked around the MK hub, there were walls on both sides of you; the same at Disney Springs, large areas had walls on both sides of you. Call it my prior military experience, but I feel very uneasy when there is an 8 foot high wall on both sides of me and no means of "escape." As I mentioned before too, this is probably the main reason I do not feel comfortable in Animal Kingdom -- narrow, closed in paths. It's also most likely the reason I like Epcot the best.

I experienced all of the things you mentioned. I'd say Disney springs was probably the worst in my opinion. To me I didn't care though, I'm at Disney, I'm away from the real world with not a worry in the world.

 

[Missyrose]

Here's the one thing that I don't understand about this "new" ticket deal (that is basically the same as the previous DVC ticket deal). Disney seemingly was trying to increase hopper sales with the free dining stipulation that you had to purchase hoppers or WP&M tickets to be eligible for the dining discount. But these ticket deals prohibit hopping. Which is Disney trying to push? Hopping, or not?

 

[rteetz]

Here's the one thing that I don't understand about this "new" ticket deal (that is basically the same as the previous DVC ticket deal). Disney seemingly was trying to increase hopper sales with the free dining stipulation that you had to purchase hoppers or WP&M tickets to be eligible for the dining discount. But these ticket deals prohibit hopping. Which is Disney trying to push? Hopping, or not?

Both, they just want people at the parks to bring up attendance.

Also they put stipulations on Free Dining because Disney doesn't like to do it. They want to get the most of out people for their "free" dining.

 

[PuppyJonathan]

Wow. Reading through these makes me realize how much I miss construction getting very bad. I would have to say my personal worst was March 2011 alongside the fantasyland walls and I would've never noticed how cramped it was if it weren't for the spring break crowds. I didn't feel it in July 2010 because it wasn't crowded when I was in that area! Pleasure island in September 2014 was bad but nothing like what I mentioned. I would still argue California adventure had it the worst when paradise pier was walls both sides of the walkway for world of color and little mermaid, not to mention that temporary entrance

 

[Tigger's ally]

But now all the road construction ugh

Having seen first hand how the traffic flows around DS now that the road, entry ramp to garage from I-4 and now the new bus lanes, I am glad they are doing more of the road construction. Hopefully the same lead engineer is designing traffic flow all over the vast expanse that Walt bought. For the longest time, I think Disney had a five year plan on roads, whoever designed the DS area now had a much longer forward thinking plan and IMO did a wonderful job. More please!

 

[Madonna3]

Having seen first hand how the traffic flows around DS now that the road, entry ramp to garage from I-4 and now the new bus lanes, I am glad they are doing more of the road construction. Hopefully the same lead engineer is designing traffic flow all over the vast expanse that Walt bought. For the longest time, I think Disney had a five year plan on roads, whoever designed the DS area now had a much longer forward thinking plan and IMO did a wonderful job. More please!

I agree that the construction is certainly forward thinking and I am excited to see the finished product.

 

[LeeAndRobin]

Trust me...those of us that see construction as an inconvenience necessary to maintain or improve the parks, resorts, and infrastructure would really like to have you see it from our point-of-view.

For the record, I have no problem with you expressing your opinion. But, you should expect that when you do, you will hear from people that disagree. Repeating your opinion over and over in the same thread won't make us convert to side.

1000% Agree. We were there 5 times during all that construction, and while it was slightly inconvenient, we never experienced any of these things that Madonna3 complains about:

1) Inability to get to our favorite places in the parks quickly and easily.
2) Problems driving due to road construction (we always stay offsite, and I still maintain that we can get to the parks by car faster than we could from a resort via Disney transportation).
3) Oppressive feeling because of all the construction walls in the park.

We are glad to see the construction. Frankly, the above objections come off to me as those of a pouty child, not those of a reasoning adult. Road construction is a fact of life no matter where you live. If you think it's bad in FL, I suggest you try living in the NorthEast, as I did for 9 years. We used to say we could tell it was spring in MA because the orange-bellied (i.e. wearing orange visibility vests) construction workers came out of hibernation. At the campus I work at in NC, there has been pretty much constant construction on some project since I have been here, some 17 years and counting. Maybe I'm just used to the fact that construction exists, or maybe I live in the real world

 

[Madonna3]

The personal attack is unnecessary.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I heard about this on the daily fix - and nothing at all indicates anything about Pandora / even a hint of opening time. It's a real big stretch of nothing.

I also agree with the poster who said that no one is delaying a vacation due to construction; to the majority at least.

 

[closetmickey]

Wow. Reading through these makes me realize how much I miss construction getting very bad. I would have to say my personal worst was March 2011 alongside the fantasyland walls and I would've never noticed how cramped it was if it weren't for the spring break crowds. I didn't feel it in July 2010 because it wasn't crowded when I was in that area! Pleasure island in September 2014 was bad but nothing like what I mentioned. I would still argue California adventure had it the worst when paradise pier was walls both sides of the walkway for world of color and little mermaid, not to mention that temporary entrance

Yes! Walking in through that temporary entrance was anticlimatic to say the least!!

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

My point was that because of his age, I wasn't sure if he was allowed to drive the family caravan on vacations if they drive at all. Therefore, he may not have the awful road construction experience that I do, since I refuse to let anyone else drive, but me. It is in no way any remark against his intelligence or experience.

I know rteez already clarified but I think at least from another DISer's point of view that bringing in age in regards to actually being the driver..well it came across, at least to me, in a way I don't think you meant it to.

When I go on vacation it's usually my husband who is driving and I drive from time to time (as I did when my mother-in-law and I drove down from KC to Houston last July to visit my husband on his work assignment). It's not because I'm not capable it's just he likes to drive and I navigate. When we are with the in-laws my step-father-in-law drives or my husband drives. As a passenger I'm still able to look at the construction in fact I would argue I'm more aware of the construction I encounter because I am able to pay attention to signs more and whoever is driving is looking at the road more closely. At least in our family the driver heavily relies on the passengers for assistance. This was the case with my dad growing up too where I was also the navigator though sure when you're too young you're not as focused on what's going on outside of the vehicle.

 

[Lightsoutx12]

Honestly I feel the worst part of all the construction is the roads being torn up. Driving to and from Disney with all the cones and extra signs is pretty annoying.

 

[cel_disney]

We have been to Disney for 3 - 1 week trips this year. We are DVC but always rent a car and drive around.

My thoughts...
- Pandora happening for summer is wishful thinking, but if the bean counters decide that they actually DO want a reason to get the summer crowds - anything is possible! There have been many reports that most of it is ready.

- We have avoided Disney Springs for the entire year because of the construction/parking/restaurant openings etc. We have almost a year before our next trip which is a DVC but not Disney park vacation and plan to spend time at Disney Springs then. We have not been bothered by construction elsewhere and infact we drove to DHS for 2 of our 6 park days in October (lost a day due to the hurricane).

- We have become extremely efficient park goers and with one well planned day at MK we can do everything we want (rope drop of course!). We usually go back for another half day to repeat our favorites with FP. We very much enjoy the other 3 parks and frequent them often. We are a family of 4 - Me, DH, DD6, and DS10