May 2016 visit - What has changed since December 2014?

[thewelts]

We have become DL regulars since 2010. We try to visit every 1-2 years for 3 nights (We rent Grand Californian DVC points). We always get a 4 day hopper pass to maximize our time.

It seems like a lot has changed at DL in the past year and I want to be prepared for our upcoming visit on May 27 to celebrate my son's 12th birthday. It is likely that our trip (Memorial Day Weekend) will coincide with Grad night festivities and the launch of new attractions for summer 2016. I am hoping that Soarin' over the World will open.

We usually begin our visit with the WOC Carthay Circle package. At times, we have had great viewing and most recently, we arrived too late and the view was terrible (I am only 5'3" and I was packed in behind much taller people). Has anything changed with WOC for the 60th Anniversary?

Another tradition has been the Aladdin show. I'm sad that it is gone, although we have seen it so many times that we were ready for a change. I have no interest in Frozen. Are there any other new shows worth seeing?

Our favorite tradition was the Fantasmic Dessert Package. I was crushed when this changed just prior to our last trip. We tried the Blue Bayou package but I would not choose to do this again. I didn't love the dinner and I didn't like sitting on the ground (I was spoiled with that wonderful dessert package seat!).
What has changed with Fantasmic over the past year? Is the show actually different - 60th Anniversary? Have they worked out the kinks of FP? The new FP program was introduced days before our last visit. It was quite chaotic. Any recommendations for our May 2016 trip? I love the show, but don't love chaos.

Lastly, can you tell me about the PTN Parade? I hear this should not be missed. What is your opinion? Again, what is the best way to enjoy this with chaos?

Thanks for your ideas and information!

 

[SMD]

They have added video screens to the ferris wheel and coaster at WOC, so even though the view of the water screens is the same, you can look up and see some projections on those. If you've already done the package for WOC, consider doing it for PTN instead and just using a FP for WOC.

 

[Cal-Pie]

Fantasmic will be dark until mid 2017 for star wars land construction.

 

[thewelts]

Seriously... No Fantasmic until 2017? I am crushed!
Where can I find more information about Star Wars Land? Is it scheduled to open in summer 2017? I thought it would be near Tomorrowland. Has it replaced ToonTown?

 

[thewelts]

They have added video screens to the ferris wheel and coaster at WOC, so even though the view of the water screens is the same, you can look up and see some projections on those. If you've already done the package for WOC, consider doing it for PTN instead and just using a FP for WOC.

Can you tell me more about the PTN package? Where is the viewing area? Standing vs. seating? Is is possible to stay and watch the fireworks after the parade?

 

[figment_jii]

We usually begin our visit with the WOC Carthay Circle package. At times, we have had great viewing and most recently, we arrived too late and the view was terrible (I am only 5'3" and I was packed in behind much taller people). Has anything changed with WOC for the 60th Anniversary?

They debuted a new show (WoC: Celebrate) for the 60th Anniversary. The viewing area has largely remained the same despite some cosmetic work. So if you had trouble seeing before, you'll still have trouble see now. This thread had a dicussion about whether folks like the old show or the new show better.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/th...etter-than-the-new-one.3477362/#post-55199614

Another tradition has been the Aladdin show. I'm sad that it is gone, although we have seen it so many times that we were ready for a change. I have no interest in Frozen. Are there any other new shows worth seeing?

They debuted a lot of new entertainment in honor of the 60th (e.g., Dapper Dans, Five & Dime, etc. all have new song lists and costumes), not much in terms of full-fledged shows (like Aladdin or Mickey & the Magical Map).

Lastly, can you tell me about the PTN Parade? I hear this should not be missed. What is your opinion? Again, what is the best way to enjoy this with chaos?

I liked PtN and think it's worth seeing at least once. The parade was very colorful and bright. The effects were awesome and it was very lively. I liked some of it, but it did remind me a lot of the Pixar Play Parade over in DCA because nearly half of the elements seemed like they were from Pixar (Monsters Inc, Cars, Nemo, Toy Story). I would have liked to see more "classic" elements (e.g., Snow White or Aurora as one of the princesses, some of the other animated features). The main Disney characters showed up at the end (Minnie, Donald, and Goofy - where was Pluto?) and the last Mickey float was my favorite! I think the second show (if there is one) tends to be less busy than the first. When we watch the parade, my family will watch the fireworks and then head immediately to a spot to watch the parade. Usually you can find a curb/front row spot if you do this, but on busier days (e.g., holidays) you might have to move fast(ish).

Where can I find more information about Star Wars Land? Is it scheduled to open in summer 2017? I thought it would be near Tomorrowland. Has it replaced ToonTown?

At this point, DLR has not announced any tentative opening dates for Star Wars Lands. Summer of 2017 is the best guess for when the Rivers of America (e.g., Tom Sawyers Island, Mark Twain, Columbia, and the Canoes), the train, and Fantasmic! will re-open. Star Wars Land probably won't open for several years after that (Carsland took about 3 years, so using that a guide, would indicate that Star Wars Land will probably open sometimes in 2019/2020). It's going to be located adjacent to Critter Country, to the north of the park. So far, there hasn't been any official information indicating Toontown will be impacted by Star Wars Land.

Can you tell me more about the PTN package? Where is the viewing area? Standing vs. seating? Is is possible to stay and watch the fireworks after the parade?

Here is a thread that had discussions about the PtN Dining Packages Viewing Areas.
http://www.disboards.com/threads/paint-the-night-blue-bayou-packages.3470993/page-7

 

[thewelts]

Thank you Figment!!
Wonderful information

 

[DnA2010]

Figment- was just looking at the WOC viewing map on HG's thread- is the map still current? I want to print it for first timer going done

 

[figment_jii]

As far as I know (and can recall), yes, it's still accurate.