Mine train opening

[mom2rtk]

Sorry, but that's not true. Disney hasn't necessarily lost attendance, but Universal has gained at a large rate. What the means is, people are still coming to WDW, but they aren't spending all their time there, I.E., Disney is losing money to Universal.

No one can predict the future, but Islands of Adventure has been gaining around on both Animal Kingdom and DHS in recent years. When the expansion of Harry Potter opens at Universal, it is quite likely attendance at IoA will surpass both. If that happens, it will be a HUGE embarrassment for Disney.

Agreed. A huge number of American travelers take their vacation in 1 week increments. (Typically 9 days, comprised of a 5 day work week with a weekend on either side). It's not like they're suddenly going to start staying 2 more days into the next week.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Is it just me or is this attraction taking a very long time to be build? At this rate, the HP extension over at Universal will have a soft opening before this one and this one was started first if I am not mistaken. Has any date been put out for the opening? If they wait too much longer they will be battling for guests when HP opens and I am afraid they will lose. Just my two cents worth!

It has taken awhile, but folks forget that the mine train was added/ totally redesigned, with new technology, after the start of construction on the rest of Fantasyland.

The building was also slowed by it being built in the middle of the rest of the opened new fantasyland. Always a slow issue with guests traveling around 360 degrees.

AKK

 

[RMulieri]

Sorry, but that's not true. Disney hasn't necessarily lost attendance, but Universal has gained at a large rate. What the means is, people are still coming to WDW, but they aren't spending all their time there, I.E., Disney is losing money to Universal.

No one can predict the future, but Islands of Adventure has been gaining around on both Animal Kingdom and DHS in recent years. When the expansion of Harry Potter opens at Universal, it is quite likely attendance at IoA will surpass both. If that happens, it will be a HUGE embarrassment for Disney.

agreed...and there are people ( we are some of them) that used to spend our annual trips at Disney.That is approx $3000-5000 every year we spent at disney ,not including the smaller side trips there . we now spend it at Universal.A few years ago, I would never have set foot in a Universal park , I didnt think I would love it and I wasnt sure how my 10 your old would like it ( she was 8 on her first trip to Uni) but now it is my destination of choice. We may take a day or 2 trip to disney, but for the most part our money now goes to the universal.We arent the only ones either.I have other family who sold their DVC, and neighbors that also discovered that Universal is more to their liking these days.

 

[ChrisFL]

There are a lot of people who have never been that don't understand that Disney World and Universal Studios are two completely different parks, owned by different people, in different parts of Orlando.

Yes, I know that...but for "hundreds" of people to descend upon DHS, buy tickets, then ask where the new Harry Potter stuff is.......wow.

 

[AmyB2006]

People seem to forget too that although to us it's taking a long time to build, original projections for this ride opening have been "Spring 2014" since the beginning. So even though it's taking forever, they are right on schedule. Lol

 

[crostorfer]

Yes, I know that...but for "hundreds" of people to descend upon DHS, buy tickets, then ask where the new Harry Potter stuff is.......wow.

I'm always shocked at the number of people that do zero research about anywhere they attempt to go, and just show up and wing it.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Agreed. A huge number of American travelers take their vacation in 1 week increments. (Typically 9 days, comprised of a 5 day work week with a weekend on either side). It's not like they're suddenly going to start staying 2 more days into the next week.

OK- I have avoided the FP+ evil intentions threads up til now. But I agree with this- people go for 1 week. By limiting FP to 3 per day it makes "doing Disney" in 4-5 days very difficult. THat may not be an accident. If it takes longer to see Disney then there is less time in that 1 week vacation to experience US/IOA, Legoland, Seaworld, etc.

Just a thought.

 

[Berlioz70]

I don't know when it is opening it they only just started hiring for the positions. The applications are open for like 2 weeks so it might be possible for a March opening if they can get it fully staffed and people trained on it by then.

Just tagging onto this comment - the posting for the opening team started yesterday (Feb 2) and is open for 2 weeks. Then you've got interviews...

Then you've got to select the opening team and schedule them. Scheduling is always out 2-3 weeks. Right now scheduling is working Feb. 16-22.

So if it's assumed the post is up for two weeks, interviews are two weeks, Cast are hired by the end of February... you're looking at Training to start somewhere between March 16 - 29.

Granted, this could all get pushed up, but it could also be easily pushed back. I have no idea what kind of training agenda they have planned.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I'm always shocked at the number of people that do zero research about anywhere they attempt to go, and just show up and wing it.

To be fair, for someone who has never been, there isn't that much different when you heard Hollywood Studios or Univeral Studios.

Thanks. Trying to decide if it would be worth a fast pass (provided it is up and running during our visit). DD loves coasters but this may be a little mild for her.

In my opinion, if you have not planned a trip with FP+, I suggest using a strategy based on what the longest waits will be or what will allow you to do other things insetad of standing in a line or saving a spot at a parade.

Treat FP+ like almost like a rope drop. If you were the first one in the park, would you go do your favorite ride first or the one with the longest wait during the day?

 

[slholtz]

I can't wait to go and ride that. I suppose if it opens in the summer though, it might be the only ride we get to ride.

 

[glocon]

Are there pictures of what has been done so far? I mean as far as construction goes... like of the outside, or the queue? Anything?

I'm really looking forward to this one...

 

[Karbase8]

I would say I'd rather a late opening and be safe than sorry. I always thought the swinging mine carts, whatever you want to call them seemed unsafe. I hope they work it out! I look forward to riding it

 

[songkat]

Here is a picture I took last week:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/songkat/12290727273/in/set-72157640468298913

 

[JimmyV]

May I remind you of the pictures of crowds trying to get in when the original HP area opened? And it is not just a coaster but a extension of a hugely popular franchise! With the train between the two parks that is an attraction in itself along with the shops and dinning, yes I believe it will make a dent. Do not forget the opening of a new onsite hotel. Do not get me wrong, I am a huge Disney fan. I have been coming to Disney for years, it is my favorite place in the world. But Disney has become complacence in the last few years and this fast pass + looks to be a huge mess so far with lines backing up even for attractions that never have lines. hopefully when all the tickets get online and the fast passes are available to everyone ahead of time the lines will get better. The new Fantasy land is nice but the other properties have not seen many additions in years. Yes , I know the new Avatar area is going up but that is a couple of years in the future. and do not even get me started on DHS. Just saying......

I have absolutely no idea what point you are trying to make here. It sounded from your first post as if you were questioning Disney's delay in opening the Mine Coaster and that such delay ran the risk of losing people to Universal. My point is, the two have nothing to do with one another. The Mine Coaster is going to be a new, mid-level coaster that will be immensely popular when it opens, but not something that people are going to plan (or delay) their vacations around. If Disney thinks that it has to do something to compete with WWOP, this surely isn't it. But as noted above, I don't think Disney feels the need to compete. It is not losing guests to Universal. It might be losing a day or two out of the overall trip. But what does that really cost? If one buys an 6 day pass to WDW and a two day pass to Universal instead of an 8 day pass to WDW, what did Disney really lose? Far more people stay on Disney property and "cheat on them" by going to Universal than stay at Universal and "cheat on them" by going to Disney. If Disney gets the hotel fare, breakfast and dinner bills, it really could care less if you buy a Butter Beer at Universal.

 

[SleepDoctor]

Disney is losing money to Universal.

With the acquisition of the Marvel characters by Disney, Disney now shares in a portion of the turnstyle revenue. Go to Universal...Disney still profits from that!

 

[ChrisFL]

With the acquisition of the Marvel characters by Disney, Disney now shares in a portion of the turnstyle revenue. Go to Universal...Disney still profits from that!

Incorrect, they only get a portion of merchandise revenue from marvel items.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Are there pictures of what has been done so far? I mean as far as construction goes... like of the outside, or the queue? Anything?

I'm really looking forward to this one...

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ry-arrives-at-the-seven-dwarfs-mine-train.htm

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-from-the-seven-dwarfs-mine-train-coaster.htm

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...the-seven-dwarfs-mine-train-ride-vehicles.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sarK2uM8rlw

 

[beaprn]

I have absolutely no idea what point you are trying to make here. It sounded from your first post as if you were questioning Disney's delay in opening the Mine Coaster and that such delay ran the risk of losing people to Universal. My point is, the two have nothing to do with one another. The Mine Coaster is going to be a new, mid-level coaster that will be immensely popular when it opens, but not something that people are going to plan (or delay) their vacations around. If Disney thinks that it has to do something to compete with WWOP, this surely isn't it. But as noted above, I don't think Disney feels the need to compete. It is not losing guests to Universal. It might be losing a day or two out of the overall trip. But what does that really cost? If one buys an 6 day pass to WDW and a two day pass to Universal instead of an 8 day pass to WDW, what did Disney really lose? Far more people stay on Disney property and "cheat on them" by going to Universal than stay at Universal and "cheat on them" by going to Disney. If Disney gets the hotel fare, breakfast and dinner bills, it really could care less if you buy a Butter Beer at Universal.

The point I was making was in answer to your reply to my original post that HP is going to make an impact. If you deny that you are living Fantasy Land! Just look at the boards here discussing splitting weeks, asking about transfers to USF and increase in questions hotels onsite. Would we have been even been having this conversation five years ago, USF was a non factor as far as Disney was concerned. Now USF is spending millions of dollars to upgrade and on a new hotel while Disney is spending millions of dollars on Fast Past + that so far seems to be causing more problems than anything in the parks past. USF is working it's way up to make itself a Major player in the Orlando theme park game. So far the fast pass + is only available to hotel and AP guests so the off site guests are out of luck until they get in the park or all tickets go online, which is causing alot of the huge lines. USF does the same thing with onsite guests (part of the perks) or upgrading to FP for a price however; they seem to be using the resources to improve the experience for the guests. Disney is the superior offering however; if they do not go back to their basic formula of guest service they are not going to remain so. They need to continue to WOW the guest to keep them coming back and they have not been doing that in recent years. Before the Fantasy Land upgrade- the two attractions at Epcot and Mount Everest ( one of my favorites) were the only new things in years. On the other hand USF keeps changing attractions and offering events with the exception of HHN is part of the everyday ticket. Bottom line is Disney needs to up its game. Yes you will have the guests that will keep coming back because it is Disney but the new generation of park guests are going to expect more especially considering the price of tickets!