New Al Lutz: CL and BVS Updates, WOC and F! Refurbs, Club 33 Changes, New DL E-Ticket

[HydroGuy]

A new article was posted on MiceAge today by Al Lutz. Here is a link: http://miceage.micechat.com/allutz/al122011a.htm


Highlights include:

• Universal Studios Hollywood "Potterland" announcement challenges DCA relaunch publicity
• Potterland may result in higher priority for Disneyland park's next E-ticket ride
• Club 33 changes and linkage with DCA's Carthay Circle Theater
• New Cars Land ride capacities and Disney plans to handle demand in 2012
• DCA hours to expand to 8AM-11PM next summer
• Possible AP tours of Cars Land before it opens
• First DCA trolley delivered
• Cars Land running on schedule for summer opening
• Buena Vista Street schedule is tight with a late June, July or maybe August opening
• WOC down for 2 weeks in Jan for first refurb
• Fantasmic! down for 6 weeks in Jan-Feb
• Jolly Holiday Bakery update
• Hiring to support DCA expansion and expanded hours to add 1000 CMs

Note: Al Lutz does not work for Disney. His posts are not Disney announcements. He has solid contacts inside Disney and is helpful in giving an indication of what Disney is planning and considering. People planning vacations should be very cautious about making plans based on Al's articles. That is not what they are intended for. Rather, Al tries to give an insider view of what Disney is thinking and planning for those interested in what the future may hold. This can and does change over time.

Here is the disclaimer that Al has at the end of his article.

Keep in mind updates only get posted when there is something to report on, and not before. It takes time to confirm things, and even then we can only offer a snapshot of a continually evolving story. (People do change their minds you know.) Just like the happiest place on earth, patience is a virtue; the queue may take a while before you can enjoy the attraction.

 

[blackjackdelta]

Thanks again for the update..I could never keep track with out them.

Jack

 

[Rhonna]

Wow. A LOT of info. I didn't know about. Thanks for the post.

 

[SarafinaPink]

Interesting. When I first heard about the Harry Potter world coming to CA, I thought like Al is thinking that it would affect Disney and overshadow it (which it will a bit) but remember, Disney's big marketing push lately is convince more out of towners to come to CA and see it as just as good as Orlando. Bringing HP to CA means more people are likely to see CA as just as good as FL. Sure, DW is still bigger and flashier than DL, but bringing more things to CA will only make DL profit in the long run.

Also, I'm not sure where he's hearing about the late summer finish for Buena Vista Street. I know an imagineer working on the Carthay Circle Theater and just last week, she told me both projects (BV and Carsland) are on schedule for a May 2012 opening. Yes, we've had some weather lately, but nothing like last December.

 

[ssuriano]

Thanks for posting this HydroGuy.

 

[wdwfan22]

I'm bummed about Fantasmic. I'm going in Feburary. I know all about the concept of more rehabs in the off season, but why does it have to be one of my favs. I went in May last year, and didn't get to see it because of the Pirates premier, and now will miss it again. It wont ruin my trip or anything, but it is my favorite show. My mom in a wheelchair is going with us, and I was looking forward to being able to be in handicap viewing and not have to fight for a spot. Plus, she hasn't seen it in DL, only DW, and was excited for her and my dad to see it. I will see it another time, but there just probably wont be a next time for them.

 

[Mortimer Mouse]

Thanks again for the update..I could never keep track with out them.

I agree to with this! thanks for the summary as well.......

 

[Rhonna]

All the Club 33 info was really interesting to me...although I still haven't managed to be invited yet. Someone my sister works with just got to go for the first time with her best friend because of the company he works for - (no, we can't use that avenue, I made my sister ask...lol!)

Also the info. centers behind the scenes for the CM's and how it's NOT a good thing.

Didn't know any of this.

 

[HydroGuy]

Also, I'm not sure where he's hearing about the late summer finish for Buena Vista Street. I know an imagineer working on the Carthay Circle Theater and just last week, she told me both projects (BV and Carsland) are on schedule for a May 2012 opening. Yes, we've had some weather lately, but nothing like last December.

I hope your friend's info turns out to be more realistic!

 

[nunzia]

Nice! Thanks for sharing

 

[Bambi&Thumper]

that made me want to cry. seriously... they are slowly turning our parks right back into your ordinary parks like 6 flags or Great america. Ugh. It's disgusting. After all these years of dreaming to work for Disneyland- I wouldn't want to go to work in that environment. I dreamed of it being magical and special. sounds depressing now. Who wants to watch the news of crime before a shift at the magical place on earth? No wonder we hear so many complaints about rude staff members.
Way too many changes.... some good some ugly. If there was only a way too get it back before it goes too far.... a protest at one of these special AP parties? I mean seriously... taking Walt's name out of the movies? What the heck??? What an insult. I would be rolling over in my grave if i was Walt. Just saying we must do something to prevent this crap!!!

 

[3Minnies1Mickey]

Thanks Hydroguy! I'm a little glad we had to cancel our January trip, now that F! will be down.

 

[valee]

The Park calendar still shows WOC for the weekend we'll be there: Jan 21-22. We're upset enough that we're flying all the way there from the East Coast for our first DL trip, and Fantasmic will be down. Now it sounds like we may be losing WOC. Do they regularly take events OFF the calendar once they've been put on?

 

[gator girl]

The Park calendar still shows WOC for the weekend we'll be there: Jan 21-22. We're upset enough that we're flying all the way there from the East Coast for our first DL trip, and Fantasmic will be down. Now it sounds like we may be losing WOC. Do they regularly take events OFF the calendar once they've been put on?

That's the same question I have... WOC is on the Disneyland calendar for 1/31 (in fact it was just posted in the last couple of days). Can I plan on that or are they going to pull it?

I don't see how "WOC down for 2 weeks in Jan for first refurb" can be true, based on Disneyland's park calendar on their website. There are a couple of Monday or Tuesday thru Thursday closures late in the month, but it's listed on all other days.

Unless, of course, they post it just to cancel it a few days later... which quite frankly is not cool and will cause me to make frowny faces and possibly growl a little.

 

[skiingfast]

The Park calendar still shows WOC for the weekend we'll be there: Jan 21-22. We're upset enough that we're flying all the way there from the East Coast for our first DL trip, and Fantasmic will be down. Now it sounds like we may be losing WOC. Do they regularly take events OFF the calendar once they've been put on?

That's the same question I have... WOC is on the Disneyland calendar for 1/31 (in fact it was just posted in the last couple of days). Can I plan on that or are they going to pull it?

I don't see how "WOC down for 2 weeks in Jan for first refurb" can be true, based on Disneyland's park calendar on their website. There are a couple of Monday or Tuesday thru Thursday closures late in the month, but it's listed on all other days.

Unless, of course, they post it just to cancel it a few days later... which quite frankly is not cool and will cause me to make frowny faces and possibly growl a little.

The writer of that article is not a part of disney, his sources are ok at best. He is often about particulars.

If the DLR Calendar has WoC listed, trust it, it's an official source.

 

[Lucille1963]

The writer of that article is not a part of disney, his sources are ok at best. He is often about particulars.

If the DLR Calendar has WoC listed, trust it, it's an official source.

Of course Al Lutz isn't always accurate, but on the flipside, the DLR Calendar states "All information subject to change without notice". I'm hoping WOC will be playing, but I'm bracing myself for the possibility of it being down. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

 

[Eeee-va]

that made me want to cry. seriously... they are slowly turning our parks right back into your ordinary parks like 6 flags or Great america. Ugh. It's disgusting. After all these years of dreaming to work for Disneyland- I wouldn't want to go to work in that environment. I dreamed of it being magical and special. sounds depressing now. Who wants to watch the news of crime before a shift at the magical place on earth? No wonder we hear so many complaints about rude staff members.

I don't think they are forced to watch the ticker or anything, not if it's silent. That said, Disneyland wasn't a magical place to work in the 90s either. I was at the park with a friend (both of us still in high school) and we were chatting with CMs doing crowd control outside the Pocahontas show, I believe it was. One was stationed there because her hand had been injured hitting the button for Space Mountain. My friend noted she dreamed of working at Disneyland someday, and the CM told her, "Don't."

That said, on our most recent trip, Mom was chatting with a CM on the Columbia, who confided to Mom, "I'd do this for free." So I think a lot of it depends on your outlook. I'm not saying the ticker thing is good (it's not), but Al's outlook is always very negative....the negative things he reports outnumber the good, even now, when times are pretty good for the parks.

(Most news outlets report more negative than good, in fairness.)

 

[skiingfast]

Al's outlook is always very negative....the negative things he reports outnumber the good, even now, when times are pretty good for the parks.

Very true. With DCA receiving a great overhaul on the entry and incradible expansion with Carsland, all Al can focus on is being critical of problems and spreading rumors that they will be delayed.

 

[Dizzy4DL]

We will be there February 9th. How does the AP party affect the regular crowd?
I know the party is after hours, just curious how they handle it.

 

[skiingfast]

We will be there February 9th. How does the AP party affect the regular crowd?
I know the party is after hours, just curious how they handle it.

It probably won't at all. The APs are likely to show up until after work in any great number. With it being offseason the hours in the park are already short and won't likely be adjusted for these events.

The couple events they have done so far, attendance was small. I'm sure much lighter than Disney hoped. Will it get bigger is hard to say.