News Round Up 2016

[Travis B]

Damn I want to go just to see that!

<--- AK fanboi

I had no idea they were using screens - I figured it was lighting or something...

 

[Budshark]

It is lighting. Using screens. It doesn't sound like they are projecting a sunset image - they are using screens to give a soft wide orange glow vs a pointed bright light.

 

[jtwibih]

I was very impressed with the Wonderful World of Disney show tonight. I thought almost all of the acts were great. I went in only wanting to see the Star Wars reveal but ended up loving the entire thing.

 

[luisov]

It was a great show indeed. It was a massive commercial for the Disney brand, but hey, it had better musicals than the Grammys and I was in the mood for some Disney magic anyway.

 

[linzbear]

Does anyone know anything about why the Applause app was failing and they kept pushing for downloads during the show? It feels weird that I can't find anything about it except on the reviews of the app.

 

[rteetz]

It is lighting. Using screens. It doesn't sound like they are projecting a sunset image - they are using screens to give a soft wide orange glow vs a pointed bright light.

And according to the reports that orange glow can almost be seen throughout the park.

 

[rteetz]

I was very impressed with the Wonderful World of Disney show tonight. I thought almost all of the acts were great. I went in only wanting to see the Star Wars reveal but ended up loving the entire thing.

One thing I didn't like was its the 60th anniversary of Disneyland why not talk about Disneyland!?

 

[rteetz]

Does anyone know anything about why the Applause app was failing and they kept pushing for downloads during the show? It feels weird that I can't find anything about it except on the reviews of the app.

The app worked for me but it never really did anything anyways. It seemed it was only supposed to be used for the performances but all you did was tap the screen on your device and nothing happened.

 

[iamsarahpotts]

One thing I didn't like was its the 60th anniversary of Disneyland why not talk about Disneyland!?

Exactly! I did enjoy most of what I saw, but I was expecting more of an "inside the park" kind of thing. Dick Van Dyke dancing to "Step In Time" was pretty amazing though! haha

 

[rteetz]

Exactly! I did enjoy most of what I saw, but I was expecting more of an "inside the park" kind of thing. Dick Van Dyke dancing to "Step In Time" was pretty amazing though! haha

I would've been happy if the show was just dick Van dyke singing and dancing.

 

[iamsarahpotts]

Star Wars Battle ride looks like a dark ride similar to Spider-Man. Hopefully it's trackless and has some new tech.

That makes sense...I was like "please don't let this be another Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin" haha (not that I don't like that ride...just was hoping for something a little more unique)

Star Wars Land is going to be awesome and accept that it's all screens. It's the only way you can do this in the rides with how much excitement is in them. The question is when and I don't think we find that out until D23 2017 or 2019.

I do wish there would be another straight-up Roller Coaster in the mix. Those screen based rides make me feel woozy but I love coasters! I know there's a lot of cool high-tech stuff that can be done these days, but none of that high-tech stuff really substitutes the wind blowing back your hair and making you scream the way a coaster does.

 

[thebs19]

Just wanted to mention we just spent a day at LEGOland and another at Sea world, and as comparison, Disney is still head and Shoulders a move these other competition.

Not to wade off track, but we did LegoLand last year (first time ever doing a non-Disney Orlando area park - we have son, now 9, who is a HUGE Lego fan, and our Daughter, now 2 - so we're still a few years from trying Universal so that they appreciate the greater # of "thrill" rides) and wow, it just wasn't in the same league. The traffic control on the parking entrance was a disaster (got there before the park opening and waited in line for an HOUR on a maybe 500 foot parking line?), half the attractions were closed (Easter week!!!!) and the quality of everything was so "minor league" (the Indiana Jones-esque ride that wants to be Space Ranger Spin but the guns don't really work and the ride itself is mostly just a trek through an emtpy warehouse?).

We were so excited to take our son and as we left (around 1PM after not even getting in til 10 AM) we decided that, in the future, a 2nd or 3rd day at one of the 4 Disney parks was a way better use of time than venturing out to the minor leagues. For all of Disney's problems (and this year, its already getting frustrating with all of the closures/refurbs we're facing), there just not pushed by the "competition" in any way shape of form, from what we saw.

 

[rteetz]

Photo update

Disneyland is getting ready for Star Wars

http://micechat.com/120563-demolition-disneyland/

 

[eXo]

So you're saying your insiders are real where as others aren't...got it

Ya, I'm saying I don't trust Jim Hill. Something you have said more times than I can count. Got a problem with that? I swear. it's a no win with you. I get sick of it.

 

[DoingDisney]

Does anyone know anything about why the Applause app was failing and they kept pushing for downloads during the show? It feels weird that I can't find anything about it except on the reviews of the app.

Because Disney IT is generally terrible ? Which makes MM+ and FP+ all the more hilarious sometimes

 

[Flyerjab]

I found myself really enjoying the Disneyland 60th anniversary special last night. I was really only interested at first knowing that there was going to be some new Star Wars information released. But on the whole it was really good. And Dick Van Dyke! Man, I can't believe the shape that guy is in for being 90+ years old. I couldn't believe it when he started the step in time with the rest of them. Prior to him appearing, I joked with someone how they should have brought him onstage to dance along...and then he actually did!

But the Star Wars stuff...wow! I don't have much else to say. I really feel though, that this is the real response to the shot over the bow that UNI took with the Harry Potter expansions. To me it seems like Disney saw Diagon Alley, with its big E-Ticket and over-the-top theming, and said 'that's nice, but we can do better. We will give you a land several acres larger, with 2 signature E-Ticket rides and theming that will be going beyond anything in any park anywhere else in the world.' And as far as the rides go, the lines for them will be outrageous. A simulator falcon ride where YOU are free to pilot it, and YOU are free to fire at whatever? Holy cow. And for the epic battle ride, I am betting that it is NOT all screens. I am betting that there is a huge amount of real sets, AAs, and maybe even cast members involved in this one. I recall martin on the wdwmagic boards indicating that this will have every type of approach used to make you feel like you are there. Again, in response to the Potter rides, I know that there have been many complaints in the social media world regarding the number of screen based rides that UNI loves to use, and the Gringotts ride was no exception. That ride was super-hyped prior to its debut, and then a lot of people said 'yeah, it was nice, but it was just more screens again.' I believe that this 2nd Star Wars attraction is going to be way more than just screens.

Something else that irks me a bit. There were several posters on other sites right after the Star Wars segment aired last night that were already labeling this new land a major failure. And don't get me wrong, I never have problems with people not liking something as this is all opinion based in the end. But if the critique is that negative, there were obviously some expectations going into this last night. I would ask that people supply us with their alternatives as to what they were 'hoping' was going to be offered here. For me, 2 huge E-Tickets that won't shut down in the Florida rains will be a huge plus. And I honestly was not hoping for another roller coaster with this. DHS already has an indoor coaster with RnRC, and will be getting a new outdoor family slinky dog coaster. This park needs large people eater rides that will be open all day long, and the 2 Star Wars rides that are being advertised will fit that bill nicely. I suppose that there will be that group of people that were hoping for that dueling Star Wars coaster that made the rounds several years back. It was an idea for a rollercoaster with multiple tracks intertwined that someone (not affiliated with Disney) actually has a patent for I believe. A ride like that in a land this popular is not what is needed IMHO. It was so large that it would have to be an outdoor coaster. I think that Disney of late, with Pandora and now with Star Wars, is giving its big IPs rides that will be able to handle a lot of people all day long and not be impacted by rain (e.g., see Test Track). I think that both rides appear to be very smart moves by Disney that will allow guests to enjoy them from park open until park close.

 

[eXo]

In my mind I don't think Nintendo should go in either park. Looking at the space constrictions (not factoring moving back of house across 1-4) I don't see Nintendo being done justice. I dread us getting another Hanna Barbara type ride for Nintendo. I almost wonder if the land purchase could be a video game park. Universal Japan has some success with Biohazard/Resident Evil, and Silent Hill has made a few appearances at HHN. Combine either of those with the MIB ride system and you got a solid attraction. We haven't heard of Universal talking to any other developers but that would just be them trying to preserve the surprise. If I remember correctly Nintendo stock and future was in question before the announcement and the teaming with Universal help them. So maybe Nintendo prompted an early announcement to help them but Universal didn't want to yet.

Universal just acquired a giant plot of land just south of their current parks. Acreage wise it is as large as IOA, USF, Citywalk, and 2 of the hotels combined. The main consideration however is, assuming this is for a third gate, how would they go about connecting it to their current area. In the grand scheme of things, the new land isn't that far (compared to something like the distance from MK to AK) but it's not land Universal owns either. So they could run into issues with businesses being opened along that bus route that don't jive with their image. Imagine for example a Disney Store, seedy bar, knock-off universal merch store, DVC pavilion (hah), opening along the route. Not good.

That said, It may be possible that they move their admin facilities to the new location, clear out the old back lot, and attempt to put a third gate back there. I suspect this won't happen though. First off, they wouldn't have a front facing gate unless they plow down the old Nickelodeon building (which means killing\relocating Blue Man Group [fun fact: Blue Man Group is on the exact same sound stage that Double Dare used to be filmed on back in the 90's]). Assuming they did plow this area and place the third gate between IOA and USF, they would still have to deal with the fact that right behind this building they have the hogwarts express going by every few minutes. This might not be so bad if they hadn't built the dang thing to look like it's driving backwards half the time, or if the track wasn't raised up, or if the track looked anything like a real train track and not a raised tram... eg: it ruins the magic of the ride to have it exposed. But the foremost reason I don't see this happening is because of cash and space. The real money is in the resorts. They are already doing pretty well filling up the resorts they already have. Adding a third gate plus the water park is going to have diminishing returns unless they can add a handful of new resorts. Sapphire Falls alone won't be enough.

For the reason alone, I would guess any potential third gate gets built on the new land along with at least 2 new resorts (A deluxe and a budget, in the vein of cabana bay).

Ultimately though, despite rumors of a third gate being video game based.... I'd be really surprised if they go that route. I can see it being a "land" or area of a new park, but not the sole theme. Similar to people who have called for a LOTR or Harry Potter *only* theme park, it just doesn't make sense to build a gate that is limited by such a specific license\property\theme. Now... a "high tech" theme park that uses video games as one aspect of it, along with current advances in VR, etc... that has potential. After all, we know Universal loves their projection wall rides and motion simulators.

There were talks a few months back about Universal being in negotiations with Konami.

They already have a working relationship with Konami. They have used Silent Hill multiple times as a theme in their Halloween houses. Unfortunately, Konami is a horrible place to try and do any business with right now. They have publicly torpedoed their console games division and stated they want to move into pachinko and gambling machines. This has led to some bewildering moves on their part. Without getting too far into the weeds, they let one of the most notable game developers in the business go, canceled a majorly hyped silent hills sequel he was working on with Guillermo Del Toro, and then lied about the whole thing. Really crazy stuff for a company that has well known licenses like Silent Hill, Metal Gear, Castlevania, and the dance game genre.

Maybe this means Konami would be willing to take these licenses they are no longer working on and license them to Universal to make some cash on the back end, but if no new games are developed in these franchises... then how much value is there in them? And besides, there are very few video game franchises that are universal enough to warrant an attraction based around them. As big as Metal Gear is in the game world, it's simply not going to draw tourists. Mario works on this level because he has been around for over 3 decades, is kid friendly, and has stayed relevant that entire time. Nintendo has always been about brand more than anything, and they have done a great job protecting it. Much like Disney.

 

[Spacedog1975]

News

Petes Dragon Trailer released

http://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2016/02/21/disney-releases-first-teaser-petes-dragon/

Excited for this movie!

So far I'm not enthusiastic. That doesn't seem like Pete or Elliott to me. While they can never take the original away from me, they are sort of taking it away from the next generation. I doubt the new one will come close to the magic of the first.

A highlight of my first ever trip to Disney (35+ years ago) was the Elliott MSEP float. I still make a point to see the parade, if only to see him.

 

[dlavender]

So far I'm not enthusiastic. That doesn't seem like Pete or Elliott to me. While they can never take the original away from me, they are sort of taking it away from the next generation. I doubt the new one will come close to the magic of the first.

A highlight of my first ever trip to Disney (35+ years ago) was the Elliott MSEP float. I still make a point to see the parade, if only to see him.

I'm excited for it. I love the original. My wife hates it. I'm hoping this one can make a bridge between us.

 

[rteetz]

So far I'm not enthusiastic. That doesn't seem like Pete or Elliott to me. While they can never take the original away from me, they are sort of taking it away from the next generation. I doubt the new one will come close to the magic of the first.

A highlight of my first ever trip to Disney (35+ years ago) was the Elliott MSEP float. I still make a point to see the parade, if only to see him.

While that is true. We didn't get a good look at Elliot in the trailer. I'm still excited for the movie. The Elliot float is also my favorite.