News Round Up 2016

[Spacedog1975]

I appreciate the value that people have for carrying food and drinks into the parks, but I have to say that I've enjoyed my most recently visits wholly unencumbered by backpacks or other things to carry during my day.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I don't know if they have to allow that though because they provide free ice water inside.

The way to push back on no bottled water/drinks is to overwhelm pay restaurants and just get free water...lack of sales and overwhelming personnel needs will push back on the plan b/c it becomes too expensive for Disney to implement...and they lose real sales trying to accommodate the swarms of water drinkers...

 

[RooRach0906]

Busch Gardens Williamsburg does not allow food but they let us take in bottles of water. (They also have allowed me to take in small snacks but only when DD is with me) so my hope is Disney would go that route.

 

[soniam]

Spirited Rumors

Disney is considering no longer allowing people to bring in food to the parks. The only way they would allow such is for special dietary reasons.

I think they could ban meal-type food & coolers but still allow snacks and bottled water. Circuit of the Americas in Austin is the most anal I have seen so far. I had a protein bar in my purse at the Formula 1 race. The lines the day before were about an hour long and most booths ran out of food. My system is such that when I get hungry it comes on fast and I have no energy to hardly move. It was an emergency ration for me really. They tried to take it away, so I lied and said that I am diabetic and couldn't find any other food inside. The lady at the gate was really nice about it. I hate to have to lie, but we spend tons of money at that track and they are going to begrudge me a tiny protein bar

I think Disney will allow snacks. They may go to only allowing either empty reusable water bottles or presealed bottles, which is what the track allows. You can then fill the bottle at filling stations in the track. They just don't want people bringing in liquor or some other nefarious liquid. I would be fine with this, as long as Disney adds filling stations.

News

New Twenty eight and main merchandise coming

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ew-twenty-eight-main-apparel-for-spring-2016/

I have to say I like that SSE shirt.

That is cool!

I love the 28 and Main merchandise - it's really the only thing I buy anyone. The Adventurer's Club sign I got last year was through them, and in February, I picked up a "Tropical Hideaway Karaoke Hut" as below. I personally like Disney gear that doesn't SCREAM "Disney", and the 28 and main stuff really does this.

I hadn't seen that Tiki Room one. DH would love that. It's our favorite attraction, and he has a thing for yellow shirts. I bought the Tom Sawyer Island shirt for DH. It's one of our favorite attractions too. The shirt is really soft and feels high quality. I have seriously considered buying some of this for myself.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

My wife and I are going to WDW at the beginning of April. I have followed this thread (and the previous) for a few years. We have gone to WDW multiple times a year each of the past few years (which is why we decided to become passholders). Keeping up with the News and Rumors thread every trip prior to this one has gotten me even more pumped up. This is the first trip that I find the more I read, the more down I am about going. I may be over-thinking at this point, but I have to admit that I have switch gears internally from looking forward to the trip to just hoping it won't be a let down. My wife is in the same boat. We were planning on renewing our APs as soon as they became eligible this month (we have the money put aside), but we are now going to hold off until after our April trip. I am trying not to make any true judgments until I experience things first hand, but I can honestly say many of these news and rumor postings seem to be stripping away that coat of magic.

I'm going in 9 days and I'm feeling the same way. And I already know that when my passes are up in October, we won't be renewing.

 

[Maineiak]

Maybe what they do is just not allow small coolers anymore. I can't imagine them stopping every little bag of snacks or whatever but if someone if bringing in a big back full of sandwiches, drinks and snacks I think that's what they want to stop.

It's interesting that this has come up based on our last visit. We typically take in a cooler bag (it hangs over the stroller handle). The last trip, the Security CM actually said to us "you know, you can get free water inside, you don't need to bring in bottled water to the park." We did have more than just bottled water; a few pieces of fruit and an uncrustable for our daughter. As many have stated, our daughter is young enough that she gets "hangry" and this provides a quick way to give her something in between meals.

EDIT: And I'm notoriously cheap...so the cooler bag helps with that too.

 

[artesian]

I would be super upset if they limited me on bringing in water. We go late August when it is surface of the sun temp in the parks. I pack a back pack with 8 waters in the morning and 6 if we go back at night. With a fam of 4 we do go through at 10-12 a day. I don't want to deal with the hassles of finding a QS or TS location to ask for ice water. They are really starting to beyond nickle and dime the public on this if it were to happen

 

[larissawbb]

One thing that most people forget about is the cases of multiple food allergies that some have. I know a lot of parents prefer the safety that comes from bringing your own food. My husband has celiac and a number of tourist places are awful about a couple Lara bars.

 

[Eoghann]

I appreciate the value that people have for carrying food and drinks into the parks, but I have to say that I've enjoyed my most recently visits wholly unencumbered by backpacks or other things to carry during my day.

If you have the extra money it's nice, but it can be quite a lot of extra money if you're a snacker.

There's also the matter of whiny young kids when the snack line is 15 minutes long...

I doubt they'd go after snacks for toddlers or bottle water, coolers though...

 

[rteetz]

Shanghai TV spot

 

[rteetz]

News

Private dining hours changing at AKL

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/03/private-dining-hours-changing-at-animal.html?m=1

 

[SouthFayetteFan]

Ability to reserve additional fastpasses (4, 5, etc...) from your phone possibly coming in April 2016.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymag...o-big-new-features-coming-soon-to-mymagic.htm

Also comments on storymaker which just isn't as exciting to me.

 

[rteetz]

Ability to reserve additional fastpasses (4, 5, etc...) from your phone possibly coming in April 2016.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/mymag...o-big-new-features-coming-soon-to-mymagic.htm

Also comments on storymaker which just isn't as exciting to me.

Yep posted this in its own thread!

 

[cmash95]

you used to not be able to take any food or water into the parks unless you have something from a doctor that shows food alergies. They started allowing it in because it was getting too much for security to confiscate it as well as resort guests were bringing food from the hotels. There are water fountains in the parks and the water is nice and cold as I have used it several times and you can get cups of ice from restaurants. also universal was limitting food and drinks into their parks awhile back, even if it's unopened

 

[soniam]

you used to not be able to take any food or water into the parks unless you have something from a doctor that shows food alergies. They started allowing it in because it was getting too much for security to confiscate it as well as resort guests were bringing food from the hotels. There are water fountains in the parks and the water is nice and cold as I have used it several times and you can get cups of ice from restaurants. also universal was limitting food and drinks into their parks awhile back, even if it's unopened

I think the water fountain water gets real nasty once it gets to room temp. Also, waiting in line at a QS can take a long time sometimes. Also, the cups are just wasteful and not environmentally friendly. I drink a lot of water due to medications and nasal allergies. I don't want to have to search out water at RD. I wish they had water bottle filling stations, like Universal. Universal only blocked food/drink last year for Mardi Gras. I didn't hear anything about it for Mardi Gras this year. Bringing in small snacks and a water bottle, or two, per person is not unreasonable in my opinion. Also, anything necessary to feed an infant should be allowed.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

Well...it's been awhile so here goes:

Fastpasses for fireworks and parades are the DUMBEST idea I've seen them roll out in years. But apparently quite tasty to lemmings

Fastpass for Wishes was 100% worth it. The family got to spread out...the youngest didn't even have to get out of his stroller. The oldest got to sit down for the entire show. DW and I got to relax without another family within 10 feet of us in any direction and have a perfect view of the projection show and the fireworks. The best part was that we arrived right as the projection show was starting so we didn't waste a second of park time to get the perfect spot for both. Not happy that it's not available anymore.

 

[Mac30188]

you used to not be able to take any food or water into the parks unless you have something from a doctor that shows food alergies. They started allowing it in because it was getting too much for security to confiscate it as well as resort guests were bringing food from the hotels. There are water fountains in the parks and the water is nice and cold as I have used it several times and you can get cups of ice from restaurants. also universal was limitting food and drinks into their parks awhile back, even if it's unopened

The problem is not the limiting of snacks and water. The problem is if you are going to cut the staff to increase the wait times combined with removing of the ability to bring pacifying snacks for small children will result in unhappiness not for just the child, but every human being in earshot of the child. IMHO, if you are going to put a hardline on food, however you better provide enough staff to allow children to have quick access to snacks. As this is contrary to Disney wanting to decrease staff, it would make sense for them to be very careful how they implement stricter food. You want to keep families from bringing in a cooler and full picnic, that makes sense. You want to take away pretzels from parents waiting in a 45 minute food line. Not very magical.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

Different people have different priorities. Your problem isn't so much that lol thinks they are silly and unnecessary, it's that Disney has decided that they are no longer important. There is so much varied space in the hub now, I suspect you'll still be able to find a great spot.

When we were there in February the hub was jam packed as was Main Street. That's what made the fastpass worth it. No need to line up an hour ahead of time to have a great spot to see the show.

 

[smitch425]

Fastpass for Wishes was 100% worth it. The family got to spread out...the youngest didn't even have to get out of his stroller. The oldest got to sit down for the entire show. DW and I got to relax without another family within 10 feet of us in any direction and have a perfect view of the projection show and the fireworks. The best part was that we arrived right as the projection show was starting so we didn't waste a second of park time to get the perfect spot for both. Not happy that it's not available anymore.

Wait. What? The Wishes FP is gone???

 

[rteetz]

Wait. What? The Wishes FP is gone???

For now yes.