News Round Up 2016

[lockedoutlogic]

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.

As others have pointed out - rather astutely - the hub wasn't "jam packed" until the fastpasses came into play...

This is a shell game by the mouse...and a clever one. Instead of people just stopping and "looking up" on their way to and from things as in the past...now they have a centralized point/funnel that they seem to be driving everyone into...it gobbles up a lot of bodies from the guts of the park that isn't built to handle there's crowds. Not Much more in mk now than in 1992...with way more people.

Did I mention the fireworks are old and tired? That always seems to get brushed under the rug too...

 

[Travis B]

So forgive my ignorance because I don't keep up with these things... but what changed?

Seriously... what happened? Its like someone woke up with a stick you know where and said... "I'm sick of being the "magical" company. I'm sick of trying to make people happy. I don't care about surveys. Screw em all!" And boom... in a matter of 6 months they've changed the entire company culture from one of the 'Happiest Place on Earth' to one of 'We're just like everyone else - now give us your money and get in line!'

I never thought I'd see the day the LoL looked like an optimist. Much less that it would happen within weeks.

I think this analysis is a little bit dramatic. I don't know that the entire company culture has changed in six months. I understand that there is a perception that profits are becoming more important than guest experience, and I'm not arguing against that perception. However there has been a lot of extreme reaction to rumors - not even well-substantiated rumors. Perhaps it's better to wait and see what actually happens, instead of raging over blue sky speculation.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

So forgive my ignorance because I don't keep up with these things... but what changed?

Seriously... what happened? Its like someone woke up with a stick you know where and said... "I'm sick of being the "magical" company. I'm sick of trying to make people happy. I don't care about surveys. Screw em all!" And boom... in a matter of 6 months they've changed the entire company culture from one of the 'Happiest Place on Earth' to one of 'We're just like everyone else - now give us your money and get in line!'

I never thought I'd see the day the LoL looked like an optimist. Much less that it would happen within weeks.

What's your angle here?

I'm not buying your grieving of "lost magic"

 

[jade1]

For now yes.

Do you mean coming soon it will be gone? Used it last night for the first time ever. Really just to try it. Actually can see why folks liked it, hope it returns for them. We just sat in back against the fence, great view.

Folks seemed a lot more polite in there, not as much last second I will step in front of these folks so I can see and you can't type a thing.

 

[jade1]

Castle View will be a stretch for sure, but it appears it will be somewhat visible anyway-at least from some. This was today on the boat directly between the Castle and some of the shoreline being developed.

 

[Mouse of Mystery]

Wonder also about whether that means ALL food, or just people bringing in coolers and such.

We tend to bring in snacks like pretzels and Pistachios. I would probably continue to bring these in. More upsetting would be if they stopped us from bringing in our bottles of water. I know they give out ice water at the counter service, but I'd much rather be able to re-hydrate whenever I want without having to push through a counter service line-up to get it.

I'm pretty sure that next they're going to be trying to figure out how to charge guests extra for afternoon rain showers.

I get trying to eliminate coolers -- those probably cause slowdowns at security check points; and naturally, they result in a loss of revenue. However, I'm with the folks that have legitimate concerns about losing the ability to bring in a snack for a toddler, or just a standby favorite to munch on while you're in line.
The penny-pinching is bordering on becoming miserly.

 

[Aurora0427]

Interesting. My family has traveled to WDW since I was 9 months old and we have never brought a cooler to the parks. We have brought a small bag of snacks sure but never a cooler. Just my take I guess.

We don't bring coolers either, but I'll bring snacks and sometimes even lunch for my little one. I'll pack her lunch kit with an ice pack. Our eldest eats frequently because she has a super fast metabolism yet eats very small portions, so buying her a snack at the parks once an hour would get very expensive.

 

[Budshark]

I think this analysis is a little bit dramatic. I don't know that the entire company culture has changed in six months. I understand that there is a perception that profits are becoming more important than guest experience, and I'm not arguing against that perception. However there has been a lot of extreme reaction to rumors - not even well-substantiated rumors. Perhaps it's better to wait and see what actually happens, instead of raging over blue sky speculation.

Obviously a bit of hyperbole in my statement however...

There is no wait and see. That ship sailed and they are floating more ideas. So since the message was lost I'll take the sarcasm out.

Did the head of parks change within the last year? Annual passes, single day passes, park entertainment, staffing, food variety have all substantially changed.

Now they are floating a return to no food carry in and resurrecting MyMagic + plans which seemed to be stalled or dead.

It's a lot of change for an incumbent to just decide to take on. Seems like an overall strategy shift.

 

[rteetz]

Do you mean coming soon it will be gone? Used it last night for the first time ever. Really just to try it. Actually can see why folks liked it, hope it returns for them. We just sat in back against the fence, great view.

Folks seemed a lot more polite in there, not as much last second I will step in front of these folks so I can see and you can't type a thing.

That was one of the cuts. I believe in April at least they weren't booking FP for Wishes.

 

[rteetz]

I think this analysis is a little bit dramatic. I don't know that the entire company culture has changed in six months. I understand that there is a perception that profits are becoming more important than guest experience, and I'm not arguing against that perception. However there has been a lot of extreme reaction to rumors - not even well-substantiated rumors. Perhaps it's better to wait and see what actually happens, instead of raging over blue sky speculation.

The source I got the no food thing from is very good I take it as more than blue sky speculation.

 

[rteetz]

Photo update

Universal Orlando photo update

http://micechat.com/120925-demolition-construction-universal-orlando/

 

[leholcomb]

Interesting. My family has traveled to WDW since I was 9 months old and we have never brought a cooler to the parks. We have brought a small bag of snacks sure but never a cooler. Just my take I guess.

We have also never brought a cooler into the park. I just don't see the point in the hassle. Of course, I also don't carry a bag, purse or cameras either. Also a hassle.
I'm honestly not sure why they ever allowed coolers in the first place. I've seen people bring out loaves of bread and full bags of chips and eat INSIDE a quick service taking up a space at a table for paying guests. I asked if I could move them out of the restaurant, my coordinator, unfortunately, said no.
I know it will affect some people, but honestly a small percentage. As a business decision, it seems like a no-brainer.

 

[adam.adbe]

Disney are starting to market the after dusk AK attractions:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/animal-kingdom-night/

 

[LSLS]

Interesting. My family has traveled to WDW since I was 9 months old and we have never brought a cooler to the parks. We have brought a small bag of snacks sure but never a cooler. Just my take I guess.

We sure have. But I mean SMALL cooler that could hold a couple of bottles of milk/formula and maybe an apple or something.

I agree with what others have kind of said. For the first time in a long time, I'm not excited for Disney. I have nothing planned, but this is depressing. I was going to try and run the half again next year, but honestly, if I do, I'm not sure we even head to the parks (or if we do, if it is more than a 2 day pass or so and spend the rest elsewhere).

Also, it's all over the restaurant board, but I haven't seen it on the news board. So for those that don't lurk over there, BOG has raised prices on all of their meals ($24 for a cronut, $14 for Kellogs cereal kids meal).

 

[rteetz]

Disney are starting to market the after dusk AK attractions:

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/animal-kingdom-night/

I was just going to post that.

Here it seems they are getting ready to release times for rivers of light.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/animal-kingdom/rivers-of-light/

 

[TXStormtrooper]

I understand people not wanting Disney to make the move to not allowing outside food/drinks allowed in the parks, but I personally am not going to get all worked up about it when no one really knows what that may or may not actually translate to. I very much appreciate the information being posted here (thank you Ryan), but don't understand the uproar when there are no actual details available yet. I for one choose to take a wait and see approach to these type of things.

 

[rteetz]

News

Looks like a 3 minute light show will take place on the tree of life every so often.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/tree-of-life/

 

[rteetz]

News

A Carnivale on Discovery Island

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/animal-kingdom/discovery-island-carnival/

 

[adam.adbe]

I was just going to post that.

In an infinite universe, I'm going to beat you to the punch at least once.

Here it seems they are getting ready to release times for rivers of light.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/animal-kingdom/rivers-of-light/

Yeah, the calendar is clearly ready to go live.

 

[rteetz]

News

Harambe Wildlife Parti

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/animal-kingdom/harambe-wildlife-parti/