News Round Up 2016

[thorp8]

I was really hoping that Star Wars land would be in the Star Tours / Indy area, and back into the parking lot/expanded area. I may be reading too much into this, but the new concept art for Toy Story Land really does look like it might have Star Wars Land behind it to the left. Makes sense based on the closures back there, but I was still hoping for this to be more for new support areas and maybe a future new area not announced.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ws-changes-from-the-original-announcement.htm

 

[Budshark]

News

45th anniversary logos revealed

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...kingdom-45th-anniversary-merchandise-artwork/

My wife added October 1st to our next trip hoping they would have some events for the 45th (not expecting a lot, but something). The merchandise is at least a step in the direction that she may be right... (holding out hope for a $250 breakfast, and $300 hard ticket night time event!)

 

[rteetz]

My wife added October 1st to our next trip hoping they would have some events for the 45th (not expecting a lot, but something). The merchandise is at least a step in the direction that she may be right... (holding out hope for a $250 breakfast, and $300 hard ticket night time event!)

You'll probably get some pins and cupcakes!

 

[Budshark]

I was really hoping that Star Wars land would be in the Star Tours / Indy area, and back into the parking lot/expanded area. I may be reading too much into this, but the new concept art for Toy Story Land really does look like it might have Star Wars Land behind it to the left. Makes sense based on the closures back there, but I was still hoping for this to be more for new support areas and maybe a future new area not announced.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ws-changes-from-the-original-announcement.htm

Concept is concept... even the last of the NFL concept images don't match reality. Particularly around layout and proportions... showing "dead" space next to the expansion isn't exciting. Showing a "hint" of Star Wars land is.

All I'm saying is there is an equal chance this means something or means nothing.

 

[rteetz]

I was really hoping that Star Wars land would be in the Star Tours / Indy area, and back into the parking lot/expanded area. I may be reading too much into this, but the new concept art for Toy Story Land really does look like it might have Star Wars Land behind it to the left. Makes sense based on the closures back there, but I was still hoping for this to be more for new support areas and maybe a future new area not announced.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ws-changes-from-the-original-announcement.htm

It stil might be. There is more on this in the DHS construction thread.

 

[skier_pete]

That's just a march thing that's not the stage show. The stage show isn't very good either though.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-away-debuts-at-disneys-hollywood-studios.htm

I watched the video earlier today. Big Star Wars fan - but boy this is pretty lame. Having each character come out one at a time for 20 seconds over a 15 minute video seems poor. Good for the kiddies that just want to see the characters, but as an adult - blech.

I think the tree looks really nice but I do think they have a problem until Avatar opens. What are people supposed to do in the park at night?

I haven't seen it talked about much in this thread - but they are hosting some sort of entertainment shows in Africa and I think Asia with live entertainment. I think they really are trying to put things in to keep people occupied until Avatar is opened.

As far as I know it's been a signature for years. I would guess ever since it because two credits on the dining plan. I've never known it as anything other than that.

CRT has been a two TS credit "signature" restaurant almost since the DDP was implemented - I think there was a short time where it was 1 credit, but that was changed quickly when they realized how much it was "worth". This restaurant has been (a) overpriced and (b) under quality FOREVER, back to the days of King Stefan's Banquet Hall (remember the days when Sleeping Beauty had a restaurant in Cinderella's castle?) Actually we've been there a few times over the last 10 years when our DD was young. The food isn't nearly as bad as the reputation, it's actually pretty good, but what you pay it certainly isn't worth that.

 

[Bay Max]

I was really hoping that Star Wars land would be in the Star Tours / Indy area, and back into the parking lot/expanded area. I may be reading too much into this, but the new concept art for Toy Story Land really does look like it might have Star Wars Land behind it to the left. Makes sense based on the closures back there, but I was still hoping for this to be more for new support areas and maybe a future new area not announced.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ws-changes-from-the-original-announcement.htm

The coaster seems a bit bigger and more involved than I initially thought.

 

[jlundeen]

CRT has been a two TS credit "signature" restaurant almost since the DDP was implemented - I think there was a short time where it was 1 credit, but that was changed quickly when they realized how much it was "worth". This restaurant has been (a) overpriced and (b) under quality FOREVER, back to the days of King Stefan's Banquet Hall (remember the days when Sleeping Beauty had a restaurant in Cinderella's castle?) Actually we've been there a few times over the last 10 years when our DD was young. The food isn't nearly as bad as the reputation, it's actually pretty good, but what you pay it certainly isn't worth that.

my biggest reason to never go back to CRT is the fact that no matter how GOOD the food is (or isn't), the fact that they stick to the rigid "no alcohol" policy just makes it a non-starter. Not saying that I HAVE to have that glass of wine with a wonderful steak or fish dish, but having a soda (which we don't drink at all anyway) or water just doesn't cut it.

I'd rather go to BOG where the food also is mediocre, but at least having a glass of wine with that steak helps makes it better. The Castle is cool, but, seeing all the Princesses not a MUST for us as, so far and for the foreseeable future, there are no little princesses in our extended family.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Yes, I'm glad you mentioned DHS and Epcot having all those other options near by. That is a luxury that DAK does not have. Unless everyone will head over to AKL for Boma, Sanaa or Jiku.

I was just going to add, we often will go over to AKL to eat lunch at Sanaa .... get great views of the animals while you eat and the food is great. Good break from the heat to as AK always seems warmer than the other parks to me.

It's a quick bus ride over so similar as going to a resort from the other parks I think (not to say AK couldn't still use another sit-down option, but there are options)

 

[jade1]

The unfortunate reality is it is seen by many as a half-day park..

Agreed. Yet only ONE non Disney park in the world had higher attendance than AK-Universal Japan. If I'm reading that correctly. Amazing really.

I think that's why people are mad at-not it took so long to expand.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I disagree I think it's much more than a zoo. My local zoo doesn't have half the stuff AK does.

just as a point of comparison, we went to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in October and it was really cool - but it showed to me how much better Disney does themeing and just hiding fences, etc.

and certainly nothing like Expedition Everest there

 

[TheMaxRebo]

CRT has been a two TS credit "signature" restaurant almost since the DDP was implemented - I think there was a short time where it was 1 credit, but that was changed quickly when they realized how much it was "worth". This restaurant has been (a) overpriced and (b) under quality FOREVER, back to the days of King Stefan's Banquet Hall (remember the days when Sleeping Beauty had a restaurant in Cinderella's castle?) Actually we've been there a few times over the last 10 years when our DD was young. The food isn't nearly as bad as the reputation, it's actually pretty good, but what you pay it certainly isn't worth that.

I have to say, we did it for breakfast and really enjoyed it. The food was quite good and they brought extra so we were stuffed by the time we left. The princess interaction was good to very good and the kids had a blast and the room is quite beautiful

plus cheaper than dinner (not cheap, but not as expensive)

 

[lockedoutlogic]

CRT has been a two TS credit "signature" restaurant almost since the DDP was implemented - I think there was a short time where it was 1 credit, but that was changed quickly when they realized how much it was "worth". This restaurant has been (a) overpriced and (b) under quality FOREVER, back to the days of King Stefan's Banquet Hall (remember the days when Sleeping Beauty had a restaurant in Cinderella's castle?) Actually we've been there a few times over the last 10 years when our DD was young. The food isn't nearly as bad as the reputation, it's actually pretty good, but what you pay it certainly isn't worth that.

Incorrect...if you're gonna use Disneys lame terminology...then please apply it properly.
Cinderella's is an overpriced meat market...let's not muddle the waters of these "food rankings"

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

News

Fantasia fairways mini golf will be closed for refurb April 4th to April 20th.

Dang it again!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

As an aside...

I just completed one of the resort surveys for the first time in years...and here were the most interesting things on the "axe list"

1. Mini golf
2. Greeters at resorts
3. Visa

The visa questions - as previously reported - were very interesting.

"What would you do if visa was no longer accepted"?

My response: "tell my kids about how I USED to go to Disney parks"

Terminal fees...that's what the stockholders want to dicker with for profits?

Good job, Bob.

After lunch...float another billion to the Chinese government, huh?

 

[mcd2745]

As an aside...

I just completed one of the resort surveys for the first time in years...and here were the most interesting things on the "axe list"

1. Mini golf
2. Greeters at resorts
3. Visa

1. If they had made them a lot easier to get to, I think they would be very busy/successful. Why not move it to Disney Springs? We would certainly go play if they were much more accessible via Disney transportation.

2. I don't even think I would notice.

3. still baffling. gotta think it would result in some number of people not going who otherwise would on their Visa card. may not be a huge number in the grand scheme of things, but still doesn't make sense to essentially turn people away.

 

[Eoghann]

just as a point of comparison, we went to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in October and it was really cool - but it showed to me how much better Disney does themeing and just hiding fences, etc.

and certainly nothing like Expedition Everest there

Here's the problem with saying it's not a Zoo. When you get there the first thing you can do is look at animal exhibits. Then you're given lots of ecological information, encouraged to go on a Safari and wander round looking at yet more animals or hop on a train and go pet animals. Which I'll be generous and call "zoolike".

Yes there are other things to do, but a lot of people's reaction to this will be "Hey I thought you said this wasn't a zoo!"

It's a zoo with extras. They need to own that because people who aren't into animals are going to struggle to occupy themselves in that park.

 

[Eoghann]

Agreed. Yet only ONE non Disney park in the world had higher attendance than AK-Universal Japan. If I'm reading that correctly. Amazing really.

I think that's why people are mad at-not it took so long to expand.

It's not that amazing really. If people go to DW for 5 days they'll almost certainly end up in AK at some point. Separate AK from Disney World as a whole (but specifically the Magic Kingdom) and attendance would plummet.

 

[jade1]

It's not that amazing really. If people go to DW for 5 days they'll almost certainly end up in AK at some point. Separate AK from Disney World as a whole (but specifically the Magic Kingdom) and attendance would plummet.

Point is it helds its own as a half day park, that is all.

 

[skier_pete]

Incorrect...if you're gonna use Disneys lame terminology...then please apply it properly.
Cinderella's is an overpriced meat market...let's not muddle the waters of these "food rankings"

What am I saying that's incorrect?