News Round Up 2016

[mikepizzo]

I was referencing this:

"it was explained that The Springs Visitor Center, where guests will be able to sit, charge phones, and make dining reservations, will have Cast Members that will help tell the story with the help of seven watercolor paintings representing each of the neighborhoods of Disney Springs."

I know the big press dog and pony show is going to be well staffed. That's the nature of the beast. I also realize, that the Welcome Center will be staffed. That quote makes it sound like Disney want to be sure there's always someone on hand to tell you about The Spring's glorious industrial era.

This basically means that there will be 7 paintings on the wall and if you ask a Cast Member about them, they should be able to tell you a little bit more than the plaque next to the painting.

It's all with the theme. How lack luster would it be if Disney said, "Yeah...we'll have college kids behind a desk that can, like, log into your My Disney Experience profile for you and make dinner reservations for you, or whatever."

These types of Disney quotes are always so much more than reality, obviously. While I don't remember what it was like when Everest was in the works, I could image Disney saying something like, "You will assist a hunting party in tracking down one of the most mysterious creatures of all time, The Yeti. But beware, danger lurks atop the mountain. Experience the wonder and majestic that is 'Expedition Everest - Legend of the Forbidden Mountain'.

 

[rteetz]

I haven't seen Wishes from either the Tomorrowland Terrace or the Plaza Garden, but I would think the Plaza Garden has a better view? If that's true, shouldn't the guests that booked in advance get the better of the two views? Or is this Disney conditioning people to spend in the moment to get the best stuff?

I think yes the plaza has the better view but those in the terrace are more secluded and don't have to deal with crowds and get to sit at a table. I think there are pros and cons to each place.

 

[Disneymom1126]

Alright guys, another thread has just po'd me off enough to seek "oracle" realism input. As this is the most cut throat audience (said with honest respect), I'm out of my rainbow filled shadow to seek you. We're new to the party, having just found Disney a couple of years ago. It started as a "one and done" 2wk trip. Even my rosey colored TA friend (who I liken to the man in the van "want some candy lil girl" bc our new obsession is her fault) is scratching her head over all the greedy money pinching moves Disney is making this year. Obviously you guys are worn and true veterans, I can see it in your posts. And through it all, obviously something keeps you coming back (even if a love/hate affair). Have you ever seen a time like this, with so much being taken away, changed, etc; to see a rebound? This is the 1st year we're upgrading to AP, with 2 2016 trips booked and hopeful yearly visits planned til at least 2020. Bc as long as DD is obsessed and still wants her eventual senior trip to be a Disney Cruise and park at the end with her parents (v/s send me to the beach alone w/friends), we'll continue to feed the obsession (victory was had when cute boy bands came off the walls for Mickey & Minnie this past Christmas). Gotta be real, this year seems really sucky. I mean really. When fan bloggers I follow call war, something is awry. I've been more po'd than excited planning our trips. Obviously I'm still hoping things will take a turn for the better. And obviously I want to hear it will. But, being a fan of reality; I'm now brave enough to ask for it straight. Remember though, I'm used to rainbow land. Please be nice (at least to me, I don't care how much shade you throw Disney)...

I think for me part of it is that we always have a great time when we go and it fuels our desire to go back. Having said that, I think all of these add-ons, etc. are really easy consumer traps. None of them are really necessary in order to enjoy the parks and the time with your family. I can just as easily get an ice cream sundae from The Plaza and enjoy the fireworks (albeit with thousands of other people) for the cost of the ice cream versus spend $60 per person to get a few desserts. Is it tempting to be in a space that is less crowded to see the fireworks, sure...is it necessary...no. Same thing goes for so many other things that have been added on over the past few years. Same thing with things like all the dining costs. Is it nice to eat a sit down meal every day...sure...is it necessary to enjoy your time there..no. For this trip, we will save over $250 by not doing the dining plan and only eating at a few table service meals at restaurants we really enjoy. I guess my point is that Disney markets these experiences in ways that make people feel like they need that "extra special magic/pixie dust" to have a good vacation....and let's face it...they are really great at marketing these experiences if you think about what you actually get for your money. It seems like they are pushing more and more of these experiences out over the last few years, but there's also obviously a market for them and they will continue to do it until consumers stop responding. They don't really affect our plans at all or we plan around them. I get way more excited about being able to rope drop AK and ride EE 5 times in a row with no wait than I do some cupcakes...so as long as they don't mess with that I'm good.

 

[mikepizzo]

I think yes the plaza has the better view but those in the terrace are more secluded and don't have to deal with crowds and get to sit at a table. I think there are pros and cons to each place.

Ah, you get to sit and eat while you watch the fireworks at the Tomorrowland Terrance, as opposed to standing and not eating in the Plaza Garden. Ok...I can see that. You're definitely right...pros and cons.

Have you ever watched Wishes from in front of the Tomorrowland Terrace? Kind of near the corner of the Laugh Floor? The little walkway between the two arrows I put on the map?

 

[Spacedog1975]

News

Looks like there was a reason for getting rid of FP at MK for Wishes...

http://www.disboards.com/threads/changes-to-mk-wishes-dessert-party-same-day-reservations.3502884/

#ThanksShanghai

Exactly what I was waiting for to make the dessert party worthwhile. A limited time to eat with a huge crush of people, and then being escorted away from the food by the time the fireworks start. Magical!

 

[rteetz]

Ah, you get to sit and eat while you watch the fireworks at the Tomorrowland Terrance, as opposed to standing and not eating in the Plaza Garden. Ok...I can see that. You're definitely right...pros and cons.

Have you ever watched Wishes from in front of the Tomorrowland Terrace? Kind of near the corner of the Laugh Floor? The little walkway between the two arrows I put on the map?

View attachment 163086

No I have never watched wishes over there.

 

[rteetz]

News

Media is getting a behind the scenes look at the frozen ride in Norway today. No pics or video allowed.

 

[Bay Max]

Alright guys, another thread has just po'd me off enough to seek "oracle" realism input. As this is the most cut throat audience (said with honest respect), I'm out of my rainbow filled shadow to seek you. We're new to the party, having just found Disney a couple of years ago. It started as a "one and done" 2wk trip. Even my rosey colored TA friend (who I liken to the man in the van "want some candy lil girl" bc our new obsession is her fault) is scratching her head over all the greedy money pinching moves Disney is making this year. Obviously you guys are worn and true veterans, I can see it in your posts. And through it all, obviously something keeps you coming back (even if a love/hate affair). Have you ever seen a time like this, with so much being taken away, changed, etc; to see a rebound? This is the 1st year we're upgrading to AP, with 2 2016 trips booked and hopeful yearly visits planned til at least 2020. Bc as long as DD is obsessed and still wants her eventual senior trip to be a Disney Cruise and park at the end with her parents (v/s send me to the beach alone w/friends), we'll continue to feed the obsession (victory was had when cute boy bands came off the walls for Mickey & Minnie this past Christmas). Gotta be real, this year seems really sucky. I mean really. When fan bloggers I follow call war, something is awry. I've been more po'd than excited planning our trips. Obviously I'm still hoping things will take a turn for the better. And obviously I want to hear it will. But, being a fan of reality; I'm now brave enough to ask for it straight. Remember though, I'm used to rainbow land. Please be nice (at least to me, I don't care how much shade you throw Disney)...

I've been going to WDW since I was a kid in the early 80's. What makes things seem different to me now is that there is a unique blend between a highly successful Disney Parks division while the corporation as a whole is suffering. In the past when things were lean, I felt like there were means of compensating guests through intentional offerings and unintended situations. For example, after 9/11/01, travel to the parks dropped significantly. I loved going to WDW then... the prices were relatively low, the crowds were low, etc. Now, we're paying more than ever for a WDW trip, the parks are packed, and things are being taken away. Not a good combination. At the moment, Im just not willing to give WDW up. It's something I look forward to every year. But if things continue I might need to reconsider.

 

[dlavender]

Alright guys, another thread has just po'd me off enough to seek "oracle" realism input. As this is the most cut throat audience (said with honest respect), I'm out of my rainbow filled shadow to seek you. We're new to the party, having just found Disney a couple of years ago. It started as a "one and done" 2wk trip. Even my rosey colored TA friend (who I liken to the man in the van "want some candy lil girl" bc our new obsession is her fault) is scratching her head over all the greedy money pinching moves Disney is making this year. Obviously you guys are worn and true veterans, I can see it in your posts. And through it all, obviously something keeps you coming back (even if a love/hate affair). Have you ever seen a time like this, with so much being taken away, changed, etc; to see a rebound? This is the 1st year we're upgrading to AP, with 2 2016 trips booked and hopeful yearly visits planned til at least 2020. Bc as long as DD is obsessed and still wants her eventual senior trip to be a Disney Cruise and park at the end with her parents (v/s send me to the beach alone w/friends), we'll continue to feed the obsession (victory was had when cute boy bands came off the walls for Mickey & Minnie this past Christmas). Gotta be real, this year seems really sucky. I mean really. When fan bloggers I follow call war, something is awry. I've been more po'd than excited planning our trips. Obviously I'm still hoping things will take a turn for the better. And obviously I want to hear it will. But, being a fan of reality; I'm now brave enough to ask for it straight. Remember though, I'm used to rainbow land. Please be nice (at least to me, I don't care how much shade you throw Disney)...

Growing up in Orlando, my family has been life long Disney fanatics. I've carried that over to my own family now, and before our trip last year, it had been 3 years since our last trip. I joined the DIS last year to catch up on changes and get ready for our quick trip, as I wanted to make the most of it. I read the horror stories of FP+ and some of the changes that had occurred since my last trip. I was fully expecting to not have the same great trip that I was used to based on what I had read. We had a great trip on a9 level day on a day where MK was not recommended. FP+ was ok for us, and we used our same commando style and it worked like it always had in the past. The only ride we didn't get to experience was 7DMT, but that was a choice so that we wouldn't miss out on anything else. I based that decision off of these boards, as I wasn't about to give up 120 mins of our day for it. A lot of what is pointed out on this board is accurate. Most people don't want Disney turned into a playground for the elite. I think the criticisms are real and accurate. However, Disney can still be the place it always has been. As was pointed out by PP, block out the negativity while you are there and enjoy it. Most of these changes shouldn't directly effect you. Except when you have to wait 45 minutes for IASW With the changes and lack of development, a great touring plan is more essential than ever. We have always been RD and stay all day people. I think this style is more essential than ever to avoid those IASW waits, and want to ride and see 15-20 attractions in a day. Long winded way of saying, Disney can still be great, but say no to overpriced offerings, and have a great touring plan.

 

[jknc]

Is any actual news coming from these media events at WDW?

 

[mike_71]

Is any actual news coming from these media events at WDW?

Not yet

 

[DisneyBabies]

New menus at Fairfax Fare in Hollywood Studios... looks like staff cutbacks include proofreaders.

Haha! I "auto-correct" as I read, so it took me a long time to see it. I have to spell each word out, letter by letter to figure it out.

 

[jknc]

Not yet

Thanks. Nothing on FEA other than opening "later this summer "

 

[Spacedog1975]

New menus at Fairfax Fare in Hollywood Studios... looks like staff cutbacks include proofreaders.

This is not an error. This is a costcutting measure. You may like their barbequed pork sandwich. Now it's served without sauce, thus barecued. You're welcome for the caloric savings.

 

[rteetz]

Is any actual news coming from these media events at WDW?

Usually no news happens at these events they are just for bloggers and what not to get hyped up.

 

[sunshinemelody]

This is not an error. This is a costcutting measure. You may like their barbequed pork sandwich. Now it's served without sauce, thus barecued. You're welcome for the caloric savings.

 

[rteetz]

News

Price increases for drinks at quick service locations.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ease-at-snack-and-quick-service-locations.htm

 

[ChipnDale79]

News

Price increases for drinks at quick service locations.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ease-at-snack-and-quick-service-locations.htm

I almost think we should create a sticky just for price increases and cuts haha.

 

[rteetz]

News

From the media sneak peek at Frozen Ever After.

The attraction will take place after the movie. The ride opens this summer. Rune stones will have carvings from maelstrom on them at the royal sommerhaus to pay homage to the old attraction.

 

[sunshinemelody]

Not really a round up, but it's different. Don't know if anyone mentioned it yet but there's a new feature on the Resorts portion of the WDW website.

Being able to see how many times people have booked a certain resort in the last 24 hours seems like a smart idea. Kind of cool actually.