News Round Up 2016

[zaccaglin]

Disneyland Rumor: Disneyland Forever will be retired at the end of the 60th, citing budget costs.

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/06/rumor...rks-to-be-discontinued-for-budgetary-reasons/

All aspects of the 60th are supposed to stop not just the fireworks. I was surprised when I first heard this.

Makes sense to remove them, but makes me sad for my trip in September!

News

It appears Disney has removed Louis from tomorrow's Mickey's Friendship Faire castle show.

Tic Toc Croc has also been missing from the Festival of Fantasy Parade.

Tic Toc Croc also removed from MSEP and the Electrical water pageant. For the pageant they removed the barge physically and took it to dry dock, audio still plays tho.

News/Update

Fences are going up along the beach at Grand Floridian

More of ropes and poles. Watched them work today while I passed on the Monorail, not wasting anytime.

Rumor

New budget for Toy Story Land.... $268 million.

Quick service and restrooms were combined to save costs. Lift hill on slinky dog and board game props cut. Imagineers threw a little fit with the budget cuts and told management they were cutting Als Toy Barn the retail location too.

Opening in the second half of 2018

Heard a rumor that the QSR is to be Pizza Planet again, muppets eatery would receive a menu overhaul after it opens.

 

[zaccaglin]

Rumor

Wishes perminitly leaving at end of year. To be replaced with something of the Disneyland Forever caliber. Star Wars Fireworks was to be all of WDWs pyro team to train on a projection/pyro type show. From tonight's premier id say they're ready to move on!

 

[skier_pete]

But the way...what did i miss, big fella?

I was joshing you because the last time Disney opened a bunch of stuff you came on and said nothing's happening right now.

You want to wave the pom poms
For these?

I don't know that everyone's doing backflips, but really you are constantly complaining about how Disney doesn't update anything and things are around for years without change. Then they take the Soarin' movie and replace it, and you say - "Oh that's a zero sum benefit". So which is it? They should replace/update things? Or replacing/updating things is worthless?

I just would continue to argue that opening massive projects such as Avatar-land isn't the only thing they should be doing. Doing what they are doing this year is exactly what should be happening EVERY year. The big projects will be coming Fast and Furious in the next few years - but to me normally those should be an every 2-3 year opening thing. The stuff you deem not worthy - New Frozen Ride, Night-time at AK, Soarin, Fireworks at DHS - things like this should happen every year - and yes, people should be excited for it. We can't expect them to completely redo 4 theme parks every year...but refresh 1 or 2 items in each park? That's a GOOD thing.

Now Disney Springs - that's an odd one because it is probably something that was needed, but in my case I find it a near total non-benefit. But I'm (and my family) are not big shoppers. If I go to DS for 2-3 hours per trip it's a lot, and rarely spend much other than maybe a meal. They would get that money from me anyways if DS wasn't there - what they lost from me is the money I spent at Pleasure Island. Now I just hang at my resort in the evening - not spending.

Rumor

Wishes perminitly leaving at end of year. To be replaced with something of the Disneyland Forever caliber. Star Wars Fireworks was to be all of WDWs pyro team to train on a projection/pyro type show. From tonight's premier id say they're ready to move on!

So it's interesting that within a few days of each other, two rumors pop up. One is that Disneyland Forever is going away because it's too expensive, and the other is that Wishes is going to be replaced with a Disneyland Forever style show. I realize the two parks are managed by different teams, but I have a hard time believing BOTH these things to be true.

 

[GrandAdmiralStrife]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: If they are not going to do Pizza Planet right and have it like in the movies then don't bother making it at all. QS since it is just pizza, but it's the setting they need to nail, and I have zero faith that they will do it.
Disney needs to get a fire lit under their collective rears and get it in gear, because after DHS they need to focus on a complete overhaul of Innoventions/Universe of Energy/Spaceship Earth if they want to celebrate EPCOT 50 properly.

 

[skier_pete]

they need to focus on a complete overhaul of Innoventions/Universe of Energy/Spaceship Earth if they want to celebrate EPCOT 50 properly.

Epcot 50th - you do realize that's in 2032 - which is 16 years away - right? I think the next thing to worry about is MK 50th. That's 5 years away.

I just wanted to say that while I appreciate all the folks that post videos - I find myself avoiding watching them. This upcoming trip is the first in a while that's going to have a lot of new stuff, and I am sort of excited to not know exactly what that will entail. So things like the Soarin' film and the fireworks, I just don't really want to look at?

Anyone else feel the same way? Or does curiosity overwhelm the desire for surprise.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Epcot 50th - you do realize that's in 2032 - which is 16 years away - right? I think the next thing to worry about is MK 50th. That's 5 years away.

I just wanted to say that while I appreciate all the folks that post videos - I find myself avoiding watching them. This upcoming trip is the first in a while that's going to have a lot of new stuff, and I am sort of excited to not know exactly what that will entail. So things like the Soarin' film and the fireworks, I just don't really want to look at?

Anyone else feel the same way? Or does curiosity overwhelm the desire for surprise.

It is taking a lot of will power on my end not to watch the new Star Wars Fireworks or the new Soarin' video and even the new Castle show.

My trip is in about 5 weeks and want to be surprised- hopefully I can hold out

My daughter just asked if we can watch a video of the new Frozen ride when it is available and I told her "no, we will be surprised"

 

[GrandAdmiralStrife]

anything for MK50 would already need to be in the pipeline; just look at DHS, how long has Star Wars and Toys Land been in the planning/budget stage? Figure SW/ToysLand opens 2022/23 and that leaves good amount of time for the Imagineers to give full attention to EPCOT. Besides, they've been constantly at work in MK for as long as I can remember, to the point where the family has given the construction crane at the castle the nickname of 'Icabod' since it's always there.

 

[rteetz]

Rumor

Wishes perminitly leaving at end of year. To be replaced with something of the Disneyland Forever caliber. Star Wars Fireworks was to be all of WDWs pyro team to train on a projection/pyro type show. From tonight's premier id say they're ready to move on!

Id be ok with that.

 

[mum22girlz]

I just wanted to say that while I appreciate all the folks that post videos - I find myself avoiding watching them. This upcoming trip is the first in a while that's going to have a lot of new stuff, and I am sort of excited to not know exactly what that will entail. So things like the Soarin' film and the fireworks, I just don't really want to look at?

Long time lurker, love this thread! We are heading down in October and I have been avoiding all videos and most photos. I want it to be completely new when I get to see all of the new stuff.

 

[rteetz]

anything for MK50 would already need to be in the pipeline; just look at DHS, how long has Star Wars and Toys Land been in the planning/budget stage? Figure SW/ToysLand opens 2022/23 and that leaves good amount of time for the Imagineers to give full attention to EPCOT. Besides, they've been constantly at work in MK for as long as I can remember, to the point where the family has given the construction crane at the castle the nickname of 'Icabod' since it's always there.

Star Wars and toy story doesn't open that late. 2018 and 2019.

 

[LSLS]

I'm the oppoaite, I love seeing the videos and knowing what to expect.

 

[skier_pete]

anything for MK50 would already need to be in the pipeline; just look at DHS, how long has Star Wars and Toys Land been in the planning/budget stage? Figure SW/ToysLand opens 2022/23 and that leaves good amount of time for the Imagineers to give full attention to EPCOT. Besides, they've been constantly at work in MK for as long as I can remember, to the point where the family has given the construction crane at the castle the nickname of 'Icabod' since it's always there.

I am not sure that I expect any sort of big expansion along the lines of SWE for MK50. I would bet they DO have plans in the pipeline. Realistically seeing as Star Wars is starting now and expecting to open in 2019, they would have to probably start actual physical work on anything in MK in 2018.

 

[SureAsLiz]

Tic Toc Croc also removed from MSEP and the Electrical water pageant. For the pageant they removed the barge physically and took it to dry dock, audio still plays tho

Just to add to the list, they do still have the crocodiles in Fantasmic! during the Lion King portion

Rumor

Wishes perminitly leaving at end of year. To be replaced with something of the Disneyland Forever caliber. Star Wars Fireworks was to be all of WDWs pyro team to train on a projection/pyro type show. From tonight's premier id say they're ready to move on

If it's Disneyland Forever style, then I'm all for it. But if it's like the new Star Wars, I am not going in with high expectations. I seemed to be in the minority last night, but that show definitely did not deserve the title of 'spectacular'

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I was joshing you because the last time Disney opened a bunch of stuff you came on and said nothing's happening right now.



I don't know that everyone's doing backflips, but really you are constantly complaining about how Disney doesn't update anything and things are around for years without change. Then they take the Soarin' movie and replace it, and you say - "Oh that's a zero sum benefit". So which is it? They should replace/update things? Or replacing/updating things is worthless?
.

Oh...is that what had been going on around here? I must have been hacked by Russian teenagers though...because I'm not "constantly" doing anything.

I believe...what you are referring too...is the somewhat botched launch of the new animal kingdom nighttime offerings in April. And that's not to say they aren't trying...but they are not doing a good enough job of succeeding. Over budget, too long, no urgency, and in many cases underwhelming.

I'm not saying they shouldn't refresh. The soarin change is a good refresh...but it's a 10 year old ride In a park that is so inadequate at this point that you can't use their prebooking system. That they spent 15 years working up. And no point in that development...one of these eggheads couldnt have said "you know...if the attendance keeps getting normal increases based on history...this park is going to be a quagmire"

...well they got 2 of 4 there right now...hall of fame type numbers.

It's a longtime, foreseeable trend...when you decide to be "adequate...not exceptional"...and spend more time tweaking prices at 12:01 am each month than you've cared about what your future is going to be in 5 years.

I'm not picking at people...it's about the crappy Iger management...if you're honest here. No apologies or defenses needed.

But why bother to get cute?

You honestly want to know what the biggest "news" story is? The one that was covered up by sheer chance by the gator accident - the casing of downtown Disney by yet another misguided, loose screw, well armed, social media nut...

...that's what is really concerning, being glossed over...

 

[rteetz]

If it's Disneyland Forever style, then I'm all for it. But if it's like the new Star Wars, I am not going in with high expectations. I seemed to be in the minority last night, but that show definitely did not deserve the title of 'spectacular'

May I ask why you thought that? I watched it on YouTube and thought it looked great. What were you expecting?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Rumor

Wishes perminitly leaving at end of year. To be replaced with something of the Disneyland Forever caliber. Star Wars Fireworks was to be all of WDWs pyro team to train on a projection/pyro type show. From tonight's premier id say they're ready to move on!

Of course...but fundamentally realize that it is a cost saving measure.

It really is about if they can do anything with these and commit to not keeping them for a ridiculous amount of time...like the current fireworks shows.

 

[rteetz]

Oh...is that what had been going on around here? I must have been hacked by Russian teenagers though...because I'm not "constantly" doing anything.

I believe...what you are referring too...is the somewhat botched launch of the new animal kingdom nighttime offerings in April. And that's not to say they aren't trying...but they are not doing a good enough job of succeeding. Over budget, too long, no urgency, and in many cases underwhelming.

I'm not saying they shouldn't refresh. The soarin change is a good refresh...but it's a 10 year old ride In a park that is so inadequate at this point that you can't use their prebooking system. That they spent 15 years working up. And no point in that development...one of these eggheads couldnt have said "you know...if the attendance keeps getting normal increases based on history...this park is going to be a quagmire"

...well they got 2 of 4 there right now...hall of fame type numbers.

It's a longtime, foreseeable trend...when you decide to be "adequate...not exceptional"...and spend more time tweaking prices at 12:01 am each month than you've cared about what your future is going to be in 5 years.

I'm not picking at people...it's about the crappy Iger management...if you're honest here. No apologies or defenses needed.

But why bother to get cute?

You honestly want to know what the biggest "news" story is? The one that was covered up by sheer chance by the gator accident - the casing of downtown Disney by yet another misguided, loose screw, well armed, social media nut...

...that's what is really concerning, being glossed over...

I don't believe the casing of Disney spring was glossed over. It was well reported but when you have a toddler death with all of the world media in Orlando of course that's going to be huge news.

 

[rteetz]

Video

Wdwmagic video of the Star Wars fireworks

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I don't believe the casing of Disney spring was glossed over. It was well reported but when you have a toddler death with all of the world media in Orlando of course that's going to be huge news.

The reality is that it was yanked from the news cycle rather quickly.

People discussed (as did I) the alligator migrations for 4 days now...

Imagine how much "magic" would be inconveniently gone from your package if they have to funadmentally lock the place down? You know what damage it would do to the cash cow?

That...is a major problem for Disney moving forward.

The world is getting nastier - especially in the US - and WDW is high profile.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Without giving anything away for those who want to be surprised, I thought the use of the shape of the Chinese Theater was incredible with the new Star Wars fireworks. Well done, Disney! I was surprised at how well the projections worked.