News Round Up 2016

[Reddog1134]

- No plans in WDW to replace MSEP - going to focus on Rivers of Light - article states Rivers of Light expected to open in October. (My note: Oct 21st please!) Soft attendance continues to lead to cost cutting in Florida. (My note: Soft attendance, so you are going to offer LESS? That's a good way to make attendance even softer.)

I guess I’m pretty naïve. I was thinking that Disney kept raising prices because they wanted to reach a point where they were making more money with less guests (less guests = less operating costs). But as soon as they achieve this (attendance was down but profits were up) they start cutting costs even more.

 

[adam.adbe]

I'd be really surprised if MK doesn't get a night parade. I guess they are counting on the fact that everyone will visit MK anyway, and perhaps if AK is the only park to have a night parade they could convince a few people to venture over to AK and give MK a little breathing room? Perhaps they are just going to see if ROL can really have that sort of pull or not before deciding on whether MK will need a replacement. Surprising none the less, especially with the rumors about fall attendance being one of the lowest periods in a few years.

Well running into Halloween and the holiday season, there's enough hard ticket parades that WDW probably see this as a potential money driver. Beyond that, they could probably just run Festival of Fantasy at night to fill in some off days. Come next summer things will start looking pretty thin though. The castle show is looking decidedly dated, and without MSEP bulking it out, MK is probably drifting towards having the least interesting night time show of the four parks (assuming RoL doesn't get butchered).

 

[Irish_Mike]

- MSEP is moving over because WDW is being cheap

Now to keep our fingers crossed for something new.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

News

Interesting Miceage rumor update for Disneyland

http://micechat.com/136176-miceage-...aign=miceage-disneyland-rumor-update-monorail

WOW! LOTS in there - and this is really to me one of the more trusted sites for Disney information - not everything comes to pass, but they are right more than they are wrong. For those that can't take the time to read it - here's a quick summary:

- PTN isn't leaving Disneyland - but it needs some fixes to the floats and the costuming is leading to injuries of performers, so it is being taken down for most of the next 9 months until next summer.
- MSEP is moving over because WDW is being cheap - and DLR wants a parade for while PTN is down and there is no Fantasmic! They are paying for the move and WDW is happy with that.
- No plans in WDW to replace MSEP - going to focus on Rivers of Light - article states Rivers of Light expected to open in October. (My note: Oct 21st please!) Soft attendance continues to lead to cost cutting in Florida. (My note: Soft attendance, so you are going to offer LESS? That's a good way to make attendance even softer.)
- Fantasmic will open with new updated show scenes on July 4th. Rivers of America also expected to be reopened by June.
- Monorail beam is going to be rerouted in 2017 - this is related to restructuring the bus station at the entrance - and expanding DCA into this area for more Marvel stuff.
- GotG changes to Tower of Terror discussed, but particularly that the Pixar Parade may be replaced with a Marvel Parade next year.

And their explanation for what is happening to PTN makes a ton of sense given the laws in California and if there really are a lot of WC claims due to outfits and choreogrpahy, etc.

Also, the description of the GoTG change for ToT makes the ride sound (potentially) pretty interesting.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I agree that they can't / won't go long without a night parade at MK - especially once they get the numerous complaints they are likely to get. I'm guessing that you might see MSEP come back YET again after its engagement in California.

The one thing I didn't mention from the article is that he says PTN is very expensive to run. Seems less likely than ever it will come to WDW then.

I guess I still don't get how much of a draw MSEP was on it's own. We like it and watch it - but we aren't in the park at night to see the parade, it is to see Wishes and the parade just happens to run before that in the same area. Wouldn't most people still come for Wishes whether there is MSEP or not? (I am sure there are some, but just doesn't' strike me as a huge draw on it's own)

Agree with what you are saying about how expensive PTN is to run ... BUT I would think if the costs are (at least partly) tied to paying the performers and the related WC claims they are dealing with I would think that aspect would be cheaper in Florida than California

 

[rteetz]

WOW! LOTS in there - and this is really to me one of the more trusted sites for Disney information - not everything comes to pass, but they are right more than they are wrong. For those that can't take the time to read it - here's a quick summary:

- PTN isn't leaving Disneyland - but it needs some fixes to the floats and the costuming is leading to injuries of performers, so it is being taken down for most of the next 9 months until next summer.
- MSEP is moving over because WDW is being cheap - and DLR wants a parade for while PTN is down and there is no Fantasmic! They are paying for the move and WDW is happy with that.
- No plans in WDW to replace MSEP - going to focus on Rivers of Light - article states Rivers of Light expected to open in October. (My note: Oct 21st please!) Soft attendance continues to lead to cost cutting in Florida. (My note: Soft attendance, so you are going to offer LESS? That's a good way to make attendance even softer.)
- Fantasmic will open with new updated show scenes on July 4th. Rivers of America also expected to be reopened by June.
- Monorail beam is going to be rerouted in 2017 - this is related to restructuring the bus station at the entrance - and expanding DCA into this area for more Marvel stuff.
- GotG changes to Tower of Terror discussed, but particularly that the Pixar Parade may be replaced with a Marvel Parade next year.

The PTN refurb stuff I have heard so id take that as true.

It seems to be lining up that PTN will indeed stay at DL and that MK will indeed be without a nighttime parade.

October seems to be the time frame right now for rivers of light things are progressing so we can remain hopeful.

Fantasmic upgrades match up. Now if only DHS could get them...

I find the marvel parade interesting. I feel Pixar has a broader appeal than marvel but whatever.

 

[rteetz]

THE STORY SO FAR The plans are:
Guardians of the Galaxy inspired ride coming to Universe of Energy
More eating options in Futureworld
Mission Space overhaul
Innoventions mostly gutted and repurposed. New interior layouts. Possible expansion here and there.
New landscaping, place making and "feel" to Futureworld central spine - the area from the entrance, around Spaceship Earth, through the fountain area and out towards showcase.
Proposals for The Land and Imagination, with nothing confirmed nor budgeted for as of yet.
Proposals for additions and updates at various places around Showcase.
Proposed new night time lagoon show in 2-3 years time

This thanks to Martin. The only thing that I don't know if I want is a new Epcot nighttime show. I want an upgraded illuminations but I don't want an IP infested show.

 

[rteetz]

Now to keep our fingers crossed for something new.

WDW is always cheap so they are going to go without a nighttime parade as long as they can.

 

[rteetz]

News

As rumored the new castle stage show is getting seasonal parts and the fall finale was just announced.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...faire-debuts-this-week-at-magic-kingdom-park/

 

[Iowamomof4]

WDW is always cheap so they are going to go without a nighttime parade as long as they can.

What will force them to add one back? It's just hard to see how they will make a decision that a nighttime parade is suddenly needed again. I'm not arguing against one, but I don't see what will force their hand on this one.

 

[rteetz]

News

WDWNT is reporting a refurb is scheduled for RnRc this fall.

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/08/rock-n-roller-coaster-refurbishment-scheduled-fall/

 

[rteetz]

What will force them to add one back? It's just hard to see how they will make a decision that a nighttime parade is suddenly needed again. I'm not arguing against one, but I don't see what will force their hand on this one.

Huge amounts of complaints and lower attendance coupled with lower spending may show the need for one again but there isn't a straight answer for that unfortunately.

 

[skier_pete]

I guess I still don't get how much of a draw MSEP was on it's own. We like it and watch it - but we aren't in the park at night to see the parade, it is to see Wishes and the parade just happens to run before that in the same area. Wouldn't most people still come for Wishes whether there is MSEP or not? (I am sure there are some, but just doesn't' strike me as a huge draw on it's own)

Agree with what you are saying about how expensive PTN is to run ... BUT I would think if the costs are (at least partly) tied to paying the performers and the related WC claims they are dealing with I would think that aspect would be cheaper in Florida than California

Well - I agree that it's likely that the fireworks will keep just as many people in the parks at night - but there are significant people that leave after the parade, so there must be some people for whom it is an important focus. I think those with smaller kids especially would favor the parade over the fireworks, since the loudness of fireworks scare off a lot of kids. (Our DD is 13 and still complains about fireworks.)

I understand WC laws are stronger in California than in Florida - but if employees are getting hurt, I don't think it really matter either way. Those would be performers that I think would be in the union in Florida as well. (Pretty sure the on-stage actors have a union.)

Rumors of lower crowds this fall are interesting - I will be curious to see if it's true. We are going mid-October for the 5th time in the last 11 years - and there has definitely been a steady increase in crowds over that time - I'll be curious to see if "lowest crowds in years" is true. It would certainly be OK by me.

I find the marvel parade interesting. I feel Pixar has a broader appeal than marvel but whatever.

I agree with that - I don't know that it makes much sense to have a purely Marvel parade - but if they are really going all out with putting Marvel into DCA - this could be a nifty selling point for DCA - the "marvel park". Something that might even drive east coasters to head out there.

While WDW is putting in a lot of new stuff - it feels like DLR has a much more coherent plan for their parks.

 

[Iowamomof4]

Rumors of lower crowds this fall are interesting - I will be curious to see if it's true. We are going mid-October for the 5th time in the last 11 years - and there has definitely been a steady increase in crowds over that time - I'll be curious to see if "lowest crowds in years" is true. It would certainly be OK by me.

Was that in the Micechat article? If it was, I missed it.

 

[skier_pete]

Insiders have said that they have plans for a new parade for 50th. What they do between now and then is what insiders are unsure of. But most indicate that something will happen in 2017, just not making it clear what it is.

As for cuts due to attendance -- its debatable what the reason for the cuts are. A lot of posters here will yell and scream about it being about the cost increases. It seems more likely it is due to a lot of other factors, mostly out of their control (Olympics, Brexit, tourism to theme parks down, anticipation/postponement of trips due to what is coming to Disney - Pandora, Toy Story Land and Star wars land). And if you honestly think about it, if the powers that be believe that attendance is down now because of things that will change in a year (for some) and continue to rise in the coming years as well, then making cuts now makes sense. If you are in the camp that attendance is down because of cost, well then these cuts will never make sense and you will have something to complain about till the end of time.

I would agree a new parade is extremely likely for the 50th. I think Disney realizes that there is not a lot new at the moment and some of it (ROL) turned into a fiasco, so they are probably thinking about the future. There's definitely a good argument for the economies in Brazil and UK affecting WDW attendance, and only time will tell what the overall effect is.

But what Disney has done by raising prices so much is make them even MORE dependent on economic prosperity. Trips are so expense now they will be the first thing to go when the economy goes south the next time. (And it WILL at some point.)

Also, I always find it interesting what the insiders say, and I know many here don't see all the post by insiders, but thought this would be interesting to a lot. One of the most reliable (I argue the most reliable) posted this info yesterday about the current state of discussions for things happening to Epcot in the coming years (he was summing everything up for people yesterday):

THE STORY SO FAR The plans are:
Guardians of the Galaxy inspired ride coming to Universe of Energy
More eating options in Futureworld
Mission Space overhaul
Innoventions mostly gutted and repurposed. New interior layouts. Possible expansion here and there.
New landscaping, place making and "feel" to Futureworld central spine - the area from the entrance, around Spaceship Earth, through the fountain area and out towards showcase.
Proposals for The Land and Imagination, with nothing confirmed nor budgeted for as of yet.
Proposals for additions and updates at various places around Showcase.
Proposed new night time lagoon show in 2-3 years time.

All those things are completely plausible at least - sometimes these insiders seem to suggest things that make no sense - and then they don't happen. Again - I think you will see a LOT coming to WDW in the 2019 - 2021 timeframe to coindice with the opening of StarWars land and the 50th. They will be extremely lucky if we don't see an economic downturn in the meantime, though!

 

[rteetz]

lucky if we don't see an economic downturn

And this is what would hurt a lot of the projects...

 

[skier_pete]

Was that in the Micechat article? If it was, I missed it.

No - there is an article here on the DIS about it - on the news page. I think it's more conjecture than actual fact, but sort of presented as fact. The article says "Lowest Park Attendance in Years coming this fall" What they say makes sense, but it is really more "rumor" than "news".

 

[Redcon1]

Huge amounts of complaints and lower attendance coupled with lower spending may show the need for one again but there isn't a straight answer for that unfortunately.

I'm still baffled as to why WDW allowed the Spectromagic floats to rot, especially when the older and less impressive MSEP is still going strong.

This would have been a perfect time for them to update or at least refurbish Spectromagic to cover this non-parade timeframe. Probably would've been cheaper than developing and building a whole new parade.

 

[Iowamomof4]

No - there is an article here on the DIS about it - on the news page. I think it's more conjecture than actual fact, but sort of presented as fact. The article says "Lowest Park Attendance in Years coming this fall" What they say makes sense, but it is really more "rumor" than "news".

We're going right after Thanksgiving and I would love to see low-ish crowds. I'll be anxiously watching for reports from Sept-Oct to see if the low summer crowds were just a result of people pushing their trips off to the fall for better weather or something.

 

[rteetz]

I'm still baffled as to why WDW allowed the Spectromagic floats to rot, especially when the older and less impressive MSEP is still going strong.

This would have been a perfect time for them to update or at least refurbish Spectromagic to cover this non-parade timeframe. Probably would've been cheaper than developing and building a whole new parade.

Than was the plan originally. MSEP came to WDW so Spectro could be refurbished and what not but of course things didn't go that was and Spectro was left outside far to long to be saved.