News Round Up 2016

[rteetz]

News

Christmas parade taping looks to be November 10-12

 

[saskdw]

Nothing as of yet but I have to think it involves entertainment. I know Disney Springs hasn't been the draw they hoped and adding some entertainment options might get people there.

When you say it hasn't been the draw they hoped....does that mean less people are going to DS than DTD....or does that mean they were hoping for a huge increase in traffic and that hasn't happened?

I haven't seen it yet, but my family is excited about the new DS. No,not Star Wars land excited....but our trips are generally 2 weeks and DS looks like a decent place for some downtime.

 

[rteetz]

When you say it hasn't been the draw they hoped....does that mean less people are going to DS than DTD....or does that mean they were hoping for a huge increase in traffic and that hasn't happened?

I haven't seen it yet, but my family is excited about the new DS. No,not Star Wars land excited....but our trips are generally 2 weeks and DS looks like a decent place for some downtime.

The increase isn't there. Disney was hoping to attract locals but that hasn't happened much either. Stores aren't seeing the sales they were promised. I would say the people who would've went to DS before it became DS are still going to DS.

 

[thepops]

This is actually really really good news. Like really good. This means they're actually committed to real enhancements. This is seeming to be something along the lines of the excellent Pirates of the Caribbean Refurb of last year.

This also gives me hope for the yeti.

You mean the Dinosaur cars are going to take on water too?

 

[twebber55]

The increase isn't there. Disney was hoping to attract locals but that hasn't happened much either. Stores aren't seeing the sales they were promised. I would say the people who would've went to DS before it became DS are still going to DS.

agreed
DS hasnt quite lived up to what they want although by 2019 numbers will be up quite a bit. Also NFL has been a success, 6% jump in attendance to MK and SDMT has some of the longest waits on property
BTW Avatar and Star Wars will have much bigger impacts on the parks

 

[skier_pete]

So I forgot to mention yesterday the picture stuff at Spaceship Earth is still down. I didn't bother the CM about it because I am sure they are sick of answering every 20 seconds 12 hours a day.

I suspect the issue that will come from Star Wars land will be "Too crowded" and. "Not enough stuff to do" I very much doubt ride quality will be an issue, they know they need home runs here.

I got some shots of TSL and SWL construction but can't upload from my camera. Will do this when I get back.

They're were some Viking guys roaming around Norway messing with the tourists. One took a guests lightsaber and was testing it like a sword. He stabbed his friends shield and screen e am when it collapsed. I hadn't heard about this going on. Anyone know if it's new?

 

[LSLS]

They're were some Viking guys roaming around Norway messing with the tourists. One took a guests lightsaber and was testing it like a sword. He stabbed his friends shield and screen e am when it collapsed. I hadn't heard about this going on. Anyone know if it's new?

I thought they started around the Frozen debut. People really liked them, they seem to do a great job.

 

[rteetz]

They're were some Viking guys roaming around Norway messing with the tourists. One took a guests lightsaber and was testing it like a sword. He stabbed his friends shield and screen e am when it collapsed. I hadn't heard about this going on. Anyone know if it's new?

They have been there since frozen opened.

 

[Travis B]

Innovation is the X factor on this...


People love Star Wars...in huge numbers...but if they could combine that with something unique? It would change the entire ground game in parks. It could support large price increases, ancillary sales and then be added to Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong to solidify them...

But...what they've leaked is "safe" and doesn't innovate. At least not yet. They have an adopted successful ride system to be "kid interactive"...and they are touting a "fly the milenium falcon" ride that sounds like star tours with a service attached to a button and some digital footage...like mission space.
Now...if Star Wars continues to grow...then in optimistic that perhaps there will be more additions to the land...maybe a lucasfilm relaunch with Indy that's another really themed land...MGM becomes "little brother" no more?

Always in motion...the future is...

I'm agreeing with you way too much today. It's kind of freaking me out.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm agreeing with you way too much today. It's kind of freaking me out.

The dark side of the force is a pathway to many things that some would consider "unnatural"

 

[lockedoutlogic]

So I forgot to mention yesterday the picture stuff at Spaceship Earth is still down. I didn't bother the CM about it because I am sure they are sick of answering every 20 seconds 12 hours a day.

I suspect the issue that will come from Star Wars land will be "Too crowded" and. "Not enough stuff to do" I very much doubt ride quality will be an issue, they know they need home runs here.

I got some shots of TSL and SWL construction but can't upload from my camera. Will do this when I get back.

They're were some Viking guys roaming around Norway messing with the tourists. One took a guests lightsaber and was testing it like a sword. He stabbed his friends shield and screen e am when it collapsed. I hadn't heard about this going on. Anyone know if it's new?

But here's the thing: the customers aren't asking for it...they are taking whatever is given. We're in a bad era for the consumer. It seems vastly different than times past.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

agreed
DS hasnt quite lived up to what they want although by 2019 numbers will be up quite a bit. Also NFL has been a success, 6% jump in attendance to MK and SDMT has some of the longest waits on property
BTW Avatar and Star Wars will have much bigger impacts on the parks

I wouldn't read too much into the mine train...it is just a focal point after steady natural increase associated with a travel "boom"

And the other 3 parks are flat...so they all are going to magic kingdom...it is what it is

 

[lockedoutlogic]

When you say it hasn't been the draw they hoped....does that mean less people are going to DS than DTD....or does that mean they were hoping for a huge increase in traffic and that hasn't happened?

I haven't seen it yet, but my family is excited about the new DS. No,not Star Wars land excited....but our trips are generally 2 weeks and DS looks like a decent place for some downtime.

Foot traffic seems to be high...but I bet sales are not.

This was always about per guest spending. It's about the only number they even care about anymore...and why it was tenuous from the start.

I'm guessing...somewhat educated...that Disney either had to float incentive laced deals to get the tenants there - which they'll look to cancel and charge premium rents and fees...
Or they are getting a small piece of the action.

That makes low sales a big problem...as they could be entering a cycle where they have to beg to keep tenants.

That's the last thing they want. The whole investment/idea was to trap people and make low cost revenues...

Low sales (as many seem to suspect around here)...kills both.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

When you say it hasn't been the draw they hoped....does that mean less people are going to DS than DTD....or does that mean they were hoping for a huge increase in traffic and that hasn't happened?

I haven't seen it yet, but my family is excited about the new DS. No,not Star Wars land excited....but our trips are generally 2 weeks and DS looks like a decent place for some downtime.

I gotta tell you...you're probably not gonna like it.

I know what you're thinking: "of course he'd say that..."

Not here...because I was maybe the most optimistic about this. I was OK with straight high end retail...if you ever read some of the update/shopping announcement threads...i was there...I find the shopping element to be a nice diversion in Orlando...always have.

But the stores suck...even the tommy Bahama that I like to pour money into...and lily Pulitzer (a boy needs to feel pretty sometimes too )

The design is awful...the aesthetics are just off...the pathways are poorly designed...transport maybe worse than before...the garages inefficient...and the layout is more confusing than ever.

Nope...I went 3 times in July...including a solo 3 miler in the cool 86 degree breeze at 7:30 in the morning...just to give it a "fair shot"

Again...nope...it's just not well done.

Do suggest art smith's homecoming though...that was good.

 

[rteetz]

I gotta tell you...you're probably not gonna like it.

I know what you're thinking: "of course he'd say that..."

Not here...because I was maybe the most optimistic about this. I was OK with straight high end retail...if you ever read some of the update/shopping announcement threads...i was there...I find the shopping element to be a nice diversion in Orlando...always have.

But the stores suck...even the tommy Bahama that I like to pour money into...and lily Pulitzer (a boy needs to feel pretty sometimes too )

The design is awful...the aesthetics are just off...the pathways are poorly designed...transport maybe worse than before...the garages inefficient...and the layout is more confusing than ever.

Nope...I went 3 times in July...including a solo 3 miler in the cool 86 degree breeze at 7:30 in the morning...just to give it a "fair shot"

Again...nope...it's just not well done.

Do suggest art smith's homecoming though...that was good.

How are the garages inefficient? That's one part people seem to love. They also the overhead lights to tell you if a spot is open or not which people also say is helpful. I've never parked at DS but the reviews of the garages are positive.

 

[twebber55]

How are the garages inefficient? That's one part people seem to love. They also the overhead lights to tell you if a spot is open or not which people also say is helpful. I've never parked at DS but the reviews of the garages are positive.

parking garages are great and a big plus
DS is clearly better in terms of food and bev

 

[twebber55]

I wouldn't read too much into the mine train...it is just a focal point after steady natural increase associated with a travel "boom"

And the other 3 parks are flat...so they all are going to magic kingdom...it is what it is

i would agree but its been open for what 3 years and it still pulls 90 min waits
but point taken

 

[Tigger's ally]

parking garages are great and a big plus
DS is clearly better in terms of food and bev

Yeah, LOL is way off on the garages. Sometimes I think he gets on a roll and just keeps going. He does have a lot of good points but often just carries it a little too far. Parking at that place was horrific when it was half the size. Parking is not a problem now if you know what your are doing. Easy in, Easy out. Free to boot.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

How are the garages inefficient? That's one part people seem to love. They also the overhead lights to tell you if a spot is open or not which people also say is helpful. I've never parked at DS but the reviews of the garages are positive.

I might be a little harsh on the garages...they are adequate.

I don't like the bottlenecking at the entry/exit points...they probably could have done a little better job...but I'll chalk that up to space limitations

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Yeah, LOL is way off on the garages. Sometimes I think he gets on a roll and just keeps going. He does have a lot of good points but often just carries it a little too far. Parking at that place was horrific when it was half the size. Parking is not a problem now if you know what your are doing. Easy in, Easy out. Free to boot.

Again...I'll retract the parking critique a little...

But the parking was bad before and is "ok" now...a minor issue in this case.