News Round Up 2016

[Planogirl]

I still think there is a big difference. Disney is 10x better than six flags in my opinion.

By definition a themepark is simply a type of amusement park. They are all amusement parks quality notwithstanding. Kind of like Rolls Royces and Yugos are all cars. Or maybe Buicks in the case of Disney.

 

[wareagle57]

I still think there is a big difference. Disney is 10x better than six flags in my opinion.

The quality is certainly 10x better. I might even say 100x.

But in terms of which is more fun, that's completely subjective. I love both. I prefer roller coasters at Cedar Point and Six Flags to almost all rides at WDW. I love Disney rides, but in a different way. I'd rather be thrilled. If disney created an all thrill ride park that was on par with Cedar Point, but themed and staffed to Disney quality to where it is enjoyable... It would be the park I visited at least 75% of the time.

Overall I like Disney more even though I don't get my thrills. (Though Tower of Terror is close) WDW just makes me nostalgic and feel happy. Disney is quality time with good friends, Six Flags is a drunken weekend in college.

 

[wareagle57]

Yeah, people still pack World of Color, even when there are fireworks, often 2 shows a night. Seeing that show is rough between needing a FP, having to either line up very early or stand in the back and then stand so long and people still do it. Also by the time the new-ness wears off, Avatar will be open. As long as AK can actually draw in evening crowds, I see Disney trying to keep them there.

Is it really that bad seeing it in the back? I don't think DAK will get WOC type of demand. Maybe in the first year. But a large percentage of DLR guests have a choice between 2 shows a night (3 if you count the fireworks) and can park hop to see whichever one they want. There are WAY more people at DL/CA every day than there will be at DAK.

 

[luisov]

Unless they predict attendance to keep increasing over the next few years, I don't think the RoL seating area should be a big issue. It's still an additional night-time show to spread the crowds around property. If we are lucky, MK firework crowds should become more bearable after the addition.

 

[skier_pete]

By definition a themepark is simply a type of amusement park. They are all amusement parks quality notwithstanding. Kind of like Rolls Royces and Yugos are all cars. Or maybe Buicks in the case of Disney.

Agree all theme parks are amusement parks. BUT not all amusement parks are theme parks. And many amusement parks CLAIM to be theme parks, when they aren't.

 

[rteetz]

My one bit of advice for you:
Not all hacks that state they "know"
Disney are worth repeating.

This clown repeats every scheme he reads...half the time makes things up beyond that...guesses right 7 times out of every 1000 and claims victory.

This is popular gag:
"I hear that they are looking at movie X for park Y..."

Just insert the variables with whatever you want.

Its tired.

Here's what I noticed: it takes 5-10 years and a documented history of product sales for them to get around to putting things in that are critically acclaimed smashes...like the little mermaid or toy story.

I understand where you are coming from but Jim has been right before. You may not like him and yes I take things he says with a grain of salt but others like to hear what he says. In terms of zootopia I didn't say it would happen right away but I think the movie itself is promising more promising than good dinosaur and has that chance of getting into the parks.

 

[rteetz]

The quality is certainly 10x better. I might even say 100x.

But in terms of which is more fun, that's completely subjective. I love both. I prefer roller coasters at Cedar Point and Six Flags to almost all rides at WDW. I love Disney rides, but in a different way. I'd rather be thrilled. If disney created an all thrill ride park that was on par with Cedar Point, but themed and staffed to Disney quality to where it is enjoyable... It would be the park I visited at least 75% of the time.

Overall I like Disney more even though I don't get my thrills. (Though Tower of Terror is close) WDW just makes me nostalgic and feel happy. Disney is quality time with good friends, Six Flags is a drunken weekend in college.

See I'm not a huge six flags fan. I don't like being on major roller coasters. Everest and RnRc are my types of rides. I don't like much more than that.

 

[skier_pete]

I understand where you are coming from but Jim has been right before. You may not like him and yes I take things he says with a grain of salt but others like to hear what he says. In terms of zootopia I didn't say it would happen right away but I think the movie itself is promising more promising than good dinosaur and has that chance of getting into the parks.

I am not sure how great a fit Zootopia is to DAK though. It's a movie about talking/walking animals, while DAK is mostly about real animals, at least until Pandora comes on line. I could see them using the characters at Conservation Station to teach about animal behavior, but I just don't see where they would fit in elsewhere in the park.

 

[rteetz]

I am not sure how great a fit Zootopia is to DAK though. It's a movie about talking/walking animals, while DAK is mostly about real animals, at least until Pandora comes on line. I could see them using the characters at Conservation Station to teach about animal behavior, but I just don't see where they would fit in elsewhere in the park.

I would agree but I also don't see it going anywhere but AK. I think best fit would be MK but I don't see that happening. I'm just interested in the movie and to see how it does.

 

[zaccaglin]

Monorail Orange now offline on the Walt Disney World Monorail System. Spotted working under the ZooTopia Monorail System

 

[twebber55]

i defintely see this show (ROL) running twice a night, especially in the summer, especially when Pandora opens

 

[Flyerjab]

Yes, Jim Hill has been right some times, but he has also been wrong a lot. I remember over the past several years hearing Jim talk on the Disney Dish Podcast with Len Testa about the rumored Star Wars Land that was coming to DHS. One time he said that a speeder bike ride was coming. Another time he said that there was going to be a Dagobah section where the Echo Lake area is in DHS. Another time he talked about how a friend of his was walking through Imagineering and saw mockups for an Endor Forest and a very large Death Star, as well as a castle for meet and greets. Sooner or later, if he keeps stating things, he might be right at some point, and that of course is the big negative that people point to.

Still, I do get a kick out of listening to him. He reminds me of that crazy old uncle that gets invited over at holidays and spends the entire time in a chair in the living room, telling stories. You don't always know if everything is true but you still love to listen. I view Jim as harmless because as with all rumors, that is what they are...rumors. One chooses whether to believe or not.

What I will be interested in is if Jim ends up being "right" about the Cars Land area coming to DHS. He has been adamant that this is the next phase of development for DHS. There are several wdwmagic forum members that are now saying Cars Land is off the table and that another PIXAR IP is coming. Monstropolis is the hot rumor at the moment. We will see...

 

[rteetz]

Yes, Jim Hill has been right some times, but he has also been wrong a lot. I remember over the past several years hearing Jim talk on the Disney Dish Podcast with Len Testa about the rumored Star Wars Land that was coming to DHS. One time he said that a speeder bike ride was coming. Another time he said that there was going to be a Dagobah section where the Echo Lake area is in DHS. Another time he talked about how a friend of his was walking through Imagineering and saw mockups for an Endor Forest and a very large Death Star, as well as a castle for meet and greets. Sooner or later, if he keeps stating things, he might be right at some point, and that of course is the big negative that people point to.

Still, I do get a kick out of listening to him. He reminds me of that crazy old uncle that gets invited over at holidays and spends the entire time in a chair in the living room, telling stories. You don't always know if everything is true but you still love to listen. I view Jim as harmless because as with all rumors, that is what they are...rumors. One chooses whether to believe or not.

What I will be interested in is if Jim ends up being "right" about the Cars Land area coming to DHS. He has been adamant that this is the next phase of development for DHS. There are several wdwmagic forum members that are now saying Cars Land is off the table and that another PIXAR IP is coming. Monstropolis is the hot rumor at the moment. We will see...

One problem with imagineering is Jim is likely reporting things that are true because so many plans get made but only one actually gets the final stamp of approval.

 

[rteetz]

As rumored Fultons is getting a major refurb

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/fult...closing-for-major-remodel-later-this-year.htm

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I would agree but I also don't see it going anywhere but AK. I think best fit would be MK but I don't see that happening. I'm just interested in the movie and to see how it does.

It's not "going" anywhere...that was my point. If it's a pleasant surprise -you'll get a meet and greet.

Hundreds of Disney movies have been made with no tie ins. Throw this one on the pile.

And as I said "been right before" is relative. I've been right before with no Prior knowledge. That doesn't mean I should do a blog and a podcast and be quoted. When schlitterbahn opened master blaster, I predicted that Disney would install one. Did I hold a press conference years later outside the pineapple plunger? No...sometimes you can legitimately guess and have a shot.

Jim hill is reckless and does whatever he wants. Why? So he can get paid to spew Disney rumors...which isn't a respectable job. Sorry...no thanks.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Yes, Jim Hill has been right some times, but he has also been wrong a lot. I remember over the past several years hearing Jim talk on the Disney Dish Podcast with Len Testa about the rumored Star Wars Land that was coming to DHS. One time he said that a speeder bike ride was coming. Another time he said that there was going to be a Dagobah section where the Echo Lake area is in DHS. Another time he talked about how a friend of his was walking through Imagineering and saw mockups for an Endor Forest and a very large Death Star, as well as a castle for meet and greets. Sooner or later, if he keeps stating things, he might be right at some point, and that of course is the big negative that people point to.

Still, I do get a kick out of listening to him. He reminds me of that crazy old uncle that gets invited over at holidays and spends the entire time in a chair in the living room, telling stories. You don't always know if everything is true but you still love to listen. I view Jim as harmless because as with all rumors, that is what they are...rumors. One chooses whether to believe or not.

You pointed out the problem beautifully...

If I watch return of the Jedi I can come up with 5 great ride ideas and spew them as being "worked on"

The other trap is the "blue sky" legend of wdi. No doubt they do a lot of brainstorming about things...but webboard masters fall into this trap of thinking that it's like willy wonka's chocolate factory in there...nothing but fun.
The truth is nowhere close.
So then any of us can say "I hear they're working on _____." Like screamscape does. And then when I realized i guessed wrong...I can say "we hear they pulled the plug due to budget"

It's complete plausible deniability/acceptance. Nobody can be proven wrong.

If you look at the carsland/monstropolis rumors...even those are a stretch. Carsland - for the 5,000 time - does not make logistical sense for Florida. If just weather and crowds alone. Just doesn't.
And I like the monsters movies...but monsters U wasn't considered to be a smash success and there is no strong merchandise tie...

NOW HEAR THIS: there has to be a merch tie in.
Why Star Wars and toy story? Because the most successful original franchises in the last 40/20 years for product sales doesn't matter?

Uh huh...

And before you say "what about avatar?"...what's going on there, I wonder?

 

[Goofy2015]

In terms of The Good Dinosaur debate, Good Dinosaur was destined to be a flop. They changed directors mid-production. The date constantly got pushed back. They changed the entire voice cast mid-production. These are all mid-production problems that occurred. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I felt that from all of the marketing and presentation of the movie it just didn't grab the audiences attention. I don't think the specific release date has anything to do with the movie's lack of success. Usually, a Thanksgiving weekend release date is a solid release in comparison to most. Hunger Games has been dominating the Thanksgiving release date for the past few years, but The Walt Disney Company had some minor success with Frozen released on that weekend as of recent.

With that said, The Walt Disney Company has had a history of releasing movies in the early March slot with mixed expectations. Within the past few years these movies consisted of: Alice In Wonderland (2010), Mars Needs Moms (2011), John Carter (2012), Oz (2013), Muppets Most Wanted (2014), Cinderella (2015), Zootopia (2016), Beauty and the Beast (2017). Some of these movies were probably not expected have a strong box office presence like Mars Needs Moms and Muppets Most Wanted. I always felt this was an experimental release date with movies at their time taking a risk like Alice In Wonderland, John Carter, and Oz. Some of those movies succeeded and some failed. With the more recent March releases, Cinderella, Zootopia, and Beauty and the Beast, I feel like TWDC has increased their expectations with this release period. Granted this is a new release date for a Walt Disney Animation production, I like this move by Disney. I personally feel that it gives confidence in the movie. IMO, I feel like Zootopia will be at the level of Wreck It Ralph and Big Hero 6. Both of which, I feel need to have a little bit more of a park presence. Finally, you can meet Baymax again. I feel like he is going to be a character that kids of this generation will enjoy on an ongoing basis.

What I am trying to get to is that I do feel like Zootopia will grab some park attention with possible character meet and greets at Animal Kingdom, but nothing really more besides obvious merchandise. This is as opposed to The Good Dinosaur which will have little to no presence in the parks even in Dinoland at AK. My personal prediction is that Zootopia makes $185MM domestically with a $52MM domestic opening weekend. As usual, I hope I am wrong on my prediction and the movie makes more.

Again, all of this is just speculation and opinion and guessing based on patterns.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

Seems the better question then if Jim Hill will be right, is who is right more - Jim Hill or my local weather folks.

Just my opinion (and I have never listened to Jim Hill, and only know about him from all the post on two different message boards that I read - which is overwhelmingly negative about his predictions) is that Jim Hill's predictions are actually a worse source than anybody that talks to a CM. I really get that impression. Sometimes it is amusing to read, but it is amusing to read what people hear from CMs too. I almost think there should be a separate pinned thread (like I think this thread should be pinned as well) called "The Jim Hill News Round Up Thread", since it doesn't seem his info all too often belongs here. I would still read it if it were there, but it seems like it would be more appropriate in something like that than here as news. Again, I am sure I am in the minority, and just a thought I sometimes have about it. I really know little about Jim Hill except what you all post.

 

[RAD]

I am not sure how great a fit Zootopia is to DAK though. It's a movie about talking/walking animals, while DAK is mostly about real animals, at least until Pandora comes on line. I could see them using the characters at Conservation Station to teach about animal behavior, but I just don't see where they would fit in elsewhere in the park.

There's already Tough to be a Bug so I don't see it being out of place.

 

[sachilles]

There's already Tough to be a Bug so I don't see it being out of place.

Along with Lion King, and the talking fish in Nemo. I think talking critters is safe for AK.