News Round Up 2016

[wareagle57]

I know there has been no announcement, but is there any general consensus about Symphony in the Stars being continued past February? It seems like such a short time for it to run.

 

[nkosiek]

Disney has reduced water park hours for summer 2016 to 10AM to 7PM. Originally it was 9AM to 8PM.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/calendar.htm

Wow. I wonder if they'll change hours once they are actually in the summer or what. As LoL stated, this is a pretty significant change in operations. It's also interesting as it frees up more of the nighttime hours for some people so they will wind up back at other parks or possibly Disney Springs (though I don't know if I'd be willing to go to DS if I was still wet and whatnot from Typhoon Lagoon).

 

[Budshark]

Wow. I wonder if they'll change hours once they are actually in the summer or what. As LoL stated, this is a pretty significant change in operations. It's also interesting as it frees up more of the nighttime hours for some people so they will wind up back at other parks or possibly Disney Springs (though I don't know if I'd be willing to go to DS if I was still wet and whatnot from Typhoon Lagoon).

Channeling my inner LoL.. what we have here is very simple to explain.

A new MBA grad student came in and tried to prove himself. He did what he is supposed to do and pulled in "big data" analytics from Magic Bands and spending at the water parks/hotels.

Here's what he found:

• Spending at water parks was near $0 for the last hour of operations
• Guests staying at Disney hotels who were at Parks that closed at 8pm, tend to go back to their hotel (early night)
• Guests at Parks that close before 8pm, tend to NOT go back to their hotel

Thus, they made the logical conclusion that the water parks were not profitable in the last hour and stealing potential inflow of cash from other locations by staying open that last hour. Shut them down early and funnel people to Theme parks and Disney Springs where they will start spending again.

Just a guess. But I'm right of course.

 

[Kingslayer]

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

That's not how definitions work. A Kia doesn't stop being a car because Lexus exists.

 

[Budshark]

That's not how definitions work. A Kia doesn't stop being a car because Lexus exists.

But a Kia is not a "luxury car" because the definition excludes it.

Six Flags is not a "Theme" park because they don't meet the criteria of a cohesive, immersive, themed experience. They do not have the mix of ride types or themed lands that a theme park has.

Disney defined the genre. They differentiated themselves from Amusement parks. Universal is trying (and in many ways succeeding) in emulating. Six Flags changes the names of a ride, paints a few builds, and calls it a "land" in an effort to model Disney. They've even started dabbling in dark rides. But it ain't an amusement park anymore than a Kia is a luxury brand. They can make a $75,000 car, but it don't mean they have succeeded.

The bigger question is whether you can even call DisneyLand/World, Epcot, etc Amusement Parks. Or have they so redefined themselves as to create a new species and are now excluded from Amusement parks. Many consider Amusement Park to be all inclusive, and Themepark to be a category within Amusement Park... although the growing differentiation (Harry Potter, Avatar, Star Wars) is beginning to make Themepark its own unique category.

 

[rteetz]

I know there has been no announcement, but is there any general consensus about Symphony in the Stars being continued past February? It seems like such a short time for it to run.

I would be surprised if it didn't run longer.

 

[rteetz]

But a Kia is not a "luxury car" because the definition excludes it.

Six Flags is not a "Theme" park because they don't meet the criteria of a cohesive, immersive, themed experience. They do not have the mix of ride types or themed lands that a theme park has.

Disney defined the genre. They differentiated themselves from Amusement parks. Universal is trying (and in many ways succeeding) in emulating. Six Flags changes the names of a ride, paints a few builds, and calls it a "land" in an effort to model Disney. They've even started dabbling in dark rides. But it ain't an amusement park anymore than a Kia is a luxury brand. They can make a $75,000 car, but it don't mean they have succeeded.

The bigger question is whether you can even call DisneyLand/World, Epcot, etc Amusement Parks. Or have they so redefined themselves as to create a new species and are now excluded from Amusement parks. Many consider Amusement Park to be all inclusive, and Themepark to be a category within Amusement Park... although the growing differentiation (Harry Potter, Avatar, Star Wars) is beginning to make Themepark its own unique category.

This is pretty much right on.

 

[Kingslayer]

Six Flags is not a "Theme" park because they don't meet the criteria of a cohesive, immersive, themed experience. They do not have the mix of ride types or themed lands that a theme park has.

They sure do.

The original Six Flags, Six Flags Over Texas, was built around the theme of, you guessed it, the six different flags that flew over Texas. Each of these flags was represented by corresponding lands: Spain, France, Mexico, etc. with rides to match the theme. Other Six Flags parks also have various themed lands. In more recent (relatively) years, they have also included the theme of Warner Bros. animation and DC super-heroes. Now it can easily be argued that Disney's focus on its thematic elements, as well as its execution, far exceed those of Six Flags or other theme parks, but that doesn't stop them from being theme parks. It simply means some theme parks are better than others.

At some point along the way people on the Disboards somehow began equating "theme" with "quality." You can dislike Six Flags (for no shortage of reasons I might add), but that doesn't change the nature of the park.

 

[rteetz]

Here are some great photos of rivers of light construction from a poster on wdwmagic. More lighting, speakers installed and some walls were removed. March/April looks right on target.

http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...s-animal-kingdom.875251/page-104#post-7073630

 

[rteetz]

Epcot photo update

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/02/photo-report-epcot-2416-frozen-ever-after-metal-detectors-moving-etc/

 

[Goofy2015]

I am not sure where the Six Flags v. Disney argument started. I am not going to really argue about the subject. This is what I am going to say. A few years ago, someone at work asked me: What's the deal, why do you go to Disney so often, do you like rollercoasters?

No, I don't visit Disney for the Rollercoasters at all. I can come to Disney and probably not even ride a ride and have a great time. Not that I am going to do that. What I like about Disney is the theming, the attention to detail, the atmosphere, but above most the storytelling. I don't come to Disney for the cheap thrill. I come to Disney to embrace the story.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Channeling my inner LoL.. what we have here is very simple to explain.

A new MBA grad student came in and tried to prove himself. He did what he is supposed to do and pulled in "big data" analytics from Magic Bands and spending at the water parks/hotels.

Here's what he found:

• Spending at water parks was near $0 for the last hour of operations
• Guests staying at Disney hotels who were at Parks that closed at 8pm, tend to go back to their hotel (early night)
• Guests at Parks that close before 8pm, tend to NOT go back to their hotel

Thus, they made the logical conclusion that the water parks were not profitable in the last hour and stealing potential inflow of cash from other locations by staying open that last hour. Shut them down early and funnel people to Theme parks and Disney Springs where they will start spending again.

Just a guess. But I'm right of course.

Actually, to go one farther with LOL, 9am-8pm requires multiple shifts of people to staff. 10am-7pm requires one shift of people with staggered 1 hour lunch breaks - huge labor cost cut, and Disney says customers be damned...risky move with Aquatica as good as it is and Universal's water park coming online soon...

 

[rteetz]

I am not sure where the Six Flags v. Disney argument started. I am not going to really argue about the subject. This is what I am going to say. A few years ago, someone at work asked me: What's the deal, why do you go to Disney so often, do you like rollercoasters?

No, I don't visit Disney for the Rollercoasters at all. I can come to Disney and probably not even ride a ride and have a great time. Not that I am going to do that. What I like about Disney is the theming, the attention to detail, the atmosphere, but above most the storytelling. I don't come to Disney for the cheap thrill. I come to Disney to embrace the story.

 

[soniam]

It's because of the screams distracting the show. You will still be able to ride EE at night but just not during the show.

Or they make you wear a gag to ride during the show

 

[skier_pete]

Wow...that's a fairly decent operation a shift if you look at it honestly.

They just aren't into promoting/doing much with parks anymore.

It is possible they found that they just weren't getting people there for the first hour/last hour. Based on our last trip, the water parks must close at 4 PM most of the summer anyways, because it did nothing but rain and lightning most evenings from 4 PM to 7 PM.

 

[skier_pete]

They sure do.

The original Six Flags, Six Flags Over Texas, was built around the theme of, you guessed it, the six different flags that flew over Texas. Each of these flags was represented by corresponding lands: Spain, France, Mexico, etc. with rides to match the theme.

This may be the case, but there's a difference between calling your rollercoaster the "Superman: Ride of Steel" like our local Six Flags did, and truly being a theme park. As I said, there are many more places that call themselves theme parks then are actually theme parks.

Disney threatens at times to stretch its credulity of theme - Paradise Pier at DCA is a section of a theme park whose theme is "Amusement Park". If you theme your theme park as an amusement park, you are now an amusement park.

 

[Reddog1134]

I would be surprised if it didn't run longer.

I'm glad I'm going next week. I was under the impression that Symphony in the Stars was a "permanent" fixture.

EDIT: According to Disney Parks Blog, the dessert party runs until March 19th. So they will last until then, at least.

 

[Budshark]

They sure do.

The original Six Flags, Six Flags Over Texas, was built around the theme of, you guessed it, the six different flags that flew over Texas. Each of these flags was represented by corresponding lands: Spain, France, Mexico, etc. with rides to match the theme. Other Six Flags parks also have various themed lands. In more recent (relatively) years, they have also included the theme of Warner Bros. animation and DC super-heroes. Now it can easily be argued that Disney's focus on its thematic elements, as well as its execution, far exceed those of Six Flags or other theme parks, but that doesn't stop them from being theme parks. It simply means some theme parks are better than others.

At some point along the way people on the Disboards somehow began equating "theme" with "quality." You can dislike Six Flags (for no shortage of reasons I might add), but that doesn't change the nature of the park.

Yeah... agree to disagree. Season pass holder to all 3 in recent years.

Back to the Kia being a luxury car. They can call it one, they can brand it one, they can even check every box on a comparison chart. But all you have to do is sit in one.

I can go into FantasyLand or Frontier Land at Disney
I can go to Wizarding World at Universal.
I can go to Brittania at Six Flags.
1 of those kids ain't like the other.

I am not equating quality to theme in any way. I'm aware Six Flags "themes" their lands. I'm also aware Six Flags "themes" their lands with paint and names and not much else. Six Flags quality issue has to do with other things than their themes. They are fine for what they are. I understand they call themselves a theme park and they, very shortly after Disneyland, modeled their design. But... Not sure how it derailed, so I guess I'll step off the train at this stop. Obviously touched a nerve... sorry about that.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

It is possible they found that they just weren't getting people there for the first hour/last hour. Based on our last trip, the water parks must close at 4 PM most of the summer anyways, because it did nothing but rain and lightning most evenings from 4 PM to 7 PM.

Yeah...I'm sure that's what they found.

But it's hot as hell and there's plenty of daylight...and it's an 18% reduction In time on the ticket.

Are they reducing the prices 18%?

It's just more of the same that nobody can be bothered to care about:
more for the same or the same for less...

It's just aggravating that the "we can't be open if it's not packed" mentality is now accepted standard.

 

[saskdw]

I am not sure where the Six Flags v. Disney argument started. I am not going to really argue about the subject. This is what I am going to say. A few years ago, someone at work asked me: What's the deal, why do you go to Disney so often, do you like rollercoasters?

No, I don't visit Disney for the Rollercoasters at all. I can come to Disney and probably not even ride a ride and have a great time. Not that I am going to do that. What I like about Disney is the theming, the attention to detail, the atmosphere, but above most the storytelling. I don't come to Disney for the cheap thrill. I come to Disney to embrace the story.

Exactly.

People don't come from western Canada like we do and spend $10k to vacation at Six Flags for 2 weeks. WDW is a vacation destination that you can spend a couple weeks at. Six Flags is a place with some cool rides that you can spend a day at.