News Round Up 2016

[lockedoutlogic]

Um. No. The only reason I don't hit Disney on Ice is time and money. Otherwise I'd love to see all the shows. I think it's great that 1) he went and 2) he says he went.

You might want to keep this to yourself too

 

[Budshark]

You might want to keep this to yourself too

Heh now I have to defend my fellow ice fan!!!

My daughter figure skated competitively for many years. It's a phenomenal sport - and after watching her train, yes it's a sport. I'd put her up against anyone. She used to do cross fit with football players and keep up with them in strength, speed, and power. She had more bruises than anyone should have.

So yes, I too am a fan of figure skating. So ...

 

[skier_pete]

I don't think it was Disney on Ice that had the named Olympians - but you can bet that these shows now don't really have any "names". There are actually usually 4 or 5 Disney on Ice shows touring around the country at any one time. Some I think are better than others. I've seen 5-6 over the last 10 years, though I will tell you even as a Disney fan I have had just about enough of them. They are fine and all, but get a bit repetitive. The worst one was the "All-Princess" one. There was one maybe two years ago that had an awesome Malificent Dragon effect, similar to the one used in Festival of Fantasy. The skating is usually pretty good, but I lose interest after a while. The merchadise is a big-time rip-off, because it "low tickets to get you in the door - high price junk to take your money". The kids seem to really like it, though. Now our DD is 12, we are done with it, and that's fine by me.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The ICECAPADES used to pay some moderate fame Olympians to be in their shoes...especially a few years after their amateur days...

That was long ago

 

[eXo]

This thread should be renamed, "rteetz provides rumors from around the web while everyone else goes offtopic."

Some side discussion is fine, but an entire bloody page about ice skating. Ridiculous.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

This thread should be renamed, "rteetz provides rumors from around the web while everyone else goes offtopic."

Some side discussion is fine, but an entire bloody page about ice skating. Ridiculous.

While I agree...I also take the opportunity to point out there's LOTS of things out there that an individual can use to pass the time for amusement.

 

[atricks]

Summertime Disney waterpark hours have been reduced by 2 hours this year, 10AM -7PM (vs 9-8 last year)

 

[Reddog1134]

Considering the past few years has been a zero-sum game for Universal (destroy a ride to build a ride),

I think Forbidden Journey, Rip Ride Rocket, Kang and Kodos, Hogwarts Express, Transformers and Kong are all gains, aren't they? Some may have replaced attractions that closed years ago but I still would call them gains. Even if they were built on land already within park boundaries.

 

[eXo]

I'm talking about gains from a numbers standpoint. Number of rides, number of people you push through, etc.

I probably could have defined the time period a bit better as well, as by past few years, I was referring specifically to the past 3 or 4. Rip Ride Rocket and Forbidden Journey predate that. You are right though, both Transformers, Kodos & Kang, and Kong are in areas that were previously unused. Maybe it's better for me to say that going forward they are in a zero sum game, rather than to say they have been in one.

At this point, there is no land left to squeeze things into. Instead we are seeing rides get shut down left and right. Even rides that didn't necessarily need to get shut down, like the Hulk. Over at USF they have 3 attractions closed down with only 2 coming in. And if the rumors are true about marvel land, we are looking at 2 rides and a restaurant going out with only one coming in.

 

[eXo]

Summertime Disney waterpark hours have been reduced by 2 hours this year, 10AM -7PM (vs 9-8 last year)

hah. so much for the idea that the 9pm pool closure is to protect the water parks.

 

[rteetz]

While I agree...I also take the opportunity to point out there's LOTS of things out there that an individual can use to pass the time for amusement.

How bout we stick to news and rumors

 

[rteetz]

Summertime Disney waterpark hours have been reduced by 2 hours this year, 10AM -7PM (vs 9-8 last year)

Yep there was a discussion about this a page or so ago.

 

[thepops]

True but Lion King and Nemo dont have animal acting like humans. In both of those movies they are still animals acting like animals. Zootopia is animals acting like people. For example a rabbit is a traffic cop and a sloth works at the animal version of the DMV (Which I think is hilarious).

OK, so we have Security and Guest services covered....Not sure if they are going to like their new costumes

 

[jlundeen]

Yep there was a discussion about this a page or so ago.

thank you

 

[soniam]

For those following the Kong ride at USF, an insider has stated they will be doing actual track testing for the first time today. I expect pics to surface later this afternoon of the actual ride vehicles for the first time.

And even though this may sound implausible, the next major construction at IOA/USF appears to be focused on Marvel Island. Plans that show Storm Force Accelerator, Doom's Freefall, and the Fantastic 4 cafe being demolished to make way for a new avenger's themed ride have cropped up. That said, it's unclear if this is MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) Avenger's or Comic book avengers. Supposedly there is real interest on Universal's side to tie into the MCU. While it may seem counter productive for Disney to allow something like this, they still stand to make money off it it as Disney would be the sole beneficiary of any merch sold. That part is speculative of course, but what is not speculative is that Marvel Island is being heavily looked at for improvements, including a complete re-skin to bring the over all style more in line with either modern comics or again, MCU.

Considering the past few years has been a zero-sum game for Universal (destroy a ride to build a ride), the new land acquisition (which is just shy of the same size as IOA, USF, Citywalk, and several of it's resorts) will allow them to finally start planning from a more blue sky approach rather than constantly trying to squeeze things into preexisting spaces. Unlike others though, I do not see a third gate being a video game park. It appears that the Woody Wood pecker kidzone is still slated to get the Mario Kart ride. Honestly, this is a smart idea. An entire video game gate just doesn't make sense.

Nooooooo! I love Storm Force Acceletron. It's the cheapest drunk in the park I actually do like it a lot though, but I like spinny rides.

 

[rteetz]

Storybook Castle Shanghai update

https://twitter.com/epcotexplorer/status/695377392152375298

 

[Eoghann]

Storybook Castle Shanghai update

https://twitter.com/epcotexplorer/status/695377392152375298

I've got to say I'm not a big fan of the look of that Castle. But they're not building it for me. And it kind of gives the impression that a dozen different kings have added their own bits to the building, which does have historical precident...

 

[sachilles]

Looks like it has a lot more usable space in it compared to the Florida and California versions.

 

[rteetz]

I've got to say I'm not a big fan of the look of that Castle. But they're not building it for me. And it kind of gives the impression that a dozen different kings have added their own bits to the building, which does have historical precident...

That's exactly what I was thinking. I feel like they made it big to just make it big and have Shanghai feel special for being the biggest castle. And yes it looks like it was once a much smaller castle that has been added on several times.

 

[luisov]

I think that was kind of the point. It's called Storybook Castle because it is the castle where all the princesses live, not necessarily where Cinderella or Aurora live. They literally took pieces from different castles and put them all together. It should be pretty cool to actually go through this one, that's for sure.

I still believe Paris has the most beautiful castle of them all.