News Round Up 2016

[skier_pete]

We like thrill rides and headliners, but would choose Wishes, Fantasmic, Illuminations, ROL, FOTLK, Nemo, parades, fireworks etc well before rides. Do not listen to folks that diminish others because they do not tour like they do..

I agree tour how you want to. However, I do think individuals should be self critical about how they use their FP to really use them wisely. FastPass - regardless of what rides and shows you are interested in - IMO should be used primarily to reduce time in which you are standing around, whatever that is you are standing around FOR.

So if you normally grab a parade spot 2 hours before the start of the parade, and getting a parade FP+ gets you a spot 20 minutes before the parade - then that's a wise use of a FP for you. You've saved 100 minutes that you could be doing something else, and whether or not I think it's a good idea to use a FP on that - it's good for you.

However, if I have to show up 20 minutes early to FOTLK so that I can get in with my Fastpass before the standby people, OR I show up 20 minutes early and get in the standby line and still get just as good (or sometimes better) a seat - then that is a waste of a FP. Again, this may be different at busier times of year, but I can't say we've ever had a show we didn't walk up 10 minutes beforehand and get perfectly good seats for. If you see this happening, you really should reconsider for next time.

 

[skier_pete]

I have never done FP+ and am worried they will be all gone. You would think Frozen Ever After and Meet and Greet would be Tier 1 with Soarin and TT would go to Tier 2 but at this point, who knows. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

There's very little doubt that Frozen AND Soarin' and Test Track will all stay Tier 1. They may drop other things from Tier 1 in the process, but those 3 (or 4 including the M&G) will all remain Tier 1. However, we've always found that between rope drop and Fast Passes we can usually get in all the top rides, and have no doubt we will do that again.

 

[soniam]

I am really excited for Soarin and Frozen!! We are going at the end of june and I'm crossing fingers they are open. What worries me is the availability of fast passes. If there is no stand by for Frozen then I have to get a FP+. I have never done FP+ and am worried they will be all gone. You would think Frozen Ever After and Meet and Greet would be Tier 1 with Soarin and TT would go to Tier 2 but at this point, who knows. It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

All Froway stuff and Soarin' will definitely be Tier 1. TT could go to tier 2.

There's very little doubt that Frozen AND Soarin' and Test Track will all stay Tier 1. They may drop other things from Tier 1 in the process, but those 3 (or 4 including the M&G) will all remain Tier 1. However, we've always found that between rope drop and Fast Passes we can usually get in all the top rides, and have no doubt we will do that again.

I think MS will definitely go back to tier 2. I can't remember what else is T1 at Epcot, MS, Soarin', & TT. If there are other T1, they could to go T2. I think there is a chance of TT going to T2, just because there are so few rides at Epcot anyway. Case in point, at DHS, RNRC & TSMM are T1; however, TOT, which is very popular is T2. I have also read that tiering is not only popularity but also capacity; however, I don't think that comes into play so much at Epcot, with so few rides anyway.

 

[Naomi Rohrbaugh]

Just offering a (friendly) different perspective

I've never used a FP for a parade or for IllumiNations but I have used one for Wishes.

First of all, I get the Wishes FP when I've been at Universal/Disney Springs during the day and I'm just at MK for the evening. So maybe two of the mountains and Wishes. I also visit in September, so I can often ride headline attractions with a <30 minute wait.

But primarily, I'm 5'5", and I don't think I've ever watched a show from Main Street without someone taller stood a couple of inches in front of me. Usually that means that I can see the fireworks, but the centerpiece of the show (the castle) is blocked, and I miss Celebrate the Magic completely. So if using a FP means I can have this view, then I'll take it

I respect your opinions, and I understand all of the shortcomings of a Wishes FP. Yes it can be viewed from a large portion of the park, I love to watch it from behind the castle in Fantasyland also. But just once on my trip I like to have space to sit down with a Nutella waffle and have a good view of the show. I think it's a nice option for an evening visit to MK and I'll be sad to see it go.

I agree. I am 5'2", my husband isn't tall either. My kiddos are small. I've only been to WDW twice. I know there are disadvantages to "wasting" a FP on fireworks so we never did it. But we sorely regret it. Both times, we weren't able to see any of the projections. We saw fireworks but missed the Disney aspect.
So we were planning to use FP on our upcoming trip so that we could see the show in full just once. For people who may only ever go to WDW once or twice in their lives, these shows are what make it Disney. I can ride coasters galore in my hometown. And I can even see mega fireworks several times a year, for free. It's the shows and extra attention to themeing that really make WDW unique. I don't think there's anything wrong with wanting to see Wishes and using a FP to ensure that happens.

 

[jade1]

So if you normally grab a parade spot 2 hours before the start of the parade, and getting a parade FP+ gets you a spot 20 minutes before the parade - then that's a wise use of a FP for you. You've saved 100 minutes that you could be doing something else, and whether or not I think it's a good idea to use a FP on that - it's good for you.

Exactly, and not the dumbest thing rolled out in years for folks like Travis B (appears to like the areas as well) and not a Lemming.

I've used FP+ for fireworks AND parades, and would do so again if available. I like the guaranteed spot without time spent to save it, and the literal physical space I get without as many guests crowding in around me. It just makes my experience more enjoyable, and to me it's worth it. If that makes me a silly lemming who loves wasting fast passes, so be it.

 

[Spacedog1975]

Is WOC also in the 20-25 minute range?

Per Wikipedia:
Originated @ 27mins
"Upgraded" to 22mins

 

[BRERALEX]

rteetz, long time lurker here (of this thread and the old one). Thanks for all that you do. I appreciate it. And I like the new bolding.

 

[rteetz]

News for your reading pleasure:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkan...save-declining-tourism-industry/#a9b869c632ef

This is a shame.

This is not good for the second gate and potentially Shanghai.

 

[rteetz]

Photo Update

Disneyland has a lot going on

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/02/photo...interactive-game-star-wars-land-zootopia-etc/

 

[skier_pete]

Is WOC also in the 20-25 minute range?

Yes - typically in that range. They might do a 1:15 between show starts just to give enough time.

I decided to back up my position with facts. (A dangerous pastime, I know.) They were running the two World of Color shows (Winter Dreams and Celebrate!) this past New Years at 9:00 PM and 10:15 PM, so 75 minutes apart. Looking back to January 1, 2015 - they ran it 3 times - at 8 PM, 9:15 PM and 10:15 PM - so yes, they can run World of Color at 1 hour intervals. Part of that reason is there is ZERO reset in world of color - they don't have to repostion things to the start, or repack for fireworks or anything like that. My impressions are that this show is going to be very similar in scope - Water, laser, projection effects - no fireworks. There does seem like there may be some actors involved, though.

What's interesting to me is - how late will the show be running? Height of summer it doesn't get dark unit 9:30. Do they run 3 shows and keep the park open until 12 AM? I suppose it's possible, but is there enough to offer in DAK without Avatar up and running?

 

[skier_pete]

Photo Update

Disneyland has a lot going on

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/02/photo...interactive-game-star-wars-land-zootopia-etc/

Geez - I could've done THAT.

Welcome to Disneyland - where everything is closed or under repair!





Splash Mountain - Hey - at least you won't get wet!



Autotopia with a LOT of scaffolding!



Scaffolding all over the place in Toontown as well!

 

[rteetz]

Geez - I could've done THAT.

Welcome to Disneyland - where everything is closed or under repair!

View attachment 152966

View attachment 152967

Splash Mountain - Hey - at least you won't get wet!

View attachment 152968

Autotopia with a LOT of scaffolding!

View attachment 152969

Scaffolding all over the place in Toontown as well!

View attachment 152971

Great work Pete!

 

[Spacedog1975]

Splash Mountain - Hey - at least you won't get wet!

View attachment 152968

I'm curious why DLR Splash Mountain is a single width ride when the WDWMK version has riders side-by-side.

 

[luisov]

I'm curious why DLR Splash Mountain is a single width ride when the WDWMK version has riders side-by-side.

The ride opened first at Disneyland and then it was replicated at MK with a higher capacity in mind.

As for all the refurbs going on at DL, the last couple of years the park has been really messy during this season in preparation for the 60th summer guests, but at least the place should look fresh and clean after the 60th celebrations. Hope you had fun, though!

 

[skier_pete]

I'm curious why DLR Splash Mountain is a single width ride when the WDWMK version has riders side-by-side.

Good question -I am guessing here - but the WDW configuration seats 8 per raft, while the DLR one seats 6. My guess since the DLR one opened first, they decided to expand capacity by redesigning the cars. Another reason may have been because the WDW and Tokyo ones were built at the same time - I read in the Disney Mountains book that the Tokyo one could not use single file all seated in a row because having people sit up against eachother like that was not acceptable in the Japanese culture. They may have just decided to build them both the same way - which also gave them increased capacity.

Actually - I found this after I wrote the above, so looks like my guess is correct.

The Imagineers in Tokyo suggested the change from a single-file log flume to a side-by-side seating to better fit cultural norms in Japan. There are many Japanese visitors to Walt Disney World so it made sense to make its Splash Mountain the same as Tokyo Disneyland’s. This reconfiguration of the ride vehicle also increased the number of guests per hour that could ride the attraction.

Source

 

[jade1]

I'm curious why DLR Splash Mountain is a single width ride when the WDWMK version has riders side-by-side.

Been over there this time of year. Highs in the 40's-no SM needed IMO, but running it dry would indeed help..

Ha sorry I thought it was Paris duh

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

(A dangerous pastime, I know.)

I literally laughed out loud. And then sung the rest of the song in my head. Thanks for that!!!

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

I agree tour how you want to. However, I do think individuals should be self critical about how they use their FP to really use them wisely. FastPass - regardless of what rides and shows you are interested in - IMO should be used primarily to reduce time in which you are standing around, whatever that is you are standing around FOR.

So if you normally grab a parade spot 2 hours before the start of the parade, and getting a parade FP+ gets you a spot 20 minutes before the parade - then that's a wise use of a FP for you. You've saved 100 minutes that you could be doing something else, and whether or not I think it's a good idea to use a FP on that - it's good for you.

However, if I have to show up 20 minutes early to FOTLK so that I can get in with my Fastpass before the standby people, OR I show up 20 minutes early and get in the standby line and still get just as good (or sometimes better) a seat - then that is a waste of a FP. Again, this may be different at busier times of year, but I can't say we've ever had a show we didn't walk up 10 minutes beforehand and get perfectly good seats for. If you see this happening, you really should reconsider for next time.

To note - my family rides every ride, at least once and the best multi times. And we do fast pass for shows at least 2 times in a trip, sometimes more. We never wait in long lines. Last two trips we never waited in a line longer than 20 minutes and we did every ride both trips

 

[lockedoutlogic]

They're using the data from the bands to plan a lot more than you think...including how money is spent on investments down the road.

So go ahead and book 50,000 fast passes a day for "wishes"...its just going to make them feel better that it's "enough" and they're "giving everyone exactly what they want"

More wishes...more wishes.

We have actually gotten into another good one here...preplanning how to navigate "tiers" for "new soarin" and olaf's boat cruise.

Why are tiers acceptable? Why were they ever? Good enough for your $105 ticket last year or your $135 "gold" ticket next year?

Ahhh...Nevermind...I have to book club villians soirée for the Halloween party...
...if anybody needs me I'll be up on the wall

 

[rteetz]

I have to book club villians soirée for the Halloween party

That's not a thing anymore