News Round Up 2016

[adam.adbe]

Photo Update

A look at the floats testing for Rivers of Light

PHOTOS, VIDEO: Rivers of Light Floats Begin Testing at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

We're not seeing much of the floating lotus things. Given that this is a very unusual amount of on-show testing, and Disney have gotten cagey about launch dates, something's clearly not going quite right. I'm wondering whether it's because Disney has the flowers locked down and ready, and it's the animals that are misbehaving, or whether it's the flowers that are being reworked.

[edit] full-disclosure: I'm not an impartial observer, since I'll be at WDW end of April/start of May.

 

[rteetz]

We're not seeing much of the floating lotus things. Given that this is a very unusual amount of on-show testing, and Disney have gotten cagey about launch dates, something's clearly not going quite right. I'm wondering whether it's because Disney has the flowers locked down and ready, and it's the animals that are misbehaving, or whether it's the flowers that are being reworked.

[edit] full-disclosure: I'm not an impartial observer, since I'll be at WDW end of April/start of May.

This is a brand new show and there are usually tech issues with that. If they weren't having tech issues you would put see testing going on during daylight. The flowers have been out several times but we're not shown in this update.

 

[circus4u]

Your Trip to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Might Cost More Than You Thought (Hollywood)
http://dealnews.com/features/Your-T...Might-Cost-More-Than-You-Thought/1634765.html

 

[luisov]

News

Shanghai seen testing its fireworks already

http://www.**************.net/2016/...ases-the-stunning-enchanted-storybook-castle/

I wonder if they had some issues to use pyrotechnics over there. I assumed there was some sort of environmental program going on or something.

 

[dandority]

They should be. That's how companies expand.

They're only subsidizing if they're not expecting to make money. Otherwise it's an investment.

I should have been more clear. The guests of the U.S. properties are subsidizing the ticket and hotel prices of the guests at the international properties.

This board has been full of announcements of service cuts, increased ticket prices, and additional cash grabs for at least a few months now. Mainland guests pay more and receive less so that overseas guests can pay less.

 

[rteetz]

I wonder if they had some issues to use pyrotechnics over there. I assumed there was some sort of environmental program going on or something.

Yes I believe they won't be allowed to do nightly fireworks.

 

[Travis B]

We're not seeing much of the floating lotus things. Given that this is a very unusual amount of on-show testing, and Disney have gotten cagey about launch dates, something's clearly not going quite right. I'm wondering whether it's because Disney has the flowers locked down and ready, and it's the animals that are misbehaving, or whether it's the flowers that are being reworked.

[edit] full-disclosure: I'm not an impartial observer, since I'll be at WDW end of April/start of May.

I've seen videos of the lotus flowers as well as the animals, all within the past few days.

I do agree that it's interesting the amount of visible testing they're doing, as I always understood Disney to keep everything out of sight as much as possible. I don't know that it's a clear indication of problems though - besides being privy to that information first-hand I don't think there's any surefire way to tell. They would need to use night time hours for testing of the lighting, water/projections, audio, and so many other things that perhaps they are willing to give up a little secrecy in order to get the show perfected in time. The effect of the floats when illuminated and immersed in the show will be quite different, and what we're able to see now isn't any more than has been released in videos on the Disney parks blog.

I'm quite jealous that you get to be there for the debut.

 

[DizDaD7]

There are people who like Tony's too. No matter how generally poorly regarded a restaurant is, someone will always chime in that it's their favorite.

Blaghh...Sorry I think I just threw up in my Mouth...

 

[summerw]

Urgh. So I saw the post about the water parks being closed for the weather, but I just got a notification that blizzard beach will be closed for several days, April 3-5. Any news on this? I guess we'll be going to Typhoon Lagoon. Disney strikes my itinerary again.

 

[rteetz]

Urgh. So I saw the post about the water parks being closed for the weather, but I just got a notification that blizzard beach will be closed for several days, April 3-5. Any news on this? I guess we'll be going to Typhoon Lagoon. Disney strikes my itinerary again.

I believe blizzard beach has been having some technical issues lately.

 

[monique5]

Love Coral Reef Restaurant. One of the best. I never usually talk to my "neighbors" in a restaurant much, but last May got to talking to couple next to us. They talked about how it is by far their favorite restaurant and go to it every trip (they seem to go quite often). I only went because an old co-worker told me it was their favorite restaurant in Disney World and that they go there every trip. I know my mother had a mother's day dinner there once and it was one of her all-time favorites as well. I honestly haven't heard as many outside the signature restaurants that so many have claimed it is their favorite as Coral reef seems to get.

We enjoyed our meal at Coral Reef December 2014. Based on that meal we would eat there again.

 

[rteetz]

Photo update

Stage stage now in place for Star Wars show.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ar-wars-show-at-disneys-hollywood-studios.htm

 

[rteetz]

News

A new Disney collectible coming out in May. Disney character Lego figures.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...turing-iconic-disney-characters-debut-in-may/

 

[rteetz]

News

The Shanghai effect on Disneyland from Miceage.

http://micechat.com/122782-disneyland-cutbacks/

 

[Irish_Mike]

News

The Shanghai effect on Disneyland from Miceage.

http://micechat.com/122782-disneyland-cutbacks/

Interesting article, but this portion really caught me:

But if Shanghai opens in June to negative press that picks up on how many rides still aren’t ready to open and how many buildings and facilities are still obviously unfinished, which may cause Chinese visitors to delay their first visit, then Burbank would demand that the American parks continue their cutbacks through the end of the fiscal year in September

Does anyone seriously think Shanghai is going to open with glowing praise and minimal negative reviews? These budget cuts are going to be around through at least September, and I can only imagine how prominent it's going to be during the peak season.

 

[Indybill]

Does anyone seriously think Shanghai is going to open with glowing praise and minimal negative reviews? These budget cuts are going to be around through at least September, and I can only imagine how prominent it's going to be during the peak season.[/QUOTE]

I think it will depend on what press you read. Inside Communist China, I doubt locals see much bad press regardless of what reality is since the government controls the press and wants the park to succeed. For us, I am sure we will hear tons of negative press but that won't really matter since their government routinely blocks access to things from outside of China.

 

[Irish_Mike]

I don't know if this has been posted yet, but:

DailyMail has aerial photos of Shanghai construction

 

[Kirkules]

I don't know if this has been posted yet, but:

DailyMail has aerial photos of Shanghai construction

I've got to admit, it looks amazing.

 

[Reddog1134]

News

A new Disney collectible coming out in May. Disney character Lego figures.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...turing-iconic-disney-characters-debut-in-may/

Just when I was working my way past my Lego addiction.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Photo update

Stage stage now in place for Star Wars show.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ar-wars-show-at-disneys-hollywood-studios.htm

I like that it doesn't have a giant overhang so you can still see the Theater pretty well