News Round Up 2016

[luisov]

I don't think it's terrible but the back just looks way to square to me.

It could also be more of a cultural thing. It seems to me like every single aspect of this park was carefully designed to resemble Chinese philosophies and ideas, so it's very likely that they made a ton of designs before picking one that would connect the most with the Chinese ideal of what a castle should be.

 

[Eoghann]

It could also be more of a cultural thing. It seems to me like every single aspect of this park was carefully designed to resemble Chinese philosophies and ideas, so it's very likely that they made a ton of designs before picking one that would connect the most with the Chinese ideal of what a castle should be.

That may well be the case. We are definitely not the target market.

The design is much more historical castle than fairytale castle.

A lot of castles are ugly because they were built to be practical, not elegant.

 

[Madteaparty001]

That may well be the case. We are definitely not the target market.

The design is much more historical castle than fairytale castle.

A lot of castles are ugly because they were built to be practical, not elegant.

The design doesn't bother me but I feel like the colors clash, hopefully when they're done with it the final product will be more aesthetically pleasing.

 

[Travis B]

I will be interested to see if it looks differently once all the landscaping is complete. Right now, it looks to me like an industrial warehouse with spires on top. It just seems to be too wide or something. I am really hoping it changes with the landscaping finishes as it could minimize how it currently appears. It may also help to have more of a ground level view from the front as most of the shots are from the back or overhead.

I think you've nailed it - most of the Shanghai pics and vids I've seen are aerial - and honestly Disney parks look fairly crappy from the air. It's all flat roofs and AC units and such. The picture posted by @luisov a few posts up looks really good, IMO. When so much of the design is about sightlines and forced perspective it's hard to get a really good idea about the look until we get more visuals from on the ground.

 

[Taylor Nicole]

Here's a picture from Disney and More that shows the front view of the castle. I personally like it. It's closer to what an actual castle looks like. It's not the most charming or the prettiest, but it certainly is the most impressive one.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PmKVUVyLUrI/Vv8a29xEa5I/AAAAAAAAVbo/J_Bv7s4eRZwCdHNZmub9Oy7nCW8ffTahg/s1600/sdl+castle+big.jpg

The castle looks much better in that picture.

 

[nkosiek]

Not sure this was discussed after the last shareholder meeting, but Iger saying things are moving past MagicBands...already?!?! So, if they move past the bands they will have spent 1+ billion on an app and new IT stuff they can't get right?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...-disney-magicbands-phones-20160408-story.html

 

[Budshark]

Not sure this was discussed after the last shareholder meeting, but Iger saying things are moving past MagicBands...already?!?! So, if they move past the bands they will have spent 1+ billion on an app and new IT stuff they can't get right?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...-disney-magicbands-phones-20160408-story.html

Not exactly. The "need" for the rubber band is no longer there. Phones and smart watches can perform that function. So, if Disney can switch tickets and fastpass + to peoples phones, those people don't need the band. Disney spends less money shipping rubber bands around, but the infrastructure and app will still be used.

 

[luisov]

Not sure this was discussed after the last shareholder meeting, but Iger saying things are moving past MagicBands...already?!?! So, if they move past the bands they will have spent 1+ billion on an app and new IT stuff they can't get right?

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/trav...-disney-magicbands-phones-20160408-story.html

Well, but isn't the band just a really minor part of the MyMagic+ project? Disney will be able to track and obtain quite a lot of information that will help them make important decisions regardless. They were just too stubborn to realize that they didn't need a rubber band to do so.

 

[soniam]

Well, but isn't the band just a really minor part of the MyMagic+ project? Disney will be able to track and obtain quite a lot of information that will help them make important decisions regardless. They were just too stubborn to realize that they didn't need a rubber band to do so.

I think they were worried that some guests, particularly from other countries, might not have smart phones or ones that work in the US. Many people outside the US don't have data plans here or pay exorbitant rates for data. Plus, Disney's wifi still isn't up to snuff to be used like MBs or even for 4th+ FP+ booking. I guess we will find out soon how that's going. By afternoon, I usually have to switch from wifi to data in the parks, if not earlier.

 

[luisov]

I think they were worried that some guests, particularly from other countries, might not have smart phones or ones that work in the US. Many people outside the US don't have data plans here or pay exorbitant rates for data. Plus, Disney's wifi still isn't up to snuff to be used like MBs or even for 4th+ FP+ booking. I guess we will find out soon how that's going. By afternoon, I usually have to switch from wifi to data in the parks, if not earlier.

That's true. WDW's case is really unique because of the big number of international tourists.

 

[rteetz]

News

Celebrate Africa event coming to AKL

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2016/04/celebrate-africa-event-coming-to-animal.html

 

[Travis B]

Whether it's needed or not I would prefer to continue using MBs instead of my phone. Much easier to tap and go, IMO.

 

[Eoghann]

Well, but isn't the band just a really minor part of the MyMagic+ project? Disney will be able to track and obtain quite a lot of information that will help them make important decisions regardless. They were just too stubborn to realize that they didn't need a rubber band to do so.

When they started the project they probably did need those bands. Smartphone adoption has been incredibly fast and it's really only a few years old.

However people keep confusing MyMagic+ with the MagicBands. That project also included major IT and infrastructure changes that had to happen whether the bands and FP+ were implemented or not

 

[Tiffany_m15]

So I just checked out the update for the MDE app and right off the bat I'm already loving that when you open "FastPass" it actually shows you your FP selections. It used to be slightly frustrating that there wasn't one place to view your FP plans only.

I also tried booking FPs for a visit we have coming up. I like being able to see all the time options that are available but I think it could be a little confusing for some because the 1hour windows aren't displayed so when you try to book another FP and accidentally click a time that falls inside the first FP window it cancels the first FP instead of offering an alternative. Maybe this will just take getting used to. Overall, I think I will like it. Has anyone else tried it?

 

[Budshark]

Whether it's needed or not I would prefer to continue using MBs instead of my phone. Much easier to tap and go, IMO.

Most likely that option will be available when/if they make the change. You'll either be able to request a magic band or pay for one or buy one. I personally agree with you, and would more than likely continue using magic bands while on vacation.

 

[rteetz]

Most likely that option will be available when/if they make the change. You'll either be able to request a magic band or pay for one or buy one. I personally agree with you, and would more than likely continue using magic bands while on vacation.

I would like it if they integrated the Apple Watch. The watch already had the NFC capability. I wouldn't have to wear both then. I don't mind magicbands though.

 

[disneymath]

Most likely that option will be available when/if they make the change. You'll either be able to request a magic band or pay for one or buy one. I personally agree with you, and would more than likely continue using magic bands while on vacation.

I really hope they continue to offer a free option at least for kids. I know lots of kids have cell phones of their own, but many don't. Also, we travel as a party of 8 but have at most two phones with us when we go to WDW.

 

[jlundeen]

I really hope they continue to offer a free option at least for kids. I know lots of kids have cell phones of their own, but many don't. Also, we travel as a party of 8 but have at most two phones with us when we go to WDW.

heck, it's not just kids that don't have mobile phones, one of the folks I'm traveling with in a couple weeks doesn't have one. And what about the non-US folks...will their phones work here?

 

[jade1]

Been out of the loop lately, but lots of open viewing on the path now for ROL.

Expecting a tape line for the path.

 

[closetmickey]

And wouldn't it be quite a challenge for everyone to retain enough battery throughout the day? I certainly don't want to go sit somewhere for 30-60 min to wait for my phone to recharge!