News Round Up 2016

[Travis B]

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

Expecting a tape line for the path.

You mean like they do for parades?

 

[bbmassey]

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!

Don't worry, I'm sure there will be either a power charging station Fast Pass or maybe even a special charging meet and greet for $149.

 

[wareagle57]

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!

I've never had a problem, and I often go from 8AM to midnight or later in the parks. I carry a portable charger with me, but I've only ever used it once or twice. I think part of it is I'm just not on my phone much at Disney. I still use it while I wait in line a decent amount though. And only solo trip I used it to listen to music and even watched Netflex waiting for DHS to open.

 

[kungaloosh22]

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

Plus magic bands are great at the pool. No worry about losing your phone or room key.

 

[closetmickey]

I've never had a problem, and I often go from 8AM to midnight or later in the parks. I carry a portable charger with me, but I've only ever used it once or twice. I think part of it is I'm just not on my phone much at Disney. I still use it while I wait in line a decent amount though. And only solo trip I used it to listen to music and even watched Netflex waiting for DHS to open.

Yes. But not all phone batteries are created equal. And I think it's the small minority who own/carry a portable charger.

 

[Eoghann]

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?

Cell service wouldn't be neccessary they'd be using RFID/NFC which is built into many phones now and doesn't require a carrier.

 

[Eoghann]

Yes. But not all phone batteries are created equal. And I think it's the small minority who own/carry a portable charger.

The impact of NFC on phone batteries is negligible. It's a low power service by design. Of course if people are struggling to make their batteries last anyway they will have a problem.

 

[wareagle57]

Yes. But not all phone batteries are created equal. And I think it's the small minority who own/carry a portable charger.

I have an iphone. It's what probably more than 50% of people with smart phones have. Android users mostly have phones with similar battery life to iphones.

And while it is true most people probably don't have a portable charger, they could for under 30 bucks if having their phone all day is really that important to them. It's not even essential to me, I just do it because it's minimal effort to carry. Disney would also likely continue to add charging stations. Then Disney could find ways to encourage you to use your phone more while you're in the park so that you'll be more likely to drain your battery and need a charger! (Can I have a job guys?)

Heck, here is an idea Disney. They could sell the portable chargers in the park. They could even theme them in some way to make guests want to have the Disney phone charger instead of one they might already have or would have bought otherwise. AND/OR they could rent them by the hour so you could charge them while you wait in line or eat lunch or watch a show.

I agree there would be issues, but nothing most people can't deal with.

 

[Indybill]

I have an iphone. It's what probably more than 50% of people with smart phones have. Android users mostly have phones with similar battery life to iphones.

And while it is true most people probably don't have a portable charger, they could for under 30 bucks if having their phone all day is really that important to them. It's not even essential to me, I just do it because it's minimal effort to carry. Disney would also likely continue to add charging stations. Then Disney could find ways to encourage you to use your phone more while you're in the park so that you'll be more likely to drain your battery and need a charger! (Can I have a job guys?)

Heck, here is an idea Disney. They could sell the portable chargers in the park. They could even theme them in some way to make guests want to have the Disney phone charger instead of one they might already have or would have bought otherwise. AND/OR they could rent them by the hour so you could charge them while you wait in line or eat lunch or watch a show.

I agree there would be issues, but nothing most people can't deal with.

They did do that test in Tomorrowland a year ago where they had the tiny lockers where you could leave your phone to recharge it for free. Haven't heard anything more about that since they were removed.

 

[disneymath]

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?

We're from Canada and our phones work fine in the US ... but even with an international plan, data is very costly. If the park wifi is good, then that makes things better, but many say the wifi isn't that great.

Editted to add: thanks for the rfid info @Eoghann ... seems like that would eliminate the cost issue for international visitors. There is still the "not everyone in the group will necessarily have a device" issue. And, as a PP said, the MBs are great at pools and waterparks.

 

[rteetz]

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!

Best investment I made for vacation was portable battery.

 

[DDLand]

Actually this idea is being heavily debated. If it has been moved to LMA, then likely RIP phase 3. But many insiders still have not heard this yet, and not a confirmation that image is actually Star Wars. Lots of random theories out there. No actual confirmations of anything yet. just people speculating just like you did. Many say that the image here does not match the concept art for Star Wars, some even pointing out that it more resembles that of the stuff outside Star Tours. It also could be just the artist rendering of what would be there, or could be what was the expected phase 3. All just speculation that some have run with.

Note I said "probably." I admit I may have been slightly sensationalistic in my first sentence, but we're smart enough to construe things from concept art. This speculation is seeming more and more probable by the day. I disagree with some of @skier_pete's points on concept art, the structure was added with purpose, but he's right on the "insiders." For the most part they've been in as dark as we are.

This is uncharted territory.

It's funny hearing that Star Tours may be repurposed. Oh what a few days off the Disney blogging world can bring.

 

[rteetz]

Note I said "probably." I admit I may have been slightly sensationalistic in my first sentence, but we're smart enough to construe things from concept art. This speculation is seeming more and more probable by the day. I disagree with some of @skier_pete's points on concept art, the structure was added with purpose, but he's right on the "insiders." For the most part they've been in as dark as we are.

This is uncharted territory.

It's funny hearing that Star Tours may be repurposed. Oh what a few days off the Disney blogging world can bring.

Why is it funny? It wouldn't be a difficult ride to redo.

 

[bluecastle]

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

I agree. Also, I wouldn't want to take my phone out during those afternoon thunderstorms!

 

[DDLand]

Why is it funny? It wouldn't be a difficult ride to redo.

Agreed. As Star Tours the Adventure Continues proved, re-theming is a completely viable option. I actually find that 100% believable. The thing that makes me laugh is just how Star Tours was supposed to stay...Star Tours. Once again plans we thought were firm are suddenly cast away.

I think we need to be careful when following these projects. Now the phase 3 may not be happening, but in week it will back, and the week after gone, etc. Things are just crazy right now. This isn't your typical DVC expansion.

 

[rteetz]

Agreed. As Star Tours the Adventure Continues proved, re-theming is a completely viable option. I actually find that 100% believable. The thing that makes me laugh is just how Star Tours was supposed to stay...Star Tours. Once again plans we thought were firm are suddenly cast away.

I think we need to be careful when following these projects. Now the phase 3 may not be happening, but in week it will back, and the week after gone, etc. Things are just crazy right now. This isn't your typical DVC expansion.

Ever since we first started hearing about plans to fix DHS it's been ever changing. Until things officially open nothing is set in stone with Disney. I don't think the insiders are wrong I just think things are ever changing and Sidney doesn't even know what they want to do.

 

[ej119]

The fact that Star Tours is in Tomorrowland in Disneyland might hint at what IP might be selected for the re-theming. Incredibles, Big Hero 6, and Inside Out would all be appropriate replacements (and would fit in with a Pixar-themed DHS Phase 3, minus BH6). But I agree with some previous commenters that this might be the opportune time for Disney to shoehorn in that Hong Kong Iron Man ride on the West Coast.

 

[wareagle57]

They did do that test in Tomorrowland a year ago where they had the tiny lockers where you could leave your phone to recharge it for free. Haven't heard anything more about that since they were removed.

Yeah, my idea is better.

 

[luisov]

The fact that Star Tours is in Tomorrowland in Disneyland might hint at what IP might be selected for the re-theming. Incredibles, Big Hero 6, and Inside Out would all be appropriate replacements (and would fit in with a Pixar-themed DHS Phase 3, minus BH6). But I agree with some previous commenters that this might be the opportune time for Disney to shoehorn in that Hong Kong Iron Man ride on the West Coast.

Iron Man sounds like an obvious choice, but considering that they have moved the Marvel characters out of Disneyland and that many rumors indicate that a Marvel land is being planned for DCA, I can see something else going in there. I do have my doubts about Star Tours surviving, anyway.

 

[nkosiek]

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 would think since the original plans had them and all the research into the bands, including the patents put forth, I wouldn't characterize them as minor. I would think the location information and that type of info would be super valuable and they don't get that from phones...at least not mine.