News Round Up 2016

[jaxonp]

Ride looks pretty good, Kong looks great.

 

[jaxonp]

PTN looks amazing.

Big upgrade for MK WDW.

Disney marketing knows how to sell less as more. Time to start cranking that machine up and making the switch!

People also like nostalgia at DLR... I'm sure it won't be as bad as some think. I know one thing, I can't wait for the original World of Color to return. That show they have there now is a mess.

 

[luisov]

I like Kong. It's an okay ride. Looks a lot like the Hollywood version, maybe with some enhanced movements and better theming. Great visuals, but still lots of screens.

The animatronic is really impressive though.

 

[a4matte]

PTN looks amazing.

Big upgrade for MK WDW.

Disney marketing knows how to sell less as more. Time to start cranking that machine up and making the switch!

I really wouldn't mind MSEP if they upgraded it to be more like Dreamlights in Tokyo which is Ahhhhhmazing looking, especially with their upgrades to the Peter Pan ship and the Tangled float.

 

[Kirkules]

It might be a much better experience in person, but when I compare that Kong video to the POTC ride in Shanghai, Disney seems to win hands down. Disney's use of screens complimented the practical and are much more sporadic. I'm hoping that they keep that process for the Star Wars rides forthcoming!

 

[Travis B]

I like Kong. It's okay. Looks a lot like the Hollywood version, maybe with some enhanced movements and better theming. Great visuals, but still lots of screens.

The animatronic is really impressive though.

That was my thought, too.. SO MANY SCREENS.

 

[Travis B]

It might be a much better experience in person, but when I compare that Kong video to the POTC ride in Shanghai, Disney seems to win hands down. Disney's use of screens complimented the practical and are much more sporadic. I'm hoping that they keep that process for the Star Wars rides forthcoming!

I completely agree. POTC utilizes screens as part of the theming whereas Kong is basically 100% screens.

 

[rteetz]

Video

A video of just the queue of Kong. They really did a good job with the queue.

 

[LittleDreamer]

Kong looks really well done, but my mind is always gonna nitpick on that 360 scene. The portion that is a modified version of what showed in Hollywood, with changes in colors, cars, less spiders and less time on the vines in general. Considering that the previous scenes center around Kate, but then she disappears and is just magically safe by the end seems disjointed. Also at the end Kong climbs up a cliff away from the tram and 5 seconds later is at face level with the tram.

 

[Eoghann]

Full Kong Video

Universal are still bringing their A game it seems. Nice blending of technologies.

 

[eXo]

Ride looks pretty good, Kong looks great.

Worth noting that original descriptions of the ride had Kong actually running after the tram. This may have just been speculation, but it was reported by enough people with inside knowledge of the plans, that I have to assume they wanted this at some point.

These types of rides always translate better in person, but from the video it felt like a nice look AA that didn't movie nearly as much as I had hoped and a bunch of screens along the way. That is one thing I do get tired of from Universal. They rely on screens so much, that half the time your just watching a motion sim movie.

 

[mike_71]

Full Kong Video

No video allowed at risk of expulsion from the park. Could you imagine itm media credentials being pulled? Other sites on the normal media list didn't post video out of respect for the rules...

 

[jaxonp]

That's what is working for Universal right now. Screens are dominating what they do, the numbers reflect why they keep doing it. Disney, is doing the same old as well, but there numbers aren't seeing the kind go gains Universal is providing. Obviously its more than just what medium each company uses to tell a story but if you don't have new attraction to lure people in then you lose market share. Avatar and Star Wars can't come soon enough.

 

[jaxonp]

No video allowed at risk of expulsion from the park. Could you imagine itm media credentials being pulled? Other sites on the normal media list didn't post video out of respect for the rules...

We live in a digital age... this is free marketing for Universal. It's "against" the rules, but its what they ultimately want.

 

[Eoghann]

That's what is working for Universal right now. Screens are dominating what they do, the numbers reflect why they keep doing it. Disney, is doing the same old as well, but there numbers aren't seeing the kind go gains Universal is providing. Obviously its more than just what medium each company uses to tell a story but if you don't have new attraction to lure people in then you lose market share. Avatar and Star Wars can't come soon enough.

There are some very loud detractors for "screenz" but if you look at people's reactions in the parks themselves I don't think it's a widely held opinion.

Shanghai's Pirates may arguably be better, but I don't care because I'll never see it in person.

 

[rteetz]

No video allowed at risk of expulsion from the park. Could you imagine itm media credentials being pulled? Other sites on the normal media list didn't post video out of respect for the rules...

I thought that when they posted the queue video. The announcement specifically says no photo or video and then they go ahead with photo and video.

 

[rteetz]

Photo update

Planet Hollywood photo update

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/plan...ook-at-the-planet-hollywood-redevelopment.htm

 

[Alice Royal]

I left Universal at 5:30 last night when they announced TM previews again...without noticing they were only from 4-6. Just my luck! I'm surprised they did it this early. Haven't watched any of the videos so I can have the full experience when I do eventually get to ride.

 

[jade1]

edit-to much spoiler on Kong but explains a lot from my friends

 

[rteetz]

News

Executive chef changes at WDW

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/plan...ook-at-the-planet-hollywood-redevelopment.htm