News Round Up 2016

[lockedoutlogic]

On a positive note...can I say again how much better MGM is with that stupid hat gone and a real fireworks show back in the fold?

 

[Tam&Sam]

Epcot 50th - you do realize that's in 2032 - which is 16 years away - right? I think the next thing to worry about is MK 50th. That's 5 years away.

I just wanted to say that while I appreciate all the folks that post videos - I find myself avoiding watching them. This upcoming trip is the first in a while that's going to have a lot of new stuff, and I am sort of excited to not know exactly what that will entail. So things like the Soarin' film and the fireworks, I just don't really want to look at?

Anyone else feel the same way? Or does curiosity overwhelm the desire for surprise.

Same here! Trying to keep some surprise element, especially that DFi has not watched any of the videos and I want to experience the new attractions with him up close! It's sooo hard though that my mantra these days is scroll down fast.

 

[SureAsLiz]

May I ask why you thought that? I watched it on YouTube and thought it looked great. What were you expecting?

I was expecting a fireworks show with integrated projections. This was more of a projection show with some fireworks thrown in. The location of the new launch pad is terrible, and the fact that the high shots aren't centered basically ruins the show for me. DHS was not designed with fireworks in mind, and this current layout renders much of Hollywood Boulevard useless.

I stood in the center of the road outside Starbucks. I could only see the actual theater projections - nothing off to the sides - and that's only because no one tall stood in front of me. If someone had, I would have missed half of the show. The low fireworks off to the left were completely blocked and the only reason I knew they existed was because of the light flashes in the smoke. Similarly, most of the low shots on the right were majorly obstructed. I have stood in this spot many times for different shows and it's always been wonderful, but this was terrible.

Ignoring the fireworks, there was no flow of the actual show. It bounced between stories and characters from different timelines fairly incoherently. I did notice they tried grouping things together (all the dark side showed up at once, even though the order was Vader -> Maul -> Kylo - movie order but not chronological) but it still made little sense. Instead of creating some sort of story, it felt like they just mushed together a bunch of iconic lines ('You were the chosen one' ' the probability of success...' 'do or do not...' 'I love you, I know') and some edited clips thrown up on the theater.

There were some good aspects. Some of the new fireworks they use look amazing. Very complicated shape+color changing combinations. The lasers they use for lightsabers were very cool. And the integration into the environment (I could see several trees that lit up with the show) was a cool feature.

After seeing Star Wars Weekends (2015) Symphony in the Stars (which I still firmly believe is the best show Disney World has put on in the past 18 months that I've lived here), and the last version of SitS (which was good, but not like SWW), this was a huge letdown.

 

[rteetz]

I was expecting a fireworks show with integrated projections. This was more of a projection show with some fireworks thrown in. The location of the new launch pad is terrible, and the fact that the high shots aren't centered basically ruins the show for me. DHS was not designed with fireworks in mind, and this current layout renders much of Hollywood Boulevard useless.

I stood in the center of the road outside Starbucks. I could only see the actual theater projections - nothing off to the sides - and that's only because no one tall stood in front of me. If someone had, I would have missed half of the show. The low fireworks off to the left were completely blocked and the only reason I knew they existed was because of the light flashes in the smoke. Similarly, most of the low shots on the right were majorly obstructed. I have stood in this spot many times for different shows and it's always been wonderful, but this was terrible.

Ignoring the fireworks, there was no flow of the actual show. It bounced between stories and characters from different timelines fairly incoherently. I did notice they tried grouping things together (all the dark side showed up at once, even though the order was Vader -> Maul -> Kylo - movie order but not chronological) but it still made little sense. Instead of creating some sort of story, it felt like they just mushed together a bunch of iconic lines ('You were the chosen one' ' the probability of success...' 'do or do not...' 'I love you, I know') and some edited clips thrown up on the theater.

There were some good aspects. Some of the new fireworks they use look amazing. Very complicated shape+color changing combinations. The lasers they use for lightsabers were very cool. And the integration into the environment (I could see several trees that lit up with the show) was a cool feature.

After seeing Star Wars Weekends (2015) Symphony in the Stars (which I still firmly believe is the best show Disney World has put on in the past 18 months that I've lived here), and the last version of SitS (which was good, but not like SWW), this was a huge letdown.

It did you a lot of projections but I thought they were very well done from what I could see. They couldn't really do the new launch pad from somewhere else and it wasn't feasible to keep lighting off fireworks in the park like they did.

The show definitely has a specific viewing location. They should've incorporated Hollywood boulevard more with Disneyland Main Street type projections.

I can see why you feel that way if you don't stand within the hub.

 

[soniam]

I just wanted to say that while I appreciate all the folks that post videos - I find myself avoiding watching them. This upcoming trip is the first in a while that's going to have a lot of new stuff, and I am sort of excited to not know exactly what that will entail. So things like the Soarin' film and the fireworks, I just don't really want to look at?

Anyone else feel the same way? Or does curiosity overwhelm the desire for surprise.

I am totally with you on that. I haven't even watched some of the videos the DIS team has put up for Disneyland. I did watch the Disney 60th fireworks video, because I know I won't make it out there for those. But I refrained from watching the Paint the Night video in hopes that we will see it in a couple of years at DL or WDW sooner. I watched the Shanghai grand opening ceremony, but it was pretty short and not too revealing. I really like to be wowed and in awe when I see stuff for the first time. Plus, the videos can't stand up to the live event, so it kind of ruins it for me. I don't mind reading descriptions or seeing occasional pictures though.

I like surprises though. I think we are the only people we knew who didn't want to know the gender of our child. I told people that there are so few really good surprises left in life, so why spoil it. Anyway, our kid wasn't wearing pink, even if she was a girl; I hate pink. Now I have a son that loves pink

 

[Tigger's ally]

On a positive note...can I say again how much better MGM is with that stupid hat gone and a real fireworks show back in the fold?

That sound you all just heard was me falling off my chair in total shock. Don't worry all, I am fine.

 

[SureAsLiz]

It did you a lot of projections but I thought they were very well done from what I could see. They couldn't really do the new launch pad from somewhere else and it wasn't feasible to keep lighting off fireworks in the park like they did.

The show definitely has a specific viewing location. They should've incorporated Hollywood boulevard more with Disneyland Main Street type projections.

I can see why you feel that way if you don't stand within the hub.

I get it with the launch pad location, and I get why they built it. But the change in launching location really took the quality down. I have watched fireworks all over that park, and this was the first time I was truly disappointed.

Having main street style projections absolutely would have made the show better. Anything for the people in the back to bring them into the show more.

I can go back any night of the week and get a better spot. I just find it annoying that I feel like I have to.

 

[rteetz]

News

Fence and signs going up at the Poly today

 

[lockedoutlogic]

That sound you all just heard was me falling off my chair in total shock. Don't worry all, I am fine.

Considering how they've treated the loyal, core fanbase since Iger took over...there are NOT a lot of positives to point to on the whole.

I mean...it's not "fun" or "magic" to think about...but that's is a very real concept.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

News

Fence and signs going up at the Poly today

It stinks...but prudent...

It was 45 years of relative coexistence...

But considering all the videos the have popped up over the last few days of people filming/affecting the gators around property...I'm not surprised now at all that an incident happened and they may have more.

Paradise lost

My favorite is the 2013 video from Coronado springs where the mom says "there's our first gator"...and then somebody is tossing bread at it in the water...

Outside the pepper market.

Right Disney is "wrong"...and the gator is "wrong"...

And the people "didn't know"...
...or they're damn stupid.

 

[DisneyGeekyParadise]

Id be ok with that.

The first thing that popped in my head when I saw this rumor, was DOWN WITH FLYING TINKERBELL. UP WITH FLYING CLOWNFISH.

 

[Tigger's ally]

Considering how they've treated the loyal, core fanbase since Iger took over...there are NOT a lot of positives to point to on the whole.

I mean...it's not "fun" or "magic" to think about...but that's is a very real concept.

I just look at things differently than you I guess. I go about every other year and I have a blast every time I go. To me, Disney is indeed still a bubble where I get away from the very world you said is changing in a post a page or so back. To me, they make just enough changes, and keep just enough the same to please my whole family. Is Disney entirely predictable? Yes, but I would say you are too. Is Disney concerned with the bottom line? Yes, but I would say you are too. Does Disney get a lot of flack for both those things? Yes, but I would say you do too. Both appear to be same ol' same ol' and I guess that is just how it is going to be.

 

[umichigan10]

It stinks...but prudent...

It was 45 years of relative coexistence...

But considering all the videos the have popped up over the last few days of people filming/affecting the gators around property...I'm not surprised now at all that an incident happened and they may have more.

Paradise lost

My favorite is the 2013 video from Coronado springs where the mom says "there's our first gator"...and then somebody is tossing bread at it in the water...

Outside the pepper market.

Right Disney is "wrong"...and the gator is "wrong"...

And the people "didn't know"...
...or they're damn stupid.

Yup....cause nothing screams "Disney vacation" like feeding thousand pound prehistoric relics who are just looking for an easy snack to sustain themselves.

If you're that keen on feeding alligators, Gator Land exists literally right around the corner

 

[RAD]

I was expecting a fireworks show with integrated projections. This was more of a projection show with some fireworks thrown in.

Got to agree with this. We were there in at Christmas and saw the Stars Wars fireworks show then had then, IMHO it was the best fireworks show that Disney had. It was just nonstop fireworks, this new show looks like just another way to reduce expenses since there's a lot less money spend on the actual fireworks.

 

[skier_pete]

I like surprises though. I think we are the only people we knew who didn't want to know the gender of our child. I told people that there are so few really good surprises left in life, so why spoil it. Anyway, our kid wasn't wearing pink, even if she was a girl; I hate pink. Now I have a son that loves pink

We also didn't want to know, but most everyone we know did. We live in such an "instant gratification" society now - and our kids have it even worse. People don't want to wait for anything.

That said, stuff at Shanghai or any of the foreign Disney Parks I have no problem with watching. It is unlikely I will ever get to see it in person anyways.

It stinks...but prudent...

It was 45 years of relative coexistence...

But considering all the videos the have popped up over the last few days of people filming/affecting the gators around property...I'm not surprised now at all that an incident happened and they may have more.

Paradise lost.

There's a post here on the DIS about whether Disney loses a lawsuit on this, and the article basically says it's pretty likely. As you say, Disney has always taken a rather lax attitude towards the hazards of gators, and for 45 years it's turned out OK. The assumption being "people will know better" but the reality is most people DON'T know better. The drastic changes we are seeing (Signs and fences / closing the beaches) is an admittance of guilt, and my guess is Disney will try and settle with this family to keep it out of a long drawn out court case to allow the public to go back to thinking about who the next president is going to be.

Deadly accidents usually take a number of things going wrong to occur, and one of those is often complacency against a hazard. In the end, they'll put up fences and/or close beaches and a year from now we won't think twice about it.

Got to agree with this. We were there in at Christmas and saw the Stars Wars fireworks show then had then, IMHO it was the best fireworks show that Disney had. It was just nonstop fireworks, this new show looks like just another way to reduce expenses since there's a lot less money spend on the actual fireworks.

However, this is no different then standard for many years. The special event fireworks (Christmas, New Years, SWW) are going to be better than a fireworks show that is going to be the "standard" show. Since I haven't seen any of the other Star Wars fireworks, it will be interesting to just compare it to the other regular nighttime shows. (It probably depends a lot on how much you like Star Wars, too.)

The first thing that popped in my head when I saw this rumor, was DOWN WITH FLYING TINKERBELL. UP WITH FLYING CLOWNFISH.

If you are referring to Disneyland fireworks, Disneyland has BOTH Tinkerbell and Nemo in there show. If they could fine a way to do the rig like at Disneyland and have Tinkerbell fly back and forth around the castle, that would be spectacular.

 

[disneymath]

Epcot 50th - you do realize that's in 2032 - which is 16 years away - right? I think the next thing to worry about is MK 50th. That's 5 years away.

I just wanted to say that while I appreciate all the folks that post videos - I find myself avoiding watching them. This upcoming trip is the first in a while that's going to have a lot of new stuff, and I am sort of excited to not know exactly what that will entail. So things like the Soarin' film and the fireworks, I just don't really want to look at?

Anyone else feel the same way? Or does curiosity overwhelm the desire for surprise.

I'm in the same boat regarding lots of new stuff to see this trip.

After giving in and watching the videos, I'm gonna say, hold out and don't!

I'm visually impaired and so thought watching would be a good way to prepare myself timing-wise to catch some of the details in person. I know video is not as good as the real thing, but I was left a bit underwhelmed nonetheless. Hoping the live experience delivers ... Soaring is one of my favourite rides and I typically love the nighttime shows.

 

[MommaBerd]

I just wanted to say that while I appreciate all the folks that post videos - I find myself avoiding watching them. This upcoming trip is the first in a while that's going to have a lot of new stuff, and I am sort of excited to not know exactly what that will entail. So things like the Soarin' film and the fireworks, I just don't really want to look at?

Anyone else feel the same way? Or does curiosity overwhelm the desire for surprise.

I'm with you, too. I love surprises and I want to soak in the moment, not be anticipating each element.

 

[MommaBerd]

The drastic changes we are seeing (Signs and fences / closing the beaches) is an admittance of guilt, and my guess is Disney will try and settle with this family to keep it out of a long drawn out court case to allow the public to go back to thinking about who the next president is going to be.

Not necessarily an admission of guilt...they may NOT have been guilty of negligence before the incident; however, once an incident has occurred, they *would* be negligent not to make these changes.

 

[jade1]

You honestly want to know what the biggest "news" story is? The one that was covered up by sheer chance by the gator accident - the casing of downtown Disney by yet another misguided, loose screw, well armed, social media nut...

...that's what is really concerning, being glossed over...

Yet you are the one that thinks screening is completely unnecessary, and more of it would be living in fear and giving in to the terrorists and they have won?

You can bet it would have been a Wishes massacre without it, how would we be responding to that? Look at loosing one child, not to diminish a horrible tragedy-but try a couple hundred inside the park.

 

[jade1]

I just look at things differently than you I guess. I go about every other year and I have a blast every time I go. To me, Disney is indeed still a bubble where I get away from the very world you said is changing in a post a page or so back. To me, they make just enough changes, and keep just enough the same to please my whole family. Is Disney entirely predictable? Yes, but I would say you are too. Is Disney concerned with the bottom line? Yes, but I would say you are too. Does Disney get a lot of flack for both those things? Yes, but I would say you do too. Both appear to be same ol' same ol' and I guess that is just how it is going to be.

Yep same, FP+ and DVC additions alone have massively improved our trips to Orlando. Much more flexible, relaxing and efficient now.