News Round Up 2016

[skier_pete]

News

Apparently the TWDC board is having a meeting in Florida coming up. They definitely don't meet in Florida often so something must be up.

When was the last time they did this? Was it in conjunction with another major event/announcement?

Last time that I remember was roughly 1.5 - 2 years ago (?) to finalize plans and budget for Star Wars Land and Toy Story Land

Yes the last time was I want to say last spring when they were touring through DHS, that one would assume eventually led to the DHS expansion being approved.

They way its been presented is its to discuss the possible Epcot plans.

Honestly, if they were to really devote some effort to Epcot while finishing the DAK stuff AND the DHS construction - I would be extremely impressed in that it would mean they really do GRASP the shoddy state that 2 of their 3 parks are in. (I don't include DAK in the list because with the nighttime stuff and Pandora I feel that park is actually a pretty decent full day attraction.) All they really would need to do is bring it back up to the level of opening condition. Replace something in Wonders of Life (Inside Out - Hello?), Ellen's Energy Adventure, a revitalized and not lousy Imagination Pavilion, and then maybe a new country in WS and BAM! that park is awesome. Not that all that is nothing, but we are talking a less than what they did at DAK.

 

[rteetz]

Yes the last time was I want to say last spring when they were touring through DHS, that one would assume eventually led to the DHS expansion being approved.



Honestly, if they were to really devote some effort to Epcot while finishing the DAK stuff AND the DHS construction - I would be extremely impressed in that it would mean they really do GRASP the shoddy state that 2 of their 3 parks are in. (I don't include DAK in the list because with the nighttime stuff and Pandora I feel that park is actually a pretty decent full day attraction.) All they really would need to do is bring it back up to the level of opening condition. Replace something in Wonders of Life (Inside Out - Hello?), Ellen's Energy Adventure, a revitalized and not lousy Imagination Pavilion, and then maybe a new country in WS and BAM! that park is awesome. Not that all that is nothing, but we are talking a less than what they did at DAK.

Yep. The board coming to Florida gives me hope that something might actually be happening, they usually don't come unless to look at something specific.

 

[Reddog1134]

Honestly, if they were to really devote some effort to Epcot while finishing the DAK stuff AND the DHS construction - I would be extremely impressed in that it would mean they really do GRASP the shoddy state that 2 of their 3 parks are in. (I don't include DAK in the list because with the nighttime stuff and Pandora I feel that park is actually a pretty decent full day attraction.) All they really would need to do is bring it back up to the level of opening condition. Replace something in Wonders of Life (Inside Out - Hello?), Ellen's Energy Adventure, a revitalized and not lousy Imagination Pavilion, and then maybe a new country in WS and BAM! that park is awesome. Not that all that is nothing, but we are talking a less than what they did at DAK.

The only thing I would add to this is "add a few quality acts in World Showcase".

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If they were just to show me that they aren't going to sit again after the current construction for an extended period of time...it would go along way for me.

IF

I think there are a couple of hard truths coming to the surface:

First...the parks business is starting to weaken. This is geopolitics and the pricing. The only way to combat that now is to make them "too good to miss"...again - uncle walt is proven right.

Second...with the softening of cable revenue...they are going to be really dependent on parks until the next big thing comes along. See the paragraph above.


So let's muse:

What would I like (on the premise
Major investment is coming)?

The obvious answer is a needed retrofit of half of futureworld.

But that's way too obvious...

If I had to bet? I would say inline with one trick Iger...that they could turn showcase into "Disney around the world" and IP the hell out of it...

...if I were a betting man (or a poor excuse for one)...

 

[minnie mum]

All they really would need to do is bring it back up to the level of opening condition. Replace something in Wonders of Life (Inside Out - Hello?), Ellen's Energy Adventure, a revitalized and not lousy Imagination Pavilion, and then maybe a new country in WS and BAM! that park is awesome. Not that all that is nothing, but we are talking a less than what they did at DAK.

And while they're at it, could they please find something decent to fill up the Innoventions pavilions? Something more than a couple of M&Gs.

 

[mollmoll4]

First images of a new Lego Cinderella Castle

http://minifigpriceguide.com/wordpress/lego-71040-disney-cinderella-castle-is-revealed-today/

Might be spending a little money in the near future...

 

[circus4u]

I was looking at my fast pass options on MDE for September and noticed that the Animal Kingdom Jungle Book show is listed as "Closed for Refurbishment." Any thoughts?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

First images of a new Lego Cinderella Castle

http://minifigpriceguide.com/wordpress/lego-71040-disney-cinderella-castle-is-revealed-today/

Might be spending a little money in the near future...

Yep...that one is sold

 

[Missyrose]

I was looking at my fast pass options on MDE for September and noticed that the Animal Kingdom Jungle Book show is listed as "Closed for Refurbishment." Any thoughts?

Last rumors I saw said that Jungle Book is closing September 5, whether RoL is ready or not.

 

[MommyinHonduras]

I was looking at my fast pass options on MDE for September and noticed that the Animal Kingdom Jungle Book show is listed as "Closed for Refurbishment." Any thoughts?

It is only scheduled through Sept 5

 

[rteetz]

And while they're at it, could they please find something decent to fill up the Innoventions pavilions? Something more than a couple of M&Gs.

Yes that's being discussed according to what I've been hearing.

 

[rteetz]

I was looking at my fast pass options on MDE for September and noticed that the Animal Kingdom Jungle Book show is listed as "Closed for Refurbishment." Any thoughts?

It's scheduled up until September 5th. The rumors are Disney wants RoL to open for September.

 

[nkosiek]

For stage 3 or whatever, how about Tron? Not in any park outside of Shanghai, and could be a dark ride. Would definitely cause strife and consternation if it wasn't a coaster.

 

[MichiganScott]

First images of a new Lego Cinderella Castle

http://minifigpriceguide.com/wordpress/lego-71040-disney-cinderella-castle-is-revealed-today/

Might be spending a little money in the near future...

Lego is on the warpath, squashing this link because it was apparently "leaked." Of course, as with most censorship situations, Reddit is your friend.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Lego is on the warpath, squashing this link because it was apparently "leaked." Of course, as with most censorship situations, Reddit is your friend.

Right...heaven forbid that consumers will be able to think about how they're gonna get $400 for a toy in advance...

The Danes are ruthless...

 

[rteetz]

For stage 3 or whatever, how about Tron? Not in any park outside of Shanghai, and could be a dark ride. Would definitely cause strife and consternation if it wasn't a coaster.

That's not happening.

 

[STLstone]

Weren't they supposed to be changing the name of DHS? Did I imagine that rumor?

Maybe the new ride would be tied in with the new name and it's too soon to give it away.

Hey, I'm allowed to make wild guesses, too...

 

[rteetz]

Weren't they supposed to be changing the name of DHS? Did I imagine that rumor?

Maybe the new ride would be tied in with the new name and it's too soon to give it away.

Hey, I'm allowed to make wild guesses, too...

Yes they are still supposed to change the name. Bob Iger leaked that himself.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Yes they are still supposed to change the name. Bob Iger leaked that himself.

I think that's for a rainy day when construction is progressing...think late 2017-ish

 

[ParkHoppers]

Weren't they supposed to be changing the name of DHS? Did I imagine that rumor?

Maybe the new ride would be tied in with the new name and it's too soon to give it away.

Hey, I'm allowed to make wild guesses, too...

Rocking Pixar Wars Land of Terror has a nice ring to it.