News Round Up 2016

[skier_pete]

But 2 or 3 years are unacceptable...work faster...get a second shift. Not with what Comcast is doing in town....

Should I point out that Universal just announced that Fast and Furious ride now won't be opening until 2018. So from close of Disaster! (August 2015) to opening of new ride - at least LEAST 2.5 years. To build a clone of a ride that is already open in California. And Jimmy Fallon ride - which seems like it is already dated before it was announced - is somehow taking from 2015 until 2017 - so 2 years for that one, again replacing an existing ride. (Twister)

And by the way Universal's crowing about "A new ride every year" really is "We are replacing one existing ride every year". for 2017 and 2018.

So let's not give Comcast TOO much credit for their speed and efficiency in new construction.

I honestly don't think 3 years is an unreasonable timeline for a construction of size and scope of SWE that also includes demolishing the old. DHS also started about 6 months after DLR did, even though they were announced at the same time.

Are you suggesting Star Tours is a walk-on anytime, any season?

My experience is it is frequently at or near walk-on. OR it's being run artificially slow. Much of the time only four of the six simulators are running to save money yet still waits are usually short. Just don't show up in the 10 minutes after Indiana Jones lets out. I won't even get in line if it's posted more than 20 minutes.

 

[skier_pete]

I think a lot of people on the DIS have been to WDW so many times that they lose sight of how a special event might be worth it to someone who doesn't go very often, or possibly are taking their once in a lifetime trip. It's that perspective thing I mentioned.

I guess - but I always think I can add an entire DAY to my trip for $12 - ride TSMM twice and Star Tours twice by 10:30 AM, and still have the entire rest of the day for everything else. You are probably right - there are people that would perceive value in it, but I think that's really sad.

Anyone remember a few years back (2009?) when they did the Little Ones Extra Magic Hours in the fall? You got an extra hour of Fantasyland, and the characters came out and actually played games with the kids, and you got to ride rides with the characters. It was really, truly magical. Extra Cost: $0. There's the reason some of us think this isn't worth it.

 

[saskdw]

You're talking about December. The event in question is in August, which has peak high summer crowds for at least the first half of the month.

The value is in both Star Tours and TSMM being walk on. Not a short wait, not "close to it" but literally walk on.

I think a lot of people on the DIS have been to WDW so many times that they lose sight of how a special event might be worth it to someone who doesn't go very often, or possibly are taking their once in a lifetime trip. It's that perspective thing I mentioned.

The window of opportunity here is 8am-9am. These rides are on opposite sides of the park. Your choice is to ride each one once or ride one of them twice. Sorry, I can't find the value in paying $70 per person for that. Especially when Star Tours is so accessible even in August. The crowds in December are comparable to August by the way, especailly with the low crowds this summer.

The big thing here is the window is 1 hour. It would be different if it was 3 hours, but even then Star Tours just isn't a big incentive.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

Should I point out that Universal just announced that Fast and Furious ride now won't be opening until 2018. So from close of Disaster! (August 2015) to opening of new ride - at least LEAST 2.5 years. To build a clone of a ride that is already open in California. And Jimmy Fallon ride - which seems like it is already dated before it was announced - is somehow taking from 2015 until 2017 - so 2 years for that one, again replacing an existing ride. (Twister)

And by the way Universal's crowing about "A new ride every year" really is "We are replacing one existing ride every year". for 2017 and 2018.

So let's not give Comcast TOO much credit for their speed and efficiency in new construction.

I honestly don't think 3 years is an unreasonable timeline for a construction of size and scope of SWE that also includes demolishing the old. DHS also started about 6 months after DLR did, even though they were announced at the same time.



My experience is it is frequently at or near walk-on. OR it's being run artificially slow. Much of the time only four of the six simulators are running to save money yet still waits are usually short. Just don't show up in the 10 minutes after Indiana Jones lets out. I won't even get in line if it's posted more than 20 minutes.

A grocery store (wegmans) has taken 3 years to build by where I live. Another storage facility has taken 2 years to build and they are still working on it. 3 years doesn't seem so bad considering the theming Disney does.

 

[rteetz]

News

Homecoming by Art Smith opens at Disney Springs

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/chef...016-homecoming---florida-kitchen-overview.htm

 

[lockedoutlogic]

You're talking about December. The event in question is in August, which has peak high summer crowds for at least the first half of the month.

The value is in both Star Tours and TSMM being walk on. Not a short wait, not "close to it" but literally walk on.

I think a lot of people on the DIS have been to WDW so many times that they lose sight of how a special event might be worth it to someone who doesn't go very often, or possibly are taking their once in a lifetime trip. It's that perspective thing I mentioned.

The "peak August crowds" have shrunk for years...decades in fact.

Check the hotel rates...8/15-9/1 are some of the lowest prices of the year.

WDW travel has trended away from traditional summer travel for a longtime.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

A grocery store (wegmans) has taken 3 years to build by where I live. Another storage facility has taken 2 years to build and they are still working on it. 3 years doesn't seem so bad considering the theming Disney does.

A wegmans near me was built soup to nuts in 10 months...

It's not about physical impossibilities...it's about goals and motives

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think a lot of people on the DIS have been to WDW so many times that they lose sight of how a special event might be worth it to someone who doesn't go very often, or possibly are taking their once in a lifetime trip. It's that perspective thing I mentioned.

You're right about this...

You know the problem? It means we're all screwed. Quick strike things like this meant for one timers throws all the pricing decisions out of whack and will destroy the value of the place...

It's already done major damage In just five years or so...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The window of opportunity here is 8am-9am. These rides are on opposite sides of the park. Your choice is to ride each one once or ride one of them twice. Sorry, I can't find the value in paying $70 per person for that. Especially when Star Tours is so accessible even in August. The crowds in December are comparable to August by the way, especailly with the low crowds this summer.

The big thing here is the window is 1 hour. It would be different if it was 3 hours, but even then Star Tours just isn't a big incentive.

Great point...

The one hour window is the hoax...

You can't really do all the things "included"...you have to pick and choose half of them.

The best "value" is the painfully slow buzz and woody meet and greet line...

But even with light crowds in the Park it could take a half an hour.

This is just too "management friendly"

A full hour for the draws followed by a private breakfast at Hollywood and vine or brown derby might have merits...this doesn't at the price

 

[saskdw]

You're right about this...

You know the problem? It means we're all screwed. Quick strike things like this meant for one timers throws all the pricing decisions out of whack and will destroy the value of the place...

It's already don't major damage In just five years or so...

What's weird is that it's the exact opposite logic used by almost every other business.

Every other business strives to maintain customer loyalty. The easiest customers to sell are ones you've already sold. For some reason WDW has abandoned this strategy. Keep the value high and the prices reasonable and I'll keep coming. If the value is there I may even let you gouge me a little....just don't get carried away.

 

[rteetz]

News

A look at the cancelled Moana Disney infinity set

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/07/photos-cancelled-moana-disney-infinity-play-set/

 

[lockedoutlogic]

What's weird is that it's the exact opposite logic used by almost every other business.

Every other business strives to maintain customer loyalty. The easiest customers to sell are ones you've already sold. For some reason WDW has abandoned this strategy. Keep the value high and the prices reasonable and I'll keep coming. If the value is there I may even let you gouge me a little....just don't get carried away.

It's honestly (opinion) all about executive ego...

Eisner built up WDW on the model of aggressive expansion and establishing a loyal/repeat customer base (fact)

Iger has limited investment and raised prices to cater to disposable visitors and the "elite"...which is a market I'm not convinced exists. Recent softening of some sales/business could be proof of that.

The same lesson is being learned: they need a new leader every 10 years or so...there's too much power at the helm of the SS Disney for the captain NOT to get drunk off it...

 

[cmash95]

The "peak August crowds" have shrunk for years...decades in fact.

Check the hotel rates...8/15-9/1 are some of the lowest prices of the year.

WDW travel has trended away from traditional summer travel for a longtime.

august attendance has dropped because schools are going back earlier each
year. June attendance has been creeping up in the last years.

DL hires fewer people and their parks are smaller in area than WDW parks and there is also a different dynamic of the cms because they dont have sort term international or college program employees. you will find more front of the line employees that have worked ten years or more at DL then WDW and they are proud of it. DL can afford to hire people with that kind of work ethic where as WDW can't. we have to hire 60,000 cast members from and area that is highly competitive so unfortunately you can't be so choosy

 

[luisov]

News

A look at the cancelled Moana Disney infinity set

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/07/photos-cancelled-moana-disney-infinity-play-set/

If that's game footage and not just concept art, they should've released this one as the final piece of the game. Looks really good. What a shame. I do miss Infinity already.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

august attendance has dropped because schools are going back earlier each
year. June attendance has been creeping up in the last years.

DL hires fewer people and their parks are smaller in area than WDW parks and there is also a different dynamic of the cms because they dont have sort term international or college program employees. you will find more front of the line employees that have worked ten years or more at DL then WDW and they are proud of it. DL can afford to hire people with that kind of work ethic where as WDW can't. we have to hire 60,000 cast members from and area that is highly competitive so unfortunately you can't be so choosy

I missed the comparison part...

The comment was "peak summer crowd" in Florida....and the fact is that Disney world...which started as mobbed summer months during traditional school calendars when people only vacationed in the summer...has seen a massive shift that has
Intensified.

And school
Calendars are regional anyway and have been for quite some time. Any shifting is somewhat small.

In the south, schools are out in May and back in August to combat heat...

Up here in the megapolis - the heavy hitters with cash of the WDW clientele...it's Labor Day through mid June with many days off...some areas do trimesters...

It's all relative.

The fact is the American summer used to be the bread basket of the WDW calendar and that is waning...especially on property.

Try going in October these days...I'd rather go in July.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

If that's game footage and not just concept art, they should've released this one as the final piece of the game. Looks really good. What a shame. I do miss Infinity already.

My son got the finding dory pieces and still talks about what they'll come
Out with "next"...even though he understands there's no more...

I'll let him dream in his world as long as he wants.

This is typical of Disney retail "strategy"...

It has to be dirt cheap to make, sell a unit to everyone on the planet, and be able to carry any price they want to be "acceptable".

Oh boy...

 

[Budshark]

My son got the finding dory pieces and still talks about what they'll come
Out with "next"...even though he understands there's no more...

I'll let him dream in his world as long as he wants.

This is typical of Disney retail "strategy"...

It has to be dirt cheap to make, sell a unit to everyone on the planet, and be able to carry any price they want to be "acceptable".

Oh boy...

What they did to Infinity is near criminal and is a bigger reflection of the new Disney than anything else is is my mind.

The announcement was almost shock. I still sometimes don't believe and forget this is happening.

 

[KYMickey]

A grocery store (wegmans) has taken 3 years to build by where I live. Another storage facility has taken 2 years to build and they are still working on it. 3 years doesn't seem so bad considering the theming Disney does.

Where do you live the construction takes that long? Around here they build a new grocery store in 6 months or less and a storage facility even quicker. I'm guessing you are in the Northeast somewhere where unions prevail, that has a huge influence on the construction timetable for a project. Disney doesn't have to worry about that in Florida, almost all the construction down there is nonunion.

 

[rteetz]

News

Looks like Universal has bug plans for Nintendo...

https://mynintendonews.com/2016/07/...exceed-harry-potter-at-universal-theme-parks/

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Where do you live the construction takes that long? Around here they build a new grocery store in 6 months or less and a storage facility even quicker. I'm guessing you are in the Northeast somewhere where unions prevail, that has a huge influence on the construction timetable for a project. Disney doesn't have to worry about that in Florida, almost all the construction down there is nonunion.

In the northeast time is money...high rent means "get open quick"

I think he's talking about the new wegmans on the top of pikes peak...

Lots of "blastin" there.


And whoever told you that unions are a "bad" thing...they lied to keep your pay down. Generally speaking...not universally.

Like in Florida...where it's 100% to keep pay down and they Sell it like magic snake oil.

I digress though.