News Round Up 2016

[Ai12gani]

News

More details regarding Pandora the world of Avatar will be revealed at the Orlando D23 event in November.

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/08/james...vatar-theme-park-land-at-destination-d-event/

So basically the land will not open till at least fall.

 

[Budshark]

The Motley Fool has an interesting article about DAK at Night

Wow... that does not bode well. Wonder how much truth is in the analysis... as its contrary to the "they just haven't updated hours".

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The title said new menu my bad. That makes sense though. Tiffins has had problems drawing people in so far.

We ate at the Nomad Lounge and it was practically empty. Really nice space and the food was good - definitely not cheap though and just not sure people are really looking for that true "signature" experience inside a park. It is right by where the entrance to Pandora will be so maybe that opening will help it

nice drink and beer list too

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The Motley Fool has an interesting article about DAK at Night

Interesting. We loved the park at night - just such a different feel and had a fun vibe with the dance acts and the DJs playing, etc.

The overall crowds were pretty low though - other than the ginormous lines waiting to get into the Jungle Book Show.

Wonder if they could go to a model where it is open late (11pm or whatever) but only a few days a week so you can really experience it at night if you want

 

[Irish_Mike]

Wow... that does not bode well. Wonder how much truth is in the analysis... as its contrary to the "they just haven't updated hours".

If Disney does update the hours for DAK, I don't think it'll happen until RoL is officially announced to open. Because that and the Tree of Life will really be the highlights of the park at night, based on the reviews I've seen.

It's a shame, because this could have been so much better.

 

[rteetz]

So basically the land will not open till at least fall.

Not necessarily. We are 9-15 months away. So sometime between April and September.

 

[rteetz]

Wow... that does not bode well. Wonder how much truth is in the analysis... as its contrary to the "they just haven't updated hours".

They just updated September hours to 9PM. That's probably what it will be for the rest of the fall and winter. Epcot closes at 9 in the winter too. Not unexpected at all. MK is onto open until 10ish.

 

[rteetz]

If Disney does update the hours for DAK, I don't think it'll happen until RoL is officially announced to open. Because that and the Tree of Life will really be the highlights of the park at night, based on the reviews I've seen.

It's a shame, because this could have been so much better.

September hours were just updated.

 

[Budshark]

Interesting. We loved the park at night - just such a different feel and had a fun vibe with the dance acts and the DJs playing, etc.

The overall crowds were pretty low though - other than the ginormous lines waiting to get into the Jungle Book Show.

Wonder if they could go to a model where it is open late (11pm or whatever) but only a few days a week so you can really experience it at night if you want

The problem is nested in what you wrote. If a large part of the appeal is ambiance from the performers you need 4-5 days per week to keep performers fully employed. And if it's heavily weighted on extra staffing to bring in the crowds, you need crowds to fund the performers.

No crowds, no funding, no funding, no night time AK. They could use the lighting and keep the park open a couple nights a week without the entertainment, but likely no reward for doing that.

It all seems to be going south. They need more and longer trips from customers to justify the new offerings but they keep increasing price and taking away the extras which is causing shorter and less Disney centric trips. AK is a good example of a failed Disney strategy rooted in a false belief that people will just come and spend. Pandora and Toy Story are unlikely to change anything. Star Wars is their only hope

 

[TheMaxRebo]

The problem is nested in what you wrote. If a large part of the appeal is ambiance from the performers you need 4-5 days per week to keep performers fully employed. And if it's heavily weighted on extra staffing to bring in the crowds, you need crowds to fund the performers.

No crowds, no funding, no funding, no night time AK. They could use the lighting and keep the park open a couple nights a week without the entertainment, but likely no reward for doing that.

It all seems to be going south. They need more and longer trips from customers to justify the new offerings but they keep increasing price and taking away the extras which is causing shorter and less Disney centric trips. AK is a good example of a failed Disney strategy rooted in a false belief that people will just come and spend. Pandora and Toy Story are unlikely to change anything. Star Wars is their only hope

The one thing I will say about AK is they are also turning that park into like a adult beverage specialty place with all the new drink stands and alcoholic dole whip, etc. so we definitely spent on those during our stay there. But I agree you need the performers to make it worth spending a lot of time at night there which obviously costs money. Guess wait-and-see as far as Pandora as with the luminescent plan life it should work well at night - but will people spend the $ for that?

 

[rteetz]

News

Disney is enhancing the Grand Floridian Wesding Pavillion

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/08/conce...ng-wedding-pavilion-with-redesigned-interior/

 

[rteetz]

News

Some changes to the evening EMH MK lineup

http://www.wdwmagic.com/other/extra...ingdoms-evening-extra-magic-hours-line-up.htm

 

[TheLittleKatie]

News

The crane is back, back again...

http://blogmickey.com/2016/08/crane-returned-cinderellas-castle/

Does anyone know roughly how long the August/September crane work usually takes? We head out in 2 weeks! Thanks in advance

 

[LittleDreamer]

Jim Hill musings...

Wreck it Ralph into stitch

That feels like a waste of Wreck it Ralph, Stitch is such a small space it can really only hold a show. Wreck it Ralph is the world of video games there should be movement at least. Even if they take over some of the retail space around it I'm worried they won't do it justice. Or they are just going to revert if back to Alien Encounter but overlay the PsyBugs from the first movie onto the story.

 

[Jing]

The title said new menu my bad. That makes sense though. Tiffins has had problems drawing people in so far.

I, for one, cannot wait for my solo trip to enjoy the Taste of Tiffins and a cocktail before the W&D races. We only have 2 child-free nights for our family trip - one is hub's book signing off property, and the other is Narcoossess since he has been dreaming of the Coriander and Shichimi Ahi Tuna since last fall. Were I to squeeze another date night in, it would be either V&A or a night at F&W festival.

 

[rteetz]

Does anyone know roughly how long the August/September crane work usually takes? We head out in 2 weeks! Thanks in advance

Crane will likely be there for at least a month.

 

[rteetz]

That feels like a waste of Wreck it Ralph, Stitch is such a small space it can really only hold a show. Wreck it Ralph is the world of video games there should be movement at least. Even if they take over some of the retail space around it I'm worried they won't do it justice. Or they are just going to revert if back to Alien Encounter but overlay the PsyBugs from the first movie onto the story.

It would be converted to two large simulator type attractions. Stitch has two theaters.

 

[adelaster]

Crane will likely be there for at least a month.

Thanks for this information. Nothing but hilarious misfortunes on timing for our first visit!

 

[Flyerjab]

I, for one, cannot wait for my solo trip to enjoy the Taste of Tiffins and a cocktail before the W&D races. We only have 2 child-free nights for our family trip - one is hub's book signing off property, and the other is Narcoossess since he has been dreaming of the Coriander and Shichimi Ahi Tuna since last fall. Were I to squeeze another date night in, it would be either V&A or a night at F&W festival.

We have eaten at Tiffins twice so far, and let me tell you that the Wagyu beef on the menu is exquisite. In fact, the meal at Tiffins was one of the best WDW dining experiences that we have ever had. The decor and theming inside that restaurant is makes it an exhibit unto itself, the servers are friendly and excellent at their job, and the food is absolutely top notch. And also, do not forget to visit the attached Nomad Lounge. Right now it is easy to eat there as it is expensive but also slightly off the beaten path. Once Pandora opens next year, the main entry way into that expansion will go right by this restaurant so I expect it will get more crowded.

 

[Flyerjab]

That feels like a waste of Wreck it Ralph, Stitch is such a small space it can really only hold a show. Wreck it Ralph is the world of video games there should be movement at least. Even if they take over some of the retail space around it I'm worried they won't do it justice. Or they are just going to revert if back to Alien Encounter but overlay the PsyBugs from the first movie onto the story.

Actually, if Jim is accurate on this one - and I never know with him - I think that people generally like the rides where you actually compete with other riders. His description, if true, pits all riders against one another in a "travel into the the video game world" to compete in Sugar Rush. After the 3 to 4 minute race is over, you get to see who finishes first through last and such. I think that is why Toy Story Mania is so popular. The game itself is not complex but people love it, and I think that some of it has to do with it being more than just a ride. When you are actually competing with other people, it allows people to enjoy it on a different level. The same concept goes for Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin. Talk about an archaic looking ride for a Disney park. But man, we go on it every time because as a family we love competing with each other for fun. It would be nice to have another game like that but with better technology.