News Round Up 2016

[rteetz]

Photo update

Magic kingdom update

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/08/photo...nd-repaint-rocks-wilderness-lodge-cabins-etc/

 

[circus4u]

Kind of old news, but ......
Disney is considering Uber-like guest-paid transportation
http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wal...ortation-service-around-walt-disney-world.htm

 

[HuskieJohn]

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/08/epcots-guardians-galaxy-ride-will-roller-coaster-attraction/

If it will be done by 3/2020 then we wont be skipping Epcot. Amazing turnaround for the park if they get all this done.

 

[skier_pete]

Kind of old news, but ......
Disney is considering Uber-like guest-paid transportation
http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wal...ortation-service-around-walt-disney-world.htm

So isn't this called a "taxi-service"?

I mean I realize Uber/Lyft isn't the same as a taxi-service, but Uber is a car service where people use their own cars. This would be a Disney run system it sounds like, which would essentially be a taxi system - which they already have. Unless the system is cheaper than the current taxis, what is the point?

 

[rteetz]

If it will be done by 3/2020 then we wont be skipping Epcot. Amazing turnaround for the park if they get all this done.

I think 2021 is more likely that goal to get Epcot work done if it's all approved.

 

[circus4u]

So isn't this called a "taxi-service"?

I mean I realize Uber/Lyft isn't the same as a taxi-service, but Uber is a car service where people use their own cars. This would be a Disney run system it sounds like, which would essentially be a taxi system - which they already have. Unless the system is cheaper than the current taxis, what is the point?

Kind of sounds like they might charge a one time fee and then you have access to direct rides the length of your stay, sort of like the refillable mug charge. Bet it would be quite an up-charge!
"Disney's Direct Transportation service would be a Guest-paid, car/van service designed to provide on-property Guests with a direct route to/from their home resort to/from another resort on property, during the length of their vacation." It then goes on to ask questions about offering the service to parks, Disney Springs and the airport.

 

[mcd2745]

Kind of sounds like they might charge a one time fee and then you have access to direct rides the length of your stay, sort of like the refillable mug charge. Bet it would be quite an up-charge!
"Disney's Direct Transportation service would be a Guest-paid, car/van service designed to provide on-property Guests with a direct route to/from their home resort to/from another resort on property, during the length of their vacation." It then goes on to ask questions about offering the service to parks, Disney Springs and the airport.

Sounds like another "premium" up-sell. For the folks who can't fork over enough of their money to the mouse fast enough, and don't want to be trapped with the regular riff-raff on the buses, boats, or even the monorail...pay an exorbitant fee, and you can avoid them all.

 

[closetmickey]

What am I missing? Can't you just call Uber yourself when needed instead of paying for a length of stay pass?

 

[rteetz]

What am I missing? Can't you just call Uber yourself when needed instead of paying for a length of stay pass?

This is all from a survey that Disney sent out to guests. Yes you can call uber yourself but this is all theoretical talk about a possible über style service that Disney would run.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

.

 

[writerguyfl]

What am I missing? Can't you just call Uber yourself when needed instead of paying for a length of stay pass?

I don't agree with the way Uber (or other similar companies) conducts business. So, I will never use them. I certainly would consider using a service where drivers are Disney Cast Members or employees of Mears Transportation.

 

[Joben]

What am I missing? Can't you just call Uber yourself when needed instead of paying for a length of stay pass?

Uber can not be allowed onto Disney resort property. We took on during the Princess 1/2 and had one Uber cancel on us and then another one call us to ask us if we could meet them on the road. Oddly after we agreed security allowed them to come on the resort property to pick us up, but he told us it was a common problem with Disney security. He went on to tell us that it was hit and miss, that some guards would just let them in and some would interrogate them extensively.

I don't agree with the way Uber (or other similar companies) conducts business. So, I will never use them. I certainly would consider using a service where drivers are Disney Cast Members or employees of Mears Transportation.

I have had nothing but excellent service from Uber the handful of times I have used them.

 

[Reddog1134]

That's actually an urban legend. There are a bunch of them to explain KFCs name change. Apparently the real reason is because Kentucky trademarked the word "Kentucky".

http://www.snopes.com/lost/kfc.asp

Also completely false. It was a simple rebranding.

(Sorry for the off topic post, Ryan)

 

[rteetz]

I think you are mistaken. Martin has said their plans are for a lot longer than just the next 5 years. he has mentioned 10 years (and even more) in his post. Some of it will be done by 2021 (some of the stuff he has talked about now like GotG and Innoventions) but other things for Epcot are planned farther down the line then 2021 (like the WS plans and others...)

I think Gaurdians is all goes to plan can be done earlier but for all of the Epcot plans I think 2021 will likely be the goal for the majority of work.

 

[rteetz]

 

[writerguyfl]

I have had nothing but excellent service from Uber the handful of times I have used them.

Please note that I said I don't agree with the way Uber conducts business. That has very little to do with the experience you have as a rider. Simply put...I don't agree with their business model. I won't get any further into a discussion about this topic because this is not the appropriate forum for that conversation.

 

[TheLittleKatie]

Uber can not be allowed onto Disney resort property. We took on during the Princess 1/2 and had one Uber cancel on us and then another one call us to ask us if we could meet them on the road. Oddly after we agreed security allowed them to come on the resort property to pick us up, but he told us it was a common problem with Disney security. He went on to tell us that it was hit and miss, that some guards would just let them in and some would interrogate them extensively.

Interesting, when was this? We used Uber several times just under a year ago (Sept/Oct 2015) and never had a problem being picked up or dropped off right outside the lobby. We planned on doing the same when we're there in a couple of weeks, but I wonder if it's going to be a problem now. I guess they could be making it more difficult if they're planning on implementing their own service

 

[Flyerjab]

I think Gaurdians is all goes to plan can be done earlier but for all of the Epcot plans I think 2021 will likely be the goal for the majority of work.

I don't know if he ever said that. Also, everything that he has talked about regarding the help coming to Epcot hasn't even been finalized beyond GofG, aesthetic changes to the front of the park and up through FW to the WS entrance, big upgrades to M:S, and whatever is going in Innoventions East and West. He has talked about additions to WS, but has indicated that there are many plans out there and that they haven't all been decided upon. Martin also said in one post that the changes - depending upon what gets green lit - could be occurring throughout the next 4 to 8 years. It is exciting though as he has talked about a possible new country pavilion, new rides coming to WS and a redo of the Imagination Pavilion (much further down the list).

I have always felt that Epcot was the one card Disney was holding on to as all of these other major park changes/upgrades were occurring. MK - DS - DAK - DHS - and now Epcot. I will be interested to see how the changes to Epcot occur against what UNI is going to be doing down the street. With everything they have been doing, there is still a new water park yet to open (a game changer in the world of watermarks apparently), as well as the hinted at 3rd gate on the newly acquired land that was purchased last year. I hope that if these (and other) things happen for UNI, that WDW continues to add and change their parks in kind.

 

[Missyrose]

We've used Uber extensively at Disney for almost two years now and we've never encountered having Disney security turn away a car from picking us up.

I'm not saying it can't happen. But in dozens upon dozens upon dozens of Uber rides, we've never had an issue.

It's no different, policy-wise, than having a friend pick you up on Disney property.

 

[luisov]

Call it corporate fluff if you want, but I absolutely love these ''making of'' documentaries. I love seeing how everything's made, and at the end of the day that's how Walt would sell his idea of a theme park. I'm still waiting for the Imagineering documentary Leslie Iwerks was working on.