News Round Up 2016

[lockedoutlogic]

Diagon Alley has the advantage of being inherently immersive because of it's nature as an alley with high walls. It is very well done, but I agree @rteetz - I think Pandora and Star Wars will be completely next level. Immersive open-world type experiences, like Cars Land but far beyond that.

If I had to bet right now - purely from a theming standpoint - I'd bet that avatar will come in above expectations and Star Wars below.

Just a hunch.

 

[Redcon1]

I just hope the rides are as "immersive" as the land surrounding them.

To use a food analogy, IMHO theming is the "potatoes and vegetables" to the rides' "meat".
Just hopefully with this land, we don't end up with potluck.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I don't think we can tell just yet by looking at the outside.

Let's take the new fantasyland for example. It's very pretty, has some beautiful new castles and rides.

Yet, for me, immersion is walking through diagon alley and seeing the walls plastered with advertisements for wizarding products. It's all the intricate window displays. The tiny details in the stores, like the mirror that talks to you in the robe shop or the goblin who interacts with you in the money exchange shop. Or all the interactive spells you can perform while walking around.

It's the team members dressed in wizard outfits wandering the area, the several small shows and performances that happen.

It's all the food and beverage themed to the wizarding world. You don't get a water, you get a gillywater or flavored water that's flavored by potions.

That's what immersion is to me. Pandora may or may not have it, but there's no way I can tell by looking at the rock work or concept art.

Oh let's face it: fantasyland was mailed in. They cut so many corners on theming and quality product it's a donut...

Avatar - I would guess - has much more emphasis on theme...because they have abandoned ride innovation and because they arent extracting IP juice from the old fruits on this one.

I expect a better deal this time. After "new fantasyland" and Disney springs...skepticism is understandably high...

...not even gonna mention Norway

 

[SureAsLiz]

I just hope the rides are as "immersive" as the land surrounding them.

I have only seen one small piece of one of the rides, but if the land lives up to that, it will be amazing

 

[twebber55]

Diagon Alley has the advantage of being inherently immersive because of it's nature as an alley with high walls. It is very well done, but I agree @rteetz - I think Pandora and Star Wars will be completely next level. Immersive open-world type experiences, like Cars Land but far beyond that.

my sense is i agree with you that these two lands in terms of scale will be a much bigger deal

 

[mcd2745]

If I had to bet right now - purely from a theming standpoint - I'd bet that avatar will come in above expectations and Star Wars below.

Just a hunch.

Well, to be fair, that's a real easy call. Star Wars is one of, if not, the most beloved franchises ever. As such, expectations will be through the roof and almost impossible for reality to match. Whereas with Avatar, you don't really have a franchise (only one move so far), and there was basically a collective shoulder shrug when it was announced. So it's not like the expectations are equal or even close to it. For one, they are actually relatively muted, and the other will eventually be (as we get closer to its completion) in the stratosphere maybe even reaching a galaxy far, far away.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Well, to be fair, that's a real easy call. Star Wars is one of, if not, the most beloved franchises ever. As such, expectations will be through the roof and almost impossible for reality to match. Whereas with Avatar, you don't really have a franchise (only one move so far), and there was basically a collective shoulder shrug when it was announced. So it's not like the expectations are equal or even close to it. For one, they are actually relatively muted, and the other will eventually be (as we get closer to its completion) in the stratosphere maybe even reaching a galaxy far, far away.

I was just talking about MY opinion...but to be fair - I'm REALLY good at judging these things

Star Wars is gonna come in under because they don't have the right mentality on any level to do it well for the longterm...because the management is stale and focused only on short term stock price.

It's not the fan expectation that's the problem...it's "improper motivation"

I mean...they did a straight reboot of Star Wars last year...it's like The Bee Gees wrote it...

...that's a indictment more everyday as to where their head is at.

 

[twebber55]

Well, to be fair, that's a real easy call. Star Wars is one of, if not, the most beloved franchises ever. As such, expectations will be through the roof and almost impossible for reality to match. Whereas with Avatar, you don't really have a franchise (only one move so far), and there was basically a collective shoulder shrug when it was announced. So it's not like the expectations are equal or even close to it. For one, they are actually relatively muted, and the other will eventually be (as we get closer to its completion) in the stratosphere maybe even reaching a galaxy far, far away.

who did the shoulder shrugging? the Disney online community?
which land is better in terms of scale and immersiveness and which one is more popular are two different things

 

[twebber55]

I was just talking about MY opinion...but to be fair - I'm REALLY good at judging these things

Star Wars is gonna come in under because they don't have the right mentality on any level to do it well for the longterm...because the management is stale and focused only on short term stock price.

It's not the fan expectation that's the problem...it's "improper motivation"

I mean...they did a straight reboot of Star Wars last year...it's like The Bee Gees wrote it...

...that's a indictment more everyday as to where their head is at.

my guess is star wars will be really nice but the star wars loons will rip it for not being enough
sounds like the rides will be somewhat innovative, but who knows

 

[lockedoutlogic]

who did the shoulder shrugging? the Disney online community?
which land is better in terms of scale and immersiveness and which one is more popular are two different things

What major development was met with as lukewarm response as avatar? At Wdw?

The answer is unequivocally "nothing"

That doesn't mean it will be bad...but it was a reach and outside the generally comfort zone for Disney...definitely on the aggregate out of Disney fans comfort zones.

The staunchest "defenders" of this...uh...other than facebook...seem to be ilk that they always "know better"

...often they do...

always?...hell no.

Like i said earlier: open mind.

But the announcement and development is and was a head scratcher...now that the mountains are up and joe rohde is lighting his Yankee candles with rolled up $50s...lets not rewrite the narrative, huh?

 

[Travis B]

If I had to bet right now - purely from a theming standpoint - I'd bet that avatar will come in above expectations and Star Wars below.

Just a hunch.

I hope you're wrong but suspect you're on to something.

 

[Travis B]

But the announcement and development is and was a head scratcher...now that the mountains are up and joe rohde is lighting his Yankee candles with rolled up $50s...lets not rewrite the narrative, huh?

I suspect he uses the $50's to light something other than candles.

 

[twebber55]

I hope you're wrong but suspect you're on to something.

agreed

 

[lockedoutlogic]

my guess is star wars will be really nice but the star wars loons will rip it for not being enough
sounds like the rides will be somewhat innovative, but who knows

Innovation is the X factor on this...


People love Star Wars...in huge numbers...but if they could combine that with something unique? It would change the entire ground game in parks. It could support large price increases, ancillary sales and then be added to Paris, Tokyo and Hong Kong to solidify them...

But...what they've leaked is "safe" and doesn't innovate. At least not yet. They have an adopted successful ride system to be "kid interactive"...and they are touting a "fly the milenium falcon" ride that sounds like star tours with a servo attached to a button and some digital footage...like mission space.
Now...if Star Wars continues to grow...then in optimistic that perhaps there will be more additions to the land...maybe a lucasfilm relaunch with Indy that's another really themed land...MGM becomes "little brother" no more?

Always in motion...the future is...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I suspect he uses the $50's to light something other than candles.

You didn't get the code?

Trying to keep the board law abiding...no peacepipes/peyote

 

[dlavender]

Any further updates on the "something big is going to happen" rumor at Disney Springs?

 

[Goofy1976]

A bathroom janitor told me Disney Quest is becoming a Star Wars playground 100 bucks an hour to play in.

 

[Tigger's ally]

I expect a better deal this time. After "new fantasyland" and Disney springs...skepticism is understandably high...

...not even gonna mention Norway

Not going to let this one fly by either . I have no clue about Norway, and I am in agreement overall with new FL, but I actually really like Disney Springs. And besides, it isn't even complete yet. I think you have to really look at the property that they had to work with, how run down and stale it was, and then look at it today.

1. Parking then vs. now- Huge win. I know the garages may not be preferred, but they do handle a lot of traffic, are free and are really easy to get in and out.

2. Improved infrastructure around DS. The new road, the entrance ramp from I-4, the new bus drop area, and now the new bus lane on World drive are (hold on to your horse) WONDERFUL!

3. While the new shops do not really strike my fancy, the eating variety and for me the Drinking variety has improved by ten fold. I enjoyed my little bowl of poutine. I enjoyed Blaze. I enjoyed Sunday morning beer and a mimosa with the wifey on the dockside bar at the Boathouse watching the amphicars putter by. We enjoyed the new atmosphere that surrounds the place even if all the walls aren't down and the walkways aren't finished. And I also enjoyed the Saturday evening rest and relaxation of sitting in my old favorite - the Hole in the Wall bar.

4. having just spent 3 years restoring a 1900's era house for my daughter, I enjoyed looking at the way the town center buildings were made (love those fake shingles and how they work) Ok, that one is a stretch and I am probably the only half buzzed, grandpa looking at the shingles on them buildings with a stomach full of cheese curds, fries and gravy.


Overall at the Springs--Could they have done better? I suppose so. But I think you can always say that. I happen to think they did a great job.

 

[rteetz]

Any further updates on the "something big is going to happen" rumor at Disney Springs?

Nothing as of yet but I have to think it involves entertainment. I know Disney Springs hasn't been the draw they hoped and adding some entertainment options might get people there.

 

[rteetz]

News

Bob Iger is writing a book...

http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/bob-iger-disney-book-deal-random-house-1201890827/