News Round Up 2017

[skier_pete]

Again, I think the screens are lazy. I am about the immersive experience. What Disney has done well since day one was create something in front of you that you just couldn't get from a screen. Can you imagine a ride like Small World being screen based? I am not against them all together, but the majority of older kid/adult rides at Universal are screen based, I think it's uninspired. If they had built more into the Harry Potter rides than just screens, I can't even imagine what that would look like but I think it would be even better than what we have now. The screen simulators just seem very 6 Flags to me.

The trick with screens is to make it feel immersive. I know the Kong Skull Island ride got a lot of flack for being a screen ride, but I think the way they did the 360 screens on that ride was very effective. And like forbidden Journey's combination of screens and the Kuka arm and actual physically sets is well done, but many other rides are just "point you at a screen and shake you" and after a while I found it very tiresome because it made all the rides seem the same. I know I'm not the only one.

 

[a4matte]

Just got back last night from our week-long stay at Polynesian. Nice trip - rained a bit more than usual though.
The Avatar stuff was a lot more impressive than I expected. Totally don't care about the movie at all, but the land was just awesome. Flight of Passage is definitely worth it - everyone in our group was really happy with that. We had a fast pass the first time so we walked right on. The second time was during the extra magic hours Monday night. Took 2 hours of waiting in line. Was the only ride we got to do that night during that time. We were in line right around 11PM (walked around and got the frozen drink and the spring rolls beforehand) and didn't get out of the park until around 1:20AM and fully back into our room until around 2. To give you an idea of how long you'll be waiting - once you get to the inside part of the queue you've got about another hour to go.

I'd be SO upset if I had waited in the full line for the river ride. It's pretty, but totally not worth the wait people are doing for it.

I brought it up before that the glowing ground at Avatar looked like it was just black light effects and someone said it isn't - it definitely is. Tons and tons of black lights all over the place.

If you're going to do the frozen drink I might suggest you share it. It's SUPER sweet to the point most of the people in our group were feeling a little sick after finishing them.

I'm not a big fan of screen rides unless they are done very well. My eyes/brain/body apparently don't get "tricked" unless the inputs are aligned perfectly. If they are not aligned perfectly, it's still fun, but I tend to get a little nauseous from the varying inputs.

But I wonder if the younger generation is more conditioned for screen-based rides. They have grown up with screens at school, 3D movies, IMAX, mobile device screens, etc. I know my kids love the rides more than me. To them it is normal to have a screen element on a ride, whereas I prefer to ride an old-fashioned roller coaster!

I'm not a huge screen ride fan either. I was worried about the Avatar stuff after seeing some videos on youtube and all. However, flight of passage does a really good job of distracting you when the screen is uncovered. the river ride also used screens and they are a lot better looking in person and blend in to their environments much better than on video.

 

[rteetz]

I see the actual $ increase as not that much - it's likely one would see value in this at either price point or you wouldn't

But am totally with you on the lack of notice. that is one thing that annoys me with Disney in that they want their guests to plan so far in advance (ADRs out 180 days, etc.) but then they make changes with little to no notice .... feels like a one-way relationship at times

Definitely agree on lack of notice but I'd still pay $169 at least for a week long trip with others. I feel it still has the value.

 

[rteetz]

News

Disney Parks Blog meet up for Cars 3

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-parks-blog-cars-3-meet-up-at-disney-springs/

 

[rteetz]

News

Special happenings for World Oceans day at Epcot.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/special-happenings-at-epcot-for-world-oceans-day-june-8/

 

[skier_pete]

I am even more happy now that we decided to purchase Annual Passes this year! We love Memory maker and to have it included on multiple trips is a big bonus!

An effective tip is even if only you are going on a single trip in a year, if you want memory maker, have one person in your party get an AP. You get the Memory Maker, plus the 20% discounts on food and merchandise. (As long as that person with the AP is present.)

 

[skier_pete]

I'm not a huge screen ride fan either. I was worried about the Avatar stuff after seeing some videos on youtube and all. However, flight of passage does a really good job of distracting you when the screen is uncovered. the river ride also used screens and they are a lot better looking in person and blend in to their environments much better than on video.

I think screens with live action elements can be very effective. If a ride is entirely screens - as other said - it feels very lazy no matter how clear the screen is.

 

[JJZMgailey]

NEWS

BREAKING: Security Incident at Orlando International Airport May Cause Delays Today

 

[Indybill]

I am even more happy now that we decided to purchase Annual Passes this year! We love Memory maker and to have it included on multiple trips is a big bonus!

I wonder how close it is getting to price parity where one member of the party could get an annual pass instead of tickets + memory maker.
Note: just saw Skier_Pete's reply...hadn't even thought about also factoring in the 20% discounts you get!

 

[wnwardii]

that is one thing that annoys me with Disney in that they want their guests to plan so far in advance (ADRs out 180 days, etc.) but then they make changes with little to no notice .... feels like a one-way relationship at times

While I will agree that this is true for Walt Disney World, this is definitely not the situation with Disneyland or DCA. It was strange not making most of my dining reservations for Disneyland until around the 45 day mark. Even then, unless you really wanted to go to Napa Rose, I probably could have gotten a dining reservation at the 30 day mark or even closer to my trip.

I don't disagree with the lack of notification though, especially for a price increase.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

While I will agree that this is true for Walt Disney World, this is definitely not the situation with Disneyland or DCA. It was strange not making most of my dining reservations for Disneyland until around the 45 day mark. Even then, unless you really wanted to go to Napa Rose, I probably could have gotten a dining reservation at the 30 day mark or even closer to my trip.

I don't disagree with the lack of notification though, especially for a price increase.

That's true, but it is other things as well, such as short notice changing for park times. Last trip we had a pre-park opening ADR lined up, and then they moved the part opening earlier so now our ADR was during regular park hours (just another example)

 

[TheMaxRebo]

An effective tip is even if only you are going on a single trip in a year, if you want memory maker, have one person in your party get an AP. You get the Memory Maker, plus the 20% discounts on food and merchandise. (As long as that person with the AP is present.)

Well, some food discount is with the AP, some is with Tables in Wonderland, which you need an AP to get (and then you get 20% off alcohol too). One trip we were traveling with a party of 10 and I worked out the math that it saved us money to have me upgrade my ticket to an AP and get TiW (we had a car so that covered parking at the parks as well, so another savings)

 

[rteetz]

News

Disney's Grand Californian hotel pool has reopened.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/redesigned-grand-californian-hotel-pool-area-opens/

 

[SaharanTea]

Well, some food discount is with the AP, some is with Tables in Wonderland, which you need an AP to get (and then you get 20% off alcohol too). One trip we were traveling with a party of 10 and I worked out the math that it saved us money to have me upgrade my ticket to an AP and get TiW (we had a car so that covered parking at the parks as well, so another savings)

It's case by case for sure. Last time I ran the numbers an added AP wouldn't have saved us money, but I'll need to run them again to see where we stand now. We have the Disney Visa so that already gets us a few of the discounts an AP will.

The other factor is my wife. She said if one of us is getting an AP, we all are. I'm not sure that's a battle I want to take on right now.

 

[wareagle57]

An effective tip is even if only you are going on a single trip in a year, if you want memory maker, have one person in your party get an AP. You get the Memory Maker, plus the 20% discounts on food and merchandise. (As long as that person with the AP is present.)

Am I missing something here? Memory Maker is $149. An AP is somewhere around $800. 4-6 days worth of admission is around $400 depending on park hopper/exact number of days. I just don't see a family of 4 getting $250 dollars worth of savings from food and merch. That would be over $1000 dollars worth of food and souvineers. And not all restaurants have the AP discount. If I remember correctly from the year I had an AP, no QS had them and the TS restaurants were about 50/50.

 

[Irish_Mike]

Movie News

EW has a first look and some new plot details on Mary Poppins Returns, out next December. Image will be in a spoiler due to the size.

Spoiler

http://ew.com/movies/2017/06/07/mary-poppins-returns-inside-the-magical-sequel/

 

[SaharanTea]

Am I missing something here? Memory Maker is $149. An AP is somewhere around $800. 4-6 days worth of admission is around $400 depending on park hopper/exact number of days. I just don't see a family of 4 getting $250 dollars worth of savings from food and merch. That would be over $1000 dollars worth of food and souvineers. And not all restaurants have the AP discount. If I remember correctly from the year I had an AP, no QS had them and the TS restaurants were about 50/50.

It depends a great deal on the circumstances around each trip. Someone staying off-site would also benefit from getting free parking ($20 per day). A longer stay (in the 10-day range) could also see added benefits a shorter stay might not (including increased food and souvenir costs). Like so many things, you just have to run the numbers for your circumstances.

 

[PolyRob]

Am I missing something here? Memory Maker is $149. An AP is somewhere around $800. 4-6 days worth of admission is around $400 depending on park hopper/exact number of days. I just don't see a family of 4 getting $250 dollars worth of savings from food and merch. That would be over $1000 dollars worth of food and souvineers. And not all restaurants have the AP discount. If I remember correctly from the year I had an AP, no QS had them and the TS restaurants were about 50/50.

I upgraded to an AP with a bridged ticket (prior to the increase last year) and purchased TiW before the AP 20% came out and I easily made my money back in one trip. My group did some signature meals, Club Villain, Spirit of Aloha show, etc which the discount all worked on. I did plan other trips and go other times, but it is very possible to save within one trip. I honestly wish I had thought of it before booking my resort because I would have saved even more then!

Also, Memory Maker only allows you access for a limited time (45 days) and PhotoPass+ gives you an entire year. Could be nice for some.

And the current AP merch discount is 20% off most places, no minimum and the Disney Visa is 10% off $50+. Depending on what you buy, it can make a big difference!

 

[rungoofy]

Am I missing something here? Memory Maker is $149. An AP is somewhere around $800. 4-6 days worth of admission is around $400 depending on park hopper/exact number of days. I just don't see a family of 4 getting $250 dollars worth of savings from food and merch. That would be over $1000 dollars worth of food and souvineers. And not all restaurants have the AP discount. If I remember correctly from the year I had an AP, no QS had them and the TS restaurants were about 50/50.

a few of the QS have discounts, and many/most TS take it. Majority is 10%, but some are 20%:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/passholder-program/passholder-benefits-and-discounts/

Don't forget about AP room discounts... we saved $70/night (against the already discounted summer rates) for our upcoming six night stay (at the GF), so it was a no brainer for us to get one annual pass for our family.

 

[TwoMisfits]

Am I missing something here? Memory Maker is $149. An AP is somewhere around $800. 4-6 days worth of admission is around $400 depending on park hopper/exact number of days. I just don't see a family of 4 getting $250 dollars worth of savings from food and merch. That would be over $1000 dollars worth of food and souvineers. And not all restaurants have the AP discount. If I remember correctly from the year I had an AP, no QS had them and the TS restaurants were about 50/50.

Parking for off-siter...(said by a PP)...it would save $140 alone on a 7 day trip...