News Round Up 2017

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Having toured the construction site and having SEEN the models, they're not wrong. Volcano Bay is, at a BASE level, a water park. But if you think this is an equivalent to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach ... well, that's just being mean to Volcano Bay. I do think it will be a game-changer.

I've never been excited for a water park before...

I can't wait to hear what volcano bay has in store.

 

[rteetz]

News

James Iglehart's replacement as the Genie in Aladdin on Broadway was named on The View today.

 

[Spacedog1975]

News

James Iglehart's replacement as the Genie in Aladdin on Broadway was named on The View today.

Major Attaway per my search - I get the impression he had been James' standby.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

News

James Iglehart's replacement as the Genie in Aladdin on Broadway was named on The View today.

Major Attaway per my search - I get the impression he had been James' standby.

I'm just glad it wasn't Whoopi Goldberg

 

[Spacedog1975]

I'm just glad it wasn't Whoopi Goldberg

The way the article I read was written, it suggested as much. Awful writing style.
I had to re-read it a couple of times to clarify.

 

[thepops]

I'm just glad it wasn't Whoopi Goldberg

Well she did get her one line almost right

 

[rteetz]

News

Universal had a successful 2016 and thinks that Volcano Bay will be the world's best water park.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-comcast-earnings-20170126-story.html

 

[Tigger's ally]

News

Walls are down around Planet Hollywood

http://blogmickey.com/2017/01/photos-walls-come-planet-hollywood-observatory/

Looks good. Those second floor outdoor covered tables will be a big hit after the sun goes down!

 

[skier_pete]

Having toured the construction site and having SEEN the models, they're not wrong. Volcano Bay is, at a BASE level, a water park. But if you think this is an equivalent to Typhoon Lagoon or Blizzard Beach ... well, that's just being mean to Volcano Bay. I do think it will be a game-changer.

It may be a better water park - but it's still going to be a water park. A large portion of theme park goers simply are not interested in a water park, and certainly won't treat it the same as a theme park.

News

Universal had a successful 2016 and thinks that Volcano Bay will be the world's best water park.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/os-comcast-earnings-20170126-story.html

I just watched the video of it...sure it looks like a good water park, but it still looks an awful lot like a water park.

Edit: Just realized they actually called it "The World's Best Water Park" in the article. Maybe they are already backing away from the fantasy of it being a third theme park?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It may be a better water park - but it's still going to be a water park. A large portion of theme park goers simply are not interested in a water park, and certainly won't treat it the same as a theme park.

I agree. I get what they are going for marketing wise calling it a third theme park but most will see right through that. Sure you can have certain things that resemble a theme park but it's still going to be just a water park.

 

[rteetz]

It may be a better water park - but it's still going to be a water park. A large portion of theme park goers simply are not interested in a water park, and certainly won't treat it the same as a theme park.



I just watched the video of it...sure it looks like a good water park, but it still looks an awful lot like a water park.

I'm interested to see real video of the entire park rather than CGI video. Universal is very serious about treating this as a theme park. They've maybe got more to this park than we've seen.

 

[nightshaderose]

Looks good. Those second floor outdoor covered tables will be a big hit after the sun goes down!

Something was going on there tonight. Looked like an invite only preview? There were people going in/seated on the balcony at 8:30-9ish

 

[rteetz]

Something was going on there tonight. Looked like an invite only preview? There were people going in/seated on the balcony at 8:30-9ish

Yes they've been doing private events.

Lunch reservations were cancelled tomorrow but dinner is still on from reports.

 

[Travis B]

I'm interested to see real video of the entire park rather than CGI video. Universal is very serious about treating this as a theme park. They've maybe got more to this park than we've seen.

Everything Uni has released says water park to me. The map, video. Even the 'aqua-coaster' looks like a more sophisticated version of the slides that use the big rafts. Even if it's the best, most well-themed water park in the world (which who knows? maybe it will be), it's still not a legit third gate in my mind. If there were some revolutionary idea or attraction I feel like they'd be teasing it in the media. I look forward to seeing it - but like @skier_pete said, some people won't do water parks. For that reason I don't think it's fair to class it the same as the Studos or IOA. But it's too early to judge, and I'm sure everyone's expectations will be exceeded just like they were with Kong. Oh, wait ..... /s

On a less cynical note, this would definitely make me more likely to return to Uni. They 3-day ticket they mentioned for $250ish feels like a good value to me. Universal always feels more expensive to me because there's so much less to explore than on WDW's property, but the prices are pretty much the same. Volcano Bay really does look beautiful, and I could potentially see myself using it like a resort or cruise experience even if I don't do the "attractions".

 

[MermaidMommy]

Maybe something for another thread, but I've noticed over the past few weeks that the fireworks in Wishes have changed. Some are missing, some are different.
When I first noticed some were missing I thought it might have been a technical error, but it's been several weeks now and only seems to be changing more.

I'm curious about this, especially since there were rumors recently about possible changes coming to Wishes soon. Details, anyone?

 

[jade1]

I'm curious about this, especially since there were rumors recently about possible changes coming to Wishes soon. Details, anyone?

Went last night. Didn't notice enough to matter IMO.

But agree some have changed. I also felt about 6 were actually "louder" during the show than in the past. Over the years many have gotten much brighter and more color.

Near the end there are 2 really large loud bursts of gold that fill the sky, those were still there but I think the 4 leading up to them changed to more crackly types.

 

[SureAsLiz]

I'm curious about this, especially since there were rumors recently about possible changes coming to Wishes soon. Details, anyone?

Went last night. Didn't notice enough to matter IMO.

But agree some have changed. I also felt about 6 were actually "louder" during the show than in the past. Over the years many have gotten much brighter and more color.

Near the end there are 2 really large loud bursts of gold that fill the sky, those were still there but I think the 4 leading up to them changed to more crackly types.

I'm going to try to get a video in the next week to track out the changes.
Ones I can think of off the top of my head:

The blue stars haven't been appearing
In the Hercules section, the red bursts (it used to be two yellow, two orange, one red) were a smaller red/green ring
When Genie enters, there is no longer a blue trail leading up to his entrance
Some of the big bursts at the end have changed to crackles (some others in the show have changed to crackles as well)

I think there are one or two other differences or moments that just felt off.

It's not something that will matter to most people, and the show itself isn't changed because of it. But it's a good amount of little changes that add up

 

[Brocktoon]

News

Marvel announces new video game partnered with Square Enix, referred to as "The Avengers Project".

https://twitter.com/Marvel/status/824633368218370049

I'm cautiously optimistic that there may finally be a Marvel game on the same level as DC's Arkham games. The Tomb Raider reboot titles and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided were excellent and that was Crystal Dynamics and Eidos Montreal ... so the talent is there!

 

[jade1]

I'm going to try to get a video in the next week to track out the changes.
Ones I can think of off the top of my head:

The blue stars haven't been appearing
In the Hercules section, the red bursts (it used to be two yellow, two orange, one red) were a smaller red/green ring
When Genie enters, there is no longer a blue trail leading up to his entrance
Some of the big bursts at the end have changed to crackles (some others in the show have changed to crackles as well)

I think there are one or two other differences or moments that just felt off.

It's not something that will matter to most people, and the show itself isn't changed because of it. But it's a good amount of little changes that add up

Will look for those thanks.

On a side note, the castle projection is vastly improved IMO, but wish it had Tangled.

The new castle show in the day has really grown on us as well.

 

[rteetz]

News

Beauty and the Beast preview inside one mans dream.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...nd-the-beast-starting-feb-10-at-disney-parks/