News Round Up 2017

[Roxyfire]

WDW offers something for everyone; that's the beauty of the thing. My folks never took me to the mods/values as a kid, and as an adult I don't get anything out of that stuff...but it's awesome that WDW can deliver for us all...Location has always been my main decider with WDW hotels, but honestly, next time, I think I'm going to the Grand Cypress. It's so darn cheap to Uber around, it may be worth it.

I don't think it matters if you stayed at those as a child to appreciate them as an adult. In fact, we went a few times and always stayed at some hotel nearby, never on site. But I do appreciate and enjoy the Disney touches, I just don't want to stay somewhere super hectic for more than a couple nights.

 

[amberpi]

I don't think it matters if you stayed at those as a child to appreciate them as an adult. In fact, we went a few times and always stayed at some hotel nearby, never on site. But I do appreciate and enjoy the Disney touches, I just don't want to stay somewhere super hectic for more than a couple nights.

I know for me, there's something about walking into the CR or Swolphin that brings back the childhood memories. The over the top stuff is way too much for ME, but, as always, I'm just 1 consumer. We all are. If they want to do immersive, like a SW or HP type hotel, I'm in!!

 

[LSLS]

I love the concept art. I do prefer hotels that look more contemporary like this. I know Disney will never say, but I am so curious about why they’re choosing to renovate their hotels to look more upscale. They're making plenty of money with the way they look now. I’m not complaining, though.

You make good money now (guess then is better) when the Pop cost $115 a night. You make a lot more when you start charging $155 a night. Coronado made good money charging $150-$200 a night. You will make a ton more when you start charging $250-$300, even after the cost of renovations.

 

[Roxyfire]

I know for me, there's something about walking into the CR or Swolphin that brings back the childhood memories. The over the top stuff is way too much for ME, but, as always, I'm just 1 consumer. We all are. If they want to do immersive, like a SW or HP type hotel, I'm in!!

It's definitely one aspect. I'm more in the (admittedly mildly cynical) viewpoint of using the correct branding allows for easier and more effective theming, attracting more consumers who may not normally consider an on-property resort. Art of Animation is a great example. Those suites and rooms are seemingly well-themed and rely on well-loved properties that it becomes a destination itself. A friend of mine stayed there in the Little Mermaid rooms solely because of the movie tie-in. If she would've asked me, I could've told her it was probably not going to provide the level of service she's accustomed to but she didn't. Instead she came back complaining it was a tiny room for a huge price, no real restaurants, and children everywhere. I thought of you because they would've really enjoyed something more like Swolphin.

 

[dlavender]

It's definitely one aspect. I'm more in the (admittedly mildly cynical) viewpoint of using the correct branding allows for easier and more effective theming, attracting more consumers who may not normally consider an on-property resort. Art of Animation is a great example. Those suites and rooms are seemingly well-themed and rely on well-loved properties that it becomes a destination itself. A friend of mine stayed there in the Little Mermaid rooms solely because of the movie tie-in. If she would've asked me, I could've told her it was probably not going to provide the level of service she's accustomed to but she didn't. Instead she came back complaining it was a tiny room for a huge price, no real restaurants, and children everywhere. I thought of you because they would've really enjoyed something more like Swolphin.

This is why the recent refurb decisions fascinate me.

Seems like people really want those little mermaid rooms, even though they are identical to the All Star rooms (I think?)

My SIL did the same, paid $170/night to stay in one. But she loved it! All because of the theme.

If that room looks like the POP reno, is it as popular?

Perhaps, in another evil genius move by WDW, it drives the ultra themed rooms higher, since they are more rare now.

Little mermaid will go for $220 now, since its the last themed room of its kind.....

 

[rteetz]

News

DisneyQuest is no more

http://blogmickey.com/2017/11/photos-disneyquest-now-completely-leveled-disney-springs/amp/

 

[Roxyfire]

This is why the recent refurb decisions fascinate me.

Seems like people really want those little mermaid rooms, even though they are identical to the All Star rooms (I think?)

My SIL did the same, paid $170/night to stay in one. But she loved it! All because of the theme.

If that room looks like the POP reno, is it as popular?

Perhaps, in another evil genius move by WDW, it drives the ultra themed rooms higher, since they are more rare now.

Little mermaid will go for $220 now, since its the last themed room of its kind.....

Yeah that's the thing! I like it more, but if I had to guess, maybe they're trying to balance that with other trends too, capturing more money and making it easier to maintain in the process. If a kid gets some mystery stain all over the wall, it's easier to repaint it white than find a stockpile of that particular wallpaper in some warehouse. My tinfoil hat theory is that they had plans to do something later on down the line, like wall projections or vinyl stickers but didn't want to maintain or deal with it when they see people are willing to stay in a less-decorated room.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So funny! The CR is still almost "too much" for me. If they got rid of Chef Mickeys and the noise and children surrounding it, I'd be more into staying onsite. The over the top nature of WDW hotels pushes ME, just one consumer, to the Swolphin, Grand Cypress, and Ritz. I grew up at the CR though until the Swolphine opened, my folks are WDW singular in my exact same way. Nostalagia of a different kind, eh?

Regardless, this resort could strike a neat balance, and I'm excited...especially if it's stumble distance to the gondola from Epcot.

And maybe that is it - that they were finding because they had an overweight portion of overly themed hotels it was pushing more and more people (like you) to the Swolphin - and even further off campus - and thus the reason that now all the refurbs and new building are perhaps "overweight" away from overly themed ones

I mean seriously though, do you want big gimmicky powling pins and "maters" in 10 years? #shudder

I mean, I don't know what i will want in 10 days let alone 10 years, but I suspect I will .... I can go to any big city and stay in a nice hotel or go to any major chain any where and find rooms that look similar to the new Pop rooms .... when I go to Disney I want "DISNEY!!!"

So as long as they still have many options that are "DISNEY!!!" then I am fine - obviously they need offerings to cater to all types of people

(though, to be fair, i am probably the wrong person to ask since we usually stay off site since we don't fit in a regular hotel room anyway/can't really afford suites - don't want to pay what they charge)

 

[dlavender]

And maybe that is it - that they were finding because they had an overweight portion of overly themed hotels it was pushing more and more people (like you) to the Swolphin - and even further off campus - and thus the reason that now all the refurbs and new building are perhaps "overweight" away from overly themed ones



I mean, I don't know what i will want in 10 days let alone 10 years, but I suspect I will .... I can go to any big city and stay in a nice hotel or go to any major chain any where and find rooms that look similar to the new Pop rooms .... when I go to Disney I want "DISNEY!!!"

So as long as they still have many options that are "DISNEY!!!" then I am fine - obviously they need offerings to cater to all types of people

(though, to be fair, i am probably the wrong person to ask since we usually stay off site since we don't fit in a regular hotel room anyway)

If the only amenity that remains is bus transportation and 60 day FP, I can't see ever paying more to stay onsite.

I know for my family, we recently chose to stay off site at an Embassy for $180/night vs staying at POR for $250/night.

If every POR room was themed like the Royal Rooms are for that price, DW would have really pushed for it.

But for the space and other amenities, no way.

This, IMO, is why I think the "stripping" of theme is a mistake.

But I'm most likely wrong, as I usually am with WDW, and in 5 years all the rooms will be plain white and cost an average of $400/night and be at 100% capacity........

 

[jade1]

WDW offers something for everyone; that's the beauty of the thing. My folks never took me to the mods/values as a kid, and as an adult I don't get anything out of that stuff...but it's awesome that WDW can deliver for us all...Location has always been my main decider with WDW hotels.

Agreed 100%. Choices are awesome.

I'm hoping they offer Riviera Tower for around $100 a night in dues.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

If the only amenity that remains is bus transportation and 60 day FP, I can't see ever paying more to stay onsite.

and looks like at least some Good Neighbor off site hotels are getting the 60 day FP ... so you are left with ME, a provided Magic Band, and Extra Magic Hours (beyond the Disney *feel* as the perks)

 

[dlavender]

and looks like at least some Good Neighbor off site hotels are getting the 60 day FP ... so you are left with ME, a provided Magic Band, and Extra Magic Hours (beyond the Disney *feel* as the perks)

And if you've already stayed at a resort and have a MB, or have an AP and have a band, then all you have is ME, bus transportation to the parks, and depending on your week maybe 5 hours worth of EMH's....

It's working for them, so far.

 

[writerguyfl]

Anytime Disney "upgrades" or refurbishes something, I immediately tend to think in terms of dollars as to why and how they do it. I just can't think of any budget-oriented reason for having less theming with these recent changes.

Disney doesn't do anything without doing tons of surveys and spreadsheets. I think TheMaxRebo should get credit for saying that in his comment here:

But obviously they have a bunch of stats and data - and perhaps that shows that I am in the minority and I need to get with the program

I think the "less theming" issue comes down to two questions. 1) Will guests continue to stay at Disney Resorts that have slightly less theming? 2) Will more modern decor that minimizes Mickey result in more corporate clients booking Disney Resorts for their meetings/conventions?

My educated guess based on working many years in hospitality tells me that the answer to both questions is a firm yes. Unfortunately, without access to Disney's surveys and spreadsheets, all we can do is to make educated guesses.

 

[sachilles]

I think they are finding that the hotel theme can be limiting to them long term. It's better to be a little more generic, and then have special room types that are more extreme to sell the theme. It's easier to have those special rooms in less desirable locations, and you can upcharge for them.
So I think they will move more towards certain styles rather than IP driven themes. Saratoga and Port Orleans I think are good examples. Where the values are just cookie cutter, with a generic overlay.

I think the tower can still have a sense of style.....but everyone knows a tower isn't really going to have a Mayan or Caribbean feel to it....so that they need to modernize a bit to make seem right.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Introducing Caissie Levy and Patti Murin of Broadway's FROZEN!

See Frozen on Broadway when it begins in New York next year (February, 2018)!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2017...theaters-than-ever-before-with-the-last-jedi/

 

[rteetz]

Photo Update

PHOTOS: House of Magic Facade Returns to Main Street USA

 

[rteetz]

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

View attachment 281061

Can I like this a thousand times?!?!?! I can't wait for 2019!

My only thoughts...Why does Beyonce have to be in this?

 

[Loopster]

Photo Update

PHOTOS: House of Magic Facade Returns to Main Street USA

This is nice and all, but kind of a cruel joke to those of us that grew up with and loved the magic shop and only bringing back the facade! Would love to see the actual magic shop return.