News Round Up 2017

[saskdw]

Interesting. I have never been bothered by previews.

I actually enjoy the previews.

We go to movies locally at the VIP Theater which is the same idea as the Dine-In Theaters in the US. The previews play while they are taking orders and delivering food orders. It works out great.

 

[MommaBerd]

Obviously don't see all the details even for these, but if they could have something really geared towards larger families that are more like the off-campus condos and stuff (the aquare footage they provide is a big reason we stay off site) at a reasonable price that could be a game changer for us as that is something Disney doesn't really have (or only via DVC and/or very pricey)

EDIT - updated my original post with some more info that the DIS had - these will have some 2-bedroom suites

"1,450 two-bedroom suites designed to accommodate families of all sizes."

We aren’t US fans (and may never be - not big fans of the IPs), but building these 2-BR Suites - and so many of them - is greatly appreciated. The AoA suites are ridiculously overpriced for what they are, and the rental of DVC points just doesn’t work for a lot of families. I have bemoaned the lack of reasonable accommodations for larger families at WDW for years. I hope this is wildly successful for US and maybe Disney will take notice.

 

[saskdw]

I was disappointed to not get a Black Panther preview. I'm seeing a Marvel movie, why am I getting Justice League but not Black Panther?

There was a Black Panther preview at our theater on saturday for Thor.

 

[dina444444]

News

Permit Shows a New Thor ‘Encounter’ Coming to California Adventure

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...hor-encounter-coming-to-california-adventure/

 

[saskdw]

News

REVIEW: Holiday Hot Cocoa Flight at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

DW would be all over that!

 

[amberpi]

NEWS:

Universal to build two massive hotels on former Wet N Wild site:

https://blog.universalorlando.com/whats-new/new-hotel-complex-announcement/

- lowest prices yet - nights starting at $100
- still get early admission to parks and transportation to parks
- Some of the on-site amenities include three pools, poolside bars, two food courts, coffee bars and fitness centers.

Some more info in the DIS Universal posting:

http://universal.wdwinfo.com/news/new-details-on-universals-two-new-hotels/

- total of 2,800 new guest rooms (one of the new hotels will have 750 rooms and the other will offer 2,050 rooms)
- will include 1,450 two-bedroom suites designed to accommodate families of all sizes.

But these guys won't get the express pass will they? I've stayed at portofino a bunch and royal pacific some, and I'm wondering just how much capacity uso has? Tbh, I've never looked at their other properties so I may just be ignorant...

Just 2800 rooms for large families is a ton of folks with express pass and would diminish the feature. I know you have a big family, but man, that's a lot of extra patrons.

 

[rteetz]

 

[han22735]

Disney in talks to buy 21st Century Fox??

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/06/21s...o-sell-most-of-company-to-disney-sources.html

 

[rteetz]

Disney in talks to buy 21st Century Fox??

https://www.cnbc.com/2017/11/06/21s...o-sell-most-of-company-to-disney-sources.html

Looks like for film and some TV rights which would help its direct to consumer products.

They wouldn’t own the news networks, business network, or sports networks due Disney already owning those.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

But these guys won't get the express pass will they? I've stayed at portofino a bunch and royal pacific some, and I'm wondering just how much capacity uso has? Tbh, I've never looked at their other properties so I may just be ignorant...

Just 2800 rooms for large families is a ton of folks with express pass and would diminish the feature. I know you have a big family, but man, that's a lot of extra patrons.

at least per the story no they wouldn't get Express Pass included

From what I can tell (and @rteetz laid out) it would be:
- Value: These hotels that are lower price, and not within walking distance of a park, and would come with Early Entry, but not Express Pass ... starting price point: ~$100
- Prime Value (aka Disney Moderate): Cabana Bay, Aventura, Sapphire Falls - a bit more expensive, on site/walkable to the parks, more highly themed, early entry, but non Express Pass .... starting price point: $110-150
- Deluxe: Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, Portifino Bay - more expensive, deluxe amenities and higher end restaurants, etc. early entry PLUS Express Pass ... starting price point: ~$200-250

 

[rteetz]

at least per the story no they wouldn't get Express Pass included

From what I can tell (and @rteetz laid out) it would be:
- Value: These hotels that are lower price, and not within walking distance of a park, and would come with Early Entry, but not Express Pass ... starting price point: ~$100
- Prime Value (aka Disney Moderate): Cabana Bay, Aventura, Sapphire Falls - a bit more expensive, on site/walkable to the parks, more highly themed, early entry, but non Express Pass .... starting price point: $110-150
- Deluxe: Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, Portifino Bay - more expensive, deluxe amenities and higher end restaurants, etc. early entry PLUS Express Pass ... starting price point: ~$200-250

I wonder if their 3-4 more hotels they have in the works for the new land they bought include deluxe type resorts or more moderate and value resorts. And then if they are deluxes would they include express pass? A new park would open up more room to allow more express passes so I would think yes.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I wonder if their 3-4 more hotels they have in the works for the new land they bought include deluxe type resorts or more moderate and value resorts. And then if they are deluxes would they include express pass? A new park would open up more room to allow more express passes so I would think yes.

I would think if the idea is a new park with 1+ resorts right there, then I would expect at least one to be a Deluxe that would come with Express Pass (figure they could up the number of express passes given out by ~50% and still have the same proportionally when they open a true 3rd gate)

 

[rteetz]

I would think if the idea is a new park with 1+ resorts right there, then I would expect at least one to be a Deluxe that would come with Express Pass (figure they could up the number of express passes given out by ~50% and still have the same proportionally when they open a true 3rd gate)

That’s what I’m thinking. Another deluxe with walking distance to the third park would be a big selling point.

 

[rteetz]

News

Coco trailer and tickets go on sale

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/final-coco-trailer-released-as-tickets-go-on-sale/

 

[Roxyfire]

I wonder if their 3-4 more hotels they have in the works for the new land they bought include deluxe type resorts or more moderate and value resorts. And then if they are deluxes would they include express pass? A new park would open up more room to allow more express passes so I would think yes.

I'd be surprised if they did include Express at any new hotels going forward. Right now when it's busy, giving all the guests at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino feels like it puts a strain on things as it is. People were getting really irritated in some of the express lines a month ago (Columbus Day weekend) and all the hotels were booked solid, even Sapphire Falls which I feel like is the least "worth it" out of all of them. But they just expanded Cabana Bay and build Sapphire Falls in the last year and a half, and working on Adventura (I think thats it's name) now. They really are getting up there in room capacity. And they're using Loews to manage all these hotels which probably helps too. I bet WDW wishes they were in a similar arrangement.

 

[rteetz]

I'd be surprised if they did include Express at any new hotels going forward. Right now when it's busy, giving all the guests at Royal Pacific, Hard Rock, and Portofino feels like it puts a strain on things as it is. People were getting really irritated in some of the express lines a month ago (Columbus Day weekend) and all the hotels were booked solid, even Sapphire Falls which I feel like is the least "worth it" out of all of them. But they just expanded Cabana Bay and build Sapphire Falls in the last year and a half, and working on Adventura (I think thats it's name) now. They really are getting up there in room capacity. And they're using Loews to manage all these hotels which probably helps too. I bet WDW wishes they were in a similar arrangement.

I really think they only do it at a be delixe style hotel when they open the third park. The third park would give them more express capacity. I wouldn’t see them doing it until then.

 

[imaginepeace]

Looks like for film and some TV rights which would help its direct to consumer products.

They wouldn’t own the news networks, business network, or sports networks due Disney already owning those.

I wonder if this would allow Disney to release the original trilogy "non-special edition" Star Wars movies. If I recall Fox owned distribution rights...

 

[eXo]

2 More hotels for Universal brings them up to 8 large resort hotels for 2 parks (and the water park I suppose) . 2 parks that have had a zero net gain of rides for the past decade. Sure, they have added many rides, but always at the expense of closing an older one.

We all know they have that large plot of land down near Lockheed, but it seems odd to me they are so quick to announce resorts and so tight lipped about the future of that land. 8 resorts for 2 parks seems incredibly excessive, and unless they have a third gate (a real one, not Volcano Bay) ready to go fairly soon after these 2 open, then it's hard for me to believe they won't be cannibalizing their deluxe resorts. There just isn't enough entertainment to justify that many hotel rooms. That doesn't even get into the fact that the average stay is typically much shorter than one on Disney property. In polls I've seen, most Disney folks report vacations of 10+ days or 7 days as the most common lengths. Speaking as a fan of Universal, I have no idea what I would do with myself if I had to spend 7 days there. On my last trip we did a whirlwind single day and even though it was expensive, we used an express pass and essentially hit every single ride. We could have really slowed down and easily made 3 days out of it, but even a 4th would be difficult to justify.

Point being, they ought to quit announcing hotels and give us some actual content. Preferably the kind that doesn't require 3d glasses.

 

[eXo]

I wonder if this would allow Disney to release the original trilogy "non-special edition" Star Wars movies. If I recall Fox owned distribution rights...

Correct. It could also solve problems with the mutants/fantastic four marvel characters, which Disney has been burying over the past few years.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

2 More hotels for Universal brings them up to 8 large resort hotels for 2 parks (and the water park I suppose) . 2 parks that have had a zero net gain of rides for the past decade. Sure, they have added many rides, but always at the expense of closing an older one.

We all know they have that large plot of land down near Lockheed, but it seems odd to me they are so quick to announce resorts and so tight lipped about the future of that land. 8 resorts for 2 parks seems incredibly excessive, and unless they have a third gate (a real one, not Volcano Bay) ready to go fairly soon after these 2 open, then it's hard for me to believe they won't be cannibalizing their deluxe resorts. There just isn't enough entertainment to justify that many hotel rooms. That doesn't even get into the fact that the average stay is typically much shorter than one on Disney property. In polls I've seen, most Disney folks report vacations of 10+ days or 7 days as the most common lengths. Speaking as a fan of Universal, I have no idea what I would do with myself if I had to spend 7 days there. On my last trip we did a whirlwind single day and even though it was expensive, we used an express pass and essentially hit every single ride. We could have really slowed down and easily made 3 days out of it, but even a 4th would be difficult to justify.

Point being, they ought to quit announcing hotels and give us some actual content. Preferably the kind that doesn't require 3d glasses.

well, if they are really competing on price I could see people staying at these resorts at $100/night for a week and then go over to the Disney parks vs staying at Disney for their week and doing a few days at the Universal parks, or doing a split stay

So more competing vs the Disney value resorts vs attracting more park goers