News Round Up 2017

[rteetz]

Rumor/Photo update

Disneyland AP price increase coming soon? All that and more in this photo update

http://micechat.com/151218-disneyland-photo-update-feb-6/

 

[rteetz]

News

Get ready to get your TapuTapu on at Volcano bay. The bands look to be very similar to magicbands.

http://universal.wdwinfo.com/volcano-bay/take-a-look-at-the-taputapu-wearable/

 

[sachilles]

For what it's worth, we had our basement flooded this spring. We had laminate wood flooring. It had to be removed, as once water is in it, it will not dry. We replaced with the newer vinyl laminate flooring. It can handle being wet. In addition, the echo'y noise you hear with the older stuff is gone. It's not quite as rigid, so you don't get the air gaps that make the noise. It gives a bit more than the planks as well. Not soft as carpet, but softer than tile, which is common in many accommodations.

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

Rumor/Photo update

Disneyland AP price increase coming soon? All that and more in this photo update

http://micechat.com/151218-disneyland-photo-update-feb-6/

This will be a very hard hit to a lot of AP holders, if they do indeed remove the payment plan option. The price increase will probably be minimal (according to this link and my own belief) but the VAST majority of Disneyland AP holders use the payment plan and removing that option will impact a lot of guests. I think this will be a step too far. Disneyland can't forget that one of it's major audiences is the Southern California annual pass holder.

 

[SJMajor67]

News

First piece of track for Slinky Dog Coaster is now in place.

Picks or it didn't happen

 

[rteetz]

Picks or it didn't happen

Well that I don't have...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

This will be a very hard hit to a lot of AP holders, if they do indeed remove the payment plan option. The price increase will probably be minimal (according to this link and my own belief) but the VAST majority of Disneyland AP holders use the payment plan and removing that option will impact a lot of guests. I think this will be a step too far. Disneyland can't forget that one of it's major audiences is the Southern California annual pass holder.

Here's where I get selfish...

I never understood why some people can do the monthly...and some can't.

It really should be all or nothing.

For me...if it was an autopsy (autocorrect...my keyboard now writes the jokes for me)...I would never even notice it and never let the pass lapse.

But when it's "cash up front"...I find myself asking the question: what have they done this year to earn another year of loyalty?

And when it's after a hefty price increase...that's a psychological hurdle.

So it lapses...used to be for a month or two...now it's more like a year...

So it's not me that loses.

 

[dlavender]

Here's where I get selfish...

I never understood why some people can do the monthly...and some can't.

It really should be all or nothing.

For me...if was an autopsy...I would never even notice it and never let the pass lapse.

But when it's "cash up front"...I find myself asking the question: what have the done this year to earn another year of loyalty?

And when it's after a hefty price increase...that's a psychological hurdle.

So it lapses...used to be for a month or two...now it's more like a year...

So it's not me that loses.

Way too much risk for them to open it up like that.

I don't know what their attrition/default rate is, but could you imagine the loss in revenues if enough people go for a week, only paying the $130 deposit, and never make anymore payments? You just gave up $1000 tickets for $130. I don't think they want bad debt increasing on their books. You definitely don't want people that would do this to take the spot of the full price crowd. I think opening it up to to a larger pool definitely increases their exposure and increases their bad debt.

But, out of the state of MGM, they should hand out 7 day passes for $130.

 

[PaintsWithAllTheColors]

Here's where I get selfish...

I never understood why some people can do the monthly...and some can't.

It really should be all or nothing.

For me...if was an autopsy...I would never even notice it and never let the pass lapse.

But when it's "cash up front"...I find myself asking the question: what have the done this year to earn another year of loyalty?

And when it's after a hefty price increase...that's a psychological hurdle.

So it lapses...used to be for a month or two...now it's more like a year...

So it's not me that loses.

As far as "all or nothing", I get it. It's a bit frustrating that residents benefit from that. As a So Cal resident, I enjoy the benefit of interest-free payment plans, but I hated having to pay upfront for the WDW portion of the Premier pass. It'd be nice if people who were coming for an extended trip to either DL or WDW could take advantage of the payment plan.

As for the rest, I would agree with you. Even though it's the same amount of money, $1,039 up front is a lot more intimidating to people than $79 a month (after the down payment). Granted, that's for the top-of-the-line pass, but still. I know A LOT of college students/early twenties (myself included) who have Disney passes, and would argue they're a significant portion of local AP holders. Disneyland passes provide consistent, already-paid-for entertainment on weekends and weeknights and college students/early twenties are always around. But you better believe they're using the payment plans and aren't willing, or even able, to shell out hundreds at one go. I know even I'm questioning what I'll do if they get rid of the payment option... I'll undoubtedly still get the pass, but maybe I'll just renew for the Signature instead of Premier or Signature Plus.

Additionally: Very curious to see if they include the MaxPass in the top options of the passes. That could be interesting as well.

 

[jlundeen]

Here's where I get selfish...

I never understood why some people can do the monthly...and some can't.

It really should be all or nothing.

For me...if was an autopsy...I would never even notice it and never let the pass lapse.

But when it's "cash up front"...I find myself asking the question: what have the done this year to earn another year of loyalty?

And when it's after a hefty price increase...that's a psychological hurdle.

So it lapses...used to be for a month or two...now it's more like a year...

So it's not me that loses.

I think I've watched too many "CSI" shows...when I first read this, I thought you said "autopsy" as in finding the cause of death! Then realized that you meant "autopay"...LOL.. Darned that spell checker!! Why can't it just type what you MEAN!!??!!

 

[danikoski]

The driver will still be in the cabin just not actually driving.

Yep, asked a guard about that this morning because I was curious.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think I've watched too many "CSI" shows...when I first read this, I thought you said "autopsy" as in finding the cause of death! Then realized that you meant "autopay"...LOL.. Darned that spell checker!! Why can't it just type what you MEAN!!??!!

I had four typos in that mess...but I actually meant "option"

Like I said...my phone is now better at sarcasm than I am

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Way too much risk for them to open it up like that.

I don't know what their attrition/default rate is, but could you imagine the loss in revenues if enough people go for a week, only paying the $130 deposit, and never make anymore payments? You just gave up $1000 tickets for $130. I don't think they want bad debt increasing on their books. You definitely don't want people that would do this to take the spot of the full price crowd. I think opening it up to to a larger pool definitely increases their exposure and increases their bad debt.

But, out of the state of MGM, they should hand out 7 day passes for $130.

I get all that...I would never expect them to do it...

But i would sign up for a "default clause" where you sign a small
Waiver that authorizes them to charge the remaining balance to a credit card if the payment doesn't clear...maybe with a 7 day grace period for "glitches"...

With the importance of credit scores...that would clean out a big chunk of the scammers.

 

[crazy4wdw]

Review of the 7 hour Star Wars tour at Hollywood Studios posted by Touring Plans:

http://blog.touringplans.com/2017/02/04/sat6_starwarsguidedtour/#more-121376

I don't think this is a tour I would be interested in booking. If it were a backstage tour at Skywalker Ranch, I'd be willing to book and pay more!!!

 

[rteetz]

Review of the 7 hour Star Wars tour at Hollywood Studios posted by Touring Plans:

http://blog.touringplans.com/2017/02/04/sat6_starwarsguidedtour/#more-121376

I don't think this is a tour I would be interested in booking. If it were a backstage tour at Skywalker Ranch, I'd be willing to book and pay more!!!

I think the biggest plus is if you want to do the dessert party. You are already paying 69.99 for that party so add in 6 more hours of star wars stuff for another 50ish dollars. Still not something I would do though and I have done the dessert party.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Review of the 7 hour Star Wars tour at Hollywood Studios posted by Touring Plans:

http://blog.touringplans.com/2017/02/04/sat6_starwarsguidedtour/#more-121376

I don't think this is a tour I would be interested in booking. If it were a backstage tour at Skywalker Ranch, I'd be willing to book and pay more!!!

The Star Wars fan in me might be curious...but then I remember that the Star Wars "presence" at wdw is kinda weak. Star tours was always an ultimate punt on a theme park manifestation of Star Wars...servicing "capacity" instead of experience and the result of a contentious "partnership" between george the "genius" and Mikey Eisner.

It's the standard routine these days: trying to package anything they can think of to sell at a high priced upcharge. It's going to continue.

 

[rteetz]

News

James White has his MVP experience. A friend of Mickey Mouse said he was very overwhelmed and enjoyed the experience.

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ks-30th-year-of-disneys-super-bowl-tradition/

 

[rteetz]

News

New character themed rooms at the Disney Ambassador hotel in Tokyo

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...themed-rooms-unveiled-at-tokyo-disney-resort/

 

[MommaBerd]

News

New character themed rooms at the Disney Ambassador hotel in Tokyo

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...themed-rooms-unveiled-at-tokyo-disney-resort/

Cute headboards! But, oh my! Did you see the carpet in the Chip 'N Dale room?!?!

 

[rteetz]

News

For the 17th consecutive year Victoria and Albert's is a five diamond restaurant

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...the-best-with-another-aaa-five-diamond-award/