News Round Up 2017

[jknezek]

No. I don't assume that they realized the problem when they started Pandora. I assume they would have realized the problem when they started shutting down DHS for TSL and SWE and realizing they were going to have half a park at a time when they hoped to be drawing crowds to WDW as a whole for an exciting new opening in AK. As for balancing out SWE and TSL, two of the best thrill rides in WDW are on the opposite side of DHS. They are the significant balance for the park. Cutting down another experience in DHS, right now, when the park is marginally a half day experience and already turning people off, is just compounding the current woe, but that doesn't necessarily make it a bad idea even if I'm skeptical.

You can open TSL and SWE and then move on to TGMR and the DHS experience will be a marginally better one for the next 18 months, though still half a park, but a worse one for the "grand unveiling" Disney seems to be heading toward. I have to believe Disney has already thought about this and, according to the prevailing rumors, shrugged, knowing that DHS is going to be the fourth park by a massive margin when the 2016, and especially 2017 and 2018, attendance numbers come out, regardless of whether TGMR is open or not. But shutting TGMR just makes DHS even crappier than it currently is, so if they fear that a Pandora influx will swamp AK, then they really need to have as much as possible open elsewhere to draw crowds.

They can't have it both ways, and I'm sure they knew that back when they started shutting stuff down. If they close TGMR it's because they have simply written off DHS until TSL and SWE open. And this is where my skepticism meets the road, because from a business point of view it is not a bad idea. DHS will get it's turn in the sun, likely jumping to 12 million or more visitors for a while after 2019, it's just a matter of patience. If I'm Disney, I'd rather have TGMR open before that happens, so therefore I must be ok writing off the attendance for the next 18 months or so.

I just think it is silly assuming that they are now afraid of something that should have been patently obvious two or more years ago.

 

[rteetz]

No. I don't assume that they realized the problem when they started Pandora. I assume they would have realized the problem when they started shutting down DHS for TSL and SWE and realizing they were going to have half a park at a time when they hoped to be drawing crowds to WDW as a whole for an exciting new opening in AK. As for balancing out SWE and TSL, two of the best thrill rides in WDW are on the opposite side of DHS. They are the significant balance for the park. Cutting down another experience in DHS, right now, when the park is marginally a half day experience and already turning people off, is just compounding the current woe, but that doesn't necessarily make it a bad idea even if I'm skeptical.

You can open TSL and SWE and then move on to TGMR and the DHS experience will be a marginally better one for the next 18 months, though still half a park, but a worse one for the "grand unveiling" Disney seems to be heading toward. I have to believe Disney has already thought about this and, according to the prevailing rumors, shrugged, knowing that DHS is going to be the fourth park by a massive margin when the 2016, and especially 2017 and 2018, attendance numbers come out, regardless of whether TGMR is open or not. But shutting TGMR just makes DHS even crappier than it currently is, so if they fear that a Pandora influx will swamp AK, then they really need to have as much as possible open elsewhere to draw crowds.

They can't have it both ways, and I'm sure they knew that back when they started shutting stuff down. If they close TGMR it's because they have simply written off DHS until TSL and SWE open. And this is where my skepticism meets the road, because from a business point of view it is not a bad idea. DHS will get it's turn in the sun, likely jumping to 12 million or more visitors for a while after 2019, it's just a matter of patience. If I'm Disney, I'd rather have TGMR open before that happens, so therefore I must be ok writing off the attendance for the next 18 months or so.

I just think it is silly assuming that they are now afraid of something that should have been patently obvious two or more years ago.

The Pandora deal was announced in 2011, construction started in 2014. DHS plans have been in the works since around 2012.

What we really should be doing I think is thanking universal. Them building potter showed Disney they need to do something and not sit on their behind.

I don't agree with Spirit in that Disney has no idea what to expect with Pandora. Of course they have some idea. They have bookings to look at as well as interest over social media and sites like this. Will Pandora be as big as potter was when it opened? No of course not. Will it boost attendance at AK, no doubt about it.

As for DHS attendance, that surely has gone down. They always say things will get worse before they get better. If GMR closes this fall like most have said then you'll have roughly 7 months before toy story opens to then regain interest in DHS. It appears that the majority of DHS work will be done by 2020 but who's to say another project might be announced by that point.

 

[skier_pete]

News

Another look at iCan in Tomorrowland

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...rience-in-the-magic-kingdoms-tomorrowland.htm

PUSH 2.0?

 

[Flyerjab]

The Pandora deal was announced in 2011, construction started in 2014. DHS plans have been in the works since around 2012.

What we really should be doing I think is thanking universal. Them building potter showed Disney they need to do something and not sit on their behind.

I don't agree with Spirit in that Disney has no idea what to expect with Pandora. Of course they have some idea. They have bookings to look at as well as interest over social media and sites like this. Will Pandora be as big as potter was when it opened? No of course not. Will it boost attendance at AK, no doubt about it.

As for DHS attendance, that surely has gone down. They always say things will get worse before they get better. If GMR closes this fall like most have said then you'll have roughly 7 months before toy story opens to then regain interest in DHS. It appears that the majority of DHS work will be done by 2020 but who's to say another project might be announced by that point.

With Pandora, Rivers of Light, Tiffins/Nomad Lounge, Tree of Life Awakenings, Sunset Safaris and the amount of other nighttime entertainment, I bet that DAK attendance will see an increase of more than another 1 million+/year after this.

DHS studios is strange though as far as attendance. We have been there several times since all of the construction started and sometimes the park is PACKED with hordes of people that are roaming around with literally nothing to do. Other times we have notices a drop off in attendance. It will be interesting to see what happens when the GMR is added to the number of closed attractions after DAK is unleashed to the masses with evening hours.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I still think DHS has plenty to do for people not on these boards. Everyone always forgets about all the shows because most people on these boards have been to the parks so many times they skip the shows. I really don't think DHS is a half day park to most people, and I do think there is enough of a draw to lure most people in for a day. It really isn't that confusing.

If you rarely visit or have never been you have the Beauty and the Beast show, Indiana Jones show, Frozen Sing Along show, Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Disney Jr. That is at least 5 hours right there if you time everything to the most ideal situation. That doesn't even take into consideration characters, rides, eating or nighttime shows.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I still think DHS has plenty to do for people not on these boards. Everyone always forgets about all the shows because most people on these boards have been to the parks so many times they skip the shows. I really don't think DHS is a half day park to most people, and I do think there is enough of a draw to lure most people in for a day. It really isn't that confusing.

If you rarely visit or have never been you have the Beauty and the Beast show, Indiana Jones show, Frozen Sing Along show, Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Disney Jr. That is at least 5 hours right there if you time everything to the most ideal situation. That doesn't even take into consideration characters, rides, eating or nighttime shows.

We only go about once a year and last year spend an entire day at DHS and didn't get to everything we wanted - we do like Star Wars and have younger kids that wanted to meet a number of the Disney Jr characters so I know that adds to things for us but I do think for a lot of guests there is plenty to do there for a day

 

[jknezek]

Not everyone likes the same stuff. My kids had no patience for the shows, despite really liking a lot of Disney Junior characters. Heck, they love Star Wars and barely sat through Making of a Jedi. That's the thing about the Parks, there is something for almost everyone, but unless you want to do pretty much everything at DHS, there isn't enough of one thing or another to make a full day. You can spend days at MK doing everything. Same with EPCOT. And that's the difference. Doing everything at DHS might take a day right now, but most people aren't going to groove on it all, making it a half day park.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Not everyone likes the same stuff. My kids had no patience for the shows, despite really liking a lot of Disney Junior characters. Heck, they love Star Wars and barely sat through Making of a Jedi. That's the thing about the Parks, there is something for almost everyone, but unless you want to do pretty much everything at DHS, there isn't enough of one thing or another to make a full day. You can spend days at MK doing everything. Same with EPCOT. And that's the difference. Doing everything at DHS might take a day right now, but most people aren't going to groove on it all, making it a half day park.

I don't disagree with that - though I think you could say the same before all the construction. There really are only a couple of attractions that are gone and they did add a few more small things. Now, if the things they got rid of are things that were "must dos" for you and the newly added things you have no interest in, then yes, it could have gone from a full day park to 1/2 day one .... guess I just don't see it as that much different than a few years ago when you compare it to MK or EPCOT

 

[rteetz]

News

The New “Minnie Mouse Loves Dots” Collection is Now Available at UNIQLO at Disney Springs

 

[Flyerjab]

I still think DHS has plenty to do for people not on these boards. Everyone always forgets about all the shows because most people on these boards have been to the parks so many times they skip the shows. I really don't think DHS is a half day park to most people, and I do think there is enough of a draw to lure most people in for a day. It really isn't that confusing.

If you rarely visit or have never been you have the Beauty and the Beast show, Indiana Jones show, Frozen Sing Along show, Voyage of the Little Mermaid and Disney Jr. That is at least 5 hours right there if you time everything to the most ideal situation. That doesn't even take into consideration characters, rides, eating or nighttime shows.

Good point.

We definitely do not do a lot of the shows as we visit frequently even though we are out of state. And I have to admit that there has been some many changes at WDW over the past few years now - Disney Springs, FEA, Soarin', DAK nighttime entertainment, Star Wars fireworks, and numerous new places to eat (we are foodies) - that we have been trying the new stuff more while riding some of our favorite rides. Some trips we will watch the Indiana Jones show, others we will check out BatB or Fantasmic. We rarely have watched the Little Mermaid show, and even though I am a Star Wars fanatic, I don't frequent the exhibits or watch the stage show. the Star Wars Galactic Spectacular show at night though is a must do if we are in DHS late.

 

[jknezek]

I don't disagree with that - though I think you could say the same before all the construction. There really are only a couple of attractions that are gone and they did add a few more small things. Now, if the things they got rid of are things that were "must dos" for you and the newly added things you have no interest in, then yes, it could have gone from a full day park to 1/2 day one .... guess I just don't see it as that much different than a few years ago when you compare it to MK or EPCOT

Yeah. I'm not disagreeing. I never spent all that much time in DHS compared to the other three parks. But the backlot was a big time suck, and very cool. That attraction could eat up an hour without the lines. I did like the car stunt show, but I'm not sure my kids would have sat through that any more than they liked Indy. I do miss Streets of America, and the light show, and I think my twins would have loved Honey I Shrunk the Kids this time around. There is probably more, but that's the stuff that comes to mind. It's always been a smaller park for me, but it's gotten really small with the construction. I think what they are doing is a huge improvement overall to DHS, and I can't wait until they are done. But, I think for most people it simply isn't a full day experience right now. Sure you can make it one, but I'm betting most people don't.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Not everyone likes the same stuff. My kids had no patience for the shows, despite really liking a lot of Disney Junior characters. Heck, they love Star Wars and barely sat through Making of a Jedi. That's the thing about the Parks, there is something for almost everyone, but unless you want to do pretty much everything at DHS, there isn't enough of one thing or another to make a full day. You can spend days at MK doing everything. Same with EPCOT. And that's the difference. Doing everything at DHS might take a day right now, but most people aren't going to groove on it all, making it a half day park.

Making of a Jedi is pretty boring though hahahaha. Said from another huge SW fan.

 

[saskdw]

I don't understand that. It adds two rides to a park that many people (arguably wrongly) treat as a half-day park. Stacked against DHS on a pure attraction/thrill ranking, AK still subjectively lags behind. And that's to say nothing of Epcot, which despite being my favorite park, is sadly bringing up the rear already.

Our trip this past December we spent 4 days of our 10 day passes at AK and that is before Pandora and ROL were open. We spent a half day at DHS.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't disagree with that - though I think you could say the same before all the construction. There really are only a couple of attractions that are gone and they did add a few more small things. Now, if the things they got rid of are things that were "must dos" for you and the newly added things you have no interest in, then yes, it could have gone from a full day park to 1/2 day one .... guess I just don't see it as that much different than a few years ago when you compare it to MK or EPCOT

Not that I'm disagreeing with you because I do agree with your points but the last time I went was nearly 6 years ago and will be 6 years by the time my trip time has come.

Now my husband and I enjoy Star Wars but no we're not the uber die-hard fans. We go see the movies for sure and we'll go check out the Star Wars offers at DHS because well it's new and sounds sorta interesting but as a different perspective the guests that have longer time periods between their visits should expect change of course but the time devoted to a certain park may be drastically reduced or even eliminated if by the time they make it back to WDW the things they did the last time are gone (or at least some) and new stuff added has no interest in them. That can also depend on finances and what tickets they purchased too.

*There is a sorta light at the end of the tunnel though at least for me-my upcoming trip will have a LOT of new things to experience between WDW and USO even if I am bummed about some things*

 

[rteetz]

News

Star Wars Episode 9 will not continue the trend of a December release instead going back to the May release in 2019.

Indiana Jones will come out July 10, 2020.

http://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-ix-and-next-indiana-jones-get-release-dates

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

News

Star Wars Episode 9 will not continue the trend of a December release instead going back to the May release in 2019.

Indiana Jones will come out July 10, 2020.

http://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-ix-and-next-indiana-jones-get-release-dates

Wonder why the change? To compete with summer blockbusters maybe?

 

[rteetz]

News

Also announced today, Frozen 2 November, 27th 2019.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

News

Star Wars Episode 9 will not continue the trend of a December release instead going back to the May release in 2019.

Indiana Jones will come out July 10, 2020.

http://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-episode-ix-and-next-indiana-jones-get-release-dates

Interesting - so only 17 months between episodes VIII and IX

 

[rteetz]

Wonder why the change? To compete with summer blockbusters maybe?

Probably. Its interesting considering how successful they have been during the Christmas release.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Probably. Its interesting considering how successful they have been during the Christmas release.

Yeah that's why I wondering. I liked seeing them during the Christmas season personally.