News Round Up 2017

[Moliphino]

Ratatouille is mostly screens, too, if that ends up coming to Epcot.

 

[MissGina5]

Well, if used right I think they can. It sounds like for the river ride they are used well and blend in with real, tangible settings, and the Shaman AA is tangible - so I think that is a good example of them

I just worry about now both these rides use screens, at least to some extent, and I think the new Star Wars rides will as well - so just get worried they are heading too far in that direction. It's one thing to use screens when it makes sense and to enhance the experience ... it's another thing to become reliant on them (at least both new Toy Story Land rides are screen free)

I can agree with that, I wasnt worried about Pandora but the GotG ride news is what tipped me into concerned

 

[STLstone]

Every networks and studio is doing it. Old shows are all the rave for nostalgic purposes. American Idol, Roseanne, Will and Grace, Fuller House, it goes on and on.

I really think it's more because Hollywood is devoid of ideas. That's also why everything is a sequel, reboot or a comic book adaptation.

But maybe in fairness, one could say all the good ideas have been done before, so there's no choice but to redo them...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Ratatouille is mostly screens, too, if that ends up coming to Epcot.

be nice if it was something like how Mystic Manor is - there are some screens used but it is mostly physical effects (but similar ride structure with the trackless ride system, etc.)

 

[STLstone]

I don't know how to break this to you, but ESPN does not "lose money." Right now it is making less money than it used to, and the projections are dire going forward, but it still makes money hand over fist. In fact, earnings at the cable t.v. unit, which includes ESPN, fell 11%, but earnings in the film unit fell 17% in the last quarter. Consumer products fell 25%. So while cable t.v. is an issue, on a percentage basis it's a smaller issue than other areas as per the last quarter.

For cable TV, like you said, the projections are dire. It would be harder to dump ESPN when it reaches the point where it's losing money.

Having said that, it doesn't mean it can't be turned around. It's just facing a lot of hurdles to be able to do that.

 

[rteetz]

Photo update

Disneyland update

http://micechat.com/160415-disneyland-photo-update-eat-force-towers-light/

 

[rteetz]

News

Apparently Pandora will have nighttime lighting ceremony

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2017/05/detai...dora-world-off-avatar-disneys-animal-kingdom/

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

With everything being talked about on this thread, I am not sure if this has been reported:

Here is a video with a look into how Disney is designing the Beauty and the Beast Musical coming to the Disney Dream Cruise Ship this fall:

 

[linzbear]

I can't wait until all these imagineers start to go far-sighted with age and suddenly realize how terrible 3d is for someone who needs glasses for half of what they see.

I hate 3d. Can you tell?

 

[Roxyfire]

I can't wait until all these imagineers start to go far-sighted with age and suddenly realize how terrible 3d is for someone who needs glasses for half of what they see.

I hate 3d. Can you tell?

Haha, I hear ya. My son is practically blind in one eye, doesn't really have stereoscopic vision to speak of. Sometimes he can see 3d, sometimes he can't. I don't think it'll diminish his experience or anything. But if your vision is off that 3d might give you a little headache which is not fun during a vacation.

 

[rteetz]

I can't wait until all these imagineers start to go far-sighted with age and suddenly realize how terrible 3d is for someone who needs glasses for half of what they see.

I hate 3d. Can you tell?

I get your frustration however when done well 3D can enhance an experience and from what I have read/heard the 3D on Flight of Passage was done very well.

 

[rteetz]

News

SeaWorld announces that a Sesame Street themed area is coming to the area that us Shamu's Happy Harbor Play Area.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

With everything being talked about on this thread, I am not sure if this has been reported:

Here is a video with a look into how Disney is designing the Beauty and the Beast Musical coming to the Disney Dream Cruise Ship this fall:

Thanks for sharing - that is cool they are taking such a new approach to it and not just rehashing/updating what has been done before

 

[rteetz]

News

New specialty cruise around World Showcase lagoon

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...takes-guests-around-world-showcase-lagoon.htm

 

[linzbear]

I get your frustration however when done well 3D can enhance an experience and from what I have read/heard the 3D on Flight of Passage was done very well.

I rode FoP on Saturday. It's the same as any other 3D - I can't focus on the close things because they get too close. Screen 3D is exaggerated, so the up-close thing is about a foot from your face, but it looks farther away to your brain. Doesn't work if you're farsighted because the up close thing is both blurry and your brain is telling you it's 3ft away, so it shouldn't be blurry. I mean, I enjoyed the ride, but my favorite part of Pandora was the shaman in the NRJ because the animatronic was amazing.

 

[wareagle57]

With all this "not news" talk in this thread , I don't know if this has been reported already but a Google Street View Trekker was spotted in Pandora today. I know they were at the other parks last year so I'm not sure if it will amount to anything but hey! It's news
https://blogmickey.com/2017/05/google-maps-street-view-trekker-spotted-pandora-world-avatar/

I really wish this could be my job. Not just in Disney, but anywhere. Get paid to walk 8-12 hours a day.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Not sure if this belongs here as not sure if Disney is involved at all (I think Disney just has the rights to the Muppets, not all of Jim Henson studioes) - but come'on - it's the Dark Crystal:

http://popculture.com/tv-shows/2017/05/18/netflix-the-dark-crystal-tv-show/

In a press release Thursday morning, The Jim Henson Company announced that Netflix was producing a 10-episode series, titled The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. The show will act as a prequel series to the original 1982 film.

Age of Resistance is said to take place many years before the events of the original movie, and will feature an array of creatures created by Henson's shop. Brian Froud, the conceptual designer on the movie, co-created many of these new creatures.

 

[skier_pete]

Agree. I am all for them when well done but if this is just screens and both Pandora rides use screens it does feel like Iniversal where is is just a series of screen based attractions

Well - I question what they mean by "just screens" The ToT in California has a single shaft, so there was never any forward movement of the elevator, and from what I remember, what you saw in the elevator was exactly that - just screens. Sure screens done in a way that gave them depth of dimension, but just screens. Not sure how they would do it much differently on the GotG overlay. Unless they are saying the queue is just screens as well.

Edit: Also screens can work well when also involving tangible things. I think Forbidden Journey works well because even though it uses screens it also uses real physical locations. I though Kong: Skull Island ride by having the screens surround the car found a very successful and thrilling way to use the screens, because even though everything was on the screen, you weren't sure exactly where to look for the action which made it seem more lifelike. Rides that aren't quite as good at it like Gringotts or the Transformers ride move you around but then point you at a screen to watch the action - these are a problem because it makes it feel just like you are watching a movie.

 

[Delano Fiedler]

News

Apparently Pandora will have nighttime lighting ceremony

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2017/05/detai...dora-world-off-avatar-disneys-animal-kingdom/

Really cool, I guess its like an opening ceremony for turning the bioluminescence plants "on"

 

[Madonna3]

News

New specialty cruise around World Showcase lagoon

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...takes-guests-around-world-showcase-lagoon.htm

So $149 for lunch and snacks to cruise around the lagoon for an hour?

If you fill the boat, I think it's a great value. Not so much for a smaller group.