News Round Up 2017

[rteetz]

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.

They were in a fight with the area about building a park on that land. That could be why they haven’t announced anything yet. Parks takes decades of planning at times. Hotels don’t require that amount of time and with Universals growth they see a need for more rooms.

 

[rteetz]

News

Rex figure has been installed in TSL

http://blogmickey.com/2017/11/breaking-rex-figure-installed-toy-story-land/

 

[rteetz]

News

Elton John surprises guests at anniversary performance of The Lion King

https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2017/11/06/elton-john-surprises-lion-king-audience-performance/

 

[rteetz]

News

More details on Terralina at Disney Springs

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...ls-on-the-upcoming-disney-springs-restaurant/

 

[LSLS]

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, I have heard Disney has 30 resorts for just 4 parks.

But yeah, I really want to hear about the next big project. Cheap hotels are great, but you need to get Nintendo and the next park going if you are stealing me away.

 

[eXo]

Well, I have heard Disney has 30 resorts for just 4 parks.

But yeah, I really want to hear about the next big project. Cheap hotels are great, but you need to get Nintendo and the next park going if you are stealing me away.

In general however, Disney just has a lot more to do. If you get into ancillary stuff Universal has Blue Man group, Volcano Bay and Citywalk. Citywalk can be explored in a single evening. Most of it is just restaurants.

Disney has the 2 water parks, disney springs, the sports complex, golf courses, mini golf courses, and quite honestly - more attractions per park (HS being a glaring exception to that rule currently). Disney also attracts tons of school groups, competition groups, and corporate events.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy Universal and I was going there long before I ever "re"discovered Disney World. But they were already crowding their parks out before they built Sapphire Falls & Aventura. Add 2 more on top of that and it's just getting silly.

 

[Gusey]

We stayed at Cabana Bay for 2 weeks when we came over from UK and spent a total of 3 days at all the Universal parks/waterparks, using the hotel more as a base to drive to the other parks in Florida So they could be aiming at anyone using a hotel just as a base for the Orlando areas too, especially if you are coming from another country

 

[foodiddiedoo]

News

Rex figure has been installed in TSL

http://blogmickey.com/2017/11/breaking-rex-figure-installed-toy-story-land/

When I first loaded up that picture, I thought for sure it was just children's sized toys. Good job Disney, you tricked me!

 

[saskdw]

Well, I have heard Disney has 30 resorts for just 4 parks.

But yeah, I really want to hear about the next big project. Cheap hotels are great, but you need to get Nintendo and the next park going if you are stealing me away.

I don't think this is just about stealing people away from Disney.

They are looking to steal people away from the cheap hotels on I-Drive too. If you could get a room at a brand new onsite Universal Resort with all the amenities they have in these places for say $100/night. Why would anyone want to stay at one of the cheap places up the street for say $79/night.

Seems like a no brainer for those people that are on a budget and were planning on spending time at UO and Seaworld. Now UO gets that money instead of the Day's Inn up the street.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

We stayed at Cabana Bay for 2 weeks when we came over from UK and spent a total of 3 days at all the Universal parks/waterparks, using the hotel more as a base to drive to the other parks in Florida So they could be aiming at anyone using a hotel just as a base for the Orlando areas too, especially if you are coming from another country

That definitely what I am thinking ... and $100/night for a brand new resort vs $200/night for aging Pop (post Gondola completion) and it could be attractive ... add in more space for families especially if staying for a while compared to Disney prices for larger rooms and definitely can see the appeal - even if only doing a few days in the Universal parks

 

[Tigger's ally]

News

More details on Terralina at Disney Springs

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...ls-on-the-upcoming-disney-springs-restaurant/

Interesting. Love Giardineara! See it all the time in the famous Polish hot dog stands in Chi town.

And even more interesting, a beer made from bread??? Iinstead of beer bread it will be bread beer? WTH, I'm in! Wonder if it will soak up the non bread beer? You know, the kind you get sitting at the hole in the wall...

 

[saskdw]

In general however, Disney just has a lot more to do. If you get into ancillary stuff Universal has Blue Man group, Volcano Bay and Citywalk. Citywalk can be explored in a single evening. Most of it is just restaurants.

Disney has the 2 water parks, disney springs, the sports complex, golf courses, mini golf courses, and quite honestly - more attractions per park (HS being a glaring exception to that rule currently). Disney also attracts tons of school groups, competition groups, and corporate events.

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy Universal and I was going there long before I ever "re"discovered Disney World. But they were already crowding their parks out before they built Sapphire Falls & Aventura. Add 2 more on top of that and it's just getting silly.

There are lots of people going to Universal that are staying at places on I-Drive and surrounding area. I don't think the idea is that attendance in the parks will go up, it just means some of those people will stay in a Universal resort. That's profit for UO. It's also more likely that those people would eat somewhere in the Universal grounds as opposed to one of the many restaurants on I'Drive and area.

 

[amberpi]

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

WDW has 25ish resorts for 4 parks...

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

News

Elton John surprises guests at anniversary performance of The Lion King

https://www.laughingplace.com/w/news/2017/11/06/elton-john-surprises-lion-king-audience-performance/

The official anniversary is November 13th. I'm wondering why they celebrated a week early.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

Beauty and the Beast debuts on this 4-Night sailing beginning today on the Disney Dream!

I'm not sure if the show debuts today or which night it will debut.

https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/onboard-activities/beauty-and-the-beast-show/

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

American Idol Premiere Date!

If there are any American Idol fans out there, Ryan Seacrest revealed the premiere date of the new season of American Idol this morning. The show will premiere on Sunday, March 11, 2018 at 8 p.m. on ABC.

 

[Redcon1]

Another good point. Marcus is the big theater chain in our area. They just went to assigned seats.

Marcus recently bought out our locally-owned theater chain, Wehrenberg, and so far have been impressed with their operations. Hopefully, it's not just a honeymoon period, but continues offering what they have so far ($5 Tuesday tickets, Classic film series, etc).

 

[Redcon1]

Same here, enjoy seeing the trailers before the feature. Of course, I'm old enough to remember when they played several cartoons and newsreels before the feature!

And double-features where you could walk in anytime during the film...and stay as long as you'd like.

 

[Redcon1]

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.

Yeah, maybe this will entice Disney to finally build another ACTUAL value resort instead of more DVC and luxury hotels which have been the norm for the past 15 years or so.

 

[rteetz]

Marcus recently bought out our locally-owned theater chain, Wehrenberg, and so far have been impressed with their operations. Hopefully, it's not just a honeymoon period, but continues offering what they have so far ($5 Tuesday tickets, Classic film series, etc).

They’ve done those offerings for a while now. I really enjoy Marcus.