News Round Up 2018

[rteetz]

Seems pretty typical for the industry wrt staffing. Any conjecture regarding the “other things”?

If it’s like the past it could be a meet and greet or smaller entertainment type aspects. Usually nothing huge but the little things that make Disney what it is.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

If it’s like the past it could be a meet and greet or smaller entertainment type aspects. Usually nothing huge but the little things that make Disney what it is.

Guess we’ll see. Things didn’t feel slow mid-Aug as compared to last year. Sept so far sounds slower than typical. Seems like cost cutting beyond adjusting staffing (which is not the sign of anything dire on its own) may be a tad premature unless their projections are looking like Sept.

Someone mentioned in WDWmagic that this is due to less successful TSL than perhaps anticipated, and lull before SWGE. I tend to agree. I just never expected TSL to make much of a splash given the scale.

 

[jlundeen]

If it’s like the past it could be a meet and greet or smaller entertainment type aspects. Usually nothing huge but the little things that make Disney what it is.

I remember when they did some pretty big cutbacks right after 911.... It was very noticeable - fuller trash bins, fewer cms generally in parks, stores, resorts, fewer bus times.... really lost much of the magic of Disney. I sure hope they don't get carried away with these cutbacks...

 

[rteetz]

Guess we’ll see. Things didn’t feel slow mid-Aug as compared to last year. Sept so far sounds slower than typical. Seems like cost cutting may be a tad premature unless their projections are looking like Sept.

Someone mentioned in WDWmagic that this is due to less successful TSL than perhaps anticipated, and lull before SWGE. I tend to agree. I just never expected TSL to make much of a splash given the scale.

Yep I think next fall (2019) might be even worse as people will wait for SWGE.

 

[Amy11401]

News

Wdwmagic is reporting low attendance numbers for Fall specifically September. Disney has begun measures to cutback on staffing and other things around the parks as cost savings. This isn’t much different from slow periods in years past.

I have always heard that October is busier than September so will they increase staffing again in October?

 

[rteetz]

I have always heard that October is busier than September so will they increase staffing again in October?

Depends on crowd projections.

 

[tlmadden73]

News

Interactive gem sorting element removed from Seven Dwarf Mine Train queue

http://blogmickey.com/2018/09/photo...s-mine-train-queue-for-play-disney-parks-app/

Cost cutting? I am sure trying to keep what amounts to giant touch-screen tablets working with thousands of guests touching them daily is expensive.

I am sure (like me) a lot never got to experience it due to always fast-passing one of the longest queues in the Magic Kingdom.

 

[rteetz]

Cost cutting? I am sure trying to keep what amounts to giant touch-screen tablets working with thousands of guests touching them daily is expensive.

I am sure (like me) a lot never got to experience it due to always fast-passing one of the longest queues in the Magic Kingdom.

It definitely had its technical issues.

 

[dina444444]

Depends on crowd projections.

Disneyland is definitely expecting crowds in October. Thus far every non party night they will be open till 11 or midnight. It was unexpectedly not crowded this past weekend but that may have slightly been caused by the small heat wave we are in the middle of.

 

[Amy11401]

Disneyland is definitely expecting crowds in October. Thus far every non party night they will be open till 11 or midnight. It was unexpectedly not crowded this past weekend but that may have slightly been caused by the small heat wave we are in the middle of.

Wow....Disney World has not added those hours for October.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

New Kingdom Hearts III trailer hit at the Tokyo Game Show - highlights are Big Hero 6 characters

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1796704037065820

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Guess we’ll see. Things didn’t feel slow mid-Aug as compared to last year. Sept so far sounds slower than typical. Seems like cost cutting beyond adjusting staffing (which is not the sign of anything dire on its own) may be a tad premature unless their projections are looking like Sept.

Someone mentioned in WDWmagic that this is due to less successful TSL than perhaps anticipated, and lull before SWGE. I tend to agree. I just never expected TSL to make much of a splash given the scale.

Plus I think Toy Story Land is probably aimed more at kids - kids who are now back at school in September, so really don't see that being much of a draw for September. Seems like F&WF is still a draw to EPCOT and Halloween stuff to MK - but those also don't have a ton of new stuff for get people to travel who weren't already planning on it

 

[dina444444]

New Kingdom Hearts III trailer hit at the Tokyo Game Show - highlights are Big Hero 6 characters

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=1796704037065820

I’m really excited for this to come out.

 

[rteetz]

Plus I think Toy Story Land is probably aimed more at kids - kids who are now back at school in September, so really don't see that being much of a draw for September. Seems like F&WF is still a draw to EPCOT and Halloween stuff to MK - but those also don't have a ton of new stuff for get people to travel who weren't already planning on it

Halloween at MK is an add on though so regular days at MK have no extra draw right now.

 

[Roxyfire]

Wow....Disney World has not added those hours for October.

I've been waiting for them to extend HS/AK hours while we're there but they haven't yet. I'm wondering if they will at all at this point. One night they won't because it's Moonlight Magic at HS but AK is still closing fairly early. Doesn't leave a lot of options for those not doing Halloween parties.

 

[rteetz]

Photo Update

Main entrance work at DHS continues

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...ntrance-work-at-disneys-hollywood-studios.htm

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Halloween at MK is an add on though so regular days at MK have no extra draw right now.

right, but even a draw of the parties for people to travel now

Also, even without the parties there are the Halloween decorations and much of the Halloween merchandise out now - so we didn't do any parties but still enjoyed some of the decorations and acquired a cauldron popcorn bucket

 

[thorp8]

Photo Update

Main entrance work at DHS continues

https://www.wdwmagic.com/attraction...ntrance-work-at-disneys-hollywood-studios.htm

I still can't help but think we're looking at many other parking lot changes. My guess is that the tram path will eventually parallel the Skyliner path, which will change the shapes of some of the lots.

 

[rteetz]

right, but even a draw of the parties for people to travel now

Also, even without the parties there are the Halloween decorations and much of the Halloween merchandise out now - so we didn't do any parties but still enjoyed some of the decorations and acquired a cauldron popcorn bucket

I don’t think the decor itself is usually a big draw. It may draw a few people but not something like a new entertainment option or attraction would.

 

[rteetz]

I still can't help but think we're looking at many other parking lot changes. My guess is that the tram path will eventually parallel the Skyliner path, which will change the shapes of some of the lots.

Yes there will be lots of changes.