News Round Up 2018

[BigRed98]

https://blog.universalorlando.com/whats-new/new-food-and-drinks-hhn2018/

Universal's horror nights and halloween snacks.

In my opinion, these put Disney's Halloween snacks to shame. (Not that everything between Disney and universal is a competition. I'm lying* little joke there for anyone who watches the middle.

Those waffle items look incredible!

 

[rteetz]

News

Disney raises prices on several souvenirs

https://wdwnt.com/2018/09/disney-parks-raise-prices-on-ear-headbands-bubble-wands-and-more/

 

[rteetz]

News

New Cotton Candy spirit jerseys

https://t.co/RkhiX4IDfU?amp=1

 

[rteetz]

News

General Halloween parks merchandise

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...-this-years-halloween-merchandise-collection/

 

[rteetz]

News

Nutcracker and the four realms preview coming to Disney parks

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...ur-realms-starting-october-5-at-disney-parks/

 

[rteetz]

Happy 13th anniversary to an often forgot of Disney park, Disneyland Hong Kong!

 

[OKW Lover]

Happy 13th anniversary to an often forgot of Disney park, Disneyland Hong Kong!

Wow - 13 years already!?!?! We enjoyed that park and are happy to see that they are expanding it. The castle enhancement is really needed because of the mountains behind it making the scale look off. Also, Mystic Manor is really, really good.

 

[Mr. Mickey]

I apologize if this was already brought up but I’ve been surfing the internet a bit today and came across a rumor (from admittedly what seems to be unreliable sources) that Bugs Land is getting a new home in Animal Kingdom. The sources along with the lack of land in AK had me disbelieve it right away but just thought I’d post here to see if there is a slight possibility that there are actually any inner rumblings about this rumor.

 

[rteetz]

I apologize if this was already brought up but I’ve been surfing the internet a bit today and came across a rumor (from admittedly what seems to be unreliable sources) that Bugs Land is getting a new home in Animal Kingdom. The sources along with the lack of land in AK had me disbelieve it right away but just thought I’d post here to see if there is a slight possibility that there are actually any inner rumblings about this rumor.

No, the Fliks Fliers is moving to Pixar Pier and Heimlichs ride vehicles are going to the Pixar studio.

 

[circus4u]

News

Disney raises prices on several souvenirs

https://wdwnt.com/2018/09/disney-parks-raise-prices-on-ear-headbands-bubble-wands-and-more/

So, wonder what is going to happen when the tariffs kick in, how much of an increase across the board. Think they will use it as an excuse to raise prices?

 

[Keels]

Yeah I can’t see anything on my iPhone but was able to see things on Chrome on my Mac.

OH YOU COULD SEE SOMETHING ...

 

[rteetz]

OH YOU COULD SEE SOMETHING ...

Nothing of mine...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

NEWS

Disney moves up 4 spots to now be ranked #1 on the Forbes list of Worlds Best Regarded Companies

https://www.thewaltdisneycompany.com/disney-is-no-1-on-forbes-worlds-best-regarded-companies-list/

Forbes worked with Statista, a leading provider of market and consumer data, to survey 15,000 people from 60 countries and find out how they perceive companies’ trustworthiness, social conduct, performance of their products or services, and how they are viewed as an employer.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

If I had to guess, it will be similar to the transition and updating they did to Atlantis when they acquired it - it was already a known property with an “identity”, they just upgraded it to meet Marriott standards.

Just want to clarify this...and I don't mean to be pedantic.

Atlantis is not owned or managed by Marriott. Its owned by Brookfield Asset Management, and managed by entity that was formed when Atlantis' former owner (Sol Kerzner) had to give up his ownership to Brookfield, and Brookfield restructured Atlantis' overall ownership and debt.

Marriott was only peripherally involved in the Atlantis restructuring. The total restructure was for around $2 billion. Marriott provided a $100 million, so around 1/20th (~5%) of the restructuring, and in the form of a loan, not an equity (ownership) investment. I don't think that loan gives Marriott much of a role in the day-to-day at Atlantis. It was more of a good faith gesture to inaugurate Atlantis becoming part of the Autograph Collection.

The bottom line is the Marriott loan was probably a value-add play for Marriott to add a signature property to use in its hotel loyalty system. And to have an inside track if/when Brookfield decides to sell Atlantis. Brookfield likes it because they have a seasoned hotel management company ready to step-in should the Atlantis management company somehow stumble.

That management company is made up of Atlantis executives that were there prior to the ownership change. And they were regularly refreshing Atlantis rooms, dining venues, and other amenities prior to the change, so I'd attribute Atlantis renovations/improvements to its typical efforts to stay competitive in the luxury resort market.

Sorry to be long winded...

 

[rteetz]

News

Multi-Launch Thrill Coaster "Tigris" Coming to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in 2019

 

[rteetz]

Rumor

RUMOR: Mary Poppins Spinner Flat Ride Planned for Epcot’s United Kingdom Pavilion

 

[dlavender]

Rumor

RUMOR: Mary Poppins Spinner Flat Ride Planned for Epcot’s United Kingdom Pavilion

I'm all for adding rides to the WS, but a spinner?

Guess my kids would enjoy that more than the current garden/Gazebo.

Was hoping for a little more, but it's better than nothing

 

[jknezek]

I'm all for adding rides to the WS, but a spinner?

Guess my kids would enjoy that more than the current garden/Gazebo.

Was hoping for a little more, but it's better than nothing

This has always been rumored as a C/D attraction. Given the dearth of things to do in WS, a spinner is exactly what I expected.

 

[Candlelady]

Rumor

RUMOR: Mary Poppins Spinner Flat Ride Planned for Epcot’s United Kingdom Pavilion

Where are they going to locate this spinner? Are they doing away with the entertainment?

 

[jknezek]

Where are they going to locate this spinner? Are they doing away with the entertainment?

It's in the article. Replace the Garden and Bandstand area.