News Round Up 2019

[TheMaxRebo]

I've got an idea, keep the fountain but fill it with beer. Everyone gets a little of what they want.

Well, with the FOX acquisition they could just call it Duff Gardens

 

[Firebird060]

Not sure but since Universal has the Simpsons land I am sure there are similar things in place at the theme parks in relation to the Fox Licenses Universal has for theme parks

 

[rteetz]

Any word on when the BatB sing-along at Epcot is supposed to start? Trying to make my plans for our November trip now that most of the event dates are out, not sure if we should plan on checking it out.

Nope, they’ve said this year but that’s it.

 

[loutoo]

I for one am happy to see today's information regarding Epcot. I know there seems to be a lot of negative feeling about the potential loss of the fountain, and just as much frustration about the potential addition of a location that serves beer, but in all that the central idea of what is rumored is being lost. The rumor basically states that the area behind Spaceship Earth is going to become the festival/exposition hub, a main and central gathering place for the variety of festivals and expos hosted at Epcot. There will be food, drink, entertainment, exposition space, green space and shopping all here conveniently located at the center of the park in what is currently largely wasted space.

This change will help cement Epcot's identity as a permanent, but ever changing exposition center, much like the permanent world's fair once envisioned when the park was designed (Roy and the imagineers' original vision for the park, not Walt's for the city.) It helps separate Epcot and pin down its unique place in the ever growing Landscape of Orlando theme parks.

The fountain was pretty, but certainly not unique or iconic to Epcot. I understand the idea of a beer garden might be frightening, but I am pretty sure what we will find is more of an exposition/entertainment space with a few conveniently located beer taps.

I think we should give imagineering the benefit of the doubt and assume they probably know what they are doing. I would be willing to wager they have a vision beyond what the rumor mongers leaked, and when we see a little concept art and perhaps a few sentence explaining the ideas, we all might be able to get behind what they have planned.

 

[Mome Rath]

This change will help cement Epcot's identity as a permanent, but ever changing exposition center, much like the permanent world's fair once envisioned when the park was designed...

Now that's an idea I could support if they would take it out to it's logical conclusion and have updated attractions or showcases constantly in the works...

 

[loutoo]

Now that's an idea I could support if they would take it out to it's logical conclusion and have updated attractions or showcases constantly in the works...

I dont think they will ever execute on the scale that we might like, but I think these changes and others like the "play place" are about creating flexible space that can be changed and updated. Easily to fill needs in changing expositions

We will never see always updated attractions because of the cost associated with creating a ride on the level expected of Disney, but I think we will see revolving options in food, drink, show, entertainment, infotainment, and exposition. Or at least I hope. When these changed where originally hinted at it was said to be in order to facilitate a return to Epcots root.

 

[rteetz]

News

Animal Kingdom tasting sampler returns

http://blogmickey.com/2019/04/tasti...isneys-animal-kingdom-april-12th-on-sale-now/

 

[MommaBerd]

NEWS

VIP tours will NOT have access to Galaxy's Edge during initial open period at Disneyland - basically the May 31-June 23rd period where you have to have a reservation to enter the land. So you can't "Pay to get in"

http://blogmickey.com/2019/04/vip-t...-edge-for-the-first-few-months-at-disneyland/

I am really surprised at this...Disney is leaving money on the table. To me, it seems they want to keep the “playing field” as level as possible to begin with.

 

[rteetz]

News

New tiki room diorama

https://wdwnt.com/2019/04/photos-ne...i-room-diorama-now-available-at-disney-parks/

 

[chiisai]

News

Animal Kingdom tasting sampler returns

http://blogmickey.com/2019/04/tasti...isneys-animal-kingdom-april-12th-on-sale-now/

How does the main $50 card work? Do you get to try one of each snack/drink/food at all the kiosks? Or, just up to $50? How does it keep track?

 

[rteetz]

How does the main $50 card work? Do you get to try one of each snack/drink/food at all the kiosks? Or, just up to $50? How does it keep track?

It sounds similar to a gift card.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I am really surprised at this...Disney is leaving money on the table. To me, it seems they want to keep the “playing field” as level as possible to begin with.

I think they are trying for that initial period to be as like "utopia" as possible - reservations to get in to limit crowd sizes, no VIP tours so not like "oh look what the 1% can do", etc. because they know there will be a ton of media coverage there and they want to give off a positive image

 

[MommaBerd]

I think they are trying for that initial period to be as like "utopia" as possible - reservations to get in to limit crowd sizes, no VIP tours so not like "oh look what the 1% can do", etc. because they know there will be a ton of media coverage there and they want to give off a positive image

Could be. Also, they may be hoping to gain favor with this potential new population of park-goers, the Star Wars fans.

 

[bluecastle]

The fountain was pretty, but certainly not unique or iconic to Epcot. I understand the idea of a beer garden might be frightening, but I am pretty sure what we will find is more of an exposition/entertainment space with a few conveniently located beer taps.

.

I have to disagree about the fountain. It is more than just pretty. It is truly unique and iconic. At its opening ceremony, containers of water from 25 different bodies of water from around the world were poured into it. 29 countries were represented. As time passes, less and less people know about historical information like this. I agree that Epcot needs some major changes to keep current, but I will truly miss the Fountain of Nations. I'm glad I have access to the wonderful soundtrack.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I have to disagree about the fountain. It is more than just pretty. It is truly unique and iconic. At its opening ceremony, containers of water from 25 different bodies of water from around the world were poured into it. 29 countries were represented. As time passes, less and less people know about historical information like this. I agree that Epcot needs some major changes to keep current, but I will truly miss the Fountain of Nations. I'm glad I have access to the wonderful soundtrack.

I agree! Regardless of how many times we’ve been to Epcot we find ourselves stopping each day that we’re there to enjoy the music and water at least once. We will miss it for sure!

 

[ksromack]

News

REVIEW: New Treats at Kringla Bakeri Og Kafe at the Norway Pavilion in Epcot

This will be my first trip to Disney after going on a Keto diet and I dont know how I will be able to pass up all the sugary delights. Even though that cupcake is no sugar added, it doesn't mean it's low in carbs so this will be a challenge...or I could just forget the diet and try to minimize the carb I take.

The article mentions a movie cameraman statue.... I don't recall ever seeing this... or maybe just have glossed over it in my mind.... anyone have a photo?

I have a picture of it so.ewhere in my massive files of photos ETA, I see you found it!

 

[ksromack]

News

Mickeys Very Merry Christmas Party tickets now on sale

https://wdwnt.com/2019/04/dates-rel...-for-2019-mickeys-very-merry-christmas-party/

Yikes...doesn't leave many opportunities for us to share HEA with our granddaughter that second week of Dec. Since she's so you g (will be 15 months when we go, the party will be much too late for her).

NEWS

VIP tours will NOT have access to Galaxy's Edge during initial open period at Disneyland - basically the May 31-June 23rd period where you have to have a reservation to enter the land. So you can't "Pay to get in"

http://blogmickey.com/2019/04/vip-t...-edge-for-the-first-few-months-at-disneyland/

I'll be curious to see 9f this is the case at WDW because I'm pretty sure Pete at the Dis has already purchased a VIP tour for our opening (not sure which tour he set up, though).

News

Sneak Peek of Disney’s ‘Aladdin’ Coming Soon to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line

Totally unrelated but we really enjoyed the Alladin production they used to have at Disney's California Adventure.....

If the Epcot rumors are true they should really just change the branding to the world's largest bar with the world's highest cover.

I personally hate beer gardens in what are supposed to be family friendly areas, and it doesn't even make sense at Epcot since you can already walk around with drinks. Plus I really like the fountain.

In Germany the beer gardens are actually family events! They dont get sloppy drunk at them as it's more about getting together with friends and family. Of course, this beer garden wont be located in Germany.

I have to disagree about the fountain. It is more than just pretty. It is truly unique and iconic. At its opening ceremony, containers of water from 25 different bodies of water from around the world were poured into it. 29 countries were represented. As time passes, less and less people know about historical information like this. I agree that Epcot needs some major changes to keep current, but I will truly miss the Fountain of Nations. I'm glad I have access to the wonderful soundtrack.

I did recently learn of this while listening to YouTube today. It would be a shame to lose this global representation of all Nations coming together.

 

[danikoski]

I wonder if they could move (reconstruct) the fountain to the front of Spaceship Earth or right behind it (there was talk they were removing the building behind SE). If I remember correctly, there was also a new fountain proposed for the area in front of SE. Maybe they will pay homage in some fashion to the Fountain of Nations.

 

[chiisai]

It sounds similar to a gift card.

Ok, thanks.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I'll be curious to see 9f this is the case at WDW because I'm pretty sure Pete at the Dis has already purchased a VIP tour for our opening (not sure which tour he set up, though).

If I recall correctly I think Pete booked the VIP tour for Disneyland but not knowing for sure if it would be able to be used in galaxy’s Edge or not ... I think he said if not he would cancel it

My guess is they will be allowed at WDW (though who knows at this point) as so far the tours are only not allowed during house first few weeks when they have that reservation system which WDW is not doing (at least as of now)