News Round Up 2019

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I have seen different versions with the characters (like different characters appearing) - maybe they could use projections on it to "animate" different characers appearing on it, at least at night. That could be kinda fun but still keep the clean look of the physical logo

Ohhh I like that idea! And it would give you a varied experience for day and night.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

oops, yeah, in my mind I wasn't really assigning, just meant that a fee added to uber rides at Universal but definitely doesn't read how I intended it so I've reworded the original

Oh no worries! TBH Orlando Sentinel's headline is a bit misleading.

Sorry if I came off a certain way in my response to you totally didn't mean to if I did

 

[TheMaxRebo]

NEWS

while Halloween Horror Nights 29 just ended, they have announced HHN30 will run on select nights from Sept 10 - Oct 31 2020

https://twitter.com/x/status/1191386242245648384

 

[jade1]

NEWS

while Halloween Horror Nights 29 just ended, they have announced HHN30 will run on select nights from Sept 10 - Oct 31 2020

https://twitter.com/x/status/1191386242245648384

Dang we went last week (super fun as usual) and got in line for Mel's for the first time ever but just took too long so we left.

Highlights for us were G Busters, S Things and US. Well done.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Dang we went last week (super fun as usual) and got in line for Mel's for the first time ever but just took too long so we left.

Highlights for us were G Busters, S Things and US. Well done.

interesting seeing your thoughts as most "rankings lists" I have seen have had Stranger Things at the bottom. Nightingales seems to be most divisive with some having at the bottom and others towards the top

I will say, general consensus is that everything was pretty solid so even the houses at the bottom are viewed pretty positively

 

[wareagle57]

Boring - no character.

Just like the tomorrowland sign. But others will defend it and say it's "clean" or "sleek."

 

[wareagle57]

From the article:

"Uber has quietly added a $4 surcharge for pickups at Universal Orlando theme parks. The new fees that went into effect Oct. 21 will pay for a deal between Universal and Uber to improve the ride-sharing experience.

Under the agreement, Uber plans to build out a “lounge” inside the Universal parking garage where people waiting for their rides can wait. New signs will be added. Ground personnel also will be added to direct people.

The rides are only for pickups, not drop-offs, and for Universal theme parks, not the hotels on Universal property.

When asked if the $4 will be permanent, the Uber spokesman said it is —“for now.”

That's some more brief information that kinda gives you the idea of what is going on.

If this doesn't apply to the hotels, then I don't really see what difference it makes. It's closer to just walk to Hard Rock from US than to go to the parking garage anyway.

 

[OKW Lover]

it will be interesting if Disney and Uber partner up to adjust how they do pickups.

I would hope that Disney realizes that Uber is bringing guests into the parks as well as out. As such, Uber brings in people spending money at Disney and the same Uber can bring people home. Both relieve strain on Disney's transportation system.

Of course this should also apply to Lyft and taxis too.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

If this doesn't apply to the hotels, then I don't really see what difference it makes. It's closer to just walk to Hard Rock from US than to go to the parking garage anyway.

In terms of what you're saying I think if you were on property you probably wouldn't be taking uber for the most part because their hotels are a lot closer than Disney's. If you're off-site then it could be more like a situation of people being dropped off and picked up at the Contemporary vs TTC. I'd guess that most people wouldn't think to check a hotel to see if a fee would apply but would probably just input where they want to go (and in this case where they physically are at which would be Universal theme parks) and call it good.

Not that your idea isn't a good one though for those willing and able to navigate over there.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Just like the tomorrowland sign. But others will defend it and say it's "clean" or "sleek."

I like both - but guess it depends how you felt about the versions going around with the characters on them

I think most logos and similar, the cleaner the better. And Disney is heading that way - I mean, heck, look at the new EPCOT logo in use

 

[Anthony Vito]

I do think drinks/treats like that are better in small doses so I would rather decrease size vs increase price (but do find moves like this just a sneaky way to charge more without actually increasing prices)

Not uncommon (and not just Disney that does this) - easy example to see is ice cream: most brands' "pints" and "half-gallons" have not actually been that amount in a while. The exception is Ben & Jerry's that still as 16 oz. containers.

 

[Anthony Vito]

NEWS

Iconic Disney’s Hollywood Studios Sign Removed from Animation Courtyard Archway .... I presume to make way for the new style logo one

https://twitter.com/x/status/1188833082146725895

We were there that day (which is why I'm finally catching up on this Board) - funny thing is, I didn't even notice!

 

[Anthony Vito]

PHOTOS

A Disney+ documentary crew was following a family around Magic Kingdom yesterday

https://twitter.com/x/status/1187366171345113088

I'm wondering if it was something along these lines that we saw. We were still in Galaxy's Edge shortly after closing (was probably about 10:15ish or so) on 10/28, and we saw a camera crew setting up, someone having makeup put on, and a family signing releases. I couldn't convince my wife to stick around and see what they were going to film.

 

[SG131]

If this doesn't apply to the hotels, then I don't really see what difference it makes. It's closer to just walk to Hard Rock from US than to go to the parking garage anyway.

I was thinking the same thing, though I'm sure if they see a noticeable increase at the hotels they will add a fee there too!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

NEWS

Final track piece installed for Tron Lightcycle Run at Magic Kingdom

https://twitter.com/x/status/1191417983878479872

 

[TheMaxRebo]

NEWS

Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party exclusive Sorcerer's card revealed:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1191419700246433793

 

[TheMaxRebo]

NEWS

new Mandalorian teaser trailer!!!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1191406998782386176

 

[Anthony Vito]

and it seems it would have made more sense to do a London themed Peter Pan lounge at the Grand Floridian and then use Beauty and the Beast at the French Riviera themed hotel

but what do I know

What, something from a movie that starts in Victorian-era London in the Victorian themed hotel? And a movie set in France-themed lounge in the resort with the connection to the Riviera (primarily French)? Ludicrous I say!

 

[Anthony Vito]

Somehow underestimated the scope of SWGE. It’s massive and quite incredible.

I had the same feeling. It was definitely bigger than I expected. I also think it will end up feeling even bigger, possibly, when Rise of the Resistance opens since that whole front area just feels pretty empty right now (although, that might actually contribute to how big it feels because of all that open area).

I had my doubts, still do in some ways, along the lines of it not being themed to anything we're familiar with (and the reality that the Star Wars universe is not really "set" anywhere (at least not any one place(, in the sense that it's less the settings than the story, and that a lot of it is in space - which would be a difficult choice for a land).

I enjoyed it though - one morning (only had 3 full days at WDW - long weekend without the kids) my wife slept in after getting up early the two previous mornings for Extra Extra Magic Hours. I woke up early still, so I just went back to DHS and got there about 7:15. After walking on to Tower of Terror and Rock'n' Roller Coaster, I got a cup of coffee and a pastry and just went and wandered around a bit and sat on the stone bench area by Oga's and drank my coffee and ate the pastry. It was pretty cool. Of course, they started announcing that Oga's was open for walk-ins, so I went in to check it out when I was done (about 8:00 am), only to discover I could have had decent coffee there. Wah Wah. I also enjoyed Oga's much more in the morning (had reservations that night and went in then) - I think people were still more subdued and it may have been a touch less crowded, so it wasn't quite as loud as it was at night. The bartenders were more involved and you could hear them better whooping it up and kind of being in character.

Last thing I'd include here - I was saying the whole weekend that I wished they had some more characters, not major ones, to make the land a bit more immersive. Not along the lines of Stormtroopers, Vi, Rey, etc., but more like street-people - people in character just walking around, perhaps bartering, just being in character of people of Batuu - I think it would really add character and feel to the land.

 

[Anthony Vito]

I am so upset that I cant afford a new AP right now.

We've got the APs, just no trip there when they have these!

Anyone going then really want a Minnie Food & Wine one?? Anyone . . . Buehler?