News Round Up 2019

[rteetz]

Re: TP, they probably updated their algorithm with more data. Usually they'll post a blog article about any major update so you can stay tuned to their blog page to see if that is forthcoming. Last year they did monthly updates but I haven't seen once since Oct so they've probably been working on a major update and this is it.

It's weird though because I also got an email and it's for next weekend, which is the marathon. Previously they had MK at a 5 and they just updated it to a 9. Duh it's going to be a 9 on marathon Saturday!

Yep I believe I saw Len tweet that they had a big update coming.

1/9 AK went from a 1 to a 9! That’s a bit extreme.

 

[rteetz]

Len says a blog post explaining the jump will be out soon.

https://twitter.com/lentesta/status/1081163906939346945?s=21

 

[TheMaxRebo]

This may sound like a silly question but are crowd levels of 9 and 10 during the year similar to Christmas crowds? I'm helping friends plan a trip which coincides with new levels of 9-10 in March on Touring Plans. I saw pictures of the crowds last week and if they're like that I would discourage them from going as I just cannot see crowds like those being enjoyable!

I think the really crazy days, like NYE where they have phased closures are exceptions and on that scale would be like a 12 or something. So 9 or 10 is probably going to be maybe like what yesterday was, so with some really long waits and lots of crowds, but not like scary crowded

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Yep I believe I saw Len tweet that they had a big update coming.

1/9 AK went from a 1 to a 9! That’s a bit extreme.

yeah, that is a bit nuts - seems like either something was wrong before or now, not just a different view of things

I know there was the take last year that in the "slow" periods Disney was understaffing which was artificially increasing wait times, so if now they are factoring that in I can see that increasing things some but a 1 to a 9?

Also, seems like then are there going to be any days that are less than a 5 or a 6? Almost like they need to adjust the scale

 

[JaxDad]

I think the really crazy days, like NYE where they have phased closures are exceptions and on that scale would be like a 12 or something. So 9 or 10 is probably going to be maybe like what yesterday was, so with some really long waits and lots of crowds, but not like scary crowded

 

[sachilles]

For as much as we love E-tickets, I feel the MK could use another dark ride similar to that old country bears concept.
One thing I find cool about Disneyland is you have that row of a few dark rides. It's not quite the same in Florida. You do have a couple of them especially if you include the little mermaid. Peter pan is well loved and a good example, but always over crowded. I'd love to see one more classic style dark ride in the back corner of the magic kingdom.

 

[rteetz]

yeah, that is a bit nuts - seems like either something was wrong before or now, not just a different view of things

I know there was the take last year that in the "slow" periods Disney was understaffing which was artificially increasing wait times, so if now they are factoring that in I can see that increasing things some but a 1 to a 9?

Also, seems like then are there going to be any days that are less than a 5 or a 6? Almost like they need to adjust the scale

I believe that is part of the jump. They are taking into account the understaffing. However yes a 1 to a 9 is huge.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

View attachment 373309

so why don't they just make a 10 level be for a higher crowd?

..... but our crowd calendars go to 11!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

For as much as we love E-tickets, I feel the MK could use another dark ride similar to that old country bears concept.
One thing I find cool about Disneyland is you have that row of a few dark rides. It's not quite the same in Florida. You do have a couple of them especially if you include the little mermaid. Peter pan is well loved and a good example, but always over crowded. I'd love to see one more classic style dark ride in the back corner of the magic kingdom.

yeah, they used to have more dark rides in MK but took a few out over the years (like Snow White for the Princess M&G) - guess they replaced one with Pooh, so that is another, but definitely not the same as DLR

I think that is one reason I am excited about the idea of a "C-ticket" ride at the UK pavilion ... likely not a dark ride but at least it is just a smaller ride - not everything needs to be an E-Ticket. Also, I like seeing outdoor rides as it adds kenetic energy and life to the area

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I believe that is part of the jump. They are taking into account the understaffing. However yes a 1 to a 9 is huge.

and just feels like if they are now increasing those previously low level times to reflect that, well, how many days are now going to be below a 5? And then you are going to see that not all 8s are created equal, etc.

Definitely interested to read what they publish about the change and their thought process, etc.

 

[rteetz]

and just feels like if they are now increasing those previously low level times to reflect that, well, how many days are now going to be below a 5? And then you are going to see that not all 8s are created equal, etc.

Definitely interested to read what they publish about the change and their thought process, etc.

There are still a few days/parks during my stay that are a 5s or a couple lower than that but yes it seems most of the jumps put them at 5+.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

This may sound like a silly question but are crowd levels of 9 and 10 during the year similar to Christmas crowds? I'm helping friends plan a trip which coincides with new levels of 9-10 in March on Touring Plans. I saw pictures of the crowds last week and if they're like that I would discourage them from going as I just cannot see crowds like those being enjoyable!

I would say a Christmas 10 is better than a random day 10.

At Christmas the parks are firing on all cylinders, most likely no attraction rehabs (unless it's one that is taking a year or more). The parks are staffed fully, all lines are open.

The parks even open very early and are usually somewhat empty at opening.

However, a regular day ten might have shorter hours, less staff, less lines open.

 

[rteetz]

News

“The Little Mermaid” Signature Collection to Include 4K Release

 

[TheMaxRebo]

News

New V.I.Passholder perks for January!

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...rks-in-january/?CMP=SOC-DPFY19Q2wo0103190006A

Just since it we buried in here a little bit just thought I would highlight since I know a lot of people are in to collecting them that part of this is new AP Magnet to be released in time for Festival of the Arts

(so if you haven't gotten your Goofy with snowflakes one yet, I'd try to get it soon!)

 

[mikepizzo]

Just since it we buried in here a little bit just thought I would highlight since I know a lot of people are in to collecting them that part of this is new AP Magnet to be released in time for Festival of the Arts

(so if you haven't gotten your Goofy with snowflakes one yet, I'd try to get it soon!)

I understand that they are supposed to be limited time and all of that, but I wish there was a way AP's can get a magnet without actually having to go to the parks. It would be really cool if they sent out these special AP magnets to out of state AP holders upon request.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I understand that they are supposed to be limited time and all of that, but I wish there was a way AP's can get a magnet without actually having to go to the parks. It would be really cool if they sent out these special AP magnets to out of state AP holders upon request.

I agree - I was lucky this time that I got the regular AP Donald one and the F&W Mickey one in my trip the past August and then someone who was in WDW gave them my AP number and got me a Goofy snow flake one and mailed to to me .... but would be nice if there was a way to get them - even if we had to pay S&H

 

[Firebird060]

I miss the 2am Magic Kingdom days that happened more frequently in the spring

 

[wareagle57]

News

Disneyland’s Sleeping Beauty Castle refurbishment scheduled

https://wdwnt.news/19010307

How is this going to work with the new nighttime Mickey show? Maybe this won't require it to be behind scrim since I assume it's projection heavy.

Hopefully "Spring" means early spring. Never plan a Disney vacation around a wedding. We are trapped with our dates but I'm really wishing we did something else instead. No Paint the Night, apparently the worst crowd week of the year, and now this. And still no word on World of Color, though SURELY that will be open again by April.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

How is this going to work with the new nighttime Mickey show? Maybe this won't require it to be behind scrim since I assume it's projection heavy.

Hopefully "Spring" means early spring. Never plan a Disney vacation around a wedding. We are trapped with our dates but I'm really wishing we did something else instead. No Paint the Night, apparently the worst crowd week of the year, and now this. And still no word on World of Color, though SURELY that will be open again by April.

Fireworks are only scheduled to be in the Mickey Show on weekends. It will be interesting to see what happens because of this refurbishment.

I also think the main part of the show is to take place on Main Street due to concept art.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

NEW DETAILS

A new story from Barron's reveals more details for Galaxy's Edge:

summary from WDWNT:
https://wdwnt.com/2019/01/new-star-...y-blue-milk-and-likely-stand-at-ogas-cantina/

Full story in Barrons (need subscription to read):
https://www.barrons.com/articles/he...neylands-new-star-wars-attraction-51546513200

Some highlights:

Oga’s Cantina from the inside:

The first public restaurant in Disneyland to serve alcohol, Oga’s is relatively small for aesthetic reasons, and is likely to be popular. To maximize capacity and keep visits from becoming all-afternoon affairs, most guests will stand. There will be a handful of booths with seating around the outer edge of the restaurant; no decision has been made yet on whether or how these can be reserved. An intricate tangle of tubes and vessels behind the bar might make some drinks appear to flow from the ceiling. We heard a mention of a Fuzzy Tauntaun, named for the furry snow lizards ridden in Empire Strikes Back, although it’s unclear if that’s a hypothetical drink or a planned one, and the menu is still being decided.


Blue Milk on Batuu:

Visitors will be able to order blue milk at Galaxy’s Edge, recalling the secretion of a bantha—a large, hairy animal with spiral horns—drank by Luke Skywalker in the first film (which, due to the later addition of prequels, is now known as Episode IV: A New Hope). This will be a nondairy drink. It’s unclear whether it will be sold in Oga’s or in the outdoor marketplace, or both. It’s possible it will be sold by or near a bantha farmer, suggesting the marketplace.

“Merchant Row”:

Shops will be supplied from a common stockroom, and restaurants from a common kitchen, to increase efficiency. One shop will feature droids that visitors can customize through an interactive experience. A droid that is made to be, say, afraid of stormtroopers might signal its fear when one comes close. Droids owned by members of the same group might recognize each other when they meet. Prices have not been set. The shop might also sell a full-size R2-D2 for well-heeled fans, perhaps costing thousands.

There will be another shop presided over by Dok-Ondar, a collector who is briefly mentioned in Solo. This character, likely animatronic, will be set apart in a booth from the rest of the staff, not unlike the dispatcher Louie De Palma in the old ABC sitcom Taxi. Cast members might interact with Dok-Ondar, asking him what he’s willing to let certain items go for. Elsewhere, there will be an outdoor market resembling a bazaar. A pod-racing engine, perhaps at the market, will be used to roast meat.

For Galaxy’s Edge, imagineers have worked with filmmakers, chefs, and merchandise executives to take adherence to storytelling to new levels for a Disney park attraction. One possibility is that Star Wars merchandise in shops will come in unique packaging that downplays the logos. Another is that merchandise based on familiar characters will take on new looks. The imagineers visited the archives at Lucasfilm for early concept art. As a hypothetical example, an artisan figure of a familiar character might look slightly off, with the back story being that residents of Batuu have never seen that character, so they don’t know exactly what the figure should look like.