News Round Up 2019

[Q-man]

News

Walt Disney World Resort Hotels to Introduce New Payment Card Policy Beginning Feb. 27

Wow. I managed at Hilton 25 years ago and we locked up $50/day for incidentals back then.

 

[dlavender]

Universal News:

Work walls went up this morning for the new Jurassic park roller coaster at Islands of Adventure (probably for late 2020)

Some photos of the work walls:

https://twitter.com/Midway_Mayhem/status/1085197767893504000

https://twitter.com/insideuniversal/status/1085206804299161603

https://twitter.com/insideuniversal/status/1085205703252500480

It's going where the old triceratops encounter was and extending over the water of the lagoon around the front of the Discovery Center and back. It'll likely be more of a thrill coaster than the new potter one nearly finished. They lost two roller coasters when they got rid of Dragons, which were both thrill (And together at one ride location). The Harry potter one will be more family friendly, and this one will be likely more thrill.

Do we have an opening date for the HP coaster?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Universal News:

Work walls went up this morning for the new Jurassic park roller coaster at Islands of Adventure (probably for late 2020)

Some photos of the work walls:

https://twitter.com/Midway_Mayhem/status/1085197767893504000

https://twitter.com/insideuniversal/status/1085206804299161603

https://twitter.com/insideuniversal/status/1085205703252500480

It's going where the old triceratops encounter was and extending over the water of the lagoon around the front of the Discovery Center and back. It'll likely be more of a thrill coaster than the new potter one nearly finished. They lost two roller coasters when they got rid of Dragons, which were both thrill (And together at one ride location). The Harry potter one will be more family friendly, and this one will be likely more thrill.

I am definitely not as up on Universal - is this going to be in addition to the existing river raft ride or is it replacing it? I know (think?) they are upgrading the river ride at Universal in Hollywood, but wasn't sure about in Orlando

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Do we have an opening date for the HP coaster?

I don't think Universal said anything official but a reliable source (as I understand it) has said it will be Memorial Day, May 27th (which fits what others have expected)

 

[rteetz]

News

Aulani Pool refurb scheduled

https://www.wdwinfo.com/aulani/major-aulani-resort-pool-refurbishment-to-take-place-later-this-year/

 

[amalone1013]

I am definitely not as up on Universal - is this going to be in addition to the existing river raft ride or is it replacing it? I know (think?) they are upgrading the river ride at Universal in Hollywood, but wasn't sure about in Orlando

My understanding is it's in addition to it. The areas mentioned in those are on the opposite side of the walkway from the River Ride. River Ride was down for refurb this past weekend when we were there.
And I didn't even see @rteetz OR the baby giraffe even though we were also in AK yesterday

 

[siren0119]

Who doesn't plan for Halloween in January, right? Ugh. This is crazy early. Even by Disney standards.

It's the same week it started last year though - aug 17 was the first day of the party in 2018. In 2017 it started Aug 25.

You won't hear me complaining, we are Halloween people and start planning our costumes and family party almost as soon as Christmas is over It IS early to be releasing the tickets, but I'll take it as it makes planning our pre-labor day trip a little easier.

 

[dlavender]

I don't think Universal said anything official but a reliable source (as I understand it) has said it will be Memorial Day, May 27th (which fits what others have expected)

Thanks for the info! That seems awfully quick. Seems like just a few months ago it was still a pile of rubble.

 

[jade1]

Universal News:

Work walls went up this morning for the new Jurassic park roller coaster at Islands of Adventure (probably for late 2020)

Some photos of the work walls:

https://twitter.com/Midway_Mayhem/status/1085197767893504000

https://twitter.com/insideuniversal/status/1085206804299161603

https://twitter.com/insideuniversal/status/1085205703252500480

It's going where the old triceratops encounter was and extending over the water of the lagoon around the front of the Discovery Center and back. It'll likely be more of a thrill coaster than the new potter one nearly finished. They lost two roller coasters when they got rid of Dragons, which were both thrill (And together at one ride location). The Harry potter one will be more family friendly, and this one will be likely more thrill.

Good to hear. Really miss DD so this is great news. Hope it's somewhat similar thrill wise.

Wish they had all 3 though.

 

[The Pho]

Thanks for the info! That seems awfully quick. Seems like just a few months ago it was still a pile of rubble.

You’re just used to Disney speed. All other parks put up rides in a about year (or less depending on theming Or lack thereof).
The Jurassic Park coaster should open next year and they’re just starting on that now.

 

[wareagle57]

Universal News:

Work walls went up this morning for the new Jurassic park roller coaster at Islands of Adventure (probably for late 2020)

Some photos of the work walls:

https://twitter.com/Midway_Mayhem/status/1085197767893504000

https://twitter.com/insideuniversal/status/1085206804299161603

https://twitter.com/insideuniversal/status/1085205703252500480

It's going where the old triceratops encounter was and extending over the water of the lagoon around the front of the Discovery Center and back. It'll likely be more of a thrill coaster than the new potter one nearly finished. They lost two roller coasters when they got rid of Dragons, which were both thrill (And together at one ride location). The Harry potter one will be more family friendly, and this one will be likely more thrill.

We are truly living in the golden age of Central Florida theme parks right now. The next few years are going to be fantastic.

 

[ErinF]

News

Aulani Pool refurb scheduled

https://www.wdwinfo.com/aulani/major-aulani-resort-pool-refurbishment-to-take-place-later-this-year/

My heart skipped a few beats when I saw this since we're going to Aulani this summer. Thankfully we'll be there in June and this does not start until August 19th. But man oh man do I feel sorry for those that will be there during the refurb. That pool complex is a huge draw to the resort, I know that's the main reason we're going, my kids love a resort with pools, lazy river, slides, etc. (well, me and DH do too!). We aren't planning to leave the resort at all for the 3 nights we're there. We'll be saving our exploring for Kauai and Maui, we're heading there after Aulani.

I also think a $50 resort credit as compensation during that time is kind of piddly, but I guess it's not like every single part of the pool complex is closed down the entire time.

 

[Lesley Wake]

No sign of the baby. He must be backstage now.

Yeah, I think they like to keep the baby giraffes back for a few weeks (maybe a month). Probably just get them used to everything and not be freaked out by the trucks rumbling past all the time!

 

[Dentam]

Yeah, I think they like to keep the baby giraffes back for a few weeks (maybe a month). Probably just get them used to everything and not be freaked out by the trucks rumbling past all the time!

Yeah I just figured maybe we'd get lucky since it was born iut there yesterday.

 

[Lesley Wake]

Yeah I just figured maybe we'd get lucky since it was born iut there yesterday.

I know! I'll be there in 3 weeks and am hoping he/she will already be out. I got to see the oldest of the babies briefly in December, but even though the middle baby (Amira) was allowed onto the savanna, I didn't get to see her.

 

[Dentam]

I know! I'll be there in 3 weeks and am hoping he/she will already be out. I got to see the oldest of the babies briefly in December, but even though the middle baby (Amira) was allowed onto the savanna, I didn't get to see her.

We didn't see any babies other than the elephant our driver said was two yrs old. We have another Safari fp later in our trip so maybe then!

 

[Dentam]

Also, CM at the entrance today said the Christmas tree is coming down tomorrow. All decorations are still up and they're playing Christmas music at the entrance and in Dino Land.

 

[rteetz]

Also, CM at the entrance today said the Christmas tree is coming down tomorrow. All decorations are still up and they're playing Christmas music at the entrance and in Dino Land.

MK still has everything up.

 

[jknezek]

MK still has everything up.

oof. Glad we still have 11 days until arrival. Christmas is done and dusted for us. While I loved it the last time we went and it was early Dec a few years ago, I'd be less enthused about seeing decorations halfway through January.

 

[closetmickey]

MK still has everything up.

That seems really late!