News Round Up 2019

[TheMaxRebo]

Price point is always a primary factor in a vacation, but with rising costs sometimes you can justify the little extra. But when you get worse return on your money AND service is bad then you'll probably won't return unless the money/value is improved.

well said - better than I tried to. I think with Disney the service, etc. was always so high it was easier to justify the higher costs - felt like you were getting proper return. Not that is more in quesiton

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So, just sharing this as another take on Toledo from a source that I think is safe to reference here (since it is the DIS)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1149707789624848385

 

[Lsdolphin]

Sorry for any confusion - I posted shortly after the story about them shutting down the DL monorail midday so was using that as one example

Whoa...ok that’s good to hear...at least for us. Although it wouldn’t be the first trip when were unable to use the monerail when we wanted it. Thank you for clarifying!

 

[tlmadden73]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1149735848730083328

Boy it seems Universal can build new rides a ton faster than Disney. I know there is a "quality" issue when you compare, but still. Universal (both parks) is VASTLY different from when I went there in 2011 (from an attraction standpoint). And now Islands of Adventure has three major thrill coasters in the same park? (two of which are band new?) GO GO Gadget competition!

I mean .. wasn't constructed started only earlier this year? And it is complete already?

I guess this is just your normal Six Flags steel coaster with some Jurassic park theming in the entrance? (Thus how they were able to get it up so quickly?)

 

[SG131]

well said - better than I tried to. I think with Disney the service, etc. was always so high it was easier to justify the higher costs - felt like you were getting proper return. Not that is more in quesiton

Obviously, we are a forum filled with people who will still go. But with how high ticket prices are and the sharp decline in service and cleanliness, and universal right next door with competitive prices, I can see why some people are changing how they travel. All the upcharge events have also seem to have started to create an air of negativity among the casual guests.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Been listening to the new lion King soundtrack. I've been pleasantly surprised.

Thoughts:

Be prepared: really liked this one which is high praise because I thought the original is one of the best villain songs.

Just can't wait to be King: was one of my favorites. The only detractor was John Oliver as zazu. That's one of those unfortunate celebrity castings where I'm picturing the celebrity and not the character they're playing.

Seth Rogen: pleasantly surprised by him. Pumba is one of my fav Disney characters of all time so I had very high standards. I'll have to see the movie, but in the songs at least I approve.

Donald Glover: really really liked him as Simba

Never too late: loved it. Good job Elton John.

Spirit: this is Beyonce's song. Just thought it was ok, great idea to give her a song though because she has tons of fans. I'm just not really a big fan of hers.

I loved all the other songs on the soundtrack, the more instrumental ones towards the end like 'he lives in you' and 'reflections of mufasa'.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

wow, some of these are really cool - lots of talent and lots of different syles too!

https://d23.com/meet-winning-3-happy-haunts-years-d23-expo-design-challenge/

 

[mollmoll4]

Boy it seems Universal can build new rides a ton faster than Disney. I know there is a "quality" issue when you compare, but still. Universal (both parks) is VASTLY different from when I went there in 2011 (from an attraction standpoint). And now Islands of Adventure has three major thrill coasters in the same park? (two of which are band new?) GO GO Gadget competition!

I mean .. wasn't constructed started only earlier this year? And it is complete already?

I guess this is just your normal Six Flags steel coaster with some Jurassic park theming in the entrance? (Thus how they were able to get it up so quickly?)

I could be wrong, but I don't think this was a full build. It was an update to an existing ride.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Boy it seems Universal can build new rides a ton faster than Disney. I know there is a "quality" issue when you compare, but still. Universal (both parks) is VASTLY different from when I went there in 2011 (from an attraction standpoint). And now Islands of Adventure has three major thrill coasters in the same park? (two of which are band new?) GO GO Gadget competition!

I mean .. wasn't constructed started only earlier this year? And it is complete already?

I guess this is just your normal Six Flags steel coaster with some Jurassic park theming in the entrance? (Thus how they were able to get it up so quickly?)

This was a reskin/adjustment to the existing River Adventure ride. Hollywood's version was adjusted to Jurassic World whereas I believe Orlando is supposed to get an addition ride that is Jurassic World themed.

 

[dlavender]

Boy it seems Universal can build new rides a ton faster than Disney. I know there is a "quality" issue when you compare, but still. Universal (both parks) is VASTLY different from when I went there in 2011 (from an attraction standpoint). And now Islands of Adventure has three major thrill coasters in the same park? (two of which are band new?) GO GO Gadget competition!

I mean .. wasn't constructed started only earlier this year? And it is complete already?

I guess this is just your normal Six Flags steel coaster with some Jurassic park theming in the entrance? (Thus how they were able to get it up so quickly?)

The coaster is rumored to come to FL. It's not there yet. This one is just the reskin in CA.

However, to your point, they do build faster. Hagrid's seemed to be up in no time, and it was not an "off the shelf coaster" type.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Disney is experiencing it's own deep recession on both coasts.

The rest of the country's vacation spits are booming. I read that summer travel is at record highs this summer but you wouldn't know that by looking at Disney's parks.

Who would have thought this would be the case in the year where they gave STAR WARS it's own billion-dollar land?

I think some places have been hit. I know Vegas tourism is down over the last few years some pointing the finger at resort and parking fees though I think it's a combination of things. Some this year political in nature in terms of trade and visa application issues not just for travelers but also for people who go to Vegas to work.

But I totally agree that for the Disney parks the attendance numbers aren't as high as I think most of us thought it would be with Star Wars opening. I am intrigued how WDW will do though in its first few months. There's been quite the price increases so close together for Disney this year just like the last few years. I wish Disney would rethink that the only way to make money is to increase price or turn something into an add on charge. It's an easy way but easy shouldn't always be the go-to.

 

[rteetz]

Boy it seems Universal can build new rides a ton faster than Disney. I know there is a "quality" issue when you compare, but still. Universal (both parks) is VASTLY different from when I went there in 2011 (from an attraction standpoint). And now Islands of Adventure has three major thrill coasters in the same park? (two of which are band new?) GO GO Gadget competition!

I mean .. wasn't constructed started only earlier this year? And it is complete already?

I guess this is just your normal Six Flags steel coaster with some Jurassic park theming in the entrance? (Thus how they were able to get it up so quickly?)

This was an overlay not a brand new ride. This is the water ride in Hollywood not the new coaster in Orlando.

 

[rteetz]

However, to your point, they do build faster. Hagrid's seemed to be up in no time, and it was not an "off the shelf coaster" type.

But... Hagrid's still has plenty of issues.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

LEAK

Leaked Photo Shows Stormtroopers and Massive Hanger in Rise of the Resistance Attraction

https://blogmickey.com/2019/07/leak...-hanger-in-rise-of-the-resistance-attraction/

How convenient.

Make a lot of people angry because the rides are opening much later than was thought.

Immediately leak a photo to remind everyone that it's worth the wait.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

But... Hagrid's still has plenty of issues.

I had read an article before the ride soft opened and it said they were noticing wear and tear on the track with testing. I believe they said it was the ride vehicle design that was mostly responsible for that. If that were actually true then the near constant without much downtime it experienced during the first few days certainly wouldn't help that wear and tear issue.

 

[rteetz]

So, just sharing this as another take on Toledo from a source that I think is safe to reference here (since it is the DIS)

https://twitter.com/x/status/1149707789624848385

Dis Dining Show with Deni, Steve, and Corey all seemed to really like it and that was on opening night. I love John and Kevin but I think they can be a bit over critical at times. Dining is always hit or miss with people though.

 

[rteetz]

I had read an article before the ride soft opened and it said they were noticing wear and tear on the track with testing. I believe they said it was the ride vehicle design that was mostly responsible for that. If that were actually true then the near constant without much downtime it experienced during the first few days certainly wouldn't help that wear and tear issue.

Wear on the track is common with painted track on coasters. Slinky's track is plenty worn by now. That's not the major issue with hagrid's it seems.

 

[dina444444]

Have they done this in the past? Or is this new ground?

This happened frequently last summer through the fall due to the heat.

 

[Farro]

Dis Dining Show with Deni, Steve, and Corey all seemed to really like it and that was on opening night. I love John and Kevin but I think they can be a bit over critical at times. Dining is always hit or miss with people though.

Where do I find this? The unplugged youtube channel?

 

[tlmadden73]

This was an overlay not a brand new ride. This is the water ride in Hollywood not the new coaster in Orlando.

Oh .. gotta do a full read! Thanks! I thought there was no way it was done in 7 months .. guess I was right.! Heh. Thanks for keeping me honest.