News Round Up 2020

[CastAStone]

Some STAR WARS news ... Don't know if it's been posted or lost in the crazy Friday news blitz, but EA dropped the gameplay trailer for the upcoming Star Wars: Squadrons. Looks like an update on the classic X-Wing and Tie Fighter series with modern multiplayer thrown in. This could be amazing for the folks with VR. Let's just hope EA learned their micro-transaction lesson ...

X-Wing was the first video game I remember becoming obsessed with - and I was SO bad at it. This is appealing...

 

[tlmadden73]

News

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...d-reopening-of-walt-disney-world-theme-parks/

So .. they still aren't saying what attractions will be closed yet (if any?), but did confirm the "big ones" will be open. Also aren't saying how they will be open .. (like will there be pre-shows0.

But .. at least it sounds like they will have characters "out and about" as opposed to static M&Gs .. I may actually prefer that. I like roaming characters (like the Stormtroopers and Kylo Ren in SWGE), but will miss getting a up close M&G with the kiddos.

Are we figuring that theater shows will still go on .. just with spaced out seating? (every other row?) ... like Country Bears, Frozen Sing-along, etc. I can't imagine WDW without theater shows as those consist of a LOT of their attractions, but I can see them limited.

 

[rteetz]

News

WDW will not be using any boarding groups or virtual queues initially.

 

[scrappinginontario]

News

WDW will not be using any boarding groups or virtual queues initially.

Scenario: Enter DHS at park opening. 'Oh look honey! The back of the distanced RotR queue is right here!!'

 

[rteetz]

Scenario: Enter DHS at park opening. 'Oh look honey! The back of the distanced RotR queue is right here!!'

DHS capacity will be kept pretty low. I doubt they’ll allow the queue to extend that far either.

 

[JETSDAD]

So .. they still aren't saying what attractions will be closed yet (if any?), but did confirm the "big ones" will be open. Also aren't saying how they will be open .. (like will there be pre-shows0.

But .. at least it sounds like they will have characters "out and about" as opposed to static M&Gs .. I may actually prefer that. I like roaming characters (like the Stormtroopers and Kylo Ren in SWGE), but will miss getting a up close M&G with the kiddos.

Are we figuring that theater shows will still go on .. just with spaced out seating? (every other row?) ... like Country Bears, Frozen Sing-along, etc. I can't imagine WDW without theater shows as those consist of a LOT of their attractions, but I can see them limited.

The full list of open rides and shows is available on MDE.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So .. they still aren't saying what attractions will be closed yet (if any?), but did confirm the "big ones" will be open. Also aren't saying how they will be open .. (like will there be pre-shows0.

But .. at least it sounds like they will have characters "out and about" as opposed to static M&Gs .. I may actually prefer that. I like roaming characters (like the Stormtroopers and Kylo Ren in SWGE), but will miss getting a up close M&G with the kiddos.

Are we figuring that theater shows will still go on .. just with spaced out seating? (every other row?) ... like Country Bears, Frozen Sing-along, etc. I can't imagine WDW without theater shows as those consist of a LOT of their attractions, but I can see them limited.

Honestly almost everything looks to be open so easier to cover what will be closed. Being discussed in the dedicated thread but this link has listing of what will be closed:
https://blogmickey.com/2020/06/hare...-will-remain-closed-when-disney-world-reopens

 

[tlmadden73]

DHS capacity will be kept pretty low. I doubt they’ll allow the queue to extend that far either.

Right .. with as much effort as going into this reservation system, we have to adjust our expectations of how busy the parks will be ... thousands (at first) .. instead of tens of thousands I would imagine. Which means no need for the things we are used to for planning - boarding groups, fast passes, dining reservations, etc.

It will be an odd year for sure. I'd love to be a local AP holder (if you can get a reservation).. because I feel the parks are going to be awesome just to just "check out" and enjoy the low crowds but hard (due to the unknown and unexpected) to "plan" for and pay for a normal vacation.

 

[Gusey]

News

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...d-reopening-of-walt-disney-world-theme-parks/

I'm quite excited about the thought of the return of the discovery boats at AK, and the parade routes at HS and EPCOT. I hope that they bring the character omnibus they used to do at EPCOT

 

[OSUZorba]

I was pretty surprised to hear this. The whole "contactless" and "frictionless" benefits of the magic band was what paid for all guests to have these. Guessing that the photopass portion for on-ride photos wasn't footing the bill. I think this is short-sighted on Disney's part. yeah, I have my phone in the park. That doesn't mean I want my kids to have theirs too. I agree that the beancounters are going to for a reversal on this once the in-park purchase numbers start coming in. Less and less "magical", Disney.

This is now Chapek's Disney now, soon there will be no magic. The customer is nothing but a paycheck and they will come regardless of price or product, in his eyes at least.

 

[Gusey]

Are we figuring that theater shows will still go on .. just with spaced out seating? (every other row?) ... like Country Bears, Frozen Sing-along, etc. I can't imagine WDW without theater shows as those consist of a LOT of their attractions, but I can see them limited.

According to the DIS article of attractions opening, the following is a list of theatre shows that will be reopening. Probably be like how they are doing it at Universal, where a cast member directs the group to the allocated seats, and spaces between groups : Country Bear Jamboree, Hall of Presidents, Tiki Room, Mickey's Philarmagic, Carousel of Progress, Festival of Lion King, Animation Experience (Know it's not technically a theatre show but still audience styled seating), Awesome Planet, Canada Far & Wide, Pixar Short Festival, Impressions de France (nothing about B&B Singalong), Reflections of China, American Adventure, American Garden Theatre (JAMMitors & Mariachi Cobre), Lightning McQueen Racing Academy, Muppet Vision, Vacation Fun (Mickey Shorts Theatre) & Walt Disney Presents.

Most of these are either films or audio anamatronic shows. but does include live action Festival of Lion King and American Garden Theatre

https://www.wdwinfo.com/news-storie...ons-available-at-disney-world-upon-reopening/

 

[wareagle57]

interesting that they are opening so many of the shows at MK where they have plenty of rides, but closing (I think) all of them at DHS where there is less ride capacity. And only Lion King at AK.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

So looks like Savi's isn't opening to start with.

That's a bunch of money gone for Disney.

Droid shop will open though.

 

[scrappinginontario]

interesting that they are opening so many of the shows at MK where they have plenty of rides, but closing (I think) all of them at DHS where there is less ride capacity. And only Lion King at AK.

I don’t believe they’re opening any shows in the Magic Kingdom that involve live actors. I believe that is why they are closing the shows at the other parks as they involve people singing and speaking closely together.

The only MK show that they closed that I can see is Enchanted Tales with Belle and that follows the pattern of the other parks. The other show at MK that they’re closing is Laugh Floor and I’m guessing it’s because of both the CMs that hold the mic and the fact that a microphone is basically shared between guests.

I will say the one show I’m surprised is still happening is Thd Lion King Show. I’m guessing that it will be modified.

I’m guessing the closings have much more to do with safety than capacity.

 

[rteetz]

So looks like Savi's isn't opening to start with.

That's a bunch of money gone for Disney.

Droid shop will open though.

Which to me is weird because I think they could’ve distanced a lot better with Savi’s than droids.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Which to me is weird because I think they could’ve distanced a lot better with Savi’s than droids.

Yep, just skip every other station.

Still gotta be making money even if they cut capacity in half.

 

[wareagle57]

Yep, just skip every other station.

Still gotta be making money even if they cut capacity in half.

I thought maybe making sure all the parts are clean? But droids would be way worse for that. At $200 a pop, even if you only have 4 people in there every show (I think it's about a 20 minute experience right?) at 2 shows an hour that's $1,600 an hour. I have a hard time believing even food and beverages make more per CM per hour.

If the average QS meal order is $30, and a single cashier spends at least 2.5 minutes per order (I've seen much longer, but this seems pretty normal for our orders) that is 24 orders per hour. Cosmic Rays being one of the biggest QS places never seems to have more than around 6-8 registers open. Assuming 8 that's around 200 orders per hour, or about $6,000. And I'd guess there are at least 5-10 CMs in the kitchen, so somewhere between $400 per CM per hour.

IDK how many CMs it takes to run a single session at Savi's, but I'd assume it's less than 5. I have remained spoiler free though as I know I will do it one day. I don't even know if they have more than one room like Olivander's. One person to check everyone in, 1 person to explain how everything will work before entering, 2 people instructing, 1 person to guide everyone out the exit? Even limiting it ridiculously low at 4 kids per show at $1,600 an hour with 5 CMs that is $320 per CM.

Obviously food for guests is a much bigger priority, but Savi's has such a small footprint and even if the markup on food is greater than on a light saber, it's seems like a relatively easy thing to do compared to food.

OK, sorry for nerding out with possibly wildly inaccurate estimates.

 

[Helvetica]

Maybe the Savi’s cast members are equity? My understanding is that there’s a bit of a performance element to it while Droid Depot is more retail.

 

[rteetz]

Maybe the Savi’s cast members are equity? My understanding is that there’s a bit of a performance element to it while Droid Depot is more retail.

I believe they are.

 

[tlmadden73]

Maybe the Savi’s cast members are equity? My understanding is that there’s a bit of a performance element to it while Droid Depot is more retail.

Are you saying the reason it is cut is to save money because those cast members cost more? (And Disney is just using the pandemic as a excuse to save some money in the short term?)

I guess it is safety and immersion too. I wouldn’t want the Savi’s person to be wearing a mask, it would ruin the experience . So if a mask won’t work within the show, then no show since the cast member can’t be protected? Is that the criteria we think?