News Round Up

[101disneyfan]

New video on Pandora: the Land of Avatar
http://wdwnt.com/blog/2015/02/artwo...l-gives-first-look-at-bio-luminescent-plants/

 

[beer dave]

I really want to test out the new Wishes seating area, too! I was hoping that it would open up more Fast Passes for Wishes since they have opened that area to the public. I checked earlier today and there are no fast passes available during my trip at the end of March. I hope they open them us soon!! It looks like a pretty large viewing area.

I'm going in a week and have FPP's for wishes..... We'll see how it goes. Maybe we won't be in the new area yet?

 

[beer dave]

In comparison to Disney. A 1 park ticket is quite pricey but they are of course after the 2 park ticket sales.

Yeah-- Basically the same price as MK--- What is it to add the park hopper? I would think Universal would deserve the same bashing for price gouging as Disney gets..... What? not even one new ride this year in each park and they are raising the prices? And they don't include the only two areas anyone wants to see in their express pass? What a bunch of money grubbing thieves!

 

[ThurlFan]

Stitches great escape will close for two days in March

Meaning approximately seventeen people will have to find something else to ride those days...

 

[DDLand]

We've talked about Hong Kong Disneyland expansion a couple times. It's now officially real! I'm not sure if Phase 2 includes Disney Explorers Lodge. Lines are little blurred.
http://www.china.org.cn/arts/2015-02/26/content_34892244.htm
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/hong-kong-disney-discuss-expanding-hk-disneyland-2015-02-25

"In his 2015-2016 budget presentation Hong Kong Finances Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah provided an interesting information about HKDL second park, saying that the second park should have a land as big as the first one, 60 ha. Also confirmed, new hotels and a HKDL Downtown Disney."

From the excellent disneyandmore Facebook page. More info is available there:
https://www.facebook.com/3020429298...2042929839518/849552478421891/?type=1&theater

This is pretty exciting!

 

[jcnewton]

Planet Hollywood redesign in the works to fit motif of Disney Springs. Said to be the look of a "turn of the 20th century observatory".

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-planet-hollywood-redesign-20150226-story.html

Pic of the proposed look on the OS Twitter page here: https://twitter.com/orlandosentinel/status/571082415042641920

EDIT: Also, celebrity chefs will be brought in as the menu looks to be getting a facelift as well.

 

[rteetz]

Planet Hollywood redesign in the works to fit motif of Disney Springs. Said to be the look of a "turn of the 20th century observatory".

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/os-planet-hollywood-redesign-20150226-story.html

Pic of the proposed look on the OS Twitter page here: https://twitter.com/orlandosentinel/status/571082415042641920

EDIT: Also, celebrity chefs will be brought in as the menu looks to be getting a facelift as well.

Nothing new that's been known for quite sometime now it's just official I guess.

 

[wareagle57]

Meaning approximately seventeen people will have to find something else to ride those days...

I know people don't like it, but just about every time I've been on it the theater has been pretty full.

 

[rteetz]

One smoking area in the MK is going away.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...e-reduced-at-magic-kingdom-starting-today.htm

 

[rteetz]

Photos of the hub after dark

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...street-plaza-gardens-at-the-magic-kingdom.htm

 

[rteetz]

Interesting read on universal building and building and a bit of of how Disney should respond.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2015/02/27/universal-orlando-getting-bigger-better-wetter-wilder/

 

[nkosiek]

Interesting read on universal building and building and a bit of of how Disney should respond.

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2015/02/27/universal-orlando-getting-bigger-better-wetter-wilder/

This quote was interesting, it's almost as though Mr. Logic wrote it, and I'm sure DDLand will counter, but I lean towards this being more true than not:

It has been phoning it in when it comes to new park attractions, which the attendance figures show haven't been as magnetic as what Universal is up to these days.

 

[rteetz]

This quote was interesting, it's almost as though Mr. Logic wrote it, and I'm sure DDLand will counter, but I lean towards this being more true than not:

Universals building pace right now is something disney needs to look at. Universal is really trying to be a 4 or more day destination.

 

[nkosiek]

Universals building pace right now is something disney needs to look at. Universal is really trying to be a 4 or more day destination.

And Disney likes to think of itself as a 7-day destination. I'm not so sure it is anymore, especially with all the closures. 2 days @ MK, day at EPCOT, and if you know what you're doing, you can do a day to cover both AK and DHS. Add 1 day water-park if you're a fan and you're done (especially because that's the night you go to Disney Springs if shopping is your thing). And let's be honest the water parks are nice but I don't think you NEED to do both.

I know Avatarland and River of Lights is suppose to make AK a full day park and that's all fine well and good, but really, 2 new experiences and a show don't really add more than another 2 hours onto the day there.

 

[rteetz]

And Disney likes to think of itself as a 7-day destination. I'm not so sure it is anymore, especially with all the closures. 2 days @ MK, day at EPCOT, and if you know what you're doing, you can do a day to cover both AK and DHS. Add 1 day water-park if you're a fan and you're done (especially because that's the night you go to Disney Springs if shopping is your thing). And let's be honest the water parks are nice but I don't think you NEED to do both.

I know Avatarland and River of Lights is suppose to make AK a full day park and that's all fine well and good, but really, 2 new experiences and a show don't really add more than another 2 hours onto the day there.

See in my opinion I won't do AK in a half day there is a lot to do there. That park is more than rides. I've alwasy gone for a week at a time. Usually 4 or more days in the parks. As for water parks I've only done typhoon lagoon. While its a great water park to me it's nothing spectacular. Here in wisconsin we have the Wisconsin dells which is often coined as the water park capital of the world.

If avatar will bring something new to this park. Night life. To me that will make me for sure want to spend a full day there. AK is just so well done and well detailed. They have plenty of shows and animal related things to do such as th jungle treks.

 

[clsteve]

This quote was interesting, it's almost as though Mr. Logic wrote it, and I'm sure DDLand will counter, but I lean towards this being more true than not:

Well, one thing is looking pretty certain. 2017 is gearing up to be maybe the best year in awhile for Orlando Theme Park fans.

Universal will have Kong already open from 2016, Sapphire Falls 2017, plus Volcano Island - the new Water Park 2017, and the rumors about a Jurassic World expansion with a couple of new rides 2017.

Add in Avatar at AK, that all adds up to an expansive slate for that year we haven't seen in awhile.

Plus, that new vertical 'coaster (which looks really intriguing) in the I-Drive area may be in the mix, as well.....

 

[rteetz]

Well, one thing is looking pretty certain. 2017 is gearing up to be maybe the best year in awhile for Orlando Theme Park fans.

Universal will have Kong already open from 2016, Sapphire Falls 2017, plus Volcano Island - the new Water Park 2017, and the rumors about a Jurassic World expansion with a couple of new rides 2017.

Add in Avatar at AK, that all adds up to an expansive slate for that year we haven't seen in awhile.

Plus, that new vertical 'coaster (which looks really intriguing) in the I-Drive area may be in the mix, as well.....

Don't forget the newly added frozen attraction in Arrendale oh I mean Norway.

 

[clsteve]

Don't forget the newly added frozen attraction in Arrendale oh I mean Norway.

Ouch, and you did that on purpose.

I don't know how to do it. But if I could, I'd take a dozen likes back from you for that.....

 

[rteetz]

Ouch, and you did that on purpose.

I don't know how to do it. But if I could, I'd take a dozen likes back from you for that.....

 

[rteetz]

Animal Kingdom is having a spring forward event

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/02/spring-forward-event-to-take-place-at.html?m=1