News Round Up

[rteetz]

The Walt Disney World Monorail system will be operating on a new schedule from September 1 2014 as work continues on the automation system installation.

The following schedule will be in place from September 1 to September 26 2014.

Magic Kingdom Resort beam - 8:30am to 11pm (midnight on special event nights)
Magic Kingdom Express beam - 9:30am to 1 hour following the Magic Kingdom fireworks
Epcot beam - 9am to 11pm
September 5 and 6 will have a 2am close of the Magic Kingdom Resort and Express beams to accommodate Night of Joy guests.

As always, watercraft and bus services will be made available outside of the operating hours.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/transportat...rate-on-revised-schedule-from-september-1.htm

 

[rteetz]

New limited real ease Haunted Mansion Magic Band went on sale today at the Magic Kingdom for 24.99. The limited release bands must be purchased with ticket media. The regular single color magic bands can be purchased without.

 

[wallrock]

New limited real ease Haunted Mansion Magic Band went on sale today at the Magic Kingdom for 24.99. The limited release bands must be purchased with ticket media. The regular single color magic bands can be purchased without.

So we've gotten to the point that we're paying twenty-five bucks for a stylized room key. I wonder how long it will be before paying for your band will be standard, regardless of whether you choose a limited edition one or not.

 

[rteetz]

Disney's Hollywood Studios will be hosting a special appearance and signing with Matt Vogel on Monday August 25 2014.

Matt Vogel is one of the principal Muppet performers, where he most recently played Constantine in Muppets Most Wanted.

Matt will be on hand for a special appearance and signing of the Muppets Most Wanted Blu-Ray and DVD from 4 – 5p.m. at Stage 1 Company Store in Disney's Hollywood Studios.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-matt-vogel-at-disney's-hollywood-studios.htm

 

[rteetz]

So we've gotten to the point that we're paying twenty-five bucks for a stylized room key. I wonder how long it will be before paying for your band will be standard, regardless of whether you choose a limited edition one or not.

Well this has been going on for a while now they had Star Wars ones for Star Wars weekends, they have frozen ones for frozen summer fun and now they have haunted mansion ones for halloween. I think the solid color ones will always be included if you stay on property but if you want a special edition one you'll have to buy it. The only way I would buy a special edition one is if I were an annual pass holder but I am not I go every two years maybe.

 

[caseykasem99]

Do we know if the haunted mansion magic bands will make a cool noise when used? even if its only for a short time like the Star Wars MBs.

 

[rteetz]

Do we know if the haunted mansion magic bands will make a cool noise when used? even if its only for a short time like the Star Wars MBs.

I have not heard yet.

 

[WDWChloe]

The refurbishment of Mickey's PhilharMagic at the Magic Kingdom has been extended by just over a week. Beginning on September 8, the refurbishment will now end on September 27, reopening to guests on September 28 2014. The refurbishment was originally scheduled to be completed on September 19. via wdwmagic.com

Just a general fix up or has there been any word on updates?

 

[rteetz]

Just a general fix up or has there been any word on updates?

Jim hill reported that frozen may be added but that is all. It would be nice to have a slight update to the film.

 

[rteetz]

Report from laughingplace.com on twitter. Parking garage 1 will open in November at DTD. The food truck park will open in October. The food truck park was originally scheduled for summer opening but summer is almost over and it doesn't look near completion. The new guide maps in DTD say that the garage will open in early 2015.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

So we've gotten to the point that we're paying twenty-five bucks for a stylized room key. I wonder how long it will be before paying for your band will be standard, regardless of whether you choose a limited edition one or not.

Only the people can brake the bonds of oppression

 

[umichigan10]

Jim hill reported that frozen may be added but that is all. It would be nice to have a slight update to the film.

am I the only one who's gotten to the point to basically hating frozen because it's just being relentlessly cropped up in everything disney related. I mean I get why theyre doing it because it's popular but when is enough enough?

 

[wallrock]

am I the only one who's gotten to the point to basically hating frozen because it's just being relentlessly cropped up in everything disney related. I mean I get why theyre doing it because it's popular but when is enough enough?

I won't go as far as to say that I hate the film (I'm not a big fan for that matter either), but it will be enough when the suits feel that they have squeezed out all the revenue they can. Unfortunately that will probably be far into the future after two or three sequels hit the theaters.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

am I the only one who's gotten to the point to basically hating frozen because it's just being relentlessly cropped up in everything disney related. I mean I get why theyre doing it because it's popular but when is enough enough?

Definitely can appreciate the movie...

But what I "hate"...
Is the complete inconsistency and often times general disregard that Disney has for Incorporating "popular" materials Into parks.

I mean...I get it...they want a proven product before they build rides or venues in the parks...not having to roll the stuff over every 5 years if what they put in misses (cough... Who wants to be a millionaire... Cough...American idol)...

But why jump on this? It's not 20 year "walmart" approved...like toy story and little mermaid...
And while undoubtedly popular...I've also noticed that some of the saturation of merchandise in local stores is starting to stick to the shelves a little... Don't know if this has the legs they think it does.

I also... Personally...think Tangled was as good if not a better movie...

And all we got in WDW was a bathroom four years later...
What gives?

 

[rteetz]

Well I have some things to share today...

Apparently Disney has failed again on Villains unleashed. Guest Services had lines of people complaining. Crowds were uncontrollable even though it was a hard ticketed event. Merchandise lines were cut off after 10 PM. The fantasmic pre show was a trivia session nothing more. Lots of alcoholic beverage stands around. Constantine from muppets most wanted had a 3+ hour line that was closed once it reached that point. Most lines for popular characters did reach 2+ hours. People were upset because they got to meet so few characters. People were still happy though that they got to see a lot of characters that are never out some making first appearances. Disney had lots of star wars villains out and even non villain guardians of the galaxy characters. Crowds seemed to be the biggest issue.

 

[AaronInWI]

Definitely can appreciate the movie...

But what I "hate"...
Is the complete inconsistency and often times general disregard that Disney has for Incorporating "popular" materials Into parks.

I mean...I get it...they want a proven product before they build rides or venues in the parks...not having to roll the stuff over every 5 years if what they put in misses (cough... Who wants to be a millionaire... Cough...American idol)...

But why jump on this? It's not 20 year "walmart" approved...like toy story and little mermaid...
And while undoubtedly popular...I've also noticed that some of the saturation of merchandise in local stores is starting to stick to the shelves a little... Don't know if this has the legs they think it does.

I also... Personally...think Tangled was as good if not a better movie...

And all we got in WDW was a bathroom four years later...
What gives?

The bolded part sums up my feelings exactly, and much better than I could articulate it. Bravo!

 

[WDWChloe]

Definitely can appreciate the movie... But what I "hate"... Is the complete inconsistency and often times general disregard that Disney has for Incorporating "popular" materials Into parks. I mean...I get it...they want a proven product before they build rides or venues in the parks...not having to roll the stuff over every 5 years if what they put in misses (cough... Who wants to be a millionaire... Cough...American idol)... But why jump on this? It's not 20 year "walmart" approved...like toy story and little mermaid... And while undoubtedly popular...I've also noticed that some of the saturation of merchandise in local stores is starting to stick to the shelves a little... Don't know if this has the legs they think it does. I also... Personally...think Tangled was as good if not a better movie... And all we got in WDW was a bathroom four years later... What gives?

Completely agree.

Also - remember the lack of Wreck it Ralph merch? That was a nightmare. Oh wait, they falsely advertise vanellope and Ralph outside DisneyQuest.They also [just] released an open edition pin but besides that, nothing special. At the time, WIR set the record for a non-Pixar Disney animated film at the box office.

I don't get their logic on merchandising.

 

[umichigan10]

Definitely can appreciate the movie... But what I "hate"... Is the complete inconsistency and often times general disregard that Disney has for Incorporating "popular" materials Into parks. I mean...I get it...they want a proven product before they build rides or venues in the parks...not having to roll the stuff over every 5 years if what they put in misses (cough... Who wants to be a millionaire... Cough...American idol)... But why jump on this? It's not 20 year "walmart" approved...like toy story and little mermaid... And while undoubtedly popular...I've also noticed that some of the saturation of merchandise in local stores is starting to stick to the shelves a little... Don't know if this has the legs they think it does. I also... Personally...think Tangled was as good if not a better movie... And all we got in WDW was a bathroom four years later... What gives?

ok maybe hating the film is a little strong. Definately wasn't my favorite movie but it definately was far from awful. The middle of this about describes my feelings though. I mean how much longer is the frozen train going to run before it comes to a screeching hault and Disneys caught behind the 8 ball a little?

 

[rteetz]

The DIS review of villains unleashed.


http://blog.wdwinfo.com/2014/08/24/...eaves-guests-in-long-lines-most-of-the-night/

 

[Yellowstonetim]

ok maybe hating the film is a little strong. Definately wasn't my favorite movie but it definately was far from awful. The middle of this about describes my feelings though. I mean how much longer is the frozen train going to run before it comes to a screeching hault and Disneys caught behind the 8 ball a little?

It has nothing to do with the actual film merits. The movie was a cultural phenomenon, and it isn't stopping. Some merchandise is on shelves, but most things are still moving amazingly well. I know a number of kids that are still singing and talking about Frozen. Some kid was singing out loud at a road side rest yesterday! Friends are headed to WDW so the kids can meet Anna and Elsa. It won't come to an end. This will be their "Lion King" for the rest of their lives, only it will be bigger than Lion King.

It is already becoming clear how big and unusual a "thing" Frozen is, but Christmas will tell us more - Frozen products are already expected to lead the Christmas sales by a huge margin. And 5 years from now it will be a given that Frozen is a permanent huge part of the Disney canon. If you love it, that's a good thing. If you don't, sorry. In other words: Get use to the Frozen train running, and running, and running, and...