News Round Up

[rteetz]

Epcot testing new rope drop procedure

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/08/epcot-testing-new-opening-procedures.html?m=1

 

[rteetz]

DTD east garage update

http://savepleasureisland.blogspot.com/2015/08/dtd-update-east-garage-progress.html?m=1

 

[mom2rtk]

Minnie's holiday done at Hollywood and vine now available for reservations.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/holl...holiday-dine-at-hollywood-and-vine-dinner.htm

That sounds cute. But they need to spend more time adding experiences all guests can enjoy in that park instead of paid extras.

 

[leholcomb]

That sounds cute. But they need to spend more time adding experiences all guests can enjoy in that park instead of paid extras.

But that doesn't make money.

 

[wareagle57]

Epcot testing new rope drop procedure

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/08/epcot-testing-new-opening-procedures.html?m=1

How do they keep coming back to this awful idea? It really takes away from the RD advantage by immediately building up the lines at Soarin'/Test Track. Not to mention now it turns into a giant mob in a power walking race. It's so much calmer when they let the guests in one by one

 

[RooRach0906]

It's a small world will be closed August 22nd to September 15th 2016 for refurb

Although I am glad IASW is getting some love! This has always been our traditional first ride and it now wont be for our Sept trip next year unless we change our dates.

 

[Ismo]

Epcot testing new rope drop procedure

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/08/epcot-testing-new-opening-procedures.html?m=1

All these new RD procedures make me feel stressed! When we went to WDW in 2013, they actually did this at Animal Kingdom. We are all let in early and led up the tree and held there until the park officially opened. We had an early ADR but ended up having to fight with everyone trying to make their wait to Kilimanjaro or Everest. And of course they all thought that we were doing the same and there was a lot of pushing and shoving.

Anyway...I like the bit where they said there's going to be a new fountain show prior to opening, I suppose they think this will appease the guests.

 

[maltdizzy]

why such a long time? really hoping to ride next summer on our trip

BTMRR got major overhaul at DLR in 2014, now it's WDW turn. You can read about the DLR work here...
http://articles.latimes.com/2014/mar/11/news/la-trb-disneyland-big-thunder-mountain-review-20140310

Wait what??? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! My wife is going to be so bummed. First the Animation academy goes out, now her favorite ride down for refurb. Thank goodness we're heading out to DL in 6 months. It better be open there!

The DLR IASW is light years better than the WDW. It's a must ride at DLR for me, but at WDW it's torture...and looks so old and warehouse-esque. Not only do you have the original, full World's Fair Pavilion at DL, the overall ride experience, artwork, characters, etc are much nicer and fresher. If there at Christmas time it gets a nice Holiday makeover, complete with cookie scent.

The refurbs at WDW are gonna look like the road work around here when "Obama money" was being dispersed. What lottery did WDW win, or did they just decide to get rid of a job position to spend money on refurbs? That's a massive amount of work. Looks like Orlando could have a spike in job opportunities with all of the refurb, AK, and DHS work. Didn't they refurb BMTRR in summer 2012? I thought we missed it because of that or the refurb started while we were there.

Refurbs are necessary maintenance.

As to investing in growth, their stock price has quadrupled since 2011 for a reason (though it dropped massively yesterday...it'll bounce back)...massive profits, especially at the parks. Investment in the parks increases long-term revenue. $1B invested in DCA turned it from a money-loser into a profitable park.

 

[smitch425]

Still no TSM FPs available beyond 10/14 according to thedibb. With all of the new refurbs announced recently and no mention of TSM, it doesn't make much sense. I make my FPs Monday night. I hope there's some news soon! Lol

 

[skier_pete]

DTD east garage update

http://savepleasureisland.blogspot.com/2015/08/dtd-update-east-garage-progress.html?m=1

I just can't believe what they can get away with charging for character meals? $53 a person for that awful food at Play and Dine? I'm glad we are done with these.

 

[skier_pete]

Epcot testing new rope drop procedure

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/08/epcot-testing-new-opening-procedures.html?m=1

Seems more like the old rope drop procedure. Any idea how this affects people coming from the International Gateway?

 

[Spacedog1975]

Frozen holiday wish returns to MK this year

http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/holi...m-for-the-holidays---see-the-full-line-up.htm

This suggests that we won't be getting the Christmas Country Bears. Boo.

 

[iamsarahpotts]

I'm a big fan of this kind of plussing. BTMRR is a great multiple-ride coaster for when the park is closing. Any new effects would be most welcome.

We love riding BTMRR multiple times as park is closing too! I will be sad that it's down while we're there next spring, but I guess it's good a favorite is getting some attention.

 

[iamsarahpotts]

For those interested this is a photo of the paint markings of where Space Mountain was supposed to be cut, and rebuilt in 2009 before the budget for it was cut.

View attachment 113859

Ahh! SM looks scarier with the lights on!

 

[Reddog1134]

How do they keep coming back to this awful idea? It really takes away from the RD advantage by immediately building up the lines at Soarin'/Test Track. Not to mention now it turns into a giant mob in a power walking race. It's so much calmer when they let the guests in one by one

I didn't quite understand how this new procedure is working. If they are letting people roam the park and perhaps get in line for an attraction then that sounds great.

If it's like the procedure that Ismo mentioned below, then that sucks. Making guests wait outside the "turnstyles" creates a slight delay between each guest entry which helps prevent the mob rush. This procedure eliminates that.

All these new RD procedures make me feel stressed! When we went to WDW in 2013, they actually did this at Animal Kingdom. We are all let in early and led up the tree and held there until the park officially opened. We had an early ADR but ended up having to fight with everyone trying to make their wait to Kilimanjaro or Everest. And of course they all thought that we were doing the same and there was a lot of pushing and shoving.

Anyway...I like the bit where they said there's going to be a new fountain show prior to opening, I suppose they think this will appease the guests.

 

[wareagle57]

I didn't quite understand how this new procedure is working. If they are letting people roam the park and perhaps get in line for an attraction then that sounds great.

If it's like the procedure that Ismo mentioned below, then that sucks. Making guests wait outside the "turnstyles" creates a slight delay between each guest entry which helps prevent the mob rush. This procedure eliminates that.

It sounds to me like everyone is held in the central area near the fountain to me.

 

[Midwinter]

I didn't quite understand how this new procedure is working. If they are letting people roam the park and perhaps get in line for an attraction then that sounds great.

If it's like the procedure that Ismo mentioned below, then that sucks. Making guests wait outside the "turnstyles" creates a slight delay between each guest entry which helps prevent the mob rush. This procedure eliminates that.

Not sure how it is working at WDW, but the way rope dropping worked at Disneyland is they would allow guests to walk through Main Street (most - if not all stores were normally closed) and then there was a rope that was positioned right before a visitor could start to split off in to all the different lands. It worked pretty good at Disneyland, but I'm not sure it would be very effective at most parks. Obviously it is not very fair to anyone who loves to line up early to be first in the park.

 

[Spacedog1975]

I just can't believe what they can get away with charging for character meals? $53 a person for that awful food at Play and Dine? I'm glad we are done with these.

I'm half curious if the food offering will change. Agreed that it is one of my least favorable food experiences at WDW.

 

[rteetz]

But that doesn't make money.

Exactly Disney really only likes extra add one because they make more money.

 

[RAD]

This suggests that we won't be getting the Christmas Country Bears. Boo.

I thought they got rid of that overlay years ago.