News Round Up

[minnie-apple-mouse]

Downtown Disney is no more say hello to Disney Springs

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ney-springs-today---see-the-new-guide-map.htm

Nice, so is that it for the springs? Or is that green space going to be added in later, and if so-with more springs?

 

[rteetz]

Nice, so is that it for the springs? Or is that green space going to be added in later, and if so-with more springs?

All of that green space is going to be Town Center and the second parking garage.

 

[skier_pete]

It's a big one...

A Miceage Update with info on the future of Disneyland Resort.
http://micechat.com/111703-miceage-star-wars-disneyland/

No real surprises here. I am mostly disappointed the railroad is closed, the rest is just filler rides IMO. Nice to see there seems to be urgency with the construction.

There's also no surprise on the discussion of the parking issues/queue issues. (Though I do see the standby people at Space Mountain always playing the game.) The parking situation at DLR is just terrible and has been for so long, it's pathetic that they can't address it.

Downtown Disney is no more say hello to Disney Springs

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ney-springs-today---see-the-new-guide-map.htm

The previous map says both. I wonder how long until the new name catches on. Every trip I talk to patrons that don't realize Pleasure Island was closed, and that's 7 years ago now. I have never been one to "stick by my guns" with names. DHS is not MGM. I'll call Disney Springs that - but most importantly, how do we abbreviate it? DS is "Dear Son", DiSpr?

 

[rteetz]

No real surprises here. I am mostly disappointed the railroad is closed, the rest is just filler rides IMO. Nice to see there seems to be urgency with the construction.

There's also no surprise on the discussion of the parking issues/queue issues. (Though I do see the standby people at Space Mountain always playing the game.) The parking situation at DLR is just terrible and has been for so long, it's pathetic that they can't address it.




The previous map says both. I wonder how long until the new name catches on. Every trip I talk to patrons that don't realize Pleasure Island was closed, and that's 7 years ago now. I have never been one to "stick by my guns" with names. DHS is not MGM. I'll call Disney Springs that - but most importantly, how do we abbreviate it? DS is "Dear Son", DiSpr?

Disneyland has had plans ready for helping fix the parking situation as well but it's just never happened.

 

[rteetz]

All new Disney Springs website

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ngs-website-to-introduce-the-new-identity.htm

 

[minnie-apple-mouse]

All of that green space is going to be Town Center and the second parking garage.

I see, but do you know/think there will be any "springs" in that area?

 

[eXo]

The talk a few posts back about Universal vs Disney in Asia was interesting, but it got me thinking that there was something key being left out.

One reason Disney has such a huge presence here is nostalgia. If Disney and Universal both opened tomorrow for the very first time, the attendance would not be quite so disparate. Disney is an institution. I take my kids because I went as a kid. Universal is *just* getting old enough where people who went as kids now have kids of their own, but it is also completely different from those days. It is the same Universal in name only.

While Disney is obviously an international brand, I'm not sure they will enjoy the same home field advantage over there. Brands like Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, King Kong, and now especially all the video game licenses Universal has acquired are huge over there.

Universal's biggest problem in Orlando is presumably land. They have capital, they have crews and designs, and they have a parent company with an aggressive expansion plan. The limitations in Orlando simply don't exist in Asia, and the market is larger there.

While Disney will likely always be the themepark leader in the US, Universal has a clear shot at taking the crown in the East.

 

[Jasperkitty]

Inside Morimoto Asia

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/mori...orimoto-asia-restaurant-at-disney-springs.htm

Are they accepting dinner reservations yet?

 

[Jasperkitty]

I know that Disneyland will be doing The Season of the Force event starting in November, by any chance will Florida have something similar? Preferably early next year?

 

[luisov]

I didn't realize how messed up stuff was at DLR. Personally, I like FP+, but I can see a lot of logistical issues with it there. I think, unfortunately, we will be avoiding DLR until the construction is over, especially since Tom Sawyer Island, the railroad, and the boats are some of our must-do attractions on any visit. Love the comments about free, cold, filtered water, that doesn't require waiting in a QS line. That man is preaching to the choir. That's one of the many things I loved about Universal, and snacks in some of the queues.

I don't think they'd implement FP+ at Disneyland if they weren't sure of whether it will work or not. At WDW people adjust to the changes. At DL guests dictate the changes. They'll probably make many adjustments to the system before implementing it at the resort, otherwise guests are not going to be happy. And trust me, Disney is definitely scared of having unhappy guests at DL.

I'm glad to hear they'll be working quickly on those changes. I can't say I'm a fan of those little attractions going through Rivers of America, but I'll definitely miss Fantasmic! while it's gone. Hopefully they'll use the refurb time frame to make some improvements and changes to the show.

 

[soniam]

Are they accepting dinner reservations yet?

There is a phone number in the article. I believe that goes directly to Morimoto Asia. Also, reservations start tomorrow on OpenTable.

I know that Disneyland will be doing The Season of the Force event starting in November, by any chance will Florida have something similar? Preferably early next year?

Not technically officially announced, but the link below is an official WDW website.
1/8-3/20/16
http://events.mydisneyresorts.com/apCal.html

 

[rteetz]

I see, but do you know/think there will be any "springs" in that area?

Some but not a lot. Look at some of the past updates I've posted and you can see where they are going.

 

[rteetz]

Are they accepting dinner reservations yet?

I believe so. Lunch and brunch will come later but dinner only for now.

 

[skier_pete]

The talk a few posts back about Universal vs Disney in Asia was interesting, but it got me thinking that there was something key being left out.

One reason Disney has such a huge presence here is nostalgia. If Disney and Universal both opened tomorrow for the very first time, the attendance would not be quite so disparate. Disney is an institution. I take my kids because I went as a kid. Universal is *just* getting old enough where people who went as kids now have kids of their own, but it is also completely different from those days. It is the same Universal in name only.

While Disney is obviously an international brand, I'm not sure they will enjoy the same home field advantage over there. Brands like Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, King Kong, and now especially all the video game licenses Universal has acquired are huge over there.

Universal's biggest problem in Orlando is presumably land. They have capital, they have crews and designs, and they have a parent company with an aggressive expansion plan. The limitations in Orlando simply don't exist in Asia, and the market is larger there.

While Disney will likely always be the theme park leader in the US, Universal has a clear shot at taking the crown in the East.

Well - I always thought that Disney's key for beating Universal is the market they target. Universal is after thrill seekers - Disney is for all ages. Disney also has always had evergreen properties, while Universal struggles to stay relevant with their rides. (How well will Transformers and Fast and Furious hold up in 20 years.) Universal may have finally found their evergreen with Harry Potter - but the issue still remains that they can't really get people for more than 2 or 3 days. I can spend 10 days at WDW and still feel like I haven't had enough time. Universal has a LONG way to go to get there.

The thing that people miss here in the US is that maybe it's not really a competition. Universal building Harry Potter gets more people to come to Florida which boost Disney's bottom line. Disney being there encourages people to come to Universal - because Universal doesn't have enough there to keep people for a week.

You are right that in Asia it is not necessarily the same situation. As you say it's two parks from the ground up.

 

[Jamie297]

How could they possibly support this?

Popcorn ain't free and that $700 plus tax for a tower room at contemporary just doesn't stretch that far.

Extra salt on the popcorn & double the drink prices!

 

[7series]

The talk a few posts back about Universal vs Disney in Asia was interesting, but it got me thinking that there was something key being left out.

One reason Disney has such a huge presence here is nostalgia. If Disney and Universal both opened tomorrow for the very first time, the attendance would not be quite so disparate. Disney is an institution. I take my kids because I went as a kid. Universal is *just* getting old enough where people who went as kids now have kids of their own, but it is also completely different from those days. It is the same Universal in name only.

While Disney is obviously an international brand, I'm not sure they will enjoy the same home field advantage over there. Brands like Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, King Kong, and now especially all the video game licenses Universal has acquired are huge over there.

Universal's biggest problem in Orlando is presumably land. They have capital, they have crews and designs, and they have a parent company with an aggressive expansion plan. The limitations in Orlando simply don't exist in Asia, and the market is larger there.

While Disney will likely always be the themepark leader in the US, Universal has a clear shot at taking the crown in the East.

Good points. As far as the Universal of old and tradition goes, I'm sure there are others like us whos tradition based on the Universal of 2001 would be to never go again. In fact, that has been our tradition, but that will be changing with the addition of Harry Potter and having a kid old enough to appreciate that. That's probably all we'll do though. The rest of the time will be spent at WDW.

 

[eXo]

Well - I always thought that Disney's key for beating Universal is the market they target. Universal is after thrill seekers - Disney is for all ages. Disney also has always had evergreen properties, while Universal struggles to stay relevant with their rides. (How well will Transformers and Fast and Furious hold up in 20 years.) Universal may have finally found their evergreen with Harry Potter - but the issue still remains that they can't really get people for more than 2 or 3 days. I can spend 10 days at WDW and still feel like I haven't had enough time. Universal has a LONG way to go to get there.

The thing that people miss here in the US is that maybe it's not really a competition. Universal building Harry Potter gets more people to come to Florida which boost Disney's bottom line. Disney being there encourages people to come to Universal - because Universal doesn't have enough there to keep people for a week.

You are right that in Asia it is not necessarily the same situation. As you say it's two parks from the ground up.

I do think it is two totally different approaches. Disney caters to nostalgia, while Universal has no problem tearing down a beloved ride and replacing it wholesale. I'm not saying one way is better than the other, but if you remove the nostalgia from the equation (like in Asia), then I do think Universal gains an advantage.

I'd also say that Universal has diverged quite a bit away from just "thrill seekers". I was debating on taking my kids there for a few days during our next trip and my initial thought was there wasn't much they could ride. But when I made a spreadsheet of all the attractions, height requirements, etc... I was quite surprised to see how much there was for them to do. I think when discussing Universal folks often forget Seuss Landing, Jurassic Park (which has a gigantic play land, discovery center, and 2 rides kids can ride), and the fact that Marvel Island, while the rides are intense, has tons of fun characters and other things for kids to check out. Then over at USF, there is Shrek, Despicable Me, Spongebob/Barney/ET/Woody Woodpecker/Curious George area, Simpsons, animal actors, and of course both parks have Harry Potter, which much like Marvel has rides that are a bit intense for the typical kid, but they are still more than happy to go to Olivander's, ride the train, and buy tons of merch.

You are right to point out that Fast & Furious and Transformers may not be relevant in 10 years. But their current method is to demolish and replace them with something new. Will the Asian market gravitate toward the park that rebuilds itself every 10 years (assuming they go that route) or the park that is largely the same several decades after it was initially built? I suppose that all depends on if Disney can create the same sense of magic that captured the minds of Americans 50 years ago or if that market tends to value cool & new over tried and true. It will be interesting. Either way, I think we may be in for a rude awakening over here. That market is huge, and I do worry the majority of park capital and investment will go to those markets rather than trying to squeeze more and more out of Orlando. The same way folks in California look at WDW and watch huge projects and new gates opening, we may be watching the same thing happen in Asia for the next few decades.

 

[jtowntoflorida]

I'd also say that Universal has diverged quite a bit away from just "thrill seekers". I was debating on taking my kids there for a few days during our next trip and my initial thought was there wasn't much they could ride. But when I made a spreadsheet of all the attractions, height requirements, etc... I was quite surprised to see how much there was for them to do. I think when discussing Universal folks often forget Seuss Landing, Jurassic Park (which has a gigantic play land, discovery center, and 2 rides kids can ride), and the fact that Marvel Island, while the rides are intense, has tons of fun characters and other things for kids to check out. Then over at USF, there is Shrek, Despicable Me, Spongebob/Barney/ET/Woody Woodpecker/Curious George area, Simpsons, animal actors, and of course both parks have Harry Potter, which much like Marvel has rides that are a bit intense for the typical kid, but they are still more than happy to go to Olivander's, ride the train, and buy tons of merch.

I totally agree with this. We, like a lot of people, originally went to Universal for Harry Potter. We LOVED Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade but we were shocked to find out how much other stuff there was to do that we really, really enjoyed. I don't think we've ever laughed so hard and had so much fun as a family on a ride as we had on Bluto's Bilgerat Barges, of all things. The Jurassic Park areas were tons of fun. The kids loved Suess Landing and were just as excited to meet Thing 1 and Thing 2 as they were the first time they met Mickey Mouse. It was really eye-opening because I, like a lot of people, had blown off Universal as only being for older kids and thrill seekers (which we are not, like at all). We actually had a ton of fun there and are really looking forward to going back.

 

[rteetz]

EMH Kali river Rapids test is ending at AK

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/09/extra-magic-hours-test-concluding-at.html

 

[rteetz]

Video of the Disney springs name change ceremony

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-disney-springs-with-name-change-ceremony.htm