News Round Up

[rteetz]

Former Norway Pavilion? I don't think the Norway pavilion is going anywhere, just Maelstrom is gone, and if I am not mistaken, the M&G area is a new construction. Norway will still be there.

Yes but much of it is now frozen very little actual Norway besides the facades.

 

[skier_pete]

Jim knew about Club Villain a week before announcement. $99 as we know, limited number of tickets, only Saturdays

So he knows about something before it comes out but doesn't say anything - yet his "rumors" are frequently wrong and misleading.

I just went back and did a check on this as I listen to his podcast with Len Testa. I don't mind listening and am not as bothered by Jim Hill as some other people are on the interwebz. That being said, he needs to clarify things a bit more when he makes a statement like this. This is from another website that tracks Disney rumors (WDWThemeParks.com) -

I am not BOTHERED by him - but this having listened to him for long enough you realize he's no different from this thread - he puts every rumor he hears out there - and some of them stick and most of them don't. What I think is the worst is he acts like he has inside knowledge, but his "inside" knowledge is no better than mine.

A new Hard ticket event for Halloween will come to DHS post construction mess in the next couple years.

This wouldn't surprise anyone - and a meaningless prediction.

DHS construction starts January 2016 with Star Wars and toy story at least done by end of 2018.
(This is completely based on the permits that were just filed last week)

I have a hard time believing Star Wars and Toy Story open the same year. Toy Story will be up and running first. My "inside" information.

Tomorrowland Terrace becomes Astronomers Club, an adventurers club type concept that was originally for the 1994 New Tomorrowland project.

Interesting more when you think about the new "Skipper's Cantina". Disney does seem to want to expand Dining Options in WDW. This one has more of a "I'll believe it when I see it" feel. In other words Jim and Len throwing pasta at the wall to see what sticks.

Jim says third land or area in DHS will include indoor version of RSR and a Monstropolis area with the long rumored door coaster and a restaurant.

Boy, he's really going out on a limb here - predicting BOTH RSR and Monstropolis, when in fact this is HIGHLY unlikely...probably one or the other at MOST. (The lands with a central THEME seem to be the future for DHS.) I've suggested that Disney should retheme Streets of America to Metroville/Incredibles, but I could see a Monstropolis rethemeing here as well. However, I just don't see Monster's Inc as being a strong enough IP to get an entire LAND. So - I basically completely dismiss this.

Avatar pushing to open December 2016.

I call BS on this one. Can't recall Disney ever opening something early...especially not THAT early.

Muppets fate lies in the Tv show on ABC

I feel this too. This is why I say to everyone - please watch the show. If you only saw the first episode and gave up, it's gotten better. Can't say it's great, but they already failed at the movies, if they fail on TV I think Disney buries them.

 

[twebber55]

I just went back and did a check on this as I listen to his podcast with Len Testa. I don't mind listening and am not as bothered by Jim Hill as some other people are on the interwebz. That being said, he needs to clarify things a bit more when he makes a statement like this. This is from another website that tracks Disney rumors (WDWThemeParks.com) -

June 15, 2015: On Episode #81 of the Unofficial Guide's Disney Dish with Jim Hill, Jim mentions that the Avatar project is 8 months behind schedule.

Now I understand that schedules can change and all, but when under six months ago you make a statement that the project is 8 months behind, and now you go on and indicate that they are shooting to open 4-6 months earlier than originally hinted, I think you need a bit more of an explanation. This is the type of approach that hurts the credibility of the 'insider' moniker.

i get the sense that Jim thinks Avatar was supposed to open in 2016 all along

 

[twebber55]

when talking avatar he as basically saying soft opening for the holiday season of next year with grand opening in early 2017 which is possible

 

[rteetz]

here - predicting BOTH RSR and Monstropolis, when in fact this is HIGHLY unlikely...probably one or the other at MOST. (The lands with a central THEME seem to be the future for DHS.) I've suggested that Disney should retheme Streets of America to Metroville/Incredibles, but I could see a Monstropolis rethemeing here as well. However, I just don't see Monster's Inc as being a strong enough IP to get an entire LAND. So - I basically completely dismiss this.

From what I've been hearing cars is not the main thing they want to do with phase three anymore. Monsters inc has really gained along with/ or the incredibles.

 

[skier_pete]

From what I've been hearing cars is not the main thing they want to do with phase three anymore. Monsters inc has really gained along with/ or the incredibles.

The legend of the Incredibles ride is almost as old as the Monster's Inc coaster. Personally I think Disney/Pixar doesn't realize what it's missing out on with the Incredibles. (Or maybe they do but want to keep it with Brad Bird.) I've stated it before, but retheming the Streets of America to Metroville could be an easy conversion. Then you could even bring the Obsorne Lights back eventually - that park will need SOME sort of holiday attraction to compete with the other parks.

 

[rteetz]

Santa goofy is back again

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...eet-now-open-at-disneys-hollywood-studios.htm

 

[rteetz]

Frozen holiday wish returns tomorrow

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ish-returns-tomorrow-at-the-magic-kingdom.htm

 

[rteetz]

Menu changes at ESPN club on the boardwalk

http://disneyparks.disney.go.com/bl...isneys-boardwalk-at-walt-disney-world-resort/

 

[rteetz]

Small Disney springs update

http://savepleasureisland.blogspot.com/2015/11/pi-update-island-nights.html?m=1

 

[Reddog1134]

Yes but much of it is now frozen very little actual Norway besides the facades.

So that means the old Norway pavillion was mainly the Maelstrom ride and not much of anything else?

 

[rteetz]

So that means the old Norway pavillion was mainly the Maelstrom ride and not much of anything else?

Well the restaurant has a princesses, I guess the gift shop has some Norway things. Maelstrom also had that film at the end that was about Norway.

 

[minnie mum]

Former Norway Pavilion? I don't think the Norway pavilion is going anywhere, just Maelstrom is gone, and if I am not mistaken, the M&G area is a new construction. Norway will still be there.

What exactly remains of Norway in the "Norway" pavilion, other than the name? The Viking ship and live entertainment are gone. The restaurant is a princess character meal. The ride has been ceded to Frozen, as has the Stave church. The new M&G is Frozen territory. The gift shop has Frozen merch pushing the Norwegian goods further and further back. So what's left, other than the Bakeri - the lonely remnant?

 

[DanBoris]

November Jim Hill and Len Testa Disney Dish Podcast musing

DHS construction starts January 2016 with Star Wars and toy story at least done by end of 2018.
(This is completely based on the permits that were just filed last week)

I don't put much stock in this rumor since this is based on a permit that isn't for either of these project, but for infrastructure work. The 2018 date is feasible, but the permit doesn't prove that it is fact.

 

[experiment_6two6]

Well obviously Frozen IS Norway, so this makes sense.

(I'm kidding...)

 

[jtwibih]

Any recent hub updates or photos of the ramp construction?

 

[rteetz]

Any recent hub updates or photos of the ramp construction?

I posted one a page or two back.

 

[skier_pete]

I often wonder if Frozen had taken place in "Norway" instead of a fictional country modeled after Norway would people still be complaining so much about it. No one seems to mind walking around "France" and seeing Belle and Aurora and a giant white cat.

 

[jtwibih]

I posted one a page or two back.

Yeah it seemed to be changing daily so I was curious if it was complete yet

 

[mollmoll4]

I often wonder if Frozen had taken place in "Norway" instead of a fictional country modeled after Norway would people still be complaining so much about it. No one seems to mind walking around "France" and seeing Belle and Aurora and a giant white cat.

I don't think anyone would mind if the Frozen characters where just IN the Norway area. Seems the complaint is more that they are taking the Norway area and making it (seemingly) ALL Frozen. I'm sure there are already hundreds of pages dedicated to THAT discussion though.