News Round Up

[skier_pete]

• No more Star Wars Weekends

Specifically:

With construction underway, unfortunately, we won’t be able to offer Star Wars Weekends.

Others have said it, but this isn't really ruling out Star Wars Weekends returning, just that they won't be doing it the next few years.

But heck - in a few years - every weekend might be Star Wars Weekends at DHS!

 

[rteetz]

SeaWorld to Phase Out Killer Whale Show

Curious to see when the changes hit Orlando.

Surprised but not surprised. SeaWorld just can't take the hit anymore. However I don't think PETA will be happy until SeaWorld has 0 in captivity. With the money being spent on big blue world project I think we are a ways from that yet.

 

[rteetz]

Rehashing that headline:

"SeaWorld To Become Glorified Aquarium Thanks to Pseudoscientific Woo Activism"

Thanks to Blackfish, bad seaworld management, and PETA.

 

[rteetz]

But heck - in a few years - every weekend might be Star Wars Weekends at DHS!

With a $99 up charge...

 

[SureAsLiz]

Specifically:

Others have said it, but this isn't really ruling out Star Wars Weekends returning, just that they won't be doing it the next few years.

But heck - in a few years - every weekend might be Star Wars Weekends at DHS!

"While Star Wars Weekends has been a great way to enjoy the saga for a few days every year, now the Force will be with Disney’s Hollywood Studios every day."

We can't rule it out all together, but this line is what is making me believe they are done for the foreseeable future.

Also, the official Disney answer as to whether or not they will be returning after construction is complete:
"We are always evaluating our product offerings and are looking forward to all that our new Star Wars themed land will offer"

It's intentionally PR-y and vague, but it doesn't seem to leave much room for them coming back -at least not in the way they have been.

What is interesting is nothing on the fireworks.

"Hi Lucia, there will be Star Wars inspired fireworks beginning in January. Keep watching the Disney Parks Blog for more details."

Looks like SotF will be getting its own post later, but they have at least posted something now. Looks like you might get the fireworks for your trip

 

[rteetz]

It's intentionally PR-y and vague, but it doesn't seem to leave much room for them coming back -at least not in the way they have been.

Disney has always been this way

 

[DDLand]

http://www.tmz.com/2015/11/09/disney-wreck-it-ralph-lawsuit/

Stop me if this sounds familiar: Man suing Disney for $10 million for lifting his ideas and using them in Wreck-It Ralph.

$10 Mil seems pretty meager compared to some of the suits filed against Disney for Frozen, but apparently this guy actually met with Disney to pitch his idea as a TV show.

This is a frivolous case. Keep in mind that as early as mid-2012, Disney has released imagery of the SugarRush which was one of his primary complaints.

He's suggesting that they could turn around and incorporate his concept into the movie in a matter of months? It'll be thrown out quickly.

What is interesting is nothing on the fireworks.

Looks like they're aiming for January. It is weird they held off and just said more details are coming.

SeaWorld to Phase Out Killer Whale Show

Curious to see when the changes hit Orlando.

This company cannot survive. If not a marine park than it's just a glorified Six Flags/Aquarium. Stinks to be Sea World.

I notice they're preparing to launch hotels. Very profitable.

 

[DDLand]

With a $99 up charge...

That's only on off times. $125 over the summer.

 

[adam.adbe]

DaMouse has some new AK photos:

http://damouse.com/2015/11/09/disne...e-sweeping-changes-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/

Mostly showing the new theming for stores.

 

[rteetz]

Disneyland is ready for the holidays and the season of the force

http://micechat.com/114549-seasons-change-at-disneyland/

 

[adam.adbe]

EasyWDW also has some Avatar photos:

http://www.easywdw.com/uncategorize...ooks-and-sounds-outstanding-11515/#more-16646

 

[luisov]

I wish MK would do the Hyperspace Mountain thing. I guess Star Wars doesn't really fit at MK with everything SW-related stuff going on at DHS. The firework show should be fun, though.

As for the Wreck-it-Ralph lawsuit... Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that as soon as you pitch your idea to a big studio it becomes their property and you can no longer use it, given that you're working for the company. Isn't that the case? These cases never win most of the times, anyways. They usually involve someone claiming that Elsa is wearing the same dress as she did two years ago and that she deserves compensation. Plus, as DDland says, Disney couldn't have incorporated the Sugar Rush concept to the movie the same year of its release. It takes years of concept art, story development and so on to get a film like that done, especially with Sugar Rush being so prominent throughout the movie.

 

[rteetz]

I wish MK would do the Hyperspace Mountain thing. I guess Star Wars doesn't really fit at MK with everything SW-related stuff going on at DHS. The firework show should be fun, though.

As for the Wreck-it-Ralph lawsuit... Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that as soon as you pitch your idea to a big studio it becomes their property and you can no longer use it, given that you're working for the company. Isn't that the case? These cases never win most of the times, anyways. This cases usually involve someone claiming that Elsa is wearing the same dress as she did two years ago and that she deserves compensation. Plus, as DDland says, Disney couldn't have incorporated the Sugar Rush concept to the movie the same year of its release. It takes years of concept art, story development and so on to get a film like that done, especially with Sugar Rush being so prominent throughout the movie.

MK doesn't do any of that stuff, no HM overlay, no IASW overlay, no Space mountain overlays. The WDW mentality is what makes them do that.

 

[wareagle57]

Surprised but not surprised. SeaWorld just can't take the hit anymore. However I don't think PETA will be happy until SeaWorld has 0 in captivity. With the money being spent on big blue world project I think we are a ways from that yet.

I think removing this all but dooms them. I'm still not convinced it is much of a hit, not in Orlando anyway. I can't imagine Sea World's visitors and PETA activist overlap very much. Then again, I live in the south so I could underestimate people these days.

 

[rteetz]

I think removing this all but dooms them. I'm still not convinced it is much of a hit, not in Orlando anyway. I can't imagine Sea World's visitors and PETA activist overlap very much. Then again, I live in the south so I could underestimate people these days.

Well every fiscal quarter since blackfish has been downhill for seaworld. I've never been but I know they do a lot of good work despite what people think about animals in captivity.

 

[rteetz]

Looks like seaworld tried to counter with some positive news for them in a new Ride called seaworld the rescue.

http://www.**************.net/2015/...-new-attractions-based-on-sea-rescue-tv-show/

 

[rteetz]

Snacks with character coming to WDW

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/11/snacks-with-character-now-available-at.html

 

[rteetz]

More on SeaWorlds plans

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/11/seaworld-announces-major-expansion.html

 

[soniam]

No doubt it's possible, but I also wouldn't be surprised to see the event return if it means more foot traffic. Alternative, I wouldn't be surprised if they returned with a ticketed event.

I don't think they will have the room until the construction is over. At that point, they won't need more foot traffic. Also, I don't know if they will do it as a ticketed event. I don't think they will do it at all. I think a lot of the guests that show up for the autographs and shows are locals. I don't know if regular guests would be willing to shell out the money. Hardcore Star Wars fans won't be pleased with the meager offerings and would probably prefer to do other things, like Celebration. I think we will just have to settle for the fireworks from SWW, once the new land is complete.

 

[rteetz]

I don't think they will have the room until the construction is over. At that point, they won't need more foot traffic. Also, I don't know if they will do it as a ticketed event. I don't think they will do it at all. I think a lot of the guests that show up for the autographs and shows are locals. I don't know if regular guests would be willing to shell out the money. Hardcore Star Wars fans won't be pleased with the meager offerings and would probably prefer to do other things, like Celebration. I think we will just have to settle for the fireworks from SWW, once the new land is complete.

I don't think they will do SWW as a ticketed event but there definitely will probably be some sort of Star Wars firework dessert party or something like that.