News Round Up

[jade1]

I wish our zoo/s were more like AK actually.

I mean if backed in a corner and had to make a decision.

 

[rteetz]

The Paris Plan

 

[jade1]

Star Wars Fans are already lining up

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/09/m...-awakens-fans-are-already-lining-up.html?_r=0

We will be arriving 5 minutes before it starts. Reserved leather recliners XDX, beers in hand-not sure XDX was the best choice though but the fam insisted.

 

[wareagle57]

We will be arriving 5 minutes before it starts. Reserved leather recliners XDX, beers in hand-not sure XDX was the best choice though but the fam insisted.

I have reserved seats, back row center as well. Though I'll be getting there more than 5 minutes early just for the hype and to get snacks ect. But probably no more than 20 minutes early.

I don't really understand why people are lining up. You either have tickets or you don't at this point. The only thing I can think of is to get the best seats at a general admission theater? Why not just drive, at most, an hour to the nearest theater with reserved seats. Seems way easier than camping out for 2 weeks.

 

[dlavender]

Honestly, you are entitled to your opinion but you're the first person I've heard call it the worst theme park. If these are your thoughts on AK what are your thoughts on the current state of DHS?

I'm sure it has to do with the fact that DAK is not one of the original 3 from my memory, so there is no nostalgia to lean on. Given the cost, I compare DAK to MK. With only a couple of rides and two great shows, I just can't enjoy it to the same level that I enjoy BGT and MK.

DHS has the nostalgia to lean on, but that post is almost ready to give.....

I just don't understand the DAK following, but I'm sure some people don't understand why I don't understand it....

 

[twebber55]

The problem with your theory is that raw attendance figures don't play that out. It is basically neck and neck
With a Mothballed MGM and a neglected, depressing Epcot

dont you think thats the case because the park closes so early compared to the other parks and once the hours go into the night i expect a nice boost for DAK

i think you ll get a ton of people who are excited to see the park at night for no other reason that they ve never done that before

 

[soniam]

I'm sure it has to do with the fact that DAK is not one of the original 3 from my memory, so there is no nostalgia to lean on. Given the cost, I compare DAK to MK. With only a couple of rides and two great shows, I just can't enjoy it to the same level that I enjoy BGT and MK.

DHS has the nostalgia to lean on, but that post is almost ready to give.....

I just don't understand the DAK following, but I'm sure some people don't understand why I don't understand it....

I think it depends upon your WDW experience. I went just after Epcot opened, so only MK and Epcot are the original, nostalgic parks for me. AK is my least favorite at WDW, so it's the "worst" one there. But that's like saying something was the "worst" thing I had at Victoria & Albert. It's very relative. I hate zoos, so other than the Safari, we don't usually see the animals. However, I love the detailed theming and feel in the the other areas. I find the food to be more interesting than MK and DHS too. I think it will be hard for me to have a favorite park, once ROL and Pandora are open, especially once Star Wars Land opens at DHS. I think my favorite attractions will probably still be at MK, and I suspect Epcot will remain my favorite due to my memories of time spent there with my grandpa. I know the others will have big places in my heart too though.

 

[dlavender]

I think it depends upon your WDW experience. I went just after Epcot opened, so only MK and Epcot are the original, nostalgic parks for me. AK is my least favorite at WDW, so it's the "worst" one there. But that's like saying something was the "worst" thing I had at Victoria & Albert. It's very relative. I hate zoos, so other than the Safari, we don't usually see the animals. However, I love the detailed theming and feel in the the other areas. I find the food to be more interesting than MK and DHS too. I think it will be hard for me to have a favorite park, once ROL and Pandora are open, especially once Star Wars Land opens at DHS. I think my favorite attractions will probably still be at MK, and I suspect Epcot will remain my favorite due to my memories of time spent there with my grandpa. I know the others will have big places in my heart too though.

Good point. I agree that its the worst out of the 4. That's not to say that it's on par with Fun World, it definitely can be an enjoyable experience. I definitely didn't hate my times there, just don't think it's on par with any of the other 3, or BGT.

 

[jade1]

I'm sure it has to do with the fact that DAK is not one of the original 3 from my memory, so there is no nostalgia to lean on.

I just don't understand the DAK following, but I'm sure some people don't understand why I don't understand it....

Ah but that little one in the picture may think different 20 years from now. At that point you night as well.

Assuming you were to go to AK over the next few years of course.

Its 17 years old already-certainly 12 year olds have it in their memory as always being there, and getting much better.

 

[jade1]

I suspect Epcot will remain my favorite due to my memories of time spent there with my grandpa. I know the others will have big places in my heart too though.

Yep same thing-there have been grandkids with grandpa at AK every day for 17 years.

AK does fill a void for many guests IMO.

Just the beauty/vegetation and wildlife spotting is a nice change from the more traditional cement type feel of most theme parks.


SORRY-back to news.

 

[dlavender]

Ah but that little one in the picture may think different 20 years from now.

Assuming you were to go to AK over the next few years of course.

Its 17 years old already-certainly 12 year olds have it in their memory as always being there, and getting much better.

That's true, my littles may have a different view on this board in 2030....

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

I very much like animal kingdom...I don't want that to be lost in my criticisms.

But it is a flawed and not well executed story from concept through its first 15 years.
...

I agree with almost all of this, but I look at it from the flip side I suppose. Yes, it's a half day park. It always has been. That's why they close it in the late afternoon. I'll bet that every single time I've been to Animal Kingdom, I've eaten somewhere in the World Showcase that evening.

I have always seen AK as a work in progress. We went a few months after it opened, and that was obvious. They've added several great things since then, but I think everyone at the front office would tell you that it is STILL a work in progress. That's fine with me. Budgets, balance sheets, etc, are a reality - especially in a publicly traded company. They're spending trunks of money there right now, and soon I think it will finally be an "all day park." I'm looking forward to that reality, even if I'm not particularly excited about Avatar.

My biggest gripe with AK remains the Disco Yeti, though I understand why they don't want to fix it now. I ASSUME that it will be a huge job to fix it; one that will require a 3-6 month refurbishment. Hopefully, they'll get on that after Avatar opens: when they have another big draw for the park.

 

[jade1]

I have reserved seats, back row center as well. Though I'll be getting there more than 5 minutes early just for the hype and to get snacks ect. But probably no more than 20 minutes early.

I don't really understand why people are lining up. You either have tickets or you don't at this point. The only thing I can think of is to get the best seats at a general admission theater? Why not just drive, at most, an hour to the nearest theater with reserved seats. Seems way easier than camping out for 2 weeks.

And....here I go again-sorry.

I know-it has to be more some kind of obsession to be doing that.

Is it possible some theatre will only sell tickets there in person-and on that day?

Would be curious to know

There are QTY _____ theatres in America.

QTY _____ will be showing Star Wars on opening day.

Must be at least 1/2 correct?

 

[rteetz]

Ah but that little one in the picture may think different 20 years from now. At that point you night as well.

Assuming you were to go to AK over the next few years of course.

Its 17 years old already-certainly 12 year olds have it in their memory as always being there, and getting much better.

I'm 17 and have known all four parks my entire life. That being said I don't think nostalgia has to do with it for me.

In my opinion DHS is the worst WDW park right now but that will change once things are done.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

dont you think thats the case because the park closes so early compared to the other parks and once the hours go into the night i expect a nice boost for DAK

i think you ll get a ton of people who are excited to see the park at night for no other reason that they ve never done that before

Probably very true...

But they're gonna need more than just avatar to hold people there once the honeymoon period end.

I think that avatar is being done well. But then I worry that the ride systems are underwhelming and predominant thought will be that it's "not Harry Potter" for now and "not Star Wars" in 5-10 years.

They need to have things lined up to add after this current round. Rip the band aid off...get it done

 

[lockedoutlogic]

And....here I go again-sorry.

I know-it has to be more some kind of obsession to be doing that.

Is it possible some theatre will only sell tickets there in person-and on that day?

Would be curious to know

There are QTY _____ theatres in America.

QTY _____ will be showing Star Wars on opening day.

Must be at least 1/2 correct?

Disney revealed yesterday that Star Wars will be on 3,900 screens for opening.

That is a relative small number by today's standards...avengers opened on 4,300.

There could be a couple of things going here...perhaps Disney is hedging trying for a Long haul box office...that would drive more merch sales

Or perhaps this "Christmas" thing is taking a dent out of demand.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I don't really understand why people are lining up. You either have tickets or you don't at this point. The only thing I can think of is to get the best seats at a general admission theater? Why not just drive, at most, an hour to the nearest theater with reserved seats. Seems way easier than camping out for 2 weeks.

They have been interviewing people asking the exact same question...

For most...the answer is "to experience it"

They're having mobile Star Wars conventions in public...that is a reflection of just what Star Wars is to many.

Remember: Star Wars (jaws...but that was more suspense than fantasy) started big movies...as in they didn't exist before...

I don't think we'll see this for avatar 2

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

I would say that magic kingdom and Epcot are the only complete parks as they currently stand.

I agree with this - but the closures in Future World make that side feel skimpy. I think that all of this is being addressed. AK & HS certainly are...

 

[jade1]

Disney revealed yesterday that Star Wars will be on 3,900 screens for opening.

That is a relative small number by today's standards...avengers opened on 4,300.

There could be a couple of things going here...perhaps Disney is hedging trying for a Long haul box office...that would drive more merch sales

Or perhaps this "Christmas" thing is taking a dent out of demand.

Oh thanks for posting that. We have been discussing Star Wars stuff so interesting.

I wonder how full the 4,300 theatres were for Avengers.

If 90% full then opening weekend record is safe-although I think that was Jurasic.

 

[jade1]

I'm 17 and have known all four parks my entire life. That being said I don't think nostalgia has to do with it for me.

In my opinion DHS is the worst WDW park right now but that will change once things are done.

I can believe that.

Does anybody that took you there have any nostalgia about it?

My DS is 25 and has a hard time walking Pangani Trail-was Gramps favorite with him God rest his soul.