News Round Up

[Figmentforever24]

Alright everyone here we go! Time to start part two of the very popular news thread. Lets avoid the comments about how confusing it is to switch threads and lets get this show on the road.

1. Universal Orlando has just filed a trademark name "Volcano Bay". Is this the new name for that new rumored water park? Or is this just something they plan to add to Wet and Wild?

2. Also at Universal sad news coming from the Kong expansion. There was just some MASSIVE budget cuts taken to the ride so you can imagine things were scaled back big. This ride is reverting more to the version you see in Hollywood just more expanded and in a temple setting. Many of the giant AA's planned for the ride are cut with the exception of one or two at the time. More details as they come.

3. Dinosaur to see some work during the overnight hours. This ahead of when the parks begins to operate during those night hours that are coming very soon. No idea as to what they will do.

4. The Frozen overlay in Norway just had so MAJOR money thrown at it. What was expected to be a cheap overlay may just be a little more. Setting aside the thoughts of Frozen being there, the ride may see some big upgrades to make this a whole new experience.

 

[rteetz]

Alright everyone here we go! Time to start part two of the very popular news thread. Lets avoid the comments about how confusing it is to switch threads and lets get this show on the road.

1. Universal Orlando has just filed a trademark name "Volcano Bay". Is this the new name for that new rumored water park? Or is this just something they plan to add to Wet and Wild?

2. Also at Universal sad news coming from the Kong expansion. There was just some MASSIVE budget cuts taken to the ride so you can imagine things were scaled back big. This ride is reverting more to the version you see in Hollywood just more expanded and in a temple setting. Many of the giant AA's planned for the ride are cut with the exception of one or two at the time. More details as they come.

3. Dinosaur to see some work during the overnight hours. This ahead of when the parks begins to operate during those night hours that are coming very soon. No idea as to what they will do.

4. The Frozen overlay in Norway just had so MAJOR money thrown at it. What was expected to be a cheap overlay may just be a little more. Setting aside the thoughts of Frozen being there, the ride may see some big upgrades to make this a whole new experience.

1. There is some construction going on in areas that universal owns. A large plot of land between cabana bay and portofino bay is seeing a lot of dirt moving.
3. Haven't heard anything about this interested to see what comes out of that.
4. The frozen project is supposed to still happen yet some disney execs are now starting to question how popular Frozen will still be in 2016 when the ride will supposedly open. They are looking at a closure in January with a 15-18 month rebuild. The track will stay the same. The Norway movie will go away and that will help with a new reworked queue for the attraction.

 

[Figmentforever24]

1. There is some construction going on in areas that universal owns. A large plot of land between cabana bay and portofino bay is seeing a lot of dirt moving.
3. Haven't heard anything about this interested to see what comes out of that.
4. The frozen project is supposed to still happen yet some disney execs are now starting to question how popular Frozen will still be in 2016 when the ride will supposedly open. They are looking at a closure in January with a 15-18 month rebuild. The track will stay the same. The Norway movie will go away and that will help with a new reworked queue for the attraction.

I really don't see the Frozen hype dying down anytime soon, and the ride would only lift up the hype even more. Also ive come to accept that Frozen is going there. You know I hate it cause that is not where I want it to go, but I know there is nothing that is changing at this point. So I really hope these rumors are true that they are going to strongly invest in the ride....even if the track is the same.

 

[rteetz]

Jim Hill a respected name in the business just did an interview with mousechat. I know jim Hill hasn't been the best at these things as of late but here is what he said was happening in WDW.

1. Frozen in maelstrom. Closure happening in january 15-18 month build time, norway movie goes away, new reworked queue, Anna and Elsa meet and greet may also make a return to Norway.

2. Star Wars in WDW, construction was supposed to start january 2014, Bob Iger stepped in and said lets wait we are rewriting the script for episode 7, construction will now start in january 2015. Indiana Jones will stay until 2017 because they have private events booked there until then, and they now own the right to jones. a x-wing spinner ride will happen. this is all taking place in echo lake. sounds dangerous building now becomes jedi training building with a new Yoda AA. Speeder Bike Attraction also likely.

3. Star wars in DLR, construction to start in maybe 2016 after the 60th anniversary, subs go away, autopia goes away, star wars goes in

4. DCA gets an autopia like attraction in cars land

5. Disney regrets Avatar, if they would've known George Lucas was selling they would have never made a deal with James cameron.

 

[Figmentforever24]

Jim Hill a respected name in the business just did an interview with mousechat. I know jim Hill hasn't been the best at these things as of late but here is what he said was happening in WDW.

1. Frozen in maelstrom. Closure happening in january 15-18 month build time, norway movie goes away, new reworked queue, Anna and Elsa meet and greet may also make a return to Norway.

2. Star Wars in WDW, construction was supposed to start january 2014, Bob Iger stepped in and said lets wait we are rewriting the script for episode 7, construction will now start in january 2015. Indiana Jones will stay until 2017 because they have private events booked there until then, and they now own the right to jones. a x-wing spinner ride will happen. this is all taking place in echo lake. sounds dangerous building now becomes jedi training building with a new Yoda AA. Speeder Bike Attraction also likely.

3. Star wars in DLR, construction to start in maybe 2016 after the 60th anniversary, subs go away, autopia goes away, star wars goes in

4. DCA gets an autopia like attraction in cars land

5. Disney regrets Avatar, if they would've known George Lucas was selling they would have never made a deal with James cameron.

1. The Frozen thing is bound to happen and ive started to actually get excited for it since I know its coming no matter what.

2. That sounds like a decent Star Wars land. It will cover a decent amount of space but wont take over the park. Also like ive said before waiting for the new movies is so much smarter for Disney then trying to rush it.

3. Disneyland getting Star Wars is also bound to happen.

4. Carsland has had room for a new ride and something like Autopia would actually be pretty smart.

5. I bet you Disney does regret Avatar. It was a knee jerk reaction to Harry Potter yet I know they will make it right.

 

[rteetz]

1. The Frozen thing is bound to happen and ive started to actually get excited for it since I know its coming no matter what.

2. That sounds like a decent Star Wars land. It will cover a decent amount of space but wont take over the park. Also like ive said before waiting for the new movies is so much smarter for Disney then trying to rush it.

3. Disneyland getting Star Wars is also bound to happen.

4. Carsland has had room for a new ride and something like Autopia would actually be pretty smart.

5. I bet you Disney does regret Avatar. It was a knee jerk reaction to Harry Potter yet I know they will make it right.

I also forgot to add with that addition to cars land Jim says that Luigis flying tires would go away, they are a CM night mare. John Lasseter was the one that wanted them.

 

[Reddog1134]

5. Disney regrets Avatar, if they would've known George Lucas was selling they would have never made a deal with James cameron.

This one I don't buy. OK, maybe they DO regret Avatar but I doubt it's because they now own Lucasfilm. They already had a good relationship with Lucas. Making a deal with him for more theme park rights would have been a lot easier than dealing with Cameron.

 

[rteetz]

This one I don't buy. OK, maybe they DO regret Avatar but I doubt it's because they now own Lucasfilm. They already had a good relationship with Lucas. Making a deal with him for more theme park rights would have been a lot easier than dealing with Cameron.

I agree I am just reporting what was in the interview

 

[Figmentforever24]

I agree I am just reporting what was in the interview

They also know Cameron is not going to let them get away with anything.....nothing. They wont be cutting corners in this land that's for sure, because he will make sure it is exactly right down to the small details.

 

[jon18uk]

1. There is some construction going on in areas that universal owns. A large plot of land between cabana bay and portofino bay is seeing a lot of dirt moving.

This is a new hotel / hotel extension http://www.parkscope.net/2014/06/uor-permit-update-royal-pacific-resort.html

 

[rteetz]

This is a new hotel / hotel extension http://www.parkscope.net/2014/06/uor-permit-update-royal-pacific-resort.html

Yes they have filed permits for multiply areas it could be phase three of cabana bay and portofino bay or even a new hotel. They have three areas with permits some day as many as three hotels could come.

 

[rteetz]

They also know Cameron is not going to let them get away with anything.....nothing. They wont be cutting corners in this land that's for sure, because he will make sure it is exactly right down to the small details.

Yes and no he doesn't have all the say in this project but he does have some. That's why many reports came out that the boat ride was axed. I think Disney is going to do what is planned no more no less.

 

[AddiesDad]

5. Disney regrets Avatar, if they would've known George Lucas was selling they would have never made a deal with James cameron.

I think an Endor/Naboo land would have people much more excited than Avatar Land.

 

[KYMickey]

I think an Endor/Naboo land would have people much more excited than Avatar Land.

I think most people would have thought anything would be more exciting than Avatar Land!

 

[rteetz]

I think most people would have thought anything would be more exciting than Avatar Land!

Based on what I have seen and heard I am very excited for avatar

 

[TuneTownMagic]

Yes and no he doesn't have all the say in this project but he does have some. That's why many reports came out that the boat ride was axed. I think Disney is going to do what is planned no more no less.

I hope this is not OT, but could you elaborate on this (James Cameron only having some say)?

 

[cel_disney]

Based on what I have seen and heard I am very excited for avatar

So, i have no attachment to the movie avatar, but that doesnt stop me from being excited and hopeful for avatarland....its going to be eye candy and new! But i would hVe N attachment and be thrilled beyond belief to have star wars - even if it was from the prequil series....

 

[amy lou]

So, i have no attachment to the movie avatar, but that doesnt stop me from being excited and hopeful for avatarland....its going to be eye candy and new! But i would hVe N attachment and be thrilled beyond belief to have star wars - even if it was from the prequil series....

I wasn't too attached to the storyline of Avatar, but visually it's stunning. I'm starting to have high hopes for that area of AK.

I'm not much of a Star Wars fan either but looking forward to see what'll happen there.

 

[beer dave]

I think an Endor/Naboo land would have people much more excited than Avatar Land.

While I am happy for any expansion, I couldn't tell endor/naboo from oz if my life depended on it. I think you would be surprised how many fit in this category.

 

[Josh Hendy]

While I am happy for any expansion, I couldn't tell endor/naboo from oz if my life depended on it. I think you would be surprised how many fit in this category.

There is much in which you say. While my teen DDs know Harry Potter storyline and movies extremely well and were dying to visit WWoHP a couple of years ago, only one of them saw Avatar and wasn't extremely impressed. None have seen any Star Wars film, they're not intrigued by the series, and wouldn't know Naboo, Endor, or Luke Skywalker's moisture farm from a hole in the ground! Only one of them would ride Star Tours II with me 4 times in order to check out all the different planets, partly out of politeness and partly out of a mild interest in sci-fi.

They will enjoy any kind of Soarin' -like or Jurassic Park -like Avatar ride plus the environment if well themed but won't be nagging me to book a trip because of it. If I'm to get them interested in Star Wars land it will take a lot of tedious explanation of the movies, the characters, the planets, etc.

However they are big Disney fans in general and after visiting Universal/IOA for the first time a few years ago made a point of telling me, "we like Disney better overall". It's mostly a matter of the differences in noise and intensity of the rides, and the happier, more magical feeling at WDW.

Not being interested at all in Star Wars, it would take a fun-looking coaster about as intense as Everest, Mummy or Space Mountain to interest them very much in Star Wars land ... but it would have to be less intense than Dragon Challange or the Hulk or they're not going to ride it more than once.