News Round Up

[beer dave]

"Nickel and Dime"-ing at it's finest.

# of AP holders that will complain - many
# of AP holders that will stop buying an AP - zero

Revenue increase due to change - probably < $50,000. Nickels and Dimes.

That's said, they've taken nothing away from me. We've only ever had an AP once, and never rented a boat or played mini-golf at WDW, so I think it's a good move instead of taking away something I might actually use.

Same here. Never played mini golf, have boats at home. (well my friends do-- best way to own a boat) (but always buy an AP)

 

[rteetz]

Kongstruction update

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/01/king-kong-land-construction-update-jan.html

 

[skier_pete]

(well my friends do-- best way to own a boat)

OT, but this is so true. (This also applies to swimming pools - especially if you live in the North)

 

[skier_pete]

Kongstruction update

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/01/king-kong-land-construction-update-jan.html

Does anyone else find it a little weird that they are building this without any annoucement? I mean, it's clearly still probably 6-12 months away minimum, but still people plan their vacations that far out. I mean, these theme parks typically look for every opportunity to get into a news cycle. And it's not like Universal has a history of keeping new projects secret, though I think they did have construction underway on the transformers ride before they announced it, but not to THIS point that they were putting the actual outer structure together. The only equivalent I can think of was Disney not officially announcing Bay Lake Tower as a DVC property until construction was well under way - even though every knew exactly what it was. But a hotel is different from a ride.

Just wondering what anyone thinks might be the reason for the secret.

 

[Reddog1134]

Does anyone else find it a little weird that they are building this without any annoucement? I mean, it's clearly still probably 6-12 months away minimum, but still people plan their vacations that far out. I mean, these theme parks typically look for every opportunity to get into a news cycle. And it's not like Universal has a history of keeping new projects secret, though I think they did have construction underway on the transformers ride before they announced it, but not to THIS point that they were putting the actual outer structure together. The only equivalent I can think of was Disney not officially announcing Bay Lake Tower as a DVC property until construction was well under way - even though every knew exactly what it was. But a hotel is different from a ride.

Just wondering what anyone thinks might be the reason for the secret.

I don't think it's odd because nothing was closed in it's place. It seems like when it's a replacement attraction, they announce early. When it's new construction, they keep it close to the vest.

 

[rteetz]

I don't think it's odd because nothing was closed in it's place. It seems like when it's a replacement attraction, they announce early. When it's new construction, they keep it close to the vest.

I agree, universal is not like Disney with announcing things early. If they can keep it quiet they will. Even with their new upcoming 5th hotel they had land cleared and prepped before they announced it.

 

[101disneyfan]

I mean, it's clearly still probably 6-12 months away minimum, but still people plan their vacations that far out.

Just wondering what anyone thinks might be the reason for the secret.

Because, just like they did with Springfield and Diagon Alley announcements, they don't want anybody postponing their vacations.

Oh, I can't wait to go see Diagon Alley, Transformers, Simpsons... What? They're building a King Kong ride? Alright, then I'll wait rather than hearing the announcement two days after I get home, and now possibly take two trips instead of one!

 

[rteetz]

Because, just like they did with Springfield and Diagon Alley announcements, they don't want anybody postponing their vacations. Oh, I can't wait to go see Diagon Alley, Transformers, Simpsons... What? They're building a King Kong ride? Alright, then I'll wait rather than hearing the announcement two days after I get home, and now possibly take two trips instead of one!

And see where on the Disney side they cater to the first time or once in a life time guests.

 

[rteetz]

Some hub construction photos

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-street-plaza-gardens-construction-update.htm

 

[rteetz]

New membership extras at all DVC locations

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/01/disney-vacation-club-releases-2015.html?m=1

 

[circus4u]

Another photo update on the Main Street Plaza Gardens construction.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...-street-plaza-gardens-construction-update.htm

 

[circus4u]

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2015/01/walt-...being-added-no-expiration-to-be-discontinued/

To no one’s surprise, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort ticket prices are expected to see a small increase again in mid-February 2015. No exact pricing could be obtained yet, but some interesting changes coming to tickets were discovered.

 

[rteetz]

The Shanghai castle is really starting to take shape. This will be the largest Disney parks castle including a boat ride and restaurant.

http://www.thethemeparkguy.com/park/shanghai-disneyland/photos

 

[lockedoutlogic]

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2015/01/walt-disney-world-ticket-price-increase-coming-water-park-hopper-option-being-added-no-expiration-to-be-discontinued/

To no one’s surprise, Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort ticket prices are expected to see a small increase again in mid-February 2015. No exact pricing could be obtained yet, but some interesting changes coming to tickets were discovered.

The important part is the major change that we've been expecting for years.

 

[Figmentforever24]

I believe they are removing the expiration date package from the tickets and adding something to the Florida Resident line up. Something along the lines of a one day Water Park and Park Hopper option? Something to that effect anyway.

 

[rteetz]

I believe they are removing the expiration date package from the tickets and adding something to the Florida Resident line up. Something along the lines of a one day Water Park and Park Hopper option? Something to that effect anyway.

Yes no more no expiration, and a water park hopper.

 

[disneymath]

I believe they are removing the expiration date package from the tickets and adding something to the Florida Resident line up. Something along the lines of a one day Water Park and Park Hopper option? Something to that effect anyway.

My family has quite a few WPM entitlements on existing NE tickets, so the water park hopper idea is "meh" ... just can't find any appeal to the idea.

Also, is this going to be a seasonal thing? Doesn't each water park shut down for a few months each year?

Not happy about the NE tickets going away ... they work for us, DVC APs don't.

And, the current CAD-US exchange rate pretty much squashes the ideas of stocking up on any NE tickets.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

My family has quite a few WPM entitlements on existing NE tickets, so the water park hopper idea is "meh" ... just can't find any appeal to the idea.

Also, is this going to be a seasonal thing? Doesn't each water park shut down for a few months each year?

Not happy about the NE tickets going away ... they work for us, DVC APs don't.

And, the current CAD-US exchange rate pretty much squashes the ideas of stocking up on any NE tickets.

The elimination of the no expiration option... While only affecting a small portion of the public...is significant in that it locks everyone Into retail (Florida residents as the always exception)

It also has the "advantage" of making DVC passes more appealing over time (as well as annuals)...which may make escalating DVC point costs more appealing.

 

[rteetz]

My family has quite a few WPM entitlements on existing NE tickets, so the water park hopper idea is "meh" ... just can't find any appeal to the idea. Also, is this going to be a seasonal thing? Doesn't each water park shut down for a few months each year? Not happy about the NE tickets going away ... they work for us, DVC APs don't. And, the current CAD-US exchange rate pretty much squashes the ideas of stocking up on any NE tickets.

They only shut down one water park at a time. Currently typhoon lagoon is open, blizzard beach is closed.

 

[skier_pete]

The current problem with the no expiration is that they raised the price so high on it, its only worth considering under certain circumstances...as far as I can tell the only way it's worth it is if you actually use it across 3+ trips, meaning shorter trips using only 2-3 parks days per trip. Otherwise, to do it to get the NE water park options doesn't really work anymore (something we did in the past) and also to split it for amongst two trips it doesn't save any money either.

So my guess is what happened is that lots of people were taking advantage of it, so they raised the prices. Now with the prices so high they probably say "but no-one is really using it" so it's easy to discontinue it.

It really is atonishing how fast ticket prices have risen in the last 10 years (doubled or more), and it makes for a scary thought about where it will be in the next 10 years. They really are pricing a good portion of America out of this thing....but hey record profits and all.