News Round Up

[rteetz]

Peter Pan will go down for refurb in March for two days

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ng-for-brief-refurbishment-in-early-march.htm

 

[Reddog1134]

Spirit says they will announce Star Wars plans for the U.S. parks...

...at D23 in August.

 

[rteetz]

...at D23 in August.

Typing on an iPhone messes me up sometimes

 

[rteetz]

Buzz lightyear space ranger soon will be down for two days in March

http://m.wdwmagic.com/attractions/b...r-spin-closing-for-refurbishment-in-march.htm

 

[DDLand]

That's nice. I'm waiting for the announcement that all monorail cars will be getting new monorail cars.

Current design, speed, and safety are not really an issue. I may be in the minority here, but I don't feel like Mark VI are really a problem. Now I would say the insides need to be torn out and completely redone. They smell slightly of mold, (it is Florida, but still) and some of their decor is in nasty shape both in style and wear and tear. It seems like they're addressing some of the problems but a new carpet and some seats is not enough.

 

[Reddog1134]

Current design, speed, and safety are not really an issue. I may be in the minority here, but I don't feel like Mark VI are really a problem. Now I would say the insides need to be torn out and completely redone. They smell slightly of mold, (it is Florida, but still) and some of their decor is in nasty shape both in style and wear and tear. It seems like they're addressing some of the problems but a new carpet and some seats is not enough.

Reliability is the problem. They break down way too often and have been in service too long.

DLR
Mark I - 2 years in service
Mark II - 8 years in service
Mark III - 18 years in service
Mark V - 21 years in service
Mark VII - 6+ years in service

WDW
Mark IV - 18 years in service
Mark VI - 26+ years in service

The monorail at DLR is, at best, a mid-tier attraction. At WDW, it's an arguably major selling point for 3 deluxe resorts and an important transportation method.

 

[DDLand]

Reliability is the problem. They break down way too often and have been in service too long.

DLR
Mark I - 2 years in service
Mark II - 8 years in service
Mark III - 18 years in service
Mark V - 21 years in service
Mark VII - 6+ years in service

WDW
Mark IV - 18 years in service
Mark VI - 26+ years in service

The monorail at DLR is, at best, a mid-tier attraction. At WDW, it's an arguably major selling point for 3 deluxe resorts and an important transportation method.

I agree that there has been some reliability problems, I'm just not certain it's directly attributable to age. Certain subways have trains from the 60's still running. With proper care and maintenance you can get a very long life out of each train. Now Monorails aren't your typical train, but the parallels do exist and I think that they should be more then capable continuing service for the next several years.

Maybe they could throw the Walt Disney World fans a bone and get Mark VIII for 50th. I do hope they keep the Aero Design.

 

[circus4u]

Buzz Lightyear’s Space Ranger Spin at the Magic Kingdom is scheduled to be closed for refurbishment in March 2015.

The closure begins on March 4 through to March 5, reopening on March 6 2015.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...r-spin-closing-for-refurbishment-in-march.htm

 

[circus4u]

‘Cinderella’ Glass Slipper Re-Imagined by Luxury Shoe Designers

Disney Consumer Products has collaborated with nine luxury designer shoe brands across the globe to assemble an enchanting collection of shoes that reimagine Cinderella’s iconic glass slipper.

Read more: 'Cinderella' Glass Slipper Re-Imagined by Luxury Shoe Designers - Stitch Kingdom
StitchKingdom.com - The #1 unofficial source for news on Disney

Read more: 'Cinderella' Glass Slipper Re-Imagined by Luxury Shoe Designers - Stitch Kingdom
StitchKingdom.com - The #1 unofficial source for news on Disney

 

[rteetz]

I agree that there has been some reliability problems, I'm just not certain it's directly attributable to age. Certain subways have trains from the 60's still running. With proper care and maintenance you can get a very long life out of each train. Now Monorails aren't your typical train, but the parallels do exist and I think that they should be more then capable continuing service for the next several years.

Maybe they could throw the Walt Disney World fans a bone and get Mark VIII for 50th. I do hope they keep the Aero Design.

Age is costing them. The new driverless systems are costing more by putting them on these trains than it would on a new set. I will agree that the insides are really the worst part.

 

[rteetz]

Disney and More blog has a post saying that Disneys next park is likely to be in Hong Kong. Very early in planning phases. The Chinese approached Disney about the second park supposedly.

 

[rteetz]

Walls have started to come down in the hub

https://twitter.com/attractions/status/564841083180691456

 

[DDLand]

Age is costing them. The new driverless systems are costing more by putting them on these trains than it would on a new set. I will agree that the insides are really the worst part.

I'm not sure. I'd imagine Disney has looked at their roadmap and has an expected lifespan for the trains which will justify the costs of the upgrades.

The main giveaway that they intend to use these trains for a while is Coral. Which debuted in 2011. If they had any intention of replacing them in the near future, they wouldn't have put together that monorail made of the remains of the crashed ones. That's a big investment, and one they expect to benefit from for the near future.

 

[rteetz]

I'm not sure. I'd imagine Disney has looked at their roadmap and has an expected lifespan for the trains which will justify the costs of the upgrades.

The main giveaway that they intend to use these trains for a while is Coral. Which debuted in 2011. If they had any intention of replacing them in the near future, they wouldn't have put together that monorail made of the remains of the crashed ones. That's a big investment, and one they expect to benefit from for the near future.

I think they had to put that monorail back in for capacity purposes. If they didn't they'd be short a train and what happens if one goes down or other circumstances. The same could go for the trams for the backlot tour they just bought new ones in 2013 and now they are in a junkyard.

 

[circus4u]

In 2015, D23: The Official Disney Fan Club will bring back many of its beloved events while adding a selection of new experiences for members.

Initial plans for D23 events in 2015
http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-d23-announces-initial-plans-member-events-2015-74311/

 

[DDLand]

I think they had to put that monorail back in for capacity purposes. If they didn't they'd be short a train and what happens if one goes down or other circumstances. The same could go for the trams for the backlot tour they just bought new ones in 2013 and now they are in a junkyard.

See that's where I'm not sure. If they're figure out they're going to have to completely update the technology, rebuild two trains, and modify the interior and then they're going to scrap the trains two years later, I'm not sure if that would've been approved. The Backlot Tour Trams are a bit different because the approval for the HS expansion came from on high (Burbank), and the trams likely don't need that type of approval. Whereas I'd imagine the capital spent on any train is significant enough that it would require the approval from California, and took in mind the future roadmap.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

That's nice. I'm waiting for the announcement that all monorail cars will be getting new monorail cars.

He shoots....
...he scores!!!!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Spirit says they will announce Star Wars plans for the U.S. parks at d23 in August
Toontown is still the location for Disneyland

Prepare to be underwhelmed...

The House is taking bets...

Lots for china...rescue attempt at Paris...nice bit of sunny Cali love for the DL...

And the "jar jar binks experience" at the studios...

 

[DDLand]

Prepare to be underwhelmed...

The House is taking bets...

Lots for china...rescue attempt at Paris...nice bit of sunny Cali love for the DL...

And the "jar jar binks experience" at the studios...

I'm praying the rumors are true...

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I'm praying the rumors are true...

Oh dear... What now?