News Round Up

[luisov]

Star Wars should come in time for the 50th anniversary. If Star Wars has ben delayed because the board isn't happy enough with its design, they probably aren't ready to show anything yet. We can only hope that some sort of Pixar expansion is coming before Star Wars.

 

[rteetz]

I'll rephrase, "Surely they WILL". Even if just a teaser.

A teaser to them is what they have been saying for months. Star Wars will have a big presence in the parks.

 

[rteetz]

Star Wars should come in time for the 50th anniversary. If Star Wars has ben delayed because the board isn't happy enough with its design, they probably aren't ready to show anything yet. We can only hope that some sort of Pixar expansion is coming before Star Wars.

Yep sources say timeline is still 2021 opening.

 

[RMColosimo]

The box around Walt and walls in the inner hub are down.

Nice... Any pictures of that area out there yet?

 

[skier_pete]

Star Wars should come in time for the 50th anniversary. If Star Wars has ben delayed because the board isn't happy enough with its design, they probably aren't ready to show anything yet. We can only hope that some sort of Pixar expansion is coming before Star Wars.

Wouldn't you still tease it if you are Disney? Show a little bit of concept art and at least say "we are still finalizing plans but we didn't want to leave you empty handed.." as opposed to "Hey WDW, you get jack squat." Even if it's 5-6 years away (how is that even friggin' possible - they build DAK in three years. ) at least give us a little hope (A NEW hope, perhaps?)

 

[rteetz]

Wouldn't you still tease it if you are Disney? Show a little bit of concept art and at least say "we are still finalizing plans but we didn't want to leave you empty handed.." as opposed to "Hey WDW, you get jack squat." Even if it's 5-6 years away (how is that even friggin' possible - they build DAK in three years. ) at least give us a little hope (A NEW hope, perhaps?)

This is Disney we are talking about not universal. It's really sad that they used to be able to build entire parks in a couple years but now they can't build a new themed area in 4-5.

 

[Reddog1134]

Wouldn't you still tease it if you are Disney? Show a little bit of concept art and at least say "we are still finalizing plans but we didn't want to leave you empty handed.." as opposed to "Hey WDW, you get jack squat." Even if it's 5-6 years away (how is that even friggin' possible - they build DAK in three years. ) at least give us a little hope (A NEW hope, perhaps?)

They've already teased us.

They need to make an announcement.

 

[umichigan10]

But that's just it they don't have to. We as Disney fans think they do but if a park is bringing in money why spend more.

Its just so frustrating. I love WDW and I've been going as far back as I can remember because my family has DVC. its frustrating that they clearly have a loyal return base (given the fact they exponentially built out DVC to absurd levels) and don't even respect that investment by giving us some new stuff at a reasonable pace. Especially the way with DHS is now its a frustrating and demoralizing thing as a diehard fan to see them drag their feet

 

[rteetz]

Its just so frustrating. I love WDW and I've been going as far back as I can remember because my family has DVC. its frustrating that they clearly have a loyal return base (given the fact they exponentially built out DVC to absurd levels) and don't even respect that investment by giving us some new stuff at a reasonable pace. Especially the way with DHS is now its a frustrating and demoralizing thing as a diehard fan to see them drag their feet

I agree. That's why it would take a drop in spending and attendance in DHS.

 

[luisov]

Wouldn't you still tease it if you are Disney? Show a little bit of concept art and at least say "we are still finalizing plans but we didn't want to leave you empty handed.." as opposed to "Hey WDW, you get jack squat." Even if it's 5-6 years away (how is that even friggin' possible - they build DAK in three years. ) at least give us a little hope (A NEW hope, perhaps?)

Unless they simply are not happy with what they've got I really can't think of a reason for them to announce a DL Star Wars land and not a WDW one, especially considering that WDW's was supposed to come first. It's clear that DHS is going through a big overhaul. On the other hand, nothing evident is going on at DL or DCA nor is expected to in the foreseeable future (They wouldn't mess with Toontown or whatever they plan to replace during the 60th anniversary of the park).

Now, we don't know for sure whether this Pixar expansion is real or not, but assuming that something important is brewing at Pixar Place, I think it would make sense for them to announce that first and then wait for the 50th to come closer and make the big announcement. Especially if the board is not happy with the addition that is going to sustain DHS numbers for at least a decade.

 

[circus4u]

Souvenir Penny Machines Going Digital at Walt Disney World

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2015/06/unpac...-machines-going-digital-at-walt-disney-world/

 

[rteetz]

Unless they simply are not happy with what they've got I really can't think of a reason for them to announce a DL Star Wars land and not a WDW one, especially considering that WDW's was supposed to come first. It's clear that DHS is going through a big overhaul. On the other hand, nothing evident is going on at DL or DCA nor is expected to in the foreseeable future (They wouldn't mess with Toontown or whatever they plan to replace during the 60th anniversary of the park).

Now, we don't know for sure whether this Pixar expansion is real or not, but assuming that something important is brewing at Pixar Place, I think it would make sense for them to announce that first and then wait for the 50th to come closer and make the big announcement. Especially if the board is not happy with the addition that is going to sustain DHS numbers for at least a decade.

Well disneylands is not supposed to be as extravagant as WDWs so I would expect DL to come first as it would probably take less time. Plans change of course all the time with Disney. The marvel addition in DCA will happen in the timon lot behind ToT so that won't have a big affect on the park. Disneylands Star Wars addition won't come until after the 60th celebration of course.

 

[circus4u]

Walt Disney Records Set To Release PIXAR’s “Inside Out” Soundtrack
http://wdwnt.com/blog/2015/06/walt-disney-records-set-to-release-pixars-inside-out-soundtrack/

 

[skier_pete]

Souvenir Penny Machines Going Digital at Walt Disney World

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2015/06/unpac...-machines-going-digital-at-walt-disney-world/

OK - I have to say, if you can't put your own penny in and turn the handle - there's no point at all to these machines. (Maybe others don't agree - but pressing the penny yourself is the "fun" in my view.) Not that I'm the right person because even though my DW collects these for my DD, I can't think of a much bigger waste of money. (Literally.)

 

[rteetz]

OK - I have to say, if you can't put your own penny in and turn the handle - there's no point at all to these machines. (Maybe others don't agree - but pressing the penny yourself is the "fun" in my view.) Not that I'm the right person because even though my DW collects these for my DD, I can't think of a much bigger waste of money. (Literally.)

Especially when there is now a credit card slot on some of these machines.

 

[turkey1031]

Is all the wdw money tied up in all the disney springs construction? I understand that if attendance is still going up that they're not looking to build anything at one of the parks anytime but why would they keep closing dhs stuff without possible ly something going in its place? that just makes no sense to me

 

[rteetz]

Is all the wdw money tied up in all the disney springs construction? I understand that if attendance is still going up that they're not looking to build anything at one of the parks anytime but why would they keep closing dhs stuff without possible ly something going in its place? that just makes no sense to me

Because Disney keeps making money despite closing things so why would they keep things open or open new things.

 

[rteetz]

Frank Oz at SWW

http://m.wdwmagic.com/events/star-w...es-first-appearance-at-star-wars-weekends.htm

 

[DDLand]

As an "on-the-ground" engineer I completely disagree with this. Have you ever dealt with the bean counters/management on a construction job? We once had a project that would have cost $1.5 million and would've saved our company ~$1 million a year. They didn't approve it for TEN years of asking, and only finally did it when the system deteriorated to the point that we HAD to do it.

I can picture how the meetings went:
Imagineer: It'll take $200 million to finish Dinoland properly.
Money Manager: You can't have that.
Imagineer: Well, if we cut this and this we could do it for $125 million.
Money Manager: Nope, you have $20 million.
Imagineer: $20 million for the whole land? We've already spent $80 million on the Countdown to Extinction attraction! You're crazy, it'll be f*&&in parking lot.
Money Manager: Then build a parking lot. $20 million. Get it done.
Imagineer: %$)# 9$#(%@!!! (Throws protractor)
Money Manager: Oh, and about this Beastly Kingdom idea....
Imagineer: @$!%& %%#@!%^!!! (Throws coffee mug)

Come on @skier_pete, this is the same Imagineering that spent 1 million dollars on adding speakers, flags, and beach balls to a small attraction. These guys can be inefficient, and sometimes even misguided. They make mistakes, and even can build out crappy products. If you think Imagineers don't share some of the blame for that mess than you're living in an alternate reality.

 

[DDLand]

Thanks, @rteetz. The "don't get your hopes up. Nothing for WDW yet" got me confused because you'd mentioned Marvel and SW together making it a more broad comment. I'll be satisfied with only Pixar at first. DHS expansion is much more compelling than just SW. I'm excited for D23!

*Quote corrected