News Round Up

[Spacedog1975]

Kali isn't a favorite simply because I'm rarely there when I want to walk around the park wet. Even when the weather is hot, wet clothes are unpleasant. I brave the wet of Splash Mountain because I love the ride anyway. I don't care how cold it is outside, I'm going to get my Zip-a-dee-doo-dah on.

 

[rteetz]

A look at the refreshed pirates

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ewly-refurbished-pirates-of-the-caribbean.htm

 

[rteetz]

Night of Joy moving to ESPN WWoS in 2016

http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/nigh...oncerts-move-to-epsn-wide-world-of-sports.htm

 

[Spacedog1975]

Night of Joy moving to ESPN WWoS in 2016

http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/nigh...oncerts-move-to-epsn-wide-world-of-sports.htm

I wonder how much of this is logistics, and how much of this is optics.

 

[LittleDreamer]

Night of Joy moving to ESPN WWoS in 2016

http://www.wdwmagic.com/events/nigh...oncerts-move-to-epsn-wide-world-of-sports.htm

Interesting development. WWoS will allow for multiple stages and a more festival feel. Disney could also allow vendors to rent booths there if they wanted. Overall I don't think fans of Night of Joy will be happy with this change though.

 

[DDLand]

Comcast has acquired majority stake in universal Japan

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...pay-1-5-billion-for-51-of-japanese-theme-park

Man, I'm beginning to wonder if ultimately the goal is to spin-off a well developed NBC/Universal from Comcast. They're really straying farther and farther away from the company that viewed Walt Disney Parks and Resorts as essentially valueless when they were courting Disney years ago. This is just a little strange for a United States based telecommunications and content provider to be buying hard assets over in Japan. They're very serious about Parks, that's undoubtable.

Expect in the near future...
1) More big money capital projects, and continued investment into this park. They're doubling down. Update: I found the press release, and it seems to affirm that view... "We want to expand our theme park business around the world and this investment in Universal Studios Japan fits perfectly with that strategy," added Steve Burke, CEO of NBCUniversal. "Our theme parks in the U.S. have performed exceptionally well and we look forward to working with our partners to achieve that success in Japan as we plan to introduce significant attractions at USJ over the next five years."

2) Remember this? http://variety.com/2015/biz/asia/universal-studios-japan-plans-okinawa-theme-park-1201455914/ You can kiss that plan goodbye. There's almost no chance that this moves forward. Before the company that relied on licensing from Universal had every incentive to lesson dependence on Universal. Not anymore. Diversification doesn't make sense when a media company is all about their brand.
3) I wouldn't be shocked if they moved to acquire the rest of the company, and take it 100% in house. Unlike China where local government ownership is necessary or just a no brainer, this is all about getting it in house before it becomes to large to buy out.

One final thought...
Is it interesting that Universal is now the only major domestic theme park operator with hard assets in Japan? Disney surely can't claim that with their 0% ownership of the OLC. Things have changed.

 

[rteetz]

One final thought...
Is it interesting that Universal is now the only major domestic theme park operator with hard assets in Japan? Disney surely can't claim that with their 0% ownership of the OLC. Things have changed.

This is right on!

Then we have universal who I'm sure watched the Disney Shanghai deal very closely announce not too long ago Universal Beijing was a done deal.

 

[DDLand]

Then we have universal who I'm sure watched the Disney Shanghai deal very closely announce not too long ago Universal Beijing was a done deal.

Indeed, they have a lot to compete with over at Shanghai. This is their chance to dazzle. I'm getting pretty excited about what direction they'll take with that park. In the era of parks that center around lands that tie into their attractions, Universal Beijing will have an interesting line to walk. I'm excited for that and Hong Kong Disneyland park 2, they're a gateway into the future of theme parks.

 

[DDLand]

It's a big one...

A Miceage Update with info on the future of Disneyland Resort.
http://micechat.com/111703-miceage-star-wars-disneyland/

 

[rteetz]

It's a big one...

A Miceage Update with info on the future of Disneyland Resort.
http://micechat.com/111703-miceage-star-wars-disneyland/

I have a feeling Disneyland locals aren't going to be thrilled.

Lots of info here from reduced rivers of America, reroute of train track, fastpass+, and colgaizer likely being gone after this year.

Edit: Also does this mean Fantasmic in DHS will also get enhancements like Disneyland?

 

[soniam]

I have a feeling Disneyland locals aren't going to be thrilled.

Lots of info here from reduced rivers of America, reroute of train track, fastpass+, and colgaizer likely being gone after this year.

I didn't realize how messed up stuff was at DLR. Personally, I like FP+, but I can see a lot of logistical issues with it there. I think, unfortunately, we will be avoiding DLR until the construction is over, especially since Tom Sawyer Island, the railroad, and the boats are some of our must-do attractions on any visit. Love the comments about free, cold, filtered water, that doesn't require waiting in a QS line. That man is preaching to the choir. That's one of the many things I loved about Universal, and snacks in some of the queues.

 

[rteetz]

I didn't realize how messed up stuff was at DLR. Personally, I like FP+, but I can see a lot of logistical issues with it there. I think, unfortunately, we will be avoiding DLR until the construction is over, especially since Tom Sawyer Island, the railroad, and the boats are some of our must-do attractions on any visit. Love the comments about free, cold, filtered water, that doesn't require waiting in a QS line. That man is preaching to the choir. That's one of the many things I loved about Universal, and snacks in some of the queues.

Well this is not TDAs fault Burbank is calling the shots here.

 

[rteetz]

Inside Morimoto Asia

http://www.wdwmagic.com/dining/mori...orimoto-asia-restaurant-at-disney-springs.htm

 

[rteetz]

Some bus service changes at WDW

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/09/walt-disney-world-bus-service.html?m=1

 

[rteetz]

Hub construction update

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/09/magic-kingdom-hub-update-third-castle.html?m=1

 

[soniam]

Some bus service changes at WDW

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/09/walt-disney-world-bus-service.html?m=1

Maybe they are listening to guest complaints about bus service and continuing to do improvements, like the wait screens. I hope so anyway.

 

[916chipndale]

Some bus service changes at WDW

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/09/walt-disney-world-bus-service.html?m=1

Good news, let's hope this keeps up. I especially like Boardwalk getting their own bus to MK now.

 

[bpadair32]

Maybe they are listening to guest complaints about bus service and continuing to do improvements, like the wait screens. I hope so anyway.

As someone who is going to be staying at BW in a few weeks, I am really happy that we are not going to be sharing bus service with Swan and Dolphin for the MK.

 

[rteetz]

Downtown Disney is no more say hello to Disney Springs

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...ney-springs-today---see-the-new-guide-map.htm

 

[rteetz]

Characters in Flight closed next few days for refurb

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...the-next-couple-of-days-for-refurbishment.htm