News Round Up

[rteetz]

Halloween activities at the resorts

http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wal...y-world-resort-hotel-halloween-activities.htm

 

[rteetz]

Characters and who voices them from Zootopia

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2015/10/meet-the-characters-and-voice-cast-for-disneys-zootopia/

 

[rteetz]

Rivers of light construction update

http://damouse.com/2015/10/28/rivers-of-light-edges-closer-with-october-2015-construction-update/

 

[twebber55]

Rivers of light construction update

http://damouse.com/2015/10/28/rivers-of-light-edges-closer-with-october-2015-construction-update/

just curious if they will try to hide the seating of ROL with trees while walking to EE

 

[rteetz]

Great read on falling attendance and wait times at DHS

http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/1...twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

 

[Eoghann]

Great read on falling attendance and wait times at DHS

http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/1...twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

Interesting. He walked back his "Disney is manipulating wait times" conspiracy theory, which I never quite bought, but his analysis does still fit with my own pet theory that penny pinching (resulting in ride breakdowns, insufficient CMs to process people, not as many minor attractions to distract people) has a negative impact on wait times and people's perception of how busy the park is.

 

[skier_pete]

Great read on falling attendance and wait times at DHS

http://blog.touringplans.com/2015/1...twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

Interesting. He walked back his "Disney is manipulating wait times" conspiracy theory, which I never quite bought, but his analysis does still fit with my own pet theory that penny pinching (resulting in ride breakdowns, insufficient CMs to process people, not as many minor attractions to distract people) has a negative impact on wait times and people's perception of how busy the park is.

I read it as - there's less rides in the park, and more people are using FastPass, so the ride waits are longer. Certainly ride breakdowns can cause issues - and that would be caused by penny pinching / insufficient ride maintenance.

It's an interesting article though, that's for sure. That's the first time I've read the fact that 80% is the Standard across the parks for FastPass plus. While not surprising, it explains the long standby waits. If you're ride takes 2000 people, only 400 people in the standby line can get on every 60 minutes. (assuming FP+ is "sold out") That's remarkably few people.

 

[Eoghann]

I read it as - there's less rides in the park, and more people are using FastPass, so the ride waits are longer. Certainly ride breakdowns can cause issues - and that would be caused by penny pinching / insufficient ride maintenance.

It's an interesting article though, that's for sure. That's the first time I've read the fact that 80% is the Standard across the parks for FastPass plus. While not surprising, it explains the long standby waits. If you're ride takes 2000 people, only 400 people in the standby line can get on every 60 minutes. (assuming FP+ is "sold out") That's remarkably few people.

Less rides in the park is specific to DHS (at least on this scale), but I think you can apply the concept more widely. WDW as a whole was reported to be far far busier this year than previous years.

I really like FastPass Plus but it does not favor people who want to do ride after ride after ride (and don't want to get there before breakfast to do it). It also works a lot better when there's a wider variety of rides to choose from.

 

[DDLand]

Interesting. He walked back his "Disney is manipulating wait times" conspiracy theory, which I never quite bought, but his analysis does still fit with my own pet theory that penny pinching (resulting in ride breakdowns, insufficient CMs to process people, not as many minor attractions to distract people) has a negative impact on wait times and people's perception of how busy the park is.

Agreed. His premise was always way off if you think about it. He was saying that Disney could've used a busy September as a reason to raise prices on off-times. What he failed to realize is September is supposed to be an off-time. By making all year round busier they're not dissuading guests from visiting over the summer or holidays, but across the entire year.

 

[rteetz]

Pop century updates their food court menu

http://www.**************.net/2015/...rt-updates-menu-with-9-new-specialty-burgers/

 

[rteetz]

Agent P world showcase test coming soon.

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/10/new-agent-ps-world-showcase-adventure.html

This is actually a great idea and I'm surprised this app hasn't happened sooner.

 

[rteetz]

ABC extends the Muppets for a full season

http://bit.ly/1kXar6o

 

[Irish_Mike]

ABC extends the Muppets for a full season

http://bit.ly/1kXar6o

Just going to say that a three episode extension is not a full season for the big channels, and seems to indicate that Muppets will not be returning for a Season 2.

At this point, networks will begin making decisions as to what is going to get a shot at a new season next year - those shows are going to be getting upgrades to a full 20-22 episode season (Quantico on ABC, or Limitless on CBS are good examples of this). For shows that do not get an episode upgrade to that total (Muppets is only going to have a fifteen episode season), it often shows that the network is not impressed with ratings - Muppets has seen a sharp drop over the past four weeks.

Only thing that would help The Muppets is if it was contractually obligated to have a shorter season. Some shows, like How to Get Away with Murder, are renewed with shorter seasons because they were slated that way from the start.

But yeah. I don't foresee a Season 2.

 

[skier_pete]

Just going to say that a three episode extension is not a full season for the big channels, and seems to indicate that Muppets will not be returning for a Season 2.

At this point, networks will begin making decisions as to what is going to get a shot at a new season next year - those shows are going to be getting upgrades to a full 20-22 episode season (Quantico on ABC, or Limitless on CBS are good examples of this). For shows that do not get an episode upgrade to that total (Muppets is only going to have a fifteen episode season), it often shows that the network is not impressed with ratings - Muppets has seen a sharp drop over the past four weeks.

Only thing that would help The Muppets is if it was contractually obligated to have a shorter season. Some shows, like How to Get Away with Murder, are renewed with shorter seasons because they were slated that way from the start.

But yeah. I don't foresee a Season 2.

I'm not of that - if not planning to renew then why order more episodes - even if only 3. I'll point that Quantico, which is actually a much bigger hit for ABC than the muppets - only got a back-six order instead of a back-nine.

Admittedly the show hasn't done gangbusters, but it's been middle of the road. It's actually gotten better and better, I hope people are still giving it a chance. (The episode with Ed Helms at the Kareoke bar was hilarious.) I'm sure it's not particular expensive, I think they will look to see what the final ratings are before giving it a 2nd season renewal or not.

 

[LittleDreamer]

Just going to say that a three episode extension is not a full season for the big channels, and seems to indicate that Muppets will not be returning for a Season 2.

Shorter seasons are a trend now a-days and do often indicate shows that are in that not high ratings but it fills out our line-up slot. Maybe a shorter extension will give the writers time to put together a stronger proposal for season 2. Muppets really seems in need of a stronger story line instead of the random meandering it's doing.

 

[rteetz]

Colortopia Has been unveiled at Innoventions

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...nnoventions-exhibit-colortopia-by-glidden.htm

 

[adam.adbe]

Colortopia Has been unveiled at Innoventions

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...nnoventions-exhibit-colortopia-by-glidden.htm

I wont pass judgement until I've seen it in person, but from the photos it looks like it could have been decidedly more. That exhibit looks like it's going to be of interest to a very narrow (6-8 years old maybe) age range.

 

[Reddog1134]

Shorter seasons are a trend now a-days and do often indicate shows that are in that not high ratings but it fills out our line-up slot. Maybe a shorter extension will give the writers time to put together a stronger proposal for season 2. Muppets really seems in need of a stronger story line instead of the random meandering it's doing.

I can't remember which show it was but I recently read that a particular show got an additional episode order that was less than 22. Not because the network didn't have faith in the show but because they had several mid-season shows waiting to air and didn't have the air time for a 22 episode season.

 

[rteetz]

I wont pass judgement until I've seen it in person, but from the photos it looks like it could have been decidedly more. That exhibit looks like it's going to be of interest to a very narrow (6-8 years old maybe) age range.

At least it's something new in innoventions that barely has anything.

 

[DanBoris]

I don't think it was in that bad of shape but universal definitely has some big plans for this coaster.

Yeah, all indications are that it is not being re-built due to the condition of the track, but instead to accommodate new cars and maybe change the ride profile a bit.