News Round Up

[Tia1977]

No news to post, I SIMPLY just can't contain my excitement for all to come at AK any longer without a big whoop whoop... My FAVE park...our October 2016 trip can't get here fast enough (other than it gives more time for hopeful AK progress)...ok, I'm done now...I'll go back to stalking this thread from the silent "shadows" lol...

 

[Flyerjab]

We can only hope. And someday I will get to tokyo to see what those theme parks are like in person.

I hope you get there someday also.

Hey, you are pretty knowledgeable when it comes to facts about the parks. Do you know how large Diagon Alley is in terms of acres? I recall hearing that it was around 7 acres. Is that accurate? I only ask because of obvious size comparison to the future Star Wars Land. At 14 acres, I can only imagine how incredible this will be if themed to level of Diagon Alley.

 

[jade1]

SO we have Pandora in 2017, Toy Story 2018, Star Wars 2019, Phase 3 2020??? That would be a pretty strong 4 years of opening at WDW!

I can't believe I am reading that-awesome.

We just got back and it was amazing as usual.

The last few years have already brought some great experiences for us.

FP+ all done day of or night before, opening day of the Launch Bay, the Castle lighting is better than any ride to us (7DMT is now our fave ride though), 2 lunches at Disney Springs which is looking to be more amazing, the new Frozen show building is much nicer and a great live person show.

Magic Kingdom Hub has made that area so beautiful (as did NFL) and much more functional, as did the Main Street by passes-but Main Street is very hard to pass up with the XMAS decor and snow. Did UNI/IOA as well-a great day but appear to have conceded XMAS decor.

All the DVC Deluxe additions look amazing-excited to try them.

The future also looks bright for Rivers of Light, it looks to be getting close and will likely be a new favorite at AK. Floating Mountains are pretty high up so hoping it looks realistic enough. Frozen build out at EPCOT is looking good for spring, as did Soarin II-not sure on TSM II.

Osbourne was great of course, Illuminations Holiday ending every night, and the weather was amazing on top of it all.

And now we have Pandora in 2017, Toy Story 2018, Star Wars 2019, Phase 3 2020???

 

[rteetz]

I hope you get there someday also.

Hey, you are pretty knowledgeable when it comes to facts about the parks. Do you know how large Diagon Alley is in terms of acres? I recall hearing that it was around 7 acres. Is that accurate? I only ask because of obvious size comparison to the future Star Wars Land. At 14 acres, I can only imagine how incredible this will be if themed to level of Diagon Alley.

Diagon alley is about 10 acres I believe.

 

[DDLand]

I hope you get there someday also.

Hey, you are pretty knowledgeable when it comes to facts about the parks. Do you know how large Diagon Alley is in terms of acres? I recall hearing that it was around 7 acres. Is that accurate? I only ask because of obvious size comparison to the future Star Wars Land. At 14 acres, I can only imagine how incredible this will be if themed to level of Diagon Alley.

Looks like you're on the money.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/dhs-permit.906729/page-3#post-6956526

 

[rteetz]

Looks like you're on the money.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/dhs-permit.906729/page-3#post-6956526

Good find I thought I saw 10 somewhere.

 

[Fantasia79]

I hope you get there someday also.

Hey, you are pretty knowledgeable when it comes to facts about the parks. Do you know how large Diagon Alley is in terms of acres? I recall hearing that it was around 7 acres. Is that accurate? I only ask because of obvious size comparison to the future Star Wars Land. At 14 acres, I can only imagine how incredible this will be if themed to level of Diagon Alley.

Wow, 14 acres of Star Wars should be pretty much beyond all imagination.

 

[luisov]

I hope you get there someday also.

Hey, you are pretty knowledgeable when it comes to facts about the parks. Do you know how large Diagon Alley is in terms of acres? I recall hearing that it was around 7 acres. Is that accurate? I only ask because of obvious size comparison to the future Star Wars Land. At 14 acres, I can only imagine how incredible this will be if themed to level of Diagon Alley.

If I recall, the entire Wizarding World of Harry Potter (including Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff and the entire Diagon Alley) is 20 acres. Taking into account the fact that Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff take quite a big space, I think it's safe to say Stars Wars land is pretty big.

 

[summerw]

Do we have any info on what will be going on in DHS after the end of the scheduled fireworks (March 20, right?)? I mean, they won't actually be offering LESS during Easter than during January, right? I hope.

 

[Flyerjab]

Looks like you're on the money.
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/dhs-permit.906729/page-3#post-6956526

I was thinking of how incredible Diagon Alley is at just 7 acres. Imagine that level of theming but now at twice the size with 2 signature E-Ticket level attractions, as well as what I am assuming will be one of the hardest to get dining reservations in a cantina style restaurant (wondering if there will be AAs performing music or if there will be live musicians role playing as the band like what was in Star Wars A New Hope).

I sometimes think now that Disney knows they missed the mark with New Fantasy Land, when comparing it the impact that WWoHP and DA had in UNI. It wouldn't surprise me at all if we see the quality level of some of the newer themed lands absolutely hitting out of the park in terms of theming, immersion, and overall experience.

 

[skier_pete]

I was thinking of how incredible Diagon Alley is at just 7 acres. Imagine that level of theming but now at twice the size with 2 signature E-Ticket level attractions, as well as what I am assuming will be one of the hardest to get dining reservations in a cantina style restaurant (wondering if there will be AAs performing music or if there will be live musicians role playing as the band like what was in Star Wars A New Hope).

I sometimes think now that Disney knows they missed the mark with New Fantasy Land, when comparing it the impact that WWoHP and DA had in UNI. It wouldn't surprise me at all if we see the quality level of some of the newer themed lands absolutely hitting out of the park in terms of theming, immersion, and overall experience.

You do have to remember that the last newly themed land they build DID hit it out of the park - it's just in Disneyland. (I'm not counting FLE - because that was an addition to an existing land.)

 

[rteetz]

If I recall, the entire Wizarding World of Harry Potter (including Hogsmeade, Hogwarts, Dragon Challenge, Flight of the Hippogriff and the entire Diagon Alley) is 20 acres. Taking into account the fact that Dragon Challenge and Flight of the Hippogriff take quite a big space, I think it's safe to say Stars Wars land is pretty big.

It was said in the mice chat article that the two attractions will have some very big show buildings.

 

[rteetz]

Do we have any info on what will be going on in DHS after the end of the scheduled fireworks (March 20, right?)? I mean, they won't actually be offering LESS during Easter than during January, right? I hope.

I have a feeling the fireworks will not end in March. They are constructing a permanent fireworks launching site near DHS.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Wow...lots of optimism flowing today...

Project timelines...faith in Disney "knocking it out of the park"..."think of what they can do with 14 ACRES!?!?"

Joy to the world...kumbaya

 

[luisov]

Wow...lots of optimism flowing today...

Project timelines...faith in Disney "knocking it out of the park"..."think of what they can do with 14 ACRES!?!?"

Joy to the world...kumbaya

Perhaps it's just the holiday season But seriously, Disney is absolutely capable of doing amazing stuff if they want to, and you can bet they want to make Star Wars right. There's plenty of recent evidence of that, it's just that most of it has not touched Florida yet.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Perhaps it's just the holiday season But seriously, Disney is absolutely capable of doing amazing stuff if they want to, and you can bet they want to make Star Wars right. There's plenty of recent evidence of that, it's just that most of it has not touched Florida yet.

I'm actually pretty impressed with what they're doing with Star Wars...actually more optimistic than you'd think.

But I still have apprehension on what exactly they'll do.

They've been docile...borderline bland under this current management in Florida...
...and as you've pointed out - most of the great new stuff has not been in Disney's domestic parks and that's a huge factor due to the bill.

I don't think they'll necessarily "go cheap" on the Star Wars area...but if there only concerns are high volume, "all inclusive", low maintenance systems...well then that's a mine train/star tours lack of depth/inspiration.

I just can't fully trust their motivations until we get an idea of how far they'll go...

It will be interesting though...no doubt.

 

[rteetz]

New menu items at Jock Lindsey's hangar bar.

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2015/12/new-menu-items-available-at-jock.html

 

[Flyerjab]

Poster mommyj on the wdwmagic boards had their father snap some photos of the Pandora expansion in DAK a few days ago and the photos are remarkable. I had wondered at one point if he snuck backstage to get them as the views are spectacular. After thinking about it I realized where he took these photos. There is a great view of the construction of the floating mountains inside the park at the back entrance of Rainforest Cafe. However, if you actually enter that nice area in back of the RC where the water effects are, there is a berm that rises up in back with trees and such. If you climb up that berm you are greeted by a very low fence. I believe that is where her dad took the pictures. Now I am not suggesting that anyone else do this because I am certain that you could get in trouble doing it. However, the photos are great and the scale of this expansion is incredible. There are posters on wdwmagic that state that Disney is cheap and their offerings of late have been bottom of the barrel. Well, during the 2000's and up to the debut of NFL in the MK, that might be true. However, sometimes I think that with the success of Cars Land in DL and DA in USF, they might be changing their tune a bit. Highly immersive lands that are themed to gills, while also offering great attractions, will dry people in like proverbial moths. In DAK, money is being spent, and 2017 can't get here soon enough.

 

[Fantasia79]

Walking into the movie. So cool. Seems like Disney has pushed this idea so much further in recent developments, making me even more excited for Star Wars!

 

[jade1]

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Yep, that's what I was saying about being high enough up to look realistic...as floating mountains can be that is.

Great pics thanks.

Trips have been getting better every year, but these additions will really push the experience to a whole new level.