Norway Ride & Rivers Of Light (Disappointing Progress Updates)

[rteetz]

1) There is no "Think" about it.
2) There are SIGNIFICANT technical issues.
3) From our understanding for CM's involved in RoL, it is micro-switch and programming related. *
. . . things happen when they should not
. . . things don't happen when they should
4) In this case, the entire cast IS hired and has done rehearsal, as opposed to Jungle Book.

* NOTE: This is not good. In the late 1960's, we learned about Ladder Diagrams and Ladder Programs, so the micro switches should not be an issue. We had total assembly lines run with such programming, and most auto and truck companies still use it.

Yes I know I did not ask you that question.

 

[TheSweetestThing]

{Nighttime AK, will be viewed differently by many.
. . . if you Love AK, you will like the night version
. . . if you are luke-warm about AK, then you probably will be truly underwhelmed}

1) What a MAJOR disappointment the evening was . . . BUMMER.
2) It was great seeing some CM's I have not met in some time.
. . . the event was for CM's of AK and up to three guests
. . . a few of us from other areas also got an invite
. . . so, a relatively small amount of people . . . my own guess was 2,000-3,000
3) But, as for a CM-Preview, the night was a DUD!
4) For such a huge build-up, Nighttime AK is nothing to write-home about, and not worth the journey
. . . they had two free ice cream carts, but no other food/drink/bar stands available
. . . they did not even have parking lot trams running, and a few folks ended up walking quite a distance from their car
. . . EVENING SAFARI
. . . the Evening Safari did have a few nocturnal animals, which was nice
. . . the lighting was not as good as we were told to expect, so animals were tough to see
. . . TREE OF LIFE
. . . the Tree of Life was cute
. . . the Tree had animals projected onto the trunk, that made the current concrete animals seem to move!
. . . JUNGLE BOOK
. . . the Jungle Book did not even open, as the cast is not all hired yet, and certainly not rehearsed *
. . . TIFFINS
. . . although not open, a few of us snuck in and got a view of the new Tiffins restaurant
. . . we did think the new uniforms were well designed and attractive
. . . EXPEDITION EVEREST
. . . there were lights added for the nighttime riding
. . . some animations shown against a few walls

* ALERT: The Jungle Book is having an unannounced Soft Opening this Friday (May 27th). If at AK, look for it.

The Jungle Book show was never expected to be previewed. The entire cast has been in rehearsals since the second week of May and they had a rehearsal over night the night of the previews. They are using current WDW show and parade performers for this show, and the show will consist of 100 of them for each show.

 

[TheSweetestThing]

I just think without everything running and in full operation it's pretty hard to evaluate the entire nighttime experience.
And you can't discount the energy that comes from having more guests there. Sometimes empty is better but sometimes a crowd is better.
The one part I do find disappointing is the nighttime safari. The prior comments about those who had seen the lights said the simulated sunset was really good. I hope maybe something just wasn't working correctly and it will be better. I'll see for myself here in a couple of weeks.

True. It was a cast member preview, therefore not everything was running or open like during normal operating hours. That would be why there were no trams running. They never do for cast previews.

 

[TheSweetestThing]

SO ... CM preview was 24th and 25th, so as of Tues/Wed the show had not been fully cast nor rehearsed.
BUT ... They are going to do a soft showing on the 27th, Friday.
AND ... Disney site shows it opening with 2 show times on the 28th, Saturday.

This all seems pretty tight to go from not all actors or rehearsals done to a opening night in just 4 days.
Based on this info it sounds like another disappointment about to happen.
Hopefully they pull something off, especially for those that are paying for a dinner/package.

They have been cast and rehearsing this since the second week of May.

 

[HopperFan]

They have been cast and rehearsing this since the second week of May.

Then they should be ready .... are these not the same as were hired for RoL .... and if not, what is happening with those folks? They got the worst deal of anyone, particularly if they were not locals.

 

[KYMickey]

1) There is no "Think" about it.
2) There are SIGNIFICANT technical issues.
3) From our understanding for CM's involved in RoL, it is micro-switch and programming related. *
. . . things happen when they should not
. . . things don't happen when they should
4) In this case, the entire cast IS hired and has done rehearsal, as opposed to Jungle Book.

* NOTE: This is not good. In the late 1960's, we learned about Ladder Diagrams and Ladder Programs, so the micro switches should not be an issue. We had total assembly lines run with such programming, and most auto and truck companies still use it.

I really find it strange that they are having issues with anything of basic is micro-switches and programming of ladder diagrams. I would imagine that the controls for that system are extremely sophisticated and that's what's causing the problems. I'm more likely believe that it's a communication issue between various parts of the program. Data communications between various pieces of equipment can be extremely complex.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

I really find it strange that they are having issues with anything of basic is micro-switches and programming of ladder diagrams.

1) We can only go on what we are being told by those intimately involved.
2) As a former engineer, I also find it hard to believe, but I am not working on that project. *
3) I would hope that Joe Rohde would tell people, but doubt such would ever happen.

* NOTE: At one time, I was even offered a job at WDW as an Engineering Manager, but the pay was about 1/3 of my salary at the time..

 

[rteetz]

Then they should be ready .... are these not the same as were hired for RoL .... and if not, what is happening with those folks? They got the worst deal of anyone, particularly if they were not locals.

I think some of them are part of the jungle book show and some are not. They still have a job and are getting paid even if the show isn't going on. They are likely just working elsewhere within WDW for the time being.

 

[rteetz]

1) We can only go on what we are being told by those intimately involved.
2) As a former engineer, I also find it hard to believe, but I am not working on that project. *
3) I would hope that Joe Rohde would tell people, but doubt such would ever happen.

* NOTE: At one time, I was even offered a job at WDW as an Engineering Manager, but the pay was about 1/3 of my salary at the time..

There is new technology in this show is there not? I wouldn't expect everything to go smoothly, while I wouldn't expect a major delay like this either I don't think it's out of the question to have technical difficulties. I believe World of color at DCA had technical problems before it debuted.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

They still have a job and are getting paid even if the show isn't going on.

1) Yes.
2) Look at all the people hired for the Frozen ride.
3) FOR WEEKS they have been sitting around on the midnight shift with NOTHING to do.
4) Most played video games on their phones or surfed the web.
5) They are finally testing the ride and training.

 

[TheSweetestThing]

I can't imagine all the cast isn't hired yet. I'd definitely believe they aren't fully rehearsed yet but not hired I'm not so sure.

They are using currently working parade and show performers for this show. It is a cast of 100, so they have definitely been rehearsing.

Then they should be ready .... are these not the same as were hired for RoL .... and if not, what is happening with those folks? They got the worst deal of anyone, particularly if they were not locals.

No, it was a very small cast of Equity performers for RoL. Most have taken contracts elsewhere in the interim. For JB they are utilizing current Equity performers (singers, musicians and principal dancers - like from Beauty and the Beast and the stunt birds from Fotlk) as well as an enormous cast of non Equity parades and show performers (like the dancers in parades, trolley, and the dancing animals and stilt guys in Fotlk).

 

[Eoghann]

There is new technology in this show is there not? I wouldn't expect everything to go smoothly, while I wouldn't expect a major delay like this either I don't think it's out of the question to have technical difficulties. I believe World of color at DCA had technical problems before it debuted.

A lot of Disney shows and parades have had technical problems before they debuted, it seems to be more the rule than the exception and it doesn't surprise me because that's my experience of what happens any time you're doing more than copying something that was already done elsewhere.

There is definitely new technology at work for RoL maybe micro switches are part of it but that's like saying my internet doesn't work because there's a problem with a CPU somewhere, it doesn't actually tell you anything. Not that I would really expect to be told the specifics, the only people who need to know that are the ones working on the problem and their managers.

 

[AngiTN]

Then they should be ready .... are these not the same as were hired for RoL .... and if not, what is happening with those folks? They got the worst deal of anyone, particularly if they were not locals.

I don't think you can take the assumption that because they didn't offer the show during the CM preview to mean it wasn't ready. It's possible they just didn't want to show it early, didn't want leaks. No idea, just guessing

 

[TheSweetestThing]

I don't think you can take the assumption that because they didn't offer the show during the CM preview to mean it wasn't ready. It's possible they just didn't want to show it early, didn't want leaks. No idea, just guessing

They were still in rehearsals until last night. They are teaching four whole casts and with a cast that large, they were certainly going to be rehearsing right up to opening. I'm wondering if they are going to be able to do a soft opening tonight or if there are still things they need to solidify?

 

[Roxyfire]

I don't think you can take the assumption that because they didn't offer the show during the CM preview to mean it wasn't ready. It's possible they just didn't want to show it early, didn't want leaks. No idea, just guessing

They were still in rehearsals until last night. They are teaching four whole casts and with a cast that large, they were certainly going to be rehearsing right up to opening. I'm wondering if they are going to be able to do a soft opening tonight or if there are still things they need to solidify?

Why not both?

 

[AngiTN]

They were still in rehearsals until last night. They are teaching four whole casts and with a cast that large, they were certainly going to be rehearsing right up to opening. I'm wondering if they are going to be able to do a soft opening tonight or if there are still things they need to solidify?

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I was saying that I wouldn't take them not offering the show during the CM preview night to mean they are far from finalizing things and are still casting the show

 

[atricks]

The april announcement on the parks blog mentioned an update coming on Rivers of Light mid to late May, that never materialized (it's now June).

 

[rteetz]

The april announcement on the parks blog mentioned an update coming on Rivers of Light mid to late May, that never materialized (it's now June).

I think they counted the jungle book announcement as that update.

 

[mcjaco]

Good grief. Posted at 6:01 AM on June 1st........

* Note: I once used a calendar and decided it was inaccurate, so I checked with a sundial instead.

 

[MSS91]

Tried to look back through some of the most recent posts and didn't see anything so i figured i would ask: Do we think FEA is going to have a soft opening? We are leaving late at night on the 17th and it KILLS ME that we are missing the grand opening by 4 days.