Norway Ride & Rivers Of Light (Disappointing Progress Updates)

Actually, stretching out the time it takes to finish a project screws up with finances for the project. While you are correct that it spreads out the expenditures it really screws up the ROI (Return on Investment). The clock for ROI starts as soon as you make the first expenditure for a project so the longer the project takes to complete the longer that money has been spent. Just ask anybody who works in the corporate world and you'll only hear them talking about ROI and how delayed start up of a project really screws it up!

This completely true in the "real world." I've been wondering how Disney really sees their ROI for completing projects in existing parks like Frozen or Rivers of Light. Is there supposed to be increased attendance? Does that happen immediately on opening or does it show up later? Supposedly, attendance is up as is, so maybe they aren't losing money by delaying a project like a "real" business would.
 
This gives me a thought ... besides the #thanks shanghai theory, is it it possible that Disney is also jacking up prices in order to keep revenues high despite (potentially) flat or stagnating attendance as people inevitably postpone vacations in anticipation of RoL, Soarin, Frozen, Toy Story land, Pandora and Star Wars?

I suppose it's possible but I think the number of people who would do that is probably pretty small. It seems to me the Canadian dollar, economic crisis in South America and things like that are more likely to be factors.
 
Will this be going on all week?

1) Two Evenings . . . 23rd and 24th by invitation "only".
2) No other Soft Opening.
3) A limited amount of people, and we all need special free tickets to enter.
4) I get to invite three others.
5) The public is "supposed" to be allowed on Memorial Weekend.
 
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1) Two Evenings . . . 23rd and 24th by invitation "only".
2) No other Soft Opening.
3) A limited amount of people, and we all need special free tickets to enter.
4) I get to invite three others.
5) The public is "supposed" to be allowed on Memorial Weekend.
Why do you put supposed in quotations? Disney announced it would be open then.
 

Why do you put supposed in quotations? Disney announced it would be open then.

1) We spoke with a COT (Coordinator of Training), today, 5/15/2016.
2) The COT was not certain the event would be ready by the announced Special Preview date.
3) What can I say?
4) Communication at WDW really sucks.
5) If not ready for the Preview, it might not be open for the actual guest "scheduled" days.
6) Obviously, we all hope this is not the case, but when COT's have doubts, what can we think?
 
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1) We spoke with a COT (Coordinator of Training), today, 5/15/2016.
2) The COT was not certain the event would be ready by the announced Special Preview date.
3) What can I say?
4) Communication at WDW really sucks.
5) If not ready for the Preview, it might not be open for the actual guest "scheduled" days.
6) Obviously, we all hope this is not the case, but when COT's have doubts, what can we think?
I don't see why it wouldn't be ready for Memorial Day weekend especially when they were already late with River of Light. Everything else is operational and working like the night safari, and tree awakenings.
 
Cool thanks, I am sure hoping so on both as well as soarin. I actually planned a night time visit to AK just for the night stuff but I can always change it if things don't look good as December approaches
The AK nighttime activities will be in place in December with or without RoL. We have a night time FP booked for the Safari on 6/18. I guess they could always cancel them but I tend to think if they are booking FP they are confident in the date.
So you won't have to change from planning to be at AK for the night unless you want to
 
What event specifically? All of it?

1) We do not know.
2) The COT was "sworn" to silence and could not / would not clarify.
3) So, it could be part-of-or-all-of of the new nighttime attractions.
4) Stay Tuned - Film at Eleven.
 
1) We do not know.
2) The COT was "sworn" to silence and could not / would not clarify.
3) So, it could be part-of-or-all-of of the new nighttime attractions.
4) Stay Tuned - Film at Eleven.
I can't see it being all of it. Everything but RoL ran for the media already.
 
1) We do not know.
2) The COT was "sworn" to silence and could not / would not clarify.
3) So, it could be part-of-or-all-of of the new nighttime attractions.
4) Stay Tuned - Film at Eleven.
Then why are they taking FP for night time hours? and why have hours been extended?
 
The nighttime FP hours at Animal Kingdom end July 3rd. For our late July visit the park shows as closing at 5:00. The response I got when I asked about that through the chat was:
"They just recently extended the hours for May and June. I would expect them to very soon extend the hours for the rest of the summer."

When I asked about when reservations would be accepted for Tiffin's I was told that it was actually news on when Tiffins was opening that they were waiting on to extend the hours.

Hopefully there will be news soon!
 
So, I don't know if anyone saw this, but this is copied from the Disney Parks Blog.

"Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut several exciting new guest offerings starting Friday, May 27. The Tree of Life will begin its nighttime awakenings after the sun goes down each evening. But as the sun sets the fun will heat up on Discovery Island, where two new parties – Harambe Wildlife Parti and Discovery Island Carnivale – will add fun, music and entertainment to the night. And the park will also begin extending its operating hours into the evening to allow guests to experience their favorite Disney’s Animal Kingdom attractions, like Kilimanjaro Safaris and Expedition Everest, in a whole new light. Two new F&B locations, Tiffins restaurant and Nomad Lounge, will also open their doors for business. (Make your attraction plans now in the My Disney Experience App. Reservations for Tiffins will open Saturday, May 21).

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On Saturday, May 28, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut the new “The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” water show, which will retell the tale of Baloo and Mowgli on Discovery River each night. FastPass+ will be available for the show and can be booked through the My Disney Experience app starting Saturday, May 21.

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Disney’s Blizzard Beach Water Park will kick off the start of the Frozen Games on Friday, May 27, with Olaf and Kristoff hosting daily winter-themed activities for guests of all ages, including Snowball Toss and Ski Pole Limbo. All activities are complimentary and guests can sign up at the park entrance to participate.

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And even more summer fun is on the way to the Walt Disney World Resort in June. Magic Kingdom Park will debut a brand-new stage show called “Mickey’s Royal Friendship Faire” on June 17. In it, Mickey and his band of Merry Makers are preparing to host a joyous festival and bring friends Tiana, Naveen and Louis (from “Princess and the Frog”); Rapunzel and Flynn (from “Tangled”); and Olaf, Anna and Elsa (from “Frozen”); to the Castle Forecourt Stage to join in on the celebration.

And don’t forget, a brand-new Disney Princess, Elena of Avalor, will make her debut at Magic Kingdom Park later this summer.

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On June 17, Disney’s Hollywood Studios will make theme park history when it launches the most elaborate nighttime spectacular the park has ever seen with the new “Star Wars: A Galactic Spectacular” fireworks show. This new nightly show will combine fireworks and pyrotechnics with video projections that will turn the surrounding buildings into familiar Star Wars destinations. The show will end with a tower of fire and spotlight beams that create massive lightsabers in the sky. Showtimes will appear in the My Disney Experience app as soon as they are available.

And don’t forget, beginning Memorial Day weekend, even more guests will be able to experience Toy Story Mania with the addition of a third track.

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Epcot will welcome Soarin’ Around the World on June 17. A new version of the popular attraction located in The Land pavilion will debut to take guests on a journey to far-flung lands, over some of the world’s most unique natural landscapes and man-made wonders. Guests can begin reserving this FastPass+ attraction in the My Disney Experience app beginning Saturday, May 21. New “Frozen” experiences will open their doors on June 21, including Frozen Ever After, the first attraction inspired by the film, as well as Royal Sommerhus, an Anna and Elsa greeting area.

FastPass+ will be available for Frozen Ever After. Guests can begin booking FastPass+ for this experience on Saturday, May 21.

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Disney Springs also recently welcomed dozens of new retail and dining options with the opening of Town Center. And plenty more shop and restaurant openings are on the horizon for the summer, including restaurants STK Orlando, Frontera Cocina and Homecoming: Florida Kitchen and Southern Shine. Keep your eye on the Disney Parks Blog for weekly updates on what’s new."

Still nothing on Rivers of Light.
 
On Saturday, May 28, Disney’s Animal Kingdom will debut the new “The Jungle Book: Alive with Magic” water show

1) Yes, we hope it comes off.
2) The show CM's have their FIRST rehearsal tonight (5/20/16) from Midnight to 5:00am.
3) Thye have to hustle to get everything done right.
4) I will be attending the preview on May 24th, and can see if they pulled it off.
 
It's a tad weird it's not opening on the seventeenth along with everything else. Any word on the Royal Summerhaus?
 
It's a tad weird it's not opening on the seventeenth along with everything else. Any word on the Royal Summerhaus?
It obviously won't be ready for that they feel. Both frozen ever after and the Royal sommerhaus open June 21st.
 
Just booked the jungle book show for sunday the 29-- the second day-- all FPP were gone by 8:08. I think I got the last ones, and for the late show.....
 



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