Official Fantasyland Expansion Q & A (Mickey gets evicted) PART II

[pilferk]

Is this really a soft opening though? To me a soft opening is where anyone walks up to the attraction and can go in if its open.

I don't think "a limited number of invited guests were taken through the attraction" is really a soft opening. Something more like a cast member preview with their kids so we can shoot some promo video.

I'm thinking CMs went up to families with the right mix of children and asked them if they wanted to go on the attraction. They may not have even been told where they were going.

I'm just waiting for all the "We are going to be there next week, how can we see it?" or "If its soft opening now it HAS to be open for our trip in October" posts.

I think we're talking about 2 different things.

The video was filmed awhile ago, (at least a couple weeks). THAT batch of people were likely either VIP's or REALLY lucky guests..and it was probably the only "preview" they offered that day.

The article (and there's other reports on other boards confirming) is talking about the fact that, as of yesterday, they're offering limited previews. Some people are saying they're sending out CM's to just invite guests into the attraction (not targeted, really) for limited amounts of time, and then just stopping.

I'd agree..it's not really a soft opening. But it's more than "completely closed", too.

 

[Berlioz70]

Is this really a soft opening though? To me a soft opening is where anyone walks up to the attraction and can go in if its open.

Previews are when anyone can walk up.... Soft Openings are a test and adjust periods of small audiences in which Guests are asked to try something out. Typically Soft Openings start out with CMs, but then regular Guests are slowly invited to participate as well. Many times the Soft Opening transfers into the Preview so quickly that telling the two apart is quite hard.

The words get thrown around so interchangeably that it's hard to differentiate what means what.

Example: SotMK went into Soft Openings, during which time Alpha Cards were released. Then they went into Previews, during which time Beta Cards were released. Then it had it's big opening day celebration and the current card was released. That's the most obvious progression as the collateral changed. Most transitions are harder to spot.

Considering the GIANT wall, it'll be easy to know when Previews will kick off (which I'm guessing will be before Nov 19th for this particular attraction).

When they did the first test for the new Belle experience (May 2011), they pulled families from different areas of the parks, had them sign confidentiality agreements and then took them through a mock of what they were thinking of doing. It is likely that they'll do more of this, but I recommend: don't ask to participate and don't stand outside the area looking like a sad puppy waiting to be selected.

It was announced yesterday to CMs that soft openings had begun.

 

[chartle]

but I recommend: don't ask to participate (those who ask are more likely to post info on the internet) and don't stand outside the area looking like a sad puppy waiting to be selected.

Is the area even open yet to get back there? I'm thinking the construction walls are still up and you can't even get on the path leading to the attraction. Thinking they won't come down until Nov 19 (is that the right date?) when true previews start.

I guess the issue is that this is not a normal refurb/new attraction type opening where you can walk right by it or hang around (like for Star Tours) and hope its soft opening/previewing. The entire area is off limits.

 

[Reddog1134]

Previews are when anyone can walk up.... Soft Openings are a test and adjust periods of small audiences in which Guests are asked to try something out. Typically Soft Openings start out with CMs, but then regular Guests are slowly invited to participate as well. Many times the Soft Opening transfers into the Preview so quickly that telling the two apart is quite hard.

I've always heard the exact opposite. Soft openings transition into grand openings for normal businesses. A preview is for limited audiences. You view it before any sort of opening (like a sneak preview for a movie).

 

[pilferk]

Is the area even open yet to get back there? I'm thinking the construction walls are still up and you can't even get on the path leading to the attraction. Thinking they won't come down until Nov 19 (is that the right date?) when true previews start.

I guess the issue is that this is not a normal refurb/new attraction type opening where you can walk right by it or hang around (like for Star Tours) and hope its soft opening/previewing. The entire area is off limits.

Funny you should mention this.

We discussed an overhead view a couple weeks ago. While the walls are still up...they've added "interior" construction walls to the area, and a "gate" leading to the path to Enchanted Tales.

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...syland-aerial-views-of-construction/16116.htm

and a better view here:

http://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions...syland-aerial-views-of-construction/16118.htm

They can open that gate, send CM's out to invite guests in, and then close the gate when they've decided to stop.

Guests can enter...and not be in a hard hat zone. Technically, they'd not be in the construction zone at all..because of the interior construction walls they added.

 

[chartle]

Funny you should mention this.

We discussed an overhead view a couple weeks ago. While the walls are still up...they've added "interior" construction walls to the area, and a "gate" leading to the path to Enchanted Tales.

They can open that gate, send CM's out to invite guests in, and then close the gate when they've decided to stop.

Guests can enter...and not be in a hard hat zone. Technically, they'd not be in the construction zone at all..because of the interior construction walls they added.

I was wondering that because I had seen those pics. I also have seen the overhead layout and it does look like since Belle is off to the side they can sneak people in.

I just think its way to early to hope that there will be much chance (enough weasel words for you) that you are going to get an early look.

 

[DisneyDad79]

I've always heard the exact opposite. Soft openings transition into grand openings for normal businesses. A preview is for limited audiences. You view it before any sort of opening (like a sneak preview for a movie).

Well, based on the fact that all the stuff on the Disney Parks Blog refers to 11/19 as a previews, it would seem to go soft, preview, grand. That said, they also are calling the AP events previews, so it seems the terms are a bit ambiguous.

 

[pilferk]

I was wondering that because I had seen those pics. I also have seen the overhead layout and it does look like since Belle is off to the side they can sneak people in.

I just think its way to early to hope that there will be much chance (enough weasel words for you) that you are going to get an early look.

If you go back to my original post...I've added links to the pictures. Gives you a pretty clear picture how they can get people in and out.

Chances are probably slim,right now...but will probably grow exponentially as the days pass.

 

[Reddog1134]

Well, based on the fact that all the stuff on the Disney Parks Blog refers to 11/19 as a previews, it would seem to go soft, preview, grand. That said, they also are calling the AP events previews, so it seems the terms are a bit ambiguous.

True, but that is because I think Disney doesn't actually use the term "soft opening".

So the question is "What are they in real world vernacular?"

 

[chicagoshannon]

I just read that previews for enchanted tales have started!

 

[chartle]

I just read that previews for enchanted tales have started!

Read a few posts back. There is some discussion on how these previews might work. Right now its only for a limited number of invited guests.

 

[skepace]

Read a few posts back. There is some discussion on how these previews might work. Right now its only for a limited number of invited guests.

Not to sound stupid but what are "enchanted tales"?

 

[Reddog1134]

Not to sound stupid but what are "enchanted tales"?

The new Meet and Greet with Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

 

[skepace]

The new Meet and Greet with Belle from Beauty and the Beast.

Oh that sounds like fun!

I wonder how to get on the "special list".

 

[KandyM]

The video preview really makes it look great. That room is so small though! I can not even imagine the size of the line waiting for this experience. Although, there may be multiple rooms with multiple Belle's I suppose.....

 

[chartle]

The video preview really makes it look great. That room is so small though! I can not even imagine the size of the line waiting for this experience. Although, there may be multiple rooms with multiple Belle's I suppose.....

Already discussed a few pages back.

 

[pilferk]

The video preview really makes it look great. That room is so small though! I can not even imagine the size of the line waiting for this experience. Although, there may be multiple rooms with multiple Belle's I suppose.....

If you watch the video closely, you can see a set of double doors to the left AND to the right of the wardrobe.

We're pretty sure that means there are two rooms/theaters/libraries (whatever you want to call them).

 

[Disco]

If you watch the video closely, you can see a set of double doors to the left AND to the right of the wardrobe.

We're pretty sure that means there are two rooms/theaters/libraries (whatever you want to call them).

They should do one side for Beast and one for Belle. He doesn't talk much but maybe they put a talking head on him or a silent act of some sort.
It would make it a little more boy friendly LOL.

 

[chartle]

They should do one side for Beast and one for Belle. He doesn't talk much but maybe they put a talking head on him or a silent act of some sort.
It would make it a little more boy friendly LOL.

I think it would be a very very little bit. Its still a princess story.

 

[KandyM]

Already discussed a few pages back.

Whoops! You are right, sorry, I should have read through. This thread has been busy the last couple of days.

I re-watched the video and it does look like two sets of doors to the library to me too.