Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[PaintsWindColors]

Is anyone else annoyed by the fact that the number of nights MNSSHP runs keeps growing? There are 29 nights over a 60 day period beginning Sept 2.
October this year has parties on 18 of 31 days, meaning the park closes early (7pm) to regular guests for over half the month.
It basically forces you to buy a Park Hopper or attend the park on days when it will be extra busy due to people avoiding short days.

Sorry, it's a pretty slow news day so I thought I'd solicit some opinions.

Agreed - I am one of those people attending MNSSHP but that also means I'm trying to weave in an MK day without the party and it's really making my plans hard to manage. I've been following the September planning thread and lots of folks are complaining about not being able to get BOG ADRs because MK is scheduled to close early on so many days.

 

[jlundeen]

Is anyone else annoyed by the fact that the number of nights MNSSHP runs keeps growing? There are 29 nights over a 60 day period beginning Sept 2.
October this year has parties on 18 of 31 days, meaning the park closes early (7pm) to regular guests for over half the month.
It basically forces you to buy a Park Hopper or attend the park on days when it will be extra busy due to people avoiding short days.

Sorry, it's a pretty slow news day so I thought I'd solicit some opinions.

Yep..I noticed that too...I have another short trip scheduled for the end of November, and first few days of Dec. Since my preference is to spend the last day of each trip at MK, that means, we will need to book the MVMCP if we want to do that. Not sure the hot chocolate and cookies really make up for a normally scheduled MK, or EMH, but there is it. Maybe we'll start a new tradition and go to AK instead...maybe ROL will be up and running by then....or maybe we'll all be watching this thread and saying "Jenny said she'd call us all next week..."

 

[TXStormtrooper]

We managed to get through Sandy without any damage, just lost power... and last night our basketball hoop came down on my husband's car! He is so mad! He just got this car a few months ago after having his last car for almost 15 years.... (I finally convinced him to get rid of it...) He loves this car - I feel so bad...

Oh no! My husband hit a deer 2 weeks after getting a brand new car a few years ago. It was pretty much totaled. Of course, insurance covered it, but he was not happy. Glad it was just the car and that everyone is okay.

 

[AngiTN]

Wow I'm glad those losing roofs and getting into car accidents are all ok!

So...I wouldn't expect any previews. My friend said that basically they're being told they have to open on the 22nd, despite people working on the project repeatedly telling higher ups it's not looking good. There were some huge technical difficulties that no one could have predicted, and it sounds like the 22nd was a perfectly reasonable date until unforeseen things went wrong. I think everyone is hoping it will all come together at the end, but at this point no one seems to know for sure that it will.

So I'm not sure what will happen about dinner packages and FP for now.

Thanks for asking for all us

At this point I am just wondering if the other night time activities will be starting on 4/22. We will be in AK 4/24 and 4/27 and as much as I am hoping ROL will be open, I am also looking forward to the other night time activities. My kids are really looking forward to Everest at night.

I think they should but I don't think they will

So at this point would you rather have Disney come out with a statement and say "Guys, we have encountered some technical difficulties and it doesn't look like we'll be able to open on April 22nd." And then if they do finish it just open it up with no notice?
Or would you rather they keep us in the dark (pun intended) and then maybe a week before say "Nope, it's not opening April 22nd"?

The first works fine for RoL. I am not worried so much about it at all. It would be nice but it's not my priority of the new activities at AK

I would rather have them say.

"Testing for RoL is ongoing. We are doing everything possible to make the show available on that day and remain confindent that our guests will be able to enjoy the show. We will be releasing updated park hours, schedules, Fastpass availability and dining packages efective immediately. Should we be unable to meet the target date, we will still continue with all the other evening activities and do everything in our power to ensure our guests have a fantastic evening."

That is what I would like to see them say and also what I think they should do.
I think everyone planning trips (especially for that first week) could accept the risk of a now show, and gamble on tying up a fastpass as long as we could secure plans.

This is what I think they should do if they are smart. I do not understand why everything new at AK hinges on RoL.

To answer the question of how I don't pay a no show fee, in the past when I have missed an ADR (only twice) I simply called and spoke with someone about my situation. One times (delayed flight) California Grrill understood, guaranteed us a table not only for that night (whenever we could arrive) or an ADR the following night for the same time. The other time the CM on the phone moved our reservation to another day later in the week and it allowed me to cancel it still being outside the 24 hour window of the new ADR time. But, I'm not really sure if that is what you were asking. I think you were asking in more a general sense.

With that, we plan our park days as soon as the hours (emh, parade, fireworks, etc) schedule comes out based off of what parks we would like to avoid on some days and what parks we would like to hit so at 180 days we know what days we will be in what park (at least unntil lunch each day). Once we know that, we can choose our ADRs at 180 out. Our mornings are rope drop and standby and our afternoons and evenings are FP+ and ADRs.

I think you equate planning being discussed here with being rigid. That's not the case at all

As for the bold. you got lucky. CG is one we have tried to cancel. I called and asked to cancel without paying a fee and they refused. We didn't want to show up but we did to avoid the fee. In the end I'm glad we did, we loved our meal but it was a kink in our schedule.
And the 2nd, you don't even have to call for that. You can make the change right online now. I have done that numerous times since they added that feature. So you are right in that sense, there will be no more no show fees for us. But you sure better not count on them giving pixie dust and not charging them because they sure can, and have.

 

[KMWoolley]

Yep..I noticed that too...I have another short trip scheduled for the end of November, and first few days of Dec. Since my preference is to spend the last day of each trip at MK, that means, we will need to book the MVMCP if we want to do that. Not sure the hot chocolate and cookies really make up for a normally scheduled MK, or EMH, but there is it. Maybe we'll start a new tradition and go to AK instead...maybe ROL will be up and running by then....or maybe we'll all be watching this thread and saying "Jenny said she'd call us all next week..."

Is it too late to add a check box that says "Wait for Jenny to call" on the t-shirts...

 

[mocame]

now that is just cruel!! ha ha ha

It makes me want this trip to come even more! Looking forward to the warm weather

 

[wdw4rfam]

Agreed - I am one of those people attending MNSSHP but that also means I'm trying to weave in an MK day without the party and it's really making my plans hard to manage. I've been following the September planning thread and lots of folks are complaining about not being able to get BOG ADRs because MK is scheduled to close early on so many days.

Even the days there is no party, Disney has not opened the BOG ADRs past 6:00. They finally on Friday posted BOG hours past 6:00,( the entire month said 4:00-6:00 for dinner)but never opened up ADRs. Between watching for that, and ROL I'm going CRAZY!! I was so mad at the September 2end party dates. We booked the first week of September to avoid MNSSHP. I thought for sure we wouldn't have to deal with early closing times that week.

 

[rteetz]

So at this point would you rather have Disney come out with a statement and say "Guys, we have encountered some technical difficulties and it doesn't look like we'll be able to open on April 22nd." And then if they do finish it just open it up with no notice?
Or would you rather they keep us in the dark (pun intended) and then maybe a week before say "Nope, it's not opening April 22nd"?

Disney won't admit that unless they absolutely have too. That's how Disney works unfortunately.

 

[TXStormtrooper]

So at this point would you rather have Disney come out with a statement and say "Guys, we have encountered some technical difficulties and it doesn't look like we'll be able to open on April 22nd." And then if they do finish it just open it up with no notice?
Or would you rather they keep us in the dark (pun intended) and then maybe a week before say "Nope, it's not opening April 22nd"?

I would absolutely rather they make an announcement like this. It would be disappointing, sure, but I think honesty would go a long way toward maintaining some integrity.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I think you equate planning being discussed here with being rigid. That's not the case at all

I don't equate planning with possibly being rigid. I equate "finalizing" park days with possibly being rigid. I agree planning is instrumental to success but finalizing something before it needs to be finalized can leave you in a bad spot. if ADR no show fees are the concern, then you have until the day before. I understand the desire to want more than what you have now, but fact is we don't have the info. Finalizing plans now (before there is a need), with a good indication that big news is on the cusp of breaking removes options. My suggestion is to keep yourself as many options as possible for as long as possible, then make the best decision you can with what you have. Or, plan as if there is no RoL, BUT make your plans interchangeable should something called RoL be offered. Remain fluid and finalizing before there is a need (not a want, a need) is rigid, not fluid.

As for the bold. you got lucky. CG is one we have tried to cancel. I called and asked to cancel without paying a fee and they refused. We didn't want to show up but we did to avoid the fee. In the end I'm glad we did, we loved our meal but it was a kink in our schedule.
And the 2nd, you don't even have to call for that. You can make the change right online now. I have done that numerous times since they added that feature. So you are right in that sense, there will be no more no show fees for us. But you sure better not count on them giving pixie dust and not charging them because they sure can, and have.

I don't think we got lucky...I don't think luck had much to do with it. I didn't call and ask to avoid the no show fee. I called the restaurant directly and told them we would not be making it for our ADR. They immediately offered to move back our ADR which we initially declined because we had no clue how long we would be stuck in the airport. So, they then offered to add us on for the same time the following night but said we could come in the original night whenever we got there.

With each instance, I didn't count on not being charged. My actions weren't to avoid being charged. I had every intention on making both ADRs, but due to circumstances out of my control we weren't going to able to make them. I knew when I planned an ADR on travel day the risk I was taking...that was on me and had we been charged, I would have fully understood.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

Disney won't admit that unless they absolutely have too. That's how Disney works unfortunately.

I just have to say that I think this is how MOST companies work. Apple doesn't come out and admit they hit a snag with their newest iPhone until/unless they have to. That's just business.

 

[rteetz]

I mean I hate to be that guy but I've been saying the technical difficulties thing for a while now. I'm glad we have someone who knows to back that up. It's an unfortunate situation of course but with brand new shows it happens. AK has never had anything like this and this show is specifically animal kingdom.

 

[rteetz]

I just have to say that I think this is how MOST companies work. Apple doesn't come out and admit they hit a snag with their newest iPhone until/unless they have to. That's just business.

That is true. So don't expect them to say anything is what I would say.

 

[PrincessWithABlaster]

Is anyone else annoyed by the fact that the number of nights MNSSHP runs keeps growing? There are 29 nights over a 60 day period beginning Sept 2.
October this year has parties on 18 of 31 days, meaning the park closes early (7pm) to regular guests for over half the month.
It basically forces you to buy a Park Hopper or attend the park on days when it will be extra busy due to people avoiding short days.

Sorry, it's a pretty slow news day so I thought I'd solicit some opinions.

That isn't a time we'd go, but if we were going, I would be a little frustrated too. It seems like Disney is trying to go to a model where they have an add on event as many nights as possible. At least with the new DAH events, they're after park close but in the case of parties, I'd have a hard time feeling like I was getting my money's worth to go on an early close night. Although, if it were your 5th or later day in a trip and you have multiple MK days, it might be nice to do an RD short day on a low crowd day...

 

[tstidm1]

So at this point would you rather have Disney come out with a statement and say "Guys, we have encountered some technical difficulties and it doesn't look like we'll be able to open on April 22nd." And then if they do finish it just open it up with no notice?
Or would you rather they keep us in the dark (pun intended) and then maybe a week before say "Nope, it's not opening April 22nd"?

I will rather take a delay notice now then in three weeks. This means I would pull another surprise by moving the Carriage Ride at Port Orleans Riverside from Monday to friday evening. Giving her a neat surprise that isn't Disney Springs related for Mom's Birthday.

 

[Boski]

Is it too late to add a check box that says "Wait for Jenny to call" on the t-shirts...

Jenny, Jenny, who can I turn to?
You give me somethin' I can hold on to
I know you think I'm like the others before
Who saw your name and number on the wall

Jenny, I got your number
I need to make you mine
Jenny, don't change your number

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I was able to walk up to Akershus at our reservation time and tell her my party of 6 would not be eating there (we simply weren't hungry) but rather than pay the no show fee I would honor the reservation by myself. (figured I'd find the cheapest thing on the menu). With a line of people waiting, hoping for a seat to open up, she not only let me cancel, she made me a ressie for the next day. She said because I was there in person cancelling, and not a no show, was why we didn't get charged a fee. Not sure every restaurant would be so generous, but it worked for me.
As for my plans, I have identical ADRs for 2 days, have made fastpass selections which can be last minute changed (between EP and AK) on the ready, in case... No other day is possible except I have 3 open days at the end of my vacation that I can book if need be. They are open for US and SW. I really hope to finalize my plans soon. I like things clean, and multiple ADRs are a clutter.
Throwing a kink in my plans, my DS, DDIL and 2 kiddos have been living with us since last July while they revamped their house to sell. Through a series of illnesses which kept us down from October to February, we were not able to get the house on the market until March 5th. It sold in 1 day, closed on March 30th, and they bought another house yesterday. Their closing date? May 2nd, and we fly out to Disney May 4th. Great. At least I purchased insurance on the flights. DH and I can grab the kiddos and head to WDW.
As for the MNSSHP dates, I have no problems with it because I will either be happy to have a less crowded MK and leave early or simply buy the party ticket and save the price of a MK day and just go to the party.

 

[WDWRook]

Is the new change for booking extra fastpasses for Disney resort guests only?

 

[Cluelyss]

Is the new change for booking extra fastpasses for Disney resort guests only?

You mean the ability to do it from the app instead of the kiosk? Nope, that's for everyone!

 

[VeronicaZS]

Is there any news on how the Night Safari is coming along. When is that supposed to start? (I am talking about the one at AK Park not AK Lodge.)