Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[elle101me]

Anyone hear anything about when we will be able to use our phones to make the 4th fastpass?

 

[rteetz]

Anyone hear anything about when we will be able to use our phones to make the 4th fastpass?

Supposed to be sometime in April.

 

[sretav]

I come with rivers of light news. The team doing rivers of light has been battling tech issues according to wdwmagic. This is why the previews are cancelled as they are going to cut it very close to make the opening date.

Thanks for the update. This clears up a lot. I think it's time to just sit and wait until they're more confidant and ready to release the info. I'm guessing they aren't releasing any info about times, FP, etc because they don't want to open late without ROL.

 

[ArielSRL]

Since there is no ROL news to discuss, I wanted to ask for some advice on one of my ADR's. I had scheduled my Fantasmic package for lunch at Hollywood & Vine months ago for my family of 4. When looking over my itinerary I realized that at lunch time they have the Disney Jr. characters and not Mickey, Minnie, & friends. Big oversight on my part. I spoke with my kids (DD8 & DS12) and they had no interest in the Disney Jr. character buffet. Of course at this point all the dinners were all booked up, but I managed to get 2 tables for 2, only 5 minutes apart. My question is, do you think there is any way I could get H&V to make that 1 table of 4? Or at least seat us in the same general area? Has anyone done something similar to this?

One - you can always ask. The worst they can say is no. Two - keep trying! People cancel every day and I guarantee that there will be spots open up 2 days before because the cancellation policy is 48 hours for F! Packages. Three - what date are you looking for? I have one to cancel. On that note, keep watching the cancellation thread for your month. It's in the dining forum.

 

[dachsie]

I think they've just given up on me.
I think it lends credence to my opinion that they really don't care about the feedback to their Blogs.

People just going through the motions.
Oh crap, Saturday is my day to post a Blog. I'll just take some stock photo, type up some mumbo jumbo, then I have another 2 weeks before it's my turn again...

I don't know Keith, my first comment about ROL on the blog was rejected. I didn't think it was that bad but they deleted it. LOL

 

[elmoandzoey]

Supposed to be sometime in April.

Let's hope it really is April. It would make our trip (and I am pretty sure a lot other people's trips too) much easier

 

[PolyRob]

Since there is no ROL news to discuss, I wanted to ask for some advice on one of my ADR's. I had scheduled my Fantasmic package for lunch at Hollywood & Vine months ago for my family of 4. When looking over my itinerary I realized that at lunch time they have the Disney Jr. characters and not Mickey, Minnie, & friends. Big oversight on my part. I spoke with my kids (DD8 & DS12) and they had no interest in the Disney Jr. character buffet. Of course at this point all the dinners were all booked up, but I managed to get 2 tables for 2, only 5 minutes apart. My question is, do you think there is any way I could get H&V to make that 1 table of 4? Or at least seat us in the same general area? Has anyone done something similar to this?

It does not hurt to call, and if you do not get the answer you want, hang up, and try again! It took me 3 CMs to actually receive help yesterday, but I ultimately got what I needed!

I have also been extremely "lucky" in finding dining reservations so I would suggest still searching as well. My only option for Fantasmic! dinner was 4:15pm, but after searching a week, I was able to snatch up a 5:45pm!


I even found a 7pm Be our Guest dinner on my MK night, and an 8:50 California Grill for wishes! I check multiple times a day, sometimes even multiple times an hour. I am a bit of a night owl and have been extremely lucky past midnight!

 

[LSUfan4444]

Someone drank the Koolaid...We didn't create this booking system, the kind folks at Disney did. It allows a ton of preplanning and structure for people who want to plan out their vacations and maximize their success at achieving desired events. It is a great system for those who fully understand it but it doesn't mean squat when the people in charge change hours on short notice or fail to release schedules for major upcoming events (RoL).

So you blame Disney because you can't figure out how to successfully plan while still remaining flexible?

This is how Disney operates, it is nothing new. The same will happen for the Star Wars Land, the same happened for Fantasyland, 7DMT, Soarin, Test Track, Toy Story, Anna & Elsa Meet & Greet, etc etc etc. You can plan to a certain extent, but when you plan too rigid that you do not allow for flexibility, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage, not Disney.

For example, we are going over Memorial Day weekend and Frozen Ever After ever is SUPPOSED to open the day after we leave. Anyone going over Memorial Day that isn't planning for the possibility of Frozen ever After being opened on a limited basis, trial runs, etc is selling themselves short. Plan, but leave room for the unexpected. Unless you control the variables, you have to plan for variability.

 

[tinkerhon]

I plan on making a comment about it - it's really ticking me off! But I have egg-coloring company and then a hockey game, so it will have to be later! Grrr!

My DD is driving me crazy right now with the Easter egg coloring !!! I finally gave in !! Need something fun to do anyway to get the sour taste out of my mouth from that awful "Batman vs Superman" !! On the other hand, just saw "10 Cloverfield Lane" --- amazing !! Hey, new topic --- movies !!! We can talk about the next "SW" movie when it comes out --- I'm sure we will all be here still waiting !!

 

[tinkerhon]

I come with rivers of light news. The team doing rivers of light has been battling tech issues according to wdwmagic. This is why the previews are cancelled as they are going to cut it very close to make the opening date.

What happened ---- the floats don't work when wet ??

 

[keishashadow]

Keisha, I'm very aware of that which is why I didn't want to go that route. I can walk shirt distances and I can transfer so I wouldn't really need a spot for the ECV - I could leave it outside. I wanted to the dining pack so I had assigned seating AND didn't have to find myself in a mad dash in a huge group shoving and pushing to find some seating, especially when there are stairs involved. I do not want to find myself stuck in such a mass. That would not end well. FP+ would be another thing I would use if it was announced as I think it can be treated like reserved seating. But right now there is no way I can wait with the masses and enter with them.

gotcha! I'm sure there will be many in the same boat, hopefully they have thought this all through by the time it does open. appears there was ramp mentioned in earlier posts that might help if it wasn't a long round-about.

When it comes to cash grabs, Disney is way behind Universal.
Express pass - One express pass entry to specific rides
Unlimited Express pass - Unlimited express entries but nearly doubles your admission tickets in price
Oh yeah, the busier the season, the more they Jack up the price

I have enjoyed Universal but their add-ons for express passes are obscene and make Disney look like allstars

we do split stays @ U & WDW, usually have both APs in force. Oh how I wish that even with my hefty DVC discount that the Disney AP was more in line with what I paid last year to renew my AP (approx $180 although the rate has gone up this year).

never have purchased an EP, stay onsite in one of their lovely deluxe hotels. usually a bargain with rates often less than a disney moderate that include one hour early park admission and the unlimited FOTL perk to majority of attractions.

I have often thought that Disney would eventually do a "pay for unlimited FP" offer too...probably has been looked at but not yet seriously considered. I would probably pay the price, if it was "reasonable". Don't ask me to say what that is, cause I don't know. But if you could get a "length of stay" option (or something equivalent for AP folks) that gave you unlimited FP, it might be worth it....

I have no doubt it's coming. Several years back disney filed patents on system that was referenced as having additional FPs based upon level of hotel stay and ability to make the FP from hotel room. Magic bands since rolled out. I do believe some form of extra onsite complimentary FP(s), whether in the form of a package or tied into type of resort stay, will pop up in the future.

 

[rteetz]

What happened ---- the floats don't work when wet ??

Being a brand new show it takes a lot to work out the kinks and get things flowing. There is some new technology mixed with some older technology and sometimes that can cause problems. Test and adjust always takes a good amount of time. Every show goes through things like this.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

So you blame Disney because you can't figure out how to successfully plan while still remaining flexible?

Absolutely not. But it is hard to successfully plan and remain flexible when they keep changing the rules. One of the perks of staying on property is to be able to plan fuher in advance - so they take that away. Then, everyone knows there are certain reservations and fast passes that are extremely difficult to get without devoting every day to being online - and they take that away. Yes, you spend the better part of a year planning what works best for your family and a month or less away from your arrival they do something to mess those plans up and make you have to scramble to recover your schedule, then it's very upsetting. I, for 1, have a job and we have neither wi-fi nor the Internet, plus I an scheduled with clients all day and don't have the time to spend trying to recoup and and at the same time pay for my vacation. Upsetting but not the end of he world.

 

[tinkerhon]

Being a brand new show it takes a lot to work out the kinks and get things flowing. There is some new technology mixed with some older technology and sometimes that can cause problems. Test and adjust always takes a good amount of time. Every show goes through things like this.

Yea, understood---- was basically a joke, and sort of a "Test Track" reference.

 

[tinkerhon]

I am still convinced that the next thing that Disney does is separate admission for "Future World" and "WS" ---

 

[ArielSRL]

Ok, so because no (good) ROL news today, I have a question for my fellow support group members. Looks like the boys and I, minus mom and dad but add in a hubby...lol, will also be traveling to Disney in June 2017. For that trip, my co-worker friend is going to rent us her DVC points. They have 140 points they will rent. With just us 4, we'll do a studio. We won't be able to do BLT, GF, or the Poly, but everything else is doable. I'm mostly focusing on Boardwalk, Beach Club, or AKL (Jambo or Kidani) savanna view. I like the theming of AKL best and think I like the bathroom set up at Kidani more than Jambo. I like the atmosphere/location at BW or BC.

Looking for any and all opinions!

 

[emilymad]

Ok, so because no (good) ROL news today, I have a question for my fellow support group members. Looks like the boys and I, minus mom and dad but add in a hubby...lol, will also be traveling to Disney in June 2017. For that trip, my co-worker friend is going to rent us her DVC points. They have 140 points they will rent. With just us 4, we'll do a studio. We won't be able to do BLT, GF, or the Poly, but everything else is doable. I'm mostly focusing on Boardwalk, Beach Club, or AKL (Jambo or Kidani) savanna view. I like the theming of AKL best and think I like the bathroom set up at Kidani more than Jambo. I like the atmosphere/location at BW or BC.

Looking fo any and all opinions!

I would try for Boardwalk and BC. The Boardwalk's rehab was done really well. They just started on the BC and it looks to be nice too. The studios will both sleep 5 when done which is nice option with kids.

 

[rteetz]

I am still convinced that the next thing that Disney does is separate admission for "Future World" and "WS" ---

I don't think so. Neither would survive on their own. Especially if one ride went down for refurb like Soarin is now. You'd be surprised how much the land pavilion is hurting with that attraction down.

 

[KateP85]

I know this thread is about AK and ROL but Just wanted to point out I am no longer seeing the magic morning hour event. Wondering what this means....

Ok, so because no (good) ROL news today, I have a question for my fellow support group members. Looks like the boys and I, minus mom and dad but add in a hubby...lol, will also be traveling to Disney in June 2017. For that trip, my co-worker friend is going to rent us her DVC points. They have 140 points they will rent. With just us 4, we'll do a studio. We won't be able to do BLT, GF, or the Poly, but everything else is doable. I'm mostly focusing on Boardwalk, Beach Club, or AKL (Jambo or Kidani) savanna view. I like the theming of AKL best and think I like the bathroom set up at Kidani more than Jambo. I like the atmosphere/location at BW or BC.

Looking fo any and all opinions!

I'm biased because DH worked there for a few years, but I love love love the Beach Club! I love the atmosphere, the pool area is wonderful, you have so many dining options all around the boardwalk, and being able to walk to 2 parks is so convenient. One of my husbands best friends is the project manager for the Beach Club Villas rehab, and so far the new rooms look really nice.

Having said all that...we're staying at Disney this August and we picked Animal Kingdom Lodge! DS is staying there next week with my parents and I know that, between the animals and the pool, he's going to be desperate to go back! It's not the most convenient resort, it's a little isolated, but if you think you'll spend a good amount of time at the resort, it's a nice place to be.

 

[jlundeen]

I'm biased because DH worked there for a few years, but I love love love the Beach Club! I love the atmosphere, the pool area is wonderful, you have so many dining options all around the boardwalk, and being able to walk to 2 parks is so convenient. One of my husbands best friends is the project manager for the Beach Club Villas rehab, and so far the new rooms look really nice.

Having said all that...we're staying at Disney this August and we picked Animal Kingdom Lodge! DS is staying there next week with my parents and I know that, between the animals and the pool, he's going to be desperate to go back! It's not the most convenient resort, it's a little isolated, but if you think you'll spend a good amount of time at the resort, it's a nice place to be.

Beach Club resort is my favorite of ALL the resorts - never did the villas, but since they are so close to Epcot, I would choose that. We stayed at Boardwalk Inn twice last year, but probably wouldn't choose to go back there, if I could get Beach Club (if it was a trip we were looking at Deluxe). Never tried BW villas either, but they seem a bit further from the Epcot entrance that BC. They are closer to Hollywood Studios though.

Any word from BABY BOY about an appearance this weekend?