Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[jlundeen]

The weather in central FL looks great!

View attachment 160145

@mocame sorry to hear about your roof.

@disneymath how scary.

now that is just cruel!! ha ha ha

 

[moobar25]

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'd rather get the first one. At this point I'm so over the hype of it all. I'm actually looking forward to seeing all my Krazy peeps more than the possibility of ROL FP or package.

 

[jlundeen]

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 guess my hope would be that they tell us at least that there are difficulties, and that the show may not happen on Earth Day, but everything else will...there are enough other things to keep us entertained for a couple more hours, and many would plan to stay for a meal, even if not a dining package, as well as do some end of day shopping. Are the dance parties and rides that are open later enough to be a big enough draw to make it profitable? I don't know....but just having something new open on Earth Day for AK would be better than the current park hours of 6 or 6:30 for the end of April.

 

[Ydnameht]

Schools here are on a 2 hour delay because it snowed a little bit, which seems silly but maybe the roads were worse when they called for it. They seem fine now.

And it's cold. Last week it was in the 70s!

 

[10CJ]

I think they should extend the park hours and go on with the other activities as planned. Announce that there has been unforeseen technical difficulties with ROL. the start date is unknown at this time however they are making every effort possible to have it ready by the 22.

I would not expect ROL fastpasses or dining packages. However the could open up FP for the safari/Everest etc.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I would rather Disney make a statement that there are unforeseen delays, they are still shooting for April 22, currently being assessed, with an official statement being released April ___. For the time being here are the new park hours and schedules.
For myself, I have my AK day planned, would like the later hours to open up because as it stands we are in for a long day with 2 little ones as we have no booking flexibility with the current hours, and my husband wants to stay for the nighttime activities.
I also have the double whammy as I'm also trying to book a September vacation and the MK hours for the dining haven't fully opened, or people have snatched up all the prime reservations and are hanging onto them hoping for free dining. Not a big deal, I will live without an evening BOG, plus I managed to snag a PPO CRT as well as Akershus so we can at least (hopefully) get an edge on FEA since I'm sure by the time I can book the fps will be non existant (staying off property).

 

[keishashadow]

Good Morning all. Another dreaded Monday morning!!! Rain and cold today in Pittsburgh. Come on Disney brighten my day with Dining packages!!!

another burg gal here...go Bucs and Pens!

ok, back on topic

yesterday, found myself making ADRs I know I won't keep. Just another fallout from this fiasco.

Currently have a full day scheduled for AK, something we never do. If RoL and nighttime safari aren't in place, will move AK to our last day when we need to leave for airport at 6 pm or squish it in another day before MK pm EMH.

thusly, now sitting on several throwaway ADRs to cover rest of week. If a RoLdining pkg comes out I have a good chance to snag it sometime that week & cancel the duplicate ADRs we won't need. I felt compelled to set up various options of the two venues we really want to enjoy, scattered thru the week and will adjust once Disney makes up their minds.

I feel guilty being an ADR hog, just not my style, but it appears you have to play the game these days.

 

[Iowamomof4]

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.

Yes, yes, a thousand times YES! I do wonder though, if they anticipate a logistical nightmare if they only have the extra hours and night time activities without ROL. I mean, that stadium does at least give 5000 people a place to go. If those 5000 people are clogging the walkways and ride queues, it could be rather uncomfortable. Of course, without ROL happening, most people will probably just leave, right? Then again, I'm realizing 5000 people is probably not all that noticeable at AK. It's a big park, even with several attractions closed.

 

[elmoandzoey]

I'd prefer it if they came out with something - anything - whatever - just not keep us in the dark any longer. And honestly, I'd take a "we're sorry, we don't know if we can make April 22th, so for now we have cancelled it" announcement over "we're sorry, we don't know if we can make, but just keep on planning as if it was going to happen" any time. Why? Because then, if it was cancelled and then is happening nontheless, it gives you those warm fuzzy feeling inside and you are just happy because you've been pixie dusted. If you continue to make plans and then find out it's not going to happen, it's gonna leave you without the fuzzies, maybe even with a bitter feeling. So I rather go for the warm extra fuzzies.

 

[Pixie Dust ✨]

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.

I agree. Knowing that it may not happen - officially - is fine, and much less frustrating than having no information. I can plan to NOT see it.

 

[Ydnameht]

I just got off the phone with Jenny, who was lovely.

She wanted me to know that she (and her office) are also frustrated with the lack of information and they get that we want to know what's up. Said there WAS supposed to be the post on Saturday but then they didn't have any new information so the announcement has been moved back to "next week." I asked for clarification about whether that was next week starting in a week or next week the week we'd just started and she said the expectation is the end of this week or beginning of next and that I'm on her list of folks to call when they know more.

 

[KMWoolley]

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.

 

[KMWoolley]

I just got off the phone with Jenny, who was lovely.

She wanted me to know that she (and her office) are also frustrated with the lack of information and they get that we want to know what's up. Said there WAS supposed to be the post on Saturday but then they didn't have any new information so the announcement has been moved back to "next week." I asked for clarification about whether that was next week starting in a week or next week the week we'd just started and she said the expectation is the end of this week or beginning of next and that I'm on her list of folks to call when they know more.

She is very lovely, isn't she...and apparently doesn't get many days off....

 

[LSUfan4444]

I'm glad you can tour by the seat of your pants and be content but some of us can't
Neither way is right 100% off the time, nor is it wrong

It's not touring by the seat of my pants. I book my resort 11+ months out, I schedule my ADRs 180 days out and FP 60 days out. BUT, I understand that the vacation equation depends on the variable that is Disney. Things will change, they will change hours, they will add parties, attractions will close, meet & greets will be added, restaurants will close, things will go into refurb, etc etc etc so the key has to be able to remain flexible. It doesn't mean not planning, it means planning and not remaining rigid and you can do it too. Plan with what you know to be true, if you want to take a risk plan with what you think may be true. But in the end understand that you control the outcome, not Disney. I don't mean it as a criticism; only a suggestion to help with the attitude of planning and preparing for your vacation.

"We can move with changes by maintaining a flexible attitude. A flexible attitude is a like a free-flowing stream. Now imagine a boulder in the water stopping the flow: this is a rigid mind-set. Flow with the changes by being curious about how you can navigate around (or even profit from) each obstruction instead of being discouraged by it." Jim Afremow, - The Champions Mind

Well people at the top also don't judge or make assumptions either. But thanks for the life lessons. If you'd like to give a lesson explain how you don't pay a no show fee? We usually make reservations...180 days out...because we want to actually eat there and enjoy our time. I was merely saying i was trying to finalize my park days with my ADR's, not that I couldn't be flexible. Look at my other posts throughout this thread...each time I said we were going to enjoy ourselves no matter what. However, like everyone else, we are curious and considering our trip is 11 days away now I'm not sure who wouldn't be. This thread has been amazing but someone always has to jump all over someone when they don't agree...so sad

Sorry you view it as a judgment but it certainly was no assumption and I was not in any way jumping all over you. All I simply said was "Your plans should never be finalized. For best success, keep them fluid always with room to change."

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.

 

[jlundeen]

I just got off the phone with Jenny, who was lovely.

She wanted me to know that she (and her office) are also frustrated with the lack of information and they get that we want to know what's up. Said there WAS supposed to be the post on Saturday but then they didn't have any new information so the announcement has been moved back to "next week." I asked for clarification about whether that was next week starting in a week or next week the week we'd just started and she said the expectation is the end of this week or beginning of next and that I'm on her list of folks to call when they know more.

Oy....so now, the "next week" we got from the calls on Saturday could be "next week" as in April 11...ugh. I'll be on another trip then, (to visit 90 year old family member in Phoenix...possibly for the last time...) so won't be checking in often. I hope "end of this week" pans out...

Thanks for the update....

 

[Karin Witherell]

Another day of waiting... my spring break is over tomorrow so I am sure something will come out after tomorrow because I can't stalk the boards throughout the day like I have been for the last week...

I go back to work today after being off for two months because of knee surgery. I'm going to need a lot of "bathroom" breaks so I can check.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

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.

Nope. If I was going in Oct I'd love having the many party options. I wish they'd add more to MVMCP so that we could make it to that one.

 

[LSUfan4444]

I have an 8:10 am reservation at Tusker House for 8 people on June 5 that I'm going to cancel. Anyone want it?

A week earlier and I probably would....at least for three people.

 

[sretav]

Of course, without ROL happening, most people will probably just leave, right?

I would guess they have historical data from the other parks saying that attendance drops off dramatically with no nighttime show and they might feel it isn't cost effective on their end to keep the park open late without ROL. A huge percentage of guests (especially those of us with small children) only stay later to see Wishes or Fantasmic or Illuminations and then the park clears out even if there is a second Fantasmic or Wishes that night.

Maybe they have an all or nothing directive about the show but I agree, I'd rather they cancel the official opening and if it opens by end of April they're golden instead of the weird paradox of we know you're opening late but why aren't updated hours posted yet. You open in 18 days ?!?!

 

[maryj11]

I just got off the phone with Jenny, who was lovely.

She wanted me to know that she (and her office) are also frustrated with the lack of information and they get that we want to know what's up. Said there WAS supposed to be the post on Saturday but then they didn't have any new information so the announcement has been moved back to "next week." I asked for clarification about whether that was next week starting in a week or next week the week we'd just started and she said the expectation is the end of this week or beginning of next and that I'm on her list of folks to call when they know more.

If they keep up with the delays it will be next year before long. Every week they say they will post some information then change it to another time. Why oh why cant they just update the park hours? I want to know what to plan for our AK day and at least know the park hours.