Rumors of Light (ROL discussion thread)

[Iowamomof4]

Generally speaking, I think there is some buzz about Paint the Night coming to MK after it ends its run at Disneyland Sept. 5. I've mostly heard people say it is NOT going to happen, but reading between the lines, it seems Hopperfan might have information that says it IS going to happen. We won't know for sure for a few more weeks I guess.

 

[HopperFan]

My poor tired brain isn't functioning too well. Are you saying that AK will get a nighttime parade?

No, I pulled the reference to the ROL fiasco out of my comment. Sometimes what makes sense in my brain does not on paper.

I think my thought process was ROL not happening kinda created a fail on the part of AK to draw bigger night crowds. MK night events are now so old and beat to death for a large portion of the guests they are not a draw. Epcot ..... loved by many but old. DHS has the new one and it sounds cool and I even booked dessert party ..... but will probably cancel and skip it altogether since it sounds like the view is only good from the DHS "hub" and it is simply too small for crowds ...............

So what will happen? Disney may find evenings not the draw for guests as they have been and given the slower summer, that hurts. The heat this summer has probably dented their "locals" dollars who normally go at night, have dinner etc.

One of the worst hits to all the parks this summer has been the downturn in SA economy and those tourists are just not coming in large numbers with their wallets. The writing on the wall is that the UK/Euro visitors could also slow. Several analysts say Disney has got to find a way to get domestic travelers to WDW in bigger numbers. They are in construction mode but the end is not close. They have to close the gap now. They don't have much cash flow, thanks Shanghai, so what do they have that can help? This is a great way to get guests to visit who can not or won't visit CA.

The scary part is that it makes too much sense and well, we know how that works.

 

[HopperFan]

Generally speaking, I think there is some buzz about Paint the Night coming to MK after it ends its run at Disneyland Sept. 5. I've mostly heard people say it is NOT going to happen, but reading between the lines, it seems Hopperfan might have information that says it IS going to happen. We won't know for sure for a few more weeks I guess.

I say it over and over on these boards, no matter what we know or even what we are actually told by the Mouse himself - it's not real until it is IN, UP and RUNNING. Until then it's just a rumor - aka Rumors of Light.

- No way Disney is going to spend that much $$$$$ money on a new parade and run it 15 months, then park it.
- The parade is already in Asia, why would they send another over there.
- I don't see it in Paris.
- WDW folks have been hammering for years for Radiator Springs, which many said won't happen ..... what else could make other Cars fans happy?
- Where would it do the most good for the bottom line?

I get many don't believe it will happen, and as we know that is possible too - even with proof sitting at WDW. Disney has been know to take financial hits before. And I could see that if the parade was 5 years old or so, but 15 months? They probably haven't even broke even if there were a way to determine that. It would be bad business to park that thing. As a stockholder I want that thing running for years. How do we best utilize the expense to create income?

NONE of us will know until it's said and done, but to believe they will park this thing at this point doesn't even process with my brain. I don't know why anyone would see them parking this. It's not a Halloween or Christmas Parade.

You are right .............. either Disney will announce something sooner than later about where it is going ...... but I don't think they will drag this out. Announcing a yes will create bookings.

 

[mom2rtk]

No, I pulled the reference to the ROL fiasco out of my comment. Sometimes what makes sense in my brain does not on paper.

I think my thought process was ROL not happening kinda created a fail on the part of AK to draw bigger night crowds. MK night events are now so old and beat to death for a large portion of the guests they are not a draw. Epcot ..... loved by many but old. DHS has the new one and it sounds cool and I even booked dessert party ..... but will probably cancel and skip it altogether since it sounds like the view is only good from the DHS "hub" and it is simply too small for crowds ...............

So what will happen? Disney may find evenings not the draw for guests as they have been and given the slower summer, that hurts. The heat this summer has probably dented their "locals" dollars who normally go at night, have dinner etc.

One of the worst hits to all the parks this summer has been the downturn in SA economy and those tourists are just not coming in large numbers with their wallets. The writing on the wall is that the UK/Euro visitors could also slow. Several analysts say Disney has got to find a way to get domestic travelers to WDW in bigger numbers. They are in construction mode but the end is not close. They have to close the gap now. They don't have much cash flow, thanks Shanghai, so what do they have that can help? This is a great way to get guests to visit who can not or won't visit CA.

The scary part is that it makes too much sense and well, we know how that works.

And DLR? No night parade, no Fantasmic, apparently no DCA parade, and a greatly diminished fireworks show. I'm sure they'll also cut hours due to "lack of demand".

I hope that if they do this, they pay with greatly diminished attendance at DL. They need to learn that they can't just keep shuffling things around. They need to keep more new stuff in the pipeline.

 

[HopperFan]

And DLR? No night parade, no Fantasmic, apparently no DCA parade, and a greatly diminished fireworks show. I'm sure they'll also cut hours due to "lack of demand".

I hope that if they do this, they pay with greatly diminished attendance at DL. They need to learn that they can't just keep shuffling things around. They need to keep more new stuff in the pipeline.

They already announced the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks and World of Color are coming back. It is likely MSEP will return as well.

WDW has not had a good year .... ROL been a huge blow. Now WDI getting hit with layoffs, I would guess more a fail than lack of work.

DL will always be okay, it's an local AP park. WDW needs a positive, I think this could be it.

We will know soon enough.

 

[mom2rtk]

The already announced the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks and World of Color are coming back. It is likely MSEP will return as well.

WDW has not had a good year .... ROL been a huge blow. Now WDI getting hit with layoffs, I would guess more a fail than lack of work.

DL will always be okay, it's an local AP park. WDW needs a positive, I think this could be it.

We will know soon enough.

Fantasy in the Sky is a 4 1/2 minute place filler fireworks show. WOC is good, but that's not enough night entertainment for the bodies through the gates at that park.

And yes, I know it's known as a locals park. But a lot of guests there are not locals. And it's a real disservice to those guests to pull stuff like this last minute.

I'm sorry WDI is having layoffs. I can't say I'm shocked though. I think they overplayed their hand with price increases and budget cuts.

 

[Tiggerette]

Hey everybody,
Had a good show tonight. I was gussied up in 1920s apparel and got to learn the Calvin Coolidge election year song. He had his own song created for him… quite fun. We also had a group of teens (ladies) singing together since women had just won the right to vote. they were fun!

Back to disney stuffs… Sounds like interesting theories abound for potential events. I'm hoping that the SW dessert party holds out for a year so we can see it in April. I don't want to fight crowds to get a decent spot for the new fireworks, so I'm willing to pay to have less of a headache getting a spot.
One of my theatre buddies also saw the JB show and agreed it was a dance show, which was really cool for the live instrumentation and dancing, and was not to be confused as anything other than dance theatre. It was nice to have another theatrical person to discuss the apples/oranges differences between a show like JB and the other ones like Nemo.

Somehow this makes me think of Nomad lounge, and how that will be my favorite spectacle next time we're in AK. So many delicious libations to try!

 

[dachsie]

I wish they would bring back the AK daytime parade. That was my favorite one. Since I am not sure when my next visit is - hopefully Fall 2017 - I will have to live thru you all.

 

[CaraMiaBelle]

I wish they would bring back the AK daytime parade. That was my favorite one. Since I am not sure when my next visit is - hopefully Fall 2017 - I will have to live thru you all.

Yes! That parade was the BEST!

 

[HopperFan]

Twitter @aaronspod

Anonymous source tells me that WDW Entertainment Cast were informed today Main Street Electrical Parade will close 9/10/16 #unconfirmed

 

[beesly]

Somehow this makes me think of Nomad lounge, and how that will be my favorite spectacle next time we're in AK. So many delicious libations to try!

If you happen to have Tables in Wonderland, Nomad Lounge now accepts it! I got an email from TiW on Friday that the discount is now offered at Jock Lindsey's, Jungle Skipper Canteen, Tiffins, and the Nomad Lounge. I think I'll be checking out the lounge on my next trip!

 

[disneymath]

Twitter @aaronspod

Anonymous source tells me that WDW Entertainment Cast were informed today Main Street Electrical Parade will close 9/10/16 #unconfirmed

If this is true, I'll be a bit bummed we didn't get to see it "one last time" last week. (Same thing happened to us with Malestrom, so we did make sure to get in Ellen and The Great Movie Ride this trip.). I just hope MK gets a new/better night time parade in its place.

 

[bluezy]

Twitter @aaronspod

Anonymous source tells me that WDW Entertainment Cast were informed today Main Street Electrical Parade will close 9/10/16 #unconfirmed

Glad I made sure to watch it one last time on our trip in June. Every time we've gone to Disney World over the last few years I've made sure to watch MSEP because I knew it's days had to be numbered.

 

[HopperFan]

If this is true, I'll be a bit bummed we didn't get to see it "one last time" last week. (Same thing happened to us with Malestrom, so we did make sure to get in Ellen and The Great Movie Ride this trip.). I just hope MK gets a new/better night time parade in its place.

"Word is" as discussed earlier, it's supposed to and this tidbit of "unconfirmed" info plays right in to previous information.

 

[dachsie]

I have to be honest. I am not entertained anymore by Illuminations or Fantasmic. I used to love Fantasmic but the last time I went to see it I just thought "meh". I had skipped Illuminations the last few times I went and went this year in May and feel like I was ok with missing it. I always enjoy MSEP, I think because the music is engaging for it. I didn't even got to DHS this last trip but my next trip there, if I stay it will be for fireworks. Maybe I am getting old. LOL

 

[HopperFan]

I wish they would bring back the AK daytime parade. That was my favorite one. Since I am not sure when my next visit is - hopefully Fall 2017 - I will have to live thru you all.

Yes! That parade was the BEST!

It was so creative, and happy and fun. Shortly before it closed we got picked to be in the parade and it was SO COOL! Especially now that folks aren't in parades anymore other than the MK "first family." I would love to see it come back or like I said before, put those ROL floats on wheels, light them up and do a night parade I have about as much hope for that as ROL happening.

It is def going to be an interesting fall/spring. After the last year I think we can be sure that, we can be sure about NOTHING. Hey @dachsie hopefully by Fall 2017 you will have ................ ROL? I don't imagine there will be much else done.

 

[bluezy]

I have to be honest. I am not entertained anymore by Illuminations or Fantasmic. I used to love Fantasmic but the last time I went to see it I just thought "meh". I had skipped Illuminations the last few times I went and went this year in May and feel like I was ok with missing it. I always enjoy MSEP, I think because the music is engaging for it. I didn't even got to DHS this last trip but my next trip there, if I stay it will be for fireworks. Maybe I am getting old. LOL

I kind of feel the same way. For the most part, I don't go out of my way to go to any of the fireworks/night time shows that are currently being offered...with a few exceptions. 1. I really, really, really liked the new Star Wars show at DHS and would definitely plan to do that again on our next trip, though I'm sure after watching it a few more times, while I'll still enjoy it I won't feel the need to plan around it. 2. While I'm not a huge fan of Illuminations, we do really enjoy doing the Illuminations cruise. If we don't do a cruise, I won't plan on watching Illuminations. If we happen to still be in the park at 8:30ish and I don't feel the need to beat the crowds to the buses that night, I'll stay and watch Illuminations and then slowly meander out of the park when the show is finished.

 

[HopperFan]

Guessing most of you saw the video of poor Dopey falling off the top deck of the steamship in Fantasmic, luckily landing on Goofy who broke "his" fall and rolled back on to deck. While many thought it was fun to laugh at, guess my parent jumped in and thought how scary. I fully expected new additions to the rail to prevent it .... another night time show that is old, wearing thin and in need of love.

Now the steamboat scene is being removed. Hopefully just for a short time to make modifications so everyone keep your positive vibes going that this won't be a long absence. The show needs needs love not removals. I feel like our night time options are dwindling....

I was thinking, what if PTN is coming but won't roll until 2017? Makes no sense to me but we know how that goes. That means the MK will have no night time parade except for those who pay for MNSSHP and MVMCP. Star Wars, on a busy day will be hard to see because the hub is small, Illuminations the old standby is there .... and really ROL? Almost kinda forgot about it. I can't believe I am planning a trip that I have no plans to attend any night events .... this will be a first.

http://www.chipandco.com/disney-removes-character-steamboat-scene-fantasmic-245726/

 

[HatboxHaint]

What is behind the reduction of parades in general? All parks used to have them and now it's just MK....

 

[HopperFan]

What is behind the reduction of parades in general? All parks used to have them and now it's just MK....

- Epcot left long ago, loved it, but I think once all these festivals etc started it was just too crowded.
- AK - how sad - the walk ways are not wide and will assume they figured Avatarland and Night Events would bring more crowds and no room to roll.
- DHS has some great parades. The only explanation of sudden end was the beginning of MB and all the radio frequencies and supposed the parade ran on that and there was interference. Good story but who knows. Of course the new lands would have probably meant end anyway.
- MK got the new daytime and it's awesome. There was talk of MSEP being reduced to once per night as they were cutting CM hours and I would have been fine with that. Gone altogether, I'm good with that if we get new one. I still think they will have a nighttime ... time will tell.