Soarin' SB+ test...Fail

[Planogirl]

Some of you definitely have a different take on what middle class is than I do. I don't consider middle class a family of four spending an extra $1200 a day to ride some rides.

 

[Disneychick75]

The 2 new tours they unveiled last month are an upper middle class option..I'm not referring to just the full outVIP tours (which would be the top 1%)..

I'm referring to these tours:


http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

The really expensive VIP Tours are something like $300/hour for a minimum of 6 hours? So a minimum of $1800...

These tours are $299/person *total*for the 6-7 hr long tour that's described, and it includes lunch.

I totally understand not wanting a tour guide holding your hand the whole time...but these two tours are options for the upper middle class, not just the 1%

The differences for the old VIP tour vs these are that any rides could be included in the original tour and that lunch is included with the new tours. Also, Epcot could be included in the original tour but it is not included in the 2 new tours, so no Soarin'. If you have a family with children that span different age groups, you would have to book both new tours in order for everyone to to get VIP service. The old tour allowed everyone in the family to enjoy a VIP tour.

A family of 2 children ages 4 and 10 with 2 parents, would cost $1196 x 2 = $2392.00. Lunch with the new tour is at a Disney resort whereas with the old tour, lunch could be at a theme park which is a time saver.The old tour was $1800 + lunch. Both, of course, also require theme park tickets in addition to the tour price.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Plano - I'm not saying this is middle class, but upper middle class, it is more that. I'm only using upper middle class to define something as between what the average family could afford and what only the very rich can afford. These new tours are clearly a play by Disney to offer VIP experiences with a little less of a VIP rate.

The differences for the old VIP tour vs these are that any rides could be included in the original tour and that lunch is included with the new tours. Also, Epcot could be included in the original tour but it is not included in the 2 new tours, so no Soarin'. If you have a family with children that span different age groups, you would have to book both new tours in order for everyone to to get VIP service. The old tour allowed everyone in the family to enjoy a VIP tour.

A family of 2 children ages 4 and 10 with 2 parents, would cost $1196 x 2 = $2392.00. Lunch with the new tour is at a Disney resort whereas with the old tour, lunch could be at a theme park which is a time saver.The old tour was $1800 + lunch. Both, of course, also require theme park tickets in addition to the tour price.

Isn't the original 300/hr tour still offered? I didn't think these tours replaced that one. I was also under the impression the 1800 for 6 hrs was not a group rate, but was per person as well..if.I'm wrong, then I apologize and my take on the new offerings changes accordingly...but I did not think it was 1800 total for an entire family/group.

 

[Disneychick75]

Plano - I'm not saying this is middle class, but upper middle class, it is more that. I'm only using upper middle class to define something as between what the average family could afford and what only the very rich can afford. These new tours are clearly a play by Disney to offer VIP experiences with a little less of a VIP rate.



Isn't the original 300/hr tour still offered? I didn't think these tours replaced that one. I was also under the impression the 1800 for 6 hrs was not a group rate, but was per person as well..if.I'm wrong, then I apologize and my take on the new offerings changes accordingly...but I did not think it was 1800 total for an entire family/group.

Yes, we took the tour. Ours went over 6 hours so it was more expensive. It was $300-actually I think $345 because we were there during Spring break- but we could have had up to 10 people and it would have been the same cost. A group of friends or a couple of small families could split the cost making it more feasible.

 

[Planogirl]

Is the $1800 rate for a group then? I'm confused about the cost too.

 

[Angel Ariel]

Yes, we took the tour. Ours went over 6 hours so it was more expensive. It was $300-actually I think $345 because we were there during Spring break- but we could have had up to 10 people and it would have been the same cost. A group of friends or a couple of small families could split the cost making it more feasible.

Thank you for clearing that up for me...in that respect, I do see how the new ones aren't as much of a difference as I thought. Sorry about the confusion!

 

[Angel Ariel]

Is the $1800 rate for a group then? I'm confused about the cost too.

That's what I gathered...1800 for up to a group.of 10 for min 6 hrs...

 

[Planogirl]

That's what I gathered...1800 for up to a group.of 10 for min 6 hrs...

That's more reasonable than I thought. It's still pricey but I would have assumed $3000 for 10.

 

[marybdisney]

The 2 new tours they unveiled last month are an upper middle class option..I'm not referring to just the full outVIP tours (which would be the top 1%)..

I'm referring to these tours:


http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

The really expensive VIP Tours are something like $300/hour for a minimum of 6 hours? So a minimum of $1800...

These tours are $299/person *total*for the 6-7 hr long tour that's described, and it includes lunch.

I totally understand not wanting a tour guide holding your hand the whole time...but these two tours are options for the upper middle class, not just the 1%

When you click on the link it says Park Admission is required with that VIP tour, so I'm guessing you need to buy a one day park hopper ticket in addition to the $299 tour price. I might consider it if it was $299 including admission but if you still have to buy the $159 one day hopper ticket that makes it $458 a person. Ouch!

 

[Disneychick75]

Is the $1800 rate for a group then? I'm confused about the cost too.

That's more reasonable than I thought. It's still pricey but I would have assumed $3000 for 10.

If you go during a time when the rate is $300. It used to be about $345-415 for holidays but when I checked a few minutes ago, the rate is now 300-500/hour so if you go during a really busy time when the VIP tour would be most needed, it could be $3000 for a 6 hour tour + theme park ticket.

 

[ArwenMarie]

The 2 new tours they unveiled last month are an upper middle class option..I'm not referring to just the full outVIP tours (which would be the top 1%)..

I'm referring to these tours:


http://www.wdwinfo.com/wdwinfo/tours.htm

The really expensive VIP Tours are something like $300/hour for a minimum of 6 hours? So a minimum of $1800...

These tours are $299/person *total*for the 6-7 hr long tour that's described, and it includes lunch.

I totally understand not wanting a tour guide holding your hand the whole time...but these two tours are options for the upper middle class, not just the 1%

I think these new tours combine groups? That's why it has to be a set list of rides. So I bet you could be with up to ten people, just like the old tour, but Disney is sort of finding the other folks to split the cost with you.

 

[Disneychick75]

I think these new tours combine groups? That's why it has to be a set list of rides. So I bet you could be with up to ten people, just like the old tour, but Disney is sort of finding the other folks to split the cost with you.

You might have strangers in your group but the new tours are still $299/person.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Can I add the bridge?

From the kiosk in the corner
We could see fastpass was gone
So we decided to do standby

And we can see them now
The happy families let inside

Because they got there early

But my party will not get to ride...

Absolutely marvelous.

I may have just belted this out in my biggest Broadway voice.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

Some of you definitely have a different take on what middle class is than I do. I don't consider middle class a family of four spending an extra $1200 a day to ride some rides.

That's what I was thinking. My DH makes good money and I can't imagine spending $1500 for my family to do that tour. If I were gonna waste that much cash I would spend another $300 for the VIP tour. But I wouldn't do either because that $1500-1800 could buy me several more nights in our resort plus food.

 

[andeesings]

So did they stop with this nonsense or didn't they? Because if they're still doing it I need to change my ENTIRE touring plan!!!

 

[Disneychick75]

So did they stop with this nonsense or didn't they? Because if they're still doing it I need to change my ENTIRE touring plan!!!

 

[Mad Hattered]

I'm just going to drop this post in this thread so as to not upset the masses. If someone wants to put it to song I wouldn't be offended. It's an article by Seth Kubersky on Orlando Weekly. You can Google Seth and check his credentials if you wish.




The paint is barely dry on Universal’s heavily hyped Diagon Alley, and guests are still waiting upward of four hours just to “make a deposit” on the area’s signature Gringotts bank ride (no, that isn’t as inappropriate as it sounds). But the only thing theme-park fans love more than a hot new ride is even hotter new rumors, so for this edition of Live Active Cultures I’m rounding up the latest upcoming attraction intelligence that’s been buzzing around the tourism corridor’s back alleys. As always, all of the following information is unofficial, unconfirmed and for entertainment purposes only; if a rumor persists for more than four hours, please see your physician or travel agent.

Let’s start at Universal Studios Florida, where wannabe wizards are propelling the park to its most profitable summer ever. Some armchair observers have looked at the relatively short lines to enter Diagon Alley or ride the Hogwarts Express train since opening day and inferred that Universal’s addition isn’t meeting expectations. The truth is that the surprisingly sane queues reflect not audience disinterest, but exceptional crowd control operations – unlike in 2010, when sprawling standby lines snarled Islands of Adventure’s walkways. Despite the Gringotts ride still operating significantly below its maximum capacity of 2,000-plus riders per hour, Universal’s parks are processing record numbers of guests; on many days more people board the Hogwarts Express than enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Naturally, since Potter is seemingly still a license to literally print money (most guests purchasing Gringotts bank notes never spend them), don’t expect Universal to abandon the Boy Wizard any time soon. New merchandise, including love potions and talking “howlers,” should show up in Diagon Alley’s shops shortly, along with a second Tales of Beedle the Bard puppet performance. Art director Alan Gilmore has said he’d like to design a Ministry of Magic attraction, with the neighboring Fear Factor Live stadium available as an ideal expansion spot. Farther ahead, the under-development Fantastic Beasts films could find a home near Hogsmeade, on the remains of IOA’s Lost Continent.

Before any more Harry happens, however, first expect something hairy. Legendary Pictures, producers of Godzilla and the upcoming Jurassic World, surprised Comic-Con 2014 guests with a teaser for Skull Island, their 2016 reboot of King Kong. Of course, careful theme-park construction-watchers weren’t surprised, as work on Universal’s “Project 340” has been underway for many weeks in a previously unused corner of IOA’s Jurassic Park. For now, there’s little visible evidence save earth-moving equipment and the unpublicized removal of an iconic archway outside Toon Lagoon. But water management district permits and leaked preliminary blueprints reveal an ambitious indoor/outdoor ride that will merge animatronic-filled sets with a simulator finale similar to Universal Studios Hollywood’s hit King Kong 360 3-D attraction.

Elsewhere at Universal, look for USF’s KidZone and San Francisco areas to beam out, with Star Trek and Fast and Furious leading the pack of potential IPs pitched to replace them. And that’s just the tip of Universal’s expansion iceberg: Expect new entertainment in time to celebrate the resort’s 25th anniversary next year, and more hotels and a new water park before the decade is out.

The Potter pandemonium has helped hold down crowds at Walt Disney World this summer, especially at Epcot and Animal Kingdom, with Magic Kingdom attendance fairly flat despite the widely publicized debut of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. But Mickey isn’t one to take competition lying down, and the Mouse’s empire is striking back with the biggest hit it’s had in decades. Frozen Summer Fun, a short-run festival of hastily assembled entertainment including an ice-skating rink and evening fireworks, has proven enormously popular with fans of the frigid film phenomenon. Some park fans may scoff at the cheap giveaways (like paper Olafs on popsicle sticks) but the new sing-along celebration has the snarkiest, most smartly subversive script Disney has staged in years.

This quickie seasonal event is only the tip of the Frozen iceberg, as Norwegian news outlets are up in arms over the whispered renovation of Epcot’s Norway pavilion with an Arendelle theme. Magic Kingdom’s Anna & Elsa meet-and-greet remains so popular that Disney has reintroduced paper FastPasses to corral the queue, but will Frozen still be a hot ticket by the time any E-Ticket opens? Considering WDW’s glacial construction pace – and with Animal Kingdom’s Avatar-land and a rumored Star Wars makeover of Disney Hollywood Studios also in the pipeline – Mickey must be hoping guests don’t “Let It Go” before they manage to break ground.

http://orlandoweekly.com/arts/visual/universal-s-project-340-and-epcot-norway-goes-frozen-1.1731237

The guys over on Orlando United state that the Hogwarts Express will soon surpass a pretty impressive milestone, within a month of officially opening. Think of a number with a whole bunch of zeros behind it. And they say there will be a press release detailing it.

Now back to our regularly scheduled crooning and debating those giant legacy FP cards.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm just going to drop this post in this thread so as to not upset the masses. If someone wants to put it to song I wouldn't be offended. It's an article by Seth Kubersky on Orlando Weekly. You can Google Seth and check his credentials if you wish.




The paint is barely dry on Universal’s heavily hyped Diagon Alley, and guests are still waiting upward of four hours just to “make a deposit” on the area’s signature Gringotts bank ride (no, that isn’t as inappropriate as it sounds). But the only thing theme-park fans love more than a hot new ride is even hotter new rumors, so for this edition of Live Active Cultures I’m rounding up the latest upcoming attraction intelligence that’s been buzzing around the tourism corridor’s back alleys. As always, all of the following information is unofficial, unconfirmed and for entertainment purposes only; if a rumor persists for more than four hours, please see your physician or travel agent.

Let’s start at Universal Studios Florida, where wannabe wizards are propelling the park to its most profitable summer ever. Some armchair observers have looked at the relatively short lines to enter Diagon Alley or ride the Hogwarts Express train since opening day and inferred that Universal’s addition isn’t meeting expectations. The truth is that the surprisingly sane queues reflect not audience disinterest, but exceptional crowd control operations – unlike in 2010, when sprawling standby lines snarled Islands of Adventure’s walkways. Despite the Gringotts ride still operating significantly below its maximum capacity of 2,000-plus riders per hour, Universal’s parks are processing record numbers of guests; on many days more people board the Hogwarts Express than enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Naturally, since Potter is seemingly still a license to literally print money (most guests purchasing Gringotts bank notes never spend them), don’t expect Universal to abandon the Boy Wizard any time soon. New merchandise, including love potions and talking “howlers,” should show up in Diagon Alley’s shops shortly, along with a second Tales of Beedle the Bard puppet performance. Art director Alan Gilmore has said he’d like to design a Ministry of Magic attraction, with the neighboring Fear Factor Live stadium available as an ideal expansion spot. Farther ahead, the under-development Fantastic Beasts films could find a home near Hogsmeade, on the remains of IOA’s Lost Continent.

Before any more Harry happens, however, first expect something hairy. Legendary Pictures, producers of Godzilla and the upcoming Jurassic World, surprised Comic-Con 2014 guests with a teaser for Skull Island, their 2016 reboot of King Kong. Of course, careful theme-park construction-watchers weren’t surprised, as work on Universal’s “Project 340” has been underway for many weeks in a previously unused corner of IOA’s Jurassic Park. For now, there’s little visible evidence save earth-moving equipment and the unpublicized removal of an iconic archway outside Toon Lagoon. But water management district permits and leaked preliminary blueprints reveal an ambitious indoor/outdoor ride that will merge animatronic-filled sets with a simulator finale similar to Universal Studios Hollywood’s hit King Kong 360 3-D attraction.

Elsewhere at Universal, look for USF’s KidZone and San Francisco areas to beam out, with Star Trek and Fast and Furious leading the pack of potential IPs pitched to replace them. And that’s just the tip of Universal’s expansion iceberg: Expect new entertainment in time to celebrate the resort’s 25th anniversary next year, and more hotels and a new water park before the decade is out.

The Potter pandemonium has helped hold down crowds at Walt Disney World this summer, especially at Epcot and Animal Kingdom, with Magic Kingdom attendance fairly flat despite the widely publicized debut of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. But Mickey isn’t one to take competition lying down, and the Mouse’s empire is striking back with the biggest hit it’s had in decades. Frozen Summer Fun, a short-run festival of hastily assembled entertainment including an ice-skating rink and evening fireworks, has proven enormously popular with fans of the frigid film phenomenon. Some park fans may scoff at the cheap giveaways (like paper Olafs on popsicle sticks) but the new sing-along celebration has the snarkiest, most smartly subversive script Disney has staged in years.

This quickie seasonal event is only the tip of the Frozen iceberg, as Norwegian news outlets are up in arms over the whispered renovation of Epcot’s Norway pavilion with an Arendelle theme. Magic Kingdom’s Anna & Elsa meet-and-greet remains so popular that Disney has reintroduced paper FastPasses to corral the queue, but will Frozen still be a hot ticket by the time any E-Ticket opens? Considering WDW’s glacial construction pace – and with Animal Kingdom’s Avatar-land and a rumored Star Wars makeover of Disney Hollywood Studios also in the pipeline – Mickey must be hoping guests don’t “Let It Go” before they manage to break ground.

http://orlandoweekly.com/arts/visual/universal-s-project-340-and-epcot-norway-goes-frozen-1.1731237

The guys over on Orlando United state that the Hogwarts Express will soon surpass a pretty impressive milestone, within a month of officially opening. Think of a number with a whole bunch of zeros behind it. And they say there will be a press release detailing it.

Now back to our regularly scheduled crooning and debating those giant legacy FP cards.

Wow, this sounds amazing. I'm looking forward to the press release.

I'm still in a bad state because of the Norway mess. I'm seriously considering letting Epcot go (to borrow a phrase) if that goes down like I think it might. I just don't think I can take any more of it over there. Sigh....

 

[cassiejo2711]

I'm just going to drop this post in this thread so as to not upset the masses. If someone wants to put it to song I wouldn't be offended. It's an article by Seth Kubersky on Orlando Weekly. You can Google Seth and check his credentials if you wish. The paint is barely dry on Universal’s heavily hyped Diagon Alley, and guests are still waiting upward of four hours just to “make a deposit” on the area’s signature Gringotts bank ride (no, that isn’t as inappropriate as it sounds). But the only thing theme-park fans love more than a hot new ride is even hotter new rumors, so for this edition of Live Active Cultures I’m rounding up the latest upcoming attraction intelligence that’s been buzzing around the tourism corridor’s back alleys. As always, all of the following information is unofficial, unconfirmed and for entertainment purposes only; if a rumor persists for more than four hours, please see your physician or travel agent. Let’s start at Universal Studios Florida, where wannabe wizards are propelling the park to its most profitable summer ever. Some armchair observers have looked at the relatively short lines to enter Diagon Alley or ride the Hogwarts Express train since opening day and inferred that Universal’s addition isn’t meeting expectations. The truth is that the surprisingly sane queues reflect not audience disinterest, but exceptional crowd control operations – unlike in 2010, when sprawling standby lines snarled Islands of Adventure’s walkways. Despite the Gringotts ride still operating significantly below its maximum capacity of 2,000-plus riders per hour, Universal’s parks are processing record numbers of guests; on many days more people board the Hogwarts Express than enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Naturally, since Potter is seemingly still a license to literally print money (most guests purchasing Gringotts bank notes never spend them), don’t expect Universal to abandon the Boy Wizard any time soon. New merchandise, including love potions and talking “howlers,” should show up in Diagon Alley’s shops shortly, along with a second Tales of Beedle the Bard puppet performance. Art director Alan Gilmore has said he’d like to design a Ministry of Magic attraction, with the neighboring Fear Factor Live stadium available as an ideal expansion spot. Farther ahead, the under-development Fantastic Beasts films could find a home near Hogsmeade, on the remains of IOA’s Lost Continent. Before any more Harry happens, however, first expect something hairy. Legendary Pictures, producers of Godzilla and the upcoming Jurassic World, surprised Comic-Con 2014 guests with a teaser for Skull Island, their 2016 reboot of King Kong. Of course, careful theme-park construction-watchers weren’t surprised, as work on Universal’s “Project 340” has been underway for many weeks in a previously unused corner of IOA’s Jurassic Park. For now, there’s little visible evidence save earth-moving equipment and the unpublicized removal of an iconic archway outside Toon Lagoon. But water management district permits and leaked preliminary blueprints reveal an ambitious indoor/outdoor ride that will merge animatronic-filled sets with a simulator finale similar to Universal Studios Hollywood’s hit King Kong 360 3-D attraction. Elsewhere at Universal, look for USF’s KidZone and San Francisco areas to beam out, with Star Trek and Fast and Furious leading the pack of potential IPs pitched to replace them. And that’s just the tip of Universal’s expansion iceberg: Expect new entertainment in time to celebrate the resort’s 25th anniversary next year, and more hotels and a new water park before the decade is out. The Potter pandemonium has helped hold down crowds at Walt Disney World this summer, especially at Epcot and Animal Kingdom, with Magic Kingdom attendance fairly flat despite the widely publicized debut of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. But Mickey isn’t one to take competition lying down, and the Mouse’s empire is striking back with the biggest hit it’s had in decades. Frozen Summer Fun, a short-run festival of hastily assembled entertainment including an ice-skating rink and evening fireworks, has proven enormously popular with fans of the frigid film phenomenon. Some park fans may scoff at the cheap giveaways (like paper Olafs on popsicle sticks) but the new sing-along celebration has the snarkiest, most smartly subversive script Disney has staged in years. This quickie seasonal event is only the tip of the Frozen iceberg, as Norwegian news outlets are up in arms over the whispered renovation of Epcot’s Norway pavilion with an Arendelle theme. Magic Kingdom’s Anna & Elsa meet-and-greet remains so popular that Disney has reintroduced paper FastPasses to corral the queue, but will Frozen still be a hot ticket by the time any E-Ticket opens? Considering WDW’s glacial construction pace – and with Animal Kingdom’s Avatar-land and a rumored Star Wars makeover of Disney Hollywood Studios also in the pipeline – Mickey must be hoping guests don’t “Let It Go” before they manage to break ground. http://orlandoweekly.com/arts/visual/universal-s-project-340-and-epcot-norway-goes-frozen-1.1731237 The guys over on Orlando United state that the Hogwarts Express will soon surpass a pretty impressive milestone, within a month of officially opening. Think of a number with a whole bunch of zeros behind it. And they say there will be a press release detailing it. Now back to our regularly scheduled crooning and debating those giant legacy FP cards.

Wow. I had to reread it to soak it all in. Not the part about Disney's glacial pace (seriously, is there anyone who hasn't caught onto that?)... but just trying to fathom the volume of people going through Gringott's and the list of new attractions. A list of new attractions. Not an announcement of ONE singular attraction that will be up in 3 years. Crazy. Those US people are crazy I tell you! Note to self: buy ticket for crazy train

ETA: crazy train not to be confused with 7DMT

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I really wish Disney picked up the pace wrt new attractions. Dying for more Star Wars in the parks! That said, I'm not sure things like this will have Disney quaking in its boots:

"on many days more people board the Hogwarts Express than enter Disney’s Animal Kingdom"

So, on "many days" Universal's BRAND NEW, MOST POPULAR area (ie that park, b/c that's what everyone there is doing at least once that day) attracts more people than Disney's least popular park... of four major ones in the area.

Disney has massive franchises to leverage. They SHOULD continue to beat Universal handily. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do in the next few years...