Taking a break from some of the parks until new attractions?

[Colleen27]

It is a wonder how Universal gets their projects banged out quickly, and Disney seems to take forever. Disney is it's own municipality with its own zoning board, etc. You'd think things would get done faster.

Come on, the Avatar project was announced in 2011.

Maybe it is because they are doing everything all at once? Universal seems to attack one major project at a time, not 5 of them simultaneously like Disney is attempting to do. It stands to reason that when a company puts all their resources into a single expansion effort it would progress more quickly than if those resources are divided between many projects.

 

[mrzrich]

Maybe it is because they are doing everything all at once? Universal seems to attack one major project at a time, not 5 of them simultaneously like Disney is attempting to do. It stands to reason that when a company puts all their resources into a single expansion effort it would progress more quickly than if those resources are divided between many projects.

True, and for the life of me I dont see why Disney feels the need to work on 5 things at once.

 

[johde]

True, and for the life of me I dont see why Disney feels the need to work on 5 things at once.

At least right now, the answer is probably because they took too much time off during the slow economy. There was a big construction boom for the Millennium with Test Track/DAK/RnR and for Disneyland 50th with in 2005/2006 with Lights, Motors Action; Expedition Everest, and Soarin (and Cinderelabration).

But, between the Hurricanes in Francis and Charley hitting Orlando in 2004 (just prior to the 50th construction finishing), and the housing meltdown in 2008, Disney decided to cool the construction for a while. They let it go too long and they are now playing catchup.

Universal had their dry spell of construction previous to this (from 2000 - 2010 when WWOHP opened only High in the Sky Seuss Trolly opened at IOA).

Maybe it is because they are doing everything all at once? Universal seems to attack one major project at a time, not 5 of them simultaneously like Disney is attempting to do. It stands to reason that when a company puts all their resources into a single expansion effort it would progress more quickly than if those resources are divided between many projects.

Universal had a lot of Irons in the fire, Transformers was being build while site prep was being done for Diagon Alley. Site Prep for Kong was being done during the final construction stages Diagon Alley. Springfield was being rethemed during Transformers/Diagon Alley construction. Cabana Bay has been Constructed and Sapphire Falls is being constructed. City Walk is getting a complete makeover.
But, your point is well taken. At least in the parks, except for Springfield's rethemeing, a project get's 80% done before the next one get started. It's almost like they have a set of construction crews con permanent retainer. "You're done prepping the site for Transformers, OK go over here and prep the site for Diagon Alley, When your done with that go over to IOA and prep the ground for Kong."

 

[Tarheel girl 1975]

At least right now, the answer is probably because they took too much time off during the slow economy. There was a big construction boom for the Millennium with Test Track/DAK/RnR and for Disneyland 50th with in 2005/2006 with Lights, Motors Action; Expedition Everest, and Soarin (and Cinderelabration).

But, between the Hurricanes in Francis and Charley hitting Orlando in 2004 (just prior to the 50th construction finishing), and the housing meltdown in 2008, Disney decided to cool the construction for a while. They let it go too long and they are now playing catchup.

Universal had their dry spell of construction previous to this (from 2000 - 2010 when WWOHP opened only High in the Sky Seuss Trolly opened at IOA).

Universal had a lot of Irons in the fire, Transformers was being build while site prep was being done for Diagon Alley. Site Prep for Kong was being done during the final construction stages Diagon Alley. Springfield was being rethemed during Transformers/Diagon Alley construction. Cabana Bay has been Constructed and Sapphire Falls is being constructed. City Walk is getting a complete makeover.
But, your point is well taken. At least in the parks, except for Springfield's rethemeing, a project get's 80% done before the next one get started. It's almost like they have a set of construction crews con permanent retainer. "You're done prepping the site for Transformers, OK go over here and prep the site for Diagon Alley, When your done with that go over to IOA and prep the ground for Kong."

I think a lot of this is true. I feel like Disney is trying play catch up, but still spread out the costs at the same and it's not really working.

 

[cakebaker]

That's too bad. I thought when I saw you on the DLR forum recently that meant you had decided to plan a trip there.

We actually drove there 3 times from the Midwest and that part of the country is so amazing it was part of the attraction.

Well we were considering it, but really I look at lots of things on these forums. If everyone was only active in a particular forum when they had plans on the books, this forum itself would be pretty empty. I read an awful lot of posts from people who actually have sworn off ever going to WDW and they're still here- so I wouldn't draw any conclusions from the fact that someone posts on a particular forum. And I do like to keep up with it as we will probably return someday.

Our drive isn't interesting. I'm hard pressed to declare which I think is uglier- the panhandle of Oklahoma, the panhandle of Texas or the vast flatland that lies beyond it. I like trees, and hills and grass and water- and civilization. For our drive it's get on 1 freeway and stay on it for 24 hours until you're at the gates. Blech....

 

[mom2rtk]

Well we were considering it, but really I look at lots of things on these forums. If everyone was only active in a particular forum when they had plans on the books, this forum itself would be pretty empty. I read an awful lot of posts from people who actually have sworn off ever going to WDW and they're still here- so I wouldn't draw any conclusions from the fact that someone posts on a particular forum. And I do like to keep up with it as we will probably return someday.

Our drive isn't interesting. I'm hard pressed to declare which I think is uglier- the panhandle of Oklahoma, the panhandle of Texas or the vast flatland that lies beyond it. I like trees, and hills and grass and water- and civilization. For our drive it's get on 1 freeway and stay on it for 24 hours until you're at the gates. Blech....

You need to find a more scenic route. The desert Southwest is absolutely amazing.



IMG_8295 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[MataHari22]

I'm happy that you've decided to return to the World but I would encourage you to make that Disneyland trip at some point. WDW is our home park but we try to make it to DL every few years because it's so unique and magical and DEFINITELY less stressful in the planning and execution of a vacation there. I guarantee you will fall in love with Disneyland and California Adventure. We certainly have.

Yes. I really would like to! I did price it out and staying on property there, would be more than I could do money wise right now. Also, my traveling companion wasn't too keen on it. I cannot travel alone, so I would need someone to come with me, and don't have someone to do that. I've never been to California before and would like to go.

 

[amg35]

"Persecuted"? I believe you are the only one that used that word, not me.

I'm sure you understand the use of hyperbole to prove a point.

 

[lauradis]

Adds a chunk for us as well. I keep wanting to do hoppers to add something different to the next trip, but I can only see 2 days (out of 6 or 7) where we would hop, and it's just not worth it for that (but I'm still thinking about it )

And yes, when we stayed at BC, it was amazing to stroll into Epcot for dinner every night. If we were staying there for the next trip, I would for sure do hoppers - even at a steep increase in cost.

I think all tickets should be hoppers and non expiring.

 

[lauradis]

True. It just gets harder and harder to be spontaneous.

Not really, but kinda you could do hopping spontaneous in the morning and then hop over to the planned fp+ evening park.

 

[itchin2go]

I think all tickets should be hoppers and non expiring.

Probably so.

 

[mom2rtk]

I think all tickets should be hoppers and non expiring.

Wasn't that the case before 2005?

 

[larryz]

You need to find a more scenic route. The desert Southwest is absolutely amazing.



IMG_8295 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Nope. I find it vastly boring and too flat. That's why God invented Southwest Airlines.

 

[jenrose66]

Just wondering if other folks are planning not to visit one or more of the WDW parks until they get an overhaul or the projects that are coming are done.

We have an upcoming trip in August and we are splitting it between the two Universal parks and Magic Kingdom.

We are going to take a break from DAK to wait for Avatarland and the new light show at AK.

For DHS, we will probably put that on pause for a while too I think. I wish they would at least put a new show in there (like switch out BaTB).

We will probably head back to Epcot in 2016 for the Frozen ride to see that.

Anyone else have specific parks on hold for now?

We put Disney on hold this year. I had a hard time letting go but DH did not want to do Disney this year, so we spent 6 nights at Universal at Royal Pacific Hotel. We had a great time and I didn't once find myself wishing I was at Disney. However, with the ages of my kids I still prefer the Disney parks for a family vacation.

 

[larryz]

We put Disney on hold this year. I had a hard time letting go but DH did not want to do Disney this year, so we spent 6 nights at Universal at Royal Pacific Hotel. We had a great time and I didn't once find myself wishing I was at Disney. However, with the ages of my kids I still prefer the Disney parks for a family vacation.

I can relate. I put WDW on hold in 2012, promising to wait until the whole MDE/MB/FP+ thing was sorted out.

I'm still waiting.

 

[csm101]

This is a great question, Yes we are...we were going to go this summer again we usually go every two years. This year we're off to England to see the DW family.....(maybe Euro Disney LOL). Feels weird skipping a year ... and I want to see Kong in 2016

 

[mom2rtk]

Nope. I find it vastly boring and too flat. That's why God invented Southwest Airlines.

Even our flight to and from DLR was nothing short of amazing. We flew over the Hoover Dam and Lake Mead on the way in, then over Zion, Bryce and the Grand Canyon on our way home. It was a real treat.

IMG_3358 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[Planogirl]

I would love to tour the Southwest if I had a great, comfortable car and endless time. There are beautiful natural treasures, great towns and my favorite, ghost towns. It is a pest when you don't have much time though.

 

[Mambo Junkie]

We are skipping this year, and if we go next year we will stay offsite and split our time between US and WDW. We had always done this in the past, and staying onsite tends to make you want to stay on Disney property the entire time (at least it does our family). I miss the US and Sea World visits. I will probably just do MK, unless I am without children, then I will skip the rest and do either HS or Epcot. If I'm not travelling with my granddaughters, I will not be using fp or ADRs.

 

[agavegirl1]

Finally got the DBF (now Fiance') to agree to another Orlando trip....in 2017 or 2018. But, we will be spending only a day or two at Disney to see Pandora, avoid anything behind construction walls and eat at Raglan Road. We will also visit Universal and spend some time at other central Florida venues. He was so bored with much of WDW on our last trip. For specifics, see trip report in my signature.