This just out about SDMT opening!

[MomofKatie]

How on earth can anyone be annoyed by a ride at a park they won't be at for 6 months? It's not just you, PP.
Seriously, people on these boards spend all their time clamoring for new rides, they want them immediately, and then when they DO open new rides, they're not good enough. Or if they propose new lands, its a terrible idea and should have been _____________-land instead.

Disboards: Where no one is ever pleased.
.

I am a cockeyed optimist when it comes to most things, including WDW. To me, any new attraction is wonderful- yet even I am a little fed up with the loooong time it is taking to build 7DMT. I mean, come on! This is a cute little kiddie coaster with a modest dark ride element. What could take so long??

 

[asmit4]

I am a cockeyed optimist when it comes to most things, including WDW. To me, any new attraction is wonderful- yet even I am a little fed up with the loooong time it is taking to build 7DMT. I mean, come on! This is a cute little kiddie coaster with a modest dark ride element. What could take so long??

 

[rteetz]

Here is my problem. YES, Disney is open year round so bldg. is a little harder at DW than other seasonal parks...BUT with that said.... I see Cedar Point, close in mid October.....with people debating and speculating about a new ride nearly every single year. Come December, we see land being cleared and another ride being removed, come May- I am welcomed to the park with a gigacoaster- built throughout a VERY harsh winter. 300 feet high, 100mph. Coaster that has 6500 feet of track. DONE and ready to go! Disney is SLOW at building rides. They do it on purpose and I simply won't believe anyone who says otherwise.

Part of your answer is in what you said. Disney is open year round Disney has to build around the park schedule a lot of times. Disney also isn't putting something like cedar point into their parks. First of all the mine train wasn't on the original plans. Disney came up with this after the fact, originally there was supposed to more meet and greets in this area and stuff but Disney thought oh hey we need another ride. Disney doesn't build a coaster without it being themed and themed heavily. Disney isn't a cedar point or six flags. This is a family coaster and it says that specifically. Disney clears the land for this, preps the land, gets foundation built, starts structural building, gets all frame work done then adds track, start adding the concrete, now start painting, finish track start working on the inside, start working on details, than start finishing details, during this whole time they are working on the cars, and animatronics as well. Then they have testing with weights and other devices also making sure all of the animatronics work which I'm hearing are having some issues. Disney doesn't just put up a hunk of wood or metal.

 

[MichiganDVC]

Snark all you want, I stand by what I said.

Wasn't meant to be snarky. I'm being 100% honest. This is exactly what will happen. 90% of Disboards will wring their hands about all the things wrong with it, yet 7DMT will be packed day and night.

Here is my problem. YES, Disney is open year round so bldg. is a little harder at DW than other seasonal parks...BUT with that said....

I see Cedar Point, close in mid October.....with people debating and speculating about a new ride nearly every single year. Come December, we see land being cleared and another ride being removed, come May- I am welcomed to the park with a gigacoaster- built throughout a VERY harsh winter. 300 feet high, 100mph. Coaster that has 6500 feet of track. DONE and ready to go!

Disney is SLOW at building rides. They do it on purpose and I simply won't believe anyone who says otherwise.

I somewhat agree. I believe WDW is taking their time for two reasons:
A. might be more cost effective?
B. because they can?

Regardless, Cedar Point builds towering coasters that loop and drop and all that. Hardly any theming. Its basically just track. They are not simultaneously operating 3 other parks within itself (not to mention the parks outside of FL) and building a new resort every year. If Cedar Point had to build even one resort, you can bet it would take away from a Coaster being built.

I am a cockeyed optimist when it comes to most things, including WDW. To me, any new attraction is wonderful- yet even I am a little fed up with the loooong time it is taking to build 7DMT. I mean, come on! This is a cute little kiddie coaster with a modest dark ride element. What could take so long??

Not sure. I'm also not sure its worth complaining about. I'm going to love it. I liked the Snow White ride...it was a must do for me on every MK visit. This should only be better with the infusion of even a minor thrill and updated animatronics. Not too concerned with "how long" its taken, since I myself have never built a theme park attraction.

 

[Bruce in PA]

You call this a delay? You call this a problem? Geez, this is just a blip.

Now Test Track...THAT was the real deal.

The ride was scheduled to open in May 1997 but after numerous problems arose, the ride opening was delayed by nearly 2 years.

If the Mine Train isn't running by 2016, then we've got a problem.

 

[asmit4]

I'm all about kiddie coasters. I am thrilled my son will be able to ride and I'm sure I will indeed love the ride. The problem is that I think it should take no more than a full year to complete a ride of this stature. My complaint is that Disney is purposely taking it's time. I see Harry Potter world built in a 2.5 year construction phase. This 7 dwarfs mine ride...DWARFS in comparison.

 

[amberpi]

For the first time ever, I'm past annoyed and telling myself "keep it in perspective this is a first world problem" to wanting to punch someone in the throat.

 

[Brocktoon]

Not in the case of the rest of New FL. The rides went through soft openings before any Media ceremony.

Yep, I somehow timed it to be one of the 1st people ever to visit New FL. I think it was a Friday late morning mid October. I was actually getting ready to leave the MK when I noticed the planters blocking the entrance were moved. A CM was waiving people over. I told my relatives it was probably just for Enchanted Tales with Belle, when the CM said I'd really want to check things out ... it when then I noticed that unannounced, New FL was doing a soft opening. There were only a hundred or so people even back by Gaston's by the time I arrived, walking past a line of Disney Execs.

I figured that's how they would do the Mine Coaster ... soft testing BEFORE the press event.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Part of your answer is in what you said. Disney is open year round Disney has to build around the park schedule a lot of times. Disney also isn't putting something like cedar point into their parks. First of all the mine train wasn't on the original plans. Disney came up with this after the fact, originally there was supposed to more meet and greets in this area and stuff but Disney thought oh hey we need another ride. Disney doesn't build a coaster without it being themed and themed heavily. Disney isn't a cedar point or six flags. This is a family coaster and it says that specifically. Disney clears the land for this, preps the land, gets foundation built, starts structural building, gets all frame work done then adds track, start adding the concrete, now start painting, finish track start working on the inside, start working on details, than start finishing details, during this whole time they are working on the cars, and animatronics as well. Then they have testing with weights and other devices also making sure all of the animatronics work which I'm hearing are having some issues. Disney doesn't just put up a hunk of wood or metal.

Universal was able to build a new harry potter area in half the time its taken for this ride and they deal with the same 365 schedule.. not to mention they were able to also build the transformers ride and renovate some areas all in much less time..

disney is a little slow on building their rides but part of that has to do with them wanting to get everything they can perfect

 

[AngiTN]

Yep, I somehow timed it to be one of the 1st people ever to visit New FL. I think it was a Friday late morning mid October. I was actually getting ready to leave the MK when I noticed the planters blocking the entrance were moved. A CM was waiving people over. I told my relatives it was probably just for Enchanted Tales with Belle, when the CM said I'd really want to check things out ... it when then I noticed that unannounced, New FL was doing a soft opening. There were only a hundred or so people even back by Gaston's by the time I arrived, walking past a line of Disney Execs.

I figured that's how they would do the Mine Coaster ... soft testing BEFORE the press event.

Me too. I've been quite surprised that no SO have been going on. I had hopes that since they are doing things different this time they'd announce at the press event (perfect place for such things) when the official grand opening is. But now it sounds like that is not in the plans. I still have hopes that it will happen. I just want the dang thing open when we go in August!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

Hmmm.

We'll be there on May 23 through the 28th. I was hoping it would be open but maybe not.

Oh well.

 

[rteetz]

Universal was able to build a new harry potter area in half the time its taken for this ride and they deal with the same 365 schedule.. not to mention they were able to also build the transformers ride and renovate some areas all in much less time.. disney is a little slow on building their rides but part of that has to do with them wanting to get everything they can perfect

Comcast is pouring money into universal and they are purposely doing things fast. Disney doesn't have a need to get these things done fast. And like you said Disney wants things to be perfect. As for transformers it's a show building everything is on the inside. Disney doesn't build stuff like that Disney tries to be as immersive as physically possible. Yes it has been a long time but I'd rather have a amazingly detailed mountain that a building with a transformer on the outside or the cramped walkways(street) of diagon alley.

 

[kmb584]

Pathetic.

 

[MichiganDVC]

I'm all about kiddie coasters. I am thrilled my son will be able to ride and I'm sure I will indeed love the ride. The problem is that I think it should take no more than a full year to complete a ride of this stature. My complaint is that Disney is purposely taking it's time. I see Harry Potter world built in a 2.5 year construction phase. This 7 dwarfs mine ride...DWARFS in comparison.

Whereas I think I have no idea how long it should have taken. I haven't been on the ride yet, nor am I a structural engineer. Nor was I bankrolling this project.

I can tell you this much. I've been building my house for three years. We have yet to break ground. Why? Oh, I don't know. Took a year to settle on a blueprint (which I designed) and pick out tile, counters, etc... took another year to switch builders.... took another year to fine tune things, get permits, wait for the worst winter in SouthEastern Michigan's history. I thought we'd be in a YEAR ago. Alas, it will be another 10 months at least. Stuff happens. Why no rush? Because we're not in a rush.

For the first time ever, I'm past annoyed and telling myself "keep it in perspective this is a first world problem" to wanting to punch someone in the throat.

I'll resort to the latter if its open in June, I can't get a FP+ and I get trampled at RD by a family and their double-wide stroller en route to the ride....

Comcast is pouring money into universal and they are purposely doing things fast. Disney doesn't have a need to get these things done fast. And like you said Disney wants things to be perfect. As for transformers it's a show building everything is on the inside. Disney doesn't build stuff like that Disney tries to be as immersive as physically possible. Yes it has been a long time but I'd rather have a amazingly detailed mountain that a building with a transformer on the outside or the cramped walkways(street) of diagon alley.

Exactly. Why is this taking so long? Because they have absolutely no need to hurry. The only people who are the slightest bit worried about racing to "keep up with Universal" are right here on these boards.
This coming from a Disney stockholder who has seen my stock double in value in the last 2-3 years.

 

[UpstateMick]

A cast member WHO RODE IT posted on his blog last week that it is UNDER 2 minutes and very, very average. His post was removed the following day...so what he meant to say was...THE RIDE IS AWESOME!

 

[asmit4]

A cast member WHO RODE IT posted on his blog last week that it is UNDER 2 minutes and very, very average. His post was removed the following day...so what he meant to say was...THE RIDE IS AWESOME!

Probably being made to dress up as Mickey and dance in the hot sun for long periods of time now.

 

[rteetz]

A cast member WHO RODE IT posted on his blog last week that it is UNDER 2 minutes and very, very average. His post was removed the following day...so what he meant to say was...THE RIDE IS AWESOME!

Interesting I thought they just started CM previews within this week.

 

[MichiganDVC]

A cast member WHO RODE IT posted on his blog last week that it is UNDER 2 minutes and very, very average. His post was removed the following day...so what he meant to say was...THE RIDE IS AWESOME!

Uh-huh.

Somewhere else today I read that POTC at WDW is going down for 16 months starting in July so that it can be redone to fit POTC movies more.

A CM said so!!

 

[PoohsFan1]

I guess I won't be stalking MDE anymore to see if FP+ has opened up for our trip at the end of May.

 

[Angel Ariel]

How on earth can anyone be annoyed by a ride at a park they won't be at for 6 months? It's not just you, PP.
Seriously, people on these boards spend all their time clamoring for new rides, they want them immediately, and then when they DO open new rides, they're not good enough. Or if they propose new lands, its a terrible idea and should have been _____________-land instead.

The SDMT was *supposed* to open in late 2013. Now it's looking like it won't be open til halfway through 2014...I can understand why people are getting a bit impatient There were a LOT of people here that I recall saying they were intentionally postponing trips until all of NFL was open...that date keeps getting pushed back. I can understand people who are waiting on this to go being frustrated...I can also understand people being frustrated who planned to go and DID go when they thought SDMT would be open, and then it wasn't.

As for "new lands" - while I may not be an avatar fan, I am happy that they're building something new. However, I also think they focused on the wrong park to build in. AK wasn't as much in need of new attractions as DHS and Epcot are. I think FP+ only highlights how desperately DHS and Epcot need something new.

So, like I said...happy/"pleased" they're building something new, yes, but that doesn't mean I can't also think there were other areas that needed the attention more.