This may be a harsh article but.... AK Rivers of Light problem.

[Marilynbn]

I found this article on an investment website...
http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2016/04/06/disney-world-delays-its-5000-seat-mistake.aspx

 

[sunshinemelody]

I mean.

It honestly will hurt them and they'll be kicking themselves in the tush for awhile until it's open. Maybe this will teach Disney a lesson about not setting firm dates for anything in future.

 

[Skywise]

The dates are nothing - Who at Disney thought it was a *great* idea to have theater seating for 5000 when Fantasmic has 7900 PLUS 3000 more for standing room only!

 

[sunshinemelody]

The dates are nothing - Who at Disney thought it was a *great* idea to have theater seating for 5000 when Fantasmic has 7900 PLUS 3000 more for standing room only!

I wonder if it's because they figured that since most folks leave the parks earlier that they wouldn't have such a high capacity when this rolled around; aka, they were dumb.

 

[Maliboo]

I am glad people are starting to notice what is going on at Disney and publicly criticizing them. I think Disney is hoping no one in the media is going to sit up and take notice about what has been going on the last few months.

 

[gwynne]

The dates are nothing - Who at Disney thought it was a *great* idea to have theater seating for 5000 when Fantasmic has 7900 PLUS 3000 more for standing room only!

Who knows? Maybe the size of the theater was dictated by the space and location.

 

[Sevey13]

Be aware that the Motley Fool is a stock selling website, just like Jim Cramer or whatever the name of that guy is who sits on the TV all day and tells you to buy or sell. They want to sell you their service, not inform you about Disney.

 

[kwdw]

HA - I knew there was no way that was opening in April when I saw the construction site back in February. I hope for their sake - it's open before Memorial Day.

I love that park at night - but with the animal trails not available after 5 pm - they do need more evening attractions. Maybe FOTLK and Nemo will also have later shows? And maybe things in Pandora??? Tiffins for dining....

I'm "okay" that you might need to FP the Rivers of Light show to guarantee a seat in an evening.

 

[HopperFan]

The dates are nothing - Who at Disney thought it was a *great* idea to have theater seating for 5000 when Fantasmic has 7900 PLUS 3000 more for standing room only!

Space dictated size.

Now if the rumors are correct and there are multiple shows a night, then it's not a problem. It might actually work for them.

Say 8000-10,000 are sitting at Fantasmic, with the crazy long lines and the forever exit ... Disney is making no money other than some initial concessions and it seems most are not buying. Yes you might have two shows but the lost time before and after the show impact.

Now you have 3 shows a night with 5000 at each (which would not surprise me based the looks of the anticipated show). While 5000 are watching, 10,000 will be in the park eating, drinking, shopping and doing some rides. Many will be purchasing dining packages to insure seating since theater is smaller. Also will be much easier to load and unload.

Even with costs to run the show, I will guess their cash flow from folks in the park waiting for their show could far outweigh it ... especially if the theater is mostly dining packages and fastpass ... because standby lines don't spend money.

 

[sunshinemelody]

Space dictated size.

Now if the rumors are correct and there are multiple shows a night, then it's not a problem. It might actually work for them.

Say 8000-10,000 are sitting at Fantasmic, with the crazy long lines and the forever exit ... Disney is making no money other than some initial concessions and it seems most are not buying. Yes you might have two shows but the lost time before and after the show impact.

Now you have 3 shows a night with 5000 at each (which would not surprise me based the anticipated show). While 5000 are watching, 10,000 will be in the park eating, drinking, shopping and doing some rides. Many will be purchasing dining packages to insure seating since theater is smaller. Also will be much easier to load and unload.

Even with costs to run the show, I will guess their cash flow from folks in the park waiting for their show could far outweigh it ... especially if the theater is mostly dining packages and fastpass ... because standby lines don't spend money.

I take back my "dumb" statement. I agree with you.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

yeah, they're saying at least 2 shows a night, they have FP, anybody who wants to see the show should be able to see it at some point. Unless they were going this month.

 

[sunshinemelody]

yeah, they're saying at least 2 shows a night, they have FP, anybody who wants to see the show should be able to see it at some point. Unless they were going this month.

Or possibly next month as they're not announcing anything until Mid-May. That could mean half of May (doubtful), but most likely a start date of June.

 

[HopperFan]

Or possibly next month as they're not announcing anything until Mid-May. That could mean half of May (doubtful), but most likely a start date of June.

Right ... they will announce in mid-May. Doesn't mean a start in May at all. I think now they will be very conservative with their announcing.

And to add to my previous we have to remember that the animal trails will all be closed, not sure about Kali Rapids, depending on artists contracts there may be no Nemo or LK shows after 5 or 6 ... so there will be lots of folks dining late, enjoying the fancy drinks AK offers etc. $$$

 

[Disneymom1126]

I do wonder whether there will be standing room outside the seating area from around the lake -- seems like it from the types of photos people have been able to get of construction...even the area in Asia seems to have views to the lake...it was all walled up the last time we were there, so I could be completely wrong about that, but I have a hunch more than the 5000 seated will be able to see the show

 

[Love Tink]

Now you have 3 shows a night with 5000 at each (which would not surprise me based the anticipated show). While 5000 are watching, 10,000 will be in the park eating, drinking, shopping and doing some rides. Many will be purchasing dining packages to insure seating since theater is smaller. Also will be much easier to load and unload.

I haven't been following this closely, but my understanding is that this is an after-dark-only show, right? So you can't schedule one before about 9:00pm in the summer. Assuming a very quick turn around of the theater and the show, three shows a night means keeping AK open until what - 11:00? Even later? That makes little sense to me.

 

[Skywise]

I do wonder whether there will be standing room outside the seating area from around the lake -- seems like it from the types of photos people have been able to get of construction...even the area in Asia seems to have views to the lake...it was all walled up the last time we were there, so I could be completely wrong about that, but I have a hunch more than the 5000 seated will be able to see the show

Last I heard they were putting up trees and brush around the area to block the view to keep pedestrian traffic flowing.

Doing some research here on the side - 5000 seats is also the capacity of the Lights, Motors, Stunt show with a little over 2000 at Indiana Jones - My thought was that RoL would be a capstone event - ala Wishes or Illuminations to finish out the evening but it sounds like it's just intended to be an evening show.

 

[hookedonears]

HA - I knew there was no way that was opening in April when I saw the construction site back in February. I hope for their sake - it's open before Memorial Day.

I love that park at night - but with the animal trails not available after 5 pm - they do need more evening attractions. Maybe FOTLK and Nemo will also have later shows? And maybe things in Pandora??? Tiffins for dining....

I'm "okay" that you might need to FP the Rivers of Light show to guarantee a seat in an evening.

I'm sure there's plenty of availability now for 5 PM dining at Tusker House on April 22nd. I wonder how many people who booked later meals at AK, anticipating the show on the 22nd, are now having to completely change their entire touring plans. Who knows they may now be shut out of places they'd rather eaten in other parks.

 

[ArielSRL]

Who knows? Maybe the size of the theater was dictated by the space and location.

This is what I've read.

 

[HopperFan]

I haven't been following this closely, but my understanding is that this is an after-dark-only show, right? So you can't schedule one before about 9:00pm in the summer. Assuming a very quick turn around of the theater and the show, three shows a night means keeping AK open until what - 11:00? Even later? That makes little sense to me.

Agree. But if this show is a hit and it can generate $$$ then why not stay open? The costs to keep AK open later are probably lower than other parks since less rides and lower lighting etc.

Remember they are adding a night safari and once Avatarland opens that park can fully support long hours, maybe out of necessity.

Just reporting what has been put out there including some screen shots off of MDE that were caught before they were pulled. Why would Disney even type those lines into MDE if it weren't going to be an option sometime? It will be interesting to see how it plays out.

 

[WEDWDW]

FWIW,these are RoL times I have seen mentioned when(if) there are "Three Show Nights"(not to be confused with Three Dog Night).
8:30pm- 9:45pm- 11:00pm