MK All-New Nighttime Parade Disney Starlight Set to Debut at Magic Kingdom in 2025

[James Alucobond]

So we are now justifying everything they “officially” announced and cancelled or cut back. Got it

There is a difference between the alterations and priority shifts that naturally occur as part of the design and development process and the budget explicitly being slashed as in EPCOT, where monies were not spent as planned and elements were consequently hastily redesigned as a stopgap. The two situations should not be conflated.

Universal built a brand new theme park but yes lets blame covid lol….

No one is saying that their response to COVID was the right one, just that what happened to projects caught up in it was generally exceptional and that there is no relevant comparison to Starlight.

 

[Splash4eva]

A theme park that itself was significantly delayed and experienced numerous cut backs.

If you wanna sit here and say Disney delivered what they promised and showcased so be it. I cant help you

 

[Splash4eva]

There is a difference between the alterations and priority shifts that naturally occur as part of the design and development process and the budget explicitly being slashed as in EPCOT, where monies were not spent as planned and elements were consequently hastily redesigned as a stopgap. The two situations should not be conflated.

No one is saying that their response to COVID was the right one, just that what happened to projects caught up in it was generally exceptional and that there is no relevant comparison to Starlight.

They went thru with an unnecessary project in removing Splash for Tiana which by all means the finished product was far from this jaw dropping attraction. MP ride cancelled. Pavillions cancelled. MK theatre cancelled. Last i checked Pandora was thumbed down as was SWL and TSL. All which had nothing to do with Covid. The list is endless.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Hmmm...

 

[wdwfan22]

Hmmm...

He just copied what was listed in the press release. Nothing spectacular was dropped.

 

[Jedi14]

They went thru with an unnecessary project in removing Splash for Tiana which by all means the finished product was far from this jaw dropping attraction. MP ride cancelled. Pavillions cancelled. MK theatre cancelled. Last i checked Pandora was thumbed down as was SWL and TSL. All which had nothing to do with Covid. The list is endless.

How does this relate to Starlight?

 

[peter11435]

If you wanna sit here and say Disney delivered what they promised and showcased so be it. I cant help you

What are we talking about here? Obviously not starlight since you haven’t seen it yet.

So then obviously you’re talking mostly about the Epcot projects that were impacted by Covid.

 

[peter11435]

They went thru with an unnecessary project in removing Splash for Tiana which by all means the finished product was far from this jaw dropping attraction. MP ride cancelled. Pavillions cancelled. MK theatre cancelled. Last i checked Pandora was thumbed down as was SWL and TSL. All which had nothing to do with Covid. The list is endless.

MP and Play were cancelled due to Covid and because they weren’t very good ideas to begin with.

The MK theater had significant location complications. These should have been identified before announcement and they definitely should have been identified before construction started.

Pandora, SWL, and TSL all experienced normal changes that are typical of the development process. EPIC went through similar cuts and revisions.

 

[James Alucobond]

What are we talking about here? Obviously not starlight since you haven’t seen it yet.

Not to mention that they haven't even shown or announced anything that won't make it into the final product. All "cuts", if one can call them that in this scenario, are things the public was never promised. They were just part of the behind-the-scenes concept at one point or another.

MP and Play were cancelled due to Covid and because they weren’t very good ideas to begin with.

The MK theater had significant location complications. These should have been identified before announcement and they definitely should have been identified before construction started.

There's also the fact that announced-but-never-started projects are fundamentally different from started-but-defunded projects. The former are relatively common and have existed since the park opened. Various Seven Seas hotels, World Showcase pavilions, venues, attractions, etc. never materialized because they were talked about before feasibility was fully explored or before funds or sponsorship were secured. The latter (e.g. EPCOT's reimagining) are incredibly rare.

But those are beside the point anyway. They are both situations wholly disconnected from Starlight's development and warrant no comparison.

 

[Comped]

The MK theater had significant location complications. These should have been identified before announcement and they definitely should have been identified before construction started.

Done right that theater could very well have been revenue neutral if not profitable, assuming the right mix of entertainment was included (always thought that it made sense for a hard ticket show in order to pay the place off). The location was challenging but not impossible to develop, I believe it was simply more of no one wanting to spend significant money on entertainment. As is the record over the previous several leadership of record who have say over entertainment in Orlando.

 

[peter11435]

Done right that theater could very well have been revenue neutral if not profitable, assuming the right mix of entertainment was included (always thought that it made sense for a hard ticket show in order to pay the place off). The location was challenging but not impossible to develop, I believe it was simply more of no one wanting to spend significant money on entertainment. As is the record over the previous several leadership of record who have say over entertainment in Orlando.

It wasn’t about not wanting to pay for the theater or entertainment. The project was cancelled because of issues with the site. Construction actually started. Backstage areas were cleared, construction equipment was brought in, hardscape was removed and dirt was moving. Massive holes were dug before they discovered issues with the site that made development unfeasible

 

[Splash4eva]

How does this relate to Starlight?

I asked a question if insiders would let us know what was cut. Steve replied but didnt really answer which is fine. So i made a follow up comment which seems to irk plenty based on Disneys history and here we are… either at this point i truly dont care honestly. Let the people who know defend and protect.

 

[Splash4eva]

MP and Play were cancelled due to Covid and because they weren’t very good ideas to begin with.

The MK theater had significant location complications. These should have been identified before announcement and they definitely should have been identified before construction started.

Pandora, SWL, and TSL all experienced normal changes that are typical of the development process. EPIC went through similar cuts and revisions.

You say “normal” but thats my point. Promise one thing deliver another… to me thats not acceptable and again proves my point.

 

[Splash4eva]

What are we talking about here? Obviously not starlight since you haven’t seen it yet.

So then obviously you’re talking mostly about the Epcot projects that were impacted by Covid.

Stitch is still sitting empty last i checked and multiple insiders said there were plans. Same with speedway. Fantasyland last i recall 7Ds ride was suppose to be much longer… also a last minute SA/Brazil country that never happened. So keep defending them its fine.

 

[peter11435]

You say “normal” but thats my point. Promise one thing deliver another… to me thats not acceptable and again proves my point.

I referred to projects like Pandora undergoing normal changes during the design process. What exactly do you think was “promised” in those projects that was not delivered?

 

[peter11435]

Stitch is still sitting empty last i checked and multiple insiders said there were plans. Same with speedway. Fantasyland last i recall 7Ds ride was suppose to be much longer… also a last minute SA/Brazil country that never happened. So keep defending them it’s fine.

Nothing you reference in this post was ever announced or promised. It’s great that we have access to inside information and leaks. Enjoy those glimpses in to the design process but understand that they are not announcements or press releases. If you knew all of the stuff that was thought about and never developed in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s you’d be upset at them too.

 

[Drew the Disney Dude]

Hmmm...

Lol, oops. I'll be sure to change the font color from blue to white if I copy something from Parks Blog in the future.

 

[TrippedUp]

Doesn't seem to be very high on anybody's priority list... The size of the openings on the existing buildings also constrain what floats they can buy from other parks, or so I was told on my KTTK tour a few months back. Entertainment hasn't been given the kind of money they'd need for a project like this in years though.

There was a permit for the parade building by a company that specializes in shade structures. My suspicion was they were improving outdoor storage, but it sounds like whatever they added isn't enough.

Disclaimer

 

[Splash4eva]

Im bowing out of this one. I stand corrected. Everything Disney has announced via D23 or other means is done spot on to perfection to the concept art and the company never disappoints & builds things as advertised. Im not sure what i was thinking posting anything else…. Long live the Great Iger and Skinny Jeans!!!

 

[James Alucobond]

Im bowing out of this one. I stand corrected. Everything Disney has announced via D23 or other means is done spot on to perfection to the concept art and the company never disappoints & builds things as advertised. Im not sure what i was thinking posting anything else…. Long live the Great Iger and Skinny Jeans!!!

No one said any of that. But if misrepresenting everyone else and slinking off into the shadows helps you believe you're saving face, more power to you.