News Disney plans to accelerate Parks investment to $60 billion over 10 years

[JoeCamel]

The one unique event MGM had in the early 1990s was included in the park ticket. In the parking lot was a wrestling ring and guests that day were treated to wrestling. That’s a fake attraction in itself.

That is "wrastlin'"

 

[TheMaxRebo]

As stated above, it wasn't like there was that many to start with. And I would also go so far as to say that while it is not an opening day attraction, Tower of Terror is the beating heart of the park and she remains.

USF is missing quite literally every attraction that once defined it.

But even zooming out, HS is not really the important park here. Magic Kingdom is. It still has a ton of its starters.

Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular was basically an opening day attraction (was supposed to be but was delayed) and that is still there

And that is practically a new park with a new theme/vision.

 

[Nottamus]

I miss rides that close to be replaced, BUT it’s also awesome to have something new.
We’ve all been on Dinosaur many times, and it’s one of my favorites - it will be in my memory - until the new ride.

None of this pertains to Illuminations ROE. They never should have attempted a replacement. Upgrade? Sure.

 

[Nottamus]

I miss rides that close to be replaced, BUT it’s also awesome to have something new.
We’ve all been on Dinosaur many times, and it’s one of my favorites - it will be in my memory - until the new ride.

None of this pertains to Illuminations ROE. They never should have attempted a replacement. Upgrade? Sure.

 

[Disone]

That’s kinda the same with USO…most of That stuff needed to go…anyway

Epcot’s stuff didn’t…it needed modernizing and additions. We didn’t really get either

While absolutely true I also meant it more tongue and cheek.

 

[wendysue]

Just wrapping up our latest (and last) visit to WDW. It was just ok and that's not good enough for the price. I hope they invest some money in better food.

 

[Chi84]

Just wrapping up our latest (and last) visit to WDW. It was just ok and that's not good enough for the price. I hope they invest some money in better food.

Where did you eat?

 

[eddie104]

Where did you eat?

Right.

There are literally hundreds of places to eat on property. Some better than others of course but to just leave that comment with no context is silly.

 

[Chi84]

Right.

There are literally hundreds of places to eat on property. Some better than others of course but to just leave that comment with no context is silly.

I fairness, I’m not expecting a restaurant review but I would be interested in whether the poster is commenting on park food, resort restaurants, counter or table service, etc.

While not inexpensive, I’ve always found the food at WDW to be pretty good.

 

[doctornick]

I fairness, I’m not expecting a restaurant review but I would be interested in whether the poster is commenting on park food, resort restaurants, counter or table service, etc.

While not inexpensive, I’ve always found the food at WDW to be pretty good.

I definitely find WDW food generally better than Uni. WDW has plenty of mediocre places but - especially taking the resorts into account - has a lot of places that are good food on their own (beyond being able to say "good for an amusement park").

I mean, I wouldn't go to WDW with the intent of having the best food ever but it's generally good enough that it enhances a vacation rather than detracts from it IMHO.

 

[Agent H]

I definitely find WDW food generally better than Uni. WDW has plenty of mediocre places but - especially taking the resorts into account - has a lot of places that are good food on their own (beyond being able to say "good for an amusement park").

I mean, I wouldn't go to WDW with the intent of having the best food ever but it's generally good enough that it enhances a vacation rather than detracts from it IMHO.

I’d say they’re about equal when it comes to quick service. ( pizza aside) if the buffet at cafe 4 was any indication though table service is significantly better at Disney.

 

[James Alucobond]

I’d say they’re about equal when it comes to quick service. ( pizza aside) if the buffet at cafe 4 was any indication though table service is significantly better at Disney.

I would agree at MK and probably HS, but not at AK and EPCOT.

 

[Agent H]

I would agree at MK and probably HS, but not at AK and EPCOT.

I’m assuming you referring to quick service in which case yeah I understand. We have one or two places we go to in each park that have food we like.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I’d say they’re about equal when it comes to quick service. ( pizza aside) if the buffet at cafe 4 was any indication though table service is significantly better at Disney.

I think there is a lot more variety for quick service at WDW than Uni so easier to find some better/unique options (especially outside of MK)

Though I think this shifts greatly once Epic is factored in as they seem to really have stepped up their food game there

 

[DCBaker]

In a new CNBC video on theme park investments by Disney and Universal, Michael Hundgen, Vice President Creative, Walt Disney World Portfolio at Walt Disney Imagineering, briefly talks about upcoming projects (video begins at the Walt Disney World discussion):

 

[DCBaker]

In an interview with Variety, Kyle Laughlin, Senior Vice President, R&D Technology and Engineering at Walt Disney Imagineering, discusses interactive characters coming to Disney Parks and Disney Cruise Line:

“This is just the start, the company plans to deploy more expressive, interactive characters across parks and cruise lines,” Laughlin relates, noting that this is part of Disney’s announced $60 billion investment over the next decade in new attractions and expansion. “Our whole goal is to bring these characters to life faster than ever. And so artificial intelligence and reinforcement learning are important tools in driving that time frame down, and to get that those characters in front of guests as quickly as possible.”

He also emphasizes that the difference in these new bots will be personality and autonomy. “I think you’re going to be able to see even more expressive characters in the future, and [fans] interacting with those characters throughout the parks is really, ultimately our goal,” Laughlin adds. “We have so many characters that can’t necessarily be performed by a performer, so we need to be able to unlock these characters and have them be able to roam throughout the parks.”

He hints, “We have a robust roadmap of free ranging characters that we’re excited to announce at some future point in time, that we hope to populate our worlds with.”

Full article below:

Disney Imagineering Moves the AI Bar by Encouraging BDX Droids ‘to Emote,’ Telling Them ‘You Are Smart’

Disney Imagineering is using a branch of AI called reinforcement learning, which is an area of machine learning involving learned behavior.

variety.com

 

[Kamikaze]

The one unique event MGM had in the early 1990s was included in the park ticket. In the parking lot was a wrestling ring and guests that day were treated to wrestling. That’s a fake attraction in itself.

WCW filmed shows on a soundstage at MGM for 4+ years in the mid 90s.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

WCW filmed shows on a soundstage at MGM for 4+ years in the mid 90s.

Or outside of the front gate..
Pic from the tourister

 

[Kamikaze]

Or outside of the front gate..
Pic from the tourister

I believe that was only 1 taping

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

I believe that was only 1 taping

According to the article they did the outside filming on Monday nights in summer of 96..

WCW's Forgotten Partnership With Disney Theme Parks, Explained

In 1993, Eric Bischoff went into business with Disney. It resulted in WCW launching weekly shows at Disney's MGM Studios.

www.thesportster.com