A Spirited Dirty Dozen ...

[Jones14]

Jungle Book was too long, but it had some great moments. The live singers and the accompanying dancers, projections, and effects that went with their songs were definitely the strongest part. If they shaved off two or three minutes off of the show, I think it'd be excellent. As it stands, it's a good show, with some excellent parts (I Wanna Be Like You was my personal favorite, although Trust In Me had a cool projection aspect that was really neat and reminiscent of Fantasmic!). The water screens need some work, though.

As for the safaris, I personally thought they nailed it. It's dark, but the animals are there, and more are visible than it would seem. The sunset is beautiful. However, if you don't like the daytime safari, you'll probably hate the nighttime one, and if you're looking for a more traditional theme park attraction, the night version isn't for you. It's very intimate, and the focus is on quiet observation above all else. For me, it was stunning, but if you're not into Animal Kingdom's style, it won't change your mind.

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

'til they have to leave the dinosaur AA in Yeti Disco mode.




You mean the hype of the Jungle Book show? or the Night Safaris?

The hype train goes both ways... Yours is just blinded by Disney.

or funded.

 

[Nickels5]

'til they have to leave the dinosaur AA in Yeti Disco mode.




You mean the hype of the Jungle Book show? or the Night Safaris?

The hype train goes both ways... Yours is just blinded by Disney.

Not blinded at all, I didn't make any judgement on those until people were able to experience those, but compare a show that was thrown together in 6 weeks to the kong ride.

 

[aladdin2007]

From the "Move Along, Nothing To See Here ... Everything is Fine" Department:

As I just saw (literally) my first local WDW Summer Awakens spot on the ABC affiliate in Miami (WPLG-Ch. 10), which had lots of fine print under the offerings that basically said 'Not necessarily open when you come ... this summer!', I was reading a note a friend sent earlier today.

MK CM blockouts for today were lifted at last minute (meaning within the last 24 hours).

Back to the commercial, which advertised 4-day FL resident tickets good all summer long now (except for July 1st-4th), I couldn't help but notice the $59 a day price and was thinking ''I'm really not sure WDW parks are even worth that at all, except maybe DAK ... and who in their right mind wants to visit in summer?"

any update on if they are still going to lift the seasonal summer blockout dates on passes and what not? I know it was mentioned awhile back but haven't see any more about it.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Dakota on the Twitter is going to Shanghai in late July/early August. I wonder who arranged that?

 

[Mike S]

Not blinded at all, I didn't make any judgement on those until people were able to experience those, but compare a show that was thrown together in 6 weeks to the kong ride.

Compare anything opened in the past 10 years after Everest.

 

[Nickels5]

Compare anything opened in the past 10 years after Everest.

I understand you have been hyping the Kong ride more then anyone and have a lot riding on it being good, all I am saying is the previews that I saw on TV looked less then impressive, looked like an attraction that is all screen based except for one Kong AA, which looks big but unrealistic to me.

 

[flynnibus]

Dakota on the Twitter is going to Shanghai in late July/early August. I wonder who arranged that?
View attachment 143896

Go back in his feed... he's been talking about doing it for months. In fact, he announces their intent to go for opening, then changes to July.

 

[GoofGoof]

I understand you have been hyping the Kong ride more then anyone and have a lot riding on it being good, all I am saying is the previews that I saw on TV looked less then impressive, looked like an attraction that is all screen based except for one Kong AA, which looks big but unrealistic to me.

Considering neither King Kong or avatar land are open how can you make any judgement?

Looks like you answered your own question

 

[PhotoDave219]

All this discussion of social media.... it just reminds me of the tale of the emperor's new clothes....

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Alice looks to be Disney's second write off of 2016, after "The Finest Hours".

#Alice dom final heading to about $80M - worse than LoneRanger & Tomorrowland. Opening wknd alone for #AliceInWonderland was much bigger.
https://twitter.com/GiteshPandya/status/736947902728310786

It'll do ok in China though, which should continue to justify the Alice E for SDL's Fantasyland.

Big $27.1M China debut for #Alice, but other intl openings not as impressive. $65M wknd from 43 mkts. $93.1M global thru SUN.
https://twitter.com/GiteshPandya/status/736941691308015616

 

[the.dreamfinder]

All this discussion of social media.... it just reminds me of the tale of the emperor's new clothes....

You know, I was thinking the same thing earlier this week with Bob and his pettiness.

 

[PhotoDave219]

You know, I was thinking the same thing earlier this week with Bob.

Gotta think that the board is doing the right thing by looking outside....

 

[71jason]

I have had a few people write me about DAK's awakening being a night better used for napping at home ... is this the consensus from people there?

Seems like the biggest issues were a lousy Jungle Book show, which you can only expect so much when there were no plans for it six weeks ago, and not much excitement on night safaris (but that is an experience that is different with every ride, no matter the time.)

Talking to non-lifestylers (i.e. CMs and friends who I trust to be objective)--JB show underwhelming to flat-out bad. Lighting on nighttime safari kewl but lucky to see more than three animals--heard that enough I think it applies no matter how many times you ride.

I personally caught some of the Tree of Life show. Impressive, but not sure if I have kids who have been in a park all day I want to stand (emphasis on *stand*) around all night so every 3 minutes I can say, "ooh, look, that one animal moved for a split second!" In other words, the full shows need to go off much more often.

There are also two dance parties. The one in Africa uses live instruments which instantly makes it the best dance party in WDW history. Admittedly a low bar.

Walking around the park after dark was a bit of a unique thrill, at least the first time. My initial thought was plenty of CPs will be using all the darkened nooks and crannies to enjoy each others' company and probably some recreational herbs.

Not sure if you've heard numbers from a mutual friend of ours, but flat-out disastrous, and word of mouth going to do nothing to turn that around. I wonder how quickly they walk back 11 pm closings.

 

[UpAllNight]

Their simply needs to be a lot more rides in AK for the masses to keep people entertained that long. Dance parties and some projection effects should be nice additions, not the main event.

It's criminal that the park is approaching its 20th Birthday and it's still underdeveloped to where it should be. It's a major coaster, a water ride and several dark rides from where it should be, I suspect even with Avatar.

 

[ford91exploder]

Yes... Stating that doesn't explain their interest in keeping Walt Disney World's numbers inflated.

If Disney cuts them off effectively they are out of business I'd say thats reason enough to 'play ball' so to speak

 

[ford91exploder]

Their simply needs to be a lot more rides in AK for the masses to keep people entertained that long. Dance parties and some projection effects should be nice additions, not the main event.

It's criminal that the park is approaching its 20th Birthday and it's still underdeveloped to where it should be. It's a major coaster, a water ride and several dark rides from where it should be, I suspect even with Avatar.

I'd skip the coaster but the rest are no brainers

 

[GoofGoof]

If Disney cuts them off effectively they are out of business I'd say thats reason enough to 'play ball' so to speak

It would be so much easier if the actual companies just released park attendance numbers in their SEC filings. No beating around the bush. No relying on estimates from a 3rd party. I'm not sure what to make of those numbers anymore. A bunch of people are saying they are unreliable because they are estimates and don't come from the companies directly. Now you are saying they are unreliable because Disney is providing AECOM with false numbers and they are running with them because they are afraid of getting put out of business. It can't be both ways.

What will be interesting will be if next year or the year after USF passes DHS in the TEA report. These reports which we have been hearing are so unreliable will suddenly become "the bible" of theme park numbers for the doom and gloom crowd while the pixie dusters will dismiss them as being inaccurate anyway. It should be fun to see the tables turned. I think it's likely to happen before SW Land opens.

 

[AEfx]

I get that but the previews I saw tonight for the Kong ride left me unimpressed. But keep letting the hype machine get to you.

You'll have to forgive me for being excited about new rides and attractions like this, because it's been so long since we've gotten anything of substance at WDW on this scale. And Universal seems to be doing it once every year or so.

 

[asianway]

Talking to non-lifestylers (i.e. CMs and friends who I trust to be objective)--JB show underwhelming to flat-out bad. Lighting on nighttime safari kewl but lucky to see more than three animals--heard that enough I think it applies no matter how many times you ride.

I personally caught some of the Tree of Life show. Impressive, but not sure if I have kids who have been in a park all day I want to stand (emphasis on *stand*) around all night so every 3 minutes I can say, "ooh, look, that one animal moved for a split second!" In other words, the full shows need to go off much more often.

There are also two dance parties. The one in Africa uses live instruments which instantly makes it the best dance party in WDW history. Admittedly a low bar.

Walking around the park after dark was a bit of a unique thrill, at least the first time. My initial thought was plenty of CPs will be using all the darkened nooks and crannies to enjoy each others' company and probably some recreational herbs.

Not sure if you've heard numbers from a mutual friend of ours, but flat-out disastrous, and word of mouth going to do nothing to turn that around. I wonder how quickly they walk back 11 pm closings.

Simple common sense says most guests don't care for AK during The day. Now somehow they will miraculously want to stay there till 11? Please