I'm back from a week at the World and what I experienced is exactly what I expected (good and bad). Here's some random thoughts on things:
- MM+/FP+ continues to be the boat anchor that is dragging the resort down. The long term trickle down impact to Cast Member morale is really disheartening. I spoke to many long time contacts at the resort that have mentioned that they've personally given up on seeing any light at the end of the tunnel with this project. They really feel hamstrung on how to help guests out with their everyday problems with the technology. When MM+ has issues, there really isn't much the Cast Members can do to fix it aside from resorting to "manual" methods of trying to fix the issue (like letting guests into lines when a single MagicBand fails to register in a party or writing down the Band's ID number and manually trying to input the information at a restaurant).
- Simple little things with the Band that are easy to fix/improve aren't happening. Ergonomic things like: the vertically placed sensor in the parking lot gate at the resort make it virtually impossible to get your band against it while driving a car or the ever popular Band reader at checkout at stores and snack carts. Gotta love sticking your arm out to hit the sensor and then not being able to see if it registers because your arm is blocking the light up ring. Both items are things that I've suggested a month after the system went live.
- Also nice is the need to carry around your Premier Pass and ID because the Band can't track that information or simply they don't want to use the band as proof of identification. I guess if it's good enough to get you into your room with your personal items and change things to your credit card it isn't good enough for the small discount still offered to passholders.
- Magic Kingdom is a MESS. Master strategy at its best. Get new parade for the first time in a decade... then close down the majority of the viewing locations along Main Street and the Hub and sit back and watch the fun unfurl. I witnessed many an argument as people were trying to find a place to watch from. Bad planning exasperated by the extended duration of the Hub refurb project. Also, MK is bursting at the seams. All those guests, not enough attractions for them to be in line for, FP+ pulling people out of lines and dumping them into the streets, the streets congested by construction and you have gridlock. Oh well, I'm sure they can keep making the streets wider and wider to cram some more guests in.
- Wishes was missing the "face" shaped burst all week; but, the hearts were still there. Hopefully, just a temp supply issue and not another cut.
- Celebrate the Magic did not switch over to the Valentine's Day version as it had done in previous years during the later part of the week. I guess they didn't want to cut the newly added Frozen segment.
- EPCOT, well, it was open. Maelstrom is still closed; but, other than the change/reduction in entertainment offerings, it was in the shape as my last visit.
- Illuminations looked great with new lasers and lights. Still needs a bit more color added back to the pyro and I do miss the screaming shells during the last part of Act II.
- DHS, well, it was open. Now featuring even less to do than ever before.
- AK, well, it was open. Pandora is now able to be seen from the parking lot. Construction walls everywhere once you are inside. The new Lion King area is fantastic. Also, the new cast is great and we went back multiple times over the course of the week. Easily the most entertaining show on property.
- Down I-4, Universal is still cruising along. Kong is getting surface details added. Gringotts was running more consistently than it was in November (which was still pretty good). Dragon's Challenge was running faster than it had in years (it had mostly the hard compound wheels on). The only negative is the same thing I've been on them about for years - their disability practices are HORRIBLE. The most common thing you will hear at Uni if you are with someone with a disability is "I'm sorry, we are out of wheelchairs" at each attraction. It's an easy thing to do when your attraction can pump 2000+ guests an hour and you have 5 wheelchairs for it. You do the math.
Thanks for the rundown. I like what you said, but can't like the post because I fundamentally disagree with your assertion that a fifth gate is needed. It's about the only thing where I think you go off the rails a bit.
No, what is needed is expansions at all four parks and significant new attractions at every park that isn't named MK to drive traffic to the other gates and so those parks are not over-burdened.
Vacation time isn't increasing in the USA. Further cannibalizing your business makes no financial sense. And why would you add another gate when you have huge swaths of land that can be developed and/or repurposed?
Agreed. A 5th gate with the same philosophy of management regarding capacity would be the worst thing possible. What is needed is a 5th (and 6th by TDO's standards) worth of rides and attractions dumped into AK, DHS, and EPCOT. Pull guests away from MK and hold them there all day.
