A Spirited Valentine ...

[EPCOTCenterLover]

I can't wait for Super Mario World to come to Florida! The fun level looks incredibly high.

 

[PizzaPlanet]

Pet show is bye bye.

Hopefully the animal trainers can get jobs at DAK.

 

[Goob]

Is Flights of Wonder back open at AK? What was being done to it?

 

[DDLand]

Where is that 2020 date coming from? What happened to Osaka's land opening in 2019 with OSU opening the following year?

The rumored timeline never made much sense. USJ's original press release mentioned only it "is targeted to open in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics." That seems like it wasn't going to ever be a 2019 opening. It could even be mid 2020 before we see it open, but that probably depends on how far along they are with R&D.

This land should be far far more complex than Diagon Alley- my personal opinion looking at the renders- so a 2 1/2 to 3 year timeline from ground breaking seems just right.

Orlando United Posters just dropped the ball here. In their defense, I'm sure timelines have been extremely flexible as Universal reevaluates their ownership and investment strategy most noticeably in Japan. That and R&D create a situation that isn't science.

That creates a new series of questions...

If we're looking at an early to mid 2020 timeline for USJ, what about UOR? Late 2020? Early 2021? Mid 2021? We'll quickly get an indication depending on when the groundbreaking takes place.

This completely reframes what Super Nintendo World is in the Orlando Market. Are two lands opening 1 1/2 to 2 years apart really aimed at each other? Star Wars Experience is opening in 2019 instead of the 2020 originally anticipated, and it's now credible that Super Nintendo World Orlando is coming 2021 instead 2020ish that I'd seen speculated on.

Dueling Dragon's replacement makes more sense. It seems like it will be on the front lines of the Anti Star Wars Experience message. Star Wars Experience is cool, but experience the entire Wizarding World of Harry Potter with a brand new experience that brings the latest technology to beloved favorites.

Then let Nintendo have its own moment far far away from Star Wars.

-The land is planned to cost $60 BILLION yen for USJ! Making it one of the most expensive theme park lands ever created. ($546 million USD!)

Alright... As opposed to projects like Avatar -where numbers are disputed- Star Wars Experience's are costing 1 Billion a land. Now we know roughly how much each Super Nintendo World will cost.

It will be fascinating to see what is brought to the table with the massive budget differentials. If Super Nintendo World even touches Star Wars Experience's scale, Disney should be humiliated. WDI's spending is now going to more clearly under the microscope.

It's going to be interesting...

 

[yeti]

Big Thunder trail opened at DL today and what's with all the benches? Do they think that people might want to sit down from time to time? What madness is this?

View attachment 209014

Nobody ever listens to Dave.

 

[Mike S]

My only problem is USF can't afford to keep killing shows. Especially with them going more and more to Virtual Line. You need shows to absorb crowds and also give people a chance to get out of the sun and sit down during there day. And more street shows and meet and greets do not make up for having a sit down 30 min show. They have a bunch of soundstages that they could easily move a new show or move the pet show into.

The press releases confirmed SNW will have shows though we don't know if that means an indoor one.

The rumored timeline never made much sense. USJ's original press release mentioned only it "is targeted to open in time for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics." That seems like it wasn't going to ever be a 2019 opening. It could even be mid 2020 before we see it open, but that probably depends on how far along they are with R&D.

This land should be far far more complex than Diagon Alley- my personal opinion looking at the renders- so a 2 1/2 to 3 year timeline from ground breaking seems just right.

Orlando United Posters just dropped the ball here. In their defense, I'm sure timelines have been extremely flexible as Universal reevaluates their ownership and investment strategy most noticeably in Japan. That and R&D create a situation that isn't science.

That creates a new series of questions...

If we're looking at an early to mid 2020 timeline for USJ, what about UOR? Late 2020? Early 2021? Mid 2021? We'll quickly get an indication depending on when the groundbreaking takes place.

This completely reframes what Super Nintendo World is in the Orlando Market. Are two lands opening 1 1/2 to 2 years apart really aimed at each other? Star Wars Experience is opening in 2019 instead of the 2020 originally anticipated, and it's now credible that Super Nintendo World Orlando is coming 2021 instead 2020ish that I'd seen speculated on.

Dueling Dragon's replacement makes more sense. It seems like it will be on the front lines of the Anti Star Wars Experience message. Star Wars Experience is cool, but experience the entire Wizarding World of Harry Potter with a brand new experience that brings the latest technology to beloved favorites.

Then let Nintendo have its own moment far far away from Star Wars.




Alright... As opposed to projects like Avatar -where numbers are disputed- Star Wars Experience's are costing 1 Billion a land. Now we know roughly how much each Super Nintendo World will cost.

It will be fascinating to see what is brought to the table with the massive budget differentials. If Super Nintendo World even touches Star Wars Experience's scale, Disney should be humiliated. WDI's spending is now going to more clearly under the microscope.

It's going to be interesting...

Well, if construction starts in Orlando later this year after HHN it could still be 2020. Think about how fast Jaws got demolished. USJ is supposedly early 2020 so it's easy to think that it was originally late 2019 when the OU insiders first heard about it. "In time for the 2020 Olympics" could've literally meant anything.

 

[Phil12]

Nobody ever listens to Dave.

That's the perfect photo to demonstrate why WDW has gotten rid of so many benches. Self centered folks such as the one pictured tend to sprawl out on benches thereby depriving others of using them. Also some folks attempt to "reserve" benches by putting their personal property on the bench and WDW CM's don't have the time to police such poor behavior.

 

[Casper Gutman]

That's the perfect photo to demonstrate why WDW has gotten rid of so many benches. Self centered folks such as the one pictured tend to sprawl out on benches thereby depriving others of using them. Also some folks attempt to "reserve" benches by putting their personal property on the bench and WDW CM's don't have the time to police such poor behavior.

I'm not sure if you're joking here...

who cares if people "sprawl out" on a bench? They have every right to do so. And Disney's solution is "some people sit in a way we don't feel is ideal so noone gets to sit"?

Disney is removing benches to force people into shops and restaurants. A happy, seated, relaxing guest is a guest who isn't spending cash or at the very least filling their "enjoyment quota" of 4-minute rides.

 

[Rodan75]

I'm pretty sure everyone who complains about lack of benches at WDW hasn't actually been to WDW lately. Magic Kingdom and Epcot both clearly have lots of benches and sitting areas. AK and DHS aren't quite as generous with benches, but there are still lots of sitting options.

 

[PizzaPlanet]

That's the perfect photo to demonstrate why WDW has gotten rid of so many benches. Self centered folks such as the one pictured tend to sprawl out on benches thereby depriving others of using them. Also some folks attempt to "reserve" benches by putting their personal property on the bench and WDW CM's don't have the time to police such poor behavior.

He's actually a host from the Happiest Celebration on Earth planning DVD. Dave's not "self-centered", this was part of a very funny running gag.

 

[Kman101]

I see a lot of wanting less screens for Universal on their AP Facebook page

I'm pretty sure everyone who complains about lack of benches at WDW hasn't actually been to WDW lately. Magic Kingdom and Epcot both clearly have lots of benches and sitting areas. AK and DHS aren't quite as generous with benches, but there are still lots of sitting options.

Really? I actually found it to be the opposite LOL. AK and DHS have tons of benches and places to sit. MK and Epcot are where it's lacking a little bit, and these two have indeed removed a lot of seating over the years. But Epcot's not too bad. MK is starting to improve. It's not as bad as it seems.

 

[2351metalcloud]

One thing I noticed is that despite being called Super Nintendo World, it seems to be strictly themed to the Mario universe. Don't get me wrong, that's still really awesome, but having "Nintendo World" in the name had me thinking it would be more along the lines of Super Smash Bros. if you catch my drift.

There are patents done by Universal for a mine cart coaster that appears to jump over breaks in the tracks like in various Donkey Kong games.

www.coaster101.com/2017/01/04/boom-coaster-vs-cantilevered-coaster/

Also, given that Mario Kart is one of the rides. Characters from outside the regular Mario games might appear at this ride. I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't appear there however.

I'm with you on that.

I'm not sure the low-fidelity, plastic look is going to do them any favors. It will do bonkers business and be loads of fun, certainly.

This style is similar to many Dreamworks and Illuminations movies. The park could have a 'plastic look' sort of like how the Dr. Seuss area kind of has a 'plastic look' and end up looking at least decent in my opinion.

 

[Disneyhead'71]

There are patents done by Universal for a mine cart coaster that appears to jump over breaks in the tracks like in various Donkey Kong games.

www.coaster101.com/2017/01/04/boom-coaster-vs-cantilevered-coaster/




This style is similar to many Dreamworks and Illuminations movies. The park could have a 'plastic look' sort of like how the Dr. Seuss area kind of has a 'plastic look' and end up looking at least decent in my opinion.

Springfield has a similar look. It is how Universal Creative does animation in real life.

 

[yeti]

That's the perfect photo to demonstrate why WDW has gotten rid of so many benches. Self centered folks such as the one pictured tend to sprawl out on benches thereby depriving others of using them. Also some folks attempt to "reserve" benches by putting their personal property on the bench and WDW CM's don't have the time to police such poor behavior.

Oh, Phil. Don't ever change, really.

 

[EricsBiscuit]

Just leaving Tokyo Disneyland Hotel now. Wow! What an incredible resort! Disney Sea is really Disney's best park. However I was a bit disappointed by Disneyland. The park was indeed awesome and I snapped some great photos, but it felt like a clone of MK. The Splash Mountain was amazing and certainly edged out MK's version as the best incarnation. Whenever I came across a single rider line, I did it. The single rider lines are always faster than even the FastPass queues. That way, I got on Splash Mountain 3 times in one day. I was also surprised by how short the lines were for HM and Pirates. I think they need to make the dialogue for Pirates in Japanese and Madam Leota speak Japanese as well. Speaking of language, the CMs are incredible! They are something to behold. You know what I mean if you've been... The language barrier was irrelevant when ordering food. It only stopped me from seeing the stage shows. Speaking of, the stage shows were cool, especially at Disney Sea. I love their Fantasmic but I like how DHS' has a mountain and seats. The food was good. I had penne at one of the restraunts in Mediterranean harbor for breakfast, lunch and dinner lol. I also like the potato churross bc of the seasoning. But, I found the alien dumplings to not be good. They are cold and filled with chocolate pudding. I expected warm, colored potato dumplings I.e. Biergarten. I found the food to be better at Disneyland. They had a great system: choose a meat (I always chose the paddy), sides, then rice or bread plus a drink for the buffeteria style restraunts. I didn't eat at any table service restraunts other than Sherwood Garden at the Disneyland Hotel. It was good and my friend's 2 year old even enjoyed the veggies. My room from the Disneyland hotel had a park view, which was cool. The fireworks were lacking. Very reminiscent of Fantasy in the Sky at DL with a PTN style soundtrack. Dream lights was amazing. OUAT was amazing. One thing I did notice was the amount of chips and cracks in the concrete. And that the color of the concrete at Didneyland was the color of the land on the park map. Very plain except for in Critter Country and I think Toon Town. I loved the attractions at each park too. DS was so unique in the layout of the park. I loved 20k and JtTCOTE. I think the DHS ToT is the best, but the one in DS has some great effects. Indy was great, cool queue, but I walked right past it in the single rider line. Sindbad was my favorite attraction at either park. It never had above a 10 min wait and the song I still have stuck in my head. Needless to say I wish upon a star they build that in Morrocco or AL. I loved the steam boat and locomotives at DL. Very cool. I also noticed a lot of refurbs and tarps up. The carousel, Space Mountain, Tikki Room, and IASW from the top of my head are down now. Not that I'm missing much, their SM is a clone of DL's (which has few drops unlike MK and you just have a lot of turns). The Omega track at MK is my fav SM (I haven't been to Paris yet). Their TL looks a lot like the pre 1994 MK one. The fountains weren't working in the front though. Their Buzz Lightyear is like the one in DL and sucks bc you can't see your damn laser! I got 94,000~ points. This is from a person who maxes out every time at MK! Ridiculous! The one in Shanghai is by far he best though, new tech and you can see the damn laser! Anyway, I almost broke my neck on Snow White. Fun I guess. Also, the rumors of a HM restraunt at MK, I have a theory: in the queue in TDL, there is a building jutting out of the rock work above. Finally, I loved both parks so much and everyone should visit them.

PS I included some construction update photos.

 

[Herbie]

Not sure whether this has been posted or not but.. RideArchive.com.

 

[Phil12]

I'm not sure if you're joking here...

who cares if people "sprawl out" on a bench? They have every right to do so. And Disney's solution is "some people sit in a way we don't feel is ideal so noone gets to sit"?

Disney is removing benches to force people into shops and restaurants. A happy, seated, relaxing guest is a guest who isn't spending cash or at the very least filling their "enjoyment quota" of 4-minute rides.

You've made my point and I rest my case.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I'm pretty sure everyone who complains about lack of benches at WDW hasn't actually been to WDW lately. Magic Kingdom and Epcot both clearly have lots of benches and sitting areas. AK and DHS aren't quite as generous with benches, but there are still lots of sitting options.

Yeah I don't think I've ever been at WDW and said to myself "gee, I'd really like to sit down right now but I don't see any place to do so."

EDIT: Scratch that... there's a shortage of seating by Casey's at peak meal times, but that's really a table-and-chair issue, not a bench issue.

 

[Phil12]

He's actually a host from the Happiest Celebration on Earth planning DVD. Dave's not "self-centered", this was part of a very funny running gag.

Yes indeed. I particularly like the way in which Dave has chosen to put the sole of his shoe on the bench so the next guest can enjoy the dirt and debris on his or her pants.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

There are patents done by Universal for a mine cart coaster that appears to jump over breaks in the tracks like in various Donkey Kong games.

www.coaster101.com/2017/01/04/boom-coaster-vs-cantilevered-coaster/

Devil's advocate, the "runaway mine cart on broken tracks" is a pretty common trope in all sorts of video games and adventure movies. It's not necessarily Donkey Kong Country.

Springfield has a similar look. It is how Universal Creative does animation in real life.

Aren't you one of the people who bashed Art of Animation for a similar aesthetic?