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A Terror-rific Spirited 13th (ToT fans have lots to fear)...
- Thread starter WDW1974
- Start date
The_Jobu
Well-Known Member
Just dropping back in with MAGICal New Year's Wishes (and Dreams!) for all of my friends here. Hope your holidays have been joyous, hope Santa brought you something nice and that you've all eaten well.
I don't have anything major I care to add right now ***except for some broad points below.
I was recently at WDW for the holidays and ... Frozen is ... as good or as bad as Maelstrom and as misplaced as most folks said it would be. Got some serious amusement at the seemingly daily upcharge options that Disney tossed out to see what stuck. It all reeks of desperation to me, which is incredible because we all know Disney has never been more profitable than it is right now. Decorations appeared sparse in many locations, most notably the Polynesian Village and Yacht Club, while others like the Grand Flo and BC were as dazzling as years past. Disney Springs looks lovely because it got a largely brand new decor package to go with its relaunch. The drone show over there is simply a test of tech as we have discussed. Oh, and the Sprinkles cupcakes are tasty, but overpriced and overrated.
Have we started a thread here predicting what dining and retail will shutter first?
The new Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM show is OK. That's about it. I like the kewl lazers. It is no replacement for what came before however.
Best new piece of entertainment at WDW is the Muppets historical shows in Liberty Square. I have no idea how this show came to be and kept such heart and soul of the characters. It's just wonderful. Do they belong there? Well, their placement bothers me far less than destroying one of the last places in the park I cared to dine by almost doubling lunch prices and making it all you can eat. The days of $12.99 turkey dinners at lunch are long gone. The new stage show (not the Christmas one that only played for a week with no upcharge) is fine, but largely exists to move Princess and Frog, Tangled and Frozen merchandise.
Speaking of food, across the board I felt that QS quality has gone down noticeably in the last few years, BUT at signature locations (most especially Artist Point and California Grill) the food and service are as good as they have ever been. Shockingly, the size of some portions has increased (although at those price points they really had no choice).
Trees are being slaughtered and removed all over property as Disney gets ready to work on road infrastructure, but do nothing about actually moving Guests. Monorails were down regularly and, a few times, unscheduled. Waits for buses were hit and miss and boats ... well, I have never seen them so packed and struggling. Anyone who visited WDW in say 1986 or even 1996 and came back today would wonder if there had been a massive die-off of trees. It really is ugly and depressing, whether on World Drive, at the WL Multi-Platform DVC Resort and Spa, or near Disney Springs to see so much greenery gone and either replaced by shrubs, piles of dirt or nothing at all.
CMs were largely wonderful, but I have never seen so many openly rip management, most especially Bob Iger, while onstage and working. Don't worry. I didn't report a single one!
And wasn't Rivers of Might an amazing show and all the bloggers loved it and ... oh yeah, it still hasn't opened, has it? Maybe I missed something. Or maybe this very troubled production remains so? Maybe it just needs foamheads?
Lots of information that I can't really share right now beyond broad strokes,*** so expect more DVC in familiar and unexpected locations at WDW, expect the new DCL ships to have a few substantial differences from the four existing, expect the SWE to open ... a few years after Anaheim's version, expect more expansion down the road at UNI in both parks using very familiar IP, expect some additional/different OLC announcements in the new year, expect the HKDL expansion plan to likely change before it even starts work in 2018 as SAR officials still aren't thrilled with all of it or the cost, expect that something will come to the MK soon in a familiar location and expect the plans for EPCOT to continue to change and morph, but not at all hold true to the original ideals of EPCOT no matter what Chappie says (he lies!)
Sorry as I realize that won't satisfy some here, but my goal is to always leave them wanting more. No, not really. I just can't do specifics right now on anything.
Don't ask me about Rogue One. Haven't seen it. Will at some point. Maybe. Liked Fantastic Beasts a lot. Liked Moana a lot. Didn't love either.
Anyway, consider me still on holiday. I will be back with y'all as time permits in 2017.
I don't have anything major I care to add right now ***except for some broad points below.
I was recently at WDW for the holidays and ... Frozen is ... as good or as bad as Maelstrom and as misplaced as most folks said it would be. Got some serious amusement at the seemingly daily upcharge options that Disney tossed out to see what stuck. It all reeks of desperation to me, which is incredible because we all know Disney has never been more profitable than it is right now. Decorations appeared sparse in many locations, most notably the Polynesian Village and Yacht Club, while others like the Grand Flo and BC were as dazzling as years past. Disney Springs looks lovely because it got a largely brand new decor package to go with its relaunch. The drone show over there is simply a test of tech as we have discussed. Oh, and the Sprinkles cupcakes are tasty, but overpriced and overrated.
Have we started a thread here predicting what dining and retail will shutter first?
The new Jingle Bell, Jingle BAM show is OK. That's about it. I like the kewl lazers. It is no replacement for what came before however.
Best new piece of entertainment at WDW is the Muppets historical shows in Liberty Square. I have no idea how this show came to be and kept such heart and soul of the characters. It's just wonderful. Do they belong there? Well, their placement bothers me far less than destroying one of the last places in the park I cared to dine by almost doubling lunch prices and making it all you can eat. The days of $12.99 turkey dinners at lunch are long gone. The new stage show (not the Christmas one that only played for a week with no upcharge) is fine, but largely exists to move Princess and Frog, Tangled and Frozen merchandise.
Speaking of food, across the board I felt that QS quality has gone down noticeably in the last few years, BUT at signature locations (most especially Artist Point and California Grill) the food and service are as good as they have ever been. Shockingly, the size of some portions has increased (although at those price points they really had no choice).
Trees are being slaughtered and removed all over property as Disney gets ready to work on road infrastructure, but do nothing about actually moving Guests. Monorails were down regularly and, a few times, unscheduled. Waits for buses were hit and miss and boats ... well, I have never seen them so packed and struggling. Anyone who visited WDW in say 1986 or even 1996 and came back today would wonder if there had been a massive die-off of trees. It really is ugly and depressing, whether on World Drive, at the WL Multi-Platform DVC Resort and Spa, or near Disney Springs to see so much greenery gone and either replaced by shrubs, piles of dirt or nothing at all.
CMs were largely wonderful, but I have never seen so many openly rip management, most especially Bob Iger, while onstage and working. Don't worry. I didn't report a single one!
And wasn't Rivers of Might an amazing show and all the bloggers loved it and ... oh yeah, it still hasn't opened, has it? Maybe I missed something. Or maybe this very troubled production remains so? Maybe it just needs foamheads?
Lots of information that I can't really share right now beyond broad strokes,*** so expect more DVC in familiar and unexpected locations at WDW, expect the new DCL ships to have a few substantial differences from the four existing, expect the SWE to open ... a few years after Anaheim's version, expect more expansion down the road at UNI in both parks using very familiar IP, expect some additional/different OLC announcements in the new year, expect the HKDL expansion plan to likely change before it even starts work in 2018 as SAR officials still aren't thrilled with all of it or the cost, expect that something will come to the MK soon in a familiar location and expect the plans for EPCOT to continue to change and morph, but not at all hold true to the original ideals of EPCOT no matter what Chappie says (he lies!)
Sorry as I realize that won't satisfy some here, but my goal is to always leave them wanting more. No, not really. I just can't do specifics right now on anything.
Don't ask me about Rogue One. Haven't seen it. Will at some point. Maybe. Liked Fantastic Beasts a lot. Liked Moana a lot. Didn't love either.
Anyway, consider me still on holiday. I will be back with y'all as time permits in 2017.
tissandtully
Well-Known Member
Speaking of Iger, did you notice his appearance in the latest Avatar video? I guess he got a boat ride?
peter11435
Well-Known Member
Positive or negative changes in your opinion?
Kman101
Well-Known Member
I shouldn't laugh, but LOL. Too bad he's the most likable one.
peter11435
Well-Known Member
Interestingly both the Polynesian and the Yacht Club had more decorations this year than they have had in over a decade. The garland on all the lampposts on the entry road to the yacht club were removed in the mid 2000's and we're finally returned two years ago. This year the captains grill. Yachtsman steakhouse, Kona cafe and Ohana all received decorations for the first time in over a decade as well.
A few years difference in opening seems at odds with physical surveillance of construction where DHS is only a few months behind Anaheim. In order for there to be a few years difference, construction at DSH would have to be put on hold for a year or two.
Kman101
Well-Known Member
Unless they just stop for a year I can't see how it's a few years off from Anaheim. Seems like a bit of hyperbole on Spirits part. No offense to him but that stuck out to me like a sore thumb.
Rodan75
Well-Known Member
The DCL experience is pretty scripted with lots of fans that will freak out at even the smallest changes, but they do need to rethink a few things:
- The Dining experience on our last 7-day was a source of complaints from nearly everyone who we interacted with. I could see them tackling this in at least some way. From service methods, food quality and even the rotational dining.
- More activities for older teens / young adults
- More separation between adult and family areas
- More up-charge items/venues like Venelope's Sweet Shop (not that I want this, but seems obvious)
- More room classes for different family sizes.
PizzaPlanet
Well-Known Member
Well, today is the final day for DCA's ToT. 
SpaceMountain77
Well-Known Member
Familiar: Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort & Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
Unexpected: Disney's Coronado Springs Resort & Disney's Port Orleans Resort - French Quarter
Haymarket2008
Well-Known Member
I'm gonna call bull on Star Wars opening "years" after Anaheim. The construction at DHS is far likely no more than under a year behind.
Jones14
Well-Known Member
To play devil's advocate, maybe DL is late 2018 and DHS is mid 2019? That's still not years plural, but Spirit does use hyperbole.
brb1006
Well-Known Member
Loved the redesign on the turtle and Elliot's eyes.Here's two promotional images from the Disneyland website for the homecoming engagement of the MSEP. As far as I know these images are brand-new and haven't been used before. The rest of the images on the site are of Magic Kingdom's run of the parade
Haymarket2008
Well-Known Member
True. That is the prediction anyway, right? DHS mid to late 2019?
Jones14
Well-Known Member
I believe so, and I think Martin said if DL really pushed it they could squeeze it in for late late late 2018.
BrianLo
Well-Known Member
I'm surprised no media has reported on it yet, perhaps waiting for truly final numbers. Disney pulled off 3 billion at the domestic box office in 2016.
3.0008 according to B.O. Mojo after 366 days.
For context, there have only been 4 times when major studios made over 2 billion... Disney in 2015/2016, Uni 2016 and WB 2009. The previous record was 2.444 from Universal in 2016.
3.0008 according to B.O. Mojo after 366 days.
For context, there have only been 4 times when major studios made over 2 billion... Disney in 2015/2016, Uni 2016 and WB 2009. The previous record was 2.444 from Universal in 2016.