Little Mermaid soft openings?

[danlb_2000]

Pretty funny that it took Disney close to THIRTY years to build an attraction for this movie. The movie that single handily saved animation in the 80s and led to a second golden age.

30 years? Little Mermaid came out in 1989 so that's 23 years. Yes, it's the first ride, but The Voyage of the Little Mermaid show in DHS opened in 1992 so LM has been represented in the parks for quite a while.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Pretty funny that it took Disney close to THIRTY years to build an attraction for this movie. The movie that single handily saved animation in the 80s and led to a second golden age.

30? The movie isn't even 25 years old yet. It was (roughly) 22 when the version at DCA opened.

Edit: see someone beat me too it.

 

[SoupBone]

I'm heading there at the end of September through the beginning of October. It would be nice to have an idea what parts of the FLE will be open (even if it's a soft opening). The Little Mermaid would be a welcome new ride to try out along with the circus area. I wonder when the restaurant will begin taking advanced reservations.

 

[Frau Farbissina]

I thought this was interesting: http://wdwcelebrations.com/celebration-30/tentative-event-schedule.html

This group has a ride scheduled for the end of September. Could this mean it will be open for everyone or is Disney giving them special access to LM and Storytime with Belle?

I wrote about it here--it's a little rough because I put it up quickly: http://www.everythingwdisneyworld.com/2012/04/breaking-news-journey-of-little-mermaid.html

 

[bethymouse]

good info

exciting news! keep us posted:kiss:

 

[bgraham34]

I thought this was interesting: http://wdwcelebrations.com/celebration-30/tentative-event-schedule.html

This group has a ride scheduled for the end of September. Could this mean it will be open for everyone or is Disney giving them special access to LM and Storytime with Belle?

I wrote about it here--it's a little rough because I put it up quickly: http://www.everythingwdisneyworld.com/2012/04/breaking-news-journey-of-little-mermaid.html

It could be wishful thinking on their part.

 

[Frau Farbissina]

Just found out that it's not a special event for this group. That means 2 things: 1) that the event planner they're coordinating with jumped the gun or 2) that it's going to open sometime before the end of September. The only issue I have with the second scenario is that I have a good source working on the project (not construction, higher up) who told me two weeks ago that it isn't going to happen then. To me, it's more likely that someone who's there every day knows better than an event coordinator, but then again, that's just speculation. If that's the case, I feel bad for the group sponsoring this event. They're going to have to make some changes to their schedule and no one wants to disapppoint fans or readers.

Obviously, we're really not going to know anything until WDW announces it, but it's fun to speculate. Having said that, I've been wrong (really wrong) before. But I've been right too.

 

[WED Purist]

[QUOTE =]Frau Farbissina;4924324]Just found out that it's not a special event for this group. That means 2 things: 1) that the event planner they're coordinating with jumped the gun

If I recall correctly (and I am), Walt Disney World actually booked rooms for Y2K for the Venetian. A good friend of mine booked a room, but obviously didn't stay there.

or 2) that it's going to open sometime before the end of September. The only issue I have with the second scenario is that I have a good source working on the project (not construction, higher up) who told me two weeks ago that it isn't going to happen then.

Construction usually defines the dates, not the "higher up"s. Who is your good source, and is the reason they gave you concrete enough to move the opening date once again?

 

[WED Purist]

1) that the event planner they're coordinating with jumped the gun.

If I recall correctly (and I am), Walt Disney World actually booked rooms for Y2K for the Venetian. A good friend of mine booked a room, but obviously didn't stay there.

or 2) that it's going to open sometime before the end of September. The only issue I have with the second scenario is that I have a good source working on the project (not construction, higher up) who told me two weeks ago that it isn't going to happen then.

Construction usually defines the dates, not the "higher up"s. Who is your good source, and is the reason they gave you concrete enough to move the opening date once again?

 

[Lee]

I'm fairly certain that the good folks at WDW Celebrations (Hey, guys!:wave were just making an assumption that Mermaid would be at least soft open by then.
It could happen. It certainly fits the window of possiblilty.

 

[Powerline]

Pretty funny that it took Disney close to THIRTY years to build an attraction for this movie. The movie that single handily saved animation in the 80s and led to a second golden age.

I feel like Voyage of the Little Mermaid in Hollywood studios was the "official" attraction for The Little Mermaid, despite the fact that the ride will be a nicer presentation.

 

[Frau Farbissina]

If I recall correctly (and I am), Walt Disney World actually booked rooms for Y2K for the Venetian. A good friend of mine booked a room, but obviously didn't stay there.



Construction usually defines the dates, not the "higher up"s. Who is your good source, and is the reason they gave you concrete enough to move the opening date once again?

That's funny--I didn't know that about the Venetian.

I know that there are people here who are insiders; I'm not one of them. I was just lucky enough to be invited (by a blogger friend of mine) to a lunch and a walk through the Magic Kingdom with some people who are working on the project. I mean literally, I just tagged along and listened to them talk; it was a great opportunity to listen to some creative minds and see how they work, but my being invited to this lunch was merely luck. I think the information is credible, although you make a good point about construction types. I'm assuming these people work closely with them as well, at least on some level.

And yes, I do know when they think FLE will open, but I'm saving it for my own evil purposes at a later date. ;-)

 

[Frau Farbissina]

I'm fairly certain that the good folks at WDW Celebrations (Hey, guys!:wave were just making an assumption that Mermaid would be at least soft open by then.
It could happen. It certainly fits the window of possiblilty.

No assumption. They were told by their coordinator that it would be open. It doesn't surprise me at all that someone who isn't involved in the project might not be up to date on when it's going to open.