Spirited Spring Break News, Observations & Thoughts ...

[Calvin Coolidge]

The "Under The Sea" scene really is especially dire. The way your vehicle just slowly snakes through the sparse room in contrast to the up-tempo song, while the stiff and lifeless figures jerk about is really unfortunate. Does anyone know if it would be possible to light just that room with blacklight, without it affecting the rest of the ride?

 

[articos]

I've thought the same thing. I've only ever experienced Everest when the Yeti was in his disco mode, so not sure what he looked like when he worked. But the Cars animatronics in the dark ride portion of Radiator Springs Racers are a good point of reference. Those are big cars, and seem to be sized up from their real life sizing to look right in the big dark ride warehouse building. Doc Hudson especially is HUGE, and definitely bigger than a 1951 Hudson was in real life (and those were big bathtub cars to start with).

Here's an interesting one minute long YouTube video that is some sort of WDI test footage or something. It features about one third of the animatronics from Radiator Springs Racers, but is taken from a cameraman standing in the ride while the various animatronics are cycled just for this footage. Interesting to think how, or why, WDI did this originally!

The video here is just clips shot from on the ride. Not official stuff, so not done by or for WDI. Imagineering does get footage of the rides for many purposes, though - reference video and training, mostly, but not usually released to the public. The figures were done by Garner Holt and WDI. They're all next generation AA's, with brand new control mechanisms and materials. Yeti's a totally different animal, inside and out, literally.

 

[danv3]

Not sure if I have mentioned it yet, but sometime in the not too distant future Little Mermaid and BTMRR will have the DL upgrades added. I believe BTMRR will come first as much of that can be done at night. Mermaid is likely going down at some slow period next year to get the new ending.

That's a relatively modest update for Little Mermaid. If they start soon, it can hopefully be done in time for the 50th. Way to go TDO!

 

[PREMiERdrum]

Did anyone knew if it would be possible to light just that room with blacklight, without it affecting the rest of the ride?

I believe this is the route they are going at DCA... The figures and scenery will need new UV responsive paint, but it's about the only way to get the effect they want from a room of this scale.

And while we're talking about Under The Sea, how long have they had the lights off of the mirror ball? The thing is still stuck up there, obvious as anything, but I haven't seen it being utilized since December of 2012.

 

[aladdin2007]

That's a relatively modest update for Little Mermaid. If they start soon, it can hopefully be done in time for the 50th. Way to go TDO!

Yeah I was just thinking if it doesnt happen till next year or whenever, by then they will find a way to cancel it or just keep pushing it back,,,like you said in time for the 50th lol.

 

[Lord_Vader]

True, but MM+ can be used very effectively by locals ... I can use it and get in and out of a park in no time. Or use it to hit top attractions and add to my total (like the night last week when I hit 11 MK attractions and watched CtM and the MSEP all in under four hours).

I think it will wind up working better for locals and APers much like FP did. Because no matter how much money Disney spends advertising this, many people are still not going to have a clue what it is or how it works. They still don't get FP and that has been around for 15 years.

I agree, it would be quite handy if I lived within an hour or so.

And... I believe the average guest is clueless when they arrive.

 

[Lord_Vader]

Why do some people claim Disney was going to add more than 3 FP+ selections all along? If thats the case, why start with 3 in the first place? Why not announce they plan to add more later, or same for park hopping? What would they have to gain by keeping it a secret? Nothing, unless they were unsure of being able to do it. Were they really planning on doing this, or was it a reaction to people being upset about just having 3? I would say the latter. just guessing though. Im sure many will say it was to ease in the new system.

Rule #1 in IT development, underpromise and overdeliver. If you tell customers you plan to do A, B and C but item C is too difficult to get out the door with the main rollout you will make customers very mad as opposed to "adding" a new feature mid-release.

 

[janoimagine]

Not sure if I have mentioned it yet, but sometime in the not too distant future Little Mermaid and BTMRR will have the DL upgrades added. I believe BTMRR will come first as much of that can be done at night. Mermaid is likely going down at some slow period next year to get the new ending.

Having just rode the DL version of Thunder with the Explosion and Fuses on the lift hill, I say bring it on ... one of the coolest effects I have seen them do in a long, long time, the only thing that would make it perfect would be a blast of heat when the dynamite ignites.

 

[71jason]

Random Spring Break observation ... last night the Grand Floridian parking lot was as empty as I've ever seen it since the DVC opened. By far, too, easily double if not triple the number of open spaces you'd see any night of the year. (@PhotoDave219 can back me up.) Friend on Twitter said Beach Club also not busy. This on the Monday before Good Friday.

Maybe a lot of schools went for an earlier Spring Break this year, or had to cancel because of snow days. Or maybe the price for WDW hotels has reached the tipping point, and they're finding out they've priced themselves out of the Orlando market.

 

[sporadic]

I find it hard to justify anything more than moderate prices when going with the kids given we're barely in the room. I'd say this holds true with many of the spring breakers?

 

[bhg469]

I find it hard to justify anything more than moderate prices when going with the kids given we're barely in the room. I'd say this holds true with many of the spring breakers?

Depends on what you mean by moderate prices. To me, moderate is below 160 a night because I consider holiday inn express a moderate hotel. Obviously Disneys view of moderate is blown up especially when Caribbean beach, was probably my least favorite hotel I've stayed at recently. I have to count the best westerns that my company put me up in.

Having g said that, deluxe prices are so far beyond my wallet it isn't funny. I agree with you completely.

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

Yes, my photo skills stink. Just found these at Mom and Dad's. Have a bunch of diff places from Wdw and DL back to the 70's

 

[Ciciwoowoo]

I think this one is my favorite.

 

[rael ramone]

Rule #1 in IT development, underpromise and overdeliver. If you tell customers you plan to do A, B and C but item C is too difficult to get out the door with the main rollout you will make customers very mad as opposed to "adding" a new feature mid-release.

'Underpromise & Overdeliver' seems to be opposite of how they usually run things.

'Lets create a Phase 2 that we'll never get to build but artwork from such will land in coffee table books' seems to be their preferred method...

 

[awilliams4]

Why do some people claim Disney was going to add more than 3 FP+ selections all along?

To test?

 

[Lord_Vader]

'Underpromise & Overdeliver' seems to be opposite of how they usually run things.

'Lets create a Phase 2 that we'll never get to build but artwork from such will land in coffee table books' seems to be their preferred method...

Imagineering and IT are opposite sides of the same coin though.

 

[DznyGrlSD]

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I still have one of THESE in my collection

 

[TinkerBell9988]

Spirited Monday Musings:
Prior to dinner, I did the next best thing to visiting the MK: yep, I hit the local Disney outlet store. I didn't spend a penny as they just don't have anything that I have to have or even want to have. What a familiar story.

Hey Spirit

I was at Sawgrass Friday evening and decided to pop into the Outlet Store (Character Outlet/Premiere/Whatever It Calls Itself These Days). The inventory was dismal, to say the least. My only score was an EPCOT 30 baseball cap reduced to $4.99 - it was the last one, and I was very happy to have discovered it!

I've been able to pick up some great stuff in the past (like the MK 40th anniversary plate set, it's a small world plate set, silk-screened tin attraction poster set, etc.), but that store is so hit or miss (come to think of it, more "miss"). The apparel is so atrocious, but seeing Carsland merchandise from DCA is always a laugh!

Perhaps I'll run into you at the Outlet one day, laughing over a rack of "I'm With The Band" shirts!

 

[TinkerBell9988]

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Holy moley I remember this menu quite vividly!! Of course, my favorite King Stefan's menu was the children's menu that could be folded into a crown.