News Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Historical Construction/Impressions

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

That’s certainly a fair assessment, but I would argue that the general reduction in number of AA’s per attraction is part of a ‘quality over quantity’ push rather than a desire to get rid of them over time.

Today’s guests expect AA’s to be fluid, fast, and heavily articulated. Disney has shown that they can build Auctioneers, Shamans, and Tow Mater’s, and now, new attractions are expected to maintain that quality. In the 1970’s, Frozen Ever After could’ve gotten away with painted backgrounds, static figures, and blacklights. Now, E Tickets and minor diversions alike are held to the same standard.

That’s a GREAT thing (and Disney’s high bar for themselves created this ‘problem’), but that means that every animatronic is automatically more time consuming and expensive to make than before.

When given the choice of less AA’s, but more impressive ones, or more, but less impressive ones, Disney seems to prefer the first option. Even so, sometimes they go all out (RSR, presumably Battle Escape).

I'll believe whether or not Disney is really pushing for quality very soon. We have just about a week until we get to meet the new Audio-Animatronics Abominations that will be the POTC Auction Scene...

 

[Rich T]

I definitely disagree with Disney's choice. For me, I much prefer lots of standard animatronics than just one amazing animatronic. Pirates of the Caribbean is still mind blowing just by its sheer scale.

'Course, PoC has the benefit of having it all. The Auctioneer and the final Sparrow are amazing, while being surrounded by the greatest collection of lower-tier AAs anywhere.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

I definitely disagree with Disney's choice. For me, I much prefer lots of standard animatronics than just one amazing animatronic. Pirates of the Caribbean is still mind blowing just by its sheer scale.

Agreed. One good AA does not an awesome attraction make. Though I haven't experienced it myself, I understand the Na'vi River Journey is a pretty "meh" experience, despite a great AA Shaman. And I don't think we really need to go down the MB rabbit hole...

 

[Curious Constance]

The thing is they are suppose to let an equal number of fast pass vs stand by line in at a time. They should let say 40 fast pass and then make them wait for 40 stand by. You don't keep letting fast pass go on when they show up without giving equal time to the stand by. That's just a really poorly trained CM acting as traffic cop. That is why there should not be fast pass at all. Maybe the traffic cop cast member should be replaced with a computer operated turn style that checks the line after the merger and then lets in equal number of people for each side.

The problem with that is now that people are paying actual money for Maxpass, and likely at some point in the future they will make all fastpasses an upcharge, people who've paid extra for "little to no wait" aren't going to be very patient when fastpass line is backed up and they end up having to wait 20 or 30 minutes. I bet CMs are being told to give Fastpass people a huge advantage.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

The problem with that is now that people are paying actual money for Maxpass, and likely at some point in the future they will make all fastpasses an upcharge, people who've paid extra for "little to no wait" aren't going to be very patient when fastpass line is backed up and they end up having to wait 20 or 30 minutes. I bet CMs are being told to give Fastpass people a huge advantage.

Paying for FP has got to be one of the lowest moves ever pulled by the parks. There is just no excuse or justification apart from greed.

 

[Curious Constance]

Paying for FP has got to be one of the lowest moves ever pulled by the parks. There is just no excuse or justification apart from greed.

Do we know each other?

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Do we know each other?

Sorry, just changed my avatar this morning. Still me

 

[Rich T]

*Sigh.*

 

[Curious Constance]

Sorry, just changed my avatar this morning. Still me

lol just kidding.

My son saw your screen name one time awhile ago and said that you must be mean if you want to ghostbuster the Hatbox Ghost.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

lol just kidding.

My son saw your screen name one time awhile ago and said that you must be mean if you want to ghostbuster the Hatbox Ghost.

That's not my intent. Tell him I see the Hatbox Ghost as becoming a member of the Ghostbusters.

 

[Curious Constance]

That's not my intent. Tell him I see the Hatbox Ghost as becoming a member of the Ghostbusters.

Well, then he'll probably just think you're crazy.

So you pick, would you prefer he thinks you're crazy or mean?

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Well, then he'll probably just think you're crazy.

So you pick, would you prefer he thinks you're crazy or mean?

Crazy for sure.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Just for fun...this was almost 2 years ago...

Here's some more great photos from this weekend from Dateline Disneyland. http://micechat.com/126946-frozen-live-at-the-hyperion/

Here we can see the new route of the river around Tom Sawyer Island. That original Miceage map from six months ago looks more and more accurate by the day, I have to say.

Here's over on the opposite side of the Island, looking up the old Big Thunder Trail with Big Thunder Mountain immediately to the right in this photo. You can see the original 1955 train tunnel. And yes, @Dr. Hans Reinhardt was correct that the smaller tunnel to the south was from the old Mine Train Thru Natures Wonderland, not the Disneyland Railroad. Good catch Hans!

Meanwhile, that big pile of dirt on the "Expansion Pad" rumored to be for Frozen keeps getting taller and taller!

 

[Phroobar]

Paying for FP has got to be one of the lowest moves ever pulled by the parks. There is just no excuse or justification apart from greed.

Except Cedar Fair, Universal and Six Flags all do it. They don't have free "fast passes". Six Flags is $60-$150 for their "Flash Pass" service while Cedar Fair's "Fast Lane" is $65-$85 for their version. Disney needs to retire their current fastpass program and just go paid Maxipass for $200+ per person. That is what the rest of the industry does.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Except Cedar Fair, Universal and Six Flags all do it. They don't have free "fast passes". Six Flags is $60-$150 for their "Flash Pass" service while Cedar Fair's "Fast Lane" is $65-$85 for their version. Disney needs to retire their current fastpass program and just go paid Maxipass for $200+ per person. That is what the rest of the industry does.

Ah, the old "everyone else is doing it" excuse...lol.

Still...none of that makes paid FP's NOT a stupid idea.

 

[Rich T]

Ah, the old "everyone else is doing it" excuse...lol.

Still...none of that makes paid FP's NOT a stupid idea.

GUARDIAN: "Now, Disneykins, if Six Flags and Cedar Fair jumped off a cliff, would you do it too?"
DISNEY: "That depends on how much money they make before they hit the bottom."
GUARDIAN: "GO TO YOUR ROOM!"
DISNEY: "FINE!" Stomp stomp stomp *Slam*

 

[fctiger]

I might be one of the only people out there who doesn’t use FP. Ever. Like I maybe used it once for WoC and one time a CM handed me a free pass, but yeah.

Man I wish I had that willpower lol. I'm the complete opposite of you I guess. I remember first using the FP at WDW back in 1999 when it first started and never looked back. In fact that was my first time to WDW and it really was a savior of how much time I saved trying to navigate between four parks. And the Tokyo parks it definitely helps since that place is always so busy.

That said if they stopped FP I would probably be fine but I like it too much personally. That and its too ingrained into the parks now.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Man I wish I had that willpower lol. I'm the complete opposite of you I guess. I remember first using the FP at WDW back in 1999 when it first started and never looked back. In fact that was my first time to WDW and I it really was a savior of how much time I saved trying to navigate between four parks. And the Tokyo parks it definitely helps since that place is always so busy.

That said if they stopped FP I would probably be fine but I like it too much personally. That and its too ingrained into the parks now.

Truth be told, I'm an AP holder, so that's probably why I've never bothered. I'm sure it's different for a family who only has one or two days to do everything.

 

[fctiger]

Truth be told, I'm an AP holder, so that's probably why I've never bothered. I'm sure it's different for a family who only has one or two days to do everything.

Well ok that's a bit different then. I been an AP holder for DLR in the past but all the other resorts I just go on vacation and have little time. I was in Shanghai last November for two days (in the park) and that place was swamped for some of their bigger rides. Its no way I would've been able to do it all FP free even with two days. I did end up doing Soarin without a FP (already gone for the day) and it was a 90 minute wait. Also people have to remember most of these resorts aren't open until midnight like DL is. SDL for example was only open until from 9-8 p.m. so if you have just a day there its no way you are doing all the major ride and shows without FP some rides.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

Well ok that's a bit different then. I been an AP holder for DLR in the past but all the other resorts I just go on vacation and have little time. I was in Shanghai last November for two days (in the park) and that place was swamped for some of their bigger rides. Its no way I would've been able to do it all FP free even with two days. I did end up doing Soarin without a FP (already gone for the day) and it was a 90 minute wait. Also people have to remember most of these resorts aren't open until midnight like DL is. SDL for example was only open until from 9-8 p.m. so if you have just a day there its no way you are doing all the major ride and shows without FP some rides.

Good points. And I'm jealous of your trip. Sometimes its hard to remember how easy we DLR attendees have it.