The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[Tony Perkis]

That is where I am not sure. To me, dare I say it, New Fantasyland comes off as more 'original'? See, to me, Potter has recreated what we have all seen in the movies (exceptionally well I might add), but is there really anything new or original? New Fantasyland took images seen in the older animated movies and created something 'new'. Again, to me, that is more impressive. I will state this again, however, I really love how Universal captured Hogsmead and cannot wait to see Diagon Alley. Now, if one of these two would get off their butts and purchase LOTR rights and give us a Shire, Mordor, Rivendell, etc. well then, yup, there it is.

Between the two lands, Universal introduced 3 state-of-the-art, new concept attractions. That alone beats the beauty of Little Mermaid's nicely designed queue.

And as long as the Tolkein estate still has any power over the rights, Disney will never be able to do anything with LOTR. And Universal is very much a longshot as well.

 

[Tony Perkis]

Boomer!

Sooner!

 

[marni1971]

Now, I am not a construction worker or a wannabee for that matter, but I assume the rockwork and detail added to the BOG area, Mermaid area, and SDMT would tend to take more time and be more expensive than aluminum frame,

Thundermountain has rather a lot more rock than FLE and would cost just over 48 million in today's money.

That's including the actual Rollercoaster too.

 

[LithiumBill]

Here it is from my (our) perspective. We are the type of people that a Disney trip, whether it be east or west coast, is a special infrequent thing. We live in Texas and going multiple times a year is just not an option for us. When we do end up going to say WDW I believe it will be a 5 or 6 day trip. I think MK 2 days, Epcot 1 maybe a day and a half, DHS a day, and DAK a day. That is going to pretty much fill up the time that we have. I would like to go to Universal and see the Harry Potter stuff but my kids who right now are 5 and 3 1/2 probably won't care. The would probably be interested in the Dr Seuss stuff. So, I just don't see the point in rushing through our time at Disney just to make sure we hit everything in the Orlando area.

Yes, right now it seems like we live Disney. I carry Frozen, Beauty and the Beast, Jungle Book in the truck and my wife has Nemo in her car. At home its Doc McStuffins, Jake, Sophia, Sheriff Callie, and if I am lucky they will ask to see Peter Rabbit on NikJr. So if they are watching a movie or watching TV there is a pretty good chance its Disney around here.

For the most part we are the same way... But ltely have replaced DAK with US, and our 5th day is IOA.

Point is, you did not say you would NEVER STEP FOOT IN A UNI PARK out of pure hate for the brand. Your kids are squarely in the Disney demo, like mine - that is what they want.

 

[WildcatDen]

I'm not sure how they are going to validate my AP against my ID since my AP just has my first name written on it with a sharpie. I don't believe the POS systems can scan a card or a band and get guest info (if they could, the card would not be necessary).

Like @PhotoDave219 I have been scanned and ID'd hit or miss at all of the parking gates. DHS seems to be the most strict about it.

Do Disney Annual Passes include your picture so that when it is scanned, the operator can verify it is you? And by include a picture, I mean digitally.

 

[ABQ]

Do Disney Annual Passes include your picture so that when it is scanned, the operator can verify it is you? And by include a picture, I mean digitally.

No.

 

[mahnamahna101]

For the most part we are the same way... But ltely have replaced DAK with US, and our 5th day is IOA.

Point is, you did not say you would NEVER STEP FOOT IN A UNI PARK out of pure hate for the brand. Your kids are squarely in the Disney demo, like mine - that is what they want.

...for now in 10 years, Universal will have much larger attendance and options for families. While Disney will always be a major destination, Universal can always rise up in the ranks

 

[WildcatDen]

Between the two lands, Universal introduced 3 state-of-the-art, new concept attractions. That alone beats the beauty of Little Mermaid's nicely designed queue.

And as long as the Tolkein estate still has any power over the rights, Disney will never be able to do anything with LOTR. And Universal is very much a longshot as well.

Agreed. I was not talking content, just the 'look' of the lands. As for LOTR, never say never. . .

 

[WildcatDen]

No.

Really. So, how do they keep a minor, who does not have a photo ID, from letting a friend borrow the pass for a day or two? Even wittle kings island has a digital photo for all of its passes.

 

[ABQ]

Really. So, how do they keep a minor, who does not have a photo ID, from letting a friend borrow the pass for a day or two? Even wittle kings island has a digital photo for all of its passes.

Only "security" on it once you have the AP is the biometric scanner at the gates. When using it for discounted purchases, I have been asked to show an ID, but that may only because there is no scanner at the point of sale and I'm using a credit card.

 

[Cesar R M]

Those can only be used at your resort, not the parks so not quite the same thing.

Actually.. the cms told me I can refill it in ANY resort or any fountain station equipped with the sensor.

I was at POR and they gave us our mugs at FORT WILDERNESS when we were about to enter HOP DEE DOO.

unsure about the parks because I never wanted to drag a big mug everywhere.

 

[Nemo14]

Actually.. the cms told me I can refill it in ANY resort or any fountain station equipped with the sensor.

I was at POR and they gave us our mugs at FORT WILDERNESS when we were about to enter HOP DEE DOO.

unsure about the parks because I never wanted to drag a big mug everywhere.

Resorts, yes; Parks, no.

 

[BernardandBianca]

I guess I wasn't asked in a survey, but As an AP I don't mind them either way. What is convenient, though, is not having to get my wallet out every time I need my card.

I'm not a watch guy, so I thought I'd find it annoying, but it's actually pretty comfortable. That surprised me. Even in the humidity.

Now if only our CC and discounts would be linked, then I'd be much happier.

We've gone the other way. Got the bands, and wore them one day. They were a pain to line up properly (though more so for one than the other), and my arms were sweaty underneath them. Also, I always wear a watch, and trying to fit both a watch and the band on the same wrist was unbelievably difficult. So now we don't wear the bands (keep them in the car), and just use our existing AP cards, at least until they expire. The cards can do everything the bands can, and I always have them with me. We've even used them for parking, kinda interchangably with the parking card.

And while we were asked for ID a few months ago when going through the parking kiosks, we haven't been asked for ID for awhile now, and we're there at least twice a week.

 

[Cesar R M]

Resorts, yes; Parks, no.

gotcha! thx for clarifying!

 

[bhg469]

gotcha! thx for clarifying!

For the price and the rfid precautions there is no reason they should not honor the mugs in park. It's another no Brainer that they miss out on.

 

[WDF]

For the price and the rfid precautions there is no reason they should not honor the mugs in park. It's another no Brainer that they miss out on.

It seems that if you WANT to carry your dining plan mug into the parks you could use it at the quick-service restaurants that have drink stations while eating your meal on the dining plan. You are getting a beverage included anyway.

Clearly, you could also use it there any other time...as I'm sure some people do.

People who only buy the mug and not the dining plan, well...

 

[doctornick]

Do Disney Annual Passes include your picture so that when it is scanned, the operator can verify it is you? And by include a picture, I mean digitally.

No. Even before MBs, you were supposed to show photo ID along with the AP to confirm your identity to get any discounts (or free parking). Some CMs were lax on checking for this, but it is what is supposed to be done.

 

[doctornick]

Really. So, how do they keep a minor, who does not have a photo ID, from letting a friend borrow the pass for a day or two? Even wittle kings island has a digital photo for all of its passes.

There is nothing stopping that from happening. Of course, any adults/child over age 9 would have to have their own entry method which would have biometric security.

 

[NormC]

Either way, losing them should be a concern.

Of course and I did not mean to imply that it shouldn't be. As the Dad in charge of everything at the parks I am always concerned or worried about what gets lost as it is always left to me to fix. Even the plastic tickets or paper APs can be lost. At least with the Magic Bands I did not have to collect all of them after we went through the turnstiles like I always did with tickets and passes. I would still look at the kids wrists now and then for peace of mind.

 

[CDavid]

For the price and the rfid precautions there is no reason they should not honor the mugs in park. It's another no Brainer that they miss out on.

They want to sell you drinks in the parks. Those on the dining plan get one with meals, but if mugs gave free refills in parks - on summer days in Florida - people would be gulping the stuff down by the gallon.