The Spirited Seventh Heaven ...

[ParentsOf4]

Hey, also I know enjoy reading and debating well thought out, intelligent opinions - just not trolling attempts. This guy is going out of his way to kick the hive.

Ah, such are the challenges of an open forum where anyone can write nearly anything, as long as it's civil.

Some simply ignore them.

I tend to beat them back with a fact-based counterargument.

Most disintegrate under the onslaught.

 

[flynnibus]

It's less the parade concept and more the night time extravaganza IMHO. IoA's lagoon is just screaming for a night time show and I think one could be created that would appeal to the typical Uni guest.

I agree that's an area that Disney has set a standard in... but I don't think it should be a priority for UNI. Look at their operating calendar... bigger fish to fry IMO

 

[flynnibus]

@wdwmagic - Can I lobby for an automatic filter for the words 'muppets' or 'oswald'?

 

[wogwog]

Wellll if if the HP stuff opens July 8th that means every one will be there. That means less lines for me at Wdw. Yeah? Yeah?
The uni stuff does look pretty sweet (when I was planning this summers vacation I didn't even think about universial), and it may be the next major family vacation (after the obligatory visit with family next year).

Less lines in July at Disney? Wanna bet? Even Sea World will have lines. But have fun anyway.

 

[mahnamahna101]

My wife had an awful time on FJ, shes prone to motion sickness. Im not that bad but the video sections were a little rough on me. It doesn't change the fact that it is an amazing attraction and better than just about anything disney has built in a long time. As for my wife, she wont go on it again but she will enjoy everything around it.

Having said that, Im still waiting for Universal's Haunted mansion or Pirates of the Caribbean.. Obviously I don't mean the direct rides but one that can appeal to all riders and start its own legacy.. I guess they could produce a Potter dark ride and I think they could blow our minds with todays technology at their disposal.. Honestly they are probably the only reason I have been to WDW in the past year because otherwise my disney visits are stopping until something big happens.

Disney world made a very successful business in theme parks long before thrill rides seemed to be a requirement, and Disney did again it with mystic manor but it will never be seen by a lot of people here in the US. Mine train almost does a good job of it but the dark ride elements were such a small part of a very quick ride.

Im rambling... UNI AND OR DISNEY BUILD A WORLD CLASS DARK RIDE IN ORLANDO!!

I'm pretty sure whatever comes to the KidZone revamp will be similar to HM and POTC in terms of demographic and scale.

Kong could technically be considered that since it's supposed to be an all-ages E-ticket.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

I wish y'all would recognize it for what it is and what it wants to do and not take the bait. As soon as one person nibbles, a handful more join in on the feast.

@wdwmagic - Can I lobby for an automatic filter for the words 'muppets' or 'oswald'?

Yes please.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Oh man, that was a 1970s flashback.

Do you happen to have any figures of theme park attendance for when DAK opened? Did the numbers dip at the other parks? What about hotels on property...were they about the same or more/less booked?

I thought if anyone would know, it'd be you

 

[doctornick]

Do you happen to have any figures of theme park attendance for when DAK opened? Did the numbers dip at the other parks? What about hotels on property...were they about the same or more/less booked?

I thought if anyone would know, it'd be you

I've seen people say before that, unlike with the openings of Epcot and DHS which both increased total attendance at WDW, DAK's opening simply cannibalized attendance at the other parks.

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

Whew, I was too busy looking at the new videos of Diagon Alley, onride footage of the Hogwarts Express, and footage of the entire Gringott's queue.

What are we talking about again? How awesome that Mine Train ride is? How Avatarland will open by the time that movie is long forgotten about? How three new star wars films featuring actors in their 60s and 70s is going to be epic?

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

I've seen people say before that, unlike with the openings of Epcot and DHS which both increased total attendance at WDW, DAK's opening simply cannibalized attendance at the other parks.

That's what I was kind of wondering...if anyone truly got excited and booked a vacation package with on site hotel and such to see the new theme park. Those were still during my Disneyland days so I really haven't a clue. Some insight would be nice. I'm sure the other parks opening did increase attendance/hotel nights but I've always wondered about DAK, mainly as it was the last park addition to the WDW lineup, and also because it was more nature/animal based versus rides and characters.

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Whew, I was too busy looking at the new videos of Diagon Alley, onride footage of the Hogwarts Express, and footage of the entire Gringott's queue.

What are we talking about again? How awesome that Mine Train ride is? How Avatarland will open by the time that movie is long forgotten about? How three new star wars films featuring actors in their 60s and 70s is going to be epic?

I've been purposely staying away from all videos until I get home and can load YouTube on my tv. Much better (and bigger!) than my iPad screen. Plus, surround sound.

 

[orky8]

Whew, I was too busy looking at the new videos of Diagon Alley, onride footage of the Hogwarts Express, and footage of the entire Gringott's queue.

What are we talking about again? How awesome that Mine Train ride is? How Avatarland will open by the time that movie is long forgotten about? How three new star wars films featuring actors in their 60s and 70s is going to be epic?

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Star Wars is going to be epic. It's Star Wars!

 

[AEfx]

I've seen people say before that, unlike with the openings of Epcot and DHS which both increased total attendance at WDW, DAK's opening simply cannibalized attendance at the other parks.

True, and it was used for years to support the "market is saturated in Orlando, there are no new guests to attract" argument, which was soundly turned on its head by Potter.

The problem with AK was that it didn't see like some big new theme park experience to the public - it was difficult to advertise, it looked like Disney opened a zoo, kind of like how they have a waterpark and mini-golf - that level of "supplementary" attraction, as opposed to a full-fledged theme park. Disney themselves fought this notion with the whole "Nahtazoo" thing, but until Everest there really wasn't a lot of easily discernible evidence that it was true. And since many regional zoos have far more expansive, if not so "pretty" displayed, collections of animals and experiences, it just didn't make anyone think "Man, I have to go to Disney now to see this!"

It was the concept/execution/advertising - not that the market was "saturated". That's why it has largely only been seen as cannibalizing existing parks and not bringing in a new audience.

 

[SJN1279]

Whew, I was too busy looking at the new videos of Diagon Alley, onride footage of the Hogwarts Express, and footage of the entire Gringott's queue.

What are we talking about again? How awesome that Mine Train ride is? How Avatarland will open by the time that movie is long forgotten about? How three new star wars films featuring actors in their 60s and 70s is going to be epic?

The Mine Train is actually a ton of fun. It has state of the art animatronics, two awesome airtime hills, catchy music, hairpin turns, and even projections from the original movie. It also is beautiful to look at and very well themed all around. The Mine Train is a total winner.

I think Pandora will surprise people, and Star Wars is already the most anticipated movie of 2015.

I'm excited to ride the Hogwart's Express. It looks like a solid D+ ticket family ride, while Gringott's I am not expecting much from to be honest. I just hope that I enjoy it more than Forbidden Journey and Transformers. (The Simpsons and Despicable Me are two recent additions to Universal that I actually enjoyed quite a bit).

 

[BrianLo]

I dream of a place where intelligent discourse can occur without the fanboi defenders (both the Pixie Dusters and Potter Snorters can lock themselves away in the Gringott's vaults or a SDMT tunnel collapse).

Yes, it is possible to be a fan of BOTH Universal and Disney and have a reasonably critical eye without being an extremist... but I fear it's impossible to only involve those people in an internet conversation.

 

[Cesar R M]

Ah, such are the challenges of an open forum where anyone can write nearly anything, as long as it's civil.

Some simply ignore them.

I tend to beat them back with a fact-based counterargument.

Most disintegrate under the onslaught.

Except, some just blatantly ignore the facts and put their own skewed little view to continue the trolling.

 

[danlb_2000]

Fatine:
I dreamed a dream in time gone by
That fanbois could talk
Without trolling....

ETA: Sorry guys. I'm tired.

Did that time ever actuallyy exist?

 

[Cesar R M]

Did that time ever actuallyy exist?

I think back when the internet was for a few privileged tech guys and not of today where your average Joe Six Pack with zero education could push a single button to get online.

 

[danlb_2000]

I think back when the internet was for a few privileged tech guys and not of today where your average Joe Six Pack with zero education could push a single button to get online.

The internet was probably fine when there were just two people using it, but I would bet the third was a troll.

 

[flynnibus]

I think back when the internet was for a few privileged tech guys and not of today where your average Joe Six Pack with zero education could push a single button to get online.

That kept the lazy/stupid out.. but many of the techs were just as manipulative and disturbed as people are today