The Spirited Sixth Sense ...

[WDW1974]

If you mean on their major plot clearly earmarked for a park of some sort, no. Somewhere else shoved into the resort? Maybe.

Next in line though? Very, very unlikely. Also HK Government owned Ocean Park is opening a water park, and they are very about not allowing any park to cannibalize the other. Ocean Park was 12th worldwide for attendance (the highest non-Disney non-Universal) and was, but probably won't be for long, ahead of HKDL in 2012. They want both parks to thrive and that means quite different offerings. We see how much they are pushing for unique offerings these days out of Disney, they don't want clones.

For that reason as well I wouldn't ever expect an Animal themed gate, it steps too much on Ocean Parks toes.

All very on-target. I wouldn't expect a water park at any Disney resort, even WDW where there have been capacity issues since RC closed and constant issues at TL due to a wave pool that was built shoddily and tends to need constant attention.

But the SAR absolutely wants HKDL and HKOP to both be successful; and they both are growing quite nicely. DL has an advantage with the direct MTR line from the Sunny Bay station, truly the most MAGICal gateway to a Disney Resort. For decades, OP has been sorta 'out there' in Aberdeen, but that's going to change with the opening of an MTR line soon (either later this year or 2015, can't recall right now).

 

[WDW1974]

Not that I see it as likely, but the Government of Hong Kong would possess the influence that could make the original working studio component attractive to film makers.

Great point. Many Americans don't realize that HK has a thriving entertainment business and it certainly isn't crazy to see that become part of a Studios park.

personally, I hope that does not happen as I think the whole conceit of a movie studios park has become quite lazy and overdone ... it isn't stopping UNI, although I do believe the Korean and Russian developments won't be quite as much like the existing parks.

 

[flynnibus]

I love this Tweet from someone who has been dead for many years. (I'd love to see an Admiral Joe Fowler or Donn Tatum Twitter ... any no-lifers out there want to do the job?)

arguing on twitter is like wrestling in those sumo suits... everyone can get all hot and sweaty but you don't actually get anything done.

Anonymous twitter identities who seek refuge in the cliques and contrainsts in twitter pretty much is the bottom of the barrel IMO. If you legitimately want to engage in discussions with others.. do so in a format where everyone is on equal ground. But if you want to be able to pick and jab at people while standing on your own island... head to twitter.

 

[WDW1974]

I saw a late final showing of Gravity tonight before it went out of IMAX 3D (Robocop was starting tonight at midnight in IMAX) I have to say I enjoyed Gravity more than I thought I would, but I don't know if I ever want to watch that movie again. Just makes me feel sad. Anyway, at my theater, for the "big midnight premiere" of Robocop, there were only about 7 people in line waiting to see it when we left. (Around 11:40pm) I think there were 10 people in Gravity. This is completely not relevant to the conversation at all, but neither is the NFL. It also probably doesn't make sense to judge how well Robocop will do based on my little theater on a Tuesday night, but still.

And BTW, I did see The Lego Movie and enjoyed it thoroughly. 3-D made me sort of sick in Lego though... I think it had something to do with that fake stop motion CGI animation they did.

Never got around to seeing Gravity yet ... but I have yet to see a bad film with Sandra in it. As for The Lego Movie ... yeah, no interest at all. Just none.

 

[wogwog]

That is what many folks are observing, including friends of mine who are in the industry and trained observers and have been visiting parks that are not very crowded at all and yet there are long lines for MM+ kiosks and long queues for attractions that only had them on the busiest days before.

I'll take one of my friends, who has spent a lifetime working in the business, and their opinion over 87 posts on a forum like this one because even a crazy Disney maniac guest that would be a member here still doesn't know ops like someone who has been living it for years.

So, yeah, I know the lines are artificially inflated. It really hasn't been a big deal because the last 3-4 weeks are basically a dead period, but things start getting busier this holiday weekend and they don't really slow down all that much until post Easter, which is very late this year.

Cast friends tell me just at the MK the FTE personnel count for FastPass Minus kiosk attendants is now in the neighborhood of 150 and more requisitions are in place. More kiosks open this week that need attendants. This does not include the extra guest relations troops at the park entrance or in the service centers or the support team that run around fixing issues with the program. So it is OK to terminate entertainment to afford more cast to help the zombies band guests figure out how to get an unneeded fast pass.

 

[WDW1974]

Nope. It's all for the parades and fireworks crowd control. Nothing else. Although I've heard that Steve Davison is at it again with a new Wishes replacement, but I'll believe it when I see it.

He is. There will be a new MK show by 2016. ... And as a Wishes hater, that is none too soon! (will someone kill those singing moppets?!?!)

 

[flynnibus]

Never got around to seeing Gravity yet ... but I have yet to see a bad film with Sandra in it. As for The Lego Movie ... yeah, no interest at all. Just none.

Gravity is a pure movie.. just classic theatre experience you enjoy for the film... and not for anything done outside the theatre, before the film, after the film, and you don't expect it to have any social impact, industry impact, or whatever. It's just a good experience within that room, at that time.

 

[WDW1974]

Every time I read NFL I thought new fantasy land. Glad I figured it out because some of your posts were not making any sense. I have a question for the spirit! Do you know if there is anything else coming to animal kingdom other than avatar, night time show, night safari? This could include attractions, layout changes, etc...

Isn't that enough?

It's more than the other three parks combined are getting right now.

 

[wogwog]

They've been hiring like mad for FastPass+ Assistants, that's probably why. They also just need to build more kiosks as quickly as possible. You want an instant job at Disney? FP+! Next you'll see people saying that FP+ is a jobs creator! Ugh.

Casting is hiring full time zombie baby sitters for the kiosks off the street here in Orlando. I am told WDW has not hired FT cast in years here. Only PT and temp. They have run out of cast willing to transfer.

 

[WDW1974]

Ok, fine...
Let's talk Shanghai...
View attachment 46135

Let's talk about it. And how close to Tim Delaney's HKDL failed Pirate land expansion that art really is. I haven't had a chance to ask anyone if that is legit for SDL or recycled or both.

But Pirates (the movie franchise) will be a very big part of SDL. Two E-Tickets (ride and stunt show) for starters.

 

[Goofyernmost]

One word. Mexico.

Yes, and that's criminal.

 

[WDW1974]

What has surprised me is that I know pixie dusters who will go on for days about how much more "magical" Disney is than Universal. And I have been hearing complaints about long lines from them! These people don't complain about Disney. They gladly hand over their money for anything the Mouse tells them to without question. And yet, more than one of these people have reported back to me that Disney has "ruined FP". I have had a few Disney superfans tell me that if Disney doesn't fix these lines, they will stop going.

Will they really? Probably not. But I figure the problem must be pretty bad to get the apologists talking about a Disney revolt.

The folks who use MAGICal as a reason for why they love WDW and say UNI will never compete etc are generally kinda mentally feeble and in love with a BRAND. Not saying all , but if the only reason why someone can give for preferring Disney is that ... well, I have no respect for that opinion.

It is emotionally stunted. It's folks looking for the childhood that never was and never will be. It's folks that need to be cradled like special needs children.

In other words, it's the Lifestyler brigade and their followers largely.

 

[ford91exploder]

Let's talk about it. And how close to Tim Delaney's HKDL failed Pirate land expansion that art really is. I haven't had a chance to ask anyone if that is legit for SDL or recycled or both.

But Pirates (the movie franchise) will be a very big part of SDL. Two E-Tickets (ride and stunt show) for starters.

Not surprising because piracy and smuggling used to be a major industry on the south china sea, Smuggling STILL is. And Shanghai was where you picked up a crew against their will ie 'shanghaied' them.

As for pirates Ching Shih was the baddest of the bad she had a fleet of roughly 400 junks

 

[WDW1974]

I've known about the Paris hotel cuts for a while. Any idea why they are waiting a full 9 months to enact when the resort is bleeding cash?

Also I'm sure they've given Hub access to their sainted few. But why would they post screen shots on their blog unless they were told to? Very stupid thing to do-couldn't a CM be fired for doing the same?

I'd guess it has to do with laws in the EU.

It actually is a shame as I generally loathe the foamheads, but enjoyed greatly having them drop by the Golden Forest Club when we were having breakfast. ... I even ... gulp ... let them be photographed with me!!!

As to the other point, no one is going to convince me that someone like Mongello doesn't have direct access to the Hub. Others like say Tommy Boi or Ricky likely have to get it from CM pals, but they still have it.

Of course, so do I. Do you think Phil Holmes just gave me his cell phone number?

 

[WDW1974]

Severe weather moving in ... no food worth eating here ... what do I do (cook one of my fanboi minions? Nah, that would take too much time ...you need to marinate them for a few weeks, especially the ones with a little fat on them).

 

[RSoxNo1]

I have a very good feeling that Toon Lagoon's replacement will make a lot of UNI fanbois happy. Just a feeling ... so let it be.

Any chance you can elaborate on this?

 

[ford91exploder]

Severe weather moving in ... no food worth eating here ... what do I do (cook one of my fanboi minions? Nah, that would take too much time ...you need to marinate them for a few weeks, especially the ones with a little fat on them).

You could cook them on a spit - like the pacific islanders used to do...

 

[PeterAlt]

Yes, and that's criminal.

There's no escaping it. EC is being characterized. You can minimize the impact of it, though. From the artwork, it looks like the attraction's facade is blended into a typical French urban street. That would blend in perfectly at World Showcase, without it crying out loud "Pixar characters here!"

 

[jdmdisney99]

If you mean on their major plot clearly earmarked for a park of some sort, no. Somewhere else shoved into the resort? Maybe.

Next in line though? Very, very unlikely. Also HK Government owned Ocean Park is opening a water park, and they are very about not allowing any park to cannibalize the other. Ocean Park was 12th worldwide for attendance (the highest non-Disney non-Universal) and was, but probably won't be for long, ahead of HKDL in 2012. They want both parks to thrive and that means quite different offerings. We see how much they are pushing for unique offerings these days out of Disney, they don't want clones.

For that reason as well I wouldn't ever expect an Animal themed gate, it steps too much on Ocean Parks toes.

That's why Glacier Bay got 86-ed.

 

[danlb_2000]

Never got around to seeing Gravity yet ... but I have yet to see a bad film with Sandra in it. As for The Lego Movie ... yeah, no interest at all. Just none.

Guess you haven't seen Speed 2.