The Spirited Sixth Sense ...

[TowerOfTerror]

Rumor has it that DAK has another addition coming soon besides FOLK area and Avatar. Don't expect any new attractions in the area.

 

[ford91exploder]

I've been a regular visitor since EPCOT opened - long enough to see the changes and patterns. I'd like to think I'm more of a realist than a cynic.

Back when they closed all the grand old Futureworld attractions, everyone talked about upgrades. I've always believed the real reason for the changes was to dump all the maintenance-intensive animatronics from WoM, Horizons, Imagination, The Land, and such. I remember when a custom glass door entrance to Kitchen Cabaret was broken by a guest and it was replaced by a perfect match within minutes while the guests were still in line. Those were the good old days.

There has always been a bottom line to everything TWDC does. Sometimes it's been hidden, and sometimes it's obvious.

Another big trend has been the decrease in upkeep at DVC. I always said I'd sell when the "Disney glow" went away. It has, and I've departed. It's no longer the value it once was.

Now the parks are being metered. I think we've only seen the beginning of an "upcharge for anything good" experience. Just wait until you have to pay for Mickey to say your kid's name, or live with the default silent Mickey (and loud child) mode.

It's a business, after all. And when the business side becomes more obvious, the veneer of magic fades away.

THIS - I also remember the maintenance which was immediate, This year I've also noticed that the DVC properties are no longer receiving the care they used to and frankly some of them are just downright DIRTY we had moldy carpet in SSR this year - DW demanded a new room.

 

[Cesar R M]

So this principal applies to Avatar? The theory seems to indicate Avatar would be a flop. Other than on Disney Boards I never hear anyone in my reality life discussing Avatar.

but there will be 2 more movies.

Rumor has it that DAK has another addition coming soon besides FOLK area and Avatar. Don't expect any new attractions in the area.

bathrooms?? :|

 

[BrianLo]

You know, it's also a holiday weekend at DLR. The park where in addition to Splash Mountain being closed, fellow E-Tickets BTMRR and Small World are also closed, and Space Mountain has seen some down time this weekend as well.

Now, imagine that scenario at the MK. You don't think MK still has a HUGE capacity problem? Don't worry ... oh, they aren't going to add attractions, shows, dining and entertainment venues to attract you. Nah, they're just going to try and make visiting so miserable, time intensive and something that requires spreadsheet planning that unless you have a severe pixie dust addiction, you'll just go elsewhere. ... Like that amazing UNI resort up I-4.

AND Nemo! You don't need capacity to handle guests alone, you need capacity so you can actually fix things without bringing the park to a screeching halt. If MK had a major E-ticket behind schedule on a year long refurb, they'd have to cancel all other refurbs.

The park will never be able to get on top of maintenance if it can't afford to close anything.

 

[BrianLo]

Also for anyone keeping tabs on HKDL attendance: following the 2009 announcement to roll out of their major expansion plans.

2009 - 4.8
2010 - 5.2
2011 - 5.9
2012 - 6.8
2013 - 7.4

Huh, seems properly investing in your parks actually increases attendance... Who knew?

Maybe WDW will pay attention... Or not.

 

[PeterAlt]

Has anyone mentioned that the name of the new Star Wars movie was leaked?

Star Wars Episode 7: A New Dawn

 

[ford91exploder]

but there will be 2 more movies.




bathrooms?? :|

The water will be blue...

 

[ABQ]

The water will be blue...

And here's your corporate sponsor.

 

[Gabe1]

but there will be 2 more movies.
|

Really, I thought there were going to be 3? Sequels are interesting. Have they even gone into production yet? I remember him originally saying Avatar 2 would be released for Christmas 2014 and then blah blah blah...when is it now??? That dude is so much like Disney, can't seem to get it out of his head and into something marketable. At a point you must stop listening until they actually DO something.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Disney and More has posted high res renderings of HKDL's third hotel.
http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2014/02/hong-kong-disneyland-to-build-third-and.html

 

[Cody5242]

Just a drop in for a few over a beautiful holiday weekend in paradise ...

You know, it's also a holiday weekend at DLR. The park where in addition to Splash Mountain being closed, fellow E-Tickets BTMRR and Small World are also closed, and Space Mountain has seen some down time this weekend as well.

Now, imagine that scenario at the MK. You don't think MK still has a HUGE capacity problem? Don't worry ... oh, they aren't going to add attractions, shows, dining and entertainment venues to attract you. Nah, they're just going to try and make visiting so miserable, time intensive and something that requires spreadsheet planning that unless you have a severe pixie dust addiction, you'll just go elsewhere. ... Like that amazing UNI resort up I-4.

It's true: one of my insane friends is visiting DL just to be part of the Soarin' filming. You just gotta love them and not think about it too hard.

OK, Walking Dead. You got me to stay through the end of the season with two superb episodes to kick off the second half of the fourth season.

Yep, it is official: HKDL is getting a third resort (told ya) and a new night spectacular (told ya) and other stuff that hasn't been announced yet (but I'll tell you before they do!)

I admit on such a WONDERful weekend that I did think it would be nice to be out in the theme parks. What can I say?

Reading that Mickey Monitor was painful. Amazing how dumbed down a product versus AP newsletters that came in the 80s and 90s.

Anyway, just a brief interlude. Will see you all a little later ...

I just recently became a passholder at Universal and I wouldn't call either of the parks amazing quite yet. IOA still needs at least two new rides and Universal Studios will be amazing once Diagon Alley opens up

 

[Soarin' Over Pgh]

Disney and More has posted high res renderings of HKDL's third hotel.
http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2014/02/hong-kong-disneyland-to-build-third-and.html

That looks awesome. I love the water features. I wonder how they're going to get those white birds to stay in place?

 

[danlb_2000]

Has anyone mentioned that the name of the new Star Wars movie was leaked?

Star Wars Episode 7: A New Dawn

That name has been floating around for a few months now along with other possible working titles.

 

[Nubs70]

lol. I'd like to see a photo of that, it is a bit abstract for me. Out of all the homes I've lived in our mail is always delivered to the front door never a box along side the road.

I'll post a pic of mine. The snow is 2 feet above the top of the mailbox. Got another 8" this afternoon.

 

[jdmdisney99]

Has anyone mentioned that the name of the new Star Wars movie was leaked?

Star Wars Episode 7: A New Dawn

Um...source? That's been rumored for months. Definitely not leaked as official. To be fair, Return of the Sith, Rise of the Jedi snd A New Republic have all also been leaked.

That name has been floating around for a few months now along with other possible working titles.

^This.^

Disney and More has posted high res renderings of HKDL's third hotel.
http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2014/02/hong-kong-disneyland-to-build-third-and.html

That pool...with a beach...and rocks... bless Hong Kong officials, allowing WDI some budgetary freedom.

 

[PeterAlt]

Disney and More has posted high res renderings of HKDL's third hotel.
http://disneyandmore.blogspot.com/2014/02/hong-kong-disneyland-to-build-third-and.html

I like how the hotels are so compartmentalized. Too sterile for my taste. What helps give the resorts variety at WDW is the fact that the resorts vary in size and shape of its footprint. The layout at HKDL looks like each resort is carved out using cookie cutters!

 

[PeterAlt]

It definately won't be Return of the Sith. Only the good guys "return". Bad guys seek revenge. That's what George says.

 

[TowerOfTerror]

bathrooms?? :|

Heard some more details, a open air market market/bazaar. Sounds like a unique idea if it can pulled off correctly.

 

[Mickey_777]

I just recently became a passholder at Universal and I wouldn't call either of the parks amazing quite yet. IOA still needs at least two new rides and Universal Studios will be amazing once Diagon Alley opens up

Agree. Our family had a great time last October but we were done with everything by about 4pm. Seuss land and all since we went with our toddler. I realize we went at a slow time and and I like repeating my favorite rides but IOA could use a couple of more "must do" attractions. That park is exceptional in some areas like Potter, Spiderman, Mythos, and POE. It just needs more quality filler. But with the Potter train/quasi mandatory park hopper ticket (if I wanna see Gringots) on the way, IOA won't need more stuff...at least for now until IOA expands again.

Also, Starbucks just opened an off the shelf store in Port of Entry. It litterally looks like the one at my local mall. They made no attempt inside to theme it to the area at all. For all the crap we gave starbucks on MS and Epcot, at least there was an attempt to make it appropriate to the area/land. We should be fair no? Just thought I'd throw it out there...

 

[rioriz]

Whatever addition coming to AK (my fav park) will be welcome...As much as Uni is improving IMHO going through the Oasis, seeing the Tree of Life, spending time in Africa...Uni has a long way to go. Diagon is a start though