Video - Splash Mtn finale Jan 22 (all animatronics broken)

[acr123]

HAHA, just checking back in on this situation and ....could we be anymore OT?

Can someone please publish an update on the Splash Mountain situation and spare me from having to read through all these pages of conversation unrelated to the thread topic????

 

[KevinYee]

The Splash finale was working fine, as seen from the train, this past Sunday.

Apparently the thing was broken Saturday, Sunday, Monday two weeks ago (my video was taken on the middle day).

It has been fighting issues with these animatronics for several weeks. I posted a video in September that showed a few birds broken, but not the whole boat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaqibSSlQZY

I hope they can keep it working well now full-time!

 

[lebeau]

No, there isn't. And that was my point. But if you need any advice on how to make a DL trip more affordable, please ask. Usually, I don't do the trip planning advice deal except in private, but I'd like to help anyone get to DL for a first time.

Also, realize that you can travel to FIVE airports in SoCal -- LAX, Long Beach, OC-John Wayne, Ontario and Burbank, so there are options. But generally, LAX is usually the cheapest and has ALWAYS been so when renting a car.

In some cases, it will be too pricey for some or just not work logistically ... but many folks tend to give up too quickly.

Even more so with foreign resorts.

I heard horror tales about going to TDR before my first trip. How if I got a decent hotel for 'under $400 a night' I should be happy ... I wound up with a Good Neighbor 3-star hotel with transport for $62 a night. I heard horror stories about how pricey the city can be (it is!!!) but there were plenty of inexpensive options for GREAT food and touring options outside.

BTW, there are $699 flights from LAX to Tokyo (or were last week when I was on the left coast and checked!)

I guess what I am saying is you can't believe everything you hear (or read online).

~I need a vacation!~

Thanks for the tips and the very generous offer of planning assistance! It is much appreciated.

We will make it to DL sooner or later. It's not a question of "if" but "when". It's possible things could still work out this year. No giving up here! Everything else being equal, I'd prefer DL over WDW.

 

[Expo_Seeker40]

Third World in 'Murika is Delta Terminal 3 at JFK, the former Pan Am Worldport that has ceiling tiles literally pealing off and falling to the ground.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

The Splash finale was working fine, as seen from the train, this past Sunday.

Apparently the thing was broken Saturday, Sunday, Monday two weeks ago (my video was taken on the middle day).

It has been fighting issues with these animatronics for several weeks. I posted a video in September that showed a few birds broken, but not the whole boat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaqibSSlQZY

I hope they can keep it working well now full-time!

I'm assuming that saying the "finale was working fine" doesn't include the literally dozens of burned out light bulbs on the boat that I'm assuming they haven't changed yet.

Those burned out bulbs honestly bother me as much as the boat not moving.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I'm not sure I'd use the word brilliant, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Star Wars redo (and I am not a film geek -- the original three films featured one great film, one very good one and an average one, the second trio had one film that was near unwatchable, one that was simply lousy and one that was fair to simply OK). It was absolutely a very pleasant surprise from WDI and after riding a few dozen times between Anaheim and O-Town, I'm not close to bored with it ... I think I've only experienced the same ride profile completely once or twice. That speaks to its repeatability.

BUT ... you are right, it should have been done a VERY long time ago. I first heard talks of it (from inside Glendale) back in 1998. The fact that fans were sold on the technology of using sims in the parks (and management before them) was because they could -- and WOuLD -- be updated frequently and cheaply. Well, we were all sold a load of goods on that one, weren't we?

And I can tell you it is much more popular in Anaheim. Not exactly sure why. Certainly having fewer sims makes a difference, but it has been a hugely popular addition while in O-Town it is noticeably less so. I have no idea how correct I am, but my feeling is people have a very much 'too little, too late' 'tude at WDW amongst regulars and visitors either don't know it's a new ride, don't care or don't believe it's enough of a priority to drive attendance vs. going to IOA or SW or even spending more time at MK or EPCOT.

But Disney got this one very much right. And so much more so than that simple little Mermaid attraction that really isn't all that.

~Rob?!?! I mean, REALLY?!?!?~

I truly believe that the popularity difference between the coasts for Star Tours is a function of Disneyland guests typically being better educated about the parks. This is at least in part, Disney's fault. Star Tours 2.0 wasn't really marketed at all that I saw. I see Harry Potter ads all the time, I see generic Disney ads all the time, but nothing on Star Tours.

I guarantee that a large percentage of Disney World fans weren't aware that there was even a change until they actually got on the attraction. Even then, I'm guessing that several of the once every 5 year visitors spent the first few minutes trying to remember if this had 3D glasses the last time.

The ads they came up with for Disneyland were great, with Darth Vadar touring the park - where were those for Disney World?

Couple that with 4 simulators versus 6, and you have a much a higher demand in Disneyland.

I'm not the all-knowing Spirit (I'm pretty sure I could drink him under the table too!), but I might offer assistance on this topic.

I was there for 10 days. Spent half the time at the Mira Costa with a park lagoon view, and the second half of the trip we stayed at the Sheraton also with a park view.

The Mira Costa is amazing by every definition. It ain't cheap, especially with the best view. Heck, it cost me $40 just for my two oldest kids to go swimming (pool privledges aren't included with your room)!

But our Sheraton room had a great view from the back of Disney Sea, looking toward the front of the park, with a great view of the volcano and it's hourly eruptions. The Sheraton was also directly across from a monorail stop, which means you don't have to take an additional shuttle to reach the hotel after the monorail. The shuttles are WAY awesome inside (google it!) but still... It was nice to not have to take one virtually ever.

For my money, when we go back, it'll be the Sheraton with park view, all the way. The only downside is there is only one English tv channel, where at the Disney hotels there are more as they cater to westerners. But if you can get past that, then you're set.

I HIGHLY suggest Kevin Yees book Tokyo Disney Made Easy. He was kind enough to send me an early print before it was officially released, and that book became my bible. WONDERFUL resource for a non Japanese speaker to visit not only Disney, but also a bit about Tokyo as well. From step by step instructions on where to go at the airport through how to get places, to things you'd expect like park tips.

I am talking about these hotels:
http://www.tokyodisneyresort.co.jp/en/about/oh/goodn.html

The official hotels are the ones right on Tokyo Bay with monorail station. They would be akin to the DD Hotel Plaza Hotels (only much, much closer).

Good Neighbor Hotels are much like they are in O-Town and Anaheim. They are close by and you can buy tix at them and they provide transport (on the type of coaches like DME and DCL, NOT like the typical WDW bus you get when paying $500 a night at the Poly!)

It shouldn't be once in a lifetime at your young age! And it can be much more affordable than folks (even experts on Disney boards who actually go and didn't give me very accurate info when I asked because they had more limited knowledge than I thought!) think ... I was thrilled beyond belief when I found the Hilton Tokyo Bay for $185 a night when I was planning the trip (from China, where I was living/working) just a month out. But before I could jump on it, my dates changed by 2-3 days and the rates went up (not a huge amount ... like maybe $40-50 a night). But my traveling companion wound up finding the deal on the Good Neighbor Hotel on Hotels.com. The rate was about $85 a night (phenomenal on its own right, but we then got a rebate since we had an 11 night stay, which brought the rate down to $62) ... and they spoke perfect English there (unlike most CMs at TDR) and it was a GREAT area to stay in with so many places to dine, shop and see within a mile walk and subway line right outside the place.

~Curry Popcorn~

Thanks to both of you for this info, and when I am planning a trip I'll definitely pick up Kevin's book (and probably talk to people directly).

The Splash finale was working fine, as seen from the train, this past Sunday.

Apparently the thing was broken Saturday, Sunday, Monday two weeks ago (my video was taken on the middle day).

It has been fighting issues with these animatronics for several weeks. I posted a video in September that showed a few birds broken, but not the whole boat: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaqibSSlQZY

I hope they can keep it working well now full-time!

Thanks for the info Kevin, we appreciate it.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

OK. After hearing that (but pretending to not remember for dramatic posting purposes here) I am suggesting you pay for the entire drink off and will state to the MAGICal denizens that you are indeed so wealthy that when you began to sweat, I saw gold leaf flaking off your face.

I don't sweat... I glisten.

 

[COProgressFan]

I'm assuming that saying the "finale was working fine" doesn't include the literally dozens of burned out light bulbs on the boat that I'm assuming they haven't changed yet.

Those burned out bulbs honestly bother me as much as the boat not moving.

I agree, that makes me crazy. The last time I saw it there were more lights out than working. Moving, functioning AAs are great, but aren't so exciting when the boat has filthy grime at the water line, the lights don't work, and the fur/feathers and costumes on the AAs look dirty and dusty.

 

[xdan0920]

I agree, that makes me crazy. The last time I saw it there were more lights out than working. Moving, functioning AAs are great, but aren't so exciting when the boat has filthy grime at the water line, the lights don't work, and the fur/feathers and costumes on the AAs look dirty and dusty.

But, but, but, isn't there a such thing as good enough? As long as the AAs are moving, doesn't that make up for all the other problems?

Sarcasm

 

[Pioneer Hall]

I truly believe that the popularity difference between the coasts for Star Tours is a function of Disneyland guests typically being better educated about the parks. This is at least in part, Disney's fault. Star Tours 2.0 wasn't really marketed at all that I saw. I see Harry Potter ads all the time, I see generic Disney ads all the time, but nothing on Star Tours.

I guarantee that a large percentage of Disney World fans weren't aware that there was even a change until they actually got on the attraction. Even then, I'm guessing that several of the once every 5 year visitors spent the first few minutes trying to remember if this had 3D glasses the last time.

The ads they came up with for Disneyland were great, with Darth Vadar touring the park - where were those for Disney World?

Couple that with 4 simulators versus 6, and you have a much a higher demand in Disneyland.





Thanks to both of you for this info, and when I am planning a trip I'll definitely pick up Kevin's book (and probably talk to people directly).



Thanks for the info Kevin, we appreciate it.

Where you are in Mass you wouldn't see specific attraction advertisements, however I did see some here in FL. It's location specific marketing, where they show the entire appeal of a vacation to Disney as opposed to just focusing on one attraction. Harry had far more appeal to market itself as a destination than possibly Universal as a whole. As far as difference in wait times...I chalk that to capacity being less in DL.

 

[Alektronic]

I agree, that makes me crazy. The last time I saw it there were more lights out than working. Moving, functioning AAs are great, but aren't so exciting when the boat has filthy grime at the water line, the lights don't work, and the fur/feathers and costumes on the AAs look dirty and dusty.

OK. Just don't blame everything on maintenance. Maintenance is responsible for the lighting and AA's but if it is cleanliness of the boat then that goes to custodial and AA figure costumes goes to the Costuming dept.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Where you are in Mass you wouldn't see specific attraction advertisements, however I did see some here in FL. It's location specific marketing, where they show the entire appeal of a vacation to Disney as opposed to just focusing on one attraction. Harry had far more appeal to market itself as a destination than possibly Universal as a whole. As far as difference in wait times...I chalk that to capacity being less in DL.

So many visitors to Disney World come from the north east. Advertising specific things, such as a new Star Tours attraction will bring in guests. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is proof of that concept.

I understand the need to have the heart warming generic Disney ads, but those are targetting families. The market share that Universal is tapping into more right now is that teenager/young adult market share that their attractions cater to. I have yet to see Disney do this in Disney World. They constantly fight the negative misconceptions that young adult males have with the Disney brand. I can sell nearly any person on the planet on a Disney vacation, as can most people on this forum. The problem is people don't know what it has to offer them.

When someone comes to me for Disney information in preparation for a trip, the first thing I ask them is, "What are your impressions of Disney?" "Do you have any pre-conceived notions about what your vacation will be?" More often then not, the men that I ask assume it's all pixie dust, princesses, and rodents. Those of us on here know that's not true, but they're not getting that message out to the masses.

 

[PeoplemoverTTA]

The problem is people don't know what it has to offer them.

This is dead-on. And not only is WDW advertising woefully off-target, but again I'll criticize the PR team. The blog either focuses on generic "magic" or events so niche that they may turn off casual visitors or first-timers (although I personally enjoy those posts). There is no balance in content marketing, and I have a hard time seeing any strategy in their messaging whatsoever (as a PR/marketing vet with a decade of experience).

The advertising and PR team at WDW needs to get a better understanding of their target audiences, and direct specific messages their way. Yes, I realize this sounds like Advertising 101, but sure seems like their team could use it.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

So many visitors to Disney World come from the north east. Advertising specific things, such as a new Star Tours attraction will bring in guests. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is proof of that concept.

I understand the need to have the heart warming generic Disney ads, but those are targetting families. The market share that Universal is tapping into more right now is that teenager/young adult market share that their attractions cater to. I have yet to see Disney do this in Disney World. They constantly fight the negative misconceptions that young adult males have with the Disney brand. I can sell nearly any person on the planet on a Disney vacation, as can most people on this forum. The problem is people don't know what it has to offer them.

When someone comes to me for Disney information in preparation for a trip, the first thing I ask them is, "What are your impressions of Disney?" "Do you have any pre-conceived notions about what your vacation will be?" More often then not, the men that I ask assume it's all pixie dust, princesses, and rodents. Those of us on here know that's not true, but they're not getting that message out to the masses.

The idea though if I see it correctly is to appeal to those families with disposable income that are going to want to take a vacation. Advertising to the teen/young adult crowd outside of FL is a tough sell since not many of them have the money on their own to get to the parks. Harry Potter is an anomaly to the advertising something specific formula. Harry Potter appeals to people from 8-80 in a way no franchise has been able to do in recent times. People are making trips to Universal specifically for that, and Disney doesn't have something they can individually advertise that can match that. Spending the big bucks to just advertise Star Tours in New England probably wouldn't make many people decide on a Disney vacation. However, showcasing that and various other attractions has a much better shot. This is why the marketing is more targeted as you live closer to the central Florida area. If I have the ability to go often and already know about their other attractions, I need the latest and greatest thing to get me to go back. You need to look at a marketing plan as one of the 99% of people who aren't Disney fanatics. I used to think it would be awesome to see specific attraction ads or billboards when I was in NJ. Once I learned more about marketing and segmentation, I learned how bad of an idea that would actually be when you didn't see the return on your investment.

 

[RSoxNo1]

The idea though if I see it correctly is to appeal to those families with disposable income that are going to want to take a vacation. Advertising to the teen/young adult crowd outside of FL is a tough sell since not many of them have the money on their own to get to the parks. Harry Potter is an anomaly to the advertising something specific formula. Harry Potter appeals to people from 8-80 in a way no franchise has been able to do in recent times. People are making trips to Universal specifically for that, and Disney doesn't have something they can individually advertise that can match that. Spending the big bucks to just advertise Star Tours in New England probably wouldn't make many people decide on a Disney vacation. However, showcasing that and various other attractions has a much better shot. This is why the marketing is more targeted as you live closer to the central Florida area. If I have the ability to go often and already know about their other attractions, I need the latest and greatest thing to get me to go back. You need to look at a marketing plan as one of the 99% of people who aren't Disney fanatics. I used to think it would be awesome to see specific attraction ads or billboards when I was in NJ. Once I learned more about marketing and segmentation, I learned how bad of an idea that would actually be when you didn't see the return on your investment.

Instead they buy Marvel in hopes that will make the adult male demographic think Disney is cool? You're probably right in that Star Tours as a single attraction in a relatively unthemed area of DHS is not enough to sell most individuals on a Disney vacation. But rolling in the likes of Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Dinosaur, Mission: SPACE, Test Track and Star Tours into a single advertisement would be helpful to sell the parks to that demographic that views Disney as childish and/or feminine.

I took marketing classes too, but that doesn't make me a marketing expert. What I can see though is that Universal's advertising is working, and it's not even good advertising. It doesn't tell you what park Harry Potter is in; it doesn't even mention Islands of Adventure. But people are going to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter from all over the world. You're telling me that Disney shouldn't have targeted advertising in New England is silly.

 

[Pioneer Hall]

Instead they buy Marvel in hopes that will make the adult male demographic think Disney is cool? You're probably right in that Star Tours as a single attraction in a relatively unthemed area of DHS is not enough to sell most individuals on a Disney vacation. But rolling in the likes of Expedition Everest, Tower of Terror, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, Dinosaur, Mission: SPACE, Test Track and Star Tours into a single advertisement would be helpful to sell the parks to that demographic that views Disney as childish and/or feminine.

I took marketing classes too, but that doesn't make me a marketing expert. What I can see though is that Universal's advertising is working, and it's not even good advertising. It doesn't tell you what park Harry Potter is in; it doesn't even mention Islands of Adventure. But people are going to see The Wizarding World of Harry Potter from all over the world. You're telling me that Disney shouldn't have targeted advertising in New England is silly.

Let's be real...Universal could probably take a black background with white letters that say HARRY POTTER NOW AT UNIVERSAL ISLANDS OF ADVENTURE and it wouldn't have mattered. A lot of people knew it was coming and the franchise was powerful enough with or without advertising to get people into the park. Comparing marketing strategies of anything to that specific world/attraction aren't really going to ever be fair to the other side.

(wow...this thread is very off topic :ROFLOL

 

[COProgressFan]

OK. Just don't blame everything on maintenance. Maintenance is responsible for the lighting and AA's but if it is cleanliness of the boat then that goes to custodial and AA figure costumes goes to the Costuming dept.

As a guest, it really doesn't matter to me whose fault it is....whether it be "maintenance" or "costuming" or "custodial" or "Phil Holmes" or "Meg Crofton", the point is the attraction is in poor condition and no one seems to care enough to do anything about it.

 

[wdwmagic]

This stereotype that gets brought up often on this site is maddening. It makes no sense what so ever. It's even more frustrating when the people that run the site are the ones making the statements.

If someone talks about how much they love how things are done at DL and TDL, they're obviously a Disney Parks fan, and have spent in some cases tens of thousands of dollars to satisfy that craving. Why would anyone blanketly put down WDW and not the other resorts if there weren't reason and logic behind why they feel the way they do? What would be the point? If things were run as tightly at WDW as the other resorts, why in the world would any of us bash TDO or how WDW is run? Why wouldn't they praise WDW just as they praise DL or TDL?

Because some people just follow the leader with the loudest voice and don't have a genuine opinion of their own.

No doubt there are problems at WDW, and no doubt there are people who know first hand what is going on at all the parks. What really bugs me, is when people just jump on the bandwagon of what is cool at the moment. And something that is very "in" at the moment is complaining about every aspect of WDW, and how every other Disney park is superior. Some people think they are somehow in the know if they can say "TDO" and "Meg Crofton" as many times as possible in a post.

I would also say that there are people who post here and elsewhere who are just hell bent on being anti-WDW. Not saying they are not Disney park fans, but much like sports teams, the like to play the east coast vs west coast game, the rivalry of DL vs WDW is a big thing for some people.

Again to repeat, I am not saying everything is perfect at WDW. I am also not saying everyone fits into the above.

 

[Jimmy Thick]

Because some people just follow the leader with the loudest voice and don't have a genuine opinion of their own.

No doubt there are problems at WDW, and no doubt there are people who know first hand what is going on at all the parks. What really bugs me, is when people just jump on the bandwagon of what is cool at the moment. And something that is very "in" at the moment is complaining about every aspect of WDW, and how every other Disney park is superior. Some people think they are somehow in the know if they can say "TDO" and "Meg Crofton" as many times as possible in a post.

I would also say that there are people who post here and elsewhere who are just hell bent on being anti-WDW. Not saying they are not Disney park fans, but much like sports teams, the like to play the east coast vs west coast game, the rivalry of DL vs WDW is a big thing for some people.

Again to repeat, I am not saying everything is perfect at WDW. I am also not saying everyone fits into the above.

I agree with this post, especially the bandwagon part.


Jimmy Thick-Haters gonna hate...

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Because some people just follow the leader with the loudest voice and don't have a genuine opinion of their own.

No doubt there are problems at WDW, and no doubt there are people who know first hand what is going on at all the parks. What really bugs me, is when people just jump on the bandwagon of what is cool at the moment. And something that is very "in" at the moment is complaining about every aspect of WDW, and how every other Disney park is superior. Some people think they are somehow in the know if they can say "TDO" and "Meg Crofton" as many times as possible in a post.

I would also say that there are people who post here and elsewhere who are just hell bent on being anti-WDW. Not saying they are not Disney park fans, but much like sports teams, the like to play the east coast vs west coast game, the rivalry of DL vs WDW is a big thing for some people.

Again to repeat, I am not saying everything is perfect at WDW. I am also not saying everyone fits into the above.

Well thanks for the explanation, at least.

I, for one, don't think I fall into your description above, and I guess I don't pay enough attention to other posters to really notice anyone that does.

Personally, my opinion of WDW is based on experience... No inside knowledge. And I try to praise WDW where it's warrented, too. I did so in two other threads today that I can think of... Yet I'm quite sure I'm labeled a "doom and gloomer".