What In The World Is Going on at HS and EPCOT?

[bethymouse]

We usually just visit MK and EPCOT. I have missed Fantasmic and EE, so we're going to all 4 this year ( we skipped last year- sounds like we should've skipped this year too).
I know that Disney will get their act together soon enough, I guess I have to be patient. But, at this point, I'm not sure if we'll visit until Avatar Land is finished, and other projects as well. Of course, that may mean we don't visit WDW until like 2019 or something like that! LOL.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I'm glad some of you are sticking-up on Disney's behalf. It's ridiculous how a park can't even shut down 1/3 of it's shows/attractions, and charge nearly $100 a day without people getting all negative & upset about it.

Hmm, forgot that sarcasm tag, did ya? So I count 17 attractions still open at HS, and can only remember 3 - The Studios Backlot Tour - it sucked in it's current form anyway, American Idol Experience - long overdue to close, and the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow - did anyone ever go to that, that have closed recently. So 3 out of 20, and does anyone really miss any of those? If were going to sling mud, at least be accurate about it.

 

[Arthur Wellesley]

Hmm, forgot that sarcasm tag, did ya? So I count 17 attractions still open at HS, and can only remember 3 - The Studios Backlot Tour - it sucked in it's current form anyway, American Idol Experience - long overdue to close, and the Legend of Captain Jack Sparrow - did anyone ever go to that, that have closed recently. So 3 out of 20, and does anyone really miss any of those? If were going to sling mud, at least be accurate about it.

And don't forget the mid-day parade. But regardless, the point is that is still enough shaved off the lineup to warrant a raised eyebrow or two over the admission cost to (quality) attraction count ratio.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I don't count parades or restaurants as attractions. YMMV. I also don't count any of the items that closed as quality attractions. Does DHS need an infusion of new? Yes. But does it totally suck? No.

 

[Arthur Wellesley]

I don't count parades or restaurants as attractions. YMMV. I also don't count any of the items that closed as quality attractions. Does DHS need an infusion of new? Yes. But does it totally suck? No.

I highly doubt any of us would think the park "totally suck"s. But it can still seem lacking based on current offerings vs. the current cost of an admission ticket.

 

[Jakesky40]

Ok I have only been to Disney once, and it was with my HS orchestra who performed at Epcot. You all present so much negativity on these boards it makes me feel that our first trip to Disney as a family won't be worth it. It's not just this thread...so much negativity other threads as well. It's fine you all can express your opinions, that's what these boards are for. My kids have never been, (my wife has been multiple times as a young kid), and we have quite a bit of funds invested in this trip...But now I am second guessing myself everyday with these negative threads on here......Well we will definitely go, and I hope you all are wrong. I hope we all have a magical time. It's just now im not so sure we will....

I often find in life you only find things wrong when you look for them. Stop looking so hard?

You will have a good time,

 

[Jakesky40]

I will say Hollywood Studios was and still might be my top park in the entire World. Tower of terror, Indiana jones, star tours are some incredible attractions and their age simply shows how incredibly well designed they were to still be around and be this popular! You go to Disney world, you will have a wonderful time. That might as well be fact. I simply want to make it an even better experience. I love DW more than anything and want it to be a place truly magical. Where anything can happen and you can be completely immersed in experiences you'd never be able to anywhere else.

 

[BuddyThomas]

I am sorry - I know I am new on this board and all, but do we really need another thread dedicated to this? I feel like every other day there is a new thread that says there is nothing new at DHS.

Not saying you're not right though. But no reason to clutter the forums with many threads about the same thing.

I don't see him wasting any paper so why not?

 

[Kosmo1986]

While it may seem that HS is lacking it is my favorite park and I have the best days there. With the use of fast passes it is the only park (besides AK) that you can do all of the rides without spending a ton of time in line all day. The shows are fun too. I like that I can spend an entire day there and actually accomplish everything I wanted to do without feeling like I missed something or spent all my time in line.

 

[Weather_Lady]

Ok I have only been to Disney once, and it was with my HS orchestra who performed at Epcot. You all present so much negativity on these boards it makes me feel that our first trip to Disney as a family won't be worth it. It's not just this thread...so much negativity other threads as well. It's fine you all can express your opinions, that's what these boards are for. My kids have never been, (my wife has been multiple times as a young kid), and we have quite a bit of funds invested in this trip...But now I am second guessing myself everyday with these negative threads on here......Well we will definitely go, and I hope you all are wrong. I hope we all have a magical time. It's just now im not so sure we will....

I often find in life you only find things wrong when you look for them. Stop looking so hard?

You will have a good time and I don't think anyone on here would seriously dispute the proposition that WDW is a wonderful vacation destination for a family. (That's why we keep going again and again, and discussing it here ad nauseum.) The comments to which you're reacting are by Disney veterans for whom the greatness of Disney is a given, but who've been often enough, and invested themselves enough, that they feel empowered to express gripes now and then (and they should). Expressing an opinion on the forums is always a bit of a "darned if you do, darned if you don't" proposition -- if you express a complaint, you're lambasted as a "doom-and-gloomer," and if you rave about something great, you're labeled a "Pixie-dust-snorter." Just take it all with a healthy grain of salt and if there's a particular poster who is bringing you down, that's what block/ignore functions are for.

When I was in your shoes (not that I'm too far up the Disney-visit continuum from where you are), the highest and best use of these forums for me was the factual information for planning my vacation, and not the personal opinions of members, which are, after all, just opinions.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Funny thing, I am the one usually sticking up for Disney, but as @Arthur Wellesley jested, there is a limited to everything.

DHS is simply not guest ready right now. I supposed if you've never been there, you might not notice all the empty/closed spaces, but if you've been there a few times, it's crazy.

EPCOT is easily the most disappointing based on how far it has fallen. I still love EPCOT and can spend several days there looking around, eating, walking, and doing my favorite attractions. However, I'm starting to see how much more it could/should be.

 

[Chef Mickey]

While it may seem that HS is lacking it is my favorite park and I have the best days there. With the use of fast passes it is the only park (besides AK) that you can do all of the rides without spending a ton of time in line all day. The shows are fun too. I like that I can spend an entire day there and actually accomplish everything I wanted to do without feeling like I missed something or spent all my time in line.

I agree that a lot of time can be spent at HS. I happen to enjoy everything that's open and operating. My point is, it's about half what it could be.

Regarding lines, I never wait in lines longer than 15 minutes and I'd say all parks are doable without tons of line waiting, except the most popular stuff at MK, which you can Fast Pass or ride early or late.

I go during "non busy" times, but if you plan well, Disney has essentially made lines a thing of the past unless you want to ride Peter Pan 3 times in a row. WIth the right strategy, you can do early mornings, late evenings, extra magic hours, and fast pass your way to multiple rides on the most popular stuff.

During my visit last week, I rode Splash Mountain 4 times, Space Mountain 3, and all Fantasyland rides twice except Peter Pan just once. I rode everything else in the park once or twice except Dumbo and Barnstormer and watched the Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, Wishes at 10pm, and even the 11pm parade. I also sat down to eat at Liberty tree and Cosmic Rays. Jungle Cruise was closed. That was in one day.

 

[Kosmo1986]

Overall I think there are a lot of things in the works right now at HS. The Area that used to be the Backlot tour is looking like it is going to be a new pixar playland, the stage area next to TSMM is actually going to be a 3rd track for TSMM. I am also predicting a larger StarWars presence soon. 5 years from now I think it is going to be a very different park.

 

[LuvtheGoof]

I highly doubt any of us would think the park "totally suck"s. But it can still seem lacking based on current offerings vs. the current cost of an admission ticket.

I would find any park - including Universal - lacking if I had to pay $100 per day to go there. That's why love our APs. Costs us about $18/day to visit, and we park hop almost every day. Obviously, YMMV.

 

[Goofyernmost]

Ok I have only been to Disney once, and it was with my HS orchestra who performed at Epcot. You all present so much negativity on these boards it makes me feel that our first trip to Disney as a family won't be worth it. It's not just this thread...so much negativity other threads as well. It's fine you all can express your opinions, that's what these boards are for. My kids have never been, (my wife has been multiple times as a young kid), and we have quite a bit of funds invested in this trip...But now I am second guessing myself everyday with these negative threads on here......Well we will definitely go, and I hope you all are wrong. I hope we all have a magical time. It's just now im not so sure we will....

I often find in life you only find things wrong when you look for them. Stop looking so hard?

I am not always positive, I see many things that bother me after 32 years of attending WDW at least once a year. However, If I ever loaded my brain with things like what was operating the last time I was there, as opposed to this time, I believe I would ask for intervention to get me to not go anymore. When using the boards to plan your trips, ask specific questions, but always remember that the people responding are basing their response on a specific moment of time, when they witnessed whatever they witnessed. Something might be broken or a light bulb might be out but they never take into consideration that it might have gone out or broke just moments before they saw it. The same applies to lines. They only have a record of what happened at the moment they were there, not the whole day, week or month.

Were counting down the days til our trip ..36 days til we leave for our 17 hour *gasp* drive

Used to do a 21 hours run from Vermont just about every year. I love road trips as much as getting there. I do hate the return trip though.

I'm glad some of you are sticking-up on Disney's behalf. It's ridiculous how a park can't even shut down 1/3 of it's shows/attractions, and charge nearly $100 a day without people getting all negative & upset about it.

For starters, I doubt that very many people are paying $100.00 per day to go to DHS (of which you are referring) and for that very reason, it isn't worth it. If, however, like most people you have a multi-day pass it isn't costing you anywhere near that amount, so that number should just stop being thrown out there like that is the actual price almost any of us would pay.

And don't forget the mid-day parade. But regardless, the point is that is still enough shaved off the lineup to warrant a raised eyebrow or two over the admission cost to (quality) attraction count ratio.

With reference to that above response that I just gave your previous post. When the actual price we paid is factored in it is still worth it. I really like the idea of a smaller park because then I don't have to spend as many days there to see everything. Now that is something the pencil pushers at Disney should take into consideration. I say that because I agree, of all the problems that may or may not exist, the idea of empty buildings, closed restaurants, etc. is the worst thing that they could possible present to the public. Not only not Disney like, but, any business anywhere anytime should never give the impression that they are failing.

 

[12_Ears_Dad]

Not only not Disney like, but, any business anywhere anytime should never give the impression that they are failing.

Failing? Have you seen Disney World stock? Hardly impression that its failing...

 

[SpaceMountain75]

I agree that a lot of time can be spent at HS. I happen to enjoy everything that's open and operating. My point is, it's about half what it could be.

Regarding lines, I never wait in lines longer than 15 minutes and I'd say all parks are doable without tons of line waiting, except the most popular stuff at MK, which you can Fast Pass or ride early or late.

I go during "non busy" times, but if you plan well, Disney has essentially made lines a thing of the past unless you want to ride Peter Pan 3 times in a row. WIth the right strategy, you can do early mornings, late evenings, extra magic hours, and fast pass your way to multiple rides on the most popular stuff.

During my visit last week, I rode Splash Mountain 4 times, Space Mountain 3, and all Fantasyland rides twice except Peter Pan just once. I rode everything else in the park once or twice except Dumbo and Barnstormer and watched the Country Bears, Hall of Presidents, Wishes at 10pm, and even the 11pm parade. I also sat down to eat at Liberty tree and Cosmic Rays. Jungle Cruise was closed. That was in one day.

Totally random, but what condition was Splash Mountain in? I keep reading that it's back in the pre-2013 refurb state, and I'd hate that to be so.

 

[Chef Mickey]

Totally random, but what condition was Splash Mountain in? I keep reading that it's back in the pre-2013 refurb state, and I'd hate that to be so.

The worst part of Splash Mountain has been the water effects (jumping water, turtles, barrels, etc.) All of those effects were working and I have a very keen eye. I have ridden Splash more than 100 times (at least) and can safely say it's probably better than it's been in a couple years, although not perfect. Nothing was flat out "broken" that I noticed, but the range of motion for some of the animatronics is severely lacking.

The music after the cultures while you are carried up to the drop just flat out wasn't playing and you could hear the lift WAY too much.

Overall, I think you'd be happy with it.

 

[SpaceMountain75]

The worst part of Splash Mountain has been the water effects (jumping water, turtles, barrels, etc.) All of those effects were working and I have a very keen eye. I have ridden Splash more than 100 times (at least) and can safely say it's probably better than it's been in a couple years, although not perfect. Nothing was flat out "broken" that I noticed, but the range of motion for some of the animatronics is severely lacking.

The music after the cultures while you are carried up to the drop just flat out wasn't playing and you could hear the lift WAY too much.

Overall, I think you'd be happy with it.

Awesome. Thanks for the update.

 

[WondersOfLife]

If Epcot continues to be "re-imagined" for the countries to present different Disney films based on the countries... Then I personally want them to do something like this to represent Mulan in the current Reflections of China theatre...

http://www.peterpan360.com/

The style would be so cool.