News Round Up 2016

[Eoghann]

difficult? no, I agree it's not difficult. Is it a wise financial move? Don't think so.

Well... it is in line with recent activities and rumors though. Retheme Maelstrom... rumored retheme of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster..

These are cheap and "quick" ways to have "new" things to advertise for the parks. They don't increase capacity which is really short term thinking but, we've seen plenty of that lately.

 

[Redcon1]

Over at BlogMickey they've got some great zoomed in shots of the Avatar mountains. The amount of detail going into these things is ridiculously wonderful. There's some pulled out shots too if you want a feeling for how the progress is going: http://blogmickey.com/2016/04/pandora-world-avatar-foliage-vines-painting/View attachment 161017

Hopefully, the amount of detail extends to the ride experiences themselves and not just on the facades.

 

[sachilles]

Why wouldn't it be wise financially? If they use a Popular IP it could be a fine financial decision. It's not like there won't be Star Wars in DHS.

Business wise, the company is in a bit of spending freeze outside of the capital projects, due to shanghai deal. While this would be a capitalized project, it's money that doesn't need to be spent. You are putting in Star Wars IP, and you have existing Star Wars IP. The muppets IP is in a facility that could be relocated if deemed worthy of retention, likely for less money than a re-theme of star tours. Even if you don't re-theme or move muppets you can make Star Tours work.
It costs money to retheme that, along with developing the cinematics. It's not a cheap proposition. Of the two options, a re-theme of muppets is the likely choice in terms of cost. Make it muppet star wars, and then you are in the clear.
In order to re-do star tours, it needs to be down for a while. I don't see them doing that, until after Star Wars is done. There just isn't enough rides to sustain the park in it's current state.

 

[rteetz]

Business wise, the company is in a bit of spending freeze outside of the capital projects, due to shanghai deal. While this would be a capitalized project, it's money that doesn't need to be spent. You are putting in Star Wars IP, and you have existing Star Wars IP. The muppets IP is in a facility that could be relocated if deemed worthy of retention, likely for less money than a re-theme of star tours. Even if you don't re-theme or move muppets you can make Star Tours work.
It costs money to retheme that, along with developing the cinematics. It's not a cheap proposition. Of the two options, a re-theme of muppets is the likely choice in terms of cost. Make it muppet star wars, and then you are in the clear.
In order to re-do star tours, it needs to be down for a while. I don't see them doing that, until after Star Wars is done. There just isn't enough rides to sustain the park in it's current state.

Of course nothing would be done until Star Wars is done. How would muppets be easier though? You'd have to retheme that whole courtyard restraurabts included.

 

[Spacedog1975]

I can see them retheming star tours. It wouldn't be that difficult. Also I think a lot of people would shed a tear in muppets left. That film is the last film Jim Henson worked on before his death. They also are retheming pizza planet and eventually mama melrose to muppets themes.

One of my Disney groups on Facebook just speculated that Streets of America would go Muppets also, based on their assertion that SOA is included in the "Muppets Courtyard" map. I was under the impression that the new maps end at the walls. Any thoughts?

 

[sachilles]

Of course nothing would be done until Star Wars is done. How would muppets be easier though? You'd have to retheme that whole courtyard restraurabts included.

You have similar construction cost at both. The cost difference comes from having to produce new cinematics for the star tours, along with syncing the ride mechanics. Its fine if you are cloning an existing setup from another park. So if you split the cost between California and Florida for an identical ride then you are good. However, they typically don't like to do that, and the Iron Man version cant be in Florida.

 

[Spacedog1975]

Well... it is in line with recent activities and rumors though. Retheme Maelstrom... rumored retheme of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster..

These are cheap and "quick" ways to have "new" things to advertise for the parks. They don't increase capacity which is really short term thinking but, we've seen plenty of that lately.

Cheaper and quicker yes, but welcome IMHO. I enjoy Aerosmith, but a retheme to an IP like GotG would not be unwelcome. In fact, it would be a good deal of fun.

I've also always thought that sims like Star Tours are a great opportunity for dynamic content. You could reasonably retheme something like that for the newest film, or be able to ride through any Pixar/Disney world you wanted to. I love Star Tours, but I may have less love for it once I can ride on the Millennium Falcon!

 

[adam.adbe]

Well... it is in line with recent activities and rumors though. Retheme Maelstrom... rumored retheme of Rock 'n' Roller Coaster..

These are cheap and "quick" ways to have "new" things to advertise for the parks. They don't increase capacity which is really short term thinking but, we've seen plenty of that lately.

Well Frozen wont improve capacity (and obviously that ride mechanism is woefully short of what's needed for a Frozen ride), but Maelstrom pulled pretty low rider counts, and was often hanging around in walk-on territory. To my way of thinking, if a re-skin takes an under-utilized attraction, and increases ridership, then on some level 'capacity' has increased.

RnR seems to be a little gain except for making a tired ride look fresher. It's plussing, which is to be applauded, but Disney will bill it as a new attraction, and that's really not.

 

[Spacedog1975]

Make it muppet star wars, and then you are in the clear.

If it's true that Lucasfilm has mandated that no Disney character may dress in Star Wars attire any longer, I strongly doubt that they'll be able to do a Muppet satire of the same.

 

[sachilles]

Drat....reality bites.

 

[skier_pete]

What I find funny is that everyone is just assuming that Star Wars land is NOT going to be built near Star Tours based ENTIRELY on a building shown on the edge of single concept drawing for a completely different land. A building that in fact has NOT been identified as anything pertinent to Star Wars Land.

What's real is this:
(1) Disney has not said where Star Wars land will be going.
(2) It is expected to take up about 14 acres no matter where it is.
(3) It's location does not mean that a phase 3 or phase 4 won't happen - the same amount of land will still be available.
(4) It's most logical to go in where Star Tours is - why would they not keep an existing ride that is fairly popular and nearly 100% renewable - but that never guaranteed it will be located there.
(5) The "rumor mill" has no real clue where it's going.

 

[rteetz]

One of my Disney groups on Facebook just speculated that Streets of America would go Muppets also, based on their assertion that SOA is included in the "Muppets Courtyard" map. I was under the impression that the new maps end at the walls. Any thoughts?

I believe there is a tiny section of SoA included in muppets courtyard but the majority of SoA will be demolished.

 

[rteetz]

You have similar construction cost at both. The cost difference comes from having to produce new cinematics for the star tours, along with syncing the ride mechanics. Its fine if you are cloning an existing setup from another park. So if you split the cost between California and Florida for an identical ride then you are good. However, they typically don't like to do that, and the Iron Man version cant be in Florida.

Iron man hasn't been confirmed for Disneyland yet. It's possibly the same IP could come to both Disneyland and DHS for star tours.

 

[rteetz]

News

More on the Haunted Mansion Tsum Tsums

https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...y-tsum-tsum-on-april-15-2016-at-disney-parks/

 

[Flyerjab]

Photo update for the RoL area. All walls are now down around the Anandapur area and the theming is of course incredible.

http://wdwnt.com/blog/2016/04/photo...rivers-of-light-viewing-area-to-guests-today/

 

[Eoghann]

One of my Disney groups on Facebook just speculated that Streets of America would go Muppets also, based on their assertion that SOA is included in the "Muppets Courtyard" map. I was under the impression that the new maps end at the walls. Any thoughts?

I'm pretty sure Muppets Courtyard will be in size exactly what it already is. Just with the restaurants re-themed. There's nothing pointing to a grand Muppets expansion.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I have an iphone. It's what probably more than 50% of people with smart phones have. Android users mostly have phones with similar battery life to iphones.

And while it is true most people probably don't have a portable charger, they could for under 30 bucks if having their phone all day is really that important to them. It's not even essential to me, I just do it because it's minimal effort to carry. Disney would also likely continue to add charging stations. Then Disney could find ways to encourage you to use your phone more while you're in the park so that you'll be more likely to drain your battery and need a charger! (Can I have a job guys?)

Heck, here is an idea Disney. They could sell the portable chargers in the park. They could even theme them in some way to make guests want to have the Disney phone charger instead of one they might already have or would have bought otherwise. AND/OR they could rent them by the hour so you could charge them while you wait in line or eat lunch or watch a show.

I agree there would be issues, but nothing most people can't deal with.

I really dislike this idea. I have an Android, and the battery is not good. I like to go to the parks without carrying a bag and I am not going to carry a portable charger with me, nor am I going to buy a "Disney charger" or sit somewhere in the park and charge my phone. Bad idea, if you ask me. Magic bands are SO much easier.

 

[Eoghann]

What I find funny is that everyone is just assuming that Star Wars land is NOT going to be built near Star Tours based ENTIRELY on a building shown on the edge of single concept drawing for a completely different land. A building that in fact has NOT been identified as anything pertinent to Star Wars Land.

What's real is this:
(1) Disney has not said where Star Wars land will be going.
(2) It is expected to take up about 14 acres no matter where it is.
(3) It's location does not mean that a phase 3 or phase 4 won't happen - the same amount of land will still be available.
(4) It's most logical to go in where Star Tours is - why would they not keep an existing ride that is fairly popular and nearly 100% renewable - but that never guaranteed it will be located there.
(5) The "rumor mill" has no real clue where it's going.

I agree it's wide open at this point. Either location would work physically and concept art is a far from concrete proof. Though it's peculiar no work has started on the parking lot area if the expansion is going that way.

As far as Star Tours is concerned I think the reason there is a legitimate question-mark over it is the fact it's clearly not part of Star Wars land in Disneyland. Again it's not proof, but it does imply to me that Star Tours isn't integrated into the land.

 

[Eoghann]

I really dislike this idea. I have an Android, and the battery is not good. I like to go to the parks without carrying a bag and I am not going to carry a portable charger with me, nor am I going to buy a "Disney charger" or sit somewhere in the park and charge my phone. Bad idea, if you ask me. Magic bands are SO much easier.

• The bands aren't going anywhere. This is additional flexibility not less.
• Using your phone would have minimal impact on your battery life anyway. Using the MDE app is a far bigger drain than tapping your phone against Mickey.
• Your phone probably already does this without you knowing it. Unless you turned the NFC service off, it's running (and used for Android Pay)
• Portable chargers can be as small as a lighter, no need for a bag.

 

[DDLand]

What I find funny is that everyone is just assuming that Star Wars land is NOT going to be built near Star Tours based ENTIRELY on a building shown on the edge of single concept drawing for a completely different land. A building that in fact has NOT been identified as anything pertinent to Star Wars Land.

What's real is this:
(1) Disney has not said where Star Wars land will be going.
(2) It is expected to take up about 14 acres no matter where it is.
(3) It's location does not mean that a phase 3 or phase 4 won't happen - the same amount of land will still be available.
(4) It's most logical to go in where Star Tours is - why would they not keep an existing ride that is fairly popular and nearly 100% renewable - but that never guaranteed it will be located there.
(5) The "rumor mill" has no real clue where it's going.

You're ignoring that Bob Iger said ground breaking was going to occur in April. That a Star Wars Land poster has appeared by Streets of America. That Disney wants this built as quickly as possible.

This also looks interesting doesn't it?
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/2016/04/r2-d2-do-you-copy/

What we know about Disney is they take the path of least resistance. Building by Star Tours would require significantly more effort than building in areas that have already been developed and only require some demo.

Edit: For the sake of not making this thread any messier I'll just add on to this post.

Either you are not reading what I am saying or I am not saying it well.

What I'm trying to say is no one knows where they are going to build it, and it doesn't really matter anyways.

I'm absolutely reading what you're saying and you're being quite clear. I'm just disagreeing with the conclusion you reach. You say that we don't know where it's going to end up. I'm saying that today Disney all but confirmed that Streets of America/LMA is going to be the site of the Star Wars Experience. Between the R2D2 photo, the concept art, the placement of the Star Wars Art, Bob Iger announcing that groundbreaking will take place in April, all the closures, and the knowledge that Disney wants this done soon tell us Streets of America is the place.

Why does this matter?

The other location would have required taking away sections of the parking lot to be used for SWLand. In order to offset the effects of this reallocation a new parking garage would have to be built. This would have added to the complexities of the build and delayed the start of the build for years. By building it in the back they'll be able to start the build much sooner (as in this month) and complete it in their typical 3ish year timeframe.