More updated Fastpass+ information

[mom2rtk]

It is!

I have to mention that DLR looks to be on track (but about a year behind) WDW in implementing MyMagic+/FP+,
so if the idea is to stay away from the roll-out of the program, it's on the way to California, too.

........ which is why we're heading west this year!

 

[Brian Noble]

Here are some more details on the Marvel thing. Essentially, the specific characters licensed to Universal can't be used in any other US theme park east of the Mississippi. So, Spiderman could go in DLR, but not WDW. But, characters not already licensed by Universal (for example, Black Widow/Hawkeye) are still up for grabs, and could be used anywhere.

http://www.deadline.com/2009/09/universal-vs-disney-over-marvel-characters/
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com...-entertainment-walt-disney-marvel-attractions

Some folks believe that this licensing deal could explain why the Tronorail was on the Epcot beam, but the Avengerail and Iron Manorail were relegated to the lower-exposure MK beams: the Epcot beam *enters* Epcot, and you could argue that places the characters are "in" the park. The MK beams do not enter a park. On the other hand, Tron's theme is a bit more in keeping with Future World than Avengers/Iron Man, so that could explain it as well....

 

[Brian Noble]

I wonder what other destination you would have and could have chosen over disney for all those trips that would have met your expectations year after year and kept your interest.

I'm not yet disenchanted---still a fan. But, we often spend a week on the Outer Banks in the summers, and have been there about as many times as we've been to WDW for family vacations.

And, as others have pointed out, it needn't be just one destination. We're headed to Washington DC for spring break next week, and Paris this summer. Paris is cheating a little, because we'll spend some time at DLRP. We've enjoyed family vacations to Williamsburg, the Rocky Mountains, the Smoky Mountains (twice), and even the slightly tacky but water-park-filled Wisconsin Dells. We've also done several long weekends "Up North" (northern lower Michigan) for some close-to-home winter fun. Sedona/Grand Canyon is coming up probably summer of 2014, and we're thinking about Hawaii as a "last family vacation" when my eldest graduates from high school in '16.

 

[clareita]

Sedona/Grand Canyon is coming up probably summer of 2014, and we're thinking about Hawaii as a "last family vacation" when my eldest graduates from high school in '16.

Don't worry, it doesn't have to the "last family vacation." As long as you are willing to pay, your kids will still go on vacation with you. I speak from experience, as my very generous in-laws have taken the whole family on several trips to the Caribbean vacations and one to WDW. No one says no to a free trip to Grand Cayman in February.

 

[mom2rtk]

Don't worry, it doesn't have to the "last family vacation." As long as you are willing to pay, your kids will still go on vacation with you. I speak from experience, as my very generous in-laws have taken the whole family on several trips to the Caribbean vacations and one to WDW. No one says no to a free trip to Grand Cayman in February.

That depends. My quiet loving 19 year old prefers the chance to have the house to himself when we go on vacation. We're even going to the beach he loves this summer. Still won't go.

And for many, family vacations start to wane when kids get jobs and it's harder to get time away.

 

[TLSnell1981]

On our last trip, we saw two CMs arguing with each other. They weren't yelling but voices were raised. In the past, I don't think that would have happened in front of guests.

We saw two men in a screaming, cursing, shoving altercation, during "Celebrate the Magic". DH shielded me and a man on an ECV, while I protected my special needs brother. We were trapped....zero crowd control. The CMs were huddled nearby, pretending nothing was happening. This is "Where Dreams Come True"?

 

[Angel Ariel]

Here are some more details on the Marvel thing. Essentially, the specific characters licensed to Universal can't be used in any other US theme park east of the Mississippi. So, Spiderman could go in DLR, but not WDW. But, characters not already licensed by Universal (for example, Black Widow/Hawkeye) are still up for grabs, and could be used anywhere.

IIRC from a previous thread on this, it's not just the specific characters, but it's the entire family of characters that can't be used. Basically because Universal has licensed some of the Avenger characters, no Avenger characters can appear in WDW parks even if the individual Avenger character doesn't appear at Universal.

 

[mesaboy2]

IIRC from a previous thread on this, it's not just the specific characters, but it's the entire family of characters that can't be used. Basically because Universal has licensed some of the Avenger characters, no Avenger characters can appear in WDW parks even if the individual Avenger character doesn't appear at Universal.

This is correct. Hawkeye and Black Widow are out-of-bounds.

The bottom line is that the only Marvel characters Disney can currently use are so obscure as to be known only to serious comic-book fanboys.

 

[Tekneek]

No one says no to a free trip to Grand Cayman in February.

Guess we're outliers. We refuse family cruises on a regular basis.

 

[DorianDonP]

That depends. My quiet loving 19 year old prefers the chance to have the house to himself when we go on vacation. We're even going to the beach he loves this summer. Still won't go.

And for many, family vacations start to wane when kids get jobs and it's harder to get time away.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

And how long is it taking them to build a kiddie coaster? Fantasy Land means nothing to me, individually. It was quite disappointing actually. It looks pretty but has nothing that interest "us", adults with no children. You will never see Marvel in a park unless it's eventually put into CA, Paris or Tokyo. Since this is the Orlando portion of the board, Marvel has no right being discussed. Unless of course you visit Universal which has the characters. Stars Wars Land / Avatarland.....no ground broken....kiddie coaster scenario....math. Scaled down version of Carsland from DCA.....that would actually help draw crowds away from TSM and give me a real reason to visit that park in the future. Once again....how many years will that take? As for DTD (just like it will always be MGM)...there is a huge outlet mall across the street with cheaper prices. Let's cut out about 35 of the new stores and give me a few more adult entertainment choices. This isn't rocket science.

I am not knocking you AT ALL, but once you start thinking this way, the thrill (magic?) is gone.

I know it will happen to me - it already is a little bit and we've been "only" 6 times since 2005 and we are going in 2013.

But we are still excited to see the new FL. It just needs perspective. It's simply a nice retheming of an area that was sort of cramped and old-ish, with a couple of new rides, a restaurant, a m&g and a gift shop added. No more, no less.

But I do wonder just why it takes so long for the coaster. I truly want to know why. Bridges, skyscrapers, state of the art coasters elsewhere...all built in less time.

 

[dominiondad]

Just curious - what do Marvel characters or alternate vacation destinations have to do with "More updated Fastpass+ Information"?

 

[mesaboy2]

Just curious - what do Marvel characters or alternate vacation destinations have to do with "More updated Fastpass+ Information"?

What does anything past the very first post have to do with actual information?

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

Just curious - what do Marvel characters or alternate vacation destinations have to do with "More updated Fastpass+ Information"?

FP+ > new change > why invest there > how about some new attractions instead > WDW isn't progressing in the best manner > what about Marvel and Carsland, bring those in > maybe I shouldn't go anymore > where would I go instead

 

[mom2rtk]

LOL, I'd pay someone good money for footage of him up to something while we're gone. ANYTHING! He's just a very quiet kid who craves solitute but has always had to share a room with his brother.

 

[mom2rtk]

FP+ > new change > why invest there > how about some new attractions instead > WDW isn't progressing in the best manner > what about Marvel and Carsland, bring those in > maybe I shouldn't go anymore > where would I go instead

Someone's been paying attention!

 

[clareita]

Guess we're outliers. We refuse family cruises on a regular basis.

I would refuse a cruise too since I have no interest at all in being on a boat. However, this trip was to a condo on the beach in Grand Cayman. Pure bliss.

I noticed that you are in Georiga Tekneek. Winter in New England makes one pretty desperate to escape the cold, even if it means sharing a condo with your in laws. However, I am blessed with a peach of a MiL, so this is an easy call for me.

 

[Brian Noble]

And for many, family vacations start to wane when kids get jobs and it's harder to get time away.

Exactly---not only must everyone get time away, but it all must be at the same time.

We may be a little unusual, because our winter holidays are all quite scripted: Christmas eve open house here, Christmas dinner there, New Years Day open house at the other, and "Outlaw Christmas" somewhere between them. So, the one time everyone is more or less expected to be off of work, school, etc. is the family third rail---it is the one time each year that the extended families on both sides get together, and taking our brood out would be awkward at best.

Once my daughter is out, I'm not anticipating we will get things to line up the rest of the year between various colleges, jobs, internships, etc. I know I certainly didn't when I started college, and it only got worse as the other two started school and we all began moving through our careers. I could get lucky, but my experience is that it is very difficult.

I suppose we could work something out for a long weekend around Thanksgiving.

 

[mom2rtk]

Exactly---not only must everyone get time away, but it all must be at the same time.

We may be a little unusual, because our winter holidays are all quite scripted: Christmas eve open house here, Christmas dinner there, New Years Day open house at the other, and "Outlaw Christmas" somewhere between them. So, the one time everyone is more or less expected to be off of work, school, etc. is the family third rail---it is the one time each year that the extended families on both sides get together, and taking our brood out would be awkward at best.

Once my daughter is out, I'm not anticipating we will get things to line up the rest of the year between various colleges, jobs, internships, etc. I know I certainly didn't when I started college, and it only got worse as the other two started school and we all began moving through our careers. I could get lucky, but my experience is that it is very difficult.

I suppose we could work something out for a long weekend around Thanksgiving.

Our oldest commutes to college. But the second one is going away in the fall. I expect that when he does get home he might not want to get in a car or plane and go somewhere else. And in a couple years he'll probably be spending summers in a coop program that encompasses his summers. Vacations will just have to take a back seat for a while.

 

[hollygolitely93]

What does anything past the very first post have to do with actual information?

Some could argue what does the first post have to do with NEW FP + information...

Some of you sound like you and WDW are old bickering married couples . Even threatening trial separations

If they would hurry up and announce a carslamd, Star Wars land or even completion date to the underwhelming avatar land the pill could be easier to swallow .

I concur the mine train is taking too long