News Round Up 2018

[jade1]

Not official yet.

Earlier tonight sources were spotting the movie between $22M-$24M, and now the thinking is that the Ryan Coogler-directed movie about Marvel’s Black superhero T’Challa will clear $25M. Black Panther will either beat or tie with Captain America: Civil War ($25M) as the second best Marvel preview ever behind Avengers: Age of Ultron ($27.6M). This is also easily the biggest pre-summer preview night ever, outstripping The Hunger Games ($19.7M). On the high end, it’s nearly double the $12.7M what Deadpool posted prior to its record February four-day weekend of $152.1M. These early estimates for Black Panther are exclusively from Deadline, so if you see them reported by a rival trade, they got them from us.

 

[skier_pete]

Actually pretty happy with the opening date on June 30th from a personal perspective. We are going end of August, so by my 60 day FP window the set up for EMH and FP tiering should be well established. (I expect them to re-tier DHS and also to probably have daily EMH for on-site much like they did with Pandora.)

 

[skier_pete]

Not official yet.

Earlier tonight sources were spotting the movie between $22M-$24M, and now the thinking is that the Ryan Coogler-directed movie about Marvel’s Black superhero T’Challa will clear $25M. Black Panther will either beat or tie with Captain America: Civil War ($25M) as the second best Marvel preview ever behind Avengers: Age of Ultron ($27.6M). This is also easily the biggest pre-summer preview night ever, outstripping The Hunger Games ($19.7M). On the high end, it’s nearly double the $12.7M what Deadpool posted prior to its record February four-day weekend of $152.1M. These early estimates for Black Panther are exclusively from Deadline, so if you see them reported by a rival trade, they got them from us.

That's great - while we are unlikely to see it for a few weeks, I am very excited and hope it is both good and it succeeds. (I dread the think pieces on it if it were to tank.)

Can't believe how many movies opening early that I really want to see. Between this Tomb Raider, Ready Player One and Isle of Dogs I may go to the theaters more in the first quarter than I did in the 2nd half of 2017.

 

[rteetz]

MouseSavers is also reporting a June 30 opening date for Toy Story Land.

Disney officially announced that as the date early this morning.

 

[rteetz]

Well, I guess starting June 30th, we start to see what the real ride wait time will be for FOP and NRJ. It's got to go down.....right?

I'm still amazed at the wait times for FEA and 7DMT. While I like peter pan, I don't understand the willingness to wait so long.

I doubt it goes down much.

 

[afan]

Historically Disney will not make any or save bad announcements for Friday’s. So the news dump on Friday is still a thing for them.

It's also possible they wanted to announce it yesterday but delayed to today due to current events. I would find this more likely than purposely announcing it on a friday. Or since we're going into a 3 day weekend for many and winter break for some schools they used it to get vacation planning going over the weekend.

 

[rteetz]

It's also possible they wanted to announce it yesterday but delayed to today due to current events. I would find this more likely than purposely announcing it on a friday. Or since we're going into a 3 day weekend for many and winter break for some schools they used it to get vacation planning going over the weekend.

I don’t know about that since it was a GMA announcement with the coaster vehicle on site.

 

[sachilles]

I doubt it goes down much.

I suspect you're right.

 

[rteetz]

I’ve heard from two separate people as well that there has been an issue with Alien Swirling Saucers. That could have played a role in it opening in late June.

 

[CJK]

Do you think there will be an annual pass preview for Toy Story Land in June??

 

[skier_pete]

I’ve heard from two separate people as well that there has been an issue with Alien Swirling Saucers. That could have played a role in it opening in late June.

I don't completely get this. This is clearly a clone of Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - right down to the ride layout. That ride has been in place for 5 years. It seems unlikely moving it to Florida would cause issues.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Well, I guess starting June 30th, we start to see what the real ride wait time will be for FOP and NRJ. It's got to go down.....right?

I'm still amazed at the wait times for FEA and 7DMT. While I like peter pan, I don't understand the willingness to wait so long.

Perhaps somewhat - but FoP is still *the* FP and the big ride at AK plus sort of different key target audiences. Not saying it will have no effect but I think pretty minimal

 

[rteetz]

I don't completely get this. This is clearly a clone of Mater's Junkyard Jamboree - right down to the ride layout. That ride has been in place for 5 years. It seems unlikely moving it to Florida would cause issues.

It was an issue with the roof and possibly water damage. I’ve heard it from two separate sources.

 

[rteetz]

Do you think there will be an annual pass preview for Toy Story Land in June??

Yes.

 

[rteetz]

News

Epcot removed UK smoking section

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories/epcot-removes-united-kingdom-pavilion-smoking-section/

 

[rteetz]

Photo Update

Tron land clearing

http://blogmickey.com/2018/02/photos-massive-land-clearing-underway-tron-magic-kingdom/

 

[skier_pete]

It's also possible they wanted to announce it yesterday but delayed to today due to current events. I would find this more likely than purposely announcing it on a friday. Or since we're going into a 3 day weekend for many and winter break for some schools they used it to get vacation planning going over the weekend.

I think the latter is quite likely - assuming people will be with family this weekend, it might stir up interest in booking trips. While the south starts school vacations near memorial day, a lot of Northern Schools still attend until mid to late June, so a June 30th opening could get people thinking about their summer plans.

I have to say - I think Disney might be in for a slow year beyond this summer. I've been talking to a lot of "normals" (non-Disney nuts) and many are aware of the Star Wars land but are basically saying "we want to plan our next trip around that opening". I wonder if WDW will see an attendance dip over the next 12 months or so due to this...and then the massive spike they are likely anticipating.

 

[sachilles]

Does anyone recall seeing how you will enter Tron. The ride mechanism area is pretty clear. Just wondering if there is really enough space to enter it between the speedway track and the gift shop/exit of space? Or will the entrance be on the old smoking path? Either way seem like it could be a bottle neck to get to it.
Just wondering if space mountain gift shop might get a renovation out of the deal.

 

[splash327]

Does anyone recall seeing how you will enter Tron. The ride mechanism area is pretty clear. Just wondering if there is really enough space to enter it between the speedway track and the gift shop/exit of space? Or will the entrance be on the old smoking path? Either way seem like it could be a bottle neck to get to it.
Just wondering if space mountain gift shop might get a renovation out of the deal.

I thought from the drawings that the entrance would be behind the speedway on the smoking path. And then in the building would be some way to get over the railroad tracks.

 

[afan]

I don’t know about that since it was a GMA announcement with the coaster vehicle on site.

GMA is still a news show and things get moved around or pushed when there's a big news story. Pushing it one day to Friday means the car is only there an extra day not over the weekend so it can still be back in FL tomorrow. With all we say and read about Disney I can't imagine had the announcement been planned for.yesterday they would continue with it and push summer family vacations. I also don't see why they would make it a Friday news dump because the date is fine, it only upsets those that thought it would be mem day weekend like Pandora. I would guess it's also more likely to get picked up by other news broadcasts that want a happy story. Our ABC Seattle station always reports on the big dl/Disney stuff.