News Round Up 2019

[rteetz]

News

https://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2019/09/walt-disney-world-releases-operating.html

 

[firefly_ris]

I'm still torn on these.

Has anyone any experience with the photos these produce? Can they do videos (because a video of the whole exchange would be awesome) .. does it have multiple lenses (like the new iPhone) that takes multiple photos with different fields of view? Does it take a LOT of pictures (like the human photographers do) or does it just snap a few shots?

As long as some of the exchanges aren't missed .. hugs, high-fives, and the pose. I will be fine with this. If these photo boxes turn the M&Gs photos into a single posed shot .. Meh.

You figure with the sheer amount of cast members Disney had to hire for SWGE, that cuts would be made somewhere.

We had it for Tink back in February and they were hands down the worst photos of the trip (my mom had bought us Memory Maker for Christmas). I posted them in the thread about the boxes around that time... basically it's just 10 pictures of everyone standing in a row in the same exact position. If all photo meets are moving to this, super easy choice for me to nix buying anything and bring my DSLR next time.

 

[SaintsManiac]

News

https://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2019/09/walt-disney-world-releases-operating.html

WELL guess we are taking a Lyft for HS RD!

 

[FrankieWinthrop]

Me too, I’m just hoping that Dinoland lives on. I’d seriously hate to lose Dinosaur. Primeval itself doesn’t bother me, I’ve ridden the same thing at dozens of other parks this year alone.

I'm not a fan of Dino the ride - too dark to see anything and just a jerky ride with no payoff (decent drop or something). My husband and I have said for a long time that they need to convert it to Indiana Jones, keep the Boneyard/archaeological stuff and make it South America! The Primeval Whirl can go, but we would keep some kind of spinner or kiddie ride in the area. I hate the games and things there - just something else trying to get your money. The ducks have been a nice touch, though.

 

[rteetz]

WELL guess we are taking a Lyft for HS RD!

Buses should run earlier than that.

 

[SaintsManiac]

Buses should run earlier than that.

yes but with all the panic about reduced bus service do you think they will be reliable? I would think so, but you never know.

 

[FrankieWinthrop]

Has anyone any experience with the photos these produce? Can they do videos (because a video of the whole exchange would be awesome) .. does it have multiple lenses (like the new iPhone) that takes multiple photos with different fields of view? Does it take a LOT of pictures (like the human photographers do) or does it just snap a few shots?

These suck. Plain and simple. You might get one whole group shot, but the rest is awkward photos of your butt while you hug them or of poor Tink doing her darndest to get the kids to look at the box because the attendant wasn't directing attention to them. At Chewy, at least the character attendant was pointing and telling my kids to look at the box. I read a story on another group about a person in a wheelchair not being able to trigger the new box at the Mickey/Minnie meet. That's unacceptable. She didn't get any photopass pictures because the camera didn't "see" her. These things are ridiculous! I wouldn't buy memory maker, but I do have it with my AP. My son kept hugging Chewy's leg - would have been adorable with a person getting a shot up close of him. Instead, I have to zoom in so you don't see my rear end as I am telling Chewy goodbye.

 

[rteetz]

yes but with all the panic about reduced bus service do you think they will be reliable? I would think so, but you never know.

They won’t be reduced as of yet.

 

[rteetz]

News

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2019/09/portion-of-world-drive-to-be-impacted.html

 

[Spaceguy55]

That’s like saying it gets old for any musician to play a song over and over. This is their job I doubt it “got old” for them.

As a working musician for 40 + years I can say a "House Job" which is what this is for them can get boring...BUT this is a house job a WDW which would be something so special with the perks, great crowds all the time, and of course a steady income is a great gig and not something that comes along all the time.
This really sucks for them and those of us who appreciate the talent and feelings that live entertainment provide.
Unfortunately the British Invasion might be on this list too, I end up watching them more than the acts at the festivals at Epcot.

 

[rteetz]

News

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2019/09/water-from-former-fountain-of-nations.html

 

[HuskieJohn]

Moved to correct thread

 

[SaintsManiac]

They won’t be reduced as of yet.

Thanks. I totally read the article wrong anyway. I've never had trouble getting a bus for RD, but people panicking stresses me out!!

 

[Tiki Birdland]

Wait, what was the "best attraction in the park" to make way for TSL and GE?

I took this as referring to "Streets of America" and the Studio Tour with Disaster Canyon. I'd say both were pretty high up on my list of best of DHS. GMR going away was pretty disappointing. But, I am looking forward to see if MMRR lives up to its description.

 

[tlmadden73]

They won’t be reduced as of yet.

So is it rumored/in the works to reduce/eliminate buses from those resorts to Epcot/DHS once everyone gets used to the new Skyliner service? If I recall, the monorail and Epcot resorts don't have buses to their nearby park, correct?

 

[rteetz]

So is it rumored/in the works to reduce/eliminate buses from those resorts to Epcot/DHS once everyone gets used to the new Skyliner service? If I recall, the monorail and Epcot resorts don't have buses to their nearby park, correct?

Correct on the monorails. Disney is going to watch and see how things go with the Skyliner.

 

[rteetz]

News

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2019/09/magic-kingdom-park-hours-extended-on.html

 

[tlmadden73]

I took this as referring to "Streets of America" and the Studio Tour with Disaster Canyon. I'd say both were pretty high up on my list of best of DHS. GMR going away was pretty disappointing. But, I am looking forward to see if MMRR lives up to its description.

Interesting .. those were fun when DHS opened and the "magic" of making movies was a mystery. Good for a one-time "learn how movies were made" ..but after that, both felt like a waste of space. To me .. the greatest loss was the Honey I Shrunk the Playground. Still shocked they couldn't incorporate some sort of playground with giant toys in TOY Story Land.

News

http://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2019/09/magic-kingdom-park-hours-extended-on.html

Does this usually mean they are expecting bigger crowds on those days?

I am curious if October will still be as packed as it has been the last few years or the "downturn" in attendance from the summer months will continue.

 

[tlmadden73]

These suck. Plain and simple. You might get one whole group shot, but the rest is awkward photos of your butt while you hug them or of poor Tink doing her darndest to get the kids to look at the box because the attendant wasn't directing attention to them. At Chewy, at least the character attendant was pointing and telling my kids to look at the box. I read a story on another group about a person in a wheelchair not being able to trigger the new box at the Mickey/Minnie meet. That's unacceptable. She didn't get any photopass pictures because the camera didn't "see" her. These things are ridiculous! I wouldn't buy memory maker, but I do have it with my AP. My son kept hugging Chewy's leg - would have been adorable with a person getting a shot up close of him. Instead, I have to zoom in so you don't see my rear end as I am telling Chewy goodbye.

Well .. I hope they take guest feedback and improve them. The technology is there to take great photos. Station multiple cameras, multi-lens cameras, take stills from video, etc.
The photographers weren't infallible, but they all seemed to do a good job of getting candid shots as well as trying to get little kids to look at camera.

I have a FP for Tink next month .. we'll see how it is first hand.

 

[rteetz]

Does this usually mean they are expecting bigger crowds on those days?

Yes