News Round Up 2019

[MissGina5]

I blame the die-hard SW fans for this. They didn’t show up; they pitched a temper-tantrum about how the land wasn’t based on a place in the movies; they constantly criticize it for what it isn’t and some root for its failure, etc.

Then, you hear from people like Kevin on The DIS Unplugged, who, while extremely hilarious in his retelling of events, got very annoyed when CMs *were* staying in character. My guess is that there are a large number of “Kevins” out there who just don’t want to engage in the immersion.

On a more personal level, we *loved* GE! My brother could not have been more excited by it! We saw characters roaming and interacting with guests every time we were there. (I even got sassy with a Stormtrooper.) We thought the criticisms of MF:SR were way overblown.

The one place where we thought the immersion was fantastic, but could also go even further, is Oga’s Cantina. Our bartender was fun and engaging! We really enjoyed our two-drink, 45 minute time in there. But how awesome would it be if there were some characters in THERE?!? That is the perfect place for your reputation to come into play and to bring the immersion to the next level. People going there would be given a heads-up that the expectation is you play along with the story. I imagine the cost to WDW would be minimal - just the cost for talent.

It makes me sad/disappointed that Disney is softening/removing the playful elements, but again, what is a company to do when the people for whom this immersion was created don’t show up?

On the topic of Kevin though I get his point in that theres a difference between immersion and straight up being unhelpful. In his examples there were many times they could have stayed in character AND answered his questions.

 

[SaharanTea]

I blame the die-hard SW fans for this. They didn’t show up; they pitched a temper-tantrum about how the land wasn’t based on a place in the movies; they constantly criticize it for what it isn’t and some root for its failure, etc.

Then, you hear from people like Kevin on The DIS Unplugged, who, while extremely hilarious in his retelling of events, got very annoyed when CMs *were* staying in character. My guess is that there are a large number of “Kevins” out there who just don’t want to engage in the immersion.

On a more personal level, we *loved* GE! My brother could not have been more excited by it! We saw characters roaming and interacting with guests every time we were there. (I even got sassy with a Stormtrooper.) We thought the criticisms of MF:SR were way overblown.

The one place where we thought the immersion was fantastic, but could also go even further, is Oga’s Cantina. Our bartender was fun and engaging! We really enjoyed our two-drink, 45 minute time in there. But how awesome would it be if there were some characters in THERE?!? That is the perfect place for your reputation to come into play and to bring the immersion to the next level. People going there would be given a heads-up that the expectation is you play along with the story. I imagine the cost to WDW would be minimal - just the cost for talent.

It makes me sad/disappointed that Disney is softening/removing the playful elements, but again, what is a company to do when the people for whom this immersion was created don’t show up?

I don't think I understand your argument. You're blaming the hard-core fans for not liking what Disney built? Isn't the onus on Disney to build something that draws guests, whoever those guests may be?

 

[SaintsManiac]

My hardcore SW fan friends (who can actually afford to go) loved it. The other hardcore friends I have are waiting for Rise to open before going.

I think costs are keeping people away. I think the heat is keeping people away.

I think it was a bad move to open the land before Rise was ready. Just my opinion.

 

[rteetz]

News

https://www.orlandoparksnews.com/2019/10/timon-and-rafiki-now-meeting-disneys.html

 

[TheMaxRebo]

On the topic of Kevin though I get his point in that theres a difference between immersion and straight up being unhelpful. In his examples there were many times they could have stayed in character AND answered his questions.

yeah, that is where I think a better balance and "reading of the room" by the CMs is needed, and even mentioned it to Kevin that I think if he asks where the bathrooms are and they say "oh, the refreshers, as we call them, are right of there" - I think that can work for everyone. I do think some people are just primed to be upset by things and going into the land saying "I don't want this immersion so any drop of immersion I am going to be against" - so I think in same case the guests could go in more open minded but definitely other times the CMs could adapt quicker (or at all)

 

[TheMaxRebo]

My hardcore SW fan friends (who can actually afford to go) loved it. The other hardcore friends I have are waiting for Rise to open before going.

I think costs are keeping people away. I think the heat is keeping people away.

I think it was a bad move to open the land before Rise was ready. Just my opinion.

I totally got why they opened it early at the time, but hind site I think they should have waited. I think there are a lot of people that want to see the land, but aren't going to make a special trip to see an incomplete land - especially those for whom this may be their only trip

sorry, probably taking up too much of the news thread

 

[Moliphino]

yeah, that is where I think a better balance and "reading of the room" by the CMs is needed, and even mentioned it to Kevin that I think if he asks where the bathrooms are and they say "oh, the refreshers, as we call them, are right of there" - I think that can work for everyone. I do think some people are just primed to be upset by things and going into the land saying "I don't want this immersion so any drop of immersion I am going to be against" - so I think in same case the guests could go in more open minded but definitely other times the CMs could adapt quicker (or at all)

You can have a similar experience if you ask for a bathroom in the UK.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

You can have a similar experience if you ask for a bathroom in the UK.

true, but I think that goes back to what is the average guest at WDW and what are they looking for? Do they want to feel like they are in a foreign place where how one asks for where the bathroom is needs to be contemplated or do they just want to have fun in an entertaining space and not have to worry about stuff like that?

i think most guests don't go into their WDW vacation with the same mindset they would if going to the U.K.

 

[skier_pete]

So I know this isn't the thread to talk about it, but I still think the isn't too much immersion or not enough immersion, it's giving the audience a land they are unfamiliar with. By setting it somewhere in the Star Wars galaxy we've never been - you go and it's neat and Star-Wars-y, but you don't get that kick of really being in a place right out of the movies. I'm not a huge Cars fan, but having been out to DLR this summer, from my view Carsland is more successful of land (design wise) than Star Wars land. And it's because of all the little touches right out of the movie. From Stanley's statue to the flashing yellow light to the white-wall tires in Luigi's shop, it feels like the movie come to life. Outside of Millenium Falcon and the ride with it, in GE, I felt like I was in the world of Star Wars, but I didn't feel that it had really made the movie come to life. This is where they really NEEDED the actors and droids that were supposed to make the land more familiar with us. Having 2 stormtroopers wandering around didn't cut it. They really need to have those characters to draw you into the Star Wars world and without it, I'm just like hey this is pretty neat but it's not something I'm familiar with. It's honestly IMO a fairly minor problem, as the land is pretty great, and I would say a solid triple, but not the home run that everyone was expecting.

It's like if instead of building Diagon Alley - Universal had said "Oh let's build Durmstrang! Nobody has ever been there!"

 

[scrappinginontario]

Can we please take the SW discussion over to the SW thread? People over there are missing out on lots of great info, and we can chat News here.

 

[MissGina5]

It's like if instead of building Diagon Alley - Universal had said "Oh let's build Durmstrang! Nobody has ever been there!"

omg but I would love that. I think having mini hogwarts instead of a full hogwarts has been disappointing to me as a fan and this would have been better. I mean I like the Hogwarts parts that I get but... with how they have the queue bars and everything it takes me out in some parts...
But I would have also preferred not to see Harry Ron and Hermione so what do I know.

 

[Helvetica]

I haven’t seen this reported yet, but Tron has a roof now.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

So note really news, and still Star Wars related, but of a different sort ....

for those interested, a video of hands on play of the new Star Wars Fallen Order game that comes out Nov 15th - looks really cool!

 

[Anthony Vito]

I was just curious about what wait times are like today (going down in a week) - and I was rather surprised by this one: 45 minute wait for Living with the Land!! Maybe I've just never looked at the right time, but I've never seen anything like that for it. Soarin' is 85 minutes, but Frozen Ever After is only 55 by comparison. Something happen - power outage?

 

[Helvetica]

I was just curious about what wait times are like today (going down in a week) - and I was rather surprised by this one: 45 minute wait for Living with the Land!! Maybe I've just never looked at the right time, but I've never seen anything like that for it. Soarin' is 85 minutes, but Frozen Ever After is only 55 by comparison. Something happen - power outage?

I’m here now, but not at Epcot. During Extra Extra Magic Hours at Magic Kingdom today most everything was a walk-on. It did get busy during the midday, so I’m going to take a nap.

I think Epcot is busy right now for a few reasons. Number 1, it’s a Friday at Epcot during Food and Wine. It’s also a Holiday Week (Columbus Day was Monday). You’re also going to see your longest wait times during the middle of the day.

I’ve found the days I’ve been here this week to be pretty manageable. Next week should be much better.

 

[Dis_Fan]

It's like if instead of building Diagon Alley - Universal had said "Oh let's build Durmstrang! Nobody has ever been there!"

I wonder how closely Universal is watching Galaxies Edge and how people are liking/not liking the emersion.

Epic Universe concept art shows off pretty contained really themed areas. Yeah people will go for Harry Potter and Nintendo but how will "regular" theme park goers take to Universal Monsters and a big Dracula/Gothic type town.

 

[rteetz]

News

https://blogmickey.com/2019/10/exclusive-halloween-day-offerings-coming-to-typhoon-lagoon/

 

[TheMaxRebo]

NEWS

Universal has announced some new perks for pass holders including a first-ever dedicated gate at both theme parks throughout January.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1185225391138594817

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I wonder how closely Universal is watching Galaxies Edge and how people are liking/not liking the emersion.

Epic Universe concept art shows off pretty contained really themed areas. Yeah people will go for Harry Potter and Nintendo but how will "regular" theme park goers take to Universal Monsters and a big Dracula/Gothic type town.

I'm not too concerned with how Universal will do the new theme park.

I don't even personally think there is a comparison for Star Wars. Universal uses marketing differently than Disney too. Universal makes different choices than Disney.

Besides that it'll be a brand new theme park, not a new land, I don't think they'll have issues getting people to come even if just on the basis of that

My only true concern is not on theming (which I have high confidence Universal will do quite well there) but rather the types of rides in ensuring there is enough variety.

 

[gberg]

I've been to Imagineering twice and this already looks like it will be more in depth than most of what I saw/experienced there! Hopefully we'll get this in Canada too!