The Rumor Tracking Thread

[TheMaxRebo]

Think it's too much work.... I love Ohana but the experience is greatly affected by the servers, and that requires a special type of server. Base on our last few trips to Ohana, they are hard to come by these days.

We ate there last Saturday and had a very nice meal - we had and early ADR (4:20) and I think that helps as later they get backed up and tend to rush people

 

[rteetz]

After an eventful Sunday in the rumor/speculation realm how about some actual substance.

MagicFeather on WDWMagic is reporting that Disney/Bob Chapek in their IP mandate is looking to add IP to more Disney resort hotels. The Art of Marvel in Paris is a prime example and now the recent news of Incredibles test rooms at the Contemporary. Disney is looking to do this in more areas. Coronado Springs was reportedly supposed to get a Coco theme but was stopped due to the Gran Destino and convention business there. Grand Floridian is moving with Princess touches. Reflections will reportedly have things like Pocahontas.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

After an eventful Sunday in the rumor/speculation realm how about some actual substance.

MagicFeather on WDWMagic is reporting that Disney/Bob Chapek in their IP mandate is looking to add IP to more Disney resort hotels. The Art of Marvel in Paris is a prime example and now the recent news of Incredibles test rooms at the Contemporary. Disney is looking to do this in more areas. Coronado Springs was reportedly supposed to get a Coco theme but was stopped due to the Gran Destino and convention business there. Grand Floridian is moving with Princess touches. Reflections will reportedly have things like Pocahontas.

Any chance this could *finally* lead to a Tiana's Restaurant at Port Orleans?

 

[rteetz]

Any chance this could *finally* lead to a Tiana's Restaurant at Port Orleans?

That wasn't mentioned but would be welcomed IMO.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

That wasn't mentioned but would be welcomed IMO.

Just seems that if they are feeling the need to add IP this is one spot that would be super logical and if they made it a character meal would bring in extra $

 

[PolyRob]

Just seems that if they are feeling the need to add IP this is one spot that would be super logical and if they made it a character meal would bring in extra $

That makes too much sense. Why would Disney do something that makes sense?

 

[MissGina5]

After an eventful Sunday in the rumor/speculation realm how about some actual substance.

MagicFeather on WDWMagic is reporting that Disney/Bob Chapek in their IP mandate is looking to add IP to more Disney resort hotels. The Art of Marvel in Paris is a prime example and now the recent news of Incredibles test rooms at the Contemporary. Disney is looking to do this in more areas. Coronado Springs was reportedly supposed to get a Coco theme but was stopped due to the Gran Destino and convention business there. Grand Floridian is moving with Princess touches. Reflections will reportedly have things like Pocahontas.

if the touches are just like...the ones in port orleans royal rooms or something id be ok with that

 

[YesterDark]

I'm totally down with more IP theming at the resorts. Not enough of it. I just got back from my Riverside stay and it's a beautiful resort, but if it had more Disney in it I'd be more excited to go back. At this point, there is no real strong desire to go back to that resort over any of the other ones.

 

[rteetz]

I'm totally down with more IP theming at the resorts. Not enough of it. I just got back from my Riverside stay and it's a beautiful resort, but if it had more Disney in it I'd be more excited to go back. At this point, there is no real strong desire to go back to that resort over any of the other ones.

They have Princess rooms there.

 

[YesterDark]

They do have Royal Rooms, but there aren't many.

 

[rteetz]

From Martin on upcoming Epcot plans

Okay. It could have been worse.

The west building will be razed. In its place will be two main buildings and a collection of simple, smaller ones. One main building will be where M&G will be located, the other an unusually shaped (think egg) multi level facility for festival operations, events and entertainment. It will indeed include an upper level bar / cafe type environment.

The much talked about water element will be an IP tied water maze near the Seas pavilion as has been discussed earlier.

There will be lots of winding pathways and foliage in this area. There is a proposal for a fountain feature where the existing one is. This may be the same or a replacement.

Circulation will be concentrated around the edge of what is currently the central area as opposed to walking in a straight line. Think of pathways following the current inside perimeters of east and west. And yes, there will be alcoholic beverage seating outside roughly where the current Mousegear rotunda is.

The east building will stay pretty much as is with a lot of cosmetic work. Merchandise will be where it is now, whilst the north east quadrant will become solely food and beverage.

The walkway(s) to Showcase will remain as-is albeit with the west addition widened and new landscaping on the central pathway. Lakes will remain as-is.

This is how I understand things to date.

In regards to the Play Pavilion

Temper your expectations. This will be a modest overlay of the current interior of the dome. Lots of cosmetic changes, but with the pathway and positioning layout of Wonders of Life - which will be fine for the target demographic.

Food and beverage will be a resurrected Pure and Simple. Three IP based “attractions” in the walk through / playground sense will be around the perimeter. There will be a simple stage show exhibit, reminiscent of the Goofy About Health / Anacomical Players set up.

The central area will be remodelled but remain the same rough layout.

Aside from a short switchback in and out of Frontiers of Medicine the Cranium and Simulator areas will not be utilised. And yes, I understand the ceiling windows will be covered for a projection effect on the interior dome.

 

[rteetz]

Its being reported we could see major refurbishments to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Jungle cruise in 2020. No specific dates as of yet but makes sense as prep for the 50th.

 

[CastAStone]

They do have Royal Rooms, but there aren't many.

There are over 500.

I think POR’s theming is just fine; I think the Alligator Bayou rooms might be among the best themed in WDW.

 

[CastAStone]

Its being reported we could see major refurbishments to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Jungle cruise in 2020. No specific dates as of yet but makes sense as prep for the 50th.

Jim Hill said months and months ago on his podcast with Len Testa to expect a Jungle Cruise movie overlay in time for the Jungle Cruise movie.

 

[rteetz]

Jim Hill said months and months ago on his podcast with Len Testa to expect a Jungle Cruise movie overlay in time for the Jungle Cruise movie.

This latest rumor doesn't necessarily say whether that will be the case for this refurb.

I also am not sure Disney would do a movie overlay ahead of the movie debuting because of the risk of that movie not doing well and the fact this is a beloved attraction more so than say Maelstrom was.

 

[The Pho]

Jim Hill said months and months ago on his podcast with Len Testa to expect a Jungle Cruise movie overlay in time for the Jungle Cruise movie.

The Rock has mentioned working with Imagineering on an updated version about 2 and a half years ago also. This one wouldn’t be a surprise.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

From Martin on upcoming Epcot plans



In regards to the Play Pavilion

Maybe I am just being optimistic but that proposal for update to Future World sounds (potentially) pretty cool ... I like the idea of a water maze and stuff

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Jim Hill said months and months ago on his podcast with Len Testa to expect a Jungle Cruise movie overlay in time for the Jungle Cruise movie.

Skipper:. Look on that side, it's Dwayne Johnson and on the other is a large granite boulder .... Looks like we are caught between a rock and The Rock

 

[Spaghetti Cat]

Since they're not tearing down Innoventions East, that must mean they don't intend to fix the sewer under mousegear. I can't imagine that can be fixed without digging a giant hole, I mean spraying some flex-seal down the pipe isn't going to cut it. Too bad, this whole park update thing had a lot of promise.

I gotta say leaving the walkways to WS intact is a bit of a scale-down of the original vision too. The hint of maybe keeping the fountain is nice.

 

[rteetz]

Since they're not tearing down Innoventions East, that must mean they don't intend to fix the sewer under mousegear. I can't imagine that can be fixed without digging a giant hole, I mean spraying some flex-seal down the pipe isn't going to cut it. Too bad, this whole park update thing had a lot of promise.

I gotta say leaving the walkways to WS intact is a bit of a scale-down of the original vision too. The hint of maybe keeping the fountain is nice.

East is still getting a facelift though.