bkroz

Like the rest of Walt Disney World, Downtown Disney was made up of components from the last four decades. Besides that, it had dead space in the form of the lost-and-loved Pleasure Island and the soon-to-finally-close-after-years-of-irrelevance DisneyQuest. It also suffers from a lack of foresight - while most every resort built since positions a shopping district right at the entrance to its park (CityWalk in Orlando, CityWalk in Hollywood, Downtown Disney in California, Knott's Berry Farm) Walt Disney World's is way, way "over there," so unless you got on the wrong bus, the only reason you'd go to Downtown Disney is if you already wanted to. The Disney Springs project tackles the important and inevitable job of bringing it all up to [the same] date, making use of the practically abandoned Pleasure Island, and marketing it as a worthwhile evening spot for Walt Disney World travelers - a place that's worth yet another bus ride after a long day and evening show at the parks. As it was, Downtown Disney was an afterthought. Now Disney Springs is meant to be a main attraction - well themed, loaded with current and desired offerings, and worth the trouble to access. That being said, Disney fans will argue that it's now more like your local very-upscale outlet mall than it ever was before, making it even less relevant and desirable. At least as Downtown Disney it had things you couldn't get anywhere else. Now it'll have your typical hoity toity retailers and a sophisticated theme that's certainly got good intentions, but ends up looking like any other high end outdoor mall – Columbus' Easton, but with inflated theme park pricing.

^^ The biggest reasons for most to visit Disney's Hollywood Studios would probably be Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, Toy Story Mania, Rock 'n' Roller Coaster, and Star Tours anyway, which should remain open throughout construction unless or until more is announced. Same with Great Movie Ride, Fantasmic, and... hmm... Well look at that. That's all of the park's rides. Five! Construction walls, probably. As for "all of the new stuff at Animal Kingdom," at that point (pre-Avatar, like you said) the differences will be the nighttime water show, the nighttime safari, and that's it. Just something to consider before locking yourself into two days there. Two additions (both nighttime only) in a park that previously wasn't open at night at all. In other words, my two cents would be that you don't need two days there still. Disney's plan is that Animal Kingdom will be a full day park AFTER Avatar opens.

Drums and cymbals were on on Friday!

My understanding was always that your first replacement was free, with each subsequent reprint subject to the $15 fee? Has that changed, or did I misunderstand? Either way, with a police report I expect it would be free anyway. Call the park to ask about that!

Great to hear! Breakers always had the potential to be to Cedar Point what the Grand Californian is to Disneyland, or the Grand Flordian is to Magic Kingdom... Premium prices, but a proportionally premium experience. A large part of that premium experience is clean, smart, stylish, purposeful, and modern decor that (like you said) is not just on the surface. Another large part is stunning, I-can't-believe-it's-not-Disney service that leaves you feeling like a celebrity. And that can be done in little ways. Now, positioned as a historic, lavish, updated, premium hotel that serves not only Cedar Point but the peninsula's beach, I think Hotel Breakers is again ready to be the glorious amenity it always should've remained.

For the families who visit Kings Dominion's water park, it probably wasn't a choice between "Atlantic Ocean" or "Soak City." That would be like asking why folks would bother to visit Kings Island's water park instead of going to Lake Erie.

I like how Ouimet is willing to show you just enough of the cards to keep you engaged. He doesn't say exactly what's planned, but you know the plans are there. I'm not sure if his style is intentional or not, but it's very fun.

This is a move in the right direction. This identity is fresh, cohesive within the park's themed lands, and classy. Maybe if our water park expansion had come a few years later, we'd have Kings Coast or something more appropriate than the generic Soak City.

What happened to Revolution and when?

There are probably folks out there who count Flight of Fear and Flight of Fear as two credits, but Rougarou and Mantis as one. If that makes sense to you, then fine with me! (For the record, I see four credits in that group.) If someone said they'd ridden 76 roller coasters, I would think that was very cool. I wouldn't ask a lot of qualifying questions. I do track my own, but I'm sure there would be those who would examine my list and say I'd ridden fewer coasters than I say. Another camp would probably count that I'd ridden more than I say.

Then you haven't seen some of the habitats orcas are placed in at horrific "animal parks" across the globe. SeaWorld, at the end of the day, is a zoo. A good one. Maybe a really good one. The question isn't whether its facilities are safe, clean, and overseen by effective staff with a passion for animal well-being – they are. The question is whether orcas are inherently too intelligent to be in captivity at all. Maybe they are. But to say SeaWorld is as bad as it gets is a gross misrepresentation and evidence of an uninformed opinion.

I'm eager to find out how Woodstock Gliders can have "movable stationary" wings. GYK, raucously contemplative about this expansion.

Maybe for 2016 its website will get the 2015 park map.

There are probably a few reasons. For one, Disneyland park hasn't gotten a new E-Ticket since 1995 (20 years ago) and Hollywood Studios is in abysmal shape. Fans need to know that something - anything - is happening there, and with Disney's semi-annual D23, the next opportunity for a grand announcement would be 2017. Yikes! Second, Harry Potter is moving in at Universal Studios Hollywood... While the industry environment is much different out there (Disney and Universal are both elements of a Southern California vacation much more than competitors... they even team up for the CItyPASS ticket), Disney's announcement now has something to do with the Wizarding World in California, I bet. As to why they can't just put up the walls and start building today... Honestly, I don't know.

Cars Land was announced in August 2007, groundbreaking in July 2009, opened in June 2012. This looks to be on about the same schedule. Announced 2015. Construction begins two years later in 2017. Opens three years after that in 2020. Luckily for industry fans, Universal will doubtlessly have expanded its Wizarding Worlds by then (allegedly, Forbidden Forest in Hogsmeade, Ministry of Magic in Diagon Alley), at least a few times over. And don't forget Sapphire Falls, Volcano Bay, Reign of Kong...

Disneyland's version must begin construction in 2017, which would probably see it open between late 2019 and early 2021. One can hope that Walt Disney World will be more aggressive than it usually is in this construction. Pandora: The World of Avatar (which is of comparable size) will have taken six years or more from ground-breaking to opening (depending on if it meets its estimated 2017 opening, which is supposedly won't). I, too, find it odd that Disney closed so many of Hollywood Studios' attractions with no immediate work beginning. I would've expected that - if they close three or four things - the construction walls would've gone up immediately for land clearing. The fact that they didn't is troubling. Why close those attractions more than a year out from when you actually expect construction to begin? But we know why, don't we?

When you think about it, Hollywood Studios is at least well positioned to transition in that its entry land, Hollywood Blvd., and Sunset Blvd. are already of the "immersive, detailed storytelling" style that Disney is otherwise so well known for. They're populated by live "streetmosphere" characters, play appropriate music, and not a big tan boxy show building in sight. Aside from place making, those two areas are ready to go. Now, the Animation Courtyard and Mickey Ave. areas are likely to give way to Toy Story Land with the rear part of the park (maybe including the Streets of America?) will become Star Wars Land. A new overall identity and just one more E-ticket or a few C-D tickets would make this a park worth $80 - 100 a day. Keep in mind that, even with this, the studio park will have 9 rides... It will still be the Disney Park with the fewest rides, just tied with Animal Kingdom.

Most of the haunted houses sit 9 months out of the year gathering dust. Then there's the artificial fog, the spray paint, the closed quarters... Probably not recommended for someone with asthma.

To be clear, Star Wars Launch Bay is a temporary "exhibit" type attraction that will showcase movie memorabilia and props. That will open this autumn to coincide with the newest film's release and Disney's "Season of the Force" winter promotion (which will also see, in part, new fireworks at Hollywood Studios and a brand new Hyperspace Mountain at Disneyland Park). It'll take over the old Art of Animation exhibit in Florida (which closed just last month) and Innoventions at Disneyland (which closed sometime between 1999 and 2015... No one's really taken notice).

Disneyland's will almost certainly be located north of the park, west of Toontown (or perhaps including Toontown's land) in the space currently occupied by backstage facilities (which will be relocated to the property Disney recently purchased on Manchester outside of the resort). Disney World's will likely be built on the land beyond (and most likely including) the Lights, Motors, Action stunt show. In both resorts, it will be interesting to see what fate befalls Star Tours. In Disneyland, it's currently in Tomorrowland, which is a hop-skip-and-jump from where Star Wars Land will be. In Hollywood Studios, it's just far enough from any available land to make it awkward, unless Disney is planning on flattening the Streets of America there.

Also seems that this is a duplicate of the same topic started two hours earlier: http://www.KICentral.com/forums/index.php/topic/31316-premium-cabanas-need-cleaning/

^ I don't think that that is unbelievable. With B&M now in the "launched coaster" business, it would make sense that they'd return to Hulk to retrofit the ride with their own technology (and thus, their consistent delivery and quality). New trains are probably also a must. At least new restraints. And again, I feel that at least some of the ride will actually need re-tracked. Not sure how Hulk was left with awkward transitions when I can't think of another instance of that in B&M coasters at the time... What am I missing? ^^ This particular coaster needs it. The rust has also been a continuous issue. The ride is exposed to quite a bit of water and mist. For a long time, the trains were supposedly meant to be replaced by more nimble ones with embedded, color-changing LEDs and more friendly restraints. Coincidentally (or not), at about that time, Universal used the Maurer Sohne X-Car trains that perfectly match that description on Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit... and they were awful. Constant technical problems with half the fleet being very, very rough, wheels wearing out... As far as I know, they ended up switching out most or all of them. To be very honest, those trains have probably kept the ride from being appreciated the way it otherwise might've been.

Is it just me, is your black text highlighted in black? Makes it impossible to read without highlighting. That would certainly be something that would need fixed though. Personally, those cabanas don't provide enough amenities for me to spend more than $25 on them. That's a lot of money to pay for chairs, a mini-fridge, and TV. If I wanted to sit in a chair, drink a can of Coca-Cola, and watch ABC Family channel, I could do it at home. But every water park seems to have them, so they must fill someone's need. Anyway, I would certainly contact the park about your experience and see what they have to say or offer about it. That's how the situation will change is when the park is alerted to a dissatisfied guest.

Don't misunderstand - this is news and should be reported on. I think those who are defensive here about the topic want to make sure that the delivery by the media is clear, direct, and sure: this is an individual who entered a marked, restricted area and the ride / park were without fault. The problem is stuff like the quote mentioned above: We would, of course, expect family and friends to feel that way / report that. We'd equally hope that they or the reporter would be clear: that was incorrect, foolish, and deadly. This was "user error," not the fault of the park or the ride. To prevent this in the future, we must make sure that no one would expect that this is an option; that you can simply hop a fence to retrieve a lost item real quick. For those asking how this could happen and how he couldn't avoid the train, that's damaging. Most of us are "experts" at these coasters, and still - plopped down in the center of the ride layout - might not be 100% from which direction the train was going, which elements around us were entered in which order, etc. And a massive train flying toward you at 60 mph would look very different from that view.

It's in need of this. The second half of the ride plays like an Arrow - you can physically see awkward transitions in the track ahead (see below - one in the foreground and another in the background, just left of the Pharos Lighthouse). Which is neither good nor bad on its own, but inappropriate for the starring thrill ride at a world class theme park. Defensive riding on a headlining coaster. Here's hoping for an extensive re-tracking of the back half, along with new trains (ideally, without the over-the-shoulder restraints, or at least with the vest arrangement instead.) The first half of the ride is seriously beautiful and iconic and great. The second half feels like Mantis Rougarou where it feels like it was slapped together with no concept of pacing or rider comfort, just knotted into an odd parcel of land.