News Round Up 2018

[TheMaxRebo]

I’m following #TheTropicalHideaway on twitter and wow this area looks impressive. There’s pineapple, orange and raspberry dole whips. You can get them as a regular soft serve, as floats or something called loaded whips which looks like it has fruit and pockeys in it. So many details like animal footprints in ground and many S.E.A references. Also, Rosita looks very impressive.

yeah, the DIS team posted a picture of that - looks pretty good! (I guess the cookie spears are supposed to be like the poison darts the native shoot at you on the jungle cruise

 

[BigRed98]

yeah, the DIS team posted a picture of that - looks pretty good! (I guess the cookie spears are supposed to be like the poison darts the native shoot at you on the jungle cruise

View attachment 370705

This is definitely going to be a hit and also provides more seating for Bengal BBQ and a great ambiance.

 

[rteetz]

Photo Update

PHOTO REPORT: Hollywood Studios 12/19/18 (Skyliner & Bus Loop Construction, Disney Jr. Dance Party Update, Galaxy’s Edge, ETC.)

 

[rteetz]

News

UPDATE: The Tropical Hideaway Will Open on Dec. 21 at Disneyland

 

[rteetz]

News

REVIEW: New Mushu Cupcake From All-Star Music Will Surprise You With More Than Just A Black Tongue

 

[rteetz]

News

Christmas Day Dessert Coming to Satu’li Canteen in Pandora – The World of Avatar

 

[tlmadden73]

I think this will be pretty popular at least at first.

Agree .. I don't see this having any staying power.

It seems way too focused in its audience. Theme restaurants like Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, ESPN Zone all had their time in the sun and faded away after a while. Like those other tourist restaurants most families will check it out, have fun, and just never return.

I see this more short-lived than those restaurants.

It's been said before .. but if the NBA restaurant didn't work at Universal CityWalk, what makes them think making some giant monstrosity of a building with tons of activities in it will work at Disney Springs?

While this seems more activity-centric, I think that may hurt it, as I assume all these experiences will cost money and unless you are a basketball-centric family, you'll just avoid it to avoid the kids begging to play the games.

It just feels like Disney trying very hard to promote the NBA that they are heavily invested in thanks to some awful broadcast deals made via ESPN.

 

[hertamaniac]

One thing I'm surprised with Disney about, particularly Disney Springs, is the lack of an indoor karting and amusement center. Indoor electric karts etc. They are popping up around the country. I know there is outdoor karting around Orlando. Someone mentioned the NBA experience for kids birthday parties. I'd think some sort of indoor karting/trampoline park done in disney fashion, could be quite popular in the Disney Springs area. Something like Top Golf as well. They might exist outside the bubble, but not inside currently. I feel like those might be more lucrative than an upscale clothing boutique.
I could see half a family wanting to shop, where the other would rather have an activity center even if it is additional money.

Actually, Andretti Karting is an indoor electric go cart facility with a few different configurations depending on skill/age. It is adjacent to Top Golf and has laser tag, VR racing (I can't bring my lap times down without disabling ABS and traction control), bowling, a massive arcade, a top level bar and a huge restaurant. Both Top Golf and Andretti Karting are just behind the Orange County Convention Center just off of I-Drive.

 

[sachilles]

Actually, Andretti Karting is an indoor electric go cart facility with a few different configurations depending on skill/age. It is adjacent to Top Golf and has laser tag, VR racing (I can't bring my lap times down without disabling ABS and traction control), bowling, a massive arcade, a top level bar and a huge restaurant. Both Top Golf and Andretti Karting are just behind the Orange County Convention Center just off of I-Drive.

That's exactly what I'm talking about, but needs to be in the disney bubble so that disney guests without transport can utilize it. That same complex next to disney springs would be perfect.

No doubt that facility pulls in a good amount of business from universal patrons.
It doesn't need to be owned by disney, simply be there for an additional attraction to guests. Disney Springs is missing that type of thing. You have the NBA experience coming on line and you have the VR experience(star wars and wreck it ralph).

 

[rteetz]

News

Halloween Horror Nights expands in 2019

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events/halloween-horror-nights/index.html

 

[jade1]

It can be a challenge i am sure, I know they were using peoples Facebook accounts to verify. Some Facebook groups and some Facebook users who are AP holders, would advertise things on sale on those pages and then link people to there ebay account, if the person selling the item isnt the smartest and doesnt know really how easily you can be identified via social media and other things and links themselves to accounts to accept payments, then it isnt hard to find out and identify.

It seems like the ones who were caught and had there AP revoked are those who were actually treating it more like a small business. The cronic users and abusers of the system were the ones Disney could easily identify and revoke. Now this whole crackdown isnt going to stop all the resellers, because nothing stops anyone from buying something without a AP discount and reselling it, at a mark up, which wouldnt invalidate a AP since there is no rules that you cant resell, only you cant get the AP discount and resell. What it does is allows Disney to publicly put on notice anyone who does "abuse" the discount AP system and makes it easier for either Disney to later revoke the AP merch discount , or possibly Disney just limiting the number of LE items down to 1 per pass or something like that. Either one would have outrage from the Disney fans, but now Disney can do it and have it not seem like it was out of no where. Gives them a shadow of a leg to stand on, makes it more palatable to us masses.

Ah that makes sense thanks.

Sounds like some were very blatant about what they were doing. Had never heard of such a thing until now.

 

[jade1]

The first trailer for The Force Awakens was released about one year before the film was scheduled to premier. We're almost a year away from the release of episode IX, 12/20/19.

Blog Mickey has the rumor mentioned on their website: https://mickeyblog.com/2018/12/18/star-wars-episode-9-teaser-trailer-released-wednesday/

I assume it wasn't in the M Poppins previews, or we would have heard by now.

 

[jade1]

News

Halloween Horror Nights expands in 2019

https://www.universalorlando.com/web/en/us/things-to-do/events/halloween-horror-nights/index.html

Have taken quite a few friends to this, it's a great way to see Diagon Alley and Gringotts as well as all the other rides at US, for much less than a day ticket.

Not to mention a great night of horror and houses. I feel like we went in around 4PM? and it was open until 2AM-so plenty of time.

 

[crazy4wdw]

The Walt Disney Company Board of Directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.88 per share, payable January 10, 2019 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 10, 2018. This dividend marks an increase from $0.84 per share paid in July 2018.

 

[Q-man]

Agree .. I don't see this having any staying power.

It seems way too focused in its audience. Theme restaurants like Hard Rock, Planet Hollywood, ESPN Zone all had their time in the sun and faded away after a while. Like those other tourist restaurants most families will check it out, have fun, and just never return.

I see this more short-lived than those restaurants.

It's been said before .. but if the NBA restaurant didn't work at Universal CityWalk, what makes them think making some giant monstrosity of a building with tons of activities in it will work at Disney Springs?

While this seems more activity-centric, I think that may hurt it, as I assume all these experiences will cost money and unless you are a basketball-centric family, you'll just avoid it to avoid the kids begging to play the games.

It just feels like Disney trying very hard to promote the NBA that they are heavily invested in thanks to some awful broadcast deals made via ESPN.

i look at it as Spring Training brings baseball in, the ESPN stuff in fairly football centric, and this will add basketball.

 

[rteetz]

News

NFL Stars Announced for 2019 Pro Bowl Week at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex

 

[closetmickey]

Disneyland night shows are sadly way too dependent on how good a viewing spot you can find.

Everyone swears by Disneyland's fantasmic over Disney world. I guess it's nice, if I can actually see it. And the only way I can actually see is if I buy a dining package.

I've argued in the past that Disneyland just needs to build a show amphitheater somewhere and house the nighttime shows there. Solves alot of problems, especially visibility and crowding in DL.

I agree with you regarding the seating locations. However, it is a bit of a double edged sword as I think the seating arrangement (when you get a good spot) is actually one of the things that adds to the charm of the nighttime shows at DLR.

 

[closetmickey]

Just to add - looks like should open to guests later today:

View attachment 370698

Looks great!

 

[Capang]

Mary Poppins Returns is practically perfect in every way.

I'm not crying. There's something in my eyes.

 

[rteetz]

Mary Poppins Returns is practically perfect in every way.

I'm not crying. There's something in my eyes.

I can't wait!