News Round Up 2017

[lockedoutlogic]

I'd be in the camp that the Flordia Star Wars isn't big enough. I understand the land restrictions in California. Nearly being a carbon copy, seems like the easy way out. They have a lot to do in Florida to catch up with the "neglect" of the last decade or so. I do think we see another Star Wars land in Florida at one of the existing parks(not animal kingdom). I suspect you would make it an expansion of DHS. I suspect there are making a realization that they can be hitting their comfortable carrying capacity in the very near future. A 5th gate might not make sense. However, substantial growth of the parks can get them that capacity, with less effort than a 5th gate.
I think DHS has one more "land" in it. Animal Kingdom does as well. Epcot can grow more, and I think could support another "land" as a full addition. Magic kingdom, I think can expand a bit, but I don't think they'll break the formula and add another "land". Maybe add attractions outwards, but not a full land.
For me, I think Epcot needs to be the next spot to concentrate their effort on. They've started a bit. However, I think there is a lot more potential there.

I didn't fully grasp how much this was a driver of the construction until the last time I was in disneyland...

They literally built this shoehorned in between highways.

Fine for Disneyland...not nearly good enough for wdw. We're gonna have a carlsand type nightmare on the east coast.

Bob is "Hollywood"...couldn't have something better in Orlando.

Eisner was "new York"...he loved the east coast and was fine feeding it. And he let Disneyland rot.

They're both from New York...but the philosophy on what they had has been completely different and doesn't make a lot of sense.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Also, what is it lately with 2 attractions being sufficient for a land?? When did that become the norm? It seems way too low a count. You have the entire SW universe and you can come up with 2 things? Pandora takes 20 years to build and gets 2 things?

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Well - there's a logic to making the lands identical. The cost of engineering can often be 25% of the construction costs - by having two lands identical they can save money on the design side which allows them to spend more on the construction side.

The argument that the size of the land is a worse problem in Florida is a poor argument. DLR has a million passholders that are all going to want to get into that land all at once.

The argument that "Florida has more land" is valid, but again the engineering cost savings is huge. I am sure unlike California, there's a plan in place to allow for expansion in Florida. Any investment like this there is concern that it won't be as successful as they hope. From fans perspective Star Wars is a no-brainer, but Disney management I'm sure isn't 100% convinced it will actually result in an increase in patrons or spending.

Yeah...I totally get that (live it when I'm not amusing myself here - actually)...

But just like when my baseball team looks for free agents...I DONT CARE.

Not spending the proper level of investment when you are using themeparks as a crutch...is really pound silly.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Also, what is it lately with 2 attractions being sufficient for a land?? When did that become the norm? It seems way too low a count. You have the entire SW universe and you can come up with 2 things? Pandora takes 20 years to build and gets 2 things?

It's absolutely not...enough that is.

The got too enamoured with patting themselves on the back for carsland and "new" fantasyland...but the reality is that those are under built as well. But people won't say no.

A recession will reveal the underbelly of the beast...that's when it will matter.

 

[rteetz]

as a fan of So You Think You Can Dance I am excited to see how they do - they both have a lot of personality

I like Twitch on Ellen. This is better than a bachelor couple.

 

[Flyerjab]

The Children of Hurin?! Please no. I don't need that sort of depression in my life.

LOL!! Very good point.

 

[rteetz]

Also, what is it lately with 2 attractions being sufficient for a land?? When did that become the norm? It seems way too low a count. You have the entire SW universe and you can come up with 2 things? Pandora takes 20 years to build and gets 2 things?

It’s almost an industry thing. Cars got 3, potters 1-2, toy story 2, Star Wars 2, Pandora 2.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

See here's the thing...

For 19.5 years...the standard excuse for animal kingdom has been "it's the detail...it's more than just the rides"

While true...the reality is that DAK was built to surpass epcot and rival magic kingdom's attendance...it's a massive development with a water park and 5 large hotels just into itself...

It hasn't...a lot of it is theme, but most is the belief that there still isn't enough to do.

Theming works for dusters...it doesn't translate to the mass/non-committed audience.

As much as they make the walls nice at Star Wars land...most aren't going to look for enjoyment in staring at the wall. It is what it always will be.

So they have two rides that are gonna be massively overcrowded...

A flat...and the "dogfight" rollercoaster that has always seemed like a complete no brainer would/ could have changed that. It baffles me that they can't make that kind of commitment for Star Wars...too "measured" under CMB...as always. I wish he'd pull the ripcord on his golden parachute and be done with it. Disney parks didn't become the best on earth by being "measured"...walk through epcot if you need proof.

Well, I love AK and could spend days there taking in the details, so maybe I am the wrong person to opine on this ...

... but everything that has been stated is that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will be more than just detailed theming and "staring at the wall" - it will be interacting with roaming droids and CMs in full on Character personas that understand info about you and your performance and history and the whole land will be like a live role playing game ... and also talk of areas you can "use the Force" to make things happen (similar to using wands in Harry Potter Land).

Now, if none of this comes to be then I agree, only the hard core will care about "staring at the walls to take in the details", but the potential is there for it to be more than that

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Well, I love AK and could spend days there taking in the details, so maybe I am the wrong person to opine on this ...

... but everything that has been stated is that Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge will be more than just detailed theming and "staring at the wall" - it will be interacting with roaming droids and CMs in full on Character personas that understand info about you and your performance and history and the whole land will be like a live role playing game ... and also talk of areas you can "use the Force" to make things happen (similar to using wands in Harry Potter Land).

Now, if none of this comes to be then I agree, only the hard core will care about "staring at the walls to take in the details", but the potential is there for it to be more than that

I remember them saying this too....and I would love for it to be so. I just can't see how it can realistically happen. This land is going to be jam packed to capacity with guests for years. How can that possibly work? The roaming droid cannot interact with everyone. It will most likely be a very small portion of people (perhaps the ones with magic bands that broadcast that they are staying at the hotel).

I'm not arguing how amazing the concept is, I just don't see how it can work. How much enjoyment am I going to get out of watching 5 cast members have amazing interactions with 3% of the guests?

And ugh, the lines to do the Force spells.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

It’s almost an industry thing. Cars got 3, potters 1-2, toy story 2, Star Wars 2, Pandora 2.

I know it is the new norm, but should it be?

I wish it wasn't.

Geez, imagine original Fantasyland being built with 2 rides.

 

[STLstone]

It's absolutely not...enough that is.

The got too enamoured with patting themselves on the back for carsland and "new" fantasyland...but the reality is that those are under built as well. But people won't say no.

A recession will reveal the underbelly of the beast...that's when it will matter.

I think Cars Land is really well done and spacious. I've been there several times and other than the line waits for RSR, I can't think of even a mild criticism.

But, then again, they recreated actual places from the movie to visit - just like Universal did with Harry Potter...

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I remember them saying this too....and I would love for it to be so. I just can't see how it can realistically happen. This land is going to be jam packed to capacity with guests for years. How can that possibly work? The roaming droid cannot interact with everyone. It will most likely be a very small portion of people (perhaps the ones with magic bands that broadcast that they are staying at the hotel).

I'm not arguing how amazing the concept is, I just don't see how it can work. How much enjoyment am I going to get out of watching 5 cast members have amazing interactions with 3% of the guests?

And ugh, the lines to do the Force spells.

I absolutely have the same concerns and I wonder if they will try to limit the # of people in the land (even more than for Pandora) ... Not saying I would love it but I would almost rather wait a bit longer to get into the land (or maybe get a return time?) but have some elbow room to really enjoy it rather than being cramped and not able to do anything ...

... and the Baseline Taphouse is a perfect location to hang out waiting for my time to enter the land!

 

[Boski]

I figured this would spill over into the "Disney" news world at some point in time. Having been initially contained in the gaming community (and then pushed out by some major news channels), Disney is now being tied into EA's cluster of a problem with the Star Wars Battlefront 2 loot box back lash. It is unfortunate as this is definitely a EA problem as almost all of their games now have either paid DLCs or microtransactions. But the game is associated with one of the biggest IPs out there that Disney owns. I for one am happy to see EA getting this much push back and hope that it changes video game design going forward.

http://fortune.com/2017/11/15/star-...-electronic-arts-loot-box-crate/?iid=sr-link1

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

I know it is the new norm, but should it be?

I wish it wasn't.

Geez, imagine original Fantasyland being built with 2 rides.

I wish SWGE was starting with more than 2 rides and was made larger from Day 1. I understand the efficiency reasons to match DL, but that doesn't mean that's the best call, necessarily. However, I don't think you can compare incremental park lands with the original Fantasyland being 2 rides. You need a threshold number to spread people around a park. Incremental additions are different, but I do think that they will run into nightmare crowds with SWGE in WDW... Pandora will seem like nothing IMO.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think Cars Land is really well done and spacious. I've been there several times and other than the line waits for RSR, I can't think of even a mild criticism.

But, then again, they recreated actual places from the movie to visit - just like Universal did with Harry Potter...

There's space for more in carsland...I love it...don't get me wrong.

But it was still "measured" and could have been built for more.

Now, California adventure was in the crapper and the locals are nuts for Disneyland...so it's a completely different dynamic.

What happens when they fling the gates open on Star Wars in Orlando?

It will resemble the tsa check on a Friday night at 5 in Orlando international

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I wish SWGE was starting with more than 2 rides and was made larger from Day 1. I understand the efficiency reasons to match DL, but that doesn't mean that's the best call, necessarily. However, I don't think you can compare incremental park lands with the original Fantasyland being 2 rides. You need a threshold number to spread people around a park. Incremental additions are different, but I do think that they will run into nightmare crowds with SWGE in WDW... Pandora will seem like nothing IMO.

Absolutely...

"Makes sense" and "right decision" aren't listed together in Roget's

 

[dlavender]

I figured this would spill over into the "Disney" news world at some point in time. Having been initially contained in the gaming community (and then pushed out by some major news channels), Disney is now being tied into EA's cluster of a problem with the Star Wars Battlefront 2 loot box back lash. It is unfortunate as this is definitely a EA problem as almost all of their games now have either paid DLCs or microtransactions. But the game is associated with one of the biggest IPs out there that Disney owns. I for one am happy to see EA getting this much push back and hope that it changes video game design going forward.

http://fortune.com/2017/11/15/star-...-electronic-arts-loot-box-crate/?iid=sr-link1

They deserve every ounce of flak they are getting.

 

[adam.adbe]

I figured this would spill over into the "Disney" news world at some point in time. Having been initially contained in the gaming community (and then pushed out by some major news channels), Disney is now being tied into EA's cluster of a problem with the Star Wars Battlefront 2 loot box back lash. It is unfortunate as this is definitely a EA problem as almost all of their games now have either paid DLCs or microtransactions. But the game is associated with one of the biggest IPs out there that Disney owns. I for one am happy to see EA getting this much push back and hope that it changes video game design going forward.

http://fortune.com/2017/11/15/star-...-electronic-arts-loot-box-crate/?iid=sr-link1

It's a Disney problem. They offered the whole enchilada to whoever would stump up the most money. If they'd wanted quality they'd have either licensed widely, stipulated executive control, or handed the IP rights over to whoever promised to do the most creative things. Disney knew what they were getting with EA, and they knew what they were doing when they shut their own in-house teams.

[aside] just last night as it happens I had to explain to my daughter why she should avoid Star Wars Heroes on her iPad. The brutal reviews, and the $100 dollar crystals packs got the point through to her.

 

[dlavender]

I know it is the new norm, but should it be?

I wish it wasn't.

Geez, imagine original Fantasyland being built with 2 rides.

As I've said before, especially when one ride is great and one ride is synonymous with disappointment.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I figured this would spill over into the "Disney" news world at some point in time. Having been initially contained in the gaming community (and then pushed out by some major news channels), Disney is now being tied into EA's cluster of a problem with the Star Wars Battlefront 2 loot box back lash. It is unfortunate as this is definitely a EA problem as almost all of their games now have either paid DLCs or microtransactions. But the game is associated with one of the biggest IPs out there that Disney owns. I for one am happy to see EA getting this much push back and hope that it changes video game design going forward.

http://fortune.com/2017/11/15/star-...-electronic-arts-loot-box-crate/?iid=sr-link1

Interesting ... seems a lot like all those "quest" time mobile games - including Disney Magic Kingdoms (which I play) in which you can use real money to buy chests and you don't know what is in the chests - might be something good, might be something basically worthless ... so seems the exact same thing