Disney World Announces Reopening Dates

Disney World announced dates for post-coronavirus re-opening. 

In no real shock to anyone, Disney World in Orlando, Florida has broken their silence on their reopening. The parks have been closed since mid-March along with most other amusement parks and attractions in the Central Florida area.

News broke today that states Disney World's reopening plan has been approved. The parks will reopen with Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom on July 11th, 2020. Epcot and Hollywood Studios will follow four days later, opening on July 15th, 2020.

This date follows the news that both Universal Orlando and several other parks across the country have dropped opening dates for what is left of the 2020 summer travel season. What many aren't considering in the light of this announcement, are the restrictions which will be in place. The gates are just not being thrown open to the 'happiest place on earth'.

Disney has stated both employees and guests will be REQUIRED to wear masks in the parks and also undergo a temperature screening prior to admittance.  Considering how openly flaunted these restrictions have been at Disney Springs (which reopened on May 20th), it doesn't bode well for those who are concerned with safety. Will Disney actually enforce this rule? How will it be enforced? Will those openly violating the rules face consequences? There are no details it be found in regards to how this will be handled.

Park capacity will be 'greatly reduced' and they will offer no parades, night time fireworks shows or other events which cause large gatherings of people. This means that we're likely looking at these parks having a 20-30% capacity in effect, if they follow the model used in the reopening of Shanghai Disneyland. I can tell you already, this will lead to a massive rise in complaints (please be kind to Guest Services, they are trying.) The shows are one of the great draws of the parks, and missing these will lead to a changed experience.

The resort will enable cashless transactions by expanding contactless payments. This is not much in the way of news, but the expansion is a bonus. Over my years of experience both working at theme parks and visiting them, cash transactions have become rare. Most people are using cards or the debit system linked to their Magicbands.

Disney has stated they will increase the number of available hand sanitizing stations.  This is good, but I've heard the argument put that this will 'ruin the immersion'. After a quick poll on Twitter we found that is a 'weak at best, stupid at worst' argument. If a hand sanitizing station ruins your vacation, you probably shouldn't be on vacation.

While this is a good step in the right direction, concerns still arise from the logistics involved, some of which we have mentioned. By no means are these even the tip of the iceberg but Disney, along with Florida as a whole, are pushing hard to get the tourists rolling back in and thus boost the flagging economy during what should be the busy summer season.

There has also been no word in regards to the reopening of the numerous Disney Resort Hotels, Resort Pools, or the Disney Water Parks.

Animal Kingdom- Avatarland Breaks Ground

Image from Disney Parks Blog

 Avatarland Breaks Ground at Disney's Animal Kingdom.

 With the official closing of Camp Minnie-Mickey attractions, Avatarland had it's first big day in the spotlight.

 On January 10th,  Disney Parks Blog posted up this image of their groundbreaking ceremony, with "Na'vi" themed shovels and some photoshop work on "Jake Sully" in his Avatar form to show a size reference. When in reality it was really Mickey Mouse who attended the groundbreaking ceremony. Disney didn't really leak much information about this new 'land' coming to the park.

Image from Orlando Sentential

The area, which is being designed by Walt Disney Imagineering in partnership with “AVATAR” creator James Cameron and Lightstorm Entertainment, will be unlike anything ever experienced at a Disney park. Guests will experience the wonders of Pandora when they fly with banshees and explore a rich natural environment with mountains that float and interactive plants that glow at night.

Currently no one is sure what attractions will be added into the "Avatarland" project.  However, with adding Avatarland to Animal Kingdom Disney is hoping that the park will become a full day experience and keep guests in the park longer. No word right now if this will expand the parks operating hours but between Avatarland and this addition of a new night-time show, it's very likely the park will finally buck it's standard 6pm closing time.

Camp Minnie-Mickey Closes Soon, Makes Room for Avatarland

Image from MousePlanet.com

 Disney Confirms a Closure Date for Camp Minnie-Mickey, Making Room for Avatarland.


 The last days of Camp Minnie-Mickey are upon us and by default so are the last days of the popular so "Festival of the Lion King" All to make room for the new addition of Avatarland to the Animal Kingdom park.

 You last day to visit will be January 5th- Disney World has announced that the closing date for this land will be January 6th, 2014.

 While 'Festival of the Lion King' will eventually move to it's new theater home, it will be closed for several months while construction finishes. Camp Minnie-Mickey will never be see again, Not for the much desired "Beastly Kingdom" which fans have been clamoring for since they learned about it. It's closing to make way for the seven-foot-tall-blue-cat-people from James Cameron's "Avatar" movie.  Avatarland is Disney's Newest "Big Budget" expansion, hoping to draw in millions even though no one is sure if Cameron plans to release the next two movies on their proposed dates.

 Like it or Not- Avatarland is coming.

Signs of AvatarLand- Festival of the Lion King has a Closing Date

Image from Disney World

 Well Folks, Like it or Not- Signs of Avatarland looks to be coming soon.

 Yesterday Disney's Animal Kingdom announced that 'Festival of the Lion King' which is currently housed in Camp Minnie-Mickey, will be closing on January 5th.  This will be a six month closure until their new theater in Africa is complete, this could also mean new changes coming to the show for the future.

 It also shows that heavy construction on Avatarland will probably begin shortly after this January 5th closure as 'Camp Minnie-Mickey' is the area of Animal Kingdom where the new land will be placed. Frankly, it' about time they get started on the heavy construction if they plan to keep their 3 year deadline to open in 2017.

 At this time it's unknown if Avatarland will open in Phases. However, it's probably safe to guess this will happen as it's pretty much a standard at the Disney World Parks at this point.

News from Animal Kingdom- Avatarland will happen in 2017

Disney's Animal Kingdom Releases information about "Avatarland" and a rough Opening Date

Big news over the weekend. Disney's D23 released images and information regarding the barely confirmed and highly speculated project based around James Cameron's 'Avatar' movie (and it's possible franchise which is also up in the air at the moment).  We now have an rough opening date for the project- "The first few months of 2017" and construction will 'fully begin' in 2014.

 Now I fully admit, this project has little interest to me other then the simple fact of "How pretty can they make it look?". 

Because honestly, we've all seen the story given to  us in the movie 'Avatar' as it exists in other forms. The most notable are "Furn Gully" and "Pocahontas" but the story wasn't the reason you saw that movie, it was the beautiful computer imagery they created. I admit fully I watch it for the effects and visuals on the alien planet of Pandora, I could care less about 9 foot tall blue cat people. It was beautiful, the effects are like nothing I've ever seen. They honestly took my breath away and I'll fully admit I've paused the movie many times just to stare as the scenery.

 That's the only part of this "Avatarland" project that interests me. Now with it having a projected deadline of "the first few months of 2017" I think we're finally going to see a true test of what Walt Disney Imagineering can do.  This isn't going to be nearly as easy as projects in the past, working with James Cameron and bringing the planet to life won't be anything like what Disney has done before.

In the past, Disney has only worked with and created attractions/lands their own franchises or with ones which they have a vetted interest in (such as Lucas and Star Wars). As you notice, Star Tours doesn't yet have a huge 'themed land' in Hollywood Studios, just a small area used to mostly hide the sound-stage. In Epcot, they worked with the countries to re-create the feel of the land through already standing historical buildings.

 As much as I'd like to believe "If anyone can do it, Disney can" I've got some doubts. Disney is great, don't get me wrong, but they've never been very good at 360 degree themeing. To pull off a project like Pandora/Avatarland their going to have to go above and beyond anything they've ever done in the past. All the while with Cameron breathing down their collective necks.  I'm really hoping they do pull it off but I don't believe this is going to be the answer they have been searching for.

 I don't think it's going to be the "Harry Potter Killer" they expect. The movie Avatar didn't grab hearts, it was immersive but non-original. Beautiful to look at but lacking the story to really make it stand the test of time, plus with unknown or fluctuating dates on on the next two movies, I don't believe this is the answer Disney is looking for. However, it does solve a problem in Animal Kingdom. The age-old question of "What do we do with Camp Mickey-Minnie OTHER then put in Beastly Kingdom?".

What about rides and shows?

 

Rides is a huge question, one none of us have the answers to right now.  However, if you view the picture I posted on the left you'll see what looks suspiciously like what I'm calling "A Pandora Jungle Cruise" style boat ride.

 This gives me some reservations already. While I'm sure it'll be very pretty to look at we only know a few animals from the rather large planet of Pandora.  While I'm sure Cameron will provide plenty of images, no one will know what they are!  Can you see the oddness of that? You'll be viewing an alien animal without any concept of reference.  From the movies we know some are dangerous while others aren't, if we don't have that reference for new 'animals' a lot is going to be lost on riders. Well, other then "Oh pretty" or "Okay that thing is cool looking".

 The rest of the attractions are up in the air as no one has any real confirmation but many of us have been speculating about this since the project was announced in 2011.  Let me give you the most popular ideas of what other rides we may see in Avatarland.

- Some type of "Flyer" or "Flying" attraction. Perhaps something similar to Islands of Adventure's "Peteranodon Flyers" and some speculate even a Vekoma "Flying Dutchman" style coaster (although that second is highly unlikely due to height limits and 'family friendly' issues).
- River Cruise. This is all but confirmed by the image above but as fans well know, what we see in concept art doesn't always come true in the end.
- Some form of a Na'vi stunt show/theme show. You can't have Avatarland without working in the 9 foot tall blue cat people.. somehow.
- Simulator Ride/Tour Pandora?  This is the second option for a "flying' or visiting the planet. Another simulator ride similar to Star Tours.

 In the end, until things are confirmed we're all riding on speculation.

 While many of us hoped this project would fall to the wayside, it doesn't look like that's going to happen. Not with the money involved and not with a working release date finally being announced. Because of that I think it's time we all let go of the 'Beastly Kingdom' idea and tuck it away into our special bags of "Things to be angry with Disney about...".

 In the end, I will give Avatarland a fair (if highly critical) chance. Perhaps when more details are reveled, my opinion will change.. but I wouldn't take that to the bank if I were you. Which leaves me with one last question: Will Disney place some silly Pandora animal in the Dragons place on their 'Animal Kingdom' logo?

Rumor Round-Up for Late August 2013

Rumor Round-Up

Late August 2013 Edition

 Holy Crap!

 Rumors have been thick on the ground lately in the theme park and amusement park world, everyone is making announcements and most of us are speculating wildly about what's really going on!  So I've tired to compile a decent collection so you can keep up-to-date with who may be doing what for 2014 and beyond!

Disney's "AvatarLand" Project: Why this is a bad time.

Disney's "AvatarLand" Project

...and why it pisses me off!

In case you couldn't tell by the title, this little rant is about Disney's idea of building an entire land in the Animal Kingdom park based off the idea of James Cameron's blockbuster movie "Avatar". Also why I think it's about the dumbest idea I've heard yet.

Image from IMPAwards.com

Well Folks, It's that time of the month again. 

No, Not that time, Geeze!

Time for Carrie to begin bitching as yet another "AvatarLand" rumor pops up. I know I've said it before but I don't think I've ever really explained exactly why this project aggravates the complete living HELL out of me! Allow me to pull out my little soapbox here and I shall enlighten you. 

Now, before anyone get's on their high horses, let me explain a few things. 

-I have nothing against the movie, I thought it was one of the most amazing and beautiful thing's I've ever really experienced. Especially in IMAX. Wow, Pretty! However, this isn't original folks. Most of us have seen this exact story before, in a different setting.  It happened in 1992, We called it Furn Gully: The Last Rainforest and it had Tim Curry, it wins.  It's also pretty much every iteration of Pocahontas we've ever seen.  So while beautiful and amazing, not original.

-I've got nothing against James Cameron, Except Titanic. However, I can forgive him that since he made Aliens which is one of my favorite movies.  

-I fully believe that Disney, of all the theme parks, really has the power to bring this rich and beautiful world to life. If anyone any can, it would be Disney. 

Okay, Carrie. What started this rant anyway?

Good Question! Let me explain!

Since this project was announced,  details have been sketchy. The opening date of 2015 has been bumped back twice now yet Disney keeps insisting the project is still in the design process. Also rumors of having trouble working with Cameron already exist. 

Well on Friday, those great folks over at OTPN posted an update about "AvatarLand" which reads something like this:

AVATAR - Walt Disney Imagineers are currently in the design stage for AVATAR at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Worldwide is joining forces with visionary filmmaker James Cameron and Fox Filmed Entertainment to bring the world of AVATAR to life creating themed lands that will give Guests the opportunity to explore the mysterious universe of AVATAR first hand. With its emphasis on living in harmony with nature, Disney’s Animal Kingdom is a natural fit for the AVATAR stories, which share the same philosophy. Construction is expected begin in 2013 and project of this size typically takes approximately five years to design and build.  

I suggest you head over to their and read the whole article which can be found at: Orlando Theme Park News: AVATAR Land construction expected to start soon.

Why it's a shoddy idea..

1. The Current State of Disney World..

 Okay if you haven't been keeping up with the gossip, rumors and other general rants of the Disney Fan community, let me explain. Disney World, isn't in the best of shape right now. Many attractions have issues, large and gaping issues. Everything from Mechanical (broken animatronics, collapsing mountains) to "Bad Show" problems (Dirty, Worn and Visible Paint, Gaping holes). Don't believe me? Do some google searches, you'll quickly find half a dozen message boards with photos pointing out these huge problems. 

 Frankly, Disney World needs to pay more attention to these current problems and fix them now.   

 Letting things go and go some more until their major problems has never worked for this company. Point in fact, this is exactly what they tend to do when the idiots in upper management want an attraction gone from the parks. Still don't believe me? When was the last time you rode 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea? The Skyway to Tomorrowland? BodyWars? 

 Hopefully your thinking along my lines here, that being, they're letting so much fall apart as it is...  can we really trust these people to build something that requires the attention to detail that Avatar requires? I honestly have no answer for this question but not much hope either. Corners keep being cut that I can't really put the faith into the current Disney World upper management (you know, the people who okay the spending budget?) to do this right.

2. Still Under Construction...

 Aside from the problem Disney World already has which is not fixing and maintaining what they've got, there is the added problem of still having one major expansion still under construction. Remember, the new FantasyLand Expansion (which isn't really and expansion!) still isn't finished. Nor will it be finished until summer of 2014 when the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train is anticipated to open.  

Image from Disneyparks.disney.go.com

 So this project is still unfinished and already their wanting to bite off another two possible projects!

One being this shoddy "AvatarLand" idea and the second being the much rumored "Disney Hollywood Studios Expansion" which may or may not include a Florida version of a Pixar movie attraction. This seems a little too much going on at one single time to really work well in resorts favor.

 My parents always taught me to finish one project before I begin another. Because things get muddled and often important and vital parts end up missing. Mostly because your attention is now in two places when it should be focused on one.  I'm sure you've all heard some version of this at least a thousand times in your own lives. Perhaps Disney should pay more attention to the old words of wisdom passed down from parents to kids, they tend to really mean something. 

3. Wish in one hand, shit in the other. See which get's full first. 

 Another one of those catchy slogans and a direct quote from my own Mother. 

 We all know Disney doesn't really listen to their fans and critics unless we complain loudly enough, in person and only while at the parks. If they listen then, we're lucky but they still need to hear it. While I doubt they'll ever listen to reviews or concerns about projects like "AvatarLand" they do listen when we complain about the state of the parks. 

 So with that folks, I ask you this. If you see a bad show at any Disney Park, from a broken animatronic to peeling paint.. Please tell guest services. File a complaint or let them know your disappointed in the show you got. This is about the only control that we, the paying guests, have left within our power. 

Alright, We get it. You don't like the project, done yet?

 Yes! I'm done and I thank all you wonderful readers to taking the time to listen. I'll get off my soapbox now and allow you to either do the research or draw your own conclusions from the basic info I've provided. 

Mysterious Illness effecting Disney Guests.

BREAKING NEWS

A new illness has been effecting people visiting Disney Worlds' Animal Kingdom.

Once of their "Boutique" tours called "Wild Africa Trek" has been reportedly causing illness to guests who've been on the tour.  The  Trek is a tour of small groups who go out onto the savannah and have a catered meal while being up close to some of the animals. 

Dozens of causes of illness have been reported to the Orange Country Health Department, All being guests who have taken this exact tour. The cause of the illness is currently unknown, it could be air-born or food-born but the causes are very similar to a bad stomach flu. 

Disney is taking precautions, including heavy sanitizing of all equipment and stricter cleanliness rules. However these things still haven't stopped whatever this illness is. They claim to be working with the Health Department very closely. 

Read the full story: Orlando Sentinel

Daily Distractions- 6/26

Daily Distraction 6/26

Good Morning!
You may have noticed, Daily Distractions has been a bit spotty on updates lately. Well it's an easy explanation, I've got to dig up new material for you lovely folks! That's right, the list I made when I began 'Daily Distractions' has pretty much empty now. So this week, I'll be hunting down fun and exciting new things to post up for the Daily Distractions!

Anyway, let's get onto today's distraction!

Today I've got something fun and very much geeky for you, a lovely set of blue-prints which feature many of Disney's Signature rides from all their parks across the globe! This lovely set of goodies comes to us from a Flickr user named Enfilm. How they have all these I've got no idea but I'd love to have some of them printed as wall art for myself!

Enfilm's Photostream

Daily Distraction- Wednesday 5/30

Daily Distraction- Wednesday 5/30

Hello Again Internet Land! How is everyone today? Pretty good I hope!

Anyway, Today's Distraction is a brand new site that just launched this week. Retro DisneyWorld is a website and fourm devoted to the DisneyWorld of the past and all it's glorious aspects! Plenty of pictures to take a trip down Memory Lane: Building of Epcot, Magic Kingdom during the early years, Resorts and Waterparks.. Oh My!

Head over and take a peek! Some things are still disorganized but for a newly launched website I've got high hopes for their success.

Retro DisneyWorld