Ghost of Pressler? MyMagic+? What??

Originally Posted By oc_dean

Many observations of my full day at DL yesterday. Attempting to pull a "full picture" of things together ....

Let me say ... I just wonder if budgets are just a little too thin .. for DL Maintenance/Refurbs.

- PotC is down for refurb
- 'it's a small world' is down for refurb
- the Subs are down for refurb

That's 3 big E Tickets.

On the 12th .. add another E Ticket to that list:

- Space Mountain

Additionally, Alice In Wonderland is going full tilt on it's refurb - I could hear all the machinery going on, behind construction walls.

- Plaza Inn is down for refurb as well.

- And Columbia was down as well. Only the Mark Twain was operating. No refurb to it. It did show up in Fantasmic later.

Okay ... now the list of attractions that broke down while I was there:

- Indy was breaking down numerous times throughout the day. Going into the evening .. it went down. Back up. Down again by 10pm .. and never came back up again for the rest of the night. Despite my fastpass ...I never got on it.

- Snow White, I was in line, almost boarded .. it broke down. (up later in the day.)

- Matterhorn track "B" - Down for several hours - A crew of three were out, doing repairs.

Okay .. now, partially broken down attractions:

My longest line all day was ironically, Casey Jr. Circus Train. I had a 40 minute wait. Painfully slow. I asked a CM - Train #2 has been broken, and backstage since last winter.

Now the filth:

With 'it's a small world' down .. I'm surprised no scaffolding is up to deal with it's absolutely filthy facade.

The Subs. I took a peak to see 3 guys down in there. As I mentioned in another thread. I came back later. They were gone. No activity in the main lagoon .. for the rest of the day.

Now Tomorrowland....

The Peoplemover tracks .. under the main promenade section .. have dark dirt streaks running all along that section, and the curve bits going into Buzz & Star Tours.

Innovention's roof ceiling bit .. also with ugly dirt streaks running underneath.

Speaking of Innoventions .... I asked how long it's been since the building turned. A CM said a year and a half to two years ago, they turned it off. Inside ... blue curtains are covering up 2 sections .. where they tore down the facade pieces that faced out (the circular outer wall itself). Tom Morrow is completely gone. He ain't just sitting there anymore - they must have shipped him out a while ago! So now that unique rotating building is just like any other building in this mundane world of ours - just stationary.

So .. I look around .. and I just wonder.

Are those rumors of "My Magic +" over-runs true .. and budgets so tight ... it's causing many things to drag on forever, and not attended to?

Is the current DL president acting a little too closely to our "beloved" Paul Pressler?

Or is it something else?

There are too many high capacity attractions down ... That has to be the reason DL looked so packed.

And I just wonder if that rumor of the Skyway chalet supposing to be demolished in January was canceled due to massive budget constraints .. for all of DL.

Is it that DL has a certain budget for this fiscal year? And is just being spread across too thin?

Look at what's currently down for refurb? And other major attractions about to go down. The filth on some structures. Rides breaking down yesterday. Just, naturally, wear and tear? ... or not enough maintenance going into these attractions nightly? What gives?

If you are a local, and don't mind so many breakdowns, and refurbs .. I guess that's fine. If you are from out of town, and are coming this month - egads! I feel sorry for you.

DL - The Happiest Breaking Down, Refurb, Filthy Place On Earth

;-)

 

Originally Posted By threeundertwo

Do they usually do a lot of refurbs before the summer season? I think May is supposed to be a lighter month for crowds so maybe they planned it this way?

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

With all the problems you experienced with attractions that are still running, you actually question why so many are being re-furbed???

It is obviously necessary. I'm sure they are trying to take care of the "E's" before the prime summer season hits. With a much improved DCA across the street, I guess I wouldn't worry to much about it. I doubt the expense of "My Magic +" has much to do with it. If anything, concern about the expense would cause them to delay needed maintenance even longer.

By the way, I know left-coasters hate to hear this, but "My Magic +" is proving to be a huge hit with guests, It may not be increasing per-guest spending much at this point, but appears to do a good job of distributing the load during peak times at the parks. Disney feels that the MK can now handle thousands more than it could before.

I am no way suggesting that "My Magic +" would be a good idea for Disneyland. Totally different type of guest, far more spontaneous visits than the generally planned well in advance trips to WDW.

 

Originally Posted By Yookeroo

<<By the way, I know left-coasters hate to hear this, but "My Magic +" is proving to be a huge hit with guests, It may not be increasing per-guest spending much at this point, but appears to do a good job of distributing the load during peak times at the parks. Disney feels that the MK can now handle thousands more than it could before.>>

Why would we hate to hear this?

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

Well, I should have said SOME left-coasters. I have read many posts, both here and on Facebook, where people say that the money spent on "My Magic +" would have been far better spent on developing new attractions. Since most who post here are DL folks, I assume that is the prevailing SoCal opinion.

From the point of view of someone who regularly goes to Disneyland, I would probably agree. MM+ would not be as much of benefit there as it is at WDW. But for WDW I think it is a very good thing.

Heck, you guys got a great new DCA. Give us folks who have to slum-it at WDW a little easier way to navigate the parks during peak periods.

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

"Let me say ... I just wonder if budgets are just a little too thin .. for DL Maintenance/Refurbs."

If they are refurbishing things how can the budgets be too thin? Serious question.

"Since most who post here are DL folks, I assume that is the prevailing SoCal opinion."

The DL lovers don't all live in the LA/OC area. The folks who live nearby, visit the parks a couple of times a week and complain about every misplaced leaf on Tarzan's treehouse are only a small fraction of DLR's audience. I've lived in Northern California my whole life and they can't bring MyMagic+ to DLR fast enough as far as I'm concerned.

 

Originally Posted By Moon Waffle

I went to WDW in April and experienced MyMagic+ firsthand and my family and I really enjoyed it. So nice to be able to book FP before getting to the park, if we want. The app was great for determining when to hit certain rides, and when to avoid them. Never had any issues getting the FP we wanted, when we wanted, or making changes if desired. And this was during busy Spring Break and we did not stay on property. Overall, a very positive experience with MyMagic+.

 

Originally Posted By CuriousConstance

I'm a left coaster who also is anxiously awaiting for My magic + To come to Disneyland. Fast passing a spot to view fireworks? Not having to run all over the park and wait in lines just to get fast passes? Making sure we will be able to experience everything we want without all the hassle and lines? Yes, please!!!!!!

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

>>>Well, I should have said SOME left-coasters. I have read many posts, both here and on Facebook, where people say that the money spent on "My Magic +" would have been far better spent on developing new attractions. Since most who post here are DL folks, I assume that is the prevailing SoCal opinion.<<<

My first thought on that is that the people on Disney Facebook or these threads are die hard Disney people and do not adjust well to change. This is especially true when they perceive that it will somehow change how they go about touring the parks. They are also, seemingly unable to understand that My Magic is more of a tool for Disney then a perk for the guests. The money invested in it would never have been used to do anything in the parks. Those plans, for the most part are going ahead as planned.

Now to address why so much refurb. is happening now. Look at the date. Next year is Disneylands 60th birthday. Remember back to what happened just before the 50th. Just some pre-birthday dressing up. I think the big things are being held back until after the 60th.

As someone pointed out, Dr. Hans, I believe, it has to be difficult to not spend money while spending a small fortune to dress things up.

On a more surprised note, it is kind of interesting to hear of problems at DLR instead of just WDW. I was starting to get the impression that WDW was being run separately from the rest of Disney by Bob Iger's alcoholic uncle or something. My only visit to DLR certainly didn't leave me with the impression that all is pure and pristine, but for fear of being beheaded I haven't spoken about it a lot. It's like saying something bad about God.

BTW, for those of you on the west coast, get prepared. I'm sure that My Magic will be there, in all it's glory, as soon as 90% of the bugs are worked out. It's the future of P&R.

 

Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA

Whatever justifiable reason that Disney has for all these rehabs happening at the same time, they've certainly lost sight of the guest experience. At least during these few months.

I can hear posters suggesting that 'buyer beware' and 'hey, check the rehab list' but at some level, Disney has a responsibility to provide a proper experience that has value. And that means making sure that key E-Ticket attractions aren't closed at the same time.

 

Originally Posted By Goofyernmost

^^^I agree on one level, but since the majority of DLR guests are locals, they won't be missing out on that stuff very long. Just a temporary glitch in the Pixie Dust dispenser.

 

Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA

My challenge to Disney is, why is it okay?

 

Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder

I think they should discount admission on a pro rata basis. Each E ticket attraction down is worth $5-10. Subs, Pirates, Small World and Space down? Let's see, a $7.50 per admission is now $63 a head.


Hmm, maybe someone should introduce legislation. Even if it failed, it might get their attention. Fair dealing in business and all that.

 

Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder

Uggh. That should read at $7.50 per ride down for four attractions that's a $30 discount.

 

Originally Posted By RoadTrip

Small World and the Nemo Subs are "E's"? Really?? Not in my world.

You still have Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Haunted Mansion, Matterhorn, and all the Fantasyland Classics (with the exception of Small World). Doesn't sound so terrible to me.

 

Originally Posted By Jim in Merced CA

Go back to General Admission and ticket books

 

Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt

That would help solve the problem, and with each attraction generating revenue it might incentivize Disney to remove/update old attractions and build new ones more frequently. On the other hand ticket books are horribly inconvenient for guests.

 

Originally Posted By Yookeroo

"My first thought on that is that the people on Disney Facebook or these threads are die hard Disney people and do not adjust well to change. This is especially true when they perceive that it will somehow change how they go about touring the parks. They are also, seemingly unable to understand that My Magic is more of a tool for Disney then a perk for the guests. The money invested in it would never have been used to do anything in the parks. Those plans, for the most part are going ahead as planned."

Yeah, it's more about the Disney hardcore fans than it is about where you live.

"Small World and the Nemo Subs are 'E's'? Really?? Not in my world."

Yeah, I though this amusing.

 

Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder

>"Small World and the Nemo Subs are 'E's'? Really?? Not in my world."

Yeah, I though this amusing.<

Hardly.

Small World and the Subs have always been considered E tickets.


<a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.yesterland.com/abcde.html">http://www.yesterland.com/abcde.html</a>

 

Originally Posted By Yookeroo

"Small World and the Subs have always been considered E tickets."

It's not 1972 anymore.