Walt Disney World and Disneyland(s) Discussion

[Apone]

The Indiana Jones bar at Downtown Disney Florida has officially opened today. Whoever's going next, get pics!!! There's a chilled monkey brain mug!

I will be down there on Halloween through first week of November, planning on going one night so I will get pics.

 

[Centurion]

So Downtown Disney in WDW is being renamed to "Disney Springs" or is it an additional area to Downtown Disney?

 

[Something Sexy]

So Downtown Disney in WDW is being renamed to "Disney Springs" or is it an additional area to Downtown Disney?

It is being renamed and that name is awful.

 

[Coheteboy]

LOL, it's not "awful". I kind of like it actually because it was never much of a "downtown". I think the name of it works better.

For those who don't know the history, here's the various names it has taken on..

Lake Buena Vista Shopping Village
Walt Disney World Village
Disney Village Marketplace
Downtown Disney (with Pleasure Island)
Disney Springs


The area that used to be Pleasure Island has been renamed The Landing, and Chef Morimoto's new asian restaurant launched yesterday along with the name change. I think the name fits with an area with that much water. The Downtown Disney in Anaheim feels much more like a Downtown. I think it's perfectly fine for them to have their own different identities.

 

[Centurion]

It is being renamed and that name is awful.

I guess it'll take some getting use to, but I don't really like it either.

 

[Coheteboy]

On the subject of WDW, today is the 44th anniversary of Walt Disney World, but specifically Magic Kingdom. It's also Epcot's 33rd anniversary.

 

[cokebabies]

Every time I think about the narration change on the TTA in MK, I get angry.

 

[Apone]

I dont mind Disney Springs... its coming along nicely.

 

[blue_rogue]

The Indiana Jones bar at Downtown Disney Florida has officially opened today. Whoever's going next, get pics!!! There's a chilled monkey brain mug!

I'm leaving in 2 weeks and hitting up Disney Springs and Disney's BoardWalk the day we arrive. I'll be sure to check it out and get some pics.

 

[Coheteboy]

WOOOOOOF, the prices for annual passes skyrocketed on Sunday at Disneyland. And the Premier Pass, which includes admission to both resorts went from $1039ish to $1,439 plus tax.

That means if I was to go back to WDW this year, it would cost me $800 to upgrade my Premium Disneyland Pass to a Premier Pass, something that used to cost only $350 more.

I don't believe any change has been applied to WDW regular park admission or annual passes.

 

[Centurion]

Same here for Disneyland Resort.

They are offering "Disney Signature" and "Disney Signature Plus".

Crazy price hikes!

 

[Rambler]

And these are the price hikes BEFORE Star Wars Land is open. Just imagine what they will jump to when that is ready to open.

 

[Coheteboy]

And these are the price hikes BEFORE Star Wars Land is open. Just imagine what they will jump to when that is ready to open.

Actually, the price hike comes just in time for the holidays, which is the busiest time of year for the parks.

AND...

Season of the Force begins at Disneyland on November 16. That includes Star Wars Launch Bay, a Sneak Peak at the Movie, a new Star Tours destination, and Hyperspace Mountain, an updated Jedi Training Academy, and star wars themed eats.

in 2016, Disney California Adventure will get a new Frozen stage show replacing Aladdin, and the new Cars Land ride replacing the Flying Tires.

2016 also brings several closures to Disneyland, including anything on the Rivers of America (Mark Twain, Canoes, Columbia Sailing Ship, Tom Sawyer Island, Fantasmic), Big Thunder Ranch BBQ, and the Big Thunder Ranch Petting Zoo. All of this will close January 10th I believe.

 

[MegaPrime33]

Looks like parking fees have increased at WDW from $17 to $20. Am I the only one that thinks the parking should be free considering how much you spend to get in and then on everything else inside the park? I'd rather just leave my car at Downtown and take a bus up to the parks.

 

[Coheteboy]

Isn't parking free if you stay at a WDW resort?


And some big news for Disneyland, Spider-Man will make his debut at Super Hero HQ on November 16, the same day that all the Star Wars stuff arrives. I took the day off work.

Spider-Man Arrives at Disneyland Park November 16 in the New Super Hero HQ « Disney Parks Blog

 

[MegaPrime33]

Isn't parking free if you stay at a WDW resort?

Actually, I don't know. It's been a long time since I've stayed in the park. My in laws have a time share in Orlando that we've used the last 2 times going, so getting a rental and parking was necessary. I still think parking should be free, but I get it that it would be a huge loss of $ considering how enormous the lots are.

 

[VanDammage]

Parking is free if you're staying on property but unless you're in a time crunch it's better to take the bus/monorail/boats and not have to deal with driving.

 

[Coheteboy]

Parking is free if you're staying on property but unless you're in a time crunch it's better to take the bus/monorail/boats and not have to deal with driving.

I have friends that frequent WDW and they rent a car every time because it actually saves them time. Waiting for a bus/monorail/boat is what's time consuming. I suppose that once you're familiar with the area, navigating from place to place is no longer an issue.

 

[cokebabies]

Yup, DVC guy here who rents a car every time now.

It's nice that if you don't want to rent a car, don't feel like driving, or can't for whatever reason, that WDW's transportation is incredibly effective. Just not as effective as driving.

My wife and I used WDW transportation a couple times, and it was certainly doable. The biggest drawback for me was the Magical Express back to the airport - they make you get there ridiculously early.

You can also use both together to make things easier - especially in the Epcot & MK monorail situation. Park where you plan on being last, and take the monorail to the other park. It might save time (especially with MK's annoying parking / transport hub situation), but at the very least it doesn't cost you any time, and you get the very nice Epcot monorail ride out of the deal.

 

[blue_rogue]

My girlfriend and I returned from our Disney World vacation around 3:00 pm yesterday. We had a great time but it went by fast. I can't believe we arrived at our resort and spent the day at Disney Springs a week ago today. Here are some pics of day 1.