devores

No matter what Disney does, someone isn't going to like it. Disney gave the masses what they wanted. The ability to make additional FP+ selections after they use the initial selections. But, now people are complaining that that isn't enough. Its a never ending story. It boils down to, its your vacation, you now have the ability to manage it however you want using the tools Disney has for you. If the parades and fireworks are important to you, you can now get a FP that gives you special viewing. If rides are more important, you can now get virtually unlimited FPs for the rides at all of the parks. You can even mix and match the options as you see fit to make your vacation yours. These tools wont address every single concern of every single guest that visits, but it is allot more than what was available before.
 
I for one love MyMagic+. And no, that's not a brainwashed CM spouting Disney propaganda. I haven't even been able to use the system yet and I think its great.   

A few more I took a few days later. These were taken at the beginning of the Town Square are where the Emporium and Confectionary are, right where the floats make the left turn to pass in fornt of the TST. I had a clear view down the middle of Main Street.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
As a side note, Maleficent did not breath fire this go around. It was too windy.  
 
For an insider tip also, when the parade passes over the Liberty Square bridge, the dancers do not dance and Maleficent does not breath fire. So do not sit where your only view is of the parade crossing the bridge.  

I have not heard mention of this yet. Title says it all.
 
Celebrate the cultures of the world during the new IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party, beginning March 15. The party will include international desserts and sparkling wines in an intimate, exclusive setting with a clear view of the World Showcase Lagoon for the Epcot nighttime fireworks spectacular, IllumNations: Reflections of Earth.
 
 
Celebration takes place Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings 7:45pm - 9:20pm at Epcot World Showcase Plaza.
 
Cost will be $49 for adults and $29 for children.

Well, it not a rumor any more. They will meet at Fairytale hall starting Apr 20. They will not meet all day, only appearing until "early evening". Then other princesses will come out and meet. Its as official as it gets.

To be honest with you, I didn't read the article. But I will assume it is his opinion based off some obscure piece of information he found.
 
Ok, Read the article. And in just a few mins, I poke holes in his theory.
 
I was unable to recreate his "screen shot" without using photoshop, so I place no confidence in that piece of evidence.
 
Yes, its true that after Apr 19, the times listed for Ana and Elsa are listed as "Call for availability". Lets not forget that last month, the same thing occurred. Ana and Elsa actually disappeared from the show schedules at EPCOT for 2 weeks, yet kept meeting. This could all be due to the contract between Norway and Disney. Nothing put in stone until finalized.
 
Furthermore, after March 29, the fairies are listed the same way.
 
Adding more fuel to the fire, Rapunzel and Cinderella both have meet times separate from each other all the way through the end of April. This tells me they are not moving. So, Ana and Elsa may be moving, but I would not bet the house on PFTH as their new home. Besides, Cindy doesn't want a queen meeting in her castle. That's for her princess friends.

The part at 2:10 where they were on RnR, I was there for that filming as well. We were in line right where they launch and the film crew was standing next to us on the other side of the fence.
 
This was the day I was paid to rid rides all day.

For comparison, the below photo was taken the same day as a practice shot to get everything set up. The float photographed was at center street (Crystal Arts area) on Main Street.
 
As a gee whiz, the Guy on the float, the emcee......I watched FoF with him and his mother.

I went to view the parade and thought Id share some photos I took. I wont post a bunch in case anyone wants to keep some surprises.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
There is so much happening and allot to look at you find yourself missing some stuff. This parade is best viewed multiple times and from different vantage points.
 
It is about 20 mins long but feels like it moves quickly because youre busy taking it all in.
 
My photos were taken form the train station platform, but I missed the characters on the ground, so I plan on going again and watching from ground level.

I went to view the parade and thought Id share some photos I took. I wont post a bunch in case anyone wants to keep some surprises.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
There is so much happening and allot to look at you find yourself missing some stuff. This parade is best viewed multiple times and from different vantage points.
 
It is about 20 mins long but feels like it moves quickly because youre busy taking it all in.
 
My photos were taken form the train station platform, but I missed the characters on the ground, so I plan on going again and watching from ground level.

And if Lou wants to impress me, post a map of the 3rd floor on MS.

I know its a small detail compared to the scope of the project, but did anyone notice the gazebos near the castle where the sound equipment and lighting controls are? And the light towers that are next to the castle? They are getting a make over as well to bring them more into the castle theme rather than the MS theme.

This is a response from someone who is involved with SWW. Interesting read and makes you realize some things.
 
"As someone connected to the Star Wars Universe both inside and outside of Walt Disney World I have been asked to comment on the changes being made at Star Wars Weekends this year... Here is my take...

Don't jump on the Hate Star Wars Weekends bandwagon yet! There's gonna be something pretty exciting in the evenings, and we'll find out more as we get closer... besides the fireworks are gonna be awesome!

Why the changes you ask? Well now that Disney owns the Star Wars propert...y they have to be very careful how they present these new "timeless" characters. We poked fun at Star Wars because George thought it was funny (i.e. Robot Chicken, the now shelved Star Wars Detours, etc)... But we know he stopped caring for Star Wars a while ago... So much so that he said he was done with it forever and later sold the rights to us.

Disney realizes the value and importance of these new characters, and are very careful when it comes to their portrayal. Hence why any project relating to Star Wars prior to the merger has been shelved or discontinued (i.e. Expanded Universe, Clone Wars, Video Games, etc.). Disney has finally given these beloved characters value and a new life and the same level of protection we give to all our classic characters. You would never see a show in the style of Hoopla with our Disney properties in it. I mean sure seeing the Disney Princesses dance to Single Ladies would probably be hilarious, and the Beast wearing a Kangol hat dancing to Werewolves in London amusing, but we're cautious because those characters are "timeless" just like our newly acquired friends from the Star Wars Universe. Because of this new care it means the movies and other future properties are going to be amazing. I mean how many times have they rewritten this Episode 7 script because it just didn't feel right!?

Just know that everything is in the hands of people that care about these characters and aren't willing to compromise their integrity, even if it's one of the top rated shows at Star Wars Weekends. There are so many great surprises you'll hear in the next few months coming to Star Wars Weekends this year... So much that they had to add another weekend. So hang in there, besides how do you top last years Hoopla anyways! Here's to bigger and better.... I'm just excited to be a part of it... MTFBWY and I'll see you in out there in May!"

If they are like Lou, they are eating the magical unicorns that fart rainbows. Is that magical enough?

If they are like Lou, they are eating the magical unicorns that fart rainbows. Is that magical enough?

If they are like Lou, they are eating the magical unicorns that fart rainbows. Is that magical enough?

All this talk of ruining the magic. I live it, day in and day out. I see things back stage that should ruin the magic. But I still love enjoying the parks as a guest. It makes it better for me knowing what goes on behind the scenes and knowing the people who accomplish it everyday. I work with Mickey, have lunch with the princesses, and attend training classes with Goofy. And I still get excited when I see them as a guest. It makes it even better when they recognize me and go a little above and beyond when meeting me and my friends and family.

If they are like Lou, they are eating the magical unicorns that fart rainbows. Is that magical enough?

All this talk of ruining the magic. I live it, day in and day out. I see things back stage that should ruin the magic. But I still love enjoying the parks as a guest. It makes it better for me knowing what goes on behind the scenes and knowing the people who accomplish it everyday. I work with Mickey, have lunch with the princesses, and attend training classes with Goofy. And I still get excited when I see them as a guest. It makes it even better when they recognize me and go a little above and beyond when meeting me and my friends and family.

I am a CM so I guess no one will listen to me, but, you can schedule 3 FP+ selections per day for one park. If you do not use any of those (this means your entire party can't use a single FP+) you can goto another park and make selections there. If even one has been used, you can change the remaining FP+ selections but they must stay in the same park.
As for changing them, you can change them even after the time has passed as long as they have not been used. You may not get what you want but the FP+ is still there. Say for example you had a FP+ for space mnt and you chose to watch the parade and missed your window. You can change that FP+ but there may not be any space mnt FPs left. You would have to change it to another attraction. This can be done on the app or at one of the kiosks. If an attraction is down during your window, you have the option to change your selection or wait until the attraction reopens and use your FP then. But once you change it, you cannot use the previous selection.
As for charging with an AP, at some point an option will be added to MDE for AP holders to add a credit card number. This will allow charging privileges. The process is still being worked and should be part of the testing at a later time.
For all of this, I know it seems like a complete system since it's being widely used now. But remember, it is still a test and is designed to find and correct the errors and bugs. Best thing to do is to give disney constructive feedback. Telling them this sucks or is stupid does not help them.

Ok, I found what I was looking for.
 
AP holders not staying at a Disney resort can hold up to 7 days at any time during a 60 day rolling calendar.
 
AP holders staying at a Disney resort can hold up to the number of days on their reservation or 7 days, which ever is greater.
 
This means you can make 7 days of FP+ reservations 60 days out. When you use one of those days you can make one more day and so on. Or, you make one for this weekend. After you use that day, you have 7 again. This is a good thing. This means the FP+ reservations cannot be monopolized by AP holders who make them, just in case, and then never use them. Can you imagine the horror is every AP holder made FP+ reservations everyday for 60 days.

I don't see that happening. They will start selling MBs for non resort guests that will offer the same benefits as resort guests, with the exception of room access and such. So non resort guests will be allowed to make FP+ selections in advance as well. As long as there is an active ticket linked, you should be able to make FP+ selections.
As things progress, this is an option. The MBs will be sold at select locations.
 
Some ideas floating around:
 

That's how we back in now. She sits quietly in the passenger seat and I back in. If I need to get out and check I do. We have a nice dinner that night cause we are still on speaking terms.

Enter the confirmation number into MDE and they will be linked. You still have to redeem the vouchers when you arrive, but they will already be linked and you can make FP+ selections.

Not a true line up, but I overlayed the plans onto a sattalie image of the area. I used Pioneer Hall as a reference as it is assumed it wont be moving.
 
You can get an idea of how this would look if it ever happens.
 
Also, it does appear the bus stop will take out two of the spots in the 700. Hilda will have a front row seat to the bus stop traffic.
 

 
and a little lighter
 

See Lou, there are others who know what Im talking about. Just because you don't doesn't mean its not a thing. Go back under your rock until your snark is needed.