General notes and other stuff...

[Keane]

Stuff going on that I haven't seen here. Might have missed it. We'll
start high on, and slowly slide off, the on-topic scale.

Tickets for D23's Disneyland Off The Map goes on sale Feb 9.

http://d23.disney.go.com/events/2012/02/01/d23s-disneyland-off-the-map/

They also added more tickets to the Marceline tour:

http://d23.disney.go.com/events/2012/01/23/d23s-journey-to-marceline/

Anyone going to either?


Universal Orlando has announced several new/upgraded attractions,
including the Blue Man Group:

http://www.universalorlando.com/Rides/New-Attractions-2012.aspx

What they don't mention, is the closing of Jaws, and if they get rid
of the stadium that houses Fear Factor Live, they'll open a very large
space at the back of the Studios... 2014 anyone? :-)


Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition get's release Feb 7, in 2.55:1 on
Blu and DVD. DMR is also offering an $8 upgrade-to-blu coupon, or a
$5 upgrade-to-DVD, if you have a older DVD or VHS copy...

http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/promotions/special-offers/ladyupgrade

Not sure if this offer is still good, but Disney Movie Rewards is/was
offering BatB, Bambi and Lady and the Tramp on Blu for $59.95
with free shipping...

http://www.disneymovieshop.com/detail_1081400C__LADY.html


A lot of you know I shoot with a Canon G12. The G13 was due
last fall, but didn't appear. The replacement's been announced.
I'm taking donations. Thanks.

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canong1x/


Anyone going to be at the World in early March? :-)

Keane
--
When stars are born, They possess a gift or two,
One of them is this, They have the power to make a wish come true...
-- Wishes
Visit my site: http://keanespics.com

[Lisa Cubbon]

On 2/6/2012 4:49 AM, Keane wrote:
> Stuff going on that I haven't seen here. Might have missed it. We'll
> start high on, and slowly slide off, the on-topic scale.
>
> Tickets for D23's Disneyland Off The Map goes on sale Feb 9.
>
> http://d23.disney.go.com/events/2012/02/01/d23s-disneyland-off-the-map/
>
> They also added more tickets to the Marceline tour:
>
> http://d23.disney.go.com/events/2012/01/23/d23s-journey-to-marceline/
>
> Anyone going to either?

Not me... Sounds like an interesting time at both events...

>
>
> Universal Orlando has announced several new/upgraded attractions,
> including the Blue Man Group:
>
> http://www.universalorlando.com/Rides/New-Attractions-2012.aspx
>
> What they don't mention, is the closing of Jaws, and if they get rid
> of the stadium that houses Fear Factor Live, they'll open a very large
> space at the back of the Studios... 2014 anyone? :-)
>
>
> Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition get's release Feb 7, in 2.55:1 on
> Blu and DVD. DMR is also offering an $8 upgrade-to-blu coupon, or a
> $5 upgrade-to-DVD, if you have a older DVD or VHS copy...
>
> http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/promotions/special-offers/ladyupgrade
>
> Not sure if this offer is still good, but Disney Movie Rewards is/was
> offering BatB, Bambi and Lady and the Tramp on Blu for $59.95
> with free shipping...
>
> http://www.disneymovieshop.com/detail_1081400C__LADY.html
>
>
> A lot of you know I shoot with a Canon G12. The G13 was due
> last fall, but didn't appear. The replacement's been announced.
> I'm taking donations. Thanks.
>
> http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canong1x/

I have to check the seat cushions in the sofa first.

>
>
> Anyone going to be at the World in early March? :-)

No one I know..... And I know we won't be there.....

Lisa
>
> Keane

[Debbi]

On 2/6/2012 11:52 AM, Walrus and Ferret wrote:
> -- Stuff going on that I haven't seen here. Might have missed it. We'll

> start high on, and slowly slide off, the on-topic scale.
>

> What they don't mention, is the closing of Jaws, and if they get rid
> of the stadium that houses Fear Factor Live, they'll open a very large
> space at the back of the Studios... 2014 anyone? :-)
>

> As of end of january they were starting to do some demo/ remodel work
> (unsure what exactly but there were walls cut out of a few buildings in the
> walled off amity section of the park)
> Rumored Harry potter growth spurt but it does not really line up so well
> with the back section of IOA and the Hogsmeade unless they cut out lots of
> maintainance buildings, a parking lot and a few other items.

I wouldn't be so sure of that. I've seen the plans ....

ab

[Lisa Cubbon]

Boy, you have eyes every where!!!

Lisa

[jessica_smith_nyc]

Thanks for the info

--
http://www.moviesitearchive.com

On Feb 6, 1:49 am, Keane <ke...@keanespics.com> wrote:
> Stuff going on that I haven't seen here.  Might have missed it.  We'll
> start high on, and slowly slide off, the on-topic scale.
>
> Tickets for D23's Disneyland Off The Map goes on sale Feb 9.
>
> http://d23.disney.go.com/events/2012/02/01/d23s-disneyland-off-the-map/
>
> They also added more tickets to the Marceline tour:
>
> http://d23.disney.go.com/events/2012/01/23/d23s-journey-to-marceline/
>
> Anyone going to either?
>
> Universal Orlando has announced several new/upgraded attractions,
> including the Blue Man Group:
>
> http://www.universalorlando.com/Rides/New-Attractions-2012.aspx
>
> What they don't mention, is the closing of Jaws, and if they get rid
> of the stadium that houses Fear Factor Live, they'll open a very large
> space at the back of the Studios...  2014 anyone? :-)
>
> Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition get's release Feb 7, in 2.55:1 on
> Blu and DVD.   DMR is also offering an $8 upgrade-to-blu coupon, or a
> $5 upgrade-to-DVD,  if you have a older DVD or VHS copy...
>

> http://www.disneymovierewards.go.com/promotions/special-offers/ladyup...

[Debbi]

Lisa

I do have eyes everywhere - in fact, what was that package you received
in the mail today ??

It's a bit hard to hide much from the competition, once a new project is
in the construction stage. Between the sub-contractors that work for
both parties (and like to leak information) and the occasional
friendship(s) across enemy lines, most of the plans and schedules are
going to get out.

I know what you are thinking - but I'm not dating him because he works
for Universal. I'm dating him because he looks like a Greek God.

ab

[Sandi Femino]

In article <6ptti7hrgfkinane5...@4ax.com>,

Keane <ke...@keanespics.com> wrote:

> Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition get's release Feb 7, in 2.55:1 on
> Blu and DVD. DMR is also offering an $8 upgrade-to-blu coupon, or a
> $5 upgrade-to-DVD, if you have a older DVD or VHS copy...

anyone else notice the voices on the TV commercial for Lady and the
Tramp?
I don't think they are the original voices. Is it just for the TV ads
or is something else going on?

--


Sandi
http://capecodcards.blogspot.com/

[Sandi Femino]

In article <jgs786$4e5$1...@solani.org>, Debbi <ab...@hwsbi.com> wrote:

> I do have eyes everywhere - in fact, what was that package you received
> in the mail today ??
>
> It's a bit hard to hide much from the competition, once a new project is
> in the construction stage. Between the sub-contractors that work for
> both parties (and like to leak information) and the occasional
> friendship(s) across enemy lines, most of the plans and schedules are
> going to get out.
>
> I know what you are thinking - but I'm not dating him because he works
> for Universal. I'm dating him because he looks like a Greek God.

Hooray for you, Boom!

--


Sandi
http://capecodcards.blogspot.com/

[Lisa Cubbon]

that's the right reason for dating!

Thanks always for the info. Lisa

[Keane]

On Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:05:49 -0500, Debbi <ab...@hwsbi.com> wrote:
>
>It's a bit hard to hide much from the competition, once a new project is
>in the construction stage. Between the sub-contractors that work for
>both parties (and like to leak information) and the occasional
>friendship(s) across enemy lines, most of the plans and schedules are
>going to get out.

Yeah, I suppose it's pretty hard to keep it a secret when you apply
for the building permits and the walls go up in the parks. :-)

Don't the sub-contractors have to sign NDA's? Or don't you
bother? I suppose once you're in the building phase, you're
boasting what the attraction is going to be about, rather than
keeping plans secret from the "guys across town".

>I know what you are thinking - but I'm not dating him because he works
>for Universal. I'm dating him because he looks like a Greek God.

Well, so long as he's not going to default on a loan anytime soon...

(It's not Spongebob, is it?)

[Rudeney]

On 2/9/2012 6:12 AM, Keane wrote:
> On Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:05:49 -0500, Debbi<ab...@hwsbi.com> wrote:
>>
>> It's a bit hard to hide much from the competition, once a new project is
>> in the construction stage. Between the sub-contractors that work for
>> both parties (and like to leak information) and the occasional
>> friendship(s) across enemy lines, most of the plans and schedules are
>> going to get out.
>
> Yeah, I suppose it's pretty hard to keep it a secret when you apply
> for the building permits and the walls go up in the parks. :-)
>
> Don't the sub-contractors have to sign NDA's? Or don't you
> bother? I suppose once you're in the building phase, you're
> boasting what the attraction is going to be about, rather than
> keeping plans secret from the "guys across town".
>
>> I know what you are thinking - but I'm not dating him because he works
>> for Universal. I'm dating him because he looks like a Greek God.
>
> Well, so long as he's not going to default on a loan anytime soon...
>
> (It's not Spongebob, is it?)
>
> Keane

NDA's are about as valuable as the paper they are written on. unless
you can find a violation in writing (or caught on tape), the there's not
much you can do about it. It seems that someone is always going to
talk. Especially those Greek Gods...they can't seem to keep their
mouths shut...always boasting about everything.


--

- RODNEY

Next WDW Vacation?
Who knows!

Need to know more about RADP (rec.arts.disney.parks)?

http://www.radp.org
http://allears.net/btp/radp_bk.htm
http://allears.net/tp/abrev.htm

Are you still accessing RADP via Google? Why?
Get instructions on how to access to the "real"
RADP Usenet Group here:

http://meets.radp.org/usenet.htm

[Keane]

Well, I ran across them not to long ago, and I guess it's not that big
of a secret anymore now that the survey markers went down in the
parking lots backstage...

But I don't understand. You'll have to buy tickets to both parks to
see all of Pottersville?

Sheesh. I'll have to keep this in mind the next time someone
tries to point out the greed in Disney...

That would be like putting half of Avatarland in AK and half in DHS...
(Actually, not putting it in at all would be best, but I digress...)

(For those who have no clue what I'm talking about, the Hogswort
portion of Pottersville is currently in IoA. Universal Orlando is set
to build the London portion of Pottersville in USF, where Jaws used
to be. They will be connected by a Hogwarts Express, which will
run backstage on a single track, which will have a passing track
halfway, to allow two trains to run simultaneously. The insides
of the pass anger cars will most likely have video windows rather
than real ones...)

[Rudeney]

On 2/17/2012 1:57 PM, Keane wrote:
>
> (For those who have no clue what I'm talking about, the Hogswort
> portion of Pottersville is currently in IoA. Universal Orlando is set
> to build the London portion of Pottersville in USF, where Jaws used
> to be. They will be connected by a Hogwarts Express, which will
> run backstage on a single track, which will have a passing track
> halfway, to allow two trains to run simultaneously. The insides
> of the pass anger cars will most likely have video windows rather
> than real ones...)

Yes, I can see how riding a train with no windows might make some
PASSENGERS ANGRY.

[Steve Russo]

Rudeney <rud...@mickeypics.com> wrote:
> On 2/17/2012 1:57 PM, Keane wrote:
>>
>> (For those who have no clue what I'm talking about, the Hogswort
>> portion of Pottersville is currently in IoA. Universal Orlando is set
>> to build the London portion of Pottersville in USF, where Jaws used
>> to be. They will be connected by a Hogwarts Express, which will
>> run backstage on a single track, which will have a passing track
>> halfway, to allow two trains to run simultaneously. The insides
>> of the pass anger cars will most likely have video windows rather
>> than real ones...)
>
> Yes, I can see how riding a train with no windows might make some PASSENGERS ANGRY.

I'll reply for Keane... Dammit!!!


--
Steve

[Keane]

On Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:14:35 -0600, Rudeney <rud...@mickeypics.com>
wrote:

>On 2/17/2012 1:57 PM, Keane wrote:
>>
>> (For those who have no clue what I'm talking about, the Hogswort
>> portion of Pottersville is currently in IoA. Universal Orlando is set
>> to build the London portion of Pottersville in USF, where Jaws used
>> to be. They will be connected by a Hogwarts Express, which will
>> run backstage on a single track, which will have a passing track
>> halfway, to allow two trains to run simultaneously. The insides
>> of the pass anger cars will most likely have video windows rather
>> than real ones...)
>
>Yes, I can see how riding a train with no windows might make some
>PASSENGERS ANGRY.

HAhahaha...

I did a quick spell check, saw it was misspelled, so I clicked
on "replace" without looking at what it was replacing it with.

I can see how that teacher posted naked pictures of himself on
his facebook page...

Oh, and I also ran across this one. Kinda scary, but completely
on topic!

http://ocresort.ocregister.com/tag/george-reiger/

"Used to dance to 'Bright Little Star.'" :-)

[Keane]

What he said!

[Debbi]

On 2/17/2012 2:57 PM, Keane wrote:

>> USF and Harry Henderson

>
> Well, I ran across them not to long ago, and I guess it's not that big
> of a secret anymore now that the survey markers went down in the
> parking lots backstage...
>
> But I don't understand. You'll have to buy tickets to both parks to
> see all of Pottersville?
>
> Sheesh. I'll have to keep this in mind the next time someone
> tries to point out the greed in Disney...
>
> That would be like putting half of Avatarland in AK and half in DHS...
> (Actually, not putting it in at all would be best, but I digress...)
>

> Keane

Cuddly Keane,

Half in AK and half in DHS ?? I love that idea !! We'll add a walking
path between the two and sell Bud Light along the way !!

Rumor has it that RFID will figure into the two-park / single attraction
paradigm. Guests will be allowed to see both parts of the attraction no
matter which park they have tickets to. Either the gate ticket will
prevent a guest from entering the wrong park FROM the attraction OR a
special ticket will be handed out when a guest enters the attraction. I
hear they are favouring the later because it can also be used to track
which park a guest started from (preventing them from switching parks
except though the front gate). Remember that UCF does not have the kind
of media backbone that WDW has, to be able to track every regular gate
ticket throughout the park (and RFID can get expensive if used in
'every' gate ticket).

But that's just a rumour, sweetheart.

ab

[BigBob]

Or, some might argue that, Universal is giving their guests *some*
Harry Potter regardless of which park they buy a single-day ticket to.

In actuality, I'm led to believe that, splitting Harry Potter between
the two parks has a great deal to do with what land is available and
where it's located.
That, and I'm sure that there is a very positive crowd management
benefit obtained by splitting the Harry Potter hordes between the two
properties.
Futhermore, the current size of Harry Potter in IoA could not begin to
handle the additional crowds the expansion will pull in (i.e. not in
the limited space available to contain Harry Potter within the one
park).
How much would you want to bet that Disney would take the entire Harry
Potter enterprise, after and including the expansion, and turn it into
a third gate?
(Yeah, tell me I'm way off-base with the third gate barb.) ROFL

Looking at the "greed" scale, we can directly compare WDW with
Universal.

BOTH properties will cost you $120/per day for ticket media that will
enable you to "park-hop" (i.e. visit more than one park on the same
day.

However, if we look at two days, we find that:

Universal will cost you $135.99 for a two-day ticket that allows "park-
to-park admission."
http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/General-Admission.aspx

WDW will cost you $168 for a two-day ticket.
And, a whopping $223 for a two-day ticket with "Park Hopper option."
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets-passes/
(then click on "Buy Now" to go to calculate the price of your ticket
and options)

How dare those greedy so-and-so's at Universal give you two-days, with
full park-to-park access, for $87.01 *less* than at WDW!

* All prices quoted in this post do not include sales tax

[Keane]

On Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:30:38 -0500, Debbi <ab...@hwsbi.com> wrote:

>Cuddly Keane,

You know, keep this up, and people will begin to talk...

>Half in AK and half in DHS ?? I love that idea !! We'll add a walking
>path between the two and sell Bud Light along the way !!

Walkway! Should there be some sort of troop transport themed
transportation between the two?

Disappointed....

>Rumor has it that RFID will figure into the two-park / single attraction
>paradigm. Guests will be allowed to see both parts of the attraction no
>matter which park they have tickets to. Either the gate ticket will
>prevent a guest from entering the wrong park FROM the attraction OR a
>special ticket will be handed out when a guest enters the attraction. I
>hear they are favouring the later because it can also be used to track
>which park a guest started from (preventing them from switching parks
>except though the front gate). Remember that UCF does not have the kind
>of media backbone that WDW has, to be able to track every regular gate
>ticket throughout the park (and RFID can get expensive if used in
>'every' gate ticket).
>
>But that's just a rumour, sweetheart.

Ah, but it would make sense, but my wallet sez JKR will request
a larger share somehow... ;-)

(Why not just use the admission media? I still see this as a
nightmare for the cast...)

[Patty Winter]

In article <upatj79jjur762d4t...@4ax.com>,

Keane <ke...@keanespics.com> wrote:
>
>Well, I ran across them not to long ago, and I guess it's not that big
>of a secret anymore now that the survey markers went down in the
>parking lots backstage...

Survey markers at Universal? Got any details??


Patty

[Keane]

On Fri, 17 Feb 2012 14:01:30 -0800 (PST), BigBob <BlG...@hotmail.com>
wrote:

>
>"Sheesh. I'll have to keep this in mind the next time someone tries
>to point out the greed in Disney... "
>
>Or, some might argue that, Universal is giving their guests *some*
>Harry Potter regardless of which park they buy a single-day ticket to.
>
>In actuality, I'm led to believe that, splitting Harry Potter between
>the two parks has a great deal to do with what land is available and
>where it's located.

Yes and no. My big complaint is until Potter came along, was IoA has
been stagnant since it opened 14(?) years ago. (14 years? Really?)

They could have taken out the rest of Lost Continent right next door,
and even gone into the backstage area, since they had to prep another
piece of real estate for the parade units and other things that won't
fit under Hogwart's Express in another part of USF anyway, and had
just about the same amount of space.

That would have been a better upgrade for IoA. UO has made
plenty of changes at USF. They could have put another movie
franchise where Jaws was.

(There is also a large area on the other side of the Royal Pacific
that's graded and looks like it might belong to Universal. If so,
they could have migrated part of IoA that way.)

>That, and I'm sure that there is a very positive crowd management
>benefit obtained by splitting the Harry Potter hordes between the two
>properties.
>Futhermore, the current size of Harry Potter in IoA could not begin to
>handle the additional crowds the expansion will pull in (i.e. not in
>the limited space available to contain Harry Potter within the one
>park).

From what I understand crowds at IoA are pretty reasonable now.
It's only the initial shockwave of Potter fans that'll overwhelm the
park.

Once Potter opens at USF with the crossover from IoA, you're only
going to have two unvisitable parks instead of one.

>How much would you want to bet that Disney would take the entire Harry
>Potter enterprise, after and including the expansion, and turn it into
>a third gate?
>(Yeah, tell me I'm way off-base with the third gate barb.) ROFL

No. Not Potter. Middle Earth. Try to think positive.

>Looking at the "greed" scale, we can directly compare WDW with
>Universal.
>
>BOTH properties will cost you $120/per day for ticket media that will
>enable you to "park-hop" (i.e. visit more than one park on the same
>day.
>
>However, if we look at two days, we find that:
>
>Universal will cost you $135.99 for a two-day ticket that allows "park-
>to-park admission."
>http://www.universalorlando.com/Theme-Park-Tickets/General-Admission.aspx
>
>WDW will cost you $168 for a two-day ticket.
>And, a whopping $223 for a two-day ticket with "Park Hopper option."
>http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/tickets-passes/
>(then click on "Buy Now" to go to calculate the price of your ticket
>and options)
>
>How dare those greedy so-and-so's at Universal give you two-days, with
>full park-to-park access, for $87.01 *less* than at WDW!
>
>* All prices quoted in this post do not include sales tax

Yes. This is the exact argument that Universal Orlando makes in
it's advertising.

Where it ultimately fails (and I tell UO this every time they survey
me on ticket options), it's deceiving, as it only looks at price.

Not content.

I can do *EVERYTHING* at USF and IoA in two days, including doing
attractions like MiB, Simpsons, Spiderman, etc. more than once. They
are both relatively small parks. That would even include City Walk,
since the hours at the parks are typically shorter than at Disney, and
close earlier. There would be no reason for me to be at UO for more
than those two days. (Unless you're a thrill ride junkie more than a
Disney Junkie, I'll admit.)

This isn't true at Disney. If you're going to be honest about it, it
would take 4-5 days to cover Disney the way I could Universal.
*Then* if you then figure cost per day, the figures change to
Disney's favor.

So, yeah, if you just want to compare a two-day vs. two-day
ticket, you are correct. If you're a real life tourist who is going
to Orlando to vacation for a week, you're going to spend
two at UO, and five at WDW, and compare cost per day, not
cost of ticket.

Caren recently went to Universal to see Potter. Did she get a
multi-park pass? I don't think so. (I could be wrong. :-))

Now, if Boom is right, and they're going to charge a one-park/
one-attraction ticket, then I withdraw my complaint.

But not about the 2-day ticket price thing. More realistic is cost
per day of how people actually vacation.

[Keane]

On 18 Feb 2012 00:03:49 GMT, Patty Winter <pat...@wintertime.com>
wrote:

The entire rumor base for Pottersville 2.0, comes from a single
source, a New Year's Eve post by Theme Park Insider. Even
articles in the Sentinel points back to TPI's NYE post:

http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201112/2824/

Two days later, Universal closes Jaws. A couple of weeks
after that, pictures are posted. Jaws is already being taken
apart:

http://www.orlandoskyradio.com/2012/02/look-jaws-post-closing/

By the end of January, survey markers were planted backstage.
If you followed them, they went from Pottersville in IoA, all the
way to Amnity in USF. It's widely believed these markers are
for Hogwart's Express.

Since parade floats (most notably the Macy's balloons) won't fit under
the new track, a new area as been built out as a staging area
down by Men In Black, on the other side of the park.

So while this is still all unconfirmed by Universal, things are
pointing in the right direction for all the rumors out there.

But, as always, until Universal confirms, it's all conjecture.

[Rudeney]

On 2/17/2012 2:31 PM, Keane wrote:
>
> Oh, and I also ran across this one. Kinda scary, but completely
> on topic!
>
> http://ocresort.ocregister.com/tag/george-reiger/
>
> "Used to dance to 'Bright Little Star.'" :-)

So my first question is, which RADP'er is this? I don't remember a
"George", but I guess he uses a screen name. Oh, and I don't know
what's scarier: all those tattoos, having so much money invested in
Disney memorabilia that selling it will buy a new house, or his
obsession with the number 23.

[Rudeney]

On 2/17/2012 5:43 PM, Keane wrote:
> On Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:30:38 -0500, Debbi<ab...@hwsbi.com> wrote:
>
>> Cuddly Keane,
>
> You know, keep this up, and people will begin to talk...

Or vomit.

[Patty Winter]

In article <sp1vj71gmeg035bp1...@4ax.com>,

Keane <ke...@keanespics.com> wrote:
>On 18 Feb 2012 00:03:49 GMT, Patty Winter <pat...@wintertime.com>
>wrote:
>

>>Survey markers at Universal? Got any details??
>
>The entire rumor base for Pottersville 2.0, comes from a single
>source, a New Year's Eve post by Theme Park Insider. Even
>articles in the Sentinel points back to TPI's NYE post:
>
>http://www.themeparkinsider.com/flume/201112/2824/

Okay, thanks. If they're all backstage, I guess there's nothing
we can do about it anyway. Still, this is the first I've heard
about benchmarks at Universal.


Patty