Disney World - Fans, Tips and News http://www.wdwadvisor.com Disney World Travel and Fan Site (wdwadvisor.com) en-us webmaster@wdwadvisor.com Sat, 19 May 2012 19:53:23 -0400 60 Star Tours Reopens and Star Wars Weekends Start At Hollywood Studios http://www.wdwadvisor.com/news_item-136.html Sat, 21 May 2011 11:22:29 -0400
Lightsaber-wielding George Lucas and Walt Disney Co. CEO Robert Iger were on hand at Disney's Hollywood Studios for the kick off event.

George Lucas said he had been working tightly with Disney on the Star Tours project for at least three years.

George thinks the new attraction is "amazing" .

A hord of characters were present, including Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2 and Darth Vader.

Fans lined the streets for the procession of characters and the opening of the ride, which had been closed since August.  The old attraction was quite dated and not very popular.

The newly updated attraction now has a new 3-D film and more than 50 possible ride scenarios.

The ride is now open at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

Make sure to check out Star Wars Weekends that start this week at Disney's Hollywood Studios

Also check out our soft opening ride review.]]> 136@http://www.wdwadvisor.com Disney World Posted by jeffgn Star Tours Soft Opening - Review http://www.wdwadvisor.com/news_item-135.html Sun, 15 May 2011 19:23:22 -0400
Entrance:

The entry way used to be more like a move set.  It is now themed to match the rest of the attraction more space aged.

First Room:

Departure screen was replaced with a full video screen.   Very good pre-show images.  The R2-D2 and C3PO look great. 

The carpet through out the attraction was replaced.

Second Room:

Large update to this room.    Old Star Tour driver droids on display.   The main droid in the middle is viewing an xray type machine to see what is in side of luggage.    Great effect.   Even got to see WALL-E.

Loading Queue:

The Tube TV's are gone and LCD TV's are in.    New loading video.   It was pretty funny.

Ride:

C3PO as the driver.   The video was crystal clear.    The video is split into sections and appears that each of the sections could be replaced with others.   It appears there are many ride variations.   The ride is less jerky than the old ride.   The motion with the video was perfect.   The 3D was good by really not needed.

Exit:

Pretty much the same with drop boxes for the 3D glasses.


Overall the ride improvements are terrific.    Well worth the wait.   With the variations to the ride it will be one that you'll ride over and over and not get bored.

]]> 135@http://www.wdwadvisor.com Disney World Posted by jeffgn Splash Mountain Reopens With Lap Bars http://www.wdwadvisor.com/news_item-134.html Mon, 31 Jan 2011 14:38:47 -0400
It should not have any impact to the ride capacity or increase wait times.
]]> 134@http://www.wdwadvisor.com Disney World Posted by jeffgn Pleasure Island Make Over http://www.wdwadvisor.com/news_item-133.html Thu, 18 Nov 2010 13:48:30 -0400
Read the info click here. 
]]> 133@http://www.wdwadvisor.com Disney World Posted by jeffgn International Food and Wine Festival http://www.wdwadvisor.com/news_item-132.html Mon, 29 Sep 2008 08:06:09 -0400
Expect long lines on the weekends at EPCOT.    For those who love food and wine your not alone.    The lines for these events are fairly long and the crowds are pretty big.    So plan for a whole day to really take in the sites and smells of the event.    

Big Bad Voodoo Daddy kicked of the concert series in the American Gardens Pavilion across from the American Adventure.    BBVD packed the pavilion for just about every show.    People were swing dancing all over.   Terrific group to kick of a great event at EPCOT.

In my opinion this is not a great event for young children to attend or if your easily offended by people drinking.   Each booth sells wine and spirits.   The smell of alcohol is in the air.     It is a great EPCOT event but for a little bit older crowd. 

On a down note.   Pleasure Island closed this last weekend to huge crowds.    Not sure if there was an over flow from the International Food and Wine Festival.   EPCOT closed at 9pm and I can't see the party ending there.   
]]> 132@http://www.wdwadvisor.com Disney World Posted by jeffgn StormStruck at Innoventions Opens http://www.wdwadvisor.com/news_item-131.html Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:33:10 -0400
1) You enter the preshow area.  It can hold two shows worth.   The group closest to the entrance will get 3-d glasses like you would wear at any other 3-d show.

2) A few minutes before the inside show begins you see a brief preshow on a screen above the entrance door.  There is also another screen at the back of the line.   The volume was a little low so I couldn't hear what they were saying.  But the idea was about a storm machine that tested building material to see what would work during a major storm.

3)  You enter the show room.   I think they could have explained this a little better, but your sitting in a room in a house with a couple big windows.     The windows are actually 3-d screens.   The are 4 rows of benches with each seat on the bench having a screen and two buttons.

4)  The show starts with you looking out the windows at a garage and a neighbors house.  The storm starts.  Wind blowing trees falling and the roofs tearing off.   The glass breaks and you get spray in your face..(The part I hated the most is that it kept spraying me in the mouth. I could have lived without the spray).  Of course the storm destroys everything.

5)  You now get a quiz of questions about what building material is the best against storms.   You get to choose A or B for each one.  The computer build a house on your choices (popular vote wins).  

6)  The show then runs with your choices and you see how it works out.

7)  The host then tells you what the right answers were and why.

8)  You exit to the post show area.

The post show area shows a machine that simulates wind.   There are some other displays. 

Overall right now I would say its a B on the scale of Innoventions shows.    It could get to an A with tweaking.  I think its a good fit for epcot.   It can no way be compared to the Twister at Universal.     
]]> 131@http://www.wdwadvisor.com Disney World Posted by jeffgn Ticket Prices Rise http://www.wdwadvisor.com/news_item-130.html Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:24:09 -0400
Disney World offers a deep discount on multi-day tickets.    If there is any chance you'll be going to the parks for more than one day you should take advantage of the multi-day tickets.   The price of the park hopping option has also increased.   If your on a tight budget you probably could skip it and just go for the multi-day discount.
]]> 130@http://www.wdwadvisor.com Disney World Posted by jeffgn Good Bye Pleasure Island http://www.wdwadvisor.com/news_item-129.html Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:59:19 -0400
For some time Pleasure Island has not been a good fit between the two sides of Downtown Disney.   During the day its a pain to walk through it.   It would be nice to see something in that area.

Check out more at the Orlando Sentinel

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/orl-disney2808jun28,0,2367595.story


]]> 129@http://www.wdwadvisor.com Disney World Posted by jeffgn Pirates of the Caribbean Closed For Rehab http://www.wdwadvisor.com/news_item-128.html Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:23:35 -0400 ]]> 128@http://www.wdwadvisor.com Disney World Posted by jeffgn Toy Story Midway Mania Passholder Previews http://www.wdwadvisor.com/news_item-127.html Tue, 13 May 2008 06:47:26 -0400
Queue:
1) Terrific theming.   It's been awhile since I have seen a queue line that was that original and entertaining.  
2) Mr. Potato Head.  What an AA.   This AA interacts with people in line.  It can see you and pick out colors, people, and buttons.
3) Fast moving.  (With FP running I would expect a full queue line to take 60 - 90 minutes to get through.)

Ride:

1)  Easy load and unload
2)  Terrific graphics
3)  Easy game play (Expect to have to ride a few times to get a really high score).
4)  You can ride it over and over and not get sick of it.
5)  Air and water effects make it like a 4D attraction.

Everyone that I saw was happy when they got off the ride.    What an awesome feeling for the folks that worked on the attraction.   I've been on another new orlando area attraction and people didn't look so happy when they got off the ride, but this one is not even in the same leauge. 

Disney World has another top attraction.   Look forward to it opening soon for all guests.

]]> 127@http://www.wdwadvisor.com Disney World Posted by jeffgn