That's not really necessary when Disney opens a big new ride or land just as the summer blockouts hit. But if Disney were to open, say, Pandora: The World of Avatar or Star Wars Land during a non-peak season, this new approach to blockouts could help ensure that "regular" guests get access to the new attractions without annual passholders overwhelming the queues.
Disney's usually very good about not messing with blockout dates once it has sold an annual pass. (Yes, we're sub-talking about you, Universal.) So we're assuming that these blockout dates are something that potential passholders would know about before they buy. Ultimately, then, it comes down to value. Would you be willing to consider another category of restricted AP, if it were priced low enough?
Speaking of limited access, Walt Disney World has confirmed that Stitch's Great Escape will switch to seasonal operation, closing Oct. 2 - Nov. 19. Disney often shuts locations in the parks during lower-attendance periods, but it's rare for Disney to close an indoor attraction in the Magic Kingdom, rather than just trim its hours. But Stitch has been the lowest rated attraction by our readers pretty much since it opened in 2004, so we doubt that many people will miss it. If you really must see furry creatures devoted to mayhem while visiting the Magic Kingdom next month, Oct. 2 is the day that the new Muppets show debuts across the park in Liberty Square, so head over there instead.
Can't get enough food and wine while visiting Epcot? Head out the Interntional Gateway over to the Swan and Dolphin next month, where The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic returns for its seventh year October 28 – 29. The hotels are promising their largest event to date, with 50 food and wine stations and multiple seminars with opportunities to meet award-winning chefs. Visit swandolphinfoodandwineclassic.com for details.
Update: Big fire near Universal in Japan.
Large industrial waste fire burning near Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. Report says no effect on park operations. https://t.co/5LVqgtb8Bd
— Theme Park Insider (@ThemePark) September 22, 2016
Support the writers of Theme Park Insider by becoming an Insider! We will thank you with some great benefits, including ad-free viewing on the website, early access to our weekly show, an "Insider" designation on your posts, and access to our real-time attraction rankings. Learn more
Tweet
If an attraction needs to be closed for any reason other than maintenance/refurbishment, it means people don't like it very much, and it is therefore dead weight.
Close it. Give another IP a chance, or allow it to be torn down and replaced with something completely new. Better yet, follow DHS's plan, and make it the first of several closures within an area, where a large new area can vecome a blank slate for a real game changer of an attraction or land.
Close Stitch. Close Laugh Floor. Close the racetrack. Overhaul Tomorrowland.
'Nuff said. Make Mine Marvel.
Or you know...whatever.
What do I think about reduced prices for AP holders who accept block-out dates for new attractions? DISNEY OPENING A NEW ATTRACTION IN THE USA? SINCE WHEN?
BTW I must be the one person that likes Stitch's Great Escape.
Wreck-It Ralph could breathe life into what was silly with Stitch, along with giving many older guests a big hit of 8-Bit nostalgia, Especially now that we've lost Disney Quest.
Disney really does seem to be dishing out a less for more model at the moment, losing lots of the magic that I so fondly remember back in the early 2000's.
Can't speak to AP restrictions since I don't know enough about the Orlando market and tbh I don't have to worry about admission costs but I can understand how that would be terribly frustrating for some. But I'm pretty sure Disney isn't doing this just to be greedy.
You can limit entrance into the land as a crowd control measure, or even limit entrance into the park because of overcrowding, but don't add more blockout days. This is exactly the reason why they made a big mistake not building the third park.
Let people wait 5 hours if they want to, or they can choose to come at a later date. But don't take the choice away from them, and especially don't take away Disneyland as a whole for an extra two months.
Some passholders will voluntarily wait to see Star Wars Land, but it's another thing entirely if they are denied access to the rest of Disneyland.
As for Stitch, I've got a feeling it is on the way out as soon as Disney gets approval for a replacement attraction, so I see this as a way to close the attraction while keeping it available for days the extra capacity is needed. Considering the attraction is considered mediocre by most, I don't see anything wrong with this approach.
This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments.
