A Spirited 15 Rounds ...

[HauntedMansionFLA]

There was David Fincher/Will Smith remake. I recently discovered a bunch of concept art for that cancelled project... http://www.wilrees.com/gallery-5

In Hong Kong news, HKDL's losses doubled with a small increase in attendance:
http://variety.com/2018/biz/asia/hong-kong-disneyland-proclaims-recovery-losses-deepen-1202704689/

"New attractions for 2018 include: An 8-minute “We love Mickey!” projection show on Main Street U.S.A. (in March); launch of the first African-themed “Karibuni Marketplace” in Adventureland (also in March); new stage show “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration” in Adventureland (May); and, Summer special event with new Disney-Pixar themed “Water Play Street Party!” (June)."

Anyone else feel HKDL's problem might be its lacking those "Holy Smokes!" attractions... the kind that overwhelm and sometimes scare you, yet make you want to get back in line and ride over and over... I'm talking the visceral feeling people had to rides like Tower of Terror in '94 or Splash Mountain in '91 or Everest in '06. It has also never had the signature Disney style attraction of the 60s-80s: the long, atmospheric AA musical experience, such as Pirates, HM, GMR or the EPCOT Center omnimovers. It could easily be argued that Mystic Manor and Grizzly Gulch fit the bill as the equivalents of HM and Big Thunder, and yet they still haven't worked to drive attendance to standard Castle Park levels.

Tim Delaney proposed a $750mil Pirates Skull Mountain-centered land (it was called "the most impressive WDI model I've ever seen" by LP Lee Mac) and got canned by Rasulo because of its extravagance. Maybe that would have been the one huge blockbuster HKDL has needed to break through the ceiling and achieve desired attendance. Instead of taking a risk and going for something monumental, the 2013-2023 decade will have seen steady investment in more moderate additions. A sensible approach and nothing to complain about, but it's a strategy that doesn't appear to be working (the upcoming additions look good, but will any make visitors go "Holy Smokes!"? until possibly 2023 (Avengers)). Looks like Delaney was right to swing for the fences in 2009.

James Mangold was supposed to take over the project from David Fincher but word has gone quiet. Bryan Singer was doing a Nemo movie for Fox which is interesting with the buyout.

 

[WDWTank]

Finally a potential attraction for the Italy pavilion. 2032 is the 50th. Heh.

One of the best ideas since live-action Winnie the Pooh...

 

[TiggerDad]

Live-Action Pinocchio

For a minute, I thought this belonged in the Politics section

 

[brb1006]

George Kalogridis emphasized the 50th anniversary in 2021 at the Disney Social Media Moms Celebration kick off last night.

 

[Quinnmac000]

And another sex scandal....

http://deadline.com/2018/02/thomas-schumacher-broadway-frozen-producer-harassment-1202297888/

 

[Princess Leia]

And another sex scandal....

http://deadline.com/2018/02/thomas-schumacher-broadway-frozen-producer-harassment-1202297888/

I was about to post about that. The timing with Frozen is a bit suspicious, but I doubt this will have any impact on the show’s success.

 

[Dunston]

And another sex scandal....

http://deadline.com/2018/02/thomas-schumacher-broadway-frozen-producer-harassment-1202297888/

Whatta Bozo! When will they learn...

 

[brb1006]

Tokyo Disneyland wasn't kidding when they said "Happiest Celebration"

Tokyo Disneysea

When they said "Happiest Celebration" they mean't it.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Nathan Greno, co-director of “Tangled” and the recently cancelled “Gigantic”, has left WDAS to direct a feature at Skydance animation.
https://www.cartoonbrew.com/animato...reno-leaves-disney-skydance-media-156891.html

 

[smile]

Nathan Greno, director the recently cancelled “Gigantic”, has left WDAS to direct a feature at Skydance animation.

appears to be a wise move on his part, and for a great opportunity - best of luck

mouse house for twenty years and proclaims he'd found the creative home he was searching for...
flowery gestures expected, but he went there

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Bud Luckey, one of the creators of Woody and director of “Boundin’”, has died at the age of 83.

 

[brb1006]

Bud Luckey, one of the creators of Woody and director of “Boundin’”, has died at the age of 83.

He also voiced Eeyoe in Winnie The Pooh

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Disneyland Paris gets €2 Billion for redo/expansion of WDSP, featuring Galaxy’s Edge, a Marvel Land and a Frozen land.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/27/walt-disney-to-invest-2-billion-euros-in-disneyland-paris.html
Personal take: Glad to see Parc Disneyland has been spared, for now, but you should just spend an extra billion to tear down WDSP and build a new, quality second gate.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

Disneyland Paris gets €2 Billion for redo/expansion of WDSP, featuring Galaxy’s Edge, a Marvel Land and a Frozen land.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/27/walt-disney-to-invest-2-billion-euros-in-disneyland-paris.html
Personal take: Glad to see Parc Disneyland has been spared, for now, but you should just spend an extra billion to tear down WDSP and build a new, quality second gate.

It's a better expansion & redo than what DHS is getting IMO.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

It's a better expansion & redo than what DHS is getting IMO.

May be better than nothing, but now it’s a UNI park. Nowhere near an equal to DLP.

 

[Bocabear]

It's a better expansion & redo than what DHS is getting IMO.

So they are getting the same Star Wars attractions, but getting a Marvel Land and a Frozen land...WAY better than the super lame Toy Story Land crap we are getting.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

So they are getting the same Star Wars attractions, but getting a Marvel Land and a Frozen land...WAY better than the super lame Toy Story Land crap we are getting.

Which WDSP already has:

 

[MisterPenguin]

Dedicated thread...

https://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads...ear-expansion-announced-for-wds-paris.938477/

 

[Princess Leia]

The CNBC article mentions Spidey and Hulk... the two big rides at IOA. If accurate, is this Disney’s attempt at making their own mark on the brands? I get that plans can change, but I would love to see a Wakanda/Black Panther ride over the Hulk (even though I love that character).

 

[Bocabear]

Which WDSP already has:

Correct....and it looks lousy there...just as it will at DHS. Why couldn't DHS gotten the Frozenland and Marevel Land expansion instead of Toy Story? Or even better, Flesh out Pixar Place to represent many Pixar films including Monsters Inc, The Incredibles, Up...etc. The 2 attraction Toy Story Land is really underwelming.