A Spirited 15 Rounds ...

[WDWTank]

Alright let's see what @WDW1974 has to offer. Spirit, we love you!!!!!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Bob, best known as lead designer of the now totally dead Disney-MGM Studios as well as the fall guy for Disney's America (and lead on the never built Disney-MGM Studios Europe), came back to WDI almost a decade ago. Depending on who you talk to, he came back to fix DCA because it borrowed so many attractions and concepts from the parks he worked on, because his wife needed medical insurance for a serious ailment or because he was told if he 'fixed' DCA he could lead SDL. My opinion is it was all of the above.

SDL is ... I'd like to write a book on the project. Maybe I should? It was a mess from negotiations onward. It is still a mess now completed and opened ... of course as Old Dead Corporate Symbol Walt said, "SDL will never be completed as long as there is imagination in the world if not the Imagination pavilion at EPCOT." It is a very strange mix and I can't stress this enough, it doesn't flow like any of the other castle parks. It oozes over a very large land mass. I still greatly enjoyed it. But I am a theme park fanboi. In the last year, I have visited every Disney park that exists except for HKDL, every UNI park in the USA, as well as Knott's Berry Farm in CA. and Phantasialand in Germany. I also have stayed at four Disney resort hotels, one UNI resort hotel and taken a DCL cruise. In other words, I think I know the products out there before bringing in the people I happen to have as friends and/or sources here.

SDL is a very strange animal.

BTW, a friend was there this weekend. Said the place was overcrowded and trashed.

But did you have a specific question and Bob and how SDL was built?

That isn't a question. It is a ... fact. They are doing that already. Try to spend time at WDW and not trip over a pop-up bar or cart selling booze (leaving out restaurants and bars). We are 10 days away from the earliest start of Food and Wine Festival ever (because WDW wants to get people to visit on Labor Day Weekend, a holiday with declining attendance over the last 20 years). Booze sells.

But you will be paying for FP, one way or the other. I just want people quoting it here when they make announcements. And I would expect first changes by next year.

I think the decline in Labor Day attendance is due to shifting school schedules up here in the northeast. It used to be, school started after Labor Day. Then, it was always the question of "does your school district start before or after labor day?" Now, pretty much everyone is starting in August, and early/mid August at that.

 

[thehowiet]

I still think that management is on acid.....
Or other drugs that make them mentally unstable; they're making decisions that are opposite of common sense. They would make even more money if they could be smart at it!!!.

If TWDC management was on acid we'd be getting Beatles quality creative projects and solutions, but since what we're actually getting is more like Nickelback level quality they must be on crack

The gridlock around the resort is already out of hand, which I think got even worse between my first trip in Summer 2013 and my most recent trip in Summer 2016. By the time the Ewok's Village Edge opens, it's going to be a disaster.

 

[Hatbox Ghostbuster]

They're crazy...
Btw I love your name, we should team up to stop the possessed executives from running the company!

I'm game! Thanks

 

[peter11435]

The gridlock around the resort is already out of hand, which I think got even worse between my first trip in Summer 2013 and my most recent trip in Summer 2016. By the time the Ewok's Village Edge opens, it's going to be a disaster.

There are half a dozen road construction projects ongoing around the property currently that are aimed at alleviating this problem. Other projects such as the bus only lanes and the gondolas along with some other future projects are intended to help this even further.

 

[thehowiet]

There are half a dozen road construction projects ongoing around the property currently that are aimed at alleviating this problem. Other projects such as the bus only lanes and the gondolas along with some other future projects are intended to help this even further.

I was referring to DLR/Anaheim as part of the discussion regarding the parking and traffic situation in the resort district, unless you are saying that DL is getting gondolas as well? My apologies for any additional confusion I may have contributed!

 

[peter11435]

I was referring to DLR/Anaheim as part of the discussion regarding the parking and traffic situation in the resort district, unless you are saying that DL is getting gondolas as well? My apologies for any additional confusion I may have contributed!

Oh sorry, my mistake. Yeah the traffic around there is awful and it's only going to get worse

 

[WDWTank]

I'm game! Thanks

Anytime!

 

[WDWTank]

If TWDC management was on acid we'd be getting Beatles quality creative projects and solutions, but since what we're actually getting is more like Nickelback level quality they must be on crack

The gridlock around the resort is already out of hand, which I think got even worse between my first trip in Summer 2013 and my most recent trip in Summer 2016. By the time the Ewok's Village Edge opens, it's going to be a disaster.

Ok, they're drunk, motionless, and thoughtless

 

[TheGhostWithTheMost]

Don't they get drug tested?

You don't get drug tested to even work the Jungle Cruise.

 

[WDWTank]

You don't get drug tested to even work the Jungle Cruise.

Drugs aside, I really think the executives should only work for the parks if you're really passionate for them. If not, they could work for another department

 

[TheGhostWithTheMost]

Disney would lose two thirds of the girls and guys who play the characters in park if they drug tested. Sniff-sniff.

 

[stretchsje]

TDA (and Burbank) are realizing the same thing with the politicians who owe debts to the citizens of the city, not simply the biggest dog in town.

What, specifically, is the issue raised by the city of Anaheim? I've read a few things here and there, but the complaints seemed petty at best and illegitimate at worst.

More to the point, few to none are the city's problem, and the other business along Harbor Blvd there have no claim to Disney's land. But what of the public land, I wonder? Specifically, the city should be concerned with infrastructure, in this case traffic, and the garage is surely going to ease an existing (really bad) problem. So the city seems to be acting against its own interests at least as far as it has responsibility.

But I know the political climate out there can be pretty crazy and corrupt at times, California loves to restrict property usage of private property. I'm guessing somebody knows somebody and complained about the new entrance cutting out access to Harbor Blvd shops, and now Anaheim isn't letting Disney use the air over Harbor Blvd. There's nothing as destructive as using the hammer of government to impose your will. As if Disneyland isn't the overwhelming cause and source of tax revenue for that city. What a fortunate blessing Disneyland is for that city. But a parasite can't survive if it kills its host.

Someone will have to remind me, wasn't the city also threatening the resort with extra taxes if there wasn't many billions of dollars invested in an expansion of the parks? I fail to see how that isn't extortion, and with that as precedence, I don't think it's unreasonable to be suspicious regarding the garage too. If extorting Disney for investment worked the first time, why not double down?

Still, I'm surprised there have been no signs of Disney playing hardball. I would imagine if they lobbied their passholders to call their legislators, things would happen pretty quickly. And wherever the disagreements lie, what prevents Disney from building and even finishing the actual parking structure itself? Is there a plan where the parking structure itself loses its bus stop or walkway?

This is starting to sound like a SDL construction story. And I have a feeling there's way, way more to this story than has been told so far.

 

[EPCOTCenterLover]

"This is starting to sound like a SDL construction story. And I have a feeling there's way, way more to this story than has been told so far."
Probably 100% true.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

What, specifically, is the issue raised by the city of Anaheim? I've read a few things here and there, but the complaints seemed petty at best and illegitimate at worst.

More to the point, few to none are the city's problem, and the other business along Harbor Blvd there have no claim to Disney's land. But what of the public land, I wonder? Specifically, the city should be concerned with infrastructure, in this case traffic, and the garage is surely going to ease an existing (really bad) problem. So the city seems to be acting against its own interests at least as far as it has jurisdiction.

But I know the political client out there can be pretty crazy and corrupt at times, California loves to restrict property usage of private property. I'm guessing somebody knows somebody and complained about the new entrance cutting out access to Harbor Blvd shops, and now Anaheim isn't letting Disney use the air over Harbor Blvd. There's nothing as destructive as using the hammer of government to impose your will. As if Disneyland isn't the overwhelming cause and source of tax revenue for that city. What a fortunate blessing Disneyland is for that city. But a parasite can't survive if it kills its host.

Someone will have to remind me, wasn't the city also threatening the resort with extra taxes if there wasn't many billions of dollars invested in an expansion of the parks? I fail to see how that isn't extortion, and with that as precedence, I don't think it's unreasonable to be suspicious regarding the garage too. If extorting Disney for investment worked the first time, why not double down?

Still, I'm surprised there have been no signs of Disney playing hardball. I would imagine if they lobbied their passholders to call their legislators, things would happen pretty quickly. And wherever the disagreements lie, what prevents Disney from building and even finishing the actual parking structure itself? Is there a plan where the parking structure itself loses its bus stop or walkway?

This is starting to sound like a SDL construction story. And I have a feeling there's way, way more to this story than has been told so far.

Mayor Tait is vocally and openly anti-Disney, to the point of blocking anything Disney does. He is angry that Disney was granted a gate tax exemption in exchange for reinvestment into the parks. The city's official reasoning for rejecting the Eastern Gateway project was that the pedestrian bridge would be unsightly, as Disney's plans were the bare aesthetic minimum (and that's being kind). He now has an anti-Disney majority on the council (which he did not have when Disney got a tax break for developing a luxury hotel on property or when the gate tax issue was decided) and will happily delay Disney indefinitely. He's termed out next year, so he won't be around to answer for the traffic fallout when Star Wars opens.

 

[ryguy]

I think the decline in Labor Day attendance is due to shifting school schedules up here in the northeast. It used to be, school started after Labor Day. Then, it was always the question of "does your school district start before or after labor day?" Now, pretty much everyone is starting in August, and early/mid August at that.

Whatever is going on, Labor Day is pretty much dead. For a Floridian like me its the best time of year to go. Crowds are low and the hotel prices are some of the cheapest of the year.

 

[nevol]

Mayor Taint

 

[Goob]

If TWDC management was on acid we'd be getting Beatles quality creative projects and solutions, but since what we're actually getting is more like Nickelback level quality they must be on crack

The gridlock around the resort is already out of hand, which I think got even worse between my first trip in Summer 2013 and my most recent trip in Summer 2016. By the time the Ewok's Village Edge opens, it's going to be a disaster.

From one Phish fan to another, I can totally get with your Nickelback analogy.

 

[WDW1974]

Questions for CMs here (or anyone who might know):

Are the VERY short hours at MK in October (9 p.m. closings on Saturdays versus midnight and 1 a.m. past years) likely to stand?

Anyone know whether DAK will get EMHs again or did Georgie use all the labor in his budget?

CM (40%) and AP (20 and 30%) dining discounts appear to be ending in September or October. Any word on extensions or a new round of discounting?

Minnie vans. How do they seem to be doing? Failing like Express Buses? Or do they look promising for Disney by getting rubes who don't get that convenient free transportation is why people pay $500 for a $200 room at the BC?

I've heard that EPCOT has been deader than even DHS this summer, but anecdotally. Anyone have a bit more knowledge on the subject?

Thanks to anyone who can help with the above.

 

[WDW1974]

Moreso just curious if you think WDI is in good hands or if we have another Vaughn on our's.

Oh, no. Bob is a good creative mind. Bruce ... is ... is ... typical of way too many in the business (meaning he has no business being in said business).

The thing is, how much power does Weis have? Lots of things from the DCA redo to SDL to throwing Guardians into ToT were decisions made above him by non-creatives and he had to simply implement them as best as he could.

Much like Joe Rohde. If you think he wanted Pandora or Marvel ToT, then you don't know him. But he likes being a celeb Imagineer. And he likes his seven-figure compensation package. And the lifestyle all of that brings him. He knows he won't be doing this job in a decade and, in all likelihood, in five years. Much like Marty Sklar did, he'll sell a bit of his soul to stay where he is at.

So, Weis is very much of the same mindset. Besides, WDI looks great when SDL pulls in 11 million in its first year and PoTC wins all sorts of industry accolades. People will blather on about the Star Wars stuff coming down the pipeline on his watch even if it isn't really all that good (I am not saying it will or won't be!) ... So, he isn't going to fight things. He also hopes to outlast both Chappie and the Weatherman according to friends who would know ... maybe he thinks the next guy (or gal) to run TWDC will be more open to different ideas on P&R? We shall see.

Guardians being rushed before the gateway fell apart just ****es me off even more. Not a fan of that project, and was eager to see the rest of the expansion in the hope that it would begin to make sense. Now, it's like we just lost TOT in vain.

There will be more. They have multiple attractions, including a "mega E" designed ... they have area entertainment ... they have dining ... there are even thoughts ...well, let's leave it here. The point is Disney bought Marvel in 2009 and it is 2017 and a quickee reskinning of ToT is the only thing stateside to show for it. And that won't change until next decade ... and likely more toward the mid-point (this is simply my reasoned opinion!)

Let me guess on the resort/infrastructure front; parking lot / bridge plan is a no-go, so they are postponing the hotel too. Cue the cheap overlays.

I have not heard anything about the hotel being delayed, but the only things that seem to be happening fast in Anaheim would be Star Wars and a bowling alley dining locale at DD.