Pumbas Nakasak
Heading for the great escape.
Not a chance China will change its business practices. Why should it, it works for them even if it upsets American Imperialism.
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A Spirited Dirty Dozen ...
- Thread starter WDW1974
- Start date
ProfSavage
Well-Known Member
I must admit, because I like the Asylum film knockoffs of movies I like and spoofs, I do find places like Nara Dreamland, Lotte World (South Korea) and Shijingshan Amusement Park and their "take" on Disney and Universal rides interesting. Even EuropaPark and Alton Towers have some interesting copies of classic rides.
VJ
Well-Known Member
I do also find the knockoffs interesting. This whole Disney vs. Wanda drama is also becoming intriguing.
PhotoDave219
Well-Known Member
If you think you can trust anyone is business, western or not, I've got some investment opportunities for you......
GoofGoof
Premium Member
For anyone going to the actual Disney park they should be blown away by what they see if this is an example of the "competition".
Mike S
Well-Known Member
Hand holding? Like being even more watchful than Disney was with how things are built, materials used, etc. to avoid the same construction problems and delays?
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Not just actual construction, but also with design/construction documents. Shanghai Disneyland was supposed to be a grand experiment in operating more like Universal Creative. Disney thought they could teach the locals to do that work so as to avoid duplication of work.
GiveMeTheMusic
Well-Known Member
brb1006
Well-Known Member
I'm still surprised Disney is apparently "Unknown" for the Chinese.
GoofGoof
Premium Member
Universal won't get any more cheerful of a reception than Disney got from the government. Their IP has a lot more visibility with Transformers and Jurassic Park/World being much more popular movie franchises in China. If anything those franchises pose a greater threat to those in the Chinese government that want to stop the intrusion of Western culture in China because they already have a much greater following compared to the classic Disney films.
Not sure how popular Harry Potter is in China. The movies came out a while ago before China began to fully embrace Western films so it's hard to say. They don't rank very high on the all time box office list for China but that may be more of a product of timing than actual popularity. Should be interesting to watch unfold. It's still going to be a challenge but at least they have the advantage of watching Disney and avoiding their mistakes.
brb1006
Well-Known Member
What day is Shanghai Disney suppose to open again?
Spirited Memorial Day Musings:
Nothing like rain to dampen one's BBQ plans. I suppose I should have expected it and gone somewhere with an actual ... liveable climate.
Yes, I am enjoying the pi$$ing match between Bob Iger and Wang Jianlin greatly. If only because I KNOW it can only have a negative outcome for Bob. Let's cut through all the finer points of discussion, not that they aren't fun and all, and ask the only question that matters: Who does the Chinese government support?
That is what this all comes down to, after all. And it is amusing to watch Bob think he can play the same game of intimidation that works so well for him here. Again, a lot to learn about doing business over there. Of course, in 24 months he will be gone and it won't really matter to him beyond whatever stock he decides to hold onto.
Despite the proclamations and the social media bombardment, if SDL were opening today it would not be ready. One E-Ticket would not open at all, one other would open at nothing close to full capacity and two smaller attractions would likely not as well. Oh, and one major show would not as well. Don't know how things will look in 2 1/2 weeks, but that is how they look now.
It's funny how you read that SDL is totally sold out for its first three weeks and yet everyone I know who has attempted to buy tickets has found them available for every day but Opening Day.
I know people are asking about UNI and Beijing and what lessons, if any, are being learned from Disney's fiasco in Shanghai. Sadly, not as many as one would hope. The biggest lesson appears to be not announcing any real opening time frame until they actually have a realistic one. But while developments in O-Town may give faith in Tom Williams and Co, the reality is they are as lost in China as Disney has been. I don't know how, but they are. The one thing I am hopeful for is that they leave the Jurassic World E-Ticket alone because if people are being wowed by SDL's Pirates (and it would seem they should be), this attraction takes everything to the next level. It truly makes Potter's attractions seem ancient and quaint. But I do see way too much cloning in Beijing ... and unique Chinese attractions have gotten cut in favor of the same attractions we know from O-Town and Hollywood etc.
Back to Bob Iger, if you don't think he (and every other CEO of large American corps) are used to getting their way, just look at his 'slapping' of Hugo Martin and the LAT ... and how they are sitting back and taking it ... and how no one else in the media is having their back and talking about censorship and how what Disney did is so wrong. A very scary path for democracy when government and corporations do not have a true free press that demands answers and accountability.
Which brings me back to bloggers (doesn't everything? You know, I am obsessed ... because I need free food at STK ... it's not like Angie and I are going to go and actually pay with our money to dine there!) I've sorta realized that there is an unspoken law about when it is OK to criticize something in the Disney world and not have it bite a blogger/Lifestyler on the behind. If something is failing massively in the Disney UNIverse (no, not MM+, guys ... something less important) like a film that the company itself isn't too concerned about (like The Good Dinosaur or now Alice Through The Looking Glass), then jumping on the hate train isn't going to harm anyone. Bloggers can use it as point of pride ''See, I speak the truth ... and this film is crap and I'm not afraid to say it!" So, that is what they do. But everything else ... they know when to keep their mouths shut. Do you know a blogger who will say to their flock that two of the four WDW parks are complete wastes of money? A blogger who will unabashedly say that "unless you're getting a cast rate, own DVC or are renting it" that you should not stay at a WDW resort? A blogger who will say "the new Hub absolutely sucks?" A blogger who will say "Only if your mental illness requires that you have your burger on WDW property should you eat at Disney Springs overpriced new joint when Fuddrucker's is 10 minutes away across Hotel Plaza Blvd."?
Nah. ... But you can bash the new Alice film (just don't say anything bad about Finding Dory ... or Civil War). You can even bash lightly the new Jungle Book show at DAK, since it is a temp deal ... but tell the flock they should pay the outrageous prices for tiny portions at Tiffins or else.
To the questions regarding APs with blockouts (what we used to call 'seasonal' passes) being lifted at WDW this summer. I haven't heard that and would be shocked if that happened because imagine the reaction of people who bought higher tier (more expensive) passes so they could visit during the summer. Just don't see that happening. ... FLA resident tickets are something different entirely and that is why Disney opted to lift the dates ... to try and get more spending done before the end of the quarter and then on into the rest of summer.
So, when did 'mugs' become the newest 'must have' for bloggers/Lifestylers/fanbois?
If all that 28 & Main merchandise is so popular and selling so well, then why has it been at the outlets and Property Control for months? And why is it that they are loaded with DLR 60th stuff when the 'celebration' continues until September?
No, I don't like 'look' of Sapphire Falls at UNI right now, but I'm not judging it until it is done because I love all their other resorts.
Funny how cast comps can be used at HKDL (as well as DLP), but much like TDR, SDL is off-limits.
Nothing like rain to dampen one's BBQ plans. I suppose I should have expected it and gone somewhere with an actual ... liveable climate.
Yes, I am enjoying the pi$$ing match between Bob Iger and Wang Jianlin greatly. If only because I KNOW it can only have a negative outcome for Bob. Let's cut through all the finer points of discussion, not that they aren't fun and all, and ask the only question that matters: Who does the Chinese government support?
That is what this all comes down to, after all. And it is amusing to watch Bob think he can play the same game of intimidation that works so well for him here. Again, a lot to learn about doing business over there. Of course, in 24 months he will be gone and it won't really matter to him beyond whatever stock he decides to hold onto.
Despite the proclamations and the social media bombardment, if SDL were opening today it would not be ready. One E-Ticket would not open at all, one other would open at nothing close to full capacity and two smaller attractions would likely not as well. Oh, and one major show would not as well. Don't know how things will look in 2 1/2 weeks, but that is how they look now.
It's funny how you read that SDL is totally sold out for its first three weeks and yet everyone I know who has attempted to buy tickets has found them available for every day but Opening Day.
I know people are asking about UNI and Beijing and what lessons, if any, are being learned from Disney's fiasco in Shanghai. Sadly, not as many as one would hope. The biggest lesson appears to be not announcing any real opening time frame until they actually have a realistic one. But while developments in O-Town may give faith in Tom Williams and Co, the reality is they are as lost in China as Disney has been. I don't know how, but they are. The one thing I am hopeful for is that they leave the Jurassic World E-Ticket alone because if people are being wowed by SDL's Pirates (and it would seem they should be), this attraction takes everything to the next level. It truly makes Potter's attractions seem ancient and quaint. But I do see way too much cloning in Beijing ... and unique Chinese attractions have gotten cut in favor of the same attractions we know from O-Town and Hollywood etc.
Back to Bob Iger, if you don't think he (and every other CEO of large American corps) are used to getting their way, just look at his 'slapping' of Hugo Martin and the LAT ... and how they are sitting back and taking it ... and how no one else in the media is having their back and talking about censorship and how what Disney did is so wrong. A very scary path for democracy when government and corporations do not have a true free press that demands answers and accountability.
Which brings me back to bloggers (doesn't everything? You know, I am obsessed ... because I need free food at STK ... it's not like Angie and I are going to go and actually pay with our money to dine there!) I've sorta realized that there is an unspoken law about when it is OK to criticize something in the Disney world and not have it bite a blogger/Lifestyler on the behind. If something is failing massively in the Disney UNIverse (no, not MM+, guys ... something less important) like a film that the company itself isn't too concerned about (like The Good Dinosaur or now Alice Through The Looking Glass), then jumping on the hate train isn't going to harm anyone. Bloggers can use it as point of pride ''See, I speak the truth ... and this film is crap and I'm not afraid to say it!" So, that is what they do. But everything else ... they know when to keep their mouths shut. Do you know a blogger who will say to their flock that two of the four WDW parks are complete wastes of money? A blogger who will unabashedly say that "unless you're getting a cast rate, own DVC or are renting it" that you should not stay at a WDW resort? A blogger who will say "the new Hub absolutely sucks?" A blogger who will say "Only if your mental illness requires that you have your burger on WDW property should you eat at Disney Springs overpriced new joint when Fuddrucker's is 10 minutes away across Hotel Plaza Blvd."?
Nah. ... But you can bash the new Alice film (just don't say anything bad about Finding Dory ... or Civil War). You can even bash lightly the new Jungle Book show at DAK, since it is a temp deal ... but tell the flock they should pay the outrageous prices for tiny portions at Tiffins or else.
To the questions regarding APs with blockouts (what we used to call 'seasonal' passes) being lifted at WDW this summer. I haven't heard that and would be shocked if that happened because imagine the reaction of people who bought higher tier (more expensive) passes so they could visit during the summer. Just don't see that happening. ... FLA resident tickets are something different entirely and that is why Disney opted to lift the dates ... to try and get more spending done before the end of the quarter and then on into the rest of summer.
So, when did 'mugs' become the newest 'must have' for bloggers/Lifestylers/fanbois?
If all that 28 & Main merchandise is so popular and selling so well, then why has it been at the outlets and Property Control for months? And why is it that they are loaded with DLR 60th stuff when the 'celebration' continues until September?
No, I don't like 'look' of Sapphire Falls at UNI right now, but I'm not judging it until it is done because I love all their other resorts.
Funny how cast comps can be used at HKDL (as well as DLP), but much like TDR, SDL is off-limits.
brb1006
Well-Known Member
Filby61
Well-Known Member
And especially not by a notoriously arrogant American mega-corp that has "my way or the highway" imprinted on its DNA. Disney's ham-handed behavior will turn SDL into an icon of western arrogance and cultural disrespect in the perception of the Chinese public. Wang Jianlin only needs to start a trickle of that perception -- Disney itself will turn it into a flood.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Trouble is Disney has NO leverage in China, This is why Eisner decided against a mainland park he knew he had no leverage with the Chinese and IF he opened a park he might as well said here's Disney's IP have fun copying it boys. Iger was and is a greedy fool who like many others thought he was 'The Smartest Guy In The Room' in his meetings with the Chinese.
The reality is China had a written language and advanced government 6 millennia ago when Iger's forebears were living in caves and communicating in grunts.
The rules are DIFFERENT in China and you must do business the 'Chinese Way' if you want to succeed if your model is not amenable to that STAY AWAY.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Three words 'State Controlled Media'
brb1006
Well-Known Member
I'm not to familiar with the Chinese copyright system and it's history of IP rights. But what is with China and it's long history of copyright infringement and making knock-off products mostly featuring characters without permission. Can someone give me a good explanation or a short analysis about this.
brb1006
Well-Known Member
I noticed Chinese amusement parks would mostly have a castle as there centerpiece.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Personally I DON'T think Bob has the support of the Chinese Government, And from here on out China's gonna play TWDC like a fiddle SDL will turn into a supermassive black hole for funds because the Chinese government is basically going to say 'we want and if you don't give we will give park and Chinese IP rights to Wanda' so us US park fans better tighten our belts and get ready to contribute to the Disney Telethon to Save TWDC....
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
A castle in China is a symbol of power, It's why the castle at SDL is overscaled.