A Spirited Perfect Ten

[StageFrenzy]

Disagree. Id rank Brave higher than Monsters U.
But then.. the Monster U concept of university seem to only apply to the US and perhaps a few other cities.
I bet the 99% of the people in my country.. never seen the style of universities..thus feel no connection at all with the characters.

Have you seen Animal House?

 

[PhotoDave219]

I prefer classic rock music, I yearn for a WDW from before I was born or still very young, I'm hyped for Star Wars.......... Am, am I a, a, a.......... a HIPSTER?!?!?!?!?!

Depends. Do you wear a trucker hat, drink PBR and have a stache?

 

[WDW1974]

Does Disney really believe there is no park concept that can echo the strength of The Magic Kingdom? That nothing can be done to any of these other parks to bring their popularity up towards the almighty "Castle Park"? That style has certainly proved its enduring nature over 60 years, and I don't blame them for leading each resort with that concept. It amazes me, though, that they've yet to implement a second park concept that becomes equally or even nearly as quintessential as part of the Disney Park's experience. Something then worth repeating (with variation) around the globe. I'm sure such an idea exists, and I'm even inclined to believe some working Imagineer has developed such a concept under the company's watch. So what's the deal?

The castle park conceit has proven to be damn near unstoppable for 60 years now. It carries a sorta ... dare I say? ... MAGIC to it.

That said, I don't agree about other concepts not coming close.

In the 1980s and into the 90s, EPCOT Center was absolutely a quintessential part of the Disney experience and it was a VERY different experience than the Epcot of the 21st century. VERY.

I'd also point to TDS as a park that does quite well as a second gate (although it too has been dumbed down to some degree by toons and, of course, the phenomenon that is Duffy!)

 

[PhotoDave219]

Well, the whole park-hopping issue and the 'first click' acceptance as fact as the way attendance is measured always has me wondering. If someone hits Studios first think in the morning for literally two hours, then boats over to EPCOT for the afternoon and lunch, returns to their hotel and heads to the MK at 7:30 p.m I've been told the only click that counts is that first one. Even if the people spend six hours at the MK versus two at D-MGM and 3.5 at EPCOT.

I just don't think these numbers are 'proving' what a lot of Disney fanbois and analysts think they are beyond one unmistakeable truth: the MK is BY FAR the most popular theme park in O-Town.

Hell, even with the crowd level data from Touring Plans, I can prove that. MK has pulled 33% peak crowds this year.

One out of every three days isn't sustainable; I expect the year as a whole to finish between 20-25%

 

[PhotoDave219]

Have you seen Animal House?

"Do you like gladiator movies?"

 

[PhotoDave219]

The castle park conceit has proven to be damn near unstoppable for 60 years now. It carries a sorta ... dare I say? ... MAGIC to it.

That said, I don't agree about other concepts not coming close.

In the 1980s and into the 90s, EPCOT Center was absolutely a quintessential part of the Disney experience and it was a VERY different experience than the Epcot of the 21st century. VERY.

I'd also point to TDS as a park that does quite well as a second gate (although it too has been dumbed down to some degree by toons and, of course, the phenomenon that is Duffy!)

And gelatoni, duffy's cat.

 

[ChrisFL]

I'd also point to TDS as a park that does quite well as a second gate (although it too has been dumbed down to some degree by toons and, of course, the phenomenon that is Duffy!)

I was happily ignoring most of the changes until they announced the new Nemo ride where Stormrider is...not fitting the land it's in at all. Sad direction, but the rest of the park is still amazing for now.

 

[WDW1974]

I'm also hoping "Mad Max:Fury Road" gets some big nominations as well. The Academy Awards shouldn't be about how many films Harvey Weinstein can make for 65+ YO white guys.

I don't think that's a fair criticism. (and despite what @englanddg once believed, I am not 65-plus ... or close!)

 

[truecoat]

But I also recognize that fads come and go (at least they used to), and despite a unprecedented two-decade run, superhero movies may finally be starting to fade, alongside a lot of other aspects of pop culture that have been stagnant.

There is no fade to the superhero movie. One may come but it's very strong right now.

 

[englanddg]

I don't think that's a fair criticism. (and despite what @englanddg once believed, I am not 65-plus ... or close!)

I think I actually said 55+, but it was a while ago. <wink>

 

[HauntedMansionFLA]

I largely agree (yep, there's that one time for 2015!) I think some folks are awful eager for Pixar to fail, which is unfortunate. They put out two mediocre (though not awful) films in Cars 2 and Brave (which was a miracle it wasn't unwatchable considering what went on behind the scenes) and very good prequel in Monsters U and for some reason they were viewed as over by some.

In some ways they've just been victims of their own greatness.

I'm not so sure about Good Dinosaur, but I underestimated a dino film this summer and won't make the same mistake twice.

I would like to see Pixar get involved with a Star Wars movie.

 

[WDW1974]

Superheroes have been beating up guys on the silver screen for decades since the 60s maybe earlier. Maybe a bit to soon to call time, when the stories are diverse. So what do you think is the next great undiscovered sub-genre of action films then?

At no time in our history have so many comic films been made and planned. Take a look at what Marvel and DC have planned just starting with this year and moving out for the next five years (and that's ignoring how many films have been around the last decade).

Some have been great, some good, some OK, some lousy, some awful (not gonna debate the merits of one film or another) ... the market is pretty much at the saturation point (hell, DC decided to back off the date it wanted for Batman vs. Superman next spring because Captain America Infinity War was opening and they didn't want two blockbuster comic films going head to head). The question really is how much is too much. Even among fans, there can be a sugar high. Do I really need a third actor playing Spidey in a decade or is that a sign there's been too much product?

I remember seeing Superman in 1978. One movie. A great one. Didn't need to be part of a 123 film saga and I wasn't overloaded on comic films because they weren't coming out roughly one every eight weeks!

 

[WDW1974]

WKMG is reporting that the suspect arrested yesterday, 26-year-old Hector M. Herrera, of Kissimmee, is a cook at the grand Floridian resort and spa.

A Disney CM. How so not shocking ... sadly.

 

[PhotoDave219]

A Disney CM. How so not shocking ... sadly.

A Disney CM with a record. DUI but still. Guy had gone to jail previously.

And the narrative makes it sound like it occurred on the path between HOB & lot Q..... which makes my questioning of "How did security not notice a girl in the bushes for over 4 hours?" even more damming.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I would like to see Pixar get involved with a Star Wars movie.

Hmmmmmmmm...... maybe if they did a Star Wars: Rebels movie..... i guess.

 

[Nubs70]

Speaking of the Chinese, it would appear they have 'convinced' the Bahamian government that it's wise to side with the Chinese construction companies and actively try and steal the Baha Mar development from its owners.

I do believe I called this one. This business strategy is not only practiced by the Chinese but also other Asian cultures.

 

[StageFrenzy]

A story that has nothing to do with Disney or UNI, but about how China is expanding its power reach globally today in the NYT. It is an interesting read, but is also long form journalism, so you won't be able to read it in 2-3 minutes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/b...0150724&nl=afternoonupdate&nlid=58490726&_r=0

Speaking of the Chinese, it would appear they have 'convinced' the Bahamian government that it's wise to side with the Chinese construction companies and actively try and steal the Baha Mar development from its owners.

Okay I read it, didn't like the tone or style and I had already heard about China's investments in some of the African nations as a way to access natural resources and expand the Chinese brand. It remains to be seen how successful these investments will be over time. It just feels like a new era of imperialism. The complaints of the locals and attitude of the imperialist feel very similar to those of the bygone eras. Baha Mar is a fascinating thing... I hope someone does a complete history on that project in 10 years.

 

[WDW1974]

One comment on the plethora of SW The Force Awakens related posts today, one that I have said before but will repeat before retreating for my evening constitutional and that is Bob Iger has set things up where this film literally has to be the biggest of all time (or in Avatar/Titanic territory) or Disney's stock will take a hit. The SW bump has already been built into today's DIS value. So, if it only does $400-500 million domestically? Like I said ... Bob has stupidly overplayed his hand instead of simply talking up the film, and now this literally has to be a Top 3-4 of all time deal.

And I honestly have major doubts as to whether that will happen.

 

[StageFrenzy]

I do believe I called this one. This business strategy is not only practiced by the Chinese but also other Asian cultures.

How about every imperialistic culture.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Spirited Weekend Musings (the VERY last until fall):

I've been putting bits and pieces together regarding the proposed Frontierland project for MK and ... color me incredibly NOT impressed. If I've learned anything while watching this park change so radically over the last 15-plus years is that it is morphing into something that I don't like very much, something that's pretty antithetical to what the whole idea of the park was to begin with. I really couldn't care less how busy the place is. Whenever I drive by Walmart the parking lot is plenty full there as well.

So, it would appear the big D23 P&R 'news' will be stuff rehashed from the recent Shanghai Disneyland announcement with Pandora finally explained a bit ... then they SHOCK the audience with 'news' about the temp Star Wars/Marvel Innoventions makeover and BAM!!! They've announced something without announcing a damn thing.

Anyone who follows these forums or follows me, you, Martin, Articos, Lee, or anyone else actually expects anything tangible to come from D23 this year. In fact, i think we're all in agreement that SW for WDW wont be detailed whatsoever....

No, I don't agree with the EU's legal argument against the major media players at all.

I take issue with the subdividing of regions. The media market is global and the studios need to adapt to it. Make it easier for people to purchase digital downloads and it will put a dent in piracy. IMO. Go with whats good or the consumer and they will do whats easiest.....

Thanks to the Denny's commercials (why am I craving one of their $2.99 sundaes, the best value in American desserts, right now?) I was reminded that Ant-Man in no way ends the onslaught of comic films this summer, not even Marvel comics based films. Nope, we're just around the corner from the opening of the latest rebooting of The Fantastic Four. Now, are the Marvel fanbois going to show up for that one? Or are they not counting since they are not controlled by DIS so they likely won't have a scene with some dude named Thanos wearing a necklace (no, not a pearl one!) made of Infinity Stones as Captain America and Captain Marvel (no, not the Shazam dude, he's a DC property and controlled by WB) do battle while 67-year-old Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man suit, now powered by Cialis, can't get him up (in the air!)?

Dennys? Grand Slam with Betty White? (Thats as clean as I could get that)

It's now late July and I'm still waiting to hear about packed parks at WDW or UNI. Beyond the usual about the MK, I'm just not hearing it.

Disney parks are up overall with the number of peak days overall, but the 3 secondary parks tend to just mimic the trend set by MK.

You know Disney hates years like this when Labor Day falls late on the calendar and they can't start celebrating Halloween with hard-ticket parties before or on the holiday weekend.

Still should be dead for those that want to visit WDW. Or as dead as dead gets.

A story that has nothing to do with Disney or UNI, but about how China is expanding its power reach globally today in the NYT. It is an interesting read, but is also long form journalism, so you won't be able to read it in 2-3 minutes.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/26/b...0150724&nl=afternoonupdate&nlid=58490726&_r=0

Speaking of the Chinese, it would appear they have 'convinced' the Bahamian government that it's wise to side with the Chinese construction companies and actively try and steal the Baha Mar development from its owners.

Shocked! I am shocked! Hell, that project was underway the last time I was there.....

Does anyone care about Pixels? Didn't think so.

I will wait for DVD just to watch Peter Dinkledge.... and make a drinking game of it.

Other than that, I believe its getting a 0.0.....