A Spirited Perfect Ten

Prince-1

Well-Known Member
Yes, as I figured, someone would contradict the statement without really thinking about it or understanding what I was saying.

As I said, there were a few exceptions, and some audience pleasers - but overall - there just were not a large quantity of quality films this year. I mean, 3 out of the first 4 films you listed were virtually unknown until the Golden Globes. The Martian is an outlier - one of the few good and original films. The last 3 you list are "audience pleasers" that I mentioned.

It's not that there wasn't anything good - it's that it simply was a crappy year overall for films, particularly when you have an awards show like the Globes which is known for leaning toward popular films/well-established actors yet 4 out of 5 Best Actress nominees were complete unknowns.

Oh my bad, you had said QUALITY films which is why I gave you a list of films that are considered quality by many (including your favorite...the Golden Globes, The Academy Awards, critics, etc) I guess you meant to say POPULAR which can be different than quality but does not have to be.....

....And yet if you did mean popular and not quality then surely a year that had Jurassic World that did ok at the box office and Star Wars that did just a little better than ok plus a few films like Inside Out (popular and quailty, dontcha know), Avengers: Age of Ultron and Furious 7 (both really popular...not to sure about quality) and whole bunch of others I would say that this year was pretty good for both popular films AND quality.

So to recap:
1) quality does not equal popular
2) quality does not equal box office returns
3) Golden Globe nominations do not have to reflect popular films/actors but QUALITY (and those nominated can be unknowns)

And btw, I did happen to both think about AND understand what you had written...its that what you had stated was not actually factual OR you just didn't like many of the films last year which is fine....they weren't all quality.
 

indyumd

Well-Known Member
Based on MY circle of friends about 25-30% of them are willing to PAY for sports content. I think a standalone revenue neutral model for ESPN is going to be at least 19.95/month

I think this correct, but what is a better value for the consumer? ESPN at $20/month or HBO at $15/month?

I think a larger percentage of people than that would pay for sports, especially because the college sports aren't really available otherwise outside of the Big Ten.
 

seascape

Well-Known Member
The Street demands growth, not mere profits. The Street believes that growth can't be had when you're largest source of revenue is both shrinking and it's most dependable source (the $6.60 that everyone who has cable pays whether they watch ESPN or not) is at risk. Then that makes the Street dig further and see that they are the pigeon at the poker table when it comes to paying for sports fees/content.
Many people here miss an important issues here. Yes Comcast and other cable companies pay Disney a fortune for ESPN and they charge customers for it. However they do not bill each customer that amount. Cable providers sell local commercials and make more than what they pay Disney. Now if Disney and other cable tv providers figure out how to properly handle video over the internet with commercials targeted to specific watchers then ESPN and other channels could be provided free to the watcher and make more money than they do now. The loser will be the cable company. The future of high speed internet also is wireless and not cable basef. Verizon has stopped expanding FIOS and is investing more in wireless. Verizon and AT&T will be the big winners. Comcast and Time Warner and Cablevision will be the losers. Wires are too expensive. Look at the rest of the world. Content is king. That is why buying TWX would be smart.7
 

truecoat

Well-Known Member
We just returned from a very wet (but wonderful) week in Anaheim. It was bittersweet saying adieu to our old friend the River; but, I did feel better when a friend of ours showed us the soon-to-be released concept art. I'm not worried at all about having a eyesore left where the mighty River once flowed. A different friend also showed me some different art on their phone that makes me even more excited by what will be on the other side of the new berm once it's finished. We can argue all we want about SWL and where it will be placed; but, when complete - we will all be in agreement that for the first time since Carsland, Disney Park will be flexing muscles they haven't used in quite a long while. The only concerns I have now about SWL at DL and DHS will be that they will bring in far more people than they can natively support. Capacity will always be an issue. Attraction capacity more at DHS and real estate capacity at DL.

I'm still hearing that the Canoes are likely not returning. There's always hope as the official word is still that they are... but, in these days - you can't really trust the official sources.

I've also heard; but, not confirmed, that the days of both the Twain and Columbia being on circuit at the same time may be over. Some in park Cast have even heard the rumor that the Columbia will be relegated to dry dock duty only. My friends with the artwork weren't sure either way. Until we see both boats on track at the same time, we may not be sure. It will likely come down to cycle times and how quickly they can load/unload and if it makes sense with the reduced cycle times of the shortened River.

The above is part of reason why Fantasmic when it returns may be very different. That along with the lack of space that will be out of view to hide/load/park the boats and rafts.

The biggest short term loss to the daily operations of DL that not many are talking about will be the closure of the Big Thunder Trail between Frontierland and Fantasyland. This will effectively lock in Fantasyland during parades and fireworks. I've heard what some of the planned crowd flow patterns they are going to attempt and I feel very badly for all of my Guest Service Operations friends until a new artery is opened. Those parade cross overs will be getting a workout.

This trip was our first time to DLR during the Holiday Season after many WDW trips. While I have to admit that I do like Mickey's Very Merry Xmas Party (especially the parade), DLR does the Holidays better overall. Decoration wise, they both have great moments; but, the seasonal overlays to iasm and HM really shine. I have to admit... I laughed out loud to Jingle Shells.

On a personal note, the rains last week delivered on to me my "grail" Disneyland photography moment. A wet Castle forecourt with my 14mm lens parked at the Southern point of the compass for Disneyland Forever. I haven't started developing anything yet; but, the quick review of the reflections in Lightroom already look spectacular.

Can we have a look at said picture?
 

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
The Street demands growth, not mere profits. The Street believes that growth can't be had when you're largest source of revenue is both shrinking and it's most dependable source (the $6.60 that everyone who has cable pays whether they watch ESPN or not) is at risk. Then that makes the Street dig further and see that they are the pigeon at the poker table when it comes to paying for sports fees/content.

IF the so called analysts had been doing their job they would have looked at TWDC's sports deals long ago and found that DIS was overpaying relative to the market for broadcast rights.

The Wall St Casino mentality is another huge component of what's wrong with american business because for decades companies were rewarded for consistent PROFITS so as long as you made money year in and out you were in good shape as far as the 'Street went.
 

ford91exploder

Resident Curmudgeon
Many people here miss an important issues here. Yes Comcast and other cable companies pay Disney a fortune for ESPN and they charge customers for it. Howeve they do not bill each customer that amount. Cable providers sell local commercials and make more that what they pay Disney. Now if Disney and other cable tv providers figure out how to properly handle video over the internet with commercials targeted to specific watchers then ESPN and other channels could be provided free to the watcher and make more money than they do now. The loser will be the cable company. The future of high speed internet also is wireless and not cable basef. Verizon has stopped expanding FIOS and is investing more in wireless. Verizon and AT&T will be the big winners. Comcast and Time Warner and Cablevision will be the losers. Wires are too expensive. Look at the rest of the world. Content is king. That is why buying TWX would be smart.

The future of Iinternet is CABLE/FIBER based as physics get in the way of the wet dreams of Verizon and their ilk, I suggest you look at the work of Nyquist and Shannon as to the peak information rate that you can put on a wireless carrier signal. Not to mention interference and other uses of the wireless spectrum.

Will Wireless get better with time yes it will but it will never supplant a cable based solution, 802.11ad which is 10 Gbit wireless running in the 65-72 Ghz band has a range measured in tens of feet. (signal is absorbed by oxygen molecules).
 

ChrisFL

Premium Member
wouldn't that mean that hongkong's disneyland will lose a lot of visitors ?
It would be hilarious if its a trick to put pressure on hong kong by the Chinese gov.

Not really, no.

Hong Kong and mainland China are very different things. The language (for the most part) is different, the currency is different, they even drive on the opposite side of the road.

Having said that, there are times where mainlanders flocked to HKDL, such as CNY, so that could change.
 

GiveMeTheMusic

Well-Known Member
wouldn't that mean that hongkong's disneyland will lose a lot of visitors ?
It would be hilarious if its a trick to put pressure on hong kong by the Chinese gov.

HKDL probably won't be affected, but that hasn't stopped the government there from demanding exciting and unique stuff from Disney. They know they were had when the park was built, and they won't let Disney half- it with their park anymore. I'd expect lots of wonderful things to come at HKDL, starting with that gorgeous new hotel they're opening next year.

There are over a billion people in China, and I'd bet that the majority of those who will visit SDL will not be even remotely interested in traveling to HK - they're not the demo. HKDL has its own metropolis and nearby mainlanders to pull from; SDL is looking at an entirely different audience altogether.
 

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
I know you likely won't see this until you visit DLP, but I wouldn't expect much. The entire Rivers are closed and drained (thankfully, they aren't being filled in for Star Wars attractions) and BTM is down until 2017. No RR as well. And I believe Peter Pan closed after our visit for its major rehab. In WDSP, the tram tour is down and I believe RnRC was slated to close this week for a rehab (needed based on audio issues we experienced). You will get 47€ worth of entertainment, though. But when we went we had Pan and RnRC and lots of extra Christmas entertainment. I would just keep expectations in check as this is their slowest season and they are doing massive work to get the park in shape because ... well, because Disney finally owns the vast majority and has all the control and so they won't let it rot away any longer (you may recall that I predicted this was what would happen at least 2-3 years ago).

Small World looks amazing right now after its rebuild. Phantom Manor is in very good shape. Pirates is OK. Space Mtn and Star Tours are very rough right now. Space Mountain does look great with work done on the outside, even smoke is back on the cannon. But inside ...well, it needs a new track, but will get new trains in early '17.

Thanks, I did catch it and was already prepared for the closures. Although it was Space Mountain and not RnRC... AND ratatouille apparently was doing some flooring resurfacing and it didn't cure in time for them to reopen. Reason to go back in a few years.

Despite all the closures, the rain, the single digit (Celsius) temperatures - it was still a way better visit than summer 2013!

Such a contrast, I'm sure if I really wanted to I could dig up a post from 2013 but at the time Small World was a complete and utter disaster. It's absolutely sparkling, which really makes it obvious when you look behind you at Fantasia Gelato to contrast the state of disrepair they let the park slide into.

Disney Dreams also remains a highlight. Probably the last show from now until the end of time that is devoid of both Frozen and Mermaid songs.

The resort still remains a mixed bag. WDS actually has an ok line up of attractions, but the problem is now walkable guest space. The park really wasn't that busy as evidenced by wait times but the walkways felt moderately crowded. There is essentially next to no 'land' or place making in between everything. Oddly enough I think we nearly spent more time in WDS by doing all the shows.

Also did Crush for the first time, which I think is a pretty good attraction (for a ten minute wait that is). It's a little rough around the thematic edges in spots (as is everything in WDS), but technically speaking it could be seen as a superior version of Space Mountain. But yes, garbage capacity.

Had a final go on Star Tours 1.0. I don't know why anyone laments the move to 2.0.

A little funny how utterly embarrassed they are with Walt Disney Studios as a marketing tool. Every single item in the Ratatouille store prominently reads 'Disneyland Paris'.

Still the worst resort for 'guests'. That's a large reason I disliked the place before, it's nice when there are less of them. All the stroller density of the American parks with 10x the number of smokers. Actually I'm being generous, it may be somewhere on order of 50-100x. People mock the air in Shanghai but honestly it's generally more tolerable...

Ultimately here is the rub with DLRP. I'd rather take someone to show off DLR or TDR, they'd rather be in WDW and I have a certain affinity for HKDL. But I can finally see the reason DLP is the prettiest castle park, they are wiping away the grime finally, but they still have a ways to go. I wasn't embarrassed to drag someone to DLP this time.

I also hope there is a little more to its future than refurbs.
 

HauntedMansionFLA

Well-Known Member
@WDW1974 Months back in 2015 you mentioned that there could be a third attraction over in the World of Pandora in DAK. Do you have anymore information to clue us in on what might happen over at AvatarLand? Thanks
 

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
@WDW1974 Months back in 2015 you mentioned that there could be a third attraction over in the World of Pandora in DAK. Do you have anymore information to clue us in on what might happen over at AvatarLand? Thanks

I have a feeling the answer is it didn't make it into the huge spending package the BoD did in July. Unless there was 350 mil also earmarked for AK someone forgot to mention.
 

Mike S

Well-Known Member
We just returned from a very wet (but wonderful) week in Anaheim. It was bittersweet saying adieu to our old friend the River; but, I did feel better when a friend of ours showed us the soon-to-be released concept art. I'm not worried at all about having a eyesore left where the mighty River once flowed. A different friend also showed me some different art on their phone that makes me even more excited by what will be on the other side of the new berm once it's finished. We can argue all we want about SWL and where it will be placed; but, when complete - we will all be in agreement that for the first time since Carsland, Disney Park will be flexing muscles they haven't used in quite a long while. The only concerns I have now about SWL at DL and DHS will be that they will bring in far more people than they can natively support. Capacity will always be an issue. Attraction capacity more at DHS and real estate capacity at DL.

I'm still hearing that the Canoes are likely not returning. There's always hope as the official word is still that they are... but, in these days - you can't really trust the official sources.

I've also heard; but, not confirmed, that the days of both the Twain and Columbia being on circuit at the same time may be over. Some in park Cast have even heard the rumor that the Columbia will be relegated to dry dock duty only. My friends with the artwork weren't sure either way. Until we see both boats on track at the same time, we may not be sure. It will likely come down to cycle times and how quickly they can load/unload and if it makes sense with the reduced cycle times of the shortened River.

The above is part of reason why Fantasmic when it returns may be very different. That along with the lack of space that will be out of view to hide/load/park the boats and rafts.

The biggest short term loss to the daily operations of DL that not many are talking about will be the closure of the Big Thunder Trail between Frontierland and Fantasyland. This will effectively lock in Fantasyland during parades and fireworks. I've heard what some of the planned crowd flow patterns they are going to attempt and I feel very badly for all of my Guest Service Operations friends until a new artery is opened. Those parade cross overs will be getting a workout.

This trip was our first time to DLR during the Holiday Season after many WDW trips. While I have to admit that I do like Mickey's Very Merry Xmas Party (especially the parade), DLR does the Holidays better overall. Decoration wise, they both have great moments; but, the seasonal overlays to iasm and HM really shine. I have to admit... I laughed out loud to Jingle Shells.

On a personal note, the rains last week delivered on to me my "grail" Disneyland photography moment. A wet Castle forecourt with my 14mm lens parked at the Southern point of the compass for Disneyland Forever. I haven't started developing anything yet; but, the quick review of the reflections in Lightroom already look spectacular.
Can you share the picture?

Edit: someone beat me to it.
 

BrianLo

Well-Known Member
I was wondering when someone was going to notice that and comment. The CCP is looking to showcase its Disney resort, but how much of it will be up and running is another matter. I'd say at this point, we can count on Roaring Rapids being done. And sure looks like Tron will be too. And a spinner or two ... otherwise?

Right on cue some ever so perfectly selected photos come out to shut down the naysayers. At least it appears we can add Buzz and SDMT to probably making opening list.

3.jpg


2.jpg


4.jpg


5.jpg


6.jpg
 

DisDan

Well-Known Member
The future of Iinternet is CABLE/FIBER based as physics get in the way of the wet dreams of Verizon and their ilk, I suggest you look at the work of Nyquist and Shannon as to the peak information rate that you can put on a wireless carrier signal. Not to mention interference and other uses of the wireless spectrum.

Will Wireless get better with time yes it will but it will never supplant a cable based solution, 802.11ad which is 10 Gbit wireless running in the 65-72 Ghz band has a range measured in tens of feet. (signal is absorbed by oxygen molecules).


Speaking of which, is in the process, as I type this, of trenching the fiber to my house for their new Gigabit internet service called "gigablast", sooo Happy right now. :)

LOL...C O X got filtered out.
 

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