A Spirited Perfect Ten

[WDW1974]

Flow is completely missing. First half is too slow and second half is too incoherent. Having NPH just seemed too disruptive for me. Also, just let go Let It Go. It takes up too much time. Visually it looks great. Story wise, I was actually nodding off early.

Did you see it in person or basing it on a YouTube video?

I ask because the one time I watched something before I saw it (the original WoC, as I was supposed to be at the premiere, but a family issue prevented me) I thought it looked lousy. Turns out I loved it when I saw it as the clip doesn't convey the real feel of the experience of viewing it live.

 

[WDW1974]

Let's get real.

Sure there are potentially lots of possible "explanations" why Bob (and Tom) would be official no-shows at the grand opening and topping-out events. But the fact that they were both in Shanghai at the time torpedoes all of them, except the remaining obvious explanation that they were specifically uninvited.

No. It has to be any/every thing ... except the most obvious. Disney isn't playing the top in this relationship.

 

[WDW1974]

I've wondered if or how they account for the nearly 4 months of event parties MK experiences. Are all those people included in the estimate? Are they counted as seperate or same day visitors?

I've often wondered this myself ...

 

[hopemax]

Re: China

I admit to knowing very little when it comes to China, so what I would like to know is when a Western business opens its first location in China is it typical for the CEO to be present with photo ops they can take home? People here have been quite clear that business is done a certain way in China and Westerners must learn to behave a certain way, so is Iger's lack of appearance atypical for China/Western business openings? Also, because of the uncertainty and risk of failure in China, do heads of Western businesses find themselves distancing themselves and wait until there's something to crow about before they want to stick their mug everywhere. Quick Googling, I can find pics of Howard Schultz at an opening of a Starbucks in 2006, but not from when the first store opened in 1999, but I didn't really look that hard.

It seems like the criticism is that there wasn't "big Western media/business" hoopla, but why should we expect that if China does things so very differently? Showing how Iger was at Paris or Times Square doesn't really answer because those are Western. I imagine even Hong Kong allows for much more latitude in Western spectacle and hubris displays. There's got to be more options than "Communist marching orders" and going in "guns blazing Western-style." I don't know where to draw the line between China hates Iger vs Iger/Staggs trying to show respect to the Chinese Way (necessary for successful business, yes?) and for all I know, that includes showing up to NOT be seen (humility). Iger expecting a photo op, and not getting one could be a story, but if Western business advisers (not Chinese orders) told them, "you have to go/but don't expect photos" then that's something else. So again, what is the Chinese way, in regards to all of this?

I'm having problem resolving: "success in China = don't be/think so Western" and "he's not being Western = major catastrophe!"

 

[1023]

Re: China

I admit to knowing very little when it comes to China, so what I would like to know is when a Western business opens its first location in China is it typical for the CEO to be present with photo ops they can take home? People here have been quite clear that business is done a certain way in China and Westerners must learn to behave a certain way, so is Iger's lack of appearance atypical for China/Western business openings? Also, because of the uncertainty and risk of failure in China, do heads of Western businesses find themselves distancing themselves and wait until there's something to crow about before they want to stick their mug everywhere. Quick Googling, I can find pics of Howard Schultz at an opening of a Starbucks in 2006, but not from when the first store opened in 1999, but I didn't really look that hard.

It seems like the criticism is that there wasn't "big Western media/business" hoopla, but why should we expect that if China does things so very differently? Showing how Iger was at Paris or Times Square doesn't really answer because those are Western. I imagine even Hong Kong allows for much more latitude in Western spectacle and hubris displays. There's got to be more options than "Communist marching orders" and going in "guns blazing Western-style." I don't know where to draw the line between China hates Iger vs Iger/Staggs trying to show respect to the Chinese Way (necessary for successful business, yes?) and for all I know, that includes showing up to NOT be seen (humility). Iger expecting a photo op, and not getting one could be a story, but if Western business advisers (not Chinese orders) told them, "you have to go/but don't expect photos" then that's something else. So again, what is the Chinese way, in regards to all of this?

I'm having problem resolving: "success in China = don't be/think so Western" and "he's not being Western = major catastrophe!"

One Word why it's important..... Shareholders .....

*1023*

 

[PhotoDave219]

Tom Amity all upset because he isn't in Anaheim with the rest of the Orlando whores? Needed some attention? Maybe if he wrote about something serious ...

I talked to a few people. There might be something to this.

I don't see it being a successful test tho.

Hong Kong? Yes. Anaheim? Nope.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

I talked to a few people. There might be something to this.

I don't see it being a successful test tho.

Hong Kong? Yes. Anaheim? Nope.

Hong Kong is so blissfully uncrowded the vast majority of the time. What could that resort possibly have to gain from FP+?

 

[Progress.City]

No, you're wrong. It doesn't matter who the man is. If you think Bob Iger shuns the spotlight, then you are seriously mistaken.

Take a look at what Bob did just for the opening (relocating really) of the Times Square Disney Store. Then, tell me that what you saw (or didn't) in Shanghai is really just Bob not wanting the attention.

Why is it so hard for people to accept the Ozzie and Sharon's Razor Theory that the simplest explanation is the right one? That Disney is taking its marching orders from the Chinese Communist Party, that Bob and Tom weren't at the opening or, possibly, at the SDL topping off ceremony because they weren't welcome.

Yes, it all seems very odd. I'll elevate your explanation to "most probable theory" status.

 

[1023]

Guys... Please don't drive me into a MM+ RAGE..... My recovery is barely complete.....

Let's just stick to China and the lack of attention by the financial media...

*1023*

 

[WDW1974]

And the third shoe dropped (or didn't) today/tomorrow in China.

Bob Iger is all over the Twitter now. A tired-looking dude being photographed left and right and up and down IN ANAHEIM in both parks this afternoon.

So, he won't even attend the opening of Tomorrowland in Shanghai, either.

Much more important to answer a 15-second question like ''Hey, Bob, how amazing is the DL 60th?'' from Ricky Brigante.

Oh, and Tom Staggs is there as well. I'm also sure there are some REAL reporters there. I'm also sure that none of them will ask a damn thing about Shanghai.

Like I said, forget China. We have North Korean media in the USA.

 

[1023]

And the third shoe dropped (or didn't) today/tomorrow in China.

Bob Iger is all over the Twitter now. A tired-looking dude being photographed left and right and up and down IN ANAHEIM in both parks this afternoon.

So, he won't even attend the opening of Tomorrowland in Shanghai, either.

Much more important to answer a 15-second question like ''Hey, Bob, how amazing is the DL 60th?'' from Ricky Brigante.

Oh, and Tom Staggs is there as well. I'm also sure there are some REAL reporters there. I'm also sure that none of them will ask a damn thing about Shanghai.

Like I said, forget China. We have North Korean media in the USA.

Any chance you can share the FULL and Hopeful itinerary that was kicked to the curb? It would be fun to see what should have happen vs. what did happen.

*1023*

 

[WDW1974]

Hmmm. I wonder if Bob Iger and Tom Staggs were as smiley when they were escorted to the airport for their departure from China ... and then to head right to the Anaheim parks to glad-hand as many fans and whores as they possibly can so they can look anything but impotent.

When the truth comes out, it's gonna hurt ... really bad.

 

[Bairstow]

Like I said, forget China. We have North Korean media in the USA.

This is the one part of your theory that doesn't add up.
What's the simplest explanation? That a cabal of American media refusing to report on a possible shift in power between Disney and the Chinese consortium on a theme park that isn't even ready yet is keeping this story from making the front page of the Financial Times and USA Today, or that most people are less interested in theme parks than we are?

 

[the.dreamfinder]

IT JUST WONT STOP!!!
http://variety.com/2015/film/news/reese-witherspoon-cast-disney-tinker-bell-1201502898/

 

[Mike S]

IT JUST WONT STOP!!!
http://variety.com/2015/film/news/reese-witherspoon-cast-disney-tinker-bell-1201502898/

 

[PhotoDave219]

IT JUST WONT STOP!!!
http://variety.com/2015/film/news/reese-witherspoon-cast-disney-tinker-bell-1201502898/

This isnt an R-Rated reimagining ala "Behind the Green Door" (DONT ASK), is it?

 

[Iwerks64]

It's not hard to drawn a crowd anywhere in China. They still have queues at the Apple Store at the IFC in Hong Kong.

You can't draw any conclusions beyond there are many people in Shanghai and every major Chinese metro area.

There were 8 to 10 hour long lines to get into many of the pavilions during the Worlds Fair in Shanghai. Not unusual to see long lines and crowds for something new.

 

[PhotoDave219]

This is the one part of your theory that doesn't add up.
What's the simplest explanation? That a cabal of American media refusing to report on a possible shift in power between Disney and the Chinese consortium on a theme park that isn't even ready yet is keeping this story from making the front page of the Financial Times and USA Today, or that most people are less interested in theme parks than we are?

I think there's a story here somewhere. I think we're only seeing pieces of it and that there's a lot more that hasnt come out.

Right now, its only pieces. So far we only know:

• The mysterious $800M
• Changing of the Top Disney people in China
• Staggs/Iger fly for the Disney Store opening and are nowhere to be seen other than one random photo.

Each individual piece doesnt make much on its own, but put together it looks weird and makes me want to dig farther.

 

[Bairstow]

This isnt an R-Rated reimagining ala "Behind the Green Door" (DONT ASK), is it?

They should get Linda Wolverton to write the screenplay, so that we can find out it was actually Tinkerbell who defeated Captain Hook.
Also there were be 12-14 minutes of bloodless, Lord of the Rings-style CGI battles.

 

[Phil12]

Boy, Phil, that's a lot of words when you could have said simply ''I didn't see the post until 9:28 and then opted to help you out.'' Of course, you didn't respond to anything else I wrote in that post or any post on the subject.

Again, it makes me wonder why you seem hellbent on attacking my narrative (which is the truth) without saying anything beyond ''I need proof'' ...

What's your explanation for why Bob and Tom were in Shanghai to plant their flag in China, yet you'd never know that? What's your explanation for having one stock shot (that truly could have been taken at the Glendale Galleria) that wasn't directly released? What's your explanation for why Bob and Tom weren't seen anywhere when they traveled there precisely TO BE SEEN? Were they busy stalking the shelves with plush and Star Wars crap? I'm legitimately interested in what your explanation is. Because it seems like your explanation doesn't exist.

My explanation is pure speculation and guesswork because I'm only a casual observer. But since you asked I'll provide you with my thoughts. My explanation is that China frowns upon westernization. The CEO of Disney making a prominent appearance at either the Disney Store or the park would probably do more to harm the overall long term goals than to help them. When KFC first entered China back in 1987 they were very low key and had a similar ownership arrangement with the Chinese. I understand that like KFC, Disney has hired top managers from China (where they can) rather than importing executives from the USA or Europe.

I think what they're doing is allowing the folks in China to run the show in those areas in which they have the expertise. In those instances where they have identified weaknesses in the Chinese resource pool, they've filled those gaps with their own people. Aside from the Iger ego, I see no reason why he or any other high level executives from TWDC really needs to show up as front men. They obviously didn't need the publicity. The grand opening of the Disney Store in China was a huge success that seemed to exceed everyone's expectations.

I would imagine that Bob Iger has received advice from experts in Chinese cultural relations and he was probably advised to keep a low profile. As we've seen, western coverage of this event has been minimal and whatever coverage it got in China seems to have worked in spades!