A Spirited Perfect Ten

[Cesar R M]

Gary used to do videos on DME buses ... according to the poster I quoted, Dr. Blondie is now doing them.
(My guess would be they might have to pay him if they left them up ... or they simply don't want his image playing if he is no longer employed by them ... not sure.)

Speaking of DME,
I am surprised how you now get bombarded by DVC ads during the entire trip now.
I miss the old cartoon shorts and the lack of character instructions.

 

[WDW1974]

It's still money being spent? Just because it's not spent where he wants it spent doesn't negate the fact that it is, in fact, being spent.

Yes, Disney is literally spending billions ... especially on buying stock back.

 

[Phil12]

Because Churros are just nasty.

Churros were invented in China so I think they'll serve as a cultural bridge when SDL opens.

 

[WDW1974]

Then why did you delete them?

Asked and answered. Also, as a poster here I have every right to edit or remove any/all of my content.
As do you ...

I know when I try to figure out if something is wrong with my browser or internet connection my first thought is a Fortune 500 company has hacked into all of my electronics and placed a counter.

No, I'm sure you don't. I'm also sure you haven't been actively trying to get Bob Iger's wife removed from her position at USC. You likely live a far different life than I do ... that's fine. But if you don't believe that Fortune 500 companies can and do gain access to computers of those they feel are threatening their interests, then ... well you are just plain naive and nothing that I or anyone else says will make a difference.

But I don't think you believe that. Just being your catty self.

Okay, you want me to contribute? While you were getting your rocks off with your personal vendetta against Iger, your paycheck China was busy scrubbing non-real name accounts. So everyone who uses the internet in China has to use their real name. Care to share yours? Also in the world of censorship, China is blocking access to Reuters. Egyptian journalist are self-censoring for fear of reprisals. The Obama administration improperly censors almost 1/3 of all documents.

So do you care about censorship or do you just care about taking down Iger? Because if you are that concerned about one article on HuffPo, I'm sure you must be ready to cut all ties with China if they are blocking all access to a major news source.

Getting my rocks off? My aren't we hostile and emotional ... and all about the MAGICal world of Disney. Walt wouldn't have wanted that, ya know?

I don't disagree with you about censorship in China. It is something one gets used to and takes appropriate measures when living and working there. BUT ... last I looked, we lived in the USA ... land of the free, home of the brave, we're better than everyone else or at least love to tell the world we are.

Censorship here, whether it comes from the White House or The Dwarfs building is just plain wrong.

It's also un-American, unless you'd like to debate that too.

This thread isn't representative of the 70,000 members of this forum. In fact, it's a fraction of that. You don't speak for the forum. Neither do I.

Of course, neither of us do. I speak for myself, no one else. If people agree, generally that makes them smart most of the time because I am human and I do make mistakes.

But it seems you are concerned that I somehow speak for the forums. No one does. Even the owner. That's what makes this site a great place to talk about Disney.

Bottom line, your BRAND was damaged because you went off the rails and you tried to salvage it. You can tell yourself and others here in this thread whatever Mr. Rogers lesson you were trying to impart on them but if it wasn't an issue then you would have left the post alone.

Jake, buddy, pal of pals, I don't have a BRAND. I guess I wasn't smart enough to monetize my voice, writing and opinions because I never expected being a Disney fan and media critic on a fan site or blog would be something I could have made a living at and I was very happy with what I was doing. I still wouldn't want to base my life and self-worth around Disney ... and that is even if I held an exec level position.

And I'm thrilled that you know what goes on in my head. I wouldn't mind seeing half the posts in this thread disappearing when they don't focus on Disney/media/entertainment. None of my posts are gone (they are cached and quoted ... and you likely have every word I ever wrote here in a file). But, hey, knock yourself out in the PML talking about how you think you've damaged what you view to be my BRAND.

Like I said, you haven't changed since 2008. You're just older and nastier. And still obsessed with another poster on a fan forum. I don't go and search you out, you might want to act accordingly.

 

[WDW1974]

I'm always fascinated by the sheer number of folks who obviously frequent this thread, even those who clearly despise "Dear Leader" and the rest of us "drooling sycophants."

They are all over, especially in the Twitverse among ex-MAGICal members who would rather Tweet with people who only agree with them in 140 characters.

There are folks out there who actually believe I am trying to get people to believe I am dating the leader of Germany. No, I am not kidding (apparently, they don't get my affectionate nickname 'Angie M' for my SO!)

 

[WDW1974]

@WDW1974 is quick to point out that Bob has absolutely no control of SDL. Tough to be someone's folly if they have no say in the project.

No, not what I said. He doesn't have ultimate control and neither does Disney (and before anyone brings up Paris and Hong Kong and even Tokyo, all of those circumstances were very different from these).

And if the project is a disaster, do you think Wall Street will be blaming Shendi or Disney and Bob?

 

[WDW1974]

I typically stay out of Spirit threads as they don't really do anything for me (yeah, I am one of the guys that brings up cheesesteaks and Wawa). Let's just say that this type of discussion around politics, censorship, foreign affairs, is not why I visit the @wdwmagic site (the site whereby all other Disney sites pale in comparison). If I want that, I seek out other news outlets for such weighty topics. Neither do I seek out to bring down the "vanilla on toothpaste" helmsman of TWDC (unbiased reporting indeed). That is Spirit's path to tread. I will even go on record to say that I am not a fan of how Spirit expresses his opinion of things, that he is way too abrasive in his delivery and that I disagree with him on many topics. Off the boards, he is probably a decent individual, but the narcissism of his forum persona is a little hard to take at times.

Now that I got that off of my chest, I am going to say one thing. Even though I do not lay palms at your feet when you ride your donkey into town, on this particular subject, @WDW1974, you actually did move me to read up on this subject. So, even though I am a detractor of your 'style' I will say that you peaked my interest. Now I am certain that you will sleep easier at night knowing that.

I found some interesting quotes in an article on the subject matter:

1) SHANGHAI: The towers of Disney’s planned Magic Kingdom in Shanghai are wreathed in scaffolding and mystery after the US entertainment giant pushed back the opening of its first mainland China theme park to 2016. On a tightly guarded, 3.9-square-kilometre site east of China’s commercial hub, a grey turret of the unfinished “Enchanted Storybook Castle” rises into the sky. There is no Disney branding at the main entrance, only a sign reading: “Shanghai International Tourism and Resort Zone”. [Interesting choice of words. Not Disney resort zone]

2) It was originally due to be transformed in time to open this year, but Disney chairman and chief executive Bob Iger last week announced a delay, pushing the opening back to next spring. He attributed the change to an expansion in the park’s size and number of attractions. “The artistry, complexity, the magnitude and the detail, it’s all quite astonishing,” Iger said, calling the facility “spectacular”. But Shanghai authorities have not confirmed any plans to expand the project, and people familiar with it point to it following stricter environmental and labour standards than normal in China.

3) One Chinese academic estimates it will contribute $3.3bn to Shanghai’s economy every year and account for one per cent of the city’s annual gross domestic product.

4) Chinese construction is normally staggeringly fast, with towering skyscrapers and multi-lane highways changing urban landscapes at extraordinary pace. But a Shanghai official told AFP that a delay arose after contaminated soil on the site failed to meet environmental standards, prompting Disney to bring in a foreign contractor to remedy the problem. Workers removed topsoil up to a metre deep. A worker said that the builders were insisting on a standard eight-hour work day, preventing faster construction — unlike many other sites in China where labour laws are loosely enforced and routinely violated. Disney did not respond to a request for comment on the delay.

5) He Jianmin of the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, who has consulted for the city on the tourism zone, forecast the park will initially attract seven million visitors a year, eventually rising to 16 million.

It is interesting to note that the first point falls well within Spirit's own mantra that this is China's Disney park, and not Disney's Disney park. The other part that interests me are the issues regarding a failure to meet current environmental standards, and that Disney's mistake and subsequent response likely are what caused the opening day delay into 2016, not a park expansion. What did not surprise me is that Disney had no response. Shocker.

This was pulled from a middle east news agency (Dawn.com). I tried to stay away from a publication that either Disney or the Chinese government were involved in so that the article could not be redacted post publishing like some other article we were familiar with (for about 2 seconds).

Great story. Thanks for putting it up. I read it somewhere (think the South China Morning Post) and forgot to link to it.

Only thing that flat out is false is this eight-hour workers deal. They are largely going 24/7 there. They built barracks (that are not even as luxurious as the Pop Century!) to house the workers. It's laughable that Disney is trying to pin some of the delay on that.

I also find it very interesting that the professor from the Shanghai University is predicting only seven million visitors a year. That is less that every Disney park in the USA, Tokyo, HK and one in Paris. In other words, only the Paris Studios would be attracting fewer visitors. Now, do you believe him or the Disney propaganda that was put out (after they censored that story or Willow Bay did!) a few weeks ago that claims that SDL wiill attract 25 million next year and be the world's top theme park?

What sounds most reasonable to you?

I'm still thinking about 12 million give or take a million, but that is pending more info on the project.

 

[bhg469]

Random tidbit: I just came back from a long weekend in WDW and I rode the MAGICal Express back to MCO (it's actually convenient and - best of all - free). During the ride Jennifer Fickley-Baker popped up on the TV screens and all I could think of was, "Dr. Blondie!!" as I laughed for a good few seconds.

Just for clarification, it's a great service, definitely one of Disney's best moves for the orlando resort in a long time. Super convenient and the luggage service is a good time saver. It is most definitely not free though.

 

[phillip sugarman]

Todd King from Mouseplanet has some interesting ideas as to what a Star Wars Land in Disneyland or Hollywood Studios might entail. They don't seem bad at all.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/10981/Predictions_for_Star_Wars_in_Disney_Parks_Part_3__The_Rides

 

[Cesar R M]

Churros were invented in China so I think they'll serve as a cultural bridge when SDL opens.

hmm, really? o_o

 

[SirLink]

Todd King from Mouseplanet has some interesting ideas as to what a Star Wars Land in Disneyland or Hollywood Studios might entail. They don't seem bad at all.
http://www.mouseplanet.com/10981/Predictions_for_Star_Wars_in_Disney_Parks_Part_3__The_Rides

He actually thinks he's getting the quantity of ride based attractions, makes it seem as though, he hasn't got a clue. Similarly he is behind on his DL rumors.

 

[Nubs70]

Great story. Thanks for putting it up. I read it somewhere (think the South China Morning Post) and forgot to link to it.

Only thing that flat out is false is this eight-hour workers deal. They are largely going 24/7 there. They built barracks (that are not even as luxurious as the Pop Century!) to house the workers. It's laughable that Disney is trying to pin some of the delay on that.

I also find it very interesting that the professor from the Shanghai University is predicting only seven million visitors a year. That is less that every Disney park in the USA, Tokyo, HK and one in Paris. In other words, only the Paris Studios would be attracting fewer visitors. Now, do you believe him or the Disney propaganda that was put out (after they censored that story or Willow Bay did!) a few weeks ago that claims that SDL wiill attract 25 million next year and be the world's top theme park?

What sounds most reasonable to you?

I'm still thinking about 12 million give or take a million, but that is pending more info on the project.

Just a note on the 8 hour work day.

It very well may be that they have a strict 8 hour work day. But to infer that this is delaying the opening is disingenuous. You can have an 8 hour work day and also 24/7 construction. You just put on 3 shifts. This happens all the time in major construction projects.

 

[Darth Sidious]

Hahahahha ... yes, if you are looking to make up reasons that contradict the truth, then, yes, Disney absolutely delayed SDL to get a bump in 2016.

Just want to add that no profit based company would ever delay a capital intensive project like this unless they couldn't get it completed. They wouldn't delay it to 'plus' it because they can do that after they begin to recoup their original investment.

As for The Disney Channel in China, I would love to know what is and has been road blocking that deal. Nickelodeon has been there for almost ten years now with success, as has MTV. Maybe Sumner is better at negotiating? It has to be possible to get but at what cost?

 

[totchos]

Hey I know this doesent have to do with this forum but I wanted to post it somewhere. I was on the MDE app this morning and while I was looking through the map, something popped up that said: "You are in guest mode, would you like to switch to kiosk mode?" Anyone else get this?

 

[ford91exploder]

Because Churros are just nasty.

I beg to differ they are an acquired taste.

 

[ford91exploder]

Hey I know this doesent have to do with this forum but I wanted to post it somewhere. I was on the MDE app this morning and while I was looking through the map, something popped up that said: "You are in guest mode, would you like to switch to kiosk mode?" Anyone else get this?

Looks like someone broke the build and hosed either the user agent identifier or the geolocation code... Typical for Disney IT

 

[ford91exploder]

Just want to add that no profit based company would ever delay a capital intensive project like this unless they couldn't get it completed. They wouldn't delay it to 'plus' it because they can do that after they begin to recoup their original investment.

As for The Disney Channel in China, I would love to know what is and has been road blocking that deal. Nickelodeon has been there for almost ten years now with success, as has MTV. Maybe Sumner is better at negotiating? It has to be possible to get but at what cost?

It's simple to the CCP the 'Disney' Brand is symbolic of the US, The Chinese DO NOT LIKE the US, They like our money and tech, Viacom is simply selling content not a BRAND or IDEAS.

 

[ford91exploder]

They are all over, especially in the Twitverse among ex-MAGICal members who would rather Tweet with people who only agree with them in 140 characters.

There are folks out there who actually believe I am trying to get people to believe I am dating the leader of Germany. No, I am not kidding (apparently, they don't get my affectionate nickname 'Angie M' for my SO!)

Why would ANYONE put their SO's name in real life up on a message board, Angie M is symbolic of Germany at the moment so it makes sense if your SO is German, But many of the detractors don't seem to have progressed beyond the 'Concrete Operational Stage' in their mental development. And because of this they cannot deal with things written in the active voice.

 

[Katie G]

I was watching America's Funniest Home Videos last night and got a giggle out of a Tom Bergeron crack on Frozen...

It was during a segment where they stop the footage on two videos right before something ridiculous happens and the audience members must decide which one actually breaks.

TB: Okay, I'm going to freeze this right here *pause* because here at any Disney related company, Frozen is very important to us.

Hope this gives your morning a giggle too!

 

[asianway]

Why would ANYONE put their SO's name in real life up on a message board, Angie M is symbolic of Germany at the moment so it makes sense if your SO is German, But many of the detractors don't seem to have progressed beyond the 'Concrete Operational Stage' in their mental development. And because of this they cannot deal with things written in the active voice.

It's hard to pick up on nuances in someone's writing if you work 3rd shift at 7-11