A Spirited Perfect Ten

[Quinnmac000]

Next thing you know, Disney is going to start blocking hours when AP holders are allowed to visit unless you get a more expensive pass...

 

[WDW1974]

Gotta start somewhere.

So this whole Shanghai deal? While important for the company, it angers me that they can drop $5.4 reeeeaaal large but can't even take care of the parks they have.

First, who knows what the REAL number is? Disney is playing games over there and everyone, most especially the financial press and the analysts who really need to think about their careers here, is simply ignoring it.

But whatever the number, Disney is only on the hook for 43% -- whatever that may be. They can make up whatever they spend with about three Marvel films and one Lucas film. Too bad that isn't how the game is played.

And they still, without involving SDL at all in this, could spend billions on WDW (beyond the billions being spent on NGE, timeshares and rebuilding a mall and surrounding infrastructure).

You must understand this: Disney chooses not to. Do we need @ParentsOf4 to come in and tell you how much they have spent on stock buybacks in the last five years under Iger?

 

[WDW1974]

Forgive my ignorance, but who is Dr. Blonde that '74 keeps mentioning?

She's my 'wittle cupcake.

 

[Funmeister]

First, who knows what the REAL number is? Disney is playing games over there and everyone, most especially the financial press and the analysts who really need to think about their careers here, is simply ignoring it.

But whatever the number, Disney is only on the hook for 43% -- whatever that may be. They can make up whatever they spend with about three Marvel films and one Lucas film. Too bad that isn't how the game is played.

And they still, without involving SDL at all in this, could spend billions on WDW (beyond the billions being spent on NGE, timeshares and rebuilding a mall and surrounding infrastructure).

You must understand this: Disney chooses not to. Do we need @ParentsOf4 to come in and tell you how much they have spent on stock buybacks in the last five years under Iger?

Do you think this new ticketing idea is a band-aid to make up money for something else (NextGen)?

 

[AEfx]

I get it. I have from the start. My only point ever was to say that character/story/script is 100% original, meaning it is merely loosely based on. That was it. You have proven remarkably dense though.

Any sci-fi movie could have turned out this product for all intents and purposes (sans a few images here and there). That was my point. This was a very generic, run of the mill movie, Tomorrowland - the theme park land - had NEXT TO NO BEARING on this movie.

And how do you know that?

BECAUSE YOU SAW IT.

(Though I disagree that it was a "few images here and there", I think you just don't know Disney history that well and need to read up on what the director and producers have said which is that it was heavily inspired by Disney's original concepts for EPCOT, of which the original Tomorrowland - back you know, in the 1950's when it was somewhat original - was a prototype of.)

Let's say I write a book. I call it "Adventure in OZ". I plaster the cover and all promotional materials with well-known Oz characters (the public domain versions, mind you, not the film ones) and concepts.

In the book, though - the characters only reference the existing Oz in passing in the first chapter, and by the second chapter I have transported newly created characters to a hyped-up, future version of Oz that has little to do with the original Oz.

Would my book be original?

You are just irritated that Tron 3 got cancelled, as you admit, and you were wrong to begin with about "hasn't opened up in overseas markets" (which then prompted your profanity laced defense of something in your very next post you say you don't actually care about).

If you truly think a futuristic version of Tomorrowland is original, I feel incredibly sorry that being a Disney fan has so warped the concept for you (and yet you at least aren't enough of a fan to actually see how deeply rooted the concepts actually are in Disney history).

 

[PhotoDave219]

First, who knows what the REAL number is? Disney is playing games over there and everyone, most especially the financial press and the analysts who really need to think about their careers here, is simply ignoring it.

But whatever the number, Disney is only on the hook for 43% -- whatever that may be. They can make up whatever they spend with about three Marvel films and one Lucas film. Too bad that isn't how the game is played.

And they still, without involving SDL at all in this, could spend billions on WDW (beyond the billions being spent on NGE, timeshares and rebuilding a mall and surrounding infrastructure).

You must understand this: Disney chooses not to. Do we need @ParentsOf4 to come in and tell you how much they have spent on stock buybacks in the last five years under Iger?

Well, I used Len's data. Outside source from the company. Mostly because I don't trust Disney's internal data.

Now i feel I need to make charts that show how much of a dumpster fire DHS is.....

Edit: Continuing my thoughts.....

Believe me. I wanted to sort through the data and have it reflect that Disney was misleading people somehow. I went into it expecting one conclusion and coming out with another.

Of course, I still find that 50k/guests a day at MK is way too busy, regardless of whether it is an "Average" crowd or not.

 

[englanddg]

She's my 'wittle cupcake.

 

[wogwog]

Right, but with these potential changes there will be a possible deeper impact (negative) on comps and maingate passes.

I emailed a WDW Cast member and asked if they would look at the blocked out dates when they are not permitted to use the Main Gate pass to bring family or friends to the MK. It seems WDW only puts out the few coming months at a time. Maybe so it is more difficult for cast to see history and how they are being more restricted each year. In June and July Cast can use the pass to bring family and friends to the MK on only two days. Twenty-eight days of June and the entire month of July is blocked. That is a busy time but the cast memory is the days are less each year. Even cast members can not get in themselves on the 24 hour days now or July 4th this year with their own pass. July 4th is a new block-out this year I was told. Benefit reduction for sure.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Same here. It was just me. And, even though I was just mouthing the lyrics, I got wierd looks (I went to a fork and screen, so I had waiters passing by).

I'll admit to singing (and dancing!) along to that song. I believe my friend was singing along as well. Very empty theatre.

Then again during Cinderella, I may have yelled out "King in the North" when the prince was first revealed. Again, an nearly empty theatre.

 

[WDW1974]

I often wonder what the outcry would be though, if the movie was made now instead of then...against the "adult" themes for a Disney movie with animation in it.

Disney makes largely children's films now.

Look at what was made under Eisner ... look at Lion King, evil uncle murders Simba's father and makes the young cub think he was responsible. Look at Hunchback. The abuse of a deformed man, murder by a priest who lusts after a gypsy woman. Look at Atlantis, characters smoking. And, yeah, the 'adult' themes of RR.

You think ANY of that would come out of today's Disney? No, we get Olaf who likes warm hugs and dimwitted fanbois instead.

Today's Disney releases films that largely have to be OK to the Mommy Bloggers who have special needs 8-year-olds. It's just that simple.

Michael Eisner's DCA may have had issues, but I'll never forget seeing an actual woman's side in Golden Dreams and then Chinese laborers getting blown up while building California's railroads.

Again, Iger's Disney is all about playing it safe. If Tomorrowland had been released by any studio but Disney it would have had at least ONE naughty word in it.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I emailed a WDW Cast member and asked if they would look at the blocked out dates when they are not permitted to use the Main Gate pass to bring family or friends to the MK. It seems WDW only puts out the few coming months at a time. Maybe so it is more difficult for cast to see history and how they are being more restricted each year. In June and July Cast can use the pass to bring family and friends to the MK on only two days. Twenty-eight days of June and the entire month of July is blocked. That is a busy time but the cast memory is the days are less each year. Even cast members can not get in themselves on the 24 hour days now or July 4th this year with their own pass. July 4th is a new block-out this year I was told. Benefit reduction for sure.

So lets look at the data? June is an average month at WDW. No peak days nor any off-peak days. July? Six Peak days last year, July Fourth was one of them.

The data doesn't support needing additional blackout days. What was blacked out for cast last year?

(Suddenly i"m realizing the positive benefits of breaking down the crowd numbers from last year)

 

[WDW1974]

I thought I might be in Orlando here in June.. but timing isn't playing out. But if the cards fall in place as I'm working on now... there could be regular tradeshows I'll be in Orlando for yearly. And you know what trade shows mean... free booze party crashing

I have crashed some amazing parties in 90210. That doesn't include the ones I was invited to either.

And I love free booze ... hell, you know I love free Coke!

 

[WDW1974]

Our last cruise was on Silverseas' Silver Cloud - now that is the way to cruise.

So. We do have REAL Top One Percenters here too!

 

[Steel City Magic]

Nope. No need for any more Pirates movies either.

The whole idea of "franchises" needs to sent out to go Fishing with Fredo.

I hate the idea of franchises too, when I'd love to see a new ip instead of the little mermaid part 6, but it seems to be one of the few ways to bring attention to an area/atraction in the parks. If it brings publicity for that ride, and potentially letting the TDO loosen their purse strings to revamp or refurb, I'm all for it

 

[englanddg]

Disney makes largely children's films now.

Look at what was made under Eisner ... look at Lion King, evil uncle murders Simba's father and makes the young cub think he was responsible. Look at Hunchback. The abuse of a deformed man, murder by a priest who lusts after a gypsy woman. Look at Atlantis, characters smoking. And, yeah, the 'adult' themes of RR.

You think ANY of that would come out of today's Disney? No, we get Olaf who likes warm hugs and dimwitted fanbois instead.

Today's Disney releases films that largely have to be OK to the Mommy Bloggers who have special needs 8-year-olds. It's just that simple.

Michael Eisner's DCA may have had issues, but I'll never forget seeing an actual woman's side **** in Golden Dreams and then Chinese laborers getting blown up while building California's railroads.

Again, Iger's Disney is all about playing it safe. If Tomorrowland had been released by any studio but Disney it would have had at least ONE naughty word in it.

It's gotten some negative reviews about it being "too violent" due to all the decapitations and such.

And, the ending (without spoilers) could have been wrapped up differently to resolve the tragic heroic act that happened during the final battle. But, they skipped going that route (a wise decision, I think).

The movie was good. Worth a ticket and two hours. Not the best movie I've ever seen, but the plot was unique and the script was decent. In fact, the thing that could have helped it, imho, was less emphasis on action and more of the cerebral and social commentary stuff.

Laurie was phoning it in, it felt like, but his character had a rather unique motivation that was not exactly predictable. That said, trying to make him out to be a blend of intellectual villain but with (Cumberbatch) Kahn style fighting and badarsery was just mediocre. Again, too much emphasis on action, instead of letting the characters and visuals drive the plot.

I think Anthony Hopkins, or even Malkovich (though...that's a stretch, he's too good at being outright evil), or even Morgan Freeman would have been better choices for Laurie's role.

 

[roj2323]

I emailed a WDW Cast member and asked if they would look at the blocked out dates when they are not permitted to use the Main Gate pass to bring family or friends to the MK. It seems WDW only puts out the few coming months at a time. Maybe so it is more difficult for cast to see history and how they are being more restricted each year. In June and July Cast can use the pass to bring family and friends to the MK on only two days. Twenty-eight days of June and the entire month of July is blocked. That is a busy time but the cast memory is the days are less each year. Even cast members can not get in themselves on the 24 hour days now or July 4th this year with their own pass. July 4th is a new block-out this year I was told. Benefit reduction for sure.

Disney recently made the black out dates public

https://blockoutdates.disney.com/

 

[WDW1974]

Do you mean the cast member who announced on the DPB the debut of the turrets in front of the castle at WDW, and then had uncensored replies informing her that the turrets are still behind the scrims? As if she was writing from an outdated schedule, and hadn't bothered going to the park to see for herself?

That sounds like Cupcake to me. But she pretends she knows what Horizons was and that she loves the Orange Birds and the 11% of straight and 18% bi-curious fanbois also think she's attractive. BTW, one lesson I learned in my 20s: you don't ever date a PR 'pro'.

 

[Next Big Thing]

And how do you know that?

BECAUSE YOU SAW IT.

(Though I disagree that it was a "few images here and there", I think you just don't know Disney history that well and need to read up on what the director and producers have said which is that it was heavily inspired by Disney's original concepts for EPCOT, of which the original Tomorrowland - back you know, in the 1950's when it was somewhat original - was a prototype of.)

Let's say I write a book. I call it "Adventure in OZ". I plaster the cover and all promotional materials with well-known Oz characters (the public domain versions, mind you, not the film ones) and concepts.

In the book, though - the characters only reference the existing Oz in passing in the first chapter, and by the second chapter I have transported newly created characters to a hyped-up, future version of Oz that has little to do with the original Oz.

Would my book be original?

You are just irritated that Tron 3 got cancelled, as you admit, and you were wrong to begin with about "hasn't opened up in overseas markets" (which then prompted your profanity laced defense of something in your very next post you say you don't actually care about).

If you truly think a futuristic version of Tomorrowland is original, I feel incredibly sorry that being a Disney fan has so warped the concept for you (and yet you at least aren't enough of a fan to actually see how deeply rooted the concepts actually are in Disney history).

Listen, this has nothing to do with Tron anymore and hasn't for awhile. It's about you splitting hairs over something very stupid.

And I know Disney history full well and what was taken into account with this movie. But I also know that most of it didn't play a big part and that any writer out there worth their salt could come up with a similar script, possibly even a better one. It just wouldn't have been as Disney-fied in certain ways.

It was a basic sci-fi film. So what if it wasn't 100% original? Yes, btw, this is me saying it wasn't original. But i've never believed it was. It's based on something ("Tomorrowland") that has completely original character/story/script in the movie itself. So, yes, the story is loosely based on Walt Disney's Tomorrowland/1964 World's Fair, however, none of the characters, story or script existed in the beginning. That's textbook "Based on".

I'm done for tonight as i'm tired.

 

[doctornick]

Look at what was made under Eisner ... look at Lion King, evil uncle murders Simba's father and makes the young cub think he was responsible. Look at Hunchback. The abuse of a deformed man, murder by a priest who lusts after a gypsy woman. Look at Atlantis, characters smoking. And, yeah, the 'adult' themes of RR.

You think ANY of that would come out of today's Disney? No, we get Olaf who likes warm hugs and dimwitted fanbois instead.

And in Frozen, you have someone who schemes to marry someone and then leaves her to die in order to become king. In Tangled, you had a women who kidnapped a child and locked her up without any other human contact in order to remain young.

Bringing up Olaf in this context seems odd: do you think Pumba and Timon were deep, complex characters?

I'm not really sure I see your point; Disney animated films have always been family fare.

 

[WDW1974]

For Water Parks .... a 1-Day Water Park Hopper ticket... 2 water parks for the price of 1! Or a Water Park Annual Pass for $110! Also, I think TL has a Summer Party in the park. They also debuted a few new food options at the beginning of the year that are quite good

I'm going to assume you are being sarcastic.