A Spirited Perfect Ten

[FigmentJedi]

When the guy whose college essay to NYU was about his love of Star Wars thinks it's being overexposed, you have a problem.

I like that last part where he's upset that to Disney, Star Wars is a thing for children and not for aging geeks that still haven't gotten over how bad the prequels were.

Personally, I think annual Star Wars movies are the best thing to happen to the franchise in a long time. That and oversight by the Story Group means we don't have the stupid arms race of authors trying to one-up each other or leave their mark in terrible ways that caused the old Expanded Universe to suffer.

 

[Travel Junkie]

Kind of a cool story. The only Disney connection is that Cedar Fair is now run by a former Disneyland President. Cedar Fair is searching all over Europe for classic rides to bring back to their parks. I’m glad somebody in the industry is trying to preserve classic attractions.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-trb-cedar-fair-flat-rides-20150806-story.html#page=1

As an aside I love the quote “Sometimes we get so complicated in this business," (Ouimet) said. "It isn’t complicated"

 

[FigmentJedi]

Cool, PBS is gonna be doing a creative visionary double feature the night of the second half of their Walt Disney documentary with a new biography show of theirs doing an episode on Jim Henson

http://www.toughpigs.com/pbs-jim/

http://www.pbs.org/program/in-their-own-words/

Jim Henson (Premieres Tuesday, September 15, 2015)

The film follows Henson’s career from his first work with his Muppets in the early 1950’s during television’s Golden Age up to his sudden and shocking death in 1990, as he transcended puppetry to become one of the most creative, prolific and influential artists of his time. Key events include his early television work with the Muppets while still a student at the University of Maryland, his commercial work and network appearances in the late 1950s and early 1960’s, his breakthrough with Sesame Street, The Muppet Show, Fraggle Rock, and his groundbreaking fantasy films, Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.

Among those interviewed for the Jim Henson episode are his children, Lisa, Cheryl, Brian and Heather Henson, actors Neil Patrick Harris and Candice Bergen, Willard Scott, director John Landis, former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, and Sesame Street cast members Bob McGrath and Carroll Spinney.

 

[ChrisFL]

Kind of a cool story. The only Disney connection is that Cedar Fair is now run by a former Disneyland President. Cedar Fair is searching all over Europe for classic rides to bring back to their parks. I’m glad somebody in the industry is trying to preserve classic attractions.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-trb-cedar-fair-flat-rides-20150806-story.html#page=1

As an aside I love the quote “Sometimes we get so complicated in this business," (Ouimet) said. "It isn’t complicated"

Matt Ouimet....one of the best DL Presidents they had

 

[wogwog]

In other news. We all love Disney of course. But I am glad to not be in the park today. It is Thursday people.
From friends working there today. EMH opening at 8. Announced at Noon that park hours are extended from 12 Mid to 1 AM. 99 heat index. Sample wait times at @2:30. BTM 50, Buzz Down, Jungle 80, Meet Cindy and Rap 110, Meet Mickey 105, Meet Think 50, Peter 75, Space 115, Splash 75, Speedway 50 Little Mermaid 45.

I think I will have another cold something and get back in the pool.

 

[Shaman]

ESPN has issues. The rising cost of content. Competitors for the best content, both from other cable companies (FoxSports, NBCSportsNetwork), and the leagues themselves (NFL Network). The possibility of legislation requiring a la carte cable programming (you getting to choose the exact stations you want & pay for - ESPN is by FAR the most expensive basic cable channel), never mind outright cord cutting (getting rid of cable and getting your content by other means).

The Mouse is down more today - and is taking other companies w/ cable content (like Viacom) down with it.

While their may be other aspects scaring investors a bit, for all intents & purposes this is the ESPN Correction (and if it keeps going down the ESPN Bear). And I don't follow 'technicals', but at some point if a pattern shows up they don't like then all who follow the 'chart voodoo' may bail.

The Mouse before this was 'priced to perfection'. When you are priced to perfection you are expected to beat analysts projections - regardless whether you beat your own or not - and don't say scary stuff in the CC.

Earlier this year there was a rumor that Disney might be interested in channels dedicated to Star Wars/Marvel...Would more channels help compensate for ESPN losses? Wall Street is spooked, but it seems unreasonable. No one knows what structures the market embraces or the prices consumers are willing to pay in an a la carte environment.

It seems that the investments at WDW and DL could also be seen as a move to prepare for weakened segments within the company. They are hoping for a healthy return on those investments. But are the rumored plans in jeopardy if investors become even more afraid?

Disney seems better equipped than other media giants to weather the uncertainty. Visionary leadership is needed in moments like these. Disney has the IPs and brands...they should do something bold.

 

[GiveMeTheMusic]

Kind of a cool story. The only Disney connection is that Cedar Fair is now run by a former Disneyland President. Cedar Fair is searching all over Europe for classic rides to bring back to their parks. I’m glad somebody in the industry is trying to preserve classic attractions.

http://www.latimes.com/travel/themeparks/la-trb-cedar-fair-flat-rides-20150806-story.html#page=1

As an aside I love the quote “Sometimes we get so complicated in this business," (Ouimet) said. "It isn’t complicated"

Remember that time Disney forced Matt Ouimet out and picked Jay Rasulo instead? Good times.

 

[Animaniac93-98]

When the guy whose college essay to NYU was about his love of Star Wars thinks it's being overexposed, you have a problem.

I'm with this guy. As someone who isn't overly enamoured with Star Wars, I'm already tired of hearing about so many movies and possibly Netflix content coming out all at once. Compare that to how the original trilogy movies were spaced 3 years apart...and there were just 3 of them.

Aren't you all complaining about Frozen oversaturation? How will Star Wars be any different?

 

[phillip sugarman]

When do you think Fox will give back the Fantastic Four property back to Disney/Marvel now that the movie will probably flop since reviews havent been very kind to it. It is currently at 10 percent on rotten tomatoes.

 

[Rodan75]

ESPN has issues. The rising cost of content. Competitors for the best content, both from other cable companies (FoxSports, NBCSportsNetwork), and the leagues themselves (NFL Network). The possibility of legislation requiring a la carte cable programming (you getting to choose the exact stations you want & pay for - ESPN is by FAR the most expensive basic cable channel), never mind outright cord cutting (getting rid of cable and getting your content by other means).

The Mouse is down more today - and is taking other companies w/ cable content (like Viacom) down with it.

While their may be other aspects scaring investors a bit, for all intents & purposes this is the ESPN Correction (and if it keeps going down the ESPN Bear). And I don't follow 'technicals', but at some point if a pattern shows up they don't like then all who follow the 'chart voodoo' may bail.

The Mouse before this was 'priced to perfection'. When you are priced to perfection you are expected to beat analysts projections - regardless whether you beat your own or not - and don't say scary stuff in the CC.

This will be interesting to see how it plays out. It is fascinating to see the emotions at play within Wall Street, the facts are always second to the feelings. I think Iger was trying to create a minor correction to the stock price with his discussion around ESPN and threw out a little too much red meat for the bears. When folks start baking in perfection and a 2.2B global gross for an upcoming movie, the Pixie Snorting Bulls have gone too far.

Unfortunately, I suspect the Pixie Dust will be back to full strength by the time D23 is over.

 

[ford91exploder]

Great Summary of the earnings report! Thank you @ParentsOf4 . There seems to be far too much emotion surrounding yesterday's 'miss' and outlook for both P&R and Media Networks. Currently showing how dangerous Pixie Dust can be when Wall Street Analysts get ahold of it.

It's known to the State of California to cause insanity...

 

[ford91exploder]

This will be interesting to see how it plays out. It is fascinating to see the emotions at play within Wall Street, the facts are always second to the feelings. I think Iger was trying to create a minor correction to the stock price with his discussion around ESPN and threw out a little too much red meat for the bears. When folks start backing in perfection and a 2.2B global gross for an upcoming movie, the Pixie Snorting Bulls have gone too far.

Unfortunately, I suspect the Pixie Dust will be back to full strength by the time D23 is over.

Disagree with the stock on the way down, I think we can kiss the expansion plans buh bye. The bears are about to maul DIS, Which interestingly enough is the stock most shorted on the NYSE. That says something right there.

 

[ford91exploder]

The way @WDW1974 talks, I assumed your 'belt' was a rope tied in a knot? Of course, a man who walks the runway in jorts has little room to critique another man's taste in clothes.

Belts are so metrosexual, With a rope you have a supply of fishing line and a game snare handy in addition to it holding up ones trousers if the suspenders fail. You could also use the rope as an emergency fan/alternator belt.

Us rural folk are more prepared than the citified people who have to wait for a food delivery or a service truck and this is just about the ropes we use for belts...

 

[ford91exploder]

Sure, why not.

Lilo is all grown up now

 

[PhotoDave219]

When do you think Fox will give back the Fantastic Four property back to Disney/Marvel now that the movie will probably flop since reviews havent been very kind to it. It is currently at 10 percent on rotten tomatoes.

They won't ever "give" anything

 

[GoofGoof]

Disagree with the stock on the way down, I think we can kiss the expansion plans buh bye. The bears are about to maul DIS, Which interestingly enough is the stock most shorted on the NYSE. That says something right there.

Yep, just like they canceled Carsland and DCA 2.0 when the whole economy tanked and the stock was literally cut in half. A 10% to 15% correction to an inflated stock price which is still up almost 30% in the last 12 months will almost certainly scare Iger and crew into canceling all their plans . Who ran the company back in 2008/2009? Same guys.

 

[lebeau]

Remember that time Disney forced Matt Ouimet out and picked Jay Rasulo instead? Good times.

As a Kings Island season pass holder, I very very grateful to Disney for picking Rasulo over Ouimet.

 

[TP2000]

Remember that time Disney forced Matt Ouimet out and picked Jay Rasulo instead? Good times.

That was one of the dumbest mistakes senior Disney executives ever made. Matt Ouimet was brilliant and perfect for Parks & Resorts. Rasulo, not so much.

Ouimet's quote about theme parks not being complicated proves it. He's finding the best new rides for his parks, while Rasulo thought they should invent MyMagic+ instead of investing in rides.

It's just a theme park. Too many MBA's in Burbank forget that, or since they've never worked in a theme park and rarely visit them they don't even know that to begin with.

 

[lebeau]

I'm with this guy. As someone who isn't overly enamoured with Star Wars, I'm already tired of hearing about so many movies and possibly Netflix content coming out all at once. Compare that to how the original trilogy movies were spaced 3 years apart...and there were just 3 of them.

Aren't you all complaining about Frozen oversaturation? How will Star Wars be any different?

Because girls were the ones clamoring for more Frozen. What they want is irrelevant. Unmarried middle-aged men are the ones demanding Star Wars. They must be serviced at all times to the exclusion of everyone else.

 

[lebeau]

When do you think Fox will give back the Fantastic Four property back to Disney/Marvel now that the movie will probably flop since reviews havent been very kind to it. It is currently at 10 percent on rotten tomatoes.

Seeing as how there are already plans to cross the FF over with the X-Men movies, I wouldn't hold my breath on that one.