A Spirited Valentine ...

[SorcererMC]

That is fine if you actually believe Universal will not simply continue to raise their prices as well. . .

I have no doubt that both WDW and UO are going to make out like bandits over the next 2-5+ years after SW opens....for me, WDW's investment may be 'too late' was all I was trying to say. But I'm sure that WDW will find a way to extract just as much $ from me.

 

[doctornick]

Exactly this. I already know that UO is probably going to get the larger share of my vacation $ in the future because that is kid's preference (obsessive about Nintendo). I'm pretty certain that in the next 2-3 years WDW prices will be adjusted to accommodate the reality of guests spending 2-3 days at WDW instead of 4-5 days (ie by jacking up their prices).

I don't really think so. If Uni and WDW continue to add "stuff" and are able to offer more to guests combined with higher ticket prices at both resorts, I think increasingly you'll see people move away from the combined trips and do more trips that are only WDW or Uni. Especially when/if Uni opens a third gate.

 

[WildcatDen]

My family loves Potter and very much look forward to seeing Diagon Alley, but for the life of me, I cannot see spending more than 2 days at Universal now or in the next 5 plus years.

 

[SorcererMC]

I don't really think so. If Uni and WDW continue to add "stuff" and are able to offer more to guests combined with higher ticket prices at both resorts, I think increasingly you'll see people move away from the combined trips and do more trips that are only WDW or Uni. Especially when/if Uni opens a third gate.

I think that WDW is pushing the limits of consumer loyalty with their price increases....and consumers will go on-property where they think they are getting the better deal. WDW and UO use tacit collusion on pricing and it won't be a perfectly competitive market. I think that the WDW-UO split vacations are already happening based on current WDW dynamic pricing, and I expect it will be the norm for many years.

ETA: Essentially each is allocating quantity, the # of park days, via their pricing, with Disney being the leader. Meanwhile UO will act like the leader, and both will profit handsomely. And ultimately this is why I think that doubling down on DVC is not a good strategy - WDW has more to gain if they cooperate with UO than if they don't.

 

[HMF]

(Right now, the plan of returning beloved night fare to temper the anger of ToT being destroyed is working! I am not so weak to think that a 1972 parade and a 2005 pyro show make up for destroying a masterpiece of Imagineering to shove Bob's IP in ... but that is me.)

Is that really the reason DL took back MSEP? If so, that is really low.

 

[HMF]

I'm glad how even the general public is reacting to the stupidity and short sightedness of this decision. Just look at the like-to-dislike ratio on that video they posted!

Disney is probably hoping people will change their opinion once the ride opens, but I don't think they will, judging by how much it is being rushed, and how hideous the exterior looks compared to the ToT. I'm hoping all of the backlash continues, as it may be what ends up saving the DHS version.

What they are doing to Tower of Terror was not even a consideration in my worst nightmares on the damage Iger could inflict on the parks.

 

[CanadianGordon]

Always glad to see a great return here by WDW1974.

So many amazing points.
So sad about ToT in CA, happy it looks terrible tho. The backlash will save the others.

 

[HMF]

So sad about ToT in CA, happy it looks terrible tho. The backlash will save the others.

That is the only possible positive outcome of this disaster. DCA will end up with a nearly fatal flaw though. Between Tower and Soarin', The California theme is now on life support. I am just glad that I made it to Disneyland in 2015 when Walt's River was still intact and DCA had a cohesive theme with Tower of Terror and Soarin' Over California. 2015 really was DCA's Golden Year. It's really sad too because for a 10 year period from 2005 until 2015 it seemed DLR could do no wrong. (Mostly)

 

[Princess Leia]

Always glad to see a great return here by WDW1974.

So many amazing points.
So sad about ToT in CA, happy it looks terrible tho. The backlash will save the others.

Is it too late for people to cosplay the historical society members front Back to the Future?


In all seriousness though, I hope this ends with a Tiki Room scenario. I love GotG, just like I love Zazu (Lion King) and Iago (Aladdin), but it doesn't belong at the parks as a cheap overlay.

 

[HMF]

Is it too late for people to cosplay the historical society members front Back to the Future?


In all seriousness though, I hope this ends with a Tiki Room scenario. I love GotG, just like I love Zazu (Lion King) and Iago (Aladdin), but it doesn't belong at the parks as a cheap overlay.

Yeah but unlike Tiki Room. This gaffe will not be easy to fix.

 

[gonzoWDW]

2 years ago, I estimated that Iger had undercapitalized his domestic theme parks to the tune of $2.5B over his first 9 years.

Updating that for the last 2 years, that number stands at $2.8B.

There's the distinct possibility that by the time all this spending is done, that deficit will be completely erased.

It looks to be heading that way.

My only concern is whether or not $2.8B worth of spending will get you $2.8B worth of attractions/upgrades, specifically considering how Imagineering struggles to keep to a budget (or so I've heard).

That being said, I'm still optimistic. It'll be nice when each park has an interesting new experience to check out.

*Edit: even if it takes a while for them to build everything out.

 

[MisterPenguin]

(Right now, the plan of returning beloved night fare to temper the anger of ToT being destroyed is working! I am not so weak to think that a 1972 parade and a 2005 pyro show make up for destroying a masterpiece of Imagineering to shove Bob's IP in ... but that is me.)

Is that really the reason DL took back MSEP? If so, that is really low.

You need to read a little closer. Spirit said "but that is me." In other words, his opinion. Thus no one knows if that is the reason.

Of course, the need for Paint the Night to be refurbed and for DL to get back their night time parade that they own and was only on load to MK might have something to do with it. And that is a more plausible reality based on facts than a made-up guess based on nothing more than... what? A hate for certain Disney execs? A dislike for a ride overlay? <shrug>

 

[MisterPenguin]

Taking some of the top WDI talent that worked on SDL and moving them over to this expansion is designed to make HK feel like it is as important to the company (sadly, it isn't) as Shanghai. Castle envy? Who knew ... who knew ...

Wasn't there someone who called it ahead of everyone else?

 

[HMF]

Wasn't there someone who called it ahead of everyone else?

Are you really shilling for Tom Corless?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Are you really shilling for Tom Corless?

What did Tom ever do to you? Would you like a hug?

 

[wdwgreek]

Are you really shilling for Tom Corless?

Shilling wow the distaste between these two sites is really interesting. can't we let him post his click bait articles and move on with our lives? I have said it before I like Tom, when i met him he was super nice, I like generally his podcasts. He does a nice job although dabbles with hyperbole for clicks. But live and let live/ grow up and move on.

 

[HMF]

What did Tom ever do to you? Would you like a hug?

Actually, I do have a personal history with Tom Corless. That being said, I more dislike him because of the many "Alternative Facts" has reported over the years.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Actually, I do have a personal history with Tom Corless. That being said, I more dislike him because of the many "Alternative Facts" ***** has reported over the years.

That may be the case. But even someone who is usually wrong can get something right and someone who is usually right can get something wrong.

 

[wdwgreek]

That may be the case. But even someone who is usually wrong can get something right and someone who is usually right can get something wrong.

A broken clock is right at least twice a day!

 

[HMF]

That may be the case. But even someone who is usually wrong can get something right and someone who is usually right can get something wrong.

I agree, but getting the news right SOME of the time really does not make you a credible source. Then again in this day and age when people at the highest level of government take news from unreliable sources as gospel, I guess it's OK.