A Spirited Valentine ...

[DDLand]

Also keep in mind Disney has land use restrictions in Anaheim. There is a max on the total amount of land Disney can own in the resort district. I was surprised Disney did not go higher when expanding GCH, but not sure if there were already density restrictions on that land.

If I remember correctly, the Simba parking lot (next to PPH) is not including in the "hotel district" zoning. That's probably why the mysterious 4th Disney hotel will be going in the Downtown Disney parking lot since that was already part of the hotel district. Also keep in mind Disney is getting a huge tax break on that hotel (70% of Occupancy Tax). Once that is completed, it wouldn't surprise me if the some of the PPH or DLH rooms are converted to DVC.

However, I don't understand the DVC costs enough to know if a $300-$500/night room would ever become more profitable as DVC.

The Simba parking lot is part of The Disneyland Resort Specific Plan and the Resort District. Specifically it's categorized in the Hotel District. Disney has the ability to scale up to some 5600 rooms within the Disneyland Resort Specific Plan. Even after they make their new inventory additions, they'll be dramatically underutilizing their potential buildout.

Before Disney's California Adventure bombed, then Disney Parks leaders went out and teased 4 potential future hotel developments.
1) Expansion to Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
2) A new tower at Disneyland Hotel with 250 rooms
3) A new hotel with suites near Mickey and Friends
4) A major several thousand room buildout in Simba Parking

Of those 2 will have been built in fast approaching 20 years after DCA opened (everything did not go as Plan).

Right now parking is the big hold up for any plan, especially with what @rushtest4echo pointed out. They're currently rectifying that problem and building out a multiphase parking garage that will eventually surpass 8000 spaces when the government vacates the area.

Ultimately something will happen there, and hotel rooms would make sense. Anaheim, which feeds off of hotel revenue and benefits from inventory near their convention center, would much rather have a Disney hotel in place of a parking lot (except maybe the Mayor).

 

[HauntedPirate]

I, for one, have never seen 'Avatar'. It didn't appeal to me in the least. That said, I'm curious to see what Pandora looks like, but to say I'm looking forward to it would be an obvious stretch. Having been to AK a few times while the addition was being built, my family affectionately called part of it a "floating t*rd in the sky".

I also agree that it does not appear to have any kind of cultural impact. Perhaps that's just me. Perhaps that's due to marketing, or a lack thereof. Perhaps it's due to the fact of when it was released (2009) and thus doesn't have the connection to baby boomers and Gen X'ers, and thus doesn't have their money chasing after it, like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Marvel do. My kids (8 to 16 yrs old) don't really care about 'Avatar' - Put 'Avatar' on and they'll watch but probably change the channel after a while. Put a 'Star Wars' movie on and they won't move until it's done, and would have no problem watching it again.

I'm looking more forward to the Star Wars additions than anything else. Even then, my expectations are low. Today's Disney seems to swing for the safety of a single or double instead of swinging for the fences and creating something timeless. Iger used the term "de-risk" when describing their approach to movies now, and I'd say that term definitely also applies to how they approach the theme parks these days. Yes, they are spending on the parks after a decade of neglect. However, after that decade of neglect they need home runs, not singles and doubles. Unfortunately, that's likely what they are going to get out of all the spending they are doing - Singles and doubles. That's what saddens me the most.

 

[NearTheEars]

You mean the people who are paid in some manner to hype the land for Disney, Those people. I'm more interested in the average person's opinion not the person who is getting a 'free' Disney vacation to say how wonderful the land is.

I'm sick of the 'Highest Grossing' meme yes it was but it was because the movie TECH i.e. 3D that actually worked without giving viewers a headache that people came to see it. The movie in 2D is utterly unwatchable. Sorry the so called foliage really DOES look like rattan and sisal wrapped around an armature. Where are the bio-lumenescent plants which were so broadly hyped as a feature of the land.

The pictures released one would expect to show the BEST features. And if that's the best the land can do well I'm not missing much by not seeing the land.

A few of the videos with Rhode HAVE shown glimpses of the plants. Maybe you didn't watch them, which is fine I typically stay away from spoilers. This is one of the few things I have taken a peak at before seeing it in person.

As far as the film goes, its popularity/box office haul at the time speaks for itself. I still haven't seen it. So I can't really defend its use. But after reading here for a few years, people prefer attractions to have themes and stories they've never heard of. So wouldn't this be perfect then?

ETA: and this blog post as well
https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/b...he-world-of-avatar-at-disneys-animal-kingdom/

 

[brb1006]

The theme song for Disneyland Paris's 25th Anniversary just got released today. It's called "Everyday's a Celebration"

I love this theme so much better than "Live The Magic" for Disneyland's 60th.

 

[Princess Leia]

Um... Pretty sure Spirit said to keep talk of a movie's box office performance out of this thread.

I will admit that I was guilty of that with the Pirates franchise, causing Spirit to make the comment to begin with. Anyways, please keep it out of this thread and put it in a movie thread where it belongs? It's sort of clogging the thread. Thanks

 

[HMF]

Digital 3D wasn't as widespread back then. It was only in the lead-up to Avatar that it started being installed in more and more theaters around the country because James was hyping the movie up as something that needed to be seen in 3D and who could argue with Titanic man?

I could because I don't consider Titanic to be that great a movie.

 

[BubbaQuest]

The Timon parking lot is part of The Disneyland Resort Specific Plan and the Resort District. Specifically it's categorized in the Hotel District. Disney has the ability to scale up to some 5600 rooms within the Disneyland Resort Specific Plan. Even after they make their new inventory additions, they'll be dramatically underutilizing their potential buildout.

Before Disney's California Adventure bombed, then Disney Parks leaders went out and teased 4 potential future hotel developments.
1) Expansion to Disney's Grand Californian Hotel
2) A new tower at Disneyland Hotel with 250 rooms
3) A new hotel with suites near Mickey and Friends
4) A major several thousand room buildout in Timon Parking

Of those 2 will have been built in fast approaching 20 years after DCA opened (everything did not go as Plan).

Wow! I thought the hotel district was already maxed out, but it looks like they have only developed about 2500 rooms out of the potential 5600.

From the land use plan when DCA/Downtown Disney was approved:

"The Hotel District is the second largest district within The Disneyland Resort and covers approximately 97 acres. The Hotel District is intended for hotels, accessory retail, recreational uses (i.e., swimming pools, tennis courts, etc.), and landscaped areas. The Specific Plan proposes reconfiguration and renovation of the existing Disneyland Hotel and the construction of two or three new hotels. Portions of the Disneyland Hotel, as well as other existing motels included in this District, will be demolished to accommodate the new hotels.

The Hotel District will contain approximately 4,600 hotel rooms including approximately 1,000 existing rooms in the Disneyland Hotel that will be retained and renovated, and 3,600 new hotel rooms. Up to 1,000 more hotel rooms may be added to the Hotel District if they are not constructed in the Theme Park District, bringing the total number of hotel rooms permitted within The Disneyland Resort to 5,600 rooms"​

The 1000 rooms in the Theme Park District is now GCH. So that may be the restriction on expanding GCH DVC -- no more than 1000 rooms total within the Theme Park District. I had heard about the proposed Disneyland Hotel tower, but had no idea they were planning on a total of 3600 new rooms with additional hotels!

And a slight correction. Timon is the parking lot that become Cars Land. Simba is the one next to Paradise Pier. It looks like it was added to the Disney Hotel District when DCA was approved. I think it was city/vacant property before that?

 

[DDLand]

Wow! I thought the hotel district was already maxed out, but it looks like they have only developed about 2500 rooms out of the potential 5600.

From the land use plan when DCA/Downtown Disney was approved:

"The Hotel District is the second largest district within The Disneyland Resort and covers approximately 97 acres. The Hotel District is intended for hotels, accessory retail, recreational uses (i.e., swimming pools, tennis courts, etc.), and landscaped areas. The Specific Plan proposes reconfiguration and renovation of the existing Disneyland Hotel and the construction of two or three new hotels. Portions of the Disneyland Hotel, as well as other existing motels included in this District, will be demolished to accommodate the new hotels.

The Hotel District will contain approximately 4,600 hotel rooms including approximately 1,000 existing rooms in the Disneyland Hotel that will be retained and renovated, and 3,600 new hotel rooms. Up to 1,000 more hotel rooms may be added to the Hotel District if they are not constructed in the Theme Park District, bringing the total number of hotel rooms permitted within The Disneyland Resort to 5,600 rooms"​

The 1000 rooms in the Theme Park District is now GCH. So that may be the restriction on expanding GCH DVC -- no more than 1000 rooms total within the Theme Park District. I had heard about the proposed Disneyland Hotel tower, but had no idea they were planning on a total of 3600 new rooms with additional hotels!

And a slight correction. Timon is the parking lot that become Cars Land. Simba is the one next to Paradise Pier. It looks like it was added to the Disney Hotel District when DCA was approved. I think it was city/vacant property before that?

Whoops, I was thinking of the name earlier and I knew that Pumba was the new parking garage and what's Pumba without Timon?

I'll fix that!

GFH started with a room count in the 700s. Original plans called for scaling up to the 900s, which they did, but as DVC. At the time DCA was still picking itself off its' feet and Jim Lewis was on a building spree. Beyond the existing DVC foot print, there really isn't any more space for GCH to build out. They could convert rooms, but that would be hugely detrimental. They're commanding incredible prices. Admittedly they're facing increasing competition with a host of 4 diomand hotels coming online, but that's why they're going on a room modernization effort.

Also of note that when The Disneyland Resort Specific Plan was adopted, PP wasn't part of it. That may give them even more wiggle room.

 

[truecoat]

Whoops, I was thinking of the name earlier and I knew that Pumba was the new parking garage and what's Pumba without Timon?

I'll fix that!

GFH started with a room count in the 700s. Original plans called for scaling up to the 900s, which they did, but as DVC. At the time DCA was still picking itself off its' feet and Jim Lewis was on a building spree. Beyond the existing DVC foot print, there really isn't any more space for GCH to build out. They could convert rooms, but that would be hugely detrimental. They're commanding incredible prices. Admittedly they're facing increasing competition with a host of 4 diomand hotels coming online, but that's why they're going on a room modernization effort.

Also of note that when The Disneyland Resort Specific Plan was adopted, PP wasn't part of it. That may give them even more wiggle room.

Not sure how solid a plan it was but before the Disneyland Hotel remodel there was talk of tearing both towers down and building new.

 

[BrerJon]

Mandarake is a local chain of used "geek" stuff and one of their store (3rd floor if I remember correctly) has a huge selection of Disney things. Last February, you had incredible things such as an awesome Tokyo DisneySea opening day collectible glass plate.

Mandarake is awesome! The one in Akihabara is incredible, more like a museum of Japanese toys and action figures than a store - never seen so many Godzillas in my life! Spent most of the afternoon looking round there. Definitely recommended for any geek visiting the city!

 

[BrerJon]

Wow, apparently any posts that hint that WDW visitor numbers might be heading in anything less than a magical direction get deleted straight away... For a moment I had to check the URL to see I wasn't on the Disney Parks Blog.

I guess that's how things are these days. Nothing to see hear anyone, everything is great, Disney has never seen so many guests, the rides are in the best condition they've ever been! Anyone telling you otherwise is just working for the dishonest fake theme parks!

That better?

 

[WDW1974]

@WDW1974 i don't think people are so much losing interest in the parks or Disney I think there is so much else going on in the world today that people are spending time with it. Politics, stagnation of Economy, people are just focusing on other things. I will admit my love for Disney is still as strong but my time for it right now is way less with the other things going on.

I think that may be it. The world has gone mad and it is boiling over. ... It is very hard to worked up over the continued desecration of WDW when there are people out there who would like to sell our National Parks to the highest bidder (just one example).

I will say that I just don't feel that Disney is worth the energy anymore. Even stopping in here tonight required a back and forth in my mind.

 

[WDW1974]

Tony Baxter rules.
It is a real shame that this was not built.
It would have been spectacular compared to the preschool cruise that is currently in operation.
Thanks to budget cuts at the time, shortsighted management, and inter-company politics, this was sadly shelved.


Whenever the topic of the Disneyland Subs comes up I remember this concept from years ago and so wish it could have happened.
This concept packed a real punch and would have delivered a far more exciting experience for Guests.
A lot more exciting then watching monitor screens of Pixar's CGI cartoon fish, that's for sure.
It also would fit the area rather nicely thematically.

It is disappointing and downright infuriating sometimes to realize how truly fantastic concepts like this are allowed to be passed over in favor of something far less imaginative.
When you know how terrific something could have been, it's hard sometimes to settle for 'less'.

-

Yes, it is a shame, but where would Disney coffee table books be without all of the great stuff that isn't built so that winners like Test Track and The Little Mermaid etc do come to fruition.

 

[WDW1974]

Sorry, let me rephrase... Perhaps the reason is because there are a lot of people who are not you who have not lost the passion for the BRAND...

Much better.

 

[the.dreamfinder]

Much better.

But is Disney really a BRAND or a singular, distinct identity?

 

[Disney Analyst]

Regarding the post that disappeared I think it is very very true. Every Canadian I know has vowed to not travel to the states until they feel things are going back to a sane direction. Canadians have been harassed at the border lately more then ever has happened before. I know I'm not planning any trips.

 

[ford91exploder]

i think people liked it, but I don't see the lasting love for it either. I will freely admit this is just anecdotal and nothing more, but no one I know is a huge fan of the movie. They enjoyed it at the time, sure, but there's little interest (if any) in the sequels. I don't think this has the same lasting audience as, say, Star Wars (or even Star Trek) does.

I think people will enjoy the land if it's as well done and immersive as it's purported to be, but I don't expect the Avatar franchise itself to be extremely popular. I don't see the merchandise, for example, selling the way Disney or SW merchandise sells.

I think what you are searching for is that Avatar had no "cultural resonance"

Avatar was clearly a technical tour de force and a box office success. (as was Titanic) But after everyone had seen and appreciated the piece of the movie which in my case was the visuals,

in others the anti-war, anti-capitalist or the conservation message. Even the basic boy meets girl plot was muddy.

There was no gestalt of the overall movie which seized the public consciousness As a movie it was a buffet not a signature dish to use a food analogy. Yes it was enjoyed and just as quickly forgotten as so many films are

 

[WDW1974]

And once TSL opens you can ride A-S-S!!!!

Must resist joke ... must resist ...

 

[WDW1974]

I have not been. I was never sold on the hype. The art that was released was a huge red flag. A big warehouse that sort of has a fire station entrance is not made amazing because you have been told it is Ghostbusters.

No, neither was I. ... I also wouldn't visit the UAE anyway because of personal reasons. But hearing people blather on about how amazing and huge the complex is and state of the art and then to see the reality, well, it brings you back to Earth very quickly.

 

[HMF]

I think that may be it. The world has gone mad and it is boiling over. ... It is very hard to worked up over the continued desecration of WDW when there are people out there who would like to sell our National Parks to the highest bidder (just one example).

I will say that I just don't feel that Disney is worth the energy anymore. Even stopping in here tonight required a back and forth in my mind.

For me it's actually the other way around. I visit here to enjoy what little good is left at Disney. I am actually trying to avoid Current Events because it angers me so much.