Al Lutz -- Fantasyland budget cuts

[xdan0920]

Good points!

Remeber people this is TDO, there is one thing that I am 100% sure about, this expansion will look nothing like the art.

The fact is, nothing ever looks like the initial concept art. That is fine. The thing that is worrying me is that TDO has a recent history of completely sticking it to the fan base. And now the budget is being scaled back. This does not exactly inspire faith in TDO to do a good job with this expansion.

I am justifiably worried.

 

[Figment632]

The fact is, nothing ever looks like the initial concept art. That is fine. The thing that is worrying me is that TDO has a recent history of completely sticking it to the fan base. And now the budget is being scaled back. This does not exactly inspire faith in TDO to do a good job with this expansion.

I am justifiably worried.

You should be because imo it will not come close to being what people expect.

 

[MousDad]

I never thought I would think or say this, but the way this is going down makes me think that the higher power from which the mandate for the FL exspansion came was none other than Rasulo himself, rather than John or Bob as has been our romanticized interpretation.

Makes sense, given that he is no longer in the picture to "re-mandate" against such cuts, and that he is the one who publicly looks the most foolish since he did the actual announcement/unveiling.

I'm curious if any of our insiders would think that this was a possibility. If not, then where in the world are John and Bob now?

 

[aladdin2007]

sigh

 

[jt04]

Oh, come on jt. Disney could cancel the entire thing tomorrow and not owe anyone anything but a smile.

Heck, this was only released at a Disney Geek convention 3,000 miles from Orlando. Disney has announced major new expansions and attractions on national network television before, and then cancelled them and never mentioned them again. For example; ________ Tracy's Crimestoppers Attraction, Baby Herman's Buggy Ride, Hollywoodland at Disneyland, Epcot Africa Pavilion, etc., etc., etc. Disney hasn't even mentioned this on TV yet, it's just been relegated to a single fan convention and some generic concept sketches emailed to the Orlando Sentinel. They have very little PR invested in this project thus far.

What I do have to wonder however, is why TDO hasn't fired up at least a modest in-park Fantasyland Preview Center like DCA's Blue Sky Cellar. Or at the very least, an online version of the Fantasyland project like Disney has done with DCA's expansion? http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...iew&CMP=FY09BSC_DisneysCaliforniaAdventureCom

That type of preview website, officially run by Disney Corporate and WDI, would do wonders to shed some light on what is coming to WDW and what has been cut.

The canceled projects you mentioned were before they started selling DVC's. Timeshares create a whole new dynamic. My guess is Disney has put fine print in any contract that they can cancel/close/scale back etc. anything at anytime. But it is unethical to officially announce a project knowing it will push sales of timeshares and then not follow through. Though, you are right, it may be legal.

Now I know Disney is hesitant to react to anything Al Lutz posts, but their silence in this matter is concerning. A simple e-mail to Steve could ease a lot of concerns. I'm sure they could contact him or Garcia with a simple press release verifying the project is still a go. :shrug:

 

[aladdin2007]

The canceled projects you mentioned were before they started selling DVC's. Timeshares create a whole new dynamic. My guess is Disney has put fine print in any contract that they can cancel/close/scale back etc. anything at anytime. But it is unethical to officially announce a project knowing it will push sales of timeshares and then not follow through. Though, you are right, it may be legal.

Now I know Disney is hesitant to react to anything Al Lutz posts, but their silence in this matter is concerning. A simple e-mail to Steve could ease a lot of concerns. I'm sure they could contact him or Garcia with a simple press release verifying the project is still a go. :shrug:

Is there no love for WDW? :shrug: will we get a 40th even? ok thats off topic sorry, but yeah this project seems to have gone very quiet.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Oh, come on jt. Disney could cancel the entire thing tomorrow and not owe anyone anything but a smile.

Heck, this was only released at a Disney Geek convention 3,000 miles from Orlando. Disney has announced major new expansions and attractions on national network television before, and then cancelled them and never mentioned them again. For example; ________ Tracy's Crimestoppers Attraction, Baby Herman's Buggy Ride, Hollywoodland at Disneyland, Epcot Africa Pavilion, etc., etc., etc. Disney hasn't even mentioned this on TV yet, it's just been relegated to a single fan convention and some generic concept sketches emailed to the Orlando Sentinel. They have very little PR invested in this project thus far.

What I do have to wonder however, is why TDO hasn't fired up at least a modest in-park Fantasyland Preview Center like DCA's Blue Sky Cellar. Or at the very least, an online version of the Fantasyland project like Disney has done with DCA's expansion? [url]http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/disneyscaliforniaadventure/index?name=DCAPreview&CMP=FY09BSC_DisneysCaliforniaAdventureCom[/url]

That type of preview website, officially run by Disney Corporate and WDI, would do wonders to shed some light on what is coming to WDW and what has been cut.

Good point, and a bad sign...But too early to really jump the gun. Let's see what happens when walls go up, later this YEAR. They still have time.

Like I said, I don't think they'd scale back since this official announcement that got a lot of attention- creates a bad, BAD image. So, I believe we got the final product presented to us with all the major cuts made. I'm going to stand by that- because it's common sense. If I've learned anything from this board, it's that TDO wants to make it seem like they're doing a great job (obviously they aren't doing a great job to many) and they don't want the average person (no, not you; the average family going on a WDW vacation) to know of their bad habits.

Congrats. That was a coherent post....and probably very true.

Besides, WDI over spends. Dare I say it...but perhaps Rasulo's move to CFO while Saggs takes the PR helm was just for this. Wouldn't doubt it.

I never thought I would think or say this, but the way this is going down makes me think that the higher power from which the mandate for the FL exspansion came was none other than Rasulo himself, rather than John or Bob as has been our romanticized interpretation.

Makes sense, given that he is no longer in the picture to "re-mandate" against such cuts, and that he is the one who publicly looks the most foolish since he did the actual announcement/unveiling.

I'm curious if any of our insiders would think that this was a possibility. If not, then where in the world are John and Bob now?

Perhaps, but it's not in his nature. He's more of a CFO...:lookaroun.

Is there no love for WDW? :shrug: will we get a 40th even? ok thats off topic sorry, but yeah this project seems to have gone very quiet.

40th? Not as grand as planned, but we will see something. New parades, maybe some tagged pyro. I hope.

 

[MousDad]

Now I know Disney is hesitant to react to anything Al Lutz posts,

Hesitant, but not reticent.

 

[TP2000]

The canceled projects you mentioned were before they started selling DVC's. Timeshares create a whole new dynamic. My guess is Disney has put fine print in any contract that they can cancel/close/scale back etc. anything at anytime. But it is unethical to officially announce a project knowing it will push sales of timeshares and then not follow through. Though, you are right, it may be legal.

jt, you are guessing, and I'm afraid you are barking up the wrong tree.

The DVC contracts people sign involve the physical structures and amenities in the DVC buildings themselves. They have absolutely nothing to do with new rides in the theme parks, the ability to get a tee time at a golf course, the number of water slides open at Blizzard Beach, or the type of music played in a Downtown Disney night club. Disney can change anything involving those separate operations, and not even get near the legality of their DVC contracts.

I've sat through the DVC presentation before. They gush about "being close to the magic" and such marketing drivel. But they make no claims that your contract guarantees you access to any attraction currently existing or planned for the future.

DVC has to do with DVC, nothing else. They were selling DVC long before they announced Beastly Kingdom, and what happened there?

 

[jt04]

jt, you are guessing, and I'm afraid you are barking up the wrong tree.

The DVC contracts people sign involve the physical structures and amenities in the DVC buildings themselves. They have absolutely nothing to do with new rides in the theme parks, the ability to get a tee time at a golf course, the number of water slides open at Blizzard Beach, or the type of music played in a Downtown Disney night club. Disney can change anything involving those separate operations, and not even get near the legality of their DVC contracts.

I've sat through the DVC presentation before. They gush about "being close to the magic" and such marketing drivel. But they make no claims that your contract guarantees you access to any attraction currently existing or planned for the future.

DVC has to do with DVC, nothing else. They were selling DVC long before they announced Beastly Kingdom, and what happened there?

The fine print "happened". But that doesn't make it right.

The are about to scale down the FL they presented at D23 while scaling up the offerings at DL. Now if they are scaling down FL to add something else at WDW they should say so. Otherwise they are just ripping off WDW guests. But that has always been the pattern. At least post Wells.

 

[Horizons1]

WOW. TDO scaling back on character meet and greets? That's something I thought I'd never hear. Why are they so dang cheap anyways? They need a history lesson about WDW, and the expenses that were paid to make it as successful as it is.

 

[jt04]

WOW. TDO scaling back on character meet and greets? That's something I thought I'd never hear. Why are they so dang cheap anyways? They need a history lesson about WDW, and the expenses that were paid to make it as successful as it is.

People want to say I'm wrong but nobody has disputed the Lutz blog. I'm starting to think it is true. Yikes!

:fork:

 

[Captain Chaos]

It is all part of Disney history and lure... Funny thing is, they dangle it right in front of our faces, laughing from their offices, counting the days to their next bonus payout so they can buy the newest, biggest gas guzzler, while we vent on a website about the evil of TDO....

TIME TO DO SOMETHING!!! The revolution is about to begin!!!!

 

[jt04]

It is all part of Disney history and lure... Funny thing is, they dangle it right in front of our faces, laughing from their offices, counting the days to their next bonus payout so they can buy the newest, biggest gas guzzler, while we vent on a website about the evil of TDO....

TIME TO DO SOMETHING!!! The revolution is about to begin!!!!

I agree. Keep preparing. Have you heard from or contacted Kevin Yee? He posted here a few days ago and he has a new posting at mice age. He has cred, lives locally, has contacts at TDO and was the first to document the slide I believe. He would be a great assest to your site if you could land him.

 

[MousDad]

People want to say I'm wrong but nobody has disputed the Lutz blog. I'm starting to think it is true. Yikes!

:fork:

No one knows if it's true or not (except Al, I guess). And he ain't talking, apparently.

Edit: LeeMac might too, but he ain't talking either.

 

[aladdin2007]

It is all part of Disney history and lure... Funny thing is, they dangle it right in front of our faces, laughing from their offices, counting the days to their next bonus payout so they can buy the newest, biggest gas guzzler, while we vent on a website about the evil of TDO....

TIME TO DO SOMETHING!!! The revolution is about to begin!!!!

But what can we do? I dont think I could stop going even tho Im tempted cause it makes me mad, its still nice to spend time over there off and on. I dont want to give up my pass.
Send a letter to TDO perhaps? Contact local news stations? I dont think they care too much, so how exactly do we voice were upset beyond here?
Would love to find an effective way that is to the point but professional at the same time.

 

[imagineer boy]

But what can we do? I dont think I could stop going even tho Im tempted cause it makes me mad, its still nice to spend time over there off and on. I dont want to give up my pass.
Send a letter to TDO perhaps? Contact local news stations? I dont think they care too much, so how exactly do we voice were upset beyond here?
Would love to find an effective way that is to the point but professional at the same time.

Perhaps send letters to John Lassetter? If anyone cares, its him.

 

[aladdin2007]

Perhaps send letters to John Lassetter? If anyone cares, its him.

Maybe, but would they even reach him beyond some office clerk?

 

[DisneyParksFan1]

It is all part of Disney history and lure... Funny thing is, they dangle it right in front of our faces, laughing from their offices, counting the days to their next bonus payout so they can buy the newest, biggest gas guzzler, while we vent on a website about the evil of TDO....

TIME TO DO SOMETHING!!! The revolution is about to begin!!!!

This is the beginning of the end of TDO's crap! I would be on that site 24/7!!! But will this just be all online? Or will there be actual live events?

 

[jt04]

No one knows if it's true or not (except Al, I guess). And he ain't talking, apparently.

Edit: LeeMac might too, but he ain't talking either.

I wonder if Disney knows something about the economy none of us know?