Bruce Vaughn @ D23 on Universal Creative, Original rides, etc.

[dkosdros]

I have to disagree @Seabasealpha1 People are flocking to the parks to be part of feature films. TO be immersed in it as much as possible. I mean heck isn't that what most of Disneys experience is about. Being surrounded by the magic be it musical, theatrical, or attraction wise. Look at HP's success at UNI. Guests flocked in droves and droves and still are just to stand in line for hours to be immersed in the queue, the ride itself and all the shops and detailed buildings that went a long with it. I want to go Uni just to be immersed in the Transformers movie.

So Disney is right on the money with what they are doing. They are taking popular films and giving guests the chance to be immersed in them in some form or fashion.

Disney will keep being creative and coming up with their own IP. But in the meantime they cant sit back and watch UNI crush them, so they will use whats available and that happens to be Avatar, Star Wars, Pixar, and anything else they can aquire and they will sprinkle in Disney's own IP and generations upon generations will continue to enjoy the magical world.

 

[Travel Junkie]

I can't remember where, but I read somewhere that building something with Imagineering always costs more than building with anyone else because of the premiums they charge as an in house service.

WDI does charge the parks a premium for any project. Below is a MiceAge article from a former Disneyland accountant that is eye opening.

http://micechat.com/30626-disneyland-resort-6/

 

[BrightImagine]

Or the five screen film playing since 1982 that'd take half a managers bonus to edit bang up to date and look beautiful on the lovely digital projection system recently installed?

Best idea I have heard in a while... Martin, they'd be wise to have you as a consultant on these things! I thought so when watching the Imagination recreation.... "Martin could have made it better!"

 

[CJR]

I don't want to get people too crazy into the Disney vs. Universal thing, but I think some Disney leaders are caught in their bubble.

I don't think Walt Disney World has better customer service than Universal Orlando does. I've been to both places recently and they seem to be about equal. Universal has definitely stepped up in recent years and it really shows. There are some older kinks in the quality of their parks, but one could argue the same for Disney's parks (they all have their dead areas TL in MK, Imagination/WOL in Epcot, huge sections of DHS, CMM in AK, Hollywoodland at DCA (where Millionaire used to be), Big Thunder Ranch at DL and TL).

I personally still love Disney more, but don't discredit what Universal has done. For the guest who doesn't pay attention to branding, they might think all six parks in FL are a part of the same company.

I don't think Universal will exceed the quality of Disney's theme parks, but they very well are trying to match it and have been successful at it so far, IMO.

 

[Darth Sidious]

Under the Sea: Journey of the Little Mermaid cost more than Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey...

I'm not going to go into bloated costs but bottom line I agree with you on that. My point is going forward nothing has been given the go ahead yet. That is what I meant. Though there are definitely things in the pipeline for WDW.

 

[TubaGeek]

Upper management thinks that there's no competition. And they're right. Because the only competition they give a crap about is which company is making the most $$$.
If they were to be concerned with the quality of the parks, however...

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'm not going to go into bloated costs but bottom line I agree with you on that. My point is going forward nothing has been given the go ahead yet. That is what I meant. Though there are definitely things in the pipeline for WDW.

The issues on Flower Street go much deeper than bloated costs.

 

[SJN1279]

I don't want to get people too crazy into the Disney vs. Universal thing, but I think some Disney leaders are caught in their bubble.

I don't think Walt Disney World has better customer service than Universal Orlando does. I've been to both places recently and they seem to be about equal. Universal has definitely stepped up in recent years and it really shows. .

As a person with food allergies, Disney has way more options than Universal. The chef also personally comes to the table at Disney to make sure what I am eating is safe. Universal has gotten better with certain food allergy options, but are light years behind Disney in that regard.

 

[misterID]

I agree about Disney Customer Service being fantastic. I do disagree about the magic. Let's not confuse giddy nostalgia for anything more than it is. Being awestruck and excited about new creations was part of the Disney magic. You know, that stuff people who frequent Disneyland and UNI feel. WDW... Meh, they had to recreate a former attraction at their expo to get WDW fans excited. An attraction they tore down. Because WDW isn't a museum. But they will sell you merchandise based on that museum stuff all they can. But they aren't a muesum. Get over it. But don't forget to buy your Horizons T-Shirt. And next year they're going to recreate World Of Motion! But they are NOT a museum. And they will eventually compete with Harry Potter. So bring it on! Just not right now. But soon. Until then, enjoy EPCOT's new attraction: Captain Eo.



....and we're not a museum.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I agree about Disney Customer Service being fantastic. I do disagree about the magic. Let's not confuse giddy nostalgia for anything more than it is. Being awestruck and excited about new creations was part of the Disney magic. You know, that stuff people who frequent Disneyland and UNI feel. WDW... Meh, they had to recreate a former attraction at their expo to get WDW fans excited. An attraction they tore down. Because WDW isn't a museum. But they will sell you merchandise based on that museum stuff all they can. But they aren't a muesum. Get over it. But don't forget to buy your Horizons T-Shirt. And next year they're going to recreate World Of Motion! But they are NOT a museum. And they will eventually compete with Harry Potter. So bring it on! Just not right now. But soon. Until then, enjoy EPCOT's new attraction: Captain Eo.



....and we're not a museum.

What good museum sells tickets and merchandise based on the great exhibit it had last year?

 

[Mem11]

I have to disagree @Seabasealpha1 People are flocking to the parks to be part of feature films. TO be immersed in it as much as possible. I mean heck isn't that what most of Disneys experience is about.

Ah No. Most of the headline attractions were not based on specific IP's. Look at Pirates, HM, Space Mtn, Ctry Bears, COP, Big Thunder Mtn, Spaceship Earth, Horizons, Imagination, Soarin, Exp Everest, Kilimanjaro Safari, Kali River Rpds, CTX, World Of Motion, Test Track... I could go on, but you get the point.

That's not to say they don't use IP's in the parks, they always have. But most of those, until recently, were smaller scale attractions such as Peter Pan, Toad, Pooh, Dumbo, Swiss Family Tree Hse, etc... Certainly this will continue along with IP based E Tickets, but not every headline attraction has to be. Disney has always and continues to(Overseas anyway) create new original attractions and I would hope they always do, it's what made me a fan.

For me, the Parks allow you(well, at one time) to explore and experience new and interesting environments. You want to go deeper and deeper into the parks to find out what's around the next corner. They never made me want to "Ride the Movies".

I like Uni and think they are doing some great things(As a matter of fact I will be going to Orlando next month and will not step inside a Disney Park), but if Disney's new objective is just to follow the competition, and the fans approve of this strategy, then they just become another amusement park operator and can no longer claim to be the "leader".

 

[wedenterprises]

I loved Vaughn's answer. I love his attitude about this, and he's right.

Universal has essentially made the same ride about 6 times. Kuka arm and some screens. Slap Harry Potter, Transformers or Spider-Man on it...it's the same ride.

 

[BryceM]

I loved Vaughn's answer. I love his attitude about this, and he's right.

Universal has essentially made the same ride about 6 times. Kuka arm and some screens. Slap Harry Potter, Transformers or Spider-Man on it...it's the same ride.

This saddens me.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I loved Vaughn's answer. I love his attitude about this, and he's right.

Universal has essentially made the same ride about 6 times. Kuka arm and some screens. Slap Harry Potter, Transformers or Spider-Man on it...it's the same ride.

I think Oceaneering and KUKA would beg to differ.

 

[afar28]

I

I loved Vaughn's answer. I love his attitude about this, and he's right.

Universal has essentially made the same ride about 6 times. Kuka arm and some screens. Slap Harry Potter, Transformers or Spider-Man on it...it's the same ride.

I mean Disney has tons of omnimovers with just different themes. I guess all of those are also the same. Journey into Imagination and Haunted Mansion are basically clones since they're both omnimovers...
Im sorry but You're logic simply doesn't make sense

 

[TheMackMachine]

I wasn't really upset with what Marty and Bruce said about Universal Creative, because what else can they say?
They are part of Disney where they need to tell their fans that no one is better. That's why their fans believe that no one can beat Disney.

Now if that's what they think when they have private conversations or when talking to people outside the company, than what are we expecting out of "Avatar land," "Star Wars Land," and "Cars Land?" Are these lands going head to head with Potter, Transformers, Simpsons, and everything coming out of UC's head? Or will these lands be New Fantasy Lands that are only upgrades to capacity, and not a brand new experience that will wow you like the Wizarding World?

This D23 Expo was so hyped up with big theme park announcements that only provided teasers that only left many people in doubt just what should we expect out of these projects. I'm pretty sure they understand what everyone else doing, but we'll never know until we see what these guys have in store for DHS and beyond.

One last note, Bruce Vaughn saying that Universal does not have imagineering. Who the hell cares? They're getting the job done. They're doing their thing, and it's working! How about you?

 

[erwinalber4]

Why so much negativity regarding WDI? I didn't find anything wrong with what he said. I thought it was a bit funny actually. Is NFL perfect? No but it also isn't even finished yet. Nobody here has ridden the Seven Dwarfs mine train or seen Avatar first hand. It's not like WDW isn't getting new attractions and UNI is. UC is indeed doing some extraordinary things but honestly WWHP is really just visual. It is highly themed and stunning. FJ is a technologically advanced ride, yes. But honestly what exactly is the story? WDI spends so much time developing a story that will truly bring you in. This is something UC does as well but not to the level of WDI. They have many great attractions with a story but as amazing as Spider-Man may be I don't feel as immersed as I would on Dinosaur (opened within a few years of each other). I have yet to see Transformers so I can't comment on how it's presented but from what I do know, isn't it Spiderman with a different theme? Not so much as groundbreaking as many believe. Again, I am in no way saying UNI is bad at what they do. I love their attractions. But WDI is still superior on what they focus on the most, story. We can all complain but pretty much everyone here is still going to visit WDW to see the mine train and Avatar as well as the rumored DHS expansions, ect. I find it very hard to believe that WDI is not planning anything spectacular in the coming years. Yes, it takes time but I don't mind the wait for a visually stunning and immersive environment. Carsland proved to be a great addition to DCA just as Avatar and DHS expansions will be. Also, lets not forget that WDI has pioneered so many types of experiences and most definitely are working to bring us something new and exciting with time. Right now, they are laying out the ground work for the future of Disney Parks. They are currently constructing a brand new park, and most likely have several Imagineers focused on Avatar. These are big projects and while these are still in the design phases they are adding just enough to keep things new and exciting while they prepare for the "big" additions. I've said my piece now can we all just enjoy both Resorts?

 

[WDWDad13]

Why so much negativity regarding WDI? I didn't find anything wrong with what he said. I thought it was a bit funny actually. Is NFL perfect? No but it also isn't even finished yet. Nobody here has ridden the Seven Dwarfs mine train or seen Avatar first hand. It's not like WDW isn't getting new attractions and UNI is. UC is indeed doing some extraordinary things but honestly WWHP is really just visual. It is highly themed and stunning. FJ is a technologically advanced ride, yes. But honestly what exactly is the story? WDI spends so much time developing a story that will truly bring you in. This is something UC does as well but not to the level of WDI. They have many great attractions with a story but as amazing as Spider-Man may be I don't feel as immersed as I would on Dinosaur (opened within a few years of each other). I have yet to see Transformers so I can't comment on how it's presented but from what I do know, isn't it Spiderman with a different theme? Not so much as groundbreaking as many believe. Again, I am in no way saying UNI is bad at what they do. I love there attractions. But WDI is still superior on what they focus on the most, story. We can all complain but pretty much everyone here is still going to visit WDW to see the mine train and Avatar as well as the rumored DHS expansions, ect. I find it very hard to believe that WDI is not planning anything spectacular in the coming years. Yes, it takes time but I don't mind the wait for a visually stunning and immersive environment. Carsland proved to be a great addition to DCA just as Avatar and DHS expansions will be. Also, lets not forget that WDI has pioneered so many types of experiences and most definitely are working to bring us something new and exciting with time. Right now, they are laying out the ground work for the future of Disney Parks. They are currently constructing a brand new park, and most likely have several Imagineers focused on Avatar. These are big projects and while these are still in the design phases they are adding just enough to keep things new and exciting while they prepare for the "big" additions. I've said my piece now can we all just enjoy both Resorts?

Finally someone gets it! lol

 

[twebber55]

I

I mean Disney has tons of omnimovers with just different themes. I guess all of those are also the same. Journey into Imagination and Haunted Mansion are basically clones since they're both omnimovers...
Im sorry but You're logic simply doesn't make sense

but they re magical dont you get it

 

[TubaGeek]

I loved Vaughn's answer. I love his attitude about this, and he's right.

Universal has essentially made the same ride about 6 times. Kuka arm and some screens. Slap Harry Potter, Transformers or Spider-Man on it...it's the same ride.

Other people have made a major point I support already, so I won't bring that up. Instead I'll ask: if Spidey has been around since IoA opened why has Disney not opened an attraction as or more impressive in all the time they've had?!?