Cash-Strapped Disney

[Surferboy567]

@WDW Pro Can you answer any of these questions?

In reference to Splash:

Lots of info in this statement. First off when you say ”quickly” for the DL version what exactly do you mean? We talking a couple of months? A year?

Is the timeframe for the actual construction supposed to be far reaching or a “quick” turnaround? Like guardians.

The WDW timeframe aligns with other insiders as well

In reference to changes:

I think this is the first time we have seen Pirates on this list what are they thinking about changing there?

What are they thinking about changing on most of these attractions?

 

[BuzzedPotatoHead89]

What exactly needed to / needs to be touched up? It clearly wasn't an issue since 1989, and 1992 in WDW until now.

The issues with SOTS will be debated relentlessly. I’ll just say regardless of how anyone personally feels it clearly was an issue for leadership that they were embarrassed by the movie since arguably the early 2000s, when TWDC began running away from even the animated characters and songs which were still being marketed as separable from the full film in the in the late 80s and 90s.

While SM attempts to avoid the “most problematic” elements of the film in the ride the fact that its show scenes/animatronics have suffered the most from deferred maintenance is one argument in my mind for why management has a “no love lost” attitude for the entirety of the IP.

 

[Piebald]

Didnt read this thread but thats partially why I dont care if Splash Mountain changes: because I knew Tokyo would not change it and I could just ride it there lol

 

[DarkMetroid567]

Not since WWII has uncertainty been so high.

This is a bold claim for a company that has flirted with bankruptcy for most of its history.

 

[rle4lunch]

Maybe Disney should've ponied up some of that sweet sweet MCU movie cash to finding a COVID vaccine quicker, rather than squabbling with workers unions and worrying about creating custom face masks to hawk. Put out some hand sanitizer, hang a sign at the front that says, 'enter at your own risk', and call it a freakin' day.

 

[MisterPenguin]

And THIS is how Universal passes Disney! Mark my words...

UO has delayed Epic Universe by a year (so far, there's always the possibility of pushing it off further). And they had a round a layoffs.

It is not surprising that a pandemic and recession would hit the bottom lines of Disney and Universal.

 

[Jrb1979]

UO has delayed Epic Universe by a year (so far, there's always the possibility of pushing it off further). And they had a round a layoffs.

It is not surprising that a pandemic and recession would hit the bottom lines of Disney and Universal.

If anything I think regional parks are going to come out ahead the most out of all of this.

 

[Thelazer]

UO has delayed Epic Universe by a year (so far, there's always the possibility of pushing it off further). And they had a round a layoffs.

It is not surprising that a pandemic and recession would hit the bottom lines of Disney and Universal.

Unless UO plans to re-hire A LOT OF FOLKS quickly.... Epic is delayed A LOT longer than a year.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Re-theming to Jake And The Neverland Pirates. Gotta draw in that Disney Jr crowd.

Just as I predicted

 

[WDW Pro]

@WDW Pro Can you answer any of these questions?

In reference to Splash:

Lots of info in this statement. First off when you say ”quickly” for the DL version what exactly do you mean? We talking a couple of months? A year?

The company hasn't set a timeline, but based on what I've been told, I think they're looking at a 12 month window. The issue is that California's vital outbreak can affect the plan. Another issue is that they have some scenes mapped out in concept, very little mapped out in any sort of CAD, and chunks of the attraction remain blank for what to do. This is further hampered by a budget that simply can't accommodate all the changes needed, AND getting some of the necessary parts is difficult short term due to supply chain issues (specifically electronics).

Is the timeframe for the actual construction supposed to be far reaching or a “quick” turnaround? Like guardians.

This will be determined by TDA and TDO budgets and timing for fiscal calendar spending. I don't know DLR's estimated downtime, but I was told WDW is a 14 month job if rushed. Because much of Splash Mountain takes place in an integrated structure, as opposed to a show building, interior demolitions will be time consuming.

The WDW timeframe aligns with other insiders as well

In reference to changes:

I think this is the first time we have seen Pirates on this list what are they thinking about changing there?

Redd's attire is all I've been told as for sure. They want to add female pirate animatronics, but again, there's just no cash being opened up for it (at this time).

What are they thinking about changing on most of these attractions?

Mothball CoP, completely rescript Country Bears, redo Hall of Presidents to be witty and musically inclined, remove elements of Peter Pan, etc.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Doesn’t seem like an indefinite delay to me. But I guess I can always ride it in Tokyo, if I’m ever able to make it out there.

 

[Surferboy567]

The company hasn't set a timeline, but based on what I've been told, I think they're looking at a 12 month window. The issue is that California's vital outbreak can affect the plan. Another issue is that they have some scenes mapped out in concept, very little mapped out in any sort of CAD, and chunks of the attraction remain blank for what to do. This is further hampered by a budget that simply can't accommodate all the changes needed, AND getting some of the necessary parts is difficult short term due to supply chain issues (specifically electronics).



This will be determined by TDA and TDO budgets and timing for fiscal calendar spending. I don't know DLR's estimated downtime, but I was told WDW is a 14 month job if rushed. Because much of Splash Mountain takes place in an integrated structure, as opposed to a show building, interior demolitions will be time consuming.



Redd's attire is all I've been told as for sure. They want to add female pirate animatronics, but again, there's just no cash being opened up for it (at this time).



Mothball CoP, completely rescript Country Bears, redo Hall of Presidents to be witty and musically inclined, remove elements of Peter Pan, etc.

Thanks for answering!

I really do not want CoP to get mothballed. HoP becoming witty I’m fine with. Splash’s timeframe is interesting.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Thanks for answering!

I really do not want CoP to get mothballed. HoP becoming witty I’m fine with. Splash’s timeframe is interesting.

Why interesting?

 

[The_Jobu]

Redd's attire is all I've been told as for sure. They want to add female pirate animatronics, but again, there's just no cash being opened up for it (at this time).

Just as long as the Mayor is still being tortured before they drown him.

#priorities

 

[Surferboy567]

Why interesting?

Seeing the timeframe of the project, I find interesting. Not sure why, I just do. Maybe it’s because they take forever to usually put changes into effect and this is moving so quickly. It’s also one of my favorite attractions so their is that.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Seeing the timeframe of the project, I find interesting. Not sure why, I just do. Maybe it’s because they take forever to usually put changes into effect and this is moving so quickly. It’s also one of my favorite attractions so their is that.

Oh. Yeah it is interesting it would be so quick. Particularly only 14 months in Florida. None of the sets can even be reused there with the IP chose.

 

[Rich T]

1)No disagreement there
2) Is it, though? Rumors aside, the DPB announcement seems focused on the princess/Mardi Gras element.
3) This is assuming the concept is more closely tethered to the movie, but so far all we know (officially) is that this is “after the final kiss”. Of course they could/should easily bring back Dr. Facilier, but that is not yet confirmed. In the film Tiana is a frog, but one thing that seems very clear from the DPB announcement they want to have her in her human form here on.
4) Agree there also once in the park, albeit it’ll depend on the marketing of the attraction outside the park too. Still your casual/irregular visitor may not make the immediate connection between this ride and SM.

I question the rushed timing of this announcement when the ride is conceivably popular enough to slog on for a time.

Iger has had 15 years to touch this ride up to a new IP since he became CEO and 11 years post P&TF to bring in a tie in to that IP and now we’re talking about changing it in one of the most budget conscious times imaginable.

I don’t mind evicting the Brer critters but when replacing/refreshing e-tickets I’d prefer WDI at least make sure they have the tangible revenue on hand to make sure you can finance a worthy replacement for which they can be proud.

I actually wouldn’t be surprised if they still call it Splash Mountain with the long-term goal of the ride settling back into its traditional role:

Phase 1) Promoted as “Splash Mountain: Tiana’s Mardi Gras Adventure” or something like that. Reassuring folks the drops are still the same while also promoting it as a new experience.

Phase 2) After about 5 years, they remove the subtitle and it’s simply called “Splash Mountain” again and Disney pretends the Song of tbe South version never existed, and new guests assume it’s always been a PatF ride.

 

[Brer Oswald]

Just as long as the Mayor is still being tortured before they drown him.

#priorities

That will be too insensitive for the 2030 crowd

 

[_caleb]

@WDW Pro I’m concerned about the surveys being sent around involving the Enchanted Tiki Room, Country Bears, and the Carousel of Progress.

What is “wrong” with the Tiki room? Bears: I’m sure some still find ofFenSiVe.

Carousel of Progress: John’s sarcastic, crass comments to his wife?

I feel like they are looking to eliminate one of the three as a cost cutting measure (likely Tiki room) as there is a bigger fan base for CB and CoP.

I assume they’ll “tame the bears” and give CoP the woke treatment.

How much do you think it costs Disney to run the Tiki room?

 

[Mickey Pride]

All I know is I wish I was as cash strapped as Disney.